How do I create a checkbox property in Notion?

Creating a checkbox property in Notion requires working within a database structure, as checkboxes aren't available as standalone elements in regular pages. The process involves navigating to your database, adding a new property column, and selecting "Checkbox" as the property type. This simple yet powerful feature transforms how you track progress and organize workflows across your Notion workspace.

On desktop, start by opening any database view—whether it's a table, board, calendar, gallery, list, or timeline. Look for the small "+" icon at the top right of your column headers in table view, or access the three-dots menu and select "Properties" then "+ New property" in other views. Enter a descriptive name for your checkbox property, such as "Complete" or "Done," then select "Checkbox" from the property type dropdown. Your new checkbox column will immediately appear, ready for you to toggle items between checked and unchecked states.

Mobile users can follow a similar path through the Notion app by accessing the three-dots menu in their target database, selecting "Properties" or "Manage Properties," then tapping "+ Add a Property." The interface remains consistent across iOS and Android platforms, though slight visual differences may appear. Once created, checkbox properties function identically across all devices and views.

The real power of checkbox properties emerges through their integration with Notion's advanced features. These Boolean values (checked = true, unchecked = false) work seamlessly with formulas, relations, and rollups, enabling automated calculations like completion percentages or progress tracking across related databases. You can incorporate checkboxes into templates for repeated workflows, create custom statistics modules, and even trigger workflow automations based on checkbox states.

While checkbox properties offer significant organizational benefits, they do have limitations worth considering. They're exclusively available within databases, not as blocks in regular pages, which can confuse new users expecting more flexible placement options. Additionally, checkboxes don't automatically sync across different databases without explicit relations or rollups, requiring additional configuration for comprehensive project tracking. Despite these constraints, checkbox properties remain one of Notion's most versatile tools for binary state tracking, featured prominently in popular templates and workflows across personal productivity and team collaboration scenarios.