How do I filter database entries in Notion?

Filtering database entries in Notion is straightforward once you know where to look. You'll find the Filter button in the view controls bar at the top right of any database view, whether you're working with tables, boards, lists, calendars, or galleries. Simply click Filter, then "Add a filter" to start creating your first rule by selecting a property, choosing an operator, and setting your desired value.

The filtering process works by selecting three key components for each rule. First, choose the property you want to filter by, such as Status, Tags, or Date. Next, select an operator that matches your property type—text properties offer options like "contains" or "is," while numbers provide "greater than" or "equals," and dates include "on or before" or "within the past week." Finally, input your specific value to complete the filter condition.

You can create powerful combinations by adding multiple filters to the same view. By default, Notion uses AND logic, meaning entries must meet all your conditions simultaneously. For example, you could show only tasks where Status equals "In Progress" and Priority equals "High." However, you can also access advanced filtering options through the database settings menu, which allows you to group filters and toggle between AND and OR logic for more complex queries.

Advanced filtering becomes particularly useful when you need nested conditions up to three layers deep. You might want to display items where Status is "Done" OR Priority is "High," but only when the Due Date falls within the next week. This flexibility makes Notion's filtering system valuable for everything from task management to content scheduling, allowing you to segment large datasets and focus on what matters most.

While Notion's filtering capabilities are robust, there are some limitations to consider. Large databases with complex filters may experience slower loading times, and you're restricted to three levels of filter nesting. Additionally, relation filters can only work with direct connections rather than properties of related entries. When you create filters, remember that you can choose to "Save for everyone" to apply them globally, or leave them as personal view customizations. The system updates your view in real time, making it easy to experiment and refine your filtering approach until you achieve the perfect dataset view.