What is a status property in Notion?

A status property in Notion is a specialized database field that tracks the progress or state of items like tasks, projects, or content within your workspace. This dedicated property type combines the simplicity of checkbox functionality with the flexibility of multi-state tracking, making it perfect for managing workflows and team collaboration. Unlike basic select properties, status fields are specifically designed for progress tracking and integrate seamlessly with Notion's automation features. When you create a status property, you're essentially building a dynamic progress indicator that can adapt to any workflow you design.

Setting up a status property is straightforward and highly customizable. When you add a new status property to your database, Notion automatically provides three default states: "Not Started," "In Progress," and "Completed." You can customize these states, add new ones, assign colors and icons, and even set default states for new entries. The property can display as either a checkbox for simple done/not-done tracking or as a select menu for more complex multi-stage workflows. This flexibility allows you to create anything from basic to-do lists to sophisticated editorial calendars or sales pipelines.

The real power of status properties emerges in practical applications across different use cases. For project management, you might use stages like "Planning," "In Review," "On Hold," and "Complete." Content creators often implement workflows such as "Idea," "Draft," "Review," and "Published." Advanced users can even create formula-based statuses that automatically update based on due dates or other conditions, providing instant insights into schedule risks and project health.

According to Notion's user data, adoption of status properties increased by over 35% within six months of launch, with 80% of users reporting improved workflow clarity and productivity. The visual cues provided by color-coded statuses make it easy to interpret progress at a glance, while the collaborative nature ensures team alignment and transparent progress tracking across all stakeholders.

While status properties offer significant advantages, they do have limitations worth considering. Highly customized workflows may require advanced formula skills or frequent manual updates, and very large databases with numerous status properties can experience performance slowdowns. Additionally, while Notion's automation capabilities are growing, they may not match the complexity offered by dedicated enterprise project management platforms. Despite these considerations, status properties remain one of Notion's most valuable features for organizing and tracking progress efficiently.