How to Create a Progress Bar in Notion (Step-by-Step Guide)
This guide shows how to build progress bars using formulas, bars or rings.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notion is an incredibly versatile tool, perfect for organizing almost anything in your life, from personal tasks to large team projects. It helps you keep track of your goals, tasks, and information in one central place. But sometimes, just seeing a list of tasks isn't enough to really feel your progress.
This is where progress bars come in. A progress bar gives you a quick, visual way to see how far along you are with a project or goal. Instead of just numbers, you get a clear visual that can boost your motivation and help you stay on track. Imagine seeing a bar fill up as you complete tasks – it’s a powerful feeling!
Creating a progress bar in Notion might sound a bit technical, especially if you're new to formulas. However, it's easier than you think, and the result is a dynamic and engaging workspace. Whether you want to track a personal habit or a major work project, a progress bar can make a big difference in how you visualize your achievements.
So now let’s get started.
Steps to Create a Progress Bar in Notion
By following these detailed steps, you will be able to set up a functional and visually appealing progress bar in your Notion database that automatically updates as your progress changes.
Step #1: Set Up Your Notion Database
First, you need a database in Notion to track your information. You can use an existing database or create a new one. This database will hold the items you want to track, like tasks, projects, or goals.
To create a new database, type `/database` on a Notion page and select "Database - Inline" or "Database - Full Page." Name your database something clear, like "Projects" or "Goals."
So, the final database will look like this:
Step #2: Add Number Properties for Current and Target Values
Within your database, you need to add two "Number" properties. These properties will store the numerical values that your progress bar will use for calculations. One property will represent your current progress, and the other will represent your total target.
Click the `+` icon to add a new property. Choose "Number" from the property types.
Name the first property "Current Value" (or "Completed," "Pages Read," etc., depending on what you're tracking). Name the second property "Target Value" (or "Total," "Goal," "Total Pages," etc.). Enter your numbers in these columns as you work on your tasks or projects.
Step #3: Create a Formula Property for the Progress Bar
Next, you will add a "Formula" property to your database. This is where you'll input the calculation that turns your "Current Value" and "Target Value" into a progress percentage and then a visual bar.
Click the `+` icon again to add a new property, but this time select "Formula" as the type. You can name this property "Progress" or "Progress Bar." After selecting "Formula," an "Edit" button will appear. Click this button to open the formula editor.
Step #4: Input the Progress Bar Formula
In the formula editor, you will enter a simple formula to calculate the percentage of your progress. A common formula for basic progress bars is `prop("Current Value") / prop("Target Value")`.
Type or paste `prop("Current Value") / prop("Target Value")` into the formula box. Make sure that "Current Value" and "Target Value" exactly match the names of the number properties you created in Step 2. Then, click "Done" to save the formula.
# Step 5: Format the Formula Property as Progress Bar
After you've entered the formula, the "Progress bar" property will likely show a decimal number. To turn this into a visual progress bar, you need to change its format.
Click on the "Progress bar" property heading in your database. From the options, choose "Edit Property."
In the "Number Format" section, select "Percentage." This will convert your decimal into a percentage.
Finally, under "Show as," choose "Bar" or "Ring" to display your progress visually. You can also choose a color for your progress bar to customize its appearance.
Wrapping Up: How to Create a Progress Bar in Notion
Creating a progress bar in Notion is a straightforward process that greatly enhances the visual tracking of your goals and tasks. By setting up a database with "Number" properties for your current and target values and then adding a "Formula" property, you can easily calculate and display your progress.
Formatting this formula property as a "Bar" or "Ring" with a percentage display provides an immediate visual cue, helping you stay motivated and informed about your achievements. This simple addition can transform how you interact with your Notion workspace, making your progress tangible and inspiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I add progress status in Notion?
You can add progress status in Notion by using number properties and a formula that calculates completion. Format the result as a percentage bar or ring to visually show progress.
- How to create a progress bar from a checklist in Notion?
To create a progress bar from a checklist in Notion, use a formula that counts checked items and divides them by the total number of checklist items, then display the result as a percentage bar.
- Do you need formulas to create a progress bar in Notion?
Yes, formulas are required to calculate progress in Notion. The formula divides the current value by the target value to generate a percentage that can be shown as a bar.
- Can progress bars update automatically in Notion?
Yes, progress bars in Notion update automatically whenever the current or target values change, making them ideal for tracking real-time progress.
Made with Bullet