One database, many views
Notion offers table, board, calendar, timeline, list and gallery layouts. Tables are best for scanning and sorting, boards for stages, calendars for dates and timelines for longer spans. Switching layout never changes your data.
Five views every practice needs
| View | Layout | Filter | Sort or group |
|---|---|---|---|
| This week | Table | Due date is within next week, and Status is not Done | Sort by Due date, earliest first |
| Overdue | Table | Due date is before today, and Status is not Done | Sort by Due date, oldest first |
| Waiting on others | Table | Status is Waiting | Group by Matter |
| My actions | Table | Assignee is Me, and Status is not Done | Sort by Priority, then Due date |
| Pipeline | Board | Status is not Closed | Group by Status or Stage |
The Me option in a Person filter always means whoever is looking at the view, so one shared view works for the whole team.
Combining filters
Filters can be combined with And and Or, and grouped into sets. A common pattern is: Status is not Done AND (Priority is High OR Due date is before today). Build filters one rule at a time and check the preview after each.
Put the views on your home page
On a normal page, type a slash and choose the linked view of a database. Pick Actions, then set the filter and sort for This week. You now have a live window onto the database on your home page, and any change you make on either side shows on both.
Put This week and Overdue at the top of your home page and open it first thing each morning.
Test before you trust
- Add a sample action dated yesterday and one dated tomorrow and check each appears where it should.
- Mark the sample actions Done and check they disappear from This week and Overdue.
- Remember that a deadline is only on the view if it has a date. Make Due date a required habit, or add a view for items with no date.
- A view is a convenience, not a diary system. Keep your court or regulator's own deadline tools as the authority on time limits.
Further reading
- Notion databases for lawyers: a plain-English start
- Relations and rollups: connect matters, clients, time and invoices
General information only, not legal advice. Check the rules that apply to you.