TL;DR: Build a personal finance dashboard in Notion by creating a database for transactions, adding formula properties for balances and categories, then linking summary views to a top-level page. This guide walks you through setup, formulas, and layout so you can track spending and net worth in one place.
Step 1: Create the Transactions Database
Start with a full-page database called “Transactions.” Add these properties: Name (text), Date (date), Amount (number), Type (select: Income/Expense), Category (select), and Account (select). Enter a few sample rows so formulas have data to reference.
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Step 2: Add Formula Properties
Create a formula property called “Signed Amount” using if(prop("Type") == "Income", prop("Amount"), -prop("Amount")). This lets you sum income and expenses together. Add a second formula, “Month,” with formatDate(prop("Date"), "YYYY-MM") to group entries later.
Step 3: Build Summary Views
Duplicate the database view three times. Set the first as a table filtered to the current month. Set the second as a board grouped by Category. Set the third as a table grouped by Month with a calculation row summing Signed Amount. Name them “This Month,” “By Category,” and “Monthly Totals.”
Step 4: Assemble the Dashboard Page
Create a new page called “Finance Dashboard.” Add linked views of your three summaries side by side using column blocks. Above them, add callout blocks showing your current balance and savings rate as static text you update monthly, or embed a formula from a small “Settings” database.
Step 5: Add Tips for Maintenance
Log transactions weekly rather than daily to avoid burnout. Use the Category select consistently so board views stay clean. Archive old months by filtering views to the last 90 days. Back up your database monthly via export.
FAQ
Q: Can I track multiple accounts in one database?
A: Yes. Use the Account select property and create filtered views per account, or group your monthly totals view by Account.
Q: Do I need a paid Notion plan?
A: No. All features used here—databases, formulas, linked views, and columns—work on the free personal plan.
Q: How do I calculate net worth?
A: Create a separate “Accounts” database with a Balance number property, then add a linked view to your dashboard and enable the Sum calculation at the bottom.
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