Databases
A database is a set of rows with typed columns, kept inside a project. Use one to track books, a reading list, contacts, research or anything with a shape. Databases are free on every plan.
Create one from New database in the Projects sidebar (at the top of a project or inside a folder). You can also import them from Notion.
Columns
Every database has a Name column. Add others from Add property and choose a type:
| Type | What it holds |
|---|---|
| Text, URL, email, phone | Words and links |
| Number | A number (optionally shown as a percentage) |
| Select, multi-select | Options you name and color |
| Status | Options grouped as to do, in progress and done |
| Date | A day or a time, with an optional end |
| Checkbox | Yes or no |
| People | A list of names. Nobody is invited or notified |
| Files | Links to files, or an image uploaded to Xenith |
| Relation | Links to rows of another database in the project |
Open a column's header to rename it, change its type, hide it in this view, move it, or delete it (deleting a column deletes its values from every row, after a confirmation). Changing a column's type keeps the stored values until you edit the cell.
Formulas, rollups, created and edited times and IDs only arrive through an import. They show the value they had and can't be edited.
Relations
A relation links rows to rows of another database in the same project. Choose the Related database in the column's menu, then pick rows from a searchable list. A link to a row that no longer exists shows as "Unavailable" and can be removed.
Views
Each database can have several views (up to 20), each with its own filter, sorts and visible columns:
- Table: a spreadsheet-style grid with resizable columns. Arrow keys move between cells, Enter edits, Esc cancels, Tab moves on, and Shift+Enter (or Ctrl/Cmd+Enter) opens the row.
- Board: cards in columns for each option of a status, select or checkbox column. Drag a card to another column, or use its Move button (works from the keyboard and on a phone).
- Gallery: a grid of cards. A row's first image uploaded to Xenith shows above its title.
- List: one line per row, the compact view that reads well on a phone.
Use Filter (rules combined with and/or) and Sort (several keys, empty values last). The Properties menu chooses which columns show in the current view.
Rows
Open a row to see all its columns in a side panel (full screen on a phone). Below them is a notes page with the full editor, created the first time you write in it. In any page you can link to a database with /Link to database.
Limits
Up to 50 databases per account, 5,000 rows per database, 50 columns and 20 views per database. These are the same on every plan.