3 steps to automated meetings with Notion’s dynamic date feature

Published in

Bootcamp

4 min readSep 19, 2023

This post was originally part of my newsletter, The Notion Zeitgeist — you can read the full version here.

So recurring pages in Notion have been out for a while now but honestly, they weren’t that impressive to me… until now.

Notion have released dynamic dates and mentions for database templates which is huge. Here’s a tutorial on how you can use this feature, along with recurring pages to set-up automated check-ins/meetings

What is Notion & why is everyone obsessed with it?

Notion is essentially digital LEGO. You have access to the ‘blocks’ (checkboxes, databases, media embeds etc) to build your dream digital tool/dashboard. Because of this ‘DIY’ aspect, everyone, from parents and students, to creatives and start-ups are obsessed with using it to build everything from recipe books and journals to custom dashboards & client portals. The best thing about Notion is that everything is tailored to the way you think and whatever you build will grow with you.

You can try Notion for free here (#NotionPartner). Although, flagging that advanced features, such as database automations, are only available on paid plans, starting at $10/mth.

How to create automated and recurring meeting templates in Notion

Step #1: Create your database template

Within your database, pre-fill your database template with any information useful content e.g. meeting outline and information. After you’ve completed this, edit your date property and instead of selecting a manual date, choose ‘Today — date when duplicated’. You may also choose ‘Now’, which would also include the time. In the context of meetings/check-ins, to make it easier to find, you can also add a dynamic date in the title by typing the ’@’ symbol and then choosing ‘Today — date when duplicated’.

Step #2: Create your database template

In your database template settings, choose ‘Repeat’ and select the frequency of how often you would like this page template to appear. Make sure to select save. You will now see a blue arrow symbol on that template, which shows that it is recurring.

Step #3: Create your database template

When that template is activated, either manually or automatically through recurring settings, you will see the date automatically switch from ‘Today’ to represent the actual date that it is duplicated/activated.

This looks great, where do I get started learning Notion?

If you’d rather not torture yourself with 1000s of productivity YouTube videos and want a more creative approach to learning Notion, driven by design thinking, you’re free to explore my affordable MySpace-themed course, ‘#MyNotionSpace’, along with 3k+ students.

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Quick note, this was originally a hot take from an issue of my newsletter, The Notion Zeitgeist, that I’ve developed into this article. This is not your productivity bro’s Notion newsletter. 2k+ of you are reading weekly-ish spicy hot takes on Notion, profuntivity and pop culture. Musings by me, Frances Odera Matthews: resident zillennial, Certified Notion Consultant + Founder of The Notion Bar.

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