Notion formulas are powerful. You can calculate dates based on other fields, add days to deadlines, or derive start dates from related data. But until now, you could not use those formula dates in calendar apps.
With Notion to Calendar Premium, you can select formula fields that return dates as your calendar's date source. Your calculated dates show up in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, or any other calendar app you use.
When formula dates are useful
Here are some real scenarios where formula dates make sense:
Deadline buffers. You have a due date field, but you want calendar reminders a few days earlier. Create a formula like `dateSubtract(prop("Due Date"), 3, "days")` and use that as your calendar date. You will see events 3 days before the actual deadline.
Project kickoff dates. If your database has an end date and duration, you can calculate the start date with a formula. The calendar shows when work should begin, not just when it is due.
Adjusted schedules. Some teams track "planned date" and "actual date" separately. A formula can pick the most relevant one: `if(empty(prop("Actual Date")), prop("Planned Date"), prop("Actual Date"))`. Your calendar always shows the current truth.
Rolling windows. For recurring tasks that do not have fixed dates, a formula can calculate "next occurrence" based on the last completion date. The calendar updates automatically as you complete items.
How to use formula dates
Step 1: Create your formula in Notion
In your Notion database, add a formula property that returns a date. The formula must evaluate to a date type, not a string.
For example:
- `dateAdd(prop("Start Date"), 7, "days")` returns the date one week after Start Date
- `if(prop("Priority") == "High", prop("Due Date"), dateAdd(prop("Due Date"), 3, "days"))` adjusts dates based on priority
Step 2: Configure your calendar in Notion to Calendar
- Go to your dashboard
- Select the calendar you want to configure
- In the date field dropdown, you will see your formula fields listed with "(formula)" next to them
- Select your formula date field
- Save the configuration
Step 3: Subscribe in your calendar app
Use the calendar link in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook. Events will appear at the dates calculated by your formula.
When the underlying data changes in Notion, the formula recalculates and the calendar updates automatically (within the sync interval of your plan).
Things to know
Formula dates require Premium. This feature is part of the Premium plan because it requires additional processing to evaluate formula results. The free plan only supports standard date fields.
Null dates are skipped. If your formula returns empty or null for some rows, those items will not appear in the calendar. This is actually useful for conditional visibility.
The formula must return a date. If your formula returns a string that looks like a date, it will not work. Notion formulas have specific date functions like `dateAdd`, `dateSubtract`, `now`, and `fromTimestamp`. Use those.
Sync timing applies. Premium calendars sync every 5 minutes. When you update data in Notion, the formula recalculates immediately in Notion, but it takes up to 5 minutes for the calendar to reflect the change.
Example: Content publishing calendar
Let's say you have a content database with these fields:
- Title (text)
- Draft Due (date): when the draft should be ready
- Review Days (number): how many days for review
- Publish Date (formula): `dateAdd(prop("Draft Due"), prop("Review Days"), "days")`
In Notion to Calendar, you can create two calendar links:
- One using "Draft Due" for your writing schedule
- One using "Publish Date" (formula) for your publishing calendar
Both calendars stay in sync with your Notion data, but show different dates based on your workflow.
Try it with Premium
Formula date support is available exclusively on the Premium plan, which also includes up to 10 calendars, 300 events per calendar, 5-minute sync, and custom filters.