Comment & Mention

Database comments in Notion allow you to collaborate directly on individual records, mention team members, and track priorities. This guide shows you how to add comments with user mentions to database records for effective team communication and task management.

When to Use Database Comments

Database comments are essential for:

• Providing updates on specific tasks or goals
• Mentioning team members to notify them of priority changes
• Adding context or notes without modifying the main record content
• Creating audit trails for important decisions or changes

How to Navigate to Your Database

Before adding comments, navigate to your database by selecting it from your sidebar or opening the page containing your database view. In this example, we're working with a Goals Tracker database that contains various project goals and team assignments.

1

In your database view, locate the record you want to comment on. Click on the drag handle (six dots icon) or right-click the record to open the context menu. This menu provides various actions you can take on the database record.

2

From the context menu that appears, select Comment. This will open the comment interface where you can add your message. The Comment option is typically located near the top of the menu alongside other collaboration features.

3

A comment interface will appear, typically at the bottom or side of your database view. Click in the text area that shows "Start typing to edit text" or similar placeholder text. This activates the comment input field where you can type your message.

4

Type your comment in the text field. To mention a team member, type @ followed by their name (e.g., "@username"). Notion will show a dropdown list of available users to select from. You can also include priority indicators or other relevant information like "mark as P1" to indicate high priority.

When you mention someone with @, they'll receive a notification and can respond directly to the comment. This is perfect for assigning tasks or requesting updates.

5

Once you've finished typing your comment, press Enter or click the Post button to submit your comment. The mentioned user will receive a notification, and your comment will be visible to all collaborators with access to the database.

Best Practices for Database Comments

• Use @mentions strategically - only mention people who need to take action or be informed
• Include priority indicators like "P1", "P2", or "urgent" to help team members understand importance
• Be specific and actionable in your comments rather than vague statements
• Use comments for status updates and context, not for permanent record data

Advanced Comment Features

Database comments support rich formatting and collaborative features:

• Replies and threads - respond to specific comments to maintain organized conversations
• Comment notifications - mentioned users receive instant notifications via email and in-app
• Comment history - all comments are preserved and searchable for future reference

Conclusion

Database comments with user mentions are a powerful way to maintain context-rich conversations around specific records. By combining @mentions with priority indicators and clear action items, you can transform your database into an active collaboration hub where team members stay informed and accountable.

Start using this feature in your team databases to improve communication and ensure important updates don't get lost in other channels. For more database management techniques, explore Manage Database Properties and Set Page Permissions.