The inequality (!=
) operator returns true if its operands are not equal. It accepts operands of all data types – strings, numbers, Booleans, and dates.
string != string
number != number
Boolean != Boolean
date != date
unequal(string, string)
unequal(number, number)
unequal(Boolean, Boolean)
unequal(date, date)
Good to know: Notion does not allow for comparisons between different data types. You must convert all data to a common type before making a comparison (e.g. by using format() to create a string value).
You can also use the function version, unequal()
.
Example Formulas
1 != 2 // Output: True
1 != 1 // Output: False
unequal("Cat","Dog") // Output: True
"1" != 2 // Type mismatch error
2^3 != 10 // Output: True
Good to know: The inequality (!=
) operator cannot be chained in a Notion formula. A formula like 1 != 2 != 3
won’t work. Use the and operator to get around this – e.g. 1 != 2 and 2 != 3
.
Example Database
The example database below contains a Cat Status property that will inform you on whether or not your lawyer is a cat.

View and Duplicate Database

“Cat Status” Property Formula
(prop("Type") != "Cat") ? "Your lawyer is not a cat." : "Your lawyer is a cat."
If you understand this well, you may want to check out the more complex example on the equality (==
) operator’s page.
Other formula components used in this example:
