Overview
A countdown timer in your notes shows how much time remains until a date you choose or a date in a linked database record. Give it an event title, pick a display style, and see the countdown update live.
Choose whether to show seconds, a progress bar, the target date, or an urgency badge. When the event arrives, freeze the display with a finished message or count up to show how much time has passed. You can also export the event as a calendar file.
When to use it
Keep a deadline or project launch date visible while you work through related notes.
Count down to a meeting, trip, celebration, or other upcoming event.
Show a countdown tied to a database record so it follows changes to that record’s date.
Add an event to your calendar from a countdown, with a reminder, location, and notes.
Features and settings
Setting
Event title
Name the event so people can tell what the countdown is for. Use the title for a deadline, launch, meeting, or another date you want to track.
Setting
Target date and time
Choose a date and time manually, or link a database record and select its date. A database-linked countdown follows the record when its date changes.
Setting
Layout mode
Choose Hero for a large countdown, Card for a balanced layout with event context, Minimal for a small inline countdown, or Timeline for a progress-focused view.
Setting
Completion behavior
Choose Show completed to freeze the countdown and display a finished message, or Count up after finish to show how much time has passed since the event.
Setting
Show seconds
Turn this on to display seconds and update the countdown every second. Turn it off for a calmer display.
Setting
Show progress bar
Show progress from the time the block was created to the target date. Turn it on when you want a visual sense of how close the event is.
Setting
Show title
Display the event name inside the countdown. Turn it on when the block needs to make its purpose clear at a glance.
Setting
Show target date
Display the exact date and time under the countdown. Turn it on when readers need the event’s scheduled time as well as the time remaining.
Setting
Urgency badge
Highlight the countdown when the event is getting close. Turn it on to make approaching deadlines or events stand out.
Setting
Custom finished message
Set the message shown when the countdown finishes. Use a short note that tells readers what to do next or marks the event as complete.
Setting
Notes
Add notes to the calendar event created from this countdown. Use this for details attendees may need.
Setting
Location
Add a location for the calendar event. Use it when the event takes place at a specific venue or address.
Setting
Duration
Set the event duration in minutes for the calendar export. Use it when the event has a defined length.
Setting
Reminder
Add a reminder alarm to the exported calendar file. Turn it on when you want the calendar event to include an alert.
Setting
Reminder time
Choose how many minutes before the event the calendar reminder alarm is set to go off. Set this when Reminder is enabled.
Setting
Enable calendar export
Show an export button that downloads a calendar file for the event. Turn this on when you want to add the event to a calendar.
Built in
Live countdown
The block shows the time remaining until the target date and updates as time passes.
Built in
Database date source
Link a database record to use its date for the countdown. The countdown follows the date when it changes.
Built in
Calendar file export
Export the event as a downloadable .ics calendar file. The file can include the event duration, location, notes, and a reminder alarm.
How to use it
Add a Countdown block
Add a Countdown block to a page or board card, or ask Lara to insert one.
Choose the date source
Open the block settings. Choose Manual to pick the date and time yourself, or Database to link a record and select its date.
Name and style the event
Add an event title, then choose a layout and the display options you want, such as seconds, the target date, or a progress bar.
Set what happens when time is up
Choose whether the countdown shows a finished message or counts up after the event. Add a custom finished message if you like.
Export the event if needed
Enable calendar export and add any event details, duration, or reminder. Use Export .ics to download the calendar file.
Where it works
On any page
In the / menu
Inside board cards
Turn other blocks into it
Own settings panel
Lara can add it for you
Examples
Countdown to a project launch
Add a launch date to a project page and show the progress bar to keep the team focused on the deadline.
Countdown linked to a database event
Use a record’s date for a countdown in your event notes. If the date changes in the record, the countdown follows it.
Prepare a calendar event
Add the date, duration, location, and notes, then export an .ics file with a reminder alarm.
Tips · Limitations
Tips
Use Minimal for a small inline countdown and Hero when an important date should stand out.
Turn off Show seconds for a less busy display.
Show the exact target date when readers need to confirm the scheduled time.
Use a database date source when the date is maintained in a record and may change.
Limitations
You can’t add a Countdown block from the slash menu.
You can’t convert existing content into a Countdown block with Turn into.
Calendar export downloads an .ics file; it does not sync the countdown with a calendar.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a countdown timer in my notes?
Add a Countdown block to a page or board card, choose a target date and time, and set the title and display options in the block settings.
Can a countdown use a date from a database?
Yes. Choose Database as the date source, link a record, and select its date. The countdown follows the date if it changes in the record.
What happens when a countdown reaches zero?
Choose Show completed to freeze the countdown and display a finished message, or Count up after finish to show the time elapsed since the event.
Can I add a countdown event to my calendar?
Yes. Enable calendar export, add any event details you need, then select Export .ics to download the calendar file.
Can I show progress on a countdown timer?
Yes. Turn on Show progress bar to display progress from the block’s creation time to the target date.
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