Obsidian Cheatsheet: Basic Text Formatting
If you’re looking to enhance your note-taking experience in Obsidian notes, knowing how to format your text is essential. This cheat sheet covers the basics of text formatting, lists, links, and more, making it easier for you to organize and present your thoughts clearly. Let’s dive into the key takeaways that will help you get started!
Key Takeaways
Use double asterisks (**) for bold text and single asterisks (*) for italics.
Create lists with dashes (-) for bullet points and numbers for ordered lists.
Add links using brackets with text and parentheses for URLs.
Block quotes can be made with a greater-than sign (>) before the text.
For code blocks, use three backticks (```) before and after the code.
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Basic Text Formatting in Obsidian
In Obsidian, you can easily change how your text looks using simple markdown commands. Here’s a quick guide on how to format your text:
To highlight text, surround it with two equal signs. For example, ==highlighted text== will make the text stand out.
How to Make Text Bold
To make text bold, you need to surround it with two asterisks. For example:
This text is bold!
How to Make Text Italicized
To italicize text, use one asterisk on each side. For instance:
This text is italicized.
How to Add Strikethrough
If you want to show that something is crossed out, use two tildes on both sides:
This text has a strikethrough.
How to Highlight Text
To highlight text, you can use double equal signs around the text:
This text is highlighted.
Remember: Using these formatting options can help make your notes clearer and more organized. This is a definitive obsidian markdown cheatsheet to help you with all your formatting needs!
Markdown Syntax
Understanding Markdown Basics
Creating Lists and Checklists
How to Add Ordered Lists
To create an ordered list in Obsidian, start each item with a number followed by a period and a space. For example:
First Item
Second Item
Third Item
Indented Item
Another Indented Item
How to Add Unordered Lists (Bullet Points)
For an unordered list, use a dash (-) or an asterisk (*) followed by a space. Here’s how:
First Item
Second Item
Third Item
Indented Item
Another Indented Item
How to Add Checklists
Creating a checklist is simple. Start your list of items with a hyphen ('-'), followed by a space and then a pair of empty brackets. For example:
[ ] First Task
[ ] Second Task
[ ] Third Task
[ ] Indented Task
[ ] Another Indented Task
Remember, there is a space after the dash and between the square brackets, otherwise, your checklist won’t work.
Summary of List Types
List TypeSyntax ExampleOrdered List1. First ItemUnordered List- First ItemChecklist- [ ] First Task
Using Headings and Horizontal Rules
How to Add Headings
In Obsidian, you can create up to six levels of headings. Each level is made by using the hash symbol (#). Here’s how:
# Heading 1 - This is the largest heading.
Heading 2 - A bit smaller.
Heading 3 - Even smaller.
Heading 4 - Smaller still.
Heading 5 - Almost the smallest.
Heading 6 - The smallest heading.
Using headings helps organize your notes and makes it easier to find information later.
How to Add Horizontal Rules
To create a horizontal rule in Obsidian, simply type three dashes (---) on a new line. This creates a visual break in your text. However, when a page has a horizontal rule, it's a clear indication that this is a logical break between text, therefore fold should stop at this line.
Here’s how to do it:
This line separates different sections of your notes. You can use horizontal rules to make your notes clearer and more organized.
How to Add Underlines
Currently, Obsidian does not have a built-in feature for underlining text. However, you can use a plugin to add this feature. Once installed, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + U to underline text. This is a handy way to emphasize important points in your notes.
Remember, using headings and horizontal rules can greatly improve the readability of your notes!
Embedding Links and Media
How to Add Internal Links
In Obsidian, you can create internal links to other notes easily. Just use double square brackets around the note title. For example:
This will link to the note named "Note Title". You can also link to specific headings or blocks within a note by using the following formats:
For a heading: [[Note Title#Heading]]
For a block: [[Note Title^Block]]
How to Add External Links
To link to a website, you can use the following format:
This will create a clickable link that takes you to the specified website. Make sure to include the full URL.
How to Embed Media
You can embed various types of media in your notes. To embed a file, use the following syntax: ![[File Name]]
This works for images, audio, video, and other files. Here’s a quick list of supported file types you can embed:
Markdown files: .md
Image files: .png, .jpg, .gif
Audio files: .mp3, .wav
Video files: .mp4
PDF files: .pdf
How to Embed Pages in Obsidian
Embedding pages is a powerful feature in Obsidian. You can show an entire page or just a part of it. To embed a page, use:
To embed a specific block or heading, use:
By embedding the original note into new notes, you only have to update the original, and everything will be updated.
Summary
Using links and media in Obsidian enhances your notes. You can connect ideas and keep your content organized. Remember to use the correct syntax for each type of link or media to make the most of Obsidian's features!
Working with Code and Tables
How to Add Code Blocks
To include code in your notes, you can use code blocks. Here’s how:
Use three backticks (```) before and after your code to create a code block.
You can also use three tildes (~~~) for the same effect.
Indent your code with four spaces to create a block.
Example: function example() { console.log('Hello, World!'); }
How to Add Inline Code
For short snippets of code, use inline code formatting. Just place your text between backticks. For example, this is inline code will appear as inline code.
How to Create Tables
Creating tables in Obsidian is simple. Use pipes (|) to separate columns and hyphens (-) to create headers. Here’s a quick example:
First HeaderSecond HeaderRow 1Data 1Row 2Data 2
Remember: Tables can be adjusted for better appearance by using colons for alignment:
Left AlignedCenteredRight AlignedData AData BData C
Tables can be a great way to organize information clearly.
Summary
Using code blocks, inline code, and tables can greatly enhance your notes in Obsidian. Make sure to format your tables correctly to keep your data organized and easy to read!
Advanced Markdown Features
Using Blockquotes
Blockquotes are a great way to emphasize important information. You can create a blockquote by starting a line with a greater-than sign (>). For example:
This is a blockquote. It can be used to highlight important notes or thoughts.
Adding Footnotes
Footnotes are useful for providing additional information without cluttering your main text. You can add a footnote by using a caret (^) followed by a number. For example:
This is a statement that needs a footnote[^1].
[^1]: This is the footnote text that provides more details.
Utilizing Tags
Tags help you organize your notes. You can create a tag by using the hashtag symbol (#) followed by the tag name. Here are some examples:
#important
#todo
#reference
Tags can make it easier to find related notes later.
Special Formatting Options
Obsidian Shortcuts and Tips
General Shortcuts
Using shortcuts can make your note-taking faster and easier. Here are some important shortcuts:
Ctrl + P: Open the command palette.
Ctrl + N: Create a new note.
Ctrl + S: Save your current file.
Editing Shortcuts
Editing your notes is simple with these shortcuts:
Ctrl + B: Make selected text bold.
Ctrl + I: Italicize selected text.
Ctrl + D: Delete the current line.
Quick Tips for Efficiency
Here are some quick tips to help you use Obsidian better:
Use [[note name]] for internal links.
Use ![[note name]] to embed notes.
For bullet points, use -, *, or 1.
Reveal the active file in navigation to manage and access your files more efficiently.
Remember, practicing these shortcuts will help you become more efficient in your note-taking!
Miscellaneous
File and Query Capabilities
Conclusion
In summary, mastering basic text formatting in Obsidian is essential for effective note-taking. With simple commands, you can easily create headings, bold or italicize text, and add lists or links. This cheat sheet serves as a handy guide to help you navigate through the various formatting options available. Whether you're a student or a professional, these tools will enhance your note-taking experience and make your notes more organized. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be an Obsidian pro!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Obsidian used for?
Obsidian is a note-taking app that helps you organize and connect your thoughts using links.
How can I make text bold in Obsidian?
To make text bold, put two asterisks on both sides of the text, like this: text.
Can I create lists in Obsidian?
Yes, you can create ordered lists with numbers or unordered lists with dashes or asterisks.
How do I add links to my notes?
For internal links, use [[note name]]. For external links, use [Text](URL).
What are checklists and how do I make one?
You can create checklists by using dashes followed by brackets, like this: - [ ] item.
Are there shortcuts for formatting text?
Yes! You can use shortcuts like Ctrl + B for bold and Ctrl + I for italics.
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