Obsidian Templates: How To Get Started

The templates plugin is available by default in Obsidian. Often misunderstood, let's see how to use it best.

Introduction to Obsidian Templates

Obsidian templates are powerful tools that streamline your note-taking experience by allowing you to predefine text, formatting, links, and tags.

Rather than starting from scratch each time, templates help you maintain consistency across your notes while saving time and reducing errors. Whether you're capturing daily notes, managing projects, or organizing research, templates ensure no important details are overlooked.

Setting Up Obsidian Templates

To get started with Obsidian templates, follow these essential steps:

1. Enable the Templates Plugin:

   • Open Settings > Core Plugins

   • Find and enable the "Templates" plugin

   • Click on "Templates" in the sidebar settings

Enable the templates plugin.

1. Create a Template Folder:

   • Create a dedicated folder (e.g., "Templates") to store your templates

   • Go to Settings > Core Plugins > Templates

   • Set your template folder location in the settings

Add the folder location.

Template Variables

Template variables allow you to automatically insert dynamic information into your notes. For example, you can use a template variable such as {{date}} to create a valid date field that updates automatically when you create a new note from a template.

Here are the core template variables available:

{{title}} - Inserts the current note's title
{{date}} - Inserts the current date (default format: YYYY-MM-DD)
{{time}} - Inserts the current time (default format: HH:mm)

You can customize date and time formats using Moment.js format strings:

{{date:YYYY-MM-DD}} - Custom date format
{{time:HH:mm:ss}} - Custom time format

Creating Effective Templates

Basic Note Template

---
created: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}} {{time:HH:mm}}
tags:
- type/note
status: draft
---

# {{title}}

## Overview
- 

Daily Note Template

---
created: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}}
type: daily-note
---

# {{date:dddd, MMMM D, YYYY}}

## Daily Questions
- What's my main focus today?
- What am I grateful for?
- What do I want to accomplish?

## Notes

## Tasks
- [ ] 

## Daily Review
- 

Meeting Note Template

---
date: {{date:YYYY-MM-DD}}
type: meeting
participants:
status: scheduled
---

# Meeting: {{title}}

## Agenda

## Notes

## Action Items
- [ ] 

## Follow-up

Advanced Template Techniques

Using Templates with Plugins

1. Templater Plugin Integration:

   • Offers more advanced templating features

   • Supports JavaScript for dynamic content

   • Allows for complex automation

2. Dataview Integration:

   • Query your vault like a database

   • Create dynamic lists and tables

   • Track note relationships

3. Daily Notes Plugin Integration:

   • Automatically create daily notes

   • Use templates for consistent journaling

   • Link between consecutive days

We also recommend you check out this ready-made template called Obsibrain, which comes with a lot of useful templates.

Check out the Obsibrain template.

Template Best Practices

1. Organization:

   • Keep templates in a dedicated folder

   • Use consistent naming conventions

   • Group related templates together

2. Structure:

   • Start with essential metadata

   • Include clear sections

   • Use consistent formatting

3. Maintenance:

   • Regularly review and update templates

   • Remove unused sections

   • Adapt to changing needs

Tips for Template Management

1. Keep It Simple

   • Start with basic templates

   • Add complexity gradually

   • Focus on frequently used elements

   • Remove unused sections

2. Regular Review

   • Assess template effectiveness

   • Update based on usage patterns

   • Remove redundant elements

   • Add missing useful sections

3. Version Control

   • Keep backup copies

   • Document major changes

   • Test new templates before implementation

Conclusion

Obsidian templates are invaluable tools for creating a consistent and efficient note-taking system. By starting with basic templates and gradually adding complexity as needed, you can develop a personalized system that supports your workflow. Remember to regularly review and update your templates to ensure they continue to serve your evolving needs.

The key to successful template usage is finding the right balance between structure and flexibility. While templates should provide a consistent framework, they shouldn't be so rigid that they become cumbersome to use. Start with the examples provided in this guide, and customize them to match your specific requirements.

If you wish to get started with Obsidian templates, we also recommend you check out this ready-made vault for Obsidian called Obsibrain.

Additional resources

Obsidian.md Templates plugin: https://help.obsidian.md/Plugins/Templates