Obsidian is a powerful note-taking app that allows you to create interconnected notes using links. Linking notes is one of the most useful features of Obsidian as it allows you to build a knowledge base that shows relationships between ideas.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create links between notes and set up an effective system for linking in Obsidian.
Table of Contents
Creating Links Between Notes
There are two main ways to create links between notes in Obsidian:
Wikilinks
Wikilinks allow you to link to other notes using double square brackets. The syntax is:
[[Note Title]]
For example:
Here is a link to my [[Project Ideas]] note.
This will create a link to a note titled “Project Ideas”. When clicked, it will open the linked note.
Markdown Links
You can also use regular Markdown link syntax to link between notes:
[Text for the link](path/to/note.md)
For example:
I made some [progress on my project](projects/my-project.md) today.
This will link to a note located at projects/my-project.md with the text “progress on my project”.
Best Practices for Linking Notes
Here are some best practices to follow when linking notes in Obsidian:
Use Meaningful Link Text
Avoid generic link text like “click here” or “this note”. Use text that describes what the link leads to.
Link Early and Often
Link liberally between notes. The more links, the more connected your knowledge base.
Bidirectional Linking
Consider linking both ways between closely related notes to make relationships clear.
Link from Headers
Linking from note headers creates contextual links that show what section of a note is connected.
Central Index Notes
Create index or table of contents notes that link out to detail notes on topics for easy navigation.
Additional Tips for Effective Linking
Here are some additional tips for setting up an effective system for linking notes in Obsidian:
Use Tags for Topics
Use tags like #topics to classify notes instead of folders. Tags surface useful link connections.
Embrace Randomness
Let links form novel connections between notes. Don’t worry about a perfect structure early on.
Follow Links When Writing
Follow links between notes often while writing to uncover new connections to write about.
Focus on Linking, Not Formatting
Spend more time linking notes rather than formatting notes perfectly. Links matter more.
Review Backlinks
Check backlinks to see where notes are linked from to find related content.
Use Link Suggestions
Install the “quickadd” plugin to get suggestions for links to related content as you write.
Conclusion
By embracing bidirectional linking between notes, using meaningful link text, linking early and often, and focusing on links rather than formatting, you can create an interconnected web of knowledge in Obsidian.
Refer back to this guide if you ever feel lost building links between your notes. With practice, linking notes will become second nature and greatly improve your Obsidian workflow.
