Hello Obsidian Team and Community,
I would like to propose a significant feature enhancement to Obsidian: introducing a “Page-mode” where each “page” combines a folder and a note, emulating Notion’s robust page system.
Background: Pages in Notion
In Notion, each page serves as a self-contained entity capable of housing sub-pages, databases, and various types of content. This hierarchical and modular approach enhances organization and navigation, especially for complex projects or extensive knowledge bases.
Current Setup and Limitations in Obsidian
While Obsidian offers powerful note-taking capabilities with plugins like Folder Note, Folder Notes, QuickAdd, and Templater, they do not fully replicate Notion’s “page” functionality. The main limitations include:
- Simultaneous Folder and Note Creation: Existing plugins require multiple steps to create a folder and associated note together.
- Automatic Renaming Synchronization: Renaming a note or folder requires manual updates to maintain consistency.
- Hierarchical Structuring: Managing nested pages (folders) is cumbersome and lacks seamless integration.
- Linking and Metadata Management: Ensuring links, backlinks, and metadata stay consistent when folders and notes are created or renamed is not automated.
Rationale for the Feature
- Enhanced Organization: A Notion-like page system would allow for better hierarchical organization, making it easier to manage large knowledge bases.
- Improved Navigation: Hierarchical pages facilitate quicker navigation and information retrieval, boosting productivity.
- User Experience Alignment: Many users appreciate Notion for its page-centric approach. Incorporating a similar system in Obsidian would attract users seeking both the markdown flexibility of Obsidian and the organizational structure of Notion.
Why Native API Support is Essential
Implementing a fully integrated “Page-mode” requires deep integration with Obsidian’s core functionalities, which is not feasible with existing plugins due to the following complexities:
- Real-time Synchronization: Ensuring immediate and accurate reflection of changes between folders and notes.
- Hierarchical Integrity: Managing nested structures without disrupting Obsidian’s file management logic.
- Seamless User Experience: Providing a fluid and intuitive experience without technical glitches or inconsistencies.
Attempting to achieve this solely through plugins would likely result in fragmented solutions that cannot fully address the complexities, potentially compromising data integrity and user experience.
Proposal: Introducing “Page-mode”
A “Page-mode” feature would:
- Automatically Create Folder-Note Pairs: Each new page would generate a dedicated folder with an associated note.
- Synchronize Renaming: Renaming a note would automatically rename the corresponding folder, and vice versa.
- Support Hierarchical Structures: Facilitate easy nesting of pages within other pages, maintaining a clear hierarchy.
- Manage Linking and Metadata: Automatically update links, backlinks, and metadata when folders and notes are created or renamed.
This feature would encapsulate the folder-note relationship internally, preserving Obsidian’s file-based integrity while offering a Notion-like page experience.
Importance of the Feature for Obsidian
Introducing a “Page-mode” would significantly enhance Obsidian’s appeal by:
- Broadening Its User Base: Attracting users who favor Notion’s organizational structure while retaining the powerful markdown capabilities of Obsidian.
- Enhancing Productivity: Facilitating more efficient knowledge management through structured and hierarchical note-taking.
- Future-Proofing: Aligning Obsidian with evolving user needs and trends in knowledge management tools.
This post is distinct from my other thread titled Seeking Feature Enhancements (or Community Plugins) for Notion-like“Pages” (Folder + Note) in Obsidian, which focuses on interim solutions via configuration and plugins.
Thank you for considering this feature request.