File navigation with arrow keys

Problem
When navigating the file list with the arrow keys, the selected file does not automatically open. The selected file state and the opened file state should remain synchronized so that moving the selection immediately updates the file being viewed.

Use case
After running a batch automation, I often need to quickly review multiple files to verify that values were inserted correctly and that the formatting (line breaks, layout, etc.) looks right. It would be much faster if navigating the file list with the arrow keys automatically opened the selected file, allowing rapid inspection without manually clicking each one.

Proposed solution

  • Automatically open the file when it becomes the selected item while navigating the file list with the Up/Down arrow keys.

  • Support Left/Right arrow keys to switch focus between the file list and the currently opened file.

  • Implement this as a default built-in core feature, not a toggled feature or community plugin, since it affects fundamental navigation and workflow speed.

Current workaround (optional)

Related feature requests (optional)

forum. obsidian.md/t/arrow-keys-for-file-navigation/51876
Note: I can’t add links here(“An error occurred: Sorry, you can’t include links in your posts.“).
At least it should allow pasting links under the same domain.

1 Like

Hi, I’d love to use this feature, but unfortunately I don’t have the right ctrl key on my keyboard (doesn’t exist) and it doesn’t appear to work with the left one. Is it possible to map this to a different key?

Sorry!

I’ve reloaded Obsidian and somehow it started to work.

What layout/region of keyboard, if you can say?

What is your Obsidian installer version? (Not the version, the installer version.) Maybe you need a full reinstall.

And test in the Sandbox vault or with a fresh test vault?

Left should work fine. I’ve never even used the right one.