How to Organize an Overview Note for a Folder?

Knowledge management
1

My file system has the following structure:

|Root Folder
├── Another Folder
    ├── Internal Folder
        ├── Notes
    ├── Overview Note
    ├── Another Folder

I want to create an Overview Note that provides a general summary of everything contained in the folder. The idea is to compile all relevant information into one place for easy navigation and understanding.

How would you organize or structure such a note effectively?

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2

I had a similar question a few weeks ago. I’m still searching for the “perfect” solution, so I’m following your post :slight_smile: … but this is my current setup.

Summary note

1. Title and purpose

  • Title: Summary of [Folder Name]
  • Brief introductory paragraph explaining the folder’s purpose and the Summary note.

    “This note provides a summary of the contents in the [Folder Name] folder, including keynotes, summaries, and links for quick navigation.”

2. Folder structure

  • I use a bulleted list or a diagram to visualize the folder’s structure:
    - **Vault**
  - **Folder 1**
    - **Sub folder 1**
      - Notes 1
    - **Sub folder 2**
      - Notes 2
    - Summary note (this note!)
    - Other notes
  - **Folder 2**

3. Key notes

  • I list the most important notes with a brief description or summary:
    - [Summary note](../Summary Note): Contains a general summary of the folder.
- [Notes 1](Sub folder 1/Notes 1.md): A detailed discussion on ...
- [Notes 2](Sub folder 2/Some folder/Note.md): Key insights on ...

4. Highlights

  • I write concise summaries of the key themes or topics covered in the folder:
    - **Some folder**: Contains detailed notes on [topic].
- **Some other folder**: Focuses on [other topics].

5. Index

  • I create a clickable table of contents for easy navigation:
    ### Index
- [Name](url)
- [Notes 1](url)
- ...

6. Cross-References

  • I add backlinks to related folders, notes, or projects within Obsidian:
    - Related: [Project XYZ Overview](../Project XYZ/Something.md)
- See also: [Folder A Notes](../Folder/Notes.md)

7. ToDo’s

  • If the folder is a workspace for a project, I add a section to track progress or goals:
    ### ToDo's
- [ ] Complete the draft for Notes 1.
- [ ] Add new references to Another Note.

8. Tags and metadata

  • I add tags and metadata for better organization:
    ---
tags: [something, folder, navigation]
updated: 2024-11-27
---

Automation (Dataview, templater and other plugins) can do much of this. I do it manually, mostly because I am still unsure what and how I want to have summaries. Some summary notes have all points, some just some. One rainy day, I’ll do it better :slight_smile: but I have something like this for now.

Cheers, Marko :nerd_face:

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