In the left sidebar of Obsidian, having folders and notes open in the same panel can be inconvenient for navigation. Scrolling through hundreds of notes in expanded view to reach another folder is cumbersome. Sometimes, it’s unclear which folder’s notes I’m scrolling through, making it hard to find the desired location. It would be easier if notes opened in a separate panel next to the folder navigation, or within the editor, or if the folder navigation panel displayed only the selected folder’s notes with a back button for switching folders. Every time opening a note back to the left sidebar panel, it’s lost the scroll position too.
Many notebook apps offer this same UI/UX. I recommend that Obsidian’s core developers consider implementing this feature, similar to other note-taking apps, and make our life easier by enhancing user experience.
Feature Request: Improved Folder and Note Navigation in Sidebar
Problem Statement:
In the left sidebar of Obsidian, having folders and notes open in the same panel can be inconvenient for navigation. Scrolling through hundreds of notes in expanded view to reach another folder is cumbersome. Additionally, it can be unclear which folder’s notes I’m scrolling through, making it challenging to find the desired location.
Proposed Solution:
It would greatly improve user experience if:
- Notes could open in a separate panel next to the folder navigation, or within the editor.
- The folder navigation panel displayed only the selected folder’s notes with a “Back” button for switching folders.
Why This is Needed:
Many modern note-taking apps (e.g., Notion, Evernote) implement similar UI/UX enhancements to streamline navigation. These features:
- Save time when switching between folders and notes.
- Improve clarity by reducing unnecessary scrolling.
- Help users quickly locate and focus on their desired content.
Request to Developers:
Please consider implementing this feature in Obsidian’s core or as a plugin. It would greatly enhance the app’s usability and align it with the seamless navigation experience offered by other notebook apps.
Thank you for your attention and dedication to improving Obsidian for all users!