docs/obsidian-help/Getting started/Glossary.md

This glossary includes common Obsidian terminology.

Alias

An alias is a type of [[#property]] that defines alternative names for a [[#note]].

Attachment

An attachment is an [[Accepted file formats|accepted file format]] that was created outside of the vault and added later.

Command

A command is an action that can be performed either by selecting it from the [[Command palette]] or by assigning it to a [[#hotkey]].

Embed

Embedding means replacing a reference to external content with the content itself, for example to include an image in your note. See also [[Embed files]].

Frontmatter

Frontmatter is a way to define [[#property|properties]] by adding YAML or JSON at the top of the note. See also [[Properties#Property format|Property format]].

Graph

A graph is a visualization that highlights connections between [[#note|notes]]. See also [[Graph view]].

Hotkey

A hotkey is a keyboard shortcut for a [[#command]]. See also [[Hotkeys]] and [[Hotkeys|How to/Use hotkeys]].

Link

A link references another note or file. An [[Internal links|internal link]] points to a file located in the current vault. An [[Basic formatting syntax#External links|external link]] points to a location outside the vault, typically a web page.

Main area

The main area is the central area of the Obsidian app, where you primarily edit [[#note|notes]].

Markdown

Markdown is a markup language for formatting text and the primary file format used for notes in Obsidian, .md files. See also [[Basic formatting syntax]].

Note

A note is a Markdown file inside a [[#vault]].

Plugin

A plugin extends Obsidian with additional features.

• [[Core plugins]] are written by the Obsidian team and included by default.
• [[Community plugins]] are written by third-party plugin developers and need to be [[Community plugins#Install a community plugin|installed]] before you can use them.

You can build your own plugin.

Pop-out window

By default, all notes within a vault opens in the same app window. A pop-out window lets you open notes from the same vault in separate windows, for example to display on a second screen.

See also [[Pop-out windows]].

Property

[[Properties|Properties]] define additional information about a note, such as a due date or author.

Ribbon

The ribbon functions as a container for frequently used action icons.

In the desktop version, it's the vertical area situated on the far left.

In the mobile version, it's represented by a menu button ( ![[lucide-menu.svg#icon]] ) on the [[#status bar|status bar]].

Sidebar

An area that contains supporting [[#view|views]] organized as [[#tab|tabs]]. A sidebar can be split into multiple [[#tab group|tab groups]].

Obsidian desktop has two sidebars, one on each side of the [[#main area]]. Both sidebars can be accessed by icons in the upper-left and upper-right corners in the Obsidian app, in addition to swiping left or right. The upper-right icon must be held to open the window.

Snippet

A snippet, or [[CSS snippets|CSS snippet]], changes the appearance of Obsidian, just like a [[#theme]]. Unlike themes, you can apply multiple snippets at the same time.

Status bar

The status bar in the Obsidian application shows you essential statistics and statuses. In the desktop version, you'll find it in the bottom-right corner, while on mobile devices, it's positioned along the bottom of the app.

Tab

A tab contains a [[#view]]. Tabs can be repositioned within the [[#main area]] and the [[#sidebar|sidebars]]. See also [[Tabs]].

Tab group

A tab group is a collection of [[#tab|tabs]] in the [[#main area]]. Tabs in a tab group can be stacked.

Tag

A tag is a word that starts with a hash (#), for example #book. Tags are primarily used to find related [[#note|notes]].

Theme

A theme changes the appearance of the Obsidian app using CSS. You can override parts of a theme using [[#snippet|snippets]].

Vault

A vault is a folder on your file system which contains [[#note|notes]] and an .obsidian folder with Obsidian-specific configuration. See also [[How Obsidian stores data]].

View

A view displays information, for example the [[Search|Search view]].