# Stop Wasting Time in Obsidian:: Mastering YAML properties  ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=0s) - The video aims to demonstrate how utilizing [[YAML]] properties in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] notes can save time in the future [(00:00:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=2s). - YAML properties will be discussed in the context of Obsidian, a note-taking tool [(00:00:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=4s). - The video will cover the personal journey of Paul, the creator, and the common mistakes he made when first using Obsidian [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=8s). - By sharing his mistakes, Paul hopes to help viewers avoid making the same errors when using Obsidian [(00:00:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=13s). - The video is targeted towards Obsidian users who take notes in the tool but may not have given much thought to their YAML properties [(00:00:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=20s). - The video will explore the benefits of adding YAML properties to Obsidian notes [(00:00:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=30s). - Understanding [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [[YAML]] properties is a key aspect of the video [(00:00:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=35s). ## Part 01 - Understanding YAML Properties [(00:00:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=36s) - YAML in Obsidian refers to the use of YAML front matter in notes, which is a standardized way to include metadata at the top of a note in a way that is easy to read and edit [(00:00:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=38s). - YAML allows users to store structured data about a note, such as titles, tags, categories, dates, and other relevant properties, which can help organize and manage notes more effectively [(00:00:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=58s). - YAML front matter is typically enclosed between two sets of triple dashes, with each line corresponding to a key-value pair [(00:01:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=75s). - [[YAML]] properties are particularly useful when using the Data View plugin, which enables users to query and visualize data from their notes by defining structured metadata in YAML [(00:01:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=83s). - Users can create templates that include predefined YAML properties, ensuring that every note adheres to a consistent structure, which helps maintain organization across a vault [(00:01:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=103s). - YAML allows users to filter, search, and organize notes more efficiently, allowing for advanced querying and easier management of large volumes of notes [(00:01:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=116s). - The benefits of YAML include the ability to define structured metadata, improve organization, and facilitate data management, as well as enhance searchability and allow for more precise filtering [(00:02:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=128s). - YAML is human-readable and easy to edit, enabling users to quickly add or modify properties without complex formatting [(00:03:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=180s). - However, there is a learning curve with YAML, and understanding YAML syntax and how to effectively use it in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] can be a challenge initially [(00:03:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=191s). - Small formatting errors, such as incorrect indentation, can lead to [[YAML]] not being recognized, which may cause confusion or issues with plugins [(00:03:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=201s). - Excessive YAML metadata can detract from the readability of the actual note content, and the full benefits of YAML emerge primarily when using plugins like Data View [(00:03:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=210s). - Setting up templates and YAML properties can require an upfront investment of time, especially for users with many existing notes that need restructuring [(00:03:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=234s). ## Part 02 - Showcasing my YAML Mistakes [(00:04:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=245s) - Initially, meta details were entered in plain text at the top of notes, without understanding the benefits of using YAML properties in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], which led to difficulties in reading and utilizing the information [(00:04:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=247s). - This approach was used before Obsidian added the "Add property" feature, and it wasn't until the discovery of the Data View community plugin that the limitations of not using [[YAML]] properties became apparent [(00:04:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=294s). - Aiden Mills' note is used as an example of how YAML properties should be used, with a Data View query showing books written by the author and correct YAML properties in the book note [(00:05:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=323s). - In contrast, Jim Quick's note lacks YAML properties, which prevents the Data View query from showing books written by the author, highlighting the importance of setting up YAML properties correctly [(00:05:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=350s). - To fix this issue, YAML properties such as author, tags, and links need to be added to the note, and formatting issues need to be addressed by enclosing links and topics in quotations [(00:06:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=410s). - Failing to add YAML properties from the start can create a lot of work later on, as shown by the need to fix up notes for other authors where YAML properties are missing [(00:07:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=465s). - Using a standardized template for authors, with correct YAML properties, is essential for efficient note-taking and data management in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:08:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=497s). ## Part 03 - YAML Best Practices [(00:08:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=498s) - A standardized book template is used, which includes details such as date added, date completed, tags, category, topics, author, URL, rating, priority, format, cover status, and aliases [(00:08:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=507s). - Meta details can be embedded in a hidden callout, but they will not be searchable in data view queries unless made searchable [(00:08:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=519s). - Using a standardized template can save time in the future by allowing for full utilization of the data view plugin and avoiding the need to fix up notes [(00:08:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=536s). - Developing templates throughout the vault, including all desired [[YAML]] properties, is recommended as the vault grows [(00:09:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=552s). - Spending time developing templates upfront can help in the long run by making it easier to search and utilize the data view plugin [(00:09:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=549s). - YAML properties can be created by navigating to a specific location, although the exact steps are not specified in this section [(00:09:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=567s). ## Part 04 - How to create YAML Properties [(00:09:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=568s) - To access settings in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], navigate to the core plugins and ensure the Properties View is enabled, which will place an icon on the right pane, allowing users to view and edit properties in their documents [(00:09:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=569s). - There are options to set properties to "Visible" or "Source" mode, with the latter allowing users to work in Source mode [(00:09:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=584s). - Users can add properties by hitting "Control + Semic" and selecting from default properties like tags, aliases, and [[CSS]] classes, or by adding custom properties [(00:09:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=593s). - Default properties cannot be changed, but custom properties can be added by typing the name of the property [(00:10:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=618s). - [[YAML]] supports multiple property types, including text, list, number, checkbox, date, and date and time [(00:10:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=658s). - The core Properties plugin lists all properties on the right-hand side, allowing users to view and edit them [(00:11:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=666s). - Users can right-click to change the property type, but this should be avoided when using Templator as it can override the Templator code [(00:11:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=677s). - Custom properties can be used to add specific information, such as authors, dates, and tags, and can be formatted using Templator snippets [(00:11:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=698s). - Users can add tags, aliases, and [[CSS]] classes to notes, and use special characters to separate properties [(00:11:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=712s). - The "Alias" property can be used to add an alternative name for a note, while "CSS Class" is used to add a CSS class from a snippet or theme [(00:12:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=744s). - Users can find inspiration for [[YAML]] properties by exploring file properties in Windows or looking at existing templates online [(00:12:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=776s). - When creating a template, users can add relevant YAML properties, such as topics, URL, rating, format, cover, and status [(00:13:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=802s). - YAML properties in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] can be of different types, including list, text, and true or false, with examples being status, cover, format, priority, rating, URL, topics, and author, each with its respective format [(00:13:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=837s). - A true or false property can be used to create a checkbox, which can be empty or contain the value "false" [(00:14:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=856s). - A date property can be used to create a date picker, allowing users to select a date or a date and time [(00:14:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=873s). - Properties can be rearranged by left-clicking and dragging them to the desired position [(00:14:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=882s). - Multiple topics can be linked to notes using two square brackets followed by quotation marks, and clicking on the link will take the user to the corresponding note [(00:14:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=889s). - The source code of a note can be viewed to see how links are formatted, with two square brackets followed by quotation marks being the correct format [(00:15:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=901s). - If a quotation mark is not used, a syntax error will occur, and if only the word is used without brackets and quotation marks, it will not be clickable [(00:15:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=908s). - As a Vault grows, multiple properties can be listed on the right-hand side, and clicking on a property will bring up all notes with that property [(00:15:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=926s). - The file properties of a note can be shown by pressing Ctrl+P and typing "Ines", allowing users to view and add properties [(00:15:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=948s). - Properties can be added or adjusted in the note or on the right-hand side, and users can choose to display them visibly or hide them by default using a [[CSS]] class [(00:16:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=967s). - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] allows inline metadata with two colons, which can be used to place metadata in a note, but it will not show up in the properties field [(00:16:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=993s). - Inline metadata can be referenced in a data view query, allowing users to list notes with specific metadata [(00:17:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=1021s). ## Outro [(00:17:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=1043s) - Adding [[YAML]] properties to templates and notes from the beginning can save hours of time in the future by avoiding the hassle of fixing missing metadata [(00:17:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=1044s). - If the video is found valuable, it is suggested to share it with a friend who might also benefit from the information [(00:17:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=1053s). - Viewers are encouraged to give the video a thumbs up if they enjoyed it [(00:17:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=1059s). - The video concludes with a thank you message to the viewers and an invitation to watch the next video [(00:17:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ4AFh-ZNI&t=1062s).