When I first downloaded Obsidian, I spent a not-insubstantial amount of time poking through the different plugins available to me. I downloaded Templater based on the recommendation of others, but I brushed it off. After all, a template plugin couldn't be all that useful, right? Obsidian already had one built-in. In some ways, I was right; the core Template plugin is powerful by itself and is capable of doing quite a bit on its own.

But in other ways, I was so, so wrong.

Templater is more than just an afterthought. It opens up Obsidian templates in a big way, and since I've started using it, it has changed my workflow and overall user experience in ways that I didn't expect. At this point, my only regret is that I didn't begin using it earlier. I already loved Obsidian for its visual-first approach, but Templater capitalizes on that and allows me to create a system far beyond anything Notion ever offered.

Templater is to Templates what a Swiss Army Knife is to a butter knife

It's a big genie in a tiny plugin

My first mistake was thinking Templater was just an alternative template plugin. The core, activated-by-default Template plugin is enough if all you want is a static document with a few default variables, but if it can't give you the full range of functionality Obsidian offers. Notion is better than Obsidian at project management, but with Obsidian's Templater plugin, you can create dynamic, interconnected templates that automatically update. Insert JavaScript, pull in data from third-party APIs, and so much more.

My first inclination was to build a pitch tracker, and I quickly discovered how I'd underestimated the plugin's capabilities. I started with a basic table that listed the name of the publication, the editor's name, the date I submitted the pitch, and the topic. After a few tweaks, I realized I could write the pitch inside Obsidian, and it would automatically add the information to the database. Admittedly, it won't perform these functions entirely on its own; much of the power lies in the Dataview template. However, combining these two together gave me a true powerhouse of a tool. Don't get me wrong; it isn't perfect. There are still a few automations I would like to implement, but it's already more useful than my previous tracker.

The web API integration is out of this world

Automate the boring stuff

Because Templater can work with JavaScript, you can use it to pull in data from the web. The plugin gives an example about using it to show a daily quote, but the possibilities are so much wider-reaching than that. For example, I've used the web API feature to connect Obsidian to a character generator. Whether I'm planning my next Dungeons and Dragons campaign, plotting a novel, or just making up a random person for an example, all I have to do is insert that template to generate a detailed character.

I have also used the integration to set up trackers for trending tech content, making it easier to stay on top of current news (and all without leaving my note-taker). It can also be used to track weather data, pull details about specific locations like coordinates and elevation, and even translate foreign phrases. One thing to note: Templater requires the syntax. It's not always clear from some of the explanations online, and I spent a decent amount of time searching for errors in my code before I realized I'd left out that vital element.

My notes now all follow the same format

And that means I don't have to think about it

I've never been great about taking notes — maybe that's why I've tried out so many different applications. My biggest hangup has always been the formatting side of things; rather than just jotting down ideas, perfectionism drives me to make sure it looks the same as the rest of my notes. But that can be a lot of (intensely boring) work, so I tend to put it off until my notes are an incomprehensible jumble. Templater ensures that every note is laid out in a similar format, regardless of the subject.

Performing an interview? The notes are laid out similarly, and tags make it easy to find later. Writing a book review? Each one now has the same layout, rating system, and structure. Templater handles the tedium of formatting so I can focus on committing information to the page.

The downside? Templater can be intimidating

Getting started feels like it takes a lot of effort

If you aren't particularly tech-savvy, Templater can initially be a lot to handle. The special syntax requirements aren't always easy to remember. While it's not quite on par with learning a new programming language, there are some definite similarities. Integrating it with external applications and other plugins takes a bit of work, and you might find yourself wondering why you spent two hours building a template that only saves you a few minutes. The answer? All that saved time adds up.

You don't need to learn everything at once

Start small

Despite the learning curve, Templater is an insanely powerful tool that has become a huge part of my day-to-day workflow. Like I stated earlier, I didn't end up with this template all at once — I added to it a little at a time, making changes as I needed. At this point, I could probably go back and clean up the code for the template, since it does look like patchwork. That's the key to learning anything new, though: take it one step at a time, implementing what you learn as you learn it. There are loads of pre-made templates across the web that you can copy for yourself, and figuring out how those work makes it easier to modify them to suit your needs.

The core plugin doesn't hold a candle to Templater

If you aren't an Obsidian power user, then you might be able to get by with just the core plugin. Even so, I encourage you to try Templater. I discovered ways to improve my workflow and streamline my day-to-day in unexpected ways. You might find you've been sleeping on a truly useful tool.