When I first started using Obsidian, my notes were a little hard to read. Since I was still trying to figure out basic tasks, such as creating folders and color-coding them using a plugin, formatting had to wait a little. But the longer my notes got, the more critical the formatting became. That’s when I learned basic formatting options, such as using # for H1 headings, ## for H2 headings, and so on. Learning how to bold, italicize, and add callout boxes was also a must.

There are various formatting syntaxes you can use, so what’s the trick to learning them? Start with the ones you’re going to use the most. Since you’ll be using them often, the more you repeat the process, the faster it will stick. Once you get the basics down, your Obsidian notes will look more organized and easier to skim, which is a huge time-saver.

Headings turn a long note into sections you can actually skim

Use #, and ## to break up the wall of text

When I’m looking for a specific section in my Obsidian notes, regardless of topic, the first heading tells me what the text below it covers. Within the content, I consistently use heading levels ranging from H1 to H6.

The more #’s you add will determine what heading you’ll add. One # is for H1, ## is for H2, and ### is for H3. There is a detail to watch out for; otherwise, it won’t work. Type ## (space here), then the heading, and press Enter.

Once I’m done adding the headings, my Obsidian notes start to make more sense. I can now jump to the section I need instead of rereading my notes. To keep my notes easier to scan, I collapse any headings I currently don’t need by clicking the arrow beside the heading. Most of the time, I keep it simple and use H2 for main sections and H3 for smaller subheadings. I only add more headings than that when the note genuinely needs it.

How to make lists in Obsidian

Bullets, numbered lists, and line breaks that won’t break numbering

Once I’ve added headings to my Obsidian notes, I usually use bullet points next, as they make my notes easier to scan. I type - (or * / +) and add my supporting points in order of importance. For notes that require a numbered list, a trick that’s been very helpful is to type the number one and the text, then press Shift + Enter to insert a line break below. After that, I pressed Enter, and the numbered list continued.

When I have notes that include tasks I need to complete, I include checkboxes with - [ ] so I can check them off in reading view. Finally, I indent to nest and put subtasks under tasks, or add bullets under a numbered step. I also like using Tab and Shift + Tab to make that part faster. These tips help me make sense of my long notes, and I can go back at any time and make changes.

Tables turn scattered details into a quick reference

Use - to organize info you keep re-rechecking

There is info, such as a device's specs, that is easier to read in a table than in text. I was looking into the specifications of two laptops and decided to create a table to make them easier to compare. I created rows for specs such as processor, RAM, battery, and everything else that’s important in a laptop. The table made it easier to scan all the info, so I can see which had the better specs.

When creating a table, I keep it simple. I use | to separate columns and - to build the header row. If, after creating the table, I see that not everything is aligned correctly, I right-click and move it up or down. Obsidian also lets me add or remove a column or row if I forget to include something. The next time I open the note with the laptop specs, I can compare my notes faster instead of rereading paragraphs.

Formatting is what keeps my notes usable later

I don’t have a single Obsidian note without some type of formatting. Without it, my notes would look like walls of boring text, and finding a specific piece of information would simply take too long. The headings help me see where one topic starts and ends, and I can choose from six types. The bullet and numbered lists are a must when I need to create notes with tasks in order of importance. The tables are a huge help when I need to compare specs side by side, and the customization options to add or remove columns or rows make them even better.