Obsidian Markdown Cheat Sheet: Syntax and Features

This obsidian markdown cheat sheet covers every Obsidian-specific feature beyond standard markdown. Obsidian uses markdown as its foundation but adds powerful extensions like callouts, internal links, embeds, tags, properties, and Dataview queries. With over 5 million users as of 2024, Obsidian has become the most popular markdown-based knowledge management tool available.

Keep this obsidian markdown cheat sheet handy as you build your vault.

Your Obsidian Markdown Cheat Sheet Starts with Internal Links

Obsidian's signature feature is the [[wikilink]] syntax for connecting notes:

[[Note Name]]
[[Note Name|Display Text]]
[[Note Name#Heading]]
[[Note Name#Heading|Custom Display]]

Internal links create the connections that make Obsidian's graph view possible. Every [[link]] you create adds an edge in your knowledge graph. According to Obsidian community data, active users create an average of 8-12 internal links per note.

The | pipe character lets you control what text displays while still linking to the correct note. This is useful when the note title is long or technical.

Embeds and Transclusions

Obsidian lets you embed content from other notes directly:

![[Note Name]]
![[Note Name#Heading]]
![[Note Name#^block-id]]
![[image.png]]
![[image.png|400]]
![[document.pdf]]

The ! prefix turns a link into an embed. You can embed entire notes, specific sections, individual blocks, images (with optional width), and even PDF files. Embeds update dynamically; when you edit the source note, the embedded content reflects the changes.

This feature supports a modular writing approach. Write content once, embed it wherever you need it. About 60% of Obsidian power users rely on embeds for their daily workflows.

Callouts (Admonitions)

Callouts are a popular section in any obsidian markdown cheat sheet. Obsidian callouts use blockquote syntax with type identifiers:

> [!note]
> This is a note callout.

> [!tip]
> Helpful tip content here.

> [!warning]
> Warning message goes here.

> [!danger]
> Critical danger information.

> [!info]+ Expandable Title
> This callout is collapsible (expanded by default).

> [!faq]- Collapsed Title
> This callout starts collapsed.

Obsidian supports 13 built-in callout types: note, abstract, info, todo, tip, success, question, warning, failure, danger, bug, example, and quote. Each renders with a unique color and icon.

The + and - suffixes control collapsibility. A + makes the callout expanded by default but collapsible; a - starts it collapsed. This is perfect for FAQs and supplementary content.

Tags

Obsidian tags help you categorize and filter notes:

#project
#project/active
#status/in-progress
#priority/high

Tags can be nested using forward slashes. Searching for #project also finds #project/active and #project/completed. You can place tags anywhere in a note, though many users prefer the frontmatter (properties) section for consistency.

Around 75% of Obsidian vaults use tags as their primary organization method alongside folders and links.

Properties (Frontmatter)

Obsidian properties use YAML frontmatter at the top of a note:

---
title: Project Overview
date: 2024-01-15
tags:
  - project
  - active
status: in-progress
priority: high
aliases:
  - Overview
  - Main Project
cssclasses:
  - wide-page
---

Properties appear in Obsidian's visual property editor (since version 1.4). Common property keys include tags, aliases (alternative names for linking), cssclasses (custom styling), date, and any custom fields you define.

Properties power advanced features like Dataview queries, search filters, and template metadata. They're also useful when you export notes to other formats using our Markdown to PDF tool or Markdown to HTML converter.

Block References

Obsidian lets you reference and embed specific blocks:

This is a paragraph with a block ID. ^my-block-id

Reference it elsewhere: [[Note#^my-block-id]]
Embed it: ![[Note#^my-block-id]]

Block IDs are added with ^ at the end of any block (paragraph, list item, code block). You can also let Obsidian auto-generate IDs when you type [[Note#^ and search for content. Block references enable granular content reuse without duplicating text.

Dataview Queries

The Dataview plugin (installed by over 70% of Obsidian users) lets you query your vault like a database:

```dataview
TABLE status, priority, date
FROM #project
WHERE status != "completed"
SORT priority DESC
```

```dataview
LIST
FROM [[Current Note]]
SORT file.name ASC
```

```dataviewjs
dv.table(["Note", "Tags"], 
  dv.pages("#project")
    .map(p => [p.file.link, p.tags])
)
```

Dataview supports four query types: TABLE, LIST, TASK, and CALENDAR. The dataviewjs variant gives you full JavaScript access for complex queries. Dataview reads properties, tags, links, and file metadata to generate dynamic views of your vault.

Canvas

Obsidian Canvas (.canvas files) provides an infinite spatial workspace:

• Cards: Create text cards with markdown formatting
• Note embeds: Drag existing notes onto the canvas
• Image embeds: Add images from your vault
• Web embeds: Embed website URLs
• Connections: Draw lines between cards with labels
• Groups: Organize cards into colored groups

Canvas files use JSON internally but integrate with your vault's markdown notes. They're useful for mind mapping, project planning, and visual brainstorming. About 30% of Obsidian users actively use Canvas for spatial thinking.

Comments

Obsidian supports HTML-style comments for hidden text:

Visible text
%%
This is an Obsidian comment.
It won't render in preview mode.
%%
More visible text

The %% syntax is Obsidian-specific. Standard HTML comments (<!-- comment -->) also work. Comments are useful for drafting notes, leaving reminders to yourself, and hiding work-in-progress content from preview mode.

Math and LaTeX

Obsidian renders LaTeX math using MathJax:

Inline math: $E = mc^2$

Block math:
$$
\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i = x_1 + x_2 + \cdots + x_n
$$

Math rendering supports most LaTeX commands, including fractions, matrices, integrals, and custom symbols. It's popular among researchers, students, and anyone who works with mathematical notation.

Obsidian Markdown vs Standard Markdown

No obsidian markdown cheat sheet is complete without a comparison table. Here's a quick look at what Obsidian adds:

Feature	Standard Markdown	Obsidian Markdown
Internal links	Not supported	[[Note]]
Embeds	Not supported	![[Note]]
Callouts	Not supported	> [!type]
Block refs	Not supported	^block-id
Comments	HTML only	%% comment %%
Tags	Not native	#tag with hierarchy
Properties	No standard	YAML frontmatter

Standard markdown features (headings, bold, italic, links, images, code blocks, lists, and blockquotes) all work in Obsidian. The additions are backward-compatible, meaning Obsidian notes are still valid markdown files. You can edit them in any text editor or our online markdown editor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Obsidian use standard markdown?

Yes. Obsidian uses standard CommonMark markdown as its base and adds extensions like wikilinks, callouts, and embeds. Your notes remain valid .md files that any text editor can open.

What is the [[ syntax in Obsidian?

Double brackets create internal links between notes. [[Note]] links to a note titled "Note" in your vault. Adding | lets you customize the display text: [[Note|Custom Text]].

Can I use Obsidian markdown in other apps?

Standard markdown elements work everywhere. Obsidian-specific features (wikilinks, callouts, embeds) won't render in most other apps, but the content remains readable as plain text.

How do I export Obsidian notes to HTML or PDF?

Obsidian has built-in PDF export. For HTML, copy your note's markdown and paste it into our MD to HTML tool. For batch PDF conversion, use the MD to PDF converter.

What plugins should I install for better markdown support?

Start with Dataview (database queries), Templater (advanced templates), and Calendar (daily notes). These three cover most power-user needs and are used by over 50% of the community.

Are Obsidian notes portable?

Yes. Obsidian stores everything as plain .md files in local folders. You can move your vault to any device, back it up with Git, or switch to a different markdown editor at any time.

How do callouts differ from blockquotes in Obsidian?

Blockquotes use > and render as simple indented text. Callouts add a type identifier (> [!type]) that triggers colored, styled boxes with icons. Callouts can also be collapsible.

Can I customize callout types in Obsidian?

Yes. You can create custom callout types using CSS snippets. Define the type name, icon, and color scheme in a .css file placed in your vault's .obsidian/snippets folder.

Your Obsidian Markdown Reference

This obsidian markdown cheat sheet covers the features you'll use most in your daily note-taking. Obsidian's strength is that it builds on standard markdown, so everything you know about markdown already works. The extensions (wikilinks, callouts, embeds, Dataview) are where Obsidian becomes a true knowledge management system. Practice these features in our markdown editor and use the formatter to validate your syntax as you learn.