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](https://yaml.org/) or [JSON](https://www.json.org/) 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](https://docs.obsidian.md/Plugins/Getting+started/Build+a+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](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS). You can override parts of a theme using [[#snippet|snippets]]. ## Vault `Aliases: local vault, local data` 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]]. ### Remote vault `Aliases: Remote data` A [[Local and remote vaults|remote vault]] is a copy of your local vault that is maintained with [[Introduction to Obsidian Sync|Obsidian Sync]]. The remote vault data is updated based on changes to local data. ## View A **view** displays information, for example the [[Search|Search view]].