How do you create a link and new note in Obsidian?

Creating a link and a new note in Obsidian is a fundamental process for building a connected knowledge base, often referred to as a "second brain." The simplest way to achieve both simultaneously is by using double square brackets around a desired note title.

How to Create a Link and New Note in Obsidian?

You create a link and a new note in Obsidian primarily by enclosing a note's title in double square brackets, like [[Your New Note Title]]. If a note with that exact title doesn't exist, Obsidian will create it when you click on the link. This powerful feature allows for on-the-fly note creation and seamless linking between ideas.

Understanding Obsidian Links and Notes

In Obsidian, links are the bedrock of your knowledge graph. Every piece of information, from a fleeting thought to an in-depth analysis, can become a note. Linking these notes creates relationships, making your vault a dynamic and interconnected web of information.

Internal Links: Connect one note to another within your Obsidian vault.
New Notes: Any internal link that points to a note that doesn't yet exist in your vault acts as a placeholder. Clicking such a link automatically creates a new note with the specified title.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a New Note and Link

Obsidian offers several intuitive ways to create new notes and link them.

1. Quick Create with Double Square Brackets

This is the most common and efficient method.

Type [[: As you type, Obsidian will suggest existing notes.
Type the Desired Note Title: If you want to create a brand-new note, simply type its full title (e.g., My New Idea).
Type ]]: Complete the brackets.
- Example: Typing This is a thought about [[Future Projects]] that I need to explore.
- If "Future Projects" doesn't exist, it will appear as a link in your current note. Clicking it will create a new note titled "Future Projects." If it already exists, it will link to that existing note.

2. Creating a New Note from Highlighted Text (with Alias)

You can also turn existing text into an aliased link to a new or existing note. This method is particularly useful when you want the displayed text to be different from the actual note title.

Here's how to create an aliased link, potentially to a new note, starting from existing text:

Highlight the Text you want to use as the display text for your link. For example, highlight "important concepts".
Surround with Square Brackets: Use a keyboard shortcut or toolbar action to wrap the highlighted text in double square brackets. Your text will now look like [[important concepts]].
Move Cursor to the Start: Place your cursor immediately before the first [ bracket.
Paste the Note's Actual Name: Type or paste the unique name you want for the target note. For instance, paste "Core Principles".
Add a Pipe | Character: Immediately after the note's actual name, type a |.
- Example Progression:
  1. You have important concepts in your note.
  2. Highlight it and apply brackets: [[important concepts]].
  3. Move cursor before [[, type Core Principles, then |: [[Core Principles|important concepts]].
- Now, "important concepts" is the displayed text, but clicking it will take you to a note titled "Core Principles." If "Core Principles" doesn't exist, it will be created.

3. Using the Command Palette

Open Command Palette: Press Ctrl/Cmd + P.
Type "New Note": Select "Create new note."
Enter Note Name: Type the title for your new note and press Enter. This creates an empty note but doesn't link it to your current note automatically. You'd then need to manually add [[Your New Note Name]] in your other notes to link to it.

4. From the File Explorer

Right-Click: In the File Explorer pane, right-click on a folder or an empty space.
Select "New note": Enter the note's title. This also creates an unlinked new note.

Linking to Existing Notes

When you type [[ and start typing a note title, Obsidian's auto-completion will suggest existing notes. Selecting one links directly to that note.

Basic Link: [[Note Title]] (e.g., [[Daily Journal]])
Aliased Link: [[Note Title|Display Text]] (e.g., [[Project Alpha|P. Alpha Status]])
- This shows "P. Alpha Status" in your note but links to "Project Alpha."
Block Link: [[Note Title#^Block ID]] (links to a specific paragraph or block of text within a note).
Heading Link: [[Note Title#Heading Name]] (links to a specific heading within a note).

Practical Applications and Best Practices

Zettelkasten Method: This linking method is central to creating a network of atomic notes, fostering serendipitous connections and knowledge growth.
Project Management: Link tasks, ideas, and resources to a central project note.
Research: Connect source notes, literature reviews, and your insights seamlessly.
Consistency is Key: Use consistent naming conventions for your notes to make linking and searching easier.
Atomic Notes: Aim for notes that cover a single idea or concept to maximize linking potential.

Summary of Linking and Note Creation Methods

Method	Description	New Note Creation	Linking to Existing	Aliasing Support
`[[Note Name]]` (Quick Create)	Type double brackets around a title. Most common method.	Yes (if DNE)	Yes	No (use `\|`)
`[[Note Name\|Display Text]]` (Aliased)	Type double brackets, add note name, pipe, then display text.	Yes (if DNE)	Yes	Yes
From Highlighted Text (Specific Workflow)	Highlight text, bracket, move cursor, paste note name, add pipe.	Yes (if DNE)	Yes	Yes
Command Palette (`Ctrl/Cmd+P`)	Use "Create new note" command.	Yes	No (manual link)	No
File Explorer (Right-Click)	Right-click in explorer pane, select "New note."	Yes	No (manual link)	No

By mastering these methods, you can efficiently build a robust and interconnected knowledge system in Obsidian, making it easier to navigate, discover, and expand your ideas.