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Tables in Obsidian are Trash. Here’s a Better Way to Work With Tables

Prakash Joshi Pax
Obsidian Observer
Published in
6 min readMay 2, 2023

Obsidian is a powerful note-taking tool. It has gained massive popularity among users due to its flexibility and customizability.

However, for those making a move from tools like Notion, the lack of robust table functionality can be a challenge.

While Obsidian(markdown) does offer tables, they rarely meet the need of users who are accustomed to more advanced table features. Markdown tables have limited functionality. This can be frustrating for those who rely on tables for organizing and presenting information.

In this article, we’ll talk about some tips to help you optimize your experience with tables in Obsidian so that you can make the most of this powerful tool.

Create Templates for Tables

If you frequently work with tables in Obsidian, creating templates can save you time and effort. By creating a template for a markdown table with your most frequently used format, you can quickly insert it into your notes without having to write the syntax from scratch each time.

For example, if you often use a 4x3 column layout, create a template for that specific format. To create a template, simply write out the table syntax in a new note, and then move it to the templates folder.

The next time you need to insert a table with that format, you can easily do so by inserting the template file into your note. This can make help you streamline your workflow and make working with tables more efficient.

The syntax for creating a 4x3 markdown table is given below:

| Column1 | Column2 | Column3 | Column 4| 
| ------- | ------- | ------- |------- |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Tables with a pretty tables CSS in Preview Mode

Table Generator

Table generator is a useful plugin if you work with tables a lot. This helps you to generate a markdown table by selecting the number of columns and rows you need, rather than writing out the syntax manually.

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Obsidian Observer
Obsidian Observer

Published in Obsidian Observer

Welcome to The Obsidian Observer, a hub for all Obsidian enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, our publication delivers in-depth how-to guides, innovative workflows, and captivating opinions to help unlock your note-taking potential.

Prakash Joshi Pax
Prakash Joshi Pax

Written by Prakash Joshi Pax

Avid Reader| Writer| Observer| On a journey to be a Better Self| If you follow, you will never feel hollow. Writings on PKM • Tools • Personal Growth • Money

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