# Templates Templates is a [[Core plugins|core plugin]] that lets you set a default format, structure, and content that you can apply to notes. It is enabled by default. Templates are very powerful way to: - standardize your notes so that notes of a certain type always look the same - automate note-taking (such as for the creation of daily notes) - add checklists for things you do often Using templates involves three things: - Creating a template note. - Creating a new note. - Applying the template to the new note. ## Creating a template A template is also a [[Markdown Cheat Sheet|Markdown]] file and can really be any note you want. However, to distinguish between templates and notes, Obsidian requires you to create a [[Folders|folder]] for templates. In this vault, the template folder is `02 System/templates`. Next, go to Settings > Templates and in the *Templates folder location*, select the folder you created. Now, create a new note in the templates folder you specified. In the template, add things you'd like to see applied to a note. Think about things like: - whether you want it to have an [[Aliases|alias]] - headings and sections to be filled out later - prompts or other text ## Creating a note Once you're ready with the template, create a new note or open an existing note that you want the template to be applied into. Some [[Core plugins|plugins]], like [[Daily notes]], already do this step for you. ## Applying a template With the new note open and the cursor set to where you want the template to be inserted, open the [[Command palette]] and select `Templates: Insert template`. Select the template you created and hit ENTER. The template is inserted where the cursor is. ## Using variables in template You can improve your template by adding variables to them that insert text depending on the current context. Here are some examples: - `{{date}}` becomes `2023-01-13` when inserted - `{{title}}` becomes the title of the note you created, when inserted You can incorporate these variables into your notes, such as using `# [[{{title}}]]` to create a heading that is links to the same page. ## Use cases for templates Here are a few ideas for things you could create templates for: - journalling and daily notes - other regular reviews - people - projects - meetings - checklists: for regular errands, product releases, any process - books or other content you consume ## Related - [[Creating templates for goal-setting and regular reviews]] - [[daily]] template - [Obsidian docs on template variables](https://help.obsidian.md/Plugins/Templates#Template+variables)