The Opinionated Short Guide for Switching from Roam to Obsidian
1/ Many have asked for advice on making the switch. While there is no "one size fits all" approach, I will share some practical tips that should help you.
Other switchers - feel free to hop in with your advice
1/ Many have asked for advice on making the switch. While there is no "one size fits all" approach, I will share some practical tips that should help you.
Other switchers - feel free to hop in with your advice
2/ -- Give yourself time --
Over time, we build complex workflows & techniques in a Tool for Thought like Roam. There is no button to instantly transfer you to a new tool. You need to give yourself time to make the transition. Some say 2 to 3 weeks, I gave myself 2 to 3 months.
Over time, we build complex workflows & techniques in a Tool for Thought like Roam. There is no button to instantly transfer you to a new tool. You need to give yourself time to make the transition. Some say 2 to 3 weeks, I gave myself 2 to 3 months.
3/ -- Export from Roam using Flat Markdown --
Export your Roam graph to flat markdown files using the export tool in the menu. This will give you a zip with all your pages in Roam, in markdown format and with all block refs resolved to pure text.
Export your Roam graph to flat markdown files using the export tool in the menu. This will give you a zip with all your pages in Roam, in markdown format and with all block refs resolved to pure text.
4/ -- Create a "Switching" folder --
In your Obsidian vault, create a folder called "Switching" and unzip all the markdown files from the previous into this folder.
It is from this folder you will start the process of migrating your data into the Obsidian Way.
In your Obsidian vault, create a folder called "Switching" and unzip all the markdown files from the previous into this folder.
It is from this folder you will start the process of migrating your data into the Obsidian Way.
5/ -- Clean Start --
While Roam & Obsidian accomplish many of the same results, the tools are different.
I recommend for all new content you create from this point on, you create using Obsidian & in the Obsidian Way. This will allow you to leverage Obsidian's features better.
While Roam & Obsidian accomplish many of the same results, the tools are different.
I recommend for all new content you create from this point on, you create using Obsidian & in the Obsidian Way. This will allow you to leverage Obsidian's features better.
6/ -- Slowly Migrate --
Over a few weeks, process a handful of files each day from your Roam export "Switching" folder. Review the file: Is it still needed? Can you make the file more Obsidian like?
As you process them, move them into folders where the content makes sense.
Over a few weeks, process a handful of files each day from your Roam export "Switching" folder. Review the file: Is it still needed? Can you make the file more Obsidian like?
As you process them, move them into folders where the content makes sense.
7/ -- Folders --
Obsidian uses folders for organizing notes. Review your Roam graph and come up with a simple folder structure as a starting point. Don't over complicate it. Since you for sure already have some structure of how you manage data, use that as the foundation.
Obsidian uses folders for organizing notes. Review your Roam graph and come up with a simple folder structure as a starting point. Don't over complicate it. Since you for sure already have some structure of how you manage data, use that as the foundation.
8/ -- Analyze, test, iterate --
As you move to a new system, you need to have the spirit of an explorer.
It is not possible to know the perfect structure from the beginning.
So develop a structure that make sense for now, test it for a week or two, then modify & improve it.
As you move to a new system, you need to have the spirit of an explorer.
It is not possible to know the perfect structure from the beginning.
So develop a structure that make sense for now, test it for a week or two, then modify & improve it.
9/ -- DNP --
Many in the beginning are not sure what to do about their Daily Notes Page. Obsidian doesn't generate a DNP for you automatically. I suggest installing the Calendar plugin. This gives you a calendar & you click on a date it generates a page with today's date for you
Many in the beginning are not sure what to do about their Daily Notes Page. Obsidian doesn't generate a DNP for you automatically. I suggest installing the Calendar plugin. This gives you a calendar & you click on a date it generates a page with today's date for you
10/ -- Date format DNP --
Like me, many users use the YYYY-MM-DD date format in obsidian, rather than the date format used by Roam.
So for example we use: 2021-08-14.
The benefit is its easy to search for dates and this format is also internationally accepted.
Like me, many users use the YYYY-MM-DD date format in obsidian, rather than the date format used by Roam.
So for example we use: 2021-08-14.
The benefit is its easy to search for dates and this format is also internationally accepted.
11/ -- DNP structure --
Some users, like me, continue to use their DNP as they did in Roam. Just one long page of timestamped notes.
Roam's DNP interface is delightfully simple & many users miss this when they switch. But with a little CSS, you can tweak it to your cravings.
Some users, like me, continue to use their DNP as they did in Roam. Just one long page of timestamped notes.
Roam's DNP interface is delightfully simple & many users miss this when they switch. But with a little CSS, you can tweak it to your cravings.
12/ This Roam like "one long page" approach works well for me. While others prefer the Atomic Note DNP.
13/ -- DNP Atomic Notes --
An atomic note is a small note, that focuses on one topic, one thought, one article, one meeting, etc.
Many Obsidian users prefer to take atomic notes for their thoughts, and then link them into their DNP page.
notes.andymatuschak.org/Evergreen_note… @andy_matuschak
An atomic note is a small note, that focuses on one topic, one thought, one article, one meeting, etc.
Many Obsidian users prefer to take atomic notes for their thoughts, and then link them into their DNP page.
notes.andymatuschak.org/Evergreen_note… @andy_matuschak
14/ It sounds messy to me, but Atomic Note DNP is very popular. Some feel it forces more clarity of thought & intention.
I suggest experimenting with both approaches
I suggest experimenting with both approaches
15/ -- Master the fundamental --
Read through the docs a few times. There is a lot there!!
The built in features are powerful (window pane management, search, YAML). Take the time to read the Obsidian docs & test the core features. You will be amazed.
Start with the basics.
Read through the docs a few times. There is a lot there!!
The built in features are powerful (window pane management, search, YAML). Take the time to read the Obsidian docs & test the core features. You will be amazed.
Start with the basics.
16/ -- Markdown --
Some are intimidated by Markdown since its uses characters to represent formatting like bold, highlight, headings, lists, etc.
Invest in yourself! Learn Markdown because you can use it in so many other tools.
It doesn't take long to become proficient.
Some are intimidated by Markdown since its uses characters to represent formatting like bold, highlight, headings, lists, etc.
Invest in yourself! Learn Markdown because you can use it in so many other tools.
It doesn't take long to become proficient.
17/ -- Plugins - Start Slowly --
As of this writing, there are almost 300 plugins available for Obsidian. Some simple, some very advanced.
Since you are going through a learning process, I suggest installing one at a time.
As of this writing, there are almost 300 plugins available for Obsidian. Some simple, some very advanced.
Since you are going through a learning process, I suggest installing one at a time.
18/ This allows you to learn to use that plugin and master it before going on to others.
I am not saying to not install a few plugins in the beginning, but don't go crazy!
Install, learn and then go onto the next
I am not saying to not install a few plugins in the beginning, but don't go crazy!
Install, learn and then go onto the next
19/ -- Suggested plugins --
I suggest as a starting point the following plugins:
Calendar - for the calendar and working with DNP
Natural Language Dates - quickly insert dates into your notes
I suggest as a starting point the following plugins:
Calendar - for the calendar and working with DNP
Natural Language Dates - quickly insert dates into your notes
20/ -- Outliner Plugin --
Roam is an amazing outliner. Obsidian is not, it uses a different editing paradigm.
There is a plugin that makes outlining easier in Obsidian.
Roam is an amazing outliner. Obsidian is not, it uses a different editing paradigm.
There is a plugin that makes outlining easier in Obsidian.
21/ Some really like the outliner plugin, some find it funky. I used it for a few weeks and it helped.
But in time I uninstalled it, as I found I could accomplish satisfactory results with Obsidian with out it. So give it a try.
But in time I uninstalled it, as I found I could accomplish satisfactory results with Obsidian with out it. So give it a try.
22/ -- Block refs --
Obsidian supports block refs, I use them every day & they work well. But the truth is Roam handles block refs better.
Block refs are fragile in roam and in Obsidian, but more so in Obsidian.
Obsidian supports block refs, I use them every day & they work well. But the truth is Roam handles block refs better.
Block refs are fragile in roam and in Obsidian, but more so in Obsidian.
23/ I found that I had to experiment with the block refs in Obsidian to master them. And I do use them a lot. But this is a pain point for former Roam users.
24/ -- Get to know the community --
Obsidian has a great community. Learn about it here:
Obsidian has a great community. Learn about it here:
https://twitter.com/TfTHacker/status/1390928424672370689
25/ -- Reach out for Help --
Feel free to DM me with your questions and ideas. It will be my pleasure to help.
Feel free to DM me with your questions and ideas. It will be my pleasure to help.
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