dataview js query in text

3 min read 22-10-2024

Mastering DataviewJS: Demystifying Queries in Plain Text

DataviewJS, a powerful tool within Obsidian, allows you to query and manipulate your notes using JavaScript. While it might seem daunting at first, mastering this skill unlocks a universe of possibilities for analyzing and visualizing your information. This article will delve into the fundamentals of DataviewJS queries, breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces.

What are DataviewJS Queries?

Think of DataviewJS queries as a specialized language built specifically for your notes. You can use them to:

Retrieve information: Find all notes tagged with "Project X," extract specific data fields, or locate notes created within a certain timeframe.
Transform data: Calculate totals, averages, create tables and lists, or visualize information in various formats.
Automate tasks: Generate reports, create reminders based on note properties, or even write code to automatically organize your notes.

The Basics: Constructing Your First Query

Let's start with a simple example:

// Find all notes tagged with "Work"
dv.list(
  dv.pages('"Work" in tags')
)

Here's a breakdown:

dv.list(): This function displays the results of the query in a formatted list.
dv.pages(): This function retrieves all pages (notes) matching the provided criteria.
"Work" in tags: This is the filter that specifies our condition: we want notes where "Work" is present in the tags field.

Important Note: DataviewJS assumes your notes have frontmatter, which is a YAML block at the beginning of a note containing metadata such as tags, created, title, etc.

Going Deeper: Working with Properties

DataviewJS allows you to access and manipulate specific properties within your notes.

Example: Retrieving the title of each note tagged "Project X"

dv.list(
  dv.pages('"Project X" in tags').map(p => p.file.link + " - " + p.file.name)
)

p.file.link: This retrieves the link to the note.
p.file.name: This retrieves the title of the note.

Practical Example: Calculating the total budget across all project notes

dv.table(
  dv.pages('"Project" in tags').map(p => [p.file.link, p.budget]).sort(a => a[1]),
  {
    title: "Project Budget",
    columns: [
      { header: "Project", key: "0" }, 
      { header: "Budget", key: "1" }
    ],
  }
)

This code snippet extracts the budget value from each project note and displays it in a formatted table, ordered by the budget amount.

Powerful Features: Leveraging Functions and Operators

DataviewJS provides a range of functions and operators to enhance your queries:

dv.current(): This function returns the current note being viewed.
dv.date(): This function allows you to work with dates, such as calculating the time difference between two dates.
dv.array(): This function creates and manipulates arrays.
dv.value(): This function lets you access specific fields within a note's frontmatter.
Comparison operators (<, >, >=, <=): These operators can be used to filter data based on specific conditions.
Logical operators (and, or, not): These operators combine multiple conditions to create more complex queries.

Beyond the Basics: Visualizing Your Data

DataviewJS can create dynamic visualizations, turning your notes into interactive dashboards.

Example: Creating a bar chart showing the number of notes per tag

dv.view(
  `
  # My Tags
  
  ${dv.table(
    dv.pages().flatMap(p => p.file.tags.map(t => [t, 1])).reduce((acc, [t, count]) => ({
      ...acc,
      [t]: (acc[t] || 0) + count
    }), {}),
    {
      title: "",
      columns: [
        { header: "Tag", key: "0" },
        { header: "Count", key: "1" },
      ],
    }
  )}
  
  ${dv.plot(
    dv.pages().flatMap(p => p.file.tags.map(t => [t, 1])).reduce((acc, [t, count]) => ({
      ...acc,
      [t]: (acc[t] || 0) + count
    }), {}),
    {
      type: "bar",
      title: "Tag Distribution",
      xField: "0",
      yField: "1",
      showLegend: false,
    }
  )}
  `
)

This query generates a table showing the count of notes for each tag and then creates a bar chart visualizing this data.

Conclusion: Unlocking the Potential of DataviewJS

DataviewJS is a powerful tool that transforms your notes from simple text files into a dynamic knowledge base. This article has just scratched the surface of its capabilities. With practice and exploration, you can harness the power of DataviewJS to streamline your workflow, gain valuable insights from your notes, and elevate your note-taking experience to a whole new level. Remember, the key to mastering DataviewJS is experimenting, building upon simple examples, and learning from the vast community resources available online.

Resources:

DataviewJS Documentation: https://dataviewjs.com/
DataviewJS GitHub Repository: https://github.com/blacksmithgu/obsidian-dataview
DataviewJS Community Forum: https://forum.obsidian.md/c/dataview/

Note: This article was crafted using examples and explanations from the DataviewJS documentation and community resources. Credit for the original content goes to the developers and contributors who have made this powerful tool possible.