how to rollup to dos with person obsidian

2 min read 21-01-2025

how to rollup to dos with person obsidian

Obsidian's flexibility allows for powerful task management, especially when combined with its robust linking capabilities. This article details how to effectively rollup your TODOs using Person Obsidian, creating a centralized overview of your tasks across different notes. This method leverages Dataview, a powerful plugin that enables querying your Obsidian vault.

Setting up Dataview for TODO Rollup

Before we begin, ensure you have the Dataview plugin installed. This plugin is crucial for querying your notes and aggregating your TODOs. You can find and install it through Obsidian's community plugins section.

Once installed, you'll need to create a dedicated note for your TODO rollup. I recommend naming it something clear and concise, like "Daily TODOs" or "Task Rollup".

The Core Dataview Query

The heart of this system is a Dataview query. This query searches your vault for all notes containing TODOs and displays them in a consolidated view. Here's a basic query to get started:

LIST
WHERE contains(file.content, "[ ] ")

This query will list all files that contain the string "[ ] ", which is the standard markdown syntax for a TODO item. You'll likely want to refine this query further to suit your specific needs.

Refining Your Dataview Query for Person Obsidian

Person Obsidian enhances this further by allowing you to filter and organize TODOs based on individuals or projects. Let's say you want to see all TODOs assigned to "Alice":

LIST
WHERE contains(file.content, "[ ] ") AND contains(file.content, "Alice")

This query will only show TODOs from notes that contain both "[ ] " and "Alice". Remember to replace "Alice" with the relevant person's name or any other identifier you use for your projects or tasks.

Enhancing the Rollup with Additional Features

Prioritization: You can add prioritization to your TODOs using different markdown symbols or tags. Then modify the query to filter by priority. For example:

LIST
WHERE contains(file.content, "[ ] !!! ")  # High Priority

Due Dates: Integrate due dates into your TODOs (e.g., [ ] Task due 2024-03-15) and use Dataview's date functions to filter by upcoming deadlines.
Project Grouping: If you use project tags (e.g., #ProjectX), you can easily filter your TODOs by project:

LIST
WHERE contains(file.content, "[ ] ") AND contains(file.content, "#ProjectX")

Customizing the Output: Dataview allows for significant customization of the output. You can add columns, change formatting, and even create tables. Consult the Dataview documentation for advanced customization options.

Example: Combining Person and Project Filtering

Let's say you want to see all high-priority TODOs assigned to "Bob" for "ProjectY":

LIST
WHERE contains(file.content, "[ ] !!! ") AND contains(file.content, "Bob") AND contains(file.content, "#ProjectY")

Maintaining Your System

This system's effectiveness relies on consistency. Make sure to always use the same format for your TODOs (e.g., [ ] Task description) and any associated metadata (like project tags or person assignments). Regularly review and update your Dataview query to reflect any changes in your workflow.

Conclusion: A Powerful Task Management Solution

By combining the power of Dataview with the organizational structure of Person Obsidian, you can create a highly efficient and personalized TODO rollup system. This method allows you to manage tasks across multiple notes, filter by individuals, prioritize tasks, and maintain a clear overview of your ongoing projects. Remember to experiment with different queries and customizations to tailor the system perfectly to your needs. This flexible approach helps you stay organized and productive within your Obsidian workflow.