---
title: Obsidian Dataview
category: Summary
type: Tool/Plugin
source: https://github.com/blacksmithgu/obsidian-dataview
date: 2026-02-23
tags: [obsidian, dataview, plugin, query, database]
---

# Obsidian Dataview

**URL:** https://github.com/blacksmithgu/obsidian-dataview  
**Description:** A data index and query language over Markdown files for Obsidian  
**Date Summarized:** 2026-02-24

---

## tl;dr

Treat your Obsidian Vault as a **database** that you can query. Query, filter, sort, and extract data from Markdown pages using YAML frontmatter and inline fields.

---

## What It Does

Dataview generates data from your vault by pulling information from:

1. **Markdown Frontmatter** — YAML at the top of documents:
```yaml
---
alias: "document"
last-reviewed: 2021-08-17
rating: 8
status: active
---
```

2. **Inline Fields** — Key:: Value syntax in documents:
```markdown
Basic Field:: Value
**Bold Field**:: Nice!
You can also write [field:: inline fields]
(field2:: hidden field)  
```

---

## Query Modes

### 1. Dataview Query Language (DQL)
Pipeline-based, SQL-like expressions:
```dataview
TABLE file.name AS "File", rating AS "Rating" 
FROM #book
SORT rating DESC
```

### 2. Inline Expressions
Embed directly in markdown:
`= this.file.name` → shows filename

### 3. DataviewJS
JavaScript for complex logic:
```dataviewjs
for (let group of dv.pages("#book")
  .where(p => p["time-read"].year == 2021)
  .groupBy(p => p.genre)) {
    dv.header(3, group.key);
    dv.table(["Name", "Rating"], group.rows
      .sort(k => k.rating, 'desc')
      .map(k => [k.file.link, k.rating]))
}
```

---

## Example Use Cases

**Table of games with metadata:**
```dataview
TABLE time-played, length, rating
FROM "games"
SORT rating DESC
```

**List by tags:**
```dataview
LIST FROM #game/moba or #game/crpg
```

**Tasks from active projects:**
```dataview
TASK FROM #projects/active
```

**Books read in 2021, grouped by genre:**
```dataviewjs
for (let group of dv.pages("#book")
  .where(p => p["time-read"].year == 2021)
  .groupBy(p => p.genre)) {
    dv.header(3, group.key);
    dv.table(["Name", "Time Read", "Rating"],
      group.rows.sort(k => k.rating, 'desc')
      .map(k => [k.file.link, k["time-read"], k.rating]))
}
```

---

## Key Features

- ✅ Query any Markdown files in your vault
- ✅ Filter by tags, folders, metadata
- ✅ Sort by any field
- ✅ Group results
- ✅ Render as tables, lists, or tasks
- ✅ JavaScript API for complex logic
- ✅ Inline fields for hidden metadata
- ✅ Automatic data index updates

---

## Potential Uses for Corey's Vault

1. **Home Assistant Automations Table** — Query all automations by status
2. **Projects Dashboard** — Active vs completed projects
3. **Daily Notes Query** — Recent entries, completed tasks
4. **Research Summaries** — All `/summarize` outputs by date
5. **Cron Jobs Status** — Active vs disabled jobs

---

## Installation

Available in Obsidian Community Plugins:
1. Settings → Community Plugins → Browse
2. Search "Dataview"
3. Install & Enable

---

**Full Docs:** https://blacksmithgu.github.io/obsidian-dataview/

---

*Source: https://github.com/blacksmithgu/obsidian-dataview*