# Obsidian Search Obsidian search (backed by the [[Search core plugin for Obsidian]]) is full-text search across the whole [[Obsidian Vault|vault]], with operators that most users never discover. Learning a handful of them is the difference between scrolling through results and getting exactly the notes you meant. ## Operators | Operator | What it matches | | --- | --- | | `file:` | File name (e.g., `file:.png` finds all images) | | `path:` | File path (e.g., `path:"33.02 Content"`) | | `content:` | Note content only | | `tag:` | Tag, including nested ones (e.g., `tag:#obsidian/features`) | | `line:(...)` | Terms appearing on the same line | | `block:(...)` | Terms appearing in the same block | | `section:(...)` | Terms appearing under the same heading | | `task:` / `task-todo:` / `task-done:` | Text inside tasks / open tasks / completed tasks | | `["property":value]` | Property value (e.g., `["public_note":true]`) | | `match-case:` / `ignore-case:` | Force case sensitivity either way | Combine them with quotes for exact phrases, `OR` for alternatives, `-` to exclude, `(...)` to group, and `/regex/` for regular expressions: ``` tag:#obsidian -path:"60 Archives" /URI|deeplink/ ``` ## Embedded queries Any search can live inside a note as a ` ```query ` code block, rendering live results (see [[Obsidian Embeds]]). That's a zero-plugin dynamic index. ## Good to know - Toggle **Explain search term** in the search pane to see how Obsidian parsed your query; it kills most "why doesn't this match" confusion. - Search covers file content and properties, not the content of embedded attachments. - For fuzzy or typo-tolerant search across the vault, the [[Omnisearch plugin for Obsidian]] complements the core engine; for semantic search, I use qmd via the [[Obsidian CLI]]. - External apps can trigger a search via `obsidian://search` (see [[Obsidian URI]]). ## References - Search: https://help.obsidian.md/Plugins/Search - Search properties: https://help.obsidian.md/Editing+and+formatting/Properties#Search+properties ## Related - [[Obsidian]] - [[Search core plugin for Obsidian]] - [[Obsidian Embeds]] - [[Obsidian Tags]] - [[Obsidian Properties]] - [[Obsidian Quick Switcher]] - [[Omnisearch plugin for Obsidian]] - [[Obsidian URI]] - [[Obsidian CLI]] - [[Search vs organization]]