James-Yu

external-file-card: Preview External Files in Obsidian

An Obsidian plugin that surfaces files stored outside a vault as linked cards or inline links. It suits users who want to find and open documents from configured folders without moving them into their notes.

TypeScriptMITPluginsProductivityUtility
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Overview

external-file-card connects Obsidian notes to files stored outside the vault. Given a filename or partial path, it searches configured folders and can display basic file details in a note, or provide a link that opens the file with the system's default application.

It is aimed at people who keep documents in locations such as synced folders and want to reference them from Obsidian without copying them into the vault. The plugin is designed for desktop use; it does not locate or open external files on mobile.

Key Features

  • Render file cards from ef or extfile code blocks, with a compact variant available.
  • Show file name, creation and modification times, and containing folder.
  • Search one or more configured root paths, in order, using a filename or partial path.
  • List multiple files in a single code block.
  • Use an obsidian:// URI for an inline link that opens an external file.
  • Reference folders as well as files.
  • Customize the displayed card text and use editor commands to insert a card or link.

Use Cases

  • Researchers can reference PDFs stored in a document library without duplicating them in a vault.
  • Writers can link project notes to drafts or source files kept in separate folders.
  • Obsidian users with cloud-synced files can open those files from notes on desktop.
  • Users who need a quick overview of a file's location and timestamps can use the card instead of adding that information manually.

Getting Started

Install the plugin in Obsidian, configure one or more external root paths in its settings, then add an ef code block with a filename to a note. See the repository README for configuration details, syntax, and other usage options.

Considerations

  • File lookup depends on configured root paths and searches them in order. If the same filename appears in multiple locations, the first match is used.
  • The plugin does not locate external files or make its links work on mobile platforms.
  • It is intended for files outside the Obsidian vault, so users should ensure configured paths are accessible on the desktop where they use Obsidian.

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