In the grand [[Convergent Evolution]] of personal productivity tools, [[Obsidian]] is become much more [[Notion]]-like with the introduction of Obsidian "[Bases](https://help.obsidian.md/bases)". They're neat! Quite Notion-like, while retaining a lot of Obsidian-flavor. Bases also feel like a natural extension of the core product - they have (IMO) better [[Conceptual Integrity]] than do [[Obsidian Canvas]]es. Bases are new & evolving quickly.
## Comparison to Notion Databases
> [!note]
> I'm comparing a brand new feature of one product to the killer feature of another, much more mature product. Also Obsidian is rapidly developing Bases & this note will surely be out-of-date soon.
### Same
- Display properties of notes in table or card formats, linked to the notes they represent
- Tables can be filtered, configured to show whatever properties you want, & support multiple views
- Obsidian bases can be directly embedded into notes, similar to how Notion Databases can live inside of pages
- You can create custom dynamic sidebars using the `this` keyword that auto-update to whatever note is focused
- Tables provide a very notion-like interface, with table-level configuration on the left & filters/properties on the right
- You can edit properties of files using the base table view
- Cards *also* provide a very Notion-like interface.
- Properties can be calculated using formulas, referencing other properties - which is very surprising
Example snippet:
![[Pasted image 20250620152953.png]]
### Different
- Obsidian only supports tables, lists, cards, and (apparently) maps (if you install their official "maps" plugin) not some of the other view types Notion offers - eg [[Kanban]] or calendar.
- Obsidian bases are **vault-level** - *all* properties & notes in your vault are available on *every* base - you must filter to the relevant tag/folder/whatever
- Obsidian base configurations are [[YAML]]-based, which is cool!
# Example Base
> [!warning]
> On the website version of these notes this will not render correctly until Obsidian supports Publishing Bases.
```base
filters:
and:
- file.folder != "assets"
formulas:
Backlink Count: file.backlinks.length
views:
- type: table
name: Created in 2025
filters:
and:
- file.ctime >= "2025-01-01"
order:
- file.name
- tags
- type: table
name: Backlink Count
order:
- file.name
- formula.Backlink Count
sort:
- property: file.backlinks
direction: DESC
- property: formula.Backlink Count
direction: DESC
```
****
# More
## Source
- https://help.obsidian.md/bases
- experimentation