Logseq Tutorial (2024) – How to Use Logseq to Take Amazing Notes

Summary

This video is a comprehensive tutorial on Logseq, a powerful note-taking and project management tool. It walks users through the key features such as creating projects (graphs), adding pages, using Markdown syntax, and linking to other pages. The video also covers advanced functionalities like task management, the Journal feature, graph views, attaching files, and the use of plugins. Additional highlights include whiteboards, flashcards, and tags for organizing content. The tutorial offers practical tips for beginners and promises further insights on advanced features in future videos.

Takeaways

• 📝 Logseq is a powerful note-taking application that organizes information into graphs and blocks.
• 📁 You must select a folder to save files when you first set up Logseq by creating a project or 'graph.'
• 🔗 Logseq supports linking to other pages using double brackets, helping you create connected references and knowledge graphs.
• 🔲 Each line in Logseq is treated as a block, and you can create sub-blocks to structure information hierarchically.
• 📅 Logseq's Journal feature automatically generates daily pages, perfect for to-do lists and logging daily activities.
• ✔️ To-do tasks can be marked with different statuses like 'TODO,' 'DOING,' 'NOW,' and 'LATER,' helping manage task progression.
• 🖼️ You can easily attach images, PDFs, and other file types by dragging and dropping them into Logseq.
• 📊 Logseq’s graph view visualizes relationships between pages, making it ideal for project management and brainstorming.
• 🔍 The universal search (Ctrl + K) lets you find information and create pages quickly from anywhere in Logseq.
• 📚 Logseq supports Flashcards, Whiteboards, and plugins, which enhance functionality for studying, planning, and customization.

Q & A

What is Logseq?

Logseq is a note-taking application that allows users to organize their notes in a graph-based system, with block-based note-taking and Markdown syntax support.

What is a 'graph' in Logseq?

In Logseq, a 'graph' refers to a project. It is essentially a collection of pages, notes, and links, which are visualized as interconnected nodes, helping users manage their information.

How do you create a new project in Logseq?

To create a new project, click the 'Add graph' button, select 'Choose a folder,' and then choose or create a folder to save the project's files.

How does Logseq save information?

Logseq saves information in files once a project is created and a folder is selected. If no folder is chosen, the information typed will not be saved.

What is backlinking in Logseq, and how does it work?

Backlinking allows users to link one page to another using double square brackets around the page title. If the page exists, it links to it, and if not, the link is created, allowing you to make the page later.

How are blocks structured in Logseq?

Logseq is block-based, where each line of text is treated as a block. Blocks can be nested to create sub-blocks and build task hierarchies, helping to organize notes effectively.

How can users add images and files in Logseq?

Users can add images and files by dragging and dropping them into the Logseq interface. Images and files are displayed when clicked, and supported file types open within Logseq.

What are Journals in Logseq, and how are they used?

Journals are daily note pages that Logseq creates automatically. Users can log their daily tasks, thoughts, and events. Journals are a key feature for keeping track of daily activities.

What is the Graph View in Logseq, and what is its purpose?

Graph View visualizes the connections between different pages and notes in Logseq, helping users understand the relationships between their data. It is useful for brainstorming and project management.

How can users install plugins in Logseq?

To install plugins, users can click the three dots, go to the Plugin Marketplace, search for the desired plugin, and click 'Install.' Plugins extend the functionality of Logseq.

Outlines

00:00

📝 Getting Started with Logseq

Logseq is introduced as a powerful note-taking application. The video walks through the initial setup steps, including downloading, installing, and choosing a location to save files. It explains how to create a new project, referred to as a 'graph,' by selecting a folder. The main interface is described, highlighting key features like the navigation sidebar and the right sidebar for page content and graph visualization. Users are shown how to activate dark mode and create new pages with Logseq's Markdown-based system, which includes the use of shortcuts for formatting text. The concept of 'backlinking' between pages using double brackets is also covered, along with a demonstration of the block-based structure of Logseq, where each line is treated as a block that can form task hierarchies.

05:03

📊 Exploring Advanced Logseq Features

This section dives deeper into Logseq's features such as the Journals, which automatically generate daily sections for adding tasks, events, or reflections. Users can create to-do lists by typing 'TODO,' with tasks changing status to 'DOING' or other predefined options. The graph view feature is also explained, where users can visualize the connections between linked pages, helping with project management and brainstorming. The tutorial introduces Plugins, demonstrating how to install and manage them via the Marketplace to enhance Logseq's functionality. Lastly, the video touches on Whiteboards, Flashcards, and tags, emphasizing how Logseq handles tags similarly to pages. Whiteboards allow users to create visual project flows, and Flashcards help with information retention. Other features like page favoriting and the upcoming topics of clozes, cloud sync, and presentations are mentioned as future content.

Keywords

💡Graph

In Logseq, a 'graph' represents a project or a collection of interconnected pages. A graph is essentially the workspace where all the notes and ideas are stored. The user creates a new graph by selecting a folder to save the files. This concept ties into the core theme of Logseq, which is organizing notes in a structured and interconnected way, making it easy to navigate between ideas.

💡Block-based system

Logseq uses a 'block-based system,' meaning each line of text is treated as an individual block. Blocks can be nested or linked, allowing users to create hierarchies and break down complex information into manageable parts. This is crucial for organizing thoughts and tasks, as each block can be treated independently and connected with other blocks for deeper exploration.

💡Backlinking

'Backlinking' in Logseq refers to the practice of linking one page to another using double brackets ([[Page Title]]). It helps create a web of related content, which is useful for knowledge management and ensuring information is interconnected. This feature enables users to easily navigate through related notes and ideas, enhancing the tool's organizational capabilities.

💡Daily Journals

The 'Daily Journals' feature automatically creates a new journal page for each day. This feature is central to Logseq’s functionality, encouraging users to regularly jot down thoughts, tasks, and reflections. Journals are particularly useful for tracking daily to-do lists, capturing spontaneous ideas, and reflecting on progress over time.

💡Markdown Syntax

Logseq relies on 'Markdown syntax' for text formatting, which means users need to manually type commands for bold, italic, headers, etc., rather than using toolbar options. For example, adding double asterisks (**text**) will bold text. This makes Logseq a powerful tool for those familiar with Markdown, enhancing flexibility while requiring a bit of technical knowledge.

💡TODO tasks

'TODO tasks' are a built-in task management feature where users can mark items as 'TODO,' 'DOING,' or 'LATER.' This helps in tracking tasks directly within notes, offering a dynamic way to manage projects. By using TODO, users can create lists, mark progress, and keep their work organized, transforming notes into actionable tasks.

💡Linked and Unlinked References

'Linked references' show where a page has been linked from, while 'unlinked references' display where a page is mentioned but not linked. This feature allows users to see all instances of a page being referenced across the graph, whether explicitly linked or just mentioned, providing a comprehensive view of how ideas are related.

💡Plugins

Logseq supports 'plugins' that extend its functionality beyond the core features. Plugins can be installed via the Marketplace, enabling users to customize their Logseq experience with tools that suit their specific needs, such as enhanced task management or additional formatting options. The ability to install plugins makes Logseq highly adaptable and user-centric.

💡Knowledge Graph

The 'Knowledge Graph' visually displays how pages and ideas are linked within a project. It provides an overview of how content is interconnected, making it easier to spot gaps or relationships between different notes. This feature is particularly useful for brainstorming and managing complex projects, helping users visualize the structure of their work.

💡Whiteboards

Logseq’s 'Whiteboards' feature allows users to create freeform drawings and diagrams on an endless canvas. This can be used for sketching ideas, mapping out processes, or organizing information visually, adding an extra layer of flexibility for those who prefer visual thinking alongside text-based notes.

Highlights

Logseq is a block-based note-taking application that uses Markdown for formatting.

To save notes, you must create a 'graph' by choosing a folder for storage.

Logseq supports backlinking, allowing users to link to other pages using double square brackets.

Unlinked references are displayed where a page is mentioned but not linked.

Each line in Logseq is treated as a block, enabling a hierarchy of tasks or ideas with sub-blocks.

Users can attach images and other file types like PDFs by dragging and dropping them.

The Journals feature creates a new section every day to log activities, to-do lists, and reflections.

Tasks can be marked with TODO, DOING, NOW, or LATER, helping with project tracking and task management.

The graph view displays page links visually, providing a knowledge graph for brainstorming and project tracking.

Logseq allows exporting the graph view as an image.

Plugins enhance Logseq's functionality, and users can install them from the Marketplace.

The universal search feature (Ctrl + K) helps find content quickly and create new pages.

Whiteboards in Logseq are an infinite canvas where users can create project flows, instructions, and processes.

Flashcards are created by adding #card to a block, allowing spaced repetition for studying key concepts.

Tags in Logseq are treated as pages and created by adding a hashtag before a word.

Transcripts

Logseq is a great note-taking  application. The video is all  

you need to take those amazing  notes. So, let’s get into it.

When you download, install, and open it the first  time, you will be presented with a demo. You can  

type stuff here, but this won’t be saved.  We must choose a location to save files. 

To do that, click this “Add graph”  button and then “Choose a folder.”  

A graph in Logseq is your project, so we  are creating a new project. I’m going to  

create a folder in Documents and select  this folder. Once a project is created,  

the warning will go away. Whatever you insert now  will be saved. Let’s go to my main Logseq program.

This is how it looks. To the left is the  navigation sidebar. This button will open  

the right sidebar that allows you to  add page contents and see its graph. 

The settings are in this menu. You can  activate the dark mode from here. Many  

other options are visible, but I don’t think  you need to change anything. Let’s go back.

To add a new page, click this “Create” button,  then “Page.” This will ask you to set its title.  

We will also see if a duplicate page exists  and where the part of this page is linked.  

Click the “New page” option to create it. You can also create a new graph/project  

by clicking the top left Logseq  button and then the first option.

Alright, Logseq is a Markdown language program.  We don’t have any quick options to bold,  

italicize, underline, add headings,  etc., but we can use Markdown syntax. 

You can still use the CTRL  + B shortcut to bold text,  

but to underline, italicize, and other  edits, here are the commands to use.

Logseq supports linking to other pages. This is  called backlinking, and you will use the double  

large brackets and type the page title inside  to link it. If a page with the same name exists,  

it will be linked. If not, the link will be  created, and you can add the page later by  

clicking on it or creating a new page as we do. Also, on every page, you will see linked and  

unlinked references. Linked references  are where this page is linked from,  

and unlinked references are those where  this page is mentioned but not linked.

As you add some lines, you  will see that on every line,  

there is a bullet point. This is because Logseq  is a block-based app, and every line is treated  

as a block. You can continue the same block  on a new line by pressing Shift + Enter keys. 

Because of this functionality, Logseq  creates a task hierarchy. For example,  

if you write down something, you can  go to the next line, press the tab key,  

and enter information related to the above  block. You can go as deep as you like. When  

you have enough sub-blocks, you can  click on the bullet point to open a  

separate page and see the navigation and block  contents. This is helpful in many projects.

Let’s learn to attach images and files.  To attach an image, you can simply drag  

and drop it. It will show the image string,  but clicking outside will display the image. 

In the same way, you can attach other file types.  Let’s say I want to attach this zip file, I can  

drag and drop it. Or this PDF file. We can then  click on those files to open them. The supported  

files are opened in Logseq, and unsupported  ones will open in the default application.

Moving on, we find Journals, one of the  most prominent features of Logseq. Every  

time you open Logseq, you will see this page. The  program will create a new section for the new day,  

and here, you can add things to do, things that  happened, your day, and anything else you can  

think of. Let’s add a few things now. I will add  a heading two and name it “Things happened.” I  

will add stuff like meeting with John or going  to my sister’s house because of a festival, etc.

However, the best way to utilize this is by  creating to-do lists. By typing TODO in the  

beginning, you can make it a task. Suppose I  must update the website plugins today or must  

discuss with John about its security, I will  add them here. We will then click this check  

to complete this task. Also, if you click  on this TODO, it will convert to “DOING.”  

This is useful for longer tasks. Other supported  parameters are “NOW” and “LATER.” For those types,  

you will see a separate section below to help you  see what’s being postponed and what’s in progress.

Like Journals, graph view is another solid  feature. This knowledge graph uses the links  

you create on all the pages and shows  what pages are linking where. This is a  

great brainstorming and project management  feature to see a project’s status. It also  

helps us see any issues in the current setup  and any problems that we may see in the future. 

By default, the Daily Journal  pages are not in this graph,  

but you can enable the option from the right  menu. You can also export this view as an image.

Now, to the slightly advanced topic, Plugins  increase its functionality. But using every  

plugin is different, so you must read the  instructions that the developer provides. However,  

to install a plugin, click those three  dots and then plugins. Go to Marketplace,  

search for the desired plugin,  and click “Install.” You will find  

the installed plugins here and the  plugin information by clicking it.

Logseq has a universal search that can search for  stuff and create pages. Press the Ctrl + K keys,  

and this will open. Type in something  to see the suggestions. You can quickly  

create a new page by typing the page  title and clicking the first option.

Before we go, I want to cover Whiteboards  and Flashcards. As the name suggests,  

Whiteboards is for boards. This endless  canvas lets you add text and shapes  

and make connections. You can write  project flow, instructions, processes,  

and other things. The program has drawing  features, so you can draw to highlight. 

Also, Flashcards gather important information  from pages and daily journals. All you have to  

do is add the “#card” to a block, and you  will see that block in Flashcards. You can  

then go to that block or review the card by  clicking the buttons located at the bottom.

We will cover tags now. Tags in Logseq don’t  offer much. Logseq treats tags as pages,  

so we don’t see any difference.  Add a hashtag before the word to  

make it a tag, and when you click  it, Logseq will create a new page.

Lastly, you can favorite a page by  opening it and then right-clicking  

on the title and clicking the first option.  Favorite pages are found under Favorites.

There are other things, such as clozes,  

cloud sync, and presentations, and  we will cover those in later videos.

So, this is it for this Logseq  tutorial. Thanks for watching,  

and please let me know if you need any  help. I will catch you later. Take care.