Customising your Daily Note Template

Summary

In this tutorial video, the host guides viewers through creating a personalized daily note template in Capacities, a note-taking app. The process covers styling text blocks and tables, adding headings, and organizing daily schedules and priorities. The host also demonstrates how to make a template, set it as default for recurring use, and customize it for individual needs. The video aims to inspire viewers to structure their daily notes effectively.

Takeaways

• 📔 The video is a tutorial on creating a daily note template in a note-taking app called 'capacities'.
• 🎨 It covers topics like styling blocks and tables, which are essential for organizing daily notes.
• 📝 The presenter demonstrates how to create and customize table blocks for scheduling and prioritizing daily tasks.
• 🔑 The use of keyboard shortcuts like 'forward slash' and 'plus button' is highlighted for quick block creation.
• 🕒 The tutorial includes setting up a daily schedule with time slots and marking them as a header column for emphasis.
• 🎨 Styling options such as text color, background color, and alignment are discussed to improve the visual appeal and functionality of the notes.
• 📐 The process of adjusting column widths and adding rows to fit the user's scheduling needs is explained.
• 📑 The video shows how to create headings using different methods, including the hierarchy section and markdown shortcuts.
• 📝 The presenter introduces the concept of 'to do' blocks for tasks and the option to integrate with task managers for advanced users.
• 🌅 The tutorial includes creating sections for morning and evening routines using 'to do' blocks for daily planning.
• 📝 The final step is turning the setup into a template and making it the default for future daily notes for consistency.
• 🔄 The presenter mentions that the template can be edited or uninstalled at any time to adapt to changing needs.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the tutorial in the video script?

The main purpose of the tutorial is to recreate a daily note template in Capacities, providing a starting point and inspiration for structuring personal daily notes.

What are the topics covered in the tutorial?

The tutorial covers styling of blocks and tables, using different types of blocks such as heading blocks, to-do blocks, and table blocks, and achieving a column layout.

How does one create a new block in Capacities according to the script?

A new block can be created using the forward slash or the plus button, and refining the search by typing the desired block type, such as 'table'.

What is the purpose of the table block in the daily note template?

The table block is used to represent the daily schedule, allowing the user to plan and organize their day by hours or activities.

How can additional rows be added to a table block?

Additional rows can be added by clicking the plus sign and dragging or by using the plus in the bottom right-hand corner of the table.

What is a header column and how is it used in the tutorial?

A header column is a designated column in a table that remains constant and is typically used to label the rows. In the tutorial, it is used to indicate times of the day for the daily schedule.

How can text within a table be formatted to be center-aligned?

Text within a table can be formatted to be center-aligned by clicking the menu at the top of the column, selecting 'format column', and then choosing the center align option.

What is the function of the to-do block in the daily note template?

The to-do block is used to list tasks or activities that need to be completed, providing a visual checklist for the user's daily priorities.

How can a user create headings in Capacities?

Headings can be created by writing text as a normal text block and then adjusting the heading level through the hierarchy section or by using markdown shortcuts like three hashtags for heading three.

What is the difference between styling text and styling the entire block in Capacities?

Styling text changes the appearance of the text itself, such as color or highlighting. Styling the entire block changes the background or other properties of the entire block, including the text.

How can a user make a template in Capacities and set it as the default for daily notes?

A user can create a template by highlighting all the desired elements, copying them, and then using the 'New Template' option. To set it as default, the template must be marked with a star in the templates menu.

Outlines

00:00

📓 Daily Note Template Tutorial Overview

The speaker introduces a tutorial on creating a daily note template in the capacities app. The goal is to recreate a specific layout for daily planning, emphasizing that daily notes are highly personalized. The tutorial will cover styling blocks and tables, including heading blocks, to-do blocks, and table blocks, as well as achieving a column layout. The process begins by creating a table for the daily schedule, adjusting its size, and setting the times as a header column. The text within the table is formatted to be center-aligned. A second table for daily priorities is created, and styling options for both text and blocks are discussed, including color applications for header columns.

05:04

🎨 Customizing and Styling the Daily Planner

This paragraph delves into customizing the daily planner by adding headings and styling text blocks. The speaker demonstrates how to create headings using both the app's forward slash command and markdown shortcuts. Different styling options are presented, such as changing text color and applying background colors to blocks. The speaker shares a preference for styling the entire block rather than just the text. A routine section is added below the existing blocks, utilizing to-do blocks created with square brackets and space. The speaker also discusses task actions for integrating with a task manager, a feature available in paid plans. The paragraph concludes with the addition of evening routine tasks and the application of styling to complete the daily planner layout.

10:07

🔄 Creating and Saving a Recurring Daily Note Template

The final paragraph focuses on transforming the customized daily planner into a reusable template. The speaker guides through the process of copying the layout, creating a new template, and ensuring it includes all elements like columns. If the columns do not copy correctly, the speaker advises on how to recreate them. The importance of marking the template as default for automatic application in future daily notes is highlighted. The speaker also explains how to edit or replace the default template if needed and assures that past notes remain unaffected by these changes. The tutorial concludes with an invitation for feedback and questions, encouraging viewers to share their specific use case requests or inquiries about the setup.

Keywords

💡Daily Note Template

A 'Daily Note Template' is a pre-designed layout that helps organize and structure daily tasks, schedules, and notes in a systematic way. In the video, the creator is demonstrating how to build a daily note template in a digital platform, which includes scheduling, priorities, and routines, making it a central theme for the tutorial.

💡Styling

Styling in the context of the video refers to the customization of the appearance of text and blocks within the note template. It includes changing text color, applying background colors, and aligning text. The video shows how to style table headers and text to enhance visual appeal and organization.

💡Blocks

'Blocks' are the fundamental units of content in the digital platform used in the video. They can be text blocks, table blocks, or to-do blocks, and are manipulated to create the structure of the daily note. The script describes creating different types of blocks for various sections like the daily schedule and priorities.

💡Table Blocks

Table blocks are a specific type of content block used to organize information in a grid format. In the video, the creator uses table blocks to create a daily schedule and list priorities, demonstrating how to adjust rows and columns to fit the needed information.

💡Heading Blocks

Heading blocks are used to create titles or section headings within the note template. They help to categorize and distinguish different parts of the daily note. The video mentions using heading blocks to label sections like 'Daily Planner' and 'Morning Routine'.

💡Column Layout

The 'column layout' refers to the arrangement of content into vertical columns, allowing for side-by-side comparison or organization of information. The video script describes how to create a two-column layout to place different parts of the daily note template next to each other.

💡To-Do Blocks

To-do blocks are a type of content block designed for listing tasks that need to be completed. They often include checkboxes for tracking progress. In the video, the creator uses to-do blocks to set up morning and evening routines within the daily note template.

💡Task Actions

Task actions, mentioned as a feature of the paid plans in the platform, allow for integration with a task manager. This enables the user to send tasks from the to-do blocks to an external task management system for action. The video script touches on this feature as an option for users who wish to sync their notes with task management tools.

💡Templates

Templates in the video refer to pre-configured layouts that can be saved and reused. The creator demonstrates how to create a template from the custom daily note layout and set it as the default for future daily notes, streamlining the process of note-taking.

💡Markdown Shortcuts

Markdown shortcuts are quick keyboard commands used to format text in Markdown, a lightweight markup language. In the video, the creator uses Markdown shortcuts, such as three hashtags for heading three, to quickly create headings within the note template.

💡Contextual Learning

Contextual learning is the process of acquiring knowledge through practical, real-world examples. The video aims to provide a tutorial that not only teaches how to create a daily note template but also inspires viewers by showing its application in a practical context.

Highlights

Introduction to creating a daily note template in Capacities.

Daily notes are personal and the tutorial serves as a starting point for inspiration.

Overview of topics including styling, blocks, tables, and column layouts.

Demonstration of creating table blocks for daily schedules.

Instructions on adding and adjusting rows and columns in table blocks.

How to make a column a header and the benefits of doing so.

Center-aligning text within table cells for better presentation.

Creating a second table for daily priorities with header columns.

Applying colors to header columns for visual distinction.

Organizing the daily planner and priorities tables side by side.

Adding headings above blocks using different methods.

Styling options for text and entire blocks in Capacities.

Using keyboard shortcuts for expanding and contracting the style panel.

Creating a 'morning routine' section with to-do blocks.

Difference between regular to-do blocks and task actions enabled blocks.

Styling the 'evening routine' section to distinguish it from the morning routine.

Finalizing the daily note layout and converting it into a template.

Setting the template to recur automatically for new daily notes.

Customizing and updating the daily note template as needed.

Invitation for feedback and requests for specific use case tutorials.

Transcripts

Hi everybody, welcome back to the capacities  YouTube channel. Today I wanted to do something  

a bit different and do a tutorial for a use case.  What I'll be doing is recreating what you can see  

here, this layout, which is actually a daily  note template. It uses a few different things  

and I thought it would be a good way to kind of  learn in context and also to get some ideas of  

how you might want to structure your daily notes  in capacities. Daily notes are super personal,  

it's completely up to you how you do it. So  this is just meant to be a starting point and  

some inspiration. So just to give an overview of  the topics that we might cover, we'll be talking  

about styling, both blocks and tables. We're  talking about a few different blocks. So we've  

got heading blocks to do blocks and table blocks  as well. And we'll also talk about how to get the  

column layout as well. So let's get started  building this. I'm gonna go to today's page,  

and we'll start here. I figure it's also easiest  to start with the table blocks as well as they  

are the biggest kind of feature on the screen. So  any blocks can be created with the forward slash  

or the plus button. I typically use forward slash  and I always type to refine the search. So I want  

a table. I've typed in that and I'm going to click  enter. And that gives me a two by three table. Now  

this is going to be my daily schedule. And I do  want to schedule more than three hours of my day.  

So I need more rows for this. You can either add  them with plus and click and drag or if you want  

to change columns and rows, use the plus in the  bottom right hand corner. So I'll just drag this  

down here, and then I will start filling in the  times. I'm just typing here and Using the down  

arrow to navigate to the next cell. I think I'll  just stick from eight till eight so I can delete  

this row by highlighting it either clicking delete  or doing Command Backspace and I now have these  

times. I definitely don't need this to be as  wide as it is. So I'm just adjusting the width  

by clicking and dragging. And then what I want  to do is make the times what's called a header  

column. When I click this, in this option button,  it greys out the first column and I think this a)  

looks really nice, but b) just kind of represents  that these times aren't going to change and that  

I just need to focus on filling in these cells. I  also want to format the text within the table so  

that it is center aligned and the way that you can  do that is by clicking the menu at the top of this  

column, clicking 'format column' and then you see  this action palette open up. You can do all sorts  

in here. Feel free to explore these options. But  I just want to click center align. So that's my  

first table ready to go and ready for me to fill  in in the morning. I also want to make a second  

table and this will be my priorities for the day.  So to create blocks underneath anything you can  

just click on the plus. And I am then going to  do forward slash table again. And I don't need  

to change the layout. This works perfectly. And  I'm just going to do one, two and three. So again,  

I've center aligned it and I'm going to give it a  header column as well. If you do want to apply a  

color to a header column, you still can just click  on the style icon here in that menu. So again,  

click on that column menu format column. Got  all of the options here, and you can choose  

which color you want. So if I do violet, it has  changed the color as well. So they are the two  

main parts of this Daily Note. And now what I  want to do is put them side by side. Then we  

can add the headings and then we're on our way  I recommend that you add the columns by shift  

clicking on the plus of whatever's at the top of  your page, type forward slash or plus, and then  

search for columns. And then that creates you two  columns and at that point you just you just drag  

upwards and there we go. The next thing to do is  to create the headings I think. So again, I want  

to put my headings above the blocks. So obviously  I want to put my headings above the table. So I'm  

going to shift click on the plus again, that  creates a block above and therefore shifts the  

table down. And I want to add a heading that says  daily planner that there are many ways to create  

headings in capacities. So you can either write  down your text as a normal text block, click on  

the six dots and look at this hierarchy section  here. And obviously the size of the heading  

corresponds to the number so two is larger than  heading three. I typically prefer heading three.  

Or if I shift click above the second table, I can  show you some more options. You could do forward  

slash and then type the number that corresponds to  the headings that you would like. So for heading  

three, I would do forward slash three or if you  are used to mark down shortcuts for whatever  

reason, you can do those here as well. So three  hashtags, space creates heading three so just  

pick whichever one feels best to you. At this  point, I want to style the block behind it. Now  

styling can be applied to two things and they're  slightly different. So I'll show you that now. If  

I highlight the text, I can style that text so I  can either turn it into a different text color or  

highlight the back of the just that text. However  I personally prefer when that whole block behind  

it is styled if you click on the six dots and  go to this little style icon here. And you can  

see that there are two bits of styling applied now  on to that entire block and you always know which  

area is going to color in based off the amount  that's highlighted. And there is also that text  

highlighting as well. I personally prefer just  for blocks. So I will highlight the text again  

and just remove that. But I just wanted to show  you what the different styling options were here.  

So I've done that one. I'm gonna do the same  here. So click on the three dots. If you like  

keyboard shortcuts, it would be worth learning  Command Shift E because this expands on contracts  

the panel. So I can click here and add the sky  formatting as well. So this is nearly done. I now  

want to add in the kind of routine section which I  have beneath this block. So what I can do is this  

time, just click to create a block beneath this  table. Shift Click creates a block above, clicking  

creates a block beneath. And I'm going to do  forward slash three and call it morning routine.  

Now I personally have three things I want to  include here. And I would do them as to do blocks.  

This is my favorite way of creating them: open and  close a square bracket and click space then that  

creates a to do block. Now what you're seeing  here is as mentioned the to do block, it comes  

with a simple checkbox, but some people will also  see this arrow, the send button. This is because  

I have task actions enabled which is a feature  of the paid plans, which means that if you have  

an integration setup with a task manager, I could  choose to send this task to that task manager for  

action there. For things like this. I don't feel  the need for that. Therefore I just use a general  

to do block. But again all personal preference.  So I have my chat box setup and I will just write  

down what my morning routines are again I will add  styling so Command Shift E up the sky background,  

and then what I want to do is now finish off with  my evening routine. So if I am at the end of that  

daily walk block and click enter, that creates  me another to do block but obviously I want to  

recognize that this is the morning section, and  we're now moving into the evening section. So  

I'm going to do backspace and that removes any of  the styling in a block. Click enter again to give  

it a bit of a space. And then again, I will go in  with heading three. I'll do the markdown shortcut  

this time. Call it evening shutdown click into an  open a new to do block and now I write my three  

evening things so I've written down those evening  things and obviously the final thing to do is add  

the styling. So at this point, I'm happy with  this and it's time to make it into a template.  

What I'm going to do is highlight everything and  copy and then click on this templates button.  

So I'm in my daily note, let's click on the  template. I'm going to click New Template and  

I'll call it new planner and give it the date  and then I'm going to paste so that has all  

very nicely copied over. If for whatever reason  it doesn't maintain the columns when you copy,  

just do what we did earlier. It's the exact same  editor. Shift Click create the columns and then  

just drag everything back to where it's supposed  to go. And then as soon as you're happy with your  

template like that's it, it's set up. But what's  important to do if you want it to automatically  

recur every time you create a new daily notes  is that you click on the template button again,  

and you click this mark as default star. This is  a feature of the daily note template function and  

clicking the Start makes it default as mentioned.  So if I open up this calendar and pick a random  

day in the future, and click Start your daily  note, it's automatically applied exactly what  

I've just told it to. If at any point this no  longer works for you click on the template button,  

click on edit and add it in here. And then  every future daily notes all apply with the new  

settings. Nothing in the past will be touched. If  you no longer want this actual whole template to  

be the default. Just simply uninstall it create  a new one and start the next one. So that is  

everything for this daily note inspiration setup.  I hope that it is somehow useful. If you have any  

other requests for like specific use cases of  things that you want to see. Let us know we  

have lots of plans already but it's great to hear  what people are looking for as well. And of course  

if you have any questions about this particular  setup, do let us know in the comments below and  

we'll be happy to help. So thank you very much  for watching, and I'll see you in the next video.