Whole Encrypted Notes

This feature opens a text window and saves your note to an encrypted .mdenc file.

In encryption password dialogs, Enter advances through the password, confirmation, and optional hint fields as applicable. Press Enter in the hint field to submit, whether you enter a hint or leave it empty. Closing the dialog before submission discards the result.

To Create a New Encrypted Note

Option 1: Use the Command Palette

1. Open the Command palette by clicking the Open command palette icon .
2. Type or scroll to Create new encrypted note, then select it.
3. Enter and confirm a password. You can add an optional password hint.
4. Click Encrypt.
5. Write your note in the text window.
6. Click the Lock & Close icon when done.

Option 2: Use the Ribbon Icon

1. Click the New encrypted note icon.
2. Enter and confirm a password. You can add an optional password hint.
3. Click Encrypt.
4. Write your note in the text window.
5. Click Lock & Close when done.

To View or Edit an Encrypted Note

1. Go to Files by clicking the Files icon .
2. Select the file with your encrypted note.
3. Enter the correct password if prompted.
4. Click Decrypt. A remembered password may unlock the note automatically.

Switch between Editing and Reading views using Obsidian’s view controls. The note keeps its cursor selection and scroll position across mode switches, so you can continue from the same place when you return to editing.

To Change an Encrypted Note’s Password and Hint

1. Go to Files by clicking the Files icon .
2. Select the file with your encrypted note.
3. Enter the correct password.
4. Click the Change password action in the note view, or right-click inside the open encrypted note and select Change password.
5. Enter and confirm a new password and an optional password hint.
6. Click Encrypt.

The Change password and Lock & close actions are also available when right-clicking the active encrypted note’s file in Files. They are shown only when that file matches the active encrypted view.

To Encrypt or Decrypt an Existing Note

Decrypt note and conversion of an encrypted note write plaintext that may be synced or backed up. Opening an encrypted note to read or edit it keeps its saved text encrypted.

Option 1: Use the Right-Click Menu

1. Go to Files by clicking the Files icon .
2. Right-click the Markdown note you want to encrypt, or the encrypted note you want to convert to plaintext.
3. Select Encrypt note or Decrypt note.

Option 2: Use the Ribbon Icon

1. Go to Files by clicking the Files icon .
2. Select the file with your encrypted note.
3. Click the Convert to or from an Encrypted note icon to encrypt or decrypt the file.

Option 3: Use the Command Palette

1. Open the Command palette by clicking the Open command palette icon .
2. Type or scroll to Convert to or from an Encrypted Note, then select it.