A Templater script for updating file titles and dates in YAML

Last updated Dec 15, 2022 | Originally published Dec 15, 2022

This Templater script gives the current Obsidian note a proper YAML title, date, and lastmod field. This facilitates integration with Quartz/Hugo.

It requires MetaEdit (as well as Templater, obviously).

Update file titles and dates with this Templater script

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<%*
let file = tp.file.find_tfile(tp.file.title)
const {update} = app.plugins.plugins["metaedit"].api
const {getPropertyValue} = app.plugins.plugins["metaedit"].api
const {position, ...rest} = tp.frontmatter;
let content = tp.file.content;
let newFileContent = content.split("\n");
let isYamlEmpty = Object.keys(tp.frontmatter).length === 0 && !content.match(/^-{3}\s*\n*\r*-{3}/);

/* reset selection to the top of the document to make sure the action doesn't clear any text */
let editor = this.app.workspace.activeLeaf.view.editor;
if (editor.getSelection === "") {  // no text is selected
} else {
	editor.setCursor(editor.getCursor());
}


async function updateCurrentFile(someContent, someFile) {
	someContent = someContent.join("\n");
	await app.vault.modify(someFile, someContent);
}

let propNameForLastModified = "lastmod";
let fileLastModifiedDate = "\"" + tp.file.last_modified_date("YYYY-MM-DD\THH:mm:ss") +"\"";

if (isYamlEmpty) { // No YAML yet
	newFileContent.unshift("---");
	newFileContent.unshift(`${propNameForLastModified}: ${fileLastModifiedDate}`);
	newFileContent.unshift("---");
	await updateCurrentFile(newFileContent, file);
} else if (rest.lastmod === undefined) { // YAML exists but no date field
	newFileContent.splice(1,0, `${propNameForLastModified}: ${fileLastModifiedDate}`);
	await updateCurrentFile(newFileContent, file);
} else { // YAML exists and a date property exists
	await update(propNameForLastModified, fileLastModifiedDate, file);
}

/* Now we can assume YAML exists, so let's add the rest of the metadata */
let propNameForDate = "date";
let fileCreatedDate = "\"" + tp.file.creation_date("YYYY-MM-DD\THH:mm:ss") + "\"";

if (rest.date === undefined) { // YAML exists but no date field
	newFileContent.splice(1,0, `${propNameForDate}: ${fileCreatedDate}`);
	await updateCurrentFile(newFileContent, file);
} else { // YAML exists and a date property exists
	await update(propNameForDate, fileCreatedDate, file);
}

let propNameForTitle = "title";
let fileTitle = "\"" + tp.file.title + "\"";

if (rest.title === undefined) { // YAML exists but no title property exists
	newFileContent.splice(1,0, `${propNameForTitle}: ${fileTitle}`);
	await updateCurrentFile(newFileContent, file);
} else { // YAML exists and a title property exists
	await update(propNameForTitle, fileTitle, file);
}

new Notice (tp.file.title + "'s title is now " + fileTitle + ". Last modified date metadata updated to " + fileLastModifiedDate + ".", 2000);
_%>

𖧹/△ Fulcra

A Templater script for updating file titles and dates in YAML

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