Better Questions

Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Using Tana

Daniel Barrett -

Hello there!

I've just returned from a business trip and am a bit all over the place this week, so in lieu of our regular topics I'm going to write a bit about a piece of software I love: Tana.

Tana is a note-taker.

And yet - it's by far the most-used thing on my computer.

I spend every single day writing in Tana, working in Tana, reviewing notes and highlights and thinking alongside it. I do everything in there.

I met someone last week that was curious about how I use it, and I just sent them over an hour-long demo on my workspace, how I use it and how I have things set up.

Rather than dump that whole thing on you, dear reader, I'm going to summarize just the high-points (with the help of a bit of AI) - all the things I wish I knew before I jumped into using Tana. That'll make things easier on my frazzled brain this week, and make sure you get just the good stuff.

Getting Started

  • Every Bullet is a Node: Everything in Tana starts as a bullet point—these are called nodes. Nodes act like pages, and clicking into one isolates it for focused work.
  • Use Workspaces Wisely: Start with one workspace to keep things simple. Think of a workspace as a container for related notes.
  • Markdown Matters: Tana primarily uses Markdown, making your notes easy to export and compatible with other tools.

Basic Navigation

  • Indent to Create Hierarchies: Use the tab key to indent bullet points and organize your notes into clear parent-child hierarchies.
  • Quick Keyboard Shortcuts: Use Shift+Tab to outdent, Shift+Cmd+Up/Down to move nodes, and simple key combinations to manage your notes quickly.
  • Collapse and Expand Nodes: Keep your workspace clean by collapsing nodes (Cmd+Up/Down) and revealing details only as needed.

Advanced Features

  • Bi-Directional Links: Type @ to create references between nodes. References are like portals—edits made in one location update everywhere.
  • No Pre-Planning Needed: Don't overthink organization upfront. Tana's networked nature allows for effortless linking and referencing after-the-fact.
  • Create Special Nodes (Pages): For important recurring concepts, use the @ sign to create dedicated pages that collect all relevant nodes.

Powerful Customization

  • Super Tags for Structure: Super tags label nodes to define their type (e.g., books, courses, ideas) and help create consistent structures.
  • Set Default Templates with Super Tags: Configure super tags to automatically apply consistent structures, including sub-nodes and fields for metadata.
  • Field Power: Add custom fields (e.g., status, likelihood, dates) to any node using >, enhancing organization and searchability.

Workflow Enhancements

  • Use the Sidebar for Quick Access: Drag frequently accessed nodes to the sidebar for instant retrieval.
  • Multi-Panel Viewing: Command-click nodes to open multiple adjustable panels simultaneously—great for referencing notes while writing.
  • Daily Nodes as Your Home Base: The Today node is central. Capture everything here first, then organize or reference elsewhere as needed.

Searching Like a Pro

  • Dynamic Search Nodes: Create search nodes (Cmd+K) to dynamically gather notes containing specific text or tags.
  • Complex Queries: Build advanced searches to quickly find nodes based on combinations of tags, fields, and text.
  • Search as You Write: Use the @ feature to search dynamically mid-note to instantly find and insert references.

Integrations and AI

  • Leverage AI Features: Tana's AI can automatically fill fields, suggest content, or even chat directly within your workspace.
  • Voice Notes with Tana Capture: Use the Tana mobile app for quick voice captures. These transcribe and sync automatically into your inbox.
  • ReadWise Integration: Connect Tana with ReadWise to automatically sync highlights from Kindle and web articles, greatly enhancing your note database.

Daily Habits

  • Always Start in Tana: Make it a habit to begin your day in Tana, outlining your day's tasks and capturing thoughts in real-time.
  • Journal and Reflect: Use Tana as a digital journal, capturing thoughts, feelings, and reflections regularly.
  • Keep it Simple and Grow Organically: Don't rush into complexity. Let your Tana setup grow organically based on your actual workflow needs.
  • Embrace the Learning Curve: Expect a learning curve and be patient. Regular use is key, and over time you'll unlock incredible potential.

Yours,

Dan

SOMETHING I'M READING:

An oldie but a goodie from Gwern: What QS is not: Just data-gathering.

I take all kinds of data on myself, and it's easy to fall into the trap of "more is better." It isn't.

If a piece of data doesn't have the ability to change your behavior, you shouldn't look at it. That way lies madness.