> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/obsidianmd/obsidian-help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Graph view

> Graph view visualizes the relationships between notes in your vault as an interactive node graph, with notes as circles and links as lines.

Graph view is a core plugin that lets you visualize relationships between notes in your vault.

* **Circles** (nodes) represent notes.
* **Lines** (edges) represent internal links between notes.

The more notes that link to a given note, the larger its circle becomes.

## Open graph view

Click **Open graph view** in the left ribbon, or run the **Graph view: Open graph view** command from the Command palette.

## Interact with the graph

* **Hover** over a circle to highlight that note's connections.
* **Click** a note in the graph to open it.
* **Right-click** a note to see available actions for that note.

### Navigate

* **Zoom**: Scroll with the mouse wheel, or press `+` and `-`.
* **Pan**: Drag the graph with your mouse, or use the arrow keys.
* Hold `Shift` while using the keyboard to speed up movement.

## Configure graph settings

Click the cog icon in the upper-right corner of the graph view to open settings. Select **Restore default settings** to reset any changes.

### Filters

Control which nodes appear in the graph.

| Setting                 | Description                                                                      |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Search files**        | Filter notes by a search term. Supports all [Search operators](/plugins/search). |
| **Tags**                | Toggle whether to show tags as nodes.                                            |
| **Attachments**         | Toggle whether to show attachment files.                                         |
| **Existing files only** | Show only notes that actually exist in your vault, hiding unresolved links.      |
| **Orphans**             | Toggle whether to show notes with no links.                                      |

<Info>
  Files matching your **Settings → Excluded files** patterns will not appear in graph view.
</Info>

### Groups

Color-code groups of notes to distinguish them visually.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a new group">
    Click **New group** in the Groups section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Define the group">
    Type a search term in the search box to select which notes belong to the group.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a color">
    Click the colored circle to pick a color for the group.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Display

Control how nodes and links appear.

| Setting                 | Description                                |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Arrows**              | Show the direction of each link.           |
| **Text fade threshold** | Control how transparent note names appear. |
| **Node size**           | Adjust the size of each node circle.       |
| **Link thickness**      | Adjust the width of connection lines.      |
| **Animate**             | Start a time-lapse animation.              |

### Forces

Control the physics simulation that positions nodes.

| Setting           | Description                                                            |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Center force**  | How compact the graph is. Higher values create a more circular layout. |
| **Repel force**   | How strongly nodes push each other apart.                              |
| **Link force**    | The tension on each link — like tightening or loosening a rubber band. |
| **Link distance** | The length of lines between notes.                                     |

## Time-lapse animation

Enable **Animate** in the Display settings to watch notes appear in chronological order based on their creation time. This can help you understand how your knowledge base grew over time.

## Local graph view

The local graph view shows only the notes connected to the active note, rather than your entire vault.

To open a local graph: run **Open local graph** from the Command palette.

The local graph uses all the same settings as the global graph. Additionally, you can set a **depth** level — each depth level reveals notes connected to the notes shown at the previous level. Use the depth slider at the top of the local graph's filter panel.

<Tip>
  Use the local graph to explore how a specific note connects to the rest of your vault. Increasing the depth reveals second- and third-degree connections you might not have noticed.
</Tip>