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How to restore an Obsidian Bases view setup

As of October 2026, Obsidian lets you create separate Base views with their own configurations. Keep a regular view and a temporary view, or save a checkpoint before changing the existing setup.

Updated · 3 ways compared · 1 source

Background

Bases stores a view setup inside the Base file. When you change a sort or filter for one task, the old setup is gone. A checkpoint saves the file values needed to return.

3 ways to do it

  1. Keep separate views

    Use the Base view menu to add a view for temporary work and keep your regular view for repeated tasks. Each view can have its own display, sort and filters.

    limits
    Shared filters can still affect both views. Separate views are configurations, rather than a recorded history of changes.

  2. Reset view settings by hand

    Use the sort and filter menus to put known settings back. Choose This view when you want a filter to affect the current view.

    limits
    You need to remember the previous settings. Filters under All views affect the Base rather than just one view.

  3. Bases View Checkpoints from this site

    Save the file and named view before making changes. Later, inspect the restore preview and confirm the saved setup.

    limits
    Restoring shared definitions can affect other views, and comments or spacing in replaced YAML entries can change.
    The restored Alpha view shows sample notes in their saved name order.
    Open larger
    Install in Obsidian
    Directory pageSource on GitHub

    MIT · no telemetry · core features free

    All features of Bases View Checkpoints

Use Bases View Checkpoints

  1. Open the Base whose view you want to keep.

  2. Run Save view checkpoint and select the file and view.

  3. Change the view for your current task.

  4. Run Restore view checkpoint, read the preview and confirm.

  5. Run Undo last checkpoint restore if you need the previous file text.

Common questions

Should I keep separate views or save a checkpoint?

Separate views suit configurations you want available together. A checkpoint suits returning one named view to its earlier file values.

What should I read in the preview?

Check the changed view keys and shared definitions. Shared filters or formulas can change results in another view.

Can I roll back after another edit?

The undo command requires unchanged file text after the restore. A later file edit causes it to refuse.

Sources

Photo of Michael LipThat's every step, start to finish.

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