Note RIS Export helps you export reference note properties to a local RIS file

Name: Note RIS Export
Author: theluckystrike

Map citation properties, check the preview, and save a RIS file.

Install in Obsidian

Directory page Source on GitHub

MIT · no telemetry · core features free

The export window with three reference notes in the Refs folder and no errors. — Open larger

version: 1.1.0
released: 2026-10-21
downloads: 16
review: Passed
health: Excellent
license: MIT
listed for: Desktop, Mobile
obsidian: 1.13.4 or later

The directory takes these platforms from the plugin manifest. The automated tests run in the desktop app only.

Directory facts fetched 2026-10-23 07:28 UTC from community.obsidian.md/users/theluckystrike.

About Note RIS Export

You keep citation data in note properties and need a local RIS file for a reference manager.

Choose the folder holding your reference notes and map its properties to citation fields. Note RIS Export checks those notes before writing a local file.

Preview draft notes with errors, switch to the Refs folder and export a RIS file

Free features

Preview the reference notes of a folder

Preview Markdown notes in a folder and its subfolders. Missing folders, empty folders or unavailable metadata stop export.

Missing and invalid fields before export

The preview lists each note with missing or invalid fields. Fix the notes and preview again before exporting.

The preview lists three draft notes with a missing title, a WEB type, a scalar author and the year soon. — Open larger

A new UTF-8 RIS file

Write a new UTF-8 RIS file with numbered names when needed. Source notes and existing files stay in place during a free export.

The export window after the export of References.ris. — Open larger

Field map

Choose a property key for each citation field. Type and title are required; optional fields produce tags when present.

The settings with the reference folder, the output file and the eight property keys. — Open larger

Pro features

Pro costs $5 a month or $15 one time through GitHub Sponsors. One sponsorship turns on Pro in every plugin that has it.

Filtered groups Pro

Use a case-sensitive key = value filter. It matches an equal property value or a value contained in a list.

The filter collection = thesis selects two of three notes. — Open larger

Named field maps Pro

Save a field map under a name and choose it in the export window. Return to the settings map when needed.

The named map Imported titles reads the title from paper_title. — Open larger

Repeated export Pro

Repeat the last folder export by command or after mapped property changes. A changed output file gets a new numbered export rather than a replacement.

The Pro settings with the repeat export setting on. — Open larger

See how Pro works

Set up Note RIS Export

needs

Obsidian 1.13.4 or later

steps

Put reference notes in one folder with a supported type and title.
Set the property keys in the field map, then run Export reference notes to a .ris file.
Enter the folder and select Preview.
Fix the listed notes, preview again, then select Export.
Try importing the file into your reference manager and check its fields.

If the app can't find a new plugin yet, try again later. Obsidian says a plugin that passes the review shows in the app within 24 hours.

How to export reference note properties to a local RIS file in Obsidian

Known limits of Note RIS Export

Reference types must be exactly JOUR, BOOK or CONF.
One invalid reference note stops the export instead of creating a partial file.
Export reads saved metadata cache values, so unsaved edits may not appear yet.
The configured output folder must exist.
Importing the generated RIS into a reference manager was not tested.
Physical phones, tablets, large vaults and simultaneous sync were not tested.

Questions about Note RIS Export

Which reference types can I export?

The supported types are JOUR, BOOK and CONF. The type spelling must match exactly.

Can authors be a single text value?

Authors must be a list. A scalar author produces a preview error.

Does export contact Zotero?

Export writes a local RIS file. You import it separately into your reference manager.

Why is a recent edit missing?

Export reads the metadata cache after the note is saved. Wait briefly, then select Preview again.

Network use

Before sign-in, requests stay off; sign-in sends the client ID and read:user scope to github.com and polls for a token. After sign-in, api.github.com receives authenticated sponsorship queries for tier and total payments; no note content, file names or vault data leaves. Successful checks last seven days, failures retry after six hours, and Refresh requests an earlier check.

Read the full network disclosure

Questions or ideas?

Tell me what is broken in Note RIS Export, or what it should do next.

Send feedback

Note RIS Export 1.1.0, MIT license