Obsidian Random Picker Plugin

Easily generate random text snippets in your notes using customizable templates and data sources. Use it to quickly create random names, items, or any other text-based content.

How to Use

1. Install the plugin from the Obsidian community plugins browser.
2. Configure the plugin in the settings tab.
   • Data Folder: Set the path to the folder where you will store your random lists.
   • Templates: Manage your templates.
3. Use the commands to insert random text into your notes.
   • Insert random pick: Choose a template and directly insert the generated text.
   • Insert random pick with preview: Choose a template and view a preview of the generated text, with the possibility to regenerate.

Templates

Templates are the core of this plugin. They allow you to define the structure of the output and how the random data is used. Templates are written in a simple template language that allows you to include random data from your sources.

Example

Let's say you have a folder called Lists in your vault, and inside that folder, you have a note called Names with the following content:

- John
- Jane
- Peter
- Mary

Configure the plugin to use the Lists folder as your data folder. Then you can create a template like this:

Hello, my name is ${Names}!

Open the command palette and execute Insert random pick. Select the template that you just created. The plugin will insert your template with a random name into the current note. For example, the output could be:

Hello, my name is John!

Grouping and Multiple Picks

You can also create more complex templates that use multiple picks and groupings. Create a subfolder in your data folder called Wines, and inside that folder, create two notes: Red and White.

• Red:

- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Noir

• White:

- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling

Now, create a template like this:

I would like a glass of ${Wines}.

When you run the command, the plugin will randomly choose between the Red and White lists and then pick a random wine from the selected list.

You can also still directly reference specific lists:

I would like a glass of ${Wines/Red} and a glass of ${Wines/White}.

Note: This will only work one level deep. You cannot nest group picks within other group picks.

You can also specify the same list multiple times:

I would like a glass of ${Wines} and a glass of ${Wines}.

The plugin will make sure that picks are unique within a single template, so if you use the same list multiple times in a template, it will not pick the same item.

You can use these features to e.g.

• Create lists of items for role-playing games, one with trash items and one with valuable items, and then create a template that randomly picks from either list to generate loot.
• Create a list of first names and a list of last names, and then create a template that randomly combines them to generate character names.