anytype-docs-organize-types.md
For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. This page is also available as Markdown.
If an Object is a cookie, then the Type is the cookie cutter. It's a blueprint that defines what the Object is. Notes, Tasks, Books, People, Images—these are all Types. Imagine a cookie cutter helping you to apply a standardised shape to all of your Objects.
Tasks will have a due date, priority, and status.
Books will have a genre, author, and release date.
People will have a phone, email, and relationship.
Finding what you need : when you have hundreds of Objects, being able to search by Type is handy. "Show me all my Ideas." "Show me all my Recipes."
Applying your standards : Objects that belong together will share the same standard blueprint. All your Movies have a release date. All your Meetings have a transcript.
Defining your relationships : with Types on all Objects, you're able to clearly link between them. Your Books are linked to Authors. Your Tasks are linked to Projects.
Every Object has one Type, which you apply on creation and can change at any time. Anytype comes with built-in Types, but you can create your own custom Types to match your needs. Every Type has:
Properties — adds definition, such as address, date created, and tags.
Views — adds organisation, such as a calendar for all important events.
Templates — adds standards, such as all vacations having a photo album.
Both the Create Button and Channel Sidebar reveal the Types in your space. Click on the 'Create Type' buttons to add a new type to your Space.
Importantly, only Types that have at least one Object will display in the Sidebar. If the Type you're looking for is not in the Sidebar, add an Object to it and the Type will automatically display.
You can view all your Types in your Channel Settings under Content Model. Click on the 'New' button to add a new type to your Space.
Additionally, you can set the Default Object Type in the Channel Settings. This changes which Type is applied to your Object when clicking the Create button.
To access the Type settings, there are three primary ways:
Navigate to the Type from the Sidebar and click Edit Type on the top right-hand side.
When viewing an Object, click on the 'three dots' button on the top right corner, and select the Type settings option.
Navigate to the Channel Settings, click on Object Types , and select your desired Type.
In this panel, you can make various edits:
Change the Type name and icon.
Change the content width
Add/remove Properties and Templates.
Make edits to the Object Header.
Edit the Object layout.
Every Object can display its Properties in the Object Header, which is the section below the title and above the content blocks. You can choose which Properties show in the header by dragging and dropping the properties into the 'Header' section.
If the desired property is not in the list, you can add it using the 'plus' button.
You can choose how your Properties are displayed in the Object Header. These can be found in the layout section under 'Properties view'.
Line—for a more minimal look
List—for displaying more structured information.
You can change an Object's Type at any time. There are multiple ways:
Navigate to the Type, right click on the Object, and click Change type from the menu.
If the 'Object type' Property is in the Object's Header, select it and click Change type from the menu.
When changing Types, the Properties are retained on the Object. This means that you can change the Type back and forth without losing any of the Properties on your Objects.
If you want to change the Type for multiple Objects at the same time, it's best to use Views. Please see here for more details.
To delete a Type, you can do so from the Sidebar, Channel Settings, or editor settings (three dots icon on the top right). This will move the Type to the Bin where it can be restored or permanently deleted.
If the Type still has Objects that are part of it, it will trigger a confirmation window where you can choose to delete or keep the Objects part of the Type.
Types are specific to each Channel. If you want your Type to exist in other Spaces, please see Import & Export. At the moment, you cannot share Types between spaces that stay in sync because they are separated with different encryption keys.
Keep it simple. Creating too many Types usually leads to a complex system that becomes overwhelming. Start with the built-in Types and only add in more when you feel the need.
Use properties. To fully take advantage of Types, add relevant properties to it. This way, you can sort and filter your Objects into useful Views. Imagine a Project Type with a Kanban view only showing your highest priority tasks.
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