[Music] Taming Apple Notes with Shortcuts

In this video, the speaker demonstrates how to use shortcuts to make Apple Notes a powerful tool for content entry and quick retrieval. The speaker shows examples of how they use shortcuts with notes and provides step-by-step instructions on how to create various shortcuts.

Creating Folders in Apple Notes

• To get started, click on the "Folders" button in the Notes application.

• Add an iCloud folder called "My Journal".

• Add another iCloud folder called "My Journal Search Results".

Building a Favorites List

• Go into the Shortcuts app and add a folder called "Temp".

• Search for commands such as "Create Note", "Ask for Input", "Append to Note", etc.

• Add each command as a favorite.

• Delete the temporary folder once all commands have been added.

Creating a Shortcut for Journal Entries

• Open the Shortcuts app and add a new folder called "My Journal".

• Create a new shortcut within this folder named "My Journal".

• Use the command "Create Note" to create a new note with a unique name that includes the current date and time stamp.

• Use the command "Ask for Input" to prompt users to enter journal text.

• Save this shortcut within the My Journal folder.

Creating Other Useful Shortcuts

Shortcut for Speaking Journal Entries

• Create another shortcut within My Journal named Speak Entry.

• Use Dictate Text action followed by Append to Note action.

Shortcut for Quick Notes

• Create another shortcut that opens Quick Notes with one tap.

Shortcut for Reference Library

• Create two more shortcuts: one that shows your whole library, and one that shows specific notes inside it.

Shortcut for Searching Your Journals Folder

• Create another shortcut that lets you search your journal folder using specific terms.

Overall, this video provides step-by-step instructions on how to use shortcuts to make Apple Notes a powerful tool for content entry and quick retrieval. The speaker demonstrates how to create various shortcuts, including those for journal entries, speaking journal entries, quick notes, reference library, and searching your journals folder.

Creating a Journal with Shortcuts

In this section, the speaker demonstrates how to create a journal using Shortcuts on an Apple device. The process involves creating a note, appending text to it, and showing the note. The speaker also shows how to set up shortcuts that allow users to speak their journal entries and summon them using Siri.

Creating a Journal Entry Shortcut

• To create a journal entry shortcut, click on the Music app and use the magic variable tool provided by Apple.

• Choose the note you just created and enter your text.

• Stop the shortcut and run it by clicking on the play icon in the bottom right corner.

• Input your text and click done to see your new journal entry.

Adding Shortcuts to Home Screen

• Add shortcuts to your home screen for quick access.

• Rename shortcuts as desired.

• Make changes as needed.

Speaking Journal Entries

• Duplicate the previous shortcut for speaking journal entries.

• Rename it "Speak Journal" and change its glyph to a microphone icon.

• Delete unnecessary actions such as asking for text input.

• Use dictated text instead of asking for input.

• Change "stop listening" action to "on tap."

• Test out shortcut by speaking into device.

Summoning Speak Journal Shortcut with Siri

• Add new shortcut named "Journal Note" that will be summoned with Siri but not appear on home screen.

• Use Run Shortcut action from favorites list and select Speak Journal shortcut previously created.

• Test out shortcut by holding down side button and saying "Hi, this is my third journal entry."

Showing All Entries in Your Journal

• Create new shortcut called "Show Journal."

• Use Show Notes Folder action from favorites list and select folder containing all of your notes.

• Repeat action in case user was previously looking at subfolder within notes folder.

Searching Your Journal Entries

• Create new shortcut called "Search Journal."

• Use Ask for Text action to prompt user for search term.

• Create a note that will display the results of the search.

Creating a Searchable Journal with Shortcuts

In this section, the speaker explains how to create a searchable journal using Shortcuts on an iPhone.

Creating a Note and Saving it in My Journal Folder

• To create a note, use the provided input as the name with the date stamp.

• Save the note in "My Journal Search Results" folder.

Finding Notes Using Filters

• Use "Find Notes" to search for notes.

• Add filters to find notes in specific folders or containing specific text.

Handling No Search Results Found

• If no search results are found, append "Nothing Found" to the search results note.

• Show an alert that says "Nothing Found".

Appending Search Results to Note Folder

• If search results are found, append them to the note folder.

• Show the appended results.

Quick Notes Shortcut

In this section, the speaker explains how to create a shortcut that opens Quick Notes folder on an iPhone.

Building Quick Notes Shortcut

• Open Shortcuts app and add a new shortcut named "Quick Notes".

• Choose an icon and add action "Show Notes Folder".

• Select "Quick Notes" from favorites and repeat action if necessary.

Adding Shortcut to Home Screen

• Add shortcut to home screen for easy access.