Excalidraw

Zettelkasten Type

Excalidraw is a free, open-source (offline and online) virtual whiteboard for sketching hand-drawn like diagrams (https://excalidraw.com/). While Zettelkasten traditionally relies on text-based notes, Excalidraw can be a useful addition for creating visual representations of ideas, concepts, and relationships between them.

Excalidraw can be used to creating mind maps or concept maps to organize ideas. Diagramming complex systems or processes. Illustrating metaphors or analogies. Highlighting key points in a text note with a visual summary.

Excalidraw benefits:

• Improved recall and understanding through visual representation.
• Easier identification of patterns and connections between ideas.
• More engaging and interactive note-taking experience.

Primarily a tool for brainstorming and initial exploration, may not be suitable for detailed note-taking, for this I use own Zettelkasten system.

Integration with Zettelkasten

Features

• Hand-drawn like style (optional).
• Customizable.
• Image support.
• Shape libraries support.
• Localization (i18n) support.
• Export to PNG, SVG & clipboard.
• Open format - export drawings as an .excalidraw json file.
• Wide range of tools - rectangle, circle, diamond, arrow, line, free-draw, eraser…
• Arrow-binding & labeled arrows.
• Undo / Redo.
• Zoom and panning support.

Drawing examples

Cold and Warm fronts infographics

Website Example infographics