Collaborate on an Obsidian Canvas

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Relay lets you collaborate in real time on Obsidian Canvas files in a Shared Folder. You can edit text cards, arrange ideas, and connect cards while your collaborators work on the same Canvas.

Canvas collaboration is enabled by default and available on all plans, including Free. Images and other attachments require storage to sync.

Prepare your shared folder

You and your collaborator each need Obsidian with Relay 0.8.12 or later installed. Before you start, check your installed version and update Relay if needed.

You both need access to the same Shared Folder. Each person must add that folder to their own vault; joining the Relay Server alone does not add its folders.

For setup instructions, see Invite someone to collaborate.

Open the Canvas together

To find the folder you share, open Settings → Relay, select your Relay Server, then open its Shared Folder. Both people must have added that folder to their vaults before continuing.

When you add a Canvas to the Shared Folder, everyone syncing that folder receives it automatically. You don't need a separate invitation for the Canvas.

  1. Create a new Canvas in your Shared Folder, or drag an existing .canvas file into it using Obsidian’s file explorer.
  2. Ask your collaborator to open that Canvas from their copy of the Shared Folder.
  3. Look for your avatars on the right of the Canvas to see who is there.
  4. To add a text card, double-click an empty area of the Canvas and type in it.
  5. Ask your collaborator to add a second text card.
  6. To connect the cards, hover over a card's edge and drag its connector circle to the other card.

Three connected text cards in a Shared Folder, with both collaborators’ avatars outlined on the right. The Canvas is inside the Shared Folder. Both collaborators’ avatars are highlighted on the right.

Check changes on both devices

Ask your collaborator to check that the text, card positions, and connection appear on their Canvas. Have them move a card, then check that its new position appears on yours.

Include notes and attachments

To share a note through a Canvas, keep the note inside the Shared Folder too. Referencing a file from the Canvas does not share a file elsewhere in your vault.

To sync images or other attachments, put them inside the Shared Folder and make sure the folder has storage available. For attachment-location settings, see Configure attachments for sharing.

Check missing content

If your collaborator cannot find the Canvas, check that the .canvas file is inside the Shared Folder and that both people have added that folder to their vaults.

If a referenced note or attachment is missing, check that the referenced file is also inside the Shared Folder. For images and attachments, check that the folder has storage available.

If changes still do not appear, contact Relay support on Discord. Include your Relay and Obsidian versions and describe which change failed to appear on the other device.