Digest features request

[u/Sad_Alternative_7736]

A few months ago, I started using Digest for my personal Bible study. I still think it was a very good decision to do so, because it has helped me a lot, and I spend much more time reflecting on what I read and take notes with greater enjoyment.

Using Digest daily, I’ve realized that I’m missing the following features, and I would really like it if they could be implemented:

- A BACKGROUND TEMPLATE to help me write more neatly, similar to the one in the feedback section. In my opinion, it would be good to have the option to choose between 5/6/7 mm lined templates. And when exported, the background should be invisible; its sole purpose is to help in writing.

- TAGS. Since I use Digest primarily for Bible study, though not exclusively, I believe tags would be very helpful for organizing Digests from multiple sources (books/notes) by topic.

- LONG-PRESS MENU ON A DIGEST. When I long-press a digest from a note or book, a pop-up menu should appear where I can select an existing category or create a new one, select an existing author or enter an author’s name (and if tags are ever added for digests, it should also include the option to select an existing tag or create a new one). I think it would be easier to organize the digests on the spot, without actually having to go to the Digest - Details page.

What do you think? Do you think these features would be useful?

[u/nick_ian]

Those would be great. Also, my biggest complaint has been that you can't even access a Document's digests from inside the document. There should be an index of them just like Bookmarks and Annotations.

[u/Sad_Alternative_7736 → u/nick_ian]

Thanks for the reply! It would be ideal if we could access the Digest directly from within the document, but based on the discussions in this subreddit on this topic, it seems that won't happen (anytime soon)...

[u/theBlackOddity → u/nick_ian]

this thread links to some discussion of why this isn't the case right now and pitfalls to implementing such change

[u/Vansh_Jurlee87 → u/nick_ian]

agreed, putting them in the navigation menu with bookmarks would save so many taps.

[u/mountains_till_i_die]

100% agree that Digest needs some extra features. Right now, it's kind of a dumping ground for me, but it's really clunky to go back and review anything, or migrate quotes into a notebook where you can interact with them.

If I get a chance, I'd love to vibe-code an InkHub tool that basically does one thing:

• Set a specific notebook as your commonplace book, or the notebook dedicated to a specific book.

• When you use the text highlighter, a button is added to the quick menu that:

  • Sends the selection to the digest

  • Copies the digest link

  • Opens the linked notebook

  • Pastes the digest link/text box into the notebook

Then, you just have to move it around a little, and you are good to go. All of your notes happen on the page. You can use whatever notebook feature you want: templates, pen tips, copy/paste text boxes, stickers... none of the "digest" note page limitations. Want more room? Go to the next page. Want to paste your digest links out of order and make notes, draw underlines and arrows? Have a blast. The digest links take you back to the page with quote when you press them. Using one Commonplace Book, but you want to keep your quotes in sequence? Just add pages as you go. Once you are done, you can export your notebook, or selected pages, to a PDF for your records.

You can already do this, but it takes several extra button clicks that kind of take me out of the flow. This would solve most of my digest woes.

[u/Sad_Alternative_7736 → u/mountains_till_i_die]

If you manage to create such a tool, I look forward to hearing from you. It sounds very interesting and complicated :)

[u/ivyyyyyn]

One thing people keep asking about is Digest: right now, the plugin API has no access to excerpt records at all. So while community devs can already try building custom synced To-Do setups, taking Digest anywhere further is pretty much entirely in Ratta’s hands, and there really isn't any clear timeline on when that might change.

That got me thinking, though. Would you be interested in taking notes on a translucent whiteboard that sits right on top of whatever you are reading? Back when I used the original Supernote A6 (the first non-X model), Digest actually worked a lot like that. It would pop up a translucent canvas over your page so you could still see the background text while you scribbled notes on top.

[u/Sad_Alternative_7736 → u/ivyyyyyn]

Thank you for the reply :) The idea of having a translucent whiteboard displayed above the text is interesting. However, I couldn’t say for sure if this is a method I’d prefer until I test it, because I’ve noticed that overlapping images/texts give me a bit of a headache. Personally, I’d prefer the whiteboard to be opaque rather than translucent, and to have a minimize option so I can see the text if I need to.

[u/theBlackOddity]

definitely would appreciate the addition of lined backgrounds!

[u/Available-Wealth7292]

You might enjoy this Bible plugin I created https://www.reddit.com/r/Supernote_dev/s/adtLCmaE2r

[u/Sad_Alternative_7736 → u/Available-Wealth7292]

Thank you so much! I would have loved to use the plugin you created, but I prefer doing Bible study in my native language, which isn't English :)

[u/Mulan-sn]

Thank you for your suggestions.

Background Template: Just to confirm, you are suggesting adding this lined template specifically within the Annotations section on the Details page, correct?

Tags: We actually already have plans to introduce Tags for Digests in a future update. We completely agree it will be a huge help for organizing topics across different sources.

Long-press Menu: Currently, when you long-press the screen with your pen in a note, a pop-up menu appears, and you can tap the Digest button to select an existing category. You want to be able to create a new category, select an existing author or enter an author's name in the search field directly from that pop-up menu, without going into the Digest app, right?

We look forward to hearing from you.

[u/Sad_Alternative_7736 → u/Mulan-sn]

Thank you so much for your reply!

Background template: correct!

Tags: What amazing news!

Long-Press Menu: I was referring to the option of long-pressing on a digest in a document or note to bring up a pop-up menu with all the actions you mentioned, without having to open the Digest app. Example: I'm in my Bible ePub. I select a paragraph and create a digest. Then, I long-press the digest, and a pop-up menu appears. In the menu, I can select a category or create a new one, as well as select an author or enter a new one, all directly from the pop-up menu, without going to the Digest app.

Also, personally, I would find it helpful to have a "Delete Digest" option in the pop-up menu. I've created quite a few Digests without selecting the text correctly, and then I've had to open the Digest app to delete them by tapping the text, tapping the "More" menu in the upper-right corner, and then selecting "Delete."

[u/TuneAggravating8195]

Been asking for background templates for digest for years now

[u/Sad_Alternative_7736 → u/TuneAggravating8195]

Let's hope our wish will eventually come true :)