Anki Global Features

This project adds advanced features to your Anki cards. You can add these features by including a few files in the Anki user directory (instructions below). You can also add these files to your Anki web account to sync them across all the devices on which you use Anki (which can't be done with addons). Hence, the name Anki Global Features.

Table of Contents
About Anki
Advanced Typed Inputs
Global Card Styles
Installation
Usage
FAQ
Updates
Issues

About Anki

If you're unfamiliar with Anki, in a nutshell, it's an open-source digital flashcard system that uses spaced repetition to help you retain knowledge in your long-term memory.

Anki apps are available for the following:

Device	OS	Type
AnkiPC	Windows, Mac, or Linux	Free
AnkiWeb	Web	Free
AnkiMobile	iOS & iPadOS	Paid
AnkiDroid	Android	Free

Advanced Typed Inputs

Anki has a default input field you can use on the AnkiPC app to type an answer to a card's question. However, it has many limitations and is not available across all apps. Adding the Advanced Typed Inputs setup improves on the default and allows you to use typed answers on all devices. I initially developed this setup specifically for programming reviews, but it can be used for any topic you study.

Features include:

Multiline Typed Inputs - Anki's default input field only allows a single input line. Advanced Typed Inputs allow you the freedom of adding multiple lines (perfect for code blocks).

Infinity Typed Inputs - Anki's default input field can only be used once per card. Advanced Typed Inputs allow you the freedom to add additional input fields (perfect for when you have a 2-part question).

Note: While the Infinity Typed Inputs feature gives you the ability to add as many inputs as you want on a single card, you'll get the most benefit from your reviews by keeping your cards simple. For me, that means having only one extra optional input per card which can be used for a quick follow-up question or typed code example.

Streamlined Comparison Answers - Anki currently uses different comparison algorithms for its different Anki apps. This gives you different results depending on which device you're using. Advanced Typed Inputs streamlines this by using a single comparison algorithm, synced across all Anki apps to produce the same comparison results no matter which device you are using.

Unlimited Comparison Answers - Like the input fields themselves, Anki limits the comparison answers to just one per card, even if you have multiple inputs for which you would like comparison answers. Advanced Typed Inputs allow you to have unlimited comparison answers per card so you can compare all your multiline typed inputs.

Global Card Styles

Anki cards are plain vanilla without any customization. Global Card Styles allows you to set custom default styles for all your cards and then have CSS variable overrides to change specific styles (such as the color) for different card topics.

Installation

The initial setup for Anki Global Features requires the use of the free AnkiPC app. This means you'll need to use a device running Windows, macOS, or Linux. Once set up, you can use the features on any Anki app.

Step 1: Install AnkiPC

If you don't already have AnkiPC installed, install it now by visiting Anki and clicking the download button (available for macOS, Windows, and Linux).

Step 2: Download the Anki Global Features files

You have three options for downloading the files:

1. You can download the files you want individually (see below).
2. You can download the entire repository as a zip file: Download Zip
3. You can clone the repository to your local computer with: git clone [email protected]:jacobcassidy/anki-global-features.git

Downloading Individual Files

You can download individual files by going to the file's GitHub page and clicking the small download button...

The only files required are in the collection.media directory:

File	Purpose
_global.js	Creates the Advanced Typed Inputs feature and shows/hides card details based on individual card data.
_global.css	Sets the card styles shared between all cards. Can be overridden with specific card styles.
_diff_match_patch.js	Provides the global answer comparison algorithm
_styles_for_syntax_highlighting.css	Optional: Styles for the Syntax Highlighting (NG) addon
_mesloLGL-NF.woff2	Optional: Mono font file for code display.

Step 3: Move the files to your local collection.media directory

After you download the above files, you will need to move them to your local Anki collection.media directory [ref]:

OS	Location
macOS	~/Library/Application Support/Anki2/[username]/collection.media/
Windows	APPDATA\Anki2\[username]\collection.media\
Linux	~/.local/share/Anki2/[username]/collection.media/

Note: [username] is your Anki profile name. The default profile name is User 1.

Usage

Advanced Typed Inputs

For the Advanced Typed Inputs to work, you must add two things inside the Anki app:

1. You must add the card fields you want to use. For example, I use the following fields:

   Question
   Answer
   Type Hint
   Compare
   Bonus Question
   Bonus Type Hint
   Bonus Compare
   Notes

2. You need to add HTML (templates provided) to your Note Types created under the Anki > Tools > Manage Note Types menu. The field names must match what you created above and you must include the script to calls the _global.js file.

You can use the default template files found below if you are using the fields above. Otherwise, you will need to make modifications to those templates.

HTML Template Files	Purpose
/assets/note-types/*.html	Use in the Anki app under the Anki > Tools > Mangage Note Types menu.

Global Card Styles

For the Global Card Styles to work, you must add two things inside the Anki app:

1. In the card's styling section, you need to the stylesheet imports for the global files.
2. In the same section, you need to add any overrides you want for that specific card type (aka note type).

You can use the default CSS templates I use and customize them however you see fit...

CSS Template Files	Purpose
/assets/card-styles/*.css	Use for card styling Note Types.

FAQ

Why not create an Anki plugin to release these features?

Anki plugins only work with the AnkiPC app and are incompatible across other devices such as mobile. If that changes, please let me know by opening an issue.

Why are the files in the collection.media directory prefixed with an underscore?

Anki has a Check Media feature, which can delete unused media files not contained in any cards. Adding the leading underscore, such as _global.js, makes Anki ignore that file so it won't be deleted when using the Check Media feature.

Updates

View the Changelog to see the latest updates. Currently, you will need to manually copy/paste any changes you want to your local Anki files, then start, or restart the AnkiPC app if you have it open, so the updates can be synced.

Issues

If you come across any issues, please report them here.