A Secret Shorthand That Makes Slash Commands Smarter

 

December 22 2025 | Issue 75 | Link to this issue | Subscribe

Hi Reader –

Have you ever typed "/" in an Evernote note and forgotten exactly what a feature was called?

Was it "task" or "to-do"? "Divider" or "line"? "Quote" or "citation"?

You're not alone. Remembering the exact name of every slash command used to be a real barrier to using them efficiently.

But Evernote quietly released an update that changes this — and most users have no idea it exists.

Introducing Aliases: The Feature Evernote Didn't Announce

Inside the refreshed slash command menu (available on Desktop and Web), Evernote added something powerful: aliases.

Aliases are alternate keywords that map to the same command. This means you can type what feels natural to you, and Evernote will understand what you mean.

For example, want to insert a task? You can now type any of these:

  • /task

  • /todo

  • /to-do

  • /action

  • /actionable

They all work. Evernote figures out what you're looking for based on meaning, not just exact keywords.

Why This Matters

This might seem like a small detail, but it's part of a bigger shift in how Evernote is evolving.

The product team is increasingly focused on understanding intent — making the tool work the way your brain works, rather than forcing you to remember specific terminology.

Think about it: When you're in the middle of writing a note and need to insert something, you shouldn't have to pause and wonder "What does Evernote call this feature again?"

With aliases, you just type what makes sense to you.

Aliases That Will Save You Time

Here are just a few of the most useful aliases to try:

  • For Tasks: /todo, /action, /to-do → New task

  • For Links: /url, /website, /youtube, /embed → Insert a link

  • For Headers:

    • /h1, /title, /big header → Large heading

    • /h2, /subtitle → Medium heading

    • /h3, /subheading → Small heading

  • For Tables: /spreadsheet, /database, /kanban → Table

  • For Audio Recording: /mic, /voice note, /dictate → Record audio

  • For Formatting:

    • /paragraph, /body, /regular → Normal text

    • /toc, /contents, /index → Table of contents

    • /line, /separator → Divider

The refreshed slash command menu also shows keyboard shortcuts wherever available, making it easier to learn them over time.

🧠 Academy Members: Master slash commands with the ​Skill Sprint: Note Editor Slash "/" Commands​ training, which includes video demos and step-by-step instructions for building speed with this powerful feature.

The Bigger Picture

Aliases join several other improvements in the refreshed slash command feature:

  • Organized groupings: Commands are now grouped with other like commands (List styles, Media, etc).

  • Search within the menu: Find what you need faster by typing directly to filter

  • Expanded options: Access text styles, formatting, alignment, and even colors — all from the slash menu

  • Visible shortcuts: Learn keyboard commands as you go

  • Enhanced focus option: Hide or show the inline slash command hint in the note editor in settings under the Preferences > Notes options.

This is another example of Evernote iterating on existing features to reduce friction and speed up your workflow. It's subtle, but once you start using aliases, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Try it out: Next time you're in a note, type "/" followed by whatever word feels natural for what you want to insert. Chances are, Evernote will understand exactly what you mean.

Cheers to your productivity —

Stacey

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Stacey Harmon