In the vast realm of spaced repetition, Anki stands tall as an indispensable tool for knowledge acquisition. However, despite its immense capabilities, Anki’s default behavior can sometimes stifle your learning progress by forcing you to review cards from all subdecks on a daily basis. To overcome this limitation and customize your review schedule, Anki offers the option to suspend subdecks, granting you the power to temporarily pause the review of specific subsets of cards.
Suspending subdecks in Anki is a strategic move that allows you to focus your attention on the most relevant material while giving other subdecks a much-needed break. Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming exam, tackling a new language, or simply managing a complex study plan, the ability to selectively suspend subdecks empowers you to optimize your review time and maximize your retention. Transitioning smoothly between active and suspended subdecks is crucial for maintaining a balanced study routine.
To effectively suspend subdecks in Anki, it’s essential to assess your learning goals and identify the subdecks that require a temporary pause. Consider subdecks that contain cards you’ve recently mastered, material you’re not currently studying, or cards that need revisions. Once you’ve identified the subdecks to suspend, navigate to the “Deck” menu in Anki and select “Suspend Deck.” This action will immediately halt the review of all cards within the suspended subdeck until you decide to reactivate them. By suspending subdecks strategically, you can streamline your Anki workflow, ensuring that you’re always reviewing the most critical material at the optimal time, leading to enhanced learning outcomes and lasting knowledge retention.
Suspending Cards Based on Time Intervals
If you want to suspend cards based on time intervals, you can do so using the following steps:
- Select the cards you want to suspend.
- Click on the “Edit” button in the toolbar.
- In the “Edit Card” window, click on the “Suspend” tab.
- In the “Suspend” tab, you can select the following options:
- Suspend for: This option allows you to specify the amount of time that the cards will be suspended for.
- Until: This option allows you to specify a specific date and time that the cards will be unsuspended.
- Forever: This option will suspend the cards indefinitely.
Once you have selected the desired options, click on the “Save” button. The cards will now be suspended for the specified amount of time.
You can also use the following keyboard shortcuts to suspend cards based on time intervals:
- Ctrl+Shift+S: Suspend cards for 1 day.
- Ctrl+Shift+2: Suspend cards for 2 days.
- Ctrl+Shift+3: Suspend cards for 3 days.
- Ctrl+Shift+W: Suspend cards for 1 week.
- Ctrl+Shift+M: Suspend cards for 1 month.
- Ctrl+Shift+Y: Suspend cards for 1 year.
- Ctrl+Shift+F: Suspend cards forever.
| Keyboard Shortcut | Suspension Period |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+S | 1 day |
| Ctrl+Shift+2 | 2 days |
| Ctrl+Shift+3 | 3 days |
| Ctrl+Shift+W | 1 week |
| Ctrl+Shift+M | 1 month |
| Ctrl+Shift+Y | 1 year |
| Ctrl+Shift+F | Forever |
Suspend Cards Based on Review History
8. Using the “Review History” Option
The “Review History” tab in Anki’s main menu provides a detailed log of all your card reviews. This tab can be used to identify and suspend cards that have a certain review history. For example, you can suspend cards that have been repeatedly failed, or cards that have not been reviewed for a certain period of time.
To suspend cards based on review history, do the following:
1. Open the “Review History” tab.
2. Select the cards you want to suspend.
3. Click the “Suspend” button.
The suspended cards will be moved to the “Suspended” deck. You can review and unsuspend them later by clicking the “Reschedule” button.
Using the “Suspend Interval” Option
The “Suspend Interval” option allows you to specify a time interval after which cards will be automatically suspended. This can be useful for suspending cards that you want to review less frequently.
To use the “Suspend Interval” option, do the following:
1. Open the “Options” menu.
2. Select the “Scheduling” tab.
3. Set the “Suspend Interval” to the desired time interval.
Using the “Maximum Reviews” Option
The “Maximum Reviews” option allows you to specify a maximum number of reviews for a card before it is automatically suspended. This can be useful for suspending cards that you want to stop reviewing altogether.
To use the “Maximum Reviews” option, do the following:
1. Open the “Options” menu.
2. Select the “Scheduling” tab.
3. Set the “Maximum Reviews” to the desired number of reviews.
Suspend by Tag
If you have tagged your cards, you can suspend all cards with a specific tag. This can be useful if you want to temporarily stop reviewing all cards related to a particular topic.
To suspend cards by tag, do the following:
1. Click on the “Tags” menu.
2. Select the tag you want to suspend.
3. Click on the “Suspend” button.
All cards with the selected tag will be suspended. You can unsuspend them later by clicking on the “Reschedule” button.
Suspend by Deck
If you have multiple decks, you can suspend all cards in a specific deck. This can be useful if you want to temporarily stop reviewing all cards in a particular deck.
To suspend cards by deck, do the following:
1. Click on the “Decks” menu.
2. Select the deck you want to suspend.
3. Click on the “Suspend” button.
All cards in the selected deck will be suspended. You can unsuspend them later by clicking on the “Reschedule” button.
Suspend by Card Type
If you have different card types, you can suspend all cards of a specific type. This can be useful if you want to temporarily stop reviewing all cards of a particular type.
To suspend cards by card type, do the following:
1. Click on the “Card Types” menu.
2. Select the card type you want to suspend.
3. Click on the “Suspend” button.
All cards of the selected type will be suspended. You can unsuspend them later by clicking on the “Reschedule” button.
Suspend by Search
You can also suspend cards based on a search query. This can be useful if you want to suspend all cards that match a certain criteria.
To suspend cards by search, do the following:
1. Click on the “Search” menu.
2. Enter your search query.
3. Click on the “Search” button.
4. Select the cards you want to suspend.
5. Click on the “Suspend” button.
All cards that match the search query will be suspended. You can unsuspend them later by clicking on the “Reschedule” button.
Suspend by Due Date
You can also suspend cards based on their due date. This can be useful if you want to suspend all cards that are due within a certain time period.
To suspend cards by due date, do the following:
1. Click on the “Due” menu.
2. Select the time period you want to suspend cards for.
3. Click on the “Suspend” button.
All cards that are due within the selected time period will be suspended. You can unsuspend them later by clicking on the “Reschedule” button.
Exporting Suspended Cards
To export suspended cards, follow these steps:
1.
Open Anki and select the deck you want to export from.
2.
Click on the “File” menu and select “Export.”
3.
In the “Export Format” drop-down menu, select “Text” and then click on the “Options” button.
4.
In the “Options” dialog box, select the “Include suspended cards” checkbox and then click on the “OK” button.
5.
Click on the “Export” button to save the file.
Importing Suspended Cards
To import suspended cards, follow these steps:
1.
Open Anki and select the deck you want to import into.
2.
Click on the “File” menu and select “Import.”
3.
In the “Import Format” drop-down menu, select “Text” and then click on the “Import” button.
4.
Select the text file that you want to import and then click on the “Open” button.
5.
In the “Import Options” dialog box, verify that the “Import suspended cards” checkbox is selected and click “OK”.
Additional Notes on Exporting and Importing Suspended Cards
*
When exporting suspended cards, the resulting text file will contain all of the cards in the selected deck, regardless of their suspension status.
*
When importing suspended cards, the imported cards will be added to the target deck and their suspension status will be preserved
*
If the target deck does not exist, it will be created automatically.
Advanced Options
Allow burying of new cards: This setting allows Anki to bury new cards, rather than bringing them to the review queue immediately. This can be useful if you want to focus on reviewing existing cards before learning new ones.
New cards per day limit: This setting allows you to limit the number of new cards that Anki shows you each day. This can be useful if you find that you are struggling to keep up with your reviews.
Maximum review time: This setting allows you to limit the length of review sessions. This can be useful if you find that you are spending too much time reviewing.
Minimum review interval: This setting allows you to set a minimum amount of time between reviews for a card. This can be useful if you find that you are reviewing cards too often.
Resuming Subdecks Based on Review Counts
Anki allows you to suspend subdecks based on the number of reviews that a card has received. This can be useful if you want to focus on reviewing cards that you have already seen multiple times.
To suspend a subdeck based on review counts, open the deck menu and select Edit Deck. Then, select the Subdeck Options tab. In the Review Counts section, you can set the number of reviews that a card must have received to be suspended.
You can also specify whether or not you want to suspend cards that have been reviewed less than a certain number of times. This can be useful if you want to avoid suspending cards that you have not seen very often.
The following table shows the different options that you can set for suspending subdecks based on review counts:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Suspend if reviewed more than: | This option allows you to suspend cards that have been reviewed more than a certain number of times. |
| Suspend if reviewed less than: | This option allows you to suspend cards that have been reviewed less than a certain number of times. |
| Suspend if suspended: | This option allows you to suspend cards that have been manually suspended. |
| Suspend if failed: | This option allows you to suspend cards that have been failed during a review session. |
You can use these options to create a custom suspension schedule that meets your specific needs. For example, you could suspend cards that have been reviewed more than 10 times, or you could suspend cards that have been reviewed less than 5 times.
Suspending subdecks based on review counts can be a useful way to manage your reviews and focus on the cards that you need to see the most.
Customizing Suspension Settings for Enhanced Efficiency
Anki’s powerful suspension settings allow users to fine-tune their review schedule for maximum effectiveness. By customizing these settings based on individual needs and preferences, learners can create a more efficient and personalized studying experience.
Interval Modifier for Suspended Cards
This setting determines the interval at which suspended cards are reinstated into the review queue. When selecting the interval modifier, consider the average time taken to fully understand and retain the material on the card.
For instance, if you find that you typically take 4 days to master a card, you could set the interval modifier to 1.25. This means that when a suspended card is reinstated, it will have an interval of 5 days (4 days x 1.25).
Minimum Interval for Suspended Cards
This setting specifies the minimum interval at which suspended cards can be reviewed. It ensures that cards are not reintroduced into the review queue too quickly, allowing ample time for retention.
A suitable minimum interval depends on the difficulty of the material. For challenging concepts, a minimum interval of 3-4 days might be appropriate, while for easier material, a minimum interval of 1-2 days could be sufficient.
Maximum Interval for Suspended Cards
This setting limits the maximum interval at which suspended cards can be reviewed. It prevents cards from remaining dormant for excessively long periods, ensuring regular exposure to the material.
A reasonable maximum interval depends on the card retention rate. For cards that you find difficult to remember, a maximum interval of 14-21 days might be appropriate. For cards that you retain well, a maximum interval of 28-35 days could be suitable.
Ease Factor for Suspended Cards
The ease factor influences the interval calculation for suspended cards. A higher ease factor results in larger intervals, while a lower ease factor leads to shorter intervals.
Consider your confidence level in recalling the card when adjusting the ease factor. If you feel highly confident, increase the ease factor to extend the interval and challenge your memory. If you’re less confident, decrease the ease factor to shorten the interval and ensure frequent review.
Number of Reviews Before Suspension
This setting determines the number of consecutive correct reviews a card must receive before it is automatically suspended. This feature helps identify cards that have been fully understood and can be removed from the review queue.
The appropriate number of reviews depends on the card difficulty and the desired level of mastery. For challenging cards, setting the number of reviews to 4-6 might be suitable. For easier cards, a number of reviews of 2-3 could be sufficient.
Suspension Duration
This setting specifies the duration for which a card remains suspended after it has been automatically suspended. During this period, the card is not included in the review queue.
The suspension duration should be long enough to allow for meaningful learning and retention. For challenging cards, a duration of 1-2 weeks might be appropriate. For easier cards, a duration of a few days could be sufficient.
Suspend Due Dates
This feature enables automatic suspension of cards based on their due dates. Cards can be suspended either when their due date passes or when they have been reviewed a certain number of times.
Suspend due dates can be useful for managing overdue cards or for creating custom review schedules. For example, you could suspend cards that have been due for more than a week to focus on more pressing material.
Suspend Cards After a Certain Number of Lapses
This feature allows automatic suspension of cards based on the number of times they have been marked as “lapsed” (incorrectly recalled). This helps identify problematic cards that require additional attention.
Consider the card difficulty and your desired level of retention when selecting the number of lapses. For challenging cards, suspending after 2-3 lapses might be appropriate. For easier cards, suspending after 4-5 lapses could be sufficient.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Interval Modifier | Multiplier applied to the interval of suspended cards. |
| Minimum Interval | Shortest interval at which suspended cards can be reviewed. |
| Maximum Interval | Longest interval at which suspended cards can be reviewed. |
| Ease Factor | Influences the interval calculation for suspended cards. |
| Number of Reviews Before Suspension | Number of consecutive correct reviews before automatic suspension. |
| Suspension Duration | How long cards remain suspended after automatic suspension. |
| Suspend Due Dates | Automatic suspension based on due dates. |
| Suspend Cards After a Certain Number of Lapses | Automatic suspension based on the number of incorrect recalls. |
Optimization Techniques for Seamless Suspension Handling
41. Manual Suspension Management
Manual suspension management allows you to handle suspensions on a case-by-case basis. This approach provides the most granular control over your review process but can be time-consuming if you have a large number of cards.
Benefits:
- Complete control over suspension duration and intervals
- Ability to fine-tune suspension parameters for specific cards or decks
- Flexibility to adapt to changing learning needs
Steps:
- Review your cards as usual.
- When you encounter a card that you wish to suspend, select the "Suspend" option from the bottom of the review screen.
- Choose the suspension duration and interval.
- Click "Suspend."
41.1. Auto-Suspend Using the Scheduler
The Anki scheduler can be configured to automatically suspend cards based on specified criteria. This method is less flexible than manual suspension but can save time if you have a large number of cards.
Benefits:
- Automates the suspension process, reducing workload
- Ensures consistent suspension criteria across all cards
- Can be customized to meet specific learning needs
Steps:
- Open the Anki "Options" window.
- Navigate to the "Scheduling" tab.
- Under the "Reviews" section, adjust the "Maximum reviews per day per deck" setting.
- Lower the maximum reviews to a number that will prevent cards from being over-reviewed and becoming overwhelming.
41.2. Suspend All Cards in a Deck
If you need to suspend all the cards in a particular deck temporarily, you can use the "Suspend Deck" option. This method is useful for situations such as vacations, periods of high workload, or when you want to focus on other decks.
Benefits:
- Quick and easy way to temporarily disable a deck
- Prevents cards from being reviewed while you are unavailable
- Allows you to resume reviewing at a later time without any disruption
Steps:
- Right-click on the deck you wish to suspend in the Anki deck list.
- Select "Suspend Deck."
- Choose the suspension duration or indefinitely.
How To Suspend Subdecks In Anki
To suspend a subdeck in Anki, follow these steps:
- Click on the “Decks” button in the Anki toolbar.
- In the “Decks” window, select the subdeck you want to suspend.
- Click on the “Suspend” button in the toolbar.
The subdeck will now be suspended and all of its cards will be hidden from review. To unsuspend a subdeck, simply follow the same steps and click on the “Unsuspend” button.
