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#+TITLE:     Org-mode Frequently Asked Questions
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[[file:index.org][{Back to Worg's index}]]

* Welcome
  
Welcome to the Org-mode FAQ. 

You can navigate the FAQ by clicking on any of the topics in the Table
of Contents.

If your browser supports JavaScript, you can...

- move through the topics by typing "=n=" (next) and "=p=" (previous).

- see an outline view of the FAQ by typing "=m=" or clicking "=toggle
  view=" (above).

- search the FAQ by typing "=s=" (basic search) or "=o=" (occur tree).

- see a full list of navigation commands by typing "=?=" or clicking
  "=Help=" (above).
  
* What is org-mode?
** Can I implement a GTD workflow with Org-mode?
#<<GTD-workflow-with-Org-mode>>

  Yes, you can.  Check for discussions and pointers [[http://orgmode.org/worg/org-gtd-etc.php][here]].

** What is the difference between Org and TaskPaper?
#<<Org-and-TaskPaper>>

  There is really no difference.  Org is as /simple/ as [[http://hogbaysoftware.com/products/taskpaper][TaskPaper]].  It
  is just that, when using Org within Emacs, it lets you do many things
  that you wouldn't be able to do with TaskPaper.  Yes, TaskPaper is
  fiddle-proof and people using Emacs tends to like fiddling (which is
  orthogonal to the idea of using todo-list efficiently), but this is
  just a matter of discipline and common sense, not one of Org's design.

  Read [[http://article.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/6224][Carsten's enlightening statement]] on this.
** What is the meaning of the Unicorn on Org's website?
#<<unicorn>>

This was /Bastien Guerry's/ idea, and his friend /Christophe
Bataillon/ designed the unicorn logo for us.  Bastien writes why he
chose a unicorn:

#+BEGIN_QUOTE
The first reason is not linked to the animal, but to the sounding of the
word "Unicorn" - because Org gives you a /uni/que way of producing files
in several format (HTML, LaTeX, etc.)

The second reason is that a Unicorn doesn't really exist, it is just
something you can dream about, and make others believe it does exist.
Just like the perfect organizer.
#+END_QUOTE

Here are some more ideas why I think this is a good fit:

- Org-mode is the UNICs of ORgaNizers.

- Org-mode is an Emacs mode, so it makes sense to use an animal
  /somehow/ similar or related to the gnu used for GNU Emacs.

- Org-mode is meant to show you the way, and an animal with two horns
  can not do this very well, can it?

- Unicorn tears are said to reverse petrification, and wasn't this how
  we all felt before getting to some degree of time and task
  management?

- It will take forever to learn everything there is to know about a
  unicorn.

- A unicorn is a fabulous creature.  Org-mode wants to be a fabulous
  creation.

- A unicorn can lose a fight against the lion and still live to save
  the day when the witches strike (/Stardust/ by Neil Gaiman).


* Keeping current
** How do I keep current with Org mode development?
#<<keeping-current-with-Org-mode-development>>

   Org mode is developed in [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git_(software)][Git]].  You can keep up-to-date with Org
   mode developement by cloning Org mode repository and refreshing
   your copy with latest changes whenever you wish.  You only need to
   use two Git commands (clone and pull.)  Here are the steps in
   brief (please customize locations to suit your setup):

   1. Select a location to house the Org mode repository (approx. 40
      MB; includes documentation, compiled elisp files and history
      going all the way back to v4.12a)

      : $ mkdir $HOME/elisp && cd $HOME/elisp

   2. Clone the Org mode Git repository.

      Recommended approach:

      : $ git clone git://repo.or.cz/org-mode.git

      Alternate approach if you are behind a firewall that allows only
      HTTP (can be quite slow):

      : $ git clone http://repo.or.cz/r/org-mode.git

   3. Compile and install Org mode and build documentation.

      : $ cd org-mode && make && make doc && make install

      Please note that you can choose to /not/ compile at all and run
      using source =.el= files only.  Compiled files speed things up.

   4. This is where you configure Org mode with Emacs.  Please refer
      to [[./org-tutorials/index.org][Org tutorials]].

   5. Keeping up-to-date.

      Cloning the repository is a one time activity.  From this point
      onwards you only need to /pull/ the latest changes.

      : $ cd $HOME/elisp/org-mode

      and then

      : $ git pull && make clean && make && make doc && make install

   6. You should restart org mode to have the changes take effect (if
      you are not rebooting Emacs.)  Also since the intention is to
      "keep up" with Org mode, you should visit ChangeLog and updated
      sections of documentation for latest updates (use =git log=.)

   7. As you use your repository over time it will accumulate loose objects.
      You can reduce the total size of your git repository with

      : $ git gc

      which will consolidate loose git objects into pack files.  This
      reduces the size of the repository and speeds up data access to
      the objects.

** How can I keep local changes and still track Org mode development?
#<<keeping-local-changes-current-with-Org-mode-development>>

  Say you want to make minor changes to the Makefile to reflect your
  location for =emacs=.

  Create a local branch for your changes on top of origin/master as
  follows:

  : $ git checkout -b local origin/master
  : $ git config branch.local.rebase true
  : # Make your changes to the Makefile and create a new commit
  : $ git add Makefile
  : $ git commit -m 'My local Makefile configurations'
  : # Update git to a newer version
  : $ git pull

  Now each time you pull new commits from the distribution repository
  your local commits will be rewound and replayed on top of the new
  origin/master.

-----------

  You would normally work on your =local= branch which includes your
  custom commits; there's no need to switch back to the =master=
  branch.

-----------

Here is an example of dealing with conflict resultion during git pull.

If you get a conflict during a =git pull= you will need to edit the
file with the conflict to fix up the conflicting lines and then tell
git that you have resolved the conflict.

Conflict resolution goes something like this:

1. =git pull= fails with a conflict
2. edit the file
3. =git add= the file to mark the conflict resolved
4. =git rebase --continue=
5. lather, rinse, and repeat 2-4 as needed

For this example we have the following Makefile:

: #
: # Example Makefile
: #
: 
: EMACS=emacs
: 
: VERSION=V1.0

and we need to change the =EMACS=emacs= line to =EMACS=myemacs= to
make it work well on our system.

To do this we

  - create a local branch for our work

    : $ git checkout -b local origin/master
    : $ git config branch.local.rebase true

    This marks the branch so that all local commits on it are rebased
    on top of any new commits we get in origin/master during a =git
    pull= operation.

  - Make our custom changes

    Edit the makefile so it looks like this:

    : #
    : # Example Makefile
    : #
    : 
    : EMACS=myemacs
    : 
    : VERSION=V1.0

  - Create a commit with our custom changes
    : $ git add Makefile
    : $ git commit -m 'My local Makefile configurations'

  - Later we do a =git pull= but that fails with conflicts.

    : $ git pull
    : remote: Counting objects: 5, done.
    : ...
    : Patch failed at 0001.
    : 
    : When you have resolved this problem run "git rebase --continue".
    : If you would prefer to skip this patch, instead run "git rebase --skip".
    : To restore the original branch and stop rebasing run "git rebase --abort".

  - Fix the conflict in your favourite editor

    Conflict markers look like this:

    : <<<<<<< HEAD:Makefile
    : EMACS=emacs22
    : =======
    : EMACS=myemacs
    : >>>>>>> Change emacs location:Makefile

    This attempted =git pull= caused a conflict.  Fire up your
    favourite editor and fix the conflict in the Makefile.  The
    conflict markers are <<<<<<<<<< , ======= , and >>>>>>>>>>.  Fix
    the Makefile appropriately and delete the conflict markers.  You
    already edited these lines earlier so fixing it should be trivial.

    In this case we changed =EMACS=emacs= to =EMACS=myemacs= and
    upstream changed =EMACS=emacs= to =EMACS=emacs22=.  Just fix the
    file and save it by deleting the conflict markers and keeping the
    code you need (in this case the =EMACS=myemacs= line which we
    originally modified.)

  - Mark the file's conflict resolved

    : $ git add Makefile

    You use =git add= because you are adding new content to be tracked - you're not adding a file, but you are adding changes in content.

  - Continue the rebase operation

    : $ git rebase --continue

    If any other conflicts arise you fix them the same way - edit the file, mark the conflict resolved, and continue.

At anytime during the rebase conflict resolution you can say "oops this is all wrong - put it back the way it was before I did a pull" 
using
: $ git rebase --abort

* Setup
** Can I use the editing features of org-mode in other modes?
#<<use-editing-features-in-other-modes>>

   Not really---but there are a few editing features you can use in
   other modes.

   - For tables there is =orgtbl-mode= which implements the table
     editor as a minor mode. (To enable, type =M-x orgtbl-mode=)
   - For ordered lists there is =orgstuct-mode= which allows for easy
     list editing as a minor mode. (To enable, type =M-x
     orgstruct-mode=)
   
   You can activate these modes automatically by using hooks:

   : (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
   : (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
   
   For footnotes, there is the function =org-footnote-action=, which
   works in non-org buffers. This function is a powerful tool for
   creating and sorting footnotes. To use it globally, you can add the
   following keybinding to your =.emacs= file (requires Org 6.17 or
   greater):
   
   : (global-set-key (kbd "C-c f") 'org-footnote-action)
   
   For other features you need to switch to Org-mode temporarily, or
   prepare text in a different buffer.

** Why isn't feature "X" working the way it is described in the manual?
#<<making-sure-org-mode-is-up-to-date>>

Org-mode develops very quickly. There have been a great many changes,
for instance, since the release of Emacs 22, which shipped with
version 4.67d of org-mode. (Emacs 23 is expected to ship with version
6.21b.)

Many of the users on the org-mode mailing list are using either a
recent release of org-mode or the
[[http://orgmode.org/index.html#sec-3.2][development version of
org-mode from the git repository]].

If some settings and features aren't working the way you expect, make
sure that the version of the manual you are consulting matches the
version of org-mode you are using.

   - You can check which version of org-mode you are using by
     selection =Org --> Documentation --> Show Version= in the Emacs
     menu.

   - The [[http://orgmode.org/manual/index.html][online manual]] at [[http://orgmode.org][orgmode.org]] corresponds to the most recent
     release.

   - The [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/org/index.html][manual]] at [[http://www.gnu.org][www.gnu.org]] corresponds to the version of org-mode
     released with the latest official Gnu Emacs release (Emacs 22 and
     org-mode 4.67d as of February 2009). Note: compared with the
     manual at the orgmode.org, the manual at www.gnu.org is
     considerably out of date.

For instructions on how to stay current with org-mode, consult [[keeping-current-with-Org-mode-development][this
FAQ]] or follow the instructions on [[http://orgmode.org][the official org-mode site]].

** Can I get the visibility-cycling features in outline-mode and outline-minor-mode?
#<<use-visibility-cycling-in-outline-mode>>

   Yes, these functions are written in a way that they are independent of
   the outline setup.  The following setup provides standard Org-mode
   functionality in outline-mode on =TAB= and =S-TAB=.  For
   outline-minor-mode, we use =C-TAB= instead of =TAB=,
   because =TAB= usually has mode-specific tasks.

#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
(add-hook 'outline-minor-mode-hook
  (lambda ()
    (define-key outline-minor-mode-map [(control tab)] 'org-cycle)
    (define-key outline-minor-mode-map [(shift tab)] 'org-global-cycle)))
(add-hook 'outline-mode-hook
  (lambda ()
    (define-key outline-mode-map [(tab)] 'org-cycle)
    (define-key outline-mode-map [(shift tab)] 'org-global-cycle)))
#+END_SRC

Or check out /outline-magic.el/, which does this and also provides
promotion and demotion functionality.  /outline-magic.el/ is
available at [[http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/OutlineMagic][Outline Magic]].

** How can I keep track of changes in my Org files?
#<<track-of-changes-in-Org-files>>

  Use git to track the history of the files, use a cronjob to check in
  changes regularly.  Such a setup is described by Bernt Hansen
  in [[http://article.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/6233][this message]] on [[http://dir.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode][emacs-orgmode]].

** Can I use Org-mode as the default mode for all README files?
#<<Org-mode-as-default-mode>>

Add the following to your .emacs file:

: (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("README$" . org-mode))

You can even make it the default mode for any files with unspecified
mode using

: (setq default-major-mode 'org-mode)

** Can I use ido.el for completing stuff in Org?
#<<ido-complete>>

   Yes, you can.  If you are an ido user and ido-mode is active, the
   following setting will make Org use =ido-completing-read= for most
   of its completing prompts.

: (setq org-completion-use-ido t)

** Should I use one big org file or multiple files?
#<<how-to-organize-org-mode-files>>

Org-mode is flexible enough to accomodate a variety of organizational
and time management schemes. Org's
[[http://orgmode.org/manual/Document-Structure.html#Document-Structure][outline
cycling and convenient editing and navigation commands]] make it
possible to maintain all of your projects and notes in a single file.
But org-mode's [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Hyperlinks.html#Hyperlinks][quick and easy hyperlinks]], along with [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Refiling-notes.html#Refiling-notes][easy refiling of
notes and todos]], also make it a delight to maintain a private "wiki"
consisting of multiple files.

No matter how you organize your org files, org-mode's agenda commands
make it easy to search all your notes and gather together crucial data
in a single view.

Moreover, several org-mode settings can be configured either globally
in your =.emacs= file or locally (per file or per outline tree). See
the [[http://orgmode.org/manual/index.html#Top][manual]] for more details. For an example of local customizations
see [[limit-agenda-with-category-match][this FAQ]].

Here are a few ideas for organizing org-mode files:

- A single file for all your projects and notes.
- One file per project.
- One file per client.
- One file per area of responsibility or type of work (e.g.,
  household, health, work, etc.).
- One file for projects, one for appointments, one for reference
  material, one for someday/maybe items, etc.
- A wiki of hyperlinked files that grows and adapts to meet your
  needs.
  
For more ideas, see some of the links on the [[file:org-tutorials/index.org][org-tutorial index]] or
[[file:org-gtd-etc.org][this page on org-mode and GTD]].

** Why doesn't C-c a call the agenda? Why don't some org keybindings work?
#<<setting-global-keybindings>>

Org-mode has a few global keybindings that the user must set
explicitly in an =.emacs= file. These keybindings include the
customary shortcut for calling the agenda (=C-c a=). If nothing
happens when you type =C-c a=, then make sure that the following lines
are in your =.emacs= file:

#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
;; The following lines are always needed.  Choose your own keys.
(add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org\\'" . org-mode))
(global-set-key "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
(global-set-key "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
(global-set-key "\C-cb" 'org-iswitchb)
#+END_SRC emacs-lisp

You may, of course, choose whatever keybindings work best for you
and do not conflict with other modes.

Please see [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Activation.html][this section of the manual]] if you have additional
questions.

** Why aren't some of the variables I've customized having an effect?
#<<load-org-after-setting-variables>>

Some org variables have to be set before org.el is loaded or else they
will not work. (An example is the new variable
=org-enforce-todo-dependencies=.)

To make sure all your variables work you should not use =(require
'org)=. Instead use the following setting:

: (require 'org-install)

You should also make sure that you do not require any other =org-...=
files in your =.emacs= file before you have set your org variables,
since these will also cause org.el to be loaded. To be safe, load org
files *after* you have set your variables.

* Errors
** When I try to use Org-mode, I always get the error message =(wrong-type-argument keymapp nil)=
#<<wrong-type-argument-keymapp>>

   This is a conflict with an outdated version of the /allout.el/, see
   the [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Conflicts.html#Conflicts][Conflicts]] section in the manual

** Org-mode takes over the S-cursor keys.  I also want to use CUA-mode, is there a way to fix this conflict?
#<<CUA-mode>>

Yes, see the  [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Conflicts.html#Conflicts][Conflicts]] section of the manual.

** Org-mode takes over the S-cursor keys.  I also want to use windmove.el, is there a way to fix this conflict?
#<<windmove.el>>

Yes, see the [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Conflicts.html#Conflicts][Conflicts]] section of the manual.

** Org behaves strangely: some keys don't work, some features are missing, my settings have no effect, ...
#<<loaded-old-org>>

When this sort of things happen, it probably is because Emacs is loading an old version of Org-mode instead of the one you expected. Check it with =M-x org-version=.

This happens because Emacs loads first the system org-mode (the one included with Emacs) before the one in your directory. Check the =load-path= variable; you might see that your org-mode appears /after/ the system-wide path; this is bad.

You should add your directories to the =load-path= at the beginning:

:  (add-to-list 'load-path "~/.emacs.d/org-mode/lisp") (require 'org-install)

Function =add-to-list= adds at the beginning. Don't use =append= because it appends at the end. Also be sure to use =(require 'org-install)= and not =(require 'org)=.

This wrong version loading may also happen if you have a byte-compiled =org.elc= from an old version together with a new =org.el=. Since Emacs prefers loading byte-compiled files (even if the =.el= is newer), it will load the old Org-mode.

** Why doesn't org-batch-agenda work under Win32?
#<<org-batch-agenda-under-win32>>

When I run the example batch files to print my agenda to the console
under Win32 I get the failure:

: End of file during parsing

and no agenda is printed.

The problem is the use of single quotes surrounding the eval in the
emacs command-line. This gets confused under Win32. All string
parameters with spaces must be surrounded in double quotes. This means
that double quotes being passed to the eval must be escaped.

Therefore, instead of the following:

: <path to emacs>\emacs.exe -batch -l ~/_emacs_org \
:     -eval '(org-batch-agenda "a")'

you need to use the following:

:  <path to emacs>\emacs.exe -batch -l ~/_emacs_org \
:     -eval "(org-batch-agenda \"a\")"

(all on one line, of course).

* Outline
** Can I have two windows on the same Org-mode file, with different outline visibilities?
#<<indirect-buffers>>

   You may use /indirect buffers/ which do exactly this.  See the
   documentation on the command =make-indirect-buffer=.
   
   Org-mode has built-in commands that allow you create an indirect
   buffer from a subtree of an outline. To open a subtree in new
   window, type =C-c C-x b=. Any changes you make in the new window
   will be saved to the original file, but the visibility of both
   buffers will remain independent of one another.

   For multiple indirect buffers from the same file, you must use the
   prefix =C-u= when creating the second (or third) buffer. Otherwise
   the new indirect buffer will replace the old.

   You can also create an independent view of an outline subtree by
   typing =b= on an item in the agenda.

** Emacs outlines are unreadable.  Can I get rid of all those stars?
#<<Emacs-outlines-are-unreadable>>

   See the section [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Clean-view.html#Clean-view][Clean outline view]] in the manual.
** C-k is killing whole subtrees!  I lost my work!
#<<C-k-is-killing-subtrees>>

  =(setq org-special-ctrl-k t)= before losing your work.

** Why aren't commands working on regions?
#<<transient-mark-mode>>

Some org-mode commands, such as M-right and M-left for demoting or
promoting headlines (see [[demote-multiple-headlines][this FAQ]]), can be applied to entire regions.
These commands, however, will only work on active regions set with
[[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/Transient-Mark.html#Transient-Mark][transient mark mode]]. Transient mark mode is enabled by default in
Emacs 23. To enable it in earlier versions of emacs, put the following
in your =.emacs= file:

: (transient-mark-mode 1)

Alternatively, you may turn off transient mark mode and use [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/Momentary-Mark.html][a
momentary mark]] (=C-<SPC> C-<SPC>=).
   
** How can I promote or demote multiple headlines at once? 
#<<demote-multiple-headlines>>
   
If you have a long list of first level headlines that you'd like to
demote to second level headlines, you can select the headlines as a
region and then hit =M-<right>= to demote all the headlines at once.

Note: =M-S-<right>= will not work on a selected region. Its use is to
demote a single subtree (i.e., a headline and all sub-headlines).

If M-<right> doesn't seem to work, make sure transient mark mode is
enabled. See [[transient-mark-mode][this FAQ]].
  
* Todos and Tags
** How can I cycle through the TODO keyword of an entry?
#<<cycle-TODO-keywords>>

  =C-c C-t= or =S-<left/right>= is what you need.

** How do I track state changes for tasks in Org?
#<<track-state-changes-for-tasks>>
   
  Take a look at the [[http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/6082][post by Bernt Hansen]] for setting up TODO keyword
  states and logging timestamps for task state changes.
   
** Can I select the TODO keywords with a tag-like interface?
#<<select-TODO-keywords-with-tag-like-interface>>

  Yes.  Use =(setq org-use-fast-todo-selection t)=

  If you want to set both your todos and your tags using a single
  interface, then check out the variable
  =org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo=.

  See [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Fast-access-to-TODO-states.html][this section of the manual]] for more details.
  
** How can I quickly set the tag of an entry?
#<<quickly-set-tag-of-entry>>

   Use =C-c C-c= or =C-c C-q= on the headline. =C-c C-q= is useful for
   setting tabs in a [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Remember.html#Remember][remember]] buffer, since =C-c C-c= is the default
   keybinding for filing a note from the remember buffer.
  
   You can set tags even more quickly by setting one of the character
   shortcuts for [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Setting-tags.html#Setting-tags][fast tag selection]].
   
   To set tag shortcuts for all org buffers, put something like the
   following in your =.emacs= file (or create the same settings by
   typing =M-x customize-variable RET org-tag-alist=):
   
: (setq org-tag-alist '(("computer" . ?c) ("office" . ?o) ("home" . ?h)))
   
   To set tag shortcuts for a single buffer, put something like the
   following at the top of your org file: 
   
: #+TAGS: computer(c) office(o) home(h)

** How can I change the colors of TODO keywords?

You can use the variable org-todo-keyword-faces. Here are some sample
settings:

#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(setq org-todo-keyword-faces
      '(
        ("TODO"  . (:foreground "firebrick2" :weight bold))
        ("WAITING"  . (:foreground "olivedrab" :weight bold))
        ("LATER"  . (:foreground "sienna" :weight bold))
        ("PROJECT"  . (:foreground "steelblue" :weight bold))
        ("DONE"  . (:foreground "forestgreen" :weight bold))
        ("MAYBE"  . (:foreground "dimgrey" :weight bold))
        ("CANCELED"  . shadow)
        ))
#+end_src

If you want to change the color of all active todos or all inactive
todos, type:

: M-x customize-face RET org-todo
: M-x customize-face RET org-done

You can also set values for each of these in your =.emacs= file:

: (set-face-foreground 'org-todo "firebrick2")
: (set-face-foreground 'org-done "forestgreen")

* Hyperlinks
** Why do I have to confirm the execution of each shell/elisp link?
#<<confirm-shell/elisp-link>>

   The confirmation is there to protect you from unwantingly execute
   potentially dangerous commands.  For example, imagine a link

   : [[shell:rm -rf ~/*][Google Search]]

   In an Org-mode buffer, this command would look like /Google Search/,
   but really it would remove your home directory.  If you wish, you can
   make it easier to respond to the query by setting

   : (setq org-confirm-shell-link-function 'y-or-n-p
   :       org-confirm-elisp-link-function 'y-or-n-p).

   Then a single keypress will be enough to confirm those links.  It is
   also possible to turn off this check entirely, but I strongly
   recommend against this.  Be warned.

** Can I use RET or TAB to follow a link?
#<<RET-or-TAB-to-follow-link>>

   Yes, this is how:

   : (setq org-return-follows-link t)
   : (setq org-tab-follows-link t)

** Can I keep mouse-1 clicks from following a link?
#<<mouse-1-following-link>>

   Activating links with =mouse-1= is a new feature in Emacs 22, to make
   link behavior similar to other applications like web browsers.  If
   you hold the mouse button down a bit longer, the cursor will be set
   without following the link.  If you cannot get used to this behavior,
   you can (as in Emacs 21) use =mouse-2= to follow links and turn off
   link activation for =mouse-1= with

   : (setq org-mouse-1-follows-link nil)

** How can I get completion of file names when creating a link?
#<<completion-of-file-links>>
   
You can use org-insert-link with a prefix argument:

: C-u C-c C-l

You will be greeted with prompt in the minibuffer that allows for file
completion using your preferred Emacs method for finding files.
* Plain Lists
** How can I insert an empty line before each newly inserted headline, but not before each newly inserted plain-list item?
#<<empty-line-before-each-new-headline-but-not-item>>

: (setq org-blank-before-new-entry
:       '((heading . t) (plain-list-item . nil))
   
** How can I convert itemized lists to enumerated lists?
#<<convert-itemized-to-enumerated-lists>>
   
   You can use =C-c -= or =S-<left>/<right>= to cycle through the various
   bullet headlines available for lists: =-, +, *, 1., 1)=.
   
   See [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Plain-lists.html#Plain-lists][this section of the manual]] for more information.
   
** How can I convert plain lists to headlines and vice versa?
#<<convert-plain-lists-to-headlines>>
  
   To convert a plain list item or line to a headline, type =C-c *= on
   the headline. This will make the line a subheading of the current
   headline.
    
   To convert a headline to a plain list item, type =C-c -= while the
   cursor is on the headline.
   
   To convert a headline to an unadorned line of text, type =C-c *= on
   the headline.
  
   You can use query replace to accomplish the same things, as Bernt
   Hansen explains in [[http://article.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/10148][this mailing list post]].

** Is there a good way to create a description list?
#<<description-lists>>

  Yes, these are now built-in:

#+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
- item1 :: Description of this item 1
- item2 :: Description of this item 2
- item1 :: Description of this item 3
      also in multiple lines
#+END_EXAMPLE

* Tables
** Can I plot data from a table?
#<<plotting-table-data>>

   Yes, you can, using org-plot.el written by James TD Smith and now
   bundled with Org.  See [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Org-Plot.html#Org-Plot][the manual section about this]].

   See also [[file:org-tutorials/org-plot.org][this excellent tutorial]] by Eric Schulte.
   
** How can I fill a table column with incremental numbers?
#<<fill-table-column-with-incremental-numbers>>

Here is how: Use a field formula to set the first value in the column:

#+begin_src org
,| N   |   |
,|-----+---|
,| :=1 |   |
,|     |   |
,|     |   |
,|     |   |
,#+TBLFM: @2$1=1
#+end_src

Then define a column formula in the second field:

#+begin_src org
,| N        |   |
,|----------+---|
,| 1        |   |
,| =@-1 + 1 |   |
,|          |   |
,|          |   |
,#+TBLFM: @2$1=1
#+end_src

After recomputing the table, the column will be filled with
incremental numbers:

#+begin_src org
,| N |   |
,|---+---|
,| 1 |   |
,| 2 |   |
,| 3 |   |
,| 4 |   |
,#+TBLFM: $1=@-1 + 1::@2$1=1
#+end_src

Note that you could use arbitrary starting values and column formulas.

** Why does my table column get filled with #ERROR?
#<<table-column-filled-with-ERROR>>

   Org-mode tried to compute the column from other fields using a
   formula stored in the =#+TBLFM:= line just below the table, and
   the evaluation of the formula fails.  Fix the fields used in the
   formula, or fix the formula, or remove it!

** How can I stop the table editor from creating new lines?
#<<table-editor-creates-new-lines>>

   When I am in the last column of a table and just above a horizontal
   line in the table, pressing TAB creates a new table line before the
   horizontal line.  To move to the line below the
   horizontal line instead, do this:

   Press =down= (to get on the separator line) and then =TAB=.
   Or configure the variable

   : (setq org-table-tab-jumps-over-hlines t)

** How can I get table fields starting with "="?
#<<table-fields-starting-with-=>>

   With the setting

   : (setq org-table-formula-evaluate-inline nil)

   this will no longer happen.  You can still use formulas using the
   commands @<tt>C-c =@</tt> and @<tt>C-u C-c =@</tt>

** How can I change the indentation of an entire table without fixing every line by hand?
#<<change-indentation-entire-table>>

   The indentation of a table is set by the first line.  So just fix the
   indentation of the first line and realign with =TAB=.

** In my huge table the realigning after each TAB takes too long.  What can I do?
#<<table-realigning-after-TAB-takes-long>>

   Either split the table into several by inserting an empty line every
   100 lines or so.  Or turn off the automatic re-align with

   : (setq org-table-automatic-realign nil)

   After this the only way to realign a table is to press =C-c C-c=.  It
   will no longer happen automatically, removing the corresponding delays
   during editing.

** Recalculation of my table takes too long.  What can I do?
#<<Recalculation-of-my-table-takes-too-long>>

   Nothing, really.  The spreadsheet in org is mostly done to make
   calculations possible, not so much to make them fast.  Since Org-mode
   is firmly committed to the ASCII format, nothing is stopping you from
   editing the table by hand.  Therefore, there is no internal
   representation of the data.  Each time Org-mode starts a computation,
   it must scan the table for special lines, find the fields etc.  This
   is slow.  Furthermore, Calc is slow compared to hardware
   computations.  To make this work with normal editing, recalculation
   is not happening automatically, or only for the current line, so that
   the long wait for a full table iteration only happens when you ask
   for it.

   So for really complex tables, moving to a "real" spreadsheet may
   still be the best option.

   That said, there are some ways to optimize things in Org-mode, and I
   have been thinking about moving a bit further down this line.
   However, for my applications this has so far not been an issue at
   all.  If you have a good case, you could try to convince me.

** =S-RET= in a table keeps increasing the copied numbers.  How can I stop this?
#<<S-RET-in-a-table-increases-copied-numbers>>

   Well, it is /supposed/ to be a feature, to make it easy to create a
   column with increasing numbers.  If this gets into your way, turn it
   off with

   : (setq org-org-table-copy-increment nil)

* Remember
** Can I use the remember buffer to clock a customer phone call?
#<<use-remember-buffer-to-clock-phone-call>>

  Yes, you can.  Take a look at the [[http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/5482][setup described by Bernt Hansen]]
  and check out (in the same thread) what Nick Docos had to fix to
  make Bernt's set-up work for him.
** Can I automatically start the clock when opening a remember template?
#<<start-clock-when-opening-remember-template>>

   Yes, this is possible.  Use the following code and make sure that
   after executing it, `my-start-clock-if-needed' is in
   `remember-mode-hook' /after/ `org-remember-apply-template'.

   : (add-hook 'remember-mode-hook 'my-start-clock-if-needed 'append)
   : (defun my-start-clock-if-needed ()
   :   (save-excursion
   :     (goto-char (point-min))
   :     (when (re-search-forward " *CLOCK-IN *" nil t)
   :       (replace-match "")
   :       (org-clock-in))))

   Then, when a template contains the key string CLOCK-IN, the clock
   will be started.  Starting with Org-mode version 5.20, the clock will
   automatically be stopped when storing the remember buffer.

* Searches
** Isearch does not find string hidden in links.  What can I do?
#<<isearch-in-links>>

  M-x =visible-mode= will display the full link, making them searchable.

** How can I reduce the amount of context shown in sparse trees?
#<<context-in-sparse-trees>>

   Take a look at the following variables:

   - =org-show-hierarchy-above=
   - =org-show-following-headline=
   - =org-show-siblings=
   - =org-show-entry-blow=

   which give command-dependent control over how much context is shown
   by a particular operation.

** How can I combine the results of two calls to =org-occur=?
#<<two-calls-to-org-occur>>

   You can construct a regular expression that matches all targets you
   want.  Alternatively, use a =C-u= prefix with the second and any
   further calls to =org-occur= to keep the current visibility and
   highlighting in addition to the new ones.

* Agenda
** How can I change the advanced warning time for deadlines?
##<<warning-period-for-deadlines>>

Deadline warnings appear in the daily agenda view a specified number
of days before the deadline is due. The default setting is 14 days.
You can change this with the variable =org-deadline-warning-days=.
(See [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Deadlines-and-scheduling.html#Deadlines-and-scheduling][this section]] of the manual.)

For instance, 

: (setq org-deadline-warning-days 30)

would cause warnings for each deadline to appear 30 days in advance.

Naturally, you might not want warnings for all of your deadlines to
appear so far in advance. Thus, you can change the lead time for
individual items as follows:

: * TODO Get a gift for the party
:   DEADLINE: <2009-01-16 Fri -2d>

The "-2d" above changes the lead time for this deadline warning to two
days in advance. You can also use "w" for weeks and "m" for months.
** How can I postpone a task until a certain date?
#<<deferring-tasks>>
   
The easiest way to postpone a task is to schedule it in the future.
For instance, typing =C-c C-s +2w= on a headline will push a task two
weeks into the future, so that it won't show up on the daily agenda
until two weeks from now.

If you'd like to prevent the task from showing up on your global todo
list, you have a couple of options.

1. You can set the variable =org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled= to =t=.
   This will exclude any scheduled items from your global list of
   active todos (=C-c a t=). (The variable
   =org-agenda-todo-ignore-with-date= will exclude both scheduled and
   deadline items from your todo list).
2. You can remove the todo keyword from the item (C-c C-t <SPC>). The
   item will still appear on your agenda two weeks from today, but it
   won't show up on your todo lists.
** Can I send myself an email containing tasks or other agenda info?
#<<email-containing-tasks-or-other-agenda-info>>

   Yes.  See [[http://article.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/6112][this thread]] on the list.

** How can I limit the agenda view to my "work" tasks?
#<<limit-agenda-with-tag-filtering>>

   It is often convenient to group org files into separate categories,
   such as "home" and "work" (or "personal" and "professional"). One
   of the main reasons for such classification is to create agenda
   views that are limited by type of work or area of responsibility.
   For instance, while at work, one may want to see only professional
   tasks; while away from work, one may want to see only personal
   tasks.

   One way to categorize files and tasks is to use a "#+FILETAGS"
   declaration at the top of each file, such as:

   : #+FILETAGS: work

   As long as org-use-tag-inheritance is turned on, the filetags will
   be inherited by all tasks in the file. A file can have multiple
   filetags. And, of course, tags can be added to individual headings.
 
   Tasks can be quickly filtered by tag from within the agenda by
   typing "/" and the name of the tag. The full key sequence to filter
   for work items in an agenda view would be:

   : C-c a a / work [or a tag shortcut]
   
** How can I limit the agenda view to a particular category?
#<<limit-agenda-with-category-match>>
   
   Another way to filter agenda views by type of work is to use a
   "#+CATEGORY" declaration at the top of each file, such as:

   : #+CATEGORY: work

   Categories can also be added to individual headings within a file:

   : * Big project
   :   :PROPERTIES:
   :   :CATEGORY: work
   :   :END:

   All todos belonging to the category "work" can be found a with a
   simple tags-todo search:

   : C-c a M 
   
   At the prompt, type:
   
   : CATEGORY="work"

   The same results can be achieved with custom agenda commands, such as:

#+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
(setq org-agenda-custom-commands
      '(("h" tags-todo "CATEGORY=\"home\"")
        ("w" tags-todo "CATEGORY=\"work\"")
        ;; other custom agenda commands here
        ))
#+END_SRC 

** How can include all org files in a directory in my agenda?
#<<set-agenda-files-using-wildcards>>

You can use the file-expand-wildcards function to all files ending in
=org= in a directory to your agenda files list:

: (setq org-agenda-files (file-expand-wildcards "~/org/*.org"))

** Why aren't items disappearing from my agenda once they are marked done?
#<<removing-done-items-from-agenda>>

If items remain on your daily/weekly agenda after they are marked
done, check the configuration of the following variables:

: org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done
: org-agenda-skip-deadline-if-done
: org-agenda-skip-timestamp-if-done

For instance, type:

: M-x customize-variable RET org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done

If this variable is on (=t=), then scheduled items will remain on the
agenda even after they are marked done.

If the variable is off (=nil=), then scheduled items will disappear
from the agenda after they are marked done.

If these settings seem not to behave the way you expect, then make
sure you understand [[scheduled-vs-deadline-vs-timestamp][the difference between SCHEDULED, DEADLINE, and
timestamps]].

** What is the difference between SCHEDULED, DEADLINE, and plain timestamps?
#<<scheduled-vs-deadline-vs-timestamp>>

1. SCHEDULED items (set with =C-c C-s=) will appear on your agenda on
   the day they are scheduled and on every day thereafter until they
   are done. Schedule a task if you want to be reminded to do
   something beginning on a certain day and until it is done.

: ** TODO Scheduled item
:    SCHEDULED: <2009-03-01 Sun>

2. Items with a DEADLINE timestamp (set with =C-c C-d=) appear on your
   agenda in advance of the when they are due and remain on your
   agenda until they are done. Add a DEADLINE to an item if you want
   to make sure to complete it by a certain date. (The variable
   org-deadline-warning-days determines how far in advance items with
   deadlines will show up in the agenda. See [[warning-period-for-deadlines][this FAQ]] for more
   information.)

: ** TODO Item with a deadline
:    DEADLINE: <2009-01-20 Tue>

3. An active timestamp (set with =C-c .=) will appear on your agenda
   only on the day it is scheduled. Use a timestamp for appointments
   or any reminders you want to show up only on a particular day.

: ** TODO Item with an active timestamp
: <2009-04-18 Sat>

Note: items with inactive timestamps (set with C-c ! and marked by
square brackets) will not show up in the agenda at all.

** Can I add files recursively to my list of agenda files?
#<<set-agenda-files-recursively>>
   
Yes, you can use the library "find-lisp."

: (load-library "find-lisp")
: (setq org-agenda-files (find-lisp-find-files "~/org" "\.org$"))

This will add all files ending in =org= in the directory "~/org"
and all of its subdirectories to your list of agenda files.

See [[http://thread.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/8992][this thread]] on the mailing list for more information.

* Appointments/Diary
** Is it possible to include entries from org-mode files into my emacs diary?
#<<include-entries-from-org-mode-files-into-emacs-diary>>

   Since the org-mode agenda is much more powerful and can contain the
   diary, you should think twice before deciding to do this.  If you
   insist, however, integrating Org-mode information into the diary is
   possible.  You need to turn on /fancy diary display/ by setting in
   .emacs:

   : (add-hook 'diary-display-hook 'fancy-diary-display)

   Then include the following line into your ~/diary file, in
   order to get the entries from all files listed in the variable
   =org-agenda-files=

   : &%%(org-diary)

   You may also select specific files with

   : &%%(org-diary) ~/path/to/some/org-file.org
   : &%%(org-diary) ~/path/to/another/org-file.org

   If you now launch the calendar and press @<tt>d@</tt> to display a
   diary, the headlines of entries containing a timestamp, date range,
   schedule, or deadline referring to the selected date will be listed.
   Just like Org-mode's agenda view, the diary for /today/ contains
   additional entries for overdue deadlines and scheduled items.  See
   also the documentation of the =org-diary= function.  Under XEmacs, it
   is not possible to jump back from the diary to the org, this works
   only in the agenda buffer.
** I want to add my Org scheduled/deadlined entries in my diary!
#<<add-Org-scheduled/deadlined-entries-to-diary!>>

  Put this in your ~/.diary:

  : &%%(org-diary :scheduled :timestamp :deadline)

** How can I set up automatic reminders based on Org information?
#<<automatic-reminders>>

  See [[http://article.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/5271][this post]] by N. Dokos on the list.
** How can I make =appt= notice my Org appointments?
#<<appt-notice-my-Org-appointments>>

  :M-x org-agenda-to-appt RET

** How can I shedule an weekly appointment that lasts only until a certain date?
#<<diary-sexp-in-org-files>>

Org-mode's active timestamps work very well for scheduling individual
or recurring appointments, such as:

: * 8:00am Dentist appointment <2009-01-16 Fri>

or 

: * Weekly meeting with boss
:   <2009-01-20 Tue 14:00 +1w>

Sometimes, however, you need to set up more complicated recurring
appointments. Org-mode has built-in support for many of [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/Sexp-Diary-Entries.html][the powerful
sexp entries]] that work in [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/manual/html_node/emacs/Diary.html#Diary][Emacs diary]]. Let's say, for instance, that
you teach a class that meets every Monday evening between February 16
and April 20, 2009. The way to enter this an org-mode file is:

: ** Class 7:00pm-9:00pm
: <%%(and (= 1 (calendar-day-of-week date)) (diary-block 2 16 2009 4 20 2009))>

The expression above designates all Mondays (1) that fall between
February 16 and April 20.

For more ideas on how to create such expressions, see [[http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/DiaryMode][this page on the
Emacs wiki]].

* Export
** Can I get TODO items exported to HTML as lists, rather than as headlines?
#<<export-TODO-items-as-lists>>

   If you plan to use ASCII or HTML export, make sure things you want to
   be exported as item lists are level 4 at least, even if that does
   mean there is a level jump.  For example:

   : * Todays top priorities
   : **** TODO write a letter to xyz
   : **** TODO Finish the paper
   : **** Pick up kids at the school

   Alternatively, if you need a specific value for the heading/item
   transition in a particular file, use the =#+OPTIONS= line to
   configure the H switch.

   : #+OPTIONS:   H:2; ...

** Can I export only a single subtree?
#<<export-single-subtree>>

   If you want to export a subtree, mark the subtree as region and then
   export.  Marking can be done with =C-c @ C-x C-x=, for example.

** How can I get Mac OSX 10.3 iCal to import my Org-exported .ics files?
#<<iCal-import-ics-files-old>>

   When using iCal under Apple MacOS X Tiger, you can create a new
   calendar /OrgMode/ (the default name for the calendar created by =C-c
   C-e c=, see the variables =org-icalendar-combined-name= and
   =org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file=).  Then set Org-mode to
   overwrite the corresponding file /~/Library/Calendars/OrgMode.ics/.
   You may even use AppleScript to make iCal re-read the calendar files
   each time a new version of /OrgMode.ics/ is produced.  Here is the
   setup needed for this:

   : (setq org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file
   :     "~/Library/Calendars/OrgMode.ics")
   : (add-hook 'org-after-save-iCalendar-file-hook
   :  (lambda ()
   :   (shell-command
   :    "osascript -e 'tell application \"iCal\" to reload calendars'")))

** How can I get Mac OSX 10.4 or later iCal to import my Org-exported .ics files?
#<<iCal-import-ics-files-new>>

   For Mac OS X 10.4, you need to write the ics file to
   =/Library/WebServer/Documents/= and then subscribe iCalendar to
   =http: //localhost/orgmode.ics=

** How can I remove timestamps and todo keywords from my exported file?
#<<export-options-remove-timestamps>>

You can place an options line at the top of your org file:

: #+OPTIONS: <:nil todo:nil

There is a whole host of export options you can set with an in-buffer
options or via global variables. See [[http://orgmode.org/manual/Export-options.html#Export-options][this section]] of the manual for a
full list.


* COMMENT HTML style specifications

(defun org-faq-make-target () "Make hard target for current headline."
  (interactive) (if (not (org-on-heading-p)) (error "Not on a
  headline")) (let ((h (org-trim (org-get-heading 'no-tags)))) (if
  (string-match "[ \t]*\\?\\'" h) (setq h (replace-match "" t t h)))
  (while (string-match "[ \t]+" h) (setq h (replace-match "-" t t h)))
  (beginning-of-line 2) (insert "#<<" h ">>\n")))


#+STYLE: <link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"/org.css\" type=\"text/css\" />