3 @setfilename ../info/org
4 @settitle Org Mode Manual
11 * Org Mode: (org). Outline-based notes management and organizer
14 @c Version and Contact Info
15 @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/org/,maintainers webpage}
16 @set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik
17 @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
18 @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{dominik at science dot uva dot nl}
19 @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:dominik at science dot uva dot nl,contact the maintainer}
25 @c Subheadings inside a table.
26 @macro tsubheading{text}
36 This manual is for Org-mode (version @value{VERSION}).
38 Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Free Software Foundation
41 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
42 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
43 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
44 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
45 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
46 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
49 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
50 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
51 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
56 @title Org Mode Manual
58 @subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
59 @author by Carsten Dominik
61 @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
63 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
67 @c Output the table of contents at the beginning.
71 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
78 * Introduction:: Getting started
79 * Document structure:: A tree works like your brain
80 * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting
81 * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context
82 * TODO items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item
83 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
84 * Properties and columns::
85 * Timestamps:: Assign date and time to items
86 * Agenda views:: Collecting information into views
87 * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX fragments and formulas
88 * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes
89 * Publishing:: Create a web site of linked Org-mode files
90 * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
91 * Extensions and Hacking:: It is possible to write add-on code
92 * History and Acknowledgments:: How Org-mode came into being
93 * Index:: The fast road to specific information
94 * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described
97 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
101 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org-mode does
102 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org-mode
103 * Activation:: How to activate Org-mode for certain buffers.
104 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
108 * Outlines:: Org-mode is based on outline-mode
109 * Headlines:: How to typeset org-tree headlines
110 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
111 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
112 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
113 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
114 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
115 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
116 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
117 * orgstruct-mode:: Structure editing outside Org-mode
121 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
122 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
126 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
127 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
128 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
129 * orgtbl-mode:: The table editor as minor mode
130 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities.
134 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
135 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
136 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
137 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
138 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
139 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
140 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
141 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
145 * Link format:: How links in Org-mode are formatted
146 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
147 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
148 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
149 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
150 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
151 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
152 * Remember:: Org-trees store quick notes
156 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text.
160 * Setting up remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
161 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
162 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
166 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
167 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
168 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
169 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
170 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
172 Extended use of TODO keywords
174 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
175 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred the rest
176 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
177 * Per file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
181 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
182 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
183 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
185 Properties and Columns
187 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
188 * Special properties:: Access to other Org-mode features
189 * Property searches:: Matching property values
190 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
191 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
195 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
196 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
200 * Scope of column definitions::
201 * Column attributes::
205 * Time stamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
206 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
207 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
208 * Progress logging:: Documenting when what work was done.
212 * The date/time prompt:: How org-mode helps you entering date and time
213 * Custom time format:: Making dates look differently
215 Deadlines and Scheduling
217 * Inserting deadline/schedule::
222 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
223 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
224 * Clocking work time:: When exactly did you work on this item?
228 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
229 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
230 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
231 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
232 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of org trees
233 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
235 The built-in agenda views
237 * Weekly/Daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
238 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
239 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
240 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
241 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
243 Presentation and sorting
245 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
246 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
247 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
251 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
252 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
253 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
254 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files.
255 * Extracting Agenda Information for other programs::
259 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
260 * Subscripts and Superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
261 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
262 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
263 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
267 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
268 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
269 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
270 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
271 * Text interpretation:: How the exporter looks at the file
275 * Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
276 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org-mode
277 * Links:: How hyperlinks get transferred to HTML
278 * Images:: To inline or not to inline?
279 * CSS support:: Style specifications
281 Text interpretation by the exporter
283 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
284 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
285 * Footnotes:: Numbers like [1]
286 * Enhancing text:: Subscripts, symbols and more
287 * Export options:: How to influence the export settings
291 * Configuration:: Defining projects
292 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
293 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
297 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
298 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
299 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
300 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
301 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
302 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
303 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
307 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
308 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
312 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
313 * Customization:: Adapting Org-mode to your taste
314 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
315 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
316 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
317 * TTY keys:: Using Org-mode on a tty
318 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
319 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
321 Interaction with other packages
323 * Cooperation:: Packages Org-mode cooperates with
324 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
326 Extensions, Hooks and Hacking
328 * Extensions:: Existing 3rd-part extensions
329 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
330 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
331 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
332 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
334 Tables in arbitrary syntax
336 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
337 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
338 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
343 @node Introduction, Document structure, Top, Top
344 @chapter Introduction
348 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org-mode does
349 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org-mode
350 * Activation:: How to activate Org-mode for certain buffers.
351 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
354 @node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction
358 Org-mode is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, and doing
359 project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.
361 Org-mode develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
362 lists or information about projects as plain text. Org-mode is
363 implemented on top of outline-mode, which makes it possible to keep the
364 content of large files well structured. Visibility cycling and
365 structure editing help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created
366 with a built-in table editor. Org-mode supports TODO items, deadlines,
367 time stamps, and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an
368 agenda that utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar
369 and diary. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails,
370 Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects.
371 For printing and sharing of notes, an Org-mode file can be exported as a
372 structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (todo and agenda items only) as an
373 iCalendar file. It can also serve as a publishing tool for a set of
376 An important design aspect that distinguishes Org-mode from for example
377 Planner/Muse is that it encourages to store every piece of information
378 only once. In Planner, you have project pages, day pages and possibly
379 other files, duplicating some information such as tasks. In Org-mode,
380 you only have notes files. In your notes you mark entries as tasks,
381 label them with tags and timestamps. All necessary lists like a
382 schedule for the day, the agenda for a meeting, tasks lists selected by
383 tags etc are created dynamically when you need them.
385 Org-mode keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should
386 feel like a straightforward, easy to use outliner. Complexity is not
387 imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you need
388 it. Org-mode is a toolbox and can be used in different ways, for
392 @r{@bullet{} outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
393 @r{@bullet{} ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
394 @r{@bullet{} ASCII table editor with spreadsheet-like capabilities}
395 @r{@bullet{} TODO list editor}
396 @r{@bullet{} full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
397 @r{@bullet{} environment to implement David Allen's GTD system}
398 @r{@bullet{} a basic database application}
399 @r{@bullet{} simple hypertext system, with HTML export}
400 @r{@bullet{} publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages}
403 Org-mode's automatic, context sensitive table editor with spreadsheet
404 capabilities can be integrated into any major mode by activating the
405 minor Orgtbl-mode. Using a translation step, it can be used to maintain
406 tables in arbitrary file types, for example in LaTeX. The structure
407 editing and list creation capabilities can be used outside Org-mode with
408 the minor Orgstruct-mode.
411 There is a website for Org-mode which provides links to the newest
412 version of Org-mode, as well as additional information, frequently asked
413 questions (FAQ), links to tutorials etc. This page is located at
414 @uref{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/org/}.
419 @node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction
420 @section Installation
424 @b{Important:} @i{If Org-mode is part of the Emacs distribution or an
425 XEmacs package, please skip this section and go directly to
428 If you have downloaded Org-mode from the Web, you must take the
429 following steps to install it: Go into the Org-mode distribution
430 directory and edit the top section of the file @file{Makefile}. You
431 must set the name of the Emacs binary (likely either @file{emacs} or
432 @file{xemacs}), and the paths to the directories where local Lisp and
433 Info files are kept. If you don't have access to the system-wide
434 directories, create your own two directories for these files, enter them
435 into the Makefile, and make sure Emacs finds the Lisp files by adding
436 the following line to @file{.emacs}:
439 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/lispdir" load-path))
442 @b{XEmacs users now need to install the file @file{noutline.el} from
443 the @file{xemacs} subdirectory of the Org-mode distribution. Use the
447 @b{make install-noutline}
450 @noindent Now byte-compile and install the Lisp files with the shell
458 @noindent If you want to install the info documentation, use this command:
464 @noindent Then add to @file{.emacs}:
467 ;; This line only if org-mode is not part of the X/Emacs distribution.
468 (require 'org-install)
471 @node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction
475 @cindex global keybindings
476 @cindex keybindings, global
479 @b{Important:} @i{If you use copy-and-paste to copy lisp code from the
480 PDF documentation as viewed by Acrobat reader to your .emacs file, the
481 single quote character comes out incorrectly and the code will not work.
482 You need to fix the single quotes by hand, or copy from Info
486 Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file. The last two lines
487 define @emph{global} keys for the commands @command{org-store-link} and
488 @command{org-agenda} - please choose suitable keys yourself.
491 ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys.
492 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org$" . org-mode))
493 (define-key global-map "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
494 (define-key global-map "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
497 Furthermore, you must activate @code{font-lock-mode} in org-mode
498 buffers, because significant functionality depends on font-locking being
499 active. You can do this with either one of the following two lines
500 (XEmacs user must use the second option):
502 (global-font-lock-mode 1) ; for all buffers
503 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock) ; org-mode buffers only
506 @cindex org-mode, turning on
507 With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put
508 into Org-mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look
512 MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*-
515 @noindent which will select Org-mode for this buffer no matter what
516 the file's name is. See also the variable
517 @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}.
519 @node Feedback, , Activation, Introduction
526 If you find problems with Org-mode, or if you have questions, remarks,
527 or ideas about it, please contact the maintainer @value{MAINTAINER} at
528 @value{MAINTAINEREMAIL}.
530 For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible,
531 including the version information of Emacs (@kbd{C-h v emacs-version
532 @key{RET}}) and Org-mode (@kbd{C-h v org-version @key{RET}}), as well as
533 the Org-mode related setup in @file{.emacs}. If an error occurs, a
534 backtrace can be very useful (see below on how to create one). Often a
535 small example file helps, along with clear information about:
538 @item What exactly did you do?
539 @item What did you expect to happen?
540 @item What happened instead?
542 @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode.
544 @subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace
546 @cindex backtrace of an error
547 If working with Org-mode produces an error with a message you don't
548 understand, you may have hit a bug. The best way to report this is by
549 providing, in addition to what was mentioned above, a @emph{Backtrace}.
550 This is information from the built-in debugger about where and how the
551 error occurred. Here is how to produce a useful backtrace:
555 Start a fresh Emacs or XEmacs, and make sure that it will load the
556 original Lisp code in @file{org.el} instead of the compiled version in
557 @file{org.elc}. The backtrace contains much more information if it is
558 produced with uncompiled code. To do this, either rename @file{org.elc}
559 to something else before starting Emacs, or ask Emacs explicitly to load
560 @file{org.el} by using the command line
562 emacs -l /path/to/org.el
565 Go to the @code{Options} menu and select @code{Enter Debugger on Error}
566 (XEmacs has this option in the @code{Troubleshooting} sub-menu).
568 Do whatever you have to do to hit the error. Don't forget to
569 document the steps you take.
571 When you hit the error, a @file{*Backtrace*} buffer will appear on the
572 screen. Save this buffer to a file (for example using @kbd{C-x C-w}) and
573 attach it to your bug report.
576 @node Document structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
577 @chapter Document Structure
578 @cindex document structure
579 @cindex structure of document
581 Org-mode is based on outline mode and provides flexible commands to
582 edit the structure of the document.
585 * Outlines:: Org-mode is based on outline-mode
586 * Headlines:: How to typeset org-tree headlines
587 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
588 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
589 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
590 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
591 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
592 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
593 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
594 * orgstruct-mode:: Structure editing outside Org-mode
597 @node Outlines, Headlines, Document structure, Document structure
602 Org-mode is implemented on top of outline-mode. Outlines allow to
603 organize a document in a hierarchical structure, which (at least for
604 me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. Overview over
605 this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the
606 document to show only the general document structure and the parts
607 currently being worked on. Org-mode greatly simplifies the use of
608 outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a
609 single command @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB}
612 @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document structure
617 Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in
618 Org-mode start with one or more stars, on the left margin@footnote{See
619 the variable @code{org-special-ctrl-a/e} to configure special behavior
620 of @kbd{C-a} and @kbd{C-e} in headlines.}. For example:
630 * Another top level headline
633 @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an
634 outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline
635 starters. @ref{Clean view} describes a setup to realize this.
637 An empty line after the end of a subtree is considered part of it and
638 will be hidden when the subtree is folded. However, if you leave at
639 least two empty lines, one empty line will remain visible after folding
640 the subtree, in order to structure the collapsed view. See the
641 variable @code{org-cycle-separator-lines} for modifying this behavior.
643 @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document structure
644 @section Visibility cycling
645 @cindex cycling, visibility
646 @cindex visibility cycling
647 @cindex trees, visibility
648 @cindex show hidden text
651 Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer.
652 Org-mode uses just two commands, bound to @key{TAB} and
653 @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to change the visibility in the buffer.
655 @cindex subtree visibility states
656 @cindex subtree cycling
657 @cindex folded, subtree visibility state
658 @cindex children, subtree visibility state
659 @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state
663 @emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree among the states
666 ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
667 '-----------------------------------'
670 The cursor must be on a headline for this to work@footnote{see, however,
671 the option @code{org-cycle-emulate-tab}.}. When the cursor is at the
672 beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then
673 @key{TAB} actually runs global cycling (see below)@footnote{see the
674 option @code{org-cycle-global-at-bob}.}. Also when called with a prefix
675 argument (@kbd{C-u @key{TAB}}), global cycling is invoked.
677 @cindex global visibility states
678 @cindex global cycling
679 @cindex overview, global visibility state
680 @cindex contents, global visibility state
681 @cindex show all, global visibility state
685 @emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer among the states
688 ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
689 '--------------------------------------'
692 When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numerical prefix N, the CONTENTS
693 view up to headlines of level N will be shown.
694 Note that inside tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field.
696 @cindex show all, command
702 Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following
703 heading and the hierarchy above. Useful for working near a location
704 exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda
705 command (@pxref{Agenda commands}). With prefix arg show, on each
706 level, all sibling headings.
709 Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect
712 (@pxref{Indirect Buffers,,,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual})
715 (see the Emacs manual for more information about indirect buffers)
717 will contain the entire buffer, but will be narrowed to the current
718 tree. Editing the indirect buffer will also change the original buffer,
719 but without affecting visibility in that buffer.}. With numerical
720 prefix ARG, go up to this level and then take that tree. If ARG is
721 negative, go up that many levels. With @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove
722 the previously used indirect buffer.
725 When Emacs first visits an Org-mode file, the global state is set to
726 OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be
727 configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a
728 per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the
737 @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document structure
739 @cindex motion, between headlines
740 @cindex jumping, to headlines
741 @cindex headline navigation
742 The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer.
753 Next heading same level.
756 Previous heading same level.
759 Backward to higher level heading.
762 Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
763 visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
764 you can use the following keys to find your destination:
766 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
767 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
768 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
769 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
771 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
772 @key{RET} @r{Select this location.}
776 @node Structure editing, Archiving, Motion, Document structure
777 @section Structure editing
778 @cindex structure editing
779 @cindex headline, promotion and demotion
780 @cindex promotion, of subtrees
781 @cindex demotion, of subtrees
782 @cindex subtree, cut and paste
783 @cindex pasting, of subtrees
784 @cindex cutting, of subtrees
785 @cindex copying, of subtrees
786 @cindex subtrees, cut and paste
791 Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a
792 plain list item, a new item is created (@pxref{Plain lists}). To force
793 creation of a new headline, use a prefix arg, or first press @key{RET}
794 to get to the beginning of the next line. When this command is used in
795 the middle of a line, the line is split and the rest of the line becomes
796 the new headline. If the command is used at the beginning of a
797 headline, the new headline is created before the current line. If at
798 the beginning of any other line, the content of that line is made the
799 new heading. If the command is used at the end of a folded subtree
800 (i.e. behind the ellipses at the end of a headline), then a headline
801 like the current one will be inserted after the end of the subtree.
802 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
804 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.
807 Promote current heading by one level.
808 @kindex M-@key{right}
810 Demote current heading by one level.
811 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
813 Promote the current subtree by one level.
814 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
815 @item M-S-@key{right}
816 Demote the current subtree by one level.
819 Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
821 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
823 Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
828 Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
831 Copy subtree to kill ring.
834 Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to
835 make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank
836 level can also be specified with a prefix arg, or by yanking after a
837 headline marker like @samp{****}.
840 Sort same-level entries. When there is an active region, all entries in
841 the region will be sorted. Otherwise the children of the current
842 headline are sorted. The command prompts for the sorting method, which
843 can be alphabetically, numerically, by time (using the first time stamp
844 in each entry), and each of these in reverse order. With a @kbd{C-u}
845 prefix, sorting will be case-sensitive. With two @kbd{C-u C-u}
846 prefixes, duplicate entries will also be removed.
849 @cindex region, active
850 @cindex active region
851 @cindex transient-mark-mode
852 When there is an active region (transient-mark-mode), promotion and
853 demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of
854 headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a
855 line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line
856 just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is
857 inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different
860 @node Archiving, Sparse trees, Structure editing, Document structure
864 When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want
865 to move the tree out of the way and to stop it from contributing to the
866 agenda. Org-mode knows two ways of archiving. You can mark a tree with
867 the ARCHIVE tag, or you can move an entire (sub)tree to a different
871 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
872 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
875 @node ARCHIVE tag, Moving subtrees, Archiving, Archiving
876 @subsection The ARCHIVE tag
877 @cindex internal archiving
879 A headline that is marked with the ARCHIVE tag (@pxref{Tags}) stays at
880 its location in the outline tree, but behaves in the following way:
883 It does not open when you attempt to do so with a visibility cycling
884 command (@pxref{Visibility cycling}). You can force cycling archived
885 subtrees with @kbd{C-@key{TAB}}, or by setting the option
886 @code{org-cycle-open-archived-trees}. Also normal outline commands like
887 @code{show-all} will open archived subtrees.
889 During sparse tree construction (@pxref{Sparse trees}), matches in
890 archived subtrees are not exposed, unless you configure the option
891 @code{org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees}.
893 During agenda view construction (@pxref{Agenda views}), the content of
894 archived trees is ignored unless you configure the option
895 @code{org-agenda-skip-archived-trees}.
897 Archived trees are not exported (@pxref{Exporting}), only the headline
898 is. Configure the details using the variable
899 @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}.
902 The following commands help managing the ARCHIVE tag:
907 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline. When the tag is set,
908 the headline changes to a shadowish face, and the subtree below it is
910 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-a
911 @item C-u C-c C-x C-a
912 Check if any direct children of the current headline should be archived.
913 To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are
914 found, the command offers to set the ARCHIVE tag for the child. If the
915 cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the
916 level 1 trees will be checked.
919 Cycle a tree even if it is tagged with ARCHIVE.
922 @node Moving subtrees, , ARCHIVE tag, Archiving
923 @subsection Moving subtrees
924 @cindex external archiving
926 Once an entire project is finished, you may want to move it to a
927 different location, either in the current file, or even in a different
928 file, the archive file.
933 Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location
934 given by @code{org-archive-location}.
935 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-s
936 @item C-u C-c C-x C-s
937 Check if any direct children of the current headline could be moved to
938 the archive. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries.
939 If none are found, the command offers to move it to the archive
940 location. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command
941 is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked.
944 @cindex archive locations
945 The default archive location is a file in the same directory as the
946 current file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the
947 current file name. For information and examples on how to change this,
948 see the documentation string of the variable
949 @code{org-archive-location}. There is also an in-buffer option for
950 setting this variable, for example
957 You may have several such lines in the buffer, they will then be valid
958 for the entries following the line (the first will also apply to any
961 @node Sparse trees, Plain lists, Archiving, Document structure
962 @section Sparse trees
964 @cindex trees, sparse
965 @cindex folding, sparse trees
966 @cindex occur, command
968 An important feature of Org-mode is the ability to construct
969 @emph{sparse trees} for selected information in an outline tree. A
970 sparse tree means that the entire document is folded as much as
971 possible, but the selected information is made visible along with the
972 headline structure above it@footnote{See also the variables
973 @code{org-show-hierarchy-above}, @code{org-show-following-heading}, and
974 @code{org-show-siblings} for detailed control on how much context is
975 shown around each match.}. Just try it out and you will see immediately
978 Org-mode contains several commands creating such trees. The most
979 basic one is @command{org-occur}:
984 Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches.
985 If the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the
986 match is in the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible.
987 In order to provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of
988 headlines above the match is shown, as well as the headline following
989 the match. Each match is also highlighted; the highlights disappear
990 when the buffer is changes an editing command, or by pressing @kbd{C-c
991 C-c}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, previous highlights
992 are kept, so several calls to this command can be stacked.
995 For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can
996 use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast
997 keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be
998 accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
1002 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
1003 '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME")))
1006 @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating
1007 a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}.
1009 Other commands use sparse trees as well. For example @kbd{C-c
1010 C-v} creates a sparse TODO tree (@pxref{TODO basics}).
1013 @cindex printing sparse trees
1014 @cindex visible text, printing
1015 To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command
1016 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts
1017 of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because
1018 XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties.}.
1019 Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-e v} to export only the visible
1020 part of the document and print the resulting file.
1022 @node Plain lists, Drawers, Sparse trees, Document structure
1023 @section Plain lists
1025 @cindex lists, plain
1026 @cindex lists, ordered
1027 @cindex ordered lists
1029 Within an entry of the outline tree, hand-formatted lists can provide
1030 additional structure. They also provide a way to create lists of
1031 checkboxes (@pxref{Checkboxes}). Org-mode supports editing such lists,
1032 and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) does parse and format them.
1034 Org-mode knows ordered and unordered lists. Unordered list items start
1035 with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a
1036 bullet, lines must be indented or they will be seen as top-level
1037 headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading stars to get a clean
1038 outline view, plain list items starting with a star are visually
1039 indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though @samp{*}
1040 is supported, it may be better not to use it for plain list items.} as
1041 bullets. Ordered list items start with @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}. Items
1042 belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first
1043 line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then
1044 the 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers
1045 in the list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It
1046 ends before the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or
1047 less. Empty lines are part of the previous item, so you can have
1048 several paragraphs in one item. If you would like an empty line to
1049 terminate all currently open plain lists, configure the variable
1050 @code{org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists}. Here is an example:
1054 ** Lord of the Rings
1055 My favorite scenes are (in this order)
1056 1. The attack of the Rohirrim
1057 2. Eowyns fight with the witch king
1058 + this was already my favorite scene in the book
1059 + I really like Miranda Otto.
1060 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas
1062 He makes a really funny face when it happens.
1063 But in the end, not individual scenes matter but the film as a whole.
1067 Org-mode supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to
1068 deal with them correctly@footnote{Org-mode only changes the filling
1069 settings for Emacs. For XEmacs, you should use Kyle E. Jones'
1070 @file{filladapt.el}. To turn this on, put into @file{.emacs}:
1071 @code{(require 'filladapt)}}.
1073 The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line
1074 of an item (the line with the bullet or number).
1079 Items can be folded just like headline levels if you set the variable
1080 @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. The level of an item is then
1081 given by the indentation of the bullet/number. Items are always
1082 subordinate to real headlines, however; the hierarchies remain
1083 completely separated.
1085 If @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists} has not been set, @key{TAB}
1086 fixes the indentation of the curent line in a heuristic way.
1089 Insert new item at current level. With prefix arg, force a new heading
1090 (@pxref{Structure editing}). If this command is used in the middle of a
1091 line, the line is @emph{split} and the rest of the line becomes the new
1092 item. If this command is executed in the @emph{whitespace before a bullet or
1093 number}, the new item is created @emph{before} the current item. If the
1094 command is executed in the white space before the text that is part of
1095 an item but does not contain the bullet, a bullet is added to the
1097 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
1099 Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
1101 @kindex S-@key{down}
1104 Jump to the previous/next item in the current list.
1105 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1106 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1108 @itemx M-S-@key{down}
1109 Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item
1110 of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is
1112 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1113 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1114 @item M-S-@key{left}
1115 @itemx M-S-@key{right}
1116 Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems.
1117 Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation.
1118 When these commands are executed several times in direct succession,
1119 the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation
1120 would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break
1121 the command chain with a cursor motion or so.
1124 If there is a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}) in the item line, toggle the
1125 state of the checkbox. If not, make this command makes sure that all
1126 the items on this list level use the same bullet. Furthermore, if this
1127 is an ordered list, make sure the numbering is ok.
1130 Cycle the entire list level through the different itemize/enumerate
1131 bullets (@samp{-}, @samp{+}, @samp{*}, @samp{1.}, @samp{1)}).
1132 With prefix arg, select the nth bullet from this list.
1135 @node Drawers, orgstruct-mode, Plain lists, Document structure
1138 @cindex visibility cycling, drawers
1140 Sometimes you want to keep information associated with an entry, but you
1141 normally don't want to see it. For this, Org-mode has @emph{drawers}.
1142 Drawers need to be configured with the variable @code{org-drawers}, and
1146 ** This is a headline
1147 Still outside the drawer
1149 This is inside the drawer.
1154 Visibility cycling (@pxref{Visibility cycling}) on the headline will
1155 hide and show the entry, but keep the drawer collapsed to a single line.
1156 In order to look inside the drawer, you need to move the cursor to the
1157 drawer line and press @key{TAB} there. Org-mode uses a drawer for
1158 storing properties (@pxref{Properties and columns}).
1160 @node orgstruct-mode, , Drawers, Document structure
1161 @section The Orgstruct minor mode
1162 @cindex orgstruct-mode
1163 @cindex minor mode for structure editing
1165 If you like the intuitive way the Org-mode structure editing and list
1166 formatting works, you might want to use these commands in other modes
1167 like text-mode or mail-mode as well. The minor mode Orgstruct-mode
1168 makes this possible. You can always toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x
1169 orgstruct-mode}. To turn it on by default, for example in mail mode,
1173 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
1176 When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that looks to
1177 Org-mode like a headline of the first line of a list item, most
1178 structure editing commands will work, even if the same keys normally
1179 have different functionality in the major mode you are using. If the
1180 cursor is not in one of those special lines, Orgstruct-mode lurks
1181 silently in the shadow.
1183 @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document structure, Top
1186 @cindex editing tables
1188 Org-mode has a very fast and intuitive table editor built-in.
1189 Spreadsheet-like calculations are supported in connection with the
1190 Emacs @file{calc} package.
1193 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
1194 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
1195 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
1196 * orgtbl-mode:: The table editor as minor mode
1197 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities.
1200 @node Built-in table editor, Narrow columns, Tables, Tables
1201 @section The built-in table editor
1202 @cindex table editor, built-in
1204 Org-mode makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with
1205 @samp{|} as the first non-white character is considered part of a
1206 table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look
1210 | Name | Phone | Age |
1211 |-------+-------+-----|
1212 | Peter | 1234 | 17 |
1213 | Anna | 4321 | 25 |
1216 A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or
1217 @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to
1218 the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows
1219 at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation
1220 of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with
1221 @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be
1222 expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to
1223 create the above table, you would only type
1230 @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in
1233 When typing text into a field, Org-mode treats @key{DEL},
1234 @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that
1235 inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when
1236 typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field
1237 with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the
1238 field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too
1239 unpredictable for you, configure the variables
1240 @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}.
1243 @tsubheading{Creation and conversion}
1246 Convert the active region to table. If every line contains at least one
1247 TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab separated.
1248 If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You can use a prefix
1249 argument to indicate the minimum number of consecutive spaces required
1250 to identify a field separator (default: just one).@*
1251 If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org-mode
1252 table. But it's easier just to start typing, like
1253 @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}.
1255 @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
1258 Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
1262 Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if
1267 Re-align, move to previous field.
1271 Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if
1272 necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does
1273 NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table.
1275 @tsubheading{Column and row editing}
1276 @kindex M-@key{left}
1277 @kindex M-@key{right}
1279 @itemx M-@key{right}
1280 Move the current column left/right.
1282 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1283 @item M-S-@key{left}
1284 Kill the current column.
1286 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1287 @item M-S-@key{right}
1288 Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
1291 @kindex M-@key{down}
1294 Move the current row up/down.
1296 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1298 Kill the current row or horizontal line.
1300 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1301 @item M-S-@key{down}
1302 Insert a new row above (with arg: below) the current row.
1306 Insert a horizontal line below current row. With prefix arg, the line
1307 is created above the current line.
1311 Sort the table lines in the region. The position of point indicates the
1312 column to be used for sorting, and the range of lines is the range
1313 between the nearest horizontal separator lines, or the entire table. If
1314 point is before the first column, you will be prompted for the sorting
1315 column. If there is an active region, the mark specifies the first line
1316 and the sorting column, while point should be in the last line to be
1317 included into the sorting. The command prompts for the sorting type
1318 (alphabetically, numerically, or by time). When called with a prefix
1319 argument, alphabetic sorting will be case-sensitive.
1321 @tsubheading{Regions}
1324 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point
1325 and mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. The process ignores
1326 horizontal separator lines.
1330 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
1331 blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation.
1335 Paste a rectangular region into a table.
1336 The upper right corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields
1337 will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table,
1338 the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator
1343 Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active
1344 region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the
1345 column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A
1346 prefix ARG may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there
1347 is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the
1348 text fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one
1349 line down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix ARG, the
1350 current field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field
1353 @tsubheading{Calculations}
1354 @cindex formula, in tables
1355 @cindex calculations, in tables
1356 @cindex region, active
1357 @cindex active region
1358 @cindex transient-mark-mode
1361 Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by
1362 the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can
1363 be inserted with @kbd{C-y}.
1367 When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above.
1368 When not empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor
1369 along with it. Depending on the variable
1370 @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field values will be
1371 incremented during copy. This key is also used by CUA-mode
1372 (@pxref{Cooperation}).
1374 @tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
1377 Edit the current field in a separate window. This is useful for fields
1378 that are not fully visible (@pxref{Narrow columns}). When called with a
1379 @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be
1382 @kindex C-c @key{TAB}
1384 This is an alias for @kbd{C-u C-c `} to make the current field fully
1387 @item M-x org-table-import
1388 Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB- or whitespace
1389 separated. Useful, for example, to import an Excel table or data from a
1390 database, because these programs generally can write TAB-separated text
1391 files. This command works by inserting the file into the buffer and
1392 then converting the region to a table. Any prefix argument is passed on
1393 to the converter, which uses it to determine the separator.
1395 Tables can also be imported by pasting tabular text into the org-mode
1396 buffer, selecting the pasted text with @kbd{C-x C-x} and then using the
1397 @kbd{C-c |} command (see above under @i{Creation and conversion}.
1399 @item M-x org-table-export
1400 Export the table as a TAB-separated file. Useful for data exchange with,
1401 for example, Excel or database programs.
1404 If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your
1405 way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn
1409 (setq org-enable-table-editor nil)
1412 @noindent Then the only table command that still works is
1413 @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align.
1415 @node Narrow columns, Column groups, Built-in table editor, Tables
1416 @section Narrow columns
1417 @cindex narrow columns in tables
1419 The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor.
1420 Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text,
1421 leading to inconveniently wide columns. To limit@footnote{This feature
1422 does not work on XEmacs.} the width of a column, one field anywhere in
1423 the column may contain just the string @samp{<N>} where @samp{N} is an
1424 integer specifying the width of the column in characters. The next
1425 re-align will then set the width of this column to no more than this
1430 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1432 | 1 | one | | 1 | one |
1433 | 2 | two | ----\ | 2 | two |
1434 | 3 | This is a long chunk of text | ----/ | 3 | This=> |
1435 | 4 | four | | 4 | four |
1436 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1441 Fields that are wider become clipped and end in the string @samp{=>}.
1442 Note that the full text is still in the buffer, it is only invisible.
1443 To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field - a tool-tip window
1444 will show the full content. To edit such a field, use the command
1445 @kbd{C-c `} (that is @kbd{C-c} followed by the backquote). This will
1446 open a new window with the full field. Edit it and finish with @kbd{C-c
1449 When visiting a file containing a table with narrowed columns, the
1450 necessary character hiding has not yet happened, and the table needs to
1451 be aligned before it looks nice. Setting the option
1452 @code{org-startup-align-all-tables} will realign all tables in a file
1453 upon visiting, but also slow down startup. You can also set this option
1454 on a per-file basis with:
1461 @node Column groups, orgtbl-mode, Narrow columns, Tables
1462 @section Column groups
1463 @cindex grouping columns in tables
1465 When Org-mode exports tables, it does so by default without vertical
1466 lines because that is visually more satisfying in general. Occasionally
1467 however, vertical lines can be useful to structure a table into groups
1468 of columns, much like horizontal lines can do for groups of rows. In
1469 order to specify column groups, you can use a special row where the
1470 first field contains only @samp{/}. The further fields can either
1471 contain @samp{<} to indicate that this column should start a group,
1472 @samp{>} to indicate the end of a column, or @samp{<>} to make a column
1473 a group of its own. Boundaries between colum groups will upon export be
1474 marked with vertical lines. Here is an example:
1477 | | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1478 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1479 | / | <> | < | | > | < | > |
1480 | # | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1481 | # | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 1.4142 | 1.1892 |
1482 | # | 3 | 9 | 27 | 81 | 1.7321 | 1.3161 |
1483 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1484 #+TBLFM: $3=$2^2::$4=$2^3::$5=$2^4::$6=sqrt($2)::$7=sqrt(sqrt(($2))
1487 It is also sufficient to just insert the colum group starters after
1488 every vertical line you'd like to have:
1491 | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1492 |----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1496 @node orgtbl-mode, The spreadsheet, Column groups, Tables
1497 @section The Orgtbl minor mode
1499 @cindex minor mode for tables
1501 If you like the intuitive way the Org-mode table editor works, you
1502 might also want to use it in other modes like text-mode or mail-mode.
1503 The minor mode Orgtbl-mode makes this possible. You can always toggle
1504 the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for
1505 example in mail mode, use
1508 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
1511 Furthermore, with some special setup, it is possible to maintain tables
1512 in arbitrary syntax with Orgtbl-mode. For example, it is possible to
1513 construct LaTeX tables with the underlying ease and power of
1514 Orgtbl-mode, including spreadsheet capabilities. For details, see
1515 @ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}.
1517 @node The spreadsheet, , orgtbl-mode, Tables
1518 @section The spreadsheet
1519 @cindex calculations, in tables
1520 @cindex spreadsheet capabilities
1521 @cindex @file{calc} package
1523 The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to implement
1524 spreadsheet-like capabilities. It can also evaluate Emacs Lisp forms to
1525 derive fields from other fields. While fully featured, Org-mode's
1526 implementation is not identical to other spreadsheets. For example,
1527 Org-mode knows the concept of a @emph{column formula} that will be
1528 applied to all non-header fields in a column without having to copy the
1529 formula to each relevant field.
1532 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
1533 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
1534 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
1535 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
1536 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
1537 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
1538 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
1539 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
1542 @node References, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet, The spreadsheet
1543 @subsection References
1546 To compute fields in the table from other fields, formulas must
1547 reference other fields or ranges. In Org-mode, fields can be referenced
1548 by name, by absolute coordinates, and by relative coordinates. To find
1549 out what the coordinates of a field are, press @kbd{C-c ?} in that
1550 field, or press @kbd{C-c @}} to toggle the display of a grid.
1552 @subsubheading Field references
1553 @cindex field references
1554 @cindex references, to fields
1556 Formulas can reference the value of another field in two ways. Like in
1557 any other spreadsheet, you may reference fields with a letter/number
1558 combination like @code{B3}, meaning the 2nd field in the 3rd row.
1559 @c Such references are always fixed to that field, they don't change
1560 @c when you copy and paste a formula to a different field. So
1561 @c Org-mode's @code{B3} behaves like @code{$B$3} in other spreadsheets.
1564 Org-mode also uses another, more general operator that looks like this:
1570 Column references can be absolute like @samp{1}, @samp{2},...@samp{N},
1571 or relative to the current column like @samp{+1} or @samp{-2}.
1573 The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal
1574 separator lines (hlines). You can use absolute row numbers
1575 @samp{1}...@samp{N}, and row numbers relative to the current row like
1576 @samp{+3} or @samp{-1}. Or specify the row relative to one of the
1577 hlines: @samp{I} refers to the first hline, @samp{II} to the second etc.
1578 @samp{-I} refers to the first such line above the current line,
1579 @samp{+I} to the first such line below the current line. You can also
1580 write @samp{III+2} which is the second data line after the third hline
1581 in the table. Relative row numbers like @samp{-3} will not cross hlines
1582 if the current line is too close to the hline. Instead, the value
1583 directly at the hline is used.
1585 @samp{0} refers to the current row and column. Also, if you omit
1586 either the column or the row part of the reference, the current
1587 row/column is implied.
1589 Org-mode's references with @emph{unsigned} numbers are fixed references
1590 in the sense that if you use the same reference in the formula for two
1591 different fields, the same field will be referenced each time.
1592 Org-mode's references with @emph{signed} numbers are floating
1593 references because the same reference operator can reference different
1594 fields depending on the field being calculated by the formula.
1596 Here are a few examples:
1599 @@2$3 @r{2nd row, 3rd column}
1600 C2 @r{same as previous}
1601 $5 @r{column 5 in the current row}
1602 E& @r{same as previous}
1603 @@2 @r{current column, row 2}
1604 @@-1$-3 @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left}
1605 @@-I$2 @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2}
1608 @subsubheading Range references
1609 @cindex range references
1610 @cindex references, to ranges
1612 You may reference a rectangular range of fields by specifying two field
1613 references connected by two dots @samp{..}. If both fields are in the
1614 current row, you may simply use @samp{$2..$7}, but if at least one field
1615 is in a different row, you need to use the general @code{@@row$column}
1616 format at least for the first field (i.e the reference must start with
1617 @samp{@@} in order to be interpreted correctly). Examples:
1620 $1..$3 @r{First three fields in the current row.}
1621 $P..$Q @r{Range, using column names (see under Advanced)}
1622 @@2$1..@@4$3 @r{6 fields between these two fields.}
1623 A2..C4 @r{Same as above.}
1624 @@-1$-2..@@-1 @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row}
1627 @noindent Range references return a vector of values that can be fed
1628 into Calc vector functions. Empty fields in ranges are normally
1629 suppressed, so that the vector contains only the non-empty fields (but
1630 see the @samp{E} mode switch below). If there are no non-empty fields,
1631 @samp{[0]} is returned to avoid syntax errors in formulas.
1633 @subsubheading Named references
1634 @cindex named references
1635 @cindex references, named
1636 @cindex name, of column or field
1637 @cindex constants, in calculations
1639 @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or
1640 constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable
1641 @code{org-table-formula-constants}, and locally (for the file) through a
1645 #+CONSTANTS: c=299792458. pi=3.14 eps=2.4e-6
1649 Also properties (@pxref{Properties and columns}) can be used as
1650 constants in table formulas: For a property @samp{:XYZ:} use the name
1651 @samp{$PROP_XYZ}, and the property will be searched in the current
1652 outline entry and in the hierarchy above it. If you have the
1653 @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants,
1654 including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and
1655 units like @samp{$km} for kilometers@footnote{@file{Constant.el} can
1656 supply the values of constants in two different unit systems, @code{SI}
1657 and @code{cgs}. Which one is used depends on the value of the variable
1658 @code{constants-unit-system}. You can use the @code{#+STARTUP} options
1659 @code{constSI} and @code{constcgs} to set this value for the current
1660 buffer.}. Column names and parameters can be specified in special table
1661 lines. These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}. All
1662 names must start with a letter, and further consist of letters and
1665 @node Formula syntax for Calc, Formula syntax for Lisp, References, The spreadsheet
1666 @subsection Formula syntax for Calc
1667 @cindex formula syntax, Calc
1668 @cindex syntax, of formulas
1670 A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs
1671 @file{Calc} package. @b{Note that @file{calc} has the
1672 non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than
1673 @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}.} Before
1674 evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from
1675 Your Programs,calc-eval,Calling calc from Your Lisp Programs,calc,GNU
1676 Emacs Calc Manual}),
1677 @c FIXME: The link to the calc manual in HTML does not work.
1678 variable substitution takes place according to the rules described above.
1679 @cindex vectors, in table calculations
1680 The range vectors can be directly fed into the calc vector functions
1681 like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}.
1683 @cindex format specifier
1684 @cindex mode, for @file{calc}
1685 A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This
1686 string consists of flags to influence Calc and other modes during
1687 execution. By default, Org-mode uses the standard calc modes (precision
1688 12, angular units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off. The display
1689 format, however, has been changed to @code{(float 5)} to keep tables
1690 compact. The default settings can be configured using the variable
1691 @code{org-calc-default-modes}.
1694 p20 @r{switch the internal precision to 20 digits}
1695 n3 s3 e2 f4 @r{normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed display format}
1696 D R @r{angle modes: degrees, radians}
1697 F S @r{fraction and symbolic modes}
1698 N @r{interpret all fields as numbers, use 0 for non-numbers}
1699 T @r{force text interpretation}
1700 E @r{keep empty fields in ranges}
1704 In addition, you may provide a @code{printf} format specifier to
1705 reformat the final result. A few examples:
1708 $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field}
1709 $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals}
1710 exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used}
1711 $0;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal}
1712 ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion}
1713 $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}}
1714 tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1}
1715 sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display}
1716 vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function}
1717 vmean($2..$7);EN @r{Same, but treat empty fields as 0}
1718 taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree}
1721 Calc also contains a complete set of logical operations. For example
1724 if($1<20,teen,string("")) @r{``teen'' if age $1 less than 20, else empty}
1727 @node Formula syntax for Lisp, Field formulas, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet
1728 @subsection Emacs Lisp forms as formulas
1729 @cindex Lisp forms, as table formulas
1731 It is also possible to write a formula in Emacs Lisp; this can be useful
1732 for string manipulation and control structures, if the Calc's
1733 functionality is not enough. If a formula starts with a single quote
1734 followed by an opening parenthesis, then it is evaluated as a lisp form.
1735 The evaluation should return either a string or a number. Just as with
1736 @file{calc} formulas, you can specify modes and a printf format after a
1737 semicolon. With Emacs Lisp forms, you need to be concious about the way
1738 field references are interpolated into the form. By default, a
1739 reference will be interpolated as a Lisp string (in double quotes)
1740 containing the field. If you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all
1741 referenced elements will be numbers (non-number fields will be zero) and
1742 interpolated as Lisp numbers, without quotes. If you provide the
1743 @samp{L} flag, all fields will be interpolated literally, without quotes.
1744 I.e., if you want a reference to be interpreted as a string by the Lisp
1745 form, enclode the reference operator itself in double quotes, like
1746 @code{"$3"}. Ranges are inserted as space-separated fields, so you can
1747 embed them in list or vector syntax. A few examples, note how the
1748 @samp{N} mode is used when we do computations in lisp.
1751 @r{Swap the first two characters of the content of column 1}
1752 '(concat (substring $1 1 2) (substring $1 0 1) (substring $1 2))
1753 @r{Add columns 1 and 2, equivalent to the Calc's @code{$1+$2}}
1755 @r{Compute the sum of columns 1-4, like Calc's @code{vsum($1..$4)}}
1756 '(apply '+ '($1..$4));N
1759 @node Field formulas, Column formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet
1760 @subsection Field formulas
1761 @cindex field formula
1762 @cindex formula, for individual table field
1764 To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the
1765 field, preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=$1+$2}. When you
1766 press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in
1767 the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for this field,
1768 evaluated, and the current field replaced with the result.
1770 Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:}
1771 directly below the table. If you typed the equation in the 4th field of
1772 the 3rd data line in the table, the formula will look like
1773 @samp{@@3$4=$1+$2}. When inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows
1774 with the appropriate commands, @i{absolute references} (but not relative
1775 ones) in stored formulas are modified in order to still reference the
1776 same field. Of cause this is not true if you edit the table structure
1777 with normal editing commands - then you must fix the equations yourself.
1779 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
1785 Install a new formula for the current field. The command prompts for a
1786 formula, with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, applies
1787 it to the current field and stores it.
1790 @node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field formulas, The spreadsheet
1791 @subsection Column formulas
1792 @cindex column formula
1793 @cindex formula, for table column
1795 Often in a table, the same formula should be used for all fields in a
1796 particular column. Instead of having to copy the formula to all fields
1797 in that column, org-mode allows to assign a single formula to an entire
1798 column. If the table contains horizontal separator hlines, everything
1799 before the first such line is considered part of the table @emph{header}
1800 and will not be modified by column formulas.
1802 To assign a formula to a column, type it directly into any field in the
1803 column, preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press
1804 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the
1805 field, the formula will be stored as the formula for the current column,
1806 evaluated and the current field replaced with the result. If the field
1807 contains only @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for this column is
1808 used. For each column, Org-mode will only remember the most recently
1809 used formula. In the @samp{TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like
1812 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
1818 Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field
1819 with the result of the formula. The command prompts for a formula, with
1820 default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM} line, applies it to the current
1821 field and stores it. With a numerical prefix (e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =})
1822 will apply it to that many consecutive fields in the current column.
1826 @node Editing and debugging formulas, Updating the table, Column formulas, The spreadsheet
1827 @subsection Editing and Debugging formulas
1828 @cindex formula editing
1829 @cindex editing, of table formulas
1831 You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the
1832 field. Org-mode can also prepare a special buffer with all active
1833 formulas of a table. When offering a formula for editing, Org-mode
1834 converts references to the standard format (like @code{B3} or @code{D&})
1835 if possible. If you prefer to only work with the internal format (like
1836 @code{@@3$2} or @code{$4}), configure the variable
1837 @code{org-table-use-standard-references}.
1844 Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the
1845 minibuffer. See @ref{Column formulas} and @ref{Field formulas}.
1846 @kindex C-u C-u C-c =
1848 Re-insert the active formula (either a
1849 field formula, or a column formula) into the current field, so that you
1850 can edit it directly in the field. The advantage over editing in the
1851 minibuffer is that you can use the command @kbd{C-c ?}.
1854 While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s)
1855 referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula.
1858 Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using
1859 overlays. These are updated each time the table is aligned, you can
1860 force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
1863 Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below.
1866 Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the
1867 formulas will be displayed one per line. If the current field has an
1868 active formula, the cursor in the formula editor will mark it.
1869 While inside the special buffer, Org-mode will automatically highlight
1870 any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit,
1871 remove and add formulas, and use the following commands:
1877 Exit the formula editor and store the modified formulas. With @kbd{C-u}
1878 prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.
1881 Exit the formula editor without installing changes.
1884 Toggle all references in the formula editor between standard (like
1885 @code{B3}) and internal (like @code{@@3$2}).
1888 Pretty-print or indent lisp formula at point. When in a line containing
1889 a lisp formula, format the formula according to Emacs Lisp rules.
1890 Another @key{TAB} collapses the formula back again. In the open
1891 formula, @key{TAB} re-indents just like in Emacs-lisp-mode.
1894 Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs-lisp-mode.
1896 @kindex S-@key{down}
1897 @kindex S-@key{left}
1898 @kindex S-@key{right}
1899 @item S-@key{up}/@key{down}/@key{left}/@key{right}
1900 Shift the reference at point. For example, if the reference is
1901 @code{B3} and you press @kbd{S-@key{right}}, it will become @code{C3}.
1902 This also works for relative references, and for hline references.
1903 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1904 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1905 @item M-S-@key{up}/@key{down}
1906 Move the test line for column formulas in the Org-mode buffer up and
1909 @kindex M-@key{down}
1910 @item M-@key{up}/@key{down}
1911 Scroll the window displaying the table.
1914 Turn the coordinate grid in the table on and off.
1918 Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with
1919 the field, because that is stored in a different line (the @samp{TBLFM}
1920 line) - during the next recalculation the field will be filled again.
1921 To remove a formula from a field, you have to give an empty reply when
1922 prompted for the formula, or to edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} line.
1925 You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply the changed
1926 equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line, or with the normal
1927 recalculation commands in the table.
1929 @subsubheading Debugging formulas
1930 @cindex formula debugging
1931 @cindex debugging, of table formulas
1932 When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content
1933 becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going
1934 on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a bug,
1935 turn on formula debugging in the @code{Tbl} menu and repeat the
1936 calculation, for example by pressing @kbd{C-u C-u C-c = @key{RET}} in a
1937 field. Detailed information will be displayed.
1939 @node Updating the table, Advanced features, Editing and debugging formulas, The spreadsheet
1940 @subsection Updating the Table
1941 @cindex recomputing table fields
1942 @cindex updating, table
1944 Recalculation of a table is normally not automatic, but needs to be
1945 triggered by a command. See @ref{Advanced features} for a way to make
1946 recalculation at least semi-automatically.
1948 In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the
1954 Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas
1955 from left to right, and all field formulas in the current row.
1961 Recompute the entire table, line by line. Any lines before the first
1962 hline are left alone, assuming that these are part of the table header.
1964 @kindex C-u C-u C-c *
1966 Iterate the table by recomputing it until no further changes occur.
1967 This may be necessary if some computed fields use the value of other
1968 fields that are computed @i{later} in the calculation sequence.
1971 @node Advanced features, , Updating the table, The spreadsheet
1972 @subsection Advanced features
1974 If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically, or if
1975 you want to be able to assign @i{names} to fields and columns, you need
1976 to reserve the first column of the table for special marking characters.
1980 Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{},
1981 @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. The meaning of these characters
1982 is discussed below. When there is an active region, change all marks in
1986 Here is an example of a table that collects exam results of students and
1987 makes use of these features:
1991 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1992 | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note |
1993 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1994 | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | |
1995 | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 |
1996 | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | |
1997 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1998 | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 |
1999 | # | Sara | 6 | 14 | 19 | 39 | 7.8 |
2000 | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 |
2001 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2002 | | Average | | | | 29.7 | |
2003 | ^ | | | | | at | |
2004 | $ | max=50 | | | | | |
2005 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2006 #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(@@-II..@@-I);%.1f
2010 @noindent @b{Important}: Please note that for these special tables,
2011 recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows that
2012 are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and fields that have a formula assigned
2013 to the field itself. The column formulas are not applied in rows with
2016 @cindex marking characters, tables
2017 The marking characters have the following meaning:
2020 The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may
2021 refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}.
2023 This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such
2024 a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to
2025 the value @samp{10}. Also, if you assign a formula to a names field, it
2026 will be stored as @samp{$name=...}.
2028 Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row
2031 Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For
2032 example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then
2033 formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}.
2034 Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on
2037 Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing
2038 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row
2039 is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked
2040 lines will be left alone by this command.
2042 Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but
2043 not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic
2044 recalculation slows down editing too much.
2046 Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}.
2047 All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#}
2050 Do not export this line. Useful for lines that contain the narrowing
2054 Finally, just to whet your appetite on what can be done with the
2055 fantastic @file{calc} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor
2056 series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of functions
2057 (homework: try that with Excel :-)
2061 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2062 | | Func | n | x | Result |
2063 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2064 | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x |
2065 | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 |
2066 | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 |
2067 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 |
2068 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 |
2069 | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 |
2070 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2071 #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3
2075 @node Hyperlinks, TODO items, Tables, Top
2079 Just like HTML, Org-mode provides links inside a file, and external
2080 links to other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more.
2083 * Link format:: How links in Org-mode are formatted
2084 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
2085 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
2086 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
2087 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
2088 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
2089 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
2090 * Remember:: Org-trees store quick notes
2093 @node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
2094 @section Link format
2096 @cindex format, of links
2098 Org-mode will recognize plain URL-like links and activate them as
2099 clickable links. The general link format, however, looks like this:
2102 [[link][description]] @r{or alternatively} [[link]]
2105 Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org-mode
2106 will change the display so that @samp{description} is displayed instead
2107 of @samp{[[link][description]]} and @samp{link} is displayed instead of
2108 @samp{[[link]]}. Links will be highlighted in the face @code{org-link},
2109 which by default is an underlined face. You can directly edit the
2110 visible part of a link. Note that this can be either the @samp{link}
2111 part (if there is no description) or the @samp{description} part. To
2112 edit also the invisible @samp{link} part, use @kbd{C-c C-l} with the
2115 If you place the cursor at the beginning or just behind the end of the
2116 displayed text and press @key{BACKSPACE}, you will remove the
2117 (invisible) bracket at that location. This makes the link incomplete
2118 and the internals are again displayed as plain text. Inserting the
2119 missing bracket hides the link internals again. To show the
2120 internal structure of all links, use the menu entry
2121 @code{Org->Hyperlinks->Literal links}.
2123 @node Internal links, External links, Link format, Hyperlinks
2124 @section Internal links
2125 @cindex internal links
2126 @cindex links, internal
2127 @cindex targets, for links
2129 If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in
2130 the current file. Links such as @samp{[[My Target]]} or @samp{[[My
2131 Target][Find my target]]} lead to a text search in the current file.
2132 The link can be followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} when the cursor is on the
2133 link, or with a mouse click (@pxref{Handling links}). The preferred
2134 match for such a link is a dedicated target: the same string in double
2135 angular brackets. Targets may be located anywhere; sometimes it is
2136 convenient to put them into a comment line. For example
2142 @noindent In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such targets will become
2143 named anchors for direct access through @samp{http} links@footnote{Note
2144 that text before the first headline is usually not exported, so the
2145 first such target should be after the first headline.}.
2147 If no dedicated target exists, Org-mode will search for the words in the
2148 link. In the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}.
2149 Links starting with a star like @samp{*My Target} restrict the search to
2150 headlines. When searching, Org-mode will first try an exact match, but
2151 then move on to more and more lenient searches. For example, the link
2152 @samp{[[*My Targets]]} will find any of the following:
2156 ** TODO my targets are bright
2157 ** my 20 targets are
2160 To insert a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used.
2161 Just type a star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer and
2162 press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will be
2163 offered as completions. @xref{Handling links}, for more commands
2166 Following a link pushes a mark onto Org-mode's own mark ring. You can
2167 return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command
2168 several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded
2172 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text.
2175 @node Radio targets, , Internal links, Internal links
2176 @subsection Radio targets
2177 @cindex radio targets
2178 @cindex targets, radio
2179 @cindex links, radio targets
2181 You can configure Org-mode to link any occurrences of certain target
2182 names in normal text. So without explicitly creating a link, the text
2183 connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are
2184 enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target
2185 @samp{<<<My Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in
2186 normal text to become activated as a link. The Org-mode file is
2187 scanned automatically for radio targets only when the file is first
2188 loaded into Emacs. To update the target list during editing, press
2189 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor on or at a target.
2191 @node External links, Handling links, Internal links, Hyperlinks
2192 @section External links
2193 @cindex links, external
2194 @cindex external links
2195 @cindex links, external
2202 @cindex WANDERLUST links
2204 @cindex USENET links
2209 Org-mode supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages,
2210 and BBDB database entries. External links are URL-like locators. They
2211 start with a short identifying string followed by a colon. There can be
2212 no space after the colon. The following list shows examples for each
2216 http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik @r{on the web}
2217 file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{file, absolute path}
2218 file:papers/last.pdf @r{file, relative path}
2219 news:comp.emacs @r{Usenet link}
2220 mailto:adent@@galaxy.net @r{Mail link}
2221 vm:folder @r{VM folder link}
2222 vm:folder#id @r{VM message link}
2223 vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id @r{VM on remote machine}
2224 wl:folder @r{WANDERLUST folder link}
2225 wl:folder#id @r{WANDERLUST message link}
2226 mhe:folder @r{MH-E folder link}
2227 mhe:folder#id @r{MH-E message link}
2228 rmail:folder @r{RMAIL folder link}
2229 rmail:folder#id @r{RMAIL message link}
2230 gnus:group @r{GNUS group link}
2231 gnus:group#id @r{GNUS article link}
2232 bbdb:Richard Stallman @r{BBDB link}
2233 shell:ls *.org @r{A shell command}
2234 elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{An elisp form to evaluate}
2237 A link should be enclosed in double brackets and may contain a
2238 descriptive text to be displayed instead of the url (@pxref{Link
2239 format}), for example:
2242 [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/][GNU Emacs]]
2246 If the description is a file name or URL that points to an image, HTML
2247 export (@pxref{HTML export}) will inline the image as a clickable
2248 button. If there is no description at all and the link points to an
2250 that image will be inlined into the exported HTML file.
2252 @cindex angular brackets, around links
2253 @cindex plain text external links
2254 Org-mode also finds external links in the normal text and activates them
2255 as links. If spaces must be part of the link (for example in
2256 @samp{bbdb:Richard Stallman}), or if you need to remove ambiguities
2257 about the end of the link, enclose them in angular brackets.
2259 @node Handling links, Link abbreviations, External links, Hyperlinks
2260 @section Handling links
2261 @cindex links, handling
2263 Org-mode provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
2264 insert it into an org-mode file, and to follow the link.
2268 @cindex storing links
2270 Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command
2271 which can be used in any buffer to create a link. The link will be
2272 stored for later insertion into an Org-mode buffer (see below). For
2273 Org-mode files, if there is a @samp{<<target>>} at the cursor, the link
2274 points to the target. Otherwise it points to the current headline. For
2275 VM, RMAIL, WANDERLUST, MH-E, GNUS and BBDB buffers, the link will
2276 indicate the current article/entry. For W3 and W3M buffers, the link
2277 goes to the current URL. For any other files, the link will point to
2278 the file, with a search string (@pxref{Search options}) pointing to the
2279 contents of the current line. If there is an active region, the
2280 selected words will form the basis of the search string. If the
2281 automatically created link is not working correctly or accurately
2282 enough, you can write custom functions to select the search string and
2283 to do the search for particular file types - see @ref{Custom searches}.
2284 The key binding @kbd{C-c l} is only a suggestion - see @ref{Installation}.
2287 @cindex link completion
2288 @cindex completion, of links
2289 @cindex inserting links
2291 Insert a link. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the buffer.
2292 You can just type a link, using text for an internal link, or one of the
2293 link type prefixes mentioned in the examples above. All links stored
2294 during the current session are part of the history for this prompt, so
2295 you can access them with @key{up} and @key{down}. Completion, on the
2296 other hand, will help you to insert valid link prefixes like
2297 @samp{http:} or @samp{ftp:}, including the prefixes defined through link
2298 abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}). The link will be inserted
2299 into the buffer@footnote{After insertion of a stored link, the link will
2300 be removed from the list of stored links. To keep it in the list later
2301 use, use a triple @kbd{C-u} prefix to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the
2302 option @code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}, along with a
2303 descriptive text. If some text was selected when this command is
2304 called, the selected text becomes the default description.@* Note that
2305 you don't have to use this command to insert a link. Links in Org-mode
2306 are plain text, and you can type or paste them straight into the buffer.
2307 By using this command, the links are automatically enclosed in double
2308 brackets, and you will be asked for the optional descriptive text.
2310 @c If the link is a @samp{file:} link and
2311 @c the linked file is located in the same directory as the current file or
2312 @c a subdirectory of it, the path of the file will be inserted relative to
2313 @c the current directory.
2316 @cindex file name completion
2317 @cindex completion, of file names
2319 When @kbd{C-c C-l} is called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, a link to
2320 a file will be inserted and you may use file name completion to select
2321 the name of the file. The path to the file is inserted relative to the
2322 directory of the current org file, if the linked file is in the current
2323 directory or in a subdirectory of it, or if the path is written relative
2324 to the current directory using @samp{../}. Otherwise an absolute path
2325 is used, if possible with @samp{~/} for your home directory. You can
2326 force an absolute path with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes.
2328 @item C-c C-l @r{(with cursor on existing link)}
2329 When the cursor is on an existing link, @kbd{C-c C-l} allows you to edit the
2330 link and description parts of the link.
2332 @cindex following links
2335 Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using
2336 @command{browse-url-at-point}), run vm/mh-e/wanderlust/rmail/gnus/bbdb
2337 for the corresponding links, and execute the command in a shell link.
2338 When the cursor is on an internal link, this commands runs the
2339 corresponding search. When the cursor is on a TAG list in a headline,
2340 it creates the corresponding TAGS view. If the cursor is on a time
2341 stamp, it compiles the agenda for that date. Furthermore, it will visit
2342 text and remote files in @samp{file:} links with Emacs and select a
2343 suitable application for local non-text files. Classification of files
2344 is based on file extension only. See option @code{org-file-apps}. If
2345 you want to override the default application and visit the file with
2346 Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u} prefix.
2352 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just as @kbd{C-c C-o}
2353 would. Under Emacs 22, also @kbd{mouse-1} will follow a link.
2357 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs, and
2358 internal links to be displayed in another window@footnote{See the
2359 variable @code{org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer}}.
2364 Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
2365 easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
2367 @cindex links, returning to
2370 Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the
2371 commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this
2372 command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of
2373 previously recorded positions.
2377 @cindex links, finding next/previous
2380 Move forward/backward to the next link in the buffer. At the limit of
2381 the buffer, the search fails once, and then wraps around. The key
2382 bindings for this are really too long, you might want to bind this also
2383 to @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{C-p}
2385 (add-hook 'org-load-hook
2387 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-n" 'org-next-link)
2388 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-p" 'org-previous-link)))
2392 @node Link abbreviations, Search options, Handling links, Hyperlinks
2393 @section Link abbreviations
2394 @cindex link abbreviations
2395 @cindex abbreviation, links
2397 Long URLs can be cumbersome to type, and often many similar links are
2398 needed in a document. For this you can use link abbreviations. An
2399 abbreviated link looks like this
2402 [[linkword:tag][description]]
2406 where the tag is optional. Such abbreviations are resolved according to
2407 the information in the variable @code{org-link-abbrev-alist} that
2408 relates the linkwords to replacement text. Here is an example:
2412 (setq org-link-abbrev-alist
2413 '(("bugzilla" . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=")
2414 ("google" . "http://www.google.com/search?q=")
2415 ("ads" . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/
2416 nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST")))
2420 If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be
2421 replaced with the tag. Otherwise the tag will be appended to the string
2422 in order to create the link. You may also specify a function that will
2423 be called with the tag as the only argument to create the link.
2425 With the above setting, you could link to a specific bug with
2426 @code{[[bugzilla:129]]}, search the web for @samp{OrgMode} with
2427 @code{[[google:OrgMode]]} and find out what the Org-mode author is
2428 doing besides Emacs hacking with @code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}.
2430 If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org-mode buffer, you
2431 can define them in the file with
2434 #+LINK: bugzilla http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=
2435 #+LINK: google http://www.google.com/search?q=%s
2439 In-buffer completion @pxref{Completion} can be used after @samp{[} to
2440 complete link abbreviations.
2442 @node Search options, Custom searches, Link abbreviations, Hyperlinks
2443 @section Search options in file links
2444 @cindex search option in file links
2445 @cindex file links, searching
2447 File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a
2448 particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a
2449 line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward
2450 compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon. For
2451 example, when the command @kbd{C-c l} creates a link (@pxref{Handling
2452 links}) to a file, it encodes the words in the current line as a search
2453 string that can be used to find this line back later when following the
2454 link with @kbd{C-c C-o}.
2456 Here is the syntax of the different ways to attach a search to a file
2457 link, together with an explanation:
2460 [[file:~/code/main.c::255]]
2461 [[file:~/xx.org::My Target]]
2462 [[file:~/xx.org::*My Target]]
2463 [[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]]
2470 Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, or do a text search for
2471 @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see
2472 @ref{Internal links}. In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such a file
2473 link will become an HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in
2476 In an Org-mode file, restrict search to headlines.
2478 Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs
2479 command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the
2480 target file is in Org-mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a
2481 sparse tree with the matches.
2482 @c If the target file is a directory,
2483 @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory.
2486 As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used
2487 to search the current file. For example, @code{[[file:::find me]]} does
2488 a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just as
2489 @samp{[[find me]]} would.
2491 @node Custom searches, Remember, Search options, Hyperlinks
2492 @section Custom Searches
2493 @cindex custom search strings
2494 @cindex search strings, custom
2496 The default mechanism for creating search strings and for doing the
2497 actual search related to a file link may not work correctly in all
2498 cases. For example, BibTeX database files have many entries like
2499 @samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings,
2500 because the only unique identification for a BibTeX entry is the
2503 If you come across such a problem, you can write custom functions to set
2504 the right search string for a particular file type, and to do the search
2505 for the string in the file. Using @code{add-hook}, these functions need
2506 to be added to the hook variables
2507 @code{org-create-file-search-functions} and
2508 @code{org-execute-file-search-functions}. See the docstring for these
2509 variables for more information. Org-mode actually uses this mechanism
2510 for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as
2511 an implementation example. Search for @samp{BibTeX links} in the source
2515 @node Remember, , Custom searches, Hyperlinks
2517 @cindex @file{remember.el}
2519 Another way to create org entries with links to other files is through
2520 the @i{remember} package by John Wiegley. @i{Remember} lets you store
2521 quick notes with little interruption of your work flow. See
2522 @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/RememberMode} for more
2523 information. The notes produced by @i{Remember} can be stored in
2524 different ways, and Org-mode files are a good target. Org-mode
2525 significantly expands the possibilities of @i{remember}: You may define
2526 templates for different note types, and to associate target files and
2527 headlines with specific templates. It also allows you to select the
2528 location where a note should be stored interactively, on the fly.
2531 * Setting up remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
2532 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
2533 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
2536 @node Setting up remember, Remember templates, Remember, Remember
2537 @subsection Setting up remember
2539 The following customization will tell @i{remember} to use org files as
2540 target, and to create annotations compatible with Org-mode links.
2543 (setq org-directory "~/path/to/my/orgfiles/")
2544 (setq org-default-notes-file "~/.notes")
2545 (setq remember-annotation-functions '(org-remember-annotation))
2546 (setq remember-handler-functions '(org-remember-handler))
2547 (add-hook 'remember-mode-hook 'org-remember-apply-template)
2550 @node Remember templates, Storing notes, Setting up remember, Remember
2551 @subsection Remember templates
2552 @cindex templates, for remember
2554 In combination with Org-mode, you can use templates to generate
2555 different types of @i{remember} notes. For example, if you would like
2556 to use one template to create general TODO entries, another one for
2557 journal entries, and a third one for collecting random ideas, you could
2561 (setq org-remember-templates
2562 '((?t "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/TODO.org")
2563 (?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org")
2564 (?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
2567 @noindent In these entries, the character specifies how to select the
2568 template. The first string specifies the template. Two more (optional)
2569 strings give the file in which, and the headline under which the new
2570 note should be stored. The file defaults (if not present or @code{nil})
2571 to @code{org-default-notes-file}, the heading to
2572 @code{org-remember-default-headline}. Both defaults help to get to the
2573 storing location quickly, but you can change the location interactively
2574 while storing the note.
2576 When you call @kbd{M-x remember} (or @kbd{M-x org-remember}) to remember
2577 something, org will prompt for a key to select the template (if you have
2578 more than one template) and then prepare the buffer like
2581 [[file:link to where you called remember]]
2587 * [2006-03-21 Tue 15:37]
2589 [[file:link to where you called remember]]
2593 During expansion of the template, special @kbd{%}-escapes allow dynamic
2594 insertion of content:
2596 %^@{prompt@} @r{prompt the user for a string and replace this sequence with it.}
2597 %t @r{time stamp, date only}
2598 %T @r{time stamp with date and time}
2599 %u, %U @r{like the above, but inactive time stamps}
2600 %^t @r{like @code{%t}, but prompt for date. Similarly @code{%^T}, @code{%^u}, @code{%^U}}
2601 @r{You may define a prompt like @code{%^@{Birthday@}t}}
2602 %n @r{user name (taken from @code{user-full-name})}
2603 %a @r{annotation, normally the link created with @code{org-store-link}}
2604 %i @r{initial content, the region when remember is called with C-u.}
2605 @r{The entire text will be indented like @code{%i} itself.}
2606 %^g @r{prompt for tags, with completion on tags in target file.}
2607 %^G @r{prompt for tags, with completion all tags in all agenda files.}
2608 %:keyword @r{specific information for certain link types, see below}
2612 For specific link types, the following keywords will be defined:
2615 Link type | Available keywords
2616 -------------------+----------------------------------------------
2617 bbdb | %:name %:company
2618 vm, wl, mh, rmail | %:type %:subject %:message-id
2619 | %:from %:fromname %:fromaddress
2620 | %:to %:toname %:toaddress
2621 | %:fromto @r{(either "to NAME" or "from NAME")@footnote{This will always be the other, not the user. See the variable @code{org-from-is-user-regexp}.}}
2622 gnus | %:group, @r{for messages also all email fields}
2624 info | %:file %:node
2629 To place the cursor after template expansion use:
2632 %? @r{After completing the template, position cursor here.}
2636 If you change you mind about which template to use, call
2637 @code{org-remember} in the remember buffer. You may then select a new
2638 template that will be filled with the previous context information.
2640 @node Storing notes, , Remember templates, Remember
2641 @subsection Storing notes
2643 When you are finished preparing a note with @i{remember}, you have to press
2644 @kbd{C-c C-c} to file the note away. The handler first prompts for a
2645 target file - if you press @key{RET}, the value specified for the
2646 template is used. Then the command offers the headings tree of the
2647 selected file, with the cursor position at the default headline (if you
2648 had specified one in the template). You can either immediately press
2649 @key{RET} to get the note placed there. Or you can use the following
2650 keys to find a better location:
2652 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
2653 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
2654 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
2655 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
2657 @c 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
2660 Pressing @key{RET} or @key{left} or @key{right}
2661 then leads to the following result.
2663 @multitable @columnfractions 0.2 0.15 0.65
2664 @item @b{Cursor position} @tab @b{Key} @tab @b{Note gets inserted}
2665 @item buffer-start @tab @key{RET} @tab as level 2 heading at end of file
2666 @item on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab as sublevel of the heading at cursor
2667 @item @tab @key{left}/@key{right} @tab as same level, before/after current heading
2668 @item not on headline @tab @key{RET}
2669 @tab at cursor position, level taken from context.
2672 So a fast way to store the note to its default location is to press
2673 @kbd{C-c C-c @key{RET} @key{RET}}. Even shorter would be @kbd{C-u C-c
2674 C-c}, which does the same without even asking for a file or showing the
2677 Before inserting the text into a tree, the function ensures that the
2678 text has a headline, i.e. a first line that starts with a @samp{*}.
2679 If not, a headline is constructed from the current date and some
2680 additional data. If the variable @code{org-adapt-indentation} is
2681 non-nil, the entire text is also indented so that it starts in the
2682 same column as the headline (after the asterisks).
2685 @node TODO items, Tags, Hyperlinks, Top
2689 Org-mode does not maintain TODO lists as a separate document. TODO
2690 items are an integral part of the notes file, because TODO items
2691 usually come up while taking notes! With Org-mode, you simply mark
2692 any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way, the
2693 information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the
2694 item emerged is always present when you check.
2696 Of course, this technique causes TODO items to be scattered throughout
2697 your file. Org-mode provides methods to give you an overview over all
2698 things you have to do.
2701 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
2702 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
2703 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
2704 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
2705 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
2708 @node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO items, TODO items
2709 @section Basic TODO functionality
2711 Any headline can become a TODO item by starting it with the word TODO,
2715 *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune
2719 The most important commands to work with TODO entries are:
2723 @cindex cycling, of TODO states
2725 Rotate the TODO state of the current item among
2728 ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --.
2729 '--------------------------------'
2732 The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and
2733 agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
2734 @kindex S-@key{right}
2735 @kindex S-@key{left}
2738 Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling. Mostly
2739 useful if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO extensions}).
2741 @cindex sparse tree, for TODO
2743 View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds
2744 the entire buffer, but shows all TODO items and the headings hierarchy
2745 above them. With prefix arg, search for a specific TODO. You will be
2746 prompted for the keyword, and you can also give a list of keywords like
2747 @code{kwd1|kwd2|...}. With numerical prefix N, show the tree for the
2748 Nth keyword in the variable @code{org-todo-keywords}. With two prefix
2749 args, find all TODO and DONE entries.
2752 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
2753 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
2754 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
2755 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
2756 @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
2757 @c @item @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo}
2758 @c If you would like to have all your TODO items listed as part of your
2759 @c agenda, customize the variable @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo}.
2760 @kindex S-M-@key{RET}
2762 Insert a new TODO entry below the current one.
2765 @node TODO extensions, Priorities, TODO basics, TODO items
2766 @section Extended use of TODO keywords
2767 @cindex extended TODO keywords
2769 The default implementation of TODO entries is just two states: TODO and
2770 DONE. You can use the TODO feature for more complicated things by
2771 configuring the variable @code{org-todo-keywords}. With special setup,
2772 the TODO keyword system can work differently in different files.
2774 Note that @i{tags} are another way to classify headlines in general and
2775 TODO items in particular (@pxref{Tags}).
2778 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
2779 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred the rest
2780 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
2781 * Per file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
2784 @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions
2785 @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states
2786 @cindex TODO workflow
2787 @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords
2789 You can use TODO keywords to indicate different @emph{sequential} states
2790 in the process of working on an item, for example@footnote{Changing
2791 this variable only becomes effective after restarting Org-mode in a
2795 (setq org-todo-keywords
2796 '((sequence "TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "|" "DONE" "DELEGATED")))
2799 The vertical bar separates the TODO keywords (states that @emph{need
2800 action}) from the DONE states (which need @emph{no further action}. If
2801 you don't provide the separator bar, the last state is used as the DONE
2803 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
2804 With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from TODO
2805 to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE and DELEGATED. You may
2806 also use a prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For
2807 example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
2808 If you define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion (see
2809 @ref{Completion}) to insert these words into the buffer. Changing a
2810 todo state can be logged with a timestamp, see @ref{Tracking TODO state
2811 changes} for more information.
2813 @node TODO types, Multiple sets in one file, Workflow states, TODO extensions
2814 @subsection TODO keywords as types
2816 @cindex names as TODO keywords
2817 @cindex types as TODO keywords
2819 The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different
2820 @emph{types} of action items. For example, you might want to indicate
2821 that items are for ``work'' or ``home''. Or, when you work with several
2822 people on a single project, you might want to assign action items
2823 directly to persons, by using their names as TODO keywords. This would
2824 be set up like this:
2827 (setq org-todo-keywords '((type "Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "|" "DONE")))
2830 In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather
2831 different types. So the normal work flow would be to assign a task to a
2832 person, and later to mark it DONE. Org-mode supports this style by
2833 adapting the workings of the command @kbd{C-c C-t}@footnote{This is also
2834 true for the @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When
2835 used several times in succession, it will still cycle through all names,
2836 in order to first select the right type for a task. But when you return
2837 to the item after some time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will
2838 switch from any name directly to DONE. Use prefix arguments or
2839 completion to quickly select a specific name. You can also review the
2840 items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree by using a numeric prefix
2841 to @kbd{C-c C-v}. For example, to see all things Lucy has to do, you
2842 would use @kbd{C-3 C-c C-v}. To collect Lucy's items from all agenda
2843 files into a single buffer, you would use the prefix arg as well when
2844 creating the global todo list: @kbd{C-3 C-c t}.
2846 @node Multiple sets in one file, Per file keywords, TODO types, TODO extensions
2847 @subsection Multiple keyword sets in one file
2848 @cindex todo keyword sets
2850 Sometimes you may want to use different sets of TODO keywords in
2851 parallel. For example, you may want to have the basic
2852 @code{TODO}/@code{DONE}, but also a workflow for bug fixing, and a
2853 separate state indicating that an item has been canceled (so it is not
2854 DONE, but also does not require action). Your setup would then look
2858 (setq org-todo-keywords
2859 '((sequence "TODO" "|" "DONE")
2860 (sequence "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED")
2861 (sequence "|" "CANCELED")))
2864 The keywords should all be different, this helps Org-mode to keep track
2865 of which subsequence should be used for a given entry. In this setup,
2866 @kbd{C-c C-t} only operates within a subsequence, so it switches from
2867 @code{DONE} to (nothing) to @code{TODO}, and from @code{FIXED} to
2868 (nothing) to @code{REPORT}. Therefore you need a mechanism to initially
2869 select the correct sequence. Besides the obvious ways like typing a
2870 keyword or using completion, you may also apply the following commands:
2873 @kindex C-S-@key{right}
2874 @kindex C-S-@key{left}
2875 @item C-S-@key{right}
2876 @itemx C-S-@key{left}
2877 These keys jump from one TODO subset to the next. In the above example,
2878 @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} would jump from @code{TODO} or @code{DONE} to
2879 @code{REPORT}, and any of the words in the second row to @code{CANCELED}.
2880 @kindex S-@key{right}
2881 @kindex S-@key{left}
2884 @kbd{S-@key{<left>}} and @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} and walk through
2885 @emph{all} keywords from all sets, so for example @kbd{S-@key{<right>}}
2886 would switch from @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT} in the example above.
2889 @node Per file keywords, , Multiple sets in one file, TODO extensions
2890 @subsection Setting up keywords for individual files
2891 @cindex keyword options
2892 @cindex per file keywords
2894 It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in
2895 different files. For file-local settings, you need to add special lines
2896 to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that file
2897 only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed above, you
2898 need one of the following lines, starting in column zero anywhere in the
2902 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY | DONE CANCELED
2906 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike | DONE
2909 A setup for using several sets in parallel would be:
2912 #+SEQ_TODO: "TODO" "|" "DONE"
2913 #+SEQ_TODO: "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED"
2914 #+SEQ_TODO: "|" "CANCELED"
2918 @cindex completion, of option keywords
2920 @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type
2921 @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion.
2923 @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword
2924 Remember that the keywords after the vertical bar (or the last keyword
2925 if no bar is there) must always mean that the item is DONE (although you
2926 may use a different word). After changing one of these lines, use
2927 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to make the changes
2928 known to Org-mode@footnote{Org-mode parses these lines only when
2929 Org-mode is activated after visiting a file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
2930 cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+} is simply restarting Org-mode
2931 for the current buffer.}.
2933 @node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, TODO extensions, TODO items
2937 If you use Org-mode extensively to organize your work, you may end up
2938 with a number of TODO entries so large that you'd like to prioritize
2939 them. This can be done by placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the
2943 *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
2947 With its standard setup, Org-mode supports priorities @samp{A},
2948 @samp{B}, and @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry
2949 without a cookie is treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a
2950 difference only in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}).
2955 Set the priority of the current headline. The command prompts for a
2956 priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press
2957 @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline.
2958 The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and
2959 agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
2962 @kindex S-@key{down}
2965 Increase/decrease priority of current headline. Note that these keys
2966 are also used to modify time stamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}).
2967 Furthermore, these keys are also used by CUA-mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
2970 You can change the range of allowed priorities by setting the variables
2971 @code{org-highest-priority}, @code{org-lowest-priority}, and
2972 @code{org-default-priority}. For an individual buffer, you may set
2973 these values (highest, lowest, default) like this (please make sure that
2974 the highest priority is earlier in the alphabet than the lowest
2981 @node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO items
2982 @section Breaking tasks down into subtasks
2983 @cindex tasks, breaking down
2985 It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable
2986 subtasks. You can do this by creating an outline tree below a TODO
2987 item, with detailed subtasks on the tree@footnote{To keep subtasks out
2988 of the global TODO list, see the
2989 @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels}.}. Another possibility is the use
2990 of checkboxes to identify (a hierarchy of) a large number of subtasks
2991 (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
2994 @node Checkboxes, , Breaking down tasks, TODO items
2998 Every item in a plain list (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made a checkbox
2999 by starting it with the string @samp{[ ]}. This feature is similar to
3000 TODO items (@pxref{TODO items}), but more lightweight. Checkboxes are
3001 not included into the global TODO list, so they are often great to split
3002 a task into a number of simple steps. Or you can use them in a shopping
3003 list. To toggle a checkbox, use @kbd{C-c C-c}, or try Piotr Zielinski's
3004 @file{org-mouse.el}. Here is an example of a checkbox list.
3007 * TODO Organize party [3/6]
3013 - [ ] think about what music to play
3014 - [X] talk to the neighbors
3017 @cindex statistics, for checkboxes
3018 @cindex checkbox statistics
3019 The @samp{[3/6]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are
3020 cookies indicating how many checkboxes are present in this entry, and
3021 how many of them have been checked off. This can give you an idea on
3022 how many checkboxes remain, even without opening a folded entry. The
3023 cookies can be placed into a headline or into (the first line of) a
3024 plain list item. Each cookie covers all checkboxes structurally below
3025 that headline/item. You have to insert the cookie yourself by typing
3026 either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]}. In the first case you get an @samp{n
3027 out of m} result, in the second case you get information about the
3028 percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be
3029 @samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%], respectively}).
3031 @noindent The following commands work with checkboxes:
3036 Toggle checkbox at point. With prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]},
3037 which is considered to be an intermediate state.
3040 Toggle checkbox at point.
3043 If there is an active region, toggle the first checkbox in the region
3044 and set all remaining boxes to the same status as the first. If you
3045 want to toggle all boxes in the region independently, use a prefix
3048 If the cursor is in a headline, toggle checkboxes in the region between
3049 this headline and the next (so @emph{not} the entire subtree).
3051 If there is no active region, just toggle the checkbox at point.
3053 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
3055 Insert a new item with a checkbox.
3056 This works only if the cursor is already in a plain list item
3057 (@pxref{Plain lists}).
3060 Update the checkbox statistics in the current outline entry. When
3061 called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, update the entire file. Checkbox
3062 statistic cookies are updated automatically if you toggle checkboxes
3063 with @kbd{C-c C-c} and make new ones with @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}}. If you
3064 delete boxes or add/change them by hand, use this command to get things
3065 back into synch. Or simply toggle any checkbox twice with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
3069 @node Tags, Properties and columns, TODO items, Top
3072 @cindex headline tagging
3073 @cindex matching, tags
3074 @cindex sparse tree, tag based
3076 If you wish to implement a system of labels and contexts for
3077 cross-correlating information, an excellent way is to assign @i{tags} to
3078 headlines. Org-mode has extensive support for using tags.
3080 Every headline can contain a list of tags, at the end of the headline.
3081 Tags are normal words containing letters, numbers, @samp{_}, and
3082 @samp{@@}. Tags must be preceded and followed by a single colon; like
3083 @samp{:WORK:}. Several tags can be specified like @samp{:WORK:URGENT:}.
3086 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
3087 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
3088 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
3091 @node Tag inheritance, Setting tags, Tags, Tags
3092 @section Tag inheritance
3093 @cindex inheritance, of tags
3094 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into tags match
3096 @i{Tags} make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees. If a
3097 heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
3098 well. For example, in the list
3101 * Meeting with the French group :WORK:
3102 ** Summary by Frank :BOSS:NOTES:
3103 *** TODO Prepare slides for him :ACTION:
3107 the final heading will have the tags @samp{:WORK:}, @samp{:BOSS:},
3108 @samp{:NOTES:}, and @samp{:ACTION:}. When executing tag searches and
3109 Org-mode finds that a certain headline matches the search criterion, it
3110 will not check any sublevel headline, assuming that these likely also
3111 match, and that the list of matches can become very long. This may
3112 not be what you want, however, and you can influence inheritance and
3113 searching using the variables @code{org-use-tag-inheritance} and
3114 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}.
3116 @node Setting tags, Tag searches, Tag inheritance, Tags
3117 @section Setting tags
3118 @cindex setting tags
3119 @cindex tags, setting
3122 Tags can simply be typed into the buffer at the end of a headline.
3123 After a colon, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on tags. There is
3124 also a special command for inserting tags:
3129 @cindex completion, of tags
3130 Enter new tags for the current headline. Org-mode will either offer
3131 completion or a special single-key interface for setting tags, see
3132 below. After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will be inserted and aligned
3133 to @code{org-tags-column}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all
3134 tags in the current buffer will be aligned to that column, just to make
3135 things look nice. TAGS are automatically realigned after promotion,
3136 demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
3139 Org will support tag insertion based on a @emph{list of tags}. By
3140 default this list is constructed dynamically, containing all tags
3141 currently used in the buffer. You may also globally specify a hard list
3142 of tags with the variable @code{org-tag-alist}. Finally you can set
3143 the default tags for a given file with lines like
3146 #+TAGS: @@WORK @@HOME @@TENNISCLUB
3147 #+TAGS: Laptop Car PC Sailboat
3150 If you have globally defined your preferred set of tags using the
3151 variable @code{org-tag-alist}, but would like to use a dynamic tag list
3152 in a specific file: Just add an empty TAGS option line to that file:
3158 The default support method for entering tags is minibuffer completion.
3159 However, Org-mode also implements a much better method: @emph{fast tag
3160 selection}. This method allows to select and deselect tags with a
3161 single key per tag. To function efficiently, you should assign unique
3162 keys to most tags. This can be done globally with
3165 (setq org-tag-alist '(("@@WORK" . ?w) ("@@HOME" . ?h) ("Laptop" . ?l)))
3168 @noindent or on a per-file basis with
3171 #+TAGS: @@WORK(w) @@HOME(h) @@TENNISCLUB(t) Laptop(l) PC(p)
3175 You can also group together tags that are mutually exclusive. With
3176 curly braces@footnote{In @code{org-mode-alist} use
3177 @code{'(:startgroup)} and @code{'(:endgroup)}, respectively. Several
3178 groups are allowed.}
3181 #+TAGS: @{ @@WORK(w) @@HOME(h) @@TENNISCLUB(t) @} Laptop(l) PC(p)
3184 @noindent you indicate that at most one of @samp{@@WORK}, @samp{@@HOME},
3185 and @samp{@@TENNISCLUB} should be selected.
3187 @noindent Don't forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in one of
3188 these lines to activate any changes.
3190 If at least one tag has a selection key, pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} will
3191 automatically present you with a special interface, listing inherited
3192 tags, the tags of the current headline, and a list of all legal tags
3193 with corresponding keys@footnote{Keys will automatically be assigned to
3194 tags which have no configured keys.}. In this interface, you can use
3199 Pressing keys assigned to tags will add or remove them from the list of
3200 tags in the current line. Selecting a tag in a group of mutually
3201 exclusive tags will turn off any other tags from that group.
3204 Enter a tag in the minibuffer, even if the tag is not in the predefined
3205 list. You will be able to complete on all tags present in the buffer.
3208 Clear all tags for this line.
3211 Accept the modified set.
3213 Abort without installing changes.
3215 If @kbd{q} is not assigned to a tag, it aborts like @kbd{C-g}.
3217 Turn off groups of mutually exclusive tags. Use this to (as an
3218 exception) assign several tags from such a group.
3220 Toggle auto-exit after the next change (see below).
3221 If you are using expert mode, the first @kbd{C-c} will display the
3226 This method lets you assign tags to a headline with very few keys. With
3227 the above setup, you could clear the current tags and set @samp{@@HOME},
3228 @samp{Laptop} and @samp{PC} tags with just the following keys: @kbd{C-c
3229 C-c @key{SPC} h l p @key{RET}}. Switching from @samp{@@HOME} to
3230 @samp{@@WORK} would be done with @kbd{C-c C-c w @key{RET}} or
3231 alternatively with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c w}. Adding the non-predefined tag
3232 @samp{Sarah} could be done with @kbd{C-c C-c @key{TAB} S a r a h
3233 @key{RET} @key{RET}}.
3235 If you find that most of the time, you need only a single keypress to
3236 modify your list of tags, set the variable
3237 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-single-key}. Then you no longer have to
3238 press @key{RET} to exit fast tag selection - it will immediately exit
3239 after the first change. If you then occasionally need more keys, press
3240 @kbd{C-c} to turn off auto-exit for the current tag selection process
3241 (in effect: start selection with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c} instead of @kbd{C-c
3242 C-c}). If you set the variable to the value @code{expert}, the special
3243 window is not even shown for single-key tag selection, it comes up only
3244 when you press an extra @kbd{C-c}.
3246 @node Tag searches, , Setting tags, Tags
3247 @section Tag searches
3248 @cindex tag searches
3249 @cindex searching for tags
3251 Once a tags system has been set up, it can be used to collect related
3252 information into special lists.
3257 Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search. With a
3258 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
3261 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
3262 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
3265 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
3266 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
3267 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
3270 @cindex Boolean logic, for tag searches
3271 A @i{tags} search string can use Boolean operators @samp{&} for AND and
3272 @samp{|} for OR. @samp{&} binds more strongly than @samp{|}.
3273 Parenthesis are currently not implemented. A tag may also be preceded
3274 by @samp{-}, to select against it, and @samp{+} is syntactic sugar for
3275 positive selection. The AND operator @samp{&} is optional when @samp{+}
3276 or @samp{-} is present. Examples:
3280 Select headlines tagged @samp{:WORK:}, but discard those also tagged
3283 Selects lines tagged @samp{:WORK:} or @samp{:LAPTOP:}.
3284 @item WORK|LAPTOP&NIGHT
3285 Like before, but require the @samp{:LAPTOP:} lines to be tagged also
3289 @cindex TODO keyword matching, with tags search
3290 If you are using multi-state TODO keywords (@pxref{TODO extensions}), it
3291 can be useful to also match on the TODO keyword. This can be done by
3292 adding a condition after a slash to a tags match. The syntax is similar
3293 to the tag matches, but should be applied with consideration: For
3294 example, a positive selection on several TODO keywords can not
3295 meaningfully be combined with boolean AND. However, @emph{negative
3296 selection} combined with AND can be meaningful. To make sure that only
3297 lines are checked that actually have any TODO keyword, use @kbd{C-c a
3298 M}, or equivalently start the todo part after the slash with @samp{!}.
3303 Select @samp{:WORK:}-tagged TODO lines with the specific TODO
3304 keyword @samp{WAITING}.
3305 @item WORK/!-WAITING-NEXT
3306 Select @samp{:WORK:}-tagged TODO lines that are neither @samp{WAITING}
3308 @item WORK/+WAITING|+NEXT
3309 Select @samp{:WORK:}-tagged TODO lines that are either @samp{WAITING} or
3313 @cindex regular expressions, with tags search
3314 Any element of the tag/todo match can be a regular expression - in this
3315 case it must be enclosed in curly braces. For example,
3316 @samp{WORK+@{^BOSS.*@}} matches headlines that contain the tag
3317 @samp{WORK} and any tag @i{starting} with @samp{BOSS}.
3319 @cindex level, require for tags match
3320 You can also require a headline to be of a certain level, by writing
3321 instead of any TAG an expression like @samp{LEVEL=3}. For example, a
3322 search @samp{+LEVEL=3+BOSS/-DONE} lists all level three headlines that
3323 have the tag BOSS and are @emph{not} marked with the todo keyword DONE.
3325 @node Properties and columns, Timestamps, Tags, Top
3326 @chapter Properties and Columns
3329 Properties are a set of key-value pairs associated with an entry. There
3330 are two main applications for properties in Org-mode. First, properties
3331 are like tags, but with a value. For example, in a file where you
3332 document bugs and plan releases of a piece of software, instead of using
3333 tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, it can be more
3334 efficient to use a property @code{RELEASE} with a value @code{1.0} or
3335 @code{2.0}. Second, you can use properties to implement (very basic)
3336 database capabilities in an Org-mode buffer, for example to create a
3337 list of Music CD's you own. You can edit and view properties
3338 conveniently in column view (@pxref{Column view}).
3341 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
3342 * Special properties:: Access to other Org-mode features
3343 * Property searches:: Matching property values
3344 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
3345 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
3348 @node Property syntax, Special properties, Properties and columns, Properties and columns
3349 @section Property Syntax
3350 @cindex property syntax
3351 @cindex drawer, for properties
3353 Properties are key-value pairs. They need to be inserted into a special
3354 drawer (@pxref{Drawers}) with the name @code{PROPERTIES}. Each property
3355 is specified on a single line, with the key (surrounded by colons)
3356 first, and the value after it. Here is an example:
3361 *** Goldberg Variations
3363 :Title: Goldberg Variations
3364 :Composer: J.S. Bach
3366 :Publisher: Deutsche Grammphon
3371 You may define the allowed values for a particular property @samp{XYZ}
3372 by setting a property @samp{XYZ_ALL}. This special property is
3373 @emph{inherited}, so if you set it in a level 1 entry, it will apply to
3374 the entire tree. When allowed values are defined, setting the
3375 corresponding property becomes easier and is less prone to typing
3376 errors. For the example with the CD collection, we can predefine
3377 publishers and the number of disks in a box like this:
3382 :NDisks_ALL: 1 2 3 4
3383 :Publisher_ALL: "Deutsche Grammophon" Phillips EMI
3388 The following commands help to work with properties:
3393 After an initial colon in a line, complete property keys. All keys used
3394 in the current file will be offered as possible completions.
3395 @item M-x org-insert-property-drawer
3396 Insert a property drawer into the current entry. The drawer will be
3397 inserted early in the entry, but after the lines with planning
3398 information like deadlines.
3401 With the cursor in a property drawer, this executes property commands.
3403 Set a property in the current entry. Both the property and the value
3404 can be inserted using completion.
3405 @kindex S-@key{right}
3406 @kindex S-@key{left}
3407 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
3408 Switch property at point to the next/previous allowed value.
3410 Remove a property from the current entry.
3412 Globally remove a property, from all entries in the current file.
3415 @node Special properties, Property searches, Property syntax, Properties and columns
3416 @section Special Properties
3417 @cindex properties, special
3419 Special properties provide alternative access method to Org-mode
3420 features discussed in the previous chapters, like the TODO state or the
3421 priority of an entry. This interface exists so that you can include
3422 these states into columns view (@pxref{Column view}). The following
3423 property names are special and should not be used as keys in the
3427 TODO @r{The TODO keyword of the entry.}
3428 TAGS @r{The tags defined directly in the headline.}
3429 ALLTAGS @r{All tags, including inherited ones.}
3430 PRIORITY @r{The priority of the entry, a string with a single letter.}
3431 DEADLINE @r{The deadline time string, without the angular brackets.}
3432 SCHEDULED @r{The scheduling time stamp, without the angular brackets.}
3435 @node Property searches, Column view, Special properties, Properties and columns
3436 @section Property searches
3437 @cindex properties, searching
3439 To create sparse trees and special lists with selection based on
3440 properties, the same commands are used as for tag searches (@pxref{Tag
3441 searches}), and the same logic applies. For example, a search string
3444 +WORK-BOSS+PRIORITY="A"+coffee="unlimited"+with=@{Sarah\|Denny@}
3448 finds entries tagged @samp{:WORK:} but not @samp{:BOSS:}, which
3449 also have a priority value @samp{A}, a @samp{:coffee:} property with the
3450 value @samp{unlimited}, and a @samp{:with:} property that is matched by
3451 the regular expression @samp{Sarah\|Denny}.
3453 @node Column view, Property API, Property searches, Properties and columns
3454 @section Column View
3456 A great way to view and edit properties in an outline tree is
3457 @emph{column view}. In column view, each outline item is turned into a
3458 table row. Columns in this table provide access to properties of the
3459 entries. Org-mode implements columns by overlaying a tabular structure
3460 over the headline of each item. While the headlines have been turned
3461 into a table row, you can still change the visibility of the outline
3462 tree. For example, you get a compact table by switching to CONTENTS
3463 view (@kbd{S-@key{TAB} S-@key{TAB}}, or simply @kbd{c} while column view
3464 is active), but you can still open, read, and edit the entry below each
3465 headline. Or, you can switch to column view after executing a sparse
3466 tree command and in this way get a table only for the selected items.
3467 Column view also works in agenda buffers (@pxref{Agenda views}) where
3468 queries have collected selected items, possibly from a number of files.
3471 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
3472 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
3475 @node Defining columns, Using column view, Column view, Column view
3476 @subsection Defining Columns
3477 @cindex column view, for properties
3478 @cindex properties, column view
3480 Setting up a column view first requires defining the columns. This is
3481 done by defining a column format line.
3484 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
3485 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
3488 @node Scope of column definitions, Column attributes, Defining columns, Defining columns
3489 @subsubsection Scope of column definitions
3491 To define a column format for an entire file, use a line like
3494 #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
3497 To specify a format that only applies to a specific tree, add a COLUMNS
3498 property to the top node of that tree, for example
3500 ** Top node for columns view
3502 :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
3506 If a @code{COLUMNS} property is present in an entry, it defines columns
3507 for the entry itself, and for the entire subtree below it. Since the
3508 column definition is part of the hierarchical structure of the document,
3509 you can define columns on level 1 that are general enough for all
3510 sublevels, and more specific columns further down, when you edit a
3511 deeper part of the tree.
3513 @node Column attributes, , Scope of column definitions, Defining columns
3514 @subsubsection Column attributes
3515 A column definition sets the attributes of a column. The general
3516 definition looks like this:
3519 %[width]property[(title)][@{summary-type@}]
3523 Except for the percent sign and the property name, all items are
3524 optional. The individual parts have the following meaning:
3527 width @r{An integer specifying the width of the column in characters.}
3528 @r{If omitted, the width will be determined automatically.}
3529 property @r{The property that should be edited in this column.}
3530 (title) @r{The header text for the column. If omitted, the}
3531 @r{property name is used.}
3532 @{summary-type@} @r{The summary type. If specified, the column values for}
3533 @r{parent nodes are computed from the children.}
3534 @r{Supported summary types are:}
3535 @{+@} @r{Sum numbers in this column.}
3536 @{:@} @r{Sum times, HH:MM:SS, plain numbers are hours.}
3537 @{X@} @r{Checkbox status, [X] if all children are [X].}
3541 Here is an example for a complete columns definition, along with allowed
3545 :COLUMNS: %20ITEM %9Approved(Approved?)@{X@} %Owner %11Status %10Time_Spent@{:@}
3546 :Owner_ALL: Tammy Mark Karl Lisa Don
3547 :Status_ALL: "In progress" "Not started yet" "Finished" ""
3548 :Approved_ALL: "[ ]" "[X]"
3551 The first column, @samp{%25ITEM}, means the first 25 characters of the
3552 item itself, i.e. of the headline. You probably always should start the
3553 column definition with the ITEM specifier. The other specifiers create
3554 columns @samp{Owner} with a list of names as allowed values, for
3555 @samp{Status} with four different possible values, and for a checkbox
3556 field @samp{Approved}. When no width is given after the @samp{%}
3557 character, the column will be exactly as wide as it needs to be in order
3558 to fully display all values. The @samp{Approved} column does have a
3559 modified title (@samp{Approved?}, with a question mark). Summaries will
3560 be created for the @samp{Time_Spent} column by adding time duration
3561 expressions like HH:MM, and for the @samp{Approved} column, by providing
3562 an @samp{[X]} status if all children have been checked.
3564 @node Using column view, , Defining columns, Column view
3565 @subsection Using Column View
3568 @tsubheading{Turning column view on and off}
3571 Create the column view for the local environment. This command searches
3572 the hierarchy, up from point, for a @code{COLUMNS} property that defines
3573 a format. When one is found, the column view table is established for
3574 the entire tree, starting from the entry that contains the @code{COLUMNS}
3575 property. If none is found, the format is taken from the @code{#+COLUMNS}
3576 line or from the variable @code{org-columns-default-format}, and column
3577 view is established for the current entry and its subtree.
3581 @tsubheading{Editing values}
3582 @item @key{left} @key{right} @key{up} @key{down}
3583 Move through the column view from field to field.
3584 @kindex S-@key{left}
3585 @kindex S-@key{right}
3586 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
3587 Switch to the next/previous allowed value of the field. For this, you
3588 have to have specified allowed values for a property.
3592 Same as @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}
3595 Edit the property at point. For the special properties, this will
3596 invoke the same interface that you normally use to change that
3597 property. For example, when editing a TAGS property, the tag completion
3598 or fast selection interface will pop up.
3601 View the full value of this property. This is useful if the width of
3602 the column is smaller than that of the value.
3605 Edit the list of allowed values for this property. If the list is found
3606 in the hierarchy, the modified values is stored there. If no list is
3607 found, the new value is stored in the first entry that is part of the
3608 current column view.
3609 @tsubheading{Modifying the table structure}
3613 Make the column narrower/wider by one character.
3614 @kindex S-M-@key{right}
3615 @item S-M-@key{right}
3616 Insert a new column, to the right of the current column.
3617 @kindex S-M-@key{left}
3618 @item S-M-@key{left}
3619 Delete the current column.
3622 @node Property API, , Column view, Properties and columns
3623 @section The Property API
3624 @cindex properties, API
3625 @cindex API, for properties
3627 There is a full API for accessing and changing properties. This API can
3628 be used by Emacs Lisp programs to work with properties and to implement
3629 features based on them. For more information see @ref{Using the
3632 @node Timestamps, Agenda views, Properties and columns, Top
3637 Items can be labeled with timestamps to make them useful for project
3641 * Time stamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
3642 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
3643 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
3644 * Progress logging:: Documenting when what work was done.
3648 @node Time stamps, Creating timestamps, Timestamps, Timestamps
3649 @section Time stamps, deadlines and scheduling
3651 @cindex ranges, time
3656 A time stamp is a specification of a date (possibly with time or a range
3657 of times) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or
3658 @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue
3659 12:00-12:30>}@footnote{This is the standard ISO date/time format. If
3660 you cannot get used to these, see @ref{Custom time format}}. A time
3661 stamp can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an org-tree entry.
3662 Its presence causes entries to be shown on specific dates in the agenda
3663 (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}). We distinguish:
3666 @item Plain time stamp
3668 A simple time stamp just assigns a date/time to an item. This is just
3669 like writing down an appointment in a paper agenda, or like writing down
3670 an event in a diary, when you want to take note of when something
3671 happened. In the timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry
3672 associated with a plain time stamp will be shown exactly on that date.
3675 * Meet Peter at the movies <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15>
3676 * Discussion on climate change <2006-11-02 Thu 20:00-22:00>
3679 @item Time stamp with repeater interval
3680 @cindex timestamp, with repeater interval
3681 A time stamp may contain a @emph{repeater interval}, indicating that it
3682 applies not only on the given date, but again and again after a certain
3683 interval of N days (d), weeks (w), months(m), or years(y). The
3684 following will show up in the agenda every Wednesday:
3687 * Pick up Sam at school <2007-05-16 Wed 12:30 +1w>
3690 @item Diary-style sexp entries
3691 For more complex date specifications, Org-mode supports using the
3692 special sexp diary entries implemented in the Emacs calendar/diary
3693 package. For example
3696 * The nerd meeting on every 2nd Thursday of the month
3697 <%%(diary-float t 4 2)>
3700 @item Time/Date range
3703 Two time stamps connected by @samp{--} denote a range. The headline
3704 will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on any dates
3705 that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an example:
3708 ** Meeting in Amsterdam
3709 <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu>
3712 @item Inactive time stamp
3713 @cindex timestamp, inactive
3714 @cindex inactive timestamp
3715 Just like a plain time stamp, but with square brackets instead of
3716 angular ones. These time stamps are inactive in the sense that they do
3717 @emph{not} trigger an entry to show up in the agenda.
3720 * Gillian comes late for the fifth time [2006-11-01 Wed]
3725 @node Creating timestamps, Deadlines and scheduling, Time stamps, Timestamps
3726 @section Creating timestamps
3727 @cindex creating timestamps
3728 @cindex timestamps, creating
3730 For Org-mode to recognize time stamps, they need to be in the specific
3731 format. All commands listed below produce time stamps in the correct
3737 Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding time stamp. When the
3738 cursor is at a previously used time stamp, it is updated to NOW. When
3739 this command is used twice in succession, a time range is inserted.
3743 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but use the alternative format which contains date
3744 and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5 minutes,
3745 see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}.
3749 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive time stamp that will not cause
3754 Insert a time stamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
3758 Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a
3759 timestamp in the current line, goto the corresponding date
3764 Access the agenda for the date given by the time stamp or -range at
3765 point (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}).
3767 @kindex S-@key{left}
3768 @kindex S-@key{right}
3770 @itemx S-@key{right}
3771 Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with
3772 CUA-mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
3775 @kindex S-@key{down}
3778 Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on a
3779 year, month, day, hour or minute. Note that if the cursor is in a
3780 headline and not at a time stamp, these same keys modify the priority of
3781 an item. (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with
3782 CUA-mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
3785 @cindex evaluate time range
3787 Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and
3788 end. With prefix arg, insert result after the time range (in a table:
3789 into the following column).
3794 * The date/time prompt:: How org-mode helps you entering date and time
3795 * Custom time format:: Making dates look differently
3798 @node The date/time prompt, Custom time format, Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps
3799 @subsection The date/time prompt
3800 @cindex date, reading in minibuffer
3801 @cindex time, reading in minibuffer
3803 When Org-mode prompts for a date/time, the prompt suggests to enter an
3804 ISO date. But it will in fact accept any string containing some date
3805 and/or time information. You can, for example, use @kbd{C-y} to paste a
3806 (possibly multi-line) string copied from an email message. Org-mode
3807 will find whatever information is in there and will replace anything not
3808 specified with the current date and time. For example:
3811 3-2-5 --> 2003-02-05
3812 feb 15 --> currentyear-02-15
3813 sep 12 9 --> 2009-09-12
3814 12:45 --> today 12:45
3815 22 sept 0:34 --> currentyear-09-22 0:34
3816 12 --> currentyear-currentmonth-12
3817 Fri --> nearest Friday (today or later)
3818 +4 --> 4 days from now (if +N is the only thing given)
3821 The function understands English month and weekday abbreviations. If
3822 you want to use unabbreviated names and/or other languages, configure
3823 the variables @code{parse-time-months} and @code{parse-time-weekdays}.
3825 @cindex calendar, for selecting date
3826 Parallel to the minibuffer prompt, a calendar is popped up@footnote{If
3827 you don't need/want the calendar, configure the variable
3828 @code{org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt}.}. When you exit the date
3829 prompt, either by clicking on a date in the calendar, or by pressing
3830 @key{RET}, the date selected in the calendar will be combined with the
3831 information entered at the prompt. You can control the calendar fully
3832 from the minibuffer:
3837 Scroll calendar backwards by one month.
3840 Scroll calendar forwards by one month.
3843 Select date by clicking on it.
3844 @kindex S-@key{right}
3847 @kindex S-@key{left}
3850 @kindex S-@key{down}
3856 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
3857 @item M-S-@key{right}
3859 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
3860 @item M-S-@key{left}
3864 Choose date in calendar (only if nothing was typed into minibuffer).
3867 @node Custom time format, , The date/time prompt, Creating timestamps
3868 @subsection Custom time format
3869 @cindex custom date/time format
3870 @cindex time format, custom
3871 @cindex date format, custom
3873 Org-mode uses the standard ISO notation for dates and times as it is
3874 defined in ISO 8601. If you cannot get used to this and require another
3875 representation of date and time to keep you happy, you can get it by
3876 customizing the variables @code{org-display-custom-times} and
3877 @code{org-time-stamp-custom-formats}.
3882 Toggle the display of custom formats for dates and times.
3886 Org-mode needs the default format for scanning, so the custom date/time
3887 format does not @emph{replace} the default format - instead it is put
3888 @emph{over} the default format using text properties. This has the
3889 following consequences:
3892 You cannot place the cursor onto a time stamp anymore, only before or
3895 The @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} keys can no longer be used to adjust
3896 each component of a time stamp. If the cursor is at the beginning of
3897 the stamp, @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} will change the stamp by one day,
3898 just like @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}. At the end of the stamp, the
3899 time will be changed by one minute.
3901 If the time stamp contains a range of clock times or a repeater, these
3902 will not be overlayed, but remain in the buffer as they were.
3904 When you delete a time stamp character-by-character, it will only
3905 disappear from the buffer after @emph{all} (invisible) characters
3906 belonging to the ISO timestamp have been removed.
3908 If the custom time stamp format is longer than the default and you are
3909 using dates in tables, table alignment will be messed up. If the custom
3910 format is shorter, things do work as expected.
3914 @node Deadlines and scheduling, Progress logging, Creating timestamps, Timestamps
3915 @section Deadlines and Scheduling
3917 A time stamp may be preceded by special keywords to facilitate planning
3922 @cindex DEADLINE keyword
3923 The task (most likely a TODO item) is supposed to be finished on that
3924 date, and it will be listed then. In addition, the compilation for
3925 @emph{today} will carry a warning about the approaching or missed
3926 deadline, starting @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date,
3927 and continuing until the entry is marked DONE. An example:
3930 *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide
3931 The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]]
3932 DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
3936 @cindex SCHEDULED keyword
3937 You are planning to start working on that task on the given date. The
3938 headline will be listed under the given date@footnote{It will still be
3939 listed on that date after it has been marked DONE. If you don't like
3940 this, set the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done}.}. In
3941 addition, a reminder that the scheduled date has passed will be present
3942 in the compilation for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE.
3943 I.e., the task will automatically be forwarded until completed.
3946 *** TODO Call Trillian for a date on New Years Eve.
3947 SCHEDULED: <2004-12-25 Sat>
3952 * Inserting deadline/schedule::
3956 @node Inserting deadline/schedule, Repeated tasks, Deadlines and scheduling, Deadlines and scheduling
3957 @subsection Inserting deadline/schedule
3959 The following commands allow to quickly insert a deadline or to schedule
3966 Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
3967 happen in the line directly following the headline.
3968 @c FIXME Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed.????????
3971 @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
3973 Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or
3974 which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}.
3975 With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric
3976 prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c C-w} shows
3977 all deadlines due tomorrow.
3981 Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
3982 happen in the line directly following the headline. Any CLOSED
3983 timestamp will be removed.
3986 @node Repeated tasks, , Inserting deadline/schedule, Deadlines and scheduling
3987 @subsection Repeated Tasks
3989 Some tasks need to be repeated again and again, and Org-mode therefore
3990 allows to use a repeater in a DEADLINE or SCHEDULED time stamp, for
3993 ** TODO Pay the rent
3994 DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m>
3997 Deadlines and scheduled items produce entries in the agenda when they
3998 are over-due, so it is important to be able to mark such an entry as
3999 completed once you have done so. When you mark a DEADLINE or a SCHEDULE
4000 with the todo keyword DONE, it will no longer produce entries in the
4001 agenda. The problem with this is, however, that then also the
4002 @emph{next} instance of the repeated entry will not be active. Org-mode
4003 deals with this in the following way: When you try to mark such an entry
4004 DONE (using @kbd{C-c C-t}), it will shift the base date of the repeating
4005 time stamp by the repeater interval, and immediately set the entry state
4006 back to TODO. In the example above, setting the state to DONE would
4007 actually switch the date like this:
4010 ** TODO Pay the rent
4011 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue +1m>
4014 You will also be prompted for a note that will be put under the DEADLINE
4015 line to keep a record that you actually acted on the previous instance
4018 As a consequence of shifting the base date, this entry will no longer be
4019 visible in the agenda when checking past dates, but all future instances
4022 You may have both scheduling and deadline information for a specific
4023 task - just make sure that the repeater intervals on both are the same.
4025 @node Progress logging, , Deadlines and scheduling, Timestamps
4026 @section Progress Logging
4027 @cindex progress logging
4028 @cindex logging, of progress
4030 Org-mode can automatically record a time stamp when you mark a TODO item
4031 as DONE, or even each time when you change the state of a TODO item.
4032 You can also measure precisely the time you spent on specific items in a
4033 project by starting and stopping a clock when you start and stop working
4034 on an aspect of a project.
4037 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
4038 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
4039 * Clocking work time:: When exactly did you work on this item?
4042 @node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging
4043 @subsection Closing items
4045 If you want to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO item was
4046 finished, turn on logging with@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer
4047 setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}}
4050 (setq org-log-done t)
4054 Then each time you turn a TODO entry into DONE using either @kbd{C-c
4055 C-t} in the Org-mode buffer or @kbd{t} in the agenda buffer, a line
4056 @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted just after the headline. If
4057 you turn the entry back into a TODO item through further state cycling,
4058 that line will be removed again. In the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and
4059 in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}), you can then use the
4060 @kbd{l} key to display the TODO items closed on each day, giving you an
4061 overview of what has been done on a day. If you want to record a note
4062 along with the timestamp, use@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer
4063 setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognotedone}}
4066 (setq org-log-done '(done))
4069 @node Tracking TODO state changes, Clocking work time, Closing items, Progress logging
4070 @subsection Tracking TODO state changes
4072 When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow
4073 states}), you might want to keep track of when a state change occurred,
4074 and you may even want to attach notes to that state change. With the
4078 (setq org-log-done '(state))
4082 each state change will prompt you for a note that will be attached to
4083 the current headline. Very likely you do not want this verbose tracking
4084 all the time, so it is probably better to configure this behavior with
4085 in-buffer options. For example, if you are tracking purchases, put
4086 these into a separate file that starts with:
4089 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO ORDERED INVOICE PAYED RECEIVED SENT
4090 #+STARTUP: lognotestate
4094 @node Clocking work time, , Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging
4095 @subsection Clocking work time
4097 Org-mode allows you to clock the time you spent on specific tasks in a
4098 project. When you start working on an item, you can start the clock.
4099 When you stop working on that task, or when you mark the task done, the
4100 clock is stopped and the corresponding time interval is recorded. It
4101 also computes the total time spent on each subtree of a project.
4106 Start the clock on the current item (clock-in). This inserts the CLOCK
4107 keyword together with a timestamp.
4110 Stop the clock (clock-out). The inserts another timestamp at the same
4111 location where the clock was last started. It also directly computes
4112 the resulting time in inserts it after the time range as @samp{=>
4113 HH:MM}. See the variable @code{org-log-done} for the possibility to
4114 record an additional note together with the clock-out time
4115 stamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP:
4119 Recompute the time interval after changing one of the time stamps. This
4120 is only necessary if you edit the time stamps directly. If you change
4121 them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic.
4124 Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock
4125 if it is running in this same item.
4128 Cancel the current clock. This is useful if a clock was started by
4129 mistake, or if you ended up working on something else.
4132 Display time summaries for each subtree in the current buffer. This
4133 puts overlays at the end of each headline, showing the total time
4134 recorded under that heading, including the time of any subheadings. You
4135 can use visibility cycling to study the tree, but the overlays disappear
4136 when you change the buffer (see variable
4137 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}) or press @kbd{C-c C-c}.
4140 Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock
4141 report as an org-mode table into the current file.
4143 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil
4148 If such a block already exists, its content is replaced by the new
4149 table. The @samp{BEGIN} line can specify options:
4151 :maxlevels @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.}
4152 :emphasize @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items}
4153 :block @r{The time block to consider. This block is specified relative}
4154 @r{to the current time and may be any of these keywords:}
4155 @r{@code{today}, @code{yesterday}, @code{thisweek}, @code{lastweek},}
4156 @r{@code{thismonth}, @code{lastmonth}, @code{thisyear}, or @code{lastyear}}.
4157 :tstart @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times}
4158 :tend @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times}
4160 So to get a clock summary for the current day, you could write
4162 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today
4166 and to use a specific time range you could write@footnote{Note that all
4167 parameters must be specified in a single line - the line is broken here
4168 only to fit it onto the manual.}
4170 #+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>"
4171 :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>"
4175 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4176 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
4177 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
4178 you have several clocktable blocks in a buffer.
4181 The @kbd{l} key may be used in the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in
4182 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}) to show which tasks have been
4183 worked on or closed during a day.
4185 @node Agenda views, Embedded LaTeX, Timestamps, Top
4186 @chapter Agenda Views
4187 @cindex agenda views
4189 Due to the way Org-mode works, TODO items, time-stamped items, and
4190 tagged headlines can be scattered throughout a file or even a number of
4191 files. To get an overview over open action items, or over events that
4192 are important for a particular date, this information must be collected,
4193 sorted and displayed in an organized way.
4195 Org-mode can select items based on various criteria, and display them
4196 in a separate buffer. Six different view types are provided:
4200 an @emph{agenda} that is like a calendar and shows information
4203 a @emph{TODO list} that covers all unfinished
4206 a @emph{tags view}, showings headlines based on
4207 the tags associated with them,
4209 a @emph{timeline view} that shows all events in a single Org-mode file,
4210 in time-sorted view,
4212 a @emph{stuck projects view} showing projects that currently don't move
4215 @emph{custom views} that are special tag/keyword searches and
4216 combinations of different views.
4220 The extracted information is displayed in a special @emph{agenda
4221 buffer}. This buffer is read-only, but provides commands to visit the
4222 corresponding locations in the original Org-mode files, and even to
4223 edit these files remotely.
4225 Two variables control how the agenda buffer is displayed and whether the
4226 window configuration is restored when the agenda exits:
4227 @code{org-agenda-window-setup} and
4228 @code{org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit}.
4231 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
4232 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
4233 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
4234 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
4235 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of org trees
4236 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
4239 @node Agenda files, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda views, Agenda views
4240 @section Agenda files
4241 @cindex agenda files
4242 @cindex files for agenda
4244 The information to be shown is collected from all @emph{agenda files},
4245 the files listed in the variable @code{org-agenda-files}@footnote{If the
4246 value of that variable is not a list, but a single file name, then the
4247 list of agenda files will be maintained in that external file.}. Thus even
4248 if you only work with a single Org-mode file, this file should be put
4249 into that list@footnote{When using the dispatcher, pressing @kbd{1}
4250 before selecting a command will actually limit the command to the
4251 current file, and ignore @code{org-agenda-files} until the next
4252 dispatcher command.}. You can customize @code{org-agenda-files}, but
4253 the easiest way to maintain it is through the following commands
4255 @cindex files, adding to agenda list
4259 Add current file to the list of agenda files. The file is added to
4260 the front of the list. If it was already in the list, it is moved to
4261 the front. With prefix arg, file is added/moved to the end.
4264 Remove current file from the list of agenda files.
4269 Cycle through agenda file list, visiting one file after the other.
4273 The Org menu contains the current list of files and can be used
4274 to visit any of them.
4276 @node Agenda dispatcher, Built-in agenda views, Agenda files, Agenda views
4277 @section The agenda dispatcher
4278 @cindex agenda dispatcher
4279 @cindex dispatching agenda commands
4280 The views are created through a dispatcher that should be bound to a
4281 global key, for example @kbd{C-c a} (@pxref{Installation}). In the
4282 following we will assume that @kbd{C-c a} is indeed how the dispatcher
4283 is accessed and list keyboard access to commands accordingly. After
4284 pressing @kbd{C-c a}, an additional letter is required to execute a
4285 command. The dispatcher offers the following default commands:
4288 Create the calendar-like agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}).
4290 Create a list of all TODO items (@pxref{Global TODO list}).
4292 Create a list of headlines matching a TAGS expression (@pxref{Matching
4293 tags and properties}).
4295 Create the timeline view for the current buffer (@pxref{Timeline}).
4297 Create a list of stuck projects (@pxref{Stuck projects}).
4299 Restrict an agenda command to the current buffer. After pressing
4300 @kbd{1}, you still need to press the character selecting the command.
4302 If there is an active region, restrict the following agenda command to
4303 the region. Otherwise, restrict it to the current subtree. After
4304 pressing @kbd{0}, you still need to press the character selecting the
4308 You can also define custom commands that will be accessible through the
4309 dispatcher, just like the default commands. This includes the
4310 possibility to create extended agenda buffers that contain several
4311 blocks together, for example the weekly agenda, the global TODO list and
4312 a number of special tags matches. @xref{Custom agenda views}.
4314 @node Built-in agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda views
4315 @section The built-in agenda views
4317 In this section we describe the built-in views.
4320 * Weekly/Daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
4321 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
4322 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
4323 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
4324 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
4327 @node Weekly/Daily agenda, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views, Built-in agenda views
4328 @subsection The weekly/daily agenda
4330 @cindex weekly agenda
4331 @cindex daily agenda
4333 The purpose of the weekly/daily @emph{agenda} is to act like a page of a
4334 paper agenda, showing all the tasks for the current week or day.
4337 @cindex org-agenda, command
4340 Compile an agenda for the current week from a list of org files. The
4341 agenda shows the entries for each day. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix (or
4342 when the variable @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo} is @code{t}), all
4343 unfinished TODO items (including those without a date) are also listed at
4344 the beginning of the buffer, before the first date.@*
4347 Remote editing from the agenda buffer means, for example, that you can
4348 change the dates of deadlines and appointments from the agenda buffer.
4349 The commands available in the Agenda buffer are listed in @ref{Agenda
4352 @subsubheading Calendar/Diary integration
4353 @cindex calendar integration
4354 @cindex diary integration
4356 Emacs contains the calendar and diary by Edward M. Reingold. The
4357 calendar displays a three-month calendar with holidays from different
4358 countries and cultures. The diary allows you to keep track of
4359 anniversaries, lunar phases, sunrise/set, recurrent appointments
4360 (weekly, monthly) and more. In this way, it is quite complementary to
4361 Org-mode. It can be very useful to combine output from Org-mode with
4364 In order to include entries from the Emacs diary into Org-mode's
4365 agenda, you only need to customize the variable
4368 (setq org-agenda-include-diary t)
4371 @noindent After that, everything will happen automatically. All diary
4372 entries including holidays, anniversaries etc will be included in the
4373 agenda buffer created by Org-mode. @key{SPC}, @key{TAB}, and
4374 @key{RET} can be used from the agenda buffer to jump to the diary
4375 file in order to edit existing diary entries. The @kbd{i} command to
4376 insert new entries for the current date works in the agenda buffer, as
4377 well as the commands @kbd{S}, @kbd{M}, and @kbd{C} to display
4378 Sunrise/Sunset times, show lunar phases and to convert to other
4379 calendars, respectively. @kbd{c} can be used to switch back and forth
4380 between calendar and agenda.
4382 If you are using the diary only for sexp entries and holidays, it is
4383 faster to not use the above setting, but instead to copy or even move
4384 the entries into an Org-mode file. Org-mode evaluates diary-style sexp
4385 entries, and does it faster because there is no overhead for first
4386 creating the diary display. Note that the sexp entries must start at
4387 the left margin, no white space is allowed before them. For example,
4388 the following segment of an Org-mode file will be processed and entries
4389 will be made in the agenda:
4392 * Birthdays and similar stuff
4394 %%(org-calendar-holiday) ; special function for holiday names
4396 %%(diary-anniversary 14 5 1956) Arthur Dent is %d years old
4397 %%(diary-anniversary 2 10 1869) Mahatma Gandhi would be %d years old
4400 @node Global TODO list, Matching tags and properties, Weekly/Daily agenda, Built-in agenda views
4401 @subsection The global TODO list
4402 @cindex global TODO list
4403 @cindex TODO list, global
4405 The global TODO list contains all unfinished TODO items, formatted and
4406 collected into a single place.
4411 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
4412 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
4413 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
4414 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
4417 @cindex TODO keyword matching
4418 Like the above, but allows selection of a specific TODO keyword. You
4419 can also do this by specifying a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c a t}. With
4420 a @kbd{C-u} prefix you are prompted for a keyword, and you may also
4421 specify several keywords by separating them with @samp{|} as boolean OR
4422 operator. With a numeric prefix, the Nth keyword in
4423 @code{org-todo-keywords} is selected.
4425 The @kbd{r} key in the agenda buffer regenerates it, and you can give
4426 a prefix argument to this command to change the selected TODO keyword,
4427 for example @kbd{3 r}. If you often need a search for a specific
4428 keyword, define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).@*
4429 Matching specific TODO keywords can also be done as part of a tags
4430 search (@pxref{Tag searches}).
4433 Remote editing of TODO items means that you can change the state of a
4434 TODO entry with a single key press. The commands available in the
4435 TODO list are described in @ref{Agenda commands}.
4437 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into todo list
4438 Normally the global todo list simply shows all headlines with TODO
4439 keywords. This list can become very long. There are two ways to keep
4443 Some people view a TODO item that has been @emph{scheduled} for
4444 execution (@pxref{Time stamps}) as no longer @emph{open}. Configure the
4445 variable @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled} to exclude scheduled
4446 items from the global TODO list.
4448 TODO items may have sublevels to break up the task into subtasks. In
4449 such cases it may be enough to list only the highest level TODO headline
4450 and omit the sublevels from the global list. Configure the variable
4451 @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels} to get this behavior.
4454 @node Matching tags and properties, Timeline, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views
4455 @subsection Matching Tags and Properties
4456 @cindex matching, of tags
4457 @cindex matching, of properties
4460 If headlines in the agenda files are marked with @emph{tags}
4461 (@pxref{Tags}), you can select headlines based on the tags that apply
4462 to them and collect them into an agenda buffer.
4467 Produce a list of all headlines that match a given set of tags. The
4468 command prompts for a selection criterion, which is a boolean logic
4469 expression with tags, like @samp{+WORK+URGENT-WITHBOSS} or
4470 @samp{WORK|HOME} (@pxref{Tags}). If you often need a specific search,
4471 define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
4474 Like @kbd{C-c a m}, but only select headlines that are also TODO items
4475 and force checking subitems (see variable
4476 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}). Matching specific todo keywords
4477 together with a tags match is also possible, see @ref{Tag searches}.
4480 The commands available in the tags list are described in @ref{Agenda
4483 @node Timeline, Stuck projects, Matching tags and properties, Built-in agenda views
4484 @subsection Timeline for a single file
4485 @cindex timeline, single file
4486 @cindex time-sorted view
4488 The timeline summarizes all time-stamped items from a single Org-mode
4489 file in a @emph{time-sorted view}. The main purpose of this command is
4490 to give an overview over events in a project.
4495 Show a time-sorted view of the org file, with all time-stamped items.
4496 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all unfinished TODO entries
4497 (scheduled or not) are also listed under the current date.
4501 The commands available in the timeline buffer are listed in
4502 @ref{Agenda commands}.
4505 @node Stuck projects, , Timeline, Built-in agenda views
4506 @subsection Stuck projects
4508 If you are following a system like David Allen's GTD to organize your
4509 work, one of the ``duties'' you have is a regular review to make sure
4510 that all projects move along. A @emph{stuck} project is a project that
4511 has no defined next actions, so it will never show up in the TODO lists
4512 Org-mode produces. During the review, you need to identify such
4513 projects and define next actions for them.
4518 List projects that are stuck.
4521 Customize the variable @code{org-stuck-projects} to define what a stuck
4522 project is and how to find it.
4525 You almost certainly will have to configure this view before it will
4526 work for you. The built-in default assumes that all your projects are
4527 level-2 headlines, and that a project is not stuck if it has at least
4528 one entry marked with a todo keyword TODO or NEXT or NEXTACTION.
4530 Lets assume that you, in your own way of using Org-mode, identify
4531 projects with a tag PROJECT, and that you use a todo keyword MAYBE to
4532 indicate a project that should not be considered yet. Lets further
4533 assume that the todo keyword DONE marks finished projects, and that NEXT
4534 and TODO indicate next actions. The tag @@SHOP indicates shopping and
4535 is a next action even without the NEXT tag. Finally, if the project
4536 contains the special word IGNORE anywhere, it should not be listed
4537 either. In this case you would start by identifying eligible projects
4538 with a tags/todo match @samp{+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE}, and then check for
4539 TODO, NEXT, @@SHOP, and IGNORE in the subtree to identify projects that
4540 are not stuck. The correct customization for this is
4543 (setq org-stuck-projects
4544 '("+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE" ("NEXT" "TODO") ("@@SHOP")
4549 @node Presentation and sorting, Agenda commands, Built-in agenda views, Agenda views
4550 @section Presentation and sorting
4551 @cindex presentation, of agenda items
4553 Before displaying items in an agenda view, Org-mode visually prepares
4554 the items and sorts them. Each item occupies a single line. The line
4555 starts with a @emph{prefix} that contains the @emph{category}
4556 (@pxref{Categories}) of the item and other important information. You can
4557 customize the prefix using the option @code{org-agenda-prefix-format}.
4558 The prefix is followed by a cleaned-up version of the outline headline
4559 associated with the item.
4562 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
4563 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
4564 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
4567 @node Categories, Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting, Presentation and sorting
4568 @subsection Categories
4571 The category is a broad label assigned to each agenda item. By default,
4572 the category is simply derived from the file name, but you can also
4573 specify it with a special line in the buffer, like this:
4579 If there are several such lines in a file, each specifies the category
4580 for the text below it (but the first category also applies to any text
4581 before the first CATEGORY line). The display in the agenda buffer looks
4582 best if the category is not longer than 10 characters.
4584 @node Time-of-day specifications, Sorting of agenda items, Categories, Presentation and sorting
4585 @subsection Time-of-Day Specifications
4586 @cindex time-of-day specification
4588 Org-mode checks each agenda item for a time-of-day specification. The
4589 time can be part of the time stamp that triggered inclusion into the
4590 agenda, for example as in @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 19:00>}}. Time
4591 ranges can be specified with two time stamps, like
4593 @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 20:30>--<2005-05-10 Tue 22:15>}}.
4595 In the headline of the entry itself, a time(range) may also appear as
4596 plain text (like @samp{12:45} or a @samp{8:30-1pm}. If the agenda
4597 integrates the Emacs diary (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}), time
4598 specifications in diary entries are recognized as well.
4600 For agenda display, Org-mode extracts the time and displays it in a
4601 standard 24 hour format as part of the prefix. The example times in
4602 the previous paragraphs would end up in the agenda like this:
4605 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
4606 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
4607 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
4608 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
4612 If the agenda is in single-day mode, or for the display of today, the
4613 timed entries are embedded in a time grid, like
4616 8:00...... ------------------
4617 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
4618 10:00...... ------------------
4619 12:00...... ------------------
4620 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
4621 14:00...... ------------------
4622 16:00...... ------------------
4623 18:00...... ------------------
4624 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
4625 20:00...... ------------------
4626 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
4629 The time grid can be turned on and off with the variable
4630 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid}, and can be configured with
4631 @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
4633 @node Sorting of agenda items, , Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting
4634 @subsection Sorting of agenda items
4635 @cindex sorting, of agenda items
4636 @cindex priorities, of agenda items
4637 Before being inserted into a view, the items are sorted. How this is
4638 done depends on the type of view.
4641 For the daily/weekly agenda, the items for each day are sorted. The
4642 default order is to first collect all items containing an explicit
4643 time-of-day specification. These entries will be shown at the beginning
4644 of the list, as a @emph{schedule} for the day. After that, items remain
4645 grouped in categories, in the sequence given by @code{org-agenda-files}.
4646 Within each category, items are sorted by priority (@pxref{Priorities}),
4647 which is composed of the base priority (2000 for priority @samp{A}, 1000
4648 for @samp{B}, and 0 for @samp{C}), plus additional increments for
4649 overdue scheduled or deadline items.
4651 For the TODO list, items remain in the order of categories, but within
4652 each category, sorting takes place according to priority
4653 (@pxref{Priorities}).
4655 For tags matches, items are not sorted at all, but just appear in the
4656 sequence in which they are found in the agenda files.
4659 Sorting can be customized using the variable
4660 @code{org-agenda-sorting-strategy}.
4663 @node Agenda commands, Custom agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda views
4664 @section Commands in the agenda buffer
4665 @cindex commands, in agenda buffer
4667 Entries in the agenda buffer are linked back to the org file or diary
4668 file where they originate. You are not allowed to edit the agenda
4669 buffer itself, but commands are provided to show and jump to the
4670 original entry location, and to edit the org-files ``remotely'' from
4671 the agenda buffer. In this way, all information is stored only once,
4672 removing the risk that your agenda and note files may diverge.
4674 Some commands can be executed with mouse clicks on agenda lines. For
4675 the other commands, the cursor needs to be in the desired line.
4678 @tsubheading{Motion}
4679 @cindex motion commands in agenda
4682 Next line (same as @key{up}).
4685 Previous line (same as @key{down}).
4686 @tsubheading{View/GoTo org file}
4691 Display the original location of the item in another window.
4695 Display original location and recenter that window.
4703 Go to the original location of the item in another window. Under Emacs
4704 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also works for this.
4708 Go to the original location of the item and delete other windows.
4712 Toggle Follow mode. In Follow mode, as you move the cursor through
4713 the agenda buffer, the other window always shows the corresponding
4714 location in the org file. The initial setting for this mode in new
4715 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
4716 @code{org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode}.
4720 Display the entire subtree of the current item in an indirect buffer.
4721 With numerical prefix ARG, go up to this level and then take that tree.
4722 If ARG is negative, go up that many levels. With @kbd{C-u} prefix, do
4723 not remove the previously used indirect buffer.
4727 Toggle Logbook mode. In Logbook mode, entries that where marked DONE while
4728 logging was on (variable @code{org-log-done}) are shown in the agenda,
4729 as are entries that have been clocked on that day.
4731 @tsubheading{Change display}
4732 @cindex display changing, in agenda
4735 Delete other windows.
4742 Switch to day/week/month/year view. When switching to day or week view,
4743 this setting becomes the default for subseqent agenda commands. Since
4744 month and year views are slow to create, the do not become the default.
4748 Toggle the inclusion of diary entries. See @ref{Weekly/Daily agenda}.
4752 Toggle the time grid on and off. See also the variables
4753 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid} and @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
4757 Recreate the agenda buffer, for example to reflect the changes
4758 after modification of the time stamps of items with S-@key{left} and
4759 S-@key{right}. When the buffer is the global todo list, a prefix
4760 argument is interpreted to create a selective list for a specific TODO
4765 Save all Org-mode buffers in the current Emacs session.
4769 Display the following @code{org-agenda-ndays} days. For example, if
4770 the display covers a week, switch to the following week. With prefix
4771 arg, go forward that many times @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
4775 Display the previous dates.
4781 @tsubheading{Remote editing}
4782 @cindex remote editing, from agenda
4787 @cindex undoing remote-editing events
4788 @cindex remote editing, undo
4791 Undo a change due to a remote editing command. The change is undone
4792 both in the agenda buffer and in the remote buffer.
4796 Change the TODO state of the item, both in the agenda and in the
4801 Delete the current agenda item along with the entire subtree belonging
4802 to it in the original Org-mode file. If the text to be deleted remotely
4803 is longer than one line, the kill needs to be confirmed by the user. See
4804 variable @code{org-agenda-confirm-kill}.
4808 Archive the subtree corresponding to the current headline.
4812 Show all tags associated with the current item. Because of
4813 inheritance, this may be more than the tags listed in the line itself.
4817 Set tags for the current headline.
4821 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline.
4825 Set the priority for the current item. Org-mode prompts for the
4826 priority character. If you reply with @key{SPC}, the priority cookie
4827 is removed from the entry.
4831 Display weighted priority of current item.
4837 Increase the priority of the current item. The priority is changed in
4838 the original buffer, but the agenda is not resorted. Use the @kbd{r}
4842 @kindex S-@key{down}
4845 Decrease the priority of the current item.
4853 Set a deadline for this item.
4855 @kindex S-@key{right}
4857 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day into
4858 the future. With prefix argument, change it by that many days. For
4859 example, @kbd{3 6 5 S-@key{right}} will change it by a year. The
4860 stamp is changed in the original org file, but the change is not
4861 directly reflected in the agenda buffer. Use the
4862 @kbd{r} key to update the buffer.
4864 @kindex S-@key{left}
4866 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day
4871 Change the time stamp associated with the current line to today.
4872 The key @kbd{>} has been chosen, because it is the same as @kbd{S-.}
4877 Start the clock on the current item. If a clock is running already, it
4882 Stop the previously started clock.
4886 Cancel the currently running clock.
4888 @tsubheading{Calendar commands}
4889 @cindex calendar commands, from agenda
4892 Open the Emacs calendar and move to the date at the agenda cursor.
4895 When in the calendar, compute and show the Org-mode agenda for the
4898 @cindex diary entries, creating from agenda
4901 Insert a new entry into the diary. Prompts for the type of entry
4902 (day, weekly, monthly, yearly, anniversary, cyclic) and creates a new
4903 entry in the diary, just as @kbd{i d} etc. would do in the calendar.
4904 The date is taken from the cursor position.
4908 Show the phases of the moon for the three months around current date.
4912 Show sunrise and sunset times. The geographical location must be set
4913 with calendar variables, see documentation of the Emacs calendar.
4917 Convert the date at cursor into many other cultural and historic
4922 Show holidays for three month around the cursor date.
4924 @c FIXME: This should be a different key.
4927 Export a single iCalendar file containing entries from all agenda files.
4929 @tsubheading{Exporting to a file}
4932 @cindex exporting agenda views
4933 @cindex agenda views, exporting
4934 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
4935 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
4936 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), or
4937 plain text (any other extension). Use the variable
4938 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print}
4939 and for @file{htmlize} to be used during export.
4941 @tsubheading{Quit and Exit}
4944 Quit agenda, remove the agenda buffer.
4947 @cindex agenda files, removing buffers
4949 Exit agenda, remove the agenda buffer and all buffers loaded by Emacs
4950 for the compilation of the agenda. Buffers created by the user to
4951 visit org files will not be removed.
4955 @node Custom agenda views, , Agenda commands, Agenda views
4956 @section Custom agenda views
4957 @cindex custom agenda views
4958 @cindex agenda views, custom
4960 Custom agenda commands serve two purposes: to store and quickly access
4961 frequently used TODO and tags searches, and to create special composite
4962 agenda buffers. Custom agenda commands will be accessible through the
4963 dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}), just like the default commands.
4966 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
4967 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
4968 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
4969 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files.
4970 * Extracting Agenda Information for other programs::
4973 @node Storing searches, Block agenda, Custom agenda views, Custom agenda views
4974 @subsection Storing searches
4976 The first application of custom searches is the definition of keyboard
4977 shortcuts for frequently used searches, either creating an agenda
4978 buffer, or a sparse tree (the latter covering of course only the current
4981 Custom commands are configured in the variable
4982 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. You can customize this variable, for
4983 example by pressing @kbd{C-c a C}. You can also directly set it with
4984 Emacs Lisp in @file{.emacs}. The following example contains all valid
4989 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
4990 '(("w" todo "WAITING")
4991 ("W" todo-tree "WAITING")
4992 ("u" tags "+BOSS-URGENT")
4993 ("v" tags-todo "+BOSS-URGENT")
4994 ("U" tags-tree "+BOSS-URGENT")
4995 ("f" occur-tree "\\<FIXME\\>")))
5000 The initial single-character string in each entry defines the character
5001 you have to press after the dispatcher command @kbd{C-c a} in order to
5002 access the command. The second parameter is the search type, followed
5003 by the string or regular expression to be used for the matching. The
5004 example above will therefore define:
5008 as a global search for TODO entries with @samp{WAITING} as the TODO
5011 as the same search, but only in the current buffer and displaying the
5012 results as a sparse tree
5014 as a global tags search for headlines marked @samp{:BOSS:} but not
5017 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but limiting the search to
5018 headlines that are also TODO items
5020 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but only in the current buffer and
5021 displaying the result as a sparse tree
5023 to create a sparse tree (again: current buffer only) with all entries
5024 containing the word @samp{FIXME}.
5027 @node Block agenda, Setting Options, Storing searches, Custom agenda views
5028 @subsection Block agenda
5029 @cindex block agenda
5030 @cindex agenda, with block views
5032 Another possibility is the construction of agenda views that comprise
5033 the results of @emph{several} commands, each of which creates a block in
5034 the agenda buffer. The available commands include @code{agenda} for the
5035 daily or weekly agenda (as created with @kbd{C-c a a}), @code{alltodo}
5036 for the global todo list (as constructed with @kbd{C-c a t}), and the
5037 matching commands discussed above: @code{todo}, @code{tags}, and
5038 @code{tags-todo}. Here are two examples:
5042 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
5043 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
5047 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
5055 This will define @kbd{C-c a h} to create a multi-block view for stuff
5056 you need to attend to at home. The resulting agenda buffer will contain
5057 your agenda for the current week, all TODO items that carry the tag
5058 @samp{HOME}, and also all lines tagged with @samp{GARDEN}. Finally the
5059 command @kbd{C-c a o} provides a similar view for office tasks.
5062 @node Setting Options, Exporting Agenda Views, Block agenda, Custom agenda views
5063 @subsection Setting Options for custom commands
5064 @cindex options, for custom agenda views
5066 Org-mode contains a number of variables regulating agenda construction
5067 and display. The global variables define the behavior for all agenda
5068 commands, including the custom commands. However, if you want to change
5069 some settings just for a single custom view, you can do so. Setting
5070 options requires inserting a list of variable names and values at the
5071 right spot in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. For example:
5075 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
5076 '(("w" todo "WAITING"
5077 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))
5078 (org-agenda-prefix-format " Mixed: ")))
5079 ("U" tags-tree "+BOSS-URGENT"
5080 ((org-show-following-heading nil)
5081 (org-show-hierarchy-above nil)))))
5086 Now the @kbd{C-c a w} command will sort the collected entries only by
5087 priority, and the prefix format is modified to just say @samp{ Mixed:}
5088 instead of giving the category of the entry. The sparse tags tree of
5089 @kbd{C-c a U} will now turn out ultra-compact, because neither the
5090 headline hierarchy above the match, nor the headline following the match
5093 For command sets creating a block agenda,
5094 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} has two separate spots for setting
5095 options. You can add options that should be valid for just a single
5096 command in the set, and options that should be valid for all commands in
5097 the set. The former are just added to the command entry, the latter
5098 must come after the list of command entries. Going back to the block
5099 agenda example (@pxref{Block agenda}), let's change the sorting strategy
5100 for the @kbd{C-c a h} commands to @code{priority-down}, but let's sort
5101 the results for GARDEN tags query in the opposite order,
5102 @code{priority-up}. This would look like this:
5106 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
5107 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
5111 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-up)))))
5112 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))))
5113 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
5120 As you see, the values and parenthesis setting is a little complex.
5121 When in doubt, use the customize interface to set this variable - it
5122 fully supports its structure. Just one caveat: When setting options in
5123 this interface, the @emph{values} are just lisp expressions. So if the
5124 value is a string, you need to add the double quotes around the value
5128 @node Exporting Agenda Views, Extracting Agenda Information for other programs, Setting Options, Custom agenda views
5129 @subsection Exporting Agenda Views
5130 @cindex agenda views, exporting
5132 If you are away from your computer, it can be very useful to have a
5133 printed version of some agenda views to carry around. Org-mode can
5134 export custom agenda views as plain text, HTML@footnote{You need to
5135 install Hrvoje Niksic' @file{htmlize.el}.} and postscript. If you want
5136 to do this only occasionally, use the commend
5141 @cindex exporting agenda views
5142 @cindex agenda views, exporting
5143 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
5144 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
5145 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), or
5146 plain text (any other extension). Use the variable
5147 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print}
5148 and for @file{htmlize} to be used during export, for example
5150 (setq org-agenda-exporter-settings
5151 '((ps-number-of-columns 2)
5152 (ps-landscape-mode t)
5153 (htmlize-output-type 'css)))
5157 If you need to export certain agenda views frequently, you can associate
5158 any custom agenda command with a list of output file names
5159 @footnote{If you want to store standard views like the weekly agenda
5160 or the global TODO list as well, you need to define custom commands for
5161 them in order to be able to specify filenames.}. Here is an example
5162 that first does define custom commands for the agenda and the global
5163 todo list, together with a number of files to which to export them.
5164 Then we define two block agenda commands and specify filenames for them
5165 as well. File names can be relative to the current working directory,
5170 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
5171 '(("X" agenda "" nil ("agenda.html" "agenda.ps"))
5172 ("Y" alltodo "" nil ("todo.html" "todo.txt" "todo.ps"))
5173 ("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
5178 ("~/views/home.html"))
5179 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
5184 ("~/views/office.ps"))))
5188 The extension of the file name determines the type of export. If it is
5189 @file{.html}, Org-mode will use the @file{htmlize.el} package to convert
5190 the buffer to HTML and save it to this file name. If the extension is
5191 @file{.ps}, @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} is used to produce
5192 postscript output. Any other extension produces a plain ASCII file.
5194 The export files are @emph{not} created when you use one of those
5195 commands interactively. Instead, there is a special command to produce
5196 @emph{all} specified files in one step:
5201 Export all agenda views that have export filenames associated with
5205 You can use the options section of the custom agenda commands to also
5206 set options for the export commands. For example:
5209 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
5211 ((ps-number-of-columns 2)
5212 (ps-landscape-mode t)
5213 (org-agenda-prefix-format " [ ] ")
5214 (org-agenda-with-colors nil)
5215 (org-agenda-remove-tags t))
5220 This command sets two options for the postscript exporter, to make it
5221 print in two columns in landscape format - the resulting page can be cut
5222 in two and then used in a paper agenda. The remaining settings modify
5223 the agenda prefix to omit category and scheduling information, and
5224 instead include a checkbox to check off items. We also remove the tags
5225 to make the lines compact, and we don't want to use colors for the
5226 black-and-white printer. Settings specified in
5227 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} will also apply, but the settings
5228 in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} take precedence.
5231 From the command line you may also use
5233 emacs -f org-batch-store-agenda-views -kill
5236 or, if you need to modify some parameters
5238 emacs -eval '(org-batch-store-agenda-views \
5239 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
5240 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
5241 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
5245 which will create the agenda views restricted to the file
5246 @file{~/org/project.org}, without diary entries and with 30 days
5249 @node Extracting Agenda Information for other programs, , Exporting Agenda Views, Custom agenda views
5250 @subsection Extracting Agenda Information for other programs
5251 @cindex agenda, pipe
5252 @cindex Scripts, for agenda processing
5254 Org-mode provides commands to access agenda information for the command
5255 line in emacs batch mode. This extracted information can be sent
5256 directly to a printer, or it can be read by a program that does further
5257 processing of the data. The first of these commands is the function
5258 @code{org-batch-agenda}, that produces an agenda view and sends it as
5259 ASCII text to STDOUT. The command takes a single string as parameter.
5260 If the string has length 1, it is used as a key to one of the commands
5261 you have configured in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}, basically any
5262 key you can use after @kbd{C-c a}. For example, to directly print the
5263 current TODO list, you could use
5266 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda "t")' | lpr
5269 If the parameter is a string with 2 or more characters, it is used as a
5270 tags/todo match string. For example, to print your local shopping list
5271 (all items with the tag @samp{shop}, but excluding the tag
5272 @samp{NewYork}), you could use
5275 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
5276 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "+shop-NewYork")' | lpr
5280 You may also modify parameters on the fly like this:
5283 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
5284 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "a" \
5285 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
5286 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
5287 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
5292 which will produce a 30 day agenda, fully restricted to the Org file
5293 @file{~/org/projects.org}, not even including the diary.
5295 If you want to process the agenda data in more sophisticated ways, you
5296 can use the command @code{org-batch-agenda-csv} to get a comma-separated
5297 list of values for each agenda item. Each line in the output will
5298 contain a number of fields separated by commas. The fields in a line
5302 category @r{The category of the item}
5303 head @r{The headline, without TODO kwd, TAGS and PRIORITY}
5304 type @r{The type of the agenda entry, can be}
5305 todo @r{selected in TODO match}
5306 tagsmatch @r{selected in tags match}
5307 diary @r{imported from diary}
5308 deadline @r{a deadline}
5309 scheduled @r{scheduled}
5310 timestamp @r{appointment, selected by timestamp}
5311 closed @r{entry was closed on date}
5312 upcoming-deadline @r{warning about nearing deadline}
5313 past-scheduled @r{forwarded scheduled item}
5314 block @r{entry has date block including date}
5315 todo @r{The todo keyword, if any}
5316 tags @r{All tags including inherited ones, separated by colons}
5317 date @r{The relevant date, like 2007-2-14}
5318 time @r{The time, like 15:00-16:50}
5319 extra @r{String with extra planning info}
5320 priority-l @r{The priority letter if any was given}
5321 priority-n @r{The computed numerical priority}
5325 Time and date will only be given if a timestamp (or deadline/scheduled)
5326 lead to the selection of the item.
5328 A CSV list like this is very easy to use in a post processing script.
5329 For example, here is a Perl program that gets the TODO list from
5330 Emacs/org-mode and prints all the items, preceded by a checkbox:
5336 # define the Emacs command to run
5337 $cmd = "emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda-csv \"t\")'";
5339 # run it and capture the output
5340 $agenda = qx@{$cmd 2>/dev/null@};
5342 # loop over all lines
5343 foreach $line (split(/\n/,$agenda)) @{
5345 # get the individual values
5346 ($category,$head,$type,$todo,$tags,$date,$time,$extra,
5347 $priority_l,$priority_n) = split(/,/,$line);
5349 # proccess and print
5350 print "[ ] $head\n";
5355 @node Embedded LaTeX, Exporting, Agenda views, Top
5356 @chapter Embedded LaTeX
5357 @cindex @TeX{} interpretation
5358 @cindex La@TeX{} interpretation
5360 Plain ASCII is normally sufficient for almost all note taking. One
5361 exception, however, are scientific notes which need to be able to
5362 contain mathematical symbols and the occasional formula.
5363 La@TeX{}@footnote{La@TeX{} is a macro system based on Donald E. Knuth's
5364 @TeX{} system. Many of the features described here as ``La@TeX{}'' are
5365 really from @TeX{}, but for simplicity I am blurring this distinction.}
5366 is widely used to typeset scientific documents. Org-mode supports
5367 embedding La@TeX{} code into its files, because many academics are used
5368 to read La@TeX{} source code, and because it can be readily processed
5369 into images for HTML production.
5371 It is not necessary to mark La@TeX{} macros and code in any special way.
5372 If you observe a few conventions, Org-mode knows how to find it and what
5376 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
5377 * Subscripts and Superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
5378 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
5379 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
5380 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
5383 @node Math symbols, Subscripts and Superscripts, Embedded LaTeX, Embedded LaTeX
5384 @section Math symbols
5385 @cindex math symbols
5388 You can use La@TeX{} macros to insert special symbols like @samp{\alpha}
5389 to indicate the Greek letter, or @samp{\to} to indicate an arrow.
5390 Completion for these macros is available, just type @samp{\} and maybe a
5391 few letters, and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to see possible completions.
5392 Unlike La@TeX{} code, Org-mode allows these macros to be present
5393 without surrounding math delimiters, for example:
5396 Angles are written as Greek letters \alpha, \beta and \gamma.
5399 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), these symbols are translated
5400 into the proper syntax for HTML, for the above examples this is
5401 @samp{α} and @samp{→}, respectively.
5403 @node Subscripts and Superscripts, LaTeX fragments, Math symbols, Embedded LaTeX
5404 @section Subscripts and Superscripts
5408 Just like in La@TeX{}, @samp{^} and @samp{_} are used to indicate super-
5409 and subscripts. Again, these can be used without embedding them in
5410 math-mode delimiters. To increase the readability of ASCII text, it is
5411 not necessary (but OK) to surround multi-character sub- and superscripts
5412 with curly braces. For example
5415 The mass if the sun is M_sun = 1.989 x 10^30 kg. The radius of
5416 the sun is R_@{sun@} = 6.96 x 10^8 m.
5419 To avoid interpretation as raised or lowered text, you can quote
5420 @samp{^} and @samp{_} with a backslash: @samp{\_} and @samp{\^}.
5422 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), subscript and superscripts
5423 are surrounded with @code{<sub>} and @code{<sup>} tags, respectively.
5425 @node LaTeX fragments, Processing LaTeX fragments, Subscripts and Superscripts, Embedded LaTeX
5426 @section LaTeX fragments
5427 @cindex LaTeX fragments
5429 With symbols, sub- and superscripts, HTML is pretty much at its end when
5430 it comes to representing mathematical formulas@footnote{Yes, there is
5431 MathML, but that is not yet fully supported by many browsers, and there
5432 is no decent converter for turning LaTeX of ASCII representations of
5433 formulas into MathML. So for the time being, converting formulas into
5434 images seems the way to go.}. More complex
5435 expressions need a dedicated formula processor. To this end, Org-mode
5436 can contain arbitrary La@TeX{} fragments. It provides commands to
5437 preview the typeset result of these fragments, and upon export to HTML,
5438 all fragments will be converted to images and inlined into the HTML
5439 document. For this to work you need to be on a system with a working
5440 La@TeX{} installation. You also need the @file{dvipng} program,
5441 available at @url{http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvipng/}. The LaTeX
5442 header that will be used when processing a fragment can be configured
5443 with the variable @code{org-format-latex-header}.
5445 La@TeX{} fragments don't need any special marking at all. The following
5446 snippets will be identified as LaTeX source code:
5449 Environments of any kind. The only requirement is that the
5450 @code{\begin} statement appears on a new line, preceded by only
5453 Text within the usual La@TeX{} math delimiters. To avoid conflicts with
5454 currency specifications, single @samp{$} characters are only recognized
5455 as math delimiters if the enclosed text contains at most two line breaks,
5456 is directly attached to the @samp{$} characters with no whitespace in
5457 between, and if the closing @samp{$} is followed by whitespace or
5458 punctuation. For the other delimiters, there is no such restriction, so
5459 when in doubt, use @samp{\(...\)} as inline math delimiters.
5462 @noindent For example:
5465 \begin@{equation@} % arbitrary environments,
5466 x=\sqrt@{b@} % even tables, figures
5467 \end@{equation@} % etc
5469 If $a^2=b$ and \( b=2 \), then the solution must be
5470 either $$ a=+\sqrt@{2@} $$ or \[ a=-\sqrt@{2@} \].
5474 If you need any of the delimiter ASCII sequences for other purposes, you
5475 can configure the option @code{org-format-latex-options} to deselect the
5476 ones you do not wish to have interpreted by the La@TeX{} converter.
5478 @node Processing LaTeX fragments, CDLaTeX mode, LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
5479 @section Processing LaTeX fragments
5480 @cindex LaTeX fragments, preview
5482 La@TeX{} fragments can be processed to produce a preview images of the
5483 typeset expressions:
5488 Produce a preview image of the La@TeX{} fragment at point and overlay it
5489 over the source code. If there is no fragment at point, process all
5490 fragments in the current entry (between two headlines). When called
5491 with a prefix argument, process the entire subtree. When called with
5492 two prefix arguments, or when the cursor is before the first headline,
5493 process the entire buffer.
5496 Remove the overlay preview images.
5499 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), all La@TeX{} fragments are
5500 converted into images and inlined into the document if the following
5504 (setq org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments t)
5507 @node CDLaTeX mode, , Processing LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
5508 @section Using CDLaTeX to enter math
5511 CDLaTeX-mode is a minor mode that is normally used in combination with a
5512 major LaTeX mode like AUCTeX in order to speed-up insertion of
5513 environments and math templates. Inside Org-mode, you can make use of
5514 some of the features of cdlatex-mode. You need to install
5515 @file{cdlatex.el} and @file{texmathp.el} (the latter comes also with
5516 AUCTeX) from @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/cdlatex}.
5517 Don't turn cdlatex-mode itself under Org-mode, but use the light
5518 version @code{org-cdlatex-mode} that comes as part of Org-mode. Turn it
5519 on for the current buffer with @code{M-x org-cdlatex-mode}, or for all
5523 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-org-cdlatex)
5526 When this mode is enabled, the following features are present (for more
5527 details see the documentation of cdlatex-mode):
5531 Environment templates can be inserted with @kbd{C-c @{}.
5534 The @key{TAB} key will do template expansion if the cursor is inside a
5535 LaTeX fragment@footnote{Org-mode has a method to test if the cursor is
5536 inside such a fragment, see the documentation of the function
5537 @code{org-inside-LaTeX-fragment-p}.}. For example, @key{TAB} will
5538 expand @code{fr} to @code{\frac@{@}@{@}} and position the cursor
5539 correctly inside the first brace. Another @key{TAB} will get you into
5540 the second brace. Even outside fragments, @key{TAB} will expand
5541 environment abbreviations at the beginning of a line. For example, if
5542 you write @samp{equ} at the beginning of a line and press @key{TAB},
5543 this abbreviation will be expanded to an @code{equation} environment.
5544 To get a list of all abbreviations, type @kbd{M-x cdlatex-command-help}.
5548 Pressing @kbd{_} and @kbd{^} inside a LaTeX fragment will insert these
5549 characters together with a pair of braces. If you use @key{TAB} to move
5550 out of the braces, and if the braces surround only a single character or
5551 macro, they are removed again (depending on the variable
5552 @code{cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts}).
5555 Pressing the backquote @kbd{`} followed by a character inserts math
5556 macros, also outside LaTeX fragments. If you wait more than 1.5 seconds
5557 after the backquote, a help window will pop up.
5560 Pressing the normal quote @kbd{'} followed by another character modifies
5561 the symbol before point with an accent or a font. If you wait more than
5562 1.5 seconds after the backquote, a help window will pop up. Character
5563 modification will work only inside La@TeX{} fragments, outside the quote
5567 @node Exporting, Publishing, Embedded LaTeX, Top
5571 Org-mode documents can be exported into a variety of other formats. For
5572 printing and sharing of notes, ASCII export produces a readable and
5573 simple version of an Org-mode file. HTML export allows you to publish a
5574 notes file on the web, while the XOXO format provides a solid base for
5575 exchange with a broad range of other applications. To incorporate
5576 entries with associated times like deadlines or appointments into a
5577 desktop calendar program like iCal, Org-mode can also produce extracts
5578 in the iCalendar format. Currently Org-mode only supports export, not
5579 import of these different formats.
5581 When exporting, Org-mode uses special conventions to enrich the output
5582 produced. @xref{Text interpretation}, for more details.
5587 Dispatcher for export and publishing commands. Displays a help-window
5588 listing the additional key(s) needed to launch an export or publishing
5593 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
5594 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
5595 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
5596 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
5597 * Text interpretation:: How the exporter looks at the file
5600 @node ASCII export, HTML export, Exporting, Exporting
5601 @section ASCII export
5602 @cindex ASCII export
5604 ASCII export produces a simple and very readable version of an Org-mode
5607 @cindex region, active
5608 @cindex active region
5609 @cindex transient-mark-mode
5613 Export as ASCII file. If there is an active region, only the region
5614 will be exported. For an org file @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file
5615 will be @file{myfile.txt}. The file will be overwritten without
5619 Export only the visible part of the document.
5622 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
5623 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
5624 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
5625 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
5626 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
5633 creates only top level headlines and does the rest as items. When
5634 headlines are converted to items, the indentation of the text following
5635 the headline is changed to fit nicely under the item. This is done with
5636 the assumption that the first bodyline indicates the base indentation of
5637 the body text. Any indentation larger than this is adjusted to preserve
5638 the layout relative to the first line. Should there be lines with less
5639 indentation than the first, these are left alone.
5641 @node HTML export, XOXO export, ASCII export, Exporting
5642 @section HTML export
5645 Org-mode contains an HTML (XHTML 1.0 strict) exporter with extensive
5646 HTML formatting, in ways similar to John Grubers @emph{markdown}
5647 language, but with additional support for tables.
5650 * Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
5651 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org-mode
5652 * Links:: How hyperlinks get transferred to HTML
5653 * Images:: To inline or not to inline?
5654 * CSS support:: Style specifications
5657 @node Export commands, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export, HTML export
5658 @subsection HTML export commands
5660 @cindex region, active
5661 @cindex active region
5662 @cindex transient-mark-mode
5666 Export as HTML file @file{myfile.html}.
5669 Export as HTML file and open it with a browser.
5672 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
5675 Export the active region to a temporary buffer. With prefix arg, do not
5676 produce file header and foot, but just the plain HTML section for the
5677 region. This is good for cut-and-paste operations.
5686 Export only the visible part of the document.
5687 @item M-x org-export-region-as-html
5688 Convert the region to HTML under the assumption that it was org-mode
5689 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
5693 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
5694 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
5695 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
5696 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
5697 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
5704 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
5706 @node Quoting HTML tags, Links, Export commands, HTML export
5707 @subsection Quoting HTML tags
5709 Plain @samp{<} and @samp{>} are always transformed to @samp{<} and
5710 @samp{>} in HTML export. If you want to include simple HTML tags
5711 which should be interpreted as such, mark them with @samp{@@} as in
5712 @samp{@@<b>bold text@@</b>}. Note that this really works only for
5713 simple tags. For more extensive HTML that should be copied verbatim to
5714 the exported file use either
5717 #+HTML: Literal HTML code for export
5724 All lines between these markers are exported literally
5729 @node Links, Images, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export
5732 @cindex links, in HTML export
5733 @cindex internal links, in HTML export
5734 @cindex external links, in HTML export
5735 Internal links (@pxref{Internal links}) will continue to work in HTML
5736 files only if they match a dedicated @samp{<<target>>}. Automatic links
5737 created by radio targets (@pxref{Radio targets}) will also work in the
5738 HTML file. Links to external files will still work if the HTML file is
5739 in the same directory as the Org-mode file. Links to other @file{.org}
5740 files will be translated into HTML links under the assumption that an
5741 HTML version also exists of the linked file. For information related to
5742 linking files while publishing them to a publishing directory see
5743 @ref{Publishing links}.
5745 @node Images, CSS support, Links, HTML export
5748 @cindex images, inline in HTML
5749 @cindex inlining images in HTML
5750 HTML export can inline images given as links in the Org-mode file, and
5751 it can make an image the clickable part of a link. By
5752 default@footnote{but see the variable
5753 @code{org-export-html-inline-images}}, images are inlined if a link does
5754 not have a description. So @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg]]} will be inlined,
5755 while @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg][the image]]} will just produce a link
5756 @samp{the image} that points to the image. If the description part
5757 itself is a @code{file:} link or a @code{http:} URL pointing to an
5758 image, this image will be inlined and activated so that clicking on the
5759 image will activate the link. For example, to include a thumbnail that
5760 will link to a high resolution version of the image, you could use:
5763 [[file:highres.jpg][file:thumb.jpg]]
5767 and you could use @code{http} addresses just as well.
5769 @node CSS support, , Images, HTML export
5770 @subsection CSS support
5772 You can also give style information for the exported file. The HTML
5773 exporter assigns the following CSS classes to appropriate parts of the
5774 document - your style specifications may change these:
5776 .todo @r{TODO keywords}
5777 .done @r{the DONE keyword}
5778 .timestamp @r{time stamp}
5779 .timestamp-kwd @r{keyword associated with a time stamp, like SCHEDULED}
5780 .tag @r{tag in a headline}
5781 .target @r{target for links}
5784 The default style specification can be configured through the option
5785 @code{org-export-html-style}. If you want to use a file-local style,
5786 you may use file variables, best wrapped into a COMMENT section at the
5787 end of the outline tree. For example@footnote{Under Emacs 21, the
5788 continuation lines for a variable value should have no @samp{#} at the
5789 start of the line.}:
5792 * COMMENT html style specifications
5795 # org-export-html-style: " <style type=\"text/css\">
5796 # p @{font-weight: normal; color: gray; @}
5797 # h1 @{color: black; @}
5802 Remember to execute @kbd{M-x normal-mode} after changing this to make
5803 the new style visible to Emacs. This command restarts org-mode for the
5804 current buffer and forces Emacs to re-evaluate the local variables
5805 section in the buffer.
5807 @c FIXME: More about header and footer styles
5808 @c FIXME: Talk about links and targets.
5810 @node XOXO export, iCalendar export, HTML export, Exporting
5811 @section XOXO export
5814 Org-mode contains an exporter that produces XOXO-style output.
5815 Currently, this exporter only handles the general outline structure and
5816 does not interpret any additional Org-mode features.
5821 Export as XOXO file @file{myfile.html}.
5824 Export only the visible part of the document.
5827 @node iCalendar export, Text interpretation, XOXO export, Exporting
5828 @section iCalendar export
5829 @cindex iCalendar export
5831 Some people like to use Org-mode for keeping track of projects, but
5832 still prefer a standard calendar application for anniversaries and
5833 appointments. In this case it can be useful to have deadlines and
5834 other time-stamped items in Org-mode files show up in the calendar
5835 application. Org-mode can export calendar information in the standard
5836 iCalendar format. If you also want to have TODO entries included in the
5837 export, configure the variable @code{org-icalendar-include-todo}.
5842 Create iCalendar entries for the current file and store them in the same
5843 directory, using a file extension @file{.ics}.
5846 Like @kbd{C-c C-e i}, but do this for all files in
5847 @code{org-agenda-files}. For each of these files, a separate iCalendar
5848 file will be written.
5851 Create a single large iCalendar file from all files in
5852 @code{org-agenda-files} and write it to the file given by
5853 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}.
5856 How this calendar is best read and updated, depends on the application
5857 you are using. The FAQ covers this issue.
5860 @node Text interpretation, , iCalendar export, Exporting
5861 @section Text interpretation by the exporter
5863 The exporter backends interpret additional structure in the Org-mode file
5864 in order to produce better output.
5867 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
5868 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
5869 * Footnotes:: Numbers like [1]
5870 * Enhancing text:: Subscripts, symbols and more
5871 * Export options:: How to influence the export settings
5874 @node Comment lines, Initial text, Text interpretation, Text interpretation
5875 @subsection Comment lines
5876 @cindex comment lines
5877 @cindex exporting, not
5879 Lines starting with @samp{#} in column zero are treated as comments
5880 and will never be exported. Also entire subtrees starting with the
5881 word @samp{COMMENT} will never be exported.
5886 Toggle the COMMENT keyword at the beginning of an entry.
5889 @node Initial text, Footnotes, Comment lines, Text interpretation
5890 @subsection Text before the first headline
5892 Org-mode normally ignores any text before the first headline when
5893 exporting, leaving this region for internal links to speed up navigation
5894 etc. However, in publishing-oriented files, you might want to have some
5895 text before the first headline, like a small introduction, special HTML
5896 code with a navigation bar, etc. You can ask to have this part of the
5897 file exported as well by setting the variable
5898 @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading} to @code{nil}. On a
5899 per-file basis, you can get the same effect with
5905 The text before the first headline will be fully processed
5906 (@pxref{Enhancing text}), and the first non-comment line becomes the
5907 title of the exported document. If you need to include literal HTML,
5908 use the special constructs described in @ref{Quoting HTML tags}. The
5909 table of contents is normally inserted directly before the first
5910 headline of the file. If you would like to get it to a different
5911 location, insert the string @code{[TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]} on a line by
5912 itself at the desired location.
5914 Finally, if you want to use the space before the first headline for
5915 internal purposes, but @emph{still} want to place something before the
5916 first headline when exporting the file, you can use the @code{#+TEXT}
5921 #+TEXT: This text will go before the *first* headline.
5922 #+TEXT: We place the table of contents here:
5923 #+TEXT: [TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]
5924 #+TEXT: This goes between the table of contents and the first headline
5927 @node Footnotes, Enhancing text, Initial text, Text interpretation
5928 @subsection Footnotes
5930 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
5932 Numbers in square brackets are treated as footnotes, so that you can use
5933 the Emacs package @file{footnote.el} to create footnotes. For example:
5936 The org-mode homepage[1] clearly needs help from
5937 a good web designer.
5939 [1] The link is: http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/org
5944 Note that the @file{footnote} package uses @kbd{C-c !} to invoke its
5945 commands. This binding conflicts with the org-mode command for
5946 inserting inactive time stamps. You could use the variable
5947 @code{footnote-prefix} to switch footnotes commands to another key. Or,
5948 if you are too used to this binding, you could use
5949 @code{org-replace-disputed-keys} and @code{org-disputed-keys} to change
5950 the settings in Org-mode.
5952 @node Enhancing text, Export options, Footnotes, Text interpretation
5953 @subsection Enhancing text for export
5954 @cindex enhancing text
5957 Some of the export backends of Org-mode allow for sophisticated text
5958 formatting, this is true in particular for the HTML backend. Org-mode
5959 has a number of typing conventions that allow to produce a richly
5964 @cindex hand-formatted lists
5965 @cindex lists, hand-formatted
5967 Plain lists @samp{-}, @samp{*} or @samp{+} as bullet, or with @samp{1.}
5968 or @samp{2)} as enumerator will be recognized and transformed if the
5969 backend supports lists. See @xref{Plain lists}.
5971 @cindex underlined text
5975 You can make words @b{*bold*}, @i{/italic/}, _underlined_,
5976 @code{=code=}, and even @samp{+strikethrough+}@footnote{but remember
5977 that strikethrough is typographically evil and should @i{never} be
5980 @cindex horizontal rules, in exported files
5982 A line consisting of only dashes, and at least 5 of them, will be
5983 exported as a horizontal line (@samp{<hr/>} in HTML).
5985 @cindex LaTeX fragments, export
5986 @cindex TeX macros, export
5988 Many @TeX{} macros and entire La@TeX{} fragments are converted into HTML
5989 entities or images (@pxref{Embedded LaTeX}).
5991 @cindex tables, export
5993 Tables are transformed into native tables under the exporter, if the
5994 export backend supports this. Data fields before the first horizontal
5995 separator line will be formatted as table header fields.
5999 If a headline starts with the word @samp{QUOTE}, the text below the
6000 headline will be typeset as fixed-width, to allow quoting of computer
6001 codes etc. Lines starting with @samp{:} are also typeset in fixed-width
6006 Toggle fixed-width for entry (QUOTE) or region, see below.
6009 @cindex linebreak, forced
6011 A double backslash @emph{at the end of a line} enforces a line break at
6015 If these conversions conflict with your habits of typing ASCII text,
6016 they can all be turned off with corresponding variables. See the
6017 customization group @code{org-export-general}, and the following section
6018 which explains how to set export options with special lines in a
6022 @node Export options, , Enhancing text, Text interpretation
6023 @subsection Export options
6024 @cindex options, for export
6026 @cindex completion, of option keywords
6027 The exporter recognizes special lines in the buffer which provide
6028 additional information. These lines may be put anywhere in the file.
6029 The whole set of lines can be inserted into the buffer with @kbd{C-c
6030 C-e t}. For individual lines, a good way to make sure the keyword is
6031 correct is to type @samp{#+} and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion
6032 (@pxref{Completion}).
6037 Insert template with export options, see example below.
6041 #+TITLE: the title to be shown (default is the buffer name)
6042 #+AUTHOR: the author (default taken from @code{user-full-name})
6043 #+EMAIL: his/her email address (default from @code{user-mail-address})
6044 #+LANGUAGE: language for HTML, e.g. @samp{en} (@code{org-export-default-language})
6045 #+TEXT: Some descriptive text to be inserted at the beginning.
6046 #+TEXT: Several lines may be given.
6047 #+OPTIONS: H:2 num:t toc:t \n:nil @@:t ::t |:t ^:t f:t *:nil TeX:t LaTeX:t skip:t
6051 The OPTIONS line is a compact form to specify export settings. Here
6053 @cindex headline levels
6054 @cindex section-numbers
6055 @cindex table of contents
6056 @cindex linebreak preservation
6057 @cindex quoted HTML tags
6058 @cindex fixed-width sections
6060 @cindex @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts
6062 @cindex emphasized text
6063 @cindex @TeX{} macros
6064 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments
6066 H: @r{set the number of headline levels for export}
6067 num: @r{turn on/off section-numbers}
6068 toc: @r{turn on/off table of contents, or set level limit (integer)}
6069 \n: @r{turn on/off linebreak-preservation}
6070 @@: @r{turn on/off quoted HTML tags}
6071 :: @r{turn on/off fixed-width sections}
6072 |: @r{turn on/off tables}
6073 ^: @r{turn on/off @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts. If}
6074 @r{you write "^:@{@}", @code{a_@{b@}} will be interpreted, but}
6075 @r{the simple @code{a_b} will be left as it is.}
6076 f: @r{turn on/off foototes like this[1].}
6077 *: @r{turn on/off emphasized text (bold, italic, underlined)}
6078 TeX: @r{turn on/off simple @TeX{} macros in plain text}
6079 LaTeX: @r{turn on/off La@TeX{} fragments}
6080 skip: @r{turn on/off skipping the text before the first heading}
6083 @node Publishing, Miscellaneous, Exporting, Top
6087 Org-mode includes@footnote{@file{org-publish.el} is not distributed with
6088 Emacs 21, if you are still using Emacs 21, you need you need to download
6089 this file separately.} a publishing management system that allows you to
6090 configure automatic HTML conversion of @emph{projects} composed of
6091 interlinked org files. This system is called @emph{org-publish}. You
6092 can also configure org-publish to automatically upload your exported
6093 HTML pages and related attachments, such as images and source code
6094 files, to a web server. Org-publish turns org-mode into a web-site
6097 Org-publish has been contributed to Org-mode by David O'Toole.
6100 * Configuration:: Defining projects
6101 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
6102 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
6105 @node Configuration, Sample configuration, Publishing, Publishing
6106 @section Configuration
6108 Publishing needs significant configuration to specify files, destination
6109 and many other properties of a project.
6112 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
6113 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
6114 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
6115 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
6116 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
6117 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
6118 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
6121 @node Project alist, Sources and destinations, Configuration, Configuration
6122 @subsection The variable @code{org-publish-project-alist}
6123 @cindex org-publish-project-alist
6124 @cindex projects, for publishing
6126 Org-publish is configured almost entirely through setting the value of
6127 one variable, called @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
6128 Each element of the list configures one project, and may be in one of
6129 the two following forms:
6132 ("project-name" :property value :property value ...)
6136 ("project-name" :components ("project-name" "project-name" ...))
6140 In both cases, projects are configured by specifying property values.
6141 A project defines the set of files that will be published, as well as
6142 the publishing configuration to use when publishing those files. When
6143 a project takes the second form listed above, the individual members
6144 of the ``components'' property are taken to be components of the
6145 project, which group together files requiring different publishing
6146 options. When you publish such a ``meta-project'' all the components
6149 @node Sources and destinations, Selecting files, Project alist, Configuration
6150 @subsection Sources and destinations for files
6151 @cindex directories, for publishing
6153 Most properties are optional, but some should always be set. In
6154 particular, org-publish needs to know where to look for source files,
6155 and where to put published files.
6157 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
6158 @item @code{:base-directory}
6159 @tab Directory containing publishing source files
6160 @item @code{:publishing-directory}
6161 @tab Directory (possibly remote) where output files will be published.
6162 @item @code{:preparation-function}
6163 @tab Function called before starting publishing process, for example to
6164 run @code{make} for updating files to be published.
6168 @node Selecting files, Publishing action, Sources and destinations, Configuration
6169 @subsection Selecting files
6170 @cindex files, selecting for publishing
6172 By default, all files with extension @file{.org} in the base directory
6173 are considered part of the project. This can be modified by setting the
6175 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
6176 @item @code{:base-extension}
6177 @tab Extension (without the dot!) of source files. This actually is a
6180 @item @code{:exclude}
6181 @tab Regular expression to match file names that should not be
6182 published, even though they have been selected on the basis of their
6185 @item @code{:include}
6186 @tab List of files to be included regardless of @code{:base-extension}
6187 and @code{:exclude}.
6190 @node Publishing action, Publishing options, Selecting files, Configuration
6191 @subsection Publishing Action
6192 @cindex action, for publishing
6194 Publishing means that a file is copied to the destination directory and
6195 possibly transformed in the process. The default transformation is to
6196 export Org-mode files as HTML files, and this is done by the function
6197 @code{org-publish-org-to-html} which calls the HTML exporter
6198 (@pxref{HTML export}). Other files like images only need to be copied
6199 to the publishing destination. For non-Org-mode files, you need to
6200 specify the publishing function.
6202 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
6203 @item @code{:publishing-function}
6204 @tab Function executing the publication of a file. This may also be a
6205 list of functions, which will all be called in turn.
6208 The function must accept two arguments: a property list containing at
6209 least a @code{:publishing-directory} property, and the name of the file
6210 to be published. It should take the specified file, make the necessary
6211 transformation (if any) and place the result into the destination folder.
6212 You can write your own publishing function, but @code{org-publish}
6213 provides one for attachments (files that only need to be copied):
6214 @code{org-publish-attachment}.
6216 @node Publishing options, Publishing links, Publishing action, Configuration
6217 @subsection Options for the HTML exporter
6218 @cindex options, for publishing
6220 The property list can be used to set many export options for the HTML
6221 exporter. In most cases, these properties correspond to user variables
6222 in Org-mode. The table below lists these properties along with the
6223 variable they belong to. See the documentation string for the
6224 respective variable for details.
6226 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
6227 @item @code{:language} @tab @code{org-export-default-language}
6228 @item @code{:headline-levels} @tab @code{org-export-headline-levels}
6229 @item @code{:section-numbers} @tab @code{org-export-with-section-numbers}
6230 @item @code{:table-of-contents} @tab @code{org-export-with-toc}
6231 @item @code{:archived-trees} @tab @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}
6232 @item @code{:emphasize} @tab @code{org-export-with-emphasize}
6233 @item @code{:sub-superscript} @tab @code{org-export-with-sub-superscripts}
6234 @item @code{:TeX-macros} @tab @code{org-export-with-TeX-macros}
6235 @item @code{:LaTeX-fragments} @tab @code{org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments}
6236 @item @code{:fixed-width} @tab @code{org-export-with-fixed-width}
6237 @item @code{:timestamps} .@tab @code{org-export-with-timestamps}
6238 @item @code{:tags} .@tab @code{org-export-with-tags}
6239 @item @code{:tables} @tab @code{org-export-with-tables}
6240 @item @code{:table-auto-headline} @tab @code{org-export-highlight-first-table-line}
6241 @item @code{:style} @tab @code{org-export-html-style}
6242 @item @code{:convert-org-links} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html}
6243 @item @code{:inline-images} @tab @code{org-export-html-inline-images}
6244 @item @code{:expand-quoted-html} @tab @code{org-export-html-expand}
6245 @item @code{:timestamp} @tab @code{org-export-html-with-timestamp}
6246 @item @code{:publishing-directory} @tab @code{org-export-publishing-directory}
6247 @item @code{:preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-preamble}
6248 @item @code{:postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-postamble}
6249 @item @code{:auto-preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-preamble}
6250 @item @code{:auto-postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-postamble}
6251 @item @code{:author} @tab @code{user-full-name}
6252 @item @code{:email} @tab @code{user-mail-address}
6255 When a property is given a value in org-publish-project-alist, its
6256 setting overrides the value of the corresponding user variable (if any)
6257 during publishing. Options set within a file (@pxref{Export
6258 options}), however, override everything.
6260 @node Publishing links, Project page index, Publishing options, Configuration
6261 @subsection Links between published files
6262 @cindex links, publishing
6264 To create a link from one Org-mode file to another, you would use
6265 something like @samp{[[file:foo.org][The foo]]} or simply
6266 @samp{file:foo.org.} (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). Upon publishing this link
6267 becomes a link to @file{foo.html}. In this way, you can interlink the
6268 pages of your "org web" project and the links will work as expected when
6269 you publish them to HTML.
6271 You may also link to related files, such as images. Provided you are
6272 careful with relative pathnames, and provided you have also configured
6273 org-publish to upload the related files, these links will work
6274 too. @ref{Complex example} for an example of this usage.
6276 Sometime an Org-mode file to be published may contain links that are
6277 only valid in your production environment, but not in the publishing
6278 location. In this case, use the property
6280 @multitable @columnfractions 0.4 0.6
6281 @item @code{:link-validation-function}
6282 @tab Function to validate links
6286 to define a function for checking link validity. This function must
6287 accept two arguments, the file name and a directory relative to which
6288 the file name is interpreted in the production environment. If this
6289 function returns @code{nil}, then the HTML generator will only insert a
6290 description into the HTML file, but no link. One option for this
6291 function is @code{org-publish-validate-link} which checks if the given
6292 file is part of any project in @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
6294 @node Project page index, , Publishing links, Configuration
6295 @subsection Project page index
6296 @cindex index, of published pages
6298 The following properties may be used to control publishing of an
6299 index of files or summary page for a given project.
6301 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
6302 @item @code{:auto-index}
6303 @tab When non-nil, publish an index during org-publish-current-project or
6306 @item @code{:index-filename}
6307 @tab Filename for output of index. Defaults to @file{index.org} (which
6308 becomes @file{index.html}).
6310 @item @code{:index-title}
6311 @tab Title of index page. Defaults to name of file.
6313 @item @code{:index-function}
6314 @tab Plugin function to use for generation of index.
6315 Defaults to @code{org-publish-org-index}, which generates a plain list
6316 of links to all files in the project.
6319 @node Sample configuration, Triggering publication, Configuration, Publishing
6320 @section Sample configuration
6322 Below we provide two example configurations. The first one is a simple
6323 project publishing only a set of Org-mode files. The second example is
6324 more complex, with a multi-component project.
6327 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
6328 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
6331 @node Simple example, Complex example, Sample configuration, Sample configuration
6332 @subsection Example: simple publishing configuration
6334 This example publishes a set of Org-mode files to the @file{public_html}
6335 directory on the local machine.
6338 (setq org-publish-project-alist
6340 :base-directory "~/org/"
6341 :publishing-directory "~/public_html"
6342 :section-numbers nil
6343 :table-of-contents nil
6344 :style "<link rel=stylesheet
6345 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\"
6346 type=\"text/css\">")))
6349 @node Complex example, , Simple example, Sample configuration
6350 @subsection Example: complex publishing configuration
6352 This more complicated example publishes an entire website, including
6353 org files converted to HTML, image files, emacs lisp source code, and
6354 stylesheets. The publishing-directory is remote and private files are
6357 To ensure that links are preserved, care should be taken to replicate
6358 your directory structure on the web server, and to use relative file
6359 paths. For example, if your org files are kept in @file{~/org} and your
6360 publishable images in @file{~/images}, you'd link to an image with
6363 file:../images/myimage.png
6366 On the web server, the relative path to the image should be the
6367 same. You can accomplish this by setting up an "images" folder in the
6368 right place on the webserver, and publishing images to it.
6371 (setq org-publish-project-alist
6373 :base-directory "~/org/"
6374 :base-extension "org"
6375 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/notebook/"
6376 :publishing-function org-publish-org-to-html
6377 :exclude "PrivatePage.org" ;; regexp
6379 :section-numbers nil
6380 :table-of-contents nil
6381 :style "<link rel=stylesheet
6382 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\" type=\"text/css\">"
6384 :auto-postamble nil)
6387 :base-directory "~/images/"
6388 :base-extension "jpg\\|gif\\|png"
6389 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/images/"
6390 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
6393 :base-directory "~/other/"
6394 :base-extension "css\\|el"
6395 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/other/"
6396 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
6397 ("website" :components ("orgfiles" "images" "other"))))
6400 @node Triggering publication, , Sample configuration, Publishing
6401 @section Triggering publication
6403 Once org-publish is properly configured, you can publish with the
6404 following functions:
6408 Prompt for a specific project and publish all files that belong to it.
6410 Publish the project containing the current file.
6412 Publish only the current file.
6414 Publish all projects.
6417 Org uses timestamps to track when a file has changed. The above
6418 functions normally only publish changed files. You can override this and
6419 force publishing of all files by giving a prefix argument.
6421 @node Miscellaneous, Extensions and Hacking, Publishing, Top
6422 @chapter Miscellaneous
6425 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
6426 * Customization:: Adapting Org-mode to your taste
6427 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
6428 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
6429 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
6430 * TTY keys:: Using Org-mode on a tty
6431 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
6432 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
6435 @node Completion, Customization, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous
6437 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
6438 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
6439 @cindex completion, of dictionary words
6440 @cindex completion, of option keywords
6441 @cindex completion, of tags
6442 @cindex completion, of property keys
6443 @cindex completion, of link abbreviations
6444 @cindex @TeX{} symbol completion
6445 @cindex TODO keywords completion
6446 @cindex dictionary word completion
6447 @cindex option keyword completion
6448 @cindex tag completion
6449 @cindex link abbreviations, completion of
6451 Org-mode supports in-buffer completion. This type of completion does
6452 not make use of the minibuffer. You simply type a few letters into
6453 the buffer and use the key to complete text right there.
6458 Complete word at point
6461 At the beginning of a headline, complete TODO keywords.
6463 After @samp{\}, complete @TeX{} symbols supported by the exporter.
6465 After @samp{*}, complete headlines in the current buffer so that they
6466 can be used in search links like @samp{[[*find this headline]]}.
6468 After @samp{:} in a headline, complete tags. The list of tags is taken
6469 from the variable @code{org-tag-alist} (possibly set through the
6470 @samp{#+TAGS} in-buffer option, @pxref{Setting tags}), or it is created
6471 dynamically from all tags used in the current buffer.
6473 After @samp{:} and not in a headline, complete property keys. The list
6474 of keys is constructed dynamically from all keys used in the current
6477 After @samp{[}, complete link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}).
6479 After @samp{#+}, complete the special keywords like @samp{TYP_TODO} or
6480 @samp{OPTIONS} which set file-specific options for Org-mode. When the
6481 option keyword is already complete, pressing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} again
6482 will insert example settings for this keyword.
6484 In the line after @samp{#+STARTUP: }, complete startup keywords,
6485 i.e. valid keys for this line.
6487 Elsewhere, complete dictionary words using ispell.
6491 @node Customization, In-buffer settings, Completion, Miscellaneous
6492 @section Customization
6493 @cindex customization
6494 @cindex options, for customization
6495 @cindex variables, for customization
6497 There are more than 180 variables that can be used to customize
6498 Org-mode. For the sake of compactness of the manual, I am not
6499 describing the variables here. A structured overview of customization
6500 variables is available with @kbd{M-x org-customize}. Or select
6501 @code{Browse Org Group} from the @code{Org->Customization} menu. Many
6502 settings can also be activated on a per-file basis, by putting special
6503 lines into the buffer (@pxref{In-buffer settings}).
6505 @node In-buffer settings, The very busy C-c C-c key, Customization, Miscellaneous
6506 @section Summary of in-buffer settings
6507 @cindex in-buffer settings
6508 @cindex special keywords
6510 Org-mode uses special lines in the buffer to define settings on a
6511 per-file basis. These lines start with a @samp{#+} followed by a
6512 keyword, a colon, and then individual words defining a setting. Several
6513 setting words can be in the same line, but you can also have multiple
6514 lines for the keyword. While these settings are described throughout
6515 the manual, here is a summary. After changing any of those lines in the
6516 buffer, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to
6517 activate the changes immediately. Otherwise they become effective only
6518 when the file is visited again in a new Emacs session.
6521 @item #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
6522 This line sets the archive location for the agenda file. It applies for
6523 all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+CATEGORY} line, or the end
6524 of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
6525 The corresponding variable is @code{org-archive-location}.
6527 This line sets the category for the agenda file. The category applies
6528 for all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+CATEGORY} line, or the
6529 end of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
6530 @item #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM .....
6531 Set the default format for columns view. This format applies when
6532 columns view is invoked in location where no COLUMNS property applies.
6533 @item #+CONSTANTS: name1=value1 ...
6534 Set file-local values for constants to be used in table formulas. This
6535 line set the local variable @code{org-table-formula-constants-local}.
6536 The global version of theis variable is
6537 @code{org-table-formula-constants}.
6539 @item #+LINK: linkword replace
6540 These lines (several are allowed) specify link abbreviations.
6541 @xref{Link abbreviations}. The corresponding variable is
6542 @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}.
6543 @item #+PRIORITIES: highest lowest default
6544 This line sets the limits and the default for the priorities. All three
6545 must be either letters A-Z or numbers 0-9. The highest priority must
6546 have a lower ASCII number that the lowest priority.
6548 This line sets options to be used at startup of org-mode, when an
6549 Org-mode file is being visited. The first set of options deals with the
6550 initial visibility of the outline tree. The corresponding variable for
6551 global default settings is @code{org-startup-folded}, with a default
6552 value @code{t}, which means @code{overview}.
6553 @cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
6554 @cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
6555 @cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
6557 overview @r{top-level headlines only}
6558 content @r{all headlines}
6559 showall @r{no folding at all, show everything}
6561 Then there are options for aligning tables upon visiting a file. This
6562 is useful in files containing narrowed table columns. The corresponding
6563 variable is @code{org-startup-align-all-tables}, with a default value
6565 @cindex @code{align}, STARTUP keyword
6566 @cindex @code{noalign}, STARTUP keyword
6568 align @r{align all tables}
6569 noalign @r{don't align tables on startup}
6571 Logging TODO state changes and clock intervals (variable
6572 @code{org-log-done}) can be configured using these options.
6573 @cindex @code{logdone}, STARTUP keyword
6574 @cindex @code{nologging}, STARTUP keyword
6575 @cindex @code{lognotedone}, STARTUP keyword
6576 @cindex @code{lognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
6577 @cindex @code{lognotestate}, STARTUP keyword
6578 @cindex @code{logrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
6579 @cindex @code{nologrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
6581 logging @r{record a timestamp when an item is marked DONE}
6582 nologging @r{don't record when items are marked DONE}
6583 lognotedone @r{record timestamp and a note when DONE}
6584 lognotestate @r{record timestamp and a note when TODO state changes}
6585 logrepeat @r{record a note when re-instating a repeating item}
6586 nologrepeat @r{do not record when re-instating repeating item}
6587 lognoteclock-out @r{record timestamp and a note when clocking out}
6589 Here are the options for hiding leading stars in outline headings. The
6590 corresponding variables are @code{org-hide-leading-stars} and
6591 @code{org-odd-levels-only}, both with a default setting @code{nil}
6592 (meaning @code{showstars} and @code{oddeven}).
6593 @cindex @code{hidestars}, STARTUP keyword
6594 @cindex @code{showstars}, STARTUP keyword
6595 @cindex @code{odd}, STARTUP keyword
6596 @cindex @code{even}, STARTUP keyword
6598 hidestars @r{make all but one of the stars starting a headline invisible.}
6599 showstars @r{show all stars starting a headline}
6600 odd @r{allow only odd outline levels (1,3,...)}
6601 oddeven @r{allow all outline levels}
6603 To turn on custom format overlays over time stamps (variables
6604 @code{org-put-time-stamp-overlays} and
6605 @code{org-time-stamp-overlay-formats}), use
6606 @cindex @code{customtime}, STARTUP keyword
6608 customtime @r{overlay custom time format}
6610 The following options influence the table spreadsheet (variable
6611 @code{constants-unit-system}).
6612 @cindex @code{constcgs}, STARTUP keyword
6613 @cindex @code{constSI}, STARTUP keyword
6615 constcgs @r{@file{constants.el} should use the c-g-s unit system}
6616 constSI @r{@file{constants.el} should use the SI unit system}
6618 @item #+TAGS: TAG1(c1) TAG2(c2)
6619 These lines (several such lines are allowed) specify the legal tags in
6620 this file, and (potentially) the corresponding @emph{fast tag selection}
6621 keys. The corresponding variable is @code{org-tag-alist}.
6623 This line contains the formulas for the table directly above the line.
6624 @item #+TITLE:, #+AUTHOR:, #+EMAIL:, #+LANGUAGE:, #+TEXT:, #+OPTIONS:
6625 These lines provide settings for exporting files. For more details see
6626 @ref{Export options}.
6627 @item #+SEQ_TODO: #+TYP_TODO:
6628 These lines set the TODO keywords and their interpretation in the
6629 current file. The corresponding variables are @code{org-todo-keywords}
6630 and @code{org-todo-interpretation}.
6633 @node The very busy C-c C-c key, Clean view, In-buffer settings, Miscellaneous
6634 @section The very busy C-c C-c key
6636 @cindex C-c C-c, overview
6638 The key @kbd{C-c C-c} has many purposes in org-mode, which are all
6639 mentioned scattered throughout this manual. One specific function of
6640 this key is to add @emph{tags} to a headline (@pxref{Tags}). In many
6641 other circumstances it means something like @emph{Hey Org-mode, look
6642 here and update according to what you see here}. Here is a summary of
6643 what this means in different contexts.
6647 If there are highlights in the buffer from the creation of a sparse
6648 tree, or from clock display, remove these highlights.
6650 If the cursor is in one of the special @code{#+KEYWORD} lines, this
6651 triggers scanning the buffer for these lines and updating the
6654 If the cursor is inside a table, realign the table. This command
6655 works even if the automatic table editor has been turned off.
6657 If the cursor is on a @code{#+TBLFM} line, re-apply the formulas to
6660 If the cursor is inside a table created by the @file{table.el} package,
6661 activate that table.
6663 If the current buffer is a remember buffer, close the note and file it.
6664 With a prefix argument, file it, without further interaction, to the
6667 If the cursor is on a @code{<<<target>>>}, update radio targets and
6668 corresponding links in this buffer.
6670 If the cursor is in a property line or at the start or end of a property
6671 drawer, offer property commands.
6673 If the cursor is in a plain list item with a checkbox, toggle the status
6676 If the cursor is on a numbered item in a plain list, renumber the
6680 @node Clean view, TTY keys, The very busy C-c C-c key, Miscellaneous
6681 @section A cleaner outline view
6682 @cindex hiding leading stars
6683 @cindex clean outline view
6685 Some people find it noisy and distracting that the Org-mode headlines
6686 are starting with a potentially large number of stars. For example
6687 the tree from @ref{Headlines}:
6690 * Top level headline
6696 * Another top level headline
6700 Unfortunately this is deeply ingrained into the code of Org-mode and
6701 cannot be easily changed. You can, however, modify the display in such
6702 a way that all leading stars become invisible and the outline more easy
6703 to read. To do this, customize the variable
6704 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} like this:
6707 (setq org-hide-leading-stars t)
6711 or change this on a per-file basis with one of the lines (anywhere in
6715 #+STARTUP: showstars
6716 #+STARTUP: hidestars
6720 Press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in a @samp{STARTUP} line to activate
6723 With stars hidden, the tree becomes:
6726 * Top level headline
6732 * Another top level headline
6736 Note that the leading stars are not truly replaced by whitespace, they
6737 are only fontified with the face @code{org-hide} that uses the
6738 background color as font color. If you are not using either white or
6739 black background, you may have to customize this face to get the wanted
6740 effect. Another possibility is to set this font such that the extra
6741 stars are @i{almost} invisible, for example using the color
6742 @code{grey90} on a white background.
6744 Things become cleaner still if you skip all the even levels and use only
6745 odd levels 1, 3, 5..., effectively adding two stars to go from one
6746 outline level to the next:
6749 * Top level headline
6755 * Another top level headline
6759 In order to make the structure editing and export commands handle this
6760 convention correctly, use
6763 (setq org-odd-levels-only t)
6767 or set this on a per-file basis with one of the following lines (don't
6768 forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in the startup line to
6769 activate changes immediately).
6776 You can convert an Org-mode file from single-star-per-level to the
6777 double-star-per-level convention with @kbd{M-x org-convert-to-odd-levels
6778 RET} in that file. The reverse operation is @kbd{M-x
6779 org-convert-to-oddeven-levels}.
6781 @node TTY keys, Interaction, Clean view, Miscellaneous
6782 @section Using org-mode on a tty
6783 @cindex tty keybindings
6785 Org-mode uses a number of keys that are not accessible on a tty. This
6786 applies to most special keys like cursor keys, @key{TAB} and
6787 @key{RET}, when these are combined with modifier keys like @key{Meta}
6788 and/or @key{Shift}. Org-mode uses these bindings because it needs to
6789 provide keys for a large number of commands, and because these keys
6790 appeared particularly easy to remember. In order to still be able to
6791 access the core functionality of Org-mode on a tty, alternative
6792 bindings are provided. Here is a complete list of these bindings,
6793 which are obviously more cumbersome to use. Note that sometimes a
6794 work-around can be better. For example changing a time stamp is
6795 really only fun with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys. On a tty you would
6796 rather use @kbd{C-c .} to re-insert the timestamp.
6798 @multitable @columnfractions 0.15 0.2 0.2
6799 @item @b{Default} @tab @b{Alternative 1} @tab @b{Alternative 2}
6800 @item @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C-u @key{TAB}} @tab
6801 @item @kbd{M-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x l} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{left}}
6802 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x L} @tab
6803 @item @kbd{M-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x r} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{right}}
6804 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x R} @tab
6805 @item @kbd{M-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x u} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{up}}
6806 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x U} @tab
6807 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x d} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{down}}
6808 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x D} @tab
6809 @item @kbd{S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x c} @tab
6810 @item @kbd{M-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x m} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{RET}}
6811 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x M} @tab
6812 @item @kbd{S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{left}} @tab
6813 @item @kbd{S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{right}} @tab
6814 @item @kbd{S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{up}} @tab
6815 @item @kbd{S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{down}} @tab
6816 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{left}} @tab
6817 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{right}} @tab
6820 @node Interaction, Bugs, TTY keys, Miscellaneous
6821 @section Interaction with other packages
6822 @cindex packages, interaction with other
6823 Org-mode lives in the world of GNU Emacs and interacts in various ways
6824 with other code out there.
6827 * Cooperation:: Packages Org-mode cooperates with
6828 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
6831 @node Cooperation, Conflicts, Interaction, Interaction
6832 @subsection Packages that Org-mode cooperates with
6835 @cindex @file{calc.el}
6836 @item @file{calc.el} by Dave Gillespie
6837 Org-mode uses the calc package for implementing spreadsheet
6838 functionality in its tables (@pxref{The spreadsheet}). Org-mode
6839 checks for the availability of calc by looking for the function
6840 @code{calc-eval} which should be autoloaded in your setup if calc has
6841 been installed properly. As of Emacs 22, calc is part of the Emacs
6842 distribution. Another possibility for interaction between the two
6843 packages is using calc for embedded calculations. @xref{Embedded Mode,
6844 , Embedded Mode, calc, GNU Emacs Calc Manual}.
6845 @cindex @file{constants.el}
6846 @item @file{constants.el} by Carsten Dominik
6847 In a table formula (@pxref{The spreadsheet}), it is possible to use
6848 names for natural constants or units. Instead of defining your own
6849 constants in the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}, install
6850 the @file{constants} package which defines a large number of constants
6851 and units, and lets you use unit prefixes like @samp{M} for
6852 @samp{Mega} etc. You will need version 2.0 of this package, available
6853 at @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools}. Org-mode checks for
6854 the function @code{constants-get}, which has to be autoloaded in your
6855 setup. See the installation instructions in the file
6856 @file{constants.el}.
6857 @item @file{cdlatex.el} by Carsten Dominik
6858 @cindex @file{cdlatex.el}
6859 Org-mode can make use of the cdlatex package to efficiently enter
6860 La@TeX{} fragments into Org-mode files. See @ref{CDLaTeX mode}.
6861 @item @file{remember.el} by John Wiegley
6862 @cindex @file{remember.el}
6863 Org mode cooperates with remember, see @ref{Remember}.
6864 @file{Remember.el} is not part of Emacs, find it on the web.
6865 @cindex @file{table.el}
6866 @item @file{table.el} by Takaaki Ota
6868 @cindex table editor, @file{table.el}
6869 @cindex @file{table.el}
6871 Complex ASCII tables with automatic line wrapping, column- and
6872 row-spanning, and alignment can be created using the Emacs table
6873 package by Takaaki Ota (@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/table},
6874 and also part of Emacs 22).
6875 When @key{TAB} or @kbd{C-c C-c} is pressed in such a table, Org-mode
6876 will call @command{table-recognize-table} and move the cursor into the
6877 table. Inside a table, the keymap of Org-mode is inactive. In order
6878 to execute Org-mode-related commands, leave the table.
6883 Recognize @file{table.el} table. Works when the cursor is in a
6888 Insert a table.el table. If there is already a table at point, this
6889 command converts it between the table.el format and the Org-mode
6890 format. See the documentation string of the command
6891 @code{org-convert-table} for the restrictions under which this is
6894 @file{table.el} is part of Emacs 22.
6895 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
6896 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
6897 Org-mode recognizes numerical footnotes as provided by this package
6898 (@pxref{Footnotes}).
6901 @node Conflicts, , Cooperation, Interaction
6902 @subsection Packages that lead to conflicts with Org-mode
6906 @cindex @file{allout.el}
6907 @item @file{allout.el} by Ken Manheimer
6908 Startup of Org-mode may fail with the error message
6909 @code{(wrong-type-argument keymapp nil)} when there is an outdated
6910 version @file{allout.el} on the load path, for example the version
6911 distributed with Emacs 21.x. Upgrade to Emacs 22 and this problem will
6912 disappear. If for some reason you cannot do this, make sure that org.el
6913 is loaded @emph{before} @file{allout.el}, for example by putting
6914 @code{(require 'org)} early enough into your @file{.emacs} file.
6916 @cindex @file{CUA.el}
6917 @item @file{CUA.el} by Kim. F. Storm
6918 Keybindings in Org-mode conflict with the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys
6919 used by CUA-mode (as well as pc-select-mode and s-region-mode) to
6920 select and extend the region. If you want to use one of these
6921 packages along with Org-mode, configure the variable
6922 @code{org-CUA-compatible}. When set, Org-mode will move the following
6923 keybindings in org-mode files, and in the agenda buffer (but not
6924 during date selection).
6927 S-UP -> M-p S-DOWN -> M-n
6928 S-LEFT -> M-- S-RIGHT -> M-+
6931 Yes, these are unfortunately more difficult to remember. If you want
6932 to have other replacement keys, look at the variable
6933 @code{org-disputed-keys}.
6934 @item @file{windmove.el} by Hovav Shacham
6935 @cindex @file{windmove.el}
6936 Also this package uses the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys, so everything written
6937 in the paragraph above about CUA mode also applies here.
6939 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
6940 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
6941 Org-mode supports the syntax of the footnote package, but only the
6942 numerical footnote markers. Also, the default key for footnote
6943 commands, @kbd{C-c !} is already used by org-mode. You could use the
6944 variable @code{footnote-prefix} to switch footnotes commands to another
6945 key. Or, you could use @code{org-replace-disputed-keys} and
6946 @code{org-disputed-keys} to change the settings in Org-mode.
6951 @node Bugs, , Interaction, Miscellaneous
6955 Here is a list of things that should work differently, but which I
6956 have found too hard to fix.
6960 If a table field starts with a link, and if the corresponding table
6961 column is narrowed (@pxref{Narrow columns}) to a width too small to
6962 display the link, the field would look entirely empty even though it is
6963 not. To prevent this, Org-mode throws an error. The work-around is to
6964 make the column wide enough to fit the link, or to add some text (at
6965 least 2 characters) before the link in the same field.
6967 Narrowing table columns does not work on XEmacs, because the
6968 @code{format} function does not transport text properties.
6970 Text in an entry protected with the @samp{QUOTE} keyword should not
6973 When the application called by @kbd{C-c C-o} to open a file link fails
6974 (for example because the application does not exist or refuses to open
6975 the file), it does so silently. No error message is displayed.
6977 Recalculating a table line applies the formulas from left to right.
6978 If a formula uses @emph{calculated} fields further down the row,
6979 multiple recalculation may be needed to get all fields consistent. You
6980 may use the command @code{org-table-iterate} (@kbd{C-u C-c *}) to
6981 recalculate until convergence.
6983 A single letter cannot be made bold, for example @samp{*a*}.
6985 The exporters work well, but could be made more efficient.
6989 @node Extensions and Hacking, History and Acknowledgments, Miscellaneous, Top
6990 @appendix Extensions, Hooks and Hacking
6992 This appendix lists extensions for Org-mode written by other authors.
6993 It also covers some aspects where users can extend the functionality of
6997 * Extensions:: Existing 3rd-part extensions
6998 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
6999 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
7000 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
7001 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
7004 @node Extensions, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Extensions and Hacking, Extensions and Hacking
7005 @section Third-party extensions for Org-mode
7006 @cindex extension, third-party
7008 The following extensions for Org-mode have been written by other people:
7011 @cindex @file{org-publish.el}
7012 @item @file{org-publish.el} by David O'Toole
7013 This package provides facilities for publishing related sets of Org-mode
7014 files together with linked files like images as webpages. It is
7015 highly configurable and can be used for other publishing purposes as
7016 well. As of Org-mode version 4.30, @file{org-publish.el} is part of the
7017 Org-mode distribution. It is not yet part of Emacs, however, a delay
7018 caused by the preparations for the 22.1 release. In the mean time,
7019 @file{org-publish.el} can be downloaded from David's site:
7020 @url{http://dto.freeshell.org/e/org-publish.el}.
7021 @cindex @file{org-mouse.el}
7022 @item @file{org-mouse.el} by Piotr Zielinski
7023 This package implements extended mouse functionality for Org-mode. It
7024 allows you to cycle visibility and to edit the document structure with
7025 the mouse. Best of all, it provides a context-sensitive menu on
7026 @key{mouse-3} that changes depending on the context of a mouse-click.
7027 As of Org-mode version 4.53, @file{org-mouse.el} is part of the
7028 Org-mode distribution. It is not yet part of Emacs, however, a delay
7029 caused by the preparations for the 22.1 release. In the mean time,
7030 @file{org-mouse.el} can be downloaded from Piotr's site:
7031 @url{http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~pz215/files/org-mouse.el}.
7032 @cindex @file{org-blog.el}
7033 @item @file{org-blog.el} by David O'Toole
7034 A blogging plug-in for @file{org-publish.el}.@*
7035 @url{http://dto.freeshell.org/notebook/OrgMode.html}.
7036 @cindex @file{blorg.el}
7037 @item @file{blorg.el} by Bastien Guerry
7038 Publish Org-mode files as
7039 blogs. @url{http://www.cognition.ens.fr/~guerry/blorg.html}.
7040 @cindex @file{org2rem.el}
7041 @item @file{org2rem.el} by Bastien Guerry
7042 Translates Org-mode files into something readable by
7043 Remind. @url{http://www.cognition.ens.fr/~guerry/u/org2rem.el}.
7048 @node Tables in arbitrary syntax, Dynamic blocks, Extensions, Extensions and Hacking
7049 @section Tables in arbitrary syntax
7050 @cindex tables, in other modes
7053 Since Orgtbl-mode can be used as a minor mode in arbitrary buffers, a
7054 frequent feature request has been to make it work with native tables in
7055 specific languages, for example LaTeX. However, this is extremely hard
7056 to do in a general way, would lead to a customization nightmare, and
7057 would take away much of the simplicity of the Orgtbl-mode table editor.
7059 This appendix describes a different approach. We keep the Orgtbl-mode
7060 table in its native format (the @i{source table}), and use a custom
7061 function to @i{translate} the table to the correct syntax, and to
7062 @i{install} it in the right location (the @i{target table}). This puts
7063 the burden of writing conversion functions on the user, but it allows
7064 for a very flexible system.
7067 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
7068 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
7069 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
7072 @node Radio tables, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Tables in arbitrary syntax
7073 @subsection Radio tables
7074 @cindex radio tables
7076 To define the location of the target table, you first need to create two
7077 lines that are comments in the current mode, but contain magic words for
7078 Orgtbl-mode to find. Orgtbl-mode will insert the translated table
7079 between these lines, replacing whatever was there before. For example:
7082 /* BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
7083 /* END RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
7087 Just above the source table, we put a special line that tells
7088 Orgtbl-mode how to translate this table and where to install it. For
7091 #+ORGTBL: SEND table_name translation_function arguments....
7095 @code{table_name} is the reference name for the table that is also used
7096 in the receiver lines. @code{translation_function} is the Lisp function
7097 that does the translation. Furthermore, the line can contain a list of
7098 arguments (alternating key and value) at the end. The arguments will be
7099 passed as a property list to the translation function for
7100 interpretation. A few standard parameters are already recognized and
7101 acted upon before the translation function is called:
7105 Skip the first N lines of the table. Hlines do count!
7106 @item :skipcols (n1 n2 ...)
7107 List of columns that should be skipped. If the table has a column with
7108 calculation marks, that column is automatically discarded as well.
7109 Please note that the translator function sees the table @emph{after} the
7110 removal of these columns, the function never knows that there have been
7115 The one problem remaining is how to keep the source table in the buffer
7116 without disturbing the normal workings of the file, for example during
7117 compilation of a C file or processing of a LaTeX file. There are a
7118 number of different solutions:
7122 The table could be placed in a block comment if that is supported by the
7123 language. For example, in C-mode you could wrap the table between
7124 @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} lines.
7126 Sometimes it is possible to put the table after some kind of @i{END}
7127 statement, for example @samp{\bye} in TeX and @samp{\end@{document@}}
7130 You can just comment the table line by line whenever you want to process
7131 the file, and uncomment it whenever you need to edit the table. This
7132 only sounds tedious - the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-toggle-comment} does
7133 make this comment-toggling very easy, in particular if you bind it to a
7137 @node A LaTeX example, Translator functions, Radio tables, Tables in arbitrary syntax
7138 @subsection A LaTeX example
7139 @cindex LaTeX, and orgtbl-mode
7141 The best way to wrap the source table in LaTeX is to use the
7142 @code{comment} environment provided by @file{comment.sty}. It has to be
7143 activated by placing @code{\usepackage@{comment@}} into the document
7144 header. Orgtbl-mode can insert a radio table skeleton@footnote{By
7145 default this works only for LaTeX, HTML, and TeXInfo. Configure the
7146 variable @code{orgtbl-radio-tables} to install templates for other
7147 modes.} with the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-insert-radio-table}. You will
7148 be prompted for a table name, lets say we use @samp{salesfigures}. You
7149 will then get the following template:
7152 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
7153 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
7155 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
7161 The @code{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line tells orgtbl-mode to use the function
7162 @code{orgtbl-to-latex} to convert the table into LaTeX and to put it
7163 into the receiver location with name @code{salesfigures}. You may now
7164 fill in the table, feel free to use the spreadsheet features@footnote{If
7165 the @samp{#+TBLFM} line contains an odd number of dollar characters,
7166 this may cause problems with font-lock in latex-mode. As shown in the
7167 example you can fix this by adding an extra line inside the
7168 @code{comment} environment that is used to balance the dollar
7169 expressions. If you are using AUCTeX with the font-latex library, a
7170 much better solution is to add the @code{comment} environment to the
7171 variable @code{LaTeX-verbatim-environments}.}:
7174 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
7175 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
7177 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
7178 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
7179 |-------+------+---------+---------|
7180 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
7181 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
7182 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
7183 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
7184 % $ (optional extra dollar to keep font-lock happy, see footnote)
7189 When you are done, press @kbd{C-c C-c} in the table to get the converted
7190 table inserted between the two marker lines.
7192 Now lets assume you want to make the table header by hand, because you
7193 want to control how columns are aligned etc. In this case we make sure
7194 that the table translator does skip the first 2 lines of the source
7195 table, and tell the command to work as a @i{splice}, i.e. to not produce
7196 header and footer commands of the target table:
7199 \begin@{tabular@}@{lrrr@}
7200 Month & \multicolumn@{1@}@{c@}@{Days@} & Nr.\ sold & per day\\
7201 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
7202 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
7206 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex :splice t :skip 2
7207 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
7208 |-------+------+---------+---------|
7209 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
7210 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
7211 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
7212 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
7216 The LaTeX translator function @code{orgtbl-to-latex} is already part of
7217 Orgtbl-mode. It uses a @code{tabular} environment to typeset the table
7218 and marks horizontal lines with @code{\hline}. Furthermore, it
7219 interprets the following parameters:
7223 When set to t, return only table body lines, don't wrap them into a
7224 tabular environment. Default is nil.
7227 A format to be used to wrap each field, should contain @code{%s} for the
7228 original field value. For example, to wrap each field value in dollars,
7229 you could use @code{:fmt "$%s$"}. This may also be a property list with
7230 column numbers and formats. for example @code{:fmt (2 "$%s$" 4 "%s\\%%")}.
7233 Use this format to print numbers with exponentials. The format should
7234 have @code{%s} twice for inserting mantissa and exponent, for example
7235 @code{"%s\\times10^@{%s@}"}. The default is @code{"%s\\,(%s)"}. This
7236 may also be a property list with column numbers and formats, for example
7237 @code{:efmt (2 "$%s\\times10^@{%s@}$" 4 "$%s\\cdot10^@{%s@}$")}. After
7238 @code{efmt} has been applied to a value, @code{fmt} will also be
7242 @node Translator functions, , A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax
7243 @subsection Translator functions
7244 @cindex HTML, and orgtbl-mode
7245 @cindex translator function
7247 Orgtbl-mode has several translator functions built-in:
7248 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-html}, and
7249 @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}. Except for @code{orgtbl-to-html}@footnote{The
7250 HTML translator uses the same code that produces tables during HTML
7251 export.}, these all use a generic translator, @code{orgtbl-to-generic}.
7252 For example, @code{orgtbl-to-latex} itself is a very short function that
7253 computes the column definitions for the @code{tabular} environment,
7254 defines a few field and line separators and then hands over to the
7255 generic translator. Here is the entire code:
7259 (defun orgtbl-to-latex (table params)
7260 "Convert the orgtbl-mode TABLE to LaTeX."
7261 (let* ((alignment (mapconcat (lambda (x) (if x "r" "l"))
7262 org-table-last-alignment ""))
7265 :tstart (concat "\\begin@{tabular@}@{" alignment "@}")
7266 :tend "\\end@{tabular@}"
7267 :lstart "" :lend " \\\\" :sep " & "
7268 :efmt "%s\\,(%s)" :hline "\\hline")))
7269 (orgtbl-to-generic table (org-combine-plists params2 params))))
7273 As you can see, the properties passed into the function (variable
7274 @var{PARAMS}) are combined with the ones newly defined in the function
7275 (variable @var{PARAMS2}). The ones passed into the function (i.e. the
7276 ones set by the @samp{ORGTBL SEND} line) take precedence. So if you
7277 would like to use the LaTeX translator, but wanted the line endings to
7278 be @samp{\\[2mm]} instead of the default @samp{\\}, you could just
7279 overrule the default with
7282 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-latex :lend " \\\\[2mm]"
7285 For a new language, you can either write your own converter function in
7286 analogy with the LaTeX translator, or you can use the generic function
7287 directly. For example, if you have a language where a table is started
7288 with @samp{!BTBL!}, ended with @samp{!ETBL!}, and where table lines are
7289 started with @samp{!BL!}, ended with @samp{!EL!} and where the field
7290 separator is a TAB, you could call the generic translator like this (on
7294 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-generic :tstart "!BTBL!" :tend "!ETBL!"
7295 :lstart "!BL! " :lend " !EL!" :sep "\t"
7299 Please check the documentation string of the function
7300 @code{orgtbl-to-generic} for a full list of parameters understood by
7301 that function and remember that you can pass each of them into
7302 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}, and any other function
7303 using the generic function.
7305 Of course you can also write a completely new function doing complicated
7306 things the generic translator cannot do. A translator function takes
7307 two arguments. The first argument is the table, a list of lines, each
7308 line either the symbol @code{hline} or a list of fields. The second
7309 argument is the property list containing all parameters specified in the
7310 @samp{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line. The function must return a single string
7311 containing the formatted table. If you write a generally useful
7312 translator, please post it on @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} so that
7313 others can benefit from your work.
7315 @node Dynamic blocks, Special agenda views, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Extensions and Hacking
7316 @section Dynamic blocks
7317 @cindex dynamic blocks
7319 Org-mode documents can contain @emph{dynamic blocks}. These are
7320 specially marked regions that are updated by some user-written function.
7321 A good example for such a block is the clock table inserted by the
7322 command @kbd{C-c C-x C-r} (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
7324 Dynamic block are enclosed by a BEGIN-END structure that assigns a name
7325 to the block and can also specify parameters for the function producing
7326 the content of the block.
7329 #+BEGIN: myblock :parameter1 value1 :parameter2 value2 ...
7334 Dynamic blocks are updated with the following commands
7339 Update dynamic block at point.
7340 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
7341 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
7342 Update all dynamic blocks in the current file.
7345 Updating a dynamic block means to remove all the text between BEGIN and
7346 END, parse the BEGIN line for parameters and then call the specific
7347 writer function for this block to insert the new content. For a block
7348 with name @code{myblock}, the writer function is
7349 @code{org-dblock-write:myblock} with as only parameter a property list
7350 with the parameters given in the begin line. Here is a trivial example
7351 of a block that keeps track of when the block update function was last
7355 #+BEGIN: block-update-time :format "on %m/%d/%Y at %H:%M"
7361 The corresponding block writer function could look like this:
7364 (defun org-dblock-write:block-update-time (params)
7365 (let ((fmt (or (plist-get params :format) "%d. %m. %Y")))
7366 (insert "Last block update at: "
7367 (format-time-string fmt (current-time)))))
7370 If you want to make sure that all dynamic blocks are always up-to-date,
7371 you could add the function @code{org-update-all-dblocks} to a hook, for
7372 example @code{before-save-hook}. @code{org-update-all-dblocks} is
7373 written in a way that is does nothing in buffers that are not in Org-mode.
7375 @node Special agenda views, Using the property API, Dynamic blocks, Extensions and Hacking
7376 @section Special Agenda Views
7377 @cindex agenda views, user-defined
7379 Org-mode provides a special hook that can be used to narrow down the
7380 selection made by any of the agenda views. You may specify a function
7381 that is used at each match to verify if the match should indeed be part
7382 of the agenda view, and if not, how much should be skipped.
7384 Let's say you want to produce a list of projects that contain a WAITING
7385 tag anywhere in the project tree. Let's further assume that you have
7386 marked all tree headings that define a project with the todo keyword
7387 PROJECT. In this case you would run a todo search for the keyword
7388 PROJECT, but skip the match unless there is a WAITING tag anywhere in
7389 the subtree belonging to the project line.
7391 To achieve this, you must write a function that searches the subtree for
7392 the tag. If the tag is found, the function must return @code{nil} to
7393 indicate that this match should not be skipped. If there is no such
7394 tag, return the location of the end of the subtree, to indicate that
7395 search should continue from there.
7398 (defun my-skip-unless-waiting ()
7399 "Skip trees that are not waiting"
7400 (let ((subtree-end (save-excursion (org-end-of-subtree t))))
7401 (if (re-search-forward ":WAITING:" subtree-end t)
7402 nil ; tag found, do not skip
7403 subtree-end))) ; tag not found, continue after end of subtree
7406 Furthermore you must write a command that uses @code{let} to temporarily
7407 put this function into the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-function},
7408 sets the header string for the agenda buffer, and calls the todo-list
7409 generator while asking for the specific TODO keyword PROJECT. The
7410 function must also accept one argument MATCH, but it can choose to
7411 ignore it@footnote{MATCH must be present in case you want to define a
7412 custom command for producing this special list. Custom commands always
7413 supply the MATCH argument, but it can be empty if you do not specify it
7414 while defining the command(@pxref{Custom agenda
7415 views}).} (as we do in the example below). Here is the example:
7418 (defun my-org-waiting-projects (&optional match)
7419 "Produce a list of projects that contain a WAITING tag.
7420 MATCH is being ignored."
7422 (let ((org-agenda-skip-function 'my-skip-unless-waiting)
7423 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))
7425 (org-todo-list "PROJECT")))
7428 @node Using the property API, , Special agenda views, Extensions and Hacking
7429 @section Using the property API
7430 @cindex API, for properties
7431 @cindex properties, API
7433 Here is a description of the functions that can be used to work with
7436 @defun org-entry-properties &optional pom which
7437 Get all properties of the entry at point-or-marker POM.
7438 This includes the TODO keyword, the tags, time strings for deadline,
7439 scheduled, and clocking, and any additional properties defined in the
7440 entry. The return value is an alist, keys may occur multiple times
7441 if the property key was used several times.
7442 POM may also be nil, in which case the current entry is used.
7443 If WHICH is nil or `all', get all properties. If WHICH is
7444 `special' or `standard', only get that subclass.
7446 @defun org-entry-get pom property &optional inherit
7447 Get value of PROPERTY for entry at point-or-marker POM.
7448 If INHERIT is non-nil and the entry does not have the property,
7449 then also check higher levels of the hierarchy.
7452 @defun org-entry-delete pom property
7453 Delete the property PROPERTY from entry at point-or-marker POM.
7456 @defun org-entry-put pom property value
7457 Set PROPERTY to VALUE for entry at point-or-marker POM.
7460 @defun org-buffer-property-keys &optional include-specials
7461 Get all property keys in the current buffer.
7464 @defun org-insert-property-drawer
7465 Insert a property drawer at point.
7468 @node History and Acknowledgments, Index, Extensions and Hacking, Top
7469 @appendix History and Acknowledgments
7470 @cindex acknowledgments
7474 Org-mode was borne in 2003, out of frustration over the user interface
7475 of the Emacs outline-mode. I was trying to organize my notes and
7476 projects, and using Emacs seemed to be the natural way to go. However,
7477 having to remember eleven different commands with two or three keys per
7478 command, only to hide and unhide parts of the outline tree, that seemed
7479 entirely unacceptable to me. Also, when using outlines to take notes, I
7480 constantly want to restructure the tree, organizing it parallel to my
7481 thoughts and plans. @emph{Visibility cycling} and @emph{structure
7482 editing} were originally implemented in the package
7483 @file{outline-magic.el}, but quickly moved to the more general
7484 @file{org.el}. As this environment became comfortable for project
7485 planning, the next step was adding @emph{TODO entries}, basic @emph{time
7486 stamps}, and @emph{table support}. These areas highlight the two main
7487 goals that Org-mode still has today: To create a new, outline-based,
7488 plain text mode with innovative and intuitive editing features, and to
7489 incorporate project planning functionality directly into a notes file.
7491 Since the first release, literally thousands of emails to me or on
7492 @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} have provided a constant stream of bug
7493 reports, feedback, new ideas, and sometimes patches and add-on code.
7494 Many thanks to everyone who has helped to improve this package. I am
7495 trying to keep here a list of the people who had significant influence
7496 in shaping one or more aspects of Org-mode. The list may not be
7497 complete, if I have forgotten someone, please accept my apologies and
7503 @i{Russel Adams} came up with the idea for drawers.
7505 @i{Thomas Baumann} contributed the code for links to the MH-E email
7508 @i{Alex Bochannek} provided a patch for rounding time stamps.
7510 @i{Charles Cave}'s suggestion sparked the implementation of templates
7513 @i{Pavel Chalmoviansky} influenced the agenda treatment of items with
7516 @i{Gregory Chernov} patched support for lisp forms into table
7517 calculations and improved XEmacs compatibility, in particular by porting
7518 @file{nouline.el} to XEmacs.
7520 @i{Sacha Chua} suggested to copy some linking code from Planner.
7522 @i{Eddward DeVilla} proposed and tested checkbox statistics. He also
7523 came up with the idea of properties, and that there should be an API for
7526 @i{Kees Dullemond} used to edit projects lists directly in HTML and so
7527 inspired some of the early development, including HTML export. He also
7528 asked for a way to narrow wide table columns.
7530 @i{Christian Egli} converted the documentation into TeXInfo format,
7531 patched CSS formatting into the HTML exporter, and inspired the agenda.
7533 @i{David Emery} provided a patch for custom CSS support in exported
7536 @i{Nic Ferrier} contributed mailcap and XOXO support.
7538 @i{John Foerch} figured out how to make incremental search show context
7539 around a match in a hidden outline tree.
7541 @i{Niels Giessen} had the idea to automatically archive DONE trees.
7543 @i{Bastien Guerry} provided extensive feedback and some patches, and
7544 translated David O'Toole's tutorial into French.
7546 @i{Kai Grossjohann} pointed out key-binding conflicts with other packages.
7548 @i{Scott Jaderholm} proposed footnotes, control over whitespace between
7549 folded entries, and column view for properties.
7551 @i{Shidai Liu} ("Leo") asked for embedded LaTeX and tested it. He also
7552 provided frequent feedback and some patches.
7554 @i{Jason F. McBrayer} suggested agenda export to CSV format.
7556 @i{Dmitri Minaev} sent a patch to set priority limits on a per-file
7559 @i{Stefan Monnier} provided a patch to keep the Emacs-Lisp compiler
7562 @i{Rick Moynihan} proposed to allow multiple TODO sequences in a file.
7564 @i{Todd Neal} provided patches for links to Info files and elisp forms.
7566 @i{Tim O'Callaghan} suggested in-file links, search options for general
7567 file links, and TAGS.
7569 @i{Takeshi Okano} translated the manual and David O'Toole's tutorial
7572 @i{Oliver Oppitz} suggested multi-state TODO items.
7574 @i{Scott Otterson} sparked the introduction of descriptive text for
7575 links, among other things.
7577 @i{Pete Phillips} helped during the development of the TAGS feature, and
7578 provided frequent feedback.
7580 @i{T.V. Raman} reported bugs and suggested improvements.
7582 @i{Matthias Rempe} (Oelde) provided ideas, Windows support, and quality
7585 @i{Kevin Rogers} contributed code to access VM files on remote hosts.
7587 @i{Frank Ruell} solved the mystery of the @code{keymapp nil} bug, a
7588 conflict with @file{allout.el}.
7590 @i{Jason Riedy} sent a patch to fix a bug with export of TODO keywords.
7592 @i{Philip Rooke} created the Org-mode reference card and provided lots
7595 @i{Christian Schlauer} proposed angular brackets around links, among
7598 Linking to VM/BBDB/GNUS was inspired by @i{Tom Shannon}'s
7599 @file{organizer-mode.el}.
7601 @i{Daniel Sinder} came up with the idea of internal archiving by locking
7604 @i{Dale Smith} proposed link abbreviations.
7606 @i{David O'Toole} wrote @file{org-publish.el} and drafted the manual
7607 chapter about publishing.
7609 @i{J@"urgen Vollmer} contributed code generating the table of contents
7612 @i{Chris Wallace} provided a patch implementing the @samp{QUOTE}
7615 @i{David Wainberg} suggested archiving, and improvements to the linking
7618 @i{John Wiegley} wrote @file{emacs-wiki.el} and @file{planner.el}. The
7619 development of Org-mode was fully independent, and both systems are
7620 really different beasts in their basic ideas and implementation details.
7621 I later looked at John's code, however, and learned from his
7622 implementation of (i) links where the link itself is hidden and only a
7623 description is shown, and (ii) popping up a calendar to select a date.
7625 @i{Carsten Wimmer} suggested some changes and helped fix a bug in
7628 @i{Roland Winkler} requested additional keybindings to make Org-mode
7631 @i{Piotr Zielinski} wrote @file{org-mouse.el}, proposed agenda blocks
7632 and contributed various ideas and code snippets.
7636 @node Index, Key Index, History and Acknowledgments, Top
7641 @node Key Index, , Index, Top
7642 @unnumbered Key Index
7649 arch-tag: 7893d1fe-cc57-4d13-b5e5-f494a1bcc7ac