3 @setfilename ../../info/org
4 @settitle The Org Manual
7 @set DATE December 2008
11 * Org Mode: (org). Outline-based notes management and organizer
14 @c Version and Contact Info
15 @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://orgmode.org,maintainers webpage}
16 @set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik
17 @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
18 @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{carsten at orgmode dot org}
19 @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:carsten at orgmode dot org,contact the maintainer}
25 @c Subheadings inside a table.
26 @macro tsubheading{text}
36 This manual is for Org (version @value{VERSION}).
38 Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 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 1.3 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 license
46 is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License.''
48 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
49 modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
50 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
52 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
53 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
54 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
55 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
62 @subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
63 @author by Carsten Dominik
65 @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
67 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
71 @c Output the table of contents at the beginning.
75 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
82 * Introduction:: Getting started
83 * Document Structure:: A tree works like your brain
84 * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting
85 * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context
86 * TODO Items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item
87 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
88 * Properties and Columns:: Storing information about an entry
89 * Dates and Times:: Making items useful for planning
90 * Capture:: Creating tasks and attaching files
91 * Agenda Views:: Collecting information into views
92 * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX fragments and formulas
93 * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes
94 * Publishing:: Create a web site of linked Org files
95 * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
96 * Extensions:: Add-ons for Org mode
97 * Hacking:: How hack your way around
98 * History and Acknowledgments:: How Org came into being
99 * Main Index:: An index of Org's concepts and features
100 * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described
103 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
107 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
108 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
109 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
110 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
111 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
115 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
116 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
117 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
118 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
119 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
120 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
121 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
122 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
123 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
124 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
125 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
129 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
130 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
134 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
135 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
136 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
137 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
138 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
139 * Org Plot:: Plotting from org tables
143 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
144 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
145 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
146 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
147 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
148 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
149 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
150 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
154 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
155 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
156 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
157 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
158 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
159 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
160 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
161 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
165 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
169 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
170 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
171 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
172 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
173 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
174 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
176 Extended use of TODO keywords
178 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
179 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
180 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
181 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
182 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
183 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
187 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
188 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
192 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
193 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
194 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
196 Properties and Columns
198 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
199 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
200 * Property searches:: Matching property values
201 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
202 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
203 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
207 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
208 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
209 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
213 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
214 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
218 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
219 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
220 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
221 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
222 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
223 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
227 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
228 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
230 Deadlines and scheduling
232 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
233 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
237 * Remember:: Capture new tasks/ideas with little interruption
238 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks.
242 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
243 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
244 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
245 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
249 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
250 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
251 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
252 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
253 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
254 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
255 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
257 The built-in agenda views
259 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
260 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
261 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
262 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
263 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
264 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
266 Presentation and sorting
268 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
269 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
270 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
274 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
275 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
276 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
277 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
278 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
282 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
283 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
284 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
285 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
286 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
290 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
291 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
292 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
293 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
294 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
295 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
296 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to LaTeX, and processing to PDF
297 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
298 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
302 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
303 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
304 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
305 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
306 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
307 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
308 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
309 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
310 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
311 * Inlined images:: How to inline images during export
313 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
314 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
315 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
316 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
320 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
321 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
322 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
323 * Images in HTML export::
324 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
325 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
329 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invode which commands
330 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
331 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
332 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to LaTeX
333 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into LaTeX output
337 * Configuration:: Defining projects
338 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
339 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
343 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
344 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
345 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
346 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
347 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
348 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
349 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
353 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
354 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
358 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
359 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
360 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
361 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
362 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
363 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
364 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
365 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
367 Interaction with other packages
369 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
370 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
374 * Extensions in the contrib directory:: These come with the Org distro
375 * Other extensions:: These you have to find on the web.
379 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
380 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
381 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
382 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
383 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
384 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
386 Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
388 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
389 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
390 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
391 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
396 @node Introduction, Document Structure, Top, Top
397 @chapter Introduction
401 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
402 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
403 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
404 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
405 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
408 @node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction
412 Org is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, and doing
413 project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.
415 Org develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
416 lists or information about projects as plain text. Org is
417 implemented on top of Outline mode, which makes it possible to keep the
418 content of large files well structured. Visibility cycling and
419 structure editing help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created
420 with a built-in table editor. Org supports TODO items, deadlines,
421 time stamps, and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an
422 agenda that utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar
423 and diary. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails,
424 Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects.
425 For printing and sharing of notes, an Org file can be exported as a
426 structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (TODO and agenda items only) as an
427 iCalendar file. It can also serve as a publishing tool for a set of
430 An important design aspect that distinguishes Org from for example
431 Planner/Muse is that it encourages to store every piece of information
432 only once. In Planner, you have project pages, day pages and possibly
433 other files, duplicating some information such as tasks. In Org,
434 you only have notes files. In your notes you mark entries as tasks,
435 label them with tags and timestamps. All necessary lists like a
436 schedule for the day, the agenda for a meeting, tasks lists selected by
437 tags etc are created dynamically when you need them.
439 Org keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should
440 feel like a straightforward, easy to use outliner. Complexity is not
441 imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you need
442 it. Org is a toolbox and can be used in different ways, for
446 @r{@bullet{} outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
447 @r{@bullet{} ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
448 @r{@bullet{} ASCII table editor with spreadsheet-like capabilities}
449 @r{@bullet{} TODO list editor}
450 @r{@bullet{} full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
451 @r{@bullet{} environment to implement David Allen's GTD system}
452 @r{@bullet{} a basic database application}
453 @r{@bullet{} simple hypertext system, with HTML and LaTeX export}
454 @r{@bullet{} publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages}
457 Org's automatic, context sensitive table editor with spreadsheet
458 capabilities can be integrated into any major mode by activating the
459 minor Orgtbl mode. Using a translation step, it can be used to maintain
460 tables in arbitrary file types, for example in La@TeX{}. The structure
461 editing and list creation capabilities can be used outside Org with
462 the minor Orgstruct mode.
465 There is a website for Org which provides links to the newest
466 version of Org, as well as additional information, frequently asked
467 questions (FAQ), links to tutorials etc. This page is located at
468 @uref{http://orgmode.org}.
473 @node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction
474 @section Installation
478 @b{Important:} @i{If Org is part of the Emacs distribution or an
479 XEmacs package, please skip this section and go directly to
482 If you have downloaded Org from the Web, either as a distribution @file{.zip}
483 or @file{.tar} file, or as a GIT archive, you must take the following steps
484 to install it: Go into the unpacked Org distribution directory and edit the
485 top section of the file @file{Makefile}. You must set the name of the Emacs
486 binary (likely either @file{emacs} or @file{xemacs}), and the paths to the
487 directories where local Lisp and Info files are kept. If you don't have
488 access to the system-wide directories, you can simply run Org directly from
489 the distribution directory by adding the @file{lisp} subdirectory to the
490 Emacs load path. To do this, add the following line to @file{.emacs}:
493 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/lisp" load-path))
497 If you plan to use code from the @file{contrib} subdirectory, do a similar
498 step for this directory:
501 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/contrib/lisp" load-path))
504 @b{XEmacs users now need to install the file @file{noutline.el} from
505 the @file{xemacs} sub-directory of the Org distribution. Use the
509 @b{make install-noutline}
512 @noindent Now byte-compile the Lisp files with the shell command:
518 @noindent If you are running Org from the distribution directory, this is
519 all. If you want to install into the system directories, use
526 @noindent Then add to @file{.emacs}:
529 ;; This line only if Org is not part of the X/Emacs distribution.
530 (require 'org-install)
534 @node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction
538 @cindex global key bindings
539 @cindex key bindings, global
542 @b{Important:} @i{If you use copy-and-paste to copy lisp code from the
543 PDF documentation as viewed by some PDF viewers to your .emacs file, the
544 single quote character comes out incorrectly and the code will not work.
545 You need to fix the single quotes by hand, or copy from Info
549 Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file. The last three lines
550 define @emph{global} keys for the commands @command{org-store-link},
551 @command{org-agenda}, and @command{org-iswitchb} - please choose suitable
555 ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys.
556 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org\\'" . org-mode))
557 (global-set-key "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
558 (global-set-key "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
559 (global-set-key "\C-cb" 'org-iswitchb)
562 Furthermore, you must activate @code{font-lock-mode} in Org
563 buffers, because significant functionality depends on font-locking being
564 active. You can do this with either one of the following two lines
565 (XEmacs user must use the second option):
567 (global-font-lock-mode 1) ; for all buffers
568 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock) ; Org buffers only
571 @cindex Org mode, turning on
572 With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put
573 into Org mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look
577 MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*-
580 @noindent which will select Org mode for this buffer no matter what
581 the file's name is. See also the variable
582 @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}.
584 Many commands in Org work on the region is he region is active. To make use
585 of this, you need to have @code{transient-mark-mode} (@code{zmacs-regions} in
586 XEmacs) turned on. In Emacs 23 this is the default, in Emacs 22 you need to
587 do this yourself with
590 (transient-mark-mode 1)
593 @node Feedback, Conventions, Activation, Introduction
600 If you find problems with Org, or if you have questions, remarks, or ideas
601 about it, please mail to the Org mailing list @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org}.
602 If you are not a member of the mailing list, your mail will be reviewed by a
603 moderator and then passed through to the list.
605 For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible,
606 including the version information of Emacs (@kbd{C-h v emacs-version
607 @key{RET}}) and Org (@kbd{C-h v org-version @key{RET}}), as well as
608 the Org related setup in @file{.emacs}. If an error occurs, a
609 backtrace can be very useful (see below on how to create one). Often a
610 small example file helps, along with clear information about:
613 @item What exactly did you do?
614 @item What did you expect to happen?
615 @item What happened instead?
617 @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode.
619 @subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace
621 @cindex backtrace of an error
622 If working with Org produces an error with a message you don't
623 understand, you may have hit a bug. The best way to report this is by
624 providing, in addition to what was mentioned above, a @emph{Backtrace}.
625 This is information from the built-in debugger about where and how the
626 error occurred. Here is how to produce a useful backtrace:
630 Start a fresh Emacs or XEmacs, and make sure that it will load the
631 original Lisp code in @file{org.el} instead of the compiled version in
632 @file{org.elc}. The backtrace contains much more information if it is
633 produced with uncompiled code. To do this, either rename @file{org.elc}
634 to something else before starting Emacs, or ask Emacs explicitly to load
635 @file{org.el} by using the command line
637 emacs -l /path/to/org.el
640 Go to the @code{Options} menu and select @code{Enter Debugger on Error}
641 (XEmacs has this option in the @code{Troubleshooting} sub-menu).
643 Do whatever you have to do to hit the error. Don't forget to
644 document the steps you take.
646 When you hit the error, a @file{*Backtrace*} buffer will appear on the
647 screen. Save this buffer to a file (for example using @kbd{C-x C-w}) and
648 attach it to your bug report.
651 @node Conventions, , Feedback, Introduction
652 @section Typesetting conventions used in this manual
654 Org uses three types of keywords: TODO keywords, tags, and property
655 names. In this manual we use the following conventions:
660 TODO keywords are written with all capitals, even if they are
664 User-defined tags are written in lowercase; built-in tags with special
665 meaning are written with all capitals.
668 User-defined properties are capitalized; built-in properties with
669 special meaning are written with all capitals.
672 @node Document Structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
673 @chapter Document Structure
674 @cindex document structure
675 @cindex structure of document
677 Org is based on outline mode and provides flexible commands to
678 edit the structure of the document.
681 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
682 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
683 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
684 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
685 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
686 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
687 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
688 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
689 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
690 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
691 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
694 @node Outlines, Headlines, Document Structure, Document Structure
699 Org is implemented on top of Outline mode. Outlines allow a
700 document to be organized in a hierarchical structure, which (at least
701 for me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. An overview
702 of this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the
703 document to show only the general document structure and the parts
704 currently being worked on. Org greatly simplifies the use of
705 outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a single
706 command @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB} key.
708 @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document Structure
713 Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in
714 Org start with one or more stars, on the left margin@footnote{See
715 the variable @code{org-special-ctrl-a/e} to configure special behavior
716 of @kbd{C-a} and @kbd{C-e} in headlines.}. For example:
726 * Another top level headline
729 @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an
730 outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline
731 starters. @ref{Clean view} describes a setup to realize this.
733 An empty line after the end of a subtree is considered part of it and
734 will be hidden when the subtree is folded. However, if you leave at
735 least two empty lines, one empty line will remain visible after folding
736 the subtree, in order to structure the collapsed view. See the
737 variable @code{org-cycle-separator-lines} to modify this behavior.
739 @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document Structure
740 @section Visibility cycling
741 @cindex cycling, visibility
742 @cindex visibility cycling
743 @cindex trees, visibility
744 @cindex show hidden text
747 Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer.
748 Org uses just two commands, bound to @key{TAB} and
749 @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to change the visibility in the buffer.
751 @cindex subtree visibility states
752 @cindex subtree cycling
753 @cindex folded, subtree visibility state
754 @cindex children, subtree visibility state
755 @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state
759 @emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree among the states
762 ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
763 '-----------------------------------'
766 The cursor must be on a headline for this to work@footnote{see, however,
767 the option @code{org-cycle-emulate-tab}.}. When the cursor is at the
768 beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then
769 @key{TAB} actually runs global cycling (see below)@footnote{see the
770 option @code{org-cycle-global-at-bob}.}. Also when called with a prefix
771 argument (@kbd{C-u @key{TAB}}), global cycling is invoked.
773 @cindex global visibility states
774 @cindex global cycling
775 @cindex overview, global visibility state
776 @cindex contents, global visibility state
777 @cindex show all, global visibility state
781 @emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer among the states
784 ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
785 '--------------------------------------'
788 When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numeric prefix argument N, the
789 CONTENTS view up to headlines of level N will be shown. Note that inside
790 tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field.
792 @cindex show all, command
793 @kindex C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
794 @item C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
795 Show all, including drawers.
798 Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following heading
799 and the hierarchy above. Useful for working near a location that has been
800 exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda command
801 (@pxref{Agenda commands}). With a prefix argument show, on each
802 level, all sibling headings.
805 Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect
808 (@pxref{Indirect Buffers,,,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual})
811 (see the Emacs manual for more information about indirect buffers)
813 will contain the entire buffer, but will be narrowed to the current
814 tree. Editing the indirect buffer will also change the original buffer,
815 but without affecting visibility in that buffer.}. With a numeric
816 prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
817 negative then go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove
818 the previously used indirect buffer.
821 When Emacs first visits an Org file, the global state is set to
822 OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be
823 configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a
824 per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the
834 Forthermore, any entries with a @samp{VISIBILITY} property (@pxref{Properties
835 and Columns}) will get their visibility adapted accordingly. Allowed values
836 for this property are @code{folded}, @code{children}, @code{content}, and
839 @kindex C-u C-u @key{TAB}
840 @item C-u C-u @key{TAB}
841 Switch back to the startup visibility of the buffer, i.e. whatever is
842 requested by startup options and @samp{VISIBILITY} properties in individual
846 @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document Structure
848 @cindex motion, between headlines
849 @cindex jumping, to headlines
850 @cindex headline navigation
851 The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer.
862 Next heading same level.
865 Previous heading same level.
868 Backward to higher level heading.
871 Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
872 visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
873 you can use the following keys to find your destination:
875 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
876 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
877 @key{RET} @r{Select this location.}
878 @kbd{/} @r{Do a Sparse-tree search}
879 @r{The following keys work if you turn off @code{org-goto-auto-isearch}}
880 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
881 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
883 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
886 See also the variable@code{org-goto-interface}.
889 @node Structure editing, Archiving, Motion, Document Structure
890 @section Structure editing
891 @cindex structure editing
892 @cindex headline, promotion and demotion
893 @cindex promotion, of subtrees
894 @cindex demotion, of subtrees
895 @cindex subtree, cut and paste
896 @cindex pasting, of subtrees
897 @cindex cutting, of subtrees
898 @cindex copying, of subtrees
899 @cindex subtrees, cut and paste
904 Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a
905 plain list item, a new item is created (@pxref{Plain lists}). To force
906 creation of a new headline, use a prefix argument, or first press @key{RET}
907 to get to the beginning of the next line. When this command is used in
908 the middle of a line, the line is split and the rest of the line becomes
909 the new headline@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split,
910 customize the variable @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If the
911 command is used at the beginning of a headline, the new headline is
912 created before the current line. If at the beginning of any other line,
913 the content of that line is made the new heading. If the command is
914 used at the end of a folded subtree (i.e. behind the ellipses at the end
915 of a headline), then a headline like the current one will be inserted
916 after the end of the subtree.
919 Just like @kbd{M-@key{RET}}, except when adding a new heading below the
920 current heading, the new heading is placed after the body instead of before
921 it. This command works from anywhere in the entry.
922 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
924 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.
925 @kindex C-S-@key{RET}
927 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading. Like
928 @kbd{C-@key{RET}}, the new headline will be inserted after the current
932 Promote current heading by one level.
933 @kindex M-@key{right}
935 Demote current heading by one level.
936 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
938 Promote the current subtree by one level.
939 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
940 @item M-S-@key{right}
941 Demote the current subtree by one level.
944 Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
946 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
948 Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
951 Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
952 With a numeric prefix argument N, kill N sequential subtrees.
955 Copy subtree to kill ring. With a numeric prefix argument N, copy the N
959 Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to
960 make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank level can
961 also be specified with a numeric prefix argument, or by yanking after a
962 headline marker like @samp{****}.
965 Depending on the variables @code{org-yank-adjusted-subtrees} and
966 @code{org-yank-folded-subtrees}, Org's internal @code{yank} command will
967 paste subtrees folded and in a clever way, using the same command as @kbd{C-c
968 C-x C-y}. With the default settings, level adjustment will take place and
969 yanked trees will be folded unless doing so would swallow text previously
970 visible. Any prefix argument to this command will force a normal @code{yank}
971 to be executed, with the prefix passed along. A good way to force a normal
972 yank is @kbd{C-u C-y}. If you use @code{yank-pop} after a yank, it will yank
973 previous kill items plainly, without adjustment and folding.
976 Refile entry or region to a different location. @xref{Refiling notes}.
979 Sort same-level entries. When there is an active region, all entries in the
980 region will be sorted. Otherwise the children of the current headline are
981 sorted. The command prompts for the sorting method, which can be
982 alphabetically, numerically, by time (using the first time stamp in each
983 entry), by priority, or by TODO keyword (in the sequence the keywords have
984 been defined in the setup). Reverse sorting is possible as well. You can
985 also supply your own function to extract the sorting key. With a @kbd{C-u}
986 prefix, sorting will be case-sensitive. With two @kbd{C-u C-u} prefixes,
987 duplicate entries will also be removed.
990 Narrow buffer to current subtree.
993 Widen buffer to remove a narrowing.
996 Turn a normal line or plain list item into a headline (so that it
997 becomes a subheading at its location). Also turn a headline into a
998 normal line by removing the stars. If there is an active region, turn
999 all lines in the region into headlines. Or, if the first line is a
1000 headline, remove the stars from all headlines in the region.
1003 @cindex region, active
1004 @cindex active region
1005 @cindex Transient mark mode
1006 When there is an active region (Transient mark mode), promotion and
1007 demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of
1008 headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a
1009 line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line
1010 just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is
1011 inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different
1014 @node Archiving, Sparse trees, Structure editing, Document Structure
1018 When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want
1019 to move the tree out of the way and to stop it from contributing to the
1020 agenda. Org mode knows two ways of archiving. You can mark a tree with
1021 the ARCHIVE tag, or you can move an entire (sub)tree to a different
1025 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
1026 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
1029 @node ARCHIVE tag, Moving subtrees, Archiving, Archiving
1030 @subsection The ARCHIVE tag
1031 @cindex internal archiving
1033 A headline that is marked with the ARCHIVE tag (@pxref{Tags}) stays at
1034 its location in the outline tree, but behaves in the following way:
1037 It does not open when you attempt to do so with a visibility cycling
1038 command (@pxref{Visibility cycling}). You can force cycling archived
1039 subtrees with @kbd{C-@key{TAB}}, or by setting the option
1040 @code{org-cycle-open-archived-trees}. Also normal outline commands like
1041 @code{show-all} will open archived subtrees.
1043 During sparse tree construction (@pxref{Sparse trees}), matches in
1044 archived subtrees are not exposed, unless you configure the option
1045 @code{org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees}.
1047 During agenda view construction (@pxref{Agenda Views}), the content of
1048 archived trees is ignored unless you configure the option
1049 @code{org-agenda-skip-archived-trees}, in which case these trees will always
1050 be included. In the agenda you can press the @kbd{v} key to get archives
1051 temporarily included.
1053 Archived trees are not exported (@pxref{Exporting}), only the headline
1054 is. Configure the details using the variable
1055 @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}.
1058 The following commands help managing the ARCHIVE tag:
1063 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline. When the tag is set,
1064 the headline changes to a shadowed face, and the subtree below it is
1066 @kindex C-u C-c C-x a
1068 Check if any direct children of the current headline should be archived.
1069 To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are
1070 found, the command offers to set the ARCHIVE tag for the child. If the
1071 cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the
1072 level 1 trees will be checked.
1075 Cycle a tree even if it is tagged with ARCHIVE.
1078 @node Moving subtrees, , ARCHIVE tag, Archiving
1079 @subsection Moving subtrees
1080 @cindex external archiving
1082 Once an entire project is finished, you may want to move it to a different
1083 location. Org can move it to an @emph{Archive Sibling} in the same tree, to a
1084 different tree in the current file, or to a different file, the archive file.
1089 Move the current entry to the @emph{Archive Sibling}. This is a sibling of
1090 the entry with the heading @samp{Archive} and the tag @samp{ARCHIVE}
1091 (@pxref{ARCHIVE tag}). The entry becomes a child of that sibling and in this
1092 way retains a lot of its original context, including inherited tags and
1093 approximate position in the outline.
1096 Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location
1097 given by @code{org-archive-location}. Context information that could be
1098 lost like the file name, the category, inherited tags, and the TODO
1099 state will be store as properties in the entry.
1100 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-s
1101 @item C-u C-c C-x C-s
1102 Check if any direct children of the current headline could be moved to
1103 the archive. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries.
1104 If none are found, the command offers to move it to the archive
1105 location. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command
1106 is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked.
1109 @cindex archive locations
1110 The default archive location is a file in the same directory as the
1111 current file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the
1112 current file name. For information and examples on how to change this,
1113 see the documentation string of the variable
1114 @code{org-archive-location}. There is also an in-buffer option for
1115 setting this variable, for example@footnote{For backward compatibility,
1116 the following also works: If there are several such lines in a file,
1117 each specifies the archive location for the text below it. The first
1118 such line also applies to any text before its definition. However,
1119 using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is incompatible
1120 with the outline structure of the document. The correct method for
1121 setting multiple archive locations in a buffer is using a property.}:
1124 #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
1128 If you would like to have a special ARCHIVE location for a single entry
1129 or a (sub)tree, give the entry an @code{:ARCHIVE:} property with the
1130 location as the value (@pxref{Properties and Columns}).
1132 When a subtree is moved, it receives a number of special properties that
1133 record context information like the file from where the entry came, it's
1134 outline path the archiving time etc. Configure the variable
1135 @code{org-archive-save-context-info} to adjust the amount of information
1138 @node Sparse trees, Plain lists, Archiving, Document Structure
1139 @section Sparse trees
1140 @cindex sparse trees
1141 @cindex trees, sparse
1142 @cindex folding, sparse trees
1143 @cindex occur, command
1145 An important feature of Org mode is the ability to construct @emph{sparse
1146 trees} for selected information in an outline tree, so that the entire
1147 document is folded as much as possible, but the selected information is made
1148 visible along with the headline structure above it@footnote{See also the
1149 variables @code{org-show-hierarchy-above}, @code{org-show-following-heading},
1150 @code{org-show-siblings}, and @code{org-show-entry-below} for detailed
1151 control on how much context is shown around each match.}. Just try it out
1152 and you will see immediately how it works.
1154 Org mode contains several commands creating such trees, all these
1155 commands can be accessed through a dispatcher:
1160 This prompts for an extra key to select a sparse-tree creating command.
1163 Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches. If
1164 the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the match is in
1165 the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible. In order to
1166 provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of headlines above the match
1167 is shown, as well as the headline following the match. Each match is also
1168 highlighted; the highlights disappear when the buffer is changed by an
1169 editing command@footnote{depending on the option
1170 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}}, or by pressing @kbd{C-c C-c}.
1171 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, previous highlights are kept,
1172 so several calls to this command can be stacked.
1176 For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can
1177 use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast
1178 keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be
1179 accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
1183 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
1184 '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME")))
1187 @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating
1188 a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}.
1190 The other sparse tree commands select headings based on TODO keywords,
1191 tags, or properties and will be discussed later in this manual.
1194 @cindex printing sparse trees
1195 @cindex visible text, printing
1196 To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command
1197 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts
1198 of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because
1199 XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties.}.
1200 Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-e v} to export only the visible
1201 part of the document and print the resulting file.
1203 @node Plain lists, Drawers, Sparse trees, Document Structure
1204 @section Plain lists
1206 @cindex lists, plain
1207 @cindex lists, ordered
1208 @cindex ordered lists
1210 Within an entry of the outline tree, hand-formatted lists can provide
1211 additional structure. They also provide a way to create lists of
1212 checkboxes (@pxref{Checkboxes}). Org supports editing such lists,
1213 and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) parses and formats them.
1215 Org knows ordered lists, unordered lists, and description lists.
1218 @emph{Unordered} list items start with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or
1219 @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a bullet, lines must be indented or
1220 they will be seen as top-level headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading
1221 stars to get a clean outline view, plain list items starting with a star are
1222 visually indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though
1223 @samp{*} is supported, it may be better to not use it for plain list items.}
1226 @emph{Ordered} list items start with a numeral followed by either a period or
1227 a right parenthesis, such as @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}.
1229 @emph{Description} list items are like unordered list items, but contain the
1230 separator @samp{ :: } to separate the description @emph{term} from the
1234 Items belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first
1235 line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then the
1236 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers in the
1237 list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It ends before
1238 the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or less. Empty lines
1239 are part of the previous item, so you can have several paragraphs in one
1240 item. If you would like an empty line to terminate all currently open plain
1241 lists, configure the variable @code{org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists}.
1246 ** Lord of the Rings
1247 My favorite scenes are (in this order)
1248 1. The attack of the Rohirrim
1249 2. Eowyns fight with the witch king
1250 + this was already my favorite scene in the book
1251 + I really like Miranda Otto.
1252 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas
1254 He makes a really funny face when it happens.
1255 But in the end, not individual scenes matter but the film as a whole.
1256 Important actors in this film are:
1257 - @b{Elijah Wood} :: He plays the Frodo
1258 - @b{Sean Austin} :: He plays the Sam, Frodos friend. I still remember
1259 him very well from his role as Mikey Walsh a in the Goonies.
1263 Org supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to
1264 deal with them correctly@footnote{Org only changes the filling
1265 settings for Emacs. For XEmacs, you should use Kyle E. Jones'
1266 @file{filladapt.el}. To turn this on, put into @file{.emacs}:
1267 @code{(require 'filladapt)}}, and by exporting them properly
1268 (@pxref{Exporting}).
1270 The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line
1271 of an item (the line with the bullet or number).
1276 Items can be folded just like headline levels if you set the variable
1277 @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. The level of an item is then
1278 given by the indentation of the bullet/number. Items are always
1279 subordinate to real headlines, however; the hierarchies remain
1280 completely separated.
1282 If @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists} has not been set, @key{TAB}
1283 fixes the indentation of the current line in a heuristic way.
1286 Insert new item at current level. With a prefix argument, force a new
1287 heading (@pxref{Structure editing}). If this command is used in the middle
1288 of a line, the line is @emph{split} and the rest of the line becomes the new
1289 item@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split, customize the variable
1290 @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If this command is executed in the
1291 @emph{whitespace before a bullet or number}, the new item is created
1292 @emph{before} the current item. If the command is executed in the white
1293 space before the text that is part of an item but does not contain the
1294 bullet, a bullet is added to the current line.
1295 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
1297 Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
1299 @kindex S-@key{down}
1302 Jump to the previous/next item in the current list.
1303 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1304 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1306 @itemx M-S-@key{down}
1307 Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item
1308 of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is
1310 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1311 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1312 @item M-S-@key{left}
1313 @itemx M-S-@key{right}
1314 Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems.
1315 Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation.
1316 When these commands are executed several times in direct succession,
1317 the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation
1318 would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break
1319 the command chain with a cursor motion or so.
1322 If there is a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}) in the item line, toggle the
1323 state of the checkbox. If not, this command makes sure that all the
1324 items on this list level use the same bullet. Furthermore, if this is
1325 an ordered list, make sure the numbering is OK.
1328 Cycle the entire list level through the different itemize/enumerate bullets
1329 (@samp{-}, @samp{+}, @samp{*}, @samp{1.}, @samp{1)}). With a numeric prefix
1330 argument N, select the Nth bullet from this list. If there is an active
1331 region when calling this, all lines will be converted to list items. If the
1332 first line already was a list item, any item markers will be removed from the
1333 list. Finally, even without an active region, a normal line will be
1334 converted into a list item.
1335 @kindex S-@key{left}
1336 @kindex S-@key{right}
1337 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
1338 Also cycle bullet styles when in the first line of an item.
1341 @node Drawers, Footnotes, Plain lists, Document Structure
1344 @cindex visibility cycling, drawers
1346 Sometimes you want to keep information associated with an entry, but you
1347 normally don't want to see it. For this, Org mode has @emph{drawers}.
1348 Drawers need to be configured with the variable
1349 @code{org-drawers}@footnote{You can define drawers on a per-file basis
1350 with a line like @code{#+DRAWERS: HIDDEN PROPERTIES STATE}}. Drawers
1354 ** This is a headline
1355 Still outside the drawer
1357 This is inside the drawer.
1362 Visibility cycling (@pxref{Visibility cycling}) on the headline will
1363 hide and show the entry, but keep the drawer collapsed to a single line.
1364 In order to look inside the drawer, you need to move the cursor to the
1365 drawer line and press @key{TAB} there. Org mode uses a drawer for
1366 storing properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}), and another one for
1367 storing clock times (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
1369 @node Footnotes, Orgstruct mode, Drawers, Document Structure
1373 Org-mode supports the creation of footnotes. In contrast to the
1374 @file{footnote.el} package, Org-mode's footnotes are designed for work on a
1375 larger document, not only for one-off documents like emails. The basic
1376 syntax is similar to the one used by @file{footnote.el}, i.e. a footnote is
1377 defined in a paragraph that is started by a footnote marker in square
1378 brackets in column 0, no indentation allowed. The footnote reference is
1379 simply the marker in square brackets, inside text. For example:
1382 The Org homepage[fn:1] now looks a lot better than it used to.
1384 [fn:1] The link is: http://orgmode.org
1387 Org-mode extends the number-based syntax to @emph{named} footnotes and
1388 optional inline definition. Using plain numbers as markers (as
1389 @file{footnote.el} does) is supported for backward compatibility, but not
1390 encouraged because of possible conflicts with LaTeX snippets @pxref{Embedded
1391 LaTeX}. Here are the valid references:
1395 A plain numeric footnote marker.
1397 A named footnote reference, where @code{name} is a unique label word, or, for
1398 simplicity of automatic creation, a number.
1399 @item [fn:: This is the inline definition of this footnote]
1400 A LaTeX-like anonymous footnote where the definition is given directly at the
1402 @item [fn:name: a definition]
1403 An inline definition of a footnote, which also specifies a name for the note.
1404 Since Org allows multiple references to the same note, you can then use use
1405 @code{[fn:name]} to create additional references.
1408 Footnote labels can be created automatically, or you create names yourself.
1409 This is handled by the variable @code{org-footnote-auto-label} and its
1410 corresponding @code{#+STARTUP} keywords, see the docstring of that variable
1413 @noindent The following command handles footnotes:
1418 The footnote action command.
1420 When the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. When it
1421 is at a definition, jump to the (first) reference.
1423 Otherwise, create a new footnote. Depending on the variable
1424 @code{org-footnote-define-inline}@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer
1425 setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: fninline} or @code{#+STARTUP: nofninline}}, the
1426 definition will be placed right into the text as part of the reference, or
1427 separately into the location determined by the variable
1428 @code{org-footnote-section}.
1430 When this command is called with a prefix argument, a menu of additional
1433 s @r{Sort the footnote definitions by reference sequence. During editing,}
1434 @r{Org makes no effort to sort footnote definitions into a particular}
1435 @r{sequence. If you want them sorted, use this command, which will}
1436 @r{also move entries according to @code{org-footnote-section}.}
1437 n @r{Normalize the footnotes by collecting all definitions (including}
1438 @r{inline definitions) into a special section, and then numbering them}
1439 @r{in sequence. The references will then also be numbers. This is}
1440 @r{meant to be the final step before finishing a document (e.g. sending}
1441 @r{off an email). The exporters do this automatically, and so could}
1442 @r{something like @code{message-send-hook}.}
1443 d @r{Delete the footnote at point, and all definitions of and references}
1448 If the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. If it is a
1449 the definition, jump back to the reference. When called at a footnote
1450 location with a prefix argument, offer the same menu as @kbd{C-c C-x f}.
1454 @item C-c C-c @r{or} mouse-1/2
1455 Footnote labels are also links to the corresponding definition/reference, and
1456 you can use the usual commands to follow these links.
1459 @node Orgstruct mode, , Footnotes, Document Structure
1460 @section The Orgstruct minor mode
1461 @cindex Orgstruct mode
1462 @cindex minor mode for structure editing
1464 If you like the intuitive way the Org mode structure editing and list
1465 formatting works, you might want to use these commands in other modes
1466 like Text mode or Mail mode as well. The minor mode Orgstruct mode
1467 makes this possible. You can always toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x
1468 orgstruct-mode}. To turn it on by default, for example in Mail mode,
1472 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
1475 When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that looks to
1476 Org like a headline of the first line of a list item, most
1477 structure editing commands will work, even if the same keys normally
1478 have different functionality in the major mode you are using. If the
1479 cursor is not in one of those special lines, Orgstruct mode lurks
1480 silently in the shadow.
1482 @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document Structure, Top
1485 @cindex editing tables
1487 Org comes with a fast and intuitive table editor. Spreadsheet-like
1488 calculations are supported in connection with the Emacs @file{calc}
1491 (@pxref{Top,Calc,,Calc,Gnu Emacs Calculator Manual}).
1494 (see the Emacs Calculator manual for more information about the Emacs
1499 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
1500 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
1501 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
1502 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
1503 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
1504 * Org Plot:: Plotting from org tables
1507 @node Built-in table editor, Narrow columns, Tables, Tables
1508 @section The built-in table editor
1509 @cindex table editor, built-in
1511 Org makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with
1512 @samp{|} as the first non-whitespace character is considered part of a
1513 table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look like
1517 | Name | Phone | Age |
1518 |-------+-------+-----|
1519 | Peter | 1234 | 17 |
1520 | Anna | 4321 | 25 |
1523 A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or
1524 @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to
1525 the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows
1526 at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation
1527 of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with
1528 @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be
1529 expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to
1530 create the above table, you would only type
1537 @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in
1540 When typing text into a field, Org treats @key{DEL},
1541 @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that
1542 inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when
1543 typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field
1544 with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the
1545 field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too
1546 unpredictable for you, configure the variables
1547 @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}.
1550 @tsubheading{Creation and conversion}
1553 Convert the active region to table. If every line contains at least one
1554 TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab separated.
1555 If every line contains a comma, comma-separated values (CSV) are assumed.
1556 If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You can use a prefix
1557 argument to force a specific separator: @kbd{C-u} forces CSV, @kbd{C-u
1558 C-u} forces TAB, and a numeric argument N indicates that at least N
1559 consecutive spaces, or alternatively a TAB will be the separator.
1561 If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org
1562 table. But it's easier just to start typing, like
1563 @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}.
1565 @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
1568 Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
1572 Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if
1577 Re-align, move to previous field.
1581 Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if
1582 necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does
1583 NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table.
1585 @tsubheading{Column and row editing}
1586 @kindex M-@key{left}
1587 @kindex M-@key{right}
1589 @itemx M-@key{right}
1590 Move the current column left/right.
1592 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1593 @item M-S-@key{left}
1594 Kill the current column.
1596 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1597 @item M-S-@key{right}
1598 Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
1601 @kindex M-@key{down}
1604 Move the current row up/down.
1606 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1608 Kill the current row or horizontal line.
1610 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1611 @item M-S-@key{down}
1612 Insert a new row above the current row. With a prefix argument, the line is
1613 created below the current one.
1617 Insert a horizontal line below current row. With a prefix argument, the line
1618 is created above the current line.
1622 Sort the table lines in the region. The position of point indicates the
1623 column to be used for sorting, and the range of lines is the range
1624 between the nearest horizontal separator lines, or the entire table. If
1625 point is before the first column, you will be prompted for the sorting
1626 column. If there is an active region, the mark specifies the first line
1627 and the sorting column, while point should be in the last line to be
1628 included into the sorting. The command prompts for the sorting type
1629 (alphabetically, numerically, or by time). When called with a prefix
1630 argument, alphabetic sorting will be case-sensitive.
1632 @tsubheading{Regions}
1635 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point
1636 and mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. The process ignores
1637 horizontal separator lines.
1641 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
1642 blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation.
1646 Paste a rectangular region into a table.
1647 The upper left corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields
1648 will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table,
1649 the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator
1656 Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active
1657 region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the
1658 column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A numeric
1659 prefix argument may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there
1660 is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the text
1661 fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one line
1662 down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix argument, the current
1663 field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field above.
1665 @tsubheading{Calculations}
1666 @cindex formula, in tables
1667 @cindex calculations, in tables
1668 @cindex region, active
1669 @cindex active region
1670 @cindex Transient mark mode
1673 Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by
1674 the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can
1675 be inserted with @kbd{C-y}.
1679 When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above. When not
1680 empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor along with it.
1681 Depending on the variable @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field
1682 values will be incremented during copy. Integers that are too large will not
1683 be incremented. Also, a @code{0} prefix argument temporarily dispables the
1684 increment. This key is also used by CUA mode (@pxref{Cooperation}).
1686 @tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
1689 Edit the current field in a separate window. This is useful for fields
1690 that are not fully visible (@pxref{Narrow columns}). When called with a
1691 @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be
1694 @item M-x org-table-import
1695 Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB- or whitespace
1696 separated. Useful, for example, to import a spreadsheet table or data
1697 from a database, because these programs generally can write
1698 TAB-separated text files. This command works by inserting the file into
1699 the buffer and then converting the region to a table. Any prefix
1700 argument is passed on to the converter, which uses it to determine the
1703 Tables can also be imported by pasting tabular text into the Org
1704 buffer, selecting the pasted text with @kbd{C-x C-x} and then using the
1705 @kbd{C-c |} command (see above under @i{Creation and conversion}).
1707 @item M-x org-table-export
1708 Export the table, by default as a TAB-separated file. Useful for data
1709 exchange with, for example, spreadsheet or database programs. The format
1710 used to export the file can be configured in the variable
1711 @code{org-table-export-default-format}. You may also use properties
1712 @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FILE} and @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FORMAT} to specify the file
1713 name and the format for table export in a subtree. Org supports quite
1714 general formats for exported tables. The exporter format is the same as the
1715 format used by Orgtbl radio tables, see @ref{Translator functions} for a
1716 detailed description.
1719 If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your
1720 way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn
1724 (setq org-enable-table-editor nil)
1727 @noindent Then the only table command that still works is
1728 @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align.
1730 @node Narrow columns, Column groups, Built-in table editor, Tables
1731 @section Narrow columns
1732 @cindex narrow columns in tables
1734 The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor.
1735 Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text,
1736 leading to inconveniently wide columns. To limit@footnote{This feature
1737 does not work on XEmacs.} the width of a column, one field anywhere in
1738 the column may contain just the string @samp{<N>} where @samp{N} is an
1739 integer specifying the width of the column in characters. The next
1740 re-align will then set the width of this column to no more than this
1745 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1747 | 1 | one | | 1 | one |
1748 | 2 | two | ----\ | 2 | two |
1749 | 3 | This is a long chunk of text | ----/ | 3 | This=> |
1750 | 4 | four | | 4 | four |
1751 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1756 Fields that are wider become clipped and end in the string @samp{=>}.
1757 Note that the full text is still in the buffer, it is only invisible.
1758 To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field - a tool-tip window
1759 will show the full content. To edit such a field, use the command
1760 @kbd{C-c `} (that is @kbd{C-c} followed by the backquote). This will
1761 open a new window with the full field. Edit it and finish with @kbd{C-c
1764 When visiting a file containing a table with narrowed columns, the
1765 necessary character hiding has not yet happened, and the table needs to
1766 be aligned before it looks nice. Setting the option
1767 @code{org-startup-align-all-tables} will realign all tables in a file
1768 upon visiting, but also slow down startup. You can also set this option
1769 on a per-file basis with:
1776 @node Column groups, Orgtbl mode, Narrow columns, Tables
1777 @section Column groups
1778 @cindex grouping columns in tables
1780 When Org exports tables, it does so by default without vertical
1781 lines because that is visually more satisfying in general. Occasionally
1782 however, vertical lines can be useful to structure a table into groups
1783 of columns, much like horizontal lines can do for groups of rows. In
1784 order to specify column groups, you can use a special row where the
1785 first field contains only @samp{/}. The further fields can either
1786 contain @samp{<} to indicate that this column should start a group,
1787 @samp{>} to indicate the end of a column, or @samp{<>} to make a column
1788 a group of its own. Boundaries between column groups will upon export be
1789 marked with vertical lines. Here is an example:
1792 | | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1793 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1794 | / | <> | < | | > | < | > |
1795 | # | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1796 | # | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 1.4142 | 1.1892 |
1797 | # | 3 | 9 | 27 | 81 | 1.7321 | 1.3161 |
1798 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1799 #+TBLFM: $3=$2^2::$4=$2^3::$5=$2^4::$6=sqrt($2)::$7=sqrt(sqrt(($2)))
1802 It is also sufficient to just insert the column group starters after
1803 every vertical line you'd like to have:
1806 | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1807 |----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1811 @node Orgtbl mode, The spreadsheet, Column groups, Tables
1812 @section The Orgtbl minor mode
1814 @cindex minor mode for tables
1816 If you like the intuitive way the Org table editor works, you
1817 might also want to use it in other modes like Text mode or Mail mode.
1818 The minor mode Orgtbl mode makes this possible. You can always toggle
1819 the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for
1820 example in mail mode, use
1823 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
1826 Furthermore, with some special setup, it is possible to maintain tables
1827 in arbitrary syntax with Orgtbl mode. For example, it is possible to
1828 construct La@TeX{} tables with the underlying ease and power of
1829 Orgtbl mode, including spreadsheet capabilities. For details, see
1830 @ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}.
1832 @node The spreadsheet, Org Plot, Orgtbl mode, Tables
1833 @section The spreadsheet
1834 @cindex calculations, in tables
1835 @cindex spreadsheet capabilities
1836 @cindex @file{calc} package
1838 The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to implement
1839 spreadsheet-like capabilities. It can also evaluate Emacs Lisp forms to
1840 derive fields from other fields. While fully featured, Org's
1841 implementation is not identical to other spreadsheets. For example,
1842 Org knows the concept of a @emph{column formula} that will be
1843 applied to all non-header fields in a column without having to copy the
1844 formula to each relevant field.
1847 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
1848 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
1849 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
1850 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
1851 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
1852 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
1853 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
1854 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
1857 @node References, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet, The spreadsheet
1858 @subsection References
1861 To compute fields in the table from other fields, formulas must
1862 reference other fields or ranges. In Org, fields can be referenced
1863 by name, by absolute coordinates, and by relative coordinates. To find
1864 out what the coordinates of a field are, press @kbd{C-c ?} in that
1865 field, or press @kbd{C-c @}} to toggle the display of a grid.
1867 @subsubheading Field references
1868 @cindex field references
1869 @cindex references, to fields
1871 Formulas can reference the value of another field in two ways. Like in
1872 any other spreadsheet, you may reference fields with a letter/number
1873 combination like @code{B3}, meaning the 2nd field in the 3rd row.
1874 @c Such references are always fixed to that field, they don't change
1875 @c when you copy and paste a formula to a different field. So
1876 @c Org's @code{B3} behaves like @code{$B$3} in other spreadsheets.
1879 Org also uses another, more general operator that looks like this:
1885 Column references can be absolute like @samp{1}, @samp{2},...@samp{N},
1886 or relative to the current column like @samp{+1} or @samp{-2}.
1888 The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal
1889 separator lines (hlines). You can use absolute row numbers
1890 @samp{1}...@samp{N}, and row numbers relative to the current row like
1891 @samp{+3} or @samp{-1}. Or specify the row relative to one of the
1892 hlines: @samp{I} refers to the first hline@footnote{Note that only
1893 hlines are counted that @emph{separate} table lines. If the table
1894 starts with a hline above the header, it does not count.}, @samp{II} to
1895 the second etc. @samp{-I} refers to the first such line above the
1896 current line, @samp{+I} to the first such line below the current line.
1897 You can also write @samp{III+2} which is the second data line after the
1898 third hline in the table. Relative row numbers like @samp{-3} will not
1899 cross hlines if the current line is too close to the hline. Instead,
1900 the value directly at the hline is used.
1902 @samp{0} refers to the current row and column. Also, if you omit
1903 either the column or the row part of the reference, the current
1904 row/column is implied.
1906 Org's references with @emph{unsigned} numbers are fixed references
1907 in the sense that if you use the same reference in the formula for two
1908 different fields, the same field will be referenced each time.
1909 Org's references with @emph{signed} numbers are floating
1910 references because the same reference operator can reference different
1911 fields depending on the field being calculated by the formula.
1913 As a special case references like @samp{$LR5} and @samp{$LR12} can be used to
1914 refer in a stable way to the 5th and 12th field in the last row of the
1917 Here are a few examples:
1920 @@2$3 @r{2nd row, 3rd column}
1921 C2 @r{same as previous}
1922 $5 @r{column 5 in the current row}
1923 E& @r{same as previous}
1924 @@2 @r{current column, row 2}
1925 @@-1$-3 @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left}
1926 @@-I$2 @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2}
1929 @subsubheading Range references
1930 @cindex range references
1931 @cindex references, to ranges
1933 You may reference a rectangular range of fields by specifying two field
1934 references connected by two dots @samp{..}. If both fields are in the
1935 current row, you may simply use @samp{$2..$7}, but if at least one field
1936 is in a different row, you need to use the general @code{@@row$column}
1937 format at least for the first field (i.e the reference must start with
1938 @samp{@@} in order to be interpreted correctly). Examples:
1941 $1..$3 @r{First three fields in the current row.}
1942 $P..$Q @r{Range, using column names (see under Advanced)}
1943 @@2$1..@@4$3 @r{6 fields between these two fields.}
1944 A2..C4 @r{Same as above.}
1945 @@-1$-2..@@-1 @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row}
1948 @noindent Range references return a vector of values that can be fed
1949 into Calc vector functions. Empty fields in ranges are normally
1950 suppressed, so that the vector contains only the non-empty fields (but
1951 see the @samp{E} mode switch below). If there are no non-empty fields,
1952 @samp{[0]} is returned to avoid syntax errors in formulas.
1954 @subsubheading Named references
1955 @cindex named references
1956 @cindex references, named
1957 @cindex name, of column or field
1958 @cindex constants, in calculations
1960 @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or
1961 constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable
1962 @code{org-table-formula-constants}, and locally (for the file) through a
1966 #+CONSTANTS: c=299792458. pi=3.14 eps=2.4e-6
1970 Also properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) can be used as
1971 constants in table formulas: For a property @samp{:Xyz:} use the name
1972 @samp{$PROP_Xyz}, and the property will be searched in the current
1973 outline entry and in the hierarchy above it. If you have the
1974 @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants,
1975 including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and
1976 units like @samp{$km} for kilometers@footnote{@file{Constant.el} can
1977 supply the values of constants in two different unit systems, @code{SI}
1978 and @code{cgs}. Which one is used depends on the value of the variable
1979 @code{constants-unit-system}. You can use the @code{#+STARTUP} options
1980 @code{constSI} and @code{constcgs} to set this value for the current
1981 buffer.}. Column names and parameters can be specified in special table
1982 lines. These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}. All
1983 names must start with a letter, and further consist of letters and
1986 @node Formula syntax for Calc, Formula syntax for Lisp, References, The spreadsheet
1987 @subsection Formula syntax for Calc
1988 @cindex formula syntax, Calc
1989 @cindex syntax, of formulas
1991 A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs
1992 @file{Calc} package. @b{Note that @file{calc} has the
1993 non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than
1994 @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}.} Before
1995 evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from
1996 Your Programs,calc-eval,Calling Calc from Your Lisp Programs,Calc,GNU
1997 Emacs Calc Manual}),
1998 @c FIXME: The link to the Calc manual in HTML does not work.
1999 variable substitution takes place according to the rules described above.
2000 @cindex vectors, in table calculations
2001 The range vectors can be directly fed into the Calc vector functions
2002 like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}.
2004 @cindex format specifier
2005 @cindex mode, for @file{calc}
2006 A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This
2007 string consists of flags to influence Calc and other modes during
2008 execution. By default, Org uses the standard Calc modes (precision
2009 12, angular units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off). The display
2010 format, however, has been changed to @code{(float 5)} to keep tables
2011 compact. The default settings can be configured using the variable
2012 @code{org-calc-default-modes}.
2015 p20 @r{switch the internal precision to 20 digits}
2016 n3 s3 e2 f4 @r{normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed display format}
2017 D R @r{angle modes: degrees, radians}
2018 F S @r{fraction and symbolic modes}
2019 N @r{interpret all fields as numbers, use 0 for non-numbers}
2020 T @r{force text interpretation}
2021 E @r{keep empty fields in ranges}
2025 In addition, you may provide a @code{printf} format specifier to
2026 reformat the final result. A few examples:
2029 $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field}
2030 $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals}
2031 exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used}
2032 $0;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal}
2033 ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion}
2034 $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}}
2035 tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1}
2036 sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display}
2037 vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function}
2038 vmean($2..$7);EN @r{Same, but treat empty fields as 0}
2039 taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree}
2042 Calc also contains a complete set of logical operations. For example
2045 if($1<20,teen,string("")) @r{``teen'' if age $1 less than 20, else empty}
2048 @node Formula syntax for Lisp, Field formulas, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet
2049 @subsection Emacs Lisp forms as formulas
2050 @cindex Lisp forms, as table formulas
2052 It is also possible to write a formula in Emacs Lisp; this can be useful
2053 for string manipulation and control structures, if the Calc's
2054 functionality is not enough. If a formula starts with a single quote
2055 followed by an opening parenthesis, then it is evaluated as a lisp form.
2056 The evaluation should return either a string or a number. Just as with
2057 @file{calc} formulas, you can specify modes and a printf format after a
2058 semicolon. With Emacs Lisp forms, you need to be conscious about the way
2059 field references are interpolated into the form. By default, a
2060 reference will be interpolated as a Lisp string (in double quotes)
2061 containing the field. If you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all
2062 referenced elements will be numbers (non-number fields will be zero) and
2063 interpolated as Lisp numbers, without quotes. If you provide the
2064 @samp{L} flag, all fields will be interpolated literally, without quotes.
2065 I.e., if you want a reference to be interpreted as a string by the Lisp
2066 form, enclose the reference operator itself in double quotes, like
2067 @code{"$3"}. Ranges are inserted as space-separated fields, so you can
2068 embed them in list or vector syntax. A few examples, note how the
2069 @samp{N} mode is used when we do computations in lisp.
2072 @r{Swap the first two characters of the content of column 1}
2073 '(concat (substring $1 1 2) (substring $1 0 1) (substring $1 2))
2074 @r{Add columns 1 and 2, equivalent to the Calc's @code{$1+$2}}
2076 @r{Compute the sum of columns 1-4, like Calc's @code{vsum($1..$4)}}
2077 '(apply '+ '($1..$4));N
2080 @node Field formulas, Column formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet
2081 @subsection Field formulas
2082 @cindex field formula
2083 @cindex formula, for individual table field
2085 To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the
2086 field, preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=$1+$2}. When you
2087 press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in
2088 the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for this field,
2089 evaluated, and the current field replaced with the result.
2091 Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:}
2092 directly below the table. If you typed the equation in the 4th field of
2093 the 3rd data line in the table, the formula will look like
2094 @samp{@@3$4=$1+$2}. When inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows
2095 with the appropriate commands, @i{absolute references} (but not relative
2096 ones) in stored formulas are modified in order to still reference the
2097 same field. Of cause this is not true if you edit the table structure
2098 with normal editing commands - then you must fix the equations yourself.
2099 The left hand side of a formula may also be a named field (@pxref{Advanced
2100 features}), or a last-row reference like @samp{$LR3}.
2102 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2108 Install a new formula for the current field. The command prompts for a
2109 formula, with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, applies
2110 it to the current field and stores it.
2113 @node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field formulas, The spreadsheet
2114 @subsection Column formulas
2115 @cindex column formula
2116 @cindex formula, for table column
2118 Often in a table, the same formula should be used for all fields in a
2119 particular column. Instead of having to copy the formula to all fields
2120 in that column, Org allows to assign a single formula to an entire
2121 column. If the table contains horizontal separator hlines, everything
2122 before the first such line is considered part of the table @emph{header}
2123 and will not be modified by column formulas.
2125 To assign a formula to a column, type it directly into any field in the
2126 column, preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press
2127 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the
2128 field, the formula will be stored as the formula for the current column,
2129 evaluated and the current field replaced with the result. If the field
2130 contains only @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for this column is
2131 used. For each column, Org will only remember the most recently
2132 used formula. In the @samp{TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like
2135 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2141 Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field with
2142 the result of the formula. The command prompts for a formula, with default
2143 taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM} line, applies it to the current field and
2144 stores it. With a numeric prefix argument(e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) the command
2145 will apply it to that many consecutive fields in the current column.
2148 @node Editing and debugging formulas, Updating the table, Column formulas, The spreadsheet
2149 @subsection Editing and debugging formulas
2150 @cindex formula editing
2151 @cindex editing, of table formulas
2153 You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the
2154 field. Org can also prepare a special buffer with all active
2155 formulas of a table. When offering a formula for editing, Org
2156 converts references to the standard format (like @code{B3} or @code{D&})
2157 if possible. If you prefer to only work with the internal format (like
2158 @code{@@3$2} or @code{$4}), configure the variable
2159 @code{org-table-use-standard-references}.
2166 Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the
2167 minibuffer. See @ref{Column formulas} and @ref{Field formulas}.
2168 @kindex C-u C-u C-c =
2170 Re-insert the active formula (either a
2171 field formula, or a column formula) into the current field, so that you
2172 can edit it directly in the field. The advantage over editing in the
2173 minibuffer is that you can use the command @kbd{C-c ?}.
2176 While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s)
2177 referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula.
2180 Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using
2181 overlays. These are updated each time the table is aligned, you can
2182 force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
2185 Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below.
2188 Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the
2189 formulas will be displayed one per line. If the current field has an
2190 active formula, the cursor in the formula editor will mark it.
2191 While inside the special buffer, Org will automatically highlight
2192 any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit,
2193 remove and add formulas, and use the following commands:
2199 Exit the formula editor and store the modified formulas. With @kbd{C-u}
2200 prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.
2203 Exit the formula editor without installing changes.
2206 Toggle all references in the formula editor between standard (like
2207 @code{B3}) and internal (like @code{@@3$2}).
2210 Pretty-print or indent lisp formula at point. When in a line containing
2211 a lisp formula, format the formula according to Emacs Lisp rules.
2212 Another @key{TAB} collapses the formula back again. In the open
2213 formula, @key{TAB} re-indents just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2216 Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2218 @kindex S-@key{down}
2219 @kindex S-@key{left}
2220 @kindex S-@key{right}
2221 @item S-@key{up}/@key{down}/@key{left}/@key{right}
2222 Shift the reference at point. For example, if the reference is
2223 @code{B3} and you press @kbd{S-@key{right}}, it will become @code{C3}.
2224 This also works for relative references, and for hline references.
2225 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
2226 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
2227 @item M-S-@key{up}/@key{down}
2228 Move the test line for column formulas in the Org buffer up and
2231 @kindex M-@key{down}
2232 @item M-@key{up}/@key{down}
2233 Scroll the window displaying the table.
2236 Turn the coordinate grid in the table on and off.
2240 Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with
2241 the field, because that is stored in a different line (the @samp{TBLFM}
2242 line) - during the next recalculation the field will be filled again.
2243 To remove a formula from a field, you have to give an empty reply when
2244 prompted for the formula, or to edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} line.
2247 You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply the changed
2248 equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line, or with the normal
2249 recalculation commands in the table.
2251 @subsubheading Debugging formulas
2252 @cindex formula debugging
2253 @cindex debugging, of table formulas
2254 When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content
2255 becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going
2256 on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a bug,
2257 turn on formula debugging in the @code{Tbl} menu and repeat the
2258 calculation, for example by pressing @kbd{C-u C-u C-c = @key{RET}} in a
2259 field. Detailed information will be displayed.
2261 @node Updating the table, Advanced features, Editing and debugging formulas, The spreadsheet
2262 @subsection Updating the table
2263 @cindex recomputing table fields
2264 @cindex updating, table
2266 Recalculation of a table is normally not automatic, but needs to be
2267 triggered by a command. See @ref{Advanced features} for a way to make
2268 recalculation at least semi-automatically.
2270 In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the
2276 Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas
2277 from left to right, and all field formulas in the current row.
2283 Recompute the entire table, line by line. Any lines before the first
2284 hline are left alone, assuming that these are part of the table header.
2286 @kindex C-u C-u C-c *
2287 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-c
2289 @itemx C-u C-u C-c C-c
2290 Iterate the table by recomputing it until no further changes occur.
2291 This may be necessary if some computed fields use the value of other
2292 fields that are computed @i{later} in the calculation sequence.
2295 @node Advanced features, , Updating the table, The spreadsheet
2296 @subsection Advanced features
2298 If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically, or if
2299 you want to be able to assign @i{names} to fields and columns, you need
2300 to reserve the first column of the table for special marking characters.
2304 Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{},
2305 @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. When there is an active region,
2306 change all marks in the region.
2309 Here is an example of a table that collects exam results of students and
2310 makes use of these features:
2314 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2315 | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note |
2316 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2317 | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | |
2318 | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 |
2319 | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | |
2320 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2321 | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 |
2322 | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 |
2323 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2324 | | Average | | | | 29.7 | |
2325 | ^ | | | | | at | |
2326 | $ | max=50 | | | | | |
2327 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2328 #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(@@-II..@@-I);%.1f
2332 @noindent @b{Important}: Please note that for these special tables,
2333 recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows that
2334 are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and fields that have a formula assigned
2335 to the field itself. The column formulas are not applied in rows with
2338 @cindex marking characters, tables
2339 The marking characters have the following meaning:
2342 The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may
2343 refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}.
2345 This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such
2346 a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to
2347 the value @samp{10}. Also, if you assign a formula to a names field, it
2348 will be stored as @samp{$name=...}.
2350 Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row
2353 Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For
2354 example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then
2355 formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}.
2356 Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on
2359 Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing
2360 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row
2361 is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked
2362 lines will be left alone by this command.
2364 Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but
2365 not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic
2366 recalculation slows down editing too much.
2368 Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}.
2369 All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#}
2372 Do not export this line. Useful for lines that contain the narrowing
2376 Finally, just to whet your appetite on what can be done with the
2377 fantastic @file{calc} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor
2378 series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of
2383 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2384 | | Func | n | x | Result |
2385 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2386 | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x |
2387 | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 |
2388 | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 |
2389 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 |
2390 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 |
2391 | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 |
2392 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2393 #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3
2398 @node Org Plot, , The spreadsheet, Tables
2400 @cindex graph, in tables
2401 @cindex plot tables using gnuplot
2403 Org Plot can produce 2D and 3D graphs of information stored in org tables
2404 using @file{Gnuplot} @uref{http://www.gnuplot.info/} and @file{gnuplot-mode}
2405 @uref{http://cars9.uchicago.edu/~ravel/software/gnuplot-mode.html}. To see
2406 this in action ensure that you have both Gnuplot and Gnuplot-mode installed
2407 on your system, then call @code{org-plot/gnuplot} on the following table.
2411 #+PLOT: title:"Citas" ind:1 deps:(3) type:2d with:histograms set:"yrange [0:]"
2412 | Sede | Max cites | H-index |
2413 |-----------+-----------+---------|
2414 | Chile | 257.72 | 21.39 |
2415 | Leeds | 165.77 | 19.68 |
2416 | Sao Paolo | 71.00 | 11.50 |
2417 | Stockholm | 134.19 | 14.33 |
2418 | Morelia | 257.56 | 17.67 |
2422 Notice that Org Plot is smart enough to apply the tables headers as labels.
2423 Further control over the labels, type, content, and appearance of plots can
2424 be exercised through the @code{#+Plot:} lines preceding a table. See below
2425 for a complete list of Org plot options. For more information and examples
2426 see the org-plot tutorial at
2427 @uref{http://legito.org/worg/org-tutorials/org-plot.php}.
2429 @subsubheading Plot Options
2433 Specify any @file{gnuplot} option to be set when graphing.
2436 Specify the title of the plot.
2439 Specify which column of the table to use as the @code{x} axis.
2442 Specify the columns to graph as a lisp style list, surrounded by parenthesis
2443 and separated by spaces for example @code{dep:(3 4)} to graph the third and
2444 fourth columns (defaults to graphing all other columns aside from the ind
2448 Specify whether the plot will be @code{2d}, @code{3d}, or @code{grid}.
2451 Specify a @code{with} option to be inserted for every col being plotted
2452 (e.g. @code{lines}, @code{points}, @code{boxes}, @code{impulses}, etc...).
2453 Defaults to 'lines'.
2456 If you want to plot to a file specify the @code{"path/to/desired/output-file"}.
2459 List of labels to be used for the deps (defaults to column headers if they
2463 Specify an entire line to be inserted in the gnuplot script.
2466 When plotting @code{3d} or @code{grid} types, set this to @code{t} to graph a
2467 flat mapping rather than a @code{3d} slope.
2470 Specify format of org-mode timestamps as they will be parsed by gnuplot.
2471 Defaults to '%Y-%m-%d-%H:%M:%S'.
2474 If you want total control you can specify a script file (place the file name
2475 between double quotes) which will be used to plot. Before plotting, every
2476 instance of @code{$datafile} in the specified script will be replaced with
2477 the path to the generated data file. Note even if you set this option you
2478 may still want to specify the plot type, as that can impact the content of
2482 @node Hyperlinks, TODO Items, Tables, Top
2486 Like HTML, Org provides links inside a file, external links to
2487 other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more.
2490 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
2491 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
2492 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
2493 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
2494 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
2495 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
2496 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
2497 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
2500 @node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
2501 @section Link format
2503 @cindex format, of links
2505 Org will recognize plain URL-like links and activate them as
2506 clickable links. The general link format, however, looks like this:
2509 [[link][description]] @r{or alternatively} [[link]]
2512 Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org
2513 will change the display so that @samp{description} is displayed instead
2514 of @samp{[[link][description]]} and @samp{link} is displayed instead of
2515 @samp{[[link]]}. Links will be highlighted in the face @code{org-link},
2516 which by default is an underlined face. You can directly edit the
2517 visible part of a link. Note that this can be either the @samp{link}
2518 part (if there is no description) or the @samp{description} part. To
2519 edit also the invisible @samp{link} part, use @kbd{C-c C-l} with the
2522 If you place the cursor at the beginning or just behind the end of the
2523 displayed text and press @key{BACKSPACE}, you will remove the
2524 (invisible) bracket at that location. This makes the link incomplete
2525 and the internals are again displayed as plain text. Inserting the
2526 missing bracket hides the link internals again. To show the
2527 internal structure of all links, use the menu entry
2528 @code{Org->Hyperlinks->Literal links}.
2530 @node Internal links, External links, Link format, Hyperlinks
2531 @section Internal links
2532 @cindex internal links
2533 @cindex links, internal
2534 @cindex targets, for links
2536 If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in
2537 the current file. Links such as @samp{[[My Target]]} or @samp{[[My
2538 Target][Find my target]]} lead to a text search in the current file.
2539 The link can be followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} when the cursor is on the
2540 link, or with a mouse click (@pxref{Handling links}). The preferred
2541 match for such a link is a dedicated target: the same string in double
2542 angular brackets. Targets may be located anywhere; sometimes it is
2543 convenient to put them into a comment line. For example
2549 @noindent In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such targets will become
2550 named anchors for direct access through @samp{http} links@footnote{Note that
2551 text before the first headline is usually not exported, so the first such
2552 target should be after the first headline, or in the line directly before the
2555 If no dedicated target exists, Org will search for the words in the
2556 link. In the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}.
2557 Links starting with a star like @samp{*My Target} restrict the search to
2558 headlines. When searching, Org mode will first try an exact match, but
2559 then move on to more and more lenient searches. For example, the link
2560 @samp{[[*My Targets]]} will find any of the following:
2564 ** TODO my targets are bright
2565 ** my 20 targets are
2568 To insert a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used.
2569 Just type a star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer and
2570 press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will be
2571 offered as completions. @xref{Handling links}, for more commands
2574 Following a link pushes a mark onto Org's own mark ring. You can
2575 return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command
2576 several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded
2580 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
2583 @node Radio targets, , Internal links, Internal links
2584 @subsection Radio targets
2585 @cindex radio targets
2586 @cindex targets, radio
2587 @cindex links, radio targets
2589 Org can automatically turn any occurrences of certain target names
2590 in normal text into a link. So without explicitly creating a link, the
2591 text connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are
2592 enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target @samp{<<<My
2593 Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in normal text to
2594 become activated as a link. The Org file is scanned automatically
2595 for radio targets only when the file is first loaded into Emacs. To
2596 update the target list during editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
2597 cursor on or at a target.
2599 @node External links, Handling links, Internal links, Hyperlinks
2600 @section External links
2601 @cindex links, external
2602 @cindex external links
2603 @cindex links, external
2611 @cindex WANDERLUST links
2613 @cindex USENET links
2618 Org supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages,
2619 BBDB database entries and links to both IRC conversations and their
2620 logs. External links are URL-like locators. They start with a short
2621 identifying string followed by a colon. There can be no space after
2622 the colon. The following list shows examples for each link type.
2625 http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik @r{on the web}
2626 file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{file, absolute path}
2627 /home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{same as above}
2628 file:papers/last.pdf @r{file, relative path}
2629 ./papers/last.pdf @r{same as above}
2630 news:comp.emacs @r{Usenet link}
2631 mailto:adent@@galaxy.net @r{Mail link}
2632 vm:folder @r{VM folder link}
2633 vm:folder#id @r{VM message link}
2634 vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id @r{VM on remote machine}
2635 wl:folder @r{WANDERLUST folder link}
2636 wl:folder#id @r{WANDERLUST message link}
2637 mhe:folder @r{MH-E folder link}
2638 mhe:folder#id @r{MH-E message link}
2639 rmail:folder @r{RMAIL folder link}
2640 rmail:folder#id @r{RMAIL message link}
2641 gnus:group @r{Gnus group link}
2642 gnus:group#id @r{Gnus article link}
2643 bbdb:R.*Stallman @r{BBDB link (with regexp)}
2644 irc:/irc.com/#emacs/bob @r{IRC link}
2645 shell:ls *.org @r{A shell command}
2646 elisp:org-agenda @r{Interactive elisp command}
2647 elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{Elisp form to evaluate}
2650 A link should be enclosed in double brackets and may contain a
2651 descriptive text to be displayed instead of the URL (@pxref{Link
2652 format}), for example:
2655 [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/][GNU Emacs]]
2659 If the description is a file name or URL that points to an image, HTML
2660 export (@pxref{HTML export}) will inline the image as a clickable
2661 button. If there is no description at all and the link points to an
2663 that image will be inlined into the exported HTML file.
2665 @cindex angular brackets, around links
2666 @cindex plain text external links
2667 Org also finds external links in the normal text and activates them
2668 as links. If spaces must be part of the link (for example in
2669 @samp{bbdb:Richard Stallman}), or if you need to remove ambiguities
2670 about the end of the link, enclose them in angular brackets.
2672 @node Handling links, Using links outside Org, External links, Hyperlinks
2673 @section Handling links
2674 @cindex links, handling
2676 Org provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
2677 insert it into an Org file, and to follow the link.
2681 @cindex storing links
2683 Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command which
2684 can be used in any buffer to create a link. The link will be stored for
2685 later insertion into an Org buffer (see below). For Org files, if there is a
2686 @samp{<<target>>} at the cursor, the link points to the target. Otherwise it
2687 points to the current headline, either by text, or, if @file{org-id.el} is
2688 loaded, by ID property. For VM, Rmail, Wanderlust, MH-E, Gnus and BBDB
2689 buffers, the link will indicate the current article/entry. For W3 and W3M
2690 buffers, the link goes to the current URL. For IRC links, if you set the
2691 variable @code{org-irc-link-to-logs} to non-nil then @kbd{C-c l} will store a
2692 @samp{file:/} style link to the relevant point in the logs for the current
2693 conversation. Otherwise an @samp{irc:/} style link to the user/channel/server
2694 under the point will be stored. For any other files, the link will point to
2695 the file, with a search string (@pxref{Search options}) pointing to the
2696 contents of the current line. If there is an active region, the selected
2697 words will form the basis of the search string. If the automatically created
2698 link is not working correctly or accurately enough, you can write custom
2699 functions to select the search string and to do the search for particular
2700 file types - see @ref{Custom searches}. The key binding @kbd{C-c l} is only
2701 a suggestion - see @ref{Installation}.
2704 @cindex link completion
2705 @cindex completion, of links
2706 @cindex inserting links
2708 Insert a link. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the buffer. You
2709 can just type a link, using text for an internal link, or one of the link
2710 type prefixes mentioned in the examples above. All links stored during the
2711 current session are part of the history for this prompt, so you can access
2712 them with @key{up} and @key{down} (or @kbd{M-p/n}). Completion, on the other
2713 hand, will help you to insert valid link prefixes like @samp{http:} or
2714 @samp{ftp:}, including the prefixes defined through link abbreviations
2715 (@pxref{Link abbreviations}). The link will be inserted into the
2716 buffer@footnote{After insertion of a stored link, the link will be removed
2717 from the list of stored links. To keep it in the list later use, use a
2718 triple @kbd{C-u} prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the option
2719 @code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}, along with a descriptive text.
2720 If some text was selected when this command is called, the selected text
2721 becomes the default description.@* Note that you don't have to use this
2722 command to insert a link. Links in Org are plain text, and you can type
2723 or paste them straight into the buffer. By using this command, the links are
2724 automatically enclosed in double brackets, and you will be asked for the
2725 optional descriptive text.
2727 @c If the link is a @samp{file:} link and
2728 @c the linked file is located in the same directory as the current file or
2729 @c a subdirectory of it, the path of the file will be inserted relative to
2730 @c the current directory.
2733 @cindex file name completion
2734 @cindex completion, of file names
2736 When @kbd{C-c C-l} is called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, a link to
2737 a file will be inserted and you may use file name completion to select
2738 the name of the file. The path to the file is inserted relative to the
2739 directory of the current org file, if the linked file is in the current
2740 directory or in a sub-directory of it, or if the path is written relative
2741 to the current directory using @samp{../}. Otherwise an absolute path
2742 is used, if possible with @samp{~/} for your home directory. You can
2743 force an absolute path with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes.
2745 @item C-c C-l @r{(with cursor on existing link)}
2746 When the cursor is on an existing link, @kbd{C-c C-l} allows you to edit the
2747 link and description parts of the link.
2749 @cindex following links
2752 Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using
2753 @command{browse-url-at-point}), run VM/MH-E/Wanderlust/Rmail/Gnus/BBDB for
2754 the corresponding links, and execute the command in a shell link. When the
2755 cursor is on an internal link, this commands runs the corresponding search.
2756 When the cursor is on a TAG list in a headline, it creates the corresponding
2757 TAGS view. If the cursor is on a time stamp, it compiles the agenda for that
2758 date. Furthermore, it will visit text and remote files in @samp{file:} links
2759 with Emacs and select a suitable application for local non-text files.
2760 Classification of files is based on file extension only. See option
2761 @code{org-file-apps}. If you want to override the default application and
2762 visit the file with Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u} prefix. If you want to avoid
2763 opening in Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u C-u} prefix.
2769 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just as @kbd{C-c C-o}
2770 would. Under Emacs 22, also @kbd{mouse-1} will follow a link.
2774 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs, and
2775 internal links to be displayed in another window@footnote{See the
2776 variable @code{org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer}}.
2781 Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
2782 easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
2784 @cindex links, returning to
2787 Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the
2788 commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this
2789 command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of
2790 previously recorded positions.
2794 @cindex links, finding next/previous
2797 Move forward/backward to the next link in the buffer. At the limit of
2798 the buffer, the search fails once, and then wraps around. The key
2799 bindings for this are really too long, you might want to bind this also
2800 to @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{C-p}
2802 (add-hook 'org-load-hook
2804 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-n" 'org-next-link)
2805 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-p" 'org-previous-link)))
2809 @node Using links outside Org, Link abbreviations, Handling links, Hyperlinks
2810 @section Using links outside Org
2812 You can insert and follow links that have Org syntax not only in
2813 Org, but in any Emacs buffer. For this, you should create two
2814 global commands, like this (please select suitable global keys
2818 (global-set-key "\C-c L" 'org-insert-link-global)
2819 (global-set-key "\C-c o" 'org-open-at-point-global)
2822 @node Link abbreviations, Search options, Using links outside Org, Hyperlinks
2823 @section Link abbreviations
2824 @cindex link abbreviations
2825 @cindex abbreviation, links
2827 Long URLs can be cumbersome to type, and often many similar links are
2828 needed in a document. For this you can use link abbreviations. An
2829 abbreviated link looks like this
2832 [[linkword:tag][description]]
2836 where the tag is optional. Such abbreviations are resolved according to
2837 the information in the variable @code{org-link-abbrev-alist} that
2838 relates the linkwords to replacement text. Here is an example:
2842 (setq org-link-abbrev-alist
2843 '(("bugzilla" . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=")
2844 ("google" . "http://www.google.com/search?q=")
2845 ("ads" . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/
2846 nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST")))
2850 If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be
2851 replaced with the tag. Otherwise the tag will be appended to the string
2852 in order to create the link. You may also specify a function that will
2853 be called with the tag as the only argument to create the link.
2855 With the above setting, you could link to a specific bug with
2856 @code{[[bugzilla:129]]}, search the web for @samp{OrgMode} with
2857 @code{[[google:OrgMode]]} and find out what the Org author is
2858 doing besides Emacs hacking with @code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}.
2860 If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org buffer, you
2861 can define them in the file with
2864 #+LINK: bugzilla http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=
2865 #+LINK: google http://www.google.com/search?q=%s
2869 In-buffer completion @pxref{Completion} can be used after @samp{[} to
2870 complete link abbreviations.
2872 @node Search options, Custom searches, Link abbreviations, Hyperlinks
2873 @section Search options in file links
2874 @cindex search option in file links
2875 @cindex file links, searching
2877 File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a
2878 particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a
2879 line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward
2880 compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon. For
2881 example, when the command @kbd{C-c l} creates a link (@pxref{Handling
2882 links}) to a file, it encodes the words in the current line as a search
2883 string that can be used to find this line back later when following the
2884 link with @kbd{C-c C-o}.
2886 Here is the syntax of the different ways to attach a search to a file
2887 link, together with an explanation:
2890 [[file:~/code/main.c::255]]
2891 [[file:~/xx.org::My Target]]
2892 [[file:~/xx.org::*My Target]]
2893 [[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]]
2900 Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, or do a text search for
2901 @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see
2902 @ref{Internal links}. In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such a file
2903 link will become an HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in
2906 In an Org file, restrict search to headlines.
2908 Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs
2909 command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the
2910 target file is in Org mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a
2911 sparse tree with the matches.
2912 @c If the target file is a directory,
2913 @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory.
2916 As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used
2917 to search the current file. For example, @code{[[file:::find me]]} does
2918 a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just as
2919 @samp{[[find me]]} would.
2921 @node Custom searches, , Search options, Hyperlinks
2922 @section Custom Searches
2923 @cindex custom search strings
2924 @cindex search strings, custom
2926 The default mechanism for creating search strings and for doing the
2927 actual search related to a file link may not work correctly in all
2928 cases. For example, BibTeX database files have many entries like
2929 @samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings,
2930 because the only unique identification for a BibTeX entry is the
2933 If you come across such a problem, you can write custom functions to set
2934 the right search string for a particular file type, and to do the search
2935 for the string in the file. Using @code{add-hook}, these functions need
2936 to be added to the hook variables
2937 @code{org-create-file-search-functions} and
2938 @code{org-execute-file-search-functions}. See the docstring for these
2939 variables for more information. Org actually uses this mechanism
2940 for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as
2941 an implementation example. See the file @file{org-bibtex.el}.
2943 @node TODO Items, Tags, Hyperlinks, Top
2947 Org mode does not maintain TODO lists as separate documents@footnote{Of
2948 course, you can make a document that contains inly long lists of TODO items,
2949 but this is not required.}. Instead, TODO items are an integral part of the
2950 notes file, because TODO items usually come up while taking notes! With Org
2951 mode, simply mark any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way,
2952 information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the TODO
2953 item emerged is always present.
2955 Of course, this technique for managing TODO items scatters them
2956 throughout your notes file. Org mode compensates for this by providing
2957 methods to give you an overview of all the things that you have to do.
2960 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
2961 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
2962 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
2963 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
2964 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
2965 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
2968 @node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO Items, TODO Items
2969 @section Basic TODO functionality
2971 Any headline becomes a TODO item when it starts with the word
2972 @samp{TODO}, for example:
2975 *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune
2979 The most important commands to work with TODO entries are:
2983 @cindex cycling, of TODO states
2985 Rotate the TODO state of the current item among
2988 ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --.
2989 '--------------------------------'
2992 The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and
2993 agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
2997 Select a specific keyword using completion or (if it has been set up)
2998 the fast selection interface. For the latter, you need to assign keys
2999 to TODO states, see @ref{Per-file keywords} and @ref{Setting tags} for
3002 @kindex S-@key{right}
3003 @kindex S-@key{left}
3006 Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling. Useful
3007 mostly if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO
3011 @cindex sparse tree, for TODO
3014 View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds
3015 the entire buffer, but shows all TODO items and the headings hierarchy
3016 above them. With a prefix argument, search for a specific TODO. You will be
3017 prompted for the keyword, and you can also give a list of keywords like
3018 @code{KWD1|KWD2|...}. With numeric prefix argument N, show the tree for the
3019 Nth keyword in the variable @code{org-todo-keywords}. With two prefix
3020 arguments, find all TODO and DONE entries.
3023 Show the global TODO list. Collects the TODO items from all agenda
3024 files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The new buffer will
3025 be in @code{agenda-mode}, which provides commands to examine and
3026 manipulate the TODO entries from the new buffer (@pxref{Agenda
3027 commands}). @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
3028 @kindex S-M-@key{RET}
3030 Insert a new TODO entry below the current one.
3034 Changing a TODO state can also trigger tag changes. See the docstring of the
3035 option @code{org-todo-state-tags-triggers} for details.
3037 @node TODO extensions, Progress logging, TODO basics, TODO Items
3038 @section Extended use of TODO keywords
3039 @cindex extended TODO keywords
3041 By default, marked TODO entries have one of only two states: TODO and
3042 DONE. Org mode allows you to classify TODO items in more complex ways
3043 with @emph{TODO keywords} (stored in @code{org-todo-keywords}). With
3044 special setup, the TODO keyword system can work differently in different
3047 Note that @i{tags} are another way to classify headlines in general and
3048 TODO items in particular (@pxref{Tags}).
3051 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
3052 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
3053 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
3054 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
3055 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
3056 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
3059 @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions
3060 @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states
3061 @cindex TODO workflow
3062 @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords
3064 You can use TODO keywords to indicate different @emph{sequential} states
3065 in the process of working on an item, for example@footnote{Changing
3066 this variable only becomes effective after restarting Org mode in a
3070 (setq org-todo-keywords
3071 '((sequence "TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "|" "DONE" "DELEGATED")))
3074 The vertical bar separates the TODO keywords (states that @emph{need
3075 action}) from the DONE states (which need @emph{no further action}). If
3076 you don't provide the separator bar, the last state is used as the DONE
3078 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
3079 With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from TODO
3080 to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE and DELEGATED. You may
3081 also use a numeric prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For
3082 example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
3083 Or you can use @kbd{S-left} to go backward through the sequence. If you
3084 define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion
3085 (@pxref{Completion}) or even a special one-key selection scheme
3086 (@pxref{Fast access to TODO states}) to insert these words into the
3087 buffer. Changing a TODO state can be logged with a timestamp, see
3088 @ref{Tracking TODO state changes} for more information.
3090 @node TODO types, Multiple sets in one file, Workflow states, TODO extensions
3091 @subsection TODO keywords as types
3093 @cindex names as TODO keywords
3094 @cindex types as TODO keywords
3096 The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different
3097 @emph{types} of action items. For example, you might want to indicate
3098 that items are for ``work'' or ``home''. Or, when you work with several
3099 people on a single project, you might want to assign action items
3100 directly to persons, by using their names as TODO keywords. This would
3101 be set up like this:
3104 (setq org-todo-keywords '((type "Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "|" "DONE")))
3107 In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather
3108 different types. So the normal work flow would be to assign a task to a
3109 person, and later to mark it DONE. Org mode supports this style by adapting
3110 the workings of the command @kbd{C-c C-t}@footnote{This is also true for the
3111 @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When used several
3112 times in succession, it will still cycle through all names, in order to first
3113 select the right type for a task. But when you return to the item after some
3114 time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from any name directly
3115 to DONE. Use prefix arguments or completion to quickly select a specific
3116 name. You can also review the items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree
3117 by using a numeric prefix to @kbd{C-c C-v}. For example, to see all things
3118 Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c C-v}. To collect Lucy's items
3119 from all agenda files into a single buffer, you would use the numeric prefix
3120 argument as well when creating the global TODO list: @kbd{C-3 C-c t}.
3122 @node Multiple sets in one file, Fast access to TODO states, TODO types, TODO extensions
3123 @subsection Multiple keyword sets in one file
3124 @cindex TODO keyword sets
3126 Sometimes you may want to use different sets of TODO keywords in
3127 parallel. For example, you may want to have the basic
3128 @code{TODO}/@code{DONE}, but also a workflow for bug fixing, and a
3129 separate state indicating that an item has been canceled (so it is not
3130 DONE, but also does not require action). Your setup would then look
3134 (setq org-todo-keywords
3135 '((sequence "TODO" "|" "DONE")
3136 (sequence "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED")
3137 (sequence "|" "CANCELED")))
3140 The keywords should all be different, this helps Org mode to keep track
3141 of which subsequence should be used for a given entry. In this setup,
3142 @kbd{C-c C-t} only operates within a subsequence, so it switches from
3143 @code{DONE} to (nothing) to @code{TODO}, and from @code{FIXED} to
3144 (nothing) to @code{REPORT}. Therefore you need a mechanism to initially
3145 select the correct sequence. Besides the obvious ways like typing a
3146 keyword or using completion, you may also apply the following commands:
3149 @kindex C-S-@key{right}
3150 @kindex C-S-@key{left}
3151 @item C-S-@key{right}
3152 @itemx C-S-@key{left}
3153 These keys jump from one TODO subset to the next. In the above example,
3154 @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} would jump from @code{TODO} or @code{DONE} to
3155 @code{REPORT}, and any of the words in the second row to @code{CANCELED}.
3156 @kindex S-@key{right}
3157 @kindex S-@key{left}
3160 @kbd{S-@key{<left>}} and @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} and walk through
3161 @emph{all} keywords from all sets, so for example @kbd{S-@key{<right>}}
3162 would switch from @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT} in the example above.
3165 @node Fast access to TODO states, Per-file keywords, Multiple sets in one file, TODO extensions
3166 @subsection Fast access to TODO states
3168 If you would like to quickly change an entry to an arbitrary TODO state
3169 instead of cycling through the states, you can set up keys for
3170 single-letter access to the states. This is done by adding the section
3171 key after each keyword, in parenthesis. For example:
3174 (setq org-todo-keywords
3175 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "|" "DONE(d)")
3176 (sequence "REPORT(r)" "BUG(b)" "KNOWNCAUSE(k)" "|" "FIXED(f)")
3177 (sequence "|" "CANCELED(c)")))
3180 If you then press @code{C-u C-c C-t} followed by the selection key, the
3181 entry will be switched to this state. @key{SPC} can be used to remove
3182 any TODO keyword from an entry. Should you like this way of selecting
3183 TODO states a lot, you might want to set the variable
3184 @code{org-use-fast-todo-selection} to @code{t} and make this behavior
3185 the default. Check also the variable
3186 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo}, it allows to change the TODO
3187 state through the tags interface (@pxref{Setting tags}), in case you
3188 like to mingle the two concepts.
3190 @node Per-file keywords, Faces for TODO keywords, Fast access to TODO states, TODO extensions
3191 @subsection Setting up keywords for individual files
3192 @cindex keyword options
3193 @cindex per-file keywords
3195 It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in
3196 different files. For file-local settings, you need to add special lines
3197 to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that file
3198 only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed above, you
3199 need one of the following lines, starting in column zero anywhere in the
3203 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY | DONE CANCELED
3207 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike | DONE
3210 A setup for using several sets in parallel would be:
3213 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO | DONE
3214 #+SEQ_TODO: REPORT BUG KNOWNCAUSE | FIXED
3215 #+SEQ_TODO: | CANCELED
3218 @cindex completion, of option keywords
3220 @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type
3221 @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion.
3223 @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword
3224 Remember that the keywords after the vertical bar (or the last keyword
3225 if no bar is there) must always mean that the item is DONE (although you
3226 may use a different word). After changing one of these lines, use
3227 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to make the changes
3228 known to Org mode@footnote{Org mode parses these lines only when
3229 Org mode is activated after visiting a file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
3230 cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+} is simply restarting Org mode
3231 for the current buffer.}.
3233 @node Faces for TODO keywords, , Per-file keywords, TODO extensions
3234 @subsection Faces for TODO keywords
3235 @cindex faces, for TODO keywords
3237 Org mode highlights TODO keywords with special faces: @code{org-todo}
3238 for keywords indicating that an item still has to be acted upon, and
3239 @code{org-done} for keywords indicating that an item is finished. If
3240 you are using more than 2 different states, you might want to use
3241 special faces for some of them. This can be done using the variable
3242 @code{org-todo-keyword-faces}. For example:
3246 (setq org-todo-keyword-faces
3247 '(("TODO" . org-warning)
3248 ("DEFERRED" . shadow)
3249 ("CANCELED" . (:foreground "blue" :weight bold))))
3253 While using a list with face properties as shown for CANCELED
3254 @emph{should} work, this does not aways seem to be the case. If
3255 necessary, define a special face and use that.
3258 @node Progress logging, Priorities, TODO extensions, TODO Items
3259 @section Progress logging
3260 @cindex progress logging
3261 @cindex logging, of progress
3263 Org mode can automatically record a time stamp and possibly a note when
3264 you mark a TODO item as DONE, or even each time you change the state of
3265 a TODO item. This system is highly configurable, settings can be on a
3266 per-keyword basis and can be localized to a file or even a subtree. For
3267 information on how to clock working time for a task, see @ref{Clocking
3271 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
3272 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
3275 @node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging
3276 @subsection Closing items
3278 The most basic logging is to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO
3279 item was finished. This is achieved with@footnote{The corresponding
3280 in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}}.
3283 (setq org-log-done 'time)
3287 Then each time you turn an entry from a TODO (not-done) state into any
3288 of the DONE states, a line @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted
3289 just after the headline. If you turn the entry back into a TODO item
3290 through further state cycling, that line will be removed again. If you
3291 want to record a note along with the timestamp, use@footnote{The
3292 corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognotedone}}
3295 (setq org-log-done 'note)
3299 You will then be prompted for a note, and that note will be stored below
3300 the entry with a @samp{Closing Note} heading.
3302 In the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda
3303 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), you can then use the @kbd{l} key to
3304 display the TODO items with a @samp{CLOSED} timestamp on each day,
3305 giving you an overview of what has been done.
3307 @node Tracking TODO state changes, , Closing items, Progress logging
3308 @subsection Tracking TODO state changes
3310 When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow
3311 states}), you might want to keep track of when a state change occurred
3312 and maybe take a note about this change. Since it is normally too much
3313 to record a note for every state, Org mode expects configuration on a
3314 per-keyword basis for this. This is achieved by adding special markers
3315 @samp{!} (for a time stamp) and @samp{@@} (for a note) in parenthesis
3316 after each keyword. For example, with the setting
3319 (setq org-todo-keywords
3320 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "WAIT(w@@/!)" "|" "DONE(d!)" "CANCELED(c@@)")))
3324 you not only define global TODO keywords and fast access keys, but also
3325 request that a time is recorded when the entry is turned into
3326 DONE@footnote{It is possible that Org mode will record two time stamps
3327 when you are using both @code{org-log-done} and state change logging.
3328 However, it will never prompt for two notes - if you have configured
3329 both, the state change recording note will take precedence and cancel
3330 the @samp{Closing Note}.}, and that a note is recorded when switching to
3331 WAIT or CANCELED. The setting for WAIT is even more special: The
3332 @samp{!} after the slash means that in addition to the note taken when
3333 entering the state, a time stamp should be recorded when @i{leaving} the
3334 WAIT state, if and only if the @i{target} state does not configure
3335 logging for entering it. So it has no effect when switching from WAIT
3336 to DONE, because DONE is configured to record a timestamp only. But
3337 when switching from WAIT back to TODO, the @samp{/!} in the WAIT
3338 setting now triggers a timestamp even though TODO has no logging
3341 You can use the exact same syntax for setting logging preferences local
3344 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO(t) WAIT(w@@/!) | DONE(d!) CANCELED(c@@)
3347 In order to define logging settings that are local to a subtree or a
3348 single item, define a LOGGING property in this entry. Any non-empty
3349 LOGGING property resets all logging settings to nil. You may then turn
3350 on logging for this specific tree using STARTUP keywords like
3351 @code{lognotedone} or @code{logrepeat}, as well as adding state specific
3352 settings like @code{TODO(!)}. For example
3355 * TODO Log each state with only a time
3357 :LOGGING: TODO(!) WAIT(!) DONE(!) CANCELED(!)
3359 * TODO Only log when switching to WAIT, and when repeating
3361 :LOGGING: WAIT(@@) logrepeat
3363 * TODO No logging at all
3369 @node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, Progress logging, TODO Items
3373 If you use Org mode extensively, you may end up enough TODO items that
3374 it starts to make sense to prioritize them. Prioritizing can be done by
3375 placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the headline of a TODO item, like
3379 *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
3383 By default, Org mode supports three priorities: @samp{A}, @samp{B}, and
3384 @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry without a cookie
3385 is treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a difference only in
3386 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}); outside the agenda, they have
3387 no inherent meaning to Org mode.
3389 Priorities can be attached to any outline tree entries; they do not need
3395 Set the priority of the current headline. The command prompts for a
3396 priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press
3397 @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline.
3398 The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3399 agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3402 @kindex S-@key{down}
3405 Increase/decrease priority of current headline@footnote{See also the
3406 option @code{org-priority-start-cycle-with-default'}.}. Note that these
3407 keys are also used to modify time stamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}).
3408 Furthermore, these keys are also used by CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
3411 You can change the range of allowed priorities by setting the variables
3412 @code{org-highest-priority}, @code{org-lowest-priority}, and
3413 @code{org-default-priority}. For an individual buffer, you may set
3414 these values (highest, lowest, default) like this (please make sure that
3415 the highest priority is earlier in the alphabet than the lowest
3422 @node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO Items
3423 @section Breaking tasks down into subtasks
3424 @cindex tasks, breaking down
3426 It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable
3427 subtasks. You can do this by creating an outline tree below a TODO item,
3428 with detailed subtasks on the tree@footnote{To keep subtasks out of the
3429 global TODO list, see the @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels}.}. To keep
3430 the overview over the fraction of subtasks that are already completed, insert
3431 either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]} anywhere in the headline. These cookies will
3432 be updates each time the todo status of a child changes. For example:
3435 * Organize Party [33%]
3436 ** TODO Call people [1/2]
3440 ** DONE Talk to neighbor
3443 If you would like a TODO entry to automatically change to DONE when all
3444 chilrden are done, you can use the following setup:
3447 (defun org-summary-todo (n-done n-not-done)
3448 "Switch entry to DONE when all subentries are done, to TODO otherwise."
3449 (let (org-log-done org-log-states) ; turn off logging
3450 (org-todo (if (= n-not-done 0) "DONE" "TODO"))))
3452 (add-hook 'org-after-todo-statistics-hook 'org-summary-todo)
3456 Another possibility is the use of checkboxes to identify (a hierarchy of) a
3457 large number of subtasks (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
3460 @node Checkboxes, , Breaking down tasks, TODO Items
3464 Every item in a plain list (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made into a
3465 checkbox by starting it with the string @samp{[ ]}. This feature is
3466 similar to TODO items (@pxref{TODO Items}), but is more lightweight.
3467 Checkboxes are not included into the global TODO list, so they are often
3468 great to split a task into a number of simple steps. Or you can use
3469 them in a shopping list. To toggle a checkbox, use @kbd{C-c C-c}, or
3470 use the mouse (thanks to Piotr Zielinski's @file{org-mouse.el}).
3472 Here is an example of a checkbox list.
3475 * TODO Organize party [2/4]
3476 - [-] call people [1/3]
3481 - [ ] think about what music to play
3482 - [X] talk to the neighbors
3485 Checkboxes work hierarchically, so if a checkbox item has children that
3486 are checkboxes, toggling one of the children checkboxes will make the
3487 parent checkbox reflect if none, some, or all of the children are
3490 @cindex statistics, for checkboxes
3491 @cindex checkbox statistics
3492 The @samp{[2/4]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are
3493 cookies indicating how many checkboxes present in this entry have been
3494 checked off, and the total number of checkboxes are present. This can
3495 give you an idea on how many checkboxes remain, even without opening a
3496 folded entry. The cookies can be placed into a headline or into (the
3497 first line of) a plain list item. Each cookie covers all checkboxes
3498 structurally below the headline/item on which the cookie appear. You
3499 have to insert the cookie yourself by typing either @samp{[/]} or
3500 @samp{[%]}. With @samp{[/]} you get an @samp{n out of m} result, as in
3501 the examples above. With @samp{[%]} you get information about the
3502 percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be
3503 @samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%]}, respectively).
3505 @noindent The following commands work with checkboxes:
3510 Toggle checkbox at point. With a prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]},
3511 which is considered to be an intermediate state.
3514 Toggle checkbox at point.
3517 If there is an active region, toggle the first checkbox in the region
3518 and set all remaining boxes to the same status as the first. If you
3519 want to toggle all boxes in the region independently, use a prefix
3522 If the cursor is in a headline, toggle checkboxes in the region between
3523 this headline and the next (so @emph{not} the entire subtree).
3525 If there is no active region, just toggle the checkbox at point.
3527 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
3529 Insert a new item with a checkbox.
3530 This works only if the cursor is already in a plain list item
3531 (@pxref{Plain lists}).
3534 Update the checkbox statistics in the current outline entry. When
3535 called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, update the entire file. Checkbox
3536 statistic cookies are updated automatically if you toggle checkboxes
3537 with @kbd{C-c C-c} and make new ones with @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}}. If you
3538 delete boxes or add/change them by hand, use this command to get things
3539 back into synch. Or simply toggle any checkbox twice with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
3542 @node Tags, Properties and Columns, TODO Items, Top
3545 @cindex headline tagging
3546 @cindex matching, tags
3547 @cindex sparse tree, tag based
3549 An excellent way to implement labels and contexts for cross-correlating
3550 information is to assign @i{tags} to headlines. Org mode has extensive
3553 Every headline can contain a list of tags; they occur at the end of the
3554 headline. Tags are normal words containing letters, numbers, @samp{_}, and
3555 @samp{@@}. Tags must be preceded and followed by a single colon, e.g.,
3556 @samp{:work:}. Several tags can be specified, as in @samp{:work:urgent:}.
3557 Tags will by default get a bold face with the same color as the headline.
3558 You may specify special faces for specific tags using the variable
3559 @code{org-tag-faces}, much in the same way as you can do for TODO keywords
3560 (@pxref{Faces for TODO keywords}).
3563 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
3564 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
3565 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
3568 @node Tag inheritance, Setting tags, Tags, Tags
3569 @section Tag inheritance
3570 @cindex tag inheritance
3571 @cindex inheritance, of tags
3572 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into tags match
3574 @i{Tags} make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees. If a
3575 heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
3576 well. For example, in the list
3579 * Meeting with the French group :work:
3580 ** Summary by Frank :boss:notes:
3581 *** TODO Prepare slides for him :action:
3585 the final heading will have the tags @samp{:work:}, @samp{:boss:},
3586 @samp{:notes:}, and @samp{:action:} even though the final heading is not
3587 explicitly marked with those tags. You can also set tags that all entries in
3588 a file should inherit as if these tags would be defined in a hypothetical
3589 level zero that surounds the entire file.
3592 #+FILETAGS: :Peter:Boss:Secret:
3596 To limit tag inheritance to specific tags, or to turn it off entirely, use
3597 the variables @code{org-use-tag-inheritance} and
3598 @code{org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance}.
3600 When a headline matches during a tags search while tag inheritance is turned
3601 on, all the sublevels in the same tree will (for a simple match form) match
3602 as well@footnote{This is only true if the the search does not involve more
3603 complex tests including properties (@pxref{Property searches}).}. The list
3604 of matches may then become very long. If you only want to see the first tags
3605 match in a subtree, configure the variable
3606 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels} (not recommended).
3608 @node Setting tags, Tag searches, Tag inheritance, Tags
3609 @section Setting tags
3610 @cindex setting tags
3611 @cindex tags, setting
3614 Tags can simply be typed into the buffer at the end of a headline.
3615 After a colon, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on tags. There is
3616 also a special command for inserting tags:
3621 @cindex completion, of tags
3622 Enter new tags for the current headline. Org mode will either offer
3623 completion or a special single-key interface for setting tags, see
3624 below. After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will be inserted and aligned
3625 to @code{org-tags-column}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all
3626 tags in the current buffer will be aligned to that column, just to make
3627 things look nice. TAGS are automatically realigned after promotion,
3628 demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
3631 When the cursor is in a headline, this does the same as @kbd{C-c C-q}.
3634 Org will support tag insertion based on a @emph{list of tags}. By
3635 default this list is constructed dynamically, containing all tags
3636 currently used in the buffer. You may also globally specify a hard list
3637 of tags with the variable @code{org-tag-alist}. Finally you can set
3638 the default tags for a given file with lines like
3641 #+TAGS: @@work @@home @@tennisclub
3642 #+TAGS: laptop car pc sailboat
3645 If you have globally defined your preferred set of tags using the
3646 variable @code{org-tag-alist}, but would like to use a dynamic tag list
3647 in a specific file, add an empty TAGS option line to that file:
3653 By default Org mode uses the standard minibuffer completion facilities for
3654 entering tags. However, it also implements another, quicker, tag selection
3655 method called @emph{fast tag selection}. This allows you to select and
3656 deselect tags with just a single key press. For this to work well you should
3657 assign unique letters to most of your commonly used tags. You can do this
3658 globally by configuring the variable @code{org-tag-alist} in your
3659 @file{.emacs} file. For example, you may find the need to tag many items in
3660 different files with @samp{:@@home:}. In this case you can set something
3664 (setq org-tag-alist '(("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h) ("laptop" . ?l)))
3667 @noindent If the tag is only relevant to the file you are working on then you
3668 can, instead, set the TAGS option line as:
3671 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) laptop(l) pc(p)
3675 You can also group together tags that are mutually exclusive. By using
3679 #+TAGS: @{ @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) @} laptop(l) pc(p)
3682 @noindent you indicate that at most one of @samp{@@work}, @samp{@@home},
3683 and @samp{@@tennisclub} should be selected. Multiple such groups are allowed.
3685 @noindent Don't forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in one of
3686 these lines to activate any changes.
3689 To set these mutually exclusive groups in the variable @code{org-mode-alist}
3690 you must use the dummy tags @code{:startgroup} and @code{:endgroup} instead
3691 of the braces. The previous example would be set globally by the following
3695 (setq org-tag-alist '((:startgroup . nil)
3696 ("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h)
3697 ("@@tennisclub" . ?t)
3699 ("laptop" . ?l) ("pc" . ?p)))
3702 If at least one tag has a selection key then pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} will
3703 automatically present you with a special interface, listing inherited tags,
3704 the tags of the current headline, and a list of all valid tags with
3705 corresponding keys@footnote{Keys will automatically be assigned to tags which
3706 have no configured keys.}. In this interface, you can use the following
3711 Pressing keys assigned to tags will add or remove them from the list of
3712 tags in the current line. Selecting a tag in a group of mutually
3713 exclusive tags will turn off any other tags from that group.
3716 Enter a tag in the minibuffer, even if the tag is not in the predefined
3717 list. You will be able to complete on all tags present in the buffer.
3720 Clear all tags for this line.
3723 Accept the modified set.
3725 Abort without installing changes.
3727 If @kbd{q} is not assigned to a tag, it aborts like @kbd{C-g}.
3729 Turn off groups of mutually exclusive tags. Use this to (as an
3730 exception) assign several tags from such a group.
3732 Toggle auto-exit after the next change (see below).
3733 If you are using expert mode, the first @kbd{C-c} will display the
3738 This method lets you assign tags to a headline with very few keys. With
3739 the above setup, you could clear the current tags and set @samp{@@home},
3740 @samp{laptop} and @samp{pc} tags with just the following keys: @kbd{C-c
3741 C-c @key{SPC} h l p @key{RET}}. Switching from @samp{@@home} to
3742 @samp{@@work} would be done with @kbd{C-c C-c w @key{RET}} or
3743 alternatively with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c w}. Adding the non-predefined tag
3744 @samp{Sarah} could be done with @kbd{C-c C-c @key{TAB} S a r a h
3745 @key{RET} @key{RET}}.
3747 If you find that most of the time, you need only a single key press to
3748 modify your list of tags, set the variable
3749 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-single-key}. Then you no longer have to
3750 press @key{RET} to exit fast tag selection - it will immediately exit
3751 after the first change. If you then occasionally need more keys, press
3752 @kbd{C-c} to turn off auto-exit for the current tag selection process
3753 (in effect: start selection with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c} instead of @kbd{C-c
3754 C-c}). If you set the variable to the value @code{expert}, the special
3755 window is not even shown for single-key tag selection, it comes up only
3756 when you press an extra @kbd{C-c}.
3758 @node Tag searches, , Setting tags, Tags
3759 @section Tag searches
3760 @cindex tag searches
3761 @cindex searching for tags
3763 Once a system of tags has been set up, it can be used to collect related
3764 information into special lists.
3771 Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search. With a
3772 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
3775 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
3776 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
3779 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
3780 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
3781 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
3784 @cindex Boolean logic, for tag searches
3785 A @i{tags} search string can use Boolean operators @samp{&} for AND and
3786 @samp{|} for OR. @samp{&} binds more strongly than @samp{|}.
3787 Parenthesis are currently not implemented. A tag may also be preceded
3788 by @samp{-}, to select against it, and @samp{+} is syntactic sugar for
3789 positive selection. The AND operator @samp{&} is optional when @samp{+}
3790 or @samp{-} is present. Examples:
3794 Select headlines tagged @samp{:work:}, but discard those also tagged
3797 Selects lines tagged @samp{:work:} or @samp{:laptop:}.
3798 @item work|laptop&night
3799 Like before, but require the @samp{:laptop:} lines to be tagged also
3803 @cindex TODO keyword matching, with tags search
3804 You may also test for TODO keywords (@pxref{TODO extensions}) and properties
3805 (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) at the same time as matching tags. For a
3806 guide on how to match properties, see @ref{Property searches}. To match a
3807 specific TODO keyword, include an expression like @samp{+TODO="NEXT"} as one
3808 of the terms in a tags search.
3810 There is also the possibility to end the tags part of the match (which may
3811 include several terms connected with @samp{|}) with a @samp{/} and then
3812 specify a Boolean expression just for TODO keywords. The syntax is then
3813 similar to the tag matches, but should be applied with consideration: For
3814 example, a positive selection on several TODO keywords can not meaningfully
3815 be combined with boolean AND. However, @emph{negative selection} combined
3816 with AND can be meaningful. To make sure that only lines are checked that
3817 actually have any TODO keyword (resulting in a speed-up), use @kbd{C-c a M},
3818 or equivalently start the TODO part after the slash with @samp{!}. Examples:
3821 @item work+TODO="WAITING"
3822 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines with the specific TODO
3823 keyword @samp{WAITING}.
3824 @item work+TODO="WAITING"|home+TODO="WAITING"
3825 Waiting tasks both at work and at home.
3827 Same as the first example.
3828 @item work/!-WAITING-NEXT
3829 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are neither @samp{WAITING}
3831 @item work/!+WAITING|+NEXT
3832 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are either @samp{WAITING} or
3836 @cindex regular expressions, with tags search
3837 Any element of the tag/todo match can be a regular expression - in this
3838 case it must be enclosed in curly braces. For example,
3839 @samp{work+@{^boss.*@}} matches headlines that contain the tag
3840 @samp{:work:} and any tag @i{starting} with @samp{boss}. You may also use a
3841 regular expression in @samp{TODO=@{^W@}} which would match TODO keywords
3842 starting with the letter @samp{W}.
3844 @cindex level, require for tags/property match
3845 @cindex category, require for tags/property match
3846 You can also require a headline to be of a certain level or category, by
3847 writing instead of any TAG an expression like @samp{LEVEL=3} or
3848 @samp{CATEGORY="work"}, respectively. For example, a search
3849 @samp{+LEVEL=3+boss/-DONE} lists all level three headlines that have the
3850 tag @samp{boss} and are @emph{not} marked with the TODO keyword DONE.
3852 Accessing TODO, LEVEL, and CATEGORY during a search is fast. Accessing any
3853 other properties will slow down the search.
3855 @node Properties and Columns, Dates and Times, Tags, Top
3856 @chapter Properties and Columns
3859 Properties are a set of key-value pairs associated with an entry. There
3860 are two main applications for properties in Org mode. First, properties
3861 are like tags, but with a value. Second, you can use properties to
3862 implement (very basic) database capabilities in an Org buffer. For
3863 an example of the first application, imagine maintaining a file where
3864 you document bugs and plan releases of a piece of software. Instead of
3865 using tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, one can use a
3866 property, say @code{:Release:}, that in different subtrees has different
3867 values, such as @code{1.0} or @code{2.0}. For an example of the second
3868 application of properties, imagine keeping track of your music CD's,
3869 where properties could be things such as the album artist, date of
3870 release, number of tracks, and so on.
3872 Properties can be conveniently edited and viewed in column view
3873 (@pxref{Column view}).
3876 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
3877 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
3878 * Property searches:: Matching property values
3879 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
3880 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
3881 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
3884 @node Property syntax, Special properties, Properties and Columns, Properties and Columns
3885 @section Property syntax
3886 @cindex property syntax
3887 @cindex drawer, for properties
3889 Properties are key-value pairs. They need to be inserted into a special
3890 drawer (@pxref{Drawers}) with the name @code{PROPERTIES}. Each property
3891 is specified on a single line, with the key (surrounded by colons)
3892 first, and the value after it. Here is an example:
3897 *** Goldberg Variations
3899 :Title: Goldberg Variations
3900 :Composer: J.S. Bach
3902 :Publisher: Deutsche Grammphon
3907 You may define the allowed values for a particular property @samp{:Xyz:}
3908 by setting a property @samp{:Xyz_ALL:}. This special property is
3909 @emph{inherited}, so if you set it in a level 1 entry, it will apply to
3910 the entire tree. When allowed values are defined, setting the
3911 corresponding property becomes easier and is less prone to typing
3912 errors. For the example with the CD collection, we can predefine
3913 publishers and the number of disks in a box like this:
3918 :NDisks_ALL: 1 2 3 4
3919 :Publisher_ALL: "Deutsche Grammophon" Philips EMI
3923 If you want to set properties that can be inherited by any entry in a
3924 file, use a line like
3927 #+PROPERTY: NDisks_ALL 1 2 3 4
3930 Property values set with the global variable
3931 @code{org-global-properties} can be inherited by all entries in all
3935 The following commands help to work with properties:
3940 After an initial colon in a line, complete property keys. All keys used
3941 in the current file will be offered as possible completions.
3944 Set a property. This prompts for a property name and a value. If
3945 necessary, the property drawer is created as well.
3946 @item M-x org-insert-property-drawer
3947 Insert a property drawer into the current entry. The drawer will be
3948 inserted early in the entry, but after the lines with planning
3949 information like deadlines.
3952 With the cursor in a property drawer, this executes property commands.
3954 Set a property in the current entry. Both the property and the value
3955 can be inserted using completion.
3956 @kindex S-@key{right}
3957 @kindex S-@key{left}
3958 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
3959 Switch property at point to the next/previous allowed value.
3961 Remove a property from the current entry.
3963 Globally remove a property, from all entries in the current file.
3965 Compute the property at point, using the operator and scope from the
3966 nearest column format definition.
3969 @node Special properties, Property searches, Property syntax, Properties and Columns
3970 @section Special properties
3971 @cindex properties, special
3973 Special properties provide alternative access method to Org mode
3974 features discussed in the previous chapters, like the TODO state or the
3975 priority of an entry. This interface exists so that you can include
3976 these states into columns view (@pxref{Column view}), or to use them in
3977 queries. The following property names are special and should not be
3978 used as keys in the properties drawer:
3981 TODO @r{The TODO keyword of the entry.}
3982 TAGS @r{The tags defined directly in the headline.}
3983 ALLTAGS @r{All tags, including inherited ones.}
3984 PRIORITY @r{The priority of the entry, a string with a single letter.}
3985 DEADLINE @r{The deadline time string, without the angular brackets.}
3986 SCHEDULED @r{The scheduling time stamp, without the angular brackets.}
3987 TIMESTAMP @r{The first keyword-less time stamp in the entry.}
3988 TIMESTAMP_IA @r{The first inactive time stamp in the entry.}
3989 CLOCKSUM @r{The sum of CLOCK intervals in the subtree. @code{org-clock-sum}}
3990 @r{must be run first to compute the values.}
3993 @node Property searches, Property inheritance, Special properties, Properties and Columns
3994 @section Property searches
3995 @cindex properties, searching
3996 @cindex searching, of properties
3998 To create sparse trees and special lists with selection based on properties,
3999 the same commands are used as for tag searches (@pxref{Tag searches}), and
4000 the same logic applies. For example, here is a search string:
4003 +work-boss+PRIORITY="A"+Coffee="unlimited"+Effort<2 \
4004 +With=@{Sarah\|Denny@}+SCHEDULED>="<2008-10-11>"
4008 The type of comparison will depend on how the comparison value is written:
4011 If the comparison value is a plain number, a numerical comparison is done,
4012 and the allowed operators are @samp{<}, @samp{=}, @samp{>}, @samp{<=},
4013 @samp{>=}, and @samp{<>}.
4015 If the comparison value is enclosed in double
4016 quotes, a string comparison is done, and the same operators are allowed.
4018 If the comparison value is enclosed in double quotes @emph{and} angular
4019 brackets (like @samp{DEADLINE<="<2008-12-24 18:30>"}), both values are
4020 assumed to be date/time specifications in the standard Org way, and the
4021 comparison will be done accordingly. Special values that will be recognized
4022 are @code{"<now>"} for now (including time), and @code{"<today>"}, and
4023 @code{"<tomorrow>"} for these days at 0:00 hours, i.e. without a time
4024 specification. Also strings like @code{"<+5d>"} or @code{"<-2m>"} with units
4025 @code{d}, @code{w}, @code{m}, and @code{y} for day, week, month, and year,
4026 respectively, can be used.
4028 If the comparison value is enclosed
4029 in curly braces, a regexp match is performed, with @samp{=} meaning that the
4030 regexp matches the property value, and @samp{<>} meaning that it does not
4034 So the search string in the example finds entries tagged @samp{:work:} but
4035 not @samp{:boss:}, which also have a priority value @samp{A}, a
4036 @samp{:Coffee:} property with the value @samp{unlimited}, an @samp{Effort}
4037 property that is numerically smaller than 2, a @samp{:With:} property that is
4038 matched by the regular expression @samp{Sarah\|Denny}, and that are scheduled
4039 on or after October 11, 2008.
4041 You can configure Org mode to use property inheritance during a search, but
4042 beware that this can slow down searches considerably. See @ref{Property
4043 inheritance} for details.
4045 There is also a special command for creating sparse trees based on a
4051 Create a sparse tree based on the value of a property. This first
4052 prompts for the name of a property, and then for a value. A sparse tree
4053 is created with all entries that define this property with the given
4054 value. If you enclose the value into curly braces, it is interpreted as
4055 a regular expression and matched against the property values.
4058 @node Property inheritance, Column view, Property searches, Properties and Columns
4059 @section Property Inheritance
4060 @cindex properties, inheritance
4061 @cindex inheritance, of properties
4063 The outline structure of Org mode documents lends itself for an
4064 inheritance model of properties: If the parent in a tree has a certain
4065 property, the children can inherit this property. Org mode does not
4066 turn this on by default, because it can slow down property searches
4067 significantly and is often not needed. However, if you find inheritance
4068 useful, you can turn it on by setting the variable
4069 @code{org-use-property-inheritance}. It may be set to @code{t}, to make
4070 all properties inherited from the parent, to a list of properties
4071 that should be inherited, or to a regular expression that matches
4072 inherited properties.
4074 Org mode has a few properties for which inheritance is hard-coded, at
4075 least for the special applications for which they are used:
4079 The @code{:COLUMNS:} property defines the format of column view
4080 (@pxref{Column view}). It is inherited in the sense that the level
4081 where a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is defined is used as the starting
4082 point for a column view table, independently of the location in the
4083 subtree from where columns view is turned on.
4085 For agenda view, a category set through a @code{:CATEGORY:} property
4086 applies to the entire subtree.
4088 For archiving, the @code{:ARCHIVE:} property may define the archive
4089 location for the entire subtree (@pxref{Moving subtrees}).
4091 The LOGGING property may define logging settings for an entry or a
4092 subtree (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}).
4095 @node Column view, Property API, Property inheritance, Properties and Columns
4096 @section Column view
4098 A great way to view and edit properties in an outline tree is
4099 @emph{column view}. In column view, each outline item is turned into a
4100 table row. Columns in this table provide access to properties of the
4101 entries. Org mode implements columns by overlaying a tabular structure
4102 over the headline of each item. While the headlines have been turned
4103 into a table row, you can still change the visibility of the outline
4104 tree. For example, you get a compact table by switching to CONTENTS
4105 view (@kbd{S-@key{TAB} S-@key{TAB}}, or simply @kbd{c} while column view
4106 is active), but you can still open, read, and edit the entry below each
4107 headline. Or, you can switch to column view after executing a sparse
4108 tree command and in this way get a table only for the selected items.
4109 Column view also works in agenda buffers (@pxref{Agenda Views}) where
4110 queries have collected selected items, possibly from a number of files.
4113 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
4114 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
4115 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
4118 @node Defining columns, Using column view, Column view, Column view
4119 @subsection Defining columns
4120 @cindex column view, for properties
4121 @cindex properties, column view
4123 Setting up a column view first requires defining the columns. This is
4124 done by defining a column format line.
4127 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
4128 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
4131 @node Scope of column definitions, Column attributes, Defining columns, Defining columns
4132 @subsubsection Scope of column definitions
4134 To define a column format for an entire file, use a line like
4137 #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4140 To specify a format that only applies to a specific tree, add a
4141 @code{:COLUMNS:} property to the top node of that tree, for example:
4144 ** Top node for columns view
4146 :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4150 If a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is present in an entry, it defines columns
4151 for the entry itself, and for the entire subtree below it. Since the
4152 column definition is part of the hierarchical structure of the document,
4153 you can define columns on level 1 that are general enough for all
4154 sublevels, and more specific columns further down, when you edit a
4155 deeper part of the tree.
4157 @node Column attributes, , Scope of column definitions, Defining columns
4158 @subsubsection Column attributes
4159 A column definition sets the attributes of a column. The general
4160 definition looks like this:
4163 %[width]property[(title)][@{summary-type@}]
4167 Except for the percent sign and the property name, all items are
4168 optional. The individual parts have the following meaning:
4171 width @r{An integer specifying the width of the column in characters.}
4172 @r{If omitted, the width will be determined automatically.}
4173 property @r{The property that should be edited in this column.}
4174 (title) @r{The header text for the column. If omitted, the}
4175 @r{property name is used.}
4176 @{summary-type@} @r{The summary type. If specified, the column values for}
4177 @r{parent nodes are computed from the children.}
4178 @r{Supported summary types are:}
4179 @{+@} @r{Sum numbers in this column.}
4180 @{+;%.1f@} @r{Like @samp{+}, but format result with @samp{%.1f}.}
4181 @{$@} @r{Currency, short for @samp{+;%.2f}.}
4182 @{:@} @r{Sum times, HH:MM:SS, plain numbers are hours.}
4183 @{X@} @r{Checkbox status, [X] if all children are [X].}
4184 @{X/@} @r{Checkbox status, [n/m].}
4185 @{X%@} @r{Checkbox status, [n%].}
4189 Here is an example for a complete columns definition, along with allowed
4193 :COLUMNS: %20ITEM %9Approved(Approved?)@{X@} %Owner %11Status \@footnote{Please note that the COLUMNS definition must be on a single line - it is wrapped here only because of formatting constraints.}
4194 %10Time_Estimate@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
4195 :Owner_ALL: Tammy Mark Karl Lisa Don
4196 :Status_ALL: "In progress" "Not started yet" "Finished" ""
4197 :Approved_ALL: "[ ]" "[X]"
4200 The first column, @samp{%25ITEM}, means the first 25 characters of the
4201 item itself, i.e. of the headline. You probably always should start the
4202 column definition with the @samp{ITEM} specifier. The other specifiers
4203 create columns @samp{Owner} with a list of names as allowed values, for
4204 @samp{Status} with four different possible values, and for a checkbox
4205 field @samp{Approved}. When no width is given after the @samp{%}
4206 character, the column will be exactly as wide as it needs to be in order
4207 to fully display all values. The @samp{Approved} column does have a
4208 modified title (@samp{Approved?}, with a question mark). Summaries will
4209 be created for the @samp{Time_Estimate} column by adding time duration
4210 expressions like HH:MM, and for the @samp{Approved} column, by providing
4211 an @samp{[X]} status if all children have been checked. The
4212 @samp{CLOCKSUM} column is special, it lists the sum of CLOCK intervals
4215 @node Using column view, Capturing column view, Defining columns, Column view
4216 @subsection Using column view
4219 @tsubheading{Turning column view on and off}
4222 Create the column view for the local environment. This command searches
4223 the hierarchy, up from point, for a @code{:COLUMNS:} property that defines
4224 a format. When one is found, the column view table is established for
4225 the entire tree, starting from the entry that contains the @code{:COLUMNS:}
4226 property. If none is found, the format is taken from the @code{#+COLUMNS}
4227 line or from the variable @code{org-columns-default-format}, and column
4228 view is established for the current entry and its subtree.
4231 Recreate the column view, to include recent changes made in the buffer.
4238 @tsubheading{Editing values}
4239 @item @key{left} @key{right} @key{up} @key{down}
4240 Move through the column view from field to field.
4241 @kindex S-@key{left}
4242 @kindex S-@key{right}
4243 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
4244 Switch to the next/previous allowed value of the field. For this, you
4245 have to have specified allowed values for a property.
4247 Directly select the nth allowed value, @kbd{0} selects the 10th value.
4251 Same as @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}
4254 Edit the property at point. For the special properties, this will
4255 invoke the same interface that you normally use to change that
4256 property. For example, when editing a TAGS property, the tag completion
4257 or fast selection interface will pop up.
4260 When there is a checkbox at point, toggle it.
4263 View the full value of this property. This is useful if the width of
4264 the column is smaller than that of the value.
4267 Edit the list of allowed values for this property. If the list is found
4268 in the hierarchy, the modified values is stored there. If no list is
4269 found, the new value is stored in the first entry that is part of the
4270 current column view.
4271 @tsubheading{Modifying the table structure}
4275 Make the column narrower/wider by one character.
4276 @kindex S-M-@key{right}
4277 @item S-M-@key{right}
4278 Insert a new column, to the left of the current column.
4279 @kindex S-M-@key{left}
4280 @item S-M-@key{left}
4281 Delete the current column.
4284 @node Capturing column view, , Using column view, Column view
4285 @subsection Capturing column view
4287 Since column view is just an overlay over a buffer, it cannot be
4288 exported or printed directly. If you want to capture a column view, use
4289 this @code{columnview} dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). The frame
4290 of this block looks like this:
4292 @cindex #+BEGIN: columnview
4295 #+BEGIN: columnview :hlines 1 :id "label"
4300 @noindent This dynamic block has the following parameters:
4304 This is most important parameter. Column view is a feature that is
4305 often localized to a certain (sub)tree, and the capture block might be
4306 in a different location in the file. To identify the tree whose view to
4307 capture, you can use 3 values:
4309 local @r{use the tree in which the capture block is located}
4310 global @r{make a global view, including all headings in the file}
4312 @r{run column view at the top of this file}
4313 "ID" @r{call column view in the tree that has an @code{:ID:}}
4314 @r{property with the value @i{label}. You can use}
4315 @r{@kbd{M-x org-id-copy} to create a globally unique ID for}
4316 @r{the current entry and copy it to the kill-ring.}
4319 When @code{t}, insert a hline after every line. When a number N, insert
4320 a hline before each headline with level @code{<= N}.
4322 When set to @code{t}, enforce column groups to get vertical lines.
4324 When set to a number, don't capture entries below this level.
4325 @item :skip-empty-rows
4326 When set to @code{t}, skip row where the only non-empty specifier of the
4327 column view is @code{ITEM}.
4332 The following commands insert or update the dynamic block:
4337 Insert a dynamic block capturing a column view. You will be prompted
4338 for the scope or id of the view.
4343 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
4344 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
4345 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4346 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
4347 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
4348 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
4351 You can add formulas to the column view table and you may add plotting
4352 instructions in front of the table - these will survive an update of the
4353 block. If there is a @code{#+TBLFM:} after the table, the table will
4354 actually be recalculated automatically after an update.
4356 @node Property API, , Column view, Properties and Columns
4357 @section The Property API
4358 @cindex properties, API
4359 @cindex API, for properties
4361 There is a full API for accessing and changing properties. This API can
4362 be used by Emacs Lisp programs to work with properties and to implement
4363 features based on them. For more information see @ref{Using the
4366 @node Dates and Times, Capture, Properties and Columns, Top
4367 @chapter Dates and Times
4373 To assist project planning, TODO items can be labeled with a date and/or
4374 a time. The specially formatted string carrying the date and time
4375 information is called a @emph{timestamp} in Org mode. This may be a
4376 little confusing because timestamp is often used as indicating when
4377 something was created or last changed. However, in Org mode this term
4378 is used in a much wider sense.
4381 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
4382 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
4383 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
4384 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
4385 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
4386 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
4390 @node Timestamps, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times, Dates and Times
4391 @section Timestamps, deadlines and scheduling
4393 @cindex ranges, time
4398 A time stamp is a specification of a date (possibly with time or a range
4399 of times) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or
4400 @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue
4401 12:00-12:30>}@footnote{This is the standard ISO date/time format. To
4402 use an alternative format, see @ref{Custom time format}.}. A time stamp
4403 can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an Org tree entry. Its
4404 presence causes entries to be shown on specific dates in the agenda
4405 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}). We distinguish:
4408 @item Plain time stamp; Event; Appointment
4410 A simple time stamp just assigns a date/time to an item. This is just
4411 like writing down an appointment or event in a paper agenda. In the
4412 timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry associated with a
4413 plain time stamp will be shown exactly on that date.
4416 * Meet Peter at the movies <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15>
4417 * Discussion on climate change <2006-11-02 Thu 20:00-22:00>
4420 @item Time stamp with repeater interval
4421 @cindex timestamp, with repeater interval
4422 A time stamp may contain a @emph{repeater interval}, indicating that it
4423 applies not only on the given date, but again and again after a certain
4424 interval of N days (d), weeks (w), months(m), or years(y). The
4425 following will show up in the agenda every Wednesday:
4428 * Pick up Sam at school <2007-05-16 Wed 12:30 +1w>
4431 @item Diary-style sexp entries
4432 For more complex date specifications, Org mode supports using the
4433 special sexp diary entries implemented in the Emacs calendar/diary
4434 package. For example
4437 * The nerd meeting on every 2nd Thursday of the month
4438 <%%(diary-float t 4 2)>
4441 @item Time/Date range
4444 Two time stamps connected by @samp{--} denote a range. The headline
4445 will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on any dates
4446 that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an example:
4449 ** Meeting in Amsterdam
4450 <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu>
4453 @item Inactive time stamp
4454 @cindex timestamp, inactive
4455 @cindex inactive timestamp
4456 Just like a plain time stamp, but with square brackets instead of
4457 angular ones. These time stamps are inactive in the sense that they do
4458 @emph{not} trigger an entry to show up in the agenda.
4461 * Gillian comes late for the fifth time [2006-11-01 Wed]
4466 @node Creating timestamps, Deadlines and scheduling, Timestamps, Dates and Times
4467 @section Creating timestamps
4468 @cindex creating timestamps
4469 @cindex timestamps, creating
4471 For Org mode to recognize time stamps, they need to be in the specific
4472 format. All commands listed below produce time stamps in the correct
4478 Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding time stamp. When the cursor is
4479 at an existing time stamp in the buffer, the command is used to modify this
4480 timestamp instead of inserting a new one. When this command is used twice in
4481 succession, a time range is inserted.
4485 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but use the alternative format which contains date
4486 and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5 minutes,
4487 see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}.
4491 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive time stamp that will not cause
4496 Insert a time stamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
4500 Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a
4501 timestamp in the current line, go to the corresponding date
4506 Access the agenda for the date given by the time stamp or -range at
4507 point (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
4509 @kindex S-@key{left}
4510 @kindex S-@key{right}
4512 @itemx S-@key{right}
4513 Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with
4514 CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4517 @kindex S-@key{down}
4520 Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on a
4521 year, month, day, hour or minute. Note that if the cursor is in a
4522 headline and not at a time stamp, these same keys modify the priority of
4523 an item. (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with
4524 CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4527 @cindex evaluate time range
4529 Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and end.
4530 With a prefix argument, insert result after the time range (in a table: into
4531 the following column).
4536 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
4537 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
4540 @node The date/time prompt, Custom time format, Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps
4541 @subsection The date/time prompt
4542 @cindex date, reading in minibuffer
4543 @cindex time, reading in minibuffer
4545 When Org mode prompts for a date/time, the default is shown as an ISO
4546 date, and the prompt therefore seems to ask for an ISO date. But it
4547 will in fact accept any string containing some date and/or time
4548 information, and it is really smart about interpreting your input. You
4549 can, for example, use @kbd{C-y} to paste a (possibly multi-line) string
4550 copied from an email message. Org mode will find whatever information
4551 is in there and derive anything you have not specified from the
4552 @emph{default date and time}. The default is usually the current date
4553 and time, but when modifying an existing time stamp, or when entering
4554 the second stamp of a range, it is taken from the stamp in the buffer.
4555 When filling in information, Org mode assumes that most of the time you
4556 will want to enter a date in the future: If you omit the month/year and
4557 the given day/month is @i{before} today, it will assume that you mean a
4558 future date@footnote{See the variable
4559 @code{org-read-date-prefer-future}.}.
4561 For example, lets assume that today is @b{June 13, 2006}. Here is how
4562 various inputs will be interpreted, the items filled in by Org mode are
4566 3-2-5 --> 2003-02-05
4567 14 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-14
4568 12 --> @b{2006}-@b{07}-12
4569 Fri --> nearest Friday (defaultdate or later)
4570 sep 15 --> @b{2006}-11-15
4571 feb 15 --> @b{2007}-02-15
4572 sep 12 9 --> 2009-09-12
4573 12:45 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-@b{13} 12:45
4574 22 sept 0:34 --> @b{2006}-09-22 0:34
4575 w4 --> ISO week for of the current year @b{2006}
4576 2012 w4 fri --> Friday of ISO week 4 in 2012
4577 2012-w04-5 --> Same as above
4580 Furthermore you can specify a relative date by giving, as the
4581 @emph{first} thing in the input: a plus/minus sign, a number and a
4582 letter [dwmy] to indicate change in days weeks, months, years. With a
4583 single plus or minus, the date is always relative to today. With a
4584 double plus or minus, it is relative to the default date. If instead of
4585 a single letter, you use the abbreviation of day name, the date will be
4586 the nth such day. E.g.
4591 +4d --> four days from today
4592 +4 --> same as above
4593 +2w --> two weeks from today
4594 ++5 --> five days from default date
4595 +2tue --> second tuesday from now.
4598 The function understands English month and weekday abbreviations. If
4599 you want to use unabbreviated names and/or other languages, configure
4600 the variables @code{parse-time-months} and @code{parse-time-weekdays}.
4602 @cindex calendar, for selecting date
4603 Parallel to the minibuffer prompt, a calendar is popped up@footnote{If
4604 you don't need/want the calendar, configure the variable
4605 @code{org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt}.}. When you exit the date
4606 prompt, either by clicking on a date in the calendar, or by pressing
4607 @key{RET}, the date selected in the calendar will be combined with the
4608 information entered at the prompt. You can control the calendar fully
4609 from the minibuffer:
4614 @kindex S-@key{right}
4615 @kindex S-@key{left}
4616 @kindex S-@key{down}
4618 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
4619 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
4622 > / < @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by one month.}
4623 mouse-1 @r{Select date by clicking on it.}
4624 S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One day forward/backward.}
4625 S-@key{down}/@key{up} @r{One week forward/backward.}
4626 M-S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One month forward/backward.}
4627 @key{RET} @r{Choose date in calendar.}
4630 The actions of the date/time prompt may seem complex, but I assure you they
4631 will grow on you, and you will start getting annoyed by pretty much any other
4632 way of entering a date/time out there. To help you understand what is going
4633 on, the current interpretation of your input will be displayed live in the
4634 minibuffer@footnote{If you find this distracting, turn the display of with
4635 @code{org-read-date-display-live}.}.
4637 @node Custom time format, , The date/time prompt, Creating timestamps
4638 @subsection Custom time format
4639 @cindex custom date/time format
4640 @cindex time format, custom
4641 @cindex date format, custom
4643 Org mode uses the standard ISO notation for dates and times as it is
4644 defined in ISO 8601. If you cannot get used to this and require another
4645 representation of date and time to keep you happy, you can get it by
4646 customizing the variables @code{org-display-custom-times} and
4647 @code{org-time-stamp-custom-formats}.
4652 Toggle the display of custom formats for dates and times.
4656 Org mode needs the default format for scanning, so the custom date/time
4657 format does not @emph{replace} the default format - instead it is put
4658 @emph{over} the default format using text properties. This has the
4659 following consequences:
4662 You cannot place the cursor onto a time stamp anymore, only before or
4665 The @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} keys can no longer be used to adjust
4666 each component of a time stamp. If the cursor is at the beginning of
4667 the stamp, @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} will change the stamp by one day,
4668 just like @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}. At the end of the stamp, the
4669 time will be changed by one minute.
4671 If the time stamp contains a range of clock times or a repeater, these
4672 will not be overlayed, but remain in the buffer as they were.
4674 When you delete a time stamp character-by-character, it will only
4675 disappear from the buffer after @emph{all} (invisible) characters
4676 belonging to the ISO timestamp have been removed.
4678 If the custom time stamp format is longer than the default and you are
4679 using dates in tables, table alignment will be messed up. If the custom
4680 format is shorter, things do work as expected.
4684 @node Deadlines and scheduling, Clocking work time, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times
4685 @section Deadlines and scheduling
4687 A time stamp may be preceded by special keywords to facilitate planning:
4691 @cindex DEADLINE keyword
4693 Meaning: the task (most likely a TODO item, though not necessarily) is supposed
4694 to be finished on that date.
4696 On the deadline date, the task will be listed in the agenda. In
4697 addition, the agenda for @emph{today} will carry a warning about the
4698 approaching or missed deadline, starting
4699 @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date, and continuing
4700 until the entry is marked DONE. An example:
4703 *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide
4704 The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]]
4705 DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
4708 You can specify a different lead time for warnings for a specific
4709 deadlines using the following syntax. Here is an example with a warning
4710 period of 5 days @code{DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun -5d>}.
4713 @cindex SCHEDULED keyword
4715 Meaning: you are planning to start working on that task on the given
4718 The headline will be listed under the given date@footnote{It will still
4719 be listed on that date after it has been marked DONE. If you don't like
4720 this, set the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done}.}. In
4721 addition, a reminder that the scheduled date has passed will be present
4722 in the compilation for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE.
4723 I.e., the task will automatically be forwarded until completed.
4726 *** TODO Call Trillian for a date on New Years Eve.
4727 SCHEDULED: <2004-12-25 Sat>
4731 @b{Important:} Scheduling an item in Org mode should @i{not} be
4732 understood in the same way that we understand @i{scheduling a meeting}.
4733 Setting a date for a meeting is just a simple appointment, you should
4734 mark this entry with a simple plain time stamp, to get this item shown
4735 on the date where it applies. This is a frequent mis-understanding from
4736 Org-users. In Org mode, @i{scheduling} means setting a date when you
4737 want to start working on an action item.
4740 You may use time stamps with repeaters in scheduling and deadline
4741 entries. Org mode will issue early and late warnings based on the
4742 assumption that the time stamp represents the @i{nearest instance} of
4743 the repeater. However, the use of diary sexp entries like
4745 @code{<%%(diary-float t 42)>}
4747 in scheduling and deadline timestamps is limited. Org mode does not
4748 know enough about the internals of each sexp function to issue early and
4749 late warnings. However, it will show the item on each day where the
4753 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
4754 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
4757 @node Inserting deadline/schedule, Repeated tasks, Deadlines and scheduling, Deadlines and scheduling
4758 @subsection Inserting deadlines or schedules
4760 The following commands allow to quickly insert a deadline or to schedule
4767 Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4768 happen in the line directly following the headline. When called with a
4769 prefix arg, an existing deadline will be removed from the entry.
4770 @c FIXME Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed.????????
4773 @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
4775 Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or
4776 which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}.
4777 With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric
4778 prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c / d} shows
4779 all deadlines due tomorrow.
4783 Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4784 happen in the line directly following the headline. Any CLOSED
4785 timestamp will be removed. When called with a prefix argument, remove
4786 the scheduling date from the entry.
4792 Mark the current entry for agenda action. After you have marked the entry
4793 like this, you can open the agenda or the calendar to find an appropriate
4794 date. With the cursor on the selected date, press @kbd{k s} or @kbd{k d} to
4795 schedule the marked item.
4798 @node Repeated tasks, , Inserting deadline/schedule, Deadlines and scheduling
4799 @subsection Repeated tasks
4801 Some tasks need to be repeated again and again. Org mode helps to
4802 organize such tasks using a so-called repeater in a DEADLINE, SCHEDULED,
4803 or plain time stamp. In the following example
4805 ** TODO Pay the rent
4806 DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m>
4808 the @code{+1m} is a repeater; the intended interpretation is that the
4809 task has a deadline on <2005-10-01> and repeats itself every (one) month
4810 starting from that time. If you need both a repeater and a special
4811 warning period in a deadline entry, the repeater comes first and the
4812 warning period last: @code{DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m -3d>}.
4814 Deadlines and scheduled items produce entries in the agenda when they
4815 are over-due, so it is important to be able to mark such an entry as
4816 completed once you have done so. When you mark a DEADLINE or a SCHEDULE
4817 with the TODO keyword DONE, it will no longer produce entries in the
4818 agenda. The problem with this is, however, that then also the
4819 @emph{next} instance of the repeated entry will not be active. Org mode
4820 deals with this in the following way: When you try to mark such an entry
4821 DONE (using @kbd{C-c C-t}), it will shift the base date of the repeating
4822 time stamp by the repeater interval, and immediately set the entry state
4823 back to TODO. In the example above, setting the state to DONE would
4824 actually switch the date like this:
4827 ** TODO Pay the rent
4828 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue +1m>
4831 A timestamp@footnote{You can change this using the option
4832 @code{org-log-repeat}, or the @code{#+STARTUP} options @code{logrepeat},
4833 @code{lognoterepeat}, and @code{nologrepeat}. With @code{lognoterepeat}, you
4834 will aslo be prompted for a note.} will be added under the deadline, to keep
4835 a record that you actually acted on the previous instance of this deadline.
4837 As a consequence of shifting the base date, this entry will no longer be
4838 visible in the agenda when checking past dates, but all future instances
4841 With the @samp{+1m} cookie, the date shift will always be exactly one
4842 month. So if you have not payed the rent for three months, marking this
4843 entry DONE will still keep it as an overdue deadline. Depending on the
4844 task, this may not be the best way to handle it. For example, if you
4845 forgot to call you father for 3 weeks, it does not make sense to call
4846 him 3 times in a single day to make up for it. Finally, there are tasks
4847 like changing batteries which should always repeat a certain time
4848 @i{after} the last time you did it. For these tasks, Org mode has
4849 special repeaters markers with @samp{++} and @samp{.+}. For example:
4853 DEADLINE: <2008-02-10 Sun ++1w>
4854 Marking this DONE will shift the date by at least one week,
4855 but also by as many weeks as it takes to get this date into
4856 the future. However, it stays on a Sunday, even if you called
4857 and marked it done on Saturday.
4858 ** TODO Check the batteries in the smoke detectors
4859 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue .+1m>
4860 Marking this DONE will shift the date to one month after
4864 You may have both scheduling and deadline information for a specific
4865 task - just make sure that the repeater intervals on both are the same.
4867 @node Clocking work time, Effort estimates, Deadlines and scheduling, Dates and Times
4868 @section Clocking work time
4870 Org mode allows you to clock the time you spent on specific tasks in a
4871 project. When you start working on an item, you can start the clock.
4872 When you stop working on that task, or when you mark the task done, the
4873 clock is stopped and the corresponding time interval is recorded. It
4874 also computes the total time spent on each subtree of a project.
4879 Start the clock on the current item (clock-in). This inserts the CLOCK
4880 keyword together with a timestamp. If this is not the first clocking of
4881 this item, the multiple CLOCK lines will be wrapped into a
4882 @code{:CLOCK:} drawer (see also the variable
4883 @code{org-clock-into-drawer}). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument,
4884 select the task from a list of recently clocked tasks. With two @kbd{C-u
4885 C-u} prefixes, clock into the task at point and mark it as the default task.
4886 The default task will always be available when selecting a clocking task,
4887 with letter @kbd{d}.
4890 Stop the clock (clock-out). The inserts another timestamp at the same
4891 location where the clock was last started. It also directly computes
4892 the resulting time in inserts it after the time range as @samp{=>
4893 HH:MM}. See the variable @code{org-log-note-clock-out} for the
4894 possibility to record an additional note together with the clock-out
4895 time stamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is:
4896 @code{#+STARTUP: lognoteclock-out}}.
4899 Recompute the time interval after changing one of the time stamps. This
4900 is only necessary if you edit the time stamps directly. If you change
4901 them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic.
4904 Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock
4905 if it is running in this same item.
4908 Cancel the current clock. This is useful if a clock was started by
4909 mistake, or if you ended up working on something else.
4912 Jump to the entry that contains the currently running clock. With a
4913 @kbd{C-u} prefix arg, select the target task from a list of recently clocked
4917 Display time summaries for each subtree in the current buffer. This
4918 puts overlays at the end of each headline, showing the total time
4919 recorded under that heading, including the time of any subheadings. You
4920 can use visibility cycling to study the tree, but the overlays disappear
4921 when you change the buffer (see variable
4922 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}) or press @kbd{C-c C-c}.
4925 Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock
4926 report as an Org mode table into the current file. When the cursor is
4927 at an existing clock table, just update it. When called with a prefix
4928 argument, jump to the first clock report in the current document and
4930 @cindex #+BEGIN: clocktable
4932 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil :scope file
4936 If such a block already exists at point, its content is replaced by the
4937 new table. The @samp{BEGIN} line can specify options:
4939 :maxlevel @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.}
4940 :emphasize @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items}
4941 :scope @r{The scope to consider. This can be any of the following:}
4942 nil @r{the current buffer or narrowed region}
4943 file @r{the full current buffer}
4944 subtree @r{the subtree where the clocktable is located}
4945 treeN @r{the surrounding level N tree, for example @code{tree3}}
4946 tree @r{the surrounding level 1 tree}
4947 agenda @r{all agenda files}
4948 ("file"..) @r{scan these files}
4949 file-with-archives @r{current file and its archives}
4950 agenda-with-archives @r{all agenda files, including archives}
4951 :block @r{The time block to consider. This block is specified either}
4952 @r{absolute, or relative to the current time and may be any of}
4954 2007-12-31 @r{New year eve 2007}
4955 2007-12 @r{December 2007}
4956 2007-W50 @r{ISO-week 50 in 2007}
4957 2007 @r{the year 2007}
4958 today, yesterday, today-N @r{a relative day}
4959 thisweek, lastweek, thisweek-N @r{a relative week}
4960 thismonth, lastmonth, thismonth-N @r{a relative month}
4961 thisyear, lastyear, thisyear-N @r{a relative year}
4962 @r{Use @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}} keys to shift the time interval.}
4963 :tstart @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times}
4964 :tend @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times}
4965 :step @r{@code{week} or @code{day}, to split the table into chunks.}
4966 @r{To use this, @code{:block} or @code{:tstart}, @code{:tend} are needed.}
4967 :link @r{Link the item headlines in the table to their origins}
4968 :formula @r{Content of a @code{#+TBLFM} line to be added and evaluated.}
4969 @r{As a special case, @samp{:formula %} adds column with % time.}
4970 @r{If you do not specify a formula here, any existing formula}
4971 @r{below the clock table will survive updates and be evaluated.}
4973 So to get a clock summary of the current level 1 tree, for the current
4974 day, you could write
4976 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today :scope tree1 :link t
4979 and to use a specific time range you could write@footnote{Note that all
4980 parameters must be specified in a single line - the line is broken here
4981 only to fit it onto the manual.}
4983 #+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>"
4984 :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>"
4987 A summary of the current subtree with % times would be
4989 #+BEGIN: clocktable :scope subtree :link t :formula %
4996 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
4997 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
4998 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4999 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
5000 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
5001 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
5002 @kindex S-@key{left}
5003 @kindex S-@key{right}
5005 @itemx S-@key{right}
5006 Shift the current @code{:block} interval and update the table. The cursor
5007 needs to be in the @code{#+BEGIN: clocktable} line for this command. If
5008 @code{:block} is @code{today}, it will be shifted to @code{today-1} etc.
5011 The @kbd{l} key may be used in the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in
5012 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}) to show which tasks have been
5013 worked on or closed during a day.
5015 @node Effort estimates, Relative timer, Clocking work time, Dates and Times
5016 @section Effort estimates
5017 @cindex effort estimates
5019 If you want to plan your work in a very detailed way, or if you need to
5020 produce offers with quotations of the estimated work effort, you may want to
5021 assign effort estimates to entries. If you are also clocking your work, you
5022 may later want to compare the planned effort with the actual working time, a
5023 great way to improve planning estimates. Effort estimates are stored in a
5024 special property @samp{Effort}@footnote{You may change the property being
5025 used with the variable @code{org-effort-property}.}. Clearly the best way to
5026 work with effort estimates is through column view (@pxref{Column view}). You
5027 should start by setting up discrete values for effort estimates, and a
5028 @code{COLUMNS} format that displays these values together with clock sums (if
5029 you want to clock your time). For a specific buffer you can use
5032 #+PROPERTY: Effort_ALL 0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00
5033 #+COLUMNS: %40ITEM(Task) %17Effort(Estimated Effort)@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
5037 or, even better, you can set up these values globally by customizing the
5038 variables @code{org-global-properties} and @code{org-columns-default-format}.
5039 In particular if you want to use this setup also in the agenda, a global
5040 setup may be advised.
5042 The way to assign estimates to individual items is then to switch to column
5043 mode, and to use @kbd{S-@key{right}} and @kbd{S-@key{left}} to change the
5044 value. The values you enter will immediately be summed up in the hierarchy.
5045 In the column next to it, any clocked time will be displayed.
5047 If you switch to column view in the daily/weekly agenda, the effort column
5048 will summarize the estimated work effort for each day@footnote{Please note
5049 the pitfalls of summing hierarchical data in a flat list (@pxref{Agenda
5050 column view}).}, and you can use this to find space in your schedule. To get
5051 an overview of the entire part of the day that is committed, you can set the
5052 option @code{org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum}. The
5053 appointments on a day that take place over a specified time interval will
5054 then also be added to the load estimate of the day.
5056 Effort estimates can be used in secondary agenda filtering that is triggered
5057 with the @kbd{/} key in the agenda (@pxref{Agenda commands}). If you have
5058 these estimates defined consistently, two or three key presses will narrow
5059 down the list to stuff that fits into an available time slot.
5061 @node Relative timer, , Effort estimates, Dates and Times
5062 @section Taking notes with a relative timer
5063 @cindex relative timer
5065 When taking notes during, for example, a meeting or a video viewing, it can
5066 be useful to have access to times relative to a starting time. Org provides
5067 such a relative timer and make it easy to create timed notes.
5072 Insert a relative time into the buffer. The first time you use this, the
5073 timer will be started. When called with a prefix argument, the timer is
5077 Insert a description list item with the current relative time. With a prefix
5078 argument, first reset the timer to 0.
5081 One the timer list is started, you can also use @kbd{M-@key{RET}} to insert
5085 Reset the timer without inserting anything into the buffer. By default, the
5086 timer is reset to 0. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, reset the timer to
5087 specific starting offset. The user is prompted for the offset, with a
5088 default taken from a timer string at point, if any, So this can be used to
5089 restart taking notes after a break in the process. When called with a double
5090 prefix argument @kbd{C-c C-u}, change all timer strings in the active region
5091 by a certain amount. This can be used to fix timer strings if the timer was
5092 not started at exactly the right moment.
5095 @node Capture, Agenda Views, Dates and Times, Top
5099 An important part of any organization system is the ability to quickly
5100 capture new ideas and tasks, and to associate reference material with them.
5101 Org uses the @file{remember} package to create tasks, and stores files
5102 related to a task (@i{attachments}) in a special directory.
5105 * Remember:: Capture new tasks/ideas with little interruption
5106 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks.
5109 @node Remember, Attachments, Capture, Capture
5111 @cindex @file{remember.el}
5113 The @i{Remember} package by John Wiegley lets you store quick notes with
5114 little interruption of your work flow. See
5115 @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/RememberMode} for more
5116 information. It is an excellent way to add new notes and tasks to
5117 Org files. Org significantly expands the possibilities of
5118 @i{remember}: You may define templates for different note types, and
5119 associate target files and headlines with specific templates. It also
5120 allows you to select the location where a note should be stored
5121 interactively, on the fly.
5124 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
5125 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
5126 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
5127 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
5130 @node Setting up Remember, Remember templates, Remember, Remember
5131 @subsection Setting up Remember
5133 The following customization will tell @i{remember} to use org files as
5134 target, and to create annotations compatible with Org links.
5137 (org-remember-insinuate)
5138 (setq org-directory "~/path/to/my/orgfiles/")
5139 (setq org-default-notes-file (concat org-directory "/notes.org"))
5140 (define-key global-map "\C-cr" 'org-remember)
5143 The last line binds the command @code{org-remember} to a global
5144 key@footnote{Please select your own key, @kbd{C-c r} is only a
5145 suggestion.}. @code{org-remember} basically just calls @code{remember},
5146 but it makes a few things easier: If there is an active region, it will
5147 automatically copy the region into the remember buffer. It also allows
5148 to jump to the buffer and location where remember notes are being
5149 stored: Just call @code{org-remember} with a prefix argument. If you
5150 use two prefix arguments, Org jumps to the location where the last
5151 remember note was stored.
5153 The remember buffer will actually use @code{org-mode} as its major mode, so
5154 that all editing features of Org-mode are available. In addition to this, a
5155 minor mode @code{org-remember-mode} is turned on, for the single purpose that
5156 you can use its keymap @code{org-remember-mode-map} to overwrite some of
5157 Org-mode's key bindings.
5159 You can also call @code{org-remember} in a special way from the agenda,
5160 using the @kbd{k r} key combination. With this access, any time stamps
5161 inserted by the selected remember template (see below) will default to
5162 the cursor date in the agenda, rather than to the current date.
5164 @node Remember templates, Storing notes, Setting up Remember, Remember
5165 @subsection Remember templates
5166 @cindex templates, for remember
5168 In combination with Org, you can use templates to generate
5169 different types of @i{remember} notes. For example, if you would like
5170 to use one template to create general TODO entries, another one for
5171 journal entries, and a third one for collecting random ideas, you could
5175 (setq org-remember-templates
5176 '(("Todo" ?t "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/TODO.org" "Tasks")
5177 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org")
5178 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
5181 @noindent In these entries, the first string is just a name, and the
5182 character specifies how to select the template. It is useful if the
5183 character is also the first letter of the name. The next string specifies
5184 the template. Two more (optional) strings give the file in which, and the
5185 headline under which the new note should be stored. The file (if not present
5186 or @code{nil}) defaults to @code{org-default-notes-file}, the heading to
5187 @code{org-remember-default-headline}. If the file name is not an absolute
5188 path, it will be interpreted relative to @code{org-directory}. The heading
5189 can also be the symbols @code{top} or @code{bottom} to send note as level 1
5190 entries to the beginning or end of the file, respectively.
5192 An optional sixth element specifies the contexts in which the user can select
5193 the template. This element can be a list of major modes or a function.
5194 @code{org-remember} will first check whether the function returns @code{t} or
5195 if we are in any of the listed major mode, and exclude templates fo which
5196 this condition is not fulfilled. Templates that do not specify this element
5197 at all, or that use @code{nil} or @code{t} as a value will always be
5203 (setq org-remember-templates
5204 '(("Bug" ?b "* BUG %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/BUGS.org" "Bugs" (emacs-lisp-mode))
5205 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "X" my-check)
5206 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
5209 The first template will only be available when invoking @code{org-remember}
5210 from an buffer in @code{emacs-lisp-mode}. The second template will only be
5211 available when the function @code{my-check} returns @code{t}. The third
5212 template will be proposed in any context.
5214 When you call @kbd{M-x org-remember} (or @kbd{M-x remember}) to remember
5215 something, Org will prompt for a key to select the template (if you have
5216 more than one template) and then prepare the buffer like
5219 [[file:link to where you called remember]]
5223 During expansion of the template, special @kbd{%}-escapes allow dynamic
5224 insertion of content:
5226 %^@{prompt@} @r{prompt the user for a string and replace this sequence with it.}
5227 @r{You may specify a default value and a completion table with}
5228 @r{%^@{prompt|default|completion2|completion3...@}}
5229 @r{The arrow keys access a prompt-specific history.}
5230 %a @r{annotation, normally the link created with @code{org-store-link}}
5231 %A @r{like @code{%a}, but prompt for the description part}
5232 %i @r{initial content, the region when remember is called with C-u.}
5233 @r{The entire text will be indented like @code{%i} itself.}
5234 %t @r{time stamp, date only}
5235 %T @r{time stamp with date and time}
5236 %u, %U @r{like the above, but inactive time stamps}
5237 %^t @r{like @code{%t}, but prompt for date. Similarly @code{%^T}, @code{%^u}, @code{%^U}}
5238 @r{You may define a prompt like @code{%^@{Birthday@}t}}
5239 %n @r{user name (taken from @code{user-full-name})}
5240 %c @r{Current kill ring head.}
5241 %x @r{Content of the X clipboard.}
5242 %^C @r{Interactive selection of which kill or clip to use.}
5243 %^L @r{Like @code{%^C}, but insert as link.}
5244 %^g @r{prompt for tags, with completion on tags in target file.}
5245 %k @r{title of currently clocked task}
5246 %K @r{link to currently clocked task}
5247 %^G @r{prompt for tags, with completion all tags in all agenda files.}
5248 %^@{prop@}p @r{Prompt the user for a value for property @code{prop}}
5249 %:keyword @r{specific information for certain link types, see below}
5250 %[pathname] @r{insert the contents of the file given by @code{pathname}}
5251 %(sexp) @r{evaluate elisp @code{(sexp)} and replace with the result}
5252 %! @r{immediately store note after completing the template}
5253 @r{(skipping the @kbd{C-c C-c} that normally triggers storing)}
5254 %& @r{jump to target location immediately after storing note}
5258 For specific link types, the following keywords will be
5259 defined@footnote{If you define your own link types (@pxref{Adding
5260 hyperlink types}), any property you store with
5261 @code{org-store-link-props} can be accessed in remember templates in a
5265 Link type | Available keywords
5266 -------------------+----------------------------------------------
5267 bbdb | %:name %:company
5268 bbdb | %::server %:port %:nick
5269 vm, wl, mh, rmail | %:type %:subject %:message-id
5270 | %:from %:fromname %:fromaddress
5271 | %:to %:toname %:toaddress
5272 | %: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}.}}
5273 gnus | %:group, @r{for messages also all email fields}
5275 info | %:file %:node
5280 To place the cursor after template expansion use:
5283 %? @r{After completing the template, position cursor here.}
5287 If you change your mind about which template to use, call
5288 @code{org-remember} in the remember buffer. You may then select a new
5289 template that will be filled with the previous context information.
5291 @node Storing notes, Refiling notes, Remember templates, Remember
5292 @subsection Storing notes
5294 When you are finished preparing a note with @i{remember}, you have to press
5295 @kbd{C-c C-c} to file the note away. If you have started the clock in the
5296 remember buffer, you will first be asked if you want to clock out
5297 now@footnote{To avoid this query, configure the variable
5298 @code{org-remember-clock-out-on-exit}.}. If you answer @kbd{n}, the clock
5299 will continue to run after the note was filed away.
5301 The handler will then store the note in the file and under the headline
5302 specified in the template, or it will use the default file and headlines.
5303 The window configuration will be restored, sending you back to the working
5304 context before the call to @code{remember}. To re-use the location found
5305 during the last call to @code{remember}, exit the remember buffer with
5306 @kbd{C-0 C-c C-c}, i.e. specify a zero prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-c}.
5307 Another special case is @kbd{C-2 C-c C-c} which files the note as a child of
5308 the currently clocked item.
5310 If you want to store the note directly to a different place, use
5311 @kbd{C-1 C-c C-c} instead to exit remember@footnote{Configure the
5312 variable @code{org-remember-store-without-prompt} to make this behavior
5313 the default.}. The handler will then first prompt for a target file -
5314 if you press @key{RET}, the value specified for the template is used.
5315 Then the command offers the headings tree of the selected file, with the
5316 cursor position at the default headline (if you had specified one in the
5317 template). You can either immediately press @key{RET} to get the note
5318 placed there. Or you can use the following keys to find a different
5321 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
5322 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
5323 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
5324 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
5326 @c 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
5329 Pressing @key{RET} or @key{left} or @key{right}
5330 then leads to the following result.
5332 @multitable @columnfractions 0.2 0.15 0.65
5333 @item @b{Cursor position} @tab @b{Key} @tab @b{Note gets inserted}
5334 @item on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab as sublevel of the heading at cursor, first or last
5335 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5336 @item @tab @key{left}/@key{right} @tab as same level, before/after current heading
5337 @item buffer-start @tab @key{RET} @tab as level 2 heading at end of file or level 1 at beginning
5338 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5339 @item not on headline @tab @key{RET}
5340 @tab at cursor position, level taken from context.
5343 Before inserting the text into a tree, the function ensures that the text has
5344 a headline, i.e. a first line that starts with a @samp{*}. If not, a
5345 headline is constructed from the current date. If you have indented the text
5346 of the note below the headline, the indentation will be adapted if inserting
5347 the note into the tree requires demotion from level 1.
5349 @node Refiling notes, , Storing notes, Remember
5350 @subsection Refiling notes
5351 @cindex refiling notes
5353 Remember is usually used to quickly capture notes and tasks into one or
5354 a few capture lists. When reviewing the captured data, you may want to
5355 refile some of the entries into a different list, for example into a
5356 project. Cutting, finding the right location and then pasting the note
5357 is cumbersome. To simplify this process, you can use the following
5363 Refile the entry or region at point. This command offers possible locations
5364 for refiling the entry and lets you select one with completion. The item (or
5365 all items in the region) is filed below the target heading as a subitem.
5366 Depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}, it will be either the first or
5368 By default, all level 1 headlines in the current buffer are considered to be
5369 targets, but you can have more complex definitions across a number of files.
5370 See the variable @code{org-refile-targets} for details. If you would like to
5371 select a location via a file-path-like completion along the outline path, see
5372 the variables @code{org-refile-use-outline-path} and
5373 @code{org-outline-path-complete-in-steps}.
5376 Use the refile interface to jump to a heading.
5377 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-w
5378 @item C-u C-u C-c C-w
5379 Jump to the location where @code{org-refile} last moved a tree to.
5382 @node Attachments, , Remember, Capture
5383 @section Attachments
5386 It is often useful to associate reference material with an outline node/task.
5387 Small chunks of plain text can simply be stored in the subtree of a project.
5388 Hyperlinks (@pxref{Hyperlinks}) can be used to establish associations with
5389 files that live elsewhere on your computer or in the cloud, like emails or
5390 source code files belonging to a project. Another method is @i{attachments},
5391 which are files located in a directory belonging to an outline node. Org
5392 uses directories named by the unique ID of each entry. These directories are
5393 located in the @file{data} directory which lives in the same directory where
5394 your org-file lives@footnote{If you move entries or Org-files from one
5395 directory to the next, you may want to configure @code{org-attach-directory}
5396 to contain an absolute path.}. If you initialize this directory with
5397 @code{git-init}, Org will automatically commit changes when it sees them.
5398 The attachment system has been contributed to Org by John Wiegley.
5400 @noindent The following commands deal with attachments.
5406 The dispatcher for commands related to the attachment system. After these
5407 keys, a list of commands is displayed and you need to press an additional key
5408 to select a command:
5413 Select a file and move it into the task's attachment directory. The file
5414 will be copied, moved, or linked, depending on @code{org-attach-method}.
5415 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
5421 Attach a file using the copy/move/link method.
5422 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
5426 Create a new attachment as an Emacs buffer.
5430 Synchronize the current task with its attachment directory, in case you added
5431 attachments yourself.
5435 Open current task's attachment. If there are more than one, prompt for a
5436 file name first. Opening will follow the rules set by @code{org-file-apps}.
5437 For more details, see the information on following hyperlings
5438 (@pxref{Handling links}).
5442 Also open the attachment, but force opening the file in Emacs.
5446 Open the current task's attachment directory.
5450 Also open the directory, but force using @code{dired} in Emacs.
5454 Select and delete a single attachment.
5458 Delete all of a task's attachments. A safer way is to open the directory in
5459 dired and delete from there.
5463 @node Agenda Views, Embedded LaTeX, Capture, Top
5464 @chapter Agenda Views
5465 @cindex agenda views
5467 Due to the way Org works, TODO items, time-stamped items, and
5468 tagged headlines can be scattered throughout a file or even a number of
5469 files. To get an overview of open action items, or of events that are
5470 important for a particular date, this information must be collected,
5471 sorted and displayed in an organized way.
5473 Org can select items based on various criteria, and display them
5474 in a separate buffer. Seven different view types are provided:
5478 an @emph{agenda} that is like a calendar and shows information
5481 a @emph{TODO list} that covers all unfinished
5484 a @emph{match view}, showings headlines based on the tags, properties and
5485 TODO state associated with them,
5487 a @emph{timeline view} that shows all events in a single Org file,
5488 in time-sorted view,
5490 a @emph{keyword search view} that shows all entries from multiple files
5491 that contain specified keywords.
5493 a @emph{stuck projects view} showing projects that currently don't move
5496 @emph{custom views} that are special tag/keyword searches and
5497 combinations of different views.
5501 The extracted information is displayed in a special @emph{agenda
5502 buffer}. This buffer is read-only, but provides commands to visit the
5503 corresponding locations in the original Org files, and even to
5504 edit these files remotely.
5506 Two variables control how the agenda buffer is displayed and whether the
5507 window configuration is restored when the agenda exits:
5508 @code{org-agenda-window-setup} and
5509 @code{org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit}.
5512 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
5513 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
5514 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
5515 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
5516 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
5517 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
5518 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
5521 @node Agenda files, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views, Agenda Views
5522 @section Agenda files
5523 @cindex agenda files
5524 @cindex files for agenda
5526 The information to be shown is normally collected from all @emph{agenda
5527 files}, the files listed in the variable
5528 @code{org-agenda-files}@footnote{If the value of that variable is not a
5529 list, but a single file name, then the list of agenda files will be
5530 maintained in that external file.}. If a directory is part of this list,
5531 all files with the extension @file{.org} in this directory will be part
5534 Thus even if you only work with a single Org file, this file should
5535 be put into that list@footnote{When using the dispatcher, pressing
5536 @kbd{<} before selecting a command will actually limit the command to
5537 the current file, and ignore @code{org-agenda-files} until the next
5538 dispatcher command.}. You can customize @code{org-agenda-files}, but
5539 the easiest way to maintain it is through the following commands
5541 @cindex files, adding to agenda list
5545 Add current file to the list of agenda files. The file is added to
5546 the front of the list. If it was already in the list, it is moved to
5547 the front. With a prefix argument, file is added/moved to the end.
5550 Remove current file from the list of agenda files.
5555 Cycle through agenda file list, visiting one file after the other.
5556 @kindex M-x org-iswitchb
5557 @item M-x org-iswitchb
5558 Command to use an @code{iswitchb}-like interface to switch to and between Org
5563 The Org menu contains the current list of files and can be used
5564 to visit any of them.
5566 If you would like to focus the agenda temporarily onto a file not in
5567 this list, or onto just one file in the list or even only a subtree in a
5568 file, this can be done in different ways. For a single agenda command,
5569 you may press @kbd{<} once or several times in the dispatcher
5570 (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}). To restrict the agenda scope for an
5571 extended period, use the following commands:
5576 Permanently restrict the agenda to the current subtree. When with a
5577 prefix argument, or with the cursor before the first headline in a file,
5578 the agenda scope is set to the entire file. This restriction remains in
5579 effect until removed with @kbd{C-c C-x >}, or by typing either @kbd{<}
5580 or @kbd{>} in the agenda dispatcher. If there is a window displaying an
5581 agenda view, the new restriction takes effect immediately.
5584 Remove the permanent restriction created by @kbd{C-c C-x <}.
5588 When working with @file{Speedbar}, you can use the following commands in
5592 @item < @r{in the speedbar frame}
5593 Permanently restrict the agenda to the item at the cursor in the
5594 Speedbar frame, either an Org file or a subtree in such a file.
5595 If there is a window displaying an agenda view, the new restriction takes
5598 @item > @r{in the speedbar frame}
5599 Lift the restriction again.
5602 @node Agenda dispatcher, Built-in agenda views, Agenda files, Agenda Views
5603 @section The agenda dispatcher
5604 @cindex agenda dispatcher
5605 @cindex dispatching agenda commands
5606 The views are created through a dispatcher that should be bound to a
5607 global key, for example @kbd{C-c a} (@pxref{Installation}). In the
5608 following we will assume that @kbd{C-c a} is indeed how the dispatcher
5609 is accessed and list keyboard access to commands accordingly. After
5610 pressing @kbd{C-c a}, an additional letter is required to execute a
5611 command. The dispatcher offers the following default commands:
5614 Create the calendar-like agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
5616 Create a list of all TODO items (@pxref{Global TODO list}).
5618 Create a list of headlines matching a TAGS expression (@pxref{Matching
5619 tags and properties}).
5621 Create the timeline view for the current buffer (@pxref{Timeline}).
5623 Create a list of entries selected by a boolean expression of keywords
5624 and/or regular expressions that must or must not occur in the entry.
5626 Search for a regular expression in all agenda files and additionally in
5627 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-multi-occur-extra-files}. This
5628 uses the Emacs command @code{multi-occur}. A prefix argument can be
5629 used to specify the number of context lines for each match, default is
5632 Create a list of stuck projects (@pxref{Stuck projects}).
5634 Restrict an agenda command to the current buffer@footnote{For backward
5635 compatibility, you can also press @kbd{1} to restrict to the current
5636 buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{<}, you still need to press the character
5637 selecting the command.
5639 If there is an active region, restrict the following agenda command to
5640 the region. Otherwise, restrict it to the current subtree@footnote{For
5641 backward compatibility, you can also press @kbd{0} to restrict to the
5642 current buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{< <}, you still need to press the
5643 character selecting the command.
5646 You can also define custom commands that will be accessible through the
5647 dispatcher, just like the default commands. This includes the
5648 possibility to create extended agenda buffers that contain several
5649 blocks together, for example the weekly agenda, the global TODO list and
5650 a number of special tags matches. @xref{Custom agenda views}.
5652 @node Built-in agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views
5653 @section The built-in agenda views
5655 In this section we describe the built-in views.
5658 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
5659 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
5660 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
5661 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
5662 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
5663 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
5666 @node Weekly/daily agenda, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views, Built-in agenda views
5667 @subsection The weekly/daily agenda
5669 @cindex weekly agenda
5670 @cindex daily agenda
5672 The purpose of the weekly/daily @emph{agenda} is to act like a page of a
5673 paper agenda, showing all the tasks for the current week or day.
5676 @cindex org-agenda, command
5679 Compile an agenda for the current week from a list of org files. The agenda
5680 shows the entries for each day. With a numeric prefix@footnote{For backward
5681 compatibility, the universal prefix @kbd{C-u} causes all TODO entries to be
5682 listed before the agenda. This feature is deprecated, use the dedicated TODO
5683 list, or a block agenda instead (@pxref{Block agenda}).} (like @kbd{C-u 2 1
5684 C-c a a}) you may set the number of days to be displayed (see also the
5685 variable @code{org-agenda-ndays})
5688 Remote editing from the agenda buffer means, for example, that you can
5689 change the dates of deadlines and appointments from the agenda buffer.
5690 The commands available in the Agenda buffer are listed in @ref{Agenda
5693 @subsubheading Calendar/Diary integration
5694 @cindex calendar integration
5695 @cindex diary integration
5697 Emacs contains the calendar and diary by Edward M. Reingold. The
5698 calendar displays a three-month calendar with holidays from different
5699 countries and cultures. The diary allows you to keep track of
5700 anniversaries, lunar phases, sunrise/set, recurrent appointments
5701 (weekly, monthly) and more. In this way, it is quite complementary to
5702 Org. It can be very useful to combine output from Org with
5705 In order to include entries from the Emacs diary into Org mode's
5706 agenda, you only need to customize the variable
5709 (setq org-agenda-include-diary t)
5712 @noindent After that, everything will happen automatically. All diary
5713 entries including holidays, anniversaries etc will be included in the
5714 agenda buffer created by Org mode. @key{SPC}, @key{TAB}, and
5715 @key{RET} can be used from the agenda buffer to jump to the diary
5716 file in order to edit existing diary entries. The @kbd{i} command to
5717 insert new entries for the current date works in the agenda buffer, as
5718 well as the commands @kbd{S}, @kbd{M}, and @kbd{C} to display
5719 Sunrise/Sunset times, show lunar phases and to convert to other
5720 calendars, respectively. @kbd{c} can be used to switch back and forth
5721 between calendar and agenda.
5723 If you are using the diary only for sexp entries and holidays, it is
5724 faster to not use the above setting, but instead to copy or even move
5725 the entries into an Org file. Org mode evaluates diary-style sexp
5726 entries, and does it faster because there is no overhead for first
5727 creating the diary display. Note that the sexp entries must start at
5728 the left margin, no white space is allowed before them. For example,
5729 the following segment of an Org file will be processed and entries
5730 will be made in the agenda:
5733 * Birthdays and similar stuff
5735 %%(org-calendar-holiday) ; special function for holiday names
5737 %%(diary-anniversary 14 5 1956) Arthur Dent is %d years old
5738 %%(diary-anniversary 2 10 1869) Mahatma Gandhi would be %d years old
5741 @subsubheading Appointment reminders
5742 @cindex @file{appt.el}
5743 @cindex appointment reminders
5745 Org can interact with Emacs appointments notification facility.
5747 To add all the appointments of your agenda files, use the command
5748 @code{org-agenda-to-appt}. This commands also lets you filter through
5749 the list of your appointments and add only those belonging to a specific
5750 category or matching a regular expression. See the docstring for
5753 @node Global TODO list, Matching tags and properties, Weekly/daily agenda, Built-in agenda views
5754 @subsection The global TODO list
5755 @cindex global TODO list
5756 @cindex TODO list, global
5758 The global TODO list contains all unfinished TODO items, formatted and
5759 collected into a single place.
5764 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
5765 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
5766 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
5767 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
5770 @cindex TODO keyword matching
5771 Like the above, but allows selection of a specific TODO keyword. You
5772 can also do this by specifying a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c a t}. With
5773 a @kbd{C-u} prefix you are prompted for a keyword, and you may also
5774 specify several keywords by separating them with @samp{|} as boolean OR
5775 operator. With a numeric prefix, the Nth keyword in
5776 @code{org-todo-keywords} is selected.
5778 The @kbd{r} key in the agenda buffer regenerates it, and you can give
5779 a prefix argument to this command to change the selected TODO keyword,
5780 for example @kbd{3 r}. If you often need a search for a specific
5781 keyword, define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).@*
5782 Matching specific TODO keywords can also be done as part of a tags
5783 search (@pxref{Tag searches}).
5786 Remote editing of TODO items means that you can change the state of a
5787 TODO entry with a single key press. The commands available in the
5788 TODO list are described in @ref{Agenda commands}.
5790 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into TODO list
5791 Normally the global TODO list simply shows all headlines with TODO
5792 keywords. This list can become very long. There are two ways to keep
5796 Some people view a TODO item that has been @emph{scheduled} for
5797 execution (@pxref{Timestamps}) as no longer @emph{open}. Configure the
5798 variable @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled} to exclude scheduled
5799 items from the global TODO list.
5801 TODO items may have sublevels to break up the task into subtasks. In
5802 such cases it may be enough to list only the highest level TODO headline
5803 and omit the sublevels from the global list. Configure the variable
5804 @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels} to get this behavior.
5807 @node Matching tags and properties, Timeline, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views
5808 @subsection Matching tags and properties
5809 @cindex matching, of tags
5810 @cindex matching, of properties
5814 If headlines in the agenda files are marked with @emph{tags}
5815 (@pxref{Tags}), you can select headlines based on the tags that apply
5816 to them and collect them into an agenda buffer.
5821 Produce a list of all headlines that match a given set of tags. The
5822 command prompts for a selection criterion, which is a boolean logic
5823 expression with tags, like @samp{+work+urgent-withboss} or
5824 @samp{work|home} (@pxref{Tags}). If you often need a specific search,
5825 define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
5828 Like @kbd{C-c a m}, but only select headlines that are also TODO items
5829 and force checking subitems (see variable
5830 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}). Matching specific TODO keywords
5831 together with a tags match is also possible, see @ref{Tag searches}.
5834 The commands available in the tags list are described in @ref{Agenda
5837 @node Timeline, Keyword search, Matching tags and properties, Built-in agenda views
5838 @subsection Timeline for a single file
5839 @cindex timeline, single file
5840 @cindex time-sorted view
5842 The timeline summarizes all time-stamped items from a single Org mode
5843 file in a @emph{time-sorted view}. The main purpose of this command is
5844 to give an overview over events in a project.
5849 Show a time-sorted view of the org file, with all time-stamped items.
5850 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all unfinished TODO entries
5851 (scheduled or not) are also listed under the current date.
5855 The commands available in the timeline buffer are listed in
5856 @ref{Agenda commands}.
5858 @node Keyword search, Stuck projects, Timeline, Built-in agenda views
5859 @subsection Keyword search
5860 @cindex keyword search
5861 @cindex searching, for keywords
5863 This agenda view is a general text search facility for Org mode entries.
5864 It is particularly useful to find notes.
5869 This is a special search that lets you select entries by keywords or
5870 regular expression, using a boolean logic. For example, the search
5874 +computer +wifi -ethernet -@{8\.11[bg]@}
5878 will search for note entries that contain the keywords @code{computer}
5879 and @code{wifi}, but not the keyword @code{ethernet}, and which are also
5880 not matched by the regular expression @code{8\.11[bg]}, meaning to
5881 exclude both 8.11b and 8.11g.
5883 Note that in addition to the agenda files, this command will also search
5884 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-text-search-extra-files}.
5887 @node Stuck projects, , Keyword search, Built-in agenda views
5888 @subsection Stuck projects
5890 If you are following a system like David Allen's GTD to organize your
5891 work, one of the ``duties'' you have is a regular review to make sure
5892 that all projects move along. A @emph{stuck} project is a project that
5893 has no defined next actions, so it will never show up in the TODO lists
5894 Org mode produces. During the review, you need to identify such
5895 projects and define next actions for them.
5900 List projects that are stuck.
5903 Customize the variable @code{org-stuck-projects} to define what a stuck
5904 project is and how to find it.
5907 You almost certainly will have to configure this view before it will
5908 work for you. The built-in default assumes that all your projects are
5909 level-2 headlines, and that a project is not stuck if it has at least
5910 one entry marked with a TODO keyword TODO or NEXT or NEXTACTION.
5912 Let's assume that you, in your own way of using Org mode, identify
5913 projects with a tag PROJECT, and that you use a TODO keyword MAYBE to
5914 indicate a project that should not be considered yet. Let's further
5915 assume that the TODO keyword DONE marks finished projects, and that NEXT
5916 and TODO indicate next actions. The tag @@SHOP indicates shopping and
5917 is a next action even without the NEXT tag. Finally, if the project
5918 contains the special word IGNORE anywhere, it should not be listed
5919 either. In this case you would start by identifying eligible projects
5920 with a tags/todo match @samp{+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE}, and then check for
5921 TODO, NEXT, @@SHOP, and IGNORE in the subtree to identify projects that
5922 are not stuck. The correct customization for this is
5925 (setq org-stuck-projects
5926 '("+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE" ("NEXT" "TODO") ("@@SHOP")
5931 @node Presentation and sorting, Agenda commands, Built-in agenda views, Agenda Views
5932 @section Presentation and sorting
5933 @cindex presentation, of agenda items
5935 Before displaying items in an agenda view, Org mode visually prepares
5936 the items and sorts them. Each item occupies a single line. The line
5937 starts with a @emph{prefix} that contains the @emph{category}
5938 (@pxref{Categories}) of the item and other important information. You can
5939 customize the prefix using the option @code{org-agenda-prefix-format}.
5940 The prefix is followed by a cleaned-up version of the outline headline
5941 associated with the item.
5944 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
5945 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
5946 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
5949 @node Categories, Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting, Presentation and sorting
5950 @subsection Categories
5953 The category is a broad label assigned to each agenda item. By default,
5954 the category is simply derived from the file name, but you can also
5955 specify it with a special line in the buffer, like this@footnote{For
5956 backward compatibility, the following also works: If there are several
5957 such lines in a file, each specifies the category for the text below it.
5958 The first category also applies to any text before the first CATEGORY
5959 line. However, using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is
5960 incompatible with the outline structure of the document. The correct
5961 method for setting multiple categories in a buffer is using a
5969 If you would like to have a special CATEGORY for a single entry or a
5970 (sub)tree, give the entry a @code{:CATEGORY:} property with the location
5971 as the value (@pxref{Properties and Columns}).
5974 The display in the agenda buffer looks best if the category is not
5975 longer than 10 characters.
5977 @node Time-of-day specifications, Sorting of agenda items, Categories, Presentation and sorting
5978 @subsection Time-of-day specifications
5979 @cindex time-of-day specification
5981 Org mode checks each agenda item for a time-of-day specification. The
5982 time can be part of the time stamp that triggered inclusion into the
5983 agenda, for example as in @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 19:00>}}. Time
5984 ranges can be specified with two time stamps, like
5986 @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 20:30>--<2005-05-10 Tue 22:15>}}.
5988 In the headline of the entry itself, a time(range) may also appear as
5989 plain text (like @samp{12:45} or a @samp{8:30-1pm}). If the agenda
5990 integrates the Emacs diary (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), time
5991 specifications in diary entries are recognized as well.
5993 For agenda display, Org mode extracts the time and displays it in a
5994 standard 24 hour format as part of the prefix. The example times in
5995 the previous paragraphs would end up in the agenda like this:
5998 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
5999 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
6000 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
6001 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
6005 If the agenda is in single-day mode, or for the display of today, the
6006 timed entries are embedded in a time grid, like
6009 8:00...... ------------------
6010 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
6011 10:00...... ------------------
6012 12:00...... ------------------
6013 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
6014 14:00...... ------------------
6015 16:00...... ------------------
6016 18:00...... ------------------
6017 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
6018 20:00...... ------------------
6019 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
6022 The time grid can be turned on and off with the variable
6023 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid}, and can be configured with
6024 @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
6026 @node Sorting of agenda items, , Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting
6027 @subsection Sorting of agenda items
6028 @cindex sorting, of agenda items
6029 @cindex priorities, of agenda items
6030 Before being inserted into a view, the items are sorted. How this is
6031 done depends on the type of view.
6034 For the daily/weekly agenda, the items for each day are sorted. The
6035 default order is to first collect all items containing an explicit
6036 time-of-day specification. These entries will be shown at the beginning
6037 of the list, as a @emph{schedule} for the day. After that, items remain
6038 grouped in categories, in the sequence given by @code{org-agenda-files}.
6039 Within each category, items are sorted by priority (@pxref{Priorities}),
6040 which is composed of the base priority (2000 for priority @samp{A}, 1000
6041 for @samp{B}, and 0 for @samp{C}), plus additional increments for
6042 overdue scheduled or deadline items.
6044 For the TODO list, items remain in the order of categories, but within
6045 each category, sorting takes place according to priority
6046 (@pxref{Priorities}).
6048 For tags matches, items are not sorted at all, but just appear in the
6049 sequence in which they are found in the agenda files.
6052 Sorting can be customized using the variable
6053 @code{org-agenda-sorting-strategy}, and may also include criteria based on
6054 the estimated effort of an entry (@pxref{Effort estimates}).
6056 @node Agenda commands, Custom agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda Views
6057 @section Commands in the agenda buffer
6058 @cindex commands, in agenda buffer
6060 Entries in the agenda buffer are linked back to the org file or diary
6061 file where they originate. You are not allowed to edit the agenda
6062 buffer itself, but commands are provided to show and jump to the
6063 original entry location, and to edit the org-files ``remotely'' from
6064 the agenda buffer. In this way, all information is stored only once,
6065 removing the risk that your agenda and note files may diverge.
6067 Some commands can be executed with mouse clicks on agenda lines. For
6068 the other commands, the cursor needs to be in the desired line.
6071 @tsubheading{Motion}
6072 @cindex motion commands in agenda
6075 Next line (same as @key{up} and @kbd{C-p}).
6078 Previous line (same as @key{down} and @kbd{C-n}).
6079 @tsubheading{View/Go to org file}
6084 Display the original location of the item in another window.
6085 With prefix arg, make sure that the entire entry is made visible in the
6086 outline, not only the heading.
6090 Display original location and recenter that window.
6098 Go to the original location of the item in another window. Under Emacs
6099 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also works for this.
6103 Go to the original location of the item and delete other windows.
6107 Toggle Follow mode. In Follow mode, as you move the cursor through
6108 the agenda buffer, the other window always shows the corresponding
6109 location in the org file. The initial setting for this mode in new
6110 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
6111 @code{org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode}.
6115 Display the entire subtree of the current item in an indirect buffer. With a
6116 numeric prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
6117 negative, go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove the
6118 previously used indirect buffer.
6122 Toggle Logbook mode. In Logbook mode, entries that where marked DONE while
6123 logging was on (variable @code{org-log-done}) are shown in the agenda, as are
6124 entries that have been clocked on that day. You can configure the entry
6125 types that should be included in log mode using the variable
6126 @code{org-agenda-log-mode-items}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, show
6127 all possible logbook entries, including state changes. When called with two
6128 prefix args @kbd{C-u C-u}, show only logging information, nothing else.
6132 Toggle Archives mode. In archives mode, trees that are marked are also
6133 scanned when producing the agenda. When you call this command with a
6134 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, even all archive files are included. To exit
6135 archives mode, press @kbd{v} again.
6139 Toggle Clockreport mode. In clockreport mode, the daily/weekly agenda will
6140 always show a table with the clocked times for the timespan and file scope
6141 covered by the current agenda view. The initial setting for this mode in new
6142 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
6143 @code{org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode}.
6145 @tsubheading{Change display}
6146 @cindex display changing, in agenda
6149 Delete other windows.
6156 Switch to day/week/month/year view. When switching to day or week view,
6157 this setting becomes the default for subsequent agenda commands. Since
6158 month and year views are slow to create, they do not become the default.
6159 A numeric prefix argument may be used to jump directly to a specific day
6160 of the year, ISO week, month, or year, respectively. For example,
6161 @kbd{32 d} jumps to February 1st, @kbd{9 w} to ISO week number 9. When
6162 setting day, week, or month view, a year may be encoded in the prefix
6163 argument as well. For example, @kbd{200712 w} will jump to week 12 in
6164 2007. If such a year specification has only one or two digits, it will
6165 be mapped to the interval 1938-2037.
6169 Toggle the inclusion of diary entries. See @ref{Weekly/daily agenda}.
6173 Toggle the time grid on and off. See also the variables
6174 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid} and @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
6178 Recreate the agenda buffer, for example to reflect the changes
6179 after modification of the time stamps of items with S-@key{left} and
6180 S-@key{right}. When the buffer is the global TODO list, a prefix
6181 argument is interpreted to create a selective list for a specific TODO
6191 Save all Org buffers in the current Emacs session.
6195 Display the following @code{org-agenda-ndays} days. For example, if
6196 the display covers a week, switch to the following week. With prefix
6197 arg, go forward that many times @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
6201 Display the previous dates.
6209 Invoke column view (@pxref{Column view}) in the agenda buffer. The column
6210 view format is taken from the entry at point, or (if there is no entry at
6211 point), from the first entry in the agenda view. So whatever the format for
6212 that entry would be in the original buffer (taken from a property, from a
6213 @code{#+COLUMNS} line, or from the default variable
6214 @code{org-columns-default-format}), will be used in the agenda.
6216 @tsubheading{Secondary filtering and query editing}
6217 @cindex filtering, by tag and effort, in agenda
6218 @cindex tag filtering, in agenda
6219 @cindex effort filtering, in agenda
6220 @cindex query editing, in agenda
6224 Filter the current agenda view with respect to a tag and/or effort estimates.
6225 The difference between this and a custom agenda commands is that filtering is
6226 very fast, so that you can switch quickly between different filters without
6227 having to recreate the agenda.
6229 You will be prompted for a tag selection letter. Pressing @key{TAB} at that
6230 prompt will offer use completion to select a tag (including any tags that do
6231 not have a selection character). The command then hides all entries that do
6232 not contain or inherit this tag. When called with prefix arg, remove the
6233 entries that @emph{do} have the tag. A second @kbd{/} at the prompt will
6234 turn off the filter and unhide any hidden entries. If the first key you
6235 press is either @kbd{+} or @kbd{-}, the previous filter will be narrowed by
6236 requiring or forbidding the selected additional tag. Instead of pressing
6237 @kbd{+} or @kbd{-} after @kbd{/}, you can also immediately use the @kbd{\}
6240 In order to filter for effort estimates, you should set-up allowed
6241 efforts globally, for example
6243 (setq org-global-properties
6244 '(("Effort_ALL". "0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00")))
6246 You can then filter for an effort by first typing an operator, one of @kbd{<},
6247 @kbd{>}, and @kbd{=}, and then the one-digit index of an effort estimate in
6248 your array of allowed values, where @kbd{0} means the 10th value. The filter
6249 will then restrict to entries with effort smaller-or-equal, equal, or
6250 larger-or-equal than the selected value. If the digits 0-9 are not used as
6251 fast access keys to tags, you can also simply press the index digit directly
6252 without an operator. In this case, @kbd{<} will be assumed.
6256 Narrow the current agenda filter by an additional condition. When called with
6257 prefix arg, remove the entries that @emph{do} have the tag, or that do match
6258 the effort criterion. You can achieve the same effect by pressing @kbd{+} or
6259 @kbd{-} as the first key after the @kbd{/} command.
6266 In the @i{search view} (@pxref{Keyword search}), these keys add new search
6267 words (@kbd{[} and @kbd{]}) or new regular expressions (@kbd{@{} and
6268 @kbd{@}}) to the query string. The opening bracket/brace will add a positive
6269 search term prefixed by @samp{+}, indicating that this search term @i{must}
6270 occur/match in the entry. The closing bracket/brace will add a negative
6271 search term which @i{must not} occur/match in the entry for it to be
6275 @tsubheading{Remote editing}
6276 @cindex remote editing, from agenda
6281 @cindex undoing remote-editing events
6282 @cindex remote editing, undo
6285 Undo a change due to a remote editing command. The change is undone
6286 both in the agenda buffer and in the remote buffer.
6290 Change the TODO state of the item, both in the agenda and in the
6295 Delete the current agenda item along with the entire subtree belonging
6296 to it in the original Org file. If the text to be deleted remotely
6297 is longer than one line, the kill needs to be confirmed by the user. See
6298 variable @code{org-agenda-confirm-kill}.
6302 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline.
6306 Move the subtree corresponding to the current entry to its @emph{Archive
6311 Archive the subtree corresponding to the current headline. This means the
6312 entry will be moved to the configured archive location, most likely a
6317 Show all tags associated with the current item. This is useful if you have
6318 turned off @code{org-agenda-show-inherited-tags}, but still want to see all
6319 tags of a headline occasionally.
6323 Set tags for the current headline. If there is an active region in the
6324 agenda, change a tag for all headings in the region.
6328 Set the priority for the current item. Org mode prompts for the
6329 priority character. If you reply with @key{SPC}, the priority cookie
6330 is removed from the entry.
6334 Display weighted priority of current item.
6340 Increase the priority of the current item. The priority is changed in
6341 the original buffer, but the agenda is not resorted. Use the @kbd{r}
6345 @kindex S-@key{down}
6348 Decrease the priority of the current item.
6352 Dispatcher for all command related to attachments.
6360 Set a deadline for this item.
6364 Agenda actions, to set dates for selected items to the cursor date.
6365 This command also works in the calendar! The command prompts for an
6368 m @r{Mark the entry at point for action. You can also make entries}
6369 @r{in Org files with @kbd{C-c C-x C-k}.}
6370 d @r{Set the deadline of the marked entry to the date at point.}
6371 s @r{Schedule the marked entry at the date at point.}
6372 r @r{Call @code{org-remember} with the cursor date as default date.}
6374 Press @kbd{r} afterwards to refresh the agenda and see the effect of the
6377 @kindex S-@key{right}
6379 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day into the
6380 future. With a numeric prefix argument, change it by that many days. For
6381 example, @kbd{3 6 5 S-@key{right}} will change it by a year. The stamp is
6382 changed in the original org file, but the change is not directly reflected in
6383 the agenda buffer. Use the @kbd{r} key to update the buffer.
6385 @kindex S-@key{left}
6387 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day
6392 Change the time stamp associated with the current line to today.
6393 The key @kbd{>} has been chosen, because it is the same as @kbd{S-.}
6398 Start the clock on the current item. If a clock is running already, it
6403 Stop the previously started clock.
6407 Cancel the currently running clock.
6411 Jump to the running clock in another window.
6413 @tsubheading{Calendar commands}
6414 @cindex calendar commands, from agenda
6417 Open the Emacs calendar and move to the date at the agenda cursor.
6420 When in the calendar, compute and show the Org mode agenda for the
6423 @cindex diary entries, creating from agenda
6426 Insert a new entry into the diary. Prompts for the type of entry
6427 (day, weekly, monthly, yearly, anniversary, cyclic) and creates a new
6428 entry in the diary, just as @kbd{i d} etc. would do in the calendar.
6429 The date is taken from the cursor position.
6433 Show the phases of the moon for the three months around current date.
6437 Show sunrise and sunset times. The geographical location must be set
6438 with calendar variables, see documentation of the Emacs calendar.
6442 Convert the date at cursor into many other cultural and historic
6447 Show holidays for three month around the cursor date.
6449 @item M-x org-export-icalendar-combine-agenda-files
6450 Export a single iCalendar file containing entries from all agenda files.
6451 This is a globally available command, and also available in the agenda menu.
6453 @tsubheading{Exporting to a file}
6456 @cindex exporting agenda views
6457 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6458 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
6459 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
6460 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), or
6461 plain text (any other extension). Use the variable
6462 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print}
6463 and for @file{htmlize} to be used during export.
6465 @tsubheading{Quit and Exit}
6468 Quit agenda, remove the agenda buffer.
6471 @cindex agenda files, removing buffers
6473 Exit agenda, remove the agenda buffer and all buffers loaded by Emacs
6474 for the compilation of the agenda. Buffers created by the user to
6475 visit org files will not be removed.
6479 @node Custom agenda views, Agenda column view, Agenda commands, Agenda Views
6480 @section Custom agenda views
6481 @cindex custom agenda views
6482 @cindex agenda views, custom
6484 Custom agenda commands serve two purposes: to store and quickly access
6485 frequently used TODO and tags searches, and to create special composite
6486 agenda buffers. Custom agenda commands will be accessible through the
6487 dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}), just like the default commands.
6490 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
6491 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
6492 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
6493 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
6494 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
6497 @node Storing searches, Block agenda, Custom agenda views, Custom agenda views
6498 @subsection Storing searches
6500 The first application of custom searches is the definition of keyboard
6501 shortcuts for frequently used searches, either creating an agenda
6502 buffer, or a sparse tree (the latter covering of course only the current
6505 Custom commands are configured in the variable
6506 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. You can customize this variable, for
6507 example by pressing @kbd{C-c a C}. You can also directly set it with
6508 Emacs Lisp in @file{.emacs}. The following example contains all valid
6513 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6514 '(("w" todo "WAITING")
6515 ("W" todo-tree "WAITING")
6516 ("u" tags "+boss-urgent")
6517 ("v" tags-todo "+boss-urgent")
6518 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent")
6519 ("f" occur-tree "\\<FIXME\\>")
6520 ("h" . "HOME+Name tags searches") ; description for "h" prefix
6521 ("hl" tags "+home+Lisa")
6522 ("hp" tags "+home+Peter")
6523 ("hk" tags "+home+Kim")))
6528 The initial string in each entry defines the keys you have to press
6529 after the dispatcher command @kbd{C-c a} in order to access the command.
6530 Usually this will be just a single character, but if you have many
6531 similar commands, you can also define two-letter combinations where the
6532 first character is the same in several combinations and serves as a
6533 prefix key@footnote{You can provide a description for a prefix key by
6534 inserting a cons cell with the prefix and the description.}. The second
6535 parameter is the search type, followed by the string or regular
6536 expression to be used for the matching. The example above will
6541 as a global search for TODO entries with @samp{WAITING} as the TODO
6544 as the same search, but only in the current buffer and displaying the
6545 results as a sparse tree
6547 as a global tags search for headlines marked @samp{:boss:} but not
6550 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but limiting the search to
6551 headlines that are also TODO items
6553 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but only in the current buffer and
6554 displaying the result as a sparse tree
6556 to create a sparse tree (again: current buffer only) with all entries
6557 containing the word @samp{FIXME}
6559 as a prefix command for a HOME tags search where you have to press an
6560 additional key (@kbd{l}, @kbd{p} or @kbd{k}) to select a name (Lisa,
6561 Peter, or Kim) as additional tag to match.
6564 @node Block agenda, Setting Options, Storing searches, Custom agenda views
6565 @subsection Block agenda
6566 @cindex block agenda
6567 @cindex agenda, with block views
6569 Another possibility is the construction of agenda views that comprise
6570 the results of @emph{several} commands, each of which creates a block in
6571 the agenda buffer. The available commands include @code{agenda} for the
6572 daily or weekly agenda (as created with @kbd{C-c a a}), @code{alltodo}
6573 for the global TODO list (as constructed with @kbd{C-c a t}), and the
6574 matching commands discussed above: @code{todo}, @code{tags}, and
6575 @code{tags-todo}. Here are two examples:
6579 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6580 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6584 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6592 This will define @kbd{C-c a h} to create a multi-block view for stuff
6593 you need to attend to at home. The resulting agenda buffer will contain
6594 your agenda for the current week, all TODO items that carry the tag
6595 @samp{home}, and also all lines tagged with @samp{garden}. Finally the
6596 command @kbd{C-c a o} provides a similar view for office tasks.
6598 @node Setting Options, Exporting Agenda Views, Block agenda, Custom agenda views
6599 @subsection Setting options for custom commands
6600 @cindex options, for custom agenda views
6602 Org mode contains a number of variables regulating agenda construction
6603 and display. The global variables define the behavior for all agenda
6604 commands, including the custom commands. However, if you want to change
6605 some settings just for a single custom view, you can do so. Setting
6606 options requires inserting a list of variable names and values at the
6607 right spot in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. For example:
6611 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6612 '(("w" todo "WAITING"
6613 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))
6614 (org-agenda-prefix-format " Mixed: ")))
6615 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent"
6616 ((org-show-following-heading nil)
6617 (org-show-hierarchy-above nil)))
6619 ((org-agenda-files '("~org/notes.org"))
6620 (org-agenda-text-search-extra-files nil)))))
6625 Now the @kbd{C-c a w} command will sort the collected entries only by
6626 priority, and the prefix format is modified to just say @samp{ Mixed: }
6627 instead of giving the category of the entry. The sparse tags tree of
6628 @kbd{C-c a U} will now turn out ultra-compact, because neither the
6629 headline hierarchy above the match, nor the headline following the match
6630 will be shown. The command @kbd{C-c a N} will do a text search limited
6631 to only a single file.
6633 For command sets creating a block agenda,
6634 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} has two separate spots for setting
6635 options. You can add options that should be valid for just a single
6636 command in the set, and options that should be valid for all commands in
6637 the set. The former are just added to the command entry, the latter
6638 must come after the list of command entries. Going back to the block
6639 agenda example (@pxref{Block agenda}), let's change the sorting strategy
6640 for the @kbd{C-c a h} commands to @code{priority-down}, but let's sort
6641 the results for GARDEN tags query in the opposite order,
6642 @code{priority-up}. This would look like this:
6646 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6647 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6651 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-up)))))
6652 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))))
6653 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6660 As you see, the values and parenthesis setting is a little complex.
6661 When in doubt, use the customize interface to set this variable - it
6662 fully supports its structure. Just one caveat: When setting options in
6663 this interface, the @emph{values} are just lisp expressions. So if the
6664 value is a string, you need to add the double quotes around the value
6668 @node Exporting Agenda Views, Using the agenda elsewhere, Setting Options, Custom agenda views
6669 @subsection Exporting Agenda Views
6670 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6672 If you are away from your computer, it can be very useful to have a
6673 printed version of some agenda views to carry around. Org mode can
6674 export custom agenda views as plain text, HTML@footnote{You need to
6675 install Hrvoje Niksic' @file{htmlize.el}.} postscript, and iCalendar
6676 files. If you want to do this only occasionally, use the command
6681 @cindex exporting agenda views
6682 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6683 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
6684 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
6685 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}),
6686 iCalendar (extension @file{.ics}), or plain text (any other extension).
6687 Use the variable @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to
6688 set options for @file{ps-print} and for @file{htmlize} to be used during
6692 (setq org-agenda-exporter-settings
6693 '((ps-number-of-columns 2)
6694 (ps-landscape-mode t)
6695 (htmlize-output-type 'css)))
6699 If you need to export certain agenda views frequently, you can associate
6700 any custom agenda command with a list of output file names
6701 @footnote{If you want to store standard views like the weekly agenda
6702 or the global TODO list as well, you need to define custom commands for
6703 them in order to be able to specify file names.}. Here is an example
6704 that first does define custom commands for the agenda and the global
6705 todo list, together with a number of files to which to export them.
6706 Then we define two block agenda commands and specify file names for them
6707 as well. File names can be relative to the current working directory,
6712 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6713 '(("X" agenda "" nil ("agenda.html" "agenda.ps"))
6714 ("Y" alltodo "" nil ("todo.html" "todo.txt" "todo.ps"))
6715 ("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6720 ("~/views/home.html"))
6721 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6726 ("~/views/office.ps" "~/calendars/office.ics"))))
6730 The extension of the file name determines the type of export. If it is
6731 @file{.html}, Org mode will use the @file{htmlize.el} package to convert
6732 the buffer to HTML and save it to this file name. If the extension is
6733 @file{.ps}, @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} is used to produce
6734 postscript output. If the extension is @file{.ics}, iCalendar export is
6735 run export over all files that were used to construct the agenda, and
6736 limit the export to entries listed in the agenda now. Any other
6737 extension produces a plain ASCII file.
6739 The export files are @emph{not} created when you use one of those
6740 commands interactively because this might use too much overhead.
6741 Instead, there is a special command to produce @emph{all} specified
6747 Export all agenda views that have export file names associated with
6751 You can use the options section of the custom agenda commands to also
6752 set options for the export commands. For example:
6755 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6757 ((ps-number-of-columns 2)
6758 (ps-landscape-mode t)
6759 (org-agenda-prefix-format " [ ] ")
6760 (org-agenda-with-colors nil)
6761 (org-agenda-remove-tags t))
6766 This command sets two options for the postscript exporter, to make it
6767 print in two columns in landscape format - the resulting page can be cut
6768 in two and then used in a paper agenda. The remaining settings modify
6769 the agenda prefix to omit category and scheduling information, and
6770 instead include a checkbox to check off items. We also remove the tags
6771 to make the lines compact, and we don't want to use colors for the
6772 black-and-white printer. Settings specified in
6773 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} will also apply, but the settings
6774 in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} take precedence.
6777 From the command line you may also use
6779 emacs -f org-batch-store-agenda-views -kill
6782 or, if you need to modify some parameters@footnote{Quoting may depend on the
6783 system you use, please check th FAQ for examples.}
6785 emacs -eval '(org-batch-store-agenda-views \
6786 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
6787 org-agenda-start-day "2007-11-01" \
6788 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
6789 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
6793 which will create the agenda views restricted to the file
6794 @file{~/org/project.org}, without diary entries and with 30 days
6797 @node Using the agenda elsewhere, , Exporting Agenda Views, Custom agenda views
6798 @subsection Using agenda information outside of Org
6799 @cindex agenda, pipe
6800 @cindex Scripts, for agenda processing
6802 Org provides commands to access agenda information for the command
6803 line in emacs batch mode. This extracted information can be sent
6804 directly to a printer, or it can be read by a program that does further
6805 processing of the data. The first of these commands is the function
6806 @code{org-batch-agenda}, that produces an agenda view and sends it as
6807 ASCII text to STDOUT. The command takes a single string as parameter.
6808 If the string has length 1, it is used as a key to one of the commands
6809 you have configured in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}, basically any
6810 key you can use after @kbd{C-c a}. For example, to directly print the
6811 current TODO list, you could use
6814 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda "t")' | lpr
6817 If the parameter is a string with 2 or more characters, it is used as a
6818 tags/todo match string. For example, to print your local shopping list
6819 (all items with the tag @samp{shop}, but excluding the tag
6820 @samp{NewYork}), you could use
6823 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
6824 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "+shop-NewYork")' | lpr
6828 You may also modify parameters on the fly like this:
6831 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
6832 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "a" \
6833 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
6834 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
6835 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
6840 which will produce a 30 day agenda, fully restricted to the Org file
6841 @file{~/org/projects.org}, not even including the diary.
6843 If you want to process the agenda data in more sophisticated ways, you
6844 can use the command @code{org-batch-agenda-csv} to get a comma-separated
6845 list of values for each agenda item. Each line in the output will
6846 contain a number of fields separated by commas. The fields in a line
6850 category @r{The category of the item}
6851 head @r{The headline, without TODO kwd, TAGS and PRIORITY}
6852 type @r{The type of the agenda entry, can be}
6853 todo @r{selected in TODO match}
6854 tagsmatch @r{selected in tags match}
6855 diary @r{imported from diary}
6856 deadline @r{a deadline}
6857 scheduled @r{scheduled}
6858 timestamp @r{appointment, selected by timestamp}
6859 closed @r{entry was closed on date}
6860 upcoming-deadline @r{warning about nearing deadline}
6861 past-scheduled @r{forwarded scheduled item}
6862 block @r{entry has date block including date}
6863 todo @r{The TODO keyword, if any}
6864 tags @r{All tags including inherited ones, separated by colons}
6865 date @r{The relevant date, like 2007-2-14}
6866 time @r{The time, like 15:00-16:50}
6867 extra @r{String with extra planning info}
6868 priority-l @r{The priority letter if any was given}
6869 priority-n @r{The computed numerical priority}
6873 Time and date will only be given if a timestamp (or deadline/scheduled)
6874 lead to the selection of the item.
6876 A CSV list like this is very easy to use in a post processing script.
6877 For example, here is a Perl program that gets the TODO list from
6878 Emacs/Org and prints all the items, preceded by a checkbox:
6884 # define the Emacs command to run
6885 $cmd = "emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda-csv \"t\")'";
6887 # run it and capture the output
6888 $agenda = qx@{$cmd 2>/dev/null@};
6890 # loop over all lines
6891 foreach $line (split(/\n/,$agenda)) @{
6893 # get the individual values
6894 ($category,$head,$type,$todo,$tags,$date,$time,$extra,
6895 $priority_l,$priority_n) = split(/,/,$line);
6897 # proccess and print
6898 print "[ ] $head\n";
6903 @node Agenda column view, , Custom agenda views, Agenda Views
6904 @section Using column view in the agenda
6905 @cindex column view, in agenda
6906 @cindex agenda, column view
6908 Column view (@pxref{Column view}) is normally used to view and edit
6909 properties embedded in the hierarchical structure of an Org file. It can be
6910 quite useful to use column view also from the agenda, where entries are
6911 collected by certain criteria.
6916 Turn on column view in the agenda.
6919 To understand how to use this properly, it is important to realize that the
6920 entries in the agenda are no longer in their proper outline environment.
6921 This causes the following issues:
6925 Org needs to make a decision which @code{COLUMNS} format to use. Since the
6926 entries in the agenda are collected from different files, and different files
6927 may have different @code{COLUMNS} formats, this is a non-trivial problem.
6928 Org first checks if the variable @code{org-overriding-columns-format} is
6929 currently set, and if yes takes the format from there. Otherwise it takes
6930 the format associated with the first item in the agenda, or, if that item
6931 does not have a specific format (defined in a property, or in it's file), it
6932 uses @code{org-columns-default-format}.
6934 If any of the columns has a summary type defined (@pxref{Column attributes}),
6935 turning on column view in the agenda will visit all relevant agenda files and
6936 make sure that the computations of this property are up to date. This is
6937 also true for the special @code{CLOCKSUM} property. Org will then sum the
6938 values displayed in the agenda. In the daily/weekly agenda, the sums will
6939 cover a single day, in all other views they cover the entire block. It is
6940 vital to realize that the agenda may show the same entry @emph{twice} (for
6941 example as scheduled and as a deadline), and it may show two entries from the
6942 same hierarchy (for example a @emph{parent} and it's @emph{child}). In these
6943 cases, the summation in the agenda will lead to incorrect results because
6944 some values will count double.
6946 When the column view in the agenda shows the @code{CLOCKSUM}, that is always
6947 the entire clocked time for this item. So even in the daily/weekly agenda,
6948 the clocksum listed in column view may originate from times outside the
6949 current view. This has the advantage that you can compare these values with
6950 a column listing the planned total effort for a task - one of the major
6951 applications for column view in the agenda. If you want information about
6952 clocked time in the displayed period use clock table mode (press @kbd{R} in
6957 @node Embedded LaTeX, Exporting, Agenda Views, Top
6958 @chapter Embedded LaTeX
6959 @cindex @TeX{} interpretation
6960 @cindex La@TeX{} interpretation
6962 Plain ASCII is normally sufficient for almost all note taking. One
6963 exception, however, are scientific notes which need to be able to contain
6964 mathematical symbols and the occasional formula. La@TeX{}@footnote{La@TeX{}
6965 is a macro system based on Donald E. Knuth's @TeX{} system. Many of the
6966 features described here as ``La@TeX{}'' are really from @TeX{}, but for
6967 simplicity I am blurring this distinction.} is widely used to typeset
6968 scientific documents. Org mode supports embedding La@TeX{} code into its
6969 files, because many academics are used to reading La@TeX{} source code, and
6970 because it can be readily processed into images for HTML production.
6972 It is not necessary to mark La@TeX{} macros and code in any special way.
6973 If you observe a few conventions, Org mode knows how to find it and what
6977 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
6978 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
6979 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
6980 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
6981 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
6984 @node Math symbols, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX, Embedded LaTeX
6985 @section Math symbols
6986 @cindex math symbols
6989 You can use La@TeX{} macros to insert special symbols like @samp{\alpha}
6990 to indicate the Greek letter, or @samp{\to} to indicate an arrow.
6991 Completion for these macros is available, just type @samp{\} and maybe a
6992 few letters, and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to see possible completions.
6993 Unlike La@TeX{} code, Org mode allows these macros to be present
6994 without surrounding math delimiters, for example:
6997 Angles are written as Greek letters \alpha, \beta and \gamma.
7000 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), these symbols are translated
7001 into the proper syntax for HTML, for the above examples this is
7002 @samp{α} and @samp{→}, respectively. If you need such a symbol
7003 inside a word, terminate it like this: @samp{\Aacute@{@}stor}.
7005 @node Subscripts and superscripts, LaTeX fragments, Math symbols, Embedded LaTeX
7006 @section Subscripts and superscripts
7010 Just like in La@TeX{}, @samp{^} and @samp{_} are used to indicate super-
7011 and subscripts. Again, these can be used without embedding them in
7012 math-mode delimiters. To increase the readability of ASCII text, it is
7013 not necessary (but OK) to surround multi-character sub- and superscripts
7014 with curly braces. For example
7017 The mass if the sun is M_sun = 1.989 x 10^30 kg. The radius of
7018 the sun is R_@{sun@} = 6.96 x 10^8 m.
7021 To avoid interpretation as raised or lowered text, you can quote
7022 @samp{^} and @samp{_} with a backslash: @samp{\_} and @samp{\^}.
7024 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), subscript and superscripts
7025 are surrounded with @code{<sub>} and @code{<sup>} tags, respectively.
7027 @node LaTeX fragments, Processing LaTeX fragments, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX
7028 @section LaTeX fragments
7029 @cindex LaTeX fragments
7031 With symbols, sub- and superscripts, HTML is pretty much at its end when
7032 it comes to representing mathematical formulas@footnote{Yes, there is
7033 MathML, but that is not yet fully supported by many browsers, and there
7034 is no decent converter for turning La@TeX{} or ASCII representations of
7035 formulas into MathML. So for the time being, converting formulas into
7036 images seems the way to go.}. More complex expressions need a dedicated
7037 formula processor. To this end, Org mode can contain arbitrary La@TeX{}
7038 fragments. It provides commands to preview the typeset result of these
7039 fragments, and upon export to HTML, all fragments will be converted to
7040 images and inlined into the HTML document@footnote{The La@TeX{} export
7041 will not use images for displaying La@TeX{} fragments but include these
7042 fragments directly into the La@TeX{} code.}. For this to work you
7043 need to be on a system with a working La@TeX{} installation. You also
7044 need the @file{dvipng} program, available at
7045 @url{http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvipng/}. The La@TeX{} header that
7046 will be used when processing a fragment can be configured with the
7047 variable @code{org-format-latex-header}.
7049 La@TeX{} fragments don't need any special marking at all. The following
7050 snippets will be identified as La@TeX{} source code:
7053 Environments of any kind. The only requirement is that the
7054 @code{\begin} statement appears on a new line, preceded by only
7057 Text within the usual La@TeX{} math delimiters. To avoid conflicts with
7058 currency specifications, single @samp{$} characters are only recognized
7059 as math delimiters if the enclosed text contains at most two line breaks,
7060 is directly attached to the @samp{$} characters with no whitespace in
7061 between, and if the closing @samp{$} is followed by whitespace or
7062 punctuation. For the other delimiters, there is no such restriction, so
7063 when in doubt, use @samp{\(...\)} as inline math delimiters.
7066 @noindent For example:
7069 \begin@{equation@} % arbitrary environments,
7070 x=\sqrt@{b@} % even tables, figures
7071 \end@{equation@} % etc
7073 If $a^2=b$ and \( b=2 \), then the solution must be
7074 either $$ a=+\sqrt@{2@} $$ or \[ a=-\sqrt@{2@} \].
7078 If you need any of the delimiter ASCII sequences for other purposes, you
7079 can configure the option @code{org-format-latex-options} to deselect the
7080 ones you do not wish to have interpreted by the La@TeX{} converter.
7082 @node Processing LaTeX fragments, CDLaTeX mode, LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
7083 @section Processing LaTeX fragments
7084 @cindex LaTeX fragments, preview
7086 La@TeX{} fragments can be processed to produce a preview images of the
7087 typeset expressions:
7092 Produce a preview image of the La@TeX{} fragment at point and overlay it
7093 over the source code. If there is no fragment at point, process all
7094 fragments in the current entry (between two headlines). When called
7095 with a prefix argument, process the entire subtree. When called with
7096 two prefix arguments, or when the cursor is before the first headline,
7097 process the entire buffer.
7100 Remove the overlay preview images.
7103 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), all La@TeX{} fragments are
7104 converted into images and inlined into the document if the following
7108 (setq org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments t)
7111 @node CDLaTeX mode, , Processing LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
7112 @section Using CDLaTeX to enter math
7115 CDLaTeX mode is a minor mode that is normally used in combination with a
7116 major La@TeX{} mode like AUCTeX in order to speed-up insertion of
7117 environments and math templates. Inside Org mode, you can make use of
7118 some of the features of CDLaTeX mode. You need to install
7119 @file{cdlatex.el} and @file{texmathp.el} (the latter comes also with
7120 AUCTeX) from @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/cdlatex}.
7121 Don't use CDLaTeX mode itself under Org mode, but use the light
7122 version @code{org-cdlatex-mode} that comes as part of Org mode. Turn it
7123 on for the current buffer with @code{M-x org-cdlatex-mode}, or for all
7127 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-org-cdlatex)
7130 When this mode is enabled, the following features are present (for more
7131 details see the documentation of CDLaTeX mode):
7135 Environment templates can be inserted with @kbd{C-c @{}.
7138 The @key{TAB} key will do template expansion if the cursor is inside a
7139 La@TeX{} fragment@footnote{Org mode has a method to test if the cursor is
7140 inside such a fragment, see the documentation of the function
7141 @code{org-inside-LaTeX-fragment-p}.}. For example, @key{TAB} will
7142 expand @code{fr} to @code{\frac@{@}@{@}} and position the cursor
7143 correctly inside the first brace. Another @key{TAB} will get you into
7144 the second brace. Even outside fragments, @key{TAB} will expand
7145 environment abbreviations at the beginning of a line. For example, if
7146 you write @samp{equ} at the beginning of a line and press @key{TAB},
7147 this abbreviation will be expanded to an @code{equation} environment.
7148 To get a list of all abbreviations, type @kbd{M-x cdlatex-command-help}.
7152 Pressing @kbd{_} and @kbd{^} inside a La@TeX{} fragment will insert these
7153 characters together with a pair of braces. If you use @key{TAB} to move
7154 out of the braces, and if the braces surround only a single character or
7155 macro, they are removed again (depending on the variable
7156 @code{cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts}).
7159 Pressing the backquote @kbd{`} followed by a character inserts math
7160 macros, also outside La@TeX{} fragments. If you wait more than 1.5 seconds
7161 after the backquote, a help window will pop up.
7164 Pressing the normal quote @kbd{'} followed by another character modifies
7165 the symbol before point with an accent or a font. If you wait more than
7166 1.5 seconds after the backquote, a help window will pop up. Character
7167 modification will work only inside La@TeX{} fragments, outside the quote
7171 @node Exporting, Publishing, Embedded LaTeX, Top
7175 Org mode documents can be exported into a variety of other formats. For
7176 printing and sharing of notes, ASCII export produces a readable and
7177 simple version of an Org file. HTML export allows you to publish a
7178 notes file on the web, while the XOXO format provides a solid base for
7179 exchange with a broad range of other applications. La@TeX{} export lets
7180 you use Org mode and its structured editing functions to easily create
7181 La@TeX{} files. To incorporate entries with associated times like
7182 deadlines or appointments into a desktop calendar program like iCal,
7183 Org mode can also produce extracts in the iCalendar format. Currently
7184 Org mode only supports export, not import of these different formats.
7186 Org supports export of selected regions when @code{transient-mark-mode} is
7187 enabled (default in Emacs 23).
7190 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
7191 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
7192 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
7193 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
7194 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
7195 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
7196 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to LaTeX, and processing to PDF
7197 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
7198 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
7201 @node Markup rules, Selective export, Exporting, Exporting
7202 @section Markup rules
7204 When exporting Org mode documents, the exporter tries to reflect the
7205 structure of the document as accurately as possible in the back-end. Since
7206 export targets like HTML or La@TeX{} allow much richer formatting, Org mode
7207 has rules how to prepare text for rich export. This section summarizes the
7208 markup rule used in an Org mode buffer.
7211 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
7212 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
7213 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
7214 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
7215 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
7216 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
7217 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
7218 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
7219 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
7220 * Inlined images:: How to inline images during export
7222 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
7223 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
7224 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
7225 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
7228 @node Document title, Headings and sections, Markup rules, Markup rules
7229 @subheading Document title
7230 @cindex document title, markup rules
7233 The title of the exported document is taken from the special line
7236 #+TITLE: This is the title of the document
7240 If this line does not exist, the title is derived from the first non-empty,
7241 non-comment line in the buffer. If no such line exists, or if you have
7242 turned off exporting of the text before the first headline (see below), the
7243 title will be the file name without extension.
7245 If you are exporting only a subtree by marking is as the region, the heading
7246 of the subtree will become the title of the document. If the subtree has a
7247 property @code{EXPORT_TITLE}, that will take precedence.
7249 @node Headings and sections, Table of contents, Document title, Markup rules
7250 @subheading Headings and sections
7251 @cindex headings and sections, markup rules
7253 The outline structure of the document as described in @ref{Document
7254 Structure} forms the basis for defining sections of the exported document.
7255 However, since the outline structure is also used for (for example) lists of
7256 tasks, only the first three outline levels will be used as headings. Deeper
7257 levels will become itemized lists. You can change the location of this
7258 switch, globally by setting the variable @code{org-headline-levels}, or on a
7259 per file basis with a line
7265 @node Table of contents, Initial text, Headings and sections, Markup rules
7266 @subheading Table of contents
7267 @cindex table of contents, markup rules
7269 The table of contents is normally inserted directly before the first headline
7270 of the file. If you would like to get it to a different location, insert the
7271 string @code{[TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]} on a line by itself at the desired
7272 location. The depth of the table of contents is by default the same as the
7273 number of headline levels, but you can choose a smaller number or turn off
7274 the table of contents entirely by configuring the variable
7275 @code{org-export-with-toc}, or on a per-file basis with a line like
7278 #+OPTIONS: toc:2 (only to two levels in TOC)
7279 #+OPTIONS: toc:nil (no TOC at all)
7282 @node Initial text, Lists, Table of contents, Markup rules
7283 @subheading Text before the first headline
7284 @cindex text before first headline, markup rules
7287 Org mode normally exports the text before the first headline, and even uses
7288 the first line as the document title. The text will be fully marked up. If
7289 you need to include literal HTML or La@TeX{} code, use the special constructs
7290 described below in the sections for the individual exporters.
7292 Some people like to use the space before the first headline for setup and
7293 internal links and therefore would like to control the exported text before
7294 the first headline in a different way. You can do so by setting the variable
7295 @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading} to @code{t}. On a per-file
7296 basis, you can get the same effect with @samp{#+OPTIONS: skip:t}.
7299 If you still want to have some text before the first headline, use the
7300 @code{#+TEXT} construct:
7304 #+TEXT: This text will go before the *first* headline.
7305 #+TEXT: [TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]
7306 #+TEXT: This goes between the table of contents and the first headline
7309 @node Lists, Paragraphs, Initial text, Markup rules
7311 @cindex lists, markup rules
7313 Plain lists as described in @ref{Plain lists} are translated to the back-ends
7314 syntax for such lists. Most back-ends support unordered, ordered, and
7317 @node Paragraphs, Literal examples, Lists, Markup rules
7318 @subheading Paragraphs, line breaks, and quoting
7319 @cindex paragraphs, markup rules
7321 Paragraphs are separated by at least one empty line. If you need to enforce
7322 a line break within a paragraph, use @samp{\\} at the end of a line.
7324 To keep the line breaks in a region, but otherwise use normal formatting, you
7325 can use this construct, which can also be used to format poetry.
7329 Great clouds overhead
7330 Tiny black birds rise and fall
7337 When quoting a passage from another document, it is customary to format this
7338 as a paragraph that is indented on both the left and the right margin. You
7339 can include quotations in Org mode documents like this:
7343 Everything should be made as simple as possible,
7344 but not any simpler -- Albert Einstein
7349 @node Literal examples, Include files, Paragraphs, Markup rules
7350 @subheading Literal examples
7351 @cindex literal examples, markup rules
7352 @cindex code line refenences, markup rules
7354 You can include literal examples that should not be subjected to
7355 markup. Such examples will be typeset in monospace, so this is well suited
7356 for source code and similar examples.
7357 @cindex #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
7361 Some example from a text file.
7365 For simplicity when using small examples, you can also start the example
7369 : Some example from a text file.
7372 @cindex formatting source code, markup rules
7373 If the example is source code from a programming language, or any other text
7374 that can be marked up by font-lock in Emacs, you can ask for the example to
7375 look like the fontified Emacs buffer@footnote{Currently this works only for
7376 the HTML back-end, and requires the @file{htmlize.el} package version 1.34 or
7377 later.}. This is done with the @samp{src} block, where you also need to
7378 specify the name of the major mode that should be used to fontify the
7383 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
7384 (defun org-xor (a b)
7390 Both in @code{example} and in @code{src} snippets, you can add a @code{-n}
7391 switch to the end of the @code{BEGIN} line, to get the lines of the example
7392 numbered. If you use a @code{+n} switch, the numbering from the previous
7393 numbered snippet will be continued in the current one. In literal examples,
7394 Org will interpret strings like @samp{((name))} as labels, and use them as
7395 targets for hyperlinks like @code{[[((name))]]}. In HTML, hoovering the
7396 mouse over such a link will remote-highlight the corresponding code line,
7397 which is kind of cool. If the example/src snippet is numbered, you can also
7398 add a @code{-r} switch. Then labels will be @i{removed} from the source code
7399 and the links will be @i{replaced}@footnote{If you want to explain the use of
7400 such labels themelves in an example, you can use the @code{-k} switch to make
7401 sure they are not touched.} with line numbers from the code listing. Here is
7405 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp -n -r
7407 (goto-char (point-min)) ((jump))
7409 In [[((jump))][line ((jump))]] we go to .....
7415 Edit the source code example at point in its native mode. This works by
7416 switching to an indirect buffer, narrowing the buffer and switching to the
7417 other mode. You need to exit by pressing @kbd{C-c '} again@footnote{Upon
7418 exit, lines starting with @samp{*} or @samp{#} will get a comma prepended, to
7419 keep them from being interpreted by Org as outline nodes or special
7420 comments. These commas will be striped for editing with @kbd{C-c '}, and
7421 also for export.}. Fixed-width
7422 regions (where each line starts with a colon followed by a space) will be
7423 edited using @code{artist-mode}@footnote{You may select a different-mode with
7424 the variable @code{org-edit-fixed-width-region-mode}.} to allow creating
7425 ASCII drawings easily. Using this command in an empty line will create a new
7429 Calling @code{org-store-link} while editing a source code example in a
7430 temporary buffer created with @kbd{C-c '} will prompt for a label, make sure
7431 that it is unique in the current buffer, and insert it as @samp{((label))} at
7432 the end of the current line. Then the label is stored as a link, for
7433 retrieval with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
7436 @node Include files, Tables exported, Literal examples, Markup rules
7437 @subheading Include files
7438 @cindex include files, markup rules
7440 During export, you can include the content of another file. For example, to
7441 include your .emacs file, you could use:
7445 #+INCLUDE: "~/.emacs" src emacs-lisp
7448 The optional second and third parameter are the markup (@samp{quote},
7449 @samp{example}, or @samp{src}), and, if the markup is @samp{src}, the
7450 language for formatting the contents. The markup is optional, if it is not
7451 given, the text will be assumed to be in Org mode format and will be
7452 processed normally. The include line will also allow additional keyword
7453 parameters @code{:prefix1} and @code{:prefix} to specify prefixes for the
7454 first line and for each following line. For example, to include a file as an
7458 #+INCLUDE: "~/snippets/xx" :prefix1 " + " :prefix " "
7464 Visit the include file at point.
7467 @node Tables exported, Inlined images, Include files, Markup rules
7469 @cindex tables, markup rules
7471 Both the native Org mode tables (@pxref{Tables}) and tables formatted with
7472 the @file{table.el} package will be exported properly. For Org mode tables,
7473 the lines before the first horizontal separator line will become table header
7474 lines. You can use the following lines somewhere before the table to asssign
7475 a caption and a label for cross references:
7478 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next table (or link)
7479 #+LABEL: tbl:basic-data
7482 @node Inlined images, Footnote markup, Tables exported, Markup rules
7483 @subheading Inlined Images
7484 @cindex inlined images, markup rules
7486 Some backends (HTML and LaTeX) allow to directly include images into the
7487 exported document. Org does this, if a link to an image files does not have
7488 a description part, for example @code{[[./img/a.jpg]]}. If you wish to
7489 define a caption for the image and maybe a label for internal cross
7490 references, you can use (before, but close to the link)
7493 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next figure link (or table)
7494 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
7497 You may also define additional attributes for the figure. As this is
7498 backend-specific, see the sections about the individual backends for more
7501 @node Footnote markup, Emphasis and monospace, Inlined images, Markup rules
7502 @subheading Footnote markup
7503 @cindex footnotes, markup rules
7504 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
7506 Footnotes defined in the way descriped in @ref{Footnotes} will be exported by
7507 all backends. Org does allow multiple references to the same note, and
7508 different backends support this to varying degree.
7510 @node Emphasis and monospace, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Footnote markup, Markup rules
7511 @subheading Emphasis and monospace
7513 @cindex underlined text, markup rules
7514 @cindex bold text, markup rules
7515 @cindex italic text, markup rules
7516 @cindex verbatim text, markup rules
7517 @cindex code text, markup rules
7518 @cindex strike-through text, markup rules
7519 You can make words @b{*bold*}, @i{/italic/}, _underlined_, @code{=code=}
7520 and @code{~verbatim~}, and, if you must, @samp{+strike-through+}. Text
7521 in the code and verbatim string is not processed for Org mode specific
7522 syntax, it is exported verbatim.
7524 @node TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Horizontal rules, Emphasis and monospace, Markup rules
7525 @subheading @TeX{} macros and La@TeX{} fragments
7526 @cindex LaTeX fragments, markup rules
7527 @cindex TeX macros, markup rules
7528 @cindex HTML entities
7529 @cindex LaTeX entities
7531 A @TeX{}-like syntax is used to specify special characters. Where possible,
7532 these will be transformed into the native format of the exporter back-end.
7533 Strings like @code{\alpha} will be exported as @code{α} in the HTML
7534 output, and as @code{$\alpha$} in the La@TeX{} output. Similarly,
7535 @code{\nbsp} will become @code{ } in HTML and @code{~} in La@TeX{}.
7536 This applies for a large number of entities, with names taken from both HTML
7537 and La@TeX{}, see the variable @code{org-html-entities} for the complete
7538 list. If you are unsure about a name, use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} for completion
7539 after having types the backslash and maybe a few characters
7540 (@pxref{Completion}).
7542 La@TeX{} fragments are converted into images for HTML export, and they are
7543 written literally into the La@TeX{} export. See also @ref{Embedded LaTeX}.
7545 Finally, @samp{\-} is treated as a shy hyphen, and @samp{--}, @samp{---}, and
7546 @samp{...} are all converted into special commands creating hyphens of
7547 different lengths or a compact set of dots.
7549 @node Horizontal rules, Comment lines, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Markup rules
7550 @subheading Horizontal rules
7551 @cindex horizontal rules, markup rules
7552 A line consisting of only dashes, and at least 5 of them, will be
7553 exported as a horizontal line (@samp{<hr/>} in HTML).
7555 @node Comment lines, , Horizontal rules, Markup rules
7556 @subheading Comment lines
7557 @cindex comment lines
7558 @cindex exporting, not
7560 Lines starting with @samp{#} in column zero are treated as comments and will
7561 never be exported. Also entire subtrees starting with the word
7562 @samp{COMMENT} will never be exported. Finally, regions surrounded by
7563 @samp{#+BEGIN_COMMENT} ... @samp{#+END_COMMENT} will not be exported.
7568 Toggle the COMMENT keyword at the beginning of an entry.
7571 @node Selective export, Export options, Markup rules, Exporting
7572 @section Selective export
7573 @cindex export, selective by tags
7575 You may use tags to select the parts of a document that should be exported,
7576 or to exclude parts from export. This behavior is governed by two variables:
7577 @code{org-export-select-tags} and @code{org-export-exclude-tags}.
7579 Org first checks if any of the @emph{select} tags is present in the buffer.
7580 If yes, all trees that do not carry one of these tags will be excluded. If a
7581 selected tree is a subtree, the heading hierarchy above it will also be
7582 selected for export, but not the text below those headings.
7585 If none of the select tags is found, the whole buffer will be selected for
7589 Finally, all subtrees that are marked by any of the @emph{exclude} tags will
7590 be removed from the export buffer.
7592 @node Export options, The export dispatcher, Selective export, Exporting
7593 @section Export options
7594 @cindex options, for export
7596 @cindex completion, of option keywords
7597 The exporter recognizes special lines in the buffer which provide
7598 additional information. These lines may be put anywhere in the file.
7599 The whole set of lines can be inserted into the buffer with @kbd{C-c
7600 C-e t}. For individual lines, a good way to make sure the keyword is
7601 correct is to type @samp{#+} and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion
7602 (@pxref{Completion}).
7607 Insert template with export options, see example below.
7618 @cindex #+LINK_HOME:
7619 @cindex #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS:
7620 @cindex #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS:
7622 #+TITLE: the title to be shown (default is the buffer name)
7623 #+AUTHOR: the author (default taken from @code{user-full-name})
7624 #+DATE: A date, fixed, of a format string for @code{format-time-string}
7625 #+EMAIL: his/her email address (default from @code{user-mail-address})
7626 #+LANGUAGE: language for HTML, e.g. @samp{en} (@code{org-export-default-language})
7627 #+TEXT: Some descriptive text to be inserted at the beginning.
7628 #+TEXT: Several lines may be given.
7629 #+OPTIONS: H:2 num:t toc:t \n:nil @@:t ::t |:t ^:t f:t TeX:t ...
7630 #+LINK_UP: the ``up'' link of an exported page
7631 #+LINK_HOME: the ``home'' link of an exported page
7632 #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS: Tags that select a tree for export
7633 #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS: Tags that exclude a tree from export
7637 The OPTIONS line is a compact@footnote{If you want to configure many options
7638 this way, you can use several OPTIONS lines.} form to specify export settings. Here
7640 @cindex headline levels
7641 @cindex section-numbers
7642 @cindex table of contents
7643 @cindex line-break preservation
7644 @cindex quoted HTML tags
7645 @cindex fixed-width sections
7647 @cindex @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts
7649 @cindex special strings
7650 @cindex emphasized text
7651 @cindex @TeX{} macros
7652 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments
7653 @cindex author info, in export
7654 @cindex time info, in export
7656 H: @r{set the number of headline levels for export}
7657 num: @r{turn on/off section-numbers}
7658 toc: @r{turn on/off table of contents, or set level limit (integer)}
7659 \n: @r{turn on/off line-break-preservation}
7660 @@: @r{turn on/off quoted HTML tags}
7661 :: @r{turn on/off fixed-width sections}
7662 |: @r{turn on/off tables}
7663 ^: @r{turn on/off @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts. If}
7664 @r{you write "^:@{@}", @code{a_@{b@}} will be interpreted, but}
7665 @r{the simple @code{a_b} will be left as it is.}
7666 -: @r{turn on/off conversion of special strings.}
7667 f: @r{turn on/off footnotes like this[1].}
7668 todo: @r{turn on/off inclusion of TODO keywords into exported text}
7669 pri: @r{turn on/off priority cookies}
7670 tags: @r{turn on/off inclusion of tags, may also be @code{not-in-toc}}
7671 <: @r{turn on/off inclusion of any time/date stamps like DEADLINES}
7672 *: @r{turn on/off emphasized text (bold, italic, underlined)}
7673 TeX: @r{turn on/off simple @TeX{} macros in plain text}
7674 LaTeX: @r{turn on/off La@TeX{} fragments}
7675 skip: @r{turn on/off skipping the text before the first heading}
7676 author: @r{turn on/off inclusion of author name/email into exported file}
7677 creator: @r{turn on/off inclusion of creator info into exported file}
7678 timestamp: @r{turn on/off inclusion creation time into exported file}
7679 d: @r{turn on/off inclusion of drawers}
7682 These options take effect in both the HTML and La@TeX{} export, except
7683 for @code{TeX} and @code{LaTeX}, which are respectively @code{t} and
7684 @code{nil} for the La@TeX{} export.
7686 When exporting only a single subtree by selecting it with @kbd{C-c @@} before
7687 calling an export command, the subtree can overrule some of the file's export
7688 settings with properties @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}, @code{EXPORT_TITLE},
7689 @code{EXPORT_TEXT}, and @code{EXPORT_OPTIONS}.
7691 @node The export dispatcher, ASCII export, Export options, Exporting
7692 @section The export dispatcher
7693 @cindex dispatcher, for export commands
7695 All export commands can be reached using the export dispatcher, which is a
7696 prefix key that prompts for an additional key specifying the command.
7697 Normally the entire file is exported, but if there is an active region that
7698 contains one outline tree, the first heading is used as document title and
7699 the subtrees are exported.
7704 Dispatcher for export and publishing commands. Displays a help-window
7705 listing the additional key(s) needed to launch an export or publishing
7706 command. The prefix arg is passed through to the exporter. A double prefix
7707 @kbd{C-u C-u} causes most commands to be executed in the background, in a
7708 separate emacs process@footnote{To make this behavior the default, customize
7709 the variable @code{org-export-run-in-background}.}.
7712 Like @kbd{C-c C-e}, but only export the text that is currently visible
7713 (i.e. not hidden by outline visibility).
7714 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-e
7715 @item C-u C-u C-c C-e
7716 Call an the exporter, but reverse the setting of
7717 @code{org-export-run-in-background}, i.e. request background processing if
7718 not set, or force processing in the current Emacs process if st.
7721 @node ASCII export, HTML export, The export dispatcher, Exporting
7722 @section ASCII export
7723 @cindex ASCII export
7725 ASCII export produces a simple and very readable version of an Org mode
7728 @cindex region, active
7729 @cindex active region
7730 @cindex transient-mark-mode
7734 Export as ASCII file. For an org file @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file
7735 will be @file{myfile.txt}. The file will be overwritten without
7736 warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this requires
7737 @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
7738 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
7739 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will
7740 become the document title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an
7741 @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME} property, that name will be used for the
7745 Export only the visible part of the document.
7748 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
7749 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
7750 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
7751 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
7752 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
7759 creates only top level headlines and does the rest as items. When
7760 headlines are converted to items, the indentation of the text following
7761 the headline is changed to fit nicely under the item. This is done with
7762 the assumption that the first body line indicates the base indentation of
7763 the body text. Any indentation larger than this is adjusted to preserve
7764 the layout relative to the first line. Should there be lines with less
7765 indentation than the first, these are left alone.
7767 @node HTML export, LaTeX and PDF export, ASCII export, Exporting
7768 @section HTML export
7771 Org mode contains an HTML (XHTML 1.0 strict) exporter with extensive
7772 HTML formatting, in ways similar to John Gruber's @emph{markdown}
7773 language, but with additional support for tables.
7776 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
7777 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
7778 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
7779 * Images in HTML export::
7780 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
7781 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
7784 @node HTML Export commands, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export, HTML export
7785 @subsection HTML export commands
7787 @cindex region, active
7788 @cindex active region
7789 @cindex transient-mark-mode
7793 Export as HTML file @file{myfile.html}. For an org file @file{myfile.org},
7794 the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.html}. The file will be overwritten
7795 without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this requires
7796 @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
7797 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
7798 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
7799 title. If the tree head entry has, or inherits, an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
7800 property, that name will be used for the export.
7803 Export as HTML file and immediately open it with a browser.
7806 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
7809 Export the active region to a temporary buffer. With a prefix argument, do
7810 not produce the file header and footer, but just the plain HTML section for
7811 the region. This is good for cut-and-paste operations.
7820 Export only the visible part of the document.
7821 @item M-x org-export-region-as-html
7822 Convert the region to HTML under the assumption that it was Org mode
7823 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
7825 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-HTML
7826 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by HTML
7830 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
7831 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become headlines,
7832 defining a general document structure. Additional levels will be exported as
7833 itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur at a different level,
7834 specify it with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
7841 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
7843 @node Quoting HTML tags, Links, HTML Export commands, HTML export
7844 @subsection Quoting HTML tags
7846 Plain @samp{<} and @samp{>} are always transformed to @samp{<} and
7847 @samp{>} in HTML export. If you want to include simple HTML tags
7848 which should be interpreted as such, mark them with @samp{@@} as in
7849 @samp{@@<b>bold text@@</b>}. Note that this really works only for
7850 simple tags. For more extensive HTML that should be copied verbatim to
7851 the exported file use either
7854 #+HTML: Literal HTML code for export
7858 @cindex #+BEGIN_HTML
7862 All lines between these markers are exported literally
7867 @node Links, Images in HTML export, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export
7870 @cindex links, in HTML export
7871 @cindex internal links, in HTML export
7872 @cindex external links, in HTML export
7873 Internal links (@pxref{Internal links}) will continue to work in HTML.
7874 Automatic links created by radio targets (@pxref{Radio targets}) will also
7875 work in the HTML file. Links to external files will still work if the HTML
7876 file is in the same directory as the Org file. Links to other @file{.org}
7877 files will be translated into HTML links under the assumption that an HTML
7878 version also exists of the linked file. For information related to linking
7879 files while publishing them to a publishing directory see @ref{Publishing
7882 If you want to specify attributes for links, you can do so using a special
7883 @code{#+ATTR_HTML} line to define attributes that wil be added to the
7884 @code{<a>} or @code{<img>} tags. Here is an example that sets @code{alt} and
7885 @code{title} attributes for an inlined image:
7888 #+ATTR_HTML: alt="This is image A" title="Image with no action"
7892 @node Images in HTML export, CSS support, Links, HTML export
7895 @cindex images, inline in HTML
7896 @cindex inlining images in HTML
7897 HTML export can inline images given as links in the Org file, and
7898 it can make an image the clickable part of a link. By
7899 default@footnote{but see the variable
7900 @code{org-export-html-inline-images}}, images are inlined if a link does
7901 not have a description. So @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg]]} will be inlined,
7902 while @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg][the image]]} will just produce a link
7903 @samp{the image} that points to the image. If the description part
7904 itself is a @code{file:} link or a @code{http:} URL pointing to an
7905 image, this image will be inlined and activated so that clicking on the
7906 image will activate the link. For example, to include a thumbnail that
7907 will link to a high resolution version of the image, you could use:
7910 [[file:highres.jpg][file:thumb.jpg]]
7914 and you could use @code{http} addresses just as well.
7916 @node CSS support, Javascript support, Images in HTML export, HTML export
7917 @subsection CSS support
7918 @cindex CSS, for HTML export
7919 @cindex HTML export, CSS
7921 You can also give style information for the exported file. The HTML exporter
7922 assigns the following special CSS classes to appropriate parts of the
7923 document - your style specifications may change these, in addition to any of
7924 the standard classes like for headlines, tables etc.
7926 .todo @r{TODO keywords}
7927 .done @r{the DONE keyword}
7928 .timestamp @r{time stamp}
7929 .timestamp-kwd @r{keyword associated with a time stamp, like SCHEDULED}
7930 .tag @r{tag in a headline}
7931 .target @r{target for links}
7932 div.figure @r{how to format an inlined image}
7933 .linenr @r{the line number in a code example}
7934 .code-highlighted @r{for highlighting referenced code lines}
7937 Each exported files contains a compact default style that defines these
7938 classes in a basic way@footnote{This style is defined in the constant
7939 @code{org-export-html-style-default}, which you should not modify. To turn
7940 inclusion of these defaults off, customize
7941 @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}}. You may overwrite these
7942 settings, or add to them by using the variables @code{org-export-html-style}
7943 (for Org-wide settings) and @code{org-export-html-style-extra} (for more
7944 granular settings, like file-local settings). To set the latter variable
7945 individually for each file, you can use
7948 #+STYLE: <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet.css" />
7952 For longer style definitions, you can use several such lines. You could also
7953 directly write a @code{<style>} @code{</style>} section in this way, without
7954 referring to an external file.
7956 @c FIXME: More about header and footer styles
7957 @c FIXME: Talk about links and targets.
7959 @node Javascript support, , CSS support, HTML export
7960 @subsection Javascript supported display of web pages
7962 @emph{Sebastian Rose} has written a JavaScript program especially designed to
7963 enhance the web viewing experience of HTML files created with Org. This
7964 program allows you to view large files in two different ways. The first one is
7965 an @emph{Info}-like mode where each section is displayed separately and
7966 navigation can be done with the @kbd{n} and @kbd{p} keys (and some other keys
7967 as well, press @kbd{?} for an overview of the available keys). The second
7968 view type is a @emph{folding} view much like Org provides inside Emacs.
7969 The script is available at @url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js} and you can
7970 find the documentation for it at
7971 @url{http://orgmode.org/worg/code/org-info-js/org-info.js.html}. We are
7972 serving the script from our site, but if you use it a lot, you might not want
7973 to be dependent on @url{orgmode.org} and prefer to install a local copy on
7974 your own web server.
7976 To use the script, you need to make sure that the @file{org-jsinfo.el} module
7977 gets loaded. It should be loaded by default, but you can try @kbd{M-x
7978 customize-variable @key{RET} org-modules @key{RET}} to convince yourself that
7979 this is indeed the case. All it then takes to make use of the program is
7980 adding a single line to the Org file:
7983 #+INFOJS_OPT: view:info toc:nil
7987 If this line is found, the HTML header will automatically contain the code
7988 needed to invoke the script. Using the line above, you can set the following
7992 path: @r{The path to the script. The default is to grab the script from}
7993 @r{@url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js}, but you might want to have}
7994 @r{a local copy and use a path like @samp{../scripts/org-info.js}.}
7995 view: @r{Initial view when website is first shown. Possible values are:}
7996 info @r{Info-like interface with one section per page.}
7997 overview @r{Folding interface, initially showing only top-level.}
7998 content @r{Folding interface, starting with all headlines visible.}
7999 showall @r{Folding interface, all headlines and text visible.}
8000 sdepth: @r{Maximum headline level that will still become an independent}
8001 @r{section for info and folding modes. The default is taken from}
8002 @r{@code{org-headline-levels} (= the @code{H} switch in @code{#+OPTIONS}).}
8003 @r{If this is smaller than in @code{org-headline-levels}, each}
8004 @r{info/folding section can still contain children headlines.}
8005 toc: @r{Should the table of content @emph{initially} be visible?}
8006 @r{Even when @code{nil}, you can always get to the toc with @kbd{i}.}
8007 tdepth: @r{The depth of the table of contents. The defaults are taken from}
8008 @r{the variables @code{org-headline-levels} and @code{org-export-with-toc}.}
8009 ftoc: @r{Does the css of the page specify a fixed position for the toc?}
8010 @r{If yes, the toc will never be displayed as a section.}
8011 ltoc: @r{Should there be short contents (children) in each section?}
8012 mouse: @r{Headings are highlighted when the mouse is over them. Should be}
8013 @r{@samp{underline} (default) or a background color like @samp{#cccccc}.}
8014 buttons: @r{Should view-toggle buttons be everywhere? When @code{nil} (the}
8015 @r{default), only one such button will be present.}
8018 You can choose default values for these options by customizing the variable
8019 @code{org-infojs-options}. If you always want to apply the script to your
8020 pages, configure the variable @code{org-export-html-use-infojs}.
8022 @node LaTeX and PDF export, XOXO export, HTML export, Exporting
8023 @section LaTeX and PDF export
8024 @cindex LaTeX export
8027 Org mode contains a La@TeX{} exporter written by Bastien Guerry. With
8028 further processing, this backend is also used to produce PDF output. Since
8029 the LaTeX output uses @file{hyperref} to implement links and cross
8030 references, the PDF output file will be fully linked.
8033 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invode which commands
8034 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
8035 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
8036 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to LaTeX
8037 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into LaTeX output
8040 @node LaTeX/PDF export commands, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX and PDF export, LaTeX and PDF export
8041 @subsection LaTeX export commands
8043 @cindex region, active
8044 @cindex active region
8045 @cindex transient-mark-mode
8049 Export as La@TeX{} file @file{myfile.tex}. For an org file
8050 @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.tex}. The file will
8051 be overwritten without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this
8052 requires @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
8053 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
8054 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
8055 title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
8056 property, that name will be used for the export.
8059 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
8064 Export only the visible part of the document.
8065 @item M-x org-export-region-as-latex
8066 Convert the region to La@TeX{} under the assumption that it was Org mode
8067 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
8069 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-latex
8070 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by La@TeX{}
8074 Export as LaTeX and then process to PDF.
8077 Export as LaTeX and then process to PDF, then open the resulting PDF file.
8080 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
8081 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
8082 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
8083 will be exported as description lists. The exporter can ignore them or
8084 convert them to a custom string depending on
8085 @code{org-latex-low-levels}.
8087 If you want that transition to occur at a different level, specify it
8088 with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
8095 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
8097 @node Quoting LaTeX code, Sectioning structure, LaTeX/PDF export commands, LaTeX and PDF export
8098 @subsection Quoting LaTeX code
8100 Embedded La@TeX{} as described in @ref{Embedded LaTeX} will be correctly
8101 inserted into the La@TeX{} file. Furthermore, you can add special code
8102 that should only be present in La@TeX{} export with the following
8106 #+LaTeX: Literal LaTeX code for export
8110 @cindex #+BEGIN_LaTeX
8114 All lines between these markers are exported literally
8118 @node Sectioning structure, Tables in LaTeX export, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX and PDF export
8119 @subsection Sectioning structure
8121 @cindex LaTeX sectioning structure
8123 By default, the La@TeX{} output uses the class @code{article}.
8125 You can change this globally by setting a different value for
8126 @code{org-export-latex-default-class} or locally by adding an option like
8127 @code{#+LaTeX_CLASS: myclass} in your file. The class should be listed in
8128 @code{org-export-latex-classes}, where you can also define the sectioning
8129 structure for each class, as well as defining additonal classes.
8132 @node Tables in LaTeX export, Images in LaTeX export, Sectioning structure, LaTeX and PDF export
8133 @subsection Tables in LaTeX export
8134 @cindex tables, in LaTeX export
8136 For LaTeX export of a table, you can specify a label and a caption
8137 (@pxref{Tables exported}). You can also use the @code{ATTR_LaTeX} line to
8138 request a longtable environment for the table, so that it may span several
8142 #+CAPTION: A long table
8144 #+ATTR_LaTeX: longtable
8150 @node Images in LaTeX export, , Tables in LaTeX export, LaTeX and PDF export
8151 @subsection Images in LaTeX export
8152 @cindex images, inline in LaTeX
8153 @cindex inlining images in LaTeX
8155 Images that are linked to without a description part in the link, like
8156 @samp{[[file:img.jpg]]} or @samp{[[./img.jpg]]} will be inserted into the PDF
8157 output files resulting from LaTeX output. Org will use an
8158 @code{\includegraphics} macro to insert the image. If you have specified a
8159 caption and/or a label as described in @ref{Markup rules}, the figure will
8160 be wrappend into a @code{figure} environment and thus become a floating
8161 element. Finally, you can use an @code{#+ATTR_LaTeX:} line to specify the
8162 options that can be used in the optional argument of the
8163 @code{\includegraphics} macro.
8166 #+CAPTION: The black-body emission of the disk around HR 4049
8167 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
8168 #+ATTR_LaTeX: width=5cm,angle=90
8169 [[./img/sed-hr4049.pdf]]
8173 @node XOXO export, iCalendar export, LaTeX and PDF export, Exporting
8174 @section XOXO export
8177 Org mode contains an exporter that produces XOXO-style output.
8178 Currently, this exporter only handles the general outline structure and
8179 does not interpret any additional Org mode features.
8184 Export as XOXO file @file{myfile.html}.
8187 Export only the visible part of the document.
8190 @node iCalendar export, , XOXO export, Exporting
8191 @section iCalendar export
8192 @cindex iCalendar export
8194 Some people like to use Org mode for keeping track of projects, but still
8195 prefer a standard calendar application for anniversaries and appointments.
8196 In this case it can be useful to have deadlines and other time-stamped items
8197 in Org files show up in the calendar application. Org mode can export
8198 calendar information in the standard iCalendar format. If you also want to
8199 have TODO entries included in the export, configure the variable
8200 @code{org-icalendar-include-todo}. iCalendar export will export plain time
8201 stamps as VEVENT, and TODO items as VTODO. It will also create events from
8202 deadlines that are in non-TODO items. Deadlines and scheduling dates in TODO
8203 items will be used to set the start and due dates for the todo
8204 entry@footnote{See the variables @code{org-icalendar-use-deadline} and
8205 @code{org-icalendar-use-scheduled}.}. As categories, it will use the tags
8206 locally defined in the heading, and the file/tree category@footnote{To add
8207 inherited tags or the TODO state, configure the variable
8208 @code{org-icalendar-categories}.}.
8210 The iCalendar standard requires each entry to have a globally unique
8211 identifier (UID). Org creates these identifiers during export. If you set
8212 the variable @code{org-icalendar-store-UID}, the UID will be stored in the
8213 @code{:ID:} property of the entry and re-used next time you report this
8214 entry. Since a single entry can give rise to multiple iCalendar entries (as
8215 a timestamp, a deadline, a scheduled item, and as a TODO item), Org adds
8216 prefixes to the UID, depending on what triggered the inclusion of the entry.
8217 In this way the UID remains unique, but a synchronization program can still
8218 figure out from which entry all the different instances originate.
8223 Create iCalendar entries for the current file and store them in the same
8224 directory, using a file extension @file{.ics}.
8227 Like @kbd{C-c C-e i}, but do this for all files in
8228 @code{org-agenda-files}. For each of these files, a separate iCalendar
8229 file will be written.
8232 Create a single large iCalendar file from all files in
8233 @code{org-agenda-files} and write it to the file given by
8234 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}.
8237 The export will honor SUMMARY, DESCRIPTION and LOCATION@footnote{The LOCATION
8238 property can be inherited from higher in the hierarchy if you configure
8239 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} accordingly.} properties if the selected
8240 entries have them. If not, the summary will be derived from the headline,
8241 and the description from the body (limited to
8242 @code{org-icalendar-include-body} characters).
8244 How this calendar is best read and updated, that depends on the application
8245 you are using. The FAQ covers this issue.
8247 @node Publishing, Miscellaneous, Exporting, Top
8251 Org includes@footnote{@file{org-publish.el} is not distributed with
8252 Emacs 21, if you are still using Emacs 21, you need you need to download
8253 this file separately.} a publishing management system that allows you to
8254 configure automatic HTML conversion of @emph{projects} composed of
8255 interlinked org files. This system is called @emph{org-publish}. You can
8256 also configure org-publish to automatically upload your exported HTML
8257 pages and related attachments, such as images and source code files, to
8258 a web server. Org-publish turns Org into a web-site authoring tool.
8260 You can also use Org-publish to convert files into La@TeX{}, or even
8261 combine HTML and La@TeX{} conversion so that files are available in both
8262 formats on the server@footnote{Since La@TeX{} files on a server are not
8263 that helpful, you surely want to perform further conversion on them --
8264 e.g. convert them to @code{PDF} format.}.
8266 Org-publish has been contributed to Org by David O'Toole.
8269 * Configuration:: Defining projects
8270 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
8271 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
8274 @node Configuration, Sample configuration, Publishing, Publishing
8275 @section Configuration
8277 Publishing needs significant configuration to specify files, destination
8278 and many other properties of a project.
8281 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
8282 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
8283 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
8284 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
8285 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
8286 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
8287 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
8290 @node Project alist, Sources and destinations, Configuration, Configuration
8291 @subsection The variable @code{org-publish-project-alist}
8292 @cindex org-publish-project-alist
8293 @cindex projects, for publishing
8295 Org-publish is configured almost entirely through setting the value of
8296 one variable, called @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
8297 Each element of the list configures one project, and may be in one of
8298 the two following forms:
8301 ("project-name" :property value :property value ...)
8305 ("project-name" :components ("project-name" "project-name" ...))
8309 In both cases, projects are configured by specifying property values.
8310 A project defines the set of files that will be published, as well as
8311 the publishing configuration to use when publishing those files. When
8312 a project takes the second form listed above, the individual members
8313 of the ``components'' property are taken to be components of the
8314 project, which group together files requiring different publishing
8315 options. When you publish such a ``meta-project'' all the components
8316 will also publish. The @code{:components} are published in the sequence
8319 @node Sources and destinations, Selecting files, Project alist, Configuration
8320 @subsection Sources and destinations for files
8321 @cindex directories, for publishing
8323 Most properties are optional, but some should always be set. In
8324 particular, org-publish needs to know where to look for source files,
8325 and where to put published files.
8327 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
8328 @item @code{:base-directory}
8329 @tab Directory containing publishing source files
8330 @item @code{:publishing-directory}
8331 @tab Directory (possibly remote) where output files will be published.
8332 @item @code{:preparation-function}
8333 @tab Function called before starting the publishing process, for example to
8334 run @code{make} for updating files to be published.
8335 @item @code{:completion-function}
8336 @tab Function called after finishing the publishing process, for example to
8337 change permissions of the resulting files.
8341 @node Selecting files, Publishing action, Sources and destinations, Configuration
8342 @subsection Selecting files
8343 @cindex files, selecting for publishing
8345 By default, all files with extension @file{.org} in the base directory
8346 are considered part of the project. This can be modified by setting the
8348 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
8349 @item @code{:base-extension}
8350 @tab Extension (without the dot!) of source files. This actually is a
8353 @item @code{:exclude}
8354 @tab Regular expression to match file names that should not be
8355 published, even though they have been selected on the basis of their
8358 @item @code{:include}
8359 @tab List of files to be included regardless of @code{:base-extension}
8360 and @code{:exclude}.
8363 @node Publishing action, Publishing options, Selecting files, Configuration
8364 @subsection Publishing action
8365 @cindex action, for publishing
8367 Publishing means that a file is copied to the destination directory and
8368 possibly transformed in the process. The default transformation is to export
8369 Org files as HTML files, and this is done by the function
8370 @code{org-publish-org-to-html} which calls the HTML exporter (@pxref{HTML
8371 export}). But you also can publish your files in La@TeX{} by using the
8372 function @code{org-publish-org-to-latex} instead, or as PDF files using
8373 @code{org-publish-org-to-pdf}. Other files like images only need to be
8374 copied to the publishing destination. For non-Org files, you need to provide
8375 your own publishing function:
8377 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
8378 @item @code{:publishing-function}
8379 @tab Function executing the publication of a file. This may also be a
8380 list of functions, which will all be called in turn.
8383 The function must accept two arguments: a property list containing at
8384 least a @code{:publishing-directory} property, and the name of the file
8385 to be published. It should take the specified file, make the necessary
8386 transformation (if any) and place the result into the destination folder.
8387 You can write your own publishing function, but @code{org-publish}
8388 provides one for attachments (files that only need to be copied):
8389 @code{org-publish-attachment}.
8391 @node Publishing options, Publishing links, Publishing action, Configuration
8392 @subsection Options for the HTML/LaTeX exporters
8393 @cindex options, for publishing
8395 The property list can be used to set many export options for the HTML
8396 and La@TeX{} exporters. In most cases, these properties correspond to user
8397 variables in Org. The table below lists these properties along
8398 with the variable they belong to. See the documentation string for the
8399 respective variable for details.
8401 @multitable @columnfractions 0.32 0.68
8402 @item @code{:link-up} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-up}
8403 @item @code{:link-home} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-home}
8404 @item @code{:language} @tab @code{org-export-default-language}
8405 @item @code{:customtime} @tab @code{org-display-custom-times}
8406 @item @code{:headline-levels} @tab @code{org-export-headline-levels}
8407 @item @code{:section-numbers} @tab @code{org-export-with-section-numbers}
8408 @item @code{:section-number-format} @tab @code{org-export-section-number-format}
8409 @item @code{:table-of-contents} @tab @code{org-export-with-toc}
8410 @item @code{:preserve-breaks} @tab @code{org-export-preserve-breaks}
8411 @item @code{:archived-trees} @tab @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}
8412 @item @code{:emphasize} @tab @code{org-export-with-emphasize}
8413 @item @code{:sub-superscript} @tab @code{org-export-with-sub-superscripts}
8414 @item @code{:special-strings} @tab @code{org-export-with-special-strings}
8415 @item @code{:footnotes} @tab @code{org-export-with-footnotes}
8416 @item @code{:drawers} @tab @code{org-export-with-drawers}
8417 @item @code{:tags} @tab @code{org-export-with-tags}
8418 @item @code{:todo-keywords} @tab @code{org-export-with-todo-keywords}
8419 @item @code{:priority} @tab @code{org-export-with-priority}
8420 @item @code{:TeX-macros} @tab @code{org-export-with-TeX-macros}
8421 @item @code{:LaTeX-fragments} @tab @code{org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments}
8422 @item @code{:skip-before-1st-heading} @tab @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading}
8423 @item @code{:fixed-width} @tab @code{org-export-with-fixed-width}
8424 @item @code{:timestamps} @tab @code{org-export-with-timestamps}
8425 @item @code{:author-info} @tab @code{org-export-author-info}
8426 @item @code{:creator-info} @tab @code{org-export-creator-info}
8427 @item @code{:tables} @tab @code{org-export-with-tables}
8428 @item @code{:table-auto-headline} @tab @code{org-export-highlight-first-table-line}
8429 @item @code{:style-include-default} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}
8430 @item @code{:style} @tab @code{org-export-html-style}
8431 @item @code{:style-extra} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-extra}
8432 @item @code{:convert-org-links} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html}
8433 @item @code{:inline-images} @tab @code{org-export-html-inline-images}
8434 @item @code{:html-extension} @tab @code{org-export-html-extension}
8435 @item @code{:html-table-tag} @tab @code{org-export-html-table-tag}
8436 @item @code{:expand-quoted-html} @tab @code{org-export-html-expand}
8437 @item @code{:timestamp} @tab @code{org-export-html-with-timestamp}
8438 @item @code{:publishing-directory} @tab @code{org-export-publishing-directory}
8439 @item @code{:preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-preamble}
8440 @item @code{:postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-postamble}
8441 @item @code{:auto-preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-preamble}
8442 @item @code{:auto-postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-postamble}
8443 @item @code{:author} @tab @code{user-full-name}
8444 @item @code{:email} @tab @code{user-mail-address}
8445 @item @code{:select-tags} @tab @code{org-export-select-tags}
8446 @item @code{:exclude-tags} @tab @code{org-export-exclude-tags}
8449 If you use several email addresses, separate them by a semi-column.
8451 Most of the @code{org-export-with-*} variables have the same effect in
8452 both HTML and La@TeX{} exporters, except for @code{:TeX-macros} and
8453 @code{:LaTeX-fragments}, respectively @code{nil} and @code{t} in the
8456 When a property is given a value in @code{org-publish-project-alist},
8457 its setting overrides the value of the corresponding user variable (if
8458 any) during publishing. Options set within a file (@pxref{Export
8459 options}), however, override everything.
8461 @node Publishing links, Project page index, Publishing options, Configuration
8462 @subsection Links between published files
8463 @cindex links, publishing
8465 To create a link from one Org file to another, you would use
8466 something like @samp{[[file:foo.org][The foo]]} or simply
8467 @samp{file:foo.org.} (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). Upon publishing this link
8468 becomes a link to @file{foo.html}. In this way, you can interlink the
8469 pages of your "org web" project and the links will work as expected when
8470 you publish them to HTML.
8472 You may also link to related files, such as images. Provided you are
8473 careful with relative pathnames, and provided you have also configured
8474 @code{org-publish} to upload the related files, these links will work
8475 too. See @ref{Complex example} for an example of this usage.
8477 Sometime an Org file to be published may contain links that are
8478 only valid in your production environment, but not in the publishing
8479 location. In this case, use the property
8481 @multitable @columnfractions 0.4 0.6
8482 @item @code{:link-validation-function}
8483 @tab Function to validate links
8487 to define a function for checking link validity. This function must
8488 accept two arguments, the file name and a directory relative to which
8489 the file name is interpreted in the production environment. If this
8490 function returns @code{nil}, then the HTML generator will only insert a
8491 description into the HTML file, but no link. One option for this
8492 function is @code{org-publish-validate-link} which checks if the given
8493 file is part of any project in @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
8495 @node Project page index, , Publishing links, Configuration
8496 @subsection Project page index
8497 @cindex index, of published pages
8499 The following properties may be used to control publishing of an
8500 index of files or summary page for a given project.
8502 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
8503 @item @code{:auto-index}
8504 @tab When non-nil, publish an index during org-publish-current-project or
8507 @item @code{:index-filename}
8508 @tab Filename for output of index. Defaults to @file{index.org} (which
8509 becomes @file{index.html}).
8511 @item @code{:index-title}
8512 @tab Title of index page. Defaults to name of file.
8514 @item @code{:index-function}
8515 @tab Plug-in function to use for generation of index.
8516 Defaults to @code{org-publish-org-index}, which generates a plain list
8517 of links to all files in the project.
8520 @node Sample configuration, Triggering publication, Configuration, Publishing
8521 @section Sample configuration
8523 Below we provide two example configurations. The first one is a simple
8524 project publishing only a set of Org files. The second example is
8525 more complex, with a multi-component project.
8528 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
8529 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
8532 @node Simple example, Complex example, Sample configuration, Sample configuration
8533 @subsection Example: simple publishing configuration
8535 This example publishes a set of Org files to the @file{public_html}
8536 directory on the local machine.
8539 (setq org-publish-project-alist
8541 :base-directory "~/org/"
8542 :publishing-directory "~/public_html"
8543 :section-numbers nil
8544 :table-of-contents nil
8545 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
8546 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\"
8547 type=\"text/css\">")))
8550 @node Complex example, , Simple example, Sample configuration
8551 @subsection Example: complex publishing configuration
8553 This more complicated example publishes an entire website, including
8554 org files converted to HTML, image files, emacs lisp source code, and
8555 style sheets. The publishing-directory is remote and private files are
8558 To ensure that links are preserved, care should be taken to replicate
8559 your directory structure on the web server, and to use relative file
8560 paths. For example, if your org files are kept in @file{~/org} and your
8561 publishable images in @file{~/images}, you'd link to an image with
8564 file:../images/myimage.png
8567 On the web server, the relative path to the image should be the
8568 same. You can accomplish this by setting up an "images" folder in the
8569 right place on the web server, and publishing images to it.
8572 (setq org-publish-project-alist
8574 :base-directory "~/org/"
8575 :base-extension "org"
8576 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/notebook/"
8577 :publishing-function org-publish-org-to-html
8578 :exclude "PrivatePage.org" ;; regexp
8580 :section-numbers nil
8581 :table-of-contents nil
8582 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
8583 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\" type=\"text/css\">"
8585 :auto-postamble nil)
8588 :base-directory "~/images/"
8589 :base-extension "jpg\\|gif\\|png"
8590 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/images/"
8591 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
8594 :base-directory "~/other/"
8595 :base-extension "css\\|el"
8596 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/other/"
8597 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
8598 ("website" :components ("orgfiles" "images" "other"))))
8601 @node Triggering publication, , Sample configuration, Publishing
8602 @section Triggering publication
8604 Once org-publish is properly configured, you can publish with the
8605 following functions:
8609 Prompt for a specific project and publish all files that belong to it.
8611 Publish the project containing the current file.
8613 Publish only the current file.
8615 Publish all projects.
8618 Org uses timestamps to track when a file has changed. The above
8619 functions normally only publish changed files. You can override this and
8620 force publishing of all files by giving a prefix argument.
8622 @node Miscellaneous, Extensions, Publishing, Top
8623 @chapter Miscellaneous
8626 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
8627 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
8628 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
8629 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
8630 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
8631 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
8632 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
8633 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
8636 @node Completion, Customization, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous
8638 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
8639 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
8640 @cindex completion, of dictionary words
8641 @cindex completion, of option keywords
8642 @cindex completion, of tags
8643 @cindex completion, of property keys
8644 @cindex completion, of link abbreviations
8645 @cindex @TeX{} symbol completion
8646 @cindex TODO keywords completion
8647 @cindex dictionary word completion
8648 @cindex option keyword completion
8649 @cindex tag completion
8650 @cindex link abbreviations, completion of
8652 Org supports in-buffer completion. This type of completion does
8653 not make use of the minibuffer. You simply type a few letters into
8654 the buffer and use the key to complete text right there.
8659 Complete word at point
8662 At the beginning of a headline, complete TODO keywords.
8664 After @samp{\}, complete @TeX{} symbols supported by the exporter.
8666 After @samp{*}, complete headlines in the current buffer so that they
8667 can be used in search links like @samp{[[*find this headline]]}.
8669 After @samp{:} in a headline, complete tags. The list of tags is taken
8670 from the variable @code{org-tag-alist} (possibly set through the
8671 @samp{#+TAGS} in-buffer option, @pxref{Setting tags}), or it is created
8672 dynamically from all tags used in the current buffer.
8674 After @samp{:} and not in a headline, complete property keys. The list
8675 of keys is constructed dynamically from all keys used in the current
8678 After @samp{[}, complete link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}).
8680 After @samp{#+}, complete the special keywords like @samp{TYP_TODO} or
8681 @samp{OPTIONS} which set file-specific options for Org mode. When the
8682 option keyword is already complete, pressing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} again
8683 will insert example settings for this keyword.
8685 In the line after @samp{#+STARTUP: }, complete startup keywords,
8686 i.e. valid keys for this line.
8688 Elsewhere, complete dictionary words using Ispell.
8692 @node Customization, In-buffer settings, Completion, Miscellaneous
8693 @section Customization
8694 @cindex customization
8695 @cindex options, for customization
8696 @cindex variables, for customization
8698 There are more than 180 variables that can be used to customize
8699 Org. For the sake of compactness of the manual, I am not
8700 describing the variables here. A structured overview of customization
8701 variables is available with @kbd{M-x org-customize}. Or select
8702 @code{Browse Org Group} from the @code{Org->Customization} menu. Many
8703 settings can also be activated on a per-file basis, by putting special
8704 lines into the buffer (@pxref{In-buffer settings}).
8706 @node In-buffer settings, The very busy C-c C-c key, Customization, Miscellaneous
8707 @section Summary of in-buffer settings
8708 @cindex in-buffer settings
8709 @cindex special keywords
8711 Org mode uses special lines in the buffer to define settings on a
8712 per-file basis. These lines start with a @samp{#+} followed by a
8713 keyword, a colon, and then individual words defining a setting. Several
8714 setting words can be in the same line, but you can also have multiple
8715 lines for the keyword. While these settings are described throughout
8716 the manual, here is a summary. After changing any of those lines in the
8717 buffer, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to
8718 activate the changes immediately. Otherwise they become effective only
8719 when the file is visited again in a new Emacs session.
8722 @item #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
8723 This line sets the archive location for the agenda file. It applies for
8724 all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+ARCHIVE} line, or the end
8725 of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
8726 The corresponding variable is @code{org-archive-location}.
8728 This line sets the category for the agenda file. The category applies
8729 for all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+CATEGORY} line, or the
8730 end of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
8731 @item #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM .....
8732 Set the default format for columns view. This format applies when
8733 columns view is invoked in location where no @code{COLUMNS} property
8735 @item #+CONSTANTS: name1=value1 ...
8736 Set file-local values for constants to be used in table formulas. This
8737 line set the local variable @code{org-table-formula-constants-local}.
8738 The global version of this variable is
8739 @code{org-table-formula-constants}.
8740 @item #+FILETAGS: :tag1:tag2:tag3:
8741 Set tags that can be inherited by any entry in the file, including the
8743 @item #+DRAWERS: NAME1 .....
8744 Set the file-local set of drawers. The corresponding global variable is
8746 @item #+LINK: linkword replace
8747 These lines (several are allowed) specify link abbreviations.
8748 @xref{Link abbreviations}. The corresponding variable is
8749 @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}.
8750 @item #+PRIORITIES: highest lowest default
8751 This line sets the limits and the default for the priorities. All three
8752 must be either letters A-Z or numbers 0-9. The highest priority must
8753 have a lower ASCII number that the lowest priority.
8754 @item #+PROPERTY: Property_Name Value
8755 This line sets a default inheritance value for entries in the current
8756 buffer, most useful for specifying the allowed values of a property.
8757 @item #+SETUPFILE: file
8758 This line defines a file that holds more in-buffer setup. Normally this is
8759 entirely ignored. Only when the buffer is parsed for option-setting lines
8760 (i.e. when starting Org mode for a file, when pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} in a
8761 settings line, or when exporting), then the contents of this file are parsed
8762 as if they had been included in the buffer. In particlar, the file can be
8763 any other Org mode file with internal setup. You can visit the file the
8764 cursor is in the line with @kbd{C-c '}.
8766 This line sets options to be used at startup of Org mode, when an
8767 Org file is being visited. The first set of options deals with the
8768 initial visibility of the outline tree. The corresponding variable for
8769 global default settings is @code{org-startup-folded}, with a default
8770 value @code{t}, which means @code{overview}.
8771 @cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
8772 @cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
8773 @cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
8775 overview @r{top-level headlines only}
8776 content @r{all headlines}
8777 showall @r{no folding at all, show everything}
8779 Then there are options for aligning tables upon visiting a file. This
8780 is useful in files containing narrowed table columns. The corresponding
8781 variable is @code{org-startup-align-all-tables}, with a default value
8783 @cindex @code{align}, STARTUP keyword
8784 @cindex @code{noalign}, STARTUP keyword
8786 align @r{align all tables}
8787 noalign @r{don't align tables on startup}
8789 Logging closing and reinstating TODO items, and clock intervals
8790 (variables @code{org-log-done}, @code{org-log-note-clock-out}, and
8791 @code{org-log-repeat}) can be configured using these options.
8792 @cindex @code{logdone}, STARTUP keyword
8793 @cindex @code{lognotedone}, STARTUP keyword
8794 @cindex @code{nologdone}, STARTUP keyword
8795 @cindex @code{lognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
8796 @cindex @code{nolognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
8797 @cindex @code{logrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8798 @cindex @code{lognoterepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8799 @cindex @code{nologrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8801 logdone @r{record a timestamp when an item is marked DONE}
8802 lognotedone @r{record timestamp and a note when DONE}
8803 nologdone @r{don't record when items are marked DONE}
8804 logrepeat @r{record a time when reinstating a repeating item}
8805 lognoterepeat @r{record a note when reinstating a repeating item}
8806 nologrepeat @r{do not record when reinstating repeating item}
8807 lognoteclock-out @r{record a note when clocking out}
8808 nolognoteclock-out @r{don't record a note when clocking out}
8810 Here are the options for hiding leading stars in outline headings, and for
8811 indenting outlines. The corresponding variables are
8812 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} and @code{org-odd-levels-only}, both with a
8813 default setting @code{nil} (meaning @code{showstars} and @code{oddeven}).
8814 @cindex @code{hidestars}, STARTUP keyword
8815 @cindex @code{showstars}, STARTUP keyword
8816 @cindex @code{odd}, STARTUP keyword
8817 @cindex @code{even}, STARTUP keyword
8819 hidestars @r{make all but one of the stars starting a headline invisible.}
8820 showstars @r{show all stars starting a headline}
8821 indent @r{virtual indentation according to outline level}
8822 noindent @r{no virtual indentation according to outline level}
8823 odd @r{allow only odd outline levels (1,3,...)}
8824 oddeven @r{allow all outline levels}
8826 To turn on custom format overlays over time stamps (variables
8827 @code{org-put-time-stamp-overlays} and
8828 @code{org-time-stamp-overlay-formats}), use
8829 @cindex @code{customtime}, STARTUP keyword
8831 customtime @r{overlay custom time format}
8833 The following options influence the table spreadsheet (variable
8834 @code{constants-unit-system}).
8835 @cindex @code{constcgs}, STARTUP keyword
8836 @cindex @code{constSI}, STARTUP keyword
8838 constcgs @r{@file{constants.el} should use the c-g-s unit system}
8839 constSI @r{@file{constants.el} should use the SI unit system}
8841 To influence footnote settings, use the following keywords. The
8842 corresponding variables are @code{org-footnote-define-inline} and
8843 @code{org-footnote-auto-label}.
8844 @cindex @code{fninline}, STARTUP keyword
8845 @cindex @code{fnnoinline}, STARTUP keyword
8846 @cindex @code{fnprompt}, STARTUP keyword
8847 @cindex @code{fnauto}, STARTUP keyword
8848 @cindex @code{fnconfirm}, STARTUP keyword
8849 @cindex @code{fnplain}, STARTUP keyword
8851 fninline @r{define footnotes inline}
8852 fnnoinline @r{define footnotes in separate section}
8853 fnprompt @r{prompt for footnote labels}
8854 fnauto @r{create [fn:1]-like labels automatically (default)}
8855 fnconfirm @r{offer automatic label for editing or confirmation}
8856 fnplain @r{create [1]-like labels automatically}
8858 @item #+TAGS: TAG1(c1) TAG2(c2)
8859 These lines (several such lines are allowed) specify the valid tags in
8860 this file, and (potentially) the corresponding @emph{fast tag selection}
8861 keys. The corresponding variable is @code{org-tag-alist}.
8863 This line contains the formulas for the table directly above the line.
8864 @item #+TITLE:, #+AUTHOR:, #+EMAIL:, #+LANGUAGE:, #+TEXT:, #+OPTIONS, #+DATE:
8865 These lines provide settings for exporting files. For more details see
8866 @ref{Export options}.
8867 @item #+SEQ_TODO: #+TYP_TODO:
8868 These lines set the TODO keywords and their interpretation in the
8869 current file. The corresponding variables are @code{org-todo-keywords}
8870 and @code{org-todo-interpretation}.
8873 @node The very busy C-c C-c key, Clean view, In-buffer settings, Miscellaneous
8874 @section The very busy C-c C-c key
8876 @cindex C-c C-c, overview
8878 The key @kbd{C-c C-c} has many purposes in Org, which are all
8879 mentioned scattered throughout this manual. One specific function of
8880 this key is to add @emph{tags} to a headline (@pxref{Tags}). In many
8881 other circumstances it means something like @emph{Hey Org, look
8882 here and update according to what you see here}. Here is a summary of
8883 what this means in different contexts.
8887 If there are highlights in the buffer from the creation of a sparse
8888 tree, or from clock display, remove these highlights.
8890 If the cursor is in one of the special @code{#+KEYWORD} lines, this
8891 triggers scanning the buffer for these lines and updating the
8894 If the cursor is inside a table, realign the table. This command
8895 works even if the automatic table editor has been turned off.
8897 If the cursor is on a @code{#+TBLFM} line, re-apply the formulas to
8900 If the cursor is inside a table created by the @file{table.el} package,
8901 activate that table.
8903 If the current buffer is a remember buffer, close the note and file it.
8904 With a prefix argument, file it, without further interaction, to the
8907 If the cursor is on a @code{<<<target>>>}, update radio targets and
8908 corresponding links in this buffer.
8910 If the cursor is in a property line or at the start or end of a property
8911 drawer, offer property commands.
8913 If the cursor is at a footnote reference, go to the corresponding
8914 definition, and vice versa.
8916 If the cursor is in a plain list item with a checkbox, toggle the status
8919 If the cursor is on a numbered item in a plain list, renumber the
8922 If the cursor is on the @code{#+BEGIN} line of a dynamical block, the
8926 @node Clean view, TTY keys, The very busy C-c C-c key, Miscellaneous
8927 @section A cleaner outline view
8928 @cindex hiding leading stars
8929 @cindex dynamic indentation
8930 @cindex odd-levels-only outlines
8931 @cindex clean outline view
8933 Some people find it noisy and distracting that the Org headlines are starting
8934 with a potentially large number of stars, and that text below the headlines
8935 is not indented. This is not really a problem when you are writing a book
8936 where the outline headings are really section headlines. However, in a more
8937 list-oriented outline, it is clear that an indented structure is a lot
8938 cleaner, as can be seen by comparing the two columns in the following
8943 * Top level headline | * Top level headline
8944 ** Second level | * Second level
8945 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
8946 some text | some text
8947 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
8948 more text | more text
8949 * Another top level headline | * Another top level headline
8954 It is non-trivial to make such a look work in Emacs, but Org contains three
8955 separate features that, combined, achieve just that.
8959 @emph{Indentation of text below headlines}@*
8960 You may indent text below each headline to make the left boundary line up
8961 with the headline, like
8965 more text, now indented
8968 A good way to get this indentation is by hand, and Org supports this with
8969 paragraph filling, line wrapping, and structure editing@footnote{See also the
8970 variable @code{org-adapt-indentation}.} preserving or adapting the
8971 indentation appropriate. A different approach would be to have a way to
8972 automatically indent lines according to outline structure by adding overlays
8973 or text properties. But I have not yet found a robust and efficient way to
8974 do this in large files.
8977 @emph{Hiding leading stars}@* You can modify the display in such a way that
8978 all leading stars become invisible. To do this in a global way, configure
8979 the variable @code{org-hide-leading-stars} or change this on a per-file basis
8983 #+STARTUP: hidestars
8987 Note that the opposite behavior is selected with @code{showstars}.
8989 With hidden stars, the tree becomes:
8993 * Top level headline
9001 Note that the leading stars are not truly replaced by whitespace, they
9002 are only fontified with the face @code{org-hide} that uses the
9003 background color as font color. If you are not using either white or
9004 black background, you may have to customize this face to get the wanted
9005 effect. Another possibility is to set this font such that the extra
9006 stars are @i{almost} invisible, for example using the color
9007 @code{grey90} on a white background.
9010 Things become cleaner still if you skip all the even levels and use only odd
9011 levels 1, 3, 5..., effectively adding two stars to go from one outline level
9012 to the next. In this way we get the outline view shown at the beginning of
9013 this section. In order to make the structure editing and export commands
9014 handle this convention correctly, configure the variable
9015 @code{org-odd-levels-only}, or set this on a per-file basis with one of the
9023 You can convert an Org file from single-star-per-level to the
9024 double-star-per-level convention with @kbd{M-x org-convert-to-odd-levels
9025 RET} in that file. The reverse operation is @kbd{M-x
9026 org-convert-to-oddeven-levels}.
9029 @node TTY keys, Interaction, Clean view, Miscellaneous
9030 @section Using Org on a tty
9031 @cindex tty key bindings
9033 Because Org contains a large number of commands, by default much of
9034 Org's core commands are bound to keys that are generally not
9035 accessible on a tty, such as the cursor keys (@key{left}, @key{right},
9036 @key{up}, @key{down}), @key{TAB} and @key{RET}, in particular when used
9037 together with modifiers like @key{Meta} and/or @key{Shift}. To access
9038 these commands on a tty when special keys are unavailable, the following
9039 alternative bindings can be used. The tty bindings below will likely be
9040 more cumbersome; you may find for some of the bindings below that a
9041 customized work-around suits you better. For example, changing a time
9042 stamp is really only fun with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, whereas on a
9043 tty you would rather use @kbd{C-c .} to re-insert the timestamp.
9045 @multitable @columnfractions 0.15 0.2 0.2
9046 @item @b{Default} @tab @b{Alternative 1} @tab @b{Alternative 2}
9047 @item @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C-u @key{TAB}} @tab
9048 @item @kbd{M-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x l} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{left}}
9049 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x L} @tab
9050 @item @kbd{M-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x i} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{right}}
9051 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x R} @tab
9052 @item @kbd{M-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x u} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{up}}
9053 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x U} @tab
9054 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x d} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{down}}
9055 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x D} @tab
9056 @item @kbd{S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x c} @tab
9057 @item @kbd{M-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x m} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{RET}}
9058 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x M} @tab
9059 @item @kbd{S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{left}} @tab
9060 @item @kbd{S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{right}} @tab
9061 @item @kbd{S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{up}} @tab
9062 @item @kbd{S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{down}} @tab
9063 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{left}} @tab
9064 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{right}} @tab
9067 @node Interaction, Bugs, TTY keys, Miscellaneous
9068 @section Interaction with other packages
9069 @cindex packages, interaction with other
9070 Org lives in the world of GNU Emacs and interacts in various ways
9071 with other code out there.
9074 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
9075 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
9078 @node Cooperation, Conflicts, Interaction, Interaction
9079 @subsection Packages that Org cooperates with
9082 @cindex @file{calc.el}
9083 @item @file{calc.el} by Dave Gillespie
9084 Org uses the Calc package for implementing spreadsheet
9085 functionality in its tables (@pxref{The spreadsheet}). Org
9086 checks for the availability of Calc by looking for the function
9087 @code{calc-eval} which should be autoloaded in your setup if Calc has
9088 been installed properly. As of Emacs 22, Calc is part of the Emacs
9089 distribution. Another possibility for interaction between the two
9090 packages is using Calc for embedded calculations. @xref{Embedded Mode,
9091 , Embedded Mode, Calc, GNU Emacs Calc Manual}.
9092 @cindex @file{constants.el}
9093 @item @file{constants.el} by Carsten Dominik
9094 In a table formula (@pxref{The spreadsheet}), it is possible to use
9095 names for natural constants or units. Instead of defining your own
9096 constants in the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}, install
9097 the @file{constants} package which defines a large number of constants
9098 and units, and lets you use unit prefixes like @samp{M} for
9099 @samp{Mega} etc. You will need version 2.0 of this package, available
9100 at @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools}. Org checks for
9101 the function @code{constants-get}, which has to be autoloaded in your
9102 setup. See the installation instructions in the file
9103 @file{constants.el}.
9104 @item @file{cdlatex.el} by Carsten Dominik
9105 @cindex @file{cdlatex.el}
9106 Org mode can make use of the CDLaTeX package to efficiently enter
9107 La@TeX{} fragments into Org files. See @ref{CDLaTeX mode}.
9108 @item @file{imenu.el} by Ake Stenhoff and Lars Lindberg
9109 @cindex @file{imenu.el}
9110 Imenu allows menu access to an index of items in a file. Org mode
9111 supports Imenu - all you need to do to get the index is the following:
9113 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook
9114 (lambda () (imenu-add-to-menubar "Imenu")))
9116 By default the index is two levels deep - you can modify the depth using
9117 the option @code{org-imenu-depth}.
9118 @item @file{remember.el} by John Wiegley
9119 @cindex @file{remember.el}
9120 Org cooperates with remember, see @ref{Remember}.
9121 @file{Remember.el} is not part of Emacs, find it on the web.
9122 @item @file{speedbar.el} by Eric M. Ludlam
9123 @cindex @file{speedbar.el}
9124 Speedbar is a package that creates a special frame displaying files and
9125 index items in files. Org mode supports Speedbar and allows you to
9126 drill into Org files directly from the Speedbar. It also allows to
9127 restrict the scope of agenda commands to a file or a subtree by using
9128 the command @kbd{<} in the Speedbar frame.
9129 @cindex @file{table.el}
9130 @item @file{table.el} by Takaaki Ota
9132 @cindex table editor, @file{table.el}
9133 @cindex @file{table.el}
9135 Complex ASCII tables with automatic line wrapping, column- and
9136 row-spanning, and alignment can be created using the Emacs table
9137 package by Takaaki Ota (@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/table},
9138 and also part of Emacs 22).
9139 When @key{TAB} or @kbd{C-c C-c} is pressed in such a table, Org mode
9140 will call @command{table-recognize-table} and move the cursor into the
9141 table. Inside a table, the keymap of Org mode is inactive. In order
9142 to execute Org mode-related commands, leave the table.
9147 Recognize @file{table.el} table. Works when the cursor is in a
9152 Insert a table.el table. If there is already a table at point, this
9153 command converts it between the table.el format and the Org mode
9154 format. See the documentation string of the command
9155 @code{org-convert-table} for the restrictions under which this is
9158 @file{table.el} is part of Emacs 22.
9159 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
9160 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
9161 Org mode recognizes numerical footnotes as provided by this package
9162 (@pxref{Footnotes}).
9165 @node Conflicts, , Cooperation, Interaction
9166 @subsection Packages that lead to conflicts with Org mode
9170 @cindex @file{allout.el}
9171 @item @file{allout.el} by Ken Manheimer
9172 Startup of Org may fail with the error message
9173 @code{(wrong-type-argument keymapp nil)} when there is an outdated
9174 version @file{allout.el} on the load path, for example the version
9175 distributed with Emacs 21.x. Upgrade to Emacs 22 and this problem will
9176 disappear. If for some reason you cannot do this, make sure that org.el
9177 is loaded @emph{before} @file{allout.el}, for example by putting
9178 @code{(require 'org)} early enough into your @file{.emacs} file.
9180 @cindex @file{CUA.el}
9181 @item @file{CUA.el} by Kim. F. Storm
9182 Key bindings in Org conflict with the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys used by
9183 CUA mode (as well as pc-select-mode and s-region-mode) to select and
9184 extend the region. If you want to use one of these packages along with
9185 Org, configure the variable @code{org-replace-disputed-keys}. When
9186 set, Org will move the following key bindings in Org files, and
9187 in the agenda buffer (but not during date selection).
9190 S-UP -> M-p S-DOWN -> M-n
9191 S-LEFT -> M-- S-RIGHT -> M-+
9194 Yes, these are unfortunately more difficult to remember. If you want
9195 to have other replacement keys, look at the variable
9196 @code{org-disputed-keys}.
9197 @item @file{windmove.el} by Hovav Shacham
9198 @cindex @file{windmove.el}
9199 Also this package uses the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys, so everything written
9200 in the paragraph above about CUA mode also applies here.
9202 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
9203 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
9204 Org supports the syntax of the footnote package, but only the
9205 numerical footnote markers. Also, the default key for footnote
9206 commands, @kbd{C-c !} is already used by Org. You could use the
9207 variable @code{footnote-prefix} to switch footnotes commands to another
9208 key. Or, you could use @code{org-replace-disputed-keys} and
9209 @code{org-disputed-keys} to change the settings in Org.
9214 @node Bugs, , Interaction, Miscellaneous
9218 Here is a list of things that should work differently, but which I
9219 have found too hard to fix.
9223 If a table field starts with a link, and if the corresponding table
9224 column is narrowed (@pxref{Narrow columns}) to a width too small to
9225 display the link, the field would look entirely empty even though it is
9226 not. To prevent this, Org throws an error. The work-around is to
9227 make the column wide enough to fit the link, or to add some text (at
9228 least 2 characters) before the link in the same field.
9230 Narrowing table columns does not work on XEmacs, because the
9231 @code{format} function does not transport text properties.
9233 Text in an entry protected with the @samp{QUOTE} keyword should not
9236 When the application called by @kbd{C-c C-o} to open a file link fails
9237 (for example because the application does not exist or refuses to open
9238 the file), it does so silently. No error message is displayed.
9240 Recalculating a table line applies the formulas from left to right.
9241 If a formula uses @emph{calculated} fields further down the row,
9242 multiple recalculation may be needed to get all fields consistent. You
9243 may use the command @code{org-table-iterate} (@kbd{C-u C-c *}) to
9244 recalculate until convergence.
9246 The exporters work well, but could be made more efficient.
9250 @node Extensions, Hacking, Miscellaneous, Top
9251 @appendix Extensions
9253 This appendix lists the extension modules that have been written for Org.
9254 Many of these extensions live in the @file{contrib} directory of the Org
9255 distribution, others are available somewhere on the web.
9258 * Extensions in the contrib directory:: These come with the Org distro
9259 * Other extensions:: These you have to find on the web.
9262 @node Extensions in the contrib directory, Other extensions, Extensions, Extensions
9263 @section Extensions in the @file{contrib} directory
9265 A number of extension are distributed with Org when you download it from its
9266 homepage. Please note that these extensions are @emph{not} distributed as
9267 part of Emacs, so if you use Org as delivered with Emacs, you still need to
9268 go to @url{http://orgmode.org} to get access to these modules.
9271 @item @file{org-annotate-file.el} by @i{Philip Jackson}
9272 Annotate a file with org syntax, in a separate file, with links back to
9274 @item @file{org-annotation-helper.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry and Daniel E. German}
9275 Call @i{remember} directly from Firefox/Opera, or from Adobe Reader.
9276 When activating a special link or bookmark, Emacs receives a trigger to
9277 create a note with a link back to the website. Requires some setup, a
9278 detailes description is in
9279 @file{contrib/packages/org-annotation-helper}.
9280 @item @file{org-bookmark.el} by @i{Tokuya Kameshima}
9281 Support for links to Emacs bookmarks.
9282 @item @file{org-depend.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9283 TODO dependencies for Org-mode. Make TODO state changes in one entry
9284 trigger changes in another, or be blocked by the state of another
9285 entry. Also, easily create chains of TODO items with exactly one
9286 active item at any time.
9287 @item @file{org-elisp-symbol.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9288 Org links to emacs-lisp symbols. This can create annotated links that
9289 exactly point to the definition location of a variable of function.
9290 @item @file{org-eval.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9291 The @code{<lisp>} tag, adapted from Emacs Wiki and Emacs Muse, allows
9292 text to be included in a document that is the result of evaluating some
9293 code. Other scripting languages like @code{perl} can be supported with
9294 this package as well.
9295 @item @file{org-eval-light.el} by @i{Eric Schulte}
9296 User-controlled evaluation of code in an Org buffer.
9297 @item @file{org-exp-blocks.el} by @i{Eric Schulte}
9298 Preprocess user-defined blocks for export.
9299 @item @file{org-expiry.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9300 Expiry mechanism for Org entries.
9301 @item @file{org-indent.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9302 Dynamic indentation of Org outlines. The plan is to indent an outline
9303 according to level, but so far this is too hard for a proper and stable
9304 implementation. Still, it works somewhat.
9305 @item @file{org-interactive-query.el} by @i{Christopher League}
9306 Interactive modification of tags queries. After running a general
9307 query in Org, this package allows to narrow down the results by adding
9308 more tags or keywords.
9309 @item @file{org-mairix.el} by @i{Georg C. F. Greve}
9310 Hook mairix search into Org for different MUAs.
9311 @item @file{org-man.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9312 Support for links to manpages in Org-mode.
9313 @item @file{org-mtags.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9314 Support for some Muse-like tags in Org-mode. This package allows you
9315 to write @code{<example>} and @code{<src>} and other syntax copied from
9316 Emacs Muse, right inside an Org file. The goal here is to make it easy
9317 to publish the same file using either org-publish or Muse.
9318 @item @file{org-panel.el} by @i{Lennard Borgman}
9319 Simplified and display-aided access to some Org commands.
9320 @item @file{org-registry.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9321 A registry for Org links, to find out from where links point to a given
9323 @item @file{org2rem.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9324 Convert org appointments into reminders for the @file{remind} program.
9325 @item @file{org-screen.el} by @i{Andrew Hyatt}
9326 Visit screen sessions through Org-mode links.
9327 @item @file{org-toc.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9328 Table of contents in a separate buffer, with fast access to sections
9329 and easy visibility cycling.
9330 @item @file{orgtbl-sqlinsert.el} by @i{Jason Riedy}
9331 Convert Org-mode tables to SQL insertions. Documentation for this can
9332 be found on the Worg pages.
9335 @node Other extensions, , Extensions in the contrib directory, Extensions
9336 @section Other extensions
9340 @node Hacking, History and Acknowledgments, Extensions, Top
9343 This appendix covers some aspects where users can extend the functionality of
9347 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
9348 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
9349 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
9350 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
9351 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
9352 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
9355 @node Adding hyperlink types, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking, Hacking
9356 @section Adding hyperlink types
9357 @cindex hyperlinks, adding new types
9359 Org has a large number of hyperlink types built-in
9360 (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). If you would like to add new link types, it
9361 provides an interface for doing so. Let's look at an example file
9362 @file{org-man.el} that will add support for creating links like
9363 @samp{[[man:printf][The printf manpage]]} to show Unix manual pages inside
9367 ;;; org-man.el - Support for links to manpages in Org
9371 (org-add-link-type "man" 'org-man-open)
9372 (add-hook 'org-store-link-functions 'org-man-store-link)
9374 (defcustom org-man-command 'man
9375 "The Emacs command to be used to display a man page."
9377 :type '(choice (const man) (const woman)))
9379 (defun org-man-open (path)
9380 "Visit the manpage on PATH.
9381 PATH should be a topic that can be thrown at the man command."
9382 (funcall org-man-command path))
9384 (defun org-man-store-link ()
9385 "Store a link to a manpage."
9386 (when (memq major-mode '(Man-mode woman-mode))
9387 ;; This is a man page, we do make this link
9388 (let* ((page (org-man-get-page-name))
9389 (link (concat "man:" page))
9390 (description (format "Manpage for %s" page)))
9391 (org-store-link-props
9394 :description description))))
9396 (defun org-man-get-page-name ()
9397 "Extract the page name from the buffer name."
9398 ;; This works for both `Man-mode' and `woman-mode'.
9399 (if (string-match " \\(\\S-+\\)\\*" (buffer-name))
9400 (match-string 1 (buffer-name))
9401 (error "Cannot create link to this man page")))
9405 ;;; org-man.el ends here
9409 You would activate this new link type in @file{.emacs} with
9416 Let's go through the file and see what it does.
9419 It does @code{(require 'org)} to make sure that @file{org.el} has been
9422 The next line calls @code{org-add-link-type} to define a new link type
9423 with prefix @samp{man}. The call also contains the name of a function
9424 that will be called to follow such a link.
9426 The next line adds a function to @code{org-store-link-functions}, in
9427 order to allow the command @kbd{C-c l} to record a useful link in a
9428 buffer displaying a man page.
9431 The rest of the file defines the necessary variables and functions.
9432 First there is a customization variable that determines which emacs
9433 command should be used to display man pages. There are two options,
9434 @code{man} and @code{woman}. Then the function to follow a link is
9435 defined. It gets the link path as an argument - in this case the link
9436 path is just a topic for the manual command. The function calls the
9437 value of @code{org-man-command} to display the man page.
9439 Finally the function @code{org-man-store-link} is defined. When you try
9440 to store a link with @kbd{C-c l}, also this function will be called to
9441 try to make a link. The function must first decide if it is supposed to
9442 create the link for this buffer type, we do this by checking the value
9443 of the variable @code{major-mode}. If not, the function must exit and
9444 return the value @code{nil}. If yes, the link is created by getting the
9445 manual topic from the buffer name and prefixing it with the string
9446 @samp{man:}. Then it must call the command @code{org-store-link-props}
9447 and set the @code{:type} and @code{:link} properties. Optionally you
9448 can also set the @code{:description} property to provide a default for
9449 the link description when the link is later inserted into an Org
9450 buffer with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
9452 @node Tables in arbitrary syntax, Dynamic blocks, Adding hyperlink types, Hacking
9453 @section Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
9454 @cindex tables, in other modes
9455 @cindex lists, in other modes
9458 Since Orgtbl mode can be used as a minor mode in arbitrary buffers, a
9459 frequent feature request has been to make it work with native tables in
9460 specific languages, for example La@TeX{}. However, this is extremely
9461 hard to do in a general way, would lead to a customization nightmare,
9462 and would take away much of the simplicity of the Orgtbl mode table
9466 This appendix describes a different approach. We keep the Orgtbl mode
9467 table in its native format (the @i{source table}), and use a custom
9468 function to @i{translate} the table to the correct syntax, and to
9469 @i{install} it in the right location (the @i{target table}). This puts
9470 the burden of writing conversion functions on the user, but it allows
9471 for a very flexible system.
9473 Bastien added the ability to do the same with lists. You can use Org's
9474 facilities to edit and structure lists by turning @code{orgstruct-mode}
9475 on, then locally exporting such lists in another format (HTML, La@TeX{}
9480 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
9481 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
9482 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
9483 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
9486 @node Radio tables, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9487 @subsection Radio tables
9488 @cindex radio tables
9490 To define the location of the target table, you first need to create two
9491 lines that are comments in the current mode, but contain magic words for
9492 Orgtbl mode to find. Orgtbl mode will insert the translated table
9493 between these lines, replacing whatever was there before. For example:
9496 /* BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
9497 /* END RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
9501 Just above the source table, we put a special line that tells
9502 Orgtbl mode how to translate this table and where to install it. For
9505 #+ORGTBL: SEND table_name translation_function arguments....
9509 @code{table_name} is the reference name for the table that is also used
9510 in the receiver lines. @code{translation_function} is the Lisp function
9511 that does the translation. Furthermore, the line can contain a list of
9512 arguments (alternating key and value) at the end. The arguments will be
9513 passed as a property list to the translation function for
9514 interpretation. A few standard parameters are already recognized and
9515 acted upon before the translation function is called:
9519 Skip the first N lines of the table. Hlines do count as separate lines for
9522 @item :skipcols (n1 n2 ...)
9523 List of columns that should be skipped. If the table has a column with
9524 calculation marks, that column is automatically discarded as well.
9525 Please note that the translator function sees the table @emph{after} the
9526 removal of these columns, the function never knows that there have been
9531 The one problem remaining is how to keep the source table in the buffer
9532 without disturbing the normal workings of the file, for example during
9533 compilation of a C file or processing of a La@TeX{} file. There are a
9534 number of different solutions:
9538 The table could be placed in a block comment if that is supported by the
9539 language. For example, in C mode you could wrap the table between
9540 @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} lines.
9542 Sometimes it is possible to put the table after some kind of @i{END}
9543 statement, for example @samp{\bye} in TeX and @samp{\end@{document@}}
9546 You can just comment the table line by line whenever you want to process
9547 the file, and uncomment it whenever you need to edit the table. This
9548 only sounds tedious - the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-toggle-comment} does
9549 make this comment-toggling very easy, in particular if you bind it to a
9553 @node A LaTeX example, Translator functions, Radio tables, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9554 @subsection A LaTeX example of radio tables
9555 @cindex LaTeX, and Orgtbl mode
9557 The best way to wrap the source table in La@TeX{} is to use the
9558 @code{comment} environment provided by @file{comment.sty}. It has to be
9559 activated by placing @code{\usepackage@{comment@}} into the document
9560 header. Orgtbl mode can insert a radio table skeleton@footnote{By
9561 default this works only for La@TeX{}, HTML, and Texinfo. Configure the
9562 variable @code{orgtbl-radio-tables} to install templates for other
9563 modes.} with the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-insert-radio-table}. You will
9564 be prompted for a table name, lets say we use @samp{salesfigures}. You
9565 will then get the following template:
9567 @cindex #+ORGTBL: SEND
9569 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9570 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9572 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
9578 The @code{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line tells Orgtbl mode to use the function
9579 @code{orgtbl-to-latex} to convert the table into La@TeX{} and to put it
9580 into the receiver location with name @code{salesfigures}. You may now
9581 fill in the table, feel free to use the spreadsheet features@footnote{If
9582 the @samp{#+TBLFM} line contains an odd number of dollar characters,
9583 this may cause problems with font-lock in LaTeX mode. As shown in the
9584 example you can fix this by adding an extra line inside the
9585 @code{comment} environment that is used to balance the dollar
9586 expressions. If you are using AUCTeX with the font-latex library, a
9587 much better solution is to add the @code{comment} environment to the
9588 variable @code{LaTeX-verbatim-environments}.}:
9591 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9592 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9594 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
9595 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
9596 |-------+------+---------+---------|
9597 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
9598 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
9599 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
9600 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
9601 % $ (optional extra dollar to keep font-lock happy, see footnote)
9606 When you are done, press @kbd{C-c C-c} in the table to get the converted
9607 table inserted between the two marker lines.
9609 Now lets assume you want to make the table header by hand, because you
9610 want to control how columns are aligned etc. In this case we make sure
9611 that the table translator does skip the first 2 lines of the source
9612 table, and tell the command to work as a @i{splice}, i.e. to not produce
9613 header and footer commands of the target table:
9616 \begin@{tabular@}@{lrrr@}
9617 Month & \multicolumn@{1@}@{c@}@{Days@} & Nr.\ sold & per day\\
9618 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9619 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9623 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex :splice t :skip 2
9624 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
9625 |-------+------+---------+---------|
9626 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
9627 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
9628 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
9629 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
9633 The La@TeX{} translator function @code{orgtbl-to-latex} is already part of
9634 Orgtbl mode. It uses a @code{tabular} environment to typeset the table
9635 and marks horizontal lines with @code{\hline}. Furthermore, it
9636 interprets the following parameters (see also @ref{Translator functions}):
9640 When set to t, return only table body lines, don't wrap them into a
9641 tabular environment. Default is nil.
9644 A format to be used to wrap each field, should contain @code{%s} for the
9645 original field value. For example, to wrap each field value in dollars,
9646 you could use @code{:fmt "$%s$"}. This may also be a property list with
9647 column numbers and formats. for example @code{:fmt (2 "$%s$" 4 "%s\\%%")}.
9648 A function of one argument can be used in place of the strings; the
9649 function must return a formatted string.
9652 Use this format to print numbers with exponentials. The format should
9653 have @code{%s} twice for inserting mantissa and exponent, for example
9654 @code{"%s\\times10^@{%s@}"}. The default is @code{"%s\\,(%s)"}. This
9655 may also be a property list with column numbers and formats, for example
9656 @code{:efmt (2 "$%s\\times10^@{%s@}$" 4 "$%s\\cdot10^@{%s@}$")}. After
9657 @code{efmt} has been applied to a value, @code{fmt} will also be
9658 applied. Similar to @code{fmt}, functions of two arguments can be
9659 supplied instead of strings.
9662 @node Translator functions, Radio lists, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9663 @subsection Translator functions
9664 @cindex HTML, and Orgtbl mode
9665 @cindex translator function
9667 Orgtbl mode has several translator functions built-in: @code{orgtbl-to-csv}
9668 (comma-separated values), @code{orgtbl-to-tsv} (TAB-separated values)
9669 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-html}, and @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}.
9670 Except for @code{orgtbl-to-html}@footnote{The HTML translator uses the same
9671 code that produces tables during HTML export.}, these all use a generic
9672 translator, @code{orgtbl-to-generic}. For example, @code{orgtbl-to-latex}
9673 itself is a very short function that computes the column definitions for the
9674 @code{tabular} environment, defines a few field and line separators and then
9675 hands over to the generic translator. Here is the entire code:
9679 (defun orgtbl-to-latex (table params)
9680 "Convert the Orgtbl mode TABLE to LaTeX."
9681 (let* ((alignment (mapconcat (lambda (x) (if x "r" "l"))
9682 org-table-last-alignment ""))
9685 :tstart (concat "\\begin@{tabular@}@{" alignment "@}")
9686 :tend "\\end@{tabular@}"
9687 :lstart "" :lend " \\\\" :sep " & "
9688 :efmt "%s\\,(%s)" :hline "\\hline")))
9689 (orgtbl-to-generic table (org-combine-plists params2 params))))
9693 As you can see, the properties passed into the function (variable
9694 @var{PARAMS}) are combined with the ones newly defined in the function
9695 (variable @var{PARAMS2}). The ones passed into the function (i.e. the
9696 ones set by the @samp{ORGTBL SEND} line) take precedence. So if you
9697 would like to use the La@TeX{} translator, but wanted the line endings to
9698 be @samp{\\[2mm]} instead of the default @samp{\\}, you could just
9699 overrule the default with
9702 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-latex :lend " \\\\[2mm]"
9705 For a new language, you can either write your own converter function in
9706 analogy with the La@TeX{} translator, or you can use the generic function
9707 directly. For example, if you have a language where a table is started
9708 with @samp{!BTBL!}, ended with @samp{!ETBL!}, and where table lines are
9709 started with @samp{!BL!}, ended with @samp{!EL!} and where the field
9710 separator is a TAB, you could call the generic translator like this (on
9714 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-generic :tstart "!BTBL!" :tend "!ETBL!"
9715 :lstart "!BL! " :lend " !EL!" :sep "\t"
9719 Please check the documentation string of the function
9720 @code{orgtbl-to-generic} for a full list of parameters understood by
9721 that function and remember that you can pass each of them into
9722 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}, and any other function
9723 using the generic function.
9725 Of course you can also write a completely new function doing complicated
9726 things the generic translator cannot do. A translator function takes
9727 two arguments. The first argument is the table, a list of lines, each
9728 line either the symbol @code{hline} or a list of fields. The second
9729 argument is the property list containing all parameters specified in the
9730 @samp{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line. The function must return a single string
9731 containing the formatted table. If you write a generally useful
9732 translator, please post it on @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} so that
9733 others can benefit from your work.
9735 @node Radio lists, , Translator functions, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9736 @subsection Radio lists
9738 @cindex org-list-insert-radio-list
9740 Sending and receiving radio lists works exactly the same way than
9741 sending and receiving radio tables (@pxref{Radio tables}) @footnote{You
9742 need to load the @code{org-export-latex.el} package to use radio lists
9743 since the relevant code is there for now.}. As for radio tables, you
9744 can insert radio lists templates in HTML, La@TeX{} and Texinfo modes by
9745 calling @code{org-list-insert-radio-list}.
9747 Here are the differences with radio tables:
9751 Use @code{ORGLST} instead of @code{ORGTBL}.
9753 The available translation functions for radio lists don't take
9756 `C-c C-c' will work when pressed on the first item of the list.
9759 Here is a La@TeX{} example. Let's say that you have this in your
9763 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
9764 % END RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
9766 #+ORGLIST: SEND to-buy orgtbl-to-latex
9775 Pressing `C-c C-c' on @code{a new house} and will insert the converted
9776 La@TeX{} list between the two marker lines.
9778 @node Dynamic blocks, Special agenda views, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking
9779 @section Dynamic blocks
9780 @cindex dynamic blocks
9782 Org documents can contain @emph{dynamic blocks}. These are
9783 specially marked regions that are updated by some user-written function.
9784 A good example for such a block is the clock table inserted by the
9785 command @kbd{C-c C-x C-r} (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
9787 Dynamic block are enclosed by a BEGIN-END structure that assigns a name
9788 to the block and can also specify parameters for the function producing
9789 the content of the block.
9791 #+BEGIN:dynamic block
9793 #+BEGIN: myblock :parameter1 value1 :parameter2 value2 ...
9798 Dynamic blocks are updated with the following commands
9803 Update dynamic block at point.
9804 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
9805 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
9806 Update all dynamic blocks in the current file.
9809 Updating a dynamic block means to remove all the text between BEGIN and
9810 END, parse the BEGIN line for parameters and then call the specific
9811 writer function for this block to insert the new content. If you want
9812 to use the original content in the writer function, you can use the
9813 extra parameter @code{:content}.
9815 For a block with name @code{myblock}, the writer function is
9816 @code{org-dblock-write:myblock} with as only parameter a property list
9817 with the parameters given in the begin line. Here is a trivial example
9818 of a block that keeps track of when the block update function was last
9822 #+BEGIN: block-update-time :format "on %m/%d/%Y at %H:%M"
9828 The corresponding block writer function could look like this:
9831 (defun org-dblock-write:block-update-time (params)
9832 (let ((fmt (or (plist-get params :format) "%d. %m. %Y")))
9833 (insert "Last block update at: "
9834 (format-time-string fmt (current-time)))))
9837 If you want to make sure that all dynamic blocks are always up-to-date,
9838 you could add the function @code{org-update-all-dblocks} to a hook, for
9839 example @code{before-save-hook}. @code{org-update-all-dblocks} is
9840 written in a way that is does nothing in buffers that are not in
9843 @node Special agenda views, Using the property API, Dynamic blocks, Hacking
9844 @section Special agenda views
9845 @cindex agenda views, user-defined
9847 Org provides a special hook that can be used to narrow down the
9848 selection made by any of the agenda views. You may specify a function
9849 that is used at each match to verify if the match should indeed be part
9850 of the agenda view, and if not, how much should be skipped.
9852 Let's say you want to produce a list of projects that contain a WAITING
9853 tag anywhere in the project tree. Let's further assume that you have
9854 marked all tree headings that define a project with the TODO keyword
9855 PROJECT. In this case you would run a TODO search for the keyword
9856 PROJECT, but skip the match unless there is a WAITING tag anywhere in
9857 the subtree belonging to the project line.
9859 To achieve this, you must write a function that searches the subtree for
9860 the tag. If the tag is found, the function must return @code{nil} to
9861 indicate that this match should not be skipped. If there is no such
9862 tag, return the location of the end of the subtree, to indicate that
9863 search should continue from there.
9866 (defun my-skip-unless-waiting ()
9867 "Skip trees that are not waiting"
9868 (let ((subtree-end (save-excursion (org-end-of-subtree t))))
9869 (if (re-search-forward ":waiting:" subtree-end t)
9870 nil ; tag found, do not skip
9871 subtree-end))) ; tag not found, continue after end of subtree
9874 Now you may use this function in an agenda custom command, for example
9878 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
9879 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
9880 ((org-agenda-skip-function 'my-skip-unless-waiting)
9881 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
9884 Note that this also binds @code{org-agenda-overriding-header} to get a
9885 meaningful header in the agenda view.
9887 A general way to create custom searches is to base them on a search for
9888 entries with a certain level limit. If you want to study all entries with
9889 your custom search function, simply do a search for @samp{LEVEL>0}, and then
9890 use @code{org-agenda-skip-function} to select the entries you really want to
9893 You may also put a Lisp form into @code{org-agenda-skip-function}. In
9894 particular, you may use the functions @code{org-agenda-skip-entry-if}
9895 and @code{org-agenda-skip-subtree-if} in this form, for example:
9898 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled)
9899 Skip current entry if it has been scheduled.
9900 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'notscheduled)
9901 Skip current entry if it has not been scheduled.
9902 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'deadline)
9903 Skip current entry if it has a deadline.
9904 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled 'deadline)
9905 Skip current entry if it has a deadline, or if it is scheduled.
9906 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'regexp "regular expression")
9907 Skip current entry if the regular expression matches in the entry.
9908 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'notregexp "regular expression")
9909 Skip current entry unless the regular expression matches.
9910 @item '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if 'regexp "regular expression")
9911 Same as above, but check and skip the entire subtree.
9914 Therefore we could also have written the search for WAITING projects
9915 like this, even without defining a special function:
9918 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
9919 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
9920 ((org-agenda-skip-function '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if
9921 'regexp ":waiting:"))
9922 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
9925 @node Using the property API, Using the mapping API, Special agenda views, Hacking
9926 @section Using the property API
9927 @cindex API, for properties
9928 @cindex properties, API
9930 Here is a description of the functions that can be used to work with
9933 @defun org-entry-properties &optional pom which
9934 Get all properties of the entry at point-or-marker POM.
9935 This includes the TODO keyword, the tags, time strings for deadline,
9936 scheduled, and clocking, and any additional properties defined in the
9937 entry. The return value is an alist, keys may occur multiple times
9938 if the property key was used several times.
9939 POM may also be nil, in which case the current entry is used.
9940 If WHICH is nil or `all', get all properties. If WHICH is
9941 `special' or `standard', only get that subclass.
9943 @defun org-entry-get pom property &optional inherit
9944 Get value of PROPERTY for entry at point-or-marker POM. By default,
9945 this only looks at properties defined locally in the entry. If INHERIT
9946 is non-nil and the entry does not have the property, then also check
9947 higher levels of the hierarchy. If INHERIT is the symbol
9948 @code{selective}, use inheritance if and only if the setting of
9949 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} selects PROPERTY for inheritance.
9952 @defun org-entry-delete pom property
9953 Delete the property PROPERTY from entry at point-or-marker POM.
9956 @defun org-entry-put pom property value
9957 Set PROPERTY to VALUE for entry at point-or-marker POM.
9960 @defun org-buffer-property-keys &optional include-specials
9961 Get all property keys in the current buffer.
9964 @defun org-insert-property-drawer
9965 Insert a property drawer at point.
9968 @defun org-entry-put-multivalued-property pom property &rest values
9969 Set PROPERTY at point-or-marker POM to VALUES. VALUES should be a list of
9970 strings. They will be concatenated, with spaces as separators.
9973 @defun org-entry-get-multivalued-property pom property
9974 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
9975 values and return the values as a list of strings.
9978 @defun org-entry-add-to-multivalued-property pom property value
9979 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
9980 values and make sure that VALUE is in this list.
9983 @defun org-entry-remove-from-multivalued-property pom property value
9984 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
9985 values and make sure that VALUE is @emph{not} in this list.
9988 @defun org-entry-member-in-multivalued-property pom property value
9989 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
9990 values and check if VALUE is in this list.
9993 @node Using the mapping API, , Using the property API, Hacking
9994 @section Using the mapping API
9995 @cindex API, for mapping
9996 @cindex mapping entries, API
9998 Org has sophisticated mapping capabilities to find all entries satisfying
9999 certain criteria. Internally, this functionality is used to produce agenda
10000 views, but there is also an API that can be used to execute arbitrary
10001 functions for each or selected entries. The main entry point for this API
10004 @defun org-map-entries func &optional match scope &rest skip
10005 Call FUNC at each headline selected by MATCH in SCOPE.
10007 FUNC is a function or a lisp form. The function will be called without
10008 arguments, with the cursor positioned at the beginning of the headline.
10009 The return values of all calls to the function will be collected and
10010 returned as a list.
10012 MATCH is a tags/property/todo match as it is used in the agenda match view.
10013 Only headlines that are matched by this query will be considered during
10014 the iteration. When MATCH is nil or t, all headlines will be
10015 visited by the iteration.
10017 SCOPE determines the scope of this command. It can be any of:
10020 nil @r{the current buffer, respecting the restriction if any}
10021 tree @r{the subtree started with the entry at point}
10022 file @r{the current buffer, without restriction}
10024 @r{the current buffer, and any archives associated with it}
10025 agenda @r{all agenda files}
10026 agenda-with-archives
10027 @r{all agenda files with any archive files associated with them}
10029 @r{if this is a list, all files in the list will be scanned}
10032 The remaining args are treated as settings for the skipping facilities of
10033 the scanner. The following items can be given here:
10036 archive @r{skip trees with the archive tag}
10037 comment @r{skip trees with the COMMENT keyword}
10038 function or Lisp form
10039 @r{will be used as value for @code{org-agenda-skip-function},}
10040 @r{so whenever the the function returns t, FUNC}
10041 @r{will not be called for that entry and search will}
10042 @r{continue from the point where the function leaves it}
10046 The function given to that mapping routine can really do anything you like.
10047 It can uce the property API (@pxref{Using the property API}) to gather more
10048 information about the entry, or in order to change metadate in the entry.
10049 Here are a couple of functions that might be handy:
10051 @defun org-todo &optional arg
10052 Change the TODO state of the entry, see the docstring of the functions for
10053 the many possible values for the argument ARG.
10056 @defun org-priority &optional action
10057 Change the priority of the entry, see the docstring of this function for the
10058 possible values for ACTION.
10061 @defun org-toggle-tag tag &optional onoff
10062 Toggle the tag TAG in the current entry. Setting ONOFF to either @code{on}
10063 or @code{off} will not toggle tag, but ensure that it is either on or off.
10067 Promote the current entry.
10071 Demote the current entry.
10074 Here is a simple example that will turn all entries in the current file with
10075 a tag @code{TOMORROW} into TODO entries with the keyword @code{UPCOMING}.
10076 Entries in comment trees and in archive trees will be ignored.
10080 '(org-todo "UPCOMING")
10081 "+TOMORROW" 'file 'archive 'comment)
10084 The following example counts the number of entries with TODO keyword
10085 @code{WAITING}, in all agenda files.
10088 (length (org-map-entries t "/+WAITING" 'agenda))
10091 @node History and Acknowledgments, Main Index, Hacking, Top
10092 @appendix History and Acknowledgments
10093 @cindex acknowledgments
10097 Org was borne in 2003, out of frustration over the user interface
10098 of the Emacs Outline mode. I was trying to organize my notes and
10099 projects, and using Emacs seemed to be the natural way to go. However,
10100 having to remember eleven different commands with two or three keys per
10101 command, only to hide and show parts of the outline tree, that seemed
10102 entirely unacceptable to me. Also, when using outlines to take notes, I
10103 constantly want to restructure the tree, organizing it parallel to my
10104 thoughts and plans. @emph{Visibility cycling} and @emph{structure
10105 editing} were originally implemented in the package
10106 @file{outline-magic.el}, but quickly moved to the more general
10107 @file{org.el}. As this environment became comfortable for project
10108 planning, the next step was adding @emph{TODO entries}, basic @emph{time
10109 stamps}, and @emph{table support}. These areas highlight the two main
10110 goals that Org still has today: To create a new, outline-based,
10111 plain text mode with innovative and intuitive editing features, and to
10112 incorporate project planning functionality directly into a notes file.
10114 A special thanks goes to @i{Bastien Guerry} who has not only writen a large
10115 number of extensions to Org (most of them integrated into the core by now),
10116 but has also helped the development and maintenance of Org so much that he
10117 should be considered co-author of this package.
10119 Since the first release, literally thousands of emails to me or on
10120 @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} have provided a constant stream of bug
10121 reports, feedback, new ideas, and sometimes patches and add-on code.
10122 Many thanks to everyone who has helped to improve this package. I am
10123 trying to keep here a list of the people who had significant influence
10124 in shaping one or more aspects of Org. The list may not be
10125 complete, if I have forgotten someone, please accept my apologies and
10131 @i{Russel Adams} came up with the idea for drawers.
10133 @i{Thomas Baumann} wrote @file{org-bbdb.el} and @file{org-mhe.el}.
10135 @i{Christophe Bataillon} created the great unicorn logo that we use on the
10138 @i{Alex Bochannek} provided a patch for rounding time stamps.
10140 @i{Charles Cave}'s suggestion sparked the implementation of templates
10143 @i{Pavel Chalmoviansky} influenced the agenda treatment of items with
10146 @i{Gregory Chernov} patched support for lisp forms into table
10147 calculations and improved XEmacs compatibility, in particular by porting
10148 @file{nouline.el} to XEmacs.
10150 @i{Sacha Chua} suggested to copy some linking code from Planner.
10152 @i{Eddward DeVilla} proposed and tested checkbox statistics. He also
10153 came up with the idea of properties, and that there should be an API for
10156 @i{Kees Dullemond} used to edit projects lists directly in HTML and so
10157 inspired some of the early development, including HTML export. He also
10158 asked for a way to narrow wide table columns.
10160 @i{Christian Egli} converted the documentation into Texinfo format,
10161 patched CSS formatting into the HTML exporter, and inspired the agenda.
10163 @i{David Emery} provided a patch for custom CSS support in exported
10166 @i{Nic Ferrier} contributed mailcap and XOXO support.
10168 @i{Miguel A. Figueroa-Villanueva} implemented hierarchical checkboxes.
10170 @i{John Foerch} figured out how to make incremental search show context
10171 around a match in a hidden outline tree.
10173 @i{Niels Giesen} had the idea to automatically archive DONE trees.
10175 @i{Bastien Guerry} wrote the La@TeX{} exporter and @file{org-bibtex.el}, and
10176 has been prolific with patches, ideas, and bug reports.
10178 @i{Kai Grossjohann} pointed out key-binding conflicts with other packages.
10180 @i{Bernt Hansen} has driven much of the support for auto-repeating tasks,
10181 task state change logging, and the clocktable. His clear explanations have
10182 been critical when we started to adopt the GIT version control system.
10184 @i{Manuel Hermenegildo} has contributed various ideas, small fixed and
10187 @i{Phil Jackson} wrote @file{org-irc.el}.
10189 @i{Scott Jaderholm} proposed footnotes, control over whitespace between
10190 folded entries, and column view for properties.
10192 @i{Tokuya Kameshima} wrote @file{org-wl.el} and @file{org-mew.el}.
10194 @i{Shidai Liu} ("Leo") asked for embedded La@TeX{} and tested it. He also
10195 provided frequent feedback and some patches.
10197 @i{Matt Lundin} has proposed last-row references for table formulas and named
10198 invisible anchors. He has also worked a lot on the FAQ.
10200 @i{Jason F. McBrayer} suggested agenda export to CSV format.
10202 @i{Max Mikhanosha} came up with the idea of refiling.
10204 @i{Dmitri Minaev} sent a patch to set priority limits on a per-file
10207 @i{Stefan Monnier} provided a patch to keep the Emacs-Lisp compiler
10210 @i{Rick Moynihan} proposed to allow multiple TODO sequences in a file
10211 and to be able to quickly restrict the agenda to a subtree.
10213 @i{Todd Neal} provided patches for links to Info files and elisp forms.
10215 @i{Tim O'Callaghan} suggested in-file links, search options for general
10216 file links, and TAGS.
10218 @i{Takeshi Okano} translated the manual and David O'Toole's tutorial
10221 @i{Oliver Oppitz} suggested multi-state TODO items.
10223 @i{Scott Otterson} sparked the introduction of descriptive text for
10224 links, among other things.
10226 @i{Pete Phillips} helped during the development of the TAGS feature, and
10227 provided frequent feedback.
10229 @i{T.V. Raman} reported bugs and suggested improvements.
10231 @i{Matthias Rempe} (Oelde) provided ideas, Windows support, and quality
10234 @i{Paul Rivier} provided the basic implementation of named footnotes.
10236 @i{Kevin Rogers} contributed code to access VM files on remote hosts.
10238 @i{Sebastian Rose} wrote @file{org-info.js}, a Java script for displaying
10239 webpages derived from Org using an Info-like, or a folding interface with
10240 single key navigation.
10242 @i{Frank Ruell} solved the mystery of the @code{keymapp nil} bug, a
10243 conflict with @file{allout.el}.
10245 @i{Jason Riedy} generalized the send-receive mechanism for orgtbl tables with
10248 @i{Philip Rooke} created the Org reference card, provided lots
10249 of feedback, developed and applied standards to the Org documentation.
10251 @i{Christian Schlauer} proposed angular brackets around links, among
10254 @i{Eric Schulte} wrote @file{org-plot.el}.
10256 Linking to VM/BBDB/Gnus was first inspired by @i{Tom Shannon}'s
10257 @file{organizer-mode.el}.
10259 @i{Ilya Shlyakhter} proposed the Archive Sibling, line numbering in literal
10260 examples, and remote highlighting for referenced code lines.
10262 @i{Stathis Sideris} wrote the @file{ditaa.jar} ASCII to PNG converter that is
10263 now packaged into Org's @file{contrib} directory.
10265 @i{Daniel Sinder} came up with the idea of internal archiving by locking
10268 @i{Dale Smith} proposed link abbreviations.
10270 @i{James TD Smith} has contributed a large number of patches for useful
10271 tweaks and features.
10273 @i{Adam Spiers} asked for global linking commands, inspired the link
10274 extension system, added support for mairix, and proposed the mapping API.
10276 @i{Andy Stewart} contributed code to @file{org-w3m.el}, to copy HTML content
10277 with links transformation to Org syntax.
10279 @i{David O'Toole} wrote @file{org-publish.el} and drafted the manual
10280 chapter about publishing.
10282 @i{J@"urgen Vollmer} contributed code generating the table of contents
10285 @i{Chris Wallace} provided a patch implementing the @samp{QUOTE}
10288 @i{David Wainberg} suggested archiving, and improvements to the linking
10291 @i{John Wiegley} wrote @file{emacs-wiki.el}, @file{planner.el}, and
10292 @file{muse.el}, which have similar goals as Org. Initially the
10293 development of Org was fully independent because I was not aware of the
10294 existence of these packages. But with time I have accasionally looked
10295 at John's code and learned a lot from it. John has also contributed a
10296 number of great ideas and patches directly to Org, including the attachment
10297 system (@file{org-attach.el}) and integration with Apple Mail
10298 (@file{org-mac-message.el}).
10300 @i{Carsten Wimmer} suggested some changes and helped fix a bug in
10303 @i{Roland Winkler} requested additional key bindings to make Org
10306 @i{Piotr Zielinski} wrote @file{org-mouse.el}, proposed agenda blocks
10307 and contributed various ideas and code snippets.
10311 @node Main Index, Key Index, History and Acknowledgments, Top
10312 @unnumbered The Main Index
10316 @node Key Index, , Main Index, Top
10317 @unnumbered Key Index
10324 arch-tag: 7893d1Fe-cc57-4d13-b5e5-f494a1CBC7ac
10327 @c Local variables:
10328 @c ispell-local-dictionary: "en_US-w_accents"
10329 @c ispell-local-pdict: "./.aspell.org.pws"