4 @c @setfilename ../info/org
5 @settitle Org Mode Manual
12 * Org Mode: (org). outline-based notes management and organizer
15 @c Version and Contact Info
16 @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/org/,maintainers webpage}
17 @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
18 @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{dominik@@science.uva.nl}
19 @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:dominik@@science.uva.nl,contact the maintainer}
25 @c FIXME: does not look good in html
26 @c Subheadings inside a table. Need a difference between info and the rest.
27 @macro tsubheading{text}
37 This manual is for Org-mode (version @value{VERSION}).
39 Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006 Free Software Foundation
42 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
43 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
44 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
45 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
46 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
47 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
50 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify
51 this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free
52 Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.''
57 @title Org Mode Manual
59 @subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
60 @author by Carsten Dominik
62 @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
64 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
68 @c Output the table of contents at the beginning.
72 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
79 * Introduction:: Getting started
80 * Document Structure:: A tree works like your brain
81 * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting
82 * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context
83 * TODO items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item
84 * Timestamps:: Assign date and time to items
85 * Agenda Views:: Collecting information into views
86 * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes
87 * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
88 * Index:: The fast road to specific information
89 * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described
92 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
96 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org-mode does
97 * Installation and activation:: How to install Org-mode
98 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
102 * Outlines:: Org-mode is based on outline-mode
103 * Headlines:: How to typeset org-tree headlines
104 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
105 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
106 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
107 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
108 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
109 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
110 * Plain Lists:: Editing hand-formatted lists
114 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
115 * Table calculations:: Compute a field from other fields
116 * orgtbl-mode:: The table editor as minor mode
117 * table.el:: Complex tables
119 Calculations in tables
121 * Formula syntax:: How to write a formula
122 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for all fields in a column
123 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
124 * Named-field formulas:: Formulas valid in single fields
125 * Editing/debugging formulas:: Changing a stored formula
126 * Appetizer:: Taste the power of calc
130 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
131 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
132 * Managing links:: Creating, inserting and following
133 * Search Options:: Linking to a specific location
134 * Remember:: Org-trees store quick notes
138 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text.
139 * CamelCase links:: Activating CamelCase words as links
143 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
144 * Progress logging:: Document your productivity
145 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
146 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
148 Extended use of TODO keywords
150 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
151 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred the rest
152 * Per file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
156 * Time stamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
157 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
161 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
162 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
163 * Weekly/Daily Agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
164 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
165 * Matching headline tags:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
166 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
167 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of org trees
169 The weekly/daily agenda
171 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
172 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
173 * Calendar/Diary integration:: Integrating Anniversaries and more
174 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
178 * ASCII export:: Export as a structured ASCII file
179 * HTML export:: Export as an HTML file
180 * iCalendar export:: Create calendar entries.
184 * HTML formatting:: Interpretation of the buffer content
185 * Export options:: How to influence exports
186 * Comment lines:: Lines which will not be exported
190 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
191 * Customization:: Adapting Org-mode to your taste
192 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
193 * TTY keys:: Using Org-mode on a tty
194 * FAQ:: Frequently asked questions
195 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
196 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
197 * Acknowledgments:: These people provided feedback and more
202 @node Introduction, Document Structure, Top, Top
203 @chapter Introduction
207 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org-mode does
208 * Installation and activation:: How to install Org-mode
209 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
212 @node Summary, Installation and activation, Introduction, Introduction
216 Org-mode is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining ToDo lists, and doing
217 project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.
219 Org-mode develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
220 information about projects as plain text. Org-mode is implemented on
221 top of outline-mode, which makes it possible to keep the content of
222 large files well structured. Visibility cycling and structure editing
223 help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created with a built-in
224 table editor. Org-mode supports ToDo items, deadlines, time stamps,
225 and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an agenda that
226 utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar and diary.
227 Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails, Usenet
228 messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects. For
229 printing and sharing of notes, an Org-mode file can be exported as a
230 structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (todo and agenda items only) as an
233 Org-mode keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should
234 feel like a simple but easy to use outliner. Complexity is not
235 imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you
236 need it. Org-mode can be used on different levels and in different
240 @r{@bullet{} as an outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
241 @r{@bullet{} as an ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
242 @r{@bullet{} as an ASCII table editor with spreadsheet-like capabilities}
243 @r{@bullet{} as a simple hypertext system, with HTML export}
244 @r{@bullet{} as a TODO list editor}
245 @r{@bullet{} as a full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
248 The Org-mode table editor can be integrated into any major mode by
249 activating the minor Orgtbl-mode.
251 There is a website for Org-mode which provides links to the newest
252 version of Org-mode, as well as additional information, screen shots
253 and example files. This page is located at
254 @uref{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/org/}.
258 @node Installation and activation, Feedback, Summary, Introduction
259 @section Installation and Activation
262 @cindex global keybindings
263 @cindex keybindings, global
265 If Org-mode is part of the Emacs distribution or an XEmacs package,
266 you only need to copy the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file.
267 The last two lines define @emph{global} keys for the commands
268 @command{org-store-link} and @command{org-agenda} - please
269 choose suitable keys yourself.
272 ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys.
273 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org$" . org-mode))
274 (define-key global-map "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
275 (define-key global-map "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
278 If you have downloaded Org-mode from the Web, you must byte-compile
279 @file{org.el} and put it on your load path. In addition to the Emacs
280 Lisp lines above, you also need to add the following lines to
284 ;; These lines only if org-mode is not part of the X/Emacs distribution.
285 (autoload 'org-mode "org" "Org mode" t)
286 (autoload 'org-diary "org" "Diary entries from Org mode")
287 (autoload 'org-agenda "org" "Multi-file agenda from Org mode" t)
288 (autoload 'org-store-link "org" "Store a link to the current location" t)
289 (autoload 'orgtbl-mode "org" "Org tables as a minor mode" t)
290 (autoload 'turn-on-orgtbl "org" "Org tables as a minor mode")
293 @cindex org-mode, turning on
294 With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put into
295 Org-mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look like
299 MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*-
302 @noindent which will select Org-mode for this buffer no matter what
303 the file's name is. See also the variable
304 @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}.
306 @node Feedback, , Installation and activation, Introduction
313 If you find problems with Org-mode, or if you have questions, remarks,
314 or ideas about it, please contact the maintainer Carsten Dominik at
315 @value{MAINTAINEREMAIL}.
317 For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible,
318 including the version information of Emacs (@kbd{C-h v emacs-version
319 @key{RET}}) and Org-mode (@kbd{C-h v org-version @key{RET}}), as well as
320 the Org-mode related setup in @file{.emacs}. If an error occurs, a
321 traceback can be very useful. Often a small example file helps, along
322 with clear information about:
324 @item What exactly did you do?
325 @item What did you expect to happen?
326 @item What happened instead?
328 @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode.
330 @node Document Structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
331 @chapter Document Structure
332 @cindex document structure
333 @cindex structure of document
335 Org-mode is based on outline mode and provides flexible commands to
336 edit the structure of the document.
339 * Outlines:: Org-mode is based on outline-mode
340 * Headlines:: How to typeset org-tree headlines
341 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
342 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
343 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
344 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
345 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
346 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
347 * Plain Lists:: Editing hand-formatted lists
350 @node Outlines, Headlines, Document Structure, Document Structure
355 Org-mode is implemented on top of outline-mode. Outlines allow to
356 organize a document in a hierarchical structure, which (at least for
357 me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. Overview over
358 this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the
359 document to show only the general document structure and the parts
360 currently being worked on. Org-mode greatly simplifies the use of
361 outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a
362 single command @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB}
365 @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document Structure
370 Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in
371 Org-mode start with one or more stars, on the left margin. For
381 * Another top level headline
383 @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an
384 outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline
385 starters. @ref{Clean view} describes a setup to realize this.
387 @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document Structure
388 @section Visibility cycling
389 @cindex cycling, visibility
390 @cindex visibility cycling
391 @cindex trees, visibility
392 @cindex show hidden text
395 Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer.
396 Org-mode uses a single command bound to the @key{TAB} key to change
397 the visibility in the buffer.
399 @cindex subtree visibility states
400 @cindex folded, subtree visibility state
401 @cindex children, subtree visibility state
402 @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state
406 Rotate current subtree between the states
408 ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
409 '-----------------------------------'
411 At the beginning of the buffer (or when called with @kbd{C-u}), this does
412 the same as the command @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} below.
414 @cindex global visibility states
415 @cindex overview, global visibility state
416 @cindex contents, global visibility state
417 @cindex show all, global visibility state
420 Rotate the entire buffer between the states
422 ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
423 '--------------------------------------'
425 Note that inside tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field.
427 @cindex show all, command
433 When Emacs first visits an Org-mode file, the global state is set to
434 OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be
435 configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a
436 per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the
445 @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document Structure
447 @cindex motion, between headlines
448 @cindex jumping, to headlines
449 @cindex headline navigation
450 The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer.
461 Next heading same level.
464 Previous heading same level.
467 Backward to higher level heading.
470 Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
471 visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
472 you can use visibility cycling (@key{TAB}) to find your destination.
473 After pressing @key{RET}, the cursor moves to the selected location in
474 the original buffer, and the headings hierarchy above it is made
478 @node Structure editing, Archiving, Motion, Document Structure
479 @section Structure editing
480 @cindex structure editing
481 @cindex headline, promotion and demotion
482 @cindex promotion, of subtrees
483 @cindex demotion, of subtrees
484 @cindex subtree, cut and paste
485 @cindex pasting, of subtrees
486 @cindex cutting, of subtrees
487 @cindex copying, of subtrees
488 @cindex subtrees, cut and paste
493 Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a
494 plain list item, a new item is created. To force creation of a new
495 headline, use a prefix arg, or first press @key{RET} to get to the
496 beginning of the next line.
497 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
499 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.
502 Promote current heading by one level.
503 @kindex M-@key{right}
505 Demote current heading by one level.
506 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
508 Promote the current subtree by one level.
509 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
510 @item M-S-@key{right}
511 Demote the current subtree by one level.
514 Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
516 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
518 Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
523 Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
526 Copy subtree to kill ring.
529 Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to
530 make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank
531 level can also be specified with a prefix arg, or by yanking after a
532 headline marker like @samp{****}.
535 @cindex region, active
536 @cindex active region
537 @cindex transient-mark-mode
538 When there is an active region (transient-mark-mode), promotion and
539 demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of
540 headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a
541 line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line
542 just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is
543 inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different
546 @node Archiving, Sparse trees, Structure editing, Document Structure
549 @cindex filing subtrees
551 When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want
552 to move the tree to an archive place, either in the same file under a
553 special top-level heading, or even to a different file.
557 Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location
558 given by @code{org-archive-location}.
561 @cindex archive locations
562 The default archive is a file in the same directory as the current
563 file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the
564 current file name. For information and examples on how to change
565 this, see the documentation string of the variable
566 @code{org-archive-location}. If you are also using the Org-mode
567 agenda, archiving to a different file is a good way to keep archived
568 trees from contributing agenda items.
570 @node Sparse trees, Tags, Archiving, Document Structure
571 @section Sparse trees
573 @cindex trees, sparse
574 @cindex folding, sparse trees
575 @cindex occur, command
577 An important feature of Org-mode is the ability to construct
578 @emph{sparse trees} for selected information in an outline tree. A
579 sparse tree means that the entire document is folded as much as
580 possible, but the selected information is made visible along with the
581 headline structure above it@footnote{See also the variables
582 @code{org-show-hierarchy-above} and
583 @code{org-show-following-heading}.}. Just try it out and you will see
584 immediately how it works.
586 Org-mode contains several commands creating such trees. The most
587 basic one is @command{org-occur}:
592 Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches.
593 If the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the
594 match is in the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible.
595 In order to provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of
596 headlines above the match is shown, as well as the headline following
597 the match. Each match is also highlighted, the highlights disappear
598 when the buffer is changed with an editing command.
601 For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can
602 use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast
603 keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be
604 accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
607 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
608 '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME")))
610 @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating
611 a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}.
613 Other commands are using sparse trees as well. For example @kbd{C-c
614 C-v} creates a sparse TODO tree (@pxref{TODO basics}).
617 @cindex printing sparse trees
618 @cindex visible text, printing
619 To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command
620 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts
621 of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because
622 XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties}.
623 Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-x v} to copy the visible part of
624 the document to another file (extension @file{.txt}) which can then be
625 printed in any desired way.
627 @node Tags, Plain Lists, Sparse trees, Document Structure
630 @cindex headline tagging
631 @cindex matching, tags
632 @cindex sparse tree, tag based
634 If you wish to implement a tag system to cross-correlate information,
635 this can be done as well in Org-mode. Every headline can contain a
636 list of tags, at the end of the headline. Tags are normal words
637 containing letters, numbers, @samp{_}, and @samp{@@}. Tags must be
638 preceded and followed by a single colon; like @samp{:WORK:}. Several
639 tags can be specified like @samp{:WORK:URGENT:}.
641 @cindex inheritance, of tags
642 Tags make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees. If a
643 heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
644 well. For example, in the list
647 * Meeting with the French group :WORK:
648 ** Summary by Frank :BOSS:NOTES:
649 *** TODO Prepare slides for him :ACTION:
652 the final heading will have the tags @samp{:WORK:}, @samp{:BOSS:},
653 @samp{:NOTES:}, and @samp{:ACTION:}. When executing tag searches and
654 Org-mode finds that a certain headline matches the search criterion,
655 it will not check any sublevel headline, assuming that these likely
656 also match, and that the list of matches can become very long. You
657 can influence inheritance and searching using the variables
658 @code{org-use-tag-inheritance} and
659 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}.
662 Tags can simply be typed into the buffer. After a colon,
663 @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on all tags being used in the
664 current buffer. There are also special commands for inserting tags,
665 and for executing searches based on tags.
670 @cindex completion, of tags
671 Enter new tags for the current headline. The minibuffer will prompt
672 for a list of tags and offer completion with respect to all other tags
673 used in the current buffer. Several tags, separated by colons, may be
674 specified at the prompt. After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will
675 be inserted and aligned to @code{org-tags-column}. When called with a
676 @kbd{C-u} prefix, align all tags in the current buffer to that column,
677 just to make things look nice. TAGS are automatically realigned after
678 promotion, demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
681 Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search.
684 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
685 @xref{Matching headline tags}.
688 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
689 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
690 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
693 A tags search string can use Boolean operators @samp{&} for AND and
694 @samp{|} for OR. @samp{&} binds more strongly than
695 @samp{|}. Parenthesis are currently not implemented. A tag may also be
696 preceded by @samp{-}, to select against it, and @samp{+} is syntactic
697 sugar for positive selection. The AND operator @samp{&} is optional
698 when @samp{+} or @samp{-} is present. For example, @samp{+WORK-BOSS}
699 would select all headlines that are tagged @samp{:WORK:}, but discard
700 those also tagged @samp{:BOSS:}. The search string @samp{WORK|LAPTOP}
701 selects all lines tagged @samp{:WORK:} or @samp{:LAPTOP:}. The string
702 @samp{WORK|LAPTOP&NIGHT} requires that the @samp{:LAPTOP:} lines are
703 also tagged @samp{NIGHT}.
705 @node Plain Lists, , Tags, Document Structure
709 @cindex lists, ordered
710 @cindex ordered lists
712 Headlines define both the structure of the Org-mode file, and also lists
713 (for example, TODO items (@pxref{TODO items}) should be created using
714 headline levels). However, when taking notes, the plain text is
715 sometimes easier to read with hand-formatted lists. Org-mode supports
716 editing such lists, and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) does
717 parse and format them.
719 Org-mode knows ordered and unordered lists. Unordered list items start
720 with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a
721 bullet, lines must be indented or they will be seen as top-level
722 headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading stars to get a clean
723 outline view, plain list items starting with a star are visually
724 indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though @samp{*}
725 is supported, it may be better to not use it for plain list items} as
726 bullets. Ordered list items start with @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}. Items
727 belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first
728 line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then
729 the 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers
730 in the list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It
731 ends before the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or
736 My favorite scenes are (in this order)
737 1. Eowyns fight with the witch king
738 + this was already my favorite scene in the book
739 + I really like Miranda Otto.
740 2. The attack of the Rohirrim
741 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas
743 He makes a really funny face when it happens.
746 Org-mode supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands
747 to correctly deal with them. Furthermore, the following commands act
748 on items when the cursor is in the first line of an item (the line
749 with the bullet or number).
754 Items can be folded just like headline levels if you set the variable
755 @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. The level of an item is then
756 given by the indentation of the bullet/number. However, items are
757 always subordinate to real headlines, the hierarchies remain
758 completely separated.
761 Insert new item at current level. With prefix arg, for a new heading.
763 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
765 @itemx M-S-@key{down}
766 Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item
767 of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is
769 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
770 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
772 @itemx M-S-@key{right}
773 Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems.
774 Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation.
775 When these commands are executed several times in direct succession,
776 the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation
777 would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break
778 the command chain with a cursor motion or so.
781 Renumber the ordered list at the cursor.
784 @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document Structure, Top
787 @cindex editing tables
789 Org-mode has a very fast and intuitive table editor built-in.
790 Spreadsheet-like calculations are supported in connection with the
791 Emacs @file{calc} package.
794 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
795 * Table calculations:: Compute a field from other fields
796 * orgtbl-mode:: The table editor as minor mode
797 * table.el:: Complex tables
800 @node Built-in table editor, Table calculations, Tables, Tables
801 @section The built-in table editor
802 @cindex table editor, builtin
804 Org-mode makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with
805 @samp{|} as the first non-white character is considered part of a
806 table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look
810 | Name | Phone | Age |
811 |-------+-------+-----|
812 | Peter | 1234 | 17 |
816 A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or
817 @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to
818 the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows
819 at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation
820 of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with
821 @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be
822 expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to
823 create the above table, you would only type
829 @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in
832 When typing text into a field, Org-mode treats @key{DEL},
833 @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that
834 inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when
835 typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field
836 with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the
837 field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too
838 unpredictable for you, configure the variables
839 @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}.
842 @tsubheading{Creation and conversion}
843 @item M-x org-table-create
844 Creates an empty Org-mode table. However, it is much easier to just
845 start typing, like @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}
849 Convert region to table. Works when the cursor is not in an existing
850 table, and when there is a region defined. If every line contains at
851 least one TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab
852 separated. If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You
853 can use a prefix argument to indicate the minimum number of consequtive
854 spaces required to indentify a field separator (default: just one).
856 @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
859 Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
863 Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if
868 Re-align, move to previous field.
872 Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if
873 necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does
874 NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table.
876 @tsubheading{Column and row editing}
878 @kindex M-@key{right}
881 Move the current column left/right.
883 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
885 Kill the current column.
887 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
888 @item M-S-@key{right}
889 Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
895 Move the current row up/down.
899 Kill the current row or horizontal line.
901 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
903 Insert a new row above (with arg: below) the current row.
907 Insert a horizontal line below current row. With prefix arg, the line
908 is created above the current line.
912 Sort the table lines in the region. Point and mark must be in the first
913 and last line to be included, and must be in the column that should be
914 used for sorting. The command prompts for numerical versus
915 alphanumerical sorting.
917 @tsubheading{Regions}
920 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point
921 and mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. The process ignores
922 horizontal separator lines.
925 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
926 blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation.
929 Paste a rectangular region into a table.
930 The upper right corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields
931 will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table,
932 the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator
936 Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active
937 region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the
938 column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A
939 prefix ARG may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there
940 is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the
941 text fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one
942 line down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix ARG, the
943 current field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field
946 @tsubheading{Calculations}
947 @cindex formula, in tables
948 @cindex calculations, in tables
951 Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field
952 with the result of the formula.
956 Install a new formula for the current field, which must be a named
957 field. Evaluate the formula and replace the field content with the
962 Edit all formulas associated with the current table in a separate
967 Recalculate the current row by applying the stored formulas from left
968 to right. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, recalculate the
969 entire table, starting with the first non-header line (i.e. below the
970 first horizontal separator line). For details, see @ref{Table calculations}.
974 Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states
975 @samp{}, @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. For the meaning of
976 these marks see @ref{Advanced features}. When there is an active
977 region, change all marks in the region.
981 Which table column is the cursor in? Displays number >0 in echo
984 @cindex region, active
985 @cindex active region
986 @cindex transient-mark-mode
989 Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by
990 the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can
991 be inserted with @kbd{C-y}.
995 When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above.
996 When not empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor
997 along with it. Depending on the variable
998 @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field values will be
999 incremented during copy. This key is also used by CUA-mode
1000 (@pxref{Interaction}).
1002 @tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
1005 Toggle the visibility of vertical lines in tables. The lines are
1006 still there, only made invisible with a text property. Any @samp{|}
1007 added by hand will become invisible on the next align.
1009 @item M-x org-table-import
1010 Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB- or whitespace
1011 separated. Useful, for example, to import an Excel table or data from a
1012 database, because these programs generally can write TAB-separated text
1013 files. This command works by inserting the file into the buffer and
1014 then converting the region to a table. Any prefix argument is passed on
1015 to the converter, which uses it to determine the separator.
1017 @item M-x org-table-export
1018 Export the table as a TAB-separated file. Useful for data exchange with,
1019 for example, Excel or database programs.
1023 If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your
1024 way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn
1027 (setq org-enable-table-editor nil)
1029 @noindent The only table command which then still works is
1030 @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align.
1032 @node Table calculations, orgtbl-mode, Built-in table editor, Tables
1033 @section Calculations in tables
1034 @cindex calculations, in tables
1035 @cindex spreadsheet capabilities
1036 @cindex @file{calc} package
1038 The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to
1039 implement spreadsheet-like capabilities. Org-mode has two levels of
1040 complexity for table calculations. On the basic level, tables do only
1041 horizontal computations, so a field can be computed from other fields
1042 @emph{in the same row}, and Org-mode assumes that there is only one
1043 formula for each column. This is very efficient to work with and
1044 enough for many tasks. On the complex level, columns and individual
1045 fields can be named for easier referencing in formulas, individual
1046 named fields can have their own formula associated with them, and
1047 recalculation can be automated.
1050 * Formula syntax:: How to write a formula
1051 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for all fields in a column
1052 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
1053 * Named-field formulas:: Formulas valid in single fields
1054 * Editing/debugging formulas:: Changing a stored formula
1055 * Appetizer:: Taste the power of calc
1058 @node Formula syntax, Column formulas, Table calculations, Table calculations
1059 @subsection Formula syntax
1060 @cindex formula syntax
1061 @cindex syntax, of formulas
1063 A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs
1064 @file{calc} package. Note that @file{calc} has the slightly
1065 non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than
1066 @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}. Before
1067 evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from Your Lisp
1068 Programs,calc-eval,Calling calc from Your Lisp Programs,calc,GNU Emacs
1069 Calc Manual}), variable substitution takes place:
1072 $ @r{refers to the current field}
1073 $3 @r{refers to the field in column 3 of the current row}
1074 $3..$7 @r{a vector of the fields in columns 3-7 of current row}
1075 $P1..$P3 @r{vector of column range, using column names}
1076 &2 @r{second data field above the current, in same column}
1077 &5-2 @r{vector from fifth to second field above current}
1078 &III-II @r{vector of fields between 2nd and 3rd hline above}
1079 &III @r{vector of fields between third hline above and current field}
1080 $name @r{a named field, parameter or constant}
1083 @cindex vectors, in table calculations
1084 The range vectors can be directly fed into the calc vector functions
1085 like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}.
1087 @cindex name, of column or field
1088 @cindex constants, in calculations
1089 @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or
1090 constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable
1091 @code{org-table-formula-constants}. If you have the
1092 @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve
1093 constants, including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's
1094 constant, and units like @samp{$km} for kilometers. Column names and
1095 parameters can be specified in special table lines. These are
1096 described below, see @ref{Advanced features}.
1098 @cindex format specifier
1099 @cindex mode, for @file{calc}
1100 A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This
1101 string consists of flags to influence calc's modes@footnote{By
1102 default, Org-mode uses the standard calc modes (precision 12, angular
1103 units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off). However, the display
1104 format has been changed to @code{(float 5)} to keep tables compact.
1105 The default settings can be configured using the variable
1106 @code{org-calc-default-modes}.} during execution, e.g. @samp{p20} to
1107 switch the internal precision to 20 digits, @samp{n3}, @samp{s3},
1108 @samp{e2} or @samp{f4} to switch to normal, scientific, engineering,
1109 or fixed display format, respectively, and @samp{D}, @samp{R}, @samp{F},
1110 and @samp{S} to turn on degrees, radians, fraction and symbolic modes,
1111 respectively. In addition, you may provide a @code{printf} format
1112 specifier to reformat the final result. A few examples:
1114 $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field}
1115 $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals}
1116 exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used}
1117 $;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal}
1118 ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion}
1119 $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}}
1120 tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1}
1121 sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display}
1122 vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function}
1123 vsum(&III) @r{Sum numbers from 3rd hline above, up to here}
1124 taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree}
1127 @node Column formulas, Advanced features, Formula syntax, Table calculations
1128 @subsection Column formulas
1129 @cindex column formula
1130 @cindex formula, for table column
1132 To apply a formula to a field, type it directly into the field,
1133 preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press
1134 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the
1135 field, the formula will be stored as the formula for the current
1136 column, evaluated and the current field replaced with the result. If
1137 the field contains only @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for
1138 this column is used.
1140 For each column, Org-mode will remember the most recently used
1141 formula. The information is stored in a special line starting with
1142 @samp{#+TBLFM} directly below the table. When adding/deleting/moving
1143 columns with the appropriate commands, the stored equations will be
1144 modified accordingly. When a column used in a calculation is removed,
1145 references to this column become invalid and will cause an error upon
1146 applying the equation.
1148 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
1149 command @kbd{C-c =}. It prompts for a formula (with default taken
1150 from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line) and applies it to the current field. A
1151 numerical prefix (e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) will apply it to that many
1152 subsequent fields in the current column.
1154 @cindex recomputing table fields
1155 To recompute all the fields in a line, use the command @kbd{C-c *}.
1156 It re-applies all stored equations to the current row, from left to
1157 right. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, this will be done to every line in
1158 the table, so use this command it you want to make sure the entire
1159 table is up-to-date. @kbd{C-u C-c C-c} is another way to update the
1160 entire table. Global updating does not touch the line(s) above the
1161 first horizontal separator line, assuming that this is the table
1164 @node Advanced features, Named-field formulas, Column formulas, Table calculations
1165 @subsection Advanced features
1167 If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically,
1168 or if you want to be able to assign a formula to an individual field
1169 (instead of an entire column) you need to reserve the first column of
1170 the table for special marking characters. Here is an example of a
1171 table that collects exam results of students and makes use of these
1175 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1176 | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note |
1177 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1178 | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | |
1179 | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 |
1180 | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | |
1181 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1182 | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 |
1183 | # | Sara | 6 | 14 | 19 | 39 | 7.8 |
1184 | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 |
1185 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1186 | | Average | | | | 29.7 | |
1187 | ^ | | | | | at | |
1188 | $ | max=50 | | | | | |
1189 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
1190 #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(&II);%.1f
1194 @noindent @b{Important}: Please note that for these special tables,
1195 recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows
1196 which are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and named fields. The column
1197 formulas are not applied in rows with empty first field.
1199 @cindex marking characters, tables
1200 The marking characters have the following meaning:
1203 The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may
1204 refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}.
1206 This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such
1207 a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to
1208 the value @samp{10}. Also, named fields can have their own formula
1209 associated with them.
1211 Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row
1214 Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For
1215 example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then
1216 formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}.
1217 Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on
1218 a per-table basis. Changing a parameter and then recalculating the
1219 table can be useful.
1221 Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing
1222 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row
1223 is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked
1224 lines will be left alone by this command.
1226 Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but
1227 not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic
1228 recalculation slows down editing too much.
1230 Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}.
1231 All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#}
1235 @node Named-field formulas, Editing/debugging formulas, Advanced features, Table calculations
1236 @subsection Named-field formulas
1237 @cindex named field formula
1238 @cindex formula, for named table field
1240 A named field can have its own formula associated with it. In the
1241 example above, this is used for the @samp{at} field that contains
1242 the average result of the students. To enter a formula for a named
1243 field, just type it into the buffer, preceded by @samp{:=}. Or use
1244 @kbd{C-u C-c =}. This equation will be stored below the table like
1245 @samp{$name=...}. Any recalculation in the table (even if only
1246 requested for the current line) will also update all named field
1249 @node Editing/debugging formulas, Appetizer, Named-field formulas, Table calculations
1250 @subsection Editing and debugging formulas
1251 @cindex formula editing
1252 @cindex editing, of table formulas
1254 To edit a column or field formula, use the commands @kbd{C-c
1255 =} and @kbd{C-u C-c =}, respectively. The currently active expression
1256 is then presented as default in the minibuffer, where it may be edited.
1258 Note that making a table field blank does not remove the formula
1259 associated with the field - during the next recalculation the field
1260 will be filled again. To remove a formula from a field, you have to
1261 give an empty reply when prompted for the formula, or to edit the
1262 @samp{#+TBLFM} line.
1265 You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply
1266 the changed equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line, or with the
1267 normal recalculation commands in the table.
1273 In particular for large tables with many formulas, it is convenient to
1274 use the command @kbd{C-c '} to edit the formulas of the current table
1275 in a separate buffer. That buffer will show the formulas one per
1276 line, and you are free to edit, add and remove formulas. Press
1277 @kbd{C-c ?} on a @samp{$...} expression to get information about its
1278 interpretation. Exiting the buffer with @kbd{C-c C-c} only stores the
1279 modified formulas below the table. Exiting with @kbd{C-u C-c C-c}
1280 also applies them to the entire table. @kbd{C-c C-q} exits without
1281 installing the changes.
1283 When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content
1284 becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going
1285 on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a
1286 bug, turn on formula debugging in the menu and repeat the calculation,
1287 for example by pressing @kbd{C-c = @key{RET}} in a field.
1288 Detailed information will be displayed.
1290 @node Appetizer, , Editing/debugging formulas, Table calculations
1291 @subsection Appetizer
1293 Finally, just to wet your appetite on what can be done with the fantastic
1294 @file{calc} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor series
1295 for a couple of functions (homework: try that with Excel :-)
1299 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
1300 | | Func | n | x | Result |
1301 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
1302 | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x |
1303 | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 |
1304 | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 |
1305 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 |
1306 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 |
1307 | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 |
1308 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
1309 #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3
1313 @node orgtbl-mode, table.el, Table calculations, Tables
1314 @section The Orgtbl minor mode
1316 @cindex minor mode for tables
1318 If you like the intuitive way the Org-mode table editor works, you
1319 might want to use it also in other modes like text-mode or mail-mode.
1320 The minor mode Orgtbl-mode makes this possible. You can always toggle
1321 the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for
1322 example in mail mode, use
1324 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
1327 @node table.el, , orgtbl-mode, Tables
1328 @section The @file{table.el} package
1330 @cindex table editor, @file{table.el}
1331 @cindex @file{table.el}
1333 Complex ASCII tables with automatic line wrapping, column- and
1334 row-spanning, and alignment can be created using the Emacs table
1335 package by Takaaki Ota (@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/table},
1336 and also part of Emacs 22).
1337 When @key{TAB} or @kbd{C-c C-c} is pressed in such a table, Org-mode
1338 will call @command{table-recognize-table} and move the cursor into the
1339 table. Inside a table, the keymap of Org-mode is inactive. In order
1340 to execute Org-mode-related commands, leave the table.
1345 Recognize @file{table.el} table. Works when the cursor is in a
1350 Insert a table.el table. If there is already a table at point, this
1351 command converts it between the table.el format and the Org-mode
1352 format. See the documentation string of the command
1353 @code{org-convert-table} for the restrictions under which this is
1357 @node Hyperlinks, TODO items, Tables, Top
1361 Just like HMTL, Org-mode provides links inside a file, and external
1362 links to other files, Usenet articles, emails and much more.
1365 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
1366 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
1367 * Managing links:: Creating, inserting and following
1368 * Search Options:: Linking to a specific location
1369 * Remember:: Org-trees store quick notes
1372 @node Internal links, External links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
1373 @section Internal links
1374 @cindex internal links
1375 @cindex links, internal
1376 @cindex CamelCase links
1378 Strings inside double brackets like @samp{[[My Target]]} are links
1379 that lead to a text search in the current file. The link can be
1380 followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} or with a mouse click (@pxref{Managing
1381 links}). The preferred match for such a link is a dedicated target:
1382 The same string in double angular brackets. Targets may be located
1383 anywhere, often it is convenient to put them into a comment line, for
1389 If no dedicated target exists, Org-mode will search for the words in
1390 the link, in the above example for @samp{my target}. Links starting
1391 with a star like @samp{*My Target} restrict the search to headlines.
1392 When searching, Org-mode will first try an exact match, but then move
1393 on to more and more lenient searches. For example, the link
1394 @samp{[[*My Targets]]} will find any of the following:
1397 ** TODO my targets are bright
1398 ** my 20 targets are
1400 It is therefore often not necessary to set a dedicated target. To
1401 insert a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used.
1402 Just type a star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer
1403 and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will
1404 be offered as completions. @xref{Managing links}, for more commands
1407 Following a link pushes a mark onto Org-mode's own mark ring. You can
1408 return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command
1409 several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded
1413 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text.
1414 * CamelCase links:: Activating CamelCase words as links
1417 @node Radio targets, CamelCase links, Internal links, Internal links
1418 @subsection Radio targets
1420 You can configure Org-mode to link any occurrences of certain target
1421 names in normal text. So without explicitly creating a link, the text
1422 connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are
1423 enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target
1424 @samp{<<<My Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in
1425 normal text to become activated as a link. The Org-mode file is
1426 scanned automatically for radio targets only when the file is first
1427 loaded into Emacs. To update the target list during editing, press
1428 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor on or at a target.
1430 @node CamelCase links, , Radio targets, Internal links
1431 @subsection CamelCase words as links
1432 @cindex completion, of CamelCase links
1433 @cindex CamelCase links, completion of
1435 As an alternative to @samp{[[...]]} links, Org-mode also supports
1436 CamelCase words as links. This feature is not turned on by default
1437 because of the occasional inconsistencies this system suffers from.
1438 To activate CamelCase words as links, and to make headline completion
1439 offer CamelCase version of headlines, the following customization is
1442 (setq org-activate-camels t
1443 org-file-link-context-use-camel-case t)
1446 @node External links, Managing links, Internal links, Hyperlinks
1447 @section External links
1448 @cindex links, external
1449 @cindex external links
1450 @cindex links, external
1457 @cindex WANDERLUST links
1459 @cindex USENET links
1462 Org-mode supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages;
1463 and BBDB database entries. Links are just plain-text URL-like
1464 locators, optionally enclosed by angular brackets. The following list
1465 shows examples for each link type.
1468 <http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik> @r{on the web}
1469 <file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg> @r{file, absolute path}
1470 <file:papers/last.pdf> @r{file, relative path}
1471 <news:comp.emacs> @r{Usenet link}
1472 <mailto:adent@@galaxy.net> @r{Mail link}
1473 <vm:folder> @r{VM folder link}
1474 <vm:folder#id> @r{VM message link}
1475 <vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id> @r{VM on remote machine}
1476 <wl:folder> @r{WANDERLUST folder link}
1477 <wl:folder#id> @r{WANDERLUST message link}
1478 <mhe:folder> @r{MH-E folder link}
1479 <mhe:folder#id> @r{MH-E message link}
1480 <rmail:folder> @r{RMAIL folder link}
1481 <rmail:folder#id> @r{RMAIL message link}
1482 <gnus:group> @r{GNUS group link}
1483 <gnus:group#id> @r{GNUS article link}
1484 <bbdb:Richard Stallman> @r{BBDB link}
1485 <shell:ls *.org>@footnote{Note that @samp{<} and @samp{>} cannot be part of a link, and therefore of a shell command. If you need redirection, use @@@{ and @@@} instead.} @r{A shell command}
1488 A link may contain space characters and is terminated by @samp{>} or by
1489 the end of a line. In tables, the end of a table field also terminates
1490 a link. Angle brackets around a link are not required, but are
1491 recommended to avoid problems with punctuation and other text following
1492 the link. See also the variable @code{org-allow-space-in-links}.
1495 @node Managing links, Search Options, External links, Hyperlinks
1496 @section Managing links
1498 Org-mode provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
1499 insert it into an org-mode file, and to follow the link.
1503 @cindex storing links
1505 Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command
1506 which can be used in any buffer to create a link. The link will be
1507 stored for later insertion into an Org-mode buffer (see below). For
1508 VM, RMAIL, WANDERLUST, GNUS and BBDB buffers, the link will point to
1509 the current article/entry. For W3 and W3M buffers, the link goes to
1510 the current URL. For Org-mode files, the current headline is
1511 targeted. For any other files, the link will point to the file, with
1512 a search string (@pxref{Search Options}) pointing to the
1513 contents of the current line. If there is an active region, the
1514 selected words will form the basis of the search string. The key
1515 binding @kbd{C-c l} is only a suggestion - see @ref{Installation and
1519 @cindex link completion
1520 @cindex file name completion
1521 @cindex completion, of links
1522 @cindex completion, of file names
1523 @cindex inserting links
1525 Insert a link. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the
1526 buffer. You can just type a link, using one of the link type prefixes
1527 mentioned in the examples above. Through completion, all links stored
1528 during the current session can be accessed. When called with prefix
1529 arg, you can use file name completion to enter a file link. The link
1530 will be formatted as given in the variable @code{org-link-format} and
1531 inserted into the buffer. Note that you don't have to use this
1532 command to insert a link. Links in Org-mode are plain text, and you
1533 can type or paste them straight into the buffer.
1535 @cindex following links
1538 Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using
1539 @command{browse-url-at-point}), run vm/gnus/bbdb for the corresponding
1540 links, and execute the command in a shell link. When the cursor is on
1541 a CamelCase link, this commands runs the corresponding search. When
1542 the cursor is on a TAGS list in a headline, it creates the
1543 corresponding TAGS view. Furthermore, it will visit text files in
1544 @samp{file:} links with Emacs and select a suitable application for
1545 non-text files. Classification of files is based on file extension
1546 only. See option @code{org-file-apps}. If there is no link at point,
1547 the current subtree will be searched for one. If you want to override
1548 the default application and visit the file with Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u}
1549 prefix. If the cursor is on a time stamp, it compiles the agenda for
1552 @strong{IMPORTANT}: Be careful not to use any dangerous commands in a
1559 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just like @kbd{C-c C-o}
1560 would. Under Emacs 22, also @kbd{mouse-1} will follow a link.
1564 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs.
1569 Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
1570 easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
1572 @cindex links, returning to
1575 Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the
1576 commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this
1577 command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of
1578 previously recorded positions.
1582 @node Search Options, Remember, Managing links, Hyperlinks
1583 @section Search options in file links
1584 @cindex search option in file links
1585 @cindex file links, searching
1587 File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a
1588 particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a
1589 line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward
1590 compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon.
1593 <file:~/code/main.c::255>
1594 <file:~/xx.org::My Target>
1595 <file:~/xx.org::*My Target>
1596 <file:~/xx.org::/regexp/>
1598 @noindent Here is what these options do.
1604 Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, or do a text search for
1605 @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see
1606 @ref{Internal links}.
1608 In an Org-mode file, restrict search to headlines.
1610 Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs
1611 command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the
1612 target file is in Org-mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a
1613 sparse tree with the matches.
1614 @c If the target file is a directory,
1615 @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory.
1618 As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used
1619 to search the current file. For example, @code{<file:::find me>} does
1620 a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just like
1621 @samp{[[find me]]} would.
1623 @node Remember, , Search Options, Hyperlinks
1625 @cindex @file{remember.el}
1627 Another way to create org entries with links to other files is through
1628 the @emph{Remember} package by John Wiegley. @emph{Remember} lets you
1629 store quick notes with little interruption of your work flow. See
1630 @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/RememberMode} for more
1631 information. The notes produced by @emph{Remember} can be stored in
1632 different ways, and Org-mode files are a good target. Org-mode allows
1633 to file away notes either to a default file, or directly to the
1634 correct location in your Org-mode outline tree. The following
1635 customization@footnote{The three autoload forms are only necessary if
1636 @file{org.el} is not part of the Emacs distribution or an XEmacs
1637 package.} will tell @emph{Remember} to use org files as target, and to
1638 create annotations compatible with Org-mode links.
1641 (autoload 'org-remember-annotation "org")
1642 (autoload 'org-remember-apply-template "org")
1643 (autoload 'org-remember-handler "org")
1644 (setq org-directory "~/path/to/my/orgfiles/")
1645 (setq org-default-notes-file "~/.notes")
1646 (setq remember-annotation-functions '(org-remember-annotation))
1647 (setq remember-handler-functions '(org-remember-handler))
1648 (add-hook 'remember-mode-hook 'org-remember-apply-template)
1651 @cindex templates, for remember
1652 In combination with Org-mode, you can use templates to generate
1653 different types of remember notes. For example, if you would like to
1654 use one template to create general TODO entries, and another one for
1655 journal entries, you could use:
1658 (setq org-remember-templates
1659 '((?t "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/TODO.org")
1660 (?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org")))
1662 @noindent In these entries, the character specifies how to select the
1663 template, the first string specifies the template, and the second string
1664 specifies a default file (overruling @code{org-default-notes-file}) as a
1665 target for this note.
1667 When you call @kbd{M-x remember} to remember something, org will prompt
1668 for a key to select the template and then prepare the buffer like
1671 <file:link to where you called remember>
1675 * [2006-03-21 Tue 15:37]
1677 <file:link to where you called remember>
1680 @noindent See the variable @code{org-remember-templates} for more details.
1682 When you are finished composing a note with remember, you have to press
1683 @kbd{C-c C-c} to exit remember-mode and to file the note away. The
1684 handler first prompts for a target file - if you press @key{RET}, the
1685 value of @code{org-default-notes-file} is used. Then the command offers
1686 the headings tree of the selected file. You can either immediately
1687 press @key{RET} to get the note appended to the file. Or you can use
1688 vertical cursor motion (@key{up} and @key{down}) and visibility cycling
1689 (@key{TAB}) to find a better place. Pressing @key{RET} or @key{left} or
1690 @key{right} leads to the following result.
1692 @multitable @columnfractions 0.2 0.1 0.7
1693 @item @b{Cursor position} @tab @b{Key} @tab @b{Note gets inserted}
1694 @item buffer-start @tab @key{RET} @tab as level 2 heading at end of file
1695 @item on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab as sublevel of the heading at cursor
1696 @item @tab @key{left} @tab as same level, before current heading
1697 @item @tab @key{right} @tab as same level, after current heading
1698 @item not on headline @tab @key{RET}
1699 @tab at cursor position, level taken from context.
1700 Or use prefix arg to specify level manually.
1703 So a fast way to store the note is to press @kbd{C-c C-c @key{RET}
1704 @key{RET}} to append it to the default file. Even shorter would be
1705 @kbd{C-u C-c C-c}, which does the same without even showing the tree.
1706 But with little extra effort, you can push it directly to the correct
1709 Before inserting the text into a tree, the function ensures that the
1710 text has a headline, i.e. a first line that starts with a @samp{*}.
1711 If not, a headline is constructed from the current date and some
1712 additional data. If the variable @code{org-adapt-indentation} is
1713 non-nil, the entire text is also indented so that it starts in the
1714 same column as the headline (after the asterisks).
1717 @node TODO items, Timestamps, Hyperlinks, Top
1721 Org-mode does not maintain TODO lists as a separate document. TODO
1722 items are an integral part of the notes file, because TODO items
1723 usually come up while taking notes! With Org-mode, you simply mark
1724 any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way, the
1725 information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the
1726 item emerged is always present when you check.
1728 Of course, this technique causes TODO items to be scattered throughout
1729 your file. Org-mode provides methods to give you an overview over all
1730 things you have to do.
1733 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
1734 * Progress logging:: Document your productivity
1735 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
1736 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
1739 @node TODO basics, Progress logging, TODO items, TODO items
1740 @section Basic TODO functionality
1742 Any headline can become a TODO item by starting it with the word TODO,
1746 *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune
1750 The most important commands to work with TODO entries are:
1754 @cindex cycling, of TODO states
1756 Rotate the TODO state of the current item between
1758 ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --.
1759 '--------------------------------'
1761 The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and
1762 agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
1764 @cindex sparse tree, for TODO
1766 View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds
1767 the entire buffer, but shows all TODO items and the headings hierarchy
1768 above them. With prefix arg, show also the DONE entries. With
1769 numerical prefix N, show the tree for the Nth keyword in the variable
1770 @code{org-todo-keywords}.
1773 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
1774 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
1775 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
1776 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
1777 @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
1778 @item @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo}
1779 If you would like to have all your TODO items listed as part of your
1780 agenda, customize the variable @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo}.
1783 @node Progress logging, TODO extensions, TODO basics, TODO items
1784 @section Progress Logging
1785 @cindex progress logging
1786 @cindex logging, of progress
1787 If you want to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO item was
1788 finished, turn on logging with
1790 (setq org-log-done t)
1793 Then each time you turn a TODO entry into DONE using either @kbd{C-c
1794 C-t} in the Org-mode buffer or @kbd{t} in the agenda buffer, a line
1795 @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted just after the headline.
1796 If you turn the entry back into a TODO item again through further
1797 state cycling, that line will be removed again. In the timeline
1798 (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily Agenda}),
1799 you can then use the @kbd{L} key to display the TODO items closed on
1800 each day, giving you an overview of what has been done on a day.
1802 @node TODO extensions, Priorities, Progress logging, TODO items
1803 @section Extended use of TODO keywords
1804 @cindex extended TODO keywords
1806 The default implementation of TODO entries is just two states: TODO
1807 and DONE. You can, however, use the TODO feature for more
1808 complicated things by configuring the variables
1809 @code{org-todo-keywords} and @code{org-todo-interpretation}. Using
1810 special setup, you can even use TODO keywords in different ways in
1811 different org files.
1814 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
1815 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred the rest
1816 * Per file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
1819 @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions
1820 @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states
1821 @cindex TODO workflow
1822 @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords
1824 You can use TODO keywords to indicate different states in the process
1825 of working on an item, for example:
1828 (setq org-todo-keywords '("TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "DONE")
1829 org-todo-interpretation 'sequence)
1832 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
1833 Changing these variables becomes only effective in a new Emacs session.
1834 With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from
1835 TODO to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE. You may also
1836 use a prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For example
1837 @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
1838 If you define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion (see
1839 @ref{Completion}) to insert these words into the buffer.
1841 @node TODO types, Per file keywords, Workflow states, TODO extensions
1842 @subsection TODO keywords as types
1844 @cindex names as TODO keywords
1845 @cindex types as TODO keywords
1847 The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different
1848 types of action items. For example, you might want to indicate that
1849 items are for ``work'' or ``home''. If you are into David Allen's
1850 @emph{Getting Things DONE}, you might want to use todo types
1851 @samp{NEXTACTION}, @samp{WAITING}, @samp{MAYBE}. Or, when you work
1852 with several people on a single project, you might want to assign
1853 action items directly to persons, by using their names as TODO
1854 keywords. This would be set up like this:
1857 (setq org-todo-keywords '("Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "Mike" "DONE")
1858 org-todo-interpretation 'type)
1861 In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but
1862 rather different types. So it is normally not useful to change from
1863 one type to another. Therefore, in this case the behavior of the
1864 command @kbd{C-c C-t} is changed slightly@footnote{This is also true
1865 for the @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When
1866 used several times in succession, it will still cycle through all
1867 names. But when you return to the item after some time and execute
1868 @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from each name directly to DONE.
1869 Use prefix arguments or completion to quickly select a specific name.
1870 You can also review the items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree
1871 by using a numeric prefix to @kbd{C-c C-v}. For example, to see all
1872 things Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c C-v}. To collect
1873 Lucy's items from all agenda files into a single buffer, you
1874 would use the prefix arg as well when creating the global todo list:
1877 @node Per file keywords, , TODO types, TODO extensions
1878 @subsection Setting up TODO keywords for individual files
1879 @cindex keyword options
1880 @cindex per file keywords
1882 It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism
1883 in different files, which is not possible with the global settings
1884 described above. For file-local settings, you need to add special
1885 lines to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that
1886 file only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed
1887 above, you need one of the following lines, starting in column zero
1888 anywhere in the file:
1891 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY DONE
1892 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike DONE
1895 @cindex Completion, of option keywords
1897 @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type
1898 @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion.
1900 @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword
1901 Remember that the last keyword must always mean that the item is DONE
1902 (you may use a different word, though). Also note that in each file,
1903 only one of the two aspects of TODO keywords can be used. After
1904 changing one of these lines, use @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still
1905 in the line to make the changes known to Org-mode@footnote{Org-mode
1906 parses these lines only when Org-mode is activated after visiting a
1907 file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+}
1908 is simply restarting Org-mode, making sure that these changes will be
1911 If you want to use very many keywords, for example when working with a
1912 large group of people, you may split the names over several lines:
1915 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike
1916 #+TYP_TODO: Luis George Jules Jessica
1917 #+TYP_TODO: Kim Arnold Peter
1921 @node Priorities, , TODO extensions, TODO items
1925 If you use Org-mode extensively to organize your work, you may end up
1926 with a number of TODO entries so large that you'd like to prioritize
1927 them. This can be done by placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the
1931 *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
1935 With its standard setup, Org-mode supports priorities @samp{A},
1936 @samp{B}, and @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry
1937 without a cookie is treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a
1938 difference only in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily Agenda}).
1943 Set the priority of the current item. The command prompts for a
1944 priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press
1945 @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline.
1946 The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and
1947 agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
1950 @kindex S-@key{down}
1953 Increase/decrease priority of current item. Note that these keys are
1954 also used to modify time stamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}).
1955 Furthermore, these keys are also used by CUA-mode
1956 (@pxref{Interaction}).
1959 @node Timestamps, Agenda Views, TODO items, Top
1962 Items can be labeled with timestamps to make them useful for project
1966 * Time stamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
1967 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
1971 @node Time stamps, Creating timestamps, Timestamps, Timestamps
1972 @section Time stamps, deadlines and scheduling
1974 @cindex ranges, time
1979 A time stamp is a specification of a date (possibly with time) in a
1980 special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or @samp{<2003-09-16
1981 Tue 09:39>}. A time stamp can appear anywhere in the headline or body
1982 of an org-tree entry. Its presence allows entries to be shown on specific
1983 dates in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily Agenda}). We distinguish:
1988 A simple time stamp just assigns a date/time to an item. In the
1989 timeline and agenda displays, the headline of the entry will be shown
1990 exactly on that date.
1994 Two time stamps connected by @samp{--} denote a time range. The
1995 headline will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on
1996 any dates that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an
2000 ** Meeting in Amsterdam
2001 <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu>
2005 @cindex DEADLINE keyword
2006 If a time stamp is preceded by the word @samp{DEADLINE:}, the task
2007 (most likely a TODO item) is supposed to be finished on that date, and
2008 it will be listed then. In addition, the compilation for @emph{today}
2009 will carry a warning about the approaching or missed deadline,
2010 starting @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date, and
2011 continuing until the entry is marked DONE. An example:
2014 *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide
2015 The editor in charge is <bbdb:Ford Prefect>
2016 DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
2020 @cindex SCHEDULED keyword
2021 If a time stamp is preceded by the word @samp{SCHEDULED:}, it means
2022 you are planning to start working on that task on the given date. The
2023 headline will be listed under the given date. In addition, a reminder
2024 that the scheduled date has passed will be present in the compilation
2025 for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE. I.e., the
2026 task will automatically be forwarded.
2029 @node Creating timestamps, , Time stamps, Timestamps
2030 @section Creating timestamps
2031 @cindex creating timestamps
2032 @cindex timestamps, creating
2034 For Org-mode to recognize time stamps, they need to be in the specific
2035 format. All commands listed below produce time stamps in the correct
2041 Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding time stamp. When the
2042 cursor is at a previously used time stamp, it is updated to NOW. When
2043 this command is used twice in succession, a time range is inserted.
2047 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but use the alternative format which contains date
2048 and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5 minutes,
2049 see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}.
2053 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive time stamp not triggering the
2058 Insert a time stamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
2062 Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a
2063 timestamp in the current line, goto the corresponding date
2068 Access the agenda for the date given by the time stamp at point
2069 (@pxref{Weekly/Daily Agenda}).
2073 Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp.
2075 @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
2077 Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or
2078 which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}.
2079 With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric
2080 prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c C-w} shows
2081 all deadlines due tomorrow.
2085 Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp.
2087 @kindex S-@key{left}
2088 @kindex S-@key{right}
2090 @itemx S-@key{right}
2091 Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with
2092 CUA-mode (@pxref{Interaction}).
2095 @kindex S-@key{down}
2098 Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on
2099 a year, month, day, hour or minute. Note that if the cursor is not at
2100 a time stamp, these same keys modify the priority of an item.
2101 (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with CUA-mode
2102 (@pxref{Interaction}).
2106 @cindex evaluate time range
2108 Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and
2109 end. With prefix arg, insert result after the time range (in a table:
2110 into the following column).
2113 @cindex date, reading in minibuffer
2114 @cindex time, reading in minibuffer
2115 @cindex calendar, for selecting date
2116 When Org-mode prompts for a date/time, the function reading your input
2117 will replace anything you choose not to specify with the current date
2118 and time. For details, see the documentation string of
2119 @command{org-read-date}. Also, a calender will pop up to allow
2120 selecting a date. The calendar can be fully controlled from the
2121 minibuffer, and a date can be selected with the following commands:
2126 Scroll calendar backwards by one month.
2129 Scroll calendar forwards by one month.
2132 Select date by clicking on it.
2133 @kindex S-@key{right}
2136 @kindex S-@key{left}
2139 @kindex S-@key{down}
2145 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
2146 @item M-S-@key{right}
2148 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
2149 @item M-S-@key{left}
2153 Choose date in calendar (only if nothing typed into minibuffer).
2156 @node Agenda Views, Exporting, Timestamps, Top
2157 @chapter Agenda Views
2158 @cindex agenda views
2160 Due to the way Org-mode works, TODO items and time-stamped items can
2161 be scattered throughout a file or even a number of files. To get an
2162 overview over open action items, or over events that are important for
2163 a particular date, this information must be collected, sorted and
2164 displayed in an organized way.
2166 Org-mode can select items based on various criteria, and display them
2167 in a separate buffer. Three different views are provided:
2170 an @emph{agenda} that is like a calendar and shows information
2173 a @emph{TODO list} that covers all unfinished
2176 a @emph{tags view} that shows information based on
2177 the tags associated with headlines in the outline tree.
2180 The extracted information is displayed in a special @emph{agenda
2181 buffer}. This buffer is read-only, but provides commands to visit the
2182 corresponding locations in the original Org-mode files, and even to
2183 edit these files remotely.
2186 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
2187 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
2188 * Weekly/Daily Agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
2189 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
2190 * Matching headline tags:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
2191 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
2192 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of org trees
2195 @node Agenda files, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views, Agenda Views
2196 @section Agenda files
2198 The information to be shown is collected from all @emph{agenda files},
2199 the files listed in the variable @code{org-agenda-files}@footnote{If the
2200 value of that variable is not a list, but a single file name, then the
2201 list of agenda files will be maintained in that external file.}. Thus even
2202 if you only work with a single Org-mode file, this file should be put
2203 into that list@footnote{When using the dispatcher pressing @kbd{1}
2204 before selecting a command will actually limit the command to the
2205 current file, and ignore @code{org-agenda-files} until the next
2206 dispatcher command.}. You can customize @code{org-agenda-files}, but
2207 the easiest way to maintain it is through the following commands
2209 @cindex files, adding to agenda list
2213 Add current file to the list of agenda files. The file is added to
2214 the front of the list. If it was already in the list, it is moved to
2215 the front. With prefix arg, file is added/moved to the end.
2218 Remove current file from the list of agenda files.
2221 Cycle through agenda file list, visiting one file after the other.
2224 The Org menu contains the current list of files and can be used
2225 to visit any of them.
2227 @node Agenda dispatcher, Weekly/Daily Agenda, Agenda files, Agenda Views
2228 @section The agenda dispatcher
2229 @cindex agenda dispatcher
2230 @cindex dispatching agenda commands
2231 @cindex custom agenda commands
2232 @cindex agenda commands, custom
2233 The views are created through a dispatcher that should be bound to a
2234 global key, for example @kbd{C-c a} (@pxref{Installation and
2235 activation}). In the following we will assume that @kbd{C-c a} is
2236 indeed how the dispatcher is accessed and lists keyboard access to
2237 commands accordingly. After pressing @kbd{C-c a}, an additional
2238 letter is required to execute a command. The dispatcher offers the
2239 following default commands:
2242 Create the calendar-like agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily Agenda}).
2244 Create a list of all TODO items (@pxref{Global TODO list}).
2246 Create a list of headlines matching a TAGS expression (@pxref{Matching
2250 You can also define custom commands that will be accessible through
2251 the dispatcher, just like the default commands. Custom commands are
2252 global searches for tags and specific TODO keywords, or a variety of
2253 sparse tree creating commands (@pxref{Sparse trees}). As sparse trees
2254 are only defined for a single org-mode file, these latter commands act
2255 on the current buffer instead of the list of agenda files.
2258 Custom commands are configured in the variable
2259 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. You can customize this variable,
2260 for example by pressing @kbd{C-c a C}. You can also directly set it
2261 with Emacs Lisp in @file{.emacs}. For example:
2263 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
2264 '(("w" todo "WAITING")
2265 ("u" tags "+BOSS-URGENT")
2266 ("U" tags-tree "+BOSS-URGENT")
2267 ("f" occur-tree "\\<FIXME\\>")))
2269 @noindent will define @kbd{C-c a w} as a global search for
2270 TODO entries with @samp{WAITING} as the TODO keyword, @kbd{C-c a u} as a
2271 global tags search for headlines marked @samp{:BOSS:} but not
2272 @samp{:URGENT:}, @kbd{C-c a U} to do the same search but only in the
2273 current buffer and display the result as a sparse tree, and @kbd{C-c a
2274 f} to create a sparse tree with all entries containing the word
2275 @samp{FIXME}. For more information, look at the documentation string
2276 of the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}.
2278 @node Weekly/Daily Agenda, Global TODO list, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views
2279 @section The weekly/daily agenda
2282 The purpose of the weekly/daily @emph{agenda} is to act like a page of
2283 a paper agenda, showing all the tasks for the current week or day.
2286 @cindex org-agenda, command
2289 Compile an agenda for the current week from a list of org files. The
2290 agenda shows the entries for each day. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix (or
2291 when the variable @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo} is @code{t}), all
2292 unfinished TODO items (including those without a date) are also listed at
2293 the beginning of the buffer, before the first date.@*
2296 Remote editing from the agenda buffer means, for example, that you can
2297 change the dates of deadlines and appointments from the agenda buffer.
2298 The commands available in the Agenda buffer are listed in @ref{Agenda
2302 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
2303 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
2304 * Calendar/Diary integration:: Integrating Anniversaries and more
2305 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
2308 @node Categories, Time-of-day specifications, Weekly/Daily Agenda, Weekly/Daily Agenda
2309 @subsection Categories
2312 In the agenda buffer, each entry is preceded by a @emph{category},
2313 which is derived from the file name. The category can also be set
2314 with a special line anywhere in the buffer, looking like this:
2318 If there are several such lines in a file, each specifies the category
2319 for the text below it (but the first category also applies to any text
2320 before the first CATEGORY line). The display in the agenda buffer looks
2321 best if the category is not longer than 10 characters.
2323 @node Time-of-day specifications, Calendar/Diary integration, Categories, Weekly/Daily Agenda
2324 @subsection Time-of-Day Specifications
2326 Org-mode checks each agenda item for a time-of-day specification. The
2327 time can be part of the time stamp that triggered inclusion into the
2328 agenda, for example as in @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 19:00>}}. Time
2329 ranges can be specified with two time stamps, like
2331 @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 20:30>--<2005-05-10 Tue 22:15>}}.
2333 In the headline of the entry itself, a time(range) may also appear as
2334 plain text (like @samp{12:45} or a @samp{8:30-1pm}. If the agenda
2335 integrates the Emacs diary (@pxref{Calendar/Diary integration}), time
2336 specifications in diary entries are recognized as well.
2338 For agenda display, Org-mode extracts the time and displays it in a
2339 standard 24 hour format as part of the prefix. The example times in
2340 the previous paragraphs would end up in the agenda like this:
2343 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
2344 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
2345 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
2346 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
2349 If the agenda is in single-day mode, or for the display of today, the
2350 timed entries are embedded in a time grid, like
2353 8:00...... ------------------
2354 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
2355 10:00...... ------------------
2356 12:00...... ------------------
2357 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
2358 14:00...... ------------------
2359 16:00...... ------------------
2360 18:00...... ------------------
2361 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
2362 20:00...... ------------------
2363 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
2366 The time grid can be turned on and off with the variable
2367 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid}, and can be configured with
2368 @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
2371 @node Calendar/Diary integration, Sorting of agenda items, Time-of-day specifications, Weekly/Daily Agenda
2372 @subsection Calendar/Diary integration
2373 @cindex calendar integration
2374 @cindex diary integration
2376 Emacs contains the calendar and diary by Edward M. Reingold. The
2377 calendar displays a three-month calendar with holidays from different
2378 countries and cultures. The diary allows you to keep track of
2379 anniversaries, lunar phases, sunrise/set, recurrent appointments
2380 (weekly, monthly) and more. In this way, it is quite complementary to
2381 Org-mode. It can be very useful to combine output from Org-mode with
2384 In order to include entries from the Emacs diary into Org-mode's
2385 agenda, you only need to customize the variable
2388 (setq org-agenda-include-diary t)
2392 @noindent After that, everything will happen automatically. All diary
2393 entries including holidays, anniversaries etc will be included in the
2394 agenda buffer created by Org-mode. @key{SPC}, @key{TAB}, and
2395 @key{RET} can be used from the agenda buffer to jump to the diary
2396 file in order to edit existing diary entries. The @kbd{i} command to
2397 insert new entries for the current date works in the agenda buffer, as
2398 well as the commands @kbd{S}, @kbd{M}, and @kbd{C} to display
2399 Sunrise/Sunset times, show lunar phases and to convert to other
2400 calendars, respectively. @kbd{c} can be used to switch back and forth
2401 between calendar and agenda.
2403 @node Sorting of agenda items, , Calendar/Diary integration, Weekly/Daily Agenda
2404 @subsection Sorting of agenda items
2405 @cindex sorting, of agenda items
2406 @cindex priorities, of agenda items
2407 The entries for each day are sorted. The default order is to first
2408 collect all items containing an explicit time-of-day specification.
2409 These entries will be shown at the beginning of the list, as a
2410 @emph{schedule} for the day. After that, items remain grouped in
2411 categories, in the sequence given by @code{org-agenda-files}. Within
2412 each category, items are sorted by priority (@pxref{Priorities}).
2414 The priority is a numerical quantity composed of the base priority
2415 (2000 for priority @samp{A}, 1000 for @samp{B}, and 0 for @samp{C}),
2416 plus additional increments for overdue scheduled or deadline items.
2418 Sorting can be customized using the variable
2419 @code{org-agenda-sorting-strategy}.
2422 @node Global TODO list, Matching headline tags, Weekly/Daily Agenda, Agenda Views
2423 @section The global TODO list
2424 @cindex global TODO list
2425 @cindex TODO list, global
2427 The global TODO list contains all unfinished TODO items, formatted and
2428 collected into a single place.
2433 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
2434 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
2435 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
2436 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
2437 @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
2440 Like the above, but allows selection of a specific TODO keyword. You can
2441 also do this by specifying a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c a t}. With a
2442 @kbd{C-u} prefix you are prompted for a keyword. With a numeric
2443 prefix, the Nth keyword in @code{org-todo-keywords} is selected.
2445 The @kbd{r} key in the agenda buffer regenerates it, and you can give
2446 a prefix argument to this command to change the selected TODO keyword,
2447 for example @kbd{3 r}. If you often need a search for a specific
2448 keyword, define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
2451 Remote editing of TODO items means that you can change the state of a
2452 TODO entry with a single key press. The commands available in the
2453 TODO list are described in @ref{Agenda commands}.
2455 @node Matching headline tags, Timeline, Global TODO list, Agenda Views
2456 @section Matching headline tags
2457 @cindex matching, of tags
2460 If headlines in the agenda files are marked with @emph{tags}
2461 (@pxref{Tags}), you can select headlines based on the tags that apply
2462 to them and collect them into an agenda buffer.
2467 Produce a list of all headlines that match a given set of tags. The
2468 command prompts for a selection criterion, which is a boolean logic
2469 expression with tags, like @samp{+WORK+URGENT-WITHBOSS} or
2470 @samp{WORK|HOME} (@pxref{Tags}). If you often need a specific search,
2471 define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
2474 Like @kbd{C-c a m}, but only select headlines that are also TODO items
2475 and force checking subitems (see variable
2476 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}.
2479 The commands available in the tags list are described in @ref{Agenda
2482 @node Timeline, Agenda commands, Matching headline tags, Agenda Views
2483 @section Timeline for a single file
2484 @cindex single file summary
2485 @cindex agenda, for single file
2486 @cindex timeline, single file
2487 @cindex time-sorted view
2489 The timeline is not really an agenda view, because it only summarizes
2490 items from a single Org-mode file. But it also uses the agenda buffer
2491 and provides similar commands, so we discuss it here. The timeline
2492 shows all time-stamped items in a single Org-mode file (or the
2493 selected part of it), in a @emph{time-sorted view}. The main purpose of
2494 this command is to give an overview over events in a project.
2499 Show a time-sorted view of the org file, with all time-stamped items.
2500 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all unfinished TODO entries
2501 (scheduled or not) are also listed under the current date.
2505 The commands available in the timeline buffer are listed in
2506 @ref{Agenda commands}.
2508 @node Agenda commands, , Timeline, Agenda Views
2509 @section Commands in the agenda buffer
2510 @cindex commands, in agenda buffer
2512 Entries in the agenda buffer are linked back to the org file or diary
2513 file where they originate. You are not allowed to edit the agenda
2514 buffer itself, but commands are provided to show and jump to the
2515 original entry location, and to edit the org-files ``remotely'' from
2516 the agenda buffer. In this way, all information is stored only once,
2517 removing the risk that your agenda and note files may diverge.
2519 Some commands can be executed with mouse clicks on agenda lines. For
2520 the other commands, the cursor needs to be in the desired line.
2523 @tsubheading{Motion}
2526 Next line (same as @key{up}).
2529 Previous line (same as @key{down}).
2530 @tsubheading{View/GoTo org file}
2535 Display the original location of the item in another window.
2539 Display original location and recenter that window.
2547 Go to the original location of the item in another window. Under Emacs
2548 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also works for this.
2552 Go to the original location of the item and delete other windows.
2556 Toggle Follow mode. In Follow mode, as you move the cursor through
2557 the agenda buffer, the other window always shows the corresponding
2558 location in the org file.
2562 Toggle Logbook mode. In Logbook mode, entries that where marked DONE while
2563 logging was on (variable @code{org-log-done}) are shown in the agenda.
2565 @tsubheading{Change display}
2568 Delete other windows.
2572 Switch to weekly view (7 days displayed together).
2576 Switch to daily view (just one day displayed).
2580 Toggle the inclusion of diary entries. See @ref{Calendar/Diary integration}.
2584 Toggle the time grid on and off. See also the variables
2585 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid} and @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
2589 Recreate the agenda buffer, for example to reflect the changes
2590 after modification of the time stamps of items with S-@key{left} and
2591 S-@key{right}. When the buffer is the global todo list, a prefix
2592 argument is interpreted to create a selective list for a specific TODO
2597 Display the following @code{org-agenda-ndays} days. For example, if
2598 the display covers a week, switch to the following week. With prefix
2599 arg, go forward that many times @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
2603 Display the previous dates.
2609 @tsubheading{Remote editing}
2616 Change the TODO state of the item, both in the agenda and in the
2621 Show all tags assiciated with the current item. Because of
2622 inheritance, this may be more than the tags listed in the line itself.
2626 Set tags for the current headline.
2630 Set the priority for the current item. Org-mode prompts for the
2631 priority character. If you reply with @key{SPC}, the priority cookie
2632 is removed from the entry.
2636 Display weighted priority of current item.
2642 Increase the priority of the current item. The priority is changed in
2643 the original buffer, but the agenda is not resorted. Use the @kbd{r}
2647 @kindex S-@key{down}
2650 Decrease the priority of the current item.
2652 @kindex S-@key{right}
2654 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day into
2655 the future. With prefix argument, change it by that many days. For
2656 example, @kbd{3 6 5 S-@key{right}} will change it by a year. The
2657 stamp is changed in the original org file, but the change is not
2658 directly reflected in the agenda buffer. Use the
2659 @kbd{r} key to update the buffer.
2661 @kindex S-@key{left}
2663 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day
2668 Change the time stamp associated with the current line to today.
2669 The key @kbd{>} has been chosen, because it is the same as @kbd{S-.}
2672 @cindex diary entries, creating from agenda
2675 Insert a new entry into the diary. Prompts for the type of entry
2676 (day, weekly, monthly, yearly, anniversary, cyclic) and creates a new
2677 entry in the diary, just like @kbd{i d} etc. would do in the calendar.
2678 The date is taken from the cursor position.
2680 @tsubheading{Calendar commands}
2683 Open the Emacs calendar and move to the date at the agenda cursor.
2686 When in the calendar, compute and show the Org-mode agenda for the
2691 Show the phases of the moon for the three month around current date.
2695 Show sunrise and sunset times. The geographical location must be set
2696 with calendar variables, see documentation of the Emacs calendar.
2700 Convert the date at cursor into many other cultural and historic
2705 Show holidays for three month around the cursor date.
2709 Export a single iCalendar file containing entries from all agenda files.
2711 @tsubheading{Quit and Exit}
2714 Quit agenda, remove the agenda buffer.
2717 @cindex agenda files, removing buffers
2719 Exit agenda, remove the agenda buffer and all buffers loaded by Emacs
2720 for the compilation of the agenda. Buffers created by the user to
2721 visit org files will not be removed.
2725 @node Exporting, Miscellaneous, Agenda Views, Top
2729 For printing and sharing of notes, Org-mode documents can be exported
2730 as ASCII or HTML files. To incorporate entries with associated times
2731 like deadlines or appointments into a desktop calendar program like
2732 iCal, Org-mode can also produce extracts in the iCalendar format.
2735 * ASCII export:: Export as a structured ASCII file
2736 * HTML export:: Export as an HTML file
2737 * iCalendar export:: Create calendar entries.
2740 @node ASCII export, HTML export, Exporting, Exporting
2741 @section ASCII export
2742 @cindex ASCII export
2744 @cindex region, active
2745 @cindex active region
2746 @cindex transient-mark-mode
2750 Export as ASCII file. If there is an active region, only the region
2751 will be exported. For an org file @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file
2752 will be @file{myfile.txt}. The file will be overwritten without
2756 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
2757 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
2758 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
2759 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
2760 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
2762 @kbd{C-1 C-c C-x a org-export-as-ascii}
2765 creates only top level headlines and does the rest as items. Lines
2766 starting with @samp{#} and subtrees starting with the word @samp{COMMENT}
2767 will not be exported.
2769 @node HTML export, iCalendar export, ASCII export, Exporting
2770 @section HTML export
2773 Org-mode contains an HTML exporter with extensive HTML formatting, in
2774 ways similar to John Grubers @emph{markdown} language, but with
2775 additional support for tables.
2777 @cindex region, active
2778 @cindex active region
2779 @cindex transient-mark-mode
2783 Export as HTML file @file{myfile.html}.
2786 Export as HTML file and open it with a browser.
2789 Insert template with export options, see below.
2792 Toggle fixed-width for entry (QUOTE) or region, see below.
2795 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
2796 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
2797 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
2798 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
2799 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
2804 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
2807 * HTML formatting:: Interpretation of the buffer content
2808 * Export options:: How to influence exports
2809 * Comment lines:: Lines which will not be exported
2812 @node HTML formatting, Export options, HTML export, HTML export
2813 @subsection HTML formatting
2815 Not all text is transferred literally to the exported HTML file. The
2816 exporter implements the following interpretation:
2820 @cindex hand-formatted lists
2821 @cindex lists, hand-formatted
2823 Hand-formatted lists with @samp{-}, @samp{*} or @samp{+} as
2824 bullet, or with @samp{1.} or @samp{2)} as enumerator will be recognized and
2825 transformed into HTML lists. See @xref{Plain Lists}.
2827 @cindex underlined text
2831 You can make words @b{*bold*}, @i{/italic/}, and _underlined_
2833 @cindex @TeX{} interpretation
2835 Simple @TeX{}-like math constructs are interpreted:
2837 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
2840 @samp{10^22} and @samp{J_n} are super- and subscripts. You can quote
2841 @samp{^} and @samp{_} with a backslash: @samp{\_} and @samp{\^}
2843 @samp{\alpha} indicates a Greek letter, @samp{\to} an arrow. You can
2844 use completion for these macros, just type @samp{\} and maybe a few
2845 letters, and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to see possible completions.
2848 @cindex tables, export to HTML
2850 Tables are transformed into HTML tables. Data fields before the first
2851 horizontal separator line will be formatted as table header fields.
2855 If a headline starts with the word @samp{QUOTE}, the text below the
2856 headline will be typeset as fixed-width, to allow quoting of computer
2857 codes etc. Lines starting with @samp{:} are also typeset in
2862 If you want to include HTML tags which should be interpreted as such,
2863 mark them with a @samp{@@} like in @samp{@@<b>bold text@@</b>}.
2864 Plain @samp{<} and @samp{>} are always transformed to @samp{<} and
2865 @samp{>} in HTML export.
2868 If these conversions conflict with your habits of typing ASCII text,
2869 they can all be turned off with corresponding variables.
2871 @node Export options, Comment lines, HTML formatting, HTML export
2872 @subsection Export options
2873 @cindex options, for export
2875 @cindex completion, of option keywords
2876 The exporter recognizes special lines in the buffer which provide
2877 additional information. These lines may be put anywhere in the file.
2878 The whole set of lines can be inserted into the buffer with @kbd{C-c
2879 C-x t}. For individual lines, a good way to make sure the keyword is
2880 correct is to type @samp{#+} and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion
2881 (@pxref{Completion}).
2884 #+TITLE: the title to be shown (default is the buffer name)
2885 #+AUTHOR: the author (default taken from @code{user-full-name})
2886 #+EMAIL: his/her email address (default from @code{user-mail-address})
2887 #+LANGUAGE: language for HTML, e.g. @samp{en} (@code{org-export-default-language})
2888 #+TEXT: Some descriptive text to be inserted at the beginning.
2889 #+TEXT: Several lines may be given.
2890 #+OPTIONS: H:2 num:t toc:t \n:nil @:t ::t |:t ^:t *:nil TeX:t
2893 The OPTIONS line is a compact form to specify export settings. Here
2895 @cindex headline levels
2896 @cindex section-numbers
2897 @cindex table of contents
2898 @cindex linebreak preservation
2899 @cindex quoted html tags
2900 @cindex fixed-width sections
2902 @cindex @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts
2903 @cindex emphasized text
2904 @cindex @TeX{} macros
2906 H: @r{set the number of headline levels for export}
2907 num: @r{turn on/off section-numbers}
2908 toc: @r{turn on/off table of contents}
2909 \n: @r{turn on/off linebreak-preservation}
2910 @@: @r{turn on/off quoted html tags}
2911 :: @r{turn on/off fixed-width sections}
2912 |: @r{turn on/off tables}
2913 ^: @r{turn on/off @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts.}
2914 *: @r{turn on/off emphasized text (bold, italic, underlined)}
2915 TeX: @r{turn on/off @TeX{} macros}
2918 You can also give style information for the exported file. The
2919 default specification can be configured through the option
2920 @code{org-export-html-style}. If you want to use a file-local style,
2921 you may use file variables, best wrapped into a COMMENT section at the
2922 end of the outline tree. For example:
2925 * COMMENT HTML style specifications
2928 # org-export-html-style: " <style type=\"text/css\">
2929 p @{font-weight: normal; color: gray; @}
2930 h1 @{color: black; @}
2935 Remember to execute @kbd{M-x normal-mode} after changing this to make
2936 the new style visible to Emacs.
2938 @node Comment lines, , Export options, HTML export
2939 @subsection Comment lines
2940 @cindex comment lines
2941 @cindex exporting, not
2943 Lines starting with @samp{#} in column zero are treated as comments
2944 and will never be exported. Also entire subtrees starting with the
2945 word @samp{COMMENT} will never be exported. Finally, any text before
2946 the first headline will not be exported either. This applies also for
2952 Toggle the COMMENT keyword at the beginning of an entry.
2955 @node iCalendar export, , HTML export, Exporting
2956 @section iCalendar export
2957 @cindex iCalendar export
2959 Some people like to use Org-mode for keeping track of projects, but
2960 still prefer a standard calendar application for anniversaries and
2961 appointments. In this case it can be useful to have deadlines and
2962 other time-stamped items in Org-mode files show up in the calendar
2963 application. Org-mode can export calendar information in the standard
2969 Create iCalendar entries for the current file and store them in the same
2970 directory, using a file extension @file{.ics}.
2973 Like @kbd{C-c C-x i}, but do this for all files in
2974 @code{org-agenda-files}. For each of these files, a separate iCalendar
2975 file will be written.
2978 Create a single large iCalendar file from all files in
2979 @code{org-agenda-files} and write it to the file given by
2980 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}.
2983 How this calendar is best read and updated, depends on the application
2984 you are using. For example, when using iCal under Apple MacOS X, you
2985 could create a new calendar @samp{OrgMode} (the default name for the
2986 calendar created by @kbd{C-c C-x c}, see the variables
2987 @code{org-icalendar-combined-name} and
2988 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}). Then set Org-mode to
2989 overwrite the corresponding file
2990 @file{~/Library/Calendars/OrgMode.ics}. You may even use AppleScript
2991 to make iCal re-read the calendar files each time a new version of
2992 @file{OrgMode.ics} is produced. Here is the setup needed for this:
2994 @cindex applescript, for calendar update
2996 (setq org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file
2997 "~/Library/Calendars/OrgMode.ics")
2998 (add-hook 'org-after-save-iCalendar-file-hook
3001 "osascript -e 'tell application \"iCal\" to reload calendars'")))
3004 @node Miscellaneous, Index, Exporting, Top
3005 @chapter Miscellaneous
3008 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
3009 * Customization:: Adapting Org-mode to your taste
3010 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
3011 * TTY keys:: Using Org-mode on a tty
3012 * FAQ:: Frequently asked questions
3013 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
3014 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
3015 * Acknowledgments:: These people provided feedback and more
3018 @node Completion, Customization, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous
3020 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
3021 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
3022 @cindex completion, of dictionary words
3023 @cindex completion, of option keywords
3024 @cindex completion, of CamelCase links
3025 @cindex completion, of tags
3026 @cindex @TeX{} symbol completion
3027 @cindex TODO keywords completion
3028 @cindex dictionary word completion
3029 @cindex option keyword completion
3030 @cindex CamelCase link completion
3031 @cindex tag completion
3033 Org-mode supports in-buffer completion. This type of completion does
3034 not make use of the minibuffer. You simply type a few letters into
3035 the buffer and use the key to complete text right there.
3040 Complete word at point
3043 At the beginning of a headline, complete TODO keywords.
3045 After @samp{\}, complete @TeX{} symbols supported by the exporter.
3047 After @samp{*}, complete CamelCase versions of all headlines in the
3050 After @samp{:}, complete tags used elsewhere in the buffer.
3052 After @samp{#+}, complete the special keywords like @samp{TYP_TODO} or
3053 @samp{OPTIONS} which set file-specific options for Org-mode. When the
3054 option keyword is already complete, pressing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} again
3055 will insert example settings for this keyword.
3057 Elsewhere, complete dictionary words using ispell.
3062 @node Customization, Clean view, Completion, Miscellaneous
3063 @section Customization
3064 @cindex customization
3065 @cindex options, for customization
3066 @cindex variables, for customization
3068 There are more than 100 variables that can be used to customize
3069 Org-mode. For the sake of compactness of the manual, we are not
3070 describing the variables here. A structured overview of customization
3071 variables is available with @kbd{M-x org-customize}. Or select
3072 @code{Browse Org Group} from the @code{Org->Customization} menu.
3074 @node Clean view, TTY keys, Customization, Miscellaneous
3075 @section A cleaner outline view
3076 @cindex hiding leading stars
3077 @cindex clean outline view
3079 Some people find it noisy and distracting that the Org-mode headlines
3080 are starting with a potentially large number of stars. For example in
3081 the example tree from @ref{Headlines}:
3084 * Top level headline
3090 * Another top level headline
3094 Unfortunately this is deeply ingrained into the code of Org-mode and
3095 cannot be easily changed. You can, however, modify the display in such
3096 a way that all leading stars become invisible and the outline more easy
3097 to read. To do this, customize the variable
3098 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} like this:
3101 (setq org-hide-leading-stars t)
3105 or change this on a per-file basis with one of the lines (anywhere in
3109 #+STARTUP: showstars
3110 #+STARTUP: hidestars
3113 Press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in a @samp{STARTUP} line to activate
3116 With stars hidden, the tree becomes:
3119 * Top level headline
3125 * Another top level headline
3129 Note that the leading stars are not truly replaced by whitespace, they
3130 are only fontified with the face @code{org-hide} that uses the
3131 background color as font color. If are are not using either white or
3132 black background, you may have to customize this face to get the wanted
3133 effect. Another possibility is to set this font such that the extra
3134 stars are @i{almost} invisible, for example using the color
3135 @code{grey90} on a white background.
3137 Things become cleaner still if you skip all the even levels and use only
3138 odd levels 1, 3, 5..., effectively adding two stars to go from one
3139 outline level to the next:
3142 * Top level headline
3148 * Another top level headline
3152 In order to make the structure editing and export commands handle this
3153 convention correctly, use
3156 (setq org-odd-levels-only t)
3160 or set this on a per-file basis with one of the following lines (don't
3161 forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in the startup line to
3162 activate changes immediately).
3169 You can convert an Org-mode file from single-star-per-level to
3170 the double-star-per-level convention with @kbd{M-x org-convert-to-odd-levels
3171 RET} in that file. There is no command for the back conversion because
3172 such a command might merge levels and in this way destroy the
3173 structure of the tree.
3174 @c FIXME: Maybe we should have such a command...
3176 @node TTY keys, FAQ, Clean view, Miscellaneous
3177 @section Using org-mode on a tty
3178 @cindex tty keybindings
3180 Org-mode uses a number of keys that are not accessible on a tty. This
3181 applies to most special keys like cursor keys, @key{TAB} and
3182 @key{RET}, when these are combined with modifier keys like @key{Meta}
3183 and/or @key{Shift}. Org-mode uses these bindings because it needs to
3184 provide keys for a large number of commands, and because these keys
3185 appeared particularly easy to remember. In order to still be able to
3186 access the core functionality of Org-mode on a tty, alternative
3187 bindings are provided. Here is a complete list of these bindings,
3188 which are obviously more cumbersome to use. Note that sometimes a
3189 work-around can be better. For example changing a time stamp is
3190 really only fun with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys. On a tty you would
3191 rather use @kbd{C-c .} to re-insert the timestamp.
3193 @multitable @columnfractions 0.15 0.2 0.2
3194 @item @b{Default} @tab @b{Alternative 1} @tab @b{Alternative 2}
3195 @item @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C-u @key{TAB}} @tab
3196 @item @kbd{M-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x l} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{left}}
3197 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x L} @tab
3198 @item @kbd{M-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x r} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{right}}
3199 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x R} @tab
3200 @item @kbd{M-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x u} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{up}}
3201 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x U} @tab
3202 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x d} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{down}}
3203 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x D} @tab
3204 @item @kbd{S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x c} @tab
3205 @item @kbd{M-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x m} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{RET}}
3206 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x M} @tab
3207 @item @kbd{S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{left}} @tab
3208 @item @kbd{S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{right}} @tab
3209 @item @kbd{S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{up}} @tab
3210 @item @kbd{S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{down}} @tab
3213 @node FAQ, Interaction, TTY keys, Miscellaneous
3214 @section Frequently asked questions
3218 @item @b{Org-mode seems to be a useful default mode for the various
3219 @file{README} files I have scattered through my directories. How do I
3220 turn it on for all @file{README} files?}
3222 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("README$" . org-mode))
3225 @item @b{All these stars are driving me mad, I just find the Emacs
3226 outlines unreadable. Can't you just put white space and a single star as a
3227 starter for headlines?}@*
3228 See @ref{Clean view}.
3230 @item @b{I would like to have two windows on the same Org-mode
3231 file, but with different outline visibility. Is that possible?}@*
3232 @cindex @code{make-indirect-buffer}
3233 @cindex indirect buffers
3234 In GNU Emacs, you may use @emph{indirect buffers} which do exactly
3235 this. See the documentation on the command
3236 @code{make-indirect-buffer}. In XEmacs, this is currently not
3237 possible because of the different outline implementation.
3239 @item @b{Is there an easy way to insert links to web locations?}@*
3240 @cindex URL, paste into buffer
3241 Sure, just type or paste them into the buffer. A plain-text URL-like
3242 string is directly interpreted as a link.
3244 @item @b{When I export my TODO list, every TODO item becomes a
3245 separate section. How do I enforce these items to be exported as an
3247 If you plan to use ASCII or HTML export, make sure things you want to
3248 be exported as item lists are level 4 at least, even if that does mean
3249 there is a level jump. For example:
3252 * Todays top priorities
3253 **** TODO write a letter to xyz
3254 **** TODO Finish the paper
3255 **** Pick up kids at the school
3258 Alternatively, if you need a specific value for the heading/item
3259 transition in a particular file, use the @samp{+OPTIONS} line to
3260 configure the @samp{H} switch.
3266 @item @b{I would like to export only a subtree of my file to HTML. How?}@*
3267 @cindex exporting a subtree
3268 If you want to export a subtree, mark the subtree as region and then
3269 export. Marking can be done with @kbd{C-c @@ C-x C-x}, for example.
3271 @item @b{Org-mode takes over the S-cursor keys. I also want to use
3272 CUA-mode, is there a way to fix this conflict?}@*
3273 Yes, see @ref{Interaction}.
3275 @item @b{Is there an easy way to insert an empty table template with a
3276 default number of rows and columns?}@*
3277 @cindex table, empty template
3278 To insert an empty table template, just type @samp{|-} and use
3279 @key{TAB}. The default size can be changed with the variable
3280 @code{org-table-default-size}. However, just starting to type the
3281 first line is usually much easier.
3283 @item @b{One of my table columns has started to fill up with
3284 @samp{#ERROR}. What is going on?}@*
3285 Org-mode tried to compute the column from other fields using a
3286 formula stored in the @samp{#+TBLFMT:} line just below the table, and
3287 the evaluation of the formula fails. Fix the fields used in the
3288 formula, or fix the formula, or remove it!
3290 @item @b{When I am in the last column of a table and just above a
3291 horizontal line in the table, pressing TAB creates a new table line
3292 @i{before} the horizontal line. How can I quickly move to the line
3293 @i{below} the horizontal line instead?}@*
3294 Press @key{down} (to get on the separator line) and then @key{TAB}.
3295 Or configure the variable @code{org-table-tab-jumps-over-hlines}.
3297 @item @b{How can I change the indentation of an entire table without
3298 fixing every line by hand?}@*
3299 @cindex indentation, of tables
3300 The indentation of a table is set by the first line. So just fix the
3301 indentation of the first line and realign with @key{TAB}.
3303 @item @b{Is it possible to include entries from org-mode files into my
3305 Since the org-mode agenda is much more powerful and can contain the
3306 diary (@pxref{Calendar/Diary integration}), you should think twice
3307 before deciding to do this. Integrating Org-mode information into the
3308 diary is, however, possible. The following steps are necessary:
3309 Autoload the function @command{org-diary} as shown above under
3310 @ref{Installation and activation}. You also need to use @emph{fancy
3311 diary display} by setting in @file{.emacs}:
3314 (add-hook 'diary-display-hook 'fancy-diary-display)
3317 Then include the following line into your @file{~/diary} file, in
3318 order to get the entries from all files listed in the variable
3319 @code{org-agenda-files}:
3325 You may also select specific files with
3328 &%%(org-diary) ~/path/to/some/org-file.org
3329 &%%(org-diary) ~/path/to/another/org-file.org
3332 If you now launch the calendar and press @kbd{d} to display a diary,
3333 the headlines of entries containing a timestamp, date range, schedule,
3334 or deadline referring to the selected date will be listed. Just like
3335 in Org-mode's agenda view, the diary for @emph{today} contains
3336 additional entries for overdue deadlines and scheduled items. See
3337 also the documentation of the @command{org-diary} function.
3342 @node Interaction, Bugs, FAQ, Miscellaneous
3343 @section Interaction with other packages
3344 @cindex packages, interaction with other
3345 Org-mode can cooperate with the following packages:
3348 @cindex @file{org-mouse.el}
3349 @item @file{org-mouse.el} by Piotr Zielinski
3350 This package implements extended mouse functionality for Org-mode. It
3351 allows you to cycle visibility and to edit the document structure with
3352 the mouse. It also provides a context-sensitive menu that changes
3353 depending on the context of a mouse-click. Use a search engine to find
3354 this package on the web.
3355 @cindex @file{table.el}
3356 @item @file{table.el} by Takaaki Ota
3357 Org mode cooperates with table.el, see @ref{table.el}. @file{table.el}
3358 is part of Emacs 22.
3359 @cindex @file{calc.el}
3360 @item @file{calc.el} by Dave Gillespie
3361 Org-mode uses the calc package for implementing spreadsheet
3362 functionality in its tables (@pxref{Table calculations}). Org-modes
3363 checks for the availability of calc by looking for the function
3364 @code{calc-eval} which should be autoloaded in your setup if calc has
3365 been installed properly. As of Emacs 22, calc is part of the Emacs
3366 distribution. Another possibility for interaction between the two
3367 packages is using calc for embedded calculations. @xref{Embedded Mode,
3368 , Embedded Mode, calc, GNU Emacs Calc Manual}.
3369 @cindex @file{constants.el}
3370 @item @file{constants.el} by Carsten Dominik
3371 In a table formula (@pxref{Table calculations}), it is possible to use
3372 names for natural constants or units. Instead of defining you own
3373 constants in the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}, install
3374 the @file{constants} package which defines a large number of constants
3375 and units, and lets you use unit prefixes like @samp{M} for
3376 @samp{Mega} etc. You will need version 2.0 of this package, available
3377 at @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools}. Org-mode checks for
3378 the function @code{constants-get}, which has to be autoloaded in your
3379 setup. See the installation instructions in the file
3380 @file{constants.el}.
3381 @cindex @file{remember.el}
3382 @cindex @file{CUA.el}
3383 @item @file{CUA.el} by Kim. F. Storm
3384 Keybindings in Org-mode conflict with the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys
3385 used by CUA-mode (as well as pc-select-mode and s-region-mode) to
3386 select and extend the region. If you want to use one of these
3387 packages along with Org-mode, configure the variable
3388 @code{org-CUA-compatible}. When set, Org-mode will move the following
3389 keybindings in org-mode files, and in the agenda buffer (but not
3390 during date selection).
3392 S-UP -> M-p S-DOWN -> M-n
3393 S-LEFT -> M-- S-RIGHT -> M-+
3396 Yes, these are unfortunately more difficult to remember. If you want
3397 to have other replacement keys, look at the variable
3398 @code{org-disputed-keys}.
3399 @item @file{remember.el} by John Wiegley
3400 Org mode cooperates with remember, see @ref{Remember}.
3401 @file{Remember.el} is not part of Emacs, find it on the web.
3402 @cindex @file{planner.el}
3403 @item @file{planner.el} by John Wiegley
3404 Planner is another tool to plan work and keep track of tasks. Planner
3405 uses a multi-file approach with project pages and day pages. Is it
3406 based on Emacs-Wiki. If Planner is your primary tool, it can be useful
3407 to display the agenda entries resulting from org files in day-pages of
3408 the planner. This can be done through the diary of the calendar:
3409 integrate org files into the diary as described above, and then turn on
3410 the diary support of planner. Planner is not part of Emacs, find it on
3414 @node Bugs, Acknowledgments, Interaction, Miscellaneous
3418 Here is a list of things which should work differently, but which I
3419 have found too hard to fix.
3423 Text in an entry protected with the @samp{QUOTE} keyword should not
3426 When the application called by @kbd{C-c C-o} to open a file link fails
3427 (for example because the application does not exits or refuses to open
3428 the file), it does so silently. No error message is displayed.
3430 Plain list items should be able to hold a TODO item. Unfortunately this
3431 has so many technical problems that I will only consider this change for
3432 the next major release (5.0).
3434 The remote-editing commands in the agenda buffer cannot be undone with
3435 @code{undo} called from within the agenda buffer. But you can go to
3436 the corresponding buffer (using @key{TAB} or @key{RET} and execute
3439 Recalculating a table line applies the formulas from left to right.
3440 If a formula uses @emph{calculated} fields further down the row,
3441 multiple recalculation may be needed to get all fields consistent.
3443 Under XEmacs, if Org-mode entries are included into the diary, it is
3444 not possible to jump back from the diary to the org file. Apparently,
3445 the text properties are lost when the fancy-diary-display is used.
3446 However, from Org-mode's timeline and agenda buffers (created with
3447 @kbd{C-c C-r} and @kbd{C-c a}), things do work correctly.
3449 You can only make a single word boldface or italic. To emphasize
3450 several words in a row, each must have the emphasize markers, like in
3451 @samp{*three* *bold* *words*}.
3453 The exporters work well, but could be made more efficient.
3458 @node Acknowledgments, , Bugs, Miscellaneous
3459 @section Acknowledgments
3460 @cindex acknowledgments
3463 Org-mode was written by Carsten Dominik, who still maintains it at the
3464 Org-mode homepage @uref{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/org/}.
3465 The following people (in alphabetic order) have helped the development
3466 along with ideas, suggestions and patches. Many thanks to all of you,
3467 Org-mode would not be what it is without your input.
3471 Thomas Baumann contributed the code for links to the MH-E email system.
3473 Alex Bochannek provided a patch for rounding time stamps.
3475 Charles Caves' suggestion sparked the implementation of templates for
3478 Pavel Chalmoviansky influenced the agenda treatment of items with
3481 Sacha Chua suggested to copy linking code from Planner (we did take
3484 Christian Egli converted the documentation into TeXInfo format, patched
3485 CSS formatting into the HTML exporter, and inspired the agenda.
3487 Kai Grossjohann pointed out key-binding conflicts caused by Org-mode.
3489 Stefan Monnier provided a patch to keep the Emacs-Lisp compiler happy.
3491 Tim O'Callaghan suggested in-file links, search options for
3492 general file links, and TAGS.
3494 Oliver Oppitz suggested multi-state TODO items.
3496 Pete Phillips helped the development of the TAGS feature.
3498 Matthias Rempe (Oelde) provided ideas, Windows support, and quality
3501 Kevin Rogers contributed code to access VM files on remote hosts.
3503 Philip Rooke created the Org-mode reference card and provided lots of feedback.
3505 Christian Schlauer proposed angular brackets around links, among other
3508 Linking to VM/BBDB/GNUS was inspired by Tom Shannon's
3509 @file{organizer-mode.el}.
3511 J@"urgen Vollmer contributed code generating the table of contents
3514 Chris Wallace provided a patch implementing the @samp{QUOTE} keyword.
3516 David Wainberg suggested archiving, and improvements to the linking
3519 Scheduling TODO items was inspired by John Wiegley's @file{planner.el}.
3521 Carsten Wimmer suggested some changes and helped fix a bug in linking
3524 Roland Winkler requested additional keybindings to make Org-mode
3527 Piotr Zielinski wrote @file{org-mouse.el} and showed how to follow links
3531 @node Index, Key Index, Miscellaneous, Top
3536 @node Key Index, , Index, Top
3544 arch-tag: 7893d1fe-cc57-4d13-b5e5-f494a1bcc7ac