3 @setfilename ../../info/org
4 @settitle The Org Manual
11 * Org Mode: (org). Outline-based notes management and organizer
14 @c Version and Contact Info
15 @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://orgmode.org,maintainers webpage}
16 @set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik
17 @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
18 @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{carsten at orgmode dot org}
19 @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:carsten at orgmode dot org,contact the maintainer}
25 @c Subheadings inside a table.
26 @macro tsubheading{text}
36 This manual is for Org (version @value{VERSION}).
38 Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Free Software Foundation
41 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
42 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or
43 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
44 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
45 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the
46 license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation
49 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
50 modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
51 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
53 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
54 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
55 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
56 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
63 @subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
64 @author by Carsten Dominik
66 @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
68 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
72 @c Output the table of contents at the beginning.
76 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
83 * Introduction:: Getting started
84 * Document Structure:: A tree works like your brain
85 * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting
86 * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context
87 * TODO Items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item
88 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
89 * Properties and Columns:: Storing information about an entry
90 * Dates and Times:: Making items useful for planning
91 * Remember:: Quickly adding nodes to the outline tree
92 * Agenda Views:: Collecting information into views
93 * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX fragments and formulas
94 * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes
95 * Publishing:: Create a web site of linked Org files
96 * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
97 * Extensions:: Add-ons for Org mode
98 * Hacking:: How hack your way around
99 * History and Acknowledgments:: How Org came into being
100 * Main Index:: An index of Org's concepts and features
101 * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described
104 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
108 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
109 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
110 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
111 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
112 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
116 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
117 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
118 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
119 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
120 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
121 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
122 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
123 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
124 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
125 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
129 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
130 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
134 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
135 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
136 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
137 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
138 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
142 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
143 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
144 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
145 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
146 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
147 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
148 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
149 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
153 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
154 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
155 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
156 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
157 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
158 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
159 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
160 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
164 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
168 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
169 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
170 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
171 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
172 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
173 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
175 Extended use of TODO keywords
177 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
178 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
179 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
180 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
181 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
182 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
186 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
187 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
191 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
192 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
193 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
195 Properties and Columns
197 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
198 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
199 * Property searches:: Matching property values
200 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
201 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
202 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
206 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
207 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
208 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
212 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
213 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
217 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
218 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
219 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
220 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
221 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
225 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
226 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
228 Deadlines and scheduling
230 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
231 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
235 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
236 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
237 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
238 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
242 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
243 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
244 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
245 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
246 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
247 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
248 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
250 The built-in agenda views
252 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
253 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
254 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
255 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
256 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
257 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
259 Presentation and sorting
261 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
262 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
263 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
267 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
268 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
269 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
270 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
271 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
275 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
276 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
277 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
278 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
279 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
283 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
284 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
285 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
286 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
287 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
288 * LaTeX export:: Exporting to LaTeX
289 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
290 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
294 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
295 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
296 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
297 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
298 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
299 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
300 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
301 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
302 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
303 * Footnotes:: Numbers like [1]
304 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
305 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
306 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
307 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
311 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
312 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
313 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
314 * Images:: How to include images
315 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
316 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
320 * LaTeX export commands:: How to invoke LaTeX export
321 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
322 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
326 * Configuration:: Defining projects
327 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
328 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
332 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
333 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
334 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
335 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
336 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
337 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
338 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
342 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
343 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
347 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
348 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
349 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
350 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
351 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
352 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
353 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
354 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
356 Interaction with other packages
358 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
359 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
363 * Extensions in the contrib directory:: These come with the Org distro
364 * Other extensions:: These you have to find on the web.
368 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
369 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
370 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
371 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
372 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
373 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
375 Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
377 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
378 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
379 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
380 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
385 @node Introduction, Document Structure, Top, Top
386 @chapter Introduction
390 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
391 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
392 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
393 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
394 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
397 @node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction
401 Org is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, and doing
402 project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.
404 Org develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
405 lists or information about projects as plain text. Org is
406 implemented on top of Outline mode, which makes it possible to keep the
407 content of large files well structured. Visibility cycling and
408 structure editing help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created
409 with a built-in table editor. Org supports TODO items, deadlines,
410 time stamps, and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an
411 agenda that utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar
412 and diary. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails,
413 Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects.
414 For printing and sharing of notes, an Org file can be exported as a
415 structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (TODO and agenda items only) as an
416 iCalendar file. It can also serve as a publishing tool for a set of
419 An important design aspect that distinguishes Org from for example
420 Planner/Muse is that it encourages to store every piece of information
421 only once. In Planner, you have project pages, day pages and possibly
422 other files, duplicating some information such as tasks. In Org,
423 you only have notes files. In your notes you mark entries as tasks,
424 label them with tags and timestamps. All necessary lists like a
425 schedule for the day, the agenda for a meeting, tasks lists selected by
426 tags etc are created dynamically when you need them.
428 Org keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should
429 feel like a straightforward, easy to use outliner. Complexity is not
430 imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you need
431 it. Org is a toolbox and can be used in different ways, for
435 @r{@bullet{} outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
436 @r{@bullet{} ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
437 @r{@bullet{} ASCII table editor with spreadsheet-like capabilities}
438 @r{@bullet{} TODO list editor}
439 @r{@bullet{} full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
440 @r{@bullet{} environment to implement David Allen's GTD system}
441 @r{@bullet{} a basic database application}
442 @r{@bullet{} simple hypertext system, with HTML and LaTeX export}
443 @r{@bullet{} publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages}
446 Org's automatic, context sensitive table editor with spreadsheet
447 capabilities can be integrated into any major mode by activating the
448 minor Orgtbl mode. Using a translation step, it can be used to maintain
449 tables in arbitrary file types, for example in La@TeX{}. The structure
450 editing and list creation capabilities can be used outside Org with
451 the minor Orgstruct mode.
454 There is a website for Org which provides links to the newest
455 version of Org, as well as additional information, frequently asked
456 questions (FAQ), links to tutorials etc. This page is located at
457 @uref{http://orgmode.org}.
462 @node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction
463 @section Installation
467 @b{Important:} @i{If Org is part of the Emacs distribution or an
468 XEmacs package, please skip this section and go directly to
471 If you have downloaded Org from the Web, either as a distribution @file{.zip}
472 or @file{.tar} file, or as a GIT archive, you must take the following steps
473 to install it: Go into the unpacked Org distribution directory and edit the
474 top section of the file @file{Makefile}. You must set the name of the Emacs
475 binary (likely either @file{emacs} or @file{xemacs}), and the paths to the
476 directories where local Lisp and Info files are kept. If you don't have
477 access to the system-wide directories, you can simply run Org directly from
478 the distribution directory by adding the @file{lisp} subdirectory to the
479 Emacs load path. To do this, add the following line to @file{.emacs}:
482 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/lisp" load-path))
486 If you plan to use code from the @file{contrib} subdirectory, do a similar
487 step for this directory:
490 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/contrib/lisp" load-path))
493 @b{XEmacs users now need to install the file @file{noutline.el} from
494 the @file{xemacs} sub-directory of the Org distribution. Use the
498 @b{make install-noutline}
501 @noindent Now byte-compile the Lisp files with the shell command:
507 @noindent If you are running Org from the distribution directory, this is
508 all. If you want to install into the system directories, use
515 @noindent Then add to @file{.emacs}:
518 ;; This line only if Org is not part of the X/Emacs distribution.
519 (require 'org-install)
523 @node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction
527 @cindex global key bindings
528 @cindex key bindings, global
531 @b{Important:} @i{If you use copy-and-paste to copy lisp code from the
532 PDF documentation as viewed by some PDF viewers to your .emacs file, the
533 single quote character comes out incorrectly and the code will not work.
534 You need to fix the single quotes by hand, or copy from Info
538 Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file. The last two lines
539 define @emph{global} keys for the commands @command{org-store-link},
540 @command{org-agenda}, and @command{org-iswitchb} - please choose suitable
544 ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys.
545 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org\\'" . org-mode))
546 (global-set-key "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
547 (global-set-key "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
548 (global-set-key "\C-cb" 'org-iswitchb)
551 Furthermore, you must activate @code{font-lock-mode} in Org
552 buffers, because significant functionality depends on font-locking being
553 active. You can do this with either one of the following two lines
554 (XEmacs user must use the second option):
556 (global-font-lock-mode 1) ; for all buffers
557 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock) ; Org buffers only
560 @cindex Org mode, turning on
561 With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put
562 into Org mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look
566 MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*-
569 @noindent which will select Org mode for this buffer no matter what
570 the file's name is. See also the variable
571 @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}.
573 @node Feedback, Conventions, Activation, Introduction
580 If you find problems with Org, or if you have questions, remarks, or ideas
581 about it, please mail to the Org mailing list @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org}.
582 If you are not a member of the mailing list, your mail will be reviewed by a
583 moderator and then passed through to the list.
585 For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible,
586 including the version information of Emacs (@kbd{C-h v emacs-version
587 @key{RET}}) and Org (@kbd{C-h v org-version @key{RET}}), as well as
588 the Org related setup in @file{.emacs}. If an error occurs, a
589 backtrace can be very useful (see below on how to create one). Often a
590 small example file helps, along with clear information about:
593 @item What exactly did you do?
594 @item What did you expect to happen?
595 @item What happened instead?
597 @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode.
599 @subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace
601 @cindex backtrace of an error
602 If working with Org produces an error with a message you don't
603 understand, you may have hit a bug. The best way to report this is by
604 providing, in addition to what was mentioned above, a @emph{Backtrace}.
605 This is information from the built-in debugger about where and how the
606 error occurred. Here is how to produce a useful backtrace:
610 Start a fresh Emacs or XEmacs, and make sure that it will load the
611 original Lisp code in @file{org.el} instead of the compiled version in
612 @file{org.elc}. The backtrace contains much more information if it is
613 produced with uncompiled code. To do this, either rename @file{org.elc}
614 to something else before starting Emacs, or ask Emacs explicitly to load
615 @file{org.el} by using the command line
617 emacs -l /path/to/org.el
620 Go to the @code{Options} menu and select @code{Enter Debugger on Error}
621 (XEmacs has this option in the @code{Troubleshooting} sub-menu).
623 Do whatever you have to do to hit the error. Don't forget to
624 document the steps you take.
626 When you hit the error, a @file{*Backtrace*} buffer will appear on the
627 screen. Save this buffer to a file (for example using @kbd{C-x C-w}) and
628 attach it to your bug report.
631 @node Conventions, , Feedback, Introduction
632 @section Typesetting conventions used in this manual
634 Org uses three types of keywords: TODO keywords, tags, and property
635 names. In this manual we use the following conventions:
640 TODO keywords are written with all capitals, even if they are
644 User-defined tags are written in lowercase; built-in tags with special
645 meaning are written with all capitals.
648 User-defined properties are capitalized; built-in properties with
649 special meaning are written with all capitals.
652 @node Document Structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
653 @chapter Document Structure
654 @cindex document structure
655 @cindex structure of document
657 Org is based on outline mode and provides flexible commands to
658 edit the structure of the document.
661 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
662 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
663 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
664 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
665 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
666 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
667 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
668 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
669 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
670 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
673 @node Outlines, Headlines, Document Structure, Document Structure
678 Org is implemented on top of Outline mode. Outlines allow a
679 document to be organized in a hierarchical structure, which (at least
680 for me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. An overview
681 of this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the
682 document to show only the general document structure and the parts
683 currently being worked on. Org greatly simplifies the use of
684 outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a single
685 command @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB} key.
687 @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document Structure
692 Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in
693 Org start with one or more stars, on the left margin@footnote{See
694 the variable @code{org-special-ctrl-a/e} to configure special behavior
695 of @kbd{C-a} and @kbd{C-e} in headlines.}. For example:
705 * Another top level headline
708 @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an
709 outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline
710 starters. @ref{Clean view} describes a setup to realize this.
712 An empty line after the end of a subtree is considered part of it and
713 will be hidden when the subtree is folded. However, if you leave at
714 least two empty lines, one empty line will remain visible after folding
715 the subtree, in order to structure the collapsed view. See the
716 variable @code{org-cycle-separator-lines} to modify this behavior.
718 @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document Structure
719 @section Visibility cycling
720 @cindex cycling, visibility
721 @cindex visibility cycling
722 @cindex trees, visibility
723 @cindex show hidden text
726 Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer.
727 Org uses just two commands, bound to @key{TAB} and
728 @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to change the visibility in the buffer.
730 @cindex subtree visibility states
731 @cindex subtree cycling
732 @cindex folded, subtree visibility state
733 @cindex children, subtree visibility state
734 @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state
738 @emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree among the states
741 ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
742 '-----------------------------------'
745 The cursor must be on a headline for this to work@footnote{see, however,
746 the option @code{org-cycle-emulate-tab}.}. When the cursor is at the
747 beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then
748 @key{TAB} actually runs global cycling (see below)@footnote{see the
749 option @code{org-cycle-global-at-bob}.}. Also when called with a prefix
750 argument (@kbd{C-u @key{TAB}}), global cycling is invoked.
752 @cindex global visibility states
753 @cindex global cycling
754 @cindex overview, global visibility state
755 @cindex contents, global visibility state
756 @cindex show all, global visibility state
760 @emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer among the states
763 ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
764 '--------------------------------------'
767 When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numeric prefix argument N, the
768 CONTENTS view up to headlines of level N will be shown. Note that inside
769 tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field.
771 @cindex show all, command
777 Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following heading
778 and the hierarchy above. Useful for working near a location that has been
779 exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda command
780 (@pxref{Agenda commands}). With a prefix argument show, on each
781 level, all sibling headings.
784 Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect
787 (@pxref{Indirect Buffers,,,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual})
790 (see the Emacs manual for more information about indirect buffers)
792 will contain the entire buffer, but will be narrowed to the current
793 tree. Editing the indirect buffer will also change the original buffer,
794 but without affecting visibility in that buffer.}. With a numeric
795 prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
796 negative then go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove
797 the previously used indirect buffer.
800 When Emacs first visits an Org file, the global state is set to
801 OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be
802 configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a
803 per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the
813 Forthermore, any entries with a @samp{VISIBILITY} property (@pxref{Properties
814 and Columns}) will get their visibility adapted accordingly. Allowed values
815 for this property are @code{folded}, @code{children}, @code{content}, and
818 @kindex C-u C-u @key{TAB}
819 @item C-u C-u @key{TAB}
820 Switch back to the startup visibility of the buffer, i.e. whatever is
821 requested by startup options and @samp{VISIBILITY} properties in individual
825 @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document Structure
827 @cindex motion, between headlines
828 @cindex jumping, to headlines
829 @cindex headline navigation
830 The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer.
841 Next heading same level.
844 Previous heading same level.
847 Backward to higher level heading.
850 Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
851 visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
852 you can use the following keys to find your destination:
854 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
855 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
856 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
857 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
859 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
860 @key{RET} @r{Select this location.}
864 @node Structure editing, Archiving, Motion, Document Structure
865 @section Structure editing
866 @cindex structure editing
867 @cindex headline, promotion and demotion
868 @cindex promotion, of subtrees
869 @cindex demotion, of subtrees
870 @cindex subtree, cut and paste
871 @cindex pasting, of subtrees
872 @cindex cutting, of subtrees
873 @cindex copying, of subtrees
874 @cindex subtrees, cut and paste
879 Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a
880 plain list item, a new item is created (@pxref{Plain lists}). To force
881 creation of a new headline, use a prefix argument, or first press @key{RET}
882 to get to the beginning of the next line. When this command is used in
883 the middle of a line, the line is split and the rest of the line becomes
884 the new headline@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split,
885 customize the variable @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If the
886 command is used at the beginning of a headline, the new headline is
887 created before the current line. If at the beginning of any other line,
888 the content of that line is made the new heading. If the command is
889 used at the end of a folded subtree (i.e. behind the ellipses at the end
890 of a headline), then a headline like the current one will be inserted
891 after the end of the subtree.
894 Insert a new heading after the current subtree, same level as the
895 current headline. This command works from anywhere in the entry.
896 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
898 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.
901 Promote current heading by one level.
902 @kindex M-@key{right}
904 Demote current heading by one level.
905 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
907 Promote the current subtree by one level.
908 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
909 @item M-S-@key{right}
910 Demote the current subtree by one level.
913 Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
915 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
917 Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
922 Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
923 With a numeric prefix argument N, kill N sequential subtrees.
926 Copy subtree to kill ring. With a numeric prefix argument N, copy the N
930 Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to
931 make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank level can
932 also be specified with a numeric prefix argument, or by yanking after a
933 headline marker like @samp{****}.
936 Refile entry to a different location. @xref{Refiling notes}.
939 Sort same-level entries. When there is an active region, all entries in the
940 region will be sorted. Otherwise the children of the current headline are
941 sorted. The command prompts for the sorting method, which can be
942 alphabetically, numerically, by time (using the first time stamp in each
943 entry), by priority, or by TODO keyword (in the sequence the keywords have
944 been defined in the setup). Reverse sorting is possible as well. You can
945 also supply your own function to extract the sorting key. With a @kbd{C-u}
946 prefix, sorting will be case-sensitive. With two @kbd{C-u C-u} prefixes,
947 duplicate entries will also be removed.
950 Narrow buffer to current subtree.
953 Widen buffer to remove a narrowing.
956 Turn a normal line or plain list item into a headline (so that it
957 becomes a subheading at its location). Also turn a headline into a
958 normal line by removing the stars. If there is an active region, turn
959 all lines in the region into headlines. Or, if the first line is a
960 headline, remove the stars from all headlines in the region.
963 @cindex region, active
964 @cindex active region
965 @cindex Transient mark mode
966 When there is an active region (Transient mark mode), promotion and
967 demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of
968 headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a
969 line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line
970 just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is
971 inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different
974 @node Archiving, Sparse trees, Structure editing, Document Structure
978 When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want
979 to move the tree out of the way and to stop it from contributing to the
980 agenda. Org mode knows two ways of archiving. You can mark a tree with
981 the ARCHIVE tag, or you can move an entire (sub)tree to a different
985 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
986 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
989 @node ARCHIVE tag, Moving subtrees, Archiving, Archiving
990 @subsection The ARCHIVE tag
991 @cindex internal archiving
993 A headline that is marked with the ARCHIVE tag (@pxref{Tags}) stays at
994 its location in the outline tree, but behaves in the following way:
997 It does not open when you attempt to do so with a visibility cycling
998 command (@pxref{Visibility cycling}). You can force cycling archived
999 subtrees with @kbd{C-@key{TAB}}, or by setting the option
1000 @code{org-cycle-open-archived-trees}. Also normal outline commands like
1001 @code{show-all} will open archived subtrees.
1003 During sparse tree construction (@pxref{Sparse trees}), matches in
1004 archived subtrees are not exposed, unless you configure the option
1005 @code{org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees}.
1007 During agenda view construction (@pxref{Agenda Views}), the content of
1008 archived trees is ignored unless you configure the option
1009 @code{org-agenda-skip-archived-trees}, in which case these trees will always
1010 be included. In the agenda you can press the @kbd{v} key to get archives
1011 temporarily included.
1013 Archived trees are not exported (@pxref{Exporting}), only the headline
1014 is. Configure the details using the variable
1015 @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}.
1018 The following commands help managing the ARCHIVE tag:
1023 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline. When the tag is set,
1024 the headline changes to a shadowed face, and the subtree below it is
1026 @kindex C-u C-c C-x a
1028 Check if any direct children of the current headline should be archived.
1029 To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are
1030 found, the command offers to set the ARCHIVE tag for the child. If the
1031 cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the
1032 level 1 trees will be checked.
1035 Cycle a tree even if it is tagged with ARCHIVE.
1038 @node Moving subtrees, , ARCHIVE tag, Archiving
1039 @subsection Moving subtrees
1040 @cindex external archiving
1042 Once an entire project is finished, you may want to move it to a different
1043 location. Org can move it to an @emph{Archive Sibling} in the same tree, to a
1044 different tree in the current file, or to a different file, the archive file.
1049 Move the current entry to the @emph{Archive Sibling}. This is a sibling of
1050 the entry with the heading @samp{Archive} and the tag @samp{ARCHIVE}
1051 (@pxref{ARCHIVE tag}). The entry becomes a child of that sibling and in this
1052 way retains a lot of its original context, including inherited tags and
1053 approximate position in the outline.
1056 Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location
1057 given by @code{org-archive-location}. Context information that could be
1058 lost like the file name, the category, inherited tags, and the TODO
1059 state will be store as properties in the entry.
1060 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-s
1061 @item C-u C-c C-x C-s
1062 Check if any direct children of the current headline could be moved to
1063 the archive. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries.
1064 If none are found, the command offers to move it to the archive
1065 location. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command
1066 is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked.
1069 @cindex archive locations
1070 The default archive location is a file in the same directory as the
1071 current file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the
1072 current file name. For information and examples on how to change this,
1073 see the documentation string of the variable
1074 @code{org-archive-location}. There is also an in-buffer option for
1075 setting this variable, for example@footnote{For backward compatibility,
1076 the following also works: If there are several such lines in a file,
1077 each specifies the archive location for the text below it. The first
1078 such line also applies to any text before its definition. However,
1079 using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is incompatible
1080 with the outline structure of the document. The correct method for
1081 setting multiple archive locations in a buffer is using a property.}:
1084 #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
1088 If you would like to have a special ARCHIVE location for a single entry
1089 or a (sub)tree, give the entry an @code{:ARCHIVE:} property with the
1090 location as the value (@pxref{Properties and Columns}).
1092 When a subtree is moved, it receives a number of special properties that
1093 record context information like the file from where the entry came, it's
1094 outline path the archiving time etc. Configure the variable
1095 @code{org-archive-save-context-info} to adjust the amount of information
1098 @node Sparse trees, Plain lists, Archiving, Document Structure
1099 @section Sparse trees
1100 @cindex sparse trees
1101 @cindex trees, sparse
1102 @cindex folding, sparse trees
1103 @cindex occur, command
1105 An important feature of Org mode is the ability to construct @emph{sparse
1106 trees} for selected information in an outline tree, so that the entire
1107 document is folded as much as possible, but the selected information is made
1108 visible along with the headline structure above it@footnote{See also the
1109 variables @code{org-show-hierarchy-above}, @code{org-show-following-heading},
1110 @code{org-show-siblings}, and @code{org-show-entry-below} for detailed
1111 control on how much context is shown around each match.}. Just try it out
1112 and you will see immediately how it works.
1114 Org mode contains several commands creating such trees, all these
1115 commands can be accessed through a dispatcher:
1120 This prompts for an extra key to select a sparse-tree creating command.
1123 Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches. If
1124 the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the match is in
1125 the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible. In order to
1126 provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of headlines above the match
1127 is shown, as well as the headline following the match. Each match is also
1128 highlighted; the highlights disappear when the buffer is changed by an
1129 editing command@footnote{depending on the option
1130 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}}, or by pressing @kbd{C-c C-c}.
1131 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, previous highlights are kept,
1132 so several calls to this command can be stacked.
1136 For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can
1137 use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast
1138 keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be
1139 accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
1143 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
1144 '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME")))
1147 @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating
1148 a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}.
1150 The other sparse tree commands select headings based on TODO keywords,
1151 tags, or properties and will be discussed later in this manual.
1154 @cindex printing sparse trees
1155 @cindex visible text, printing
1156 To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command
1157 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts
1158 of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because
1159 XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties.}.
1160 Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-e v} to export only the visible
1161 part of the document and print the resulting file.
1163 @node Plain lists, Drawers, Sparse trees, Document Structure
1164 @section Plain lists
1166 @cindex lists, plain
1167 @cindex lists, ordered
1168 @cindex ordered lists
1170 Within an entry of the outline tree, hand-formatted lists can provide
1171 additional structure. They also provide a way to create lists of
1172 checkboxes (@pxref{Checkboxes}). Org supports editing such lists,
1173 and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) parses and formats them.
1175 Org knows ordered lists, unordered lists, and description lists.
1178 @emph{Unordered} list items start with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or
1179 @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a bullet, lines must be indented or
1180 they will be seen as top-level headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading
1181 stars to get a clean outline view, plain list items starting with a star are
1182 visually indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though
1183 @samp{*} is supported, it may be better to not use it for plain list items.}
1186 @emph{Ordered} list items start with a numeral followed by either a period or
1187 a right parenthesis, such as @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}.
1189 @emph{Description} list items are like unordered list items, but contain the
1190 separator @samp{ :: } to separate the description @emph{term} from the
1194 Items belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first
1195 line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then the
1196 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers in the
1197 list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It ends before
1198 the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or less. Empty lines
1199 are part of the previous item, so you can have several paragraphs in one
1200 item. If you would like an empty line to terminate all currently open plain
1201 lists, configure the variable @code{org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists}.
1206 ** Lord of the Rings
1207 My favorite scenes are (in this order)
1208 1. The attack of the Rohirrim
1209 2. Eowyns fight with the witch king
1210 + this was already my favorite scene in the book
1211 + I really like Miranda Otto.
1212 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas
1214 He makes a really funny face when it happens.
1215 But in the end, not individual scenes matter but the film as a whole.
1216 Important actors in this film are:
1217 - @b{Elijah Wood} :: He plays the Frodo
1218 - @b{Sean Austin} :: He plays the Sam, Frodos friend. I still remember
1219 him very well from his role as Mikey Walsh a in the Goonies.
1223 Org supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to
1224 deal with them correctly@footnote{Org only changes the filling
1225 settings for Emacs. For XEmacs, you should use Kyle E. Jones'
1226 @file{filladapt.el}. To turn this on, put into @file{.emacs}:
1227 @code{(require 'filladapt)}}, and by exporting them properly
1228 (@pxref{Exporting}).
1230 The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line
1231 of an item (the line with the bullet or number).
1236 Items can be folded just like headline levels if you set the variable
1237 @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. The level of an item is then
1238 given by the indentation of the bullet/number. Items are always
1239 subordinate to real headlines, however; the hierarchies remain
1240 completely separated.
1242 If @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists} has not been set, @key{TAB}
1243 fixes the indentation of the current line in a heuristic way.
1246 Insert new item at current level. With a prefix argument, force a new
1247 heading (@pxref{Structure editing}). If this command is used in the middle
1248 of a line, the line is @emph{split} and the rest of the line becomes the new
1249 item@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split, customize the variable
1250 @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If this command is executed in the
1251 @emph{whitespace before a bullet or number}, the new item is created
1252 @emph{before} the current item. If the command is executed in the white
1253 space before the text that is part of an item but does not contain the
1254 bullet, a bullet is added to the current line.
1255 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
1257 Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
1259 @kindex S-@key{down}
1262 Jump to the previous/next item in the current list.
1263 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1264 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1266 @itemx M-S-@key{down}
1267 Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item
1268 of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is
1270 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1271 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1272 @item M-S-@key{left}
1273 @itemx M-S-@key{right}
1274 Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems.
1275 Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation.
1276 When these commands are executed several times in direct succession,
1277 the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation
1278 would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break
1279 the command chain with a cursor motion or so.
1282 If there is a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}) in the item line, toggle the
1283 state of the checkbox. If not, this command makes sure that all the
1284 items on this list level use the same bullet. Furthermore, if this is
1285 an ordered list, make sure the numbering is OK.
1288 Cycle the entire list level through the different itemize/enumerate bullets
1289 (@samp{-}, @samp{+}, @samp{*}, @samp{1.}, @samp{1)}). With a numeric prefix
1290 argument N, select the Nth bullet from this list. If there is an active
1291 region when calling this, all lines will be converted to list items. If the
1292 first line already was a list item, any item markers will be removed from the
1293 list. Finally, even without an active region, a normal line will be
1294 converted into a list item.
1297 @node Drawers, Orgstruct mode, Plain lists, Document Structure
1300 @cindex visibility cycling, drawers
1302 Sometimes you want to keep information associated with an entry, but you
1303 normally don't want to see it. For this, Org mode has @emph{drawers}.
1304 Drawers need to be configured with the variable
1305 @code{org-drawers}@footnote{You can define drawers on a per-file basis
1306 with a line like @code{#+DRAWERS: HIDDEN PROPERTIES STATE}}. Drawers
1310 ** This is a headline
1311 Still outside the drawer
1313 This is inside the drawer.
1318 Visibility cycling (@pxref{Visibility cycling}) on the headline will
1319 hide and show the entry, but keep the drawer collapsed to a single line.
1320 In order to look inside the drawer, you need to move the cursor to the
1321 drawer line and press @key{TAB} there. Org mode uses a drawer for
1322 storing properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}), and another one for
1323 storing clock times (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
1325 @node Orgstruct mode, , Drawers, Document Structure
1326 @section The Orgstruct minor mode
1327 @cindex Orgstruct mode
1328 @cindex minor mode for structure editing
1330 If you like the intuitive way the Org mode structure editing and list
1331 formatting works, you might want to use these commands in other modes
1332 like Text mode or Mail mode as well. The minor mode Orgstruct mode
1333 makes this possible. You can always toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x
1334 orgstruct-mode}. To turn it on by default, for example in Mail mode,
1338 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
1341 When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that looks to
1342 Org like a headline of the first line of a list item, most
1343 structure editing commands will work, even if the same keys normally
1344 have different functionality in the major mode you are using. If the
1345 cursor is not in one of those special lines, Orgstruct mode lurks
1346 silently in the shadow.
1348 @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document Structure, Top
1351 @cindex editing tables
1353 Org comes with a fast and intuitive table editor. Spreadsheet-like
1354 calculations are supported in connection with the Emacs @file{calc}
1357 (@pxref{Top,Calc,,Calc,Gnu Emacs Calculator Manual}).
1360 (see the Emacs Calculator manual for more information about the Emacs
1365 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
1366 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
1367 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
1368 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
1369 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
1372 @node Built-in table editor, Narrow columns, Tables, Tables
1373 @section The built-in table editor
1374 @cindex table editor, built-in
1376 Org makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with
1377 @samp{|} as the first non-whitespace character is considered part of a
1378 table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look like
1382 | Name | Phone | Age |
1383 |-------+-------+-----|
1384 | Peter | 1234 | 17 |
1385 | Anna | 4321 | 25 |
1388 A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or
1389 @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to
1390 the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows
1391 at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation
1392 of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with
1393 @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be
1394 expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to
1395 create the above table, you would only type
1402 @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in
1405 When typing text into a field, Org treats @key{DEL},
1406 @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that
1407 inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when
1408 typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field
1409 with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the
1410 field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too
1411 unpredictable for you, configure the variables
1412 @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}.
1415 @tsubheading{Creation and conversion}
1418 Convert the active region to table. If every line contains at least one
1419 TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab separated.
1420 If every line contains a comma, comma-separated values (CSV) are assumed.
1421 If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You can use a prefix
1422 argument to force a specific separator: @kbd{C-u} forces CSV, @kbd{C-u
1423 C-u} forces TAB, and a numeric argument N indicates that at least N
1424 consecutive spaces, or alternatively a TAB will be the separator.
1426 If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org
1427 table. But it's easier just to start typing, like
1428 @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}.
1430 @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
1433 Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
1437 Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if
1442 Re-align, move to previous field.
1446 Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if
1447 necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does
1448 NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table.
1450 @tsubheading{Column and row editing}
1451 @kindex M-@key{left}
1452 @kindex M-@key{right}
1454 @itemx M-@key{right}
1455 Move the current column left/right.
1457 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1458 @item M-S-@key{left}
1459 Kill the current column.
1461 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1462 @item M-S-@key{right}
1463 Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
1466 @kindex M-@key{down}
1469 Move the current row up/down.
1471 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1473 Kill the current row or horizontal line.
1475 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1476 @item M-S-@key{down}
1477 Insert a new row above the current row. With a prefix argument, the line is
1478 created below the current one.
1482 Insert a horizontal line below current row. With a prefix argument, the line
1483 is created above the current line.
1487 Sort the table lines in the region. The position of point indicates the
1488 column to be used for sorting, and the range of lines is the range
1489 between the nearest horizontal separator lines, or the entire table. If
1490 point is before the first column, you will be prompted for the sorting
1491 column. If there is an active region, the mark specifies the first line
1492 and the sorting column, while point should be in the last line to be
1493 included into the sorting. The command prompts for the sorting type
1494 (alphabetically, numerically, or by time). When called with a prefix
1495 argument, alphabetic sorting will be case-sensitive.
1497 @tsubheading{Regions}
1500 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point
1501 and mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. The process ignores
1502 horizontal separator lines.
1506 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
1507 blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation.
1511 Paste a rectangular region into a table.
1512 The upper right corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields
1513 will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table,
1514 the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator
1521 Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active
1522 region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the
1523 column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A numeric
1524 prefix argument may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there
1525 is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the text
1526 fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one line
1527 down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix argument, the current
1528 field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field above.
1530 @tsubheading{Calculations}
1531 @cindex formula, in tables
1532 @cindex calculations, in tables
1533 @cindex region, active
1534 @cindex active region
1535 @cindex Transient mark mode
1538 Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by
1539 the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can
1540 be inserted with @kbd{C-y}.
1544 When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above.
1545 When not empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor
1546 along with it. Depending on the variable
1547 @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field values will be
1548 incremented during copy. This key is also used by CUA mode
1549 (@pxref{Cooperation}).
1551 @tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
1554 Edit the current field in a separate window. This is useful for fields
1555 that are not fully visible (@pxref{Narrow columns}). When called with a
1556 @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be
1559 @item M-x org-table-import
1560 Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB- or whitespace
1561 separated. Useful, for example, to import a spreadsheet table or data
1562 from a database, because these programs generally can write
1563 TAB-separated text files. This command works by inserting the file into
1564 the buffer and then converting the region to a table. Any prefix
1565 argument is passed on to the converter, which uses it to determine the
1568 Tables can also be imported by pasting tabular text into the Org
1569 buffer, selecting the pasted text with @kbd{C-x C-x} and then using the
1570 @kbd{C-c |} command (see above under @i{Creation and conversion}).
1572 @item M-x org-table-export
1573 Export the table, by default as a TAB-separated file. Useful for data
1574 exchange with, for example, spreadsheet or database programs. The format
1575 used to export the file can be configured in the variable
1576 @code{org-table-export-default-format}. You may also use properties
1577 @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FILE} and @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FORMAT} to specify the file
1578 name and the format for table export in a subtree. Org supports quite
1579 general formats for exported tables. The exporter format is the same as the
1580 format used by Orgtbl radio tables, see @ref{Translator functions} for a
1581 detailed description.
1584 If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your
1585 way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn
1589 (setq org-enable-table-editor nil)
1592 @noindent Then the only table command that still works is
1593 @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align.
1595 @node Narrow columns, Column groups, Built-in table editor, Tables
1596 @section Narrow columns
1597 @cindex narrow columns in tables
1599 The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor.
1600 Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text,
1601 leading to inconveniently wide columns. To limit@footnote{This feature
1602 does not work on XEmacs.} the width of a column, one field anywhere in
1603 the column may contain just the string @samp{<N>} where @samp{N} is an
1604 integer specifying the width of the column in characters. The next
1605 re-align will then set the width of this column to no more than this
1610 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1612 | 1 | one | | 1 | one |
1613 | 2 | two | ----\ | 2 | two |
1614 | 3 | This is a long chunk of text | ----/ | 3 | This=> |
1615 | 4 | four | | 4 | four |
1616 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1621 Fields that are wider become clipped and end in the string @samp{=>}.
1622 Note that the full text is still in the buffer, it is only invisible.
1623 To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field - a tool-tip window
1624 will show the full content. To edit such a field, use the command
1625 @kbd{C-c `} (that is @kbd{C-c} followed by the backquote). This will
1626 open a new window with the full field. Edit it and finish with @kbd{C-c
1629 When visiting a file containing a table with narrowed columns, the
1630 necessary character hiding has not yet happened, and the table needs to
1631 be aligned before it looks nice. Setting the option
1632 @code{org-startup-align-all-tables} will realign all tables in a file
1633 upon visiting, but also slow down startup. You can also set this option
1634 on a per-file basis with:
1641 @node Column groups, Orgtbl mode, Narrow columns, Tables
1642 @section Column groups
1643 @cindex grouping columns in tables
1645 When Org exports tables, it does so by default without vertical
1646 lines because that is visually more satisfying in general. Occasionally
1647 however, vertical lines can be useful to structure a table into groups
1648 of columns, much like horizontal lines can do for groups of rows. In
1649 order to specify column groups, you can use a special row where the
1650 first field contains only @samp{/}. The further fields can either
1651 contain @samp{<} to indicate that this column should start a group,
1652 @samp{>} to indicate the end of a column, or @samp{<>} to make a column
1653 a group of its own. Boundaries between column groups will upon export be
1654 marked with vertical lines. Here is an example:
1657 | | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1658 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1659 | / | <> | < | | > | < | > |
1660 | # | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1661 | # | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 1.4142 | 1.1892 |
1662 | # | 3 | 9 | 27 | 81 | 1.7321 | 1.3161 |
1663 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1664 #+TBLFM: $3=$2^2::$4=$2^3::$5=$2^4::$6=sqrt($2)::$7=sqrt(sqrt(($2)))
1667 It is also sufficient to just insert the column group starters after
1668 every vertical line you'd like to have:
1671 | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1672 |----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1676 @node Orgtbl mode, The spreadsheet, Column groups, Tables
1677 @section The Orgtbl minor mode
1679 @cindex minor mode for tables
1681 If you like the intuitive way the Org table editor works, you
1682 might also want to use it in other modes like Text mode or Mail mode.
1683 The minor mode Orgtbl mode makes this possible. You can always toggle
1684 the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for
1685 example in mail mode, use
1688 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
1691 Furthermore, with some special setup, it is possible to maintain tables
1692 in arbitrary syntax with Orgtbl mode. For example, it is possible to
1693 construct La@TeX{} tables with the underlying ease and power of
1694 Orgtbl mode, including spreadsheet capabilities. For details, see
1695 @ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}.
1697 @node The spreadsheet, , Orgtbl mode, Tables
1698 @section The spreadsheet
1699 @cindex calculations, in tables
1700 @cindex spreadsheet capabilities
1701 @cindex @file{calc} package
1703 The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to implement
1704 spreadsheet-like capabilities. It can also evaluate Emacs Lisp forms to
1705 derive fields from other fields. While fully featured, Org's
1706 implementation is not identical to other spreadsheets. For example,
1707 Org knows the concept of a @emph{column formula} that will be
1708 applied to all non-header fields in a column without having to copy the
1709 formula to each relevant field.
1712 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
1713 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
1714 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
1715 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
1716 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
1717 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
1718 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
1719 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
1722 @node References, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet, The spreadsheet
1723 @subsection References
1726 To compute fields in the table from other fields, formulas must
1727 reference other fields or ranges. In Org, fields can be referenced
1728 by name, by absolute coordinates, and by relative coordinates. To find
1729 out what the coordinates of a field are, press @kbd{C-c ?} in that
1730 field, or press @kbd{C-c @}} to toggle the display of a grid.
1732 @subsubheading Field references
1733 @cindex field references
1734 @cindex references, to fields
1736 Formulas can reference the value of another field in two ways. Like in
1737 any other spreadsheet, you may reference fields with a letter/number
1738 combination like @code{B3}, meaning the 2nd field in the 3rd row.
1739 @c Such references are always fixed to that field, they don't change
1740 @c when you copy and paste a formula to a different field. So
1741 @c Org's @code{B3} behaves like @code{$B$3} in other spreadsheets.
1744 Org also uses another, more general operator that looks like this:
1750 Column references can be absolute like @samp{1}, @samp{2},...@samp{N},
1751 or relative to the current column like @samp{+1} or @samp{-2}.
1753 The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal
1754 separator lines (hlines). You can use absolute row numbers
1755 @samp{1}...@samp{N}, and row numbers relative to the current row like
1756 @samp{+3} or @samp{-1}. Or specify the row relative to one of the
1757 hlines: @samp{I} refers to the first hline@footnote{Note that only
1758 hlines are counted that @emph{separate} table lines. If the table
1759 starts with a hline above the header, it does not count.}, @samp{II} to
1760 the second etc. @samp{-I} refers to the first such line above the
1761 current line, @samp{+I} to the first such line below the current line.
1762 You can also write @samp{III+2} which is the second data line after the
1763 third hline in the table. Relative row numbers like @samp{-3} will not
1764 cross hlines if the current line is too close to the hline. Instead,
1765 the value directly at the hline is used.
1767 @samp{0} refers to the current row and column. Also, if you omit
1768 either the column or the row part of the reference, the current
1769 row/column is implied.
1771 Org's references with @emph{unsigned} numbers are fixed references
1772 in the sense that if you use the same reference in the formula for two
1773 different fields, the same field will be referenced each time.
1774 Org's references with @emph{signed} numbers are floating
1775 references because the same reference operator can reference different
1776 fields depending on the field being calculated by the formula.
1778 Here are a few examples:
1781 @@2$3 @r{2nd row, 3rd column}
1782 C2 @r{same as previous}
1783 $5 @r{column 5 in the current row}
1784 E& @r{same as previous}
1785 @@2 @r{current column, row 2}
1786 @@-1$-3 @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left}
1787 @@-I$2 @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2}
1790 @subsubheading Range references
1791 @cindex range references
1792 @cindex references, to ranges
1794 You may reference a rectangular range of fields by specifying two field
1795 references connected by two dots @samp{..}. If both fields are in the
1796 current row, you may simply use @samp{$2..$7}, but if at least one field
1797 is in a different row, you need to use the general @code{@@row$column}
1798 format at least for the first field (i.e the reference must start with
1799 @samp{@@} in order to be interpreted correctly). Examples:
1802 $1..$3 @r{First three fields in the current row.}
1803 $P..$Q @r{Range, using column names (see under Advanced)}
1804 @@2$1..@@4$3 @r{6 fields between these two fields.}
1805 A2..C4 @r{Same as above.}
1806 @@-1$-2..@@-1 @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row}
1809 @noindent Range references return a vector of values that can be fed
1810 into Calc vector functions. Empty fields in ranges are normally
1811 suppressed, so that the vector contains only the non-empty fields (but
1812 see the @samp{E} mode switch below). If there are no non-empty fields,
1813 @samp{[0]} is returned to avoid syntax errors in formulas.
1815 @subsubheading Named references
1816 @cindex named references
1817 @cindex references, named
1818 @cindex name, of column or field
1819 @cindex constants, in calculations
1821 @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or
1822 constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable
1823 @code{org-table-formula-constants}, and locally (for the file) through a
1827 #+CONSTANTS: c=299792458. pi=3.14 eps=2.4e-6
1831 Also properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) can be used as
1832 constants in table formulas: For a property @samp{:Xyz:} use the name
1833 @samp{$PROP_Xyz}, and the property will be searched in the current
1834 outline entry and in the hierarchy above it. If you have the
1835 @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants,
1836 including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and
1837 units like @samp{$km} for kilometers@footnote{@file{Constant.el} can
1838 supply the values of constants in two different unit systems, @code{SI}
1839 and @code{cgs}. Which one is used depends on the value of the variable
1840 @code{constants-unit-system}. You can use the @code{#+STARTUP} options
1841 @code{constSI} and @code{constcgs} to set this value for the current
1842 buffer.}. Column names and parameters can be specified in special table
1843 lines. These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}. All
1844 names must start with a letter, and further consist of letters and
1847 @node Formula syntax for Calc, Formula syntax for Lisp, References, The spreadsheet
1848 @subsection Formula syntax for Calc
1849 @cindex formula syntax, Calc
1850 @cindex syntax, of formulas
1852 A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs
1853 @file{Calc} package. @b{Note that @file{calc} has the
1854 non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than
1855 @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}.} Before
1856 evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from
1857 Your Programs,calc-eval,Calling Calc from Your Lisp Programs,Calc,GNU
1858 Emacs Calc Manual}),
1859 @c FIXME: The link to the Calc manual in HTML does not work.
1860 variable substitution takes place according to the rules described above.
1861 @cindex vectors, in table calculations
1862 The range vectors can be directly fed into the Calc vector functions
1863 like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}.
1865 @cindex format specifier
1866 @cindex mode, for @file{calc}
1867 A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This
1868 string consists of flags to influence Calc and other modes during
1869 execution. By default, Org uses the standard Calc modes (precision
1870 12, angular units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off). The display
1871 format, however, has been changed to @code{(float 5)} to keep tables
1872 compact. The default settings can be configured using the variable
1873 @code{org-calc-default-modes}.
1876 p20 @r{switch the internal precision to 20 digits}
1877 n3 s3 e2 f4 @r{normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed display format}
1878 D R @r{angle modes: degrees, radians}
1879 F S @r{fraction and symbolic modes}
1880 N @r{interpret all fields as numbers, use 0 for non-numbers}
1881 T @r{force text interpretation}
1882 E @r{keep empty fields in ranges}
1886 In addition, you may provide a @code{printf} format specifier to
1887 reformat the final result. A few examples:
1890 $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field}
1891 $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals}
1892 exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used}
1893 $0;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal}
1894 ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion}
1895 $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}}
1896 tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1}
1897 sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display}
1898 vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function}
1899 vmean($2..$7);EN @r{Same, but treat empty fields as 0}
1900 taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree}
1903 Calc also contains a complete set of logical operations. For example
1906 if($1<20,teen,string("")) @r{``teen'' if age $1 less than 20, else empty}
1909 @node Formula syntax for Lisp, Field formulas, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet
1910 @subsection Emacs Lisp forms as formulas
1911 @cindex Lisp forms, as table formulas
1913 It is also possible to write a formula in Emacs Lisp; this can be useful
1914 for string manipulation and control structures, if the Calc's
1915 functionality is not enough. If a formula starts with a single quote
1916 followed by an opening parenthesis, then it is evaluated as a lisp form.
1917 The evaluation should return either a string or a number. Just as with
1918 @file{calc} formulas, you can specify modes and a printf format after a
1919 semicolon. With Emacs Lisp forms, you need to be conscious about the way
1920 field references are interpolated into the form. By default, a
1921 reference will be interpolated as a Lisp string (in double quotes)
1922 containing the field. If you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all
1923 referenced elements will be numbers (non-number fields will be zero) and
1924 interpolated as Lisp numbers, without quotes. If you provide the
1925 @samp{L} flag, all fields will be interpolated literally, without quotes.
1926 I.e., if you want a reference to be interpreted as a string by the Lisp
1927 form, enclose the reference operator itself in double quotes, like
1928 @code{"$3"}. Ranges are inserted as space-separated fields, so you can
1929 embed them in list or vector syntax. A few examples, note how the
1930 @samp{N} mode is used when we do computations in lisp.
1933 @r{Swap the first two characters of the content of column 1}
1934 '(concat (substring $1 1 2) (substring $1 0 1) (substring $1 2))
1935 @r{Add columns 1 and 2, equivalent to the Calc's @code{$1+$2}}
1937 @r{Compute the sum of columns 1-4, like Calc's @code{vsum($1..$4)}}
1938 '(apply '+ '($1..$4));N
1941 @node Field formulas, Column formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet
1942 @subsection Field formulas
1943 @cindex field formula
1944 @cindex formula, for individual table field
1946 To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the
1947 field, preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=$1+$2}. When you
1948 press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in
1949 the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for this field,
1950 evaluated, and the current field replaced with the result.
1952 Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:}
1953 directly below the table. If you typed the equation in the 4th field of
1954 the 3rd data line in the table, the formula will look like
1955 @samp{@@3$4=$1+$2}. When inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows
1956 with the appropriate commands, @i{absolute references} (but not relative
1957 ones) in stored formulas are modified in order to still reference the
1958 same field. Of cause this is not true if you edit the table structure
1959 with normal editing commands - then you must fix the equations yourself.
1961 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
1967 Install a new formula for the current field. The command prompts for a
1968 formula, with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, applies
1969 it to the current field and stores it.
1972 @node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field formulas, The spreadsheet
1973 @subsection Column formulas
1974 @cindex column formula
1975 @cindex formula, for table column
1977 Often in a table, the same formula should be used for all fields in a
1978 particular column. Instead of having to copy the formula to all fields
1979 in that column, Org allows to assign a single formula to an entire
1980 column. If the table contains horizontal separator hlines, everything
1981 before the first such line is considered part of the table @emph{header}
1982 and will not be modified by column formulas.
1984 To assign a formula to a column, type it directly into any field in the
1985 column, preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press
1986 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the
1987 field, the formula will be stored as the formula for the current column,
1988 evaluated and the current field replaced with the result. If the field
1989 contains only @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for this column is
1990 used. For each column, Org will only remember the most recently
1991 used formula. In the @samp{TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like
1994 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2000 Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field with
2001 the result of the formula. The command prompts for a formula, with default
2002 taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM} line, applies it to the current field and
2003 stores it. With a numeric prefix argument(e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) the command
2004 will apply it to that many consecutive fields in the current column.
2007 @node Editing and debugging formulas, Updating the table, Column formulas, The spreadsheet
2008 @subsection Editing and debugging formulas
2009 @cindex formula editing
2010 @cindex editing, of table formulas
2012 You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the
2013 field. Org can also prepare a special buffer with all active
2014 formulas of a table. When offering a formula for editing, Org
2015 converts references to the standard format (like @code{B3} or @code{D&})
2016 if possible. If you prefer to only work with the internal format (like
2017 @code{@@3$2} or @code{$4}), configure the variable
2018 @code{org-table-use-standard-references}.
2025 Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the
2026 minibuffer. See @ref{Column formulas} and @ref{Field formulas}.
2027 @kindex C-u C-u C-c =
2029 Re-insert the active formula (either a
2030 field formula, or a column formula) into the current field, so that you
2031 can edit it directly in the field. The advantage over editing in the
2032 minibuffer is that you can use the command @kbd{C-c ?}.
2035 While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s)
2036 referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula.
2039 Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using
2040 overlays. These are updated each time the table is aligned, you can
2041 force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
2044 Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below.
2047 Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the
2048 formulas will be displayed one per line. If the current field has an
2049 active formula, the cursor in the formula editor will mark it.
2050 While inside the special buffer, Org will automatically highlight
2051 any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit,
2052 remove and add formulas, and use the following commands:
2058 Exit the formula editor and store the modified formulas. With @kbd{C-u}
2059 prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.
2062 Exit the formula editor without installing changes.
2065 Toggle all references in the formula editor between standard (like
2066 @code{B3}) and internal (like @code{@@3$2}).
2069 Pretty-print or indent lisp formula at point. When in a line containing
2070 a lisp formula, format the formula according to Emacs Lisp rules.
2071 Another @key{TAB} collapses the formula back again. In the open
2072 formula, @key{TAB} re-indents just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2075 Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2077 @kindex S-@key{down}
2078 @kindex S-@key{left}
2079 @kindex S-@key{right}
2080 @item S-@key{up}/@key{down}/@key{left}/@key{right}
2081 Shift the reference at point. For example, if the reference is
2082 @code{B3} and you press @kbd{S-@key{right}}, it will become @code{C3}.
2083 This also works for relative references, and for hline references.
2084 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
2085 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
2086 @item M-S-@key{up}/@key{down}
2087 Move the test line for column formulas in the Org buffer up and
2090 @kindex M-@key{down}
2091 @item M-@key{up}/@key{down}
2092 Scroll the window displaying the table.
2095 Turn the coordinate grid in the table on and off.
2099 Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with
2100 the field, because that is stored in a different line (the @samp{TBLFM}
2101 line) - during the next recalculation the field will be filled again.
2102 To remove a formula from a field, you have to give an empty reply when
2103 prompted for the formula, or to edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} line.
2106 You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply the changed
2107 equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line, or with the normal
2108 recalculation commands in the table.
2110 @subsubheading Debugging formulas
2111 @cindex formula debugging
2112 @cindex debugging, of table formulas
2113 When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content
2114 becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going
2115 on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a bug,
2116 turn on formula debugging in the @code{Tbl} menu and repeat the
2117 calculation, for example by pressing @kbd{C-u C-u C-c = @key{RET}} in a
2118 field. Detailed information will be displayed.
2120 @node Updating the table, Advanced features, Editing and debugging formulas, The spreadsheet
2121 @subsection Updating the table
2122 @cindex recomputing table fields
2123 @cindex updating, table
2125 Recalculation of a table is normally not automatic, but needs to be
2126 triggered by a command. See @ref{Advanced features} for a way to make
2127 recalculation at least semi-automatically.
2129 In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the
2135 Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas
2136 from left to right, and all field formulas in the current row.
2142 Recompute the entire table, line by line. Any lines before the first
2143 hline are left alone, assuming that these are part of the table header.
2145 @kindex C-u C-u C-c *
2146 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-c
2148 @itemx C-u C-u C-c C-c
2149 Iterate the table by recomputing it until no further changes occur.
2150 This may be necessary if some computed fields use the value of other
2151 fields that are computed @i{later} in the calculation sequence.
2154 @node Advanced features, , Updating the table, The spreadsheet
2155 @subsection Advanced features
2157 If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically, or if
2158 you want to be able to assign @i{names} to fields and columns, you need
2159 to reserve the first column of the table for special marking characters.
2163 Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{},
2164 @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. The meaning of these characters
2165 is discussed below. When there is an active region, change all marks in
2169 Here is an example of a table that collects exam results of students and
2170 makes use of these features:
2174 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2175 | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note |
2176 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2177 | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | |
2178 | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 |
2179 | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | |
2180 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2181 | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 |
2182 | # | Sara | 6 | 14 | 19 | 39 | 7.8 |
2183 | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 |
2184 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2185 | | Average | | | | 29.7 | |
2186 | ^ | | | | | at | |
2187 | $ | max=50 | | | | | |
2188 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2189 #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(@@-II..@@-I);%.1f
2193 @noindent @b{Important}: Please note that for these special tables,
2194 recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows that
2195 are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and fields that have a formula assigned
2196 to the field itself. The column formulas are not applied in rows with
2199 @cindex marking characters, tables
2200 The marking characters have the following meaning:
2203 The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may
2204 refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}.
2206 This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such
2207 a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to
2208 the value @samp{10}. Also, if you assign a formula to a names field, it
2209 will be stored as @samp{$name=...}.
2211 Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row
2214 Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For
2215 example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then
2216 formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}.
2217 Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on
2220 Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing
2221 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row
2222 is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked
2223 lines will be left alone by this command.
2225 Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but
2226 not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic
2227 recalculation slows down editing too much.
2229 Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}.
2230 All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#}
2233 Do not export this line. Useful for lines that contain the narrowing
2237 Finally, just to whet your appetite on what can be done with the
2238 fantastic @file{calc} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor
2239 series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of
2244 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2245 | | Func | n | x | Result |
2246 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2247 | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x |
2248 | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 |
2249 | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 |
2250 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 |
2251 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 |
2252 | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 |
2253 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2254 #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3
2258 @node Hyperlinks, TODO Items, Tables, Top
2262 Like HTML, Org provides links inside a file, external links to
2263 other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more.
2266 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
2267 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
2268 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
2269 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
2270 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
2271 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
2272 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
2273 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
2276 @node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
2277 @section Link format
2279 @cindex format, of links
2281 Org will recognize plain URL-like links and activate them as
2282 clickable links. The general link format, however, looks like this:
2285 [[link][description]] @r{or alternatively} [[link]]
2288 Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org
2289 will change the display so that @samp{description} is displayed instead
2290 of @samp{[[link][description]]} and @samp{link} is displayed instead of
2291 @samp{[[link]]}. Links will be highlighted in the face @code{org-link},
2292 which by default is an underlined face. You can directly edit the
2293 visible part of a link. Note that this can be either the @samp{link}
2294 part (if there is no description) or the @samp{description} part. To
2295 edit also the invisible @samp{link} part, use @kbd{C-c C-l} with the
2298 If you place the cursor at the beginning or just behind the end of the
2299 displayed text and press @key{BACKSPACE}, you will remove the
2300 (invisible) bracket at that location. This makes the link incomplete
2301 and the internals are again displayed as plain text. Inserting the
2302 missing bracket hides the link internals again. To show the
2303 internal structure of all links, use the menu entry
2304 @code{Org->Hyperlinks->Literal links}.
2306 @node Internal links, External links, Link format, Hyperlinks
2307 @section Internal links
2308 @cindex internal links
2309 @cindex links, internal
2310 @cindex targets, for links
2312 If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in
2313 the current file. Links such as @samp{[[My Target]]} or @samp{[[My
2314 Target][Find my target]]} lead to a text search in the current file.
2315 The link can be followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} when the cursor is on the
2316 link, or with a mouse click (@pxref{Handling links}). The preferred
2317 match for such a link is a dedicated target: the same string in double
2318 angular brackets. Targets may be located anywhere; sometimes it is
2319 convenient to put them into a comment line. For example
2325 @noindent In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such targets will become
2326 named anchors for direct access through @samp{http} links@footnote{Note
2327 that text before the first headline is usually not exported, so the
2328 first such target should be after the first headline.}.
2330 If no dedicated target exists, Org will search for the words in the
2331 link. In the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}.
2332 Links starting with a star like @samp{*My Target} restrict the search to
2333 headlines. When searching, Org mode will first try an exact match, but
2334 then move on to more and more lenient searches. For example, the link
2335 @samp{[[*My Targets]]} will find any of the following:
2339 ** TODO my targets are bright
2340 ** my 20 targets are
2343 To insert a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used.
2344 Just type a star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer and
2345 press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will be
2346 offered as completions. @xref{Handling links}, for more commands
2349 Following a link pushes a mark onto Org's own mark ring. You can
2350 return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command
2351 several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded
2355 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
2358 @node Radio targets, , Internal links, Internal links
2359 @subsection Radio targets
2360 @cindex radio targets
2361 @cindex targets, radio
2362 @cindex links, radio targets
2364 Org can automatically turn any occurrences of certain target names
2365 in normal text into a link. So without explicitly creating a link, the
2366 text connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are
2367 enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target @samp{<<<My
2368 Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in normal text to
2369 become activated as a link. The Org file is scanned automatically
2370 for radio targets only when the file is first loaded into Emacs. To
2371 update the target list during editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
2372 cursor on or at a target.
2374 @node External links, Handling links, Internal links, Hyperlinks
2375 @section External links
2376 @cindex links, external
2377 @cindex external links
2378 @cindex links, external
2386 @cindex WANDERLUST links
2388 @cindex USENET links
2393 Org supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages,
2394 BBDB database entries and links to both IRC conversations and their
2395 logs. External links are URL-like locators. They start with a short
2396 identifying string followed by a colon. There can be no space after
2397 the colon. The following list shows examples for each link type.
2400 http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik @r{on the web}
2401 file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{file, absolute path}
2402 /home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{same as above}
2403 file:papers/last.pdf @r{file, relative path}
2404 ./papers/last.pdf @r{same as above}
2405 news:comp.emacs @r{Usenet link}
2406 mailto:adent@@galaxy.net @r{Mail link}
2407 vm:folder @r{VM folder link}
2408 vm:folder#id @r{VM message link}
2409 vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id @r{VM on remote machine}
2410 wl:folder @r{WANDERLUST folder link}
2411 wl:folder#id @r{WANDERLUST message link}
2412 mhe:folder @r{MH-E folder link}
2413 mhe:folder#id @r{MH-E message link}
2414 rmail:folder @r{RMAIL folder link}
2415 rmail:folder#id @r{RMAIL message link}
2416 gnus:group @r{Gnus group link}
2417 gnus:group#id @r{Gnus article link}
2418 bbdb:Richard Stallman @r{BBDB link}
2419 irc:/irc.com/#emacs/bob @r{IRC link}
2420 shell:ls *.org @r{A shell command}
2421 elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{An elisp form to evaluate}
2424 A link should be enclosed in double brackets and may contain a
2425 descriptive text to be displayed instead of the URL (@pxref{Link
2426 format}), for example:
2429 [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/][GNU Emacs]]
2433 If the description is a file name or URL that points to an image, HTML
2434 export (@pxref{HTML export}) will inline the image as a clickable
2435 button. If there is no description at all and the link points to an
2437 that image will be inlined into the exported HTML file.
2439 @cindex angular brackets, around links
2440 @cindex plain text external links
2441 Org also finds external links in the normal text and activates them
2442 as links. If spaces must be part of the link (for example in
2443 @samp{bbdb:Richard Stallman}), or if you need to remove ambiguities
2444 about the end of the link, enclose them in angular brackets.
2446 @node Handling links, Using links outside Org, External links, Hyperlinks
2447 @section Handling links
2448 @cindex links, handling
2450 Org provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
2451 insert it into an Org file, and to follow the link.
2455 @cindex storing links
2457 Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command
2458 which can be used in any buffer to create a link. The link will be
2459 stored for later insertion into an Org buffer (see below). For
2460 Org files, if there is a @samp{<<target>>} at the cursor, the
2461 link points to the target. Otherwise it points to the current
2462 headline. For VM, Rmail, Wanderlust, MH-E, Gnus and BBDB buffers, the
2463 link will indicate the current article/entry. For W3 and W3M buffers,
2464 the link goes to the current URL. For IRC links, if you set the
2465 variable @code{org-irc-link-to-logs} to non-nil then @kbd{C-c l} will
2466 store a @samp{file:/} style link to the relevant point in the logs for
2467 the current conversation. Otherwise an @samp{irc:/} style link to the
2468 user/channel/server under the point will be stored. For any other
2469 files, the link will point to the file, with a search string
2470 (@pxref{Search options}) pointing to the contents of the current line.
2471 If there is an active region, the selected words will form the basis
2472 of the search string. If the automatically created link is not
2473 working correctly or accurately enough, you can write custom functions
2474 to select the search string and to do the search for particular file
2475 types - see @ref{Custom searches}. The key binding @kbd{C-c l} is
2476 only a suggestion - see @ref{Installation}.
2479 @cindex link completion
2480 @cindex completion, of links
2481 @cindex inserting links
2483 Insert a link. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the buffer. You
2484 can just type a link, using text for an internal link, or one of the link
2485 type prefixes mentioned in the examples above. All links stored during the
2486 current session are part of the history for this prompt, so you can access
2487 them with @key{up} and @key{down} (or @kbd{M-p/n}). Completion, on the other
2488 hand, will help you to insert valid link prefixes like @samp{http:} or
2489 @samp{ftp:}, including the prefixes defined through link abbreviations
2490 (@pxref{Link abbreviations}). The link will be inserted into the
2491 buffer@footnote{After insertion of a stored link, the link will be removed
2492 from the list of stored links. To keep it in the list later use, use a
2493 triple @kbd{C-u} prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the option
2494 @code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}, along with a descriptive text.
2495 If some text was selected when this command is called, the selected text
2496 becomes the default description.@* Note that you don't have to use this
2497 command to insert a link. Links in Org are plain text, and you can type
2498 or paste them straight into the buffer. By using this command, the links are
2499 automatically enclosed in double brackets, and you will be asked for the
2500 optional descriptive text.
2502 @c If the link is a @samp{file:} link and
2503 @c the linked file is located in the same directory as the current file or
2504 @c a subdirectory of it, the path of the file will be inserted relative to
2505 @c the current directory.
2508 @cindex file name completion
2509 @cindex completion, of file names
2511 When @kbd{C-c C-l} is called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, a link to
2512 a file will be inserted and you may use file name completion to select
2513 the name of the file. The path to the file is inserted relative to the
2514 directory of the current org file, if the linked file is in the current
2515 directory or in a sub-directory of it, or if the path is written relative
2516 to the current directory using @samp{../}. Otherwise an absolute path
2517 is used, if possible with @samp{~/} for your home directory. You can
2518 force an absolute path with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes.
2520 @item C-c C-l @r{(with cursor on existing link)}
2521 When the cursor is on an existing link, @kbd{C-c C-l} allows you to edit the
2522 link and description parts of the link.
2524 @cindex following links
2527 Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using
2528 @command{browse-url-at-point}), run VM/MH-E/Wanderlust/Rmail/Gnus/BBDB
2529 for the corresponding links, and execute the command in a shell link.
2530 When the cursor is on an internal link, this commands runs the
2531 corresponding search. When the cursor is on a TAG list in a headline,
2532 it creates the corresponding TAGS view. If the cursor is on a time
2533 stamp, it compiles the agenda for that date. Furthermore, it will visit
2534 text and remote files in @samp{file:} links with Emacs and select a
2535 suitable application for local non-text files. Classification of files
2536 is based on file extension only. See option @code{org-file-apps}. If
2537 you want to override the default application and visit the file with
2538 Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u} prefix.
2544 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just as @kbd{C-c C-o}
2545 would. Under Emacs 22, also @kbd{mouse-1} will follow a link.
2549 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs, and
2550 internal links to be displayed in another window@footnote{See the
2551 variable @code{org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer}}.
2556 Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
2557 easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
2559 @cindex links, returning to
2562 Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the
2563 commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this
2564 command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of
2565 previously recorded positions.
2569 @cindex links, finding next/previous
2572 Move forward/backward to the next link in the buffer. At the limit of
2573 the buffer, the search fails once, and then wraps around. The key
2574 bindings for this are really too long, you might want to bind this also
2575 to @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{C-p}
2577 (add-hook 'org-load-hook
2579 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-n" 'org-next-link)
2580 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-p" 'org-previous-link)))
2584 @node Using links outside Org, Link abbreviations, Handling links, Hyperlinks
2585 @section Using links outside Org
2587 You can insert and follow links that have Org syntax not only in
2588 Org, but in any Emacs buffer. For this, you should create two
2589 global commands, like this (please select suitable global keys
2593 (global-set-key "\C-c L" 'org-insert-link-global)
2594 (global-set-key "\C-c o" 'org-open-at-point-global)
2597 @node Link abbreviations, Search options, Using links outside Org, Hyperlinks
2598 @section Link abbreviations
2599 @cindex link abbreviations
2600 @cindex abbreviation, links
2602 Long URLs can be cumbersome to type, and often many similar links are
2603 needed in a document. For this you can use link abbreviations. An
2604 abbreviated link looks like this
2607 [[linkword:tag][description]]
2611 where the tag is optional. Such abbreviations are resolved according to
2612 the information in the variable @code{org-link-abbrev-alist} that
2613 relates the linkwords to replacement text. Here is an example:
2617 (setq org-link-abbrev-alist
2618 '(("bugzilla" . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=")
2619 ("google" . "http://www.google.com/search?q=")
2620 ("ads" . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/
2621 nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST")))
2625 If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be
2626 replaced with the tag. Otherwise the tag will be appended to the string
2627 in order to create the link. You may also specify a function that will
2628 be called with the tag as the only argument to create the link.
2630 With the above setting, you could link to a specific bug with
2631 @code{[[bugzilla:129]]}, search the web for @samp{OrgMode} with
2632 @code{[[google:OrgMode]]} and find out what the Org author is
2633 doing besides Emacs hacking with @code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}.
2635 If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org buffer, you
2636 can define them in the file with
2639 #+LINK: bugzilla http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=
2640 #+LINK: google http://www.google.com/search?q=%s
2644 In-buffer completion @pxref{Completion} can be used after @samp{[} to
2645 complete link abbreviations.
2647 @node Search options, Custom searches, Link abbreviations, Hyperlinks
2648 @section Search options in file links
2649 @cindex search option in file links
2650 @cindex file links, searching
2652 File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a
2653 particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a
2654 line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward
2655 compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon. For
2656 example, when the command @kbd{C-c l} creates a link (@pxref{Handling
2657 links}) to a file, it encodes the words in the current line as a search
2658 string that can be used to find this line back later when following the
2659 link with @kbd{C-c C-o}.
2661 Here is the syntax of the different ways to attach a search to a file
2662 link, together with an explanation:
2665 [[file:~/code/main.c::255]]
2666 [[file:~/xx.org::My Target]]
2667 [[file:~/xx.org::*My Target]]
2668 [[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]]
2675 Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, or do a text search for
2676 @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see
2677 @ref{Internal links}. In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such a file
2678 link will become an HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in
2681 In an Org file, restrict search to headlines.
2683 Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs
2684 command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the
2685 target file is in Org mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a
2686 sparse tree with the matches.
2687 @c If the target file is a directory,
2688 @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory.
2691 As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used
2692 to search the current file. For example, @code{[[file:::find me]]} does
2693 a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just as
2694 @samp{[[find me]]} would.
2696 @node Custom searches, , Search options, Hyperlinks
2697 @section Custom Searches
2698 @cindex custom search strings
2699 @cindex search strings, custom
2701 The default mechanism for creating search strings and for doing the
2702 actual search related to a file link may not work correctly in all
2703 cases. For example, BibTeX database files have many entries like
2704 @samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings,
2705 because the only unique identification for a BibTeX entry is the
2708 If you come across such a problem, you can write custom functions to set
2709 the right search string for a particular file type, and to do the search
2710 for the string in the file. Using @code{add-hook}, these functions need
2711 to be added to the hook variables
2712 @code{org-create-file-search-functions} and
2713 @code{org-execute-file-search-functions}. See the docstring for these
2714 variables for more information. Org actually uses this mechanism
2715 for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as
2716 an implementation example. See the file @file{org-bibtex.el}.
2718 @node TODO Items, Tags, Hyperlinks, Top
2722 Org mode does not maintain TODO lists as separate documents@footnote{Of
2723 course, you can make a document that contains inly long lists of TODO items,
2724 but this is not required.}. Instead, TODO items are an integral part of the
2725 notes file, because TODO items usually come up while taking notes! With Org
2726 mode, simply mark any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way,
2727 information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the TODO
2728 item emerged is always present.
2730 Of course, this technique for managing TODO items scatters them
2731 throughout your notes file. Org mode compensates for this by providing
2732 methods to give you an overview of all the things that you have to do.
2735 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
2736 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
2737 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
2738 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
2739 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
2740 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
2743 @node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO Items, TODO Items
2744 @section Basic TODO functionality
2746 Any headline becomes a TODO item when it starts with the word
2747 @samp{TODO}, for example:
2750 *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune
2754 The most important commands to work with TODO entries are:
2758 @cindex cycling, of TODO states
2760 Rotate the TODO state of the current item among
2763 ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --.
2764 '--------------------------------'
2767 The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and
2768 agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
2772 Select a specific keyword using completion or (if it has been set up)
2773 the fast selection interface. For the latter, you need to assign keys
2774 to TODO states, see @ref{Per-file keywords} and @ref{Setting tags} for
2777 @kindex S-@key{right}
2778 @kindex S-@key{left}
2781 Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling. Useful
2782 mostly if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO
2786 @cindex sparse tree, for TODO
2789 View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds
2790 the entire buffer, but shows all TODO items and the headings hierarchy
2791 above them. With a prefix argument, search for a specific TODO. You will be
2792 prompted for the keyword, and you can also give a list of keywords like
2793 @code{KWD1|KWD2|...}. With numeric prefix argument N, show the tree for the
2794 Nth keyword in the variable @code{org-todo-keywords}. With two prefix
2795 arguments, find all TODO and DONE entries.
2798 Show the global TODO list. Collects the TODO items from all agenda
2799 files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The new buffer will
2800 be in @code{agenda-mode}, which provides commands to examine and
2801 manipulate the TODO entries from the new buffer (@pxref{Agenda
2802 commands}). @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
2803 @kindex S-M-@key{RET}
2805 Insert a new TODO entry below the current one.
2808 @node TODO extensions, Progress logging, TODO basics, TODO Items
2809 @section Extended use of TODO keywords
2810 @cindex extended TODO keywords
2812 By default, marked TODO entries have one of only two states: TODO and
2813 DONE. Org mode allows you to classify TODO items in more complex ways
2814 with @emph{TODO keywords} (stored in @code{org-todo-keywords}). With
2815 special setup, the TODO keyword system can work differently in different
2818 Note that @i{tags} are another way to classify headlines in general and
2819 TODO items in particular (@pxref{Tags}).
2822 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
2823 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
2824 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
2825 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
2826 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
2827 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
2830 @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions
2831 @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states
2832 @cindex TODO workflow
2833 @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords
2835 You can use TODO keywords to indicate different @emph{sequential} states
2836 in the process of working on an item, for example@footnote{Changing
2837 this variable only becomes effective after restarting Org mode in a
2841 (setq org-todo-keywords
2842 '((sequence "TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "|" "DONE" "DELEGATED")))
2845 The vertical bar separates the TODO keywords (states that @emph{need
2846 action}) from the DONE states (which need @emph{no further action}). If
2847 you don't provide the separator bar, the last state is used as the DONE
2849 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
2850 With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from TODO
2851 to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE and DELEGATED. You may
2852 also use a numeric prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For
2853 example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
2854 Or you can use @kbd{S-left} to go backward through the sequence. If you
2855 define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion
2856 (@pxref{Completion}) or even a special one-key selection scheme
2857 (@pxref{Fast access to TODO states}) to insert these words into the
2858 buffer. Changing a TODO state can be logged with a timestamp, see
2859 @ref{Tracking TODO state changes} for more information.
2861 @node TODO types, Multiple sets in one file, Workflow states, TODO extensions
2862 @subsection TODO keywords as types
2864 @cindex names as TODO keywords
2865 @cindex types as TODO keywords
2867 The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different
2868 @emph{types} of action items. For example, you might want to indicate
2869 that items are for ``work'' or ``home''. Or, when you work with several
2870 people on a single project, you might want to assign action items
2871 directly to persons, by using their names as TODO keywords. This would
2872 be set up like this:
2875 (setq org-todo-keywords '((type "Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "|" "DONE")))
2878 In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather
2879 different types. So the normal work flow would be to assign a task to a
2880 person, and later to mark it DONE. Org mode supports this style by adapting
2881 the workings of the command @kbd{C-c C-t}@footnote{This is also true for the
2882 @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When used several
2883 times in succession, it will still cycle through all names, in order to first
2884 select the right type for a task. But when you return to the item after some
2885 time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from any name directly
2886 to DONE. Use prefix arguments or completion to quickly select a specific
2887 name. You can also review the items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree
2888 by using a numeric prefix to @kbd{C-c C-v}. For example, to see all things
2889 Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c C-v}. To collect Lucy's items
2890 from all agenda files into a single buffer, you would use the numeric prefix
2891 argument as well when creating the global TODO list: @kbd{C-3 C-c t}.
2893 @node Multiple sets in one file, Fast access to TODO states, TODO types, TODO extensions
2894 @subsection Multiple keyword sets in one file
2895 @cindex TODO keyword sets
2897 Sometimes you may want to use different sets of TODO keywords in
2898 parallel. For example, you may want to have the basic
2899 @code{TODO}/@code{DONE}, but also a workflow for bug fixing, and a
2900 separate state indicating that an item has been canceled (so it is not
2901 DONE, but also does not require action). Your setup would then look
2905 (setq org-todo-keywords
2906 '((sequence "TODO" "|" "DONE")
2907 (sequence "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED")
2908 (sequence "|" "CANCELED")))
2911 The keywords should all be different, this helps Org mode to keep track
2912 of which subsequence should be used for a given entry. In this setup,
2913 @kbd{C-c C-t} only operates within a subsequence, so it switches from
2914 @code{DONE} to (nothing) to @code{TODO}, and from @code{FIXED} to
2915 (nothing) to @code{REPORT}. Therefore you need a mechanism to initially
2916 select the correct sequence. Besides the obvious ways like typing a
2917 keyword or using completion, you may also apply the following commands:
2920 @kindex C-S-@key{right}
2921 @kindex C-S-@key{left}
2922 @item C-S-@key{right}
2923 @itemx C-S-@key{left}
2924 These keys jump from one TODO subset to the next. In the above example,
2925 @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} would jump from @code{TODO} or @code{DONE} to
2926 @code{REPORT}, and any of the words in the second row to @code{CANCELED}.
2927 @kindex S-@key{right}
2928 @kindex S-@key{left}
2931 @kbd{S-@key{<left>}} and @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} and walk through
2932 @emph{all} keywords from all sets, so for example @kbd{S-@key{<right>}}
2933 would switch from @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT} in the example above.
2936 @node Fast access to TODO states, Per-file keywords, Multiple sets in one file, TODO extensions
2937 @subsection Fast access to TODO states
2939 If you would like to quickly change an entry to an arbitrary TODO state
2940 instead of cycling through the states, you can set up keys for
2941 single-letter access to the states. This is done by adding the section
2942 key after each keyword, in parenthesis. For example:
2945 (setq org-todo-keywords
2946 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "|" "DONE(d)")
2947 (sequence "REPORT(r)" "BUG(b)" "KNOWNCAUSE(k)" "|" "FIXED(f)")
2948 (sequence "|" "CANCELED(c)")))
2951 If you then press @code{C-u C-c C-t} followed by the selection key, the
2952 entry will be switched to this state. @key{SPC} can be used to remove
2953 any TODO keyword from an entry. Should you like this way of selecting
2954 TODO states a lot, you might want to set the variable
2955 @code{org-use-fast-todo-selection} to @code{t} and make this behavior
2956 the default. Check also the variable
2957 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo}, it allows to change the TODO
2958 state through the tags interface (@pxref{Setting tags}), in case you
2959 like to mingle the two concepts.
2961 @node Per-file keywords, Faces for TODO keywords, Fast access to TODO states, TODO extensions
2962 @subsection Setting up keywords for individual files
2963 @cindex keyword options
2964 @cindex per-file keywords
2966 It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in
2967 different files. For file-local settings, you need to add special lines
2968 to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that file
2969 only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed above, you
2970 need one of the following lines, starting in column zero anywhere in the
2974 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY | DONE CANCELED
2978 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike | DONE
2981 A setup for using several sets in parallel would be:
2984 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO | DONE
2985 #+SEQ_TODO: REPORT BUG KNOWNCAUSE | FIXED
2986 #+SEQ_TODO: | CANCELED
2989 @cindex completion, of option keywords
2991 @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type
2992 @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion.
2994 @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword
2995 Remember that the keywords after the vertical bar (or the last keyword
2996 if no bar is there) must always mean that the item is DONE (although you
2997 may use a different word). After changing one of these lines, use
2998 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to make the changes
2999 known to Org mode@footnote{Org mode parses these lines only when
3000 Org mode is activated after visiting a file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
3001 cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+} is simply restarting Org mode
3002 for the current buffer.}.
3004 @node Faces for TODO keywords, , Per-file keywords, TODO extensions
3005 @subsection Faces for TODO keywords
3006 @cindex faces, for TODO keywords
3008 Org mode highlights TODO keywords with special faces: @code{org-todo}
3009 for keywords indicating that an item still has to be acted upon, and
3010 @code{org-done} for keywords indicating that an item is finished. If
3011 you are using more than 2 different states, you might want to use
3012 special faces for some of them. This can be done using the variable
3013 @code{org-todo-keyword-faces}. For example:
3016 (setq org-todo-keyword-faces
3017 '(("TODO" . org-warning)
3018 ("DEFERRED" . shadow)
3019 ("CANCELED" . (:foreground "blue" :weight bold))))
3022 While using a list with face properties as shown for CANCELED
3023 @emph{should} work, this does not aways seem to be the case. If
3024 necessary, define a special face and use that.
3027 @node Progress logging, Priorities, TODO extensions, TODO Items
3028 @section Progress logging
3029 @cindex progress logging
3030 @cindex logging, of progress
3032 Org mode can automatically record a time stamp and possibly a note when
3033 you mark a TODO item as DONE, or even each time you change the state of
3034 a TODO item. This system is highly configurable, settings can be on a
3035 per-keyword basis and can be localized to a file or even a subtree. For
3036 information on how to clock working time for a task, see @ref{Clocking
3040 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
3041 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
3044 @node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging
3045 @subsection Closing items
3047 The most basic logging is to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO
3048 item was finished. This is achieved with@footnote{The corresponding
3049 in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}}.
3052 (setq org-log-done 'time)
3056 Then each time you turn an entry from a TODO (not-done) state into any
3057 of the DONE states, a line @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted
3058 just after the headline. If you turn the entry back into a TODO item
3059 through further state cycling, that line will be removed again. If you
3060 want to record a note along with the timestamp, use@footnote{The
3061 corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognotedone}}
3064 (setq org-log-done 'note)
3068 You will then be prompted for a note, and that note will be stored below
3069 the entry with a @samp{Closing Note} heading.
3071 In the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda
3072 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), you can then use the @kbd{l} key to
3073 display the TODO items with a @samp{CLOSED} timestamp on each day,
3074 giving you an overview of what has been done.
3076 @node Tracking TODO state changes, , Closing items, Progress logging
3077 @subsection Tracking TODO state changes
3079 When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow
3080 states}), you might want to keep track of when a state change occurred
3081 and maybe take a note about this change. Since it is normally too much
3082 to record a note for every state, Org mode expects configuration on a
3083 per-keyword basis for this. This is achieved by adding special markers
3084 @samp{!} (for a time stamp) and @samp{@@} (for a note) in parenthesis
3085 after each keyword. For example, with the setting
3088 (setq org-todo-keywords
3089 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "WAIT(w@@/!)" "|" "DONE(d!)" "CANCELED(c@@)")))
3093 you not only define global TODO keywords and fast access keys, but also
3094 request that a time is recorded when the entry is turned into
3095 DONE@footnote{It is possible that Org mode will record two time stamps
3096 when you are using both @code{org-log-done} and state change logging.
3097 However, it will never prompt for two notes - if you have configured
3098 both, the state change recording note will take precedence and cancel
3099 the @samp{Closing Note}.}, and that a note is recorded when switching to
3100 WAIT or CANCELED. The setting for WAIT is even more special: The
3101 @samp{!} after the slash means that in addition to the note taken when
3102 entering the state, a time stamp should be recorded when @i{leaving} the
3103 WAIT state, if and only if the @i{target} state does not configure
3104 logging for entering it. So it has no effect when switching from WAIT
3105 to DONE, because DONE is configured to record a timestamp only. But
3106 when switching from WAIT back to TODO, the @samp{/!} in the WAIT
3107 setting now triggers a timestamp even though TODO has no logging
3110 You can use the exact same syntax for setting logging preferences local
3113 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO(t) WAIT(w@@/!) | DONE(d!) CANCELED(c@@)
3116 In order to define logging settings that are local to a subtree or a
3117 single item, define a LOGGING property in this entry. Any non-empty
3118 LOGGING property resets all logging settings to nil. You may then turn
3119 on logging for this specific tree using STARTUP keywords like
3120 @code{lognotedone} or @code{logrepeat}, as well as adding state specific
3121 settings like @code{TODO(!)}. For example
3124 * TODO Log each state with only a time
3126 :LOGGING: TODO(!) WAIT(!) DONE(!) CANCELED(!)
3128 * TODO Only log when switching to WAIT, and when repeating
3130 :LOGGING: WAIT(@@) logrepeat
3132 * TODO No logging at all
3139 @node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, Progress logging, TODO Items
3143 If you use Org mode extensively, you may end up enough TODO items that
3144 it starts to make sense to prioritize them. Prioritizing can be done by
3145 placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the headline of a TODO item, like
3149 *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
3153 By default, Org mode supports three priorities: @samp{A}, @samp{B}, and
3154 @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry without a cookie
3155 is treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a difference only in
3156 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}); outside the agenda, they have
3157 no inherent meaning to Org mode.
3159 Priorities can be attached to any outline tree entries; they do not need
3165 Set the priority of the current headline. The command prompts for a
3166 priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press
3167 @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline.
3168 The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3169 agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3172 @kindex S-@key{down}
3175 Increase/decrease priority of current headline@footnote{See also the
3176 option @code{org-priority-start-cycle-with-default'}.}. Note that these
3177 keys are also used to modify time stamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}).
3178 Furthermore, these keys are also used by CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
3181 You can change the range of allowed priorities by setting the variables
3182 @code{org-highest-priority}, @code{org-lowest-priority}, and
3183 @code{org-default-priority}. For an individual buffer, you may set
3184 these values (highest, lowest, default) like this (please make sure that
3185 the highest priority is earlier in the alphabet than the lowest
3192 @node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO Items
3193 @section Breaking tasks down into subtasks
3194 @cindex tasks, breaking down
3196 It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable
3197 subtasks. You can do this by creating an outline tree below a TODO item,
3198 with detailed subtasks on the tree@footnote{To keep subtasks out of the
3199 global TODO list, see the @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels}.}. To keep
3200 the overview over the fraction of subtasks that are already completed, insert
3201 either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]} anywhere in the headline. These cookies will
3202 be updates each time the todo status of a child changes. For example:
3205 * Organize Party [33%]
3206 ** TODO Call people [1/2]
3210 ** DONE Talk to neighbor
3213 If you would like a TODO entry to automatically change to DONE when all
3214 chilrden are done, you can use the following setup:
3217 (defun org-summary-todo (n-done n-not-done)
3218 "Switch entry to DONE when all subentries are done, to TODO otherwise."
3219 (let (org-log-done org-log-states) ; turn off logging
3220 (org-todo (if (= n-not-done 0) "DONE" "TODO"))))
3222 (add-hook 'org-after-todo-statistics-hook 'org-summary-todo)
3226 Another possibility is the use of checkboxes to identify (a hierarchy of) a
3227 large number of subtasks (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
3230 @node Checkboxes, , Breaking down tasks, TODO Items
3234 Every item in a plain list (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made into a
3235 checkbox by starting it with the string @samp{[ ]}. This feature is
3236 similar to TODO items (@pxref{TODO Items}), but is more lightweight.
3237 Checkboxes are not included into the global TODO list, so they are often
3238 great to split a task into a number of simple steps. Or you can use
3239 them in a shopping list. To toggle a checkbox, use @kbd{C-c C-c}, or
3240 use the mouse (thanks to Piotr Zielinski's @file{org-mouse.el}).
3242 Here is an example of a checkbox list.
3245 * TODO Organize party [2/4]
3246 - [-] call people [1/3]
3251 - [ ] think about what music to play
3252 - [X] talk to the neighbors
3255 Checkboxes work hierarchically, so if a checkbox item has children that
3256 are checkboxes, toggling one of the children checkboxes will make the
3257 parent checkbox reflect if none, some, or all of the children are
3260 @cindex statistics, for checkboxes
3261 @cindex checkbox statistics
3262 The @samp{[2/4]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are
3263 cookies indicating how many checkboxes present in this entry have been
3264 checked off, and the total number of checkboxes are present. This can
3265 give you an idea on how many checkboxes remain, even without opening a
3266 folded entry. The cookies can be placed into a headline or into (the
3267 first line of) a plain list item. Each cookie covers all checkboxes
3268 structurally below the headline/item on which the cookie appear. You
3269 have to insert the cookie yourself by typing either @samp{[/]} or
3270 @samp{[%]}. With @samp{[/]} you get an @samp{n out of m} result, as in
3271 the examples above. With @samp{[%]} you get information about the
3272 percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be
3273 @samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%]}, respectively).
3275 @noindent The following commands work with checkboxes:
3280 Toggle checkbox at point. With a prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]},
3281 which is considered to be an intermediate state.
3284 Toggle checkbox at point.
3287 If there is an active region, toggle the first checkbox in the region
3288 and set all remaining boxes to the same status as the first. If you
3289 want to toggle all boxes in the region independently, use a prefix
3292 If the cursor is in a headline, toggle checkboxes in the region between
3293 this headline and the next (so @emph{not} the entire subtree).
3295 If there is no active region, just toggle the checkbox at point.
3297 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
3299 Insert a new item with a checkbox.
3300 This works only if the cursor is already in a plain list item
3301 (@pxref{Plain lists}).
3304 Update the checkbox statistics in the current outline entry. When
3305 called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, update the entire file. Checkbox
3306 statistic cookies are updated automatically if you toggle checkboxes
3307 with @kbd{C-c C-c} and make new ones with @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}}. If you
3308 delete boxes or add/change them by hand, use this command to get things
3309 back into synch. Or simply toggle any checkbox twice with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
3312 @node Tags, Properties and Columns, TODO Items, Top
3315 @cindex headline tagging
3316 @cindex matching, tags
3317 @cindex sparse tree, tag based
3319 An excellent way to implement labels and contexts for cross-correlating
3320 information is to assign @i{tags} to headlines. Org mode has extensive
3323 Every headline can contain a list of tags; they occur at the end of the
3324 headline. Tags are normal words containing letters, numbers, @samp{_},
3325 and @samp{@@}. Tags must be preceded and followed by a single colon,
3326 e.g., @samp{:work:}. Several tags can be specified, as in
3327 @samp{:work:urgent:}.
3330 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
3331 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
3332 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
3335 @node Tag inheritance, Setting tags, Tags, Tags
3336 @section Tag inheritance
3337 @cindex tag inheritance
3338 @cindex inheritance, of tags
3339 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into tags match
3341 @i{Tags} make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees. If a
3342 heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
3343 well. For example, in the list
3346 * Meeting with the French group :work:
3347 ** Summary by Frank :boss:notes:
3348 *** TODO Prepare slides for him :action:
3352 the final heading will have the tags @samp{:work:}, @samp{:boss:},
3353 @samp{:notes:}, and @samp{:action:} even though the final heading is not
3354 explicitly marked with those tags. You can also set tags that all entries in
3355 a file should inherit as if these tags would be defined in a hypothetical
3356 level zero that surounds the entire file.
3359 #+FILETAGS: :Peter:Boss:Secret:
3363 To limit tag inheritance to specific tags, or to turn it off entirely, use
3364 the variable @code{org-use-tag-inheritance}.
3366 When a headline matches during a tags search while tag inheritance is turned
3367 on, all the sublevels in the same tree will match as well@footnote{This is
3368 only true if the the search does not involve more complex tests including
3369 properties (@pxref{Property searches}).}. The list of matches may then
3370 become very long. If you only want to see the first tags match in a subtree,
3371 configure the variable @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}.
3373 @node Setting tags, Tag searches, Tag inheritance, Tags
3374 @section Setting tags
3375 @cindex setting tags
3376 @cindex tags, setting
3379 Tags can simply be typed into the buffer at the end of a headline.
3380 After a colon, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on tags. There is
3381 also a special command for inserting tags:
3386 @cindex completion, of tags
3387 Enter new tags for the current headline. Org mode will either offer
3388 completion or a special single-key interface for setting tags, see
3389 below. After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will be inserted and aligned
3390 to @code{org-tags-column}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all
3391 tags in the current buffer will be aligned to that column, just to make
3392 things look nice. TAGS are automatically realigned after promotion,
3393 demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
3396 Org will support tag insertion based on a @emph{list of tags}. By
3397 default this list is constructed dynamically, containing all tags
3398 currently used in the buffer. You may also globally specify a hard list
3399 of tags with the variable @code{org-tag-alist}. Finally you can set
3400 the default tags for a given file with lines like
3403 #+TAGS: @@work @@home @@tennisclub
3404 #+TAGS: laptop car pc sailboat
3407 If you have globally defined your preferred set of tags using the
3408 variable @code{org-tag-alist}, but would like to use a dynamic tag list
3409 in a specific file, add an empty TAGS option line to that file:
3415 By default Org mode uses the standard minibuffer completion facilities for
3416 entering tags. However, it also implements another, quicker, tag selection
3417 method called @emph{fast tag selection}. This allows you to select and
3418 deselect tags with just a single key press. For this to work well you should
3419 assign unique letters to most of your commonly used tags. You can do this
3420 globally by configuring the variable @code{org-tag-alist} in your
3421 @file{.emacs} file. For example, you may find the need to tag many items in
3422 different files with @samp{:@@home:}. In this case you can set something
3426 (setq org-tag-alist '(("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h) ("laptop" . ?l)))
3429 @noindent If the tag is only relevant to the file you are working on then you
3430 can, instead, set the TAGS option line as:
3433 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) laptop(l) pc(p)
3437 You can also group together tags that are mutually exclusive. By using
3441 #+TAGS: @{ @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) @} laptop(l) pc(p)
3444 @noindent you indicate that at most one of @samp{@@work}, @samp{@@home},
3445 and @samp{@@tennisclub} should be selected. Multiple such groups are allowed.
3447 @noindent Don't forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in one of
3448 these lines to activate any changes.
3451 To set these mutually exclusive groups in the variable @code{org-mode-alist}
3452 you must use the dummy tags @code{:startgroup} and @code{:endgroup} instead
3453 of the braces. The previous example would be set globally by the following
3457 (setq org-tag-alist '((:startgroup . nil)
3458 ("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h)
3459 ("@@tennisclub" . ?t)
3461 ("laptop" . ?l) ("pc" . ?p)))
3464 If at least one tag has a selection key then pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} will
3465 automatically present you with a special interface, listing inherited tags,
3466 the tags of the current headline, and a list of all valid tags with
3467 corresponding keys@footnote{Keys will automatically be assigned to tags which
3468 have no configured keys.}. In this interface, you can use the following
3473 Pressing keys assigned to tags will add or remove them from the list of
3474 tags in the current line. Selecting a tag in a group of mutually
3475 exclusive tags will turn off any other tags from that group.
3478 Enter a tag in the minibuffer, even if the tag is not in the predefined
3479 list. You will be able to complete on all tags present in the buffer.
3482 Clear all tags for this line.
3485 Accept the modified set.
3487 Abort without installing changes.
3489 If @kbd{q} is not assigned to a tag, it aborts like @kbd{C-g}.
3491 Turn off groups of mutually exclusive tags. Use this to (as an
3492 exception) assign several tags from such a group.
3494 Toggle auto-exit after the next change (see below).
3495 If you are using expert mode, the first @kbd{C-c} will display the
3500 This method lets you assign tags to a headline with very few keys. With
3501 the above setup, you could clear the current tags and set @samp{@@home},
3502 @samp{laptop} and @samp{pc} tags with just the following keys: @kbd{C-c
3503 C-c @key{SPC} h l p @key{RET}}. Switching from @samp{@@home} to
3504 @samp{@@work} would be done with @kbd{C-c C-c w @key{RET}} or
3505 alternatively with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c w}. Adding the non-predefined tag
3506 @samp{Sarah} could be done with @kbd{C-c C-c @key{TAB} S a r a h
3507 @key{RET} @key{RET}}.
3509 If you find that most of the time, you need only a single key press to
3510 modify your list of tags, set the variable
3511 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-single-key}. Then you no longer have to
3512 press @key{RET} to exit fast tag selection - it will immediately exit
3513 after the first change. If you then occasionally need more keys, press
3514 @kbd{C-c} to turn off auto-exit for the current tag selection process
3515 (in effect: start selection with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c} instead of @kbd{C-c
3516 C-c}). If you set the variable to the value @code{expert}, the special
3517 window is not even shown for single-key tag selection, it comes up only
3518 when you press an extra @kbd{C-c}.
3520 @node Tag searches, , Setting tags, Tags
3521 @section Tag searches
3522 @cindex tag searches
3523 @cindex searching for tags
3525 Once a system of tags has been set up, it can be used to collect related
3526 information into special lists.
3533 Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search. With a
3534 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
3537 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
3538 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
3541 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
3542 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
3543 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
3546 @cindex Boolean logic, for tag searches
3547 A @i{tags} search string can use Boolean operators @samp{&} for AND and
3548 @samp{|} for OR. @samp{&} binds more strongly than @samp{|}.
3549 Parenthesis are currently not implemented. A tag may also be preceded
3550 by @samp{-}, to select against it, and @samp{+} is syntactic sugar for
3551 positive selection. The AND operator @samp{&} is optional when @samp{+}
3552 or @samp{-} is present. Examples:
3556 Select headlines tagged @samp{:work:}, but discard those also tagged
3559 Selects lines tagged @samp{:work:} or @samp{:laptop:}.
3560 @item work|laptop&night
3561 Like before, but require the @samp{:laptop:} lines to be tagged also
3565 @cindex TODO keyword matching, with tags search
3566 If you are using multi-state TODO keywords (@pxref{TODO extensions}), it
3567 can be useful to also match on the TODO keyword. This can be done by
3568 adding a condition after a slash to a tags match. The syntax is similar
3569 to the tag matches, but should be applied with consideration: For
3570 example, a positive selection on several TODO keywords can not
3571 meaningfully be combined with boolean AND. However, @emph{negative
3572 selection} combined with AND can be meaningful. To make sure that only
3573 lines are checked that actually have any TODO keyword, use @kbd{C-c a
3574 M}, or equivalently start the TODO part after the slash with @samp{!}.
3579 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines with the specific TODO
3580 keyword @samp{WAITING}.
3581 @item work/!-WAITING-NEXT
3582 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are neither @samp{WAITING}
3584 @item work/+WAITING|+NEXT
3585 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are either @samp{WAITING} or
3589 @cindex regular expressions, with tags search
3590 Any element of the tag/todo match can be a regular expression - in this
3591 case it must be enclosed in curly braces. For example,
3592 @samp{work+@{^boss.*@}} matches headlines that contain the tag
3593 @samp{:work:} and any tag @i{starting} with @samp{boss}.
3595 @cindex level, require for tags/property match
3596 @cindex category, require for tags/property match
3597 You can also require a headline to be of a certain level or category, by
3598 writing instead of any TAG an expression like @samp{LEVEL=3} or
3599 @samp{CATEGORY="work"}, respectively. For example, a search
3600 @samp{+LEVEL=3+boss/-DONE} lists all level three headlines that have the
3601 tag @samp{boss} and are @emph{not} marked with the TODO keyword DONE.
3603 @node Properties and Columns, Dates and Times, Tags, Top
3604 @chapter Properties and Columns
3607 Properties are a set of key-value pairs associated with an entry. There
3608 are two main applications for properties in Org mode. First, properties
3609 are like tags, but with a value. Second, you can use properties to
3610 implement (very basic) database capabilities in an Org buffer. For
3611 an example of the first application, imagine maintaining a file where
3612 you document bugs and plan releases of a piece of software. Instead of
3613 using tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, one can use a
3614 property, say @code{:Release:}, that in different subtrees has different
3615 values, such as @code{1.0} or @code{2.0}. For an example of the second
3616 application of properties, imagine keeping track of your music CD's,
3617 where properties could be things such as the album artist, date of
3618 release, number of tracks, and so on.
3620 Properties can be conveniently edited and viewed in column view
3621 (@pxref{Column view}).
3623 Properties are like tags, but with a value. For example, in a file
3624 where you document bugs and plan releases of a piece of software,
3625 instead of using tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, it
3626 can be more efficient to use a property @code{:Release:} with a value
3627 @code{1.0} or @code{2.0}. Second, you can use properties to implement
3628 (very basic) database capabilities in an Org buffer, for example to
3629 create a list of Music CD's you own. You can edit and view properties
3630 conveniently in column view (@pxref{Column view}).
3633 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
3634 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
3635 * Property searches:: Matching property values
3636 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
3637 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
3638 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
3641 @node Property syntax, Special properties, Properties and Columns, Properties and Columns
3642 @section Property syntax
3643 @cindex property syntax
3644 @cindex drawer, for properties
3646 Properties are key-value pairs. They need to be inserted into a special
3647 drawer (@pxref{Drawers}) with the name @code{PROPERTIES}. Each property
3648 is specified on a single line, with the key (surrounded by colons)
3649 first, and the value after it. Here is an example:
3654 *** Goldberg Variations
3656 :Title: Goldberg Variations
3657 :Composer: J.S. Bach
3659 :Publisher: Deutsche Grammphon
3664 You may define the allowed values for a particular property @samp{:Xyz:}
3665 by setting a property @samp{:Xyz_ALL:}. This special property is
3666 @emph{inherited}, so if you set it in a level 1 entry, it will apply to
3667 the entire tree. When allowed values are defined, setting the
3668 corresponding property becomes easier and is less prone to typing
3669 errors. For the example with the CD collection, we can predefine
3670 publishers and the number of disks in a box like this:
3675 :NDisks_ALL: 1 2 3 4
3676 :Publisher_ALL: "Deutsche Grammophon" Phillips EMI
3680 If you want to set properties that can be inherited by any entry in a
3681 file, use a line like
3684 #+PROPERTY: NDisks_ALL 1 2 3 4
3687 Property values set with the global variable
3688 @code{org-global-properties} can be inherited by all entries in all
3692 The following commands help to work with properties:
3697 After an initial colon in a line, complete property keys. All keys used
3698 in the current file will be offered as possible completions.
3701 Set a property. This prompts for a property name and a value. If
3702 necessary, the property drawer is created as well.
3703 @item M-x org-insert-property-drawer
3704 Insert a property drawer into the current entry. The drawer will be
3705 inserted early in the entry, but after the lines with planning
3706 information like deadlines.
3709 With the cursor in a property drawer, this executes property commands.
3711 Set a property in the current entry. Both the property and the value
3712 can be inserted using completion.
3713 @kindex S-@key{right}
3714 @kindex S-@key{left}
3715 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
3716 Switch property at point to the next/previous allowed value.
3718 Remove a property from the current entry.
3720 Globally remove a property, from all entries in the current file.
3722 Compute the property at point, using the operator and scope from the
3723 nearest column format definition.
3726 @node Special properties, Property searches, Property syntax, Properties and Columns
3727 @section Special properties
3728 @cindex properties, special
3730 Special properties provide alternative access method to Org mode
3731 features discussed in the previous chapters, like the TODO state or the
3732 priority of an entry. This interface exists so that you can include
3733 these states into columns view (@pxref{Column view}), or to use them in
3734 queries. The following property names are special and should not be
3735 used as keys in the properties drawer:
3738 TODO @r{The TODO keyword of the entry.}
3739 TAGS @r{The tags defined directly in the headline.}
3740 ALLTAGS @r{All tags, including inherited ones.}
3741 PRIORITY @r{The priority of the entry, a string with a single letter.}
3742 DEADLINE @r{The deadline time string, without the angular brackets.}
3743 SCHEDULED @r{The scheduling time stamp, without the angular brackets.}
3744 TIMESTAMP @r{The first keyword-less time stamp in the entry.}
3745 TIMESTAMP_IA @r{The first inactive time stamp in the entry.}
3746 CLOCKSUM @r{The sum of CLOCK intervals in the subtree. @code{org-clock-sum}}
3747 @r{must be run first to compute the values.}
3750 @node Property searches, Property inheritance, Special properties, Properties and Columns
3751 @section Property searches
3752 @cindex properties, searching
3753 @cindex searching, of properties
3755 To create sparse trees and special lists with selection based on properties,
3756 the same commands are used as for tag searches (@pxref{Tag searches}), and
3757 the same logic applies. For example, here is a search string:
3760 +work-boss+PRIORITY="A"+Coffee="unlimited"+Effort<2 \
3761 +With=@{Sarah\|Denny@}+SCHEDULED>="<2008-10-11>"
3765 The type of comparison will depend on how the comparison value is written:
3768 If the comparison value is a plain number, a numerical comparison is done,
3769 and the allowed operators are @samp{<}, @samp{=}, @samp{>}, @samp{<=},
3770 @samp{>=}, and @samp{<>}.
3772 If the comparison value is enclosed in double
3773 quotes, a string comparison is done, and the same operators are allowed.
3775 If the comparison value is enclosed in double quotes @emph{and} angular
3776 brackets (like @samp{DEADLINE<="<2008-12-24 18:30>"}), both values are
3777 assumed to be date/time specifications in the standard Org way@footnote{The
3778 only special values that will be recognized are @samp{"<now>"} for now, and
3779 @samp{"<today"} today at 0:00 hours, i.e. without a time specification.}, and
3780 the comparison will be done accordingly.
3782 If the comparison value is enclosed
3783 in curly braces, a regexp match is performed, with @samp{=} meaning that the
3784 regexp matches the property value, and @samp{<>} meaning that it does not
3788 So the search string in the example finds entries tagged @samp{:work:} but
3789 not @samp{:boss:}, which also have a priority value @samp{A}, a
3790 @samp{:Coffee:} property with the value @samp{unlimited}, an @samp{Effort}
3791 property that is numerically smaller than 2, a @samp{:With:} property that is
3792 matched by the regular expression @samp{Sarah\|Denny}, and that are scheduled
3793 on or after October 11, 2008.
3795 You can configure Org mode to use property inheritance during a search, but
3796 beware that this can slow down searches considerably. See @ref{Property
3797 inheritance} for details.
3799 There is also a special command for creating sparse trees based on a
3805 Create a sparse tree based on the value of a property. This first
3806 prompts for the name of a property, and then for a value. A sparse tree
3807 is created with all entries that define this property with the given
3808 value. If you enclose the value into curly braces, it is interpreted as
3809 a regular expression and matched against the property values.
3812 @node Property inheritance, Column view, Property searches, Properties and Columns
3813 @section Property Inheritance
3814 @cindex properties, inheritance
3815 @cindex inheritance, of properties
3817 The outline structure of Org mode documents lends itself for an
3818 inheritance model of properties: If the parent in a tree has a certain
3819 property, the children can inherit this property. Org mode does not
3820 turn this on by default, because it can slow down property searches
3821 significantly and is often not needed. However, if you find inheritance
3822 useful, you can turn it on by setting the variable
3823 @code{org-use-property-inheritance}. It may be set to @code{t}, to make
3824 all properties inherited from the parent, to a list of properties
3825 that should be inherited, or to a regular expression that matches
3826 inherited properties.
3828 Org mode has a few properties for which inheritance is hard-coded, at
3829 least for the special applications for which they are used:
3833 The @code{:COLUMNS:} property defines the format of column view
3834 (@pxref{Column view}). It is inherited in the sense that the level
3835 where a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is defined is used as the starting
3836 point for a column view table, independently of the location in the
3837 subtree from where columns view is turned on.
3839 For agenda view, a category set through a @code{:CATEGORY:} property
3840 applies to the entire subtree.
3842 For archiving, the @code{:ARCHIVE:} property may define the archive
3843 location for the entire subtree (@pxref{Moving subtrees}).
3845 The LOGGING property may define logging settings for an entry or a
3846 subtree (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}).
3849 @node Column view, Property API, Property inheritance, Properties and Columns
3850 @section Column view
3852 A great way to view and edit properties in an outline tree is
3853 @emph{column view}. In column view, each outline item is turned into a
3854 table row. Columns in this table provide access to properties of the
3855 entries. Org mode implements columns by overlaying a tabular structure
3856 over the headline of each item. While the headlines have been turned
3857 into a table row, you can still change the visibility of the outline
3858 tree. For example, you get a compact table by switching to CONTENTS
3859 view (@kbd{S-@key{TAB} S-@key{TAB}}, or simply @kbd{c} while column view
3860 is active), but you can still open, read, and edit the entry below each
3861 headline. Or, you can switch to column view after executing a sparse
3862 tree command and in this way get a table only for the selected items.
3863 Column view also works in agenda buffers (@pxref{Agenda Views}) where
3864 queries have collected selected items, possibly from a number of files.
3867 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
3868 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
3869 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
3872 @node Defining columns, Using column view, Column view, Column view
3873 @subsection Defining columns
3874 @cindex column view, for properties
3875 @cindex properties, column view
3877 Setting up a column view first requires defining the columns. This is
3878 done by defining a column format line.
3881 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
3882 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
3885 @node Scope of column definitions, Column attributes, Defining columns, Defining columns
3886 @subsubsection Scope of column definitions
3888 To define a column format for an entire file, use a line like
3891 #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
3894 To specify a format that only applies to a specific tree, add a
3895 @code{:COLUMNS:} property to the top node of that tree, for example:
3898 ** Top node for columns view
3900 :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
3904 If a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is present in an entry, it defines columns
3905 for the entry itself, and for the entire subtree below it. Since the
3906 column definition is part of the hierarchical structure of the document,
3907 you can define columns on level 1 that are general enough for all
3908 sublevels, and more specific columns further down, when you edit a
3909 deeper part of the tree.
3911 @node Column attributes, , Scope of column definitions, Defining columns
3912 @subsubsection Column attributes
3913 A column definition sets the attributes of a column. The general
3914 definition looks like this:
3917 %[width]property[(title)][@{summary-type@}]
3921 Except for the percent sign and the property name, all items are
3922 optional. The individual parts have the following meaning:
3925 width @r{An integer specifying the width of the column in characters.}
3926 @r{If omitted, the width will be determined automatically.}
3927 property @r{The property that should be edited in this column.}
3928 (title) @r{The header text for the column. If omitted, the}
3929 @r{property name is used.}
3930 @{summary-type@} @r{The summary type. If specified, the column values for}
3931 @r{parent nodes are computed from the children.}
3932 @r{Supported summary types are:}
3933 @{+@} @r{Sum numbers in this column.}
3934 @{+;%.1f@} @r{Like @samp{+}, but format result with @samp{%.1f}.}
3935 @{$@} @r{Currency, short for @samp{+;%.2f}.}
3936 @{:@} @r{Sum times, HH:MM:SS, plain numbers are hours.}
3937 @{X@} @r{Checkbox status, [X] if all children are [X].}
3938 @{X/@} @r{Checkbox status, [n/m].}
3939 @{X%@} @r{Checkbox status, [n%].}
3943 Here is an example for a complete columns definition, along with allowed
3947 :COLUMNS: %20ITEM %9Approved(Approved?)@{X@} %Owner %11Status \@footnote{Please note that the COLUMNS definition must be on a single line - it is wrapped here only because of formatting constraints.}
3948 %10Time_Estimate@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
3949 :Owner_ALL: Tammy Mark Karl Lisa Don
3950 :Status_ALL: "In progress" "Not started yet" "Finished" ""
3951 :Approved_ALL: "[ ]" "[X]"
3954 The first column, @samp{%25ITEM}, means the first 25 characters of the
3955 item itself, i.e. of the headline. You probably always should start the
3956 column definition with the @samp{ITEM} specifier. The other specifiers
3957 create columns @samp{Owner} with a list of names as allowed values, for
3958 @samp{Status} with four different possible values, and for a checkbox
3959 field @samp{Approved}. When no width is given after the @samp{%}
3960 character, the column will be exactly as wide as it needs to be in order
3961 to fully display all values. The @samp{Approved} column does have a
3962 modified title (@samp{Approved?}, with a question mark). Summaries will
3963 be created for the @samp{Time_Estimate} column by adding time duration
3964 expressions like HH:MM, and for the @samp{Approved} column, by providing
3965 an @samp{[X]} status if all children have been checked. The
3966 @samp{CLOCKSUM} column is special, it lists the sum of CLOCK intervals
3969 @node Using column view, Capturing column view, Defining columns, Column view
3970 @subsection Using column view
3973 @tsubheading{Turning column view on and off}
3976 Create the column view for the local environment. This command searches
3977 the hierarchy, up from point, for a @code{:COLUMNS:} property that defines
3978 a format. When one is found, the column view table is established for
3979 the entire tree, starting from the entry that contains the @code{:COLUMNS:}
3980 property. If none is found, the format is taken from the @code{#+COLUMNS}
3981 line or from the variable @code{org-columns-default-format}, and column
3982 view is established for the current entry and its subtree.
3985 Recreate the column view, to include recent changes made in the buffer.
3992 @tsubheading{Editing values}
3993 @item @key{left} @key{right} @key{up} @key{down}
3994 Move through the column view from field to field.
3995 @kindex S-@key{left}
3996 @kindex S-@key{right}
3997 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
3998 Switch to the next/previous allowed value of the field. For this, you
3999 have to have specified allowed values for a property.
4001 Directly select the nth allowed value, @kbd{0} selects the 10th value.
4005 Same as @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}
4008 Edit the property at point. For the special properties, this will
4009 invoke the same interface that you normally use to change that
4010 property. For example, when editing a TAGS property, the tag completion
4011 or fast selection interface will pop up.
4014 When there is a checkbox at point, toggle it.
4017 View the full value of this property. This is useful if the width of
4018 the column is smaller than that of the value.
4021 Edit the list of allowed values for this property. If the list is found
4022 in the hierarchy, the modified values is stored there. If no list is
4023 found, the new value is stored in the first entry that is part of the
4024 current column view.
4025 @tsubheading{Modifying the table structure}
4029 Make the column narrower/wider by one character.
4030 @kindex S-M-@key{right}
4031 @item S-M-@key{right}
4032 Insert a new column, to the right of the current column.
4033 @kindex S-M-@key{left}
4034 @item S-M-@key{left}
4035 Delete the current column.
4038 @node Capturing column view, , Using column view, Column view
4039 @subsection Capturing column view
4041 Since column view is just an overlay over a buffer, it cannot be
4042 exported or printed directly. If you want to capture a column view, use
4043 this @code{columnview} dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). The frame
4044 of this block looks like this:
4046 @cindex #+BEGIN: columnview
4049 #+BEGIN: columnview :hlines 1 :id "label"
4054 @noindent This dynamic block has the following parameters:
4058 This is most important parameter. Column view is a feature that is
4059 often localized to a certain (sub)tree, and the capture block might be
4060 in a different location in the file. To identify the tree whose view to
4061 capture, you can use 3 values:
4063 local @r{use the tree in which the capture block is located}
4064 global @r{make a global view, including all headings in the file}
4065 "label" @r{call column view in the tree that has an @code{:ID:}}
4066 @r{property with the value @i{label}. You can use}
4067 @r{@kbd{M-x org-id-copy} to create a globally unique ID for}
4068 @r{the current entry and copy it to the kill-ring.}
4071 When @code{t}, insert a hline after every line. When a number N, insert
4072 a hline before each headline with level @code{<= N}.
4074 When set to @code{t}, enforce column groups to get vertical lines.
4076 When set to a number, don't capture entries below this level.
4077 @item :skip-empty-rows
4078 When set to @code{t}, skip row where the only non-empty specifier of the
4079 column view is @code{ITEM}.
4084 The following commands insert or update the dynamic block:
4089 Insert a dynamic block capturing a column view. You will be prompted
4090 for the scope or id of the view.
4095 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
4096 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
4097 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4098 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
4099 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
4100 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
4103 @node Property API, , Column view, Properties and Columns
4104 @section The Property API
4105 @cindex properties, API
4106 @cindex API, for properties
4108 There is a full API for accessing and changing properties. This API can
4109 be used by Emacs Lisp programs to work with properties and to implement
4110 features based on them. For more information see @ref{Using the
4113 @node Dates and Times, Remember, Properties and Columns, Top
4114 @chapter Dates and Times
4120 To assist project planning, TODO items can be labeled with a date and/or
4121 a time. The specially formatted string carrying the date and time
4122 information is called a @emph{timestamp} in Org mode. This may be a
4123 little confusing because timestamp is often used as indicating when
4124 something was created or last changed. However, in Org mode this term
4125 is used in a much wider sense.
4128 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
4129 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
4130 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
4131 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
4132 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
4136 @node Timestamps, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times, Dates and Times
4137 @section Timestamps, deadlines and scheduling
4139 @cindex ranges, time
4144 A time stamp is a specification of a date (possibly with time or a range
4145 of times) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or
4146 @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue
4147 12:00-12:30>}@footnote{This is the standard ISO date/time format. To
4148 use an alternative format, see @ref{Custom time format}.}. A time stamp
4149 can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an Org tree entry. Its
4150 presence causes entries to be shown on specific dates in the agenda
4151 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}). We distinguish:
4154 @item Plain time stamp; Event; Appointment
4156 A simple time stamp just assigns a date/time to an item. This is just
4157 like writing down an appointment or event in a paper agenda. In the
4158 timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry associated with a
4159 plain time stamp will be shown exactly on that date.
4162 * Meet Peter at the movies <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15>
4163 * Discussion on climate change <2006-11-02 Thu 20:00-22:00>
4166 @item Time stamp with repeater interval
4167 @cindex timestamp, with repeater interval
4168 A time stamp may contain a @emph{repeater interval}, indicating that it
4169 applies not only on the given date, but again and again after a certain
4170 interval of N days (d), weeks (w), months(m), or years(y). The
4171 following will show up in the agenda every Wednesday:
4174 * Pick up Sam at school <2007-05-16 Wed 12:30 +1w>
4177 @item Diary-style sexp entries
4178 For more complex date specifications, Org mode supports using the
4179 special sexp diary entries implemented in the Emacs calendar/diary
4180 package. For example
4183 * The nerd meeting on every 2nd Thursday of the month
4184 <%%(diary-float t 4 2)>
4187 @item Time/Date range
4190 Two time stamps connected by @samp{--} denote a range. The headline
4191 will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on any dates
4192 that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an example:
4195 ** Meeting in Amsterdam
4196 <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu>
4199 @item Inactive time stamp
4200 @cindex timestamp, inactive
4201 @cindex inactive timestamp
4202 Just like a plain time stamp, but with square brackets instead of
4203 angular ones. These time stamps are inactive in the sense that they do
4204 @emph{not} trigger an entry to show up in the agenda.
4207 * Gillian comes late for the fifth time [2006-11-01 Wed]
4212 @node Creating timestamps, Deadlines and scheduling, Timestamps, Dates and Times
4213 @section Creating timestamps
4214 @cindex creating timestamps
4215 @cindex timestamps, creating
4217 For Org mode to recognize time stamps, they need to be in the specific
4218 format. All commands listed below produce time stamps in the correct
4224 Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding time stamp. When the
4225 cursor is at a previously used time stamp, it is updated to NOW. When
4226 this command is used twice in succession, a time range is inserted.
4230 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but use the alternative format which contains date
4231 and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5 minutes,
4232 see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}.
4236 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive time stamp that will not cause
4241 Insert a time stamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
4245 Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a
4246 timestamp in the current line, go to the corresponding date
4251 Access the agenda for the date given by the time stamp or -range at
4252 point (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
4254 @kindex S-@key{left}
4255 @kindex S-@key{right}
4257 @itemx S-@key{right}
4258 Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with
4259 CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4262 @kindex S-@key{down}
4265 Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on a
4266 year, month, day, hour or minute. Note that if the cursor is in a
4267 headline and not at a time stamp, these same keys modify the priority of
4268 an item. (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with
4269 CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4272 @cindex evaluate time range
4274 Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and end.
4275 With a prefix argument, insert result after the time range (in a table: into
4276 the following column).
4281 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
4282 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
4285 @node The date/time prompt, Custom time format, Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps
4286 @subsection The date/time prompt
4287 @cindex date, reading in minibuffer
4288 @cindex time, reading in minibuffer
4290 When Org mode prompts for a date/time, the default is shown as an ISO
4291 date, and the prompt therefore seems to ask for an ISO date. But it
4292 will in fact accept any string containing some date and/or time
4293 information, and it is really smart about interpreting your input. You
4294 can, for example, use @kbd{C-y} to paste a (possibly multi-line) string
4295 copied from an email message. Org mode will find whatever information
4296 is in there and derive anything you have not specified from the
4297 @emph{default date and time}. The default is usually the current date
4298 and time, but when modifying an existing time stamp, or when entering
4299 the second stamp of a range, it is taken from the stamp in the buffer.
4300 When filling in information, Org mode assumes that most of the time you
4301 will want to enter a date in the future: If you omit the month/year and
4302 the given day/month is @i{before} today, it will assume that you mean a
4303 future date@footnote{See the variable
4304 @code{org-read-date-prefer-future}.}.
4306 For example, lets assume that today is @b{June 13, 2006}. Here is how
4307 various inputs will be interpreted, the items filled in by Org mode are
4311 3-2-5 --> 2003-02-05
4312 14 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-14
4313 12 --> @b{2006}-@b{07}-12
4314 Fri --> nearest Friday (defaultdate or later)
4315 sep 15 --> @b{2006}-11-15
4316 feb 15 --> @b{2007}-02-15
4317 sep 12 9 --> 2009-09-12
4318 12:45 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-@b{13} 12:45
4319 22 sept 0:34 --> @b{2006}-09-22 0:34
4320 w4 --> ISO week for of the current year @b{2006}
4321 2012 w4 fri --> Friday of ISO week 4 in 2012
4322 2012-w04-5 --> Same as above
4325 Furthermore you can specify a relative date by giving, as the
4326 @emph{first} thing in the input: a plus/minus sign, a number and a
4327 letter [dwmy] to indicate change in days weeks, months, years. With a
4328 single plus or minus, the date is always relative to today. With a
4329 double plus or minus, it is relative to the default date. If instead of
4330 a single letter, you use the abbreviation of day name, the date will be
4331 the nth such day. E.g.
4336 +4d --> four days from today
4337 +4 --> same as above
4338 +2w --> two weeks from today
4339 ++5 --> five days from default date
4340 +2tue --> second tuesday from now.
4343 The function understands English month and weekday abbreviations. If
4344 you want to use unabbreviated names and/or other languages, configure
4345 the variables @code{parse-time-months} and @code{parse-time-weekdays}.
4347 @cindex calendar, for selecting date
4348 Parallel to the minibuffer prompt, a calendar is popped up@footnote{If
4349 you don't need/want the calendar, configure the variable
4350 @code{org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt}.}. When you exit the date
4351 prompt, either by clicking on a date in the calendar, or by pressing
4352 @key{RET}, the date selected in the calendar will be combined with the
4353 information entered at the prompt. You can control the calendar fully
4354 from the minibuffer:
4359 @kindex S-@key{right}
4360 @kindex S-@key{left}
4361 @kindex S-@key{down}
4363 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
4364 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
4367 > / < @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by one month.}
4368 mouse-1 @r{Select date by clicking on it.}
4369 S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One day forward/backward.}
4370 S-@key{down}/@key{up} @r{One week forward/backward.}
4371 M-S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One month forward/backward.}
4372 @key{RET} @r{Choose date in calendar.}
4375 The actions of the date/time prompt may seem complex, but I assure you they
4376 will grow on you, and you will start getting annoyed by pretty much any other
4377 way of entering a date/time out there. To help you understand what is going
4378 on, the current interpretation of your input will be displayed live in the
4379 minibuffer@footnote{If you find this distracting, turn the display of with
4380 @code{org-read-date-display-live}.}.
4382 @node Custom time format, , The date/time prompt, Creating timestamps
4383 @subsection Custom time format
4384 @cindex custom date/time format
4385 @cindex time format, custom
4386 @cindex date format, custom
4388 Org mode uses the standard ISO notation for dates and times as it is
4389 defined in ISO 8601. If you cannot get used to this and require another
4390 representation of date and time to keep you happy, you can get it by
4391 customizing the variables @code{org-display-custom-times} and
4392 @code{org-time-stamp-custom-formats}.
4397 Toggle the display of custom formats for dates and times.
4401 Org mode needs the default format for scanning, so the custom date/time
4402 format does not @emph{replace} the default format - instead it is put
4403 @emph{over} the default format using text properties. This has the
4404 following consequences:
4407 You cannot place the cursor onto a time stamp anymore, only before or
4410 The @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} keys can no longer be used to adjust
4411 each component of a time stamp. If the cursor is at the beginning of
4412 the stamp, @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} will change the stamp by one day,
4413 just like @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}. At the end of the stamp, the
4414 time will be changed by one minute.
4416 If the time stamp contains a range of clock times or a repeater, these
4417 will not be overlayed, but remain in the buffer as they were.
4419 When you delete a time stamp character-by-character, it will only
4420 disappear from the buffer after @emph{all} (invisible) characters
4421 belonging to the ISO timestamp have been removed.
4423 If the custom time stamp format is longer than the default and you are
4424 using dates in tables, table alignment will be messed up. If the custom
4425 format is shorter, things do work as expected.
4429 @node Deadlines and scheduling, Clocking work time, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times
4430 @section Deadlines and scheduling
4432 A time stamp may be preceded by special keywords to facilitate planning:
4436 @cindex DEADLINE keyword
4438 Meaning: the task (most likely a TODO item, though not necessarily) is supposed
4439 to be finished on that date.
4441 On the deadline date, the task will be listed in the agenda. In
4442 addition, the agenda for @emph{today} will carry a warning about the
4443 approaching or missed deadline, starting
4444 @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date, and continuing
4445 until the entry is marked DONE. An example:
4448 *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide
4449 The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]]
4450 DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
4453 You can specify a different lead time for warnings for a specific
4454 deadlines using the following syntax. Here is an example with a warning
4455 period of 5 days @code{DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun -5d>}.
4458 @cindex SCHEDULED keyword
4460 Meaning: you are planning to start working on that task on the given
4463 The headline will be listed under the given date@footnote{It will still
4464 be listed on that date after it has been marked DONE. If you don't like
4465 this, set the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done}.}. In
4466 addition, a reminder that the scheduled date has passed will be present
4467 in the compilation for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE.
4468 I.e., the task will automatically be forwarded until completed.
4471 *** TODO Call Trillian for a date on New Years Eve.
4472 SCHEDULED: <2004-12-25 Sat>
4476 @b{Important:} Scheduling an item in Org mode should @i{not} be
4477 understood in the same way that we understand @i{scheduling a meeting}.
4478 Setting a date for a meeting is just a simple appointment, you should
4479 mark this entry with a simple plain time stamp, to get this item shown
4480 on the date where it applies. This is a frequent mis-understanding from
4481 Org-users. In Org mode, @i{scheduling} means setting a date when you
4482 want to start working on an action item.
4485 You may use time stamps with repeaters in scheduling and deadline
4486 entries. Org mode will issue early and late warnings based on the
4487 assumption that the time stamp represents the @i{nearest instance} of
4488 the repeater. However, the use of diary sexp entries like
4490 @code{<%%(diary-float t 42)>}
4492 in scheduling and deadline timestamps is limited. Org mode does not
4493 know enough about the internals of each sexp function to issue early and
4494 late warnings. However, it will show the item on each day where the
4498 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
4499 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
4502 @node Inserting deadline/schedule, Repeated tasks, Deadlines and scheduling, Deadlines and scheduling
4503 @subsection Inserting deadlines or schedules
4505 The following commands allow to quickly insert a deadline or to schedule
4512 Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4513 happen in the line directly following the headline. When called with a
4514 prefix arg, an existing deadline will be removed from the entry.
4515 @c FIXME Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed.????????
4518 @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
4520 Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or
4521 which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}.
4522 With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric
4523 prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c / d} shows
4524 all deadlines due tomorrow.
4528 Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4529 happen in the line directly following the headline. Any CLOSED
4530 timestamp will be removed. When called with a prefix argument, remove
4531 the scheduling date from the entry.
4537 Mark the current entry for agenda action. After you have marked the entry
4538 like this, you can open the agenda or the calendar to find an appropriate
4539 date. With the cursor on the selected date, press @kbd{k s} or @kbd{k d} to
4540 schedule the marked item.
4543 @node Repeated tasks, , Inserting deadline/schedule, Deadlines and scheduling
4544 @subsection Repeated tasks
4546 Some tasks need to be repeated again and again. Org mode helps to
4547 organize such tasks using a so-called repeater in a DEADLINE, SCHEDULED,
4548 or plain time stamp. In the following example
4550 ** TODO Pay the rent
4551 DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m>
4553 the @code{+1m} is a repeater; the intended interpretation is that the
4554 task has a deadline on <2005-10-01> and repeats itself every (one) month
4555 starting from that time. If you need both a repeater and a special
4556 warning period in a deadline entry, the repeater comes first and the
4557 warning period last: @code{DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m -3d>}.
4559 Deadlines and scheduled items produce entries in the agenda when they
4560 are over-due, so it is important to be able to mark such an entry as
4561 completed once you have done so. When you mark a DEADLINE or a SCHEDULE
4562 with the TODO keyword DONE, it will no longer produce entries in the
4563 agenda. The problem with this is, however, that then also the
4564 @emph{next} instance of the repeated entry will not be active. Org mode
4565 deals with this in the following way: When you try to mark such an entry
4566 DONE (using @kbd{C-c C-t}), it will shift the base date of the repeating
4567 time stamp by the repeater interval, and immediately set the entry state
4568 back to TODO. In the example above, setting the state to DONE would
4569 actually switch the date like this:
4572 ** TODO Pay the rent
4573 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue +1m>
4576 A timestamp@footnote{You can change this using the option
4577 @code{org-log-repeat}, or the @code{#+STARTUP} options @code{logrepeat},
4578 @code{lognoterepeat}, and @code{nologrepeat}. With @code{lognoterepeat}, you
4579 will aslo be prompted for a note.} will be added under the deadline, to keep
4580 a record that you actually acted on the previous instance of this deadline.
4582 As a consequence of shifting the base date, this entry will no longer be
4583 visible in the agenda when checking past dates, but all future instances
4586 With the @samp{+1m} cookie, the date shift will always be exactly one
4587 month. So if you have not payed the rent for three months, marking this
4588 entry DONE will still keep it as an overdue deadline. Depending on the
4589 task, this may not be the best way to handle it. For example, if you
4590 forgot to call you father for 3 weeks, it does not make sense to call
4591 him 3 times in a single day to make up for it. Finally, there are tasks
4592 like changing batteries which should always repeat a certain time
4593 @i{after} the last time you did it. For these tasks, Org mode has
4594 special repeaters markers with @samp{++} and @samp{.+}. For example:
4598 DEADLINE: <2008-02-10 Sun ++1w>
4599 Marking this DONE will shift the date by at least one week,
4600 but also by as many weeks as it takes to get this date into
4601 the future. However, it stays on a Sunday, even if you called
4602 and marked it done on Saturday.
4603 ** TODO Check the batteries in the smoke detectors
4604 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue .+1m>
4605 Marking this DONE will shift the date to one month after
4609 You may have both scheduling and deadline information for a specific
4610 task - just make sure that the repeater intervals on both are the same.
4612 @node Clocking work time, Effort estimates, Deadlines and scheduling, Dates and Times
4613 @section Clocking work time
4615 Org mode allows you to clock the time you spent on specific tasks in a
4616 project. When you start working on an item, you can start the clock.
4617 When you stop working on that task, or when you mark the task done, the
4618 clock is stopped and the corresponding time interval is recorded. It
4619 also computes the total time spent on each subtree of a project.
4624 Start the clock on the current item (clock-in). This inserts the CLOCK
4625 keyword together with a timestamp. If this is not the first clocking of
4626 this item, the multiple CLOCK lines will be wrapped into a
4627 @code{:CLOCK:} drawer (see also the variable
4628 @code{org-clock-into-drawer}). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument,
4629 select the task from a list of recently clocked tasks. With two @kbd{C-u
4630 C-u} prefixes, clock into the task at point and mark it as the default task.
4631 The default task will always be available when selecting a clocking task,
4632 with letter @kbd{d}.
4635 Stop the clock (clock-out). The inserts another timestamp at the same
4636 location where the clock was last started. It also directly computes
4637 the resulting time in inserts it after the time range as @samp{=>
4638 HH:MM}. See the variable @code{org-log-note-clock-out} for the
4639 possibility to record an additional note together with the clock-out
4640 time stamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is:
4641 @code{#+STARTUP: lognoteclock-out}}.
4644 Recompute the time interval after changing one of the time stamps. This
4645 is only necessary if you edit the time stamps directly. If you change
4646 them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic.
4649 Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock
4650 if it is running in this same item.
4653 Cancel the current clock. This is useful if a clock was started by
4654 mistake, or if you ended up working on something else.
4657 Jump to the entry that contains the currently running clock. With a
4658 @kbd{C-u} prefix arg, select the target task from a list of recently clocked
4662 Display time summaries for each subtree in the current buffer. This
4663 puts overlays at the end of each headline, showing the total time
4664 recorded under that heading, including the time of any subheadings. You
4665 can use visibility cycling to study the tree, but the overlays disappear
4666 when you change the buffer (see variable
4667 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}) or press @kbd{C-c C-c}.
4670 Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock
4671 report as an Org mode table into the current file. When the cursor is
4672 at an existing clock table, just update it. When called with a prefix
4673 argument, jump to the first clock report in the current document and
4675 @cindex #+BEGIN: clocktable
4677 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil :scope file
4681 If such a block already exists at point, its content is replaced by the
4682 new table. The @samp{BEGIN} line can specify options:
4684 :maxlevel @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.}
4685 :emphasize @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items}
4686 :scope @r{The scope to consider. This can be any of the following:}
4687 nil @r{the current buffer or narrowed region}
4688 file @r{the full current buffer}
4689 subtree @r{the subtree where the clocktable is located}
4690 treeN @r{the surrounding level N tree, for example @code{tree3}}
4691 tree @r{the surrounding level 1 tree}
4692 agenda @r{all agenda files}
4693 ("file"..) @r{scan these files}
4694 file-with-archives @r{current file and its archives}
4695 agenda-with-archives @r{all agenda files, including archives}
4696 :block @r{The time block to consider. This block is specified either}
4697 @r{absolute, or relative to the current time and may be any of}
4699 2007-12-31 @r{New year eve 2007}
4700 2007-12 @r{December 2007}
4701 2007-W50 @r{ISO-week 50 in 2007}
4702 2007 @r{the year 2007}
4703 today, yesterday, today-N @r{a relative day}
4704 thisweek, lastweek, thisweek-N @r{a relative week}
4705 thismonth, lastmonth, thismonth-N @r{a relative month}
4706 thisyear, lastyear, thisyear-N @r{a relative year}
4707 @r{Use @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}} keys to shift the time interval.}
4708 :tstart @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times}
4709 :tend @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times}
4710 :step @r{@code{week} or @code{day}, to split the table into chunks.}
4711 @r{To use this, @code{:block} or @code{:tstart}, @code{:tend} are needed.}
4712 :link @r{Link the item headlines in the table to their origins}
4714 So to get a clock summary of the current level 1 tree, for the current
4715 day, you could write
4717 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today :scope tree1 :link t
4720 and to use a specific time range you could write@footnote{Note that all
4721 parameters must be specified in a single line - the line is broken here
4722 only to fit it onto the manual.}
4724 #+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>"
4725 :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>"
4732 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
4733 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
4734 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4735 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
4736 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
4737 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
4738 @kindex S-@key{left}
4739 @kindex S-@key{right}
4741 @itemx S-@key{right}
4742 Shift the current @code{:block} interval and update the table. The cursor
4743 needs to be in the @code{#+BEGIN: clocktable} line for this command. If
4744 @code{:block} is @code{today}, it will be shifted to @code{today-1} etc.
4747 The @kbd{l} key may be used in the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in
4748 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}) to show which tasks have been
4749 worked on or closed during a day.
4751 @node Effort estimates, , Clocking work time, Dates and Times
4752 @section Effort estimates
4753 @cindex Effort estimates
4755 If you want to plan your work in a very detailed way, or if you need to
4756 produce offers with quotations of the estimated work effort, you may want to
4757 assign effort estimates to entries. If you are also clocking your work, you
4758 may later want to compare the planned effort with the actual working time, a
4759 great way to improve planning estimates. Effort estimates are stored in a
4760 special property @samp{Effort}@footnote{You may change the property being
4761 used with the variable @code{org-effort-property}.}. Clearly the best way to
4762 work with effort estimates is through column view (@pxref{Column view}). You
4763 should start by setting up discrete values for effort estimates, and a
4764 @code{COLUMNS} format that displays these values together with clock sums (if
4765 you want to clock your time). For a specific buffer you can use
4768 #+PROPERTY: Effort_ALL 0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00
4769 #+COLUMNS: %40ITEM(Task) %17Effort(Estimated Effort)@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
4773 or you can set up these values globally by customizing the variables
4774 @code{org-global-properties} and @code{org-columns-default-format}. In
4775 particular if you want to use this setup also in the agenda, a global setup
4778 The way to assign estimates to individual items is then to switch to column
4779 mode, and to use @kbd{S-@key{right}} and @kbd{S-@key{left}} to change the
4780 value. The values you enter will immediately be summed up in the hierarchy.
4781 In the column next to it, any clocked time will be displayed.
4783 If you switch to column view in the daily/weekly agenda, the effort column
4784 will summarize the estimated work effort for each day@footnote{Please note
4785 the pitfalls of summing hierarchical data in a flat list (@pxref{Agenda
4786 column view}).}, and you can use this to find space in your schedule. To get
4787 an overview of the entire part of the day that is committed, you can set the
4788 option @code{org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum}. The
4789 appointments on a day that take place over a specified time interval will
4790 then also be added to the load estimate of the day.
4792 @node Remember, Agenda Views, Dates and Times, Top
4794 @cindex @file{remember.el}
4796 The @i{Remember} package by John Wiegley lets you store quick notes with
4797 little interruption of your work flow. See
4798 @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/RememberMode} for more
4799 information. It is an excellent way to add new notes and tasks to
4800 Org files. Org significantly expands the possibilities of
4801 @i{remember}: You may define templates for different note types, and
4802 associate target files and headlines with specific templates. It also
4803 allows you to select the location where a note should be stored
4804 interactively, on the fly.
4807 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
4808 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
4809 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
4810 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
4813 @node Setting up Remember, Remember templates, Remember, Remember
4814 @section Setting up Remember
4816 The following customization will tell @i{remember} to use org files as
4817 target, and to create annotations compatible with Org links.
4820 (org-remember-insinuate)
4821 (setq org-directory "~/path/to/my/orgfiles/")
4822 (setq org-default-notes-file (concat org-directory "/notes.org"))
4823 (define-key global-map "\C-cr" 'org-remember)
4826 The last line binds the command @code{org-remember} to a global
4827 key@footnote{Please select your own key, @kbd{C-c r} is only a
4828 suggestion.}. @code{org-remember} basically just calls @code{remember},
4829 but it makes a few things easier: If there is an active region, it will
4830 automatically copy the region into the remember buffer. It also allows
4831 to jump to the buffer and location where remember notes are being
4832 stored: Just call @code{org-remember} with a prefix argument. If you
4833 use two prefix arguments, Org jumps to the location where the last
4834 remember note was stored.
4836 You can also call @code{org-remember} in a special way from the agenda,
4837 using the @kbd{k r} key combination. With this access, any time stamps
4838 inserted by the selected remember template (see below) will default to
4839 the cursor date in the agenda, rather than to the current date.
4841 @node Remember templates, Storing notes, Setting up Remember, Remember
4842 @section Remember templates
4843 @cindex templates, for remember
4845 In combination with Org, you can use templates to generate
4846 different types of @i{remember} notes. For example, if you would like
4847 to use one template to create general TODO entries, another one for
4848 journal entries, and a third one for collecting random ideas, you could
4852 (setq org-remember-templates
4853 '(("Todo" ?t "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/TODO.org" "Tasks")
4854 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org")
4855 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
4858 @noindent In these entries, the first string is just a name, and the
4859 character specifies how to select the template. It is useful if the
4860 character is also the first letter of the name. The next string specifies
4861 the template. Two more (optional) strings give the file in which, and the
4862 headline under which the new note should be stored. The file (if not present
4863 or @code{nil}) defaults to @code{org-default-notes-file}, the heading to
4864 @code{org-remember-default-headline}. If the file name is not an absolute
4865 path, it will be interpreted relative to @code{org-directory}. The heading
4866 can also be the symbols @code{top} or @code{bottom} to send note as level 1
4867 entries to the beginning or end of the file, respectively.
4869 An optional sixth element specifies the contexts in which the user can select
4870 the template. This element can be a list of major modes or a function.
4871 @code{org-remember} will first check whether the function returns @code{t} or
4872 if we are in any of the listed major mode, and exclude templates fo which
4873 this condition is not fulfilled. Templates that do not specify this element
4874 at all, or that use @code{nil} or @code{t} as a value will always be
4880 (setq org-remember-templates
4881 '(("Bug" ?b "* BUG %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/BUGS.org" "Bugs" (emacs-lisp-mode))
4882 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "X" my-check)
4883 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
4886 The first template will only be available when invoking @code{org-remember}
4887 from an buffer in @code{emacs-lisp-mode}. The second template will only be
4888 available when the function @code{my-check} returns @code{t}. The third
4889 template will be proposed in any context.
4891 When you call @kbd{M-x org-remember} (or @kbd{M-x remember}) to remember
4892 something, Org will prompt for a key to select the template (if you have
4893 more than one template) and then prepare the buffer like
4896 [[file:link to where you called remember]]
4900 During expansion of the template, special @kbd{%}-escapes allow dynamic
4901 insertion of content:
4903 %^@{prompt@} @r{prompt the user for a string and replace this sequence with it.}
4904 @r{You may specify a default value and a completion table with}
4905 @r{%^@{prompt|default|completion2|completion3...@}}
4906 @r{The arrow keys access a prompt-specific history.}
4907 %a @r{annotation, normally the link created with @code{org-store-link}}
4908 %A @r{like @code{%a}, but prompt for the description part}
4909 %i @r{initial content, the region when remember is called with C-u.}
4910 @r{The entire text will be indented like @code{%i} itself.}
4911 %t @r{time stamp, date only}
4912 %T @r{time stamp with date and time}
4913 %u, %U @r{like the above, but inactive time stamps}
4914 %^t @r{like @code{%t}, but prompt for date. Similarly @code{%^T}, @code{%^u}, @code{%^U}}
4915 @r{You may define a prompt like @code{%^@{Birthday@}t}}
4916 %n @r{user name (taken from @code{user-full-name})}
4917 %c @r{Current kill ring head.}
4918 %x @r{Content of the X clipboard.}
4919 %^C @r{Interactive selection of which kill or clip to use.}
4920 %^L @r{Like @code{%^C}, but insert as link.}
4921 %^g @r{prompt for tags, with completion on tags in target file.}
4922 %^G @r{prompt for tags, with completion all tags in all agenda files.}
4923 %:keyword @r{specific information for certain link types, see below}
4924 %[pathname] @r{insert the contents of the file given by @code{pathname}}
4925 %(sexp) @r{evaluate elisp @code{(sexp)} and replace with the result}
4926 %! @r{immediately store note after completing the template}
4927 @r{(skipping the @kbd{C-c C-c} that normally triggers storing)}
4928 %& @r{jump to target location immediately after storing note}
4932 For specific link types, the following keywords will be
4933 defined@footnote{If you define your own link types (@pxref{Adding
4934 hyperlink types}), any property you store with
4935 @code{org-store-link-props} can be accessed in remember templates in a
4939 Link type | Available keywords
4940 -------------------+----------------------------------------------
4941 bbdb | %:name %:company
4942 bbdb | %::server %:port %:nick
4943 vm, wl, mh, rmail | %:type %:subject %:message-id
4944 | %:from %:fromname %:fromaddress
4945 | %:to %:toname %:toaddress
4946 | %:fromto @r{(either "to NAME" or "from NAME")@footnote{This will always be the other, not the user. See the variable @code{org-from-is-user-regexp}.}}
4947 gnus | %:group, @r{for messages also all email fields}
4949 info | %:file %:node
4954 To place the cursor after template expansion use:
4957 %? @r{After completing the template, position cursor here.}
4961 If you change your mind about which template to use, call
4962 @code{org-remember} in the remember buffer. You may then select a new
4963 template that will be filled with the previous context information.
4965 @node Storing notes, Refiling notes, Remember templates, Remember
4966 @section Storing notes
4968 When you are finished preparing a note with @i{remember}, you have to press
4969 @kbd{C-c C-c} to file the note away. If you have started the clock in the
4970 remember buffer, you will first be asked if you want to clock out
4971 now@footnote{To avoid this query, configure the variable
4972 @code{org-remember-clock-out-on-exit}.}. If you answer @kbd{n}, the clock
4973 will continue to run after the note was filed away.
4975 The handler will then store the note in the file and under the headline
4976 specified in the template, or it will use the default file and headlines.
4977 The window configuration will be restored, sending you back to the working
4978 context before the call to @code{remember}. To re-use the location found
4979 during the last call to @code{remember}, exit the remember buffer with
4980 @kbd{C-u C-u C-c C-c}, i.e. specify a double prefix argument to @kbd{C-c
4983 If you want to store the note directly to a different place, use
4984 @kbd{C-u C-c C-c} instead to exit remember@footnote{Configure the
4985 variable @code{org-remember-store-without-prompt} to make this behavior
4986 the default.}. The handler will then first prompt for a target file -
4987 if you press @key{RET}, the value specified for the template is used.
4988 Then the command offers the headings tree of the selected file, with the
4989 cursor position at the default headline (if you had specified one in the
4990 template). You can either immediately press @key{RET} to get the note
4991 placed there. Or you can use the following keys to find a different
4994 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
4995 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
4996 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
4997 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
4999 @c 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
5002 Pressing @key{RET} or @key{left} or @key{right}
5003 then leads to the following result.
5005 @multitable @columnfractions 0.2 0.15 0.65
5006 @item @b{Cursor position} @tab @b{Key} @tab @b{Note gets inserted}
5007 @item on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab as sublevel of the heading at cursor, first or last
5008 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5009 @item @tab @key{left}/@key{right} @tab as same level, before/after current heading
5010 @item buffer-start @tab @key{RET} @tab as level 2 heading at end of file or level 1 at beginning
5011 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5012 @item not on headline @tab @key{RET}
5013 @tab at cursor position, level taken from context.
5016 Before inserting the text into a tree, the function ensures that the
5017 text has a headline, i.e. a first line that starts with a @samp{*}. If
5018 not, a headline is constructed from the current date and some additional
5019 data. If you have indented the text of the note below the headline, the
5020 indentation will be adapted if inserting the note into the tree requires
5021 demotion from level 1.
5023 @node Refiling notes, , Storing notes, Remember
5024 @section Refiling notes
5025 @cindex refiling notes
5027 Remember is usually used to quickly capture notes and tasks into one or
5028 a few capture lists. When reviewing the captured data, you may want to
5029 refile some of the entries into a different list, for example into a
5030 project. Cutting, finding the right location and then pasting the note
5031 is cumbersome. To simplify this process, you can use the following
5037 Refile the entry at point. This command offers possible locations for
5038 refiling the entry and lets you select one with completion. The item is
5039 filed below the target heading as a subitem. Depending on
5040 @code{org-reverse-note-order}, it will be either the first of last
5041 subitem.@* By default, all level 1 headlines in the current buffer are
5042 considered to be targets, but you can have more complex definitions
5043 across a number of files. See the variable @code{org-refile-targets}
5044 for details. If you would like to select a location via a file-pathlike
5045 completion along the outline path, see the variable
5046 @code{org-refile-use-outline-path}.
5049 Use the refile interface to jump to a heading.
5050 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-w
5051 @item C-u C-u C-c C-w
5052 Jump to the location where @code{org-refile} last moved a tree to.
5055 @node Agenda Views, Embedded LaTeX, Remember, Top
5056 @chapter Agenda Views
5057 @cindex agenda views
5059 Due to the way Org works, TODO items, time-stamped items, and
5060 tagged headlines can be scattered throughout a file or even a number of
5061 files. To get an overview of open action items, or of events that are
5062 important for a particular date, this information must be collected,
5063 sorted and displayed in an organized way.
5065 Org can select items based on various criteria, and display them
5066 in a separate buffer. Seven different view types are provided:
5070 an @emph{agenda} that is like a calendar and shows information
5073 a @emph{TODO list} that covers all unfinished
5076 a @emph{tags view}, showings headlines based on
5077 the tags associated with them,
5079 a @emph{timeline view} that shows all events in a single Org file,
5080 in time-sorted view,
5082 a @emph{keyword search view} that shows all entries from multiple files
5083 that contain specified keywords.
5085 a @emph{stuck projects view} showing projects that currently don't move
5088 @emph{custom views} that are special tag/keyword searches and
5089 combinations of different views.
5093 The extracted information is displayed in a special @emph{agenda
5094 buffer}. This buffer is read-only, but provides commands to visit the
5095 corresponding locations in the original Org files, and even to
5096 edit these files remotely.
5098 Two variables control how the agenda buffer is displayed and whether the
5099 window configuration is restored when the agenda exits:
5100 @code{org-agenda-window-setup} and
5101 @code{org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit}.
5104 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
5105 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
5106 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
5107 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
5108 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
5109 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
5110 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
5113 @node Agenda files, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views, Agenda Views
5114 @section Agenda files
5115 @cindex agenda files
5116 @cindex files for agenda
5118 The information to be shown is normally collected from all @emph{agenda
5119 files}, the files listed in the variable
5120 @code{org-agenda-files}@footnote{If the value of that variable is not a
5121 list, but a single file name, then the list of agenda files will be
5122 maintained in that external file.}. If a directory is part of this list,
5123 all files with the extension @file{.org} in this directory will be part
5126 Thus even if you only work with a single Org file, this file should
5127 be put into that list@footnote{When using the dispatcher, pressing
5128 @kbd{<} before selecting a command will actually limit the command to
5129 the current file, and ignore @code{org-agenda-files} until the next
5130 dispatcher command.}. You can customize @code{org-agenda-files}, but
5131 the easiest way to maintain it is through the following commands
5133 @cindex files, adding to agenda list
5137 Add current file to the list of agenda files. The file is added to
5138 the front of the list. If it was already in the list, it is moved to
5139 the front. With a prefix argument, file is added/moved to the end.
5142 Remove current file from the list of agenda files.
5147 Cycle through agenda file list, visiting one file after the other.
5148 @kindex M-x org-iswitchb
5149 @item M-x org-iswitchb
5150 Command to use an @code{iswitchb}-like interface to switch to and between Org
5155 The Org menu contains the current list of files and can be used
5156 to visit any of them.
5158 If you would like to focus the agenda temporarily onto a file not in
5159 this list, or onto just one file in the list or even only a subtree in a
5160 file, this can be done in different ways. For a single agenda command,
5161 you may press @kbd{<} once or several times in the dispatcher
5162 (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}). To restrict the agenda scope for an
5163 extended period, use the following commands:
5168 Permanently restrict the agenda to the current subtree. When with a
5169 prefix argument, or with the cursor before the first headline in a file,
5170 the agenda scope is set to the entire file. This restriction remains in
5171 effect until removed with @kbd{C-c C-x >}, or by typing either @kbd{<}
5172 or @kbd{>} in the agenda dispatcher. If there is a window displaying an
5173 agenda view, the new restriction takes effect immediately.
5176 Remove the permanent restriction created by @kbd{C-c C-x <}.
5180 When working with @file{Speedbar}, you can use the following commands in
5184 @item < @r{in the speedbar frame}
5185 Permanently restrict the agenda to the item at the cursor in the
5186 Speedbar frame, either an Org file or a subtree in such a file.
5187 If there is a window displaying an agenda view, the new restriction takes
5190 @item > @r{in the speedbar frame}
5191 Lift the restriction again.
5194 @node Agenda dispatcher, Built-in agenda views, Agenda files, Agenda Views
5195 @section The agenda dispatcher
5196 @cindex agenda dispatcher
5197 @cindex dispatching agenda commands
5198 The views are created through a dispatcher that should be bound to a
5199 global key, for example @kbd{C-c a} (@pxref{Installation}). In the
5200 following we will assume that @kbd{C-c a} is indeed how the dispatcher
5201 is accessed and list keyboard access to commands accordingly. After
5202 pressing @kbd{C-c a}, an additional letter is required to execute a
5203 command. The dispatcher offers the following default commands:
5206 Create the calendar-like agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
5208 Create a list of all TODO items (@pxref{Global TODO list}).
5210 Create a list of headlines matching a TAGS expression (@pxref{Matching
5211 tags and properties}).
5213 Create the timeline view for the current buffer (@pxref{Timeline}).
5215 Create a list of entries selected by a boolean expression of keywords
5216 and/or regular expressions that must or must not occur in the entry.
5218 Search for a regular expression in all agenda files and additionally in
5219 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-multi-occur-extra-files}. This
5220 uses the Emacs command @code{multi-occur}. A prefix argument can be
5221 used to specify the number of context lines for each match, default is
5224 Create a list of stuck projects (@pxref{Stuck projects}).
5226 Restrict an agenda command to the current buffer@footnote{For backward
5227 compatibility, you can also press @kbd{1} to restrict to the current
5228 buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{<}, you still need to press the character
5229 selecting the command.
5231 If there is an active region, restrict the following agenda command to
5232 the region. Otherwise, restrict it to the current subtree@footnote{For
5233 backward compatibility, you can also press @kbd{0} to restrict to the
5234 current buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{< <}, you still need to press the
5235 character selecting the command.
5238 You can also define custom commands that will be accessible through the
5239 dispatcher, just like the default commands. This includes the
5240 possibility to create extended agenda buffers that contain several
5241 blocks together, for example the weekly agenda, the global TODO list and
5242 a number of special tags matches. @xref{Custom agenda views}.
5244 @node Built-in agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views
5245 @section The built-in agenda views
5247 In this section we describe the built-in views.
5250 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
5251 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
5252 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
5253 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
5254 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
5255 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
5258 @node Weekly/daily agenda, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views, Built-in agenda views
5259 @subsection The weekly/daily agenda
5261 @cindex weekly agenda
5262 @cindex daily agenda
5264 The purpose of the weekly/daily @emph{agenda} is to act like a page of a
5265 paper agenda, showing all the tasks for the current week or day.
5268 @cindex org-agenda, command
5271 Compile an agenda for the current week from a list of org files. The
5272 agenda shows the entries for each day. With a numeric
5273 prefix@footnote{For backward compatibility, the universal prefix
5274 @kbd{C-u} causes all TODO entries to be listed before the agenda. This
5275 feature is deprecated, use the dedicated TODO list, or a block agenda
5276 instead.} (like @kbd{C-u 2 1 C-c a a}) you may set the number of days
5277 to be displayed (see also the variable @code{org-agenda-ndays})
5280 Remote editing from the agenda buffer means, for example, that you can
5281 change the dates of deadlines and appointments from the agenda buffer.
5282 The commands available in the Agenda buffer are listed in @ref{Agenda
5285 @subsubheading Calendar/Diary integration
5286 @cindex calendar integration
5287 @cindex diary integration
5289 Emacs contains the calendar and diary by Edward M. Reingold. The
5290 calendar displays a three-month calendar with holidays from different
5291 countries and cultures. The diary allows you to keep track of
5292 anniversaries, lunar phases, sunrise/set, recurrent appointments
5293 (weekly, monthly) and more. In this way, it is quite complementary to
5294 Org. It can be very useful to combine output from Org with
5297 In order to include entries from the Emacs diary into Org mode's
5298 agenda, you only need to customize the variable
5301 (setq org-agenda-include-diary t)
5304 @noindent After that, everything will happen automatically. All diary
5305 entries including holidays, anniversaries etc will be included in the
5306 agenda buffer created by Org mode. @key{SPC}, @key{TAB}, and
5307 @key{RET} can be used from the agenda buffer to jump to the diary
5308 file in order to edit existing diary entries. The @kbd{i} command to
5309 insert new entries for the current date works in the agenda buffer, as
5310 well as the commands @kbd{S}, @kbd{M}, and @kbd{C} to display
5311 Sunrise/Sunset times, show lunar phases and to convert to other
5312 calendars, respectively. @kbd{c} can be used to switch back and forth
5313 between calendar and agenda.
5315 If you are using the diary only for sexp entries and holidays, it is
5316 faster to not use the above setting, but instead to copy or even move
5317 the entries into an Org file. Org mode evaluates diary-style sexp
5318 entries, and does it faster because there is no overhead for first
5319 creating the diary display. Note that the sexp entries must start at
5320 the left margin, no white space is allowed before them. For example,
5321 the following segment of an Org file will be processed and entries
5322 will be made in the agenda:
5325 * Birthdays and similar stuff
5327 %%(org-calendar-holiday) ; special function for holiday names
5329 %%(diary-anniversary 14 5 1956) Arthur Dent is %d years old
5330 %%(diary-anniversary 2 10 1869) Mahatma Gandhi would be %d years old
5333 @subsubheading Appointment reminders
5334 @cindex @file{appt.el}
5335 @cindex appointment reminders
5337 Org can interact with Emacs appointments notification facility.
5339 To add all the appointments of your agenda files, use the command
5340 @code{org-agenda-to-appt}. This commands also lets you filter through
5341 the list of your appointments and add only those belonging to a specific
5342 category or matching a regular expression. See the docstring for
5345 @node Global TODO list, Matching tags and properties, Weekly/daily agenda, Built-in agenda views
5346 @subsection The global TODO list
5347 @cindex global TODO list
5348 @cindex TODO list, global
5350 The global TODO list contains all unfinished TODO items, formatted and
5351 collected into a single place.
5356 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
5357 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
5358 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
5359 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
5362 @cindex TODO keyword matching
5363 Like the above, but allows selection of a specific TODO keyword. You
5364 can also do this by specifying a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c a t}. With
5365 a @kbd{C-u} prefix you are prompted for a keyword, and you may also
5366 specify several keywords by separating them with @samp{|} as boolean OR
5367 operator. With a numeric prefix, the Nth keyword in
5368 @code{org-todo-keywords} is selected.
5370 The @kbd{r} key in the agenda buffer regenerates it, and you can give
5371 a prefix argument to this command to change the selected TODO keyword,
5372 for example @kbd{3 r}. If you often need a search for a specific
5373 keyword, define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).@*
5374 Matching specific TODO keywords can also be done as part of a tags
5375 search (@pxref{Tag searches}).
5378 Remote editing of TODO items means that you can change the state of a
5379 TODO entry with a single key press. The commands available in the
5380 TODO list are described in @ref{Agenda commands}.
5382 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into TODO list
5383 Normally the global TODO list simply shows all headlines with TODO
5384 keywords. This list can become very long. There are two ways to keep
5388 Some people view a TODO item that has been @emph{scheduled} for
5389 execution (@pxref{Timestamps}) as no longer @emph{open}. Configure the
5390 variable @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled} to exclude scheduled
5391 items from the global TODO list.
5393 TODO items may have sublevels to break up the task into subtasks. In
5394 such cases it may be enough to list only the highest level TODO headline
5395 and omit the sublevels from the global list. Configure the variable
5396 @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels} to get this behavior.
5399 @node Matching tags and properties, Timeline, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views
5400 @subsection Matching tags and properties
5401 @cindex matching, of tags
5402 @cindex matching, of properties
5405 If headlines in the agenda files are marked with @emph{tags}
5406 (@pxref{Tags}), you can select headlines based on the tags that apply
5407 to them and collect them into an agenda buffer.
5412 Produce a list of all headlines that match a given set of tags. The
5413 command prompts for a selection criterion, which is a boolean logic
5414 expression with tags, like @samp{+work+urgent-withboss} or
5415 @samp{work|home} (@pxref{Tags}). If you often need a specific search,
5416 define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
5419 Like @kbd{C-c a m}, but only select headlines that are also TODO items
5420 and force checking subitems (see variable
5421 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}). Matching specific TODO keywords
5422 together with a tags match is also possible, see @ref{Tag searches}.
5425 The commands available in the tags list are described in @ref{Agenda
5428 @node Timeline, Keyword search, Matching tags and properties, Built-in agenda views
5429 @subsection Timeline for a single file
5430 @cindex timeline, single file
5431 @cindex time-sorted view
5433 The timeline summarizes all time-stamped items from a single Org mode
5434 file in a @emph{time-sorted view}. The main purpose of this command is
5435 to give an overview over events in a project.
5440 Show a time-sorted view of the org file, with all time-stamped items.
5441 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all unfinished TODO entries
5442 (scheduled or not) are also listed under the current date.
5446 The commands available in the timeline buffer are listed in
5447 @ref{Agenda commands}.
5449 @node Keyword search, Stuck projects, Timeline, Built-in agenda views
5450 @subsection Keyword search
5451 @cindex keyword search
5452 @cindex searching, for keywords
5454 This agenda view is a general text search facility for Org mode entries.
5455 It is particularly useful to find notes.
5460 This is a special search that lets you select entries by keywords or
5461 regular expression, using a boolean logic. For example, the search
5465 +computer +wifi -ethernet -@{8\.11[bg]@}
5469 will search for note entries that contain the keywords @code{computer}
5470 and @code{wifi}, but not the keyword @code{ethernet}, and which are also
5471 not matched by the regular expression @code{8\.11[bg]}, meaning to
5472 exclude both 8.11b and 8.11g.
5474 Note that in addition to the agenda files, this command will also search
5475 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-text-search-extra-files}.
5478 @node Stuck projects, , Keyword search, Built-in agenda views
5479 @subsection Stuck projects
5481 If you are following a system like David Allen's GTD to organize your
5482 work, one of the ``duties'' you have is a regular review to make sure
5483 that all projects move along. A @emph{stuck} project is a project that
5484 has no defined next actions, so it will never show up in the TODO lists
5485 Org mode produces. During the review, you need to identify such
5486 projects and define next actions for them.
5491 List projects that are stuck.
5494 Customize the variable @code{org-stuck-projects} to define what a stuck
5495 project is and how to find it.
5498 You almost certainly will have to configure this view before it will
5499 work for you. The built-in default assumes that all your projects are
5500 level-2 headlines, and that a project is not stuck if it has at least
5501 one entry marked with a TODO keyword TODO or NEXT or NEXTACTION.
5503 Lets assume that you, in your own way of using Org mode, identify
5504 projects with a tag PROJECT, and that you use a TODO keyword MAYBE to
5505 indicate a project that should not be considered yet. Lets further
5506 assume that the TODO keyword DONE marks finished projects, and that NEXT
5507 and TODO indicate next actions. The tag @@SHOP indicates shopping and
5508 is a next action even without the NEXT tag. Finally, if the project
5509 contains the special word IGNORE anywhere, it should not be listed
5510 either. In this case you would start by identifying eligible projects
5511 with a tags/todo match @samp{+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE}, and then check for
5512 TODO, NEXT, @@SHOP, and IGNORE in the subtree to identify projects that
5513 are not stuck. The correct customization for this is
5516 (setq org-stuck-projects
5517 '("+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE" ("NEXT" "TODO") ("@@SHOP")
5522 @node Presentation and sorting, Agenda commands, Built-in agenda views, Agenda Views
5523 @section Presentation and sorting
5524 @cindex presentation, of agenda items
5526 Before displaying items in an agenda view, Org mode visually prepares
5527 the items and sorts them. Each item occupies a single line. The line
5528 starts with a @emph{prefix} that contains the @emph{category}
5529 (@pxref{Categories}) of the item and other important information. You can
5530 customize the prefix using the option @code{org-agenda-prefix-format}.
5531 The prefix is followed by a cleaned-up version of the outline headline
5532 associated with the item.
5535 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
5536 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
5537 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
5540 @node Categories, Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting, Presentation and sorting
5541 @subsection Categories
5544 The category is a broad label assigned to each agenda item. By default,
5545 the category is simply derived from the file name, but you can also
5546 specify it with a special line in the buffer, like this@footnote{For
5547 backward compatibility, the following also works: If there are several
5548 such lines in a file, each specifies the category for the text below it.
5549 The first category also applies to any text before the first CATEGORY
5550 line. However, using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is
5551 incompatible with the outline structure of the document. The correct
5552 method for setting multiple categories in a buffer is using a
5560 If you would like to have a special CATEGORY for a single entry or a
5561 (sub)tree, give the entry a @code{:CATEGORY:} property with the location
5562 as the value (@pxref{Properties and Columns}).
5565 The display in the agenda buffer looks best if the category is not
5566 longer than 10 characters.
5568 @node Time-of-day specifications, Sorting of agenda items, Categories, Presentation and sorting
5569 @subsection Time-of-day specifications
5570 @cindex time-of-day specification
5572 Org mode checks each agenda item for a time-of-day specification. The
5573 time can be part of the time stamp that triggered inclusion into the
5574 agenda, for example as in @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 19:00>}}. Time
5575 ranges can be specified with two time stamps, like
5577 @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 20:30>--<2005-05-10 Tue 22:15>}}.
5579 In the headline of the entry itself, a time(range) may also appear as
5580 plain text (like @samp{12:45} or a @samp{8:30-1pm}). If the agenda
5581 integrates the Emacs diary (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), time
5582 specifications in diary entries are recognized as well.
5584 For agenda display, Org mode extracts the time and displays it in a
5585 standard 24 hour format as part of the prefix. The example times in
5586 the previous paragraphs would end up in the agenda like this:
5589 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
5590 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
5591 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
5592 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
5596 If the agenda is in single-day mode, or for the display of today, the
5597 timed entries are embedded in a time grid, like
5600 8:00...... ------------------
5601 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
5602 10:00...... ------------------
5603 12:00...... ------------------
5604 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
5605 14:00...... ------------------
5606 16:00...... ------------------
5607 18:00...... ------------------
5608 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
5609 20:00...... ------------------
5610 20:30-22:15 Marwin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
5613 The time grid can be turned on and off with the variable
5614 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid}, and can be configured with
5615 @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
5617 @node Sorting of agenda items, , Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting
5618 @subsection Sorting of agenda items
5619 @cindex sorting, of agenda items
5620 @cindex priorities, of agenda items
5621 Before being inserted into a view, the items are sorted. How this is
5622 done depends on the type of view.
5625 For the daily/weekly agenda, the items for each day are sorted. The
5626 default order is to first collect all items containing an explicit
5627 time-of-day specification. These entries will be shown at the beginning
5628 of the list, as a @emph{schedule} for the day. After that, items remain
5629 grouped in categories, in the sequence given by @code{org-agenda-files}.
5630 Within each category, items are sorted by priority (@pxref{Priorities}),
5631 which is composed of the base priority (2000 for priority @samp{A}, 1000
5632 for @samp{B}, and 0 for @samp{C}), plus additional increments for
5633 overdue scheduled or deadline items.
5635 For the TODO list, items remain in the order of categories, but within
5636 each category, sorting takes place according to priority
5637 (@pxref{Priorities}).
5639 For tags matches, items are not sorted at all, but just appear in the
5640 sequence in which they are found in the agenda files.
5643 Sorting can be customized using the variable
5644 @code{org-agenda-sorting-strategy}, and may also include criteria based on
5645 the estimated effort of an entry.
5646 @c FIXME: link!!!!!!!!
5649 @node Agenda commands, Custom agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda Views
5650 @section Commands in the agenda buffer
5651 @cindex commands, in agenda buffer
5653 Entries in the agenda buffer are linked back to the org file or diary
5654 file where they originate. You are not allowed to edit the agenda
5655 buffer itself, but commands are provided to show and jump to the
5656 original entry location, and to edit the org-files ``remotely'' from
5657 the agenda buffer. In this way, all information is stored only once,
5658 removing the risk that your agenda and note files may diverge.
5660 Some commands can be executed with mouse clicks on agenda lines. For
5661 the other commands, the cursor needs to be in the desired line.
5664 @tsubheading{Motion}
5665 @cindex motion commands in agenda
5668 Next line (same as @key{up} and @kbd{C-p}).
5671 Previous line (same as @key{down} and @kbd{C-n}).
5672 @tsubheading{View/Go to org file}
5677 Display the original location of the item in another window.
5681 Display original location and recenter that window.
5689 Go to the original location of the item in another window. Under Emacs
5690 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also works for this.
5694 Go to the original location of the item and delete other windows.
5698 Toggle Follow mode. In Follow mode, as you move the cursor through
5699 the agenda buffer, the other window always shows the corresponding
5700 location in the org file. The initial setting for this mode in new
5701 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
5702 @code{org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode}.
5706 Display the entire subtree of the current item in an indirect buffer. With a
5707 numeric prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
5708 negative, go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove the
5709 previously used indirect buffer.
5713 Toggle Logbook mode. In Logbook mode, entries that where marked DONE while
5714 logging was on (variable @code{org-log-done}) are shown in the agenda,
5715 as are entries that have been clocked on that day.
5719 Toggle Archives mode. In archives mode, trees that are marked are also
5720 scanned when producing the agenda. When you call this command with a
5721 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, even all archive files are included. To exit
5722 archives mode, press @kbd{v} again.
5726 Toggle Clockreport mode. In clockreport mode, the daily/weekly agenda will
5727 always show a table with the clocked times for the timespan and file scope
5728 covered by the current agenda view. The initial setting for this mode in new
5729 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
5730 @code{org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode}.
5732 @tsubheading{Change display}
5733 @cindex display changing, in agenda
5736 Delete other windows.
5743 Switch to day/week/month/year view. When switching to day or week view,
5744 this setting becomes the default for subsequent agenda commands. Since
5745 month and year views are slow to create, they do not become the default.
5746 A numeric prefix argument may be used to jump directly to a specific day
5747 of the year, ISO week, month, or year, respectively. For example,
5748 @kbd{32 d} jumps to February 1st, @kbd{9 w} to ISO week number 9. When
5749 setting day, week, or month view, a year may be encoded in the prefix
5750 argument as well. For example, @kbd{200712 w} will jump to week 12 in
5751 2007. If such a year specification has only one or two digits, it will
5752 be mapped to the interval 1938-2037.
5756 Toggle the inclusion of diary entries. See @ref{Weekly/daily agenda}.
5760 Toggle the time grid on and off. See also the variables
5761 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid} and @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
5765 Recreate the agenda buffer, for example to reflect the changes
5766 after modification of the time stamps of items with S-@key{left} and
5767 S-@key{right}. When the buffer is the global TODO list, a prefix
5768 argument is interpreted to create a selective list for a specific TODO
5778 Save all Org buffers in the current Emacs session.
5782 Display the following @code{org-agenda-ndays} days. For example, if
5783 the display covers a week, switch to the following week. With prefix
5784 arg, go forward that many times @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
5788 Display the previous dates.
5796 Invoke column view (@pxref{Column view}) in the agenda buffer. The column
5797 view format is taken from the entry at point, or (if there is no entry at
5798 point), from the first entry in the agenda view. So whatever the format for
5799 that entry would be in the original buffer (taken from a property, from a
5800 @code{#+COLUMNS} line, or from the default variable
5801 @code{org-columns-default-format}), will be used in the agenda.
5803 @tsubheading{Query editing}
5804 @cindex query editing, in agenda
5811 In the @i{search view} (@pxref{Keyword search}), these keys add new
5812 search words (@kbd{[} and @kbd{]}) or new regular expressions (@kbd{@{}
5813 and @kbd{@}}) to the query string. The opening bracket/brace will add a
5814 positive search term prefixed by @samp{+}, indicating that this search
5815 term @i{must} occur/match in the entry. Closing bracket/brace add a
5816 negative search term which @i{must not} occur/match in the entry for it
5820 @tsubheading{Remote editing}
5821 @cindex remote editing, from agenda
5826 @cindex undoing remote-editing events
5827 @cindex remote editing, undo
5830 Undo a change due to a remote editing command. The change is undone
5831 both in the agenda buffer and in the remote buffer.
5835 Change the TODO state of the item, both in the agenda and in the
5840 Delete the current agenda item along with the entire subtree belonging
5841 to it in the original Org file. If the text to be deleted remotely
5842 is longer than one line, the kill needs to be confirmed by the user. See
5843 variable @code{org-agenda-confirm-kill}.
5847 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline.
5851 Move the subtree corresponding to the current entry to its @emph{Archive
5856 Archive the subtree corresponding to the current headline. This means the
5857 entry will be moved to the configured archive location, most likely a
5862 Show all tags associated with the current item. Because of
5863 inheritance, this may be more than the tags listed in the line itself.
5867 Set tags for the current headline. If there is an active region in the
5868 agenda, change a tag for all headings in the region.
5872 Set the priority for the current item. Org mode prompts for the
5873 priority character. If you reply with @key{SPC}, the priority cookie
5874 is removed from the entry.
5878 Display weighted priority of current item.
5884 Increase the priority of the current item. The priority is changed in
5885 the original buffer, but the agenda is not resorted. Use the @kbd{r}
5889 @kindex S-@key{down}
5892 Decrease the priority of the current item.
5900 Set a deadline for this item.
5904 Agenda actions, to set dates for selected items to the cursor date.
5905 This command also works in the calendar! The command prompts for an
5908 m @r{Mark the entry at point for action. You can also make entries}
5909 @r{in Org files with @kbd{C-c C-x C-k}.}
5910 d @r{Set the deadline of the marked entry to the date at point.}
5911 s @r{Schedule the marked entry at the date at point.}
5912 r @r{Call @code{org-remember} with the cursor date as default date.}
5914 Press @kbd{r} afterwards to refresh the agenda and see the effect of the
5917 @kindex S-@key{right}
5919 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day into the
5920 future. With a numeric prefix argument, change it by that many days. For
5921 example, @kbd{3 6 5 S-@key{right}} will change it by a year. The stamp is
5922 changed in the original org file, but the change is not directly reflected in
5923 the agenda buffer. Use the @kbd{r} key to update the buffer.
5925 @kindex S-@key{left}
5927 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day
5932 Change the time stamp associated with the current line to today.
5933 The key @kbd{>} has been chosen, because it is the same as @kbd{S-.}
5938 Start the clock on the current item. If a clock is running already, it
5943 Stop the previously started clock.
5947 Cancel the currently running clock.
5951 Jump to the running clock in another window.
5953 @tsubheading{Calendar commands}
5954 @cindex calendar commands, from agenda
5957 Open the Emacs calendar and move to the date at the agenda cursor.
5960 When in the calendar, compute and show the Org mode agenda for the
5963 @cindex diary entries, creating from agenda
5966 Insert a new entry into the diary. Prompts for the type of entry
5967 (day, weekly, monthly, yearly, anniversary, cyclic) and creates a new
5968 entry in the diary, just as @kbd{i d} etc. would do in the calendar.
5969 The date is taken from the cursor position.
5973 Show the phases of the moon for the three months around current date.
5977 Show sunrise and sunset times. The geographical location must be set
5978 with calendar variables, see documentation of the Emacs calendar.
5982 Convert the date at cursor into many other cultural and historic
5987 Show holidays for three month around the cursor date.
5989 @item M-x org-export-icalendar-combine-agenda-files
5990 Export a single iCalendar file containing entries from all agenda files.
5991 This is a globally available command, and also available in the agenda menu.
5993 @tsubheading{Exporting to a file}
5996 @cindex exporting agenda views
5997 @cindex agenda views, exporting
5998 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
5999 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
6000 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), or
6001 plain text (any other extension). Use the variable
6002 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print}
6003 and for @file{htmlize} to be used during export.
6005 @tsubheading{Quit and Exit}
6008 Quit agenda, remove the agenda buffer.
6011 @cindex agenda files, removing buffers
6013 Exit agenda, remove the agenda buffer and all buffers loaded by Emacs
6014 for the compilation of the agenda. Buffers created by the user to
6015 visit org files will not be removed.
6019 @node Custom agenda views, Agenda column view, Agenda commands, Agenda Views
6020 @section Custom agenda views
6021 @cindex custom agenda views
6022 @cindex agenda views, custom
6024 Custom agenda commands serve two purposes: to store and quickly access
6025 frequently used TODO and tags searches, and to create special composite
6026 agenda buffers. Custom agenda commands will be accessible through the
6027 dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}), just like the default commands.
6030 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
6031 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
6032 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
6033 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
6034 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
6037 @node Storing searches, Block agenda, Custom agenda views, Custom agenda views
6038 @subsection Storing searches
6040 The first application of custom searches is the definition of keyboard
6041 shortcuts for frequently used searches, either creating an agenda
6042 buffer, or a sparse tree (the latter covering of course only the current
6045 Custom commands are configured in the variable
6046 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. You can customize this variable, for
6047 example by pressing @kbd{C-c a C}. You can also directly set it with
6048 Emacs Lisp in @file{.emacs}. The following example contains all valid
6053 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6054 '(("w" todo "WAITING")
6055 ("W" todo-tree "WAITING")
6056 ("u" tags "+boss-urgent")
6057 ("v" tags-todo "+boss-urgent")
6058 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent")
6059 ("f" occur-tree "\\<FIXME\\>")
6060 ("h" . "HOME+Name tags searches") ; description for "h" prefix
6061 ("hl" tags "+home+Lisa")
6062 ("hp" tags "+home+Peter")
6063 ("hk" tags "+home+Kim")))
6068 The initial string in each entry defines the keys you have to press
6069 after the dispatcher command @kbd{C-c a} in order to access the command.
6070 Usually this will be just a single character, but if you have many
6071 similar commands, you can also define two-letter combinations where the
6072 first character is the same in several combinations and serves as a
6073 prefix key@footnote{You can provide a description for a prefix key by
6074 inserting a cons cell with the prefix and the description.}. The second
6075 parameter is the search type, followed by the string or regular
6076 expression to be used for the matching. The example above will
6081 as a global search for TODO entries with @samp{WAITING} as the TODO
6084 as the same search, but only in the current buffer and displaying the
6085 results as a sparse tree
6087 as a global tags search for headlines marked @samp{:boss:} but not
6090 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but limiting the search to
6091 headlines that are also TODO items
6093 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but only in the current buffer and
6094 displaying the result as a sparse tree
6096 to create a sparse tree (again: current buffer only) with all entries
6097 containing the word @samp{FIXME}
6099 as a prefix command for a HOME tags search where you have to press an
6100 additional key (@kbd{l}, @kbd{p} or @kbd{k}) to select a name (Lisa,
6101 Peter, or Kim) as additional tag to match.
6104 @node Block agenda, Setting Options, Storing searches, Custom agenda views
6105 @subsection Block agenda
6106 @cindex block agenda
6107 @cindex agenda, with block views
6109 Another possibility is the construction of agenda views that comprise
6110 the results of @emph{several} commands, each of which creates a block in
6111 the agenda buffer. The available commands include @code{agenda} for the
6112 daily or weekly agenda (as created with @kbd{C-c a a}), @code{alltodo}
6113 for the global TODO list (as constructed with @kbd{C-c a t}), and the
6114 matching commands discussed above: @code{todo}, @code{tags}, and
6115 @code{tags-todo}. Here are two examples:
6119 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6120 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6124 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6132 This will define @kbd{C-c a h} to create a multi-block view for stuff
6133 you need to attend to at home. The resulting agenda buffer will contain
6134 your agenda for the current week, all TODO items that carry the tag
6135 @samp{home}, and also all lines tagged with @samp{garden}. Finally the
6136 command @kbd{C-c a o} provides a similar view for office tasks.
6138 @node Setting Options, Exporting Agenda Views, Block agenda, Custom agenda views
6139 @subsection Setting options for custom commands
6140 @cindex options, for custom agenda views
6142 Org mode contains a number of variables regulating agenda construction
6143 and display. The global variables define the behavior for all agenda
6144 commands, including the custom commands. However, if you want to change
6145 some settings just for a single custom view, you can do so. Setting
6146 options requires inserting a list of variable names and values at the
6147 right spot in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. For example:
6151 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6152 '(("w" todo "WAITING"
6153 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))
6154 (org-agenda-prefix-format " Mixed: ")))
6155 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent"
6156 ((org-show-following-heading nil)
6157 (org-show-hierarchy-above nil)))
6159 ((org-agenda-files '("~org/notes.org"))
6160 (org-agenda-text-search-extra-files nil)))))
6165 Now the @kbd{C-c a w} command will sort the collected entries only by
6166 priority, and the prefix format is modified to just say @samp{ Mixed: }
6167 instead of giving the category of the entry. The sparse tags tree of
6168 @kbd{C-c a U} will now turn out ultra-compact, because neither the
6169 headline hierarchy above the match, nor the headline following the match
6170 will be shown. The command @kbd{C-c a N} will do a text search limited
6171 to only a single file.
6173 For command sets creating a block agenda,
6174 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} has two separate spots for setting
6175 options. You can add options that should be valid for just a single
6176 command in the set, and options that should be valid for all commands in
6177 the set. The former are just added to the command entry, the latter
6178 must come after the list of command entries. Going back to the block
6179 agenda example (@pxref{Block agenda}), let's change the sorting strategy
6180 for the @kbd{C-c a h} commands to @code{priority-down}, but let's sort
6181 the results for GARDEN tags query in the opposite order,
6182 @code{priority-up}. This would look like this:
6186 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6187 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6191 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-up)))))
6192 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))))
6193 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6200 As you see, the values and parenthesis setting is a little complex.
6201 When in doubt, use the customize interface to set this variable - it
6202 fully supports its structure. Just one caveat: When setting options in
6203 this interface, the @emph{values} are just lisp expressions. So if the
6204 value is a string, you need to add the double quotes around the value
6208 @node Exporting Agenda Views, Using the agenda elsewhere, Setting Options, Custom agenda views
6209 @subsection Exporting Agenda Views
6210 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6212 If you are away from your computer, it can be very useful to have a
6213 printed version of some agenda views to carry around. Org mode can
6214 export custom agenda views as plain text, HTML@footnote{You need to
6215 install Hrvoje Niksic' @file{htmlize.el}.} postscript, and iCalendar
6216 files. If you want to do this only occasionally, use the command
6221 @cindex exporting agenda views
6222 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6223 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
6224 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
6225 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}),
6226 iCalendar (extension @file{.ics}), or plain text (any other extension).
6227 Use the variable @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to
6228 set options for @file{ps-print} and for @file{htmlize} to be used during
6232 (setq org-agenda-exporter-settings
6233 '((ps-number-of-columns 2)
6234 (ps-landscape-mode t)
6235 (htmlize-output-type 'css)))
6239 If you need to export certain agenda views frequently, you can associate
6240 any custom agenda command with a list of output file names
6241 @footnote{If you want to store standard views like the weekly agenda
6242 or the global TODO list as well, you need to define custom commands for
6243 them in order to be able to specify file names.}. Here is an example
6244 that first does define custom commands for the agenda and the global
6245 todo list, together with a number of files to which to export them.
6246 Then we define two block agenda commands and specify file names for them
6247 as well. File names can be relative to the current working directory,
6252 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6253 '(("X" agenda "" nil ("agenda.html" "agenda.ps"))
6254 ("Y" alltodo "" nil ("todo.html" "todo.txt" "todo.ps"))
6255 ("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6260 ("~/views/home.html"))
6261 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6266 ("~/views/office.ps" "~/calendars/office.ics"))))
6270 The extension of the file name determines the type of export. If it is
6271 @file{.html}, Org mode will use the @file{htmlize.el} package to convert
6272 the buffer to HTML and save it to this file name. If the extension is
6273 @file{.ps}, @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} is used to produce
6274 postscript output. If the extension is @file{.ics}, iCalendar export is
6275 run export over all files that were used to construct the agenda, and
6276 limit the export to entries listed in the agenda now. Any other
6277 extension produces a plain ASCII file.
6279 The export files are @emph{not} created when you use one of those
6280 commands interactively because this might use too much overhead.
6281 Instead, there is a special command to produce @emph{all} specified
6287 Export all agenda views that have export file names associated with
6291 You can use the options section of the custom agenda commands to also
6292 set options for the export commands. For example:
6295 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6297 ((ps-number-of-columns 2)
6298 (ps-landscape-mode t)
6299 (org-agenda-prefix-format " [ ] ")
6300 (org-agenda-with-colors nil)
6301 (org-agenda-remove-tags t))
6306 This command sets two options for the postscript exporter, to make it
6307 print in two columns in landscape format - the resulting page can be cut
6308 in two and then used in a paper agenda. The remaining settings modify
6309 the agenda prefix to omit category and scheduling information, and
6310 instead include a checkbox to check off items. We also remove the tags
6311 to make the lines compact, and we don't want to use colors for the
6312 black-and-white printer. Settings specified in
6313 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} will also apply, but the settings
6314 in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} take precedence.
6317 From the command line you may also use
6319 emacs -f org-batch-store-agenda-views -kill
6322 or, if you need to modify some parameters
6324 emacs -eval '(org-batch-store-agenda-views \
6325 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
6326 org-agenda-start-day "2007-11-01" \
6327 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
6328 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
6332 which will create the agenda views restricted to the file
6333 @file{~/org/project.org}, without diary entries and with 30 days
6336 @node Using the agenda elsewhere, , Exporting Agenda Views, Custom agenda views
6337 @subsection Using agenda information outside of Org
6338 @cindex agenda, pipe
6339 @cindex Scripts, for agenda processing
6341 Org provides commands to access agenda information for the command
6342 line in emacs batch mode. This extracted information can be sent
6343 directly to a printer, or it can be read by a program that does further
6344 processing of the data. The first of these commands is the function
6345 @code{org-batch-agenda}, that produces an agenda view and sends it as
6346 ASCII text to STDOUT. The command takes a single string as parameter.
6347 If the string has length 1, it is used as a key to one of the commands
6348 you have configured in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}, basically any
6349 key you can use after @kbd{C-c a}. For example, to directly print the
6350 current TODO list, you could use
6353 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda "t")' | lpr
6356 If the parameter is a string with 2 or more characters, it is used as a
6357 tags/todo match string. For example, to print your local shopping list
6358 (all items with the tag @samp{shop}, but excluding the tag
6359 @samp{NewYork}), you could use
6362 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
6363 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "+shop-NewYork")' | lpr
6367 You may also modify parameters on the fly like this:
6370 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
6371 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "a" \
6372 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
6373 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
6374 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
6379 which will produce a 30 day agenda, fully restricted to the Org file
6380 @file{~/org/projects.org}, not even including the diary.
6382 If you want to process the agenda data in more sophisticated ways, you
6383 can use the command @code{org-batch-agenda-csv} to get a comma-separated
6384 list of values for each agenda item. Each line in the output will
6385 contain a number of fields separated by commas. The fields in a line
6389 category @r{The category of the item}
6390 head @r{The headline, without TODO kwd, TAGS and PRIORITY}
6391 type @r{The type of the agenda entry, can be}
6392 todo @r{selected in TODO match}
6393 tagsmatch @r{selected in tags match}
6394 diary @r{imported from diary}
6395 deadline @r{a deadline}
6396 scheduled @r{scheduled}
6397 timestamp @r{appointment, selected by timestamp}
6398 closed @r{entry was closed on date}
6399 upcoming-deadline @r{warning about nearing deadline}
6400 past-scheduled @r{forwarded scheduled item}
6401 block @r{entry has date block including date}
6402 todo @r{The TODO keyword, if any}
6403 tags @r{All tags including inherited ones, separated by colons}
6404 date @r{The relevant date, like 2007-2-14}
6405 time @r{The time, like 15:00-16:50}
6406 extra @r{String with extra planning info}
6407 priority-l @r{The priority letter if any was given}
6408 priority-n @r{The computed numerical priority}
6412 Time and date will only be given if a timestamp (or deadline/scheduled)
6413 lead to the selection of the item.
6415 A CSV list like this is very easy to use in a post processing script.
6416 For example, here is a Perl program that gets the TODO list from
6417 Emacs/Org and prints all the items, preceded by a checkbox:
6423 # define the Emacs command to run
6424 $cmd = "emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda-csv \"t\")'";
6426 # run it and capture the output
6427 $agenda = qx@{$cmd 2>/dev/null@};
6429 # loop over all lines
6430 foreach $line (split(/\n/,$agenda)) @{
6432 # get the individual values
6433 ($category,$head,$type,$todo,$tags,$date,$time,$extra,
6434 $priority_l,$priority_n) = split(/,/,$line);
6436 # proccess and print
6437 print "[ ] $head\n";
6442 @node Agenda column view, , Custom agenda views, Agenda Views
6443 @section Using column view in the agenda
6444 @cindex column view, in agenda
6445 @cindex agenda, column view
6447 Column view (@pxref{Column view}) is normally used to view and edit
6448 properties embedded in the hierarchical structure of an Org file. It can be
6449 quite useful to use column view also from the agenda, where entries are
6450 collected by certain criteria.
6455 Turn on column view in the agenda.
6458 To understand how to use this properly, it is important to realize that the
6459 entries in the agenda are no longer in their proper outline environment.
6460 This causes the following issues:
6464 Org needs to make a decision which @code{COLUMNS} format to use. Since the
6465 entries in the agenda are collected from different files, and different files
6466 may have different @code{COLUMNS} formats, this is a non-trivial problem.
6467 Org first checks if the variable @code{org-overriding-columns-format} is
6468 currently set, and if yes takes the format from there. Otherwise it takes
6469 the format associated with the first item in the agenda, or, if that item
6470 does not have a specific format (defined in a property, or in it's file), it
6471 uses @code{org-columns-default-format}.
6473 If any of the columns has a summary type defined (@pxref{Column attributes}),
6474 turning on column view in the agenda will visit all relevant agenda files and
6475 make sure that the computations of this property are up to date. This is
6476 also true for the special @code{CLOCKSUM} property. Org will then sum the
6477 values displayed in the agenda. In the daily/weekly agenda, the sums will
6478 cover a single day, in all other views they cover the entire block. It is
6479 vital to realize that the agenda may show the same entry @emph{twice} (for
6480 example as scheduled and as a deadline), and it may show two entries from the
6481 same hierarchy (for example a @emph{parent} and it's @emph{child}). In these
6482 cases, the summation in the agenda will lead to incorrect results because
6483 some values will count double.
6485 When the column view in the agenda shows the @code{CLOCKSUM}, that is always
6486 the entire clocked time for this item. So even in the daily/weekly agenda,
6487 the clocksum listed in column view may originate from times outside the
6488 current view. This has the advantage that you can compare these values with
6489 a column listing the planned total effort for a task - one of the major
6490 applications for column view in the agenda. If you want information about
6491 clocked time in the displayed period use clock table mode (press @kbd{R} in
6496 @node Embedded LaTeX, Exporting, Agenda Views, Top
6497 @chapter Embedded LaTeX
6498 @cindex @TeX{} interpretation
6499 @cindex La@TeX{} interpretation
6501 Plain ASCII is normally sufficient for almost all note taking. One
6502 exception, however, are scientific notes which need to be able to contain
6503 mathematical symbols and the occasional formula. La@TeX{}@footnote{La@TeX{}
6504 is a macro system based on Donald E. Knuth's @TeX{} system. Many of the
6505 features described here as ``La@TeX{}'' are really from @TeX{}, but for
6506 simplicity I am blurring this distinction.} is widely used to typeset
6507 scientific documents. Org mode supports embedding La@TeX{} code into its
6508 files, because many academics are used to reading La@TeX{} source code, and
6509 because it can be readily processed into images for HTML production.
6511 It is not necessary to mark La@TeX{} macros and code in any special way.
6512 If you observe a few conventions, Org mode knows how to find it and what
6516 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
6517 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
6518 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
6519 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
6520 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
6523 @node Math symbols, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX, Embedded LaTeX
6524 @section Math symbols
6525 @cindex math symbols
6528 You can use La@TeX{} macros to insert special symbols like @samp{\alpha}
6529 to indicate the Greek letter, or @samp{\to} to indicate an arrow.
6530 Completion for these macros is available, just type @samp{\} and maybe a
6531 few letters, and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to see possible completions.
6532 Unlike La@TeX{} code, Org mode allows these macros to be present
6533 without surrounding math delimiters, for example:
6536 Angles are written as Greek letters \alpha, \beta and \gamma.
6539 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), these symbols are translated
6540 into the proper syntax for HTML, for the above examples this is
6541 @samp{α} and @samp{→}, respectively.
6543 @node Subscripts and superscripts, LaTeX fragments, Math symbols, Embedded LaTeX
6544 @section Subscripts and superscripts
6548 Just like in La@TeX{}, @samp{^} and @samp{_} are used to indicate super-
6549 and subscripts. Again, these can be used without embedding them in
6550 math-mode delimiters. To increase the readability of ASCII text, it is
6551 not necessary (but OK) to surround multi-character sub- and superscripts
6552 with curly braces. For example
6555 The mass if the sun is M_sun = 1.989 x 10^30 kg. The radius of
6556 the sun is R_@{sun@} = 6.96 x 10^8 m.
6559 To avoid interpretation as raised or lowered text, you can quote
6560 @samp{^} and @samp{_} with a backslash: @samp{\_} and @samp{\^}.
6562 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), subscript and superscripts
6563 are surrounded with @code{<sub>} and @code{<sup>} tags, respectively.
6565 @node LaTeX fragments, Processing LaTeX fragments, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX
6566 @section LaTeX fragments
6567 @cindex LaTeX fragments
6569 With symbols, sub- and superscripts, HTML is pretty much at its end when
6570 it comes to representing mathematical formulas@footnote{Yes, there is
6571 MathML, but that is not yet fully supported by many browsers, and there
6572 is no decent converter for turning La@TeX{} or ASCII representations of
6573 formulas into MathML. So for the time being, converting formulas into
6574 images seems the way to go.}. More complex expressions need a dedicated
6575 formula processor. To this end, Org mode can contain arbitrary La@TeX{}
6576 fragments. It provides commands to preview the typeset result of these
6577 fragments, and upon export to HTML, all fragments will be converted to
6578 images and inlined into the HTML document@footnote{The La@TeX{} export
6579 will not use images for displaying La@TeX{} fragments but include these
6580 fragments directly into the La@TeX{} code.}. For this to work you
6581 need to be on a system with a working La@TeX{} installation. You also
6582 need the @file{dvipng} program, available at
6583 @url{http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvipng/}. The La@TeX{} header that
6584 will be used when processing a fragment can be configured with the
6585 variable @code{org-format-latex-header}.
6587 La@TeX{} fragments don't need any special marking at all. The following
6588 snippets will be identified as La@TeX{} source code:
6591 Environments of any kind. The only requirement is that the
6592 @code{\begin} statement appears on a new line, preceded by only
6595 Text within the usual La@TeX{} math delimiters. To avoid conflicts with
6596 currency specifications, single @samp{$} characters are only recognized
6597 as math delimiters if the enclosed text contains at most two line breaks,
6598 is directly attached to the @samp{$} characters with no whitespace in
6599 between, and if the closing @samp{$} is followed by whitespace or
6600 punctuation. For the other delimiters, there is no such restriction, so
6601 when in doubt, use @samp{\(...\)} as inline math delimiters.
6604 @noindent For example:
6607 \begin@{equation@} % arbitrary environments,
6608 x=\sqrt@{b@} % even tables, figures
6609 \end@{equation@} % etc
6611 If $a^2=b$ and \( b=2 \), then the solution must be
6612 either $$ a=+\sqrt@{2@} $$ or \[ a=-\sqrt@{2@} \].
6616 If you need any of the delimiter ASCII sequences for other purposes, you
6617 can configure the option @code{org-format-latex-options} to deselect the
6618 ones you do not wish to have interpreted by the La@TeX{} converter.
6620 @node Processing LaTeX fragments, CDLaTeX mode, LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
6621 @section Processing LaTeX fragments
6622 @cindex LaTeX fragments, preview
6624 La@TeX{} fragments can be processed to produce a preview images of the
6625 typeset expressions:
6630 Produce a preview image of the La@TeX{} fragment at point and overlay it
6631 over the source code. If there is no fragment at point, process all
6632 fragments in the current entry (between two headlines). When called
6633 with a prefix argument, process the entire subtree. When called with
6634 two prefix arguments, or when the cursor is before the first headline,
6635 process the entire buffer.
6638 Remove the overlay preview images.
6641 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), all La@TeX{} fragments are
6642 converted into images and inlined into the document if the following
6646 (setq org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments t)
6649 @node CDLaTeX mode, , Processing LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
6650 @section Using CDLaTeX to enter math
6653 CDLaTeX mode is a minor mode that is normally used in combination with a
6654 major La@TeX{} mode like AUCTeX in order to speed-up insertion of
6655 environments and math templates. Inside Org mode, you can make use of
6656 some of the features of CDLaTeX mode. You need to install
6657 @file{cdlatex.el} and @file{texmathp.el} (the latter comes also with
6658 AUCTeX) from @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/cdlatex}.
6659 Don't use CDLaTeX mode itself under Org mode, but use the light
6660 version @code{org-cdlatex-mode} that comes as part of Org mode. Turn it
6661 on for the current buffer with @code{M-x org-cdlatex-mode}, or for all
6665 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-org-cdlatex)
6668 When this mode is enabled, the following features are present (for more
6669 details see the documentation of CDLaTeX mode):
6673 Environment templates can be inserted with @kbd{C-c @{}.
6676 The @key{TAB} key will do template expansion if the cursor is inside a
6677 La@TeX{} fragment@footnote{Org mode has a method to test if the cursor is
6678 inside such a fragment, see the documentation of the function
6679 @code{org-inside-LaTeX-fragment-p}.}. For example, @key{TAB} will
6680 expand @code{fr} to @code{\frac@{@}@{@}} and position the cursor
6681 correctly inside the first brace. Another @key{TAB} will get you into
6682 the second brace. Even outside fragments, @key{TAB} will expand
6683 environment abbreviations at the beginning of a line. For example, if
6684 you write @samp{equ} at the beginning of a line and press @key{TAB},
6685 this abbreviation will be expanded to an @code{equation} environment.
6686 To get a list of all abbreviations, type @kbd{M-x cdlatex-command-help}.
6690 Pressing @kbd{_} and @kbd{^} inside a La@TeX{} fragment will insert these
6691 characters together with a pair of braces. If you use @key{TAB} to move
6692 out of the braces, and if the braces surround only a single character or
6693 macro, they are removed again (depending on the variable
6694 @code{cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts}).
6697 Pressing the backquote @kbd{`} followed by a character inserts math
6698 macros, also outside La@TeX{} fragments. If you wait more than 1.5 seconds
6699 after the backquote, a help window will pop up.
6702 Pressing the normal quote @kbd{'} followed by another character modifies
6703 the symbol before point with an accent or a font. If you wait more than
6704 1.5 seconds after the backquote, a help window will pop up. Character
6705 modification will work only inside La@TeX{} fragments, outside the quote
6709 @node Exporting, Publishing, Embedded LaTeX, Top
6713 Org mode documents can be exported into a variety of other formats. For
6714 printing and sharing of notes, ASCII export produces a readable and
6715 simple version of an Org file. HTML export allows you to publish a
6716 notes file on the web, while the XOXO format provides a solid base for
6717 exchange with a broad range of other applications. La@TeX{} export lets
6718 you use Org mode and its structured editing functions to easily create
6719 La@TeX{} files. To incorporate entries with associated times like
6720 deadlines or appointments into a desktop calendar program like iCal,
6721 Org mode can also produce extracts in the iCalendar format. Currently
6722 Org mode only supports export, not import of these different formats.
6725 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
6726 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
6727 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
6728 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
6729 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
6730 * LaTeX export:: Exporting to LaTeX
6731 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
6732 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
6735 @node Markup rules, Export options, Exporting, Exporting
6736 @section Markup rules
6738 When exporting Org mode documents, the exporter tries to reflect the
6739 structure of the document as accurately as possible in the back-end. Since
6740 export targets like HTML or La@TeX{} allow much richer formatting, Org mode
6741 has rules how to prepare text for rich export. This section summarizes the
6742 markup rule used in an Org mode buffer.
6745 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
6746 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
6747 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
6748 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
6749 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
6750 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
6751 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
6752 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
6753 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
6754 * Footnotes:: Numbers like [1]
6755 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
6756 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
6757 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
6758 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
6761 @node Document title, Headings and sections, Markup rules, Markup rules
6762 @subheading Document title
6763 @cindex document title, markup rules
6766 The title of the exported document is taken from the special line
6769 #+TITLE: This is the title of the document
6773 If this line does not exist, the title is derived from the first non-empty,
6774 non-comment line in the buffer. If no such line exists, or if you have
6775 turned off exporting of the text before the first headline (see below), the
6776 title will be the file name without extension.
6778 If you are exporting only a subtree by marking is as the region, the heading
6779 of the subtree will become the title of the document. If the subtree has a
6780 property @code{EXPORT_TITLE}, that will take precedence.
6782 @node Headings and sections, Table of contents, Document title, Markup rules
6783 @subheading Headings and sections
6784 @cindex headings and sections, markup rules
6786 The outline structure of the document as described in @ref{Document
6787 Structure} forms the basis for defining sections of the exported document.
6788 However, since the outline structure is also used for (for example) lists of
6789 tasks, only the first three outline levels will be used as headings. Deeper
6790 levels will become itemized lists. You can change the location of this
6791 switch, globally by setting the variable @code{org-headline-levels}, or on a
6792 per file basis with a line
6798 @node Table of contents, Initial text, Headings and sections, Markup rules
6799 @subheading Table of contents
6800 @cindex table of contents, markup rules
6802 The table of contents is normally inserted directly before the first headline
6803 of the file. If you would like to get it to a different location, insert the
6804 string @code{[TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]} on a line by itself at the desired
6805 location. The depth of the table of contents is by default the same as the
6806 number of headline levels, but you can choose a smaller number or turn off
6807 the table of contents entirely by configuring the variable
6808 @code{org-export-with-toc}, or on a per-file basis with a line like
6811 #+OPTIONS: toc:2 (only to two levels in TOC)
6812 #+OPTIONS: toc:nil (no TOC at all)
6815 @node Initial text, Lists, Table of contents, Markup rules
6816 @subheading Text before the first headline
6817 @cindex text before first headline, markup rules
6820 Org mode normally exports the text before the first headline, and even uses
6821 the first line as the document title. The text will be fully marked up. If
6822 you need to include literal HTML or La@TeX{} code, use the special constructs
6823 described below in the sections for the individual exporters.
6825 Some people like to use the space before the first headline for setup and
6826 internal links and therefore would like to control the exported text before
6827 the first headline in a different way. You can do so by setting the variable
6828 @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading} to @code{t}. On a per-file
6829 basis, you can get the same effect with @samp{#+OPTIONS: skip:t}.
6832 If you still want to have some text before the first headline, use the
6833 @code{#+TEXT} construct:
6837 #+TEXT: This text will go before the *first* headline.
6838 #+TEXT: [TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]
6839 #+TEXT: This goes between the table of contents and the first headline
6842 @node Lists, Paragraphs, Initial text, Markup rules
6844 @cindex lists, markup rules
6846 Plain lists as described in @ref{Plain lists} are translated to the back-ends
6847 syntax for such lists. Most back-ends support unordered, ordered, and
6850 @node Paragraphs, Literal examples, Lists, Markup rules
6851 @subheading Paragraphs, line breaks, and quoting
6852 @cindex paragraphs, markup rules
6854 Paragraphs are separated by at least one empty line. If you need to enforce
6855 a line break within a paragraph, use @samp{\\} at the end of a line.
6857 To keep the line breaks in a region, but otherwise use normal formatting, you
6858 can use this construct, which can also be used to format poetry.
6862 Everything should be made as simple as possible,
6863 but not any simpler -- Albert Einstein
6867 When quoting a passage from another document, it is customary to format this
6868 as a paragraph that is indented on both the left and the right margin. You
6869 can include quotations in Org mode documents like this:
6873 Everything should be made as simple as possible,
6874 but not any simpler -- Albert Einstein
6879 @node Literal examples, Include files, Paragraphs, Markup rules
6880 @subheading Literal examples
6881 @cindex literal examples, markup rules
6883 You can include literal examples that should not be subjected to
6884 markup. Such examples will be typeset in monospace, so this is well suited
6885 for source code and similar examples.
6886 @cindex #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
6890 Some example from a text file.
6894 For simplicity when using small examples, you can also start the example
6898 : Some example from a text file.
6901 @cindex formatting source code, markup rules
6902 If the example is source code from a programming language, or any other text
6903 that can be marked up by font-lock in Emacs, you can ask for the example to
6904 look like the fontified Emacs buffer@footnote{Currently this works only for
6905 the HTML back-end, and requires the @file{htmlize.el} package version 1.34 or
6906 later.}. This is done with the @samp{src} block, where you also need to
6907 specify the name of the major mode that should be used to fontify the
6912 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
6913 (defun org-xor (a b)
6922 Edit the source code example at point in its native mode. This works by
6923 switching to an indirect buffer, narrowing the buffer and switching to the
6924 other mode. You need to exit by pressing @kbd{C-c '} again.
6928 @node Include files, Tables exported, Literal examples, Markup rules
6929 @subheading Include files
6930 @cindex include files, markup rules
6932 During export, you can include the content of another file. For example, to
6933 include your .emacs file, you could use:
6937 #+INCLUDE: "~/.emacs" src emacs-lisp
6940 The optional second and third parameter are the markup (@samp{quote},
6941 @samp{example}, or @samp{src}), and, if the markup is @samp{src}, the
6942 language for formatting the contents. The markup is optional, if it is not
6943 given, the text will be assumed to be in Org mode format and will be
6944 processed normally. The include line will also allow additional keyword
6945 parameters @code{:prefix1} and @code{:prefix} to specify prefixes for the
6946 first line and for each following line. For example, to include a file as an
6950 #+INCLUDE: "~/snippets/xx" :prefix1 " + " :prefix " "
6956 Visit the include file at point.
6959 @node Tables exported, Footnotes, Include files, Markup rules
6961 @cindex tables, markup rules
6963 Both the native Org mode tables (@pxref{Tables}) and tables formatted with
6964 the @file{table.el} package will be exported properly. For Org mode tables,
6965 the lines before the first horizontal separator line will become table header
6968 @node Footnotes, Emphasis and monospace, Tables exported, Markup rules
6969 @subheading Footnotes
6970 @cindex footnotes, markup rules
6971 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
6974 Numbers in square brackets are treated as footnote markers, and lines
6975 starting with such a marker are interpreted as the footnote itself. You can
6976 use the Emacs package @file{footnote.el} to create footnotes@footnote{The
6977 @file{footnote} package uses @kbd{C-c !} to invoke its commands. This
6978 binding conflicts with the Org mode command for inserting inactive time
6979 stamps. You could use the variable @code{footnote-prefix} to switch
6980 footnotes commands to another key. Or, if you are too used to this binding,
6981 you could use @code{org-replace-disputed-keys} and @code{org-disputed-keys}
6982 to change the settings in Org.}. For example:
6985 The Org homepage[1] now looks a lot better than it used to.
6987 [1] The link is: http://orgmode.org
6990 @node Emphasis and monospace, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Footnotes, Markup rules
6991 @subheading Emphasis and monospace
6993 @cindex underlined text, markup rules
6994 @cindex bold text, markup rules
6995 @cindex italic text, markup rules
6996 @cindex verbatim text, markup rules
6997 @cindex code text, markup rules
6998 @cindex strike-through text, markup rules
6999 You can make words @b{*bold*}, @i{/italic/}, _underlined_, @code{=code=}
7000 and @code{~verbatim~}, and, if you must, @samp{+strike-through+}. Text
7001 in the code and verbatim string is not processed for Org mode specific
7002 syntax, it is exported verbatim.
7004 @node TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Horizontal rules, Emphasis and monospace, Markup rules
7005 @subheading @TeX{} macros and La@TeX{} fragments
7006 @cindex LaTeX fragments, markup rules
7007 @cindex TeX macros, markup rules
7008 @cindex HTML entities
7009 @cindex LaTeX entities
7011 A @TeX{}-like syntax is used to specify special characters. Where possible,
7012 these will be transformed into the native format of the exporter back-end.
7013 Strings like @code{\alpha} will be exported as @code{α} in the HTML
7014 output, and as @code{$\alpha$} in the La@TeX{} output. Similarly,
7015 @code{\nbsp} will become @code{ } in HTML and @code{~} in La@TeX{}.
7016 This applies for a large number of entities, with names taken from both HTML
7017 and La@TeX{}, see the variable @code{org-html-entities} for the complete
7018 list. If you are unsure about a name, use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} for completion
7019 after having types the backslash and maybe a few characters
7020 (@pxref{Completion}).
7022 La@TeX{} fragments are converted into images for HTML export, and they are
7023 written literally into the La@TeX{} export. See also @ref{Embedded LaTeX}.
7025 Finally, @samp{\-} is treated as a shy hyphen, and @samp{--}, @samp{---}, and
7026 @samp{...} are all converted into special commands creating hyphens of
7027 different lengths or a compact set of dots.
7029 @node Horizontal rules, Comment lines, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Markup rules
7030 @subheading Horizontal rules
7031 @cindex horizontal rules, markup rules
7032 A line consisting of only dashes, and at least 5 of them, will be
7033 exported as a horizontal line (@samp{<hr/>} in HTML).
7035 @node Comment lines, , Horizontal rules, Markup rules
7036 @subheading Comment lines
7037 @cindex comment lines
7038 @cindex exporting, not
7040 Lines starting with @samp{#} in column zero are treated as comments and will
7041 never be exported. Also entire subtrees starting with the word
7042 @samp{COMMENT} will never be exported. Finally, regions surrounded by
7043 @samp{#+BEGIN_COMMENT} ... @samp{#+END_COMMENT} will not be exported.
7048 Toggle the COMMENT keyword at the beginning of an entry.
7051 @node Export options, The export dispatcher, Markup rules, Exporting
7052 @section Export options
7053 @cindex options, for export
7055 @cindex completion, of option keywords
7056 The exporter recognizes special lines in the buffer which provide
7057 additional information. These lines may be put anywhere in the file.
7058 The whole set of lines can be inserted into the buffer with @kbd{C-c
7059 C-e t}. For individual lines, a good way to make sure the keyword is
7060 correct is to type @samp{#+} and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion
7061 (@pxref{Completion}).
7066 Insert template with export options, see example below.
7077 @cindex #+LINK_HOME:
7079 #+TITLE: the title to be shown (default is the buffer name)
7080 #+AUTHOR: the author (default taken from @code{user-full-name})
7081 #+DATE: A date, fixed, of a format string for @code{format-time-string}
7082 #+EMAIL: his/her email address (default from @code{user-mail-address})
7083 #+LANGUAGE: language for HTML, e.g. @samp{en} (@code{org-export-default-language})
7084 #+TEXT: Some descriptive text to be inserted at the beginning.
7085 #+TEXT: Several lines may be given.
7086 #+OPTIONS: H:2 num:t toc:t \n:nil @@:t ::t |:t ^:t f:t TeX:t ...
7087 #+LINK_UP: the ``up'' link of an exported page
7088 #+LINK_HOME: the ``home'' link of an exported page
7092 The OPTIONS line is a compact@footnote{If you want to configure many options
7093 this way, you can use several OPTIONS lines.} form to specify export settings. Here
7095 @cindex headline levels
7096 @cindex section-numbers
7097 @cindex table of contents
7098 @cindex line-break preservation
7099 @cindex quoted HTML tags
7100 @cindex fixed-width sections
7102 @cindex @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts
7104 @cindex special strings
7105 @cindex emphasized text
7106 @cindex @TeX{} macros
7107 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments
7108 @cindex author info, in export
7109 @cindex time info, in export
7111 H: @r{set the number of headline levels for export}
7112 num: @r{turn on/off section-numbers}
7113 toc: @r{turn on/off table of contents, or set level limit (integer)}
7114 \n: @r{turn on/off line-break-preservation}
7115 @@: @r{turn on/off quoted HTML tags}
7116 :: @r{turn on/off fixed-width sections}
7117 |: @r{turn on/off tables}
7118 ^: @r{turn on/off @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts. If}
7119 @r{you write "^:@{@}", @code{a_@{b@}} will be interpreted, but}
7120 @r{the simple @code{a_b} will be left as it is.}
7121 -: @r{turn on/off conversion of special strings.}
7122 f: @r{turn on/off footnotes like this[1].}
7123 *: @r{turn on/off emphasized text (bold, italic, underlined)}
7124 TeX: @r{turn on/off simple @TeX{} macros in plain text}
7125 LaTeX: @r{turn on/off La@TeX{} fragments}
7126 skip: @r{turn on/off skipping the text before the first heading}
7127 author: @r{turn on/off inclusion of author name/email into exported file}
7128 timestamp: @r{turn on/off inclusion creation time into exported file}
7129 d: @r{turn on/off inclusion of drawers}
7132 These options take effect in both the HTML and La@TeX{} export, except
7133 for @code{TeX} and @code{LaTeX}, which are respectively @code{t} and
7134 @code{nil} for the La@TeX{} export.
7136 When exporting only a single subtree by selecting it with @kbd{C-c @@} before
7137 calling an export command, the subtree can overrule some of the file's export
7138 settings with properties @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}, @code{EXPORT_TITLE},
7139 @code{EXPORT_TEXT}, and @code{EXPORT_OPTIONS}.
7141 @node The export dispatcher, ASCII export, Export options, Exporting
7142 @section The export dispatcher
7143 @cindex dispatcher, for export commands
7145 All export commands can be reached using the export dispatcher, which is a
7146 prefix key that prompts for an additional key specifying the command.
7147 Normally the entire file is exported, but if there is an active region that
7148 contains one outline tree, the first heading is used as document title and
7149 the subtrees are exported.
7154 Dispatcher for export and publishing commands. Displays a help-window
7155 listing the additional key(s) needed to launch an export or publishing
7156 command. The prefix arg is passed through to the exporter. If the option
7157 @code{org-export-run-in-background} is set, Org will run the command in the
7158 background if that seems useful for the specific command (i.e. commands that
7162 Like @kbd{C-c C-e}, but only export the text that is currently visible
7163 (i.e. not hidden by outline visibility).
7164 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-e
7165 @item C-u C-u C-c C-e
7166 Call an the exporter, but reverse the setting of
7167 @code{org-export-run-in-background}, i.e. request background processing if
7168 not set, or force processing in the current Emacs process if st.
7171 @node ASCII export, HTML export, The export dispatcher, Exporting
7172 @section ASCII export
7173 @cindex ASCII export
7175 ASCII export produces a simple and very readable version of an Org mode
7178 @cindex region, active
7179 @cindex active region
7180 @cindex Transient mark mode
7184 Export as ASCII file. For an org file @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file
7185 will be @file{myfile.txt}. The file will be overwritten without
7186 warning. If there is an active region, only the region will be
7187 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
7188 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will
7189 become the document title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an
7190 @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME} property, that name will be used for the
7194 Export only the visible part of the document.
7197 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
7198 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
7199 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
7200 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
7201 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
7208 creates only top level headlines and does the rest as items. When
7209 headlines are converted to items, the indentation of the text following
7210 the headline is changed to fit nicely under the item. This is done with
7211 the assumption that the first body line indicates the base indentation of
7212 the body text. Any indentation larger than this is adjusted to preserve
7213 the layout relative to the first line. Should there be lines with less
7214 indentation than the first, these are left alone.
7216 @node HTML export, LaTeX export, ASCII export, Exporting
7217 @section HTML export
7220 Org mode contains an HTML (XHTML 1.0 strict) exporter with extensive
7221 HTML formatting, in ways similar to John Grubers @emph{markdown}
7222 language, but with additional support for tables.
7225 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
7226 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
7227 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
7228 * Images:: How to include images
7229 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
7230 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
7233 @node HTML Export commands, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export, HTML export
7234 @subsection HTML export commands
7236 @cindex region, active
7237 @cindex active region
7238 @cindex Transient mark mode
7242 Export as HTML file @file{myfile.html}. For an org file @file{myfile.org},
7243 the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.html}. The file will be overwritten
7244 without warning. If there is an active region, only the region will be
7245 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
7246 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
7247 title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
7248 property, that name will be used for the export.
7251 Export as HTML file and immediately open it with a browser.
7254 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
7257 Export the active region to a temporary buffer. With a prefix argument, do
7258 not produce the file header and footer, but just the plain HTML section for
7259 the region. This is good for cut-and-paste operations.
7268 Export only the visible part of the document.
7269 @item M-x org-export-region-as-html
7270 Convert the region to HTML under the assumption that it was Org mode
7271 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
7273 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-HTML
7274 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by HTML
7278 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
7279 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become headlines,
7280 defining a general document structure. Additional levels will be exported as
7281 itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur at a different level,
7282 specify it with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
7289 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
7291 @node Quoting HTML tags, Links, HTML Export commands, HTML export
7292 @subsection Quoting HTML tags
7294 Plain @samp{<} and @samp{>} are always transformed to @samp{<} and
7295 @samp{>} in HTML export. If you want to include simple HTML tags
7296 which should be interpreted as such, mark them with @samp{@@} as in
7297 @samp{@@<b>bold text@@</b>}. Note that this really works only for
7298 simple tags. For more extensive HTML that should be copied verbatim to
7299 the exported file use either
7302 #+HTML: Literal HTML code for export
7306 @cindex #+BEGIN_HTML
7310 All lines between these markers are exported literally
7315 @node Links, Images, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export
7318 @cindex links, in HTML export
7319 @cindex internal links, in HTML export
7320 @cindex external links, in HTML export
7321 Internal links (@pxref{Internal links}) will continue to work in HTML
7322 files only if they match a dedicated @samp{<<target>>}. Automatic links
7323 created by radio targets (@pxref{Radio targets}) will also work in the
7324 HTML file. Links to external files will still work if the HTML file is
7325 in the same directory as the Org file. Links to other @file{.org}
7326 files will be translated into HTML links under the assumption that an
7327 HTML version also exists of the linked file. For information related to
7328 linking files while publishing them to a publishing directory see
7329 @ref{Publishing links}.
7331 @node Images, CSS support, Links, HTML export
7334 @cindex images, inline in HTML
7335 @cindex inlining images in HTML
7336 HTML export can inline images given as links in the Org file, and
7337 it can make an image the clickable part of a link. By
7338 default@footnote{but see the variable
7339 @code{org-export-html-inline-images}}, images are inlined if a link does
7340 not have a description. So @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg]]} will be inlined,
7341 while @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg][the image]]} will just produce a link
7342 @samp{the image} that points to the image. If the description part
7343 itself is a @code{file:} link or a @code{http:} URL pointing to an
7344 image, this image will be inlined and activated so that clicking on the
7345 image will activate the link. For example, to include a thumbnail that
7346 will link to a high resolution version of the image, you could use:
7349 [[file:highres.jpg][file:thumb.jpg]]
7353 and you could use @code{http} addresses just as well.
7355 @node CSS support, Javascript support, Images, HTML export
7356 @subsection CSS support
7357 @cindex CSS, for HTML export
7358 @cindex HTML export, CSS
7360 You can also give style information for the exported file. The HTML
7361 exporter assigns the following CSS classes to appropriate parts of the
7362 document - your style specifications may change these:
7364 .todo @r{TODO keywords}
7365 .done @r{the DONE keyword}
7366 .timestamp @r{time stamp}
7367 .timestamp-kwd @r{keyword associated with a time stamp, like SCHEDULED}
7368 .tag @r{tag in a headline}
7369 .target @r{target for links}
7372 Each exported files contains a compact default style that defines these
7373 classes in a basic way. You may overwrite these settings, or add to them by
7374 using the variables @code{org-export-html-style} (for Org-wide settings) and
7375 @code{org-export-html-style-extra} (for more granular settings, like
7376 file-local settings). If you want to use a file-local style, you may use
7377 file variables, best wrapped into a COMMENT section at the end of the outline
7378 tree. For example@footnote{Under Emacs 21, the continuation lines for a
7379 variable value should have no @samp{#} at the start of the line.}:
7382 * COMMENT html style specifications
7385 # org-export-html-style-extra:
7387 # p @{font-weight: normal; color: gray; @}
7388 # h1 @{color: black; @}
7393 Remember to execute @kbd{M-x normal-mode} after changing this to make the new
7394 style immediately visible to Emacs. This command restarts Org mode for the
7395 current buffer and forces Emacs to re-evaluate the local variables section in
7398 @c FIXME: More about header and footer styles
7399 @c FIXME: Talk about links and targets.
7401 @node Javascript support, , CSS support, HTML export
7402 @subsection Javascript supported display of web pages
7404 @emph{Sebastian Rose} has written a JavaScript program especially designed to
7405 enhance the web viewing experience of HTML files created with Org. This
7406 program allows to view large files in two different ways. The first one is
7407 an @emph{Info}-like mode where each section is displayed separately and
7408 navigation can be done with the @kbd{n} and @kbd{p} keys (and some other keys
7409 as well, press @kbd{?} for an overview of the available keys). The second
7410 view type is a @emph{folding} view much like Org provides it inside Emacs.
7411 The script is available at @url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js} and you can
7412 find the documentation for it at
7413 @url{http://orgmode.org/worg/code/org-info-js/org-info.js.html}. We are
7414 serving the script from our site, but if you use it a lot, you might not want
7415 to be dependent on @url{orgmode.org} and prefer to install a local copy on
7416 your own web server.
7418 To use the script, you need to make sure that the @file{org-jsinfo.el} module
7419 gets loaded. It should be loaded by default, try @kbd{M-x customize-variable
7420 @key{RET} org-modules @key{RET}} to convince yourself that this is indeed the
7421 case. All it then takes to make use of the program is adding a single line
7425 #+INFOJS_OPT: view:info toc:nil
7429 If this line is found, the HTML header will automatically contain the code
7430 needed to invoke the script. Using the line above, you can set the following
7434 path: @r{The path to the script. The default is to grab the script from}
7435 @r{@url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js}, but you might want to have}
7436 @r{a local copy and use a path like @samp{../scripts/org-info.js}.}
7437 view: @r{Initial view when website is first shown. Possible values are:}
7438 info @r{Info-like interface with one section per page.}
7439 overview @r{Folding interface, initially showing only top-level.}
7440 content @r{Folding interface, starting with all headlines visible.}
7441 showall @r{Folding interface, all headlines and text visible.}
7442 sdepth: @r{Maximum headline level that will still become an independent}
7443 @r{section for info and folding modes. The default is taken from}
7444 @r{@code{org-headline-levels} (= the @code{H} switch in @code{#+OPTIONS}).}
7445 @r{If this is smaller than in @code{org-headline-levels}, each}
7446 @r{info/folding section can still contain children headlines.}
7447 toc: @r{Should the table of content @emph{initially} be visible?}
7448 @r{Even when @code{nil}, you can always get to the toc with @kbd{i}.}
7449 tdepth: @r{The depth of the table of contents. The defaults are taken from}
7450 @r{the variables @code{org-headline-levels} and @code{org-export-with-toc}.}
7451 ftoc: @r{Does the css of the page specify a fixed position for the toc?}
7452 @r{If yes, the toc will never be displayed as a section.}
7453 ltoc: @r{Should there be short contents (children) in each section?}
7454 mouse: @r{Headings are highlighted when the mouse is over them. Should be}
7455 @r{@samp{underline} (default) or a background color like @samp{#cccccc}.}
7456 buttons: @r{Should view-toggle buttons be everywhere? When @code{nil} (the}
7457 @r{default), only one such button will be present.}
7460 You can choose default values for these options by customizing the variable
7461 @code{org-infojs-options}. If you always want to apply the script to your
7462 pages, configure the variable @code{org-export-html-use-infojs}.
7464 @node LaTeX export, XOXO export, HTML export, Exporting
7465 @section LaTeX export
7466 @cindex LaTeX export
7468 Org mode contains a La@TeX{} exporter written by Bastien Guerry.
7471 * LaTeX export commands:: How to invoke LaTeX export
7472 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
7473 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
7476 @node LaTeX export commands, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX export, LaTeX export
7477 @subsection LaTeX export commands
7482 Export as La@TeX{} file @file{myfile.tex}. For an org file
7483 @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.tex}. The file will
7484 be overwritten without warning. If there is an active region, only the
7485 region will be exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To
7486 select the current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the
7487 document title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an
7488 @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME} property, that name will be used for the export.
7491 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
7496 Export only the visible part of the document.
7497 @item M-x org-export-region-as-latex
7498 Convert the region to La@TeX{} under the assumption that it was Org mode
7499 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
7501 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-latex
7502 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by La@TeX{}
7506 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
7507 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
7508 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
7509 will be exported as description lists. The exporter can ignore them or
7510 convert them to a custom string depending on
7511 @code{org-latex-low-levels}.
7513 If you want that transition to occur at a different level, specify it
7514 with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
7521 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
7523 @node Quoting LaTeX code, Sectioning structure, LaTeX export commands, LaTeX export
7524 @subsection Quoting LaTeX code
7526 Embedded La@TeX{} as described in @ref{Embedded LaTeX} will be correctly
7527 inserted into the La@TeX{} file. Furthermore, you can add special code
7528 that should only be present in La@TeX{} export with the following
7532 #+LaTeX: Literal LaTeX code for export
7536 @cindex #+BEGIN_LaTeX
7540 All lines between these markers are exported literally
7544 @node Sectioning structure, , Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX export
7545 @subsection Sectioning structure
7547 @cindex LaTeX sectioning structure
7549 By default, the La@TeX{} output uses the class @code{article}.
7551 You can change this globally by setting a different value for
7552 @code{org-export-latex-default-class} or locally by adding an option
7553 like @code{#+LaTeX_CLASS: myclass} in your file. The class should be
7554 listed in @code{org-export-latex-classes}, where you can also define the
7555 sectioning structure for each class.
7558 @node XOXO export, iCalendar export, LaTeX export, Exporting
7559 @section XOXO export
7562 Org mode contains an exporter that produces XOXO-style output.
7563 Currently, this exporter only handles the general outline structure and
7564 does not interpret any additional Org mode features.
7569 Export as XOXO file @file{myfile.html}.
7572 Export only the visible part of the document.
7575 @node iCalendar export, , XOXO export, Exporting
7576 @section iCalendar export
7577 @cindex iCalendar export
7579 Some people like to use Org mode for keeping track of projects, but still
7580 prefer a standard calendar application for anniversaries and appointments.
7581 In this case it can be useful to have deadlines and other time-stamped items
7582 in Org files show up in the calendar application. Org mode can export
7583 calendar information in the standard iCalendar format. If you also want to
7584 have TODO entries included in the export, configure the variable
7585 @code{org-icalendar-include-todo}. iCalendar export will export plain time
7586 stamps as VEVENT, and TODO items as VTODO. It will also create events from
7587 deadlines that are in non-TODO items. Deadlines and scheduling dates in TODO
7588 items will be used to set the start and due dates for the todo
7589 entry@footnote{See the variables @code{org-icalendar-use-deadline} and
7590 @code{org-icalendar-use-scheduled}.}.
7592 The iCalendar standard requires each entry to have a globally unique
7593 identifier (UID). Org creates these identifiers during export. If you set
7594 the variable @code{org-icalendar-store-UID}, the UID will be stored in the
7595 @code{:ID:} property of the entry and re-used next time you report this
7596 entry. Since a single entry can give rise to multiple iCalendar entries (as
7597 a timestamp, a deadline, a scheduled item, and as a TODO item), Org adds
7598 prefixes to the UID, depending on what triggered the inclusion of the entry.
7599 In this way the UID remains unique, but a synchronization program can still
7600 figure out from which entry all the different instances originate.
7605 Create iCalendar entries for the current file and store them in the same
7606 directory, using a file extension @file{.ics}.
7609 Like @kbd{C-c C-e i}, but do this for all files in
7610 @code{org-agenda-files}. For each of these files, a separate iCalendar
7611 file will be written.
7614 Create a single large iCalendar file from all files in
7615 @code{org-agenda-files} and write it to the file given by
7616 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}.
7619 The export will honor SUMMARY, DESCRIPTION and LOCATION properties if
7620 the selected entries have them. If not, the summary will be derived
7621 from the headline, and the description from the body (limited to
7622 @code{org-icalendar-include-body} characters).
7624 How this calendar is best read and updated, that depends on the application
7625 you are using. The FAQ covers this issue.
7627 @node Publishing, Miscellaneous, Exporting, Top
7631 Org includes@footnote{@file{org-publish.el} is not distributed with
7632 Emacs 21, if you are still using Emacs 21, you need you need to download
7633 this file separately.} a publishing management system that allows you to
7634 configure automatic HTML conversion of @emph{projects} composed of
7635 interlinked org files. This system is called @emph{org-publish}. You can
7636 also configure org-publish to automatically upload your exported HTML
7637 pages and related attachments, such as images and source code files, to
7638 a web server. Org-publish turns Org into a web-site authoring tool.
7640 You can also use Org-publish to convert files into La@TeX{}, or even
7641 combine HTML and La@TeX{} conversion so that files are available in both
7642 formats on the server@footnote{Since La@TeX{} files on a server are not
7643 that helpful, you surely want to perform further conversion on them --
7644 e.g. convert them to @code{PDF} format.}.
7646 Org-publish has been contributed to Org by David O'Toole.
7649 * Configuration:: Defining projects
7650 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
7651 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
7654 @node Configuration, Sample configuration, Publishing, Publishing
7655 @section Configuration
7657 Publishing needs significant configuration to specify files, destination
7658 and many other properties of a project.
7661 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
7662 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
7663 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
7664 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
7665 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
7666 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
7667 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
7670 @node Project alist, Sources and destinations, Configuration, Configuration
7671 @subsection The variable @code{org-publish-project-alist}
7672 @cindex org-publish-project-alist
7673 @cindex projects, for publishing
7675 Org-publish is configured almost entirely through setting the value of
7676 one variable, called @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
7677 Each element of the list configures one project, and may be in one of
7678 the two following forms:
7681 ("project-name" :property value :property value ...)
7685 ("project-name" :components ("project-name" "project-name" ...))
7689 In both cases, projects are configured by specifying property values.
7690 A project defines the set of files that will be published, as well as
7691 the publishing configuration to use when publishing those files. When
7692 a project takes the second form listed above, the individual members
7693 of the ``components'' property are taken to be components of the
7694 project, which group together files requiring different publishing
7695 options. When you publish such a ``meta-project'' all the components
7698 @node Sources and destinations, Selecting files, Project alist, Configuration
7699 @subsection Sources and destinations for files
7700 @cindex directories, for publishing
7702 Most properties are optional, but some should always be set. In
7703 particular, org-publish needs to know where to look for source files,
7704 and where to put published files.
7706 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
7707 @item @code{:base-directory}
7708 @tab Directory containing publishing source files
7709 @item @code{:publishing-directory}
7710 @tab Directory (possibly remote) where output files will be published.
7711 @item @code{:preparation-function}
7712 @tab Function called before starting the publishing process, for example to
7713 run @code{make} for updating files to be published.
7714 @item @code{:completion-function}
7715 @tab Function called after finishing the publishing process, for example to
7716 change permissions of the resulting files.
7720 @node Selecting files, Publishing action, Sources and destinations, Configuration
7721 @subsection Selecting files
7722 @cindex files, selecting for publishing
7724 By default, all files with extension @file{.org} in the base directory
7725 are considered part of the project. This can be modified by setting the
7727 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
7728 @item @code{:base-extension}
7729 @tab Extension (without the dot!) of source files. This actually is a
7732 @item @code{:exclude}
7733 @tab Regular expression to match file names that should not be
7734 published, even though they have been selected on the basis of their
7737 @item @code{:include}
7738 @tab List of files to be included regardless of @code{:base-extension}
7739 and @code{:exclude}.
7742 @node Publishing action, Publishing options, Selecting files, Configuration
7743 @subsection Publishing action
7744 @cindex action, for publishing
7746 Publishing means that a file is copied to the destination directory and
7747 possibly transformed in the process. The default transformation is to
7748 export Org files as HTML files, and this is done by the function
7749 @code{org-publish-org-to-html} which calls the HTML exporter
7750 (@pxref{HTML export}). But you also can publish your files in La@TeX{} by
7751 using the function @code{org-publish-org-to-latex} instead. Other files
7752 like images only need to be copied to the publishing destination. For
7753 non-Org files, you need to specify the publishing function.
7756 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
7757 @item @code{:publishing-function}
7758 @tab Function executing the publication of a file. This may also be a
7759 list of functions, which will all be called in turn.
7762 The function must accept two arguments: a property list containing at
7763 least a @code{:publishing-directory} property, and the name of the file
7764 to be published. It should take the specified file, make the necessary
7765 transformation (if any) and place the result into the destination folder.
7766 You can write your own publishing function, but @code{org-publish}
7767 provides one for attachments (files that only need to be copied):
7768 @code{org-publish-attachment}.
7770 @node Publishing options, Publishing links, Publishing action, Configuration
7771 @subsection Options for the HTML/LaTeX exporters
7772 @cindex options, for publishing
7774 The property list can be used to set many export options for the HTML
7775 and La@TeX{} exporters. In most cases, these properties correspond to user
7776 variables in Org. The table below lists these properties along
7777 with the variable they belong to. See the documentation string for the
7778 respective variable for details.
7780 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
7781 @item @code{:language} @tab @code{org-export-default-language}
7782 @item @code{:headline-levels} @tab @code{org-export-headline-levels}
7783 @item @code{:section-numbers} @tab @code{org-export-with-section-numbers}
7784 @item @code{:table-of-contents} @tab @code{org-export-with-toc}
7785 @item @code{:archived-trees} @tab @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}
7786 @item @code{:emphasize} @tab @code{org-export-with-emphasize}
7787 @item @code{:sub-superscript} @tab @code{org-export-with-sub-superscripts}
7788 @item @code{:special-strings} @tab @code{org-export-with-special-strings}
7789 @item @code{:TeX-macros} @tab @code{org-export-with-TeX-macros}
7790 @item @code{:LaTeX-fragments} @tab @code{org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments}
7791 @item @code{:fixed-width} @tab @code{org-export-with-fixed-width}
7792 @item @code{:timestamps} @tab @code{org-export-with-timestamps}
7793 @item @code{:author-info} @tab @code{org-export-author-info}
7794 @item @code{:creator-info} @tab @code{org-export-creator-info}
7795 @item @code{:tags} @tab @code{org-export-with-tags}
7796 @item @code{:tables} @tab @code{org-export-with-tables}
7797 @item @code{:table-auto-headline} @tab @code{org-export-highlight-first-table-line}
7798 @item @code{:style} @tab @code{org-export-html-style}
7799 @item @code{:style-extra} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-extra}
7800 @item @code{:convert-org-links} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html}
7801 @item @code{:inline-images} @tab @code{org-export-html-inline-images}
7802 @item @code{:expand-quoted-html} @tab @code{org-export-html-expand}
7803 @item @code{:timestamp} @tab @code{org-export-html-with-timestamp}
7804 @item @code{:publishing-directory} @tab @code{org-export-publishing-directory}
7805 @item @code{:preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-preamble}
7806 @item @code{:postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-postamble}
7807 @item @code{:auto-preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-preamble}
7808 @item @code{:auto-postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-postamble}
7809 @item @code{:author} @tab @code{user-full-name}
7810 @item @code{:email} @tab @code{user-mail-address}
7813 If you use several email addresses, separate them by a semi-column.
7815 Most of the @code{org-export-with-*} variables have the same effect in
7816 both HTML and La@TeX{} exporters, except for @code{:TeX-macros} and
7817 @code{:LaTeX-fragments}, respectively @code{nil} and @code{t} in the
7820 When a property is given a value in @code{org-publish-project-alist},
7821 its setting overrides the value of the corresponding user variable (if
7822 any) during publishing. Options set within a file (@pxref{Export
7823 options}), however, override everything.
7825 @node Publishing links, Project page index, Publishing options, Configuration
7826 @subsection Links between published files
7827 @cindex links, publishing
7829 To create a link from one Org file to another, you would use
7830 something like @samp{[[file:foo.org][The foo]]} or simply
7831 @samp{file:foo.org.} (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). Upon publishing this link
7832 becomes a link to @file{foo.html}. In this way, you can interlink the
7833 pages of your "org web" project and the links will work as expected when
7834 you publish them to HTML.
7836 You may also link to related files, such as images. Provided you are
7837 careful with relative pathnames, and provided you have also configured
7838 @code{org-publish} to upload the related files, these links will work
7839 too. @ref{Complex example} for an example of this usage.
7841 Sometime an Org file to be published may contain links that are
7842 only valid in your production environment, but not in the publishing
7843 location. In this case, use the property
7845 @multitable @columnfractions 0.4 0.6
7846 @item @code{:link-validation-function}
7847 @tab Function to validate links
7851 to define a function for checking link validity. This function must
7852 accept two arguments, the file name and a directory relative to which
7853 the file name is interpreted in the production environment. If this
7854 function returns @code{nil}, then the HTML generator will only insert a
7855 description into the HTML file, but no link. One option for this
7856 function is @code{org-publish-validate-link} which checks if the given
7857 file is part of any project in @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
7859 @node Project page index, , Publishing links, Configuration
7860 @subsection Project page index
7861 @cindex index, of published pages
7863 The following properties may be used to control publishing of an
7864 index of files or summary page for a given project.
7866 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
7867 @item @code{:auto-index}
7868 @tab When non-nil, publish an index during org-publish-current-project or
7871 @item @code{:index-filename}
7872 @tab Filename for output of index. Defaults to @file{index.org} (which
7873 becomes @file{index.html}).
7875 @item @code{:index-title}
7876 @tab Title of index page. Defaults to name of file.
7878 @item @code{:index-function}
7879 @tab Plug-in function to use for generation of index.
7880 Defaults to @code{org-publish-org-index}, which generates a plain list
7881 of links to all files in the project.
7884 @node Sample configuration, Triggering publication, Configuration, Publishing
7885 @section Sample configuration
7887 Below we provide two example configurations. The first one is a simple
7888 project publishing only a set of Org files. The second example is
7889 more complex, with a multi-component project.
7892 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
7893 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
7896 @node Simple example, Complex example, Sample configuration, Sample configuration
7897 @subsection Example: simple publishing configuration
7899 This example publishes a set of Org files to the @file{public_html}
7900 directory on the local machine.
7903 (setq org-publish-project-alist
7905 :base-directory "~/org/"
7906 :publishing-directory "~/public_html"
7907 :section-numbers nil
7908 :table-of-contents nil
7909 :style "<link rel=stylesheet
7910 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\"
7911 type=\"text/css\">")))
7914 @node Complex example, , Simple example, Sample configuration
7915 @subsection Example: complex publishing configuration
7917 This more complicated example publishes an entire website, including
7918 org files converted to HTML, image files, emacs lisp source code, and
7919 style sheets. The publishing-directory is remote and private files are
7922 To ensure that links are preserved, care should be taken to replicate
7923 your directory structure on the web server, and to use relative file
7924 paths. For example, if your org files are kept in @file{~/org} and your
7925 publishable images in @file{~/images}, you'd link to an image with
7928 file:../images/myimage.png
7931 On the web server, the relative path to the image should be the
7932 same. You can accomplish this by setting up an "images" folder in the
7933 right place on the web server, and publishing images to it.
7936 (setq org-publish-project-alist
7938 :base-directory "~/org/"
7939 :base-extension "org"
7940 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/notebook/"
7941 :publishing-function org-publish-org-to-html
7942 :exclude "PrivatePage.org" ;; regexp
7944 :section-numbers nil
7945 :table-of-contents nil
7946 :style "<link rel=stylesheet
7947 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\" type=\"text/css\">"
7949 :auto-postamble nil)
7952 :base-directory "~/images/"
7953 :base-extension "jpg\\|gif\\|png"
7954 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/images/"
7955 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
7958 :base-directory "~/other/"
7959 :base-extension "css\\|el"
7960 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/other/"
7961 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
7962 ("website" :components ("orgfiles" "images" "other"))))
7965 @node Triggering publication, , Sample configuration, Publishing
7966 @section Triggering publication
7968 Once org-publish is properly configured, you can publish with the
7969 following functions:
7973 Prompt for a specific project and publish all files that belong to it.
7975 Publish the project containing the current file.
7977 Publish only the current file.
7979 Publish all projects.
7982 Org uses timestamps to track when a file has changed. The above
7983 functions normally only publish changed files. You can override this and
7984 force publishing of all files by giving a prefix argument.
7986 @node Miscellaneous, Extensions, Publishing, Top
7987 @chapter Miscellaneous
7990 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
7991 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
7992 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
7993 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
7994 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
7995 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
7996 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
7997 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
8000 @node Completion, Customization, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous
8002 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
8003 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
8004 @cindex completion, of dictionary words
8005 @cindex completion, of option keywords
8006 @cindex completion, of tags
8007 @cindex completion, of property keys
8008 @cindex completion, of link abbreviations
8009 @cindex @TeX{} symbol completion
8010 @cindex TODO keywords completion
8011 @cindex dictionary word completion
8012 @cindex option keyword completion
8013 @cindex tag completion
8014 @cindex link abbreviations, completion of
8016 Org supports in-buffer completion. This type of completion does
8017 not make use of the minibuffer. You simply type a few letters into
8018 the buffer and use the key to complete text right there.
8023 Complete word at point
8026 At the beginning of a headline, complete TODO keywords.
8028 After @samp{\}, complete @TeX{} symbols supported by the exporter.
8030 After @samp{*}, complete headlines in the current buffer so that they
8031 can be used in search links like @samp{[[*find this headline]]}.
8033 After @samp{:} in a headline, complete tags. The list of tags is taken
8034 from the variable @code{org-tag-alist} (possibly set through the
8035 @samp{#+TAGS} in-buffer option, @pxref{Setting tags}), or it is created
8036 dynamically from all tags used in the current buffer.
8038 After @samp{:} and not in a headline, complete property keys. The list
8039 of keys is constructed dynamically from all keys used in the current
8042 After @samp{[}, complete link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}).
8044 After @samp{#+}, complete the special keywords like @samp{TYP_TODO} or
8045 @samp{OPTIONS} which set file-specific options for Org mode. When the
8046 option keyword is already complete, pressing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} again
8047 will insert example settings for this keyword.
8049 In the line after @samp{#+STARTUP: }, complete startup keywords,
8050 i.e. valid keys for this line.
8052 Elsewhere, complete dictionary words using Ispell.
8056 @node Customization, In-buffer settings, Completion, Miscellaneous
8057 @section Customization
8058 @cindex customization
8059 @cindex options, for customization
8060 @cindex variables, for customization
8062 There are more than 180 variables that can be used to customize
8063 Org. For the sake of compactness of the manual, I am not
8064 describing the variables here. A structured overview of customization
8065 variables is available with @kbd{M-x org-customize}. Or select
8066 @code{Browse Org Group} from the @code{Org->Customization} menu. Many
8067 settings can also be activated on a per-file basis, by putting special
8068 lines into the buffer (@pxref{In-buffer settings}).
8070 @node In-buffer settings, The very busy C-c C-c key, Customization, Miscellaneous
8071 @section Summary of in-buffer settings
8072 @cindex in-buffer settings
8073 @cindex special keywords
8075 Org mode uses special lines in the buffer to define settings on a
8076 per-file basis. These lines start with a @samp{#+} followed by a
8077 keyword, a colon, and then individual words defining a setting. Several
8078 setting words can be in the same line, but you can also have multiple
8079 lines for the keyword. While these settings are described throughout
8080 the manual, here is a summary. After changing any of those lines in the
8081 buffer, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to
8082 activate the changes immediately. Otherwise they become effective only
8083 when the file is visited again in a new Emacs session.
8086 @item #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
8087 This line sets the archive location for the agenda file. It applies for
8088 all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+ARCHIVE} line, or the end
8089 of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
8090 The corresponding variable is @code{org-archive-location}.
8092 This line sets the category for the agenda file. The category applies
8093 for all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+CATEGORY} line, or the
8094 end of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
8095 @item #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM .....
8096 Set the default format for columns view. This format applies when
8097 columns view is invoked in location where no @code{COLUMNS} property
8099 @item #+CONSTANTS: name1=value1 ...
8100 Set file-local values for constants to be used in table formulas. This
8101 line set the local variable @code{org-table-formula-constants-local}.
8102 The global version of this variable is
8103 @code{org-table-formula-constants}.
8104 @item #+FILETAGS: :tag1:tag2:tag3:
8105 Set tags that can be inherited by any entry in the file, including the
8107 @item #+DRAWERS: NAME1 .....
8108 Set the file-local set of drawers. The corresponding global variable is
8110 @item #+LINK: linkword replace
8111 These lines (several are allowed) specify link abbreviations.
8112 @xref{Link abbreviations}. The corresponding variable is
8113 @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}.
8114 @item #+PRIORITIES: highest lowest default
8115 This line sets the limits and the default for the priorities. All three
8116 must be either letters A-Z or numbers 0-9. The highest priority must
8117 have a lower ASCII number that the lowest priority.
8118 @item #+PROPERTY: Property_Name Value
8119 This line sets a default inheritance value for entries in the current
8120 buffer, most useful for specifying the allowed values of a property.
8121 @item #+SETUPFILE: file
8122 This line defines a file that holds more in-buffer setup. Normally this is
8123 entirely ignored. Only when the buffer is parsed for option-setting lines
8124 (i.e. when starting Org mode for a file, when pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} in a
8125 settings line, or when exporting), then the contents of this file are parsed
8126 as if they had been included in the buffer. In particlar, the file can be
8127 any other Org mode file with internal setup. You can visit the file the
8128 cursor is in the line with @kbd{C-c '}.
8130 This line sets options to be used at startup of Org mode, when an
8131 Org file is being visited. The first set of options deals with the
8132 initial visibility of the outline tree. The corresponding variable for
8133 global default settings is @code{org-startup-folded}, with a default
8134 value @code{t}, which means @code{overview}.
8135 @cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
8136 @cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
8137 @cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
8139 overview @r{top-level headlines only}
8140 content @r{all headlines}
8141 showall @r{no folding at all, show everything}
8143 Then there are options for aligning tables upon visiting a file. This
8144 is useful in files containing narrowed table columns. The corresponding
8145 variable is @code{org-startup-align-all-tables}, with a default value
8147 @cindex @code{align}, STARTUP keyword
8148 @cindex @code{noalign}, STARTUP keyword
8150 align @r{align all tables}
8151 noalign @r{don't align tables on startup}
8153 Logging closing and reinstating TODO items, and clock intervals
8154 (variables @code{org-log-done}, @code{org-log-note-clock-out}, and
8155 @code{org-log-repeat}) can be configured using these options.
8156 @cindex @code{logdone}, STARTUP keyword
8157 @cindex @code{lognotedone}, STARTUP keyword
8158 @cindex @code{nologdone}, STARTUP keyword
8159 @cindex @code{lognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
8160 @cindex @code{nolognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
8161 @cindex @code{logrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8162 @cindex @code{lognoterepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8163 @cindex @code{nologrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8165 logdone @r{record a timestamp when an item is marked DONE}
8166 lognotedone @r{record timestamp and a note when DONE}
8167 nologdone @r{don't record when items are marked DONE}
8168 logrepeat @r{record a time when reinstating a repeating item}
8169 lognoterepeat @r{record a note when reinstating a repeating item}
8170 nologrepeat @r{do not record when reinstating repeating item}
8171 lognoteclock-out @r{record a note when clocking out}
8172 nolognoteclock-out @r{don't record a note when clocking out}
8174 Here are the options for hiding leading stars in outline headings, and for
8175 indenting outlines. The corresponding variables are
8176 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} and @code{org-odd-levels-only}, both with a
8177 default setting @code{nil} (meaning @code{showstars} and @code{oddeven}).
8178 @cindex @code{hidestars}, STARTUP keyword
8179 @cindex @code{showstars}, STARTUP keyword
8180 @cindex @code{odd}, STARTUP keyword
8181 @cindex @code{even}, STARTUP keyword
8183 hidestars @r{make all but one of the stars starting a headline invisible.}
8184 showstars @r{show all stars starting a headline}
8185 indent @r{virtual indentation according to outline level}
8186 noindent @r{no virtual indentation according to outline level}
8187 odd @r{allow only odd outline levels (1,3,...)}
8188 oddeven @r{allow all outline levels}
8190 To turn on custom format overlays over time stamps (variables
8191 @code{org-put-time-stamp-overlays} and
8192 @code{org-time-stamp-overlay-formats}), use
8193 @cindex @code{customtime}, STARTUP keyword
8195 customtime @r{overlay custom time format}
8197 The following options influence the table spreadsheet (variable
8198 @code{constants-unit-system}).
8199 @cindex @code{constcgs}, STARTUP keyword
8200 @cindex @code{constSI}, STARTUP keyword
8202 constcgs @r{@file{constants.el} should use the c-g-s unit system}
8203 constSI @r{@file{constants.el} should use the SI unit system}
8205 @item #+TAGS: TAG1(c1) TAG2(c2)
8206 These lines (several such lines are allowed) specify the valid tags in
8207 this file, and (potentially) the corresponding @emph{fast tag selection}
8208 keys. The corresponding variable is @code{org-tag-alist}.
8210 This line contains the formulas for the table directly above the line.
8211 @item #+TITLE:, #+AUTHOR:, #+EMAIL:, #+LANGUAGE:, #+TEXT:, #+OPTIONS, #+DATE:
8212 These lines provide settings for exporting files. For more details see
8213 @ref{Export options}.
8214 @item #+SEQ_TODO: #+TYP_TODO:
8215 These lines set the TODO keywords and their interpretation in the
8216 current file. The corresponding variables are @code{org-todo-keywords}
8217 and @code{org-todo-interpretation}.
8220 @node The very busy C-c C-c key, Clean view, In-buffer settings, Miscellaneous
8221 @section The very busy C-c C-c key
8223 @cindex C-c C-c, overview
8225 The key @kbd{C-c C-c} has many purposes in Org, which are all
8226 mentioned scattered throughout this manual. One specific function of
8227 this key is to add @emph{tags} to a headline (@pxref{Tags}). In many
8228 other circumstances it means something like @emph{Hey Org, look
8229 here and update according to what you see here}. Here is a summary of
8230 what this means in different contexts.
8234 If there are highlights in the buffer from the creation of a sparse
8235 tree, or from clock display, remove these highlights.
8237 If the cursor is in one of the special @code{#+KEYWORD} lines, this
8238 triggers scanning the buffer for these lines and updating the
8241 If the cursor is inside a table, realign the table. This command
8242 works even if the automatic table editor has been turned off.
8244 If the cursor is on a @code{#+TBLFM} line, re-apply the formulas to
8247 If the cursor is inside a table created by the @file{table.el} package,
8248 activate that table.
8250 If the current buffer is a remember buffer, close the note and file it.
8251 With a prefix argument, file it, without further interaction, to the
8254 If the cursor is on a @code{<<<target>>>}, update radio targets and
8255 corresponding links in this buffer.
8257 If the cursor is in a property line or at the start or end of a property
8258 drawer, offer property commands.
8260 If the cursor is in a plain list item with a checkbox, toggle the status
8263 If the cursor is on a numbered item in a plain list, renumber the
8266 If the cursor is on the @code{#+BEGIN} line of a dynamical block, the
8270 @node Clean view, TTY keys, The very busy C-c C-c key, Miscellaneous
8271 @section A cleaner outline view
8272 @cindex hiding leading stars
8273 @cindex dynamic indentation
8274 @cindex odd-levels-only outlines
8275 @cindex clean outline view
8277 Some people find it noisy and distracting that the Org headlines are starting
8278 with a potentially large number of stars, and that text below the headlines
8279 is not indented. This is not really a problem when you are writing a book
8280 where the outline headings are really section headlines. However, in a more
8281 list-oriented outline, it is clear that an indented structure is a lot
8282 cleaner, as can be seen by comparing the two columns in the following
8287 * Top level headline | * Top level headline
8288 ** Second level | * Second level
8289 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
8290 some text | some text
8291 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
8292 more text | more text
8293 * Another top level headline | * Another top level headline
8298 It is non-trivial to make such a look work in Emacs, but Org contains three
8299 separate features that, combined, achieve just that.
8303 @emph{Indentation of text below headlines}@*
8304 You may indent text below each headline to make the left boundary line up
8305 with the headline, like
8309 more text, now indented
8312 A good way to get this indentation is by hand, and Org supports this with
8313 paragraph filling, line wrapping, and structure editing@footnote{See also the
8314 variable @code{org-adapt-indentation}.} preserving or adapting the
8315 indentation appropriate. A different approach would be to have a way to
8316 automatically indent lines according to outline structure by adding overlays
8317 or text properties. But I have not yet found a robust and efficient way to
8318 do this in large files.
8321 @emph{Hiding leading stars}@* You can modify the display in such a way that
8322 all leading stars become invisible. To do this in a global way, configure
8323 the variable @code{org-hide-leading-stars} or change this on a per-file basis
8327 #+STARTUP: showstars
8328 #+STARTUP: hidestars
8331 With hidden stars, the tree becomes:
8335 * Top level headline
8343 Note that the leading stars are not truly replaced by whitespace, they
8344 are only fontified with the face @code{org-hide} that uses the
8345 background color as font color. If you are not using either white or
8346 black background, you may have to customize this face to get the wanted
8347 effect. Another possibility is to set this font such that the extra
8348 stars are @i{almost} invisible, for example using the color
8349 @code{grey90} on a white background.
8352 Things become cleaner still if you skip all the even levels and use only odd
8353 levels 1, 3, 5..., effectively adding two stars to go from one outline level
8354 to the next. In this way we get the outline view shown at the beginning of
8355 this section. In order to make the structure editing and export commands
8356 handle this convention correctly, configure the variable
8357 @code{org-odd-levels-only}, or set this on a per-file basis with one of the
8365 You can convert an Org file from single-star-per-level to the
8366 double-star-per-level convention with @kbd{M-x org-convert-to-odd-levels
8367 RET} in that file. The reverse operation is @kbd{M-x
8368 org-convert-to-oddeven-levels}.
8371 @node TTY keys, Interaction, Clean view, Miscellaneous
8372 @section Using Org on a tty
8373 @cindex tty key bindings
8375 Because Org contains a large number of commands, by default much of
8376 Org's core commands are bound to keys that are generally not
8377 accessible on a tty, such as the cursor keys (@key{left}, @key{right},
8378 @key{up}, @key{down}), @key{TAB} and @key{RET}, in particular when used
8379 together with modifiers like @key{Meta} and/or @key{Shift}. To access
8380 these commands on a tty when special keys are unavailable, the following
8381 alternative bindings can be used. The tty bindings below will likely be
8382 more cumbersome; you may find for some of the bindings below that a
8383 customized work-around suits you better. For example, changing a time
8384 stamp is really only fun with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, whereas on a
8385 tty you would rather use @kbd{C-c .} to re-insert the timestamp.
8387 @multitable @columnfractions 0.15 0.2 0.2
8388 @item @b{Default} @tab @b{Alternative 1} @tab @b{Alternative 2}
8389 @item @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C-u @key{TAB}} @tab
8390 @item @kbd{M-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x l} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{left}}
8391 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x L} @tab
8392 @item @kbd{M-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x r} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{right}}
8393 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x R} @tab
8394 @item @kbd{M-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x u} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{up}}
8395 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x U} @tab
8396 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x d} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{down}}
8397 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x D} @tab
8398 @item @kbd{S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x c} @tab
8399 @item @kbd{M-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x m} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{RET}}
8400 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x M} @tab
8401 @item @kbd{S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{left}} @tab
8402 @item @kbd{S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{right}} @tab
8403 @item @kbd{S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{up}} @tab
8404 @item @kbd{S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{down}} @tab
8405 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{left}} @tab
8406 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{right}} @tab
8409 @node Interaction, Bugs, TTY keys, Miscellaneous
8410 @section Interaction with other packages
8411 @cindex packages, interaction with other
8412 Org lives in the world of GNU Emacs and interacts in various ways
8413 with other code out there.
8416 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
8417 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
8420 @node Cooperation, Conflicts, Interaction, Interaction
8421 @subsection Packages that Org cooperates with
8424 @cindex @file{calc.el}
8425 @item @file{calc.el} by Dave Gillespie
8426 Org uses the Calc package for implementing spreadsheet
8427 functionality in its tables (@pxref{The spreadsheet}). Org
8428 checks for the availability of Calc by looking for the function
8429 @code{calc-eval} which should be autoloaded in your setup if Calc has
8430 been installed properly. As of Emacs 22, Calc is part of the Emacs
8431 distribution. Another possibility for interaction between the two
8432 packages is using Calc for embedded calculations. @xref{Embedded Mode,
8433 , Embedded Mode, Calc, GNU Emacs Calc Manual}.
8434 @cindex @file{constants.el}
8435 @item @file{constants.el} by Carsten Dominik
8436 In a table formula (@pxref{The spreadsheet}), it is possible to use
8437 names for natural constants or units. Instead of defining your own
8438 constants in the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}, install
8439 the @file{constants} package which defines a large number of constants
8440 and units, and lets you use unit prefixes like @samp{M} for
8441 @samp{Mega} etc. You will need version 2.0 of this package, available
8442 at @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools}. Org checks for
8443 the function @code{constants-get}, which has to be autoloaded in your
8444 setup. See the installation instructions in the file
8445 @file{constants.el}.
8446 @item @file{cdlatex.el} by Carsten Dominik
8447 @cindex @file{cdlatex.el}
8448 Org mode can make use of the CDLaTeX package to efficiently enter
8449 La@TeX{} fragments into Org files. See @ref{CDLaTeX mode}.
8450 @item @file{imenu.el} by Ake Stenhoff and Lars Lindberg
8451 @cindex @file{imenu.el}
8452 Imenu allows menu access to an index of items in a file. Org mode
8453 supports Imenu - all you need to do to get the index is the following:
8455 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook
8456 (lambda () (imenu-add-to-menubar "Imenu")))
8458 By default the index is two levels deep - you can modify the depth using
8459 the option @code{org-imenu-depth}.
8460 @item @file{remember.el} by John Wiegley
8461 @cindex @file{remember.el}
8462 Org cooperates with remember, see @ref{Remember}.
8463 @file{Remember.el} is not part of Emacs, find it on the web.
8464 @item @file{speedbar.el} by Eric M. Ludlam
8465 @cindex @file{speedbar.el}
8466 Speedbar is a package that creates a special frame displaying files and
8467 index items in files. Org mode supports Speedbar and allows you to
8468 drill into Org files directly from the Speedbar. It also allows to
8469 restrict the scope of agenda commands to a file or a subtree by using
8470 the command @kbd{<} in the Speedbar frame.
8471 @cindex @file{table.el}
8472 @item @file{table.el} by Takaaki Ota
8474 @cindex table editor, @file{table.el}
8475 @cindex @file{table.el}
8477 Complex ASCII tables with automatic line wrapping, column- and
8478 row-spanning, and alignment can be created using the Emacs table
8479 package by Takaaki Ota (@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/table},
8480 and also part of Emacs 22).
8481 When @key{TAB} or @kbd{C-c C-c} is pressed in such a table, Org mode
8482 will call @command{table-recognize-table} and move the cursor into the
8483 table. Inside a table, the keymap of Org mode is inactive. In order
8484 to execute Org mode-related commands, leave the table.
8489 Recognize @file{table.el} table. Works when the cursor is in a
8494 Insert a table.el table. If there is already a table at point, this
8495 command converts it between the table.el format and the Org mode
8496 format. See the documentation string of the command
8497 @code{org-convert-table} for the restrictions under which this is
8500 @file{table.el} is part of Emacs 22.
8501 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
8502 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
8503 Org mode recognizes numerical footnotes as provided by this package
8504 (@pxref{Footnotes}).
8507 @node Conflicts, , Cooperation, Interaction
8508 @subsection Packages that lead to conflicts with Org mode
8512 @cindex @file{allout.el}
8513 @item @file{allout.el} by Ken Manheimer
8514 Startup of Org may fail with the error message
8515 @code{(wrong-type-argument keymapp nil)} when there is an outdated
8516 version @file{allout.el} on the load path, for example the version
8517 distributed with Emacs 21.x. Upgrade to Emacs 22 and this problem will
8518 disappear. If for some reason you cannot do this, make sure that org.el
8519 is loaded @emph{before} @file{allout.el}, for example by putting
8520 @code{(require 'org)} early enough into your @file{.emacs} file.
8522 @cindex @file{CUA.el}
8523 @item @file{CUA.el} by Kim. F. Storm
8524 Key bindings in Org conflict with the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys used by
8525 CUA mode (as well as pc-select-mode and s-region-mode) to select and
8526 extend the region. If you want to use one of these packages along with
8527 Org, configure the variable @code{org-replace-disputed-keys}. When
8528 set, Org will move the following key bindings in Org files, and
8529 in the agenda buffer (but not during date selection).
8532 S-UP -> M-p S-DOWN -> M-n
8533 S-LEFT -> M-- S-RIGHT -> M-+
8536 Yes, these are unfortunately more difficult to remember. If you want
8537 to have other replacement keys, look at the variable
8538 @code{org-disputed-keys}.
8539 @item @file{windmove.el} by Hovav Shacham
8540 @cindex @file{windmove.el}
8541 Also this package uses the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys, so everything written
8542 in the paragraph above about CUA mode also applies here.
8544 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
8545 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
8546 Org supports the syntax of the footnote package, but only the
8547 numerical footnote markers. Also, the default key for footnote
8548 commands, @kbd{C-c !} is already used by Org. You could use the
8549 variable @code{footnote-prefix} to switch footnotes commands to another
8550 key. Or, you could use @code{org-replace-disputed-keys} and
8551 @code{org-disputed-keys} to change the settings in Org.
8556 @node Bugs, , Interaction, Miscellaneous
8560 Here is a list of things that should work differently, but which I
8561 have found too hard to fix.
8565 If a table field starts with a link, and if the corresponding table
8566 column is narrowed (@pxref{Narrow columns}) to a width too small to
8567 display the link, the field would look entirely empty even though it is
8568 not. To prevent this, Org throws an error. The work-around is to
8569 make the column wide enough to fit the link, or to add some text (at
8570 least 2 characters) before the link in the same field.
8572 Narrowing table columns does not work on XEmacs, because the
8573 @code{format} function does not transport text properties.
8575 Text in an entry protected with the @samp{QUOTE} keyword should not
8578 When the application called by @kbd{C-c C-o} to open a file link fails
8579 (for example because the application does not exist or refuses to open
8580 the file), it does so silently. No error message is displayed.
8582 Recalculating a table line applies the formulas from left to right.
8583 If a formula uses @emph{calculated} fields further down the row,
8584 multiple recalculation may be needed to get all fields consistent. You
8585 may use the command @code{org-table-iterate} (@kbd{C-u C-c *}) to
8586 recalculate until convergence.
8588 The exporters work well, but could be made more efficient.
8592 @node Extensions, Hacking, Miscellaneous, Top
8593 @appendix Extensions
8595 This appendix lists the extension modules that have been written for Org.
8596 Many of these extensions live in the @file{contrib} directory of the Org
8597 distribution, others are available somewhere on the web.
8600 * Extensions in the contrib directory:: These come with the Org distro
8601 * Other extensions:: These you have to find on the web.
8604 @node Extensions in the contrib directory, Other extensions, Extensions, Extensions
8605 @section Extensions in the @file{contrib} directory
8608 @item @file{org-annotate-file.el} by @i{Philip Jackson}
8609 Annotate a file with org syntax, in a separate file, with links back to
8611 @item @file{org-annotation-helper.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry and Daniel E. German}
8612 Call @i{remember} directly from Firefox/Opera, or from Adobe Reader.
8613 When activating a special link or bookmark, Emacs receives a trigger to
8614 create a note with a link back to the website. Requires some setup, a
8615 detailes description is in
8616 @file{contrib/packages/org-annotation-helper}.
8617 @item @file{org-bookmark.el} by @i{Tokuya Kameshima}
8618 Support for links to Emacs bookmarks.
8619 @item @file{org-depend.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
8620 TODO dependencies for Org-mode. Make TODO state changes in one entry
8621 trigger changes in another, or be blocked by the state of another
8622 entry. Also, easily create chains of TODO items with exactly one
8623 active item at any time.
8624 @item @file{org-elisp-symbol.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
8625 Org links to emacs-lisp symbols. This can create annotated links that
8626 exactly point to the definition location of a variable of function.
8627 @item @file{org-eval.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
8628 The @code{<lisp>} tag, adapted from Emacs Wiki and Emacs Muse, allows
8629 to include text in a document that is the result of evaluating some
8630 code. Other scripting languages like @code{perl} can be supported with
8631 this package as well.
8632 @item @file{org-expiry.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
8633 Expiry mechanism for Org entries.
8634 @item @file{org-indent.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
8635 Dynamic indentation of Org outlines. The plan is to indent an outline
8636 according to level, but so far this is too hard for a proper and stable
8637 implementation. Still, it works somewhat.
8638 @item @file{org-interactive-query.el} by @i{Christopher League}
8639 Interactive modification of tags queries. After running a general
8640 query in Org, this package allows to narrow down the results by adding
8641 more tags or keywords.
8642 @item @file{org-mairix.el} by @i{Georg C. F. Greve}
8643 Hook mairix search into Org for different MUAs.
8644 @item @file{org-man.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
8645 Support for links to manpages in Org-mode.
8646 @item @file{org-mtags.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
8647 Support for some Muse-like tags in Org-mode. This package allows you
8648 to write @code{<example>} and @code{<src>} and other syntax copied from
8649 Emacs Muse, right inside an Org file. The goal here is to make it easy
8650 to publish the same file using either org-publish or Muse.
8651 @item @file{org-panel.el} by @i{Lennard Borgman}
8652 Simplified and display-aided access to some Org commands.
8653 @item @file{org-registry.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
8654 A registry for Org links, to find out from where links point to a given
8656 @item @file{org2rem.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
8657 Convert org appointments into reminders for the @file{remind} program.
8658 @item @file{org-screen.el} by @i{Andrew Hyatt}
8659 Visit screen sessions through Org-mode links.
8660 @item @file{org-toc.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
8661 Table of contents in a separate buffer, with fast access to sections
8662 and easy visibility cycling.
8663 @item @file{orgtbl-sqlinsert.el} by @i{Jason Riedy}
8664 Convert Org-mode tables to SQL insertions. Documentation for this can
8665 be found on the Worg pages.
8669 @node Other extensions, , Extensions in the contrib directory, Extensions
8670 @section Other extensions
8674 @node Hacking, History and Acknowledgments, Extensions, Top
8677 This appendix covers some aspects where users can extend the functionality of
8681 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
8682 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
8683 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
8684 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
8685 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
8686 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
8689 @node Adding hyperlink types, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking, Hacking
8690 @section Adding hyperlink types
8691 @cindex hyperlinks, adding new types
8693 Org has a large number of hyperlink types built-in
8694 (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). If you would like to add new link types, it
8695 provides an interface for doing so. Lets look at an example file
8696 @file{org-man.el} that will add support for creating links like
8697 @samp{[[man:printf][The printf manpage]]} to show Unix manual pages inside
8701 ;;; org-man.el - Support for links to manpages in Org
8705 (org-add-link-type "man" 'org-man-open)
8706 (add-hook 'org-store-link-functions 'org-man-store-link)
8708 (defcustom org-man-command 'man
8709 "The Emacs command to be used to display a man page."
8711 :type '(choice (const man) (const woman)))
8713 (defun org-man-open (path)
8714 "Visit the manpage on PATH.
8715 PATH should be a topic that can be thrown at the man command."
8716 (funcall org-man-command path))
8718 (defun org-man-store-link ()
8719 "Store a link to a manpage."
8720 (when (memq major-mode '(Man-mode woman-mode))
8721 ;; This is a man page, we do make this link
8722 (let* ((page (org-man-get-page-name))
8723 (link (concat "man:" page))
8724 (description (format "Manpage for %s" page)))
8725 (org-store-link-props
8728 :description description))))
8730 (defun org-man-get-page-name ()
8731 "Extract the page name from the buffer name."
8732 ;; This works for both `Man-mode' and `woman-mode'.
8733 (if (string-match " \\(\\S-+\\)\\*" (buffer-name))
8734 (match-string 1 (buffer-name))
8735 (error "Cannot create link to this man page")))
8739 ;;; org-man.el ends here
8743 You would activate this new link type in @file{.emacs} with
8750 Lets go through the file and see what it does.
8753 It does @code{(require 'org)} to make sure that @file{org.el} has been
8756 The next line calls @code{org-add-link-type} to define a new link type
8757 with prefix @samp{man}. The call also contains the name of a function
8758 that will be called to follow such a link.
8760 The next line adds a function to @code{org-store-link-functions}, in
8761 order to allow the command @kbd{C-c l} to record a useful link in a
8762 buffer displaying a man page.
8765 The rest of the file defines the necessary variables and functions.
8766 First there is a customization variable that determines which emacs
8767 command should be used to display man pages. There are two options,
8768 @code{man} and @code{woman}. Then the function to follow a link is
8769 defined. It gets the link path as an argument - in this case the link
8770 path is just a topic for the manual command. The function calls the
8771 value of @code{org-man-command} to display the man page.
8773 Finally the function @code{org-man-store-link} is defined. When you try
8774 to store a link with @kbd{C-c l}, also this function will be called to
8775 try to make a link. The function must first decide if it is supposed to
8776 create the link for this buffer type, we do this by checking the value
8777 of the variable @code{major-mode}. If not, the function must exit and
8778 return the value @code{nil}. If yes, the link is created by getting the
8779 manual topic from the buffer name and prefixing it with the string
8780 @samp{man:}. Then it must call the command @code{org-store-link-props}
8781 and set the @code{:type} and @code{:link} properties. Optionally you
8782 can also set the @code{:description} property to provide a default for
8783 the link description when the link is later inserted into an Org
8784 buffer with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
8786 @node Tables in arbitrary syntax, Dynamic blocks, Adding hyperlink types, Hacking
8787 @section Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
8788 @cindex tables, in other modes
8789 @cindex lists, in other modes
8792 Since Orgtbl mode can be used as a minor mode in arbitrary buffers, a
8793 frequent feature request has been to make it work with native tables in
8794 specific languages, for example La@TeX{}. However, this is extremely
8795 hard to do in a general way, would lead to a customization nightmare,
8796 and would take away much of the simplicity of the Orgtbl mode table
8800 This appendix describes a different approach. We keep the Orgtbl mode
8801 table in its native format (the @i{source table}), and use a custom
8802 function to @i{translate} the table to the correct syntax, and to
8803 @i{install} it in the right location (the @i{target table}). This puts
8804 the burden of writing conversion functions on the user, but it allows
8805 for a very flexible system.
8807 Bastien added the ability to do the same with lists. You can use Org's
8808 facilities to edit and structure lists by turning @code{orgstruct-mode}
8809 on, then locally exporting such lists in another format (HTML, La@TeX{}
8814 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
8815 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
8816 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
8817 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
8820 @node Radio tables, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Tables in arbitrary syntax
8821 @subsection Radio tables
8822 @cindex radio tables
8824 To define the location of the target table, you first need to create two
8825 lines that are comments in the current mode, but contain magic words for
8826 Orgtbl mode to find. Orgtbl mode will insert the translated table
8827 between these lines, replacing whatever was there before. For example:
8830 /* BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
8831 /* END RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
8835 Just above the source table, we put a special line that tells
8836 Orgtbl mode how to translate this table and where to install it. For
8839 #+ORGTBL: SEND table_name translation_function arguments....
8843 @code{table_name} is the reference name for the table that is also used
8844 in the receiver lines. @code{translation_function} is the Lisp function
8845 that does the translation. Furthermore, the line can contain a list of
8846 arguments (alternating key and value) at the end. The arguments will be
8847 passed as a property list to the translation function for
8848 interpretation. A few standard parameters are already recognized and
8849 acted upon before the translation function is called:
8853 Skip the first N lines of the table. Hlines do count as separate lines for
8856 @item :skipcols (n1 n2 ...)
8857 List of columns that should be skipped. If the table has a column with
8858 calculation marks, that column is automatically discarded as well.
8859 Please note that the translator function sees the table @emph{after} the
8860 removal of these columns, the function never knows that there have been
8865 The one problem remaining is how to keep the source table in the buffer
8866 without disturbing the normal workings of the file, for example during
8867 compilation of a C file or processing of a La@TeX{} file. There are a
8868 number of different solutions:
8872 The table could be placed in a block comment if that is supported by the
8873 language. For example, in C mode you could wrap the table between
8874 @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} lines.
8876 Sometimes it is possible to put the table after some kind of @i{END}
8877 statement, for example @samp{\bye} in TeX and @samp{\end@{document@}}
8880 You can just comment the table line by line whenever you want to process
8881 the file, and uncomment it whenever you need to edit the table. This
8882 only sounds tedious - the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-toggle-comment} does
8883 make this comment-toggling very easy, in particular if you bind it to a
8887 @node A LaTeX example, Translator functions, Radio tables, Tables in arbitrary syntax
8888 @subsection A LaTeX example of radio tables
8889 @cindex LaTeX, and Orgtbl mode
8891 The best way to wrap the source table in La@TeX{} is to use the
8892 @code{comment} environment provided by @file{comment.sty}. It has to be
8893 activated by placing @code{\usepackage@{comment@}} into the document
8894 header. Orgtbl mode can insert a radio table skeleton@footnote{By
8895 default this works only for La@TeX{}, HTML, and Texinfo. Configure the
8896 variable @code{orgtbl-radio-tables} to install templates for other
8897 modes.} with the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-insert-radio-table}. You will
8898 be prompted for a table name, lets say we use @samp{salesfigures}. You
8899 will then get the following template:
8901 @cindex #+ORGTBL: SEND
8903 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
8904 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
8906 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
8912 The @code{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line tells Orgtbl mode to use the function
8913 @code{orgtbl-to-latex} to convert the table into La@TeX{} and to put it
8914 into the receiver location with name @code{salesfigures}. You may now
8915 fill in the table, feel free to use the spreadsheet features@footnote{If
8916 the @samp{#+TBLFM} line contains an odd number of dollar characters,
8917 this may cause problems with font-lock in LaTeX mode. As shown in the
8918 example you can fix this by adding an extra line inside the
8919 @code{comment} environment that is used to balance the dollar
8920 expressions. If you are using AUCTeX with the font-latex library, a
8921 much better solution is to add the @code{comment} environment to the
8922 variable @code{LaTeX-verbatim-environments}.}:
8925 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
8926 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
8928 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
8929 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
8930 |-------+------+---------+---------|
8931 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
8932 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
8933 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
8934 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
8935 % $ (optional extra dollar to keep font-lock happy, see footnote)
8940 When you are done, press @kbd{C-c C-c} in the table to get the converted
8941 table inserted between the two marker lines.
8943 Now lets assume you want to make the table header by hand, because you
8944 want to control how columns are aligned etc. In this case we make sure
8945 that the table translator does skip the first 2 lines of the source
8946 table, and tell the command to work as a @i{splice}, i.e. to not produce
8947 header and footer commands of the target table:
8950 \begin@{tabular@}@{lrrr@}
8951 Month & \multicolumn@{1@}@{c@}@{Days@} & Nr.\ sold & per day\\
8952 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
8953 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
8957 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex :splice t :skip 2
8958 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
8959 |-------+------+---------+---------|
8960 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
8961 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
8962 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
8963 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
8967 The La@TeX{} translator function @code{orgtbl-to-latex} is already part of
8968 Orgtbl mode. It uses a @code{tabular} environment to typeset the table
8969 and marks horizontal lines with @code{\hline}. Furthermore, it
8970 interprets the following parameters (see also @ref{Translator functions}):
8974 When set to t, return only table body lines, don't wrap them into a
8975 tabular environment. Default is nil.
8978 A format to be used to wrap each field, should contain @code{%s} for the
8979 original field value. For example, to wrap each field value in dollars,
8980 you could use @code{:fmt "$%s$"}. This may also be a property list with
8981 column numbers and formats. for example @code{:fmt (2 "$%s$" 4 "%s\\%%")}.
8982 A function of one argument can be used in place of the strings; the
8983 function must return a formatted string.
8986 Use this format to print numbers with exponentials. The format should
8987 have @code{%s} twice for inserting mantissa and exponent, for example
8988 @code{"%s\\times10^@{%s@}"}. The default is @code{"%s\\,(%s)"}. This
8989 may also be a property list with column numbers and formats, for example
8990 @code{:efmt (2 "$%s\\times10^@{%s@}$" 4 "$%s\\cdot10^@{%s@}$")}. After
8991 @code{efmt} has been applied to a value, @code{fmt} will also be
8992 applied. Similar to @code{fmt}, functions of two arguments can be
8993 supplied instead of strings.
8996 @node Translator functions, Radio lists, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax
8997 @subsection Translator functions
8998 @cindex HTML, and Orgtbl mode
8999 @cindex translator function
9001 Orgtbl mode has several translator functions built-in: @code{orgtbl-to-csv}
9002 (comma-separated values), @code{orgtbl-to-tsv} (TAB-separated values)
9003 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-html}, and @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}.
9004 Except for @code{orgtbl-to-html}@footnote{The HTML translator uses the same
9005 code that produces tables during HTML export.}, these all use a generic
9006 translator, @code{orgtbl-to-generic}. For example, @code{orgtbl-to-latex}
9007 itself is a very short function that computes the column definitions for the
9008 @code{tabular} environment, defines a few field and line separators and then
9009 hands over to the generic translator. Here is the entire code:
9013 (defun orgtbl-to-latex (table params)
9014 "Convert the Orgtbl mode TABLE to LaTeX."
9015 (let* ((alignment (mapconcat (lambda (x) (if x "r" "l"))
9016 org-table-last-alignment ""))
9019 :tstart (concat "\\begin@{tabular@}@{" alignment "@}")
9020 :tend "\\end@{tabular@}"
9021 :lstart "" :lend " \\\\" :sep " & "
9022 :efmt "%s\\,(%s)" :hline "\\hline")))
9023 (orgtbl-to-generic table (org-combine-plists params2 params))))
9027 As you can see, the properties passed into the function (variable
9028 @var{PARAMS}) are combined with the ones newly defined in the function
9029 (variable @var{PARAMS2}). The ones passed into the function (i.e. the
9030 ones set by the @samp{ORGTBL SEND} line) take precedence. So if you
9031 would like to use the La@TeX{} translator, but wanted the line endings to
9032 be @samp{\\[2mm]} instead of the default @samp{\\}, you could just
9033 overrule the default with
9036 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-latex :lend " \\\\[2mm]"
9039 For a new language, you can either write your own converter function in
9040 analogy with the La@TeX{} translator, or you can use the generic function
9041 directly. For example, if you have a language where a table is started
9042 with @samp{!BTBL!}, ended with @samp{!ETBL!}, and where table lines are
9043 started with @samp{!BL!}, ended with @samp{!EL!} and where the field
9044 separator is a TAB, you could call the generic translator like this (on
9048 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-generic :tstart "!BTBL!" :tend "!ETBL!"
9049 :lstart "!BL! " :lend " !EL!" :sep "\t"
9053 Please check the documentation string of the function
9054 @code{orgtbl-to-generic} for a full list of parameters understood by
9055 that function and remember that you can pass each of them into
9056 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}, and any other function
9057 using the generic function.
9059 Of course you can also write a completely new function doing complicated
9060 things the generic translator cannot do. A translator function takes
9061 two arguments. The first argument is the table, a list of lines, each
9062 line either the symbol @code{hline} or a list of fields. The second
9063 argument is the property list containing all parameters specified in the
9064 @samp{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line. The function must return a single string
9065 containing the formatted table. If you write a generally useful
9066 translator, please post it on @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} so that
9067 others can benefit from your work.
9069 @node Radio lists, , Translator functions, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9070 @subsection Radio lists
9072 @cindex org-list-insert-radio-list
9074 Sending and receiving radio lists works exactly the same way than
9075 sending and receiving radio tables (@pxref{Radio tables}) @footnote{You
9076 need to load the @code{org-export-latex.el} package to use radio lists
9077 since the relevant code is there for now.}. As for radio tables, you
9078 can insert radio lists templates in HTML, La@TeX{} and Texinfo modes by
9079 calling @code{org-list-insert-radio-list}.
9081 Here are the differences with radio tables:
9085 Use @code{ORGLST} instead of @code{ORGTBL}.
9087 The available translation functions for radio lists don't take
9090 `C-c C-c' will work when pressed on the first item of the list.
9093 Here is a La@TeX{} example. Let's say that you have this in your
9097 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
9098 % END RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
9100 #+ORGLIST: SEND to-buy orgtbl-to-latex
9109 Pressing `C-c C-c' on @code{a new house} and will insert the converted
9110 La@TeX{} list between the two marker lines.
9112 @node Dynamic blocks, Special agenda views, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking
9113 @section Dynamic blocks
9114 @cindex dynamic blocks
9116 Org documents can contain @emph{dynamic blocks}. These are
9117 specially marked regions that are updated by some user-written function.
9118 A good example for such a block is the clock table inserted by the
9119 command @kbd{C-c C-x C-r} (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
9121 Dynamic block are enclosed by a BEGIN-END structure that assigns a name
9122 to the block and can also specify parameters for the function producing
9123 the content of the block.
9125 #+BEGIN:dynamic block
9127 #+BEGIN: myblock :parameter1 value1 :parameter2 value2 ...
9132 Dynamic blocks are updated with the following commands
9137 Update dynamic block at point.
9138 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
9139 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
9140 Update all dynamic blocks in the current file.
9143 Updating a dynamic block means to remove all the text between BEGIN and
9144 END, parse the BEGIN line for parameters and then call the specific
9145 writer function for this block to insert the new content. If you want
9146 to use the original content in the writer function, you can use the
9147 extra parameter @code{:content}.
9149 For a block with name @code{myblock}, the writer function is
9150 @code{org-dblock-write:myblock} with as only parameter a property list
9151 with the parameters given in the begin line. Here is a trivial example
9152 of a block that keeps track of when the block update function was last
9156 #+BEGIN: block-update-time :format "on %m/%d/%Y at %H:%M"
9162 The corresponding block writer function could look like this:
9165 (defun org-dblock-write:block-update-time (params)
9166 (let ((fmt (or (plist-get params :format) "%d. %m. %Y")))
9167 (insert "Last block update at: "
9168 (format-time-string fmt (current-time)))))
9171 If you want to make sure that all dynamic blocks are always up-to-date,
9172 you could add the function @code{org-update-all-dblocks} to a hook, for
9173 example @code{before-save-hook}. @code{org-update-all-dblocks} is
9174 written in a way that is does nothing in buffers that are not in
9177 @node Special agenda views, Using the property API, Dynamic blocks, Hacking
9178 @section Special agenda views
9179 @cindex agenda views, user-defined
9181 Org provides a special hook that can be used to narrow down the
9182 selection made by any of the agenda views. You may specify a function
9183 that is used at each match to verify if the match should indeed be part
9184 of the agenda view, and if not, how much should be skipped.
9186 Let's say you want to produce a list of projects that contain a WAITING
9187 tag anywhere in the project tree. Let's further assume that you have
9188 marked all tree headings that define a project with the TODO keyword
9189 PROJECT. In this case you would run a TODO search for the keyword
9190 PROJECT, but skip the match unless there is a WAITING tag anywhere in
9191 the subtree belonging to the project line.
9193 To achieve this, you must write a function that searches the subtree for
9194 the tag. If the tag is found, the function must return @code{nil} to
9195 indicate that this match should not be skipped. If there is no such
9196 tag, return the location of the end of the subtree, to indicate that
9197 search should continue from there.
9200 (defun my-skip-unless-waiting ()
9201 "Skip trees that are not waiting"
9202 (let ((subtree-end (save-excursion (org-end-of-subtree t))))
9203 (if (re-search-forward ":waiting:" subtree-end t)
9204 nil ; tag found, do not skip
9205 subtree-end))) ; tag not found, continue after end of subtree
9208 Now you may use this function in an agenda custom command, for example
9212 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
9213 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
9214 ((org-agenda-skip-function 'my-org-waiting-projects)
9215 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
9218 Note that this also binds @code{org-agenda-overriding-header} to get a
9219 meaningful header in the agenda view.
9221 A general way to create custom searches is to base them on a search for
9222 entries with a certain level limit. If you want to study all entries with
9223 your custom search function, simply do a search for @samp{LEVEL>0}, and then
9224 use @code{org-agenda-skip-function} to select the entries you really want to
9227 You may also put a Lisp form into @code{org-agenda-skip-function}. In
9228 particular, you may use the functions @code{org-agenda-skip-entry-if}
9229 and @code{org-agenda-skip-subtree-if} in this form, for example:
9232 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled)
9233 Skip current entry if it has been scheduled.
9234 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'notscheduled)
9235 Skip current entry if it has not been scheduled.
9236 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'deadline)
9237 Skip current entry if it has a deadline.
9238 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled 'deadline)
9239 Skip current entry if it has a deadline, or if it is scheduled.
9240 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'regexp "regular expression")
9241 Skip current entry if the regular expression matches in the entry.
9242 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'notregexp "regular expression")
9243 Skip current entry unless the regular expression matches.
9244 @item '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if 'regexp "regular expression")
9245 Same as above, but check and skip the entire subtree.
9248 Therefore we could also have written the search for WAITING projects
9249 like this, even without defining a special function:
9252 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
9253 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
9254 ((org-agenda-skip-function '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if
9255 'regexp ":waiting:"))
9256 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
9259 @node Using the property API, Using the mapping API, Special agenda views, Hacking
9260 @section Using the property API
9261 @cindex API, for properties
9262 @cindex properties, API
9264 Here is a description of the functions that can be used to work with
9267 @defun org-entry-properties &optional pom which
9268 Get all properties of the entry at point-or-marker POM.
9269 This includes the TODO keyword, the tags, time strings for deadline,
9270 scheduled, and clocking, and any additional properties defined in the
9271 entry. The return value is an alist, keys may occur multiple times
9272 if the property key was used several times.
9273 POM may also be nil, in which case the current entry is used.
9274 If WHICH is nil or `all', get all properties. If WHICH is
9275 `special' or `standard', only get that subclass.
9277 @defun org-entry-get pom property &optional inherit
9278 Get value of PROPERTY for entry at point-or-marker POM. By default,
9279 this only looks at properties defined locally in the entry. If INHERIT
9280 is non-nil and the entry does not have the property, then also check
9281 higher levels of the hierarchy. If INHERIT is the symbol
9282 @code{selective}, use inheritance if and only if the setting of
9283 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} selects PROPERTY for inheritance.
9286 @defun org-entry-delete pom property
9287 Delete the property PROPERTY from entry at point-or-marker POM.
9290 @defun org-entry-put pom property value
9291 Set PROPERTY to VALUE for entry at point-or-marker POM.
9294 @defun org-buffer-property-keys &optional include-specials
9295 Get all property keys in the current buffer.
9298 @defun org-insert-property-drawer
9299 Insert a property drawer at point.
9302 @defun org-entry-add-to-multivalued-property pom property value
9303 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
9304 values and make sure that VALUE is in this list.
9307 @defun org-entry-remove-from-multivalued-property pom property value
9308 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
9309 values and make sure that VALUE is @emph{not} in this list.
9312 @defun org-entry-member-in-multivalued-property pom property value
9313 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
9314 values and check if VALUE is in this list.
9317 @node Using the mapping API, , Using the property API, Hacking
9318 @section Using the mapping API
9319 @cindex API, for mapping
9320 @cindex mapping entries, API
9322 Org has sophisticated mapping capabilities to find all entries satisfying
9323 certain criteria. Internally, this functionality is used to produce agenda
9324 views, but there is also an API that can be used to execute arbitrary
9325 functions for each or selected entries. The main entry point for this API
9328 @defun org-map-entries func &optional match scope &rest skip
9329 Call FUNC at each headline selected by MATCH in SCOPE.
9331 FUNC is a function or a lisp form. The function will be called without
9332 arguments, with the cursor positioned at the beginning of the headline.
9333 The return values of all calls to the function will be collected and
9336 MATCH is a tags/property/todo match as it is used in the agenda tags view.
9337 Only headlines that are matched by this query will be considered during
9338 the iteration. When MATCH is nil or t, all headlines will be
9339 visited by the iteration.
9341 SCOPE determines the scope of this command. It can be any of:
9344 nil @r{the current buffer, respecting the restriction if any}
9345 tree @r{the subtree started with the entry at point}
9346 file @r{the current buffer, without restriction}
9348 @r{the current buffer, and any archives associated with it}
9349 agenda @r{all agenda files}
9350 agenda-with-archives
9351 @r{all agenda files with any archive files associated with them}
9353 @r{if this is a list, all files in the list will be scanned}
9356 The remaining args are treated as settings for the skipping facilities of
9357 the scanner. The following items can be given here:
9360 archive @r{skip trees with the archive tag}
9361 comment @r{skip trees with the COMMENT keyword}
9362 function or Lisp form
9363 @r{will be used as value for @code{org-agenda-skip-function},}
9364 @r{so whenever the the function returns t, FUNC}
9365 @r{will not be called for that entry and search will}
9366 @r{continue from the point where the function leaves it}
9370 The function given to that mapping routine can really do anything you like.
9371 It can uce the property API (@pxref{Using the property API}) to gather more
9372 information about the entry, or in order to change metadate in the entry.
9373 Here are a couple of functions that might be handy:
9375 @defun org-todo &optional arg
9376 Change the TODO state of the entry, see the docstring of the functions for
9377 the many possible values for the argument ARG.
9380 @defun org-priority &optional action
9381 Change the priority of the entry, see the docstring of this function for the
9382 possible values for ACTION.
9385 @defun org-toggle-tag tag &optional onoff
9386 Toggle the tag TAG in the current entry. Setting ONOFF to either @code{on}
9387 or @code{off} will not toggle tag, but ensure that it is either on or off.
9391 Promote the current entry.
9395 Demote the current entry.
9398 Here is a simple example that will turn all entries in the current file with
9399 a tag @code{TOMORROW} into TODO entries with the keyword @code{UPCOMING}.
9400 Entries in comment trees and in archive trees will be ignored.
9404 '(org-todo "UPCOMING")
9405 "+TOMORROW" 'file 'archive 'comment)
9408 The following example counts the number of entries with TODO keyword
9409 @code{WAITING}, in all agenda files.
9412 (length (org-map-entries t "/+WAITING" nil 'agenda))
9415 @node History and Acknowledgments, Main Index, Hacking, Top
9416 @appendix History and Acknowledgments
9417 @cindex acknowledgments
9421 Org was borne in 2003, out of frustration over the user interface
9422 of the Emacs Outline mode. I was trying to organize my notes and
9423 projects, and using Emacs seemed to be the natural way to go. However,
9424 having to remember eleven different commands with two or three keys per
9425 command, only to hide and show parts of the outline tree, that seemed
9426 entirely unacceptable to me. Also, when using outlines to take notes, I
9427 constantly want to restructure the tree, organizing it parallel to my
9428 thoughts and plans. @emph{Visibility cycling} and @emph{structure
9429 editing} were originally implemented in the package
9430 @file{outline-magic.el}, but quickly moved to the more general
9431 @file{org.el}. As this environment became comfortable for project
9432 planning, the next step was adding @emph{TODO entries}, basic @emph{time
9433 stamps}, and @emph{table support}. These areas highlight the two main
9434 goals that Org still has today: To create a new, outline-based,
9435 plain text mode with innovative and intuitive editing features, and to
9436 incorporate project planning functionality directly into a notes file.
9438 A special thanks goes to @i{Bastien Guerry} who has not only writen a large
9439 number of extensions to Org (most of them integrated into the core by now),
9440 but has also helped the development and maintenance of Org so much that he
9441 should be considered co-author of this package.
9443 Since the first release, literally thousands of emails to me or on
9444 @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} have provided a constant stream of bug
9445 reports, feedback, new ideas, and sometimes patches and add-on code.
9446 Many thanks to everyone who has helped to improve this package. I am
9447 trying to keep here a list of the people who had significant influence
9448 in shaping one or more aspects of Org. The list may not be
9449 complete, if I have forgotten someone, please accept my apologies and
9455 @i{Russel Adams} came up with the idea for drawers.
9457 @i{Thomas Baumann} wrote @file{org-bbdb.el} and @file{org-mhe.el}.
9459 @i{Christophe Bataillon} created the great unicorn logo that we use on the
9462 @i{Alex Bochannek} provided a patch for rounding time stamps.
9464 @i{Charles Cave}'s suggestion sparked the implementation of templates
9467 @i{Pavel Chalmoviansky} influenced the agenda treatment of items with
9470 @i{Gregory Chernov} patched support for lisp forms into table
9471 calculations and improved XEmacs compatibility, in particular by porting
9472 @file{nouline.el} to XEmacs.
9474 @i{Sacha Chua} suggested to copy some linking code from Planner.
9476 @i{Eddward DeVilla} proposed and tested checkbox statistics. He also
9477 came up with the idea of properties, and that there should be an API for
9480 @i{Kees Dullemond} used to edit projects lists directly in HTML and so
9481 inspired some of the early development, including HTML export. He also
9482 asked for a way to narrow wide table columns.
9484 @i{Christian Egli} converted the documentation into Texinfo format,
9485 patched CSS formatting into the HTML exporter, and inspired the agenda.
9487 @i{David Emery} provided a patch for custom CSS support in exported
9490 @i{Nic Ferrier} contributed mailcap and XOXO support.
9492 @i{Miguel A. Figueroa-Villanueva} implemented hierarchical checkboxes.
9494 @i{John Foerch} figured out how to make incremental search show context
9495 around a match in a hidden outline tree.
9497 @i{Niels Giesen} had the idea to automatically archive DONE trees.
9499 @i{Bastien Guerry} wrote the La@TeX{} exporter and @file{org-bibtex.el}, and
9500 has been prolific with patches, ideas, and bug reports.
9502 @i{Kai Grossjohann} pointed out key-binding conflicts with other packages.
9504 @i{Bernt Hansen} has driven much of the support for auto-repeating tasks,
9505 task state change logging, and the clocktable. His clear explanations have
9506 been critical when we started to adopt the GIT version control system.
9508 @i{Phil Jackson} wrote @file{org-irc.el}.
9510 @i{Scott Jaderholm} proposed footnotes, control over whitespace between
9511 folded entries, and column view for properties.
9513 @i{Tokuya Kameshima} wrote @file{org-wl.el} and @file{org-mew.el}.
9515 @i{Shidai Liu} ("Leo") asked for embedded La@TeX{} and tested it. He also
9516 provided frequent feedback and some patches.
9518 @i{Jason F. McBrayer} suggested agenda export to CSV format.
9520 @i{Max Mikhanosha} came up with the idea of refiling.
9522 @i{Dmitri Minaev} sent a patch to set priority limits on a per-file
9525 @i{Stefan Monnier} provided a patch to keep the Emacs-Lisp compiler
9528 @i{Rick Moynihan} proposed to allow multiple TODO sequences in a file
9529 and to be able to quickly restrict the agenda to a subtree.
9531 @i{Todd Neal} provided patches for links to Info files and elisp forms.
9533 @i{Tim O'Callaghan} suggested in-file links, search options for general
9534 file links, and TAGS.
9536 @i{Takeshi Okano} translated the manual and David O'Toole's tutorial
9539 @i{Oliver Oppitz} suggested multi-state TODO items.
9541 @i{Scott Otterson} sparked the introduction of descriptive text for
9542 links, among other things.
9544 @i{Pete Phillips} helped during the development of the TAGS feature, and
9545 provided frequent feedback.
9547 @i{T.V. Raman} reported bugs and suggested improvements.
9549 @i{Matthias Rempe} (Oelde) provided ideas, Windows support, and quality
9552 @i{Kevin Rogers} contributed code to access VM files on remote hosts.
9554 @i{Sebastian Rose} wrote @file{org-info.js}, a Java script for displaying
9555 webpages derived from Org using an Info-like, or a folding interface with
9556 single key navigation.
9558 @i{Frank Ruell} solved the mystery of the @code{keymapp nil} bug, a
9559 conflict with @file{allout.el}.
9561 @i{Jason Riedy} generalized the send-receive mechanism for orgtbl tables with
9564 @i{Philip Rooke} created the Org reference card, provided lots
9565 of feedback, developed and applied standards to the Org documentation.
9567 @i{Christian Schlauer} proposed angular brackets around links, among
9570 Linking to VM/BBDB/Gnus was first inspired by @i{Tom Shannon}'s
9571 @file{organizer-mode.el}.
9573 @i{Ilya Shlyakhter} proposed the Archive Sibling.
9575 @i{Daniel Sinder} came up with the idea of internal archiving by locking
9578 @i{Dale Smith} proposed link abbreviations.
9580 @i{Adam Spiers} asked for global linking commands, inspired the link
9581 extension system, added support for mairix, and proposed the mapping API.
9583 @i{David O'Toole} wrote @file{org-publish.el} and drafted the manual
9584 chapter about publishing.
9586 @i{J@"urgen Vollmer} contributed code generating the table of contents
9589 @i{Chris Wallace} provided a patch implementing the @samp{QUOTE}
9592 @i{David Wainberg} suggested archiving, and improvements to the linking
9595 @i{John Wiegley} wrote @file{emacs-wiki.el}, @file{planner.el}, and
9596 @file{muse.el}, which have similar goals as Org. Initially the
9597 development of Org was fully independent because I was not aware of the
9598 existence of these packages. But with time I have accasionally looked
9599 at John's code and learned a lot from it. John has also contributed a
9600 number of great ideas and patches directly to Org, including the file
9601 @code{org-mac-message.el}'
9603 @i{Carsten Wimmer} suggested some changes and helped fix a bug in
9606 @i{Roland Winkler} requested additional key bindings to make Org
9609 @i{Piotr Zielinski} wrote @file{org-mouse.el}, proposed agenda blocks
9610 and contributed various ideas and code snippets.
9614 @node Main Index, Key Index, History and Acknowledgments, Top
9615 @unnumbered The Main Index
9619 @node Key Index, , Main Index, Top
9620 @unnumbered Key Index
9627 arch-tag: 7893d1Fe-cc57-4d13-b5e5-f494a1CBC7ac
9631 @c ispell-local-dictionary: "en_US-w_accents"
9632 @c ispell-local-pdict: "./.aspell.org.pws"