3 @setfilename ../../info/org
4 @settitle The Org Manual
9 @c Version and Contact Info
10 @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://orgmode.org,maintainers webpage}
11 @set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik
12 @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
13 @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{carsten at orgmode dot org}
14 @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:carsten at orgmode dot org,contact the maintainer}
20 @c Subheadings inside a table.
21 @macro tsubheading{text}
31 This manual is for Org version @value{VERSION}.
33 Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Free Software Foundation
36 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
37 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
38 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
39 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
40 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license
41 is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License.''
43 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
44 modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
45 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
47 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
48 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
49 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
50 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
56 * Org Mode: (org). Outline-based notes management and organizer
62 @subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
63 @author by Carsten Dominik
65 @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
67 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
71 @c Output the table of contents at the beginning.
75 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
82 * Introduction:: Getting started
83 * Document Structure:: A tree works like your brain
84 * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting
85 * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context
86 * TODO Items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item
87 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
88 * Properties and Columns:: Storing information about an entry
89 * Dates and Times:: Making items useful for planning
90 * Capture:: Creating tasks and attaching files
91 * Agenda Views:: Collecting information into views
92 * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX fragments and formulas
93 * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes
94 * Publishing:: Create a web site of linked Org files
95 * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
96 * Hacking:: How to hack your way around
97 * History and Acknowledgments:: How Org came into being
98 * Main Index:: An index of Org's concepts and features
99 * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described
100 * Variable and Faces Index:: Index for variables and faces discussed
103 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
107 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
108 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
109 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
110 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
111 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
115 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
116 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
117 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
118 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
119 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
120 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
121 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
122 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
123 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
124 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
125 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
129 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
130 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
134 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
135 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
136 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
137 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
138 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
139 * Org Plot:: Plotting from org tables
143 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
144 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
145 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
146 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
147 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
148 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
149 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
150 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
154 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
155 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
156 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
157 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
158 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
159 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
160 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
161 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
165 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
169 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
170 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
171 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
172 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
173 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
174 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
176 Extended use of TODO keywords
178 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
179 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
180 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
181 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
182 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
183 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
184 * TODO dependencies:: When one task needs to wait for others
188 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
189 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
193 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
194 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
195 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
197 Properties and Columns
199 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
200 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
201 * Property searches:: Matching property values
202 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
203 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
204 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
208 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
209 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
210 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
214 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
215 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
219 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
220 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
221 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
222 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
223 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
224 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
228 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
229 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
231 Deadlines and scheduling
233 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
234 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
238 * Remember:: Capture new tasks/ideas with little interruption
239 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks.
243 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
244 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
245 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
246 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
250 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
251 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
252 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
253 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
254 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
255 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
256 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
258 The built-in agenda views
260 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
261 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
262 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
263 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
264 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
265 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
267 Presentation and sorting
269 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
270 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
271 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
275 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
276 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
277 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
278 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
279 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
283 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
284 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
285 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
286 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
287 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
291 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
292 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
293 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
294 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
295 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
296 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
297 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to LaTeX, and processing to PDF
298 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
299 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
303 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
304 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
305 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
306 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
307 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
308 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
309 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
310 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
311 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
312 * Inlined images:: How to inline images during export
313 * Footnote markup:: ASCII representation of footnotes
314 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
315 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
316 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
317 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
318 * Macro replacement:: Global replacement of place holdes
322 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
323 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
324 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
325 * Images in HTML export:: How to insert figures into HTML output
326 * Text areas in HTML export:: An alternative way to show an example
327 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
328 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
332 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invokes which commands
333 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
334 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
335 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to LaTeX
336 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into LaTeX output
340 * Configuration:: Defining projects
341 * Uploading files:: How to get files up on the server
342 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
343 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
347 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
348 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
349 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
350 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
351 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
352 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
353 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
357 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
358 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
362 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
363 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
364 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
365 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
366 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
367 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
368 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
370 Interaction with other packages
372 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
373 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
377 * Hooks:: Who to reach into Org's internals
378 * Add-on packages:: Available extensions
379 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
380 * Context-sensitive commands:: How to add functioality to such commands
381 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
382 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
383 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
384 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
385 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
387 Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
389 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
390 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
391 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
392 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
397 @node Introduction, Document Structure, Top, Top
398 @chapter Introduction
402 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
403 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
404 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
405 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
406 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
409 @node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction
413 Org is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, and doing
414 project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.
416 Org develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
417 lists or information about projects as plain text. Org is
418 implemented on top of Outline mode, which makes it possible to keep the
419 content of large files well structured. Visibility cycling and
420 structure editing help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created
421 with a built-in table editor. Org supports TODO items, deadlines,
422 time stamps, and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an
423 agenda that utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar
424 and diary. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails,
425 Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects.
426 For printing and sharing of notes, an Org file can be exported as a
427 structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (TODO and agenda items only) as an
428 iCalendar file. It can also serve as a publishing tool for a set of
431 An important design aspect that distinguishes Org from for example
432 Planner/Muse is that it encourages to store every piece of information
433 only once. In Planner, you have project pages, day pages and possibly
434 other files, duplicating some information such as tasks. In Org,
435 you only have notes files. In your notes you mark entries as tasks,
436 label them with tags and timestamps. All necessary lists like a
437 schedule for the day, the agenda for a meeting, tasks lists selected by
438 tags etc are created dynamically when you need them.
440 Org keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should
441 feel like a straightforward, easy to use outliner. Complexity is not
442 imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you need
443 it. Org is a toolbox and can be used in different ways, for
447 @r{@bullet{} outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
448 @r{@bullet{} ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
449 @r{@bullet{} ASCII table editor with spreadsheet-like capabilities}
450 @r{@bullet{} TODO list editor}
451 @r{@bullet{} full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
452 @r{@bullet{} environment to implement David Allen's GTD system}
453 @r{@bullet{} a basic database application}
454 @r{@bullet{} simple hypertext system, with HTML and LaTeX export}
455 @r{@bullet{} publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages}
458 Org's automatic, context sensitive table editor with spreadsheet
459 capabilities can be integrated into any major mode by activating the
460 minor Orgtbl mode. Using a translation step, it can be used to maintain
461 tables in arbitrary file types, for example in La@TeX{}. The structure
462 editing and list creation capabilities can be used outside Org with
463 the minor Orgstruct mode.
466 There is a website for Org which provides links to the newest
467 version of Org, as well as additional information, frequently asked
468 questions (FAQ), links to tutorials etc. This page is located at
469 @uref{http://orgmode.org}.
474 @node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction
475 @section Installation
479 @b{Important:} @i{If Org is part of the Emacs distribution or an
480 XEmacs package, please skip this section and go directly to
483 If you have downloaded Org from the Web, either as a distribution @file{.zip}
484 or @file{.tar} file, or as a GIT archive, you must take the following steps
485 to install it: Go into the unpacked Org distribution directory and edit the
486 top section of the file @file{Makefile}. You must set the name of the Emacs
487 binary (likely either @file{emacs} or @file{xemacs}), and the paths to the
488 directories where local Lisp and Info files are kept. If you don't have
489 access to the system-wide directories, you can simply run Org directly from
490 the distribution directory by adding the @file{lisp} subdirectory to the
491 Emacs load path. To do this, add the following line to @file{.emacs}:
494 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/lisp" load-path))
498 If you plan to use code from the @file{contrib} subdirectory, do a similar
499 step for this directory:
502 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/contrib/lisp" load-path))
505 @b{XEmacs users now need to install the file @file{noutline.el} from
506 the @file{xemacs} sub-directory of the Org distribution. Use the
510 @b{make install-noutline}
513 @noindent Now byte-compile the Lisp files with the shell command:
519 @noindent If you are running Org from the distribution directory, this is
520 all. If you want to install into the system directories, use (as
526 Installing Info files is system dependent, because of differences in the
527 @file{install-info} program. In Debian it does copy the info files into the
528 correct directory and modifies the info directory file. In many other
529 systems, the files need to be copied to the correct directory separately, and
530 @file{install-info} then only modifies the directory file. Check your system
531 documentation to find out which of the following commands you need:
535 make install-info-debian
538 @noindent Then add to @file{.emacs}:
541 ;; This line only if Org is not part of the X/Emacs distribution.
542 (require 'org-install)
545 Do not forget to activate Org as described in the following section.
547 @node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction
551 @cindex global key bindings
552 @cindex key bindings, global
555 @b{Important:} @i{If you use copy-and-paste to copy lisp code from the
556 PDF documentation as viewed by some PDF viewers to your .emacs file, the
557 single quote character comes out incorrectly and the code will not work.
558 You need to fix the single quotes by hand, or copy from Info
562 Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file. The last three lines
563 define @emph{global} keys for the commands @command{org-store-link},
564 @command{org-agenda}, and @command{org-iswitchb} - please choose suitable
568 ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys.
569 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org\\'" . org-mode))
570 (global-set-key "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
571 (global-set-key "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
572 (global-set-key "\C-cb" 'org-iswitchb)
575 Furthermore, you must activate @code{font-lock-mode} in Org
576 buffers, because significant functionality depends on font-locking being
577 active. You can do this with either one of the following two lines
578 (XEmacs user must use the second option):
580 (global-font-lock-mode 1) ; for all buffers
581 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock) ; Org buffers only
584 @cindex Org mode, turning on
585 With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put
586 into Org mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look
590 MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*-
593 @vindex org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file
594 @noindent which will select Org mode for this buffer no matter what
595 the file's name is. See also the variable
596 @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}.
598 Many commands in Org work on the region if the region is @i{active}. To make
599 use of this, you need to have @code{transient-mark-mode}
600 (@code{zmacs-regions} in XEmacs) turned on. In Emacs 23 this is the default,
601 in Emacs 22 you need to do this yourself with
603 (transient-mark-mode 1)
605 @noindent If you do not like @code{transient-make-mode}, you can create an
606 active region by using the mouse to select a region, or pressing
607 @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} twice before moving the cursor.
609 @node Feedback, Conventions, Activation, Introduction
616 If you find problems with Org, or if you have questions, remarks, or ideas
617 about it, please mail to the Org mailing list @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org}.
618 If you are not a member of the mailing list, your mail will be reviewed by a
619 moderator and then passed through to the list.
621 For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible,
622 including the version information of Emacs (@kbd{C-h v emacs-version
623 @key{RET}}) and Org (@kbd{C-h v org-version @key{RET}}), as well as
624 the Org related setup in @file{.emacs}. If an error occurs, a
625 backtrace can be very useful (see below on how to create one). Often a
626 small example file helps, along with clear information about:
629 @item What exactly did you do?
630 @item What did you expect to happen?
631 @item What happened instead?
633 @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode.
635 @subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace
637 @cindex backtrace of an error
638 If working with Org produces an error with a message you don't
639 understand, you may have hit a bug. The best way to report this is by
640 providing, in addition to what was mentioned above, a @emph{Backtrace}.
641 This is information from the built-in debugger about where and how the
642 error occurred. Here is how to produce a useful backtrace:
646 Reload uncompiled versions of all Org-mode lisp files. The backtrace
647 contains much more information if it is produced with uncompiled code.
650 C-u M-x org-reload RET
652 or select @code{Org -> Refresh/Reload -> Reload Org uncompiled} from the
655 Go to the @code{Options} menu and select @code{Enter Debugger on Error}
656 (XEmacs has this option in the @code{Troubleshooting} sub-menu).
658 Do whatever you have to do to hit the error. Don't forget to
659 document the steps you take.
661 When you hit the error, a @file{*Backtrace*} buffer will appear on the
662 screen. Save this buffer to a file (for example using @kbd{C-x C-w}) and
663 attach it to your bug report.
666 @node Conventions, , Feedback, Introduction
667 @section Typesetting conventions used in this manual
669 Org uses three types of keywords: TODO keywords, tags, and property
670 names. In this manual we use the following conventions:
675 TODO keywords are written with all capitals, even if they are
679 User-defined tags are written in lowercase; built-in tags with special
680 meaning are written with all capitals.
683 User-defined properties are capitalized; built-in properties with
684 special meaning are written with all capitals.
687 @node Document Structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
688 @chapter Document Structure
689 @cindex document structure
690 @cindex structure of document
692 Org is based on outline mode and provides flexible commands to
693 edit the structure of the document.
696 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
697 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
698 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
699 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
700 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
701 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
702 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
703 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
704 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
705 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
706 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
709 @node Outlines, Headlines, Document Structure, Document Structure
714 Org is implemented on top of Outline mode. Outlines allow a
715 document to be organized in a hierarchical structure, which (at least
716 for me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. An overview
717 of this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the
718 document to show only the general document structure and the parts
719 currently being worked on. Org greatly simplifies the use of
720 outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a single
721 command @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB} key.
723 @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document Structure
727 @vindex org-special-ctrl-a/e
729 Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in
730 Org start with one or more stars, on the left margin@footnote{See
731 the variable @code{org-special-ctrl-a/e} to configure special behavior
732 of @kbd{C-a} and @kbd{C-e} in headlines.}. For example:
742 * Another top level headline
745 @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an
746 outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline
747 starters. @ref{Clean view} describes a setup to realize this.
749 @vindex org-cycle-separator-lines
750 An empty line after the end of a subtree is considered part of it and
751 will be hidden when the subtree is folded. However, if you leave at
752 least two empty lines, one empty line will remain visible after folding
753 the subtree, in order to structure the collapsed view. See the
754 variable @code{org-cycle-separator-lines} to modify this behavior.
756 @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document Structure
757 @section Visibility cycling
758 @cindex cycling, visibility
759 @cindex visibility cycling
760 @cindex trees, visibility
761 @cindex show hidden text
764 Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer.
765 Org uses just two commands, bound to @key{TAB} and
766 @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to change the visibility in the buffer.
768 @cindex subtree visibility states
769 @cindex subtree cycling
770 @cindex folded, subtree visibility state
771 @cindex children, subtree visibility state
772 @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state
776 @emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree among the states
779 ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
780 '-----------------------------------'
783 @vindex org-cycle-emulate-tab
784 @vindex org-cycle-global-at-bob
785 The cursor must be on a headline for this to work@footnote{see, however,
786 the option @code{org-cycle-emulate-tab}.}. When the cursor is at the
787 beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then
788 @key{TAB} actually runs global cycling (see below)@footnote{see the
789 option @code{org-cycle-global-at-bob}.}. Also when called with a prefix
790 argument (@kbd{C-u @key{TAB}}), global cycling is invoked.
792 @cindex global visibility states
793 @cindex global cycling
794 @cindex overview, global visibility state
795 @cindex contents, global visibility state
796 @cindex show all, global visibility state
800 @emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer among the states
803 ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
804 '--------------------------------------'
807 When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numeric prefix argument N, the
808 CONTENTS view up to headlines of level N will be shown. Note that inside
809 tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field.
811 @cindex show all, command
812 @kindex C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
813 @item C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
814 Show all, including drawers.
817 Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following heading
818 and the hierarchy above. Useful for working near a location that has been
819 exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda command
820 (@pxref{Agenda commands}). With a prefix argument show, on each
821 level, all sibling headings.
824 Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect
827 (@pxref{Indirect Buffers,,,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual})
830 (see the Emacs manual for more information about indirect buffers)
832 will contain the entire buffer, but will be narrowed to the current
833 tree. Editing the indirect buffer will also change the original buffer,
834 but without affecting visibility in that buffer.}. With a numeric
835 prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
836 negative then go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove
837 the previously used indirect buffer.
840 @vindex org-startup-folded
841 When Emacs first visits an Org file, the global state is set to
842 OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be
843 configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a
844 per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the
854 Furthermore, any entries with a @samp{VISIBILITY} property (@pxref{Properties
855 and Columns}) will get their visibility adapted accordingly. Allowed values
856 for this property are @code{folded}, @code{children}, @code{content}, and
859 @kindex C-u C-u @key{TAB}
860 @item C-u C-u @key{TAB}
861 Switch back to the startup visibility of the buffer, i.e. whatever is
862 requested by startup options and @samp{VISIBILITY} properties in individual
866 @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document Structure
868 @cindex motion, between headlines
869 @cindex jumping, to headlines
870 @cindex headline navigation
871 The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer.
882 Next heading same level.
885 Previous heading same level.
888 Backward to higher level heading.
891 Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
892 visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
893 you can use the following keys to find your destination:
894 @vindex org-goto-auto-isearch
896 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
897 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
898 @key{RET} @r{Select this location.}
899 @kbd{/} @r{Do a Sparse-tree search}
900 @r{The following keys work if you turn off @code{org-goto-auto-isearch}}
901 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
902 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
904 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
907 @vindex org-goto-interface
908 See also the variable @code{org-goto-interface}.
911 @node Structure editing, Archiving, Motion, Document Structure
912 @section Structure editing
913 @cindex structure editing
914 @cindex headline, promotion and demotion
915 @cindex promotion, of subtrees
916 @cindex demotion, of subtrees
917 @cindex subtree, cut and paste
918 @cindex pasting, of subtrees
919 @cindex cutting, of subtrees
920 @cindex copying, of subtrees
921 @cindex subtrees, cut and paste
926 @vindex org-M-RET-may-split-line
927 Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a
928 plain list item, a new item is created (@pxref{Plain lists}). To force
929 creation of a new headline, use a prefix argument, or first press @key{RET}
930 to get to the beginning of the next line. When this command is used in
931 the middle of a line, the line is split and the rest of the line becomes
932 the new headline@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split,
933 customize the variable @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If the
934 command is used at the beginning of a headline, the new headline is
935 created before the current line. If at the beginning of any other line,
936 the content of that line is made the new heading. If the command is
937 used at the end of a folded subtree (i.e. behind the ellipses at the end
938 of a headline), then a headline like the current one will be inserted
939 after the end of the subtree.
942 Just like @kbd{M-@key{RET}}, except when adding a new heading below the
943 current heading, the new heading is placed after the body instead of before
944 it. This command works from anywhere in the entry.
945 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
947 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.
948 @kindex C-S-@key{RET}
950 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading. Like
951 @kbd{C-@key{RET}}, the new headline will be inserted after the current
955 Promote current heading by one level.
956 @kindex M-@key{right}
958 Demote current heading by one level.
959 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
961 Promote the current subtree by one level.
962 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
963 @item M-S-@key{right}
964 Demote the current subtree by one level.
967 Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
969 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
971 Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
974 Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
975 With a numeric prefix argument N, kill N sequential subtrees.
978 Copy subtree to kill ring. With a numeric prefix argument N, copy the N
982 Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to
983 make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank level can
984 also be specified with a numeric prefix argument, or by yanking after a
985 headline marker like @samp{****}.
988 @vindex org-yank-adjusted-subtrees
989 @vindex org-yank-folded-subtrees
990 Depending on the variables @code{org-yank-adjusted-subtrees} and
991 @code{org-yank-folded-subtrees}, Org's internal @code{yank} command will
992 paste subtrees folded and in a clever way, using the same command as @kbd{C-c
993 C-x C-y}. With the default settings, no level adjustment will take place,
994 but the yanked tree will be folded unless doing so would swallow text
995 previously visible. Any prefix argument to this command will force a normal
996 @code{yank} to be executed, with the prefix passed along. A good way to
997 force a normal yank is @kbd{C-u C-y}. If you use @code{yank-pop} after a
998 yank, it will yank previous kill items plainly, without adjustment and
1002 Clone a subtree by making a number of sibling copies of it. You will be
1003 prompted for the number of copies to make, and you can also specify if any
1004 time stamps in the entry should be shifted. This can be useful, for example,
1005 to create a number of tasks related to a series of lectures to prepare. For
1006 more details, see the docstring of the command
1007 @code{org-clone-subtree-with-time-shift}.
1010 Refile entry or region to a different location. @xref{Refiling notes}.
1013 Sort same-level entries. When there is an active region, all entries in the
1014 region will be sorted. Otherwise the children of the current headline are
1015 sorted. The command prompts for the sorting method, which can be
1016 alphabetically, numerically, by time (using the first time stamp in each
1017 entry), by priority, or by TODO keyword (in the sequence the keywords have
1018 been defined in the setup). Reverse sorting is possible as well. You can
1019 also supply your own function to extract the sorting key. With a @kbd{C-u}
1020 prefix, sorting will be case-sensitive. With two @kbd{C-u C-u} prefixes,
1021 duplicate entries will also be removed.
1024 Narrow buffer to current subtree.
1027 Widen buffer to remove a narrowing.
1030 Turn a normal line or plain list item into a headline (so that it becomes a
1031 subheading at its location). Also turn a headline into a normal line by
1032 removing the stars. If there is an active region, turn all lines in the
1033 region into headlines. If the first line in the region was an item, turn
1034 only the item lines into headlines. Finally, if the first line is a
1035 headline, remove the stars from all headlines in the region.
1038 @cindex region, active
1039 @cindex active region
1040 @cindex Transient mark mode
1041 When there is an active region (Transient mark mode), promotion and
1042 demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of
1043 headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a
1044 line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line
1045 just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is
1046 inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different
1049 @node Archiving, Sparse trees, Structure editing, Document Structure
1053 When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want
1054 to move the tree out of the way and to stop it from contributing to the
1055 agenda. Org mode knows two ways of archiving. You can mark a tree with
1056 the ARCHIVE tag, or you can move an entire (sub)tree to a different
1060 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
1061 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
1064 @node ARCHIVE tag, Moving subtrees, Archiving, Archiving
1065 @subsection The ARCHIVE tag
1066 @cindex internal archiving
1068 A headline that is marked with the ARCHIVE tag (@pxref{Tags}) stays at
1069 its location in the outline tree, but behaves in the following way:
1072 @vindex org-cycle-open-archived-trees
1073 It does not open when you attempt to do so with a visibility cycling
1074 command (@pxref{Visibility cycling}). You can force cycling archived
1075 subtrees with @kbd{C-@key{TAB}}, or by setting the option
1076 @code{org-cycle-open-archived-trees}. Also normal outline commands like
1077 @code{show-all} will open archived subtrees.
1079 @vindex org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees
1080 During sparse tree construction (@pxref{Sparse trees}), matches in
1081 archived subtrees are not exposed, unless you configure the option
1082 @code{org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees}.
1084 @vindex org-agenda-skip-archived-trees
1085 During agenda view construction (@pxref{Agenda Views}), the content of
1086 archived trees is ignored unless you configure the option
1087 @code{org-agenda-skip-archived-trees}, in which case these trees will always
1088 be included. In the agenda you can press the @kbd{v} key to get archives
1089 temporarily included.
1091 @vindex org-export-with-archived-trees
1092 Archived trees are not exported (@pxref{Exporting}), only the headline
1093 is. Configure the details using the variable
1094 @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}.
1097 The following commands help managing the ARCHIVE tag:
1102 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline. When the tag is set,
1103 the headline changes to a shadowed face, and the subtree below it is
1105 @kindex C-u C-c C-x a
1107 Check if any direct children of the current headline should be archived.
1108 To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are
1109 found, the command offers to set the ARCHIVE tag for the child. If the
1110 cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the
1111 level 1 trees will be checked.
1114 Cycle a tree even if it is tagged with ARCHIVE.
1117 @node Moving subtrees, , ARCHIVE tag, Archiving
1118 @subsection Moving subtrees
1119 @cindex external archiving
1121 Once an entire project is finished, you may want to move it to a different
1122 location. Org can move it to an @emph{Archive Sibling} in the same tree, to a
1123 different tree in the current file, or to a different file, the archive file.
1128 Move the current entry to the @emph{Archive Sibling}. This is a sibling of
1129 the entry with the heading @samp{Archive} and the tag @samp{ARCHIVE}
1130 (@pxref{ARCHIVE tag}). The entry becomes a child of that sibling and in this
1131 way retains a lot of its original context, including inherited tags and
1132 approximate position in the outline.
1137 @vindex org-archive-location
1138 Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location
1139 given by @code{org-archive-location}. Context information that could be
1140 lost like the file name, the category, inherited tags, and the TODO
1141 state will be store as properties in the entry.
1142 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-s
1143 @item C-u C-c C-x C-s
1144 Check if any direct children of the current headline could be moved to
1145 the archive. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries.
1146 If none are found, the command offers to move it to the archive
1147 location. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command
1148 is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked.
1151 @cindex archive locations
1152 The default archive location is a file in the same directory as the
1153 current file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the
1154 current file name. For information and examples on how to change this,
1155 see the documentation string of the variable
1156 @code{org-archive-location}. There is also an in-buffer option for
1157 setting this variable, for example@footnote{For backward compatibility,
1158 the following also works: If there are several such lines in a file,
1159 each specifies the archive location for the text below it. The first
1160 such line also applies to any text before its definition. However,
1161 using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is incompatible
1162 with the outline structure of the document. The correct method for
1163 setting multiple archive locations in a buffer is using properties.}:
1166 #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
1170 If you would like to have a special ARCHIVE location for a single entry
1171 or a (sub)tree, give the entry an @code{:ARCHIVE:} property with the
1172 location as the value (@pxref{Properties and Columns}).
1174 @vindex org-archive-save-context-info
1175 When a subtree is moved, it receives a number of special properties that
1176 record context information like the file from where the entry came, it's
1177 outline path the archiving time etc. Configure the variable
1178 @code{org-archive-save-context-info} to adjust the amount of information
1181 @node Sparse trees, Plain lists, Archiving, Document Structure
1182 @section Sparse trees
1183 @cindex sparse trees
1184 @cindex trees, sparse
1185 @cindex folding, sparse trees
1186 @cindex occur, command
1188 @vindex org-show-hierarchy-above
1189 @vindex org-show-following-heading
1190 @vindex org-show-siblings
1191 @vindex org-show-entry-below
1192 An important feature of Org mode is the ability to construct @emph{sparse
1193 trees} for selected information in an outline tree, so that the entire
1194 document is folded as much as possible, but the selected information is made
1195 visible along with the headline structure above it@footnote{See also the
1196 variables @code{org-show-hierarchy-above}, @code{org-show-following-heading},
1197 @code{org-show-siblings}, and @code{org-show-entry-below} for detailed
1198 control on how much context is shown around each match.}. Just try it out
1199 and you will see immediately how it works.
1201 Org mode contains several commands creating such trees, all these
1202 commands can be accessed through a dispatcher:
1207 This prompts for an extra key to select a sparse-tree creating command.
1210 @vindex org-remove-highlights-with-change
1211 Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches. If
1212 the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the match is in
1213 the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible. In order to
1214 provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of headlines above the match
1215 is shown, as well as the headline following the match. Each match is also
1216 highlighted; the highlights disappear when the buffer is changed by an
1217 editing command@footnote{depending on the option
1218 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}}, or by pressing @kbd{C-c C-c}.
1219 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, previous highlights are kept,
1220 so several calls to this command can be stacked.
1224 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
1225 For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can
1226 use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast
1227 keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be
1228 accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
1232 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
1233 '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME")))
1236 @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating
1237 a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}.
1239 The other sparse tree commands select headings based on TODO keywords,
1240 tags, or properties and will be discussed later in this manual.
1243 @cindex printing sparse trees
1244 @cindex visible text, printing
1245 To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command
1246 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts
1247 of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because
1248 XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties.}.
1249 Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-e v} to export only the visible
1250 part of the document and print the resulting file.
1252 @node Plain lists, Drawers, Sparse trees, Document Structure
1253 @section Plain lists
1255 @cindex lists, plain
1256 @cindex lists, ordered
1257 @cindex ordered lists
1259 Within an entry of the outline tree, hand-formatted lists can provide
1260 additional structure. They also provide a way to create lists of
1261 checkboxes (@pxref{Checkboxes}). Org supports editing such lists,
1262 and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) parses and formats them.
1264 Org knows ordered lists, unordered lists, and description lists.
1267 @emph{Unordered} list items start with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or
1268 @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a bullet, lines must be indented or
1269 they will be seen as top-level headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading
1270 stars to get a clean outline view, plain list items starting with a star are
1271 visually indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though
1272 @samp{*} is supported, it may be better to not use it for plain list items.}
1275 @emph{Ordered} list items start with a numeral followed by either a period or
1276 a right parenthesis, such as @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}.
1278 @emph{Description} list items are like unordered list items, but contain the
1279 separator @samp{ :: } to separate the description @emph{term} from the
1283 @vindex org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists
1284 Items belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first
1285 line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then the
1286 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers in the
1287 list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It ends before
1288 the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or less. Empty lines
1289 are part of the previous item, so you can have several paragraphs in one
1290 item. If you would like an empty line to terminate all currently open plain
1291 lists, configure the variable @code{org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists}.
1296 ** Lord of the Rings
1297 My favorite scenes are (in this order)
1298 1. The attack of the Rohirrim
1299 2. Eowyn's fight with the witch king
1300 + this was already my favorite scene in the book
1301 + I really like Miranda Otto.
1302 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas
1304 He makes a really funny face when it happens.
1305 But in the end, no individual scenes matter but the film as a whole.
1306 Important actors in this film are:
1307 - @b{Elijah Wood} :: He plays Frodo
1308 - @b{Sean Austin} :: He plays Sam, Frodo's friend. I still remember
1309 him very well from his role as Mikey Walsh in the Goonies.
1313 Org supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to
1314 deal with them correctly@footnote{Org only changes the filling
1315 settings for Emacs. For XEmacs, you should use Kyle E. Jones'
1316 @file{filladapt.el}. To turn this on, put into @file{.emacs}:
1317 @code{(require 'filladapt)}}, and by exporting them properly
1318 (@pxref{Exporting}).
1320 The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line
1321 of an item (the line with the bullet or number).
1326 @vindex org-cycle-include-plain-lists
1327 Items can be folded just like headline levels if you set the variable
1328 @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. The level of an item is then
1329 given by the indentation of the bullet/number. Items are always
1330 subordinate to real headlines, however; the hierarchies remain
1331 completely separated.
1333 If @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists} has not been set, @key{TAB}
1334 fixes the indentation of the current line in a heuristic way.
1337 @vindex org-M-RET-may-split-line
1338 Insert new item at current level. With a prefix argument, force a new
1339 heading (@pxref{Structure editing}). If this command is used in the middle
1340 of a line, the line is @emph{split} and the rest of the line becomes the new
1341 item@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split, customize the variable
1342 @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If this command is executed in the
1343 @emph{whitespace before a bullet or number}, the new item is created
1344 @emph{before} the current item. If the command is executed in the white
1345 space before the text that is part of an item but does not contain the
1346 bullet, a bullet is added to the current line.
1347 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
1349 Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
1351 @kindex S-@key{down}
1354 @cindex shift-selection-mode
1355 @vindex org-support-shift-select
1356 Jump to the previous/next item in the current list, but only if
1357 @code{org-support-shift-select} is off. If not, you can still use paragraph
1358 jumping commands like @kbd{C-@key{up}} and @kbd{C-@key{down}} to quite
1360 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1361 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1363 @itemx M-S-@key{down}
1364 Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item
1365 of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is
1367 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1368 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1369 @item M-S-@key{left}
1370 @itemx M-S-@key{right}
1371 Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems.
1372 Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation.
1373 When these commands are executed several times in direct succession,
1374 the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation
1375 would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break
1376 the command chain with a cursor motion or so.
1379 If there is a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}) in the item line, toggle the
1380 state of the checkbox. If not, this command makes sure that all the
1381 items on this list level use the same bullet. Furthermore, if this is
1382 an ordered list, make sure the numbering is OK.
1385 Cycle the entire list level through the different itemize/enumerate bullets
1386 (@samp{-}, @samp{+}, @samp{*}, @samp{1.}, @samp{1)}). With a numeric prefix
1387 argument N, select the Nth bullet from this list. If there is an active
1388 region when calling this, all lines will be converted to list items. If the
1389 first line already was a list item, any item markers will be removed from the
1390 list. Finally, even without an active region, a normal line will be
1391 converted into a list item.
1392 @kindex S-@key{left}
1393 @kindex S-@key{right}
1394 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
1395 @vindex org-support-shift-select
1396 This command also cycles bullet styles when the cursor in on the bullet or
1397 anywhere in an item line, details depending on
1398 @code{org-support-shift-select}.
1401 @node Drawers, Footnotes, Plain lists, Document Structure
1404 @cindex visibility cycling, drawers
1407 Sometimes you want to keep information associated with an entry, but you
1408 normally don't want to see it. For this, Org mode has @emph{drawers}.
1409 Drawers need to be configured with the variable
1410 @code{org-drawers}@footnote{You can define drawers on a per-file basis
1411 with a line like @code{#+DRAWERS: HIDDEN PROPERTIES STATE}}. Drawers
1415 ** This is a headline
1416 Still outside the drawer
1418 This is inside the drawer.
1423 Visibility cycling (@pxref{Visibility cycling}) on the headline will hide and
1424 show the entry, but keep the drawer collapsed to a single line. In order to
1425 look inside the drawer, you need to move the cursor to the drawer line and
1426 press @key{TAB} there. Org mode uses the @code{PROPERTIES} drawer for
1427 storing properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}), and you can also arrange
1428 for state change notes @pxref{Tracking TODO state changes} and clock times
1429 (@pxref{Clocking work time}) to be stored in a drawer @code{LOGBOOK}.
1431 @node Footnotes, Orgstruct mode, Drawers, Document Structure
1435 Org-mode supports the creation of footnotes. In contrast to the
1436 @file{footnote.el} package, Org-mode's footnotes are designed for work on a
1437 larger document, not only for one-off documents like emails. The basic
1438 syntax is similar to the one used by @file{footnote.el}, i.e. a footnote is
1439 defined in a paragraph that is started by a footnote marker in square
1440 brackets in column 0, no indentation allowed. If you need a paragraph break
1441 inside a footnote, use the LaTeX idiom @samp{\par}. The footnote reference
1442 is simply the marker in square brackets, inside text. For example:
1445 The Org homepage[fn:1] now looks a lot better than it used to.
1447 [fn:1] The link is: http://orgmode.org
1450 Org-mode extends the number-based syntax to @emph{named} footnotes and
1451 optional inline definition. Using plain numbers as markers (as
1452 @file{footnote.el} does) is supported for backward compatibility, but not
1453 encouraged because of possible conflicts with LaTeX snippets @pxref{Embedded
1454 LaTeX}. Here are the valid references:
1458 A plain numeric footnote marker.
1460 A named footnote reference, where @code{name} is a unique label word, or, for
1461 simplicity of automatic creation, a number.
1462 @item [fn:: This is the inline definition of this footnote]
1463 A LaTeX-like anonymous footnote where the definition is given directly at the
1465 @item [fn:name: a definition]
1466 An inline definition of a footnote, which also specifies a name for the note.
1467 Since Org allows multiple references to the same note, you can then use
1468 @code{[fn:name]} to create additional references.
1471 @vindex org-footnote-auto-label
1472 Footnote labels can be created automatically, or you create names yourself.
1473 This is handled by the variable @code{org-footnote-auto-label} and its
1474 corresponding @code{#+STARTUP} keywords, see the docstring of that variable
1477 @noindent The following command handles footnotes:
1482 The footnote action command.
1484 When the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. When it
1485 is at a definition, jump to the (first) reference.
1487 @vindex org-footnote-define-inline
1488 @vindex org-footnote-section
1489 Otherwise, create a new footnote. Depending on the variable
1490 @code{org-footnote-define-inline}@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer
1491 setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: fninline} or @code{#+STARTUP: nofninline}}, the
1492 definition will be placed right into the text as part of the reference, or
1493 separately into the location determined by the variable
1494 @code{org-footnote-section}.
1496 When this command is called with a prefix argument, a menu of additional
1499 s @r{Sort the footnote definitions by reference sequence. During editing,}
1500 @r{Org makes no effort to sort footnote definitions into a particular}
1501 @r{sequence. If you want them sorted, use this command, which will}
1502 @r{also move entries according to @code{org-footnote-section}.}
1503 n @r{Normalize the footnotes by collecting all definitions (including}
1504 @r{inline definitions) into a special section, and then numbering them}
1505 @r{in sequence. The references will then also be numbers. This is}
1506 @r{meant to be the final step before finishing a document (e.g. sending}
1507 @r{off an email). The exporters do this automatically, and so could}
1508 @r{something like @code{message-send-hook}.}
1509 d @r{Delete the footnote at point, and all definitions of and references}
1514 If the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. If it is a
1515 the definition, jump back to the reference. When called at a footnote
1516 location with a prefix argument, offer the same menu as @kbd{C-c C-x f}.
1520 @item C-c C-c @r{or} mouse-1/2
1521 Footnote labels are also links to the corresponding definition/reference, and
1522 you can use the usual commands to follow these links.
1525 @node Orgstruct mode, , Footnotes, Document Structure
1526 @section The Orgstruct minor mode
1527 @cindex Orgstruct mode
1528 @cindex minor mode for structure editing
1530 If you like the intuitive way the Org mode structure editing and list
1531 formatting works, you might want to use these commands in other modes like
1532 Text mode or Mail mode as well. The minor mode @code{orgstruct-mode} makes
1533 this possible. Toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x orgstruct-mode}, or
1534 turn it on by default, for example in Mail mode, with one of:
1537 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
1538 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct++)
1541 When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that looks to Org like a
1542 headline or the first line of a list item, most structure editing commands
1543 will work, even if the same keys normally have different functionality in the
1544 major mode you are using. If the cursor is not in one of those special
1545 lines, Orgstruct mode lurks silently in the shadow. When you use
1546 @code{orgstruct++-mode}, Org will also export indentation and autofill
1547 settings into that mode, and detect item context after the first line of an
1550 @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document Structure, Top
1553 @cindex editing tables
1555 Org comes with a fast and intuitive table editor. Spreadsheet-like
1556 calculations are supported in connection with the Emacs @file{calc}
1559 (@pxref{Top,Calc,,Calc,Gnu Emacs Calculator Manual}).
1562 (see the Emacs Calculator manual for more information about the Emacs
1567 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
1568 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
1569 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
1570 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
1571 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
1572 * Org Plot:: Plotting from org tables
1575 @node Built-in table editor, Narrow columns, Tables, Tables
1576 @section The built-in table editor
1577 @cindex table editor, built-in
1579 Org makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with
1580 @samp{|} as the first non-whitespace character is considered part of a
1581 table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look like
1585 | Name | Phone | Age |
1586 |-------+-------+-----|
1587 | Peter | 1234 | 17 |
1588 | Anna | 4321 | 25 |
1591 A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or
1592 @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to
1593 the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows
1594 at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation
1595 of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with
1596 @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be
1597 expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to
1598 create the above table, you would only type
1605 @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in
1606 fields. Even faster would be to type @code{|Name|Phone|Age} followed by
1607 @kbd{C-c @key{RET}}.
1609 @vindex org-enable-table-editor
1610 @vindex org-table-auto-blank-field
1611 When typing text into a field, Org treats @key{DEL},
1612 @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that
1613 inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when
1614 typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field
1615 with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the
1616 field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too
1617 unpredictable for you, configure the variables
1618 @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}.
1621 @tsubheading{Creation and conversion}
1624 Convert the active region to table. If every line contains at least one
1625 TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab separated.
1626 If every line contains a comma, comma-separated values (CSV) are assumed.
1627 If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You can use a prefix
1628 argument to force a specific separator: @kbd{C-u} forces CSV, @kbd{C-u
1629 C-u} forces TAB, and a numeric argument N indicates that at least N
1630 consecutive spaces, or alternatively a TAB will be the separator.
1632 If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org
1633 table. But it's easier just to start typing, like
1634 @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}.
1636 @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
1639 Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
1643 Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if
1648 Re-align, move to previous field.
1652 Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if
1653 necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does
1654 NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table.
1656 @tsubheading{Column and row editing}
1657 @kindex M-@key{left}
1658 @kindex M-@key{right}
1660 @itemx M-@key{right}
1661 Move the current column left/right.
1663 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1664 @item M-S-@key{left}
1665 Kill the current column.
1667 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1668 @item M-S-@key{right}
1669 Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
1672 @kindex M-@key{down}
1675 Move the current row up/down.
1677 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1679 Kill the current row or horizontal line.
1681 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1682 @item M-S-@key{down}
1683 Insert a new row above the current row. With a prefix argument, the line is
1684 created below the current one.
1688 Insert a horizontal line below current row. With a prefix argument, the line
1689 is created above the current line.
1691 @kindex C-c @key{RET}
1693 Insert a horizontal line below current row, and move the cursor into the row
1698 Sort the table lines in the region. The position of point indicates the
1699 column to be used for sorting, and the range of lines is the range
1700 between the nearest horizontal separator lines, or the entire table. If
1701 point is before the first column, you will be prompted for the sorting
1702 column. If there is an active region, the mark specifies the first line
1703 and the sorting column, while point should be in the last line to be
1704 included into the sorting. The command prompts for the sorting type
1705 (alphabetically, numerically, or by time). When called with a prefix
1706 argument, alphabetic sorting will be case-sensitive.
1708 @tsubheading{Regions}
1711 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point
1712 and mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. The process ignores
1713 horizontal separator lines.
1717 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
1718 blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation.
1722 Paste a rectangular region into a table.
1723 The upper left corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields
1724 will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table,
1725 the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator
1730 Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active
1731 region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the
1732 column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A numeric
1733 prefix argument may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there
1734 is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the text
1735 fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one line
1736 down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix argument, the current
1737 field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field above.
1739 @tsubheading{Calculations}
1740 @cindex formula, in tables
1741 @cindex calculations, in tables
1742 @cindex region, active
1743 @cindex active region
1744 @cindex Transient mark mode
1747 Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by
1748 the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can
1749 be inserted with @kbd{C-y}.
1753 @vindex org-table-copy-increment
1754 When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above. When not
1755 empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor along with it.
1756 Depending on the variable @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field
1757 values will be incremented during copy. Integers that are too large will not
1758 be incremented. Also, a @code{0} prefix argument temporarily disables the
1759 increment. This key is also used by CUA mode (@pxref{Cooperation}).
1761 @tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
1764 Edit the current field in a separate window. This is useful for fields
1765 that are not fully visible (@pxref{Narrow columns}). When called with a
1766 @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be
1769 @item M-x org-table-import
1770 Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB- or whitespace
1771 separated. Useful, for example, to import a spreadsheet table or data
1772 from a database, because these programs generally can write
1773 TAB-separated text files. This command works by inserting the file into
1774 the buffer and then converting the region to a table. Any prefix
1775 argument is passed on to the converter, which uses it to determine the
1778 Tables can also be imported by pasting tabular text into the Org
1779 buffer, selecting the pasted text with @kbd{C-x C-x} and then using the
1780 @kbd{C-c |} command (see above under @i{Creation and conversion}).
1782 @item M-x org-table-export
1783 @vindex org-table-export-default-format
1784 Export the table, by default as a TAB-separated file. Useful for data
1785 exchange with, for example, spreadsheet or database programs. The format
1786 used to export the file can be configured in the variable
1787 @code{org-table-export-default-format}. You may also use properties
1788 @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FILE} and @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FORMAT} to specify the file
1789 name and the format for table export in a subtree. Org supports quite
1790 general formats for exported tables. The exporter format is the same as the
1791 format used by Orgtbl radio tables, see @ref{Translator functions} for a
1792 detailed description.
1795 If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your
1796 way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn
1800 (setq org-enable-table-editor nil)
1803 @noindent Then the only table command that still works is
1804 @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align.
1806 @node Narrow columns, Column groups, Built-in table editor, Tables
1807 @section Narrow columns
1808 @cindex narrow columns in tables
1810 The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor.
1811 Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text,
1812 leading to inconveniently wide columns. To limit@footnote{This feature
1813 does not work on XEmacs.} the width of a column, one field anywhere in
1814 the column may contain just the string @samp{<N>} where @samp{N} is an
1815 integer specifying the width of the column in characters. The next
1816 re-align will then set the width of this column to no more than this
1821 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1823 | 1 | one | | 1 | one |
1824 | 2 | two | ----\ | 2 | two |
1825 | 3 | This is a long chunk of text | ----/ | 3 | This=> |
1826 | 4 | four | | 4 | four |
1827 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1832 Fields that are wider become clipped and end in the string @samp{=>}.
1833 Note that the full text is still in the buffer, it is only invisible.
1834 To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field - a tool-tip window
1835 will show the full content. To edit such a field, use the command
1836 @kbd{C-c `} (that is @kbd{C-c} followed by the backquote). This will
1837 open a new window with the full field. Edit it and finish with @kbd{C-c
1840 @vindex org-startup-align-all-tables
1841 When visiting a file containing a table with narrowed columns, the
1842 necessary character hiding has not yet happened, and the table needs to
1843 be aligned before it looks nice. Setting the option
1844 @code{org-startup-align-all-tables} will realign all tables in a file
1845 upon visiting, but also slow down startup. You can also set this option
1846 on a per-file basis with:
1853 @node Column groups, Orgtbl mode, Narrow columns, Tables
1854 @section Column groups
1855 @cindex grouping columns in tables
1857 When Org exports tables, it does so by default without vertical
1858 lines because that is visually more satisfying in general. Occasionally
1859 however, vertical lines can be useful to structure a table into groups
1860 of columns, much like horizontal lines can do for groups of rows. In
1861 order to specify column groups, you can use a special row where the
1862 first field contains only @samp{/}. The further fields can either
1863 contain @samp{<} to indicate that this column should start a group,
1864 @samp{>} to indicate the end of a column, or @samp{<>} to make a column
1865 a group of its own. Boundaries between column groups will upon export be
1866 marked with vertical lines. Here is an example:
1869 | | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1870 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1871 | / | <> | < | | > | < | > |
1872 | # | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1873 | # | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 1.4142 | 1.1892 |
1874 | # | 3 | 9 | 27 | 81 | 1.7321 | 1.3161 |
1875 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1876 #+TBLFM: $3=$2^2::$4=$2^3::$5=$2^4::$6=sqrt($2)::$7=sqrt(sqrt(($2)))
1879 It is also sufficient to just insert the column group starters after
1880 every vertical line you'd like to have:
1883 | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1884 |----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1888 @node Orgtbl mode, The spreadsheet, Column groups, Tables
1889 @section The Orgtbl minor mode
1891 @cindex minor mode for tables
1893 If you like the intuitive way the Org table editor works, you
1894 might also want to use it in other modes like Text mode or Mail mode.
1895 The minor mode Orgtbl mode makes this possible. You can always toggle
1896 the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for
1897 example in mail mode, use
1900 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
1903 Furthermore, with some special setup, it is possible to maintain tables
1904 in arbitrary syntax with Orgtbl mode. For example, it is possible to
1905 construct La@TeX{} tables with the underlying ease and power of
1906 Orgtbl mode, including spreadsheet capabilities. For details, see
1907 @ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}.
1909 @node The spreadsheet, Org Plot, Orgtbl mode, Tables
1910 @section The spreadsheet
1911 @cindex calculations, in tables
1912 @cindex spreadsheet capabilities
1913 @cindex @file{calc} package
1915 The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to implement
1916 spreadsheet-like capabilities. It can also evaluate Emacs Lisp forms to
1917 derive fields from other fields. While fully featured, Org's
1918 implementation is not identical to other spreadsheets. For example,
1919 Org knows the concept of a @emph{column formula} that will be
1920 applied to all non-header fields in a column without having to copy the
1921 formula to each relevant field.
1924 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
1925 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
1926 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
1927 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
1928 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
1929 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
1930 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
1931 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
1934 @node References, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet, The spreadsheet
1935 @subsection References
1938 To compute fields in the table from other fields, formulas must
1939 reference other fields or ranges. In Org, fields can be referenced
1940 by name, by absolute coordinates, and by relative coordinates. To find
1941 out what the coordinates of a field are, press @kbd{C-c ?} in that
1942 field, or press @kbd{C-c @}} to toggle the display of a grid.
1944 @subsubheading Field references
1945 @cindex field references
1946 @cindex references, to fields
1948 Formulas can reference the value of another field in two ways. Like in
1949 any other spreadsheet, you may reference fields with a letter/number
1950 combination like @code{B3}, meaning the 2nd field in the 3rd row.
1951 @c Such references are always fixed to that field, they don't change
1952 @c when you copy and paste a formula to a different field. So
1953 @c Org's @code{B3} behaves like @code{$B$3} in other spreadsheets.
1956 Org also uses another, more general operator that looks like this:
1962 Column references can be absolute like @samp{1}, @samp{2},...@samp{N},
1963 or relative to the current column like @samp{+1} or @samp{-2}.
1965 The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal
1966 separator lines (hlines). You can use absolute row numbers
1967 @samp{1}...@samp{N}, and row numbers relative to the current row like
1968 @samp{+3} or @samp{-1}. Or specify the row relative to one of the
1969 hlines: @samp{I} refers to the first hline@footnote{Note that only
1970 hlines are counted that @emph{separate} table lines. If the table
1971 starts with a hline above the header, it does not count.}, @samp{II} to
1972 the second etc. @samp{-I} refers to the first such line above the
1973 current line, @samp{+I} to the first such line below the current line.
1974 You can also write @samp{III+2} which is the second data line after the
1975 third hline in the table. Relative row numbers like @samp{-3} will not
1976 cross hlines if the current line is too close to the hline. Instead,
1977 the value directly at the hline is used.
1979 @samp{0} refers to the current row and column. Also, if you omit
1980 either the column or the row part of the reference, the current
1981 row/column is implied.
1983 Org's references with @emph{unsigned} numbers are fixed references
1984 in the sense that if you use the same reference in the formula for two
1985 different fields, the same field will be referenced each time.
1986 Org's references with @emph{signed} numbers are floating
1987 references because the same reference operator can reference different
1988 fields depending on the field being calculated by the formula.
1990 As a special case references like @samp{$LR5} and @samp{$LR12} can be used to
1991 refer in a stable way to the 5th and 12th field in the last row of the
1994 Here are a few examples:
1997 @@2$3 @r{2nd row, 3rd column}
1998 C2 @r{same as previous}
1999 $5 @r{column 5 in the current row}
2000 E& @r{same as previous}
2001 @@2 @r{current column, row 2}
2002 @@-1$-3 @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left}
2003 @@-I$2 @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2}
2006 @subsubheading Range references
2007 @cindex range references
2008 @cindex references, to ranges
2010 You may reference a rectangular range of fields by specifying two field
2011 references connected by two dots @samp{..}. If both fields are in the
2012 current row, you may simply use @samp{$2..$7}, but if at least one field
2013 is in a different row, you need to use the general @code{@@row$column}
2014 format at least for the first field (i.e the reference must start with
2015 @samp{@@} in order to be interpreted correctly). Examples:
2018 $1..$3 @r{First three fields in the current row.}
2019 $P..$Q @r{Range, using column names (see under Advanced)}
2020 @@2$1..@@4$3 @r{6 fields between these two fields.}
2021 A2..C4 @r{Same as above.}
2022 @@-1$-2..@@-1 @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row}
2025 @noindent Range references return a vector of values that can be fed
2026 into Calc vector functions. Empty fields in ranges are normally
2027 suppressed, so that the vector contains only the non-empty fields (but
2028 see the @samp{E} mode switch below). If there are no non-empty fields,
2029 @samp{[0]} is returned to avoid syntax errors in formulas.
2031 @subsubheading Named references
2032 @cindex named references
2033 @cindex references, named
2034 @cindex name, of column or field
2035 @cindex constants, in calculations
2037 @vindex org-table-formula-constants
2038 @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or
2039 constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable
2040 @code{org-table-formula-constants}, and locally (for the file) through a
2044 #+CONSTANTS: c=299792458. pi=3.14 eps=2.4e-6
2048 @vindex constants-unit-system
2049 Also properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) can be used as
2050 constants in table formulas: For a property @samp{:Xyz:} use the name
2051 @samp{$PROP_Xyz}, and the property will be searched in the current
2052 outline entry and in the hierarchy above it. If you have the
2053 @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants,
2054 including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and
2055 units like @samp{$km} for kilometers@footnote{@file{Constant.el} can
2056 supply the values of constants in two different unit systems, @code{SI}
2057 and @code{cgs}. Which one is used depends on the value of the variable
2058 @code{constants-unit-system}. You can use the @code{#+STARTUP} options
2059 @code{constSI} and @code{constcgs} to set this value for the current
2060 buffer.}. Column names and parameters can be specified in special table
2061 lines. These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}. All
2062 names must start with a letter, and further consist of letters and
2065 @subsubheading Remote references
2066 @cindex remote references
2067 @cindex references, remote
2068 @cindex references, to a different table
2069 @cindex name, of column or field
2070 @cindex constants, in calculations
2072 You may also reference constants, fields and ranges from a different table,
2073 either in the current file or even in a different file. The syntax is
2076 remote(NAME-OR-ID,REF)
2080 where NAME can be the name of a table in the current file as set by a
2081 @code{#+TBLNAME: NAME} line before the table. It can also be the ID of an
2082 entry, even in a different file, and the reference then refers to the first
2083 table in that entry. REF is an absolute field or range reference as
2084 described above, valid in the referenced table.
2086 @node Formula syntax for Calc, Formula syntax for Lisp, References, The spreadsheet
2087 @subsection Formula syntax for Calc
2088 @cindex formula syntax, Calc
2089 @cindex syntax, of formulas
2091 A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs
2092 @file{Calc} package. @b{Note that @file{calc} has the
2093 non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than
2094 @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}.} Before
2095 evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from
2096 Your Programs,calc-eval,Calling Calc from Your Lisp Programs,Calc,GNU
2097 Emacs Calc Manual}),
2098 @c FIXME: The link to the Calc manual in HTML does not work.
2099 variable substitution takes place according to the rules described above.
2100 @cindex vectors, in table calculations
2101 The range vectors can be directly fed into the Calc vector functions
2102 like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}.
2104 @cindex format specifier
2105 @cindex mode, for @file{calc}
2106 @vindex org-calc-default-modes
2107 A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This
2108 string consists of flags to influence Calc and other modes during
2109 execution. By default, Org uses the standard Calc modes (precision
2110 12, angular units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off). The display
2111 format, however, has been changed to @code{(float 5)} to keep tables
2112 compact. The default settings can be configured using the variable
2113 @code{org-calc-default-modes}.
2116 p20 @r{switch the internal precision to 20 digits}
2117 n3 s3 e2 f4 @r{normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed display format}
2118 D R @r{angle modes: degrees, radians}
2119 F S @r{fraction and symbolic modes}
2120 N @r{interpret all fields as numbers, use 0 for non-numbers}
2121 T @r{force text interpretation}
2122 E @r{keep empty fields in ranges}
2126 In addition, you may provide a @code{printf} format specifier to
2127 reformat the final result. A few examples:
2130 $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field}
2131 $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals}
2132 exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used}
2133 $0;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal}
2134 ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion}
2135 $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}}
2136 tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1}
2137 sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display}
2138 vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function}
2139 vmean($2..$7);EN @r{Same, but treat empty fields as 0}
2140 taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree}
2143 Calc also contains a complete set of logical operations. For example
2146 if($1<20,teen,string("")) @r{``teen'' if age $1 less than 20, else empty}
2149 @node Formula syntax for Lisp, Field formulas, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet
2150 @subsection Emacs Lisp forms as formulas
2151 @cindex Lisp forms, as table formulas
2153 It is also possible to write a formula in Emacs Lisp; this can be useful
2154 for string manipulation and control structures, if Calc's
2155 functionality is not enough. If a formula starts with a single quote
2156 followed by an opening parenthesis, then it is evaluated as a lisp form.
2157 The evaluation should return either a string or a number. Just as with
2158 @file{calc} formulas, you can specify modes and a printf format after a
2159 semicolon. With Emacs Lisp forms, you need to be conscious about the way
2160 field references are interpolated into the form. By default, a
2161 reference will be interpolated as a Lisp string (in double quotes)
2162 containing the field. If you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all
2163 referenced elements will be numbers (non-number fields will be zero) and
2164 interpolated as Lisp numbers, without quotes. If you provide the
2165 @samp{L} flag, all fields will be interpolated literally, without quotes.
2166 I.e., if you want a reference to be interpreted as a string by the Lisp
2167 form, enclose the reference operator itself in double quotes, like
2168 @code{"$3"}. Ranges are inserted as space-separated fields, so you can
2169 embed them in list or vector syntax. A few examples, note how the
2170 @samp{N} mode is used when we do computations in lisp.
2173 @r{Swap the first two characters of the content of column 1}
2174 '(concat (substring $1 1 2) (substring $1 0 1) (substring $1 2))
2175 @r{Add columns 1 and 2, equivalent to Calc's @code{$1+$2}}
2177 @r{Compute the sum of columns 1-4, like Calc's @code{vsum($1..$4)}}
2178 '(apply '+ '($1..$4));N
2181 @node Field formulas, Column formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet
2182 @subsection Field formulas
2183 @cindex field formula
2184 @cindex formula, for individual table field
2186 To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the
2187 field, preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=$1+$2}. When you
2188 press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in
2189 the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for this field,
2190 evaluated, and the current field replaced with the result.
2192 Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:}
2193 directly below the table. If you typed the equation in the 4th field of
2194 the 3rd data line in the table, the formula will look like
2195 @samp{@@3$4=$1+$2}. When inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows
2196 with the appropriate commands, @i{absolute references} (but not relative
2197 ones) in stored formulas are modified in order to still reference the
2198 same field. Of cause this is not true if you edit the table structure
2199 with normal editing commands - then you must fix the equations yourself.
2200 The left hand side of a formula may also be a named field (@pxref{Advanced
2201 features}), or a last-row reference like @samp{$LR3}.
2203 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2209 Install a new formula for the current field. The command prompts for a
2210 formula, with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, applies
2211 it to the current field and stores it.
2214 @node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field formulas, The spreadsheet
2215 @subsection Column formulas
2216 @cindex column formula
2217 @cindex formula, for table column
2219 Often in a table, the same formula should be used for all fields in a
2220 particular column. Instead of having to copy the formula to all fields
2221 in that column, Org allows to assign a single formula to an entire
2222 column. If the table contains horizontal separator hlines, everything
2223 before the first such line is considered part of the table @emph{header}
2224 and will not be modified by column formulas.
2226 To assign a formula to a column, type it directly into any field in the
2227 column, preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press
2228 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the field,
2229 the formula will be stored as the formula for the current column, evaluated
2230 and the current field replaced with the result. If the field contains only
2231 @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for this column is used. For each
2232 column, Org will only remember the most recently used formula. In the
2233 @samp{TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like @samp{$4=$1+$2}. The left
2234 hand side of a column formula can currently not be the name of column, it
2235 must be the numeric column reference.
2237 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2243 Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field with
2244 the result of the formula. The command prompts for a formula, with default
2245 taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM} line, applies it to the current field and
2246 stores it. With a numeric prefix argument(e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) the command
2247 will apply it to that many consecutive fields in the current column.
2250 @node Editing and debugging formulas, Updating the table, Column formulas, The spreadsheet
2251 @subsection Editing and debugging formulas
2252 @cindex formula editing
2253 @cindex editing, of table formulas
2255 @vindex org-table-use-standard-references
2256 You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the
2257 field. Org can also prepare a special buffer with all active
2258 formulas of a table. When offering a formula for editing, Org
2259 converts references to the standard format (like @code{B3} or @code{D&})
2260 if possible. If you prefer to only work with the internal format (like
2261 @code{@@3$2} or @code{$4}), configure the variable
2262 @code{org-table-use-standard-references}.
2269 Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the
2270 minibuffer. See @ref{Column formulas} and @ref{Field formulas}.
2271 @kindex C-u C-u C-c =
2273 Re-insert the active formula (either a
2274 field formula, or a column formula) into the current field, so that you
2275 can edit it directly in the field. The advantage over editing in the
2276 minibuffer is that you can use the command @kbd{C-c ?}.
2279 While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s)
2280 referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula.
2283 Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using
2284 overlays. These are updated each time the table is aligned, you can
2285 force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
2288 Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below.
2291 Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the
2292 formulas will be displayed one per line. If the current field has an
2293 active formula, the cursor in the formula editor will mark it.
2294 While inside the special buffer, Org will automatically highlight
2295 any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit,
2296 remove and add formulas, and use the following commands:
2302 Exit the formula editor and store the modified formulas. With @kbd{C-u}
2303 prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.
2306 Exit the formula editor without installing changes.
2309 Toggle all references in the formula editor between standard (like
2310 @code{B3}) and internal (like @code{@@3$2}).
2313 Pretty-print or indent lisp formula at point. When in a line containing
2314 a lisp formula, format the formula according to Emacs Lisp rules.
2315 Another @key{TAB} collapses the formula back again. In the open
2316 formula, @key{TAB} re-indents just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2319 Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2321 @kindex S-@key{down}
2322 @kindex S-@key{left}
2323 @kindex S-@key{right}
2324 @item S-@key{up}/@key{down}/@key{left}/@key{right}
2325 Shift the reference at point. For example, if the reference is
2326 @code{B3} and you press @kbd{S-@key{right}}, it will become @code{C3}.
2327 This also works for relative references, and for hline references.
2328 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
2329 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
2330 @item M-S-@key{up}/@key{down}
2331 Move the test line for column formulas in the Org buffer up and
2334 @kindex M-@key{down}
2335 @item M-@key{up}/@key{down}
2336 Scroll the window displaying the table.
2339 Turn the coordinate grid in the table on and off.
2343 Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with
2344 the field, because that is stored in a different line (the @samp{TBLFM}
2345 line) - during the next recalculation the field will be filled again.
2346 To remove a formula from a field, you have to give an empty reply when
2347 prompted for the formula, or to edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} line.
2350 You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply the changed
2351 equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line, or with the normal
2352 recalculation commands in the table.
2354 @subsubheading Debugging formulas
2355 @cindex formula debugging
2356 @cindex debugging, of table formulas
2357 When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content
2358 becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going
2359 on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a bug,
2360 turn on formula debugging in the @code{Tbl} menu and repeat the
2361 calculation, for example by pressing @kbd{C-u C-u C-c = @key{RET}} in a
2362 field. Detailed information will be displayed.
2364 @node Updating the table, Advanced features, Editing and debugging formulas, The spreadsheet
2365 @subsection Updating the table
2366 @cindex recomputing table fields
2367 @cindex updating, table
2369 Recalculation of a table is normally not automatic, but needs to be
2370 triggered by a command. See @ref{Advanced features} for a way to make
2371 recalculation at least semi-automatically.
2373 In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the
2379 Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas
2380 from left to right, and all field formulas in the current row.
2386 Recompute the entire table, line by line. Any lines before the first
2387 hline are left alone, assuming that these are part of the table header.
2389 @kindex C-u C-u C-c *
2390 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-c
2392 @itemx C-u C-u C-c C-c
2393 Iterate the table by recomputing it until no further changes occur.
2394 This may be necessary if some computed fields use the value of other
2395 fields that are computed @i{later} in the calculation sequence.
2398 @node Advanced features, , Updating the table, The spreadsheet
2399 @subsection Advanced features
2401 If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically, or if
2402 you want to be able to assign @i{names} to fields and columns, you need
2403 to reserve the first column of the table for special marking characters.
2407 Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{},
2408 @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. When there is an active region,
2409 change all marks in the region.
2412 Here is an example of a table that collects exam results of students and
2413 makes use of these features:
2417 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2418 | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note |
2419 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2420 | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | |
2421 | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 |
2422 | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | |
2423 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2424 | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 |
2425 | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 |
2426 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2427 | | Average | | | | 29.7 | |
2428 | ^ | | | | | at | |
2429 | $ | max=50 | | | | | |
2430 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2431 #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(@@-II..@@-I);%.1f
2435 @noindent @b{Important}: Please note that for these special tables,
2436 recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows that
2437 are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and fields that have a formula assigned
2438 to the field itself. The column formulas are not applied in rows with
2441 @cindex marking characters, tables
2442 The marking characters have the following meaning:
2445 The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may
2446 refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}.
2448 This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such
2449 a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to
2450 the value @samp{10}. Also, if you assign a formula to a names field, it
2451 will be stored as @samp{$name=...}.
2453 Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row
2456 Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For
2457 example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then
2458 formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}.
2459 Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on
2462 Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing
2463 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row
2464 is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked
2465 lines will be left alone by this command.
2467 Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but
2468 not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic
2469 recalculation slows down editing too much.
2471 Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}.
2472 All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#}
2475 Do not export this line. Useful for lines that contain the narrowing
2479 Finally, just to whet your appetite on what can be done with the
2480 fantastic @file{calc} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor
2481 series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of
2486 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2487 | | Func | n | x | Result |
2488 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2489 | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x |
2490 | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 |
2491 | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 |
2492 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 |
2493 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 |
2494 | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 |
2495 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2496 #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3
2501 @node Org Plot, , The spreadsheet, Tables
2503 @cindex graph, in tables
2504 @cindex plot tables using gnuplot
2506 Org Plot can produce 2D and 3D graphs of information stored in org tables
2507 using @file{Gnuplot} @uref{http://www.gnuplot.info/} and @file{gnuplot-mode}
2508 @uref{http://cars9.uchicago.edu/~ravel/software/gnuplot-mode.html}. To see
2509 this in action ensure that you have both Gnuplot and Gnuplot-mode installed
2510 on your system, then call @code{org-plot/gnuplot} on the following table.
2514 #+PLOT: title:"Citas" ind:1 deps:(3) type:2d with:histograms set:"yrange [0:]"
2515 | Sede | Max cites | H-index |
2516 |-----------+-----------+---------|
2517 | Chile | 257.72 | 21.39 |
2518 | Leeds | 165.77 | 19.68 |
2519 | Sao Paolo | 71.00 | 11.50 |
2520 | Stockholm | 134.19 | 14.33 |
2521 | Morelia | 257.56 | 17.67 |
2525 Notice that Org Plot is smart enough to apply the tables headers as labels.
2526 Further control over the labels, type, content, and appearance of plots can
2527 be exercised through the @code{#+Plot:} lines preceding a table. See below
2528 for a complete list of Org plot options. For more information and examples
2529 see the org-plot tutorial at
2530 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-tutorials/org-plot.php}.
2532 @subsubheading Plot Options
2536 Specify any @file{gnuplot} option to be set when graphing.
2539 Specify the title of the plot.
2542 Specify which column of the table to use as the @code{x} axis.
2545 Specify the columns to graph as a lisp style list, surrounded by parenthesis
2546 and separated by spaces for example @code{dep:(3 4)} to graph the third and
2547 fourth columns (defaults to graphing all other columns aside from the ind
2551 Specify whether the plot will be @code{2d}, @code{3d}, or @code{grid}.
2554 Specify a @code{with} option to be inserted for every col being plotted
2555 (e.g. @code{lines}, @code{points}, @code{boxes}, @code{impulses}, etc...).
2556 Defaults to 'lines'.
2559 If you want to plot to a file specify the @code{"path/to/desired/output-file"}.
2562 List of labels to be used for the deps (defaults to column headers if they
2566 Specify an entire line to be inserted in the gnuplot script.
2569 When plotting @code{3d} or @code{grid} types, set this to @code{t} to graph a
2570 flat mapping rather than a @code{3d} slope.
2573 Specify format of org-mode timestamps as they will be parsed by gnuplot.
2574 Defaults to '%Y-%m-%d-%H:%M:%S'.
2577 If you want total control you can specify a script file (place the file name
2578 between double quotes) which will be used to plot. Before plotting, every
2579 instance of @code{$datafile} in the specified script will be replaced with
2580 the path to the generated data file. Note even if you set this option you
2581 may still want to specify the plot type, as that can impact the content of
2585 @node Hyperlinks, TODO Items, Tables, Top
2589 Like HTML, Org provides links inside a file, external links to
2590 other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more.
2593 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
2594 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
2595 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
2596 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
2597 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
2598 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
2599 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
2600 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
2603 @node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
2604 @section Link format
2606 @cindex format, of links
2608 Org will recognize plain URL-like links and activate them as
2609 clickable links. The general link format, however, looks like this:
2612 [[link][description]] @r{or alternatively} [[link]]
2615 Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org
2616 will change the display so that @samp{description} is displayed instead
2617 of @samp{[[link][description]]} and @samp{link} is displayed instead of
2618 @samp{[[link]]}. Links will be highlighted in the face @code{org-link},
2619 which by default is an underlined face. You can directly edit the
2620 visible part of a link. Note that this can be either the @samp{link}
2621 part (if there is no description) or the @samp{description} part. To
2622 edit also the invisible @samp{link} part, use @kbd{C-c C-l} with the
2625 If you place the cursor at the beginning or just behind the end of the
2626 displayed text and press @key{BACKSPACE}, you will remove the
2627 (invisible) bracket at that location. This makes the link incomplete
2628 and the internals are again displayed as plain text. Inserting the
2629 missing bracket hides the link internals again. To show the
2630 internal structure of all links, use the menu entry
2631 @code{Org->Hyperlinks->Literal links}.
2633 @node Internal links, External links, Link format, Hyperlinks
2634 @section Internal links
2635 @cindex internal links
2636 @cindex links, internal
2637 @cindex targets, for links
2639 If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in
2640 the current file. Links such as @samp{[[My Target]]} or @samp{[[My
2641 Target][Find my target]]} lead to a text search in the current file.
2642 The link can be followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} when the cursor is on the
2643 link, or with a mouse click (@pxref{Handling links}). The preferred
2644 match for such a link is a dedicated target: the same string in double
2645 angular brackets. Targets may be located anywhere; sometimes it is
2646 convenient to put them into a comment line. For example
2652 @noindent In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such targets will become
2653 named anchors for direct access through @samp{http} links@footnote{Note that
2654 text before the first headline is usually not exported, so the first such
2655 target should be after the first headline, or in the line directly before the
2658 If no dedicated target exists, Org will search for the words in the
2659 link. In the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}.
2660 Links starting with a star like @samp{*My Target} restrict the search to
2661 headlines. When searching, Org mode will first try an exact match, but
2662 then move on to more and more lenient searches. For example, the link
2663 @samp{[[*My Targets]]} will find any of the following:
2667 ** TODO my targets are bright
2668 ** my 20 targets are
2671 To insert a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used.
2672 Just type a star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer and
2673 press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will be
2674 offered as completions. @xref{Handling links}, for more commands
2677 Following a link pushes a mark onto Org's own mark ring. You can
2678 return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command
2679 several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded
2683 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
2686 @node Radio targets, , Internal links, Internal links
2687 @subsection Radio targets
2688 @cindex radio targets
2689 @cindex targets, radio
2690 @cindex links, radio targets
2692 Org can automatically turn any occurrences of certain target names
2693 in normal text into a link. So without explicitly creating a link, the
2694 text connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are
2695 enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target @samp{<<<My
2696 Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in normal text to
2697 become activated as a link. The Org file is scanned automatically
2698 for radio targets only when the file is first loaded into Emacs. To
2699 update the target list during editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
2700 cursor on or at a target.
2702 @node External links, Handling links, Internal links, Hyperlinks
2703 @section External links
2704 @cindex links, external
2705 @cindex external links
2706 @cindex links, external
2714 @cindex WANDERLUST links
2716 @cindex USENET links
2721 Org supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages,
2722 BBDB database entries and links to both IRC conversations and their
2723 logs. External links are URL-like locators. They start with a short
2724 identifying string followed by a colon. There can be no space after
2725 the colon. The following list shows examples for each link type.
2728 http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik @r{on the web}
2729 file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{file, absolute path}
2730 /home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{same as above}
2731 file:papers/last.pdf @r{file, relative path}
2732 ./papers/last.pdf @r{same as above}
2733 file:projects.org @r{another org file}
2734 file:projects.org::some words @r{text search in org file}
2735 file:projects.org::*task title @r{heading search in org file}
2736 id:B7423F4D-2E8A-471B-8810-C40F074717E9 @r{Link to heading by ID}
2737 news:comp.emacs @r{Usenet link}
2738 mailto:adent@@galaxy.net @r{Mail link}
2739 vm:folder @r{VM folder link}
2740 vm:folder#id @r{VM message link}
2741 vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id @r{VM on remote machine}
2742 wl:folder @r{WANDERLUST folder link}
2743 wl:folder#id @r{WANDERLUST message link}
2744 mhe:folder @r{MH-E folder link}
2745 mhe:folder#id @r{MH-E message link}
2746 rmail:folder @r{RMAIL folder link}
2747 rmail:folder#id @r{RMAIL message link}
2748 gnus:group @r{Gnus group link}
2749 gnus:group#id @r{Gnus article link}
2750 bbdb:R.*Stallman @r{BBDB link (with regexp)}
2751 irc:/irc.com/#emacs/bob @r{IRC link}
2752 shell:ls *.org @r{A shell command}
2753 elisp:org-agenda @r{Interactive elisp command}
2754 elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{Elisp form to evaluate}
2757 A link should be enclosed in double brackets and may contain a
2758 descriptive text to be displayed instead of the URL (@pxref{Link
2759 format}), for example:
2762 [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/][GNU Emacs]]
2766 If the description is a file name or URL that points to an image, HTML
2767 export (@pxref{HTML export}) will inline the image as a clickable
2768 button. If there is no description at all and the link points to an
2770 that image will be inlined into the exported HTML file.
2772 @cindex angular brackets, around links
2773 @cindex plain text external links
2774 Org also finds external links in the normal text and activates them
2775 as links. If spaces must be part of the link (for example in
2776 @samp{bbdb:Richard Stallman}), or if you need to remove ambiguities
2777 about the end of the link, enclose them in angular brackets.
2779 @node Handling links, Using links outside Org, External links, Hyperlinks
2780 @section Handling links
2781 @cindex links, handling
2783 Org provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
2784 insert it into an Org file, and to follow the link.
2788 @cindex storing links
2790 Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command (you
2791 must create the key binding yourself) which can be used in any buffer to
2792 create a link. The link will be stored for later insertion into an Org
2795 @vindex org-link-to-org-use-id
2796 For Org files, if there is a @samp{<<target>>} at the cursor, the link points
2797 to the target. Otherwise it points to the current headline, either by text
2798 (unsafe), or, if @file{org-id.el} is loaded and @code{org-link-to-org-use-id}
2799 is set, by ID property.
2801 @vindex org-irc-link-to-logs
2802 For VM, Rmail, Wanderlust, MH-E, Gnus and BBDB buffers, the link will
2803 indicate the current article/entry. For W3 and W3M buffers, the link goes to
2804 the current URL. For IRC links, if you set the variable
2805 @code{org-irc-link-to-logs} to non-nil then @kbd{C-c l} will store a
2806 @samp{file:/} style link to the relevant point in the logs for the current
2807 conversation. Otherwise an @samp{irc:/} style link to the user/channel/server
2808 under the point will be stored.
2810 For any other files, the link will point to the file, with a search string
2811 (@pxref{Search options}) pointing to the contents of the current line. If
2812 there is an active region, the selected words will form the basis of the
2813 search string. If the automatically created link is not working correctly or
2814 accurately enough, you can write custom functions to select the search string
2815 and to do the search for particular file types - see @ref{Custom searches}.
2816 The key binding @kbd{C-c l} is only a suggestion - see @ref{Installation}.
2819 @cindex link completion
2820 @cindex completion, of links
2821 @cindex inserting links
2823 @vindex org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion
2824 Insert a link. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the buffer. You
2825 can just type a link, using text for an internal link, or one of the link
2826 type prefixes mentioned in the examples above. All links stored during the
2827 current session are part of the history for this prompt, so you can access
2828 them with @key{up} and @key{down} (or @kbd{M-p/n}). Completion, on the other
2829 hand, will help you to insert valid link prefixes like @samp{http:} or
2830 @samp{ftp:}, including the prefixes defined through link abbreviations
2831 (@pxref{Link abbreviations}). The link will be inserted into the
2832 buffer@footnote{After insertion of a stored link, the link will be removed
2833 from the list of stored links. To keep it in the list later use, use a
2834 triple @kbd{C-u} prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the option
2835 @code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}, along with a descriptive text.
2836 If some text was selected when this command is called, the selected text
2837 becomes the default description.@* Note that you don't have to use this
2838 command to insert a link. Links in Org are plain text, and you can type
2839 or paste them straight into the buffer. By using this command, the links are
2840 automatically enclosed in double brackets, and you will be asked for the
2841 optional descriptive text.
2843 @c If the link is a @samp{file:} link and
2844 @c the linked file is located in the same directory as the current file or
2845 @c a subdirectory of it, the path of the file will be inserted relative to
2846 @c the current directory.
2849 @cindex file name completion
2850 @cindex completion, of file names
2852 When @kbd{C-c C-l} is called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, a link to
2853 a file will be inserted and you may use file name completion to select
2854 the name of the file. The path to the file is inserted relative to the
2855 directory of the current org file, if the linked file is in the current
2856 directory or in a sub-directory of it, or if the path is written relative
2857 to the current directory using @samp{../}. Otherwise an absolute path
2858 is used, if possible with @samp{~/} for your home directory. You can
2859 force an absolute path with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes.
2861 @item C-c C-l @r{(with cursor on existing link)}
2862 When the cursor is on an existing link, @kbd{C-c C-l} allows you to edit the
2863 link and description parts of the link.
2865 @cindex following links
2868 @item C-c C-o @r{or} @key{RET}
2869 @vindex org-file-apps
2870 Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using
2871 @command{browse-url-at-point}), run VM/MH-E/Wanderlust/Rmail/Gnus/BBDB for
2872 the corresponding links, and execute the command in a shell link. When the
2873 cursor is on an internal link, this commands runs the corresponding search.
2874 When the cursor is on a TAG list in a headline, it creates the corresponding
2875 TAGS view. If the cursor is on a time stamp, it compiles the agenda for that
2876 date. Furthermore, it will visit text and remote files in @samp{file:} links
2877 with Emacs and select a suitable application for local non-text files.
2878 Classification of files is based on file extension only. See option
2879 @code{org-file-apps}. If you want to override the default application and
2880 visit the file with Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u} prefix. If you want to avoid
2881 opening in Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u C-u} prefix.
2887 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just as @kbd{C-c C-o}
2888 would. Under Emacs 22, also @kbd{mouse-1} will follow a link.
2892 @vindex org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer
2893 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs, and
2894 internal links to be displayed in another window@footnote{See the
2895 variable @code{org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer}}.
2900 Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
2901 easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
2903 @cindex links, returning to
2906 Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the
2907 commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this
2908 command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of
2909 previously recorded positions.
2913 @cindex links, finding next/previous
2916 Move forward/backward to the next link in the buffer. At the limit of
2917 the buffer, the search fails once, and then wraps around. The key
2918 bindings for this are really too long, you might want to bind this also
2919 to @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{C-p}
2921 (add-hook 'org-load-hook
2923 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-n" 'org-next-link)
2924 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-p" 'org-previous-link)))
2928 @node Using links outside Org, Link abbreviations, Handling links, Hyperlinks
2929 @section Using links outside Org
2931 You can insert and follow links that have Org syntax not only in
2932 Org, but in any Emacs buffer. For this, you should create two
2933 global commands, like this (please select suitable global keys
2937 (global-set-key "\C-c L" 'org-insert-link-global)
2938 (global-set-key "\C-c o" 'org-open-at-point-global)
2941 @node Link abbreviations, Search options, Using links outside Org, Hyperlinks
2942 @section Link abbreviations
2943 @cindex link abbreviations
2944 @cindex abbreviation, links
2946 Long URLs can be cumbersome to type, and often many similar links are
2947 needed in a document. For this you can use link abbreviations. An
2948 abbreviated link looks like this
2951 [[linkword:tag][description]]
2955 @vindex org-link-abbrev-alist
2956 where the tag is optional. The @i{linkword} must be a word; letter, numbers,
2957 @samp{-}, and @samp{_} are allowed here. Abbreviations are resolved
2958 according to the information in the variable @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}
2959 that relates the linkwords to replacement text. Here is an example:
2963 (setq org-link-abbrev-alist
2964 '(("bugzilla" . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=")
2965 ("google" . "http://www.google.com/search?q=")
2966 ("ads" . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/
2967 nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST")))
2971 If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be
2972 replaced with the tag. Otherwise the tag will be appended to the string
2973 in order to create the link. You may also specify a function that will
2974 be called with the tag as the only argument to create the link.
2976 With the above setting, you could link to a specific bug with
2977 @code{[[bugzilla:129]]}, search the web for @samp{OrgMode} with
2978 @code{[[google:OrgMode]]} and find out what the Org author is
2979 doing besides Emacs hacking with @code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}.
2981 If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org buffer, you
2982 can define them in the file with
2985 #+LINK: bugzilla http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=
2986 #+LINK: google http://www.google.com/search?q=%s
2990 In-buffer completion @pxref{Completion} can be used after @samp{[} to
2991 complete link abbreviations.
2993 @node Search options, Custom searches, Link abbreviations, Hyperlinks
2994 @section Search options in file links
2995 @cindex search option in file links
2996 @cindex file links, searching
2998 File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a
2999 particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a
3000 line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward
3001 compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon. For
3002 example, when the command @kbd{C-c l} creates a link (@pxref{Handling
3003 links}) to a file, it encodes the words in the current line as a search
3004 string that can be used to find this line back later when following the
3005 link with @kbd{C-c C-o}.
3007 Here is the syntax of the different ways to attach a search to a file
3008 link, together with an explanation:
3011 [[file:~/code/main.c::255]]
3012 [[file:~/xx.org::My Target]]
3013 [[file:~/xx.org::*My Target]]
3014 [[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]]
3021 Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, or do a text search for
3022 @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see
3023 @ref{Internal links}. In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such a file
3024 link will become an HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in
3027 In an Org file, restrict search to headlines.
3029 Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs
3030 command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the
3031 target file is in Org mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a
3032 sparse tree with the matches.
3033 @c If the target file is a directory,
3034 @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory.
3037 As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used
3038 to search the current file. For example, @code{[[file:::find me]]} does
3039 a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just as
3040 @samp{[[find me]]} would.
3042 @node Custom searches, , Search options, Hyperlinks
3043 @section Custom Searches
3044 @cindex custom search strings
3045 @cindex search strings, custom
3047 The default mechanism for creating search strings and for doing the
3048 actual search related to a file link may not work correctly in all
3049 cases. For example, BibTeX database files have many entries like
3050 @samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings,
3051 because the only unique identification for a BibTeX entry is the
3054 @vindex org-create-file-search-functions
3055 @vindex org-execute-file-search-functions
3056 If you come across such a problem, you can write custom functions to set
3057 the right search string for a particular file type, and to do the search
3058 for the string in the file. Using @code{add-hook}, these functions need
3059 to be added to the hook variables
3060 @code{org-create-file-search-functions} and
3061 @code{org-execute-file-search-functions}. See the docstring for these
3062 variables for more information. Org actually uses this mechanism
3063 for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as
3064 an implementation example. See the file @file{org-bibtex.el}.
3066 @node TODO Items, Tags, Hyperlinks, Top
3070 Org mode does not maintain TODO lists as separate documents@footnote{Of
3071 course, you can make a document that contains only long lists of TODO items,
3072 but this is not required.}. Instead, TODO items are an integral part of the
3073 notes file, because TODO items usually come up while taking notes! With Org
3074 mode, simply mark any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way,
3075 information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the TODO
3076 item emerged is always present.
3078 Of course, this technique for managing TODO items scatters them
3079 throughout your notes file. Org mode compensates for this by providing
3080 methods to give you an overview of all the things that you have to do.
3083 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
3084 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
3085 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
3086 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
3087 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
3088 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
3091 @node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO Items, TODO Items
3092 @section Basic TODO functionality
3094 Any headline becomes a TODO item when it starts with the word
3095 @samp{TODO}, for example:
3098 *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune
3102 The most important commands to work with TODO entries are:
3106 @cindex cycling, of TODO states
3108 Rotate the TODO state of the current item among
3111 ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --.
3112 '--------------------------------'
3115 The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3116 agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3120 Select a specific keyword using completion or (if it has been set up)
3121 the fast selection interface. For the latter, you need to assign keys
3122 to TODO states, see @ref{Per-file keywords} and @ref{Setting tags} for
3125 @kindex S-@key{right}
3126 @kindex S-@key{left}
3129 Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling. Useful
3130 mostly if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO
3131 extensions}). See also @ref{Conflicts} for a discussion of the interaction
3132 with @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3135 @cindex sparse tree, for TODO
3138 @vindex org-todo-keywords
3139 View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds the
3140 entire buffer, but shows all TODO items and the headings hierarchy above
3141 them. With a prefix argument, search for a specific TODO. You will be
3142 prompted for the keyword, and you can also give a list of keywords like
3143 @code{KWD1|KWD2|...} to list entries that match any one of these keywords.
3144 With numeric prefix argument N, show the tree for the Nth keyword in the
3145 variable @code{org-todo-keywords}. With two prefix arguments, find all TODO
3149 Show the global TODO list. Collects the TODO items from all agenda
3150 files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The new buffer will
3151 be in @code{agenda-mode}, which provides commands to examine and
3152 manipulate the TODO entries from the new buffer (@pxref{Agenda
3153 commands}). @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
3154 @kindex S-M-@key{RET}
3156 Insert a new TODO entry below the current one.
3160 @vindex org-todo-state-tags-triggers
3161 Changing a TODO state can also trigger tag changes. See the docstring of the
3162 option @code{org-todo-state-tags-triggers} for details.
3164 @node TODO extensions, Progress logging, TODO basics, TODO Items
3165 @section Extended use of TODO keywords
3166 @cindex extended TODO keywords
3168 @vindex org-todo-keywords
3169 By default, marked TODO entries have one of only two states: TODO and
3170 DONE. Org mode allows you to classify TODO items in more complex ways
3171 with @emph{TODO keywords} (stored in @code{org-todo-keywords}). With
3172 special setup, the TODO keyword system can work differently in different
3175 Note that @i{tags} are another way to classify headlines in general and
3176 TODO items in particular (@pxref{Tags}).
3179 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
3180 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
3181 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
3182 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
3183 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
3184 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
3185 * TODO dependencies:: When one task needs to wait for others
3188 @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions
3189 @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states
3190 @cindex TODO workflow
3191 @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords
3193 You can use TODO keywords to indicate different @emph{sequential} states
3194 in the process of working on an item, for example@footnote{Changing
3195 this variable only becomes effective after restarting Org mode in a
3199 (setq org-todo-keywords
3200 '((sequence "TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "|" "DONE" "DELEGATED")))
3203 The vertical bar separates the TODO keywords (states that @emph{need
3204 action}) from the DONE states (which need @emph{no further action}). If
3205 you don't provide the separator bar, the last state is used as the DONE
3207 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
3208 With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from TODO
3209 to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE and DELEGATED. You may
3210 also use a numeric prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For
3211 example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
3212 Or you can use @kbd{S-left} to go backward through the sequence. If you
3213 define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion
3214 (@pxref{Completion}) or even a special one-key selection scheme
3215 (@pxref{Fast access to TODO states}) to insert these words into the
3216 buffer. Changing a TODO state can be logged with a timestamp, see
3217 @ref{Tracking TODO state changes} for more information.
3219 @node TODO types, Multiple sets in one file, Workflow states, TODO extensions
3220 @subsection TODO keywords as types
3222 @cindex names as TODO keywords
3223 @cindex types as TODO keywords
3225 The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different
3226 @emph{types} of action items. For example, you might want to indicate
3227 that items are for ``work'' or ``home''. Or, when you work with several
3228 people on a single project, you might want to assign action items
3229 directly to persons, by using their names as TODO keywords. This would
3230 be set up like this:
3233 (setq org-todo-keywords '((type "Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "|" "DONE")))
3236 In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather
3237 different types. So the normal work flow would be to assign a task to a
3238 person, and later to mark it DONE. Org mode supports this style by adapting
3239 the workings of the command @kbd{C-c C-t}@footnote{This is also true for the
3240 @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When used several
3241 times in succession, it will still cycle through all names, in order to first
3242 select the right type for a task. But when you return to the item after some
3243 time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from any name directly
3244 to DONE. Use prefix arguments or completion to quickly select a specific
3245 name. You can also review the items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree
3246 by using a numeric prefix to @kbd{C-c C-v}. For example, to see all things
3247 Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c C-v}. To collect Lucy's items
3248 from all agenda files into a single buffer, you would use the numeric prefix
3249 argument as well when creating the global TODO list: @kbd{C-3 C-c t}.
3251 @node Multiple sets in one file, Fast access to TODO states, TODO types, TODO extensions
3252 @subsection Multiple keyword sets in one file
3253 @cindex TODO keyword sets
3255 Sometimes you may want to use different sets of TODO keywords in
3256 parallel. For example, you may want to have the basic
3257 @code{TODO}/@code{DONE}, but also a workflow for bug fixing, and a
3258 separate state indicating that an item has been canceled (so it is not
3259 DONE, but also does not require action). Your setup would then look
3263 (setq org-todo-keywords
3264 '((sequence "TODO" "|" "DONE")
3265 (sequence "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED")
3266 (sequence "|" "CANCELED")))
3269 The keywords should all be different, this helps Org mode to keep track
3270 of which subsequence should be used for a given entry. In this setup,
3271 @kbd{C-c C-t} only operates within a subsequence, so it switches from
3272 @code{DONE} to (nothing) to @code{TODO}, and from @code{FIXED} to
3273 (nothing) to @code{REPORT}. Therefore you need a mechanism to initially
3274 select the correct sequence. Besides the obvious ways like typing a
3275 keyword or using completion, you may also apply the following commands:
3278 @kindex C-S-@key{right}
3279 @kindex C-S-@key{left}
3280 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-t
3281 @item C-u C-u C-c C-t
3282 @itemx C-S-@key{right}
3283 @itemx C-S-@key{left}
3284 These keys jump from one TODO subset to the next. In the above example,
3285 @kbd{C-u C-u C-c C-t} or @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} would jump from @code{TODO} or
3286 @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT}, and any of the words in the second row to
3287 @code{CANCELED}. Note that the @kbd{C-S-} key binding conflict with
3288 @code{shift-selection-mode} (@pxref{Conflicts}).
3289 @kindex S-@key{right}
3290 @kindex S-@key{left}
3293 @kbd{S-@key{<left>}} and @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} and walk through @emph{all}
3294 keywords from all sets, so for example @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} would switch
3295 from @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT} in the example above. See also
3296 @ref{Conflicts} for a discussion of the interaction with
3297 @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3300 @node Fast access to TODO states, Per-file keywords, Multiple sets in one file, TODO extensions
3301 @subsection Fast access to TODO states
3303 If you would like to quickly change an entry to an arbitrary TODO state
3304 instead of cycling through the states, you can set up keys for
3305 single-letter access to the states. This is done by adding the section
3306 key after each keyword, in parenthesis. For example:
3309 (setq org-todo-keywords
3310 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "|" "DONE(d)")
3311 (sequence "REPORT(r)" "BUG(b)" "KNOWNCAUSE(k)" "|" "FIXED(f)")
3312 (sequence "|" "CANCELED(c)")))
3315 @vindex org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo
3316 If you then press @code{C-c C-t} followed by the selection key, the entry
3317 will be switched to this state. @key{SPC} can be used to remove any TODO
3318 keyword from an entry.@footnote{Check also the variable
3319 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo}, it allows to change the TODO
3320 state through the tags interface (@pxref{Setting tags}), in case you like to
3321 mingle the two concepts. Note that this means you need to come up with
3322 unique keys across both sets of keywords.}
3324 @node Per-file keywords, Faces for TODO keywords, Fast access to TODO states, TODO extensions
3325 @subsection Setting up keywords for individual files
3326 @cindex keyword options
3327 @cindex per-file keywords
3329 It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in
3330 different files. For file-local settings, you need to add special lines
3331 to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that file
3332 only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed above, you
3333 need one of the following lines, starting in column zero anywhere in the
3337 #+TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY | DONE CANCELED
3339 @noindent (you may also write @code{#+SEQ_TODO} to be explicit about the
3340 interpretation, but it means the same as @code{#+TODO}), or
3342 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike | DONE
3345 A setup for using several sets in parallel would be:
3349 #+TODO: REPORT BUG KNOWNCAUSE | FIXED
3353 @cindex completion, of option keywords
3355 @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type
3356 @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion.
3358 @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword
3359 Remember that the keywords after the vertical bar (or the last keyword
3360 if no bar is there) must always mean that the item is DONE (although you
3361 may use a different word). After changing one of these lines, use
3362 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to make the changes
3363 known to Org mode@footnote{Org mode parses these lines only when
3364 Org mode is activated after visiting a file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
3365 cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+} is simply restarting Org mode
3366 for the current buffer.}.
3368 @node Faces for TODO keywords, TODO dependencies, Per-file keywords, TODO extensions
3369 @subsection Faces for TODO keywords
3370 @cindex faces, for TODO keywords
3372 @vindex org-todo @r{(face)}
3373 @vindex org-done @r{(face)}
3374 @vindex org-todo-keyword-faces
3375 Org mode highlights TODO keywords with special faces: @code{org-todo}
3376 for keywords indicating that an item still has to be acted upon, and
3377 @code{org-done} for keywords indicating that an item is finished. If
3378 you are using more than 2 different states, you might want to use
3379 special faces for some of them. This can be done using the variable
3380 @code{org-todo-keyword-faces}. For example:
3384 (setq org-todo-keyword-faces
3385 '(("TODO" . org-warning)
3386 ("DEFERRED" . shadow)
3387 ("CANCELED" . (:foreground "blue" :weight bold))))
3391 While using a list with face properties as shown for CANCELED
3392 @emph{should} work, this does not aways seem to be the case. If
3393 necessary, define a special face and use that.
3395 @node TODO dependencies, , Faces for TODO keywords, TODO extensions
3396 @subsection TODO dependencies
3397 @cindex TODO dependencies
3398 @cindex dependencies, of TODO states
3400 @vindex org-enforce-todo-dependencies
3401 The structure of Org files (hierarchy and lists) makes it easy to define TODO
3402 dependencies. Usually, a parent TODO task should not be marked DONE until
3403 all subtasks (defined as children tasks) are marked as DONE. And sometimes
3404 there is a logical sequence to a number of (sub)tasks, so that one task
3405 cannot be acted upon before all siblings above it are done. If you customize
3406 the variable @code{org-enforce-todo-dependencies}, Org will block entries
3407 from changing state to DONE while they have children that are not DONE.
3408 Furthermore, if an entry has a property @code{ORDERED}, each of its children
3409 will be blocked until all earlier siblings are marked DONE. Here is an
3413 * TODO Blocked until (two) is done
3422 ** TODO b, needs to wait for (a)
3423 ** TODO c, needs to wait for (a) and (b)
3429 @vindex org-track-ordered-property-with-tag
3430 Toggle the @code{ORDERED} property of the current entry. A property is used
3431 for this behavior because this should be local to the current entry, not
3432 inherited like a tag. However, if you would like to @i{track} the value of
3433 this property with a tag for better visibility, customize the variable
3434 @code{org-track-ordered-property-with-tag}.
3435 @kindex C-u C-u C-u C-c C-t
3436 @item C-u C-u C-u C-c C-t
3437 Change TODO state, circumventin any state blocking.
3440 @vindex org-agenda-dim-blocked-tasks
3441 If you set the variable @code{org-agenda-dim-blocked-tasks}, TODO entries
3442 that cannot be closed because of such dependencies will be shown in a dimmed
3443 font or even made invisible in agenda views (@pxref{Agenda Views}).
3445 @cindex checkboxes and TODO dependencies
3446 @vindex org-enforce-todo-dependencies
3447 You can also block changes of TODO states by looking at checkboxes
3448 (@pxref{Checkboxes}). If you set the variable
3449 @code{org-enforce-todo-checkbox-dependencies}, an entry that has unchecked
3450 checkboxes will be blocked from switching to DONE.
3452 If you need more complex dependency structures, for example dependencies
3453 between entries in different trees or files, check out the contributed
3454 module @file{org-depend.el}.
3457 @node Progress logging, Priorities, TODO extensions, TODO Items
3458 @section Progress logging
3459 @cindex progress logging
3460 @cindex logging, of progress
3462 Org mode can automatically record a time stamp and possibly a note when
3463 you mark a TODO item as DONE, or even each time you change the state of
3464 a TODO item. This system is highly configurable, settings can be on a
3465 per-keyword basis and can be localized to a file or even a subtree. For
3466 information on how to clock working time for a task, see @ref{Clocking
3470 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
3471 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
3474 @node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging
3475 @subsection Closing items
3477 The most basic logging is to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO
3478 item was finished. This is achieved with@footnote{The corresponding
3479 in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}}.
3482 (setq org-log-done 'time)
3486 Then each time you turn an entry from a TODO (not-done) state into any
3487 of the DONE states, a line @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted
3488 just after the headline. If you turn the entry back into a TODO item
3489 through further state cycling, that line will be removed again. If you
3490 want to record a note along with the timestamp, use@footnote{The
3491 corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognotedone}}
3494 (setq org-log-done 'note)
3498 You will then be prompted for a note, and that note will be stored below
3499 the entry with a @samp{Closing Note} heading.
3501 In the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda
3502 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), you can then use the @kbd{l} key to
3503 display the TODO items with a @samp{CLOSED} timestamp on each day,
3504 giving you an overview of what has been done.
3506 @node Tracking TODO state changes, , Closing items, Progress logging
3507 @subsection Tracking TODO state changes
3508 @cindex drawer, for state change recording
3510 @vindex org-log-states-order-reversed
3511 @vindex org-log-state-notes-into-drawer
3512 When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow states}), you
3513 might want to keep track of when a state change occurred and maybe take a
3514 note about this change. You can either record just a timestamp, or a
3515 timestamped note for a change. These records will be inserted after the
3516 headline as an itemized list, newest first@footnote{See the variable
3517 @code{org-log-states-order-reversed}}. When taking a lot of notes, you might
3518 want to get the notes out of a way into a drawer (@pxref{Drawers}).
3519 Customize the variable @code{org-log-state-notes-into-drawer} to get this
3520 behavior - the recommended drawer for this is called @code{LOGBOOK}.
3522 Since it is normally too much to record a note for every state, Org mode
3523 expects configuration on a per-keyword basis for this. This is achieved by
3524 adding special markers @samp{!} (for a time stamp) and @samp{@@} (for a note)
3525 in parenthesis after each keyword. For example, with the setting
3528 (setq org-todo-keywords
3529 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "WAIT(w@@/!)" "|" "DONE(d!)" "CANCELED(c@@)")))
3533 @vindex org-log-done
3534 you not only define global TODO keywords and fast access keys, but also
3535 request that a time is recorded when the entry is turned into
3536 DONE@footnote{It is possible that Org mode will record two time stamps
3537 when you are using both @code{org-log-done} and state change logging.
3538 However, it will never prompt for two notes - if you have configured
3539 both, the state change recording note will take precedence and cancel
3540 the @samp{Closing Note}.}, and that a note is recorded when switching to
3541 WAIT or CANCELED. The setting for WAIT is even more special: The
3542 @samp{!} after the slash means that in addition to the note taken when
3543 entering the state, a time stamp should be recorded when @i{leaving} the
3544 WAIT state, if and only if the @i{target} state does not configure
3545 logging for entering it. So it has no effect when switching from WAIT
3546 to DONE, because DONE is configured to record a timestamp only. But
3547 when switching from WAIT back to TODO, the @samp{/!} in the WAIT
3548 setting now triggers a timestamp even though TODO has no logging
3551 You can use the exact same syntax for setting logging preferences local
3554 #+TODO: TODO(t) WAIT(w@@/!) | DONE(d!) CANCELED(c@@)
3557 In order to define logging settings that are local to a subtree or a
3558 single item, define a LOGGING property in this entry. Any non-empty
3559 LOGGING property resets all logging settings to nil. You may then turn
3560 on logging for this specific tree using STARTUP keywords like
3561 @code{lognotedone} or @code{logrepeat}, as well as adding state specific
3562 settings like @code{TODO(!)}. For example
3565 * TODO Log each state with only a time
3567 :LOGGING: TODO(!) WAIT(!) DONE(!) CANCELED(!)
3569 * TODO Only log when switching to WAIT, and when repeating
3571 :LOGGING: WAIT(@@) logrepeat
3573 * TODO No logging at all
3579 @node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, Progress logging, TODO Items
3583 If you use Org mode extensively, you may end up enough TODO items that
3584 it starts to make sense to prioritize them. Prioritizing can be done by
3585 placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the headline of a TODO item, like
3589 *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
3593 By default, Org mode supports three priorities: @samp{A}, @samp{B}, and
3594 @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry without a cookie
3595 is treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a difference only in
3596 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}); outside the agenda, they have
3597 no inherent meaning to Org mode.
3599 Priorities can be attached to any outline tree entries; they do not need
3605 Set the priority of the current headline. The command prompts for a
3606 priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press
3607 @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline.
3608 The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3609 agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3612 @kindex S-@key{down}
3615 @vindex org-priority-start-cycle-with-default
3616 Increase/decrease priority of current headline@footnote{See also the option
3617 @code{org-priority-start-cycle-with-default}.}. Note that these keys are
3618 also used to modify time stamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}). See also
3619 @ref{Conflicts} for a discussion of the interaction with
3620 @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3623 @vindex org-highest-priority
3624 @vindex org-lowest-priority
3625 @vindex org-default-priority
3626 You can change the range of allowed priorities by setting the variables
3627 @code{org-highest-priority}, @code{org-lowest-priority}, and
3628 @code{org-default-priority}. For an individual buffer, you may set
3629 these values (highest, lowest, default) like this (please make sure that
3630 the highest priority is earlier in the alphabet than the lowest
3637 @node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO Items
3638 @section Breaking tasks down into subtasks
3639 @cindex tasks, breaking down
3641 @vindex org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels
3642 It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable
3643 subtasks. You can do this by creating an outline tree below a TODO item,
3644 with detailed subtasks on the tree@footnote{To keep subtasks out of the
3645 global TODO list, see the @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels}.}. To keep
3646 the overview over the fraction of subtasks that are already completed, insert
3647 either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]} anywhere in the headline. These cookies will
3648 be updates each time the todo status of a child changes. For example:
3651 * Organize Party [33%]
3652 ** TODO Call people [1/2]
3656 ** DONE Talk to neighbor
3659 If you would like a TODO entry to automatically change to DONE when all
3660 children are done, you can use the following setup:
3663 (defun org-summary-todo (n-done n-not-done)
3664 "Switch entry to DONE when all subentries are done, to TODO otherwise."
3665 (let (org-log-done org-log-states) ; turn off logging
3666 (org-todo (if (= n-not-done 0) "DONE" "TODO"))))
3668 (add-hook 'org-after-todo-statistics-hook 'org-summary-todo)
3672 Another possibility is the use of checkboxes to identify (a hierarchy of) a
3673 large number of subtasks (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
3676 @node Checkboxes, , Breaking down tasks, TODO Items
3680 Every item in a plain list (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made into a
3681 checkbox by starting it with the string @samp{[ ]}. This feature is
3682 similar to TODO items (@pxref{TODO Items}), but is more lightweight.
3683 Checkboxes are not included into the global TODO list, so they are often
3684 great to split a task into a number of simple steps. Or you can use
3685 them in a shopping list. To toggle a checkbox, use @kbd{C-c C-c}, or
3686 use the mouse (thanks to Piotr Zielinski's @file{org-mouse.el}).
3688 Here is an example of a checkbox list.
3691 * TODO Organize party [2/4]
3692 - [-] call people [1/3]
3697 - [ ] think about what music to play
3698 - [X] talk to the neighbors
3701 Checkboxes work hierarchically, so if a checkbox item has children that
3702 are checkboxes, toggling one of the children checkboxes will make the
3703 parent checkbox reflect if none, some, or all of the children are
3706 @cindex statistics, for checkboxes
3707 @cindex checkbox statistics
3708 The @samp{[2/4]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are
3709 cookies indicating how many checkboxes present in this entry have been
3710 checked off, and the total number of checkboxes are present. This can
3711 give you an idea on how many checkboxes remain, even without opening a
3712 folded entry. The cookies can be placed into a headline or into (the
3713 first line of) a plain list item. Each cookie covers all checkboxes
3714 structurally below the headline/item on which the cookie appear. You
3715 have to insert the cookie yourself by typing either @samp{[/]} or
3716 @samp{[%]}. With @samp{[/]} you get an @samp{n out of m} result, as in
3717 the examples above. With @samp{[%]} you get information about the
3718 percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be
3719 @samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%]}, respectively).
3721 @cindex blocking, of checkboxes
3722 @cindex checkbox blocking
3723 If the current outline node has an @code{ORDERED} property, checkboxes must
3724 be checked off in sequence, and an error will be thrown if you try to check
3725 off a box while there are unchecked boxes bove it.
3727 @noindent The following commands work with checkboxes:
3732 Toggle checkbox status or (with prefix arg) checkbox presence at point. With
3733 double prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]}, which is considered to be an
3737 Toggle checkbox status or (with prefix arg) checkbox presence at point. With
3738 double prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]}, which is considered to be an
3742 If there is an active region, toggle the first checkbox in the region
3743 and set all remaining boxes to the same status as the first. With a prefix
3744 arg, add or remove the checkbox for all items in the region.
3746 If the cursor is in a headline, toggle checkboxes in the region between
3747 this headline and the next (so @emph{not} the entire subtree).
3749 If there is no active region, just toggle the checkbox at point.
3751 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
3753 Insert a new item with a checkbox.
3754 This works only if the cursor is already in a plain list item
3755 (@pxref{Plain lists}).
3758 @vindex org-track-ordered-property-with-tag
3759 Toggle the @code{ORDERED} property of the entry, to toggle if checkboxes must
3760 be checked off in sequence. A property is used for this behavior because
3761 this should be local to the current entry, not inherited like a tag.
3762 However, if you would like to @i{track} the value of this property with a tag
3763 for better visibility, customize the variable
3764 @code{org-track-ordered-property-with-tag}.
3767 Update the checkbox statistics in the current outline entry. When
3768 called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, update the entire file. Checkbox
3769 statistic cookies are updated automatically if you toggle checkboxes
3770 with @kbd{C-c C-c} and make new ones with @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}}. If you
3771 delete boxes or add/change them by hand, use this command to get things
3772 back into sync. Or simply toggle any checkbox twice with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
3775 @node Tags, Properties and Columns, TODO Items, Top
3778 @cindex headline tagging
3779 @cindex matching, tags
3780 @cindex sparse tree, tag based
3782 An excellent way to implement labels and contexts for cross-correlating
3783 information is to assign @i{tags} to headlines. Org mode has extensive
3786 @vindex org-tag-faces
3787 Every headline can contain a list of tags; they occur at the end of the
3788 headline. Tags are normal words containing letters, numbers, @samp{_}, and
3789 @samp{@@}. Tags must be preceded and followed by a single colon, e.g.,
3790 @samp{:work:}. Several tags can be specified, as in @samp{:work:urgent:}.
3791 Tags will by default get a bold face with the same color as the headline.
3792 You may specify special faces for specific tags using the variable
3793 @code{org-tag-faces}, much in the same way as you can do for TODO keywords
3794 (@pxref{Faces for TODO keywords}).
3797 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
3798 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
3799 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
3802 @node Tag inheritance, Setting tags, Tags, Tags
3803 @section Tag inheritance
3804 @cindex tag inheritance
3805 @cindex inheritance, of tags
3806 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into tags match
3808 @i{Tags} make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees. If a
3809 heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
3810 well. For example, in the list
3813 * Meeting with the French group :work:
3814 ** Summary by Frank :boss:notes:
3815 *** TODO Prepare slides for him :action:
3819 the final heading will have the tags @samp{:work:}, @samp{:boss:},
3820 @samp{:notes:}, and @samp{:action:} even though the final heading is not
3821 explicitly marked with those tags. You can also set tags that all entries in
3822 a file should inherit as if these tags would be defined in a hypothetical
3823 level zero that surrounds the entire file.
3826 #+FILETAGS: :Peter:Boss:Secret:
3830 @vindex org-use-tag-inheritance
3831 @vindex org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance
3832 To limit tag inheritance to specific tags, or to turn it off entirely, use
3833 the variables @code{org-use-tag-inheritance} and
3834 @code{org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance}.
3836 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
3837 When a headline matches during a tags search while tag inheritance is turned
3838 on, all the sublevels in the same tree will (for a simple match form) match
3839 as well@footnote{This is only true if the search does not involve more
3840 complex tests including properties (@pxref{Property searches}).}. The list
3841 of matches may then become very long. If you only want to see the first tags
3842 match in a subtree, configure the variable
3843 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels} (not recommended).
3845 @node Setting tags, Tag searches, Tag inheritance, Tags
3846 @section Setting tags
3847 @cindex setting tags
3848 @cindex tags, setting
3851 Tags can simply be typed into the buffer at the end of a headline.
3852 After a colon, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on tags. There is
3853 also a special command for inserting tags:
3858 @cindex completion, of tags
3859 @vindex org-tags-column
3860 Enter new tags for the current headline. Org mode will either offer
3861 completion or a special single-key interface for setting tags, see
3862 below. After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will be inserted and aligned
3863 to @code{org-tags-column}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all
3864 tags in the current buffer will be aligned to that column, just to make
3865 things look nice. TAGS are automatically realigned after promotion,
3866 demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
3869 When the cursor is in a headline, this does the same as @kbd{C-c C-q}.
3872 @vindex org-tag-alist
3873 Org will support tag insertion based on a @emph{list of tags}. By
3874 default this list is constructed dynamically, containing all tags
3875 currently used in the buffer. You may also globally specify a hard list
3876 of tags with the variable @code{org-tag-alist}. Finally you can set
3877 the default tags for a given file with lines like
3880 #+TAGS: @@work @@home @@tennisclub
3881 #+TAGS: laptop car pc sailboat
3884 If you have globally defined your preferred set of tags using the
3885 variable @code{org-tag-alist}, but would like to use a dynamic tag list
3886 in a specific file, add an empty TAGS option line to that file:
3892 @vindex org-tag-persistent-alist
3893 If you have a preferred set of tags that you would like to use in every file,
3894 in addition to those defined on a per file basis by TAGS option lines, then
3895 you may specify a list of tags with the variable
3896 @code{org-tag-persistent-alist}. You may turn this off on a per file basis
3897 by adding a STARTUP option line to that file:
3903 By default Org mode uses the standard minibuffer completion facilities for
3904 entering tags. However, it also implements another, quicker, tag selection
3905 method called @emph{fast tag selection}. This allows you to select and
3906 deselect tags with just a single key press. For this to work well you should
3907 assign unique letters to most of your commonly used tags. You can do this
3908 globally by configuring the variable @code{org-tag-alist} in your
3909 @file{.emacs} file. For example, you may find the need to tag many items in
3910 different files with @samp{:@@home:}. In this case you can set something
3914 (setq org-tag-alist '(("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h) ("laptop" . ?l)))
3917 @noindent If the tag is only relevant to the file you are working on then you
3918 can, instead, set the TAGS option line as:
3921 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) laptop(l) pc(p)
3924 @noindent The tags interface will show the available tags in a splash
3925 window. If you would to start a new line after a specific tag, insert
3926 @samp{\n} into the tag list
3929 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) \n laptop(l) pc(p)
3932 @noindent or write them in two lines:
3935 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t)
3936 #+TAGS: laptop(l) pc(p)
3940 You can also group together tags that are mutually exclusive. By using
3944 #+TAGS: @{ @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) @} laptop(l) pc(p)
3947 @noindent you indicate that at most one of @samp{@@work}, @samp{@@home},
3948 and @samp{@@tennisclub} should be selected. Multiple such groups are allowed.
3950 @noindent Don't forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in one of
3951 these lines to activate any changes.
3954 To set these mutually exclusive groups in the variable @code{org-tags-alist}
3955 you must use the dummy tags @code{:startgroup} and @code{:endgroup} instead
3956 of the braces. Similarly, you can use @code{:newline} to indicate a line
3957 break. The previous example would be set globally by the following
3961 (setq org-tag-alist '((:startgroup . nil)
3962 ("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h)
3963 ("@@tennisclub" . ?t)
3965 ("laptop" . ?l) ("pc" . ?p)))
3968 If at least one tag has a selection key then pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} will
3969 automatically present you with a special interface, listing inherited tags,
3970 the tags of the current headline, and a list of all valid tags with
3971 corresponding keys@footnote{Keys will automatically be assigned to tags which
3972 have no configured keys.}. In this interface, you can use the following
3977 Pressing keys assigned to tags will add or remove them from the list of
3978 tags in the current line. Selecting a tag in a group of mutually
3979 exclusive tags will turn off any other tags from that group.
3982 Enter a tag in the minibuffer, even if the tag is not in the predefined
3983 list. You will be able to complete on all tags present in the buffer.
3986 Clear all tags for this line.
3989 Accept the modified set.
3991 Abort without installing changes.
3993 If @kbd{q} is not assigned to a tag, it aborts like @kbd{C-g}.
3995 Turn off groups of mutually exclusive tags. Use this to (as an
3996 exception) assign several tags from such a group.
3998 Toggle auto-exit after the next change (see below).
3999 If you are using expert mode, the first @kbd{C-c} will display the
4004 This method lets you assign tags to a headline with very few keys. With
4005 the above setup, you could clear the current tags and set @samp{@@home},
4006 @samp{laptop} and @samp{pc} tags with just the following keys: @kbd{C-c
4007 C-c @key{SPC} h l p @key{RET}}. Switching from @samp{@@home} to
4008 @samp{@@work} would be done with @kbd{C-c C-c w @key{RET}} or
4009 alternatively with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c w}. Adding the non-predefined tag
4010 @samp{Sarah} could be done with @kbd{C-c C-c @key{TAB} S a r a h
4011 @key{RET} @key{RET}}.
4013 @vindex org-fast-tag-selection-single-key
4014 If you find that most of the time, you need only a single key press to
4015 modify your list of tags, set the variable
4016 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-single-key}. Then you no longer have to
4017 press @key{RET} to exit fast tag selection - it will immediately exit
4018 after the first change. If you then occasionally need more keys, press
4019 @kbd{C-c} to turn off auto-exit for the current tag selection process
4020 (in effect: start selection with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c} instead of @kbd{C-c
4021 C-c}). If you set the variable to the value @code{expert}, the special
4022 window is not even shown for single-key tag selection, it comes up only
4023 when you press an extra @kbd{C-c}.
4025 @node Tag searches, , Setting tags, Tags
4026 @section Tag searches
4027 @cindex tag searches
4028 @cindex searching for tags
4030 Once a system of tags has been set up, it can be used to collect related
4031 information into special lists.
4038 Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search. With a
4039 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
4042 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
4043 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
4046 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
4047 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
4048 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
4049 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
4052 These commands all prompt for a match string which allows basic Boolean logic
4053 like @samp{+boss+urgent-project1}, to find entries with tags @samp{boss} and
4054 @samp{urgent}, but not @samp{project1}, or @samp{Kathy|Sally} to find entries
4055 which are tagged @samp{Kathy} or @samp{Sally}. The full syntax of the search
4056 string is rich and allows also matching against TODO keywords, entry levels
4057 and properties. For a complete description with many examples, see
4058 @ref{Matching tags and properties}.
4061 @node Properties and Columns, Dates and Times, Tags, Top
4062 @chapter Properties and Columns
4065 Properties are a set of key-value pairs associated with an entry. There
4066 are two main applications for properties in Org mode. First, properties
4067 are like tags, but with a value. Second, you can use properties to
4068 implement (very basic) database capabilities in an Org buffer. For
4069 an example of the first application, imagine maintaining a file where
4070 you document bugs and plan releases of a piece of software. Instead of
4071 using tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, one can use a
4072 property, say @code{:Release:}, that in different subtrees has different
4073 values, such as @code{1.0} or @code{2.0}. For an example of the second
4074 application of properties, imagine keeping track of your music CDs,
4075 where properties could be things such as the album artist, date of
4076 release, number of tracks, and so on.
4078 Properties can be conveniently edited and viewed in column view
4079 (@pxref{Column view}).
4082 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
4083 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
4084 * Property searches:: Matching property values
4085 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
4086 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
4087 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
4090 @node Property syntax, Special properties, Properties and Columns, Properties and Columns
4091 @section Property syntax
4092 @cindex property syntax
4093 @cindex drawer, for properties
4095 Properties are key-value pairs. They need to be inserted into a special
4096 drawer (@pxref{Drawers}) with the name @code{PROPERTIES}. Each property
4097 is specified on a single line, with the key (surrounded by colons)
4098 first, and the value after it. Here is an example:
4103 *** Goldberg Variations
4105 :Title: Goldberg Variations
4106 :Composer: J.S. Bach
4108 :Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon
4113 You may define the allowed values for a particular property @samp{:Xyz:}
4114 by setting a property @samp{:Xyz_ALL:}. This special property is
4115 @emph{inherited}, so if you set it in a level 1 entry, it will apply to
4116 the entire tree. When allowed values are defined, setting the
4117 corresponding property becomes easier and is less prone to typing
4118 errors. For the example with the CD collection, we can predefine
4119 publishers and the number of disks in a box like this:
4124 :NDisks_ALL: 1 2 3 4
4125 :Publisher_ALL: "Deutsche Grammophon" Philips EMI
4129 If you want to set properties that can be inherited by any entry in a
4130 file, use a line like
4133 #+PROPERTY: NDisks_ALL 1 2 3 4
4136 @vindex org-global-properties
4137 Property values set with the global variable
4138 @code{org-global-properties} can be inherited by all entries in all
4142 The following commands help to work with properties:
4147 After an initial colon in a line, complete property keys. All keys used
4148 in the current file will be offered as possible completions.
4151 Set a property. This prompts for a property name and a value. If
4152 necessary, the property drawer is created as well.
4153 @item M-x org-insert-property-drawer
4154 Insert a property drawer into the current entry. The drawer will be
4155 inserted early in the entry, but after the lines with planning
4156 information like deadlines.
4159 With the cursor in a property drawer, this executes property commands.
4161 Set a property in the current entry. Both the property and the value
4162 can be inserted using completion.
4163 @kindex S-@key{right}
4164 @kindex S-@key{left}
4165 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
4166 Switch property at point to the next/previous allowed value.
4168 Remove a property from the current entry.
4170 Globally remove a property, from all entries in the current file.
4172 Compute the property at point, using the operator and scope from the
4173 nearest column format definition.
4176 @node Special properties, Property searches, Property syntax, Properties and Columns
4177 @section Special properties
4178 @cindex properties, special
4180 Special properties provide alternative access method to Org mode
4181 features discussed in the previous chapters, like the TODO state or the
4182 priority of an entry. This interface exists so that you can include
4183 these states into columns view (@pxref{Column view}), or to use them in
4184 queries. The following property names are special and should not be
4185 used as keys in the properties drawer:
4188 TODO @r{The TODO keyword of the entry.}
4189 TAGS @r{The tags defined directly in the headline.}
4190 ALLTAGS @r{All tags, including inherited ones.}
4191 CATEGORY @r{The category of an entry.}
4192 PRIORITY @r{The priority of the entry, a string with a single letter.}
4193 DEADLINE @r{The deadline time string, without the angular brackets.}
4194 SCHEDULED @r{The scheduling time stamp, without the angular brackets.}
4195 CLOSED @r{When was this entry closed?}
4196 TIMESTAMP @r{The first keyword-less time stamp in the entry.}
4197 TIMESTAMP_IA @r{The first inactive time stamp in the entry.}
4198 CLOCKSUM @r{The sum of CLOCK intervals in the subtree. @code{org-clock-sum}}
4199 @r{must be run first to compute the values.}
4202 @node Property searches, Property inheritance, Special properties, Properties and Columns
4203 @section Property searches
4204 @cindex properties, searching
4205 @cindex searching, of properties
4207 To create sparse trees and special lists with selection based on properties,
4208 the same commands are used as for tag searches (@pxref{Tag searches}).
4214 Create a sparse tree with all matching entries. With a
4215 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
4218 Create a global list of tag/property matches from all agenda files.
4219 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
4222 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
4223 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
4224 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
4225 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
4228 The syntax for the search string is described in @ref{Matching tags and
4231 There is also a special command for creating sparse trees based on a
4237 Create a sparse tree based on the value of a property. This first
4238 prompts for the name of a property, and then for a value. A sparse tree
4239 is created with all entries that define this property with the given
4240 value. If you enclose the value into curly braces, it is interpreted as
4241 a regular expression and matched against the property values.
4244 @node Property inheritance, Column view, Property searches, Properties and Columns
4245 @section Property Inheritance
4246 @cindex properties, inheritance
4247 @cindex inheritance, of properties
4249 @vindex org-use-property-inheritance
4250 The outline structure of Org mode documents lends itself for an
4251 inheritance model of properties: If the parent in a tree has a certain
4252 property, the children can inherit this property. Org mode does not
4253 turn this on by default, because it can slow down property searches
4254 significantly and is often not needed. However, if you find inheritance
4255 useful, you can turn it on by setting the variable
4256 @code{org-use-property-inheritance}. It may be set to @code{t}, to make
4257 all properties inherited from the parent, to a list of properties
4258 that should be inherited, or to a regular expression that matches
4259 inherited properties.
4261 Org mode has a few properties for which inheritance is hard-coded, at
4262 least for the special applications for which they are used:
4266 The @code{:COLUMNS:} property defines the format of column view
4267 (@pxref{Column view}). It is inherited in the sense that the level
4268 where a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is defined is used as the starting
4269 point for a column view table, independently of the location in the
4270 subtree from where columns view is turned on.
4272 For agenda view, a category set through a @code{:CATEGORY:} property
4273 applies to the entire subtree.
4275 For archiving, the @code{:ARCHIVE:} property may define the archive
4276 location for the entire subtree (@pxref{Moving subtrees}).
4278 The LOGGING property may define logging settings for an entry or a
4279 subtree (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}).
4282 @node Column view, Property API, Property inheritance, Properties and Columns
4283 @section Column view
4285 A great way to view and edit properties in an outline tree is
4286 @emph{column view}. In column view, each outline item is turned into a
4287 table row. Columns in this table provide access to properties of the
4288 entries. Org mode implements columns by overlaying a tabular structure
4289 over the headline of each item. While the headlines have been turned
4290 into a table row, you can still change the visibility of the outline
4291 tree. For example, you get a compact table by switching to CONTENTS
4292 view (@kbd{S-@key{TAB} S-@key{TAB}}, or simply @kbd{c} while column view
4293 is active), but you can still open, read, and edit the entry below each
4294 headline. Or, you can switch to column view after executing a sparse
4295 tree command and in this way get a table only for the selected items.
4296 Column view also works in agenda buffers (@pxref{Agenda Views}) where
4297 queries have collected selected items, possibly from a number of files.
4300 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
4301 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
4302 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
4305 @node Defining columns, Using column view, Column view, Column view
4306 @subsection Defining columns
4307 @cindex column view, for properties
4308 @cindex properties, column view
4310 Setting up a column view first requires defining the columns. This is
4311 done by defining a column format line.
4314 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
4315 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
4318 @node Scope of column definitions, Column attributes, Defining columns, Defining columns
4319 @subsubsection Scope of column definitions
4321 To define a column format for an entire file, use a line like
4324 #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4327 To specify a format that only applies to a specific tree, add a
4328 @code{:COLUMNS:} property to the top node of that tree, for example:
4331 ** Top node for columns view
4333 :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4337 If a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is present in an entry, it defines columns
4338 for the entry itself, and for the entire subtree below it. Since the
4339 column definition is part of the hierarchical structure of the document,
4340 you can define columns on level 1 that are general enough for all
4341 sublevels, and more specific columns further down, when you edit a
4342 deeper part of the tree.
4344 @node Column attributes, , Scope of column definitions, Defining columns
4345 @subsubsection Column attributes
4346 A column definition sets the attributes of a column. The general
4347 definition looks like this:
4350 %[width]property[(title)][@{summary-type@}]
4354 Except for the percent sign and the property name, all items are
4355 optional. The individual parts have the following meaning:
4358 width @r{An integer specifying the width of the column in characters.}
4359 @r{If omitted, the width will be determined automatically.}
4360 property @r{The property that should be edited in this column.}
4361 (title) @r{The header text for the column. If omitted, the}
4362 @r{property name is used.}
4363 @{summary-type@} @r{The summary type. If specified, the column values for}
4364 @r{parent nodes are computed from the children.}
4365 @r{Supported summary types are:}
4366 @{+@} @r{Sum numbers in this column.}
4367 @{+;%.1f@} @r{Like @samp{+}, but format result with @samp{%.1f}.}
4368 @{$@} @r{Currency, short for @samp{+;%.2f}.}
4369 @{:@} @r{Sum times, HH:MM:SS, plain numbers are hours.}
4370 @{X@} @r{Checkbox status, [X] if all children are [X].}
4371 @{X/@} @r{Checkbox status, [n/m].}
4372 @{X%@} @r{Checkbox status, [n%].}
4376 Here is an example for a complete columns definition, along with allowed
4380 :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.}
4381 %10Time_Estimate@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
4382 :Owner_ALL: Tammy Mark Karl Lisa Don
4383 :Status_ALL: "In progress" "Not started yet" "Finished" ""
4384 :Approved_ALL: "[ ]" "[X]"
4387 The first column, @samp{%25ITEM}, means the first 25 characters of the
4388 item itself, i.e. of the headline. You probably always should start the
4389 column definition with the @samp{ITEM} specifier. The other specifiers
4390 create columns @samp{Owner} with a list of names as allowed values, for
4391 @samp{Status} with four different possible values, and for a checkbox
4392 field @samp{Approved}. When no width is given after the @samp{%}
4393 character, the column will be exactly as wide as it needs to be in order
4394 to fully display all values. The @samp{Approved} column does have a
4395 modified title (@samp{Approved?}, with a question mark). Summaries will
4396 be created for the @samp{Time_Estimate} column by adding time duration
4397 expressions like HH:MM, and for the @samp{Approved} column, by providing
4398 an @samp{[X]} status if all children have been checked. The
4399 @samp{CLOCKSUM} column is special, it lists the sum of CLOCK intervals
4402 @node Using column view, Capturing column view, Defining columns, Column view
4403 @subsection Using column view
4406 @tsubheading{Turning column view on and off}
4409 @vindex org-columns-default-format
4410 Create the column view for the local environment. This command searches
4411 the hierarchy, up from point, for a @code{:COLUMNS:} property that defines
4412 a format. When one is found, the column view table is established for
4413 the entire tree, starting from the entry that contains the @code{:COLUMNS:}
4414 property. If none is found, the format is taken from the @code{#+COLUMNS}
4415 line or from the variable @code{org-columns-default-format}, and column
4416 view is established for the current entry and its subtree.
4419 Recreate the column view, to include recent changes made in the buffer.
4426 @tsubheading{Editing values}
4427 @item @key{left} @key{right} @key{up} @key{down}
4428 Move through the column view from field to field.
4429 @kindex S-@key{left}
4430 @kindex S-@key{right}
4431 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
4432 Switch to the next/previous allowed value of the field. For this, you
4433 have to have specified allowed values for a property.
4435 Directly select the nth allowed value, @kbd{0} selects the 10th value.
4439 Same as @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}
4442 Edit the property at point. For the special properties, this will
4443 invoke the same interface that you normally use to change that
4444 property. For example, when editing a TAGS property, the tag completion
4445 or fast selection interface will pop up.
4448 When there is a checkbox at point, toggle it.
4451 View the full value of this property. This is useful if the width of
4452 the column is smaller than that of the value.
4455 Edit the list of allowed values for this property. If the list is found
4456 in the hierarchy, the modified values is stored there. If no list is
4457 found, the new value is stored in the first entry that is part of the
4458 current column view.
4459 @tsubheading{Modifying the table structure}
4463 Make the column narrower/wider by one character.
4464 @kindex S-M-@key{right}
4465 @item S-M-@key{right}
4466 Insert a new column, to the left of the current column.
4467 @kindex S-M-@key{left}
4468 @item S-M-@key{left}
4469 Delete the current column.
4472 @node Capturing column view, , Using column view, Column view
4473 @subsection Capturing column view
4475 Since column view is just an overlay over a buffer, it cannot be
4476 exported or printed directly. If you want to capture a column view, use
4477 this @code{columnview} dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). The frame
4478 of this block looks like this:
4480 @cindex #+BEGIN: columnview
4483 #+BEGIN: columnview :hlines 1 :id "label"
4488 @noindent This dynamic block has the following parameters:
4492 This is most important parameter. Column view is a feature that is
4493 often localized to a certain (sub)tree, and the capture block might be
4494 in a different location in the file. To identify the tree whose view to
4495 capture, you can use 3 values:
4497 local @r{use the tree in which the capture block is located}
4498 global @r{make a global view, including all headings in the file}
4500 @r{run column view at the top of this file}
4501 "ID" @r{call column view in the tree that has an @code{:ID:}}
4502 @r{property with the value @i{label}. You can use}
4503 @r{@kbd{M-x org-id-copy} to create a globally unique ID for}
4504 @r{the current entry and copy it to the kill-ring.}
4507 When @code{t}, insert a hline after every line. When a number N, insert
4508 a hline before each headline with level @code{<= N}.
4510 When set to @code{t}, enforce column groups to get vertical lines.
4512 When set to a number, don't capture entries below this level.
4513 @item :skip-empty-rows
4514 When set to @code{t}, skip row where the only non-empty specifier of the
4515 column view is @code{ITEM}.
4520 The following commands insert or update the dynamic block:
4525 Insert a dynamic block capturing a column view. You will be prompted
4526 for the scope or id of the view.
4531 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
4532 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
4533 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4534 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
4535 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
4536 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
4539 You can add formulas to the column view table and you may add plotting
4540 instructions in front of the table - these will survive an update of the
4541 block. If there is a @code{#+TBLFM:} after the table, the table will
4542 actually be recalculated automatically after an update.
4544 An alternative way to capture and process property values into a table is
4545 provided by Eric Schulte's @file{org-collector.el} which is a contributed
4546 package@footnote{Contributed packages are not part of Emacs, but are
4547 distributed with the main distribution of Org (see
4548 @uref{http://orgmode.org}).}. It provides a general API to collect
4549 properties from entries in a certain scope, and arbitrary Lisp expressions to
4550 process these values before inserting them into a table or a dynamic block.
4552 @node Property API, , Column view, Properties and Columns
4553 @section The Property API
4554 @cindex properties, API
4555 @cindex API, for properties
4557 There is a full API for accessing and changing properties. This API can
4558 be used by Emacs Lisp programs to work with properties and to implement
4559 features based on them. For more information see @ref{Using the
4562 @node Dates and Times, Capture, Properties and Columns, Top
4563 @chapter Dates and Times
4569 To assist project planning, TODO items can be labeled with a date and/or
4570 a time. The specially formatted string carrying the date and time
4571 information is called a @emph{timestamp} in Org mode. This may be a
4572 little confusing because timestamp is often used as indicating when
4573 something was created or last changed. However, in Org mode this term
4574 is used in a much wider sense.
4577 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
4578 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
4579 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
4580 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
4581 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
4582 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
4586 @node Timestamps, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times, Dates and Times
4587 @section Timestamps, deadlines and scheduling
4589 @cindex ranges, time
4594 A time stamp is a specification of a date (possibly with time or a range
4595 of times) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or
4596 @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue
4597 12:00-12:30>}@footnote{This is the standard ISO date/time format. To
4598 use an alternative format, see @ref{Custom time format}.}. A time stamp
4599 can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an Org tree entry. Its
4600 presence causes entries to be shown on specific dates in the agenda
4601 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}). We distinguish:
4604 @item Plain time stamp; Event; Appointment
4606 A simple time stamp just assigns a date/time to an item. This is just
4607 like writing down an appointment or event in a paper agenda. In the
4608 timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry associated with a
4609 plain time stamp will be shown exactly on that date.
4612 * Meet Peter at the movies <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15>
4613 * Discussion on climate change <2006-11-02 Thu 20:00-22:00>
4616 @item Time stamp with repeater interval
4617 @cindex timestamp, with repeater interval
4618 A time stamp may contain a @emph{repeater interval}, indicating that it
4619 applies not only on the given date, but again and again after a certain
4620 interval of N days (d), weeks (w), months(m), or years(y). The
4621 following will show up in the agenda every Wednesday:
4624 * Pick up Sam at school <2007-05-16 Wed 12:30 +1w>
4627 @item Diary-style sexp entries
4628 For more complex date specifications, Org mode supports using the
4629 special sexp diary entries implemented in the Emacs calendar/diary
4630 package. For example
4633 * The nerd meeting on every 2nd Thursday of the month
4634 <%%(diary-float t 4 2)>
4637 @item Time/Date range
4640 Two time stamps connected by @samp{--} denote a range. The headline
4641 will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on any dates
4642 that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an example:
4645 ** Meeting in Amsterdam
4646 <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu>
4649 @item Inactive time stamp
4650 @cindex timestamp, inactive
4651 @cindex inactive timestamp
4652 Just like a plain time stamp, but with square brackets instead of
4653 angular ones. These time stamps are inactive in the sense that they do
4654 @emph{not} trigger an entry to show up in the agenda.
4657 * Gillian comes late for the fifth time [2006-11-01 Wed]
4662 @node Creating timestamps, Deadlines and scheduling, Timestamps, Dates and Times
4663 @section Creating timestamps
4664 @cindex creating timestamps
4665 @cindex timestamps, creating
4667 For Org mode to recognize time stamps, they need to be in the specific
4668 format. All commands listed below produce time stamps in the correct
4674 Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding time stamp. When the cursor is
4675 at an existing time stamp in the buffer, the command is used to modify this
4676 timestamp instead of inserting a new one. When this command is used twice in
4677 succession, a time range is inserted.
4681 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive time stamp that will not cause
4688 @vindex org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes
4689 Like @kbd{C-c .} and @kbd{C-c !}, but use the alternative format which
4690 contains date and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5
4691 minutes, see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}.
4695 Insert a time stamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
4699 Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a
4700 timestamp in the current line, go to the corresponding date
4705 Access the agenda for the date given by the time stamp or -range at
4706 point (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
4708 @kindex S-@key{left}
4709 @kindex S-@key{right}
4711 @itemx S-@key{right}
4712 Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with
4713 CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4716 @kindex S-@key{down}
4719 Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on a
4720 year, month, day, hour or minute. When the time stamp contains a time range
4721 like @samp{15:30-16:30}, modifying the first time will also shift the second,
4722 shifting the time block with constant length. To change the length, modify
4723 the second time. Note that if the cursor is in a headline and not at a time
4724 stamp, these same keys modify the priority of an item.
4725 (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with CUA mode
4726 (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4729 @cindex evaluate time range
4731 Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and end.
4732 With a prefix argument, insert result after the time range (in a table: into
4733 the following column).
4738 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
4739 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
4742 @node The date/time prompt, Custom time format, Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps
4743 @subsection The date/time prompt
4744 @cindex date, reading in minibuffer
4745 @cindex time, reading in minibuffer
4747 @vindex org-read-date-prefer-future
4748 When Org mode prompts for a date/time, the default is shown as an ISO
4749 date, and the prompt therefore seems to ask for an ISO date. But it
4750 will in fact accept any string containing some date and/or time
4751 information, and it is really smart about interpreting your input. You
4752 can, for example, use @kbd{C-y} to paste a (possibly multi-line) string
4753 copied from an email message. Org mode will find whatever information
4754 is in there and derive anything you have not specified from the
4755 @emph{default date and time}. The default is usually the current date
4756 and time, but when modifying an existing time stamp, or when entering
4757 the second stamp of a range, it is taken from the stamp in the buffer.
4758 When filling in information, Org mode assumes that most of the time you
4759 will want to enter a date in the future: If you omit the month/year and
4760 the given day/month is @i{before} today, it will assume that you mean a
4761 future date@footnote{See the variable
4762 @code{org-read-date-prefer-future}.}.
4764 For example, let's assume that today is @b{June 13, 2006}. Here is how
4765 various inputs will be interpreted, the items filled in by Org mode are
4769 3-2-5 --> 2003-02-05
4770 14 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-14
4771 12 --> @b{2006}-@b{07}-12
4772 Fri --> nearest Friday (defaultdate or later)
4773 sep 15 --> @b{2006}-09-15
4774 feb 15 --> @b{2007}-02-15
4775 sep 12 9 --> 2009-09-12
4776 12:45 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-@b{13} 12:45
4777 22 sept 0:34 --> @b{2006}-09-22 0:34
4778 w4 --> ISO week for of the current year @b{2006}
4779 2012 w4 fri --> Friday of ISO week 4 in 2012
4780 2012-w04-5 --> Same as above
4783 Furthermore you can specify a relative date by giving, as the
4784 @emph{first} thing in the input: a plus/minus sign, a number and a
4785 letter [dwmy] to indicate change in days weeks, months, years. With a
4786 single plus or minus, the date is always relative to today. With a
4787 double plus or minus, it is relative to the default date. If instead of
4788 a single letter, you use the abbreviation of day name, the date will be
4789 the nth such day. E.g.
4794 +4d --> four days from today
4795 +4 --> same as above
4796 +2w --> two weeks from today
4797 ++5 --> five days from default date
4798 +2tue --> second tuesday from now.
4801 @vindex parse-time-months
4802 @vindex parse-time-weekdays
4803 The function understands English month and weekday abbreviations. If
4804 you want to use unabbreviated names and/or other languages, configure
4805 the variables @code{parse-time-months} and @code{parse-time-weekdays}.
4807 @cindex calendar, for selecting date
4808 @vindex org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt
4809 Parallel to the minibuffer prompt, a calendar is popped up@footnote{If
4810 you don't need/want the calendar, configure the variable
4811 @code{org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt}.}. When you exit the date
4812 prompt, either by clicking on a date in the calendar, or by pressing
4813 @key{RET}, the date selected in the calendar will be combined with the
4814 information entered at the prompt. You can control the calendar fully
4815 from the minibuffer:
4820 @kindex S-@key{right}
4821 @kindex S-@key{left}
4822 @kindex S-@key{down}
4824 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
4825 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
4828 > / < @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by one month.}
4829 mouse-1 @r{Select date by clicking on it.}
4830 S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One day forward/backward.}
4831 S-@key{down}/@key{up} @r{One week forward/backward.}
4832 M-S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One month forward/backward.}
4833 @key{RET} @r{Choose date in calendar.}
4836 @vindex org-read-date-display-live
4837 The actions of the date/time prompt may seem complex, but I assure you they
4838 will grow on you, and you will start getting annoyed by pretty much any other
4839 way of entering a date/time out there. To help you understand what is going
4840 on, the current interpretation of your input will be displayed live in the
4841 minibuffer@footnote{If you find this distracting, turn the display of with
4842 @code{org-read-date-display-live}.}.
4844 @node Custom time format, , The date/time prompt, Creating timestamps
4845 @subsection Custom time format
4846 @cindex custom date/time format
4847 @cindex time format, custom
4848 @cindex date format, custom
4850 @vindex org-display-custom-times
4851 @vindex org-time-stamp-custom-formats
4852 Org mode uses the standard ISO notation for dates and times as it is
4853 defined in ISO 8601. If you cannot get used to this and require another
4854 representation of date and time to keep you happy, you can get it by
4855 customizing the variables @code{org-display-custom-times} and
4856 @code{org-time-stamp-custom-formats}.
4861 Toggle the display of custom formats for dates and times.
4865 Org mode needs the default format for scanning, so the custom date/time
4866 format does not @emph{replace} the default format - instead it is put
4867 @emph{over} the default format using text properties. This has the
4868 following consequences:
4871 You cannot place the cursor onto a time stamp anymore, only before or
4874 The @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} keys can no longer be used to adjust
4875 each component of a time stamp. If the cursor is at the beginning of
4876 the stamp, @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} will change the stamp by one day,
4877 just like @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}. At the end of the stamp, the
4878 time will be changed by one minute.
4880 If the time stamp contains a range of clock times or a repeater, these
4881 will not be overlayed, but remain in the buffer as they were.
4883 When you delete a time stamp character-by-character, it will only
4884 disappear from the buffer after @emph{all} (invisible) characters
4885 belonging to the ISO timestamp have been removed.
4887 If the custom time stamp format is longer than the default and you are
4888 using dates in tables, table alignment will be messed up. If the custom
4889 format is shorter, things do work as expected.
4893 @node Deadlines and scheduling, Clocking work time, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times
4894 @section Deadlines and scheduling
4896 A time stamp may be preceded by special keywords to facilitate planning:
4900 @cindex DEADLINE keyword
4902 Meaning: the task (most likely a TODO item, though not necessarily) is supposed
4903 to be finished on that date.
4905 @vindex org-deadline-warning-days
4906 On the deadline date, the task will be listed in the agenda. In
4907 addition, the agenda for @emph{today} will carry a warning about the
4908 approaching or missed deadline, starting
4909 @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date, and continuing
4910 until the entry is marked DONE. An example:
4913 *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide
4914 The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]]
4915 DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
4918 You can specify a different lead time for warnings for a specific
4919 deadlines using the following syntax. Here is an example with a warning
4920 period of 5 days @code{DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun -5d>}.
4923 @cindex SCHEDULED keyword
4925 Meaning: you are planning to start working on that task on the given
4928 @vindex org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done
4929 The headline will be listed under the given date@footnote{It will still
4930 be listed on that date after it has been marked DONE. If you don't like
4931 this, set the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done}.}. In
4932 addition, a reminder that the scheduled date has passed will be present
4933 in the compilation for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE.
4934 I.e., the task will automatically be forwarded until completed.
4937 *** TODO Call Trillian for a date on New Years Eve.
4938 SCHEDULED: <2004-12-25 Sat>
4942 @b{Important:} Scheduling an item in Org mode should @i{not} be
4943 understood in the same way that we understand @i{scheduling a meeting}.
4944 Setting a date for a meeting is just a simple appointment, you should
4945 mark this entry with a simple plain time stamp, to get this item shown
4946 on the date where it applies. This is a frequent mis-understanding from
4947 Org-users. In Org mode, @i{scheduling} means setting a date when you
4948 want to start working on an action item.
4951 You may use time stamps with repeaters in scheduling and deadline
4952 entries. Org mode will issue early and late warnings based on the
4953 assumption that the time stamp represents the @i{nearest instance} of
4954 the repeater. However, the use of diary sexp entries like
4956 @code{<%%(diary-float t 42)>}
4958 in scheduling and deadline timestamps is limited. Org mode does not
4959 know enough about the internals of each sexp function to issue early and
4960 late warnings. However, it will show the item on each day where the
4964 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
4965 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
4968 @node Inserting deadline/schedule, Repeated tasks, Deadlines and scheduling, Deadlines and scheduling
4969 @subsection Inserting deadlines or schedules
4971 The following commands allow to quickly insert a deadline or to schedule
4978 Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4979 happen in the line directly following the headline. When called with a
4980 prefix arg, an existing deadline will be removed from the entry.
4981 @c FIXME Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed.????????
4985 Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4986 happen in the line directly following the headline. Any CLOSED
4987 timestamp will be removed. When called with a prefix argument, remove
4988 the scheduling date from the entry.
4994 Mark the current entry for agenda action. After you have marked the entry
4995 like this, you can open the agenda or the calendar to find an appropriate
4996 date. With the cursor on the selected date, press @kbd{k s} or @kbd{k d} to
4997 schedule the marked item.
5000 @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
5002 @vindex org-deadline-warning-days
5003 Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or
5004 which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}.
5005 With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric
5006 prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c / d} shows
5007 all deadlines due tomorrow.
5011 Sparse tree for deadlines and scheduled items before a given date.
5015 Sparse tree for deadlines and scheduled items after a given date.
5018 @node Repeated tasks, , Inserting deadline/schedule, Deadlines and scheduling
5019 @subsection Repeated tasks
5020 @cindex tasks, repeated
5021 @cindex repeated tasks
5023 Some tasks need to be repeated again and again. Org mode helps to
5024 organize such tasks using a so-called repeater in a DEADLINE, SCHEDULED,
5025 or plain time stamp. In the following example
5027 ** TODO Pay the rent
5028 DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m>
5030 the @code{+1m} is a repeater; the intended interpretation is that the task
5031 has a deadline on <2005-10-01> and repeats itself every (one) month starting
5032 from that time. If you need both a repeater and a special warning period in
5033 a deadline entry, the repeater should come first and the warning period last:
5034 @code{DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m -3d>}.
5036 Deadlines and scheduled items produce entries in the agenda when they
5037 are over-due, so it is important to be able to mark such an entry as
5038 completed once you have done so. When you mark a DEADLINE or a SCHEDULE
5039 with the TODO keyword DONE, it will no longer produce entries in the
5040 agenda. The problem with this is, however, that then also the
5041 @emph{next} instance of the repeated entry will not be active. Org mode
5042 deals with this in the following way: When you try to mark such an entry
5043 DONE (using @kbd{C-c C-t}), it will shift the base date of the repeating
5044 time stamp by the repeater interval, and immediately set the entry state
5045 back to TODO. In the example above, setting the state to DONE would
5046 actually switch the date like this:
5049 ** TODO Pay the rent
5050 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue +1m>
5053 @vindex org-log-repeat
5054 A timestamp@footnote{You can change this using the option
5055 @code{org-log-repeat}, or the @code{#+STARTUP} options @code{logrepeat},
5056 @code{lognoterepeat}, and @code{nologrepeat}. With @code{lognoterepeat}, you
5057 will also be prompted for a note.} will be added under the deadline, to keep
5058 a record that you actually acted on the previous instance of this deadline.
5060 As a consequence of shifting the base date, this entry will no longer be
5061 visible in the agenda when checking past dates, but all future instances
5064 With the @samp{+1m} cookie, the date shift will always be exactly one
5065 month. So if you have not payed the rent for three months, marking this
5066 entry DONE will still keep it as an overdue deadline. Depending on the
5067 task, this may not be the best way to handle it. For example, if you
5068 forgot to call you father for 3 weeks, it does not make sense to call
5069 him 3 times in a single day to make up for it. Finally, there are tasks
5070 like changing batteries which should always repeat a certain time
5071 @i{after} the last time you did it. For these tasks, Org mode has
5072 special repeaters markers with @samp{++} and @samp{.+}. For example:
5076 DEADLINE: <2008-02-10 Sun ++1w>
5077 Marking this DONE will shift the date by at least one week,
5078 but also by as many weeks as it takes to get this date into
5079 the future. However, it stays on a Sunday, even if you called
5080 and marked it done on Saturday.
5081 ** TODO Check the batteries in the smoke detectors
5082 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue .+1m>
5083 Marking this DONE will shift the date to one month after
5087 You may have both scheduling and deadline information for a specific
5088 task - just make sure that the repeater intervals on both are the same.
5090 An alternative to using a repeater is to create a number of copies of a task
5091 subtree, with dates shifted in each copy. The command @kbd{C-c C-x c} was
5092 created for this purpose, it is described in @ref{Structure editing}.
5095 @node Clocking work time, Effort estimates, Deadlines and scheduling, Dates and Times
5096 @section Clocking work time
5098 Org mode allows you to clock the time you spent on specific tasks in a
5099 project. When you start working on an item, you can start the clock.
5100 When you stop working on that task, or when you mark the task done, the
5101 clock is stopped and the corresponding time interval is recorded. It
5102 also computes the total time spent on each subtree of a project.
5104 Normally, the clock does not survive xiting and re-entereing Emacs, but you
5105 can arrange for the clock information to persisst accress Emacs sessions with
5108 (setq org-clock-persist t)
5109 (org-clock-persistence-insinuate)
5115 @vindex org-clock-into-drawer
5116 Start the clock on the current item (clock-in). This inserts the CLOCK
5117 keyword together with a timestamp. If this is not the first clocking of
5118 this item, the multiple CLOCK lines will be wrapped into a
5119 @code{:CLOCK:} drawer (see also the variable
5120 @code{org-clock-into-drawer}). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument,
5121 select the task from a list of recently clocked tasks. With two @kbd{C-u
5122 C-u} prefixes, clock into the task at point and mark it as the default task.
5123 The default task will always be available when selecting a clocking task,
5124 with letter @kbd{d}.
5127 @vindex org-log-note-clock-out
5128 Stop the clock (clock-out). This inserts another timestamp at the same
5129 location where the clock was last started. It also directly computes
5130 the resulting time in inserts it after the time range as @samp{=>
5131 HH:MM}. See the variable @code{org-log-note-clock-out} for the
5132 possibility to record an additional note together with the clock-out
5133 time stamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is:
5134 @code{#+STARTUP: lognoteclock-out}}.
5137 Recompute the time interval after changing one of the time stamps. This
5138 is only necessary if you edit the time stamps directly. If you change
5139 them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic.
5142 Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock
5143 if it is running in this same item.
5146 Cancel the current clock. This is useful if a clock was started by
5147 mistake, or if you ended up working on something else.
5150 Jump to the entry that contains the currently running clock. With a
5151 @kbd{C-u} prefix arg, select the target task from a list of recently clocked
5155 @vindex org-remove-highlights-with-change
5156 Display time summaries for each subtree in the current buffer. This
5157 puts overlays at the end of each headline, showing the total time
5158 recorded under that heading, including the time of any subheadings. You
5159 can use visibility cycling to study the tree, but the overlays disappear
5160 when you change the buffer (see variable
5161 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}) or press @kbd{C-c C-c}.
5164 Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock
5165 report as an Org mode table into the current file. When the cursor is
5166 at an existing clock table, just update it. When called with a prefix
5167 argument, jump to the first clock report in the current document and
5169 @cindex #+BEGIN: clocktable
5171 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil :scope file
5175 If such a block already exists at point, its content is replaced by the
5176 new table. The @samp{BEGIN} line can specify options:
5178 :maxlevel @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.}
5179 :emphasize @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items}
5180 :scope @r{The scope to consider. This can be any of the following:}
5181 nil @r{the current buffer or narrowed region}
5182 file @r{the full current buffer}
5183 subtree @r{the subtree where the clocktable is located}
5184 treeN @r{the surrounding level N tree, for example @code{tree3}}
5185 tree @r{the surrounding level 1 tree}
5186 agenda @r{all agenda files}
5187 ("file"..) @r{scan these files}
5188 file-with-archives @r{current file and its archives}
5189 agenda-with-archives @r{all agenda files, including archives}
5190 :block @r{The time block to consider. This block is specified either}
5191 @r{absolute, or relative to the current time and may be any of}
5193 2007-12-31 @r{New year eve 2007}
5194 2007-12 @r{December 2007}
5195 2007-W50 @r{ISO-week 50 in 2007}
5196 2007 @r{the year 2007}
5197 today, yesterday, today-N @r{a relative day}
5198 thisweek, lastweek, thisweek-N @r{a relative week}
5199 thismonth, lastmonth, thismonth-N @r{a relative month}
5200 thisyear, lastyear, thisyear-N @r{a relative year}
5201 @r{Use @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}} keys to shift the time interval.}
5202 :tstart @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times}
5203 :tend @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times}
5204 :step @r{@code{week} or @code{day}, to split the table into chunks.}
5205 @r{To use this, @code{:block} or @code{:tstart}, @code{:tend} are needed.}
5206 :link @r{Link the item headlines in the table to their origins}
5207 :formula @r{Content of a @code{#+TBLFM} line to be added and evaluated.}
5208 @r{As a special case, @samp{:formula %} adds column with % time.}
5209 @r{If you do not specify a formula here, any existing formula}
5210 @r{below the clock table will survive updates and be evaluated.}
5212 So to get a clock summary of the current level 1 tree, for the current
5213 day, you could write
5215 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today :scope tree1 :link t
5218 and to use a specific time range you could write@footnote{Note that all
5219 parameters must be specified in a single line - the line is broken here
5220 only to fit it onto the manual.}
5222 #+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>"
5223 :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>"
5226 A summary of the current subtree with % times would be
5228 #+BEGIN: clocktable :scope subtree :link t :formula %
5235 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
5236 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
5237 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
5238 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
5239 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
5240 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
5241 @kindex S-@key{left}
5242 @kindex S-@key{right}
5244 @itemx S-@key{right}
5245 Shift the current @code{:block} interval and update the table. The cursor
5246 needs to be in the @code{#+BEGIN: clocktable} line for this command. If
5247 @code{:block} is @code{today}, it will be shifted to @code{today-1} etc.
5250 The @kbd{l} key may be used in the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in
5251 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}) to show which tasks have been
5252 worked on or closed during a day.
5254 @node Effort estimates, Relative timer, Clocking work time, Dates and Times
5255 @section Effort estimates
5256 @cindex effort estimates
5258 @vindex org-effort-property
5259 If you want to plan your work in a very detailed way, or if you need to
5260 produce offers with quotations of the estimated work effort, you may want to
5261 assign effort estimates to entries. If you are also clocking your work, you
5262 may later want to compare the planned effort with the actual working time, a
5263 great way to improve planning estimates. Effort estimates are stored in a
5264 special property @samp{Effort}@footnote{You may change the property being
5265 used with the variable @code{org-effort-property}.}. Clearly the best way to
5266 work with effort estimates is through column view (@pxref{Column view}). You
5267 should start by setting up discrete values for effort estimates, and a
5268 @code{COLUMNS} format that displays these values together with clock sums (if
5269 you want to clock your time). For a specific buffer you can use
5272 #+PROPERTY: Effort_ALL 0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00
5273 #+COLUMNS: %40ITEM(Task) %17Effort(Estimated Effort)@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
5277 @vindex org-global-properties
5278 @vindex org-columns-default-format
5279 or, even better, you can set up these values globally by customizing the
5280 variables @code{org-global-properties} and @code{org-columns-default-format}.
5281 In particular if you want to use this setup also in the agenda, a global
5282 setup may be advised.
5284 The way to assign estimates to individual items is then to switch to column
5285 mode, and to use @kbd{S-@key{right}} and @kbd{S-@key{left}} to change the
5286 value. The values you enter will immediately be summed up in the hierarchy.
5287 In the column next to it, any clocked time will be displayed.
5289 @vindex org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum
5290 If you switch to column view in the daily/weekly agenda, the effort column
5291 will summarize the estimated work effort for each day@footnote{Please note
5292 the pitfalls of summing hierarchical data in a flat list (@pxref{Agenda
5293 column view}).}, and you can use this to find space in your schedule. To get
5294 an overview of the entire part of the day that is committed, you can set the
5295 option @code{org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum}. The
5296 appointments on a day that take place over a specified time interval will
5297 then also be added to the load estimate of the day.
5299 Effort estimates can be used in secondary agenda filtering that is triggered
5300 with the @kbd{/} key in the agenda (@pxref{Agenda commands}). If you have
5301 these estimates defined consistently, two or three key presses will narrow
5302 down the list to stuff that fits into an available time slot.
5304 @node Relative timer, , Effort estimates, Dates and Times
5305 @section Taking notes with a relative timer
5306 @cindex relative timer
5308 When taking notes during, for example, a meeting or a video viewing, it can
5309 be useful to have access to times relative to a starting time. Org provides
5310 such a relative timer and make it easy to create timed notes.
5315 Insert a relative time into the buffer. The first time you use this, the
5316 timer will be started. When called with a prefix argument, the timer is
5320 Insert a description list item with the current relative time. With a prefix
5321 argument, first reset the timer to 0.
5324 Once the timer list is started, you can also use @kbd{M-@key{RET}} to insert
5328 Pause the timer, or continue it if it is already paused. With prefix
5329 argument, stop it entirely.
5330 @kindex C-u C-c C-x ,
5332 Stop the timer. After this, you can only start a new timer, not continue the
5333 old one. This command also removes the timer from the mode line.
5336 Reset the timer without inserting anything into the buffer. By default, the
5337 timer is reset to 0. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, reset the timer to
5338 specific starting offset. The user is prompted for the offset, with a
5339 default taken from a timer string at point, if any, So this can be used to
5340 restart taking notes after a break in the process. When called with a double
5341 prefix argument @kbd{C-c C-u}, change all timer strings in the active region
5342 by a certain amount. This can be used to fix timer strings if the timer was
5343 not started at exactly the right moment.
5346 @node Capture, Agenda Views, Dates and Times, Top
5350 An important part of any organization system is the ability to quickly
5351 capture new ideas and tasks, and to associate reference material with them.
5352 Org uses the @file{remember} package to create tasks, and stores files
5353 related to a task (@i{attachments}) in a special directory.
5356 * Remember:: Capture new tasks/ideas with little interruption
5357 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks.
5360 @node Remember, Attachments, Capture, Capture
5362 @cindex @file{remember.el}
5364 The @i{Remember} package by John Wiegley lets you store quick notes with
5365 little interruption of your work flow. See
5366 @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/RememberMode} for more
5367 information. It is an excellent way to add new notes and tasks to
5368 Org files. Org significantly expands the possibilities of
5369 @i{remember}: You may define templates for different note types, and
5370 associate target files and headlines with specific templates. It also
5371 allows you to select the location where a note should be stored
5372 interactively, on the fly.
5375 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
5376 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
5377 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
5378 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
5381 @node Setting up Remember, Remember templates, Remember, Remember
5382 @subsection Setting up Remember
5384 The following customization will tell @i{remember} to use org files as
5385 target, and to create annotations compatible with Org links.
5388 (org-remember-insinuate)
5389 (setq org-directory "~/path/to/my/orgfiles/")
5390 (setq org-default-notes-file (concat org-directory "/notes.org"))
5391 (define-key global-map "\C-cr" 'org-remember)
5394 The last line binds the command @code{org-remember} to a global
5395 key@footnote{Please select your own key, @kbd{C-c r} is only a
5396 suggestion.}. @code{org-remember} basically just calls @code{remember},
5397 but it makes a few things easier: If there is an active region, it will
5398 automatically copy the region into the remember buffer. It also allows
5399 to jump to the buffer and location where remember notes are being
5400 stored: Just call @code{org-remember} with a prefix argument. If you
5401 use two prefix arguments, Org jumps to the location where the last
5402 remember note was stored.
5404 The remember buffer will actually use @code{org-mode} as its major mode, so
5405 that all editing features of Org-mode are available. In addition to this, a
5406 minor mode @code{org-remember-mode} is turned on, for the single purpose that
5407 you can use its keymap @code{org-remember-mode-map} to overwrite some of
5408 Org-mode's key bindings.
5410 You can also call @code{org-remember} in a special way from the agenda,
5411 using the @kbd{k r} key combination. With this access, any time stamps
5412 inserted by the selected remember template (see below) will default to
5413 the cursor date in the agenda, rather than to the current date.
5415 @node Remember templates, Storing notes, Setting up Remember, Remember
5416 @subsection Remember templates
5417 @cindex templates, for remember
5419 In combination with Org, you can use templates to generate
5420 different types of @i{remember} notes. For example, if you would like
5421 to use one template to create general TODO entries, another one for
5422 journal entries, and a third one for collecting random ideas, you could
5426 (setq org-remember-templates
5427 '(("Todo" ?t "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/TODO.org" "Tasks")
5428 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org")
5429 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
5432 @vindex org-remember-default-headline
5433 @vindex org-directory
5434 @noindent In these entries, the first string is just a name, and the
5435 character specifies how to select the template. It is useful if the
5436 character is also the first letter of the name. The next string specifies
5437 the template. Two more (optional) strings give the file in which, and the
5438 headline under which the new note should be stored. The file (if not present
5439 or @code{nil}) defaults to @code{org-default-notes-file}, the heading to
5440 @code{org-remember-default-headline}. If the file name is not an absolute
5441 path, it will be interpreted relative to @code{org-directory}. The heading
5442 can also be the symbols @code{top} or @code{bottom} to send note as level 1
5443 entries to the beginning or end of the file, respectively.
5445 An optional sixth element specifies the contexts in which the user can select
5446 the template. This element can be a list of major modes or a function.
5447 @code{org-remember} will first check whether the function returns @code{t} or
5448 if we are in any of the listed major mode, and exclude templates for which
5449 this condition is not fulfilled. Templates that do not specify this element
5450 at all, or that use @code{nil} or @code{t} as a value will always be
5456 (setq org-remember-templates
5457 '(("Bug" ?b "* BUG %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/BUGS.org" "Bugs" (emacs-lisp-mode))
5458 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "X" my-check)
5459 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
5462 The first template will only be available when invoking @code{org-remember}
5463 from an buffer in @code{emacs-lisp-mode}. The second template will only be
5464 available when the function @code{my-check} returns @code{t}. The third
5465 template will be proposed in any context.
5467 When you call @kbd{M-x org-remember} (or @kbd{M-x remember}) to remember
5468 something, Org will prompt for a key to select the template (if you have
5469 more than one template) and then prepare the buffer like
5472 [[file:link to where you called remember]]
5476 During expansion of the template, special @kbd{%}-escapes allow dynamic
5477 insertion of content:
5479 %^@{prompt@} @r{prompt the user for a string and replace this sequence with it.}
5480 @r{You may specify a default value and a completion table with}
5481 @r{%^@{prompt|default|completion2|completion3...@}}
5482 @r{The arrow keys access a prompt-specific history.}
5483 %a @r{annotation, normally the link created with @code{org-store-link}}
5484 %A @r{like @code{%a}, but prompt for the description part}
5485 %i @r{initial content, the region when remember is called with C-u.}
5486 @r{The entire text will be indented like @code{%i} itself.}
5487 %t @r{time stamp, date only}
5488 %T @r{time stamp with date and time}
5489 %u, %U @r{like the above, but inactive time stamps}
5490 %^t @r{like @code{%t}, but prompt for date. Similarly @code{%^T}, @code{%^u}, @code{%^U}}
5491 @r{You may define a prompt like @code{%^@{Birthday@}t}}
5492 %n @r{user name (taken from @code{user-full-name})}
5493 %c @r{Current kill ring head.}
5494 %x @r{Content of the X clipboard.}
5495 %^C @r{Interactive selection of which kill or clip to use.}
5496 %^L @r{Like @code{%^C}, but insert as link.}
5497 %^g @r{prompt for tags, with completion on tags in target file.}
5498 %k @r{title of currently clocked task}
5499 %K @r{link to currently clocked task}
5500 %^G @r{prompt for tags, with completion all tags in all agenda files.}
5501 %^@{prop@}p @r{Prompt the user for a value for property @code{prop}}
5502 %:keyword @r{specific information for certain link types, see below}
5503 %[pathname] @r{insert the contents of the file given by @code{pathname}}
5504 %(sexp) @r{evaluate elisp @code{(sexp)} and replace with the result}
5505 %! @r{immediately store note after completing the template}
5506 @r{(skipping the @kbd{C-c C-c} that normally triggers storing)}
5507 %& @r{jump to target location immediately after storing note}
5511 For specific link types, the following keywords will be
5512 defined@footnote{If you define your own link types (@pxref{Adding
5513 hyperlink types}), any property you store with
5514 @code{org-store-link-props} can be accessed in remember templates in a
5517 @vindex org-from-is-user-regexp
5519 Link type | Available keywords
5520 -------------------+----------------------------------------------
5521 bbdb | %:name %:company
5522 bbdb | %::server %:port %:nick
5523 vm, wl, mh, rmail | %:type %:subject %:message-id
5524 | %:from %:fromname %:fromaddress
5525 | %:to %:toname %:toaddress
5526 | %: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}.}}
5527 gnus | %:group, @r{for messages also all email fields}
5529 info | %:file %:node
5534 To place the cursor after template expansion use:
5537 %? @r{After completing the template, position cursor here.}
5541 If you change your mind about which template to use, call
5542 @code{org-remember} in the remember buffer. You may then select a new
5543 template that will be filled with the previous context information.
5545 @node Storing notes, Refiling notes, Remember templates, Remember
5546 @subsection Storing notes
5548 @vindex org-remember-clock-out-on-exit
5549 When you are finished preparing a note with @i{remember}, you have to press
5550 @kbd{C-c C-c} to file the note away. If you have started the clock in the
5551 remember buffer, you will first be asked if you want to clock out
5552 now@footnote{To avoid this query, configure the variable
5553 @code{org-remember-clock-out-on-exit}.}. If you answer @kbd{n}, the clock
5554 will continue to run after the note was filed away.
5556 The handler will then store the note in the file and under the headline
5557 specified in the template, or it will use the default file and headlines.
5558 The window configuration will be restored, sending you back to the working
5559 context before the call to @code{remember}. To re-use the location found
5560 during the last call to @code{remember}, exit the remember buffer with
5561 @kbd{C-0 C-c C-c}, i.e. specify a zero prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-c}.
5562 Another special case is @kbd{C-2 C-c C-c} which files the note as a child of
5563 the currently clocked item.
5565 @vindex org-remember-store-without-prompt
5566 If you want to store the note directly to a different place, use
5567 @kbd{C-1 C-c C-c} instead to exit remember@footnote{Configure the
5568 variable @code{org-remember-store-without-prompt} to make this behavior
5569 the default.}. The handler will then first prompt for a target file -
5570 if you press @key{RET}, the value specified for the template is used.
5571 Then the command offers the headings tree of the selected file, with the
5572 cursor position at the default headline (if you had specified one in the
5573 template). You can either immediately press @key{RET} to get the note
5574 placed there. Or you can use the following keys to find a different
5577 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
5578 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
5579 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
5580 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
5582 @c 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
5585 Pressing @key{RET} or @key{left} or @key{right}
5586 then leads to the following result.
5588 @vindex org-reverse-note-order
5589 @multitable @columnfractions 0.2 0.15 0.65
5590 @item @b{Cursor position} @tab @b{Key} @tab @b{Note gets inserted}
5591 @item on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab as sublevel of the heading at cursor, first or last
5592 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5593 @item @tab @key{left}/@key{right} @tab as same level, before/after current heading
5594 @item buffer-start @tab @key{RET} @tab as level 2 heading at end of file or level 1 at beginning
5595 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5596 @item not on headline @tab @key{RET}
5597 @tab at cursor position, level taken from context.
5600 Before inserting the text into a tree, the function ensures that the text has
5601 a headline, i.e. a first line that starts with a @samp{*}. If not, a
5602 headline is constructed from the current date. If you have indented the text
5603 of the note below the headline, the indentation will be adapted if inserting
5604 the note into the tree requires demotion from level 1.
5606 @node Refiling notes, , Storing notes, Remember
5607 @subsection Refiling notes
5608 @cindex refiling notes
5610 Remember is usually used to quickly capture notes and tasks into one or
5611 a few capture lists. When reviewing the captured data, you may want to
5612 refile some of the entries into a different list, for example into a
5613 project. Cutting, finding the right location and then pasting the note
5614 is cumbersome. To simplify this process, you can use the following
5620 @vindex org-reverse-note-order
5621 @vindex org-refile-targets
5622 @vindex org-refile-use-outline-path
5623 @vindex org-outline-path-complete-in-steps
5624 Refile the entry or region at point. This command offers possible locations
5625 for refiling the entry and lets you select one with completion. The item (or
5626 all items in the region) is filed below the target heading as a subitem.
5627 Depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}, it will be either the first or
5629 By default, all level 1 headlines in the current buffer are considered to be
5630 targets, but you can have more complex definitions across a number of files.
5631 See the variable @code{org-refile-targets} for details. If you would like to
5632 select a location via a file-path-like completion along the outline path, see
5633 the variables @code{org-refile-use-outline-path} and
5634 @code{org-outline-path-complete-in-steps}.
5637 Use the refile interface to jump to a heading.
5638 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-w
5639 @item C-u C-u C-c C-w
5640 Jump to the location where @code{org-refile} last moved a tree to.
5643 @node Attachments, , Remember, Capture
5644 @section Attachments
5647 @vindex org-attach-directory
5648 It is often useful to associate reference material with an outline node/task.
5649 Small chunks of plain text can simply be stored in the subtree of a project.
5650 Hyperlinks (@pxref{Hyperlinks}) can be used to establish associations with
5651 files that live elsewhere on your computer or in the cloud, like emails or
5652 source code files belonging to a project. Another method is @i{attachments},
5653 which are files located in a directory belonging to an outline node. Org
5654 uses directories named by the unique ID of each entry. These directories are
5655 located in the @file{data} directory which lives in the same directory where
5656 your org-file lives@footnote{If you move entries or Org-files from one
5657 directory to the next, you may want to configure @code{org-attach-directory}
5658 to contain an absolute path.}. If you initialize this directory with
5659 @code{git init}, Org will automatically commit changes when it sees them.
5660 The attachment system has been contributed to Org by John Wiegley.
5662 In cases where this seems better, you can also attach a directory of your
5663 choice to an entry. You can also make children inherit the attachment
5664 directory from a parent, so that an entire subtree uses the same attached
5667 @noindent The following commands deal with attachments.
5673 The dispatcher for commands related to the attachment system. After these
5674 keys, a list of commands is displayed and you need to press an additional key
5675 to select a command:
5680 @vindex org-attach-method
5681 Select a file and move it into the task's attachment directory. The file
5682 will be copied, moved, or linked, depending on @code{org-attach-method}.
5683 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
5689 Attach a file using the copy/move/link method.
5690 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
5694 Create a new attachment as an Emacs buffer.
5698 Synchronize the current task with its attachment directory, in case you added
5699 attachments yourself.
5703 @vindex org-file-apps
5704 Open current task's attachment. If there are more than one, prompt for a
5705 file name first. Opening will follow the rules set by @code{org-file-apps}.
5706 For more details, see the information on following hyperlinks
5707 (@pxref{Handling links}).
5711 Also open the attachment, but force opening the file in Emacs.
5715 Open the current task's attachment directory.
5719 Also open the directory, but force using @code{dired} in Emacs.
5723 Select and delete a single attachment.
5727 Delete all of a task's attachments. A safer way is to open the directory in
5728 dired and delete from there.
5732 Set a specific directory as the entry's attachment directory. This works by
5733 putting the directory path into the @code{ATTACH_DIR} property.
5737 Set the @code{ATTACH_DIR_INHERIT} property, so that children will use the
5738 same directory for attachments as the parent.
5742 @node Agenda Views, Embedded LaTeX, Capture, Top
5743 @chapter Agenda Views
5744 @cindex agenda views
5746 Due to the way Org works, TODO items, time-stamped items, and
5747 tagged headlines can be scattered throughout a file or even a number of
5748 files. To get an overview of open action items, or of events that are
5749 important for a particular date, this information must be collected,
5750 sorted and displayed in an organized way.
5752 Org can select items based on various criteria, and display them
5753 in a separate buffer. Seven different view types are provided:
5757 an @emph{agenda} that is like a calendar and shows information
5760 a @emph{TODO list} that covers all unfinished
5763 a @emph{match view}, showings headlines based on the tags, properties and
5764 TODO state associated with them,
5766 a @emph{timeline view} that shows all events in a single Org file,
5767 in time-sorted view,
5769 a @emph{keyword search view} that shows all entries from multiple files
5770 that contain specified keywords.
5772 a @emph{stuck projects view} showing projects that currently don't move
5775 @emph{custom views} that are special tag/keyword searches and
5776 combinations of different views.
5780 The extracted information is displayed in a special @emph{agenda
5781 buffer}. This buffer is read-only, but provides commands to visit the
5782 corresponding locations in the original Org files, and even to
5783 edit these files remotely.
5785 @vindex org-agenda-window-setup
5786 @vindex org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit
5787 Two variables control how the agenda buffer is displayed and whether the
5788 window configuration is restored when the agenda exits:
5789 @code{org-agenda-window-setup} and
5790 @code{org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit}.
5793 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
5794 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
5795 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
5796 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
5797 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
5798 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
5799 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
5802 @node Agenda files, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views, Agenda Views
5803 @section Agenda files
5804 @cindex agenda files
5805 @cindex files for agenda
5807 @vindex org-agenda-files
5808 The information to be shown is normally collected from all @emph{agenda
5809 files}, the files listed in the variable
5810 @code{org-agenda-files}@footnote{If the value of that variable is not a
5811 list, but a single file name, then the list of agenda files will be
5812 maintained in that external file.}. If a directory is part of this list,
5813 all files with the extension @file{.org} in this directory will be part
5816 Thus even if you only work with a single Org file, this file should
5817 be put into that list@footnote{When using the dispatcher, pressing
5818 @kbd{<} before selecting a command will actually limit the command to
5819 the current file, and ignore @code{org-agenda-files} until the next
5820 dispatcher command.}. You can customize @code{org-agenda-files}, but
5821 the easiest way to maintain it is through the following commands
5823 @cindex files, adding to agenda list
5827 Add current file to the list of agenda files. The file is added to
5828 the front of the list. If it was already in the list, it is moved to
5829 the front. With a prefix argument, file is added/moved to the end.
5832 Remove current file from the list of agenda files.
5837 Cycle through agenda file list, visiting one file after the other.
5838 @kindex M-x org-iswitchb
5839 @item M-x org-iswitchb
5840 Command to use an @code{iswitchb}-like interface to switch to and between Org
5845 The Org menu contains the current list of files and can be used
5846 to visit any of them.
5848 If you would like to focus the agenda temporarily onto a file not in
5849 this list, or onto just one file in the list or even only a subtree in a
5850 file, this can be done in different ways. For a single agenda command,
5851 you may press @kbd{<} once or several times in the dispatcher
5852 (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}). To restrict the agenda scope for an
5853 extended period, use the following commands:
5858 Permanently restrict the agenda to the current subtree. When with a
5859 prefix argument, or with the cursor before the first headline in a file,
5860 the agenda scope is set to the entire file. This restriction remains in
5861 effect until removed with @kbd{C-c C-x >}, or by typing either @kbd{<}
5862 or @kbd{>} in the agenda dispatcher. If there is a window displaying an
5863 agenda view, the new restriction takes effect immediately.
5866 Remove the permanent restriction created by @kbd{C-c C-x <}.
5870 When working with @file{Speedbar}, you can use the following commands in
5874 @item < @r{in the speedbar frame}
5875 Permanently restrict the agenda to the item at the cursor in the
5876 Speedbar frame, either an Org file or a subtree in such a file.
5877 If there is a window displaying an agenda view, the new restriction takes
5880 @item > @r{in the speedbar frame}
5881 Lift the restriction again.
5884 @node Agenda dispatcher, Built-in agenda views, Agenda files, Agenda Views
5885 @section The agenda dispatcher
5886 @cindex agenda dispatcher
5887 @cindex dispatching agenda commands
5888 The views are created through a dispatcher that should be bound to a
5889 global key, for example @kbd{C-c a} (@pxref{Installation}). In the
5890 following we will assume that @kbd{C-c a} is indeed how the dispatcher
5891 is accessed and list keyboard access to commands accordingly. After
5892 pressing @kbd{C-c a}, an additional letter is required to execute a
5893 command. The dispatcher offers the following default commands:
5896 Create the calendar-like agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
5898 Create a list of all TODO items (@pxref{Global TODO list}).
5900 Create a list of headlines matching a TAGS expression (@pxref{Matching
5901 tags and properties}).
5903 Create the timeline view for the current buffer (@pxref{Timeline}).
5905 Create a list of entries selected by a boolean expression of keywords
5906 and/or regular expressions that must or must not occur in the entry.
5908 @vindex org-agenda-text-search-extra-files
5909 Search for a regular expression in all agenda files and additionally in
5910 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-text-search-extra-files}. This
5911 uses the Emacs command @code{multi-occur}. A prefix argument can be
5912 used to specify the number of context lines for each match, default is
5915 Create a list of stuck projects (@pxref{Stuck projects}).
5917 Restrict an agenda command to the current buffer@footnote{For backward
5918 compatibility, you can also press @kbd{1} to restrict to the current
5919 buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{<}, you still need to press the character
5920 selecting the command.
5922 If there is an active region, restrict the following agenda command to
5923 the region. Otherwise, restrict it to the current subtree@footnote{For
5924 backward compatibility, you can also press @kbd{0} to restrict to the
5925 current buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{< <}, you still need to press the
5926 character selecting the command.
5929 You can also define custom commands that will be accessible through the
5930 dispatcher, just like the default commands. This includes the
5931 possibility to create extended agenda buffers that contain several
5932 blocks together, for example the weekly agenda, the global TODO list and
5933 a number of special tags matches. @xref{Custom agenda views}.
5935 @node Built-in agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views
5936 @section The built-in agenda views
5938 In this section we describe the built-in views.
5941 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
5942 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
5943 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
5944 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
5945 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
5946 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
5949 @node Weekly/daily agenda, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views, Built-in agenda views
5950 @subsection The weekly/daily agenda
5952 @cindex weekly agenda
5953 @cindex daily agenda
5955 The purpose of the weekly/daily @emph{agenda} is to act like a page of a
5956 paper agenda, showing all the tasks for the current week or day.
5959 @cindex org-agenda, command
5962 @vindex org-agenda-ndays
5963 Compile an agenda for the current week from a list of org files. The agenda
5964 shows the entries for each day. With a numeric prefix@footnote{For backward
5965 compatibility, the universal prefix @kbd{C-u} causes all TODO entries to be
5966 listed before the agenda. This feature is deprecated, use the dedicated TODO
5967 list, or a block agenda instead (@pxref{Block agenda}).} (like @kbd{C-u 2 1
5968 C-c a a}) you may set the number of days to be displayed (see also the
5969 variable @code{org-agenda-ndays})
5972 Remote editing from the agenda buffer means, for example, that you can
5973 change the dates of deadlines and appointments from the agenda buffer.
5974 The commands available in the Agenda buffer are listed in @ref{Agenda
5977 @subsubheading Calendar/Diary integration
5978 @cindex calendar integration
5979 @cindex diary integration
5981 Emacs contains the calendar and diary by Edward M. Reingold. The
5982 calendar displays a three-month calendar with holidays from different
5983 countries and cultures. The diary allows you to keep track of
5984 anniversaries, lunar phases, sunrise/set, recurrent appointments
5985 (weekly, monthly) and more. In this way, it is quite complementary to
5986 Org. It can be very useful to combine output from Org with
5989 In order to include entries from the Emacs diary into Org mode's
5990 agenda, you only need to customize the variable
5993 (setq org-agenda-include-diary t)
5996 @noindent After that, everything will happen automatically. All diary
5997 entries including holidays, anniversaries etc will be included in the
5998 agenda buffer created by Org mode. @key{SPC}, @key{TAB}, and
5999 @key{RET} can be used from the agenda buffer to jump to the diary
6000 file in order to edit existing diary entries. The @kbd{i} command to
6001 insert new entries for the current date works in the agenda buffer, as
6002 well as the commands @kbd{S}, @kbd{M}, and @kbd{C} to display
6003 Sunrise/Sunset times, show lunar phases and to convert to other
6004 calendars, respectively. @kbd{c} can be used to switch back and forth
6005 between calendar and agenda.
6007 If you are using the diary only for sexp entries and holidays, it is
6008 faster to not use the above setting, but instead to copy or even move
6009 the entries into an Org file. Org mode evaluates diary-style sexp
6010 entries, and does it faster because there is no overhead for first
6011 creating the diary display. Note that the sexp entries must start at
6012 the left margin, no white space is allowed before them. For example,
6013 the following segment of an Org file will be processed and entries
6014 will be made in the agenda:
6017 * Birthdays and similar stuff
6019 %%(org-calendar-holiday) ; special function for holiday names
6021 %%(diary-anniversary 14 5 1956) Arthur Dent is %d years old
6022 %%(diary-anniversary 2 10 1869) Mahatma Gandhi would be %d years old
6025 @subsubheading Anniversaries from BBDB
6026 @cindex BBDB, anniversaries
6027 @cindex anniversaries, from BBDB
6029 If you are using the Big Brothers Database to store your contacts, you will
6030 very likely prefer to store anniversaries in BBDB rather than in a
6031 separate Org or diary file. Org supports this and will show BBDB
6032 anniversaries as part of the agenda. All you need to do is to add the
6033 following to one your your agenda files:
6040 %%(org-bbdb-anniversaries)
6043 You can then go ahead and define anniversaries for a BBDB record. Basically,
6044 you need to press @kbd{C-o anniversary @key{RET}} with the cursor in a BBDB
6045 record and then add the date in the format @code{YYYY-MM-DD}, followed by a
6046 space and the class of the anniversary (@samp{birthday} or @samp{wedding}, or
6047 a format string). If you omit the class, it will default to @samp{birthday}.
6048 Here are a few examples, the header for the file @file{org-bbdb.el} contains
6049 more detailed information.
6054 2008-04-14 %s released version 6.01 of Org-mode, %d years ago
6057 After a change to BBDB, or for the first agenda display during an Emacs
6058 session, the agenda display will suffer a short delay as Org updates it's
6059 hash with anniversaries. However, from then on things will be very fast -
6060 much faster in fact than a long list of @samp{%%(diary-anniversary)} entries
6061 in an Org or Diary file.
6063 @subsubheading Appointment reminders
6064 @cindex @file{appt.el}
6065 @cindex appointment reminders
6067 Org can interact with Emacs appointments notification facility. To add all
6068 the appointments of your agenda files, use the command
6069 @code{org-agenda-to-appt}. This commands also lets you filter through the
6070 list of your appointments and add only those belonging to a specific category
6071 or matching a regular expression. See the docstring for details.
6073 @node Global TODO list, Matching tags and properties, Weekly/daily agenda, Built-in agenda views
6074 @subsection The global TODO list
6075 @cindex global TODO list
6076 @cindex TODO list, global
6078 The global TODO list contains all unfinished TODO items, formatted and
6079 collected into a single place.
6084 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
6085 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
6086 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
6087 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
6090 @cindex TODO keyword matching
6091 @vindex org-todo-keywords
6092 Like the above, but allows selection of a specific TODO keyword. You
6093 can also do this by specifying a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c a t}. With
6094 a @kbd{C-u} prefix you are prompted for a keyword, and you may also
6095 specify several keywords by separating them with @samp{|} as boolean OR
6096 operator. With a numeric prefix, the Nth keyword in
6097 @code{org-todo-keywords} is selected.
6099 The @kbd{r} key in the agenda buffer regenerates it, and you can give
6100 a prefix argument to this command to change the selected TODO keyword,
6101 for example @kbd{3 r}. If you often need a search for a specific
6102 keyword, define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).@*
6103 Matching specific TODO keywords can also be done as part of a tags
6104 search (@pxref{Tag searches}).
6107 Remote editing of TODO items means that you can change the state of a
6108 TODO entry with a single key press. The commands available in the
6109 TODO list are described in @ref{Agenda commands}.
6111 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into TODO list
6112 Normally the global TODO list simply shows all headlines with TODO
6113 keywords. This list can become very long. There are two ways to keep
6117 @vindex org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled
6118 @vindex org-agenda-todo-ignore-deadlines
6119 @vindex org-agenda-todo-ignore-with-date
6120 Some people view a TODO item that has been @emph{scheduled} for execution or
6121 have a @emph{deadline} (@pxref{Timestamps}) as no longer @emph{open}
6122 Configure the variables @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled},
6123 @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-deadlines}, and/or
6124 @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-with-date} to exclude such items from the
6127 @vindex org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels
6128 TODO items may have sublevels to break up the task into subtasks. In
6129 such cases it may be enough to list only the highest level TODO headline
6130 and omit the sublevels from the global list. Configure the variable
6131 @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels} to get this behavior.
6134 @node Matching tags and properties, Timeline, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views
6135 @subsection Matching tags and properties
6136 @cindex matching, of tags
6137 @cindex matching, of properties
6141 If headlines in the agenda files are marked with @emph{tags} (@pxref{Tags}),
6142 or have properties @pxref{Properties and Columns}, you can select headlines
6143 based on this meta data and collect them into an agenda buffer. The match
6144 syntax described here also applies when creating sparse trees with @kbd{C-c /
6150 Produce a list of all headlines that match a given set of tags. The
6151 command prompts for a selection criterion, which is a boolean logic
6152 expression with tags, like @samp{+work+urgent-withboss} or
6153 @samp{work|home} (@pxref{Tags}). If you often need a specific search,
6154 define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
6157 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
6158 @vindex org-agenda-tags-todo-honor-ignore-options
6159 Like @kbd{C-c a m}, but only select headlines that are also TODO items and
6160 force checking subitems (see variable @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
6161 To exclude scheduled/deadline items, see the variable
6162 @code{org-agenda-tags-todo-honor-ignore-options}. Matching specific TODO
6163 keywords together with a tags match is also possible, see @ref{Tag searches}.
6166 The commands available in the tags list are described in @ref{Agenda
6169 @subsubheading Match syntax
6171 @cindex Boolean logic, for tag/property searches
6172 A search string can use Boolean operators @samp{&} for AND and @samp{|} for
6173 OR. @samp{&} binds more strongly than @samp{|}. Parenthesis are currently
6174 not implemented. Each element in the search is either a tag, a regular
6175 rexpression matching tags, or an expression like @code{PROPERTY OPERATOR
6176 VALUE} with a comparison operator, accessing a property value. Each element
6177 may be preceded by @samp{-}, to select against it, and @samp{+} is syntactic
6178 sugar for positive selection. The AND operator @samp{&} is optional when
6179 @samp{+} or @samp{-} is present. Here are some examples, using only tags.
6183 Select headlines tagged @samp{:work:}, but discard those also tagged
6186 Selects lines tagged @samp{:work:} or @samp{:laptop:}.
6187 @item work|laptop+night
6188 Like before, but require the @samp{:laptop:} lines to be tagged also
6192 @cindex regular expressions, with tags search
6193 Instead of a tag, you may also specify a regular expression enclosed in curly
6194 braces. For example,
6195 @samp{work+@{^boss.*@}} matches headlines that contain the tag
6196 @samp{:work:} and any tag @i{starting} with @samp{boss}.
6198 @cindex TODO keyword matching, with tags search
6199 @cindex level, require for tags/property match
6200 @cindex category, require for tags/property match
6201 @vindex org-odd-levels-only
6202 You may also test for properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) at the same
6203 time as matching tags. The properties may be real properties, or special
6204 properties that represent other meta data (@pxref{Special properties}). For
6205 example, the ``property'' @code{TODO} represents the TODO keyword of the
6206 entry. Or, the ``property'' @code{LEVEL} represents the level of an entry.
6207 So a search @samp{+LEVEL=3+boss-TODO="DONE"} lists all level three headlines
6208 that have the tag @samp{boss} and are @emph{not} marked with the TODO keyword
6209 DONE. In buffers with @code{org-odd-levels-only} set, @samp{LEVEL} does not
6210 count the number of stars, but @samp{LEVEL=2} will correspond to 3 stars etc.
6212 Here are more examples:
6214 @item work+TODO="WAITING"
6215 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines with the specific TODO
6216 keyword @samp{WAITING}.
6217 @item work+TODO="WAITING"|home+TODO="WAITING"
6218 Waiting tasks both at work and at home.
6221 When matching properties, a number of different operaors can be used to test
6222 the value of a property. Here is a complex example:
6225 +work-boss+PRIORITY="A"+Coffee="unlimited"+Effort<2 \
6226 +With=@{Sarah\|Denny@}+SCHEDULED>="<2008-10-11>"
6230 The type of comparison will depend on how the comparison value is written:
6233 If the comparison value is a plain number, a numerical comparison is done,
6234 and the allowed operators are @samp{<}, @samp{=}, @samp{>}, @samp{<=},
6235 @samp{>=}, and @samp{<>}.
6237 If the comparison value is enclosed in double
6238 quotes, a string comparison is done, and the same operators are allowed.
6240 If the comparison value is enclosed in double quotes @emph{and} angular
6241 brackets (like @samp{DEADLINE<="<2008-12-24 18:30>"}), both values are
6242 assumed to be date/time specifications in the standard Org way, and the
6243 comparison will be done accordingly. Special values that will be recognized
6244 are @code{"<now>"} for now (including time), and @code{"<today>"}, and
6245 @code{"<tomorrow>"} for these days at 0:00 hours, i.e. without a time
6246 specification. Also strings like @code{"<+5d>"} or @code{"<-2m>"} with units
6247 @code{d}, @code{w}, @code{m}, and @code{y} for day, week, month, and year,
6248 respectively, can be used.
6250 If the comparison value is enclosed
6251 in curly braces, a regexp match is performed, with @samp{=} meaning that the
6252 regexp matches the property value, and @samp{<>} meaning that it does not
6256 So the search string in the example finds entries tagged @samp{:work:} but
6257 not @samp{:boss:}, which also have a priority value @samp{A}, a
6258 @samp{:Coffee:} property with the value @samp{unlimited}, an @samp{Effort}
6259 property that is numerically smaller than 2, a @samp{:With:} property that is
6260 matched by the regular expression @samp{Sarah\|Denny}, and that are scheduled
6261 on or after October 11, 2008.
6263 Accessing TODO, LEVEL, and CATEGORY during a search is fast. Accessing any
6264 other properties will slow down the search. However, once you have payed the
6265 price by accessig one property, testing additional properties is cheap
6268 You can configure Org mode to use property inheritance during a search, but
6269 beware that this can slow down searches considerably. See @ref{Property
6270 inheritance} for details.
6272 For backward compatibility, and also for typing speed, there is also a
6273 different way to test TODO states in a search. For this, terminalte the
6274 tags/property part of the search string (which may include several terms
6275 connected with @samp{|}) with a @samp{/} and then specify a Boolean
6276 expression just for TODO keywords. The syntax is then similar to that for
6277 tags, but should be applied with consideration: For example, a positive
6278 selection on several TODO keywords can not meaningfully be combined with
6279 boolean AND. However, @emph{negative selection} combined with AND can be
6280 meaningful. To make sure that only lines are checked that actually have any
6281 TODO keyword (resulting in a speed-up), use @kbd{C-c a M}, or equivalently
6282 start the TODO part after the slash with @samp{!}. Examples:
6286 Same as @samp{work+TODO="WAITING"}
6287 @item work/!-WAITING-NEXT
6288 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are neither @samp{WAITING}
6290 @item work/!+WAITING|+NEXT
6291 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are either @samp{WAITING} or
6295 @node Timeline, Keyword search, Matching tags and properties, Built-in agenda views
6296 @subsection Timeline for a single file
6297 @cindex timeline, single file
6298 @cindex time-sorted view
6300 The timeline summarizes all time-stamped items from a single Org mode
6301 file in a @emph{time-sorted view}. The main purpose of this command is
6302 to give an overview over events in a project.
6307 Show a time-sorted view of the org file, with all time-stamped items.
6308 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all unfinished TODO entries
6309 (scheduled or not) are also listed under the current date.
6313 The commands available in the timeline buffer are listed in
6314 @ref{Agenda commands}.
6316 @node Keyword search, Stuck projects, Timeline, Built-in agenda views
6317 @subsection Keyword search
6318 @cindex keyword search
6319 @cindex searching, for keywords
6321 This agenda view is a general text search facility for Org mode entries.
6322 It is particularly useful to find notes.
6327 This is a special search that lets you select entries by keywords or
6328 regular expression, using a boolean logic. For example, the search
6332 +computer +wifi -ethernet -@{8\.11[bg]@}
6336 will search for note entries that contain the keywords @code{computer}
6337 and @code{wifi}, but not the keyword @code{ethernet}, and which are also
6338 not matched by the regular expression @code{8\.11[bg]}, meaning to
6339 exclude both 8.11b and 8.11g.
6341 @vindex org-agenda-text-search-extra-files
6342 Note that in addition to the agenda files, this command will also search
6343 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-text-search-extra-files}.
6346 @node Stuck projects, , Keyword search, Built-in agenda views
6347 @subsection Stuck projects
6349 If you are following a system like David Allen's GTD to organize your
6350 work, one of the ``duties'' you have is a regular review to make sure
6351 that all projects move along. A @emph{stuck} project is a project that
6352 has no defined next actions, so it will never show up in the TODO lists
6353 Org mode produces. During the review, you need to identify such
6354 projects and define next actions for them.
6359 List projects that are stuck.
6362 @vindex org-stuck-projects
6363 Customize the variable @code{org-stuck-projects} to define what a stuck
6364 project is and how to find it.
6367 You almost certainly will have to configure this view before it will
6368 work for you. The built-in default assumes that all your projects are
6369 level-2 headlines, and that a project is not stuck if it has at least
6370 one entry marked with a TODO keyword TODO or NEXT or NEXTACTION.
6372 Let's assume that you, in your own way of using Org mode, identify
6373 projects with a tag PROJECT, and that you use a TODO keyword MAYBE to
6374 indicate a project that should not be considered yet. Let's further
6375 assume that the TODO keyword DONE marks finished projects, and that NEXT
6376 and TODO indicate next actions. The tag @@SHOP indicates shopping and
6377 is a next action even without the NEXT tag. Finally, if the project
6378 contains the special word IGNORE anywhere, it should not be listed
6379 either. In this case you would start by identifying eligible projects
6380 with a tags/todo match@footnote{@ref{Tag searches}}
6381 @samp{+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE}, and then check for TODO, NEXT, @@SHOP, and
6382 IGNORE in the subtree to identify projects that are not stuck. The
6383 correct customization for this is
6386 (setq org-stuck-projects
6387 '("+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE" ("NEXT" "TODO") ("@@SHOP")
6392 @node Presentation and sorting, Agenda commands, Built-in agenda views, Agenda Views
6393 @section Presentation and sorting
6394 @cindex presentation, of agenda items
6396 @vindex org-agenda-prefix-format
6397 Before displaying items in an agenda view, Org mode visually prepares
6398 the items and sorts them. Each item occupies a single line. The line
6399 starts with a @emph{prefix} that contains the @emph{category}
6400 (@pxref{Categories}) of the item and other important information. You can
6401 customize the prefix using the option @code{org-agenda-prefix-format}.
6402 The prefix is followed by a cleaned-up version of the outline headline
6403 associated with the item.
6406 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
6407 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
6408 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
6411 @node Categories, Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting, Presentation and sorting
6412 @subsection Categories
6415 The category is a broad label assigned to each agenda item. By default,
6416 the category is simply derived from the file name, but you can also
6417 specify it with a special line in the buffer, like this@footnote{For
6418 backward compatibility, the following also works: If there are several
6419 such lines in a file, each specifies the category for the text below it.
6420 The first category also applies to any text before the first CATEGORY
6421 line. However, using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is
6422 incompatible with the outline structure of the document. The correct
6423 method for setting multiple categories in a buffer is using a
6431 If you would like to have a special CATEGORY for a single entry or a
6432 (sub)tree, give the entry a @code{:CATEGORY:} property with the
6433 special category you want to apply as the value.
6436 The display in the agenda buffer looks best if the category is not
6437 longer than 10 characters.
6439 @node Time-of-day specifications, Sorting of agenda items, Categories, Presentation and sorting
6440 @subsection Time-of-day specifications
6441 @cindex time-of-day specification
6443 Org mode checks each agenda item for a time-of-day specification. The
6444 time can be part of the time stamp that triggered inclusion into the
6445 agenda, for example as in @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 19:00>}}. Time
6446 ranges can be specified with two time stamps, like
6448 @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 20:30>--<2005-05-10 Tue 22:15>}}.
6450 In the headline of the entry itself, a time(range) may also appear as
6451 plain text (like @samp{12:45} or a @samp{8:30-1pm}). If the agenda
6452 integrates the Emacs diary (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), time
6453 specifications in diary entries are recognized as well.
6455 For agenda display, Org mode extracts the time and displays it in a
6456 standard 24 hour format as part of the prefix. The example times in
6457 the previous paragraphs would end up in the agenda like this:
6460 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
6461 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
6462 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
6463 20:30-22:15 Marvin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
6467 If the agenda is in single-day mode, or for the display of today, the
6468 timed entries are embedded in a time grid, like
6471 8:00...... ------------------
6472 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
6473 10:00...... ------------------
6474 12:00...... ------------------
6475 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
6476 14:00...... ------------------
6477 16:00...... ------------------
6478 18:00...... ------------------
6479 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
6480 20:00...... ------------------
6481 20:30-22:15 Marvin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
6484 @vindex org-agenda-use-time-grid
6485 @vindex org-agenda-time-grid
6486 The time grid can be turned on and off with the variable
6487 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid}, and can be configured with
6488 @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
6490 @node Sorting of agenda items, , Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting
6491 @subsection Sorting of agenda items
6492 @cindex sorting, of agenda items
6493 @cindex priorities, of agenda items
6494 Before being inserted into a view, the items are sorted. How this is
6495 done depends on the type of view.
6498 @vindex org-agenda-files
6499 For the daily/weekly agenda, the items for each day are sorted. The
6500 default order is to first collect all items containing an explicit
6501 time-of-day specification. These entries will be shown at the beginning
6502 of the list, as a @emph{schedule} for the day. After that, items remain
6503 grouped in categories, in the sequence given by @code{org-agenda-files}.
6504 Within each category, items are sorted by priority (@pxref{Priorities}),
6505 which is composed of the base priority (2000 for priority @samp{A}, 1000
6506 for @samp{B}, and 0 for @samp{C}), plus additional increments for
6507 overdue scheduled or deadline items.
6509 For the TODO list, items remain in the order of categories, but within
6510 each category, sorting takes place according to priority
6511 (@pxref{Priorities}).
6513 For tags matches, items are not sorted at all, but just appear in the
6514 sequence in which they are found in the agenda files.
6517 @vindex org-agenda-sorting-strategy
6518 Sorting can be customized using the variable
6519 @code{org-agenda-sorting-strategy}, and may also include criteria based on
6520 the estimated effort of an entry (@pxref{Effort estimates}).
6522 @node Agenda commands, Custom agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda Views
6523 @section Commands in the agenda buffer
6524 @cindex commands, in agenda buffer
6526 Entries in the agenda buffer are linked back to the org file or diary
6527 file where they originate. You are not allowed to edit the agenda
6528 buffer itself, but commands are provided to show and jump to the
6529 original entry location, and to edit the org-files ``remotely'' from
6530 the agenda buffer. In this way, all information is stored only once,
6531 removing the risk that your agenda and note files may diverge.
6533 Some commands can be executed with mouse clicks on agenda lines. For
6534 the other commands, the cursor needs to be in the desired line.
6537 @tsubheading{Motion}
6538 @cindex motion commands in agenda
6541 Next line (same as @key{up} and @kbd{C-p}).
6544 Previous line (same as @key{down} and @kbd{C-n}).
6545 @tsubheading{View/Go to org file}
6550 Display the original location of the item in another window.
6551 With prefix arg, make sure that the entire entry is made visible in the
6552 outline, not only the heading.
6556 Display original location and recenter that window.
6564 Go to the original location of the item in another window. Under Emacs
6565 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also works for this.
6569 Go to the original location of the item and delete other windows.
6573 @vindex org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode
6574 Toggle Follow mode. In Follow mode, as you move the cursor through
6575 the agenda buffer, the other window always shows the corresponding
6576 location in the org file. The initial setting for this mode in new
6577 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
6578 @code{org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode}.
6582 Display the entire subtree of the current item in an indirect buffer. With a
6583 numeric prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
6584 negative, go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove the
6585 previously used indirect buffer.
6589 @vindex org-log-done
6590 @vindex org-agenda-log-mode-items
6591 Toggle Logbook mode. In Logbook mode, entries that were marked DONE while
6592 logging was on (variable @code{org-log-done}) are shown in the agenda, as are
6593 entries that have been clocked on that day. You can configure the entry
6594 types that should be included in log mode using the variable
6595 @code{org-agenda-log-mode-items}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, show
6596 all possible logbook entries, including state changes. When called with two
6597 prefix args @kbd{C-u C-u}, show only logging information, nothing else.
6601 Toggle Archives mode. In archives mode, trees that are marked
6602 @code{ARCHIVED} are also scanned when producing the agenda. When you call
6603 this command with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, even all archive files are
6604 included. To exit archives mode, press @kbd{v} again.
6608 @vindex org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode
6609 Toggle Clockreport mode. In clockreport mode, the daily/weekly agenda will
6610 always show a table with the clocked times for the timespan and file scope
6611 covered by the current agenda view. The initial setting for this mode in new
6612 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
6613 @code{org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode}.
6615 @tsubheading{Change display}
6616 @cindex display changing, in agenda
6619 Delete other windows.
6626 Switch to day/week/month/year view. When switching to day or week view,
6627 this setting becomes the default for subsequent agenda commands. Since
6628 month and year views are slow to create, they do not become the default.
6629 A numeric prefix argument may be used to jump directly to a specific day
6630 of the year, ISO week, month, or year, respectively. For example,
6631 @kbd{32 d} jumps to February 1st, @kbd{9 w} to ISO week number 9. When
6632 setting day, week, or month view, a year may be encoded in the prefix
6633 argument as well. For example, @kbd{200712 w} will jump to week 12 in
6634 2007. If such a year specification has only one or two digits, it will
6635 be mapped to the interval 1938-2037.
6639 Toggle the inclusion of diary entries. See @ref{Weekly/daily agenda}.
6643 @vindex org-agenda-use-time-grid
6644 @vindex org-agenda-time-grid
6645 Toggle the time grid on and off. See also the variables
6646 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid} and @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
6650 Recreate the agenda buffer, for example to reflect the changes
6651 after modification of the time stamps of items with S-@key{left} and
6652 S-@key{right}. When the buffer is the global TODO list, a prefix
6653 argument is interpreted to create a selective list for a specific TODO
6663 Save all Org buffers in the current Emacs session, and also the locations of
6668 @vindex org-agenda-ndays
6669 Display the following @code{org-agenda-ndays} days. For example, if
6670 the display covers a week, switch to the following week. With prefix
6671 arg, go forward that many times @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
6675 Display the previous dates.
6683 @vindex org-columns-default-format
6684 Invoke column view (@pxref{Column view}) in the agenda buffer. The column
6685 view format is taken from the entry at point, or (if there is no entry at
6686 point), from the first entry in the agenda view. So whatever the format for
6687 that entry would be in the original buffer (taken from a property, from a
6688 @code{#+COLUMNS} line, or from the default variable
6689 @code{org-columns-default-format}), will be used in the agenda.
6691 @tsubheading{Secondary filtering and query editing}
6692 @cindex filtering, by tag and effort, in agenda
6693 @cindex tag filtering, in agenda
6694 @cindex effort filtering, in agenda
6695 @cindex query editing, in agenda
6699 @vindex org-agenda-filter-preset
6700 Filter the current agenda view with respect to a tag and/or effort estimates.
6701 The difference between this and a custom agenda command is that filtering is
6702 very fast, so that you can switch quickly between different filters without
6703 having to recreate the agenda@footnote{Custom commands can preset a filter by
6704 binding the variable @code{org-agenda-filter-preset} as an option. This
6705 filter will then be applied to the view and presist as a basic filter through
6706 refreshes and more secondary filtering.}
6708 You will be prompted for a tag selection letter. Pressing @key{TAB} at that
6709 prompt will offer use completion to select a tag (including any tags that do
6710 not have a selection character). The command then hides all entries that do
6711 not contain or inherit this tag. When called with prefix arg, remove the
6712 entries that @emph{do} have the tag. A second @kbd{/} at the prompt will
6713 turn off the filter and unhide any hidden entries. If the first key you
6714 press is either @kbd{+} or @kbd{-}, the previous filter will be narrowed by
6715 requiring or forbidding the selected additional tag. Instead of pressing
6716 @kbd{+} or @kbd{-} after @kbd{/}, you can also immediately use the @kbd{\}
6719 In order to filter for effort estimates, you should set-up allowed
6720 efforts globally, for example
6722 (setq org-global-properties
6723 '(("Effort_ALL". "0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00")))
6725 You can then filter for an effort by first typing an operator, one of @kbd{<},
6726 @kbd{>}, and @kbd{=}, and then the one-digit index of an effort estimate in
6727 your array of allowed values, where @kbd{0} means the 10th value. The filter
6728 will then restrict to entries with effort smaller-or-equal, equal, or
6729 larger-or-equal than the selected value. If the digits 0-9 are not used as
6730 fast access keys to tags, you can also simply press the index digit directly
6731 without an operator. In this case, @kbd{<} will be assumed.
6735 Narrow the current agenda filter by an additional condition. When called with
6736 prefix arg, remove the entries that @emph{do} have the tag, or that do match
6737 the effort criterion. You can achieve the same effect by pressing @kbd{+} or
6738 @kbd{-} as the first key after the @kbd{/} command.
6745 In the @i{search view} (@pxref{Keyword search}), these keys add new search
6746 words (@kbd{[} and @kbd{]}) or new regular expressions (@kbd{@{} and
6747 @kbd{@}}) to the query string. The opening bracket/brace will add a positive
6748 search term prefixed by @samp{+}, indicating that this search term @i{must}
6749 occur/match in the entry. The closing bracket/brace will add a negative
6750 search term which @i{must not} occur/match in the entry for it to be
6754 @tsubheading{Remote editing}
6755 @cindex remote editing, from agenda
6760 @cindex undoing remote-editing events
6761 @cindex remote editing, undo
6764 Undo a change due to a remote editing command. The change is undone
6765 both in the agenda buffer and in the remote buffer.
6769 Change the TODO state of the item, both in the agenda and in the
6774 @vindex org-agenda-confirm-kill
6775 Delete the current agenda item along with the entire subtree belonging
6776 to it in the original Org file. If the text to be deleted remotely
6777 is longer than one line, the kill needs to be confirmed by the user. See
6778 variable @code{org-agenda-confirm-kill}.
6782 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline.
6786 Move the subtree corresponding to the current entry to its @emph{Archive
6791 Archive the subtree corresponding to the current headline. This means the
6792 entry will be moved to the configured archive location, most likely a
6797 @vindex org-agenda-show-inherited-tags
6798 Show all tags associated with the current item. This is useful if you have
6799 turned off @code{org-agenda-show-inherited-tags}, but still want to see all
6800 tags of a headline occasionally.
6804 Set tags for the current headline. If there is an active region in the
6805 agenda, change a tag for all headings in the region.
6809 Set the priority for the current item. Org mode prompts for the
6810 priority character. If you reply with @key{SPC}, the priority cookie
6811 is removed from the entry.
6815 Display weighted priority of current item.
6821 Increase the priority of the current item. The priority is changed in
6822 the original buffer, but the agenda is not resorted. Use the @kbd{r}
6826 @kindex S-@key{down}
6829 Decrease the priority of the current item.
6833 @vindex org-log-state-notes-into-drawer
6834 Add a note to the entry. This note will be recorded, and then files to the
6835 same location where state change notes a put. Depending on
6836 @code{org-log-state-notes-into-drawer}, this maybe inside a drawer.
6840 Dispatcher for all command related to attachments.
6848 Set a deadline for this item.
6852 Agenda actions, to set dates for selected items to the cursor date.
6853 This command also works in the calendar! The command prompts for an
6856 m @r{Mark the entry at point for action. You can also make entries}
6857 @r{in Org files with @kbd{C-c C-x C-k}.}
6858 d @r{Set the deadline of the marked entry to the date at point.}
6859 s @r{Schedule the marked entry at the date at point.}
6860 r @r{Call @code{org-remember} with the cursor date as default date.}
6862 Press @kbd{r} afterward to refresh the agenda and see the effect of the
6865 @kindex S-@key{right}
6867 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day into the
6868 future. With a numeric prefix argument, change it by that many days. For
6869 example, @kbd{3 6 5 S-@key{right}} will change it by a year. With a
6870 @kbd{C-u} prefix, change the time by one hour. If you immediately repeat the
6871 command, it will continue to change hours even without the prefix arg. With
6872 a double @kbd{C-u C-u} prefix, do the same for changing minutes. The stamp
6873 is changed in the original org file, but the change is not directly reflected
6874 in the agenda buffer. Use @kbd{r} or @kbd{g} to update the buffer.
6876 @kindex S-@key{left}
6878 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day
6883 Change the time stamp associated with the current line to today.
6884 The key @kbd{>} has been chosen, because it is the same as @kbd{S-.}
6889 Start the clock on the current item. If a clock is running already, it
6894 Stop the previously started clock.
6898 Cancel the currently running clock.
6902 Jump to the running clock in another window.
6904 @tsubheading{Calendar commands}
6905 @cindex calendar commands, from agenda
6908 Open the Emacs calendar and move to the date at the agenda cursor.
6911 When in the calendar, compute and show the Org mode agenda for the
6914 @cindex diary entries, creating from agenda
6917 Insert a new entry into the diary. Prompts for the type of entry
6918 (day, weekly, monthly, yearly, anniversary, cyclic) and creates a new
6919 entry in the diary, just as @kbd{i d} etc. would do in the calendar.
6920 The date is taken from the cursor position.
6924 Show the phases of the moon for the three months around current date.
6928 Show sunrise and sunset times. The geographical location must be set
6929 with calendar variables, see documentation of the Emacs calendar.
6933 Convert the date at cursor into many other cultural and historic
6938 Show holidays for three month around the cursor date.
6940 @item M-x org-export-icalendar-combine-agenda-files
6941 Export a single iCalendar file containing entries from all agenda files.
6942 This is a globally available command, and also available in the agenda menu.
6944 @tsubheading{Exporting to a file}
6947 @cindex exporting agenda views
6948 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6949 @vindex org-agenda-exporter-settings
6950 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the selected
6951 file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension @file{.html} or
6952 @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), PDF (extension @file{.pdf}),
6953 or plain text (any other extension). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix
6954 argument, immediately open the newly created file. Use the variable
6955 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print} and
6956 for @file{htmlize} to be used during export.
6958 @tsubheading{Quit and Exit}
6961 Quit agenda, remove the agenda buffer.
6964 @cindex agenda files, removing buffers
6966 Exit agenda, remove the agenda buffer and all buffers loaded by Emacs
6967 for the compilation of the agenda. Buffers created by the user to
6968 visit org files will not be removed.
6972 @node Custom agenda views, Agenda column view, Agenda commands, Agenda Views
6973 @section Custom agenda views
6974 @cindex custom agenda views
6975 @cindex agenda views, custom
6977 Custom agenda commands serve two purposes: to store and quickly access
6978 frequently used TODO and tags searches, and to create special composite
6979 agenda buffers. Custom agenda commands will be accessible through the
6980 dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}), just like the default commands.
6983 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
6984 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
6985 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
6986 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
6987 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
6990 @node Storing searches, Block agenda, Custom agenda views, Custom agenda views
6991 @subsection Storing searches
6993 The first application of custom searches is the definition of keyboard
6994 shortcuts for frequently used searches, either creating an agenda
6995 buffer, or a sparse tree (the latter covering of course only the current
6998 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
6999 Custom commands are configured in the variable
7000 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. You can customize this variable, for
7001 example by pressing @kbd{C-c a C}. You can also directly set it with
7002 Emacs Lisp in @file{.emacs}. The following example contains all valid
7007 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
7008 '(("w" todo "WAITING")
7009 ("W" todo-tree "WAITING")
7010 ("u" tags "+boss-urgent")
7011 ("v" tags-todo "+boss-urgent")
7012 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent")
7013 ("f" occur-tree "\\<FIXME\\>")
7014 ("h" . "HOME+Name tags searches") ; description for "h" prefix
7015 ("hl" tags "+home+Lisa")
7016 ("hp" tags "+home+Peter")
7017 ("hk" tags "+home+Kim")))
7022 The initial string in each entry defines the keys you have to press
7023 after the dispatcher command @kbd{C-c a} in order to access the command.
7024 Usually this will be just a single character, but if you have many
7025 similar commands, you can also define two-letter combinations where the
7026 first character is the same in several combinations and serves as a
7027 prefix key@footnote{You can provide a description for a prefix key by
7028 inserting a cons cell with the prefix and the description.}. The second
7029 parameter is the search type, followed by the string or regular
7030 expression to be used for the matching. The example above will
7035 as a global search for TODO entries with @samp{WAITING} as the TODO
7038 as the same search, but only in the current buffer and displaying the
7039 results as a sparse tree
7041 as a global tags search for headlines marked @samp{:boss:} but not
7044 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but limiting the search to
7045 headlines that are also TODO items
7047 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but only in the current buffer and
7048 displaying the result as a sparse tree
7050 to create a sparse tree (again: current buffer only) with all entries
7051 containing the word @samp{FIXME}
7053 as a prefix command for a HOME tags search where you have to press an
7054 additional key (@kbd{l}, @kbd{p} or @kbd{k}) to select a name (Lisa,
7055 Peter, or Kim) as additional tag to match.
7058 @node Block agenda, Setting Options, Storing searches, Custom agenda views
7059 @subsection Block agenda
7060 @cindex block agenda
7061 @cindex agenda, with block views
7063 Another possibility is the construction of agenda views that comprise
7064 the results of @emph{several} commands, each of which creates a block in
7065 the agenda buffer. The available commands include @code{agenda} for the
7066 daily or weekly agenda (as created with @kbd{C-c a a}), @code{alltodo}
7067 for the global TODO list (as constructed with @kbd{C-c a t}), and the
7068 matching commands discussed above: @code{todo}, @code{tags}, and
7069 @code{tags-todo}. Here are two examples:
7073 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
7074 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
7078 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
7086 This will define @kbd{C-c a h} to create a multi-block view for stuff
7087 you need to attend to at home. The resulting agenda buffer will contain
7088 your agenda for the current week, all TODO items that carry the tag
7089 @samp{home}, and also all lines tagged with @samp{garden}. Finally the
7090 command @kbd{C-c a o} provides a similar view for office tasks.
7092 @node Setting Options, Exporting Agenda Views, Block agenda, Custom agenda views
7093 @subsection Setting options for custom commands
7094 @cindex options, for custom agenda views
7096 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
7097 Org mode contains a number of variables regulating agenda construction
7098 and display. The global variables define the behavior for all agenda
7099 commands, including the custom commands. However, if you want to change
7100 some settings just for a single custom view, you can do so. Setting
7101 options requires inserting a list of variable names and values at the
7102 right spot in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. For example:
7106 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
7107 '(("w" todo "WAITING"
7108 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))
7109 (org-agenda-prefix-format " Mixed: ")))
7110 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent"
7111 ((org-show-following-heading nil)
7112 (org-show-hierarchy-above nil)))
7114 ((org-agenda-files '("~org/notes.org"))
7115 (org-agenda-text-search-extra-files nil)))))
7120 Now the @kbd{C-c a w} command will sort the collected entries only by
7121 priority, and the prefix format is modified to just say @samp{ Mixed: }
7122 instead of giving the category of the entry. The sparse tags tree of
7123 @kbd{C-c a U} will now turn out ultra-compact, because neither the
7124 headline hierarchy above the match, nor the headline following the match
7125 will be shown. The command @kbd{C-c a N} will do a text search limited
7126 to only a single file.
7128 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
7129 For command sets creating a block agenda,
7130 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} has two separate spots for setting
7131 options. You can add options that should be valid for just a single
7132 command in the set, and options that should be valid for all commands in
7133 the set. The former are just added to the command entry, the latter
7134 must come after the list of command entries. Going back to the block
7135 agenda example (@pxref{Block agenda}), let's change the sorting strategy
7136 for the @kbd{C-c a h} commands to @code{priority-down}, but let's sort
7137 the results for GARDEN tags query in the opposite order,
7138 @code{priority-up}. This would look like this:
7142 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
7143 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
7147 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-up)))))
7148 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))))
7149 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
7156 As you see, the values and parenthesis setting is a little complex.
7157 When in doubt, use the customize interface to set this variable - it
7158 fully supports its structure. Just one caveat: When setting options in
7159 this interface, the @emph{values} are just lisp expressions. So if the
7160 value is a string, you need to add the double quotes around the value
7164 @node Exporting Agenda Views, Using the agenda elsewhere, Setting Options, Custom agenda views
7165 @subsection Exporting Agenda Views
7166 @cindex agenda views, exporting
7168 If you are away from your computer, it can be very useful to have a printed
7169 version of some agenda views to carry around. Org mode can export custom
7170 agenda views as plain text, HTML@footnote{You need to install Hrvoje Niksic's
7171 @file{htmlize.el}.}, Postscript, PDF@footnote{To create PDF output, the
7172 ghostscript @file{ps2pdf} utility must be installed on the system. Selecting
7173 a pdf file with also create the postscript file.}, and iCalendar files. If
7174 you want to do this only occasionally, use the command
7179 @cindex exporting agenda views
7180 @cindex agenda views, exporting
7181 @vindex org-agenda-exporter-settings
7182 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
7183 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
7184 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}),
7185 iCalendar (extension @file{.ics}), or plain text (any other extension).
7186 Use the variable @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to
7187 set options for @file{ps-print} and for @file{htmlize} to be used during
7190 @vindex org-agenda-add-entry-text-maxlines
7191 @vindex htmlize-output-type
7192 @vindex ps-number-of-columns
7193 @vindex ps-landscape-mode
7195 (setq org-agenda-exporter-settings
7196 '((ps-number-of-columns 2)
7197 (ps-landscape-mode t)
7198 (org-agenda-add-entry-text-maxlines 5)
7199 (htmlize-output-type 'css)))
7203 If you need to export certain agenda views frequently, you can associate
7204 any custom agenda command with a list of output file names
7205 @footnote{If you want to store standard views like the weekly agenda
7206 or the global TODO list as well, you need to define custom commands for
7207 them in order to be able to specify file names.}. Here is an example
7208 that first does define custom commands for the agenda and the global
7209 todo list, together with a number of files to which to export them.
7210 Then we define two block agenda commands and specify file names for them
7211 as well. File names can be relative to the current working directory,
7216 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
7217 '(("X" agenda "" nil ("agenda.html" "agenda.ps"))
7218 ("Y" alltodo "" nil ("todo.html" "todo.txt" "todo.ps"))
7219 ("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
7224 ("~/views/home.html"))
7225 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
7230 ("~/views/office.ps" "~/calendars/office.ics"))))
7234 The extension of the file name determines the type of export. If it is
7235 @file{.html}, Org mode will use the @file{htmlize.el} package to convert
7236 the buffer to HTML and save it to this file name. If the extension is
7237 @file{.ps}, @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} is used to produce
7238 postscript output. If the extension is @file{.ics}, iCalendar export is
7239 run export over all files that were used to construct the agenda, and
7240 limit the export to entries listed in the agenda now. Any other
7241 extension produces a plain ASCII file.
7243 The export files are @emph{not} created when you use one of those
7244 commands interactively because this might use too much overhead.
7245 Instead, there is a special command to produce @emph{all} specified
7251 Export all agenda views that have export file names associated with
7255 You can use the options section of the custom agenda commands to also
7256 set options for the export commands. For example:
7259 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
7261 ((ps-number-of-columns 2)
7262 (ps-landscape-mode t)
7263 (org-agenda-prefix-format " [ ] ")
7264 (org-agenda-with-colors nil)
7265 (org-agenda-remove-tags t))
7270 This command sets two options for the postscript exporter, to make it
7271 print in two columns in landscape format - the resulting page can be cut
7272 in two and then used in a paper agenda. The remaining settings modify
7273 the agenda prefix to omit category and scheduling information, and
7274 instead include a checkbox to check off items. We also remove the tags
7275 to make the lines compact, and we don't want to use colors for the
7276 black-and-white printer. Settings specified in
7277 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} will also apply, but the settings
7278 in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} take precedence.
7281 From the command line you may also use
7283 emacs -f org-batch-store-agenda-views -kill
7286 or, if you need to modify some parameters@footnote{Quoting may depend on the
7287 system you use, please check th FAQ for examples.}
7289 emacs -eval '(org-batch-store-agenda-views \
7290 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
7291 org-agenda-start-day "2007-11-01" \
7292 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
7293 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
7297 which will create the agenda views restricted to the file
7298 @file{~/org/project.org}, without diary entries and with 30 days
7301 @node Using the agenda elsewhere, , Exporting Agenda Views, Custom agenda views
7302 @subsection Using agenda information outside of Org
7303 @cindex agenda, pipe
7304 @cindex Scripts, for agenda processing
7306 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
7307 Org provides commands to access agenda information for the command
7308 line in emacs batch mode. This extracted information can be sent
7309 directly to a printer, or it can be read by a program that does further
7310 processing of the data. The first of these commands is the function
7311 @code{org-batch-agenda}, that produces an agenda view and sends it as
7312 ASCII text to STDOUT. The command takes a single string as parameter.
7313 If the string has length 1, it is used as a key to one of the commands
7314 you have configured in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}, basically any
7315 key you can use after @kbd{C-c a}. For example, to directly print the
7316 current TODO list, you could use
7319 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda "t")' | lpr
7322 If the parameter is a string with 2 or more characters, it is used as a
7323 tags/todo match string. For example, to print your local shopping list
7324 (all items with the tag @samp{shop}, but excluding the tag
7325 @samp{NewYork}), you could use
7328 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
7329 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "+shop-NewYork")' | lpr
7333 You may also modify parameters on the fly like this:
7336 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
7337 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "a" \
7338 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
7339 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
7340 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
7345 which will produce a 30 day agenda, fully restricted to the Org file
7346 @file{~/org/projects.org}, not even including the diary.
7348 If you want to process the agenda data in more sophisticated ways, you
7349 can use the command @code{org-batch-agenda-csv} to get a comma-separated
7350 list of values for each agenda item. Each line in the output will
7351 contain a number of fields separated by commas. The fields in a line
7355 category @r{The category of the item}
7356 head @r{The headline, without TODO kwd, TAGS and PRIORITY}
7357 type @r{The type of the agenda entry, can be}
7358 todo @r{selected in TODO match}
7359 tagsmatch @r{selected in tags match}
7360 diary @r{imported from diary}
7361 deadline @r{a deadline}
7362 scheduled @r{scheduled}
7363 timestamp @r{appointment, selected by timestamp}
7364 closed @r{entry was closed on date}
7365 upcoming-deadline @r{warning about nearing deadline}
7366 past-scheduled @r{forwarded scheduled item}
7367 block @r{entry has date block including date}
7368 todo @r{The TODO keyword, if any}
7369 tags @r{All tags including inherited ones, separated by colons}
7370 date @r{The relevant date, like 2007-2-14}
7371 time @r{The time, like 15:00-16:50}
7372 extra @r{String with extra planning info}
7373 priority-l @r{The priority letter if any was given}
7374 priority-n @r{The computed numerical priority}
7378 Time and date will only be given if a timestamp (or deadline/scheduled)
7379 lead to the selection of the item.
7381 A CSV list like this is very easy to use in a post processing script.
7382 For example, here is a Perl program that gets the TODO list from
7383 Emacs/Org and prints all the items, preceded by a checkbox:
7388 # define the Emacs command to run
7389 $cmd = "emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda-csv \"t\")'";
7391 # run it and capture the output
7392 $agenda = qx@{$cmd 2>/dev/null@};
7394 # loop over all lines
7395 foreach $line (split(/\n/,$agenda)) @{
7396 # get the individual values
7397 ($category,$head,$type,$todo,$tags,$date,$time,$extra,
7398 $priority_l,$priority_n) = split(/,/,$line);
7400 print "[ ] $head\n";
7404 @node Agenda column view, , Custom agenda views, Agenda Views
7405 @section Using column view in the agenda
7406 @cindex column view, in agenda
7407 @cindex agenda, column view
7409 Column view (@pxref{Column view}) is normally used to view and edit
7410 properties embedded in the hierarchical structure of an Org file. It can be
7411 quite useful to use column view also from the agenda, where entries are
7412 collected by certain criteria.
7417 Turn on column view in the agenda.
7420 To understand how to use this properly, it is important to realize that the
7421 entries in the agenda are no longer in their proper outline environment.
7422 This causes the following issues:
7426 @vindex org-columns-default-format
7427 @vindex org-overriding-columns-format
7428 Org needs to make a decision which @code{COLUMNS} format to use. Since the
7429 entries in the agenda are collected from different files, and different files
7430 may have different @code{COLUMNS} formats, this is a non-trivial problem.
7431 Org first checks if the variable @code{org-overriding-columns-format} is
7432 currently set, and if yes takes the format from there. Otherwise it takes
7433 the format associated with the first item in the agenda, or, if that item
7434 does not have a specific format (defined in a property, or in it's file), it
7435 uses @code{org-columns-default-format}.
7437 If any of the columns has a summary type defined (@pxref{Column attributes}),
7438 turning on column view in the agenda will visit all relevant agenda files and
7439 make sure that the computations of this property are up to date. This is
7440 also true for the special @code{CLOCKSUM} property. Org will then sum the
7441 values displayed in the agenda. In the daily/weekly agenda, the sums will
7442 cover a single day, in all other views they cover the entire block. It is
7443 vital to realize that the agenda may show the same entry @emph{twice} (for
7444 example as scheduled and as a deadline), and it may show two entries from the
7445 same hierarchy (for example a @emph{parent} and it's @emph{child}). In these
7446 cases, the summation in the agenda will lead to incorrect results because
7447 some values will count double.
7449 When the column view in the agenda shows the @code{CLOCKSUM}, that is always
7450 the entire clocked time for this item. So even in the daily/weekly agenda,
7451 the clocksum listed in column view may originate from times outside the
7452 current view. This has the advantage that you can compare these values with
7453 a column listing the planned total effort for a task - one of the major
7454 applications for column view in the agenda. If you want information about
7455 clocked time in the displayed period use clock table mode (press @kbd{R} in
7460 @node Embedded LaTeX, Exporting, Agenda Views, Top
7461 @chapter Embedded LaTeX
7462 @cindex @TeX{} interpretation
7463 @cindex La@TeX{} interpretation
7465 Plain ASCII is normally sufficient for almost all note taking. One
7466 exception, however, are scientific notes which need to be able to contain
7467 mathematical symbols and the occasional formula. La@TeX{}@footnote{La@TeX{}
7468 is a macro system based on Donald E. Knuth's @TeX{} system. Many of the
7469 features described here as ``La@TeX{}'' are really from @TeX{}, but for
7470 simplicity I am blurring this distinction.} is widely used to typeset
7471 scientific documents. Org mode supports embedding La@TeX{} code into its
7472 files, because many academics are used to reading La@TeX{} source code, and
7473 because it can be readily processed into images for HTML production.
7475 It is not necessary to mark La@TeX{} macros and code in any special way.
7476 If you observe a few conventions, Org mode knows how to find it and what
7480 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
7481 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
7482 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
7483 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
7484 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
7487 @node Math symbols, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX, Embedded LaTeX
7488 @section Math symbols
7489 @cindex math symbols
7492 You can use La@TeX{} macros to insert special symbols like @samp{\alpha} to
7493 indicate the Greek letter, or @samp{\to} to indicate an arrow. Completion
7494 for these macros is available, just type @samp{\} and maybe a few letters,
7495 and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to see possible completions. Unlike La@TeX{}
7496 code, Org mode allows these macros to be present without surrounding math
7497 delimiters, for example:
7500 Angles are written as Greek letters \alpha, \beta and \gamma.
7503 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), these symbols are translated
7504 into the proper syntax for HTML, for the above examples this is
7505 @samp{α} and @samp{→}, respectively. If you need such a symbol
7506 inside a word, terminate it like this: @samp{\Aacute@{@}stor}.
7508 @node Subscripts and superscripts, LaTeX fragments, Math symbols, Embedded LaTeX
7509 @section Subscripts and superscripts
7513 Just like in La@TeX{}, @samp{^} and @samp{_} are used to indicate super-
7514 and subscripts. Again, these can be used without embedding them in
7515 math-mode delimiters. To increase the readability of ASCII text, it is
7516 not necessary (but OK) to surround multi-character sub- and superscripts
7517 with curly braces. For example
7520 The mass if the sun is M_sun = 1.989 x 10^30 kg. The radius of
7521 the sun is R_@{sun@} = 6.96 x 10^8 m.
7524 To avoid interpretation as raised or lowered text, you can quote
7525 @samp{^} and @samp{_} with a backslash: @samp{\_} and @samp{\^}.
7527 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), subscript and superscripts
7528 are surrounded with @code{<sub>} and @code{<sup>} tags, respectively.
7530 @node LaTeX fragments, Processing LaTeX fragments, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX
7531 @section LaTeX fragments
7532 @cindex LaTeX fragments
7534 @vindex org-format-latex-header
7535 With symbols, sub- and superscripts, HTML is pretty much at its end when
7536 it comes to representing mathematical formulas@footnote{Yes, there is
7537 MathML, but that is not yet fully supported by many browsers, and there
7538 is no decent converter for turning La@TeX{} or ASCII representations of
7539 formulas into MathML. So for the time being, converting formulas into
7540 images seems the way to go.}. More complex expressions need a dedicated
7541 formula processor. To this end, Org mode can contain arbitrary La@TeX{}
7542 fragments. It provides commands to preview the typeset result of these
7543 fragments, and upon export to HTML, all fragments will be converted to
7544 images and inlined into the HTML document@footnote{The La@TeX{} export
7545 will not use images for displaying La@TeX{} fragments but include these
7546 fragments directly into the La@TeX{} code.}. For this to work you
7547 need to be on a system with a working La@TeX{} installation. You also
7548 need the @file{dvipng} program, available at
7549 @url{http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvipng/}. The La@TeX{} header that
7550 will be used when processing a fragment can be configured with the
7551 variable @code{org-format-latex-header}.
7553 La@TeX{} fragments don't need any special marking at all. The following
7554 snippets will be identified as La@TeX{} source code:
7557 Environments of any kind. The only requirement is that the
7558 @code{\begin} statement appears on a new line, preceded by only
7561 Text within the usual La@TeX{} math delimiters. To avoid conflicts with
7562 currency specifications, single @samp{$} characters are only recognized as
7563 math delimiters if the enclosed text contains at most two line breaks, is
7564 directly attached to the @samp{$} characters with no whitespace in between,
7565 and if the closing @samp{$} is followed by whitespace, punctuation or a dash.
7566 For the other delimiters, there is no such restriction, so when in doubt, use
7567 @samp{\(...\)} as inline math delimiters.
7570 @noindent For example:
7573 \begin@{equation@} % arbitrary environments,
7574 x=\sqrt@{b@} % even tables, figures
7575 \end@{equation@} % etc
7577 If $a^2=b$ and \( b=2 \), then the solution must be
7578 either $$ a=+\sqrt@{2@} $$ or \[ a=-\sqrt@{2@} \].
7582 @vindex org-format-latex-options
7583 If you need any of the delimiter ASCII sequences for other purposes, you
7584 can configure the option @code{org-format-latex-options} to deselect the
7585 ones you do not wish to have interpreted by the La@TeX{} converter.
7587 @node Processing LaTeX fragments, CDLaTeX mode, LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
7588 @section Processing LaTeX fragments
7589 @cindex LaTeX fragments, preview
7591 La@TeX{} fragments can be processed to produce a preview images of the
7592 typeset expressions:
7597 Produce a preview image of the La@TeX{} fragment at point and overlay it
7598 over the source code. If there is no fragment at point, process all
7599 fragments in the current entry (between two headlines). When called
7600 with a prefix argument, process the entire subtree. When called with
7601 two prefix arguments, or when the cursor is before the first headline,
7602 process the entire buffer.
7605 Remove the overlay preview images.
7608 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), all La@TeX{} fragments are
7609 converted into images and inlined into the document if the following
7613 (setq org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments t)
7616 @node CDLaTeX mode, , Processing LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
7617 @section Using CDLaTeX to enter math
7620 CDLaTeX mode is a minor mode that is normally used in combination with a
7621 major La@TeX{} mode like AUCTeX in order to speed-up insertion of
7622 environments and math templates. Inside Org mode, you can make use of
7623 some of the features of CDLaTeX mode. You need to install
7624 @file{cdlatex.el} and @file{texmathp.el} (the latter comes also with
7625 AUCTeX) from @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/cdlatex}.
7626 Don't use CDLaTeX mode itself under Org mode, but use the light
7627 version @code{org-cdlatex-mode} that comes as part of Org mode. Turn it
7628 on for the current buffer with @code{M-x org-cdlatex-mode}, or for all
7632 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-org-cdlatex)
7635 When this mode is enabled, the following features are present (for more
7636 details see the documentation of CDLaTeX mode):
7640 Environment templates can be inserted with @kbd{C-c @{}.
7643 The @key{TAB} key will do template expansion if the cursor is inside a
7644 La@TeX{} fragment@footnote{Org mode has a method to test if the cursor is
7645 inside such a fragment, see the documentation of the function
7646 @code{org-inside-LaTeX-fragment-p}.}. For example, @key{TAB} will
7647 expand @code{fr} to @code{\frac@{@}@{@}} and position the cursor
7648 correctly inside the first brace. Another @key{TAB} will get you into
7649 the second brace. Even outside fragments, @key{TAB} will expand
7650 environment abbreviations at the beginning of a line. For example, if
7651 you write @samp{equ} at the beginning of a line and press @key{TAB},
7652 this abbreviation will be expanded to an @code{equation} environment.
7653 To get a list of all abbreviations, type @kbd{M-x cdlatex-command-help}.
7657 @vindex cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts
7658 Pressing @kbd{_} and @kbd{^} inside a La@TeX{} fragment will insert these
7659 characters together with a pair of braces. If you use @key{TAB} to move
7660 out of the braces, and if the braces surround only a single character or
7661 macro, they are removed again (depending on the variable
7662 @code{cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts}).
7665 Pressing the backquote @kbd{`} followed by a character inserts math
7666 macros, also outside La@TeX{} fragments. If you wait more than 1.5 seconds
7667 after the backquote, a help window will pop up.
7670 Pressing the normal quote @kbd{'} followed by another character modifies
7671 the symbol before point with an accent or a font. If you wait more than
7672 1.5 seconds after the backquote, a help window will pop up. Character
7673 modification will work only inside La@TeX{} fragments, outside the quote
7677 @node Exporting, Publishing, Embedded LaTeX, Top
7681 Org mode documents can be exported into a variety of other formats. For
7682 printing and sharing of notes, ASCII export produces a readable and
7683 simple version of an Org file. HTML export allows you to publish a
7684 notes file on the web, while the XOXO format provides a solid base for
7685 exchange with a broad range of other applications. La@TeX{} export lets
7686 you use Org mode and its structured editing functions to easily create
7687 La@TeX{} files. To incorporate entries with associated times like
7688 deadlines or appointments into a desktop calendar program like iCal,
7689 Org mode can also produce extracts in the iCalendar format. Currently
7690 Org mode only supports export, not import of these different formats.
7692 Org supports export of selected regions when @code{transient-mark-mode} is
7693 enabled (default in Emacs 23).
7696 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
7697 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
7698 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
7699 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
7700 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
7701 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
7702 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to LaTeX, and processing to PDF
7703 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
7704 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
7707 @node Markup rules, Selective export, Exporting, Exporting
7708 @section Markup rules
7710 When exporting Org mode documents, the exporter tries to reflect the
7711 structure of the document as accurately as possible in the back-end. Since
7712 export targets like HTML or La@TeX{} allow much richer formatting, Org mode
7713 has rules how to prepare text for rich export. This section summarizes the
7714 markup rule used in an Org mode buffer.
7717 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
7718 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
7719 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
7720 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
7721 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
7722 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
7723 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
7724 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
7725 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
7726 * Inlined images:: How to inline images during export
7727 * Footnote markup:: ASCII representation of footnotes
7728 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
7729 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
7730 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
7731 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
7732 * Macro replacement:: Global replacement of place holdes
7735 @node Document title, Headings and sections, Markup rules, Markup rules
7736 @subheading Document title
7737 @cindex document title, markup rules
7740 The title of the exported document is taken from the special line
7743 #+TITLE: This is the title of the document
7747 If this line does not exist, the title is derived from the first non-empty,
7748 non-comment line in the buffer. If no such line exists, or if you have
7749 turned off exporting of the text before the first headline (see below), the
7750 title will be the file name without extension.
7752 If you are exporting only a subtree by marking is as the region, the heading
7753 of the subtree will become the title of the document. If the subtree has a
7754 property @code{EXPORT_TITLE}, that will take precedence.
7756 @node Headings and sections, Table of contents, Document title, Markup rules
7757 @subheading Headings and sections
7758 @cindex headings and sections, markup rules
7760 @vindex org-headline-levels
7761 The outline structure of the document as described in @ref{Document
7762 Structure} forms the basis for defining sections of the exported document.
7763 However, since the outline structure is also used for (for example) lists of
7764 tasks, only the first three outline levels will be used as headings. Deeper
7765 levels will become itemized lists. You can change the location of this
7766 switch, globally by setting the variable @code{org-headline-levels}, or on a
7767 per file basis with a line
7773 @node Table of contents, Initial text, Headings and sections, Markup rules
7774 @subheading Table of contents
7775 @cindex table of contents, markup rules
7777 @vindex org-export-with-toc
7778 The table of contents is normally inserted directly before the first headline
7779 of the file. If you would like to get it to a different location, insert the
7780 string @code{[TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]} on a line by itself at the desired
7781 location. The depth of the table of contents is by default the same as the
7782 number of headline levels, but you can choose a smaller number or turn off
7783 the table of contents entirely by configuring the variable
7784 @code{org-export-with-toc}, or on a per-file basis with a line like
7787 #+OPTIONS: toc:2 (only to two levels in TOC)
7788 #+OPTIONS: toc:nil (no TOC at all)
7791 @node Initial text, Lists, Table of contents, Markup rules
7792 @subheading Text before the first headline
7793 @cindex text before first headline, markup rules
7796 Org mode normally exports the text before the first headline, and even uses
7797 the first line as the document title. The text will be fully marked up. If
7798 you need to include literal HTML or La@TeX{} code, use the special constructs
7799 described below in the sections for the individual exporters.
7801 @vindex org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading
7802 Some people like to use the space before the first headline for setup and
7803 internal links and therefore would like to control the exported text before
7804 the first headline in a different way. You can do so by setting the variable
7805 @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading} to @code{t}. On a per-file
7806 basis, you can get the same effect with @samp{#+OPTIONS: skip:t}.
7809 If you still want to have some text before the first headline, use the
7810 @code{#+TEXT} construct:
7814 #+TEXT: This text will go before the *first* headline.
7815 #+TEXT: [TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]
7816 #+TEXT: This goes between the table of contents and the first headline
7819 @node Lists, Paragraphs, Initial text, Markup rules
7821 @cindex lists, markup rules
7823 Plain lists as described in @ref{Plain lists} are translated to the back-ends
7824 syntax for such lists. Most back-ends support unordered, ordered, and
7827 @node Paragraphs, Literal examples, Lists, Markup rules
7828 @subheading Paragraphs, line breaks, and quoting
7829 @cindex paragraphs, markup rules
7831 Paragraphs are separated by at least one empty line. If you need to enforce
7832 a line break within a paragraph, use @samp{\\} at the end of a line.
7834 To keep the line breaks in a region, but otherwise use normal formatting, you
7835 can use this construct, which can also be used to format poetry.
7839 Great clouds overhead
7840 Tiny black birds rise and fall
7847 When quoting a passage from another document, it is customary to format this
7848 as a paragraph that is indented on both the left and the right margin. You
7849 can include quotations in Org mode documents like this:
7853 Everything should be made as simple as possible,
7854 but not any simpler -- Albert Einstein
7858 If you would like to center some text, do it like this:
7861 Everything should be made as simple as possible, \\
7866 @node Literal examples, Include files, Paragraphs, Markup rules
7867 @subheading Literal examples
7868 @cindex literal examples, markup rules
7869 @cindex code line refenences, markup rules
7871 You can include literal examples that should not be subjected to
7872 markup. Such examples will be typeset in monospace, so this is well suited
7873 for source code and similar examples.
7874 @cindex #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
7878 Some example from a text file.
7882 For simplicity when using small examples, you can also start the example
7883 lines with a colon followed by a space. There may also be additional
7884 whitespace before the colon:
7888 : Some example from a text file.
7891 @cindex formatting source code, markup rules
7892 If the example is source code from a programming language, or any other text
7893 that can be marked up by font-lock in Emacs, you can ask for the example to
7894 look like the fontified Emacs buffer@footnote{Currently this works only for
7895 the HTML back-end, and requires the @file{htmlize.el} package version 1.34 or
7896 later.}. This is done with the @samp{src} block, where you also need to
7897 specify the name of the major mode that should be used to fontify the
7902 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
7903 (defun org-xor (a b)
7909 Both in @code{example} and in @code{src} snippets, you can add a @code{-n}
7910 switch to the end of the @code{BEGIN} line, to get the lines of the example
7911 numbered. If you use a @code{+n} switch, the numbering from the previous
7912 numbered snippet will be continued in the current one. In literal examples,
7913 Org will interpret strings like @samp{(ref:name)} as labels, and use them as
7914 targets for special hyperlinks like @code{[[(name)]]} (i.e. the reference
7915 name enclosed in single parenthesis). In HTML, hovering the mouse over such
7916 a link will remote-highlight the corresponding code line, which is kind of
7917 cool. If the example/src snippet is numbered, you can also add a @code{-r}
7918 switch. Then labels will be @i{removed} from the source code and the links
7919 will be @i{replaced}@footnote{If you want to explain the use of such labels
7920 themelves in org-mode example code, you can use the @code{-k} switch to make
7921 sure they are not touched.} with line numbers from the code listing. Here is
7925 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp -n -r
7926 (save-excursion (ref:sc)
7927 (goto-char (point-min)) (ref:jump)
7929 In line [[(sc)]] we remember the current positon. [[(jump)][Line (jump)]]
7933 @vindex org-coderef-label-format
7934 If the syntax for the label format conflicts with the language syntax, use a
7935 @code{-l} switch to change the format, for example @samp{#+BEGIN_SRC pascal
7936 -n -r -l "((%s))"}. See also the variable @code{org-coderef-label-format}.
7938 HTML export also allows examples to be published as text areas, @pxref{Text
7939 areas in HTML export}.
7944 Edit the source code example at point in its native mode. This works by
7945 switching to an indirect buffer, narrowing the buffer and switching to the
7946 other mode. You need to exit by pressing @kbd{C-c '} again@footnote{Upon
7947 exit, lines starting with @samp{*} or @samp{#} will get a comma prepended, to
7948 keep them from being interpreted by Org as outline nodes or special
7949 comments. These commas will be striped for editing with @kbd{C-c '}, and
7950 also for export.}. Fixed-width
7951 regions (where each line starts with a colon followed by a space) will be
7952 edited using @code{artist-mode}@footnote{You may select a different-mode with
7953 the variable @code{org-edit-fixed-width-region-mode}.} to allow creating
7954 ASCII drawings easily. Using this command in an empty line will create a new
7958 Calling @code{org-store-link} while editing a source code example in a
7959 temporary buffer created with @kbd{C-c '} will prompt for a label, make sure
7960 that it is unique in the current buffer, and insert it with the proper
7961 formatting like @samp{(ref:label)} at the end of the current line. Then the
7962 label is stored as a link @samp{(label)}, for retrieval with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
7966 @node Include files, Tables exported, Literal examples, Markup rules
7967 @subheading Include files
7968 @cindex include files, markup rules
7970 During export, you can include the content of another file. For example, to
7971 include your .emacs file, you could use:
7975 #+INCLUDE: "~/.emacs" src emacs-lisp
7978 The optional second and third parameter are the markup (@samp{quote},
7979 @samp{example}, or @samp{src}), and, if the markup is @samp{src}, the
7980 language for formatting the contents. The markup is optional, if it is not
7981 given, the text will be assumed to be in Org mode format and will be
7982 processed normally. The include line will also allow additional keyword
7983 parameters @code{:prefix1} and @code{:prefix} to specify prefixes for the
7984 first line and for each following line, as well as any options accepted by
7985 the selected markup. For example, to include a file as an item, use
7988 #+INCLUDE: "~/snippets/xx" :prefix1 " + " :prefix " "
7994 Visit the include file at point.
7997 @node Tables exported, Inlined images, Include files, Markup rules
7999 @cindex tables, markup rules
8001 Both the native Org mode tables (@pxref{Tables}) and tables formatted with
8002 the @file{table.el} package will be exported properly. For Org mode tables,
8003 the lines before the first horizontal separator line will become table header
8004 lines. You can use the following lines somewhere before the table to assign
8005 a caption and a label for cross references:
8008 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next table (or link)
8009 #+LABEL: tbl:basic-data
8012 @node Inlined images, Footnote markup, Tables exported, Markup rules
8013 @subheading Inlined Images
8014 @cindex inlined images, markup rules
8016 Some backends (HTML and LaTeX) allow to directly include images into the
8017 exported document. Org does this, if a link to an image files does not have
8018 a description part, for example @code{[[./img/a.jpg]]}. If you wish to
8019 define a caption for the image and maybe a label for internal cross
8020 references, you can use (before, but close to the link)
8023 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next figure link (or table)
8024 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
8027 You may also define additional attributes for the figure. As this is
8028 backend-specific, see the sections about the individual backends for more
8031 @node Footnote markup, Emphasis and monospace, Inlined images, Markup rules
8032 @subheading Footnote markup
8033 @cindex footnotes, markup rules
8034 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
8036 Footnotes defined in the way descriped in @ref{Footnotes} will be exported by
8037 all backends. Org does allow multiple references to the same note, and
8038 different backends support this to varying degree.
8040 @node Emphasis and monospace, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Footnote markup, Markup rules
8041 @subheading Emphasis and monospace
8043 @cindex underlined text, markup rules
8044 @cindex bold text, markup rules
8045 @cindex italic text, markup rules
8046 @cindex verbatim text, markup rules
8047 @cindex code text, markup rules
8048 @cindex strike-through text, markup rules
8049 You can make words @b{*bold*}, @i{/italic/}, _underlined_, @code{=code=}
8050 and @code{~verbatim~}, and, if you must, @samp{+strike-through+}. Text
8051 in the code and verbatim string is not processed for Org mode specific
8052 syntax, it is exported verbatim.
8054 @node TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Horizontal rules, Emphasis and monospace, Markup rules
8055 @subheading @TeX{} macros and La@TeX{} fragments
8056 @cindex LaTeX fragments, markup rules
8057 @cindex TeX macros, markup rules
8058 @cindex HTML entities
8059 @cindex LaTeX entities
8061 @vindex org-html-entities
8062 A @TeX{}-like syntax is used to specify special characters. Where possible,
8063 these will be transformed into the native format of the exporter back-end.
8064 Strings like @code{\alpha} will be exported as @code{α} in the HTML
8065 output, and as @code{$\alpha$} in the La@TeX{} output. Similarly,
8066 @code{\nbsp} will become @code{ } in HTML and @code{~} in La@TeX{}.
8067 This applies for a large number of entities, with names taken from both HTML
8068 and La@TeX{}, see the variable @code{org-html-entities} for the complete
8069 list. If you are unsure about a name, use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} for completion
8070 after having typed the backslash and maybe a few characters
8071 (@pxref{Completion}).
8073 La@TeX{} fragments are converted into images for HTML export, and they are
8074 written literally into the La@TeX{} export. See also @ref{Embedded LaTeX}.
8076 Finally, @samp{\-} is treated as a shy hyphen, and @samp{--}, @samp{---}, and
8077 @samp{...} are all converted into special commands creating hyphens of
8078 different lengths or a compact set of dots.
8080 @node Horizontal rules, Comment lines, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Markup rules
8081 @subheading Horizontal rules
8082 @cindex horizontal rules, markup rules
8083 A line consisting of only dashes, and at least 5 of them, will be
8084 exported as a horizontal line (@samp{<hr/>} in HTML).
8086 @node Comment lines, Macro replacement, Horizontal rules, Markup rules
8087 @subheading Comment lines
8088 @cindex comment lines
8089 @cindex exporting, not
8091 Lines starting with @samp{#} in column zero are treated as comments and will
8092 never be exported. Also entire subtrees starting with the word
8093 @samp{COMMENT} will never be exported. Finally, regions surrounded by
8094 @samp{#+BEGIN_COMMENT} ... @samp{#+END_COMMENT} will not be exported.
8099 Toggle the COMMENT keyword at the beginning of an entry.
8102 @node Macro replacement, , Comment lines, Markup rules
8103 @subheading Macro replacement
8105 You can define text snippets with
8108 #+MACRO: name replacement text
8111 @noindent which can be referenced anywhere in the document (even in
8112 code examples) with @code{@{@{@{name@}@}@}}. In addition to defined macros,
8113 @code{@{@{@{title@}@}@}}, @code{@{@{@{author@}@}@}}, etc will reference
8114 information set by the @code{#+TITLE:}, @code{#+AUTHOR:}, and similar lines.
8116 @node Selective export, Export options, Markup rules, Exporting
8117 @section Selective export
8118 @cindex export, selective by tags
8120 @vindex org-export-select-tags
8121 @vindex org-export-exclude-tags
8122 You may use tags to select the parts of a document that should be exported,
8123 or to exclude parts from export. This behavior is governed by two variables:
8124 @code{org-export-select-tags} and @code{org-export-exclude-tags}.
8126 Org first checks if any of the @emph{select} tags is present in the buffer.
8127 If yes, all trees that do not carry one of these tags will be excluded. If a
8128 selected tree is a subtree, the heading hierarchy above it will also be
8129 selected for export, but not the text below those headings.
8132 If none of the select tags is found, the whole buffer will be selected for
8136 Finally, all subtrees that are marked by any of the @emph{exclude} tags will
8137 be removed from the export buffer.
8139 @node Export options, The export dispatcher, Selective export, Exporting
8140 @section Export options
8141 @cindex options, for export
8143 @cindex completion, of option keywords
8144 The exporter recognizes special lines in the buffer which provide
8145 additional information. These lines may be put anywhere in the file.
8146 The whole set of lines can be inserted into the buffer with @kbd{C-c
8147 C-e t}. For individual lines, a good way to make sure the keyword is
8148 correct is to type @samp{#+} and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion
8149 (@pxref{Completion}).
8154 Insert template with export options, see example below.
8161 @cindex #+DESCRIPTION:
8167 @cindex #+LINK_HOME:
8168 @cindex #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS:
8169 @cindex #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS:
8170 @cindex #+LATEX_HEADER:
8171 @vindex user-full-name
8172 @vindex user-mail-address
8173 @vindex org-export-default-language
8175 #+TITLE: the title to be shown (default is the buffer name)
8176 #+AUTHOR: the author (default taken from @code{user-full-name})
8177 #+DATE: a date, fixed, of a format string for @code{format-time-string}
8178 #+EMAIL: his/her email address (default from @code{user-mail-address})
8179 #+DESCRIPTION: the page description, e.g. for the XHTML meta tag
8180 #+KEYWORDS: the page keywords, e.g. for the XHTML meta tag
8181 #+LANGUAGE: language for HTML, e.g. @samp{en} (@code{org-export-default-language})
8182 #+TEXT: Some descriptive text to be inserted at the beginning.
8183 #+TEXT: Several lines may be given.
8184 #+OPTIONS: H:2 num:t toc:t \n:nil @@:t ::t |:t ^:t f:t TeX:t ...
8185 #+LINK_UP: the ``up'' link of an exported page
8186 #+LINK_HOME: the ``home'' link of an exported page
8187 #+LATEX_HEADER: extra line(s) for the LaTeX header, like \usepackage@{xyz@}
8188 #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS: Tags that select a tree for export
8189 #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS: Tags that exclude a tree from export
8193 The OPTIONS line is a compact@footnote{If you want to configure many options
8194 this way, you can use several OPTIONS lines.} form to specify export settings. Here
8196 @cindex headline levels
8197 @cindex section-numbers
8198 @cindex table of contents
8199 @cindex line-break preservation
8200 @cindex quoted HTML tags
8201 @cindex fixed-width sections
8203 @cindex @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts
8205 @cindex special strings
8206 @cindex emphasized text
8207 @cindex @TeX{} macros
8208 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments
8209 @cindex author info, in export
8210 @cindex time info, in export
8212 H: @r{set the number of headline levels for export}
8213 num: @r{turn on/off section-numbers}
8214 toc: @r{turn on/off table of contents, or set level limit (integer)}
8215 \n: @r{turn on/off line-break-preservation}
8216 @@: @r{turn on/off quoted HTML tags}
8217 :: @r{turn on/off fixed-width sections}
8218 |: @r{turn on/off tables}
8219 ^: @r{turn on/off @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts. If}
8220 @r{you write "^:@{@}", @code{a_@{b@}} will be interpreted, but}
8221 @r{the simple @code{a_b} will be left as it is.}
8222 -: @r{turn on/off conversion of special strings.}
8223 f: @r{turn on/off footnotes like this[1].}
8224 todo: @r{turn on/off inclusion of TODO keywords into exported text}
8225 pri: @r{turn on/off priority cookies}
8226 tags: @r{turn on/off inclusion of tags, may also be @code{not-in-toc}}
8227 <: @r{turn on/off inclusion of any time/date stamps like DEADLINES}
8228 *: @r{turn on/off emphasized text (bold, italic, underlined)}
8229 TeX: @r{turn on/off simple @TeX{} macros in plain text}
8230 LaTeX: @r{turn on/off La@TeX{} fragments}
8231 skip: @r{turn on/off skipping the text before the first heading}
8232 author: @r{turn on/off inclusion of author name/email into exported file}
8233 creator: @r{turn on/off inclusion of creator info into exported file}
8234 timestamp: @r{turn on/off inclusion creation time into exported file}
8235 d: @r{turn on/off inclusion of drawers}
8238 These options take effect in both the HTML and La@TeX{} export, except
8239 for @code{TeX} and @code{LaTeX}, which are respectively @code{t} and
8240 @code{nil} for the La@TeX{} export.
8242 When exporting only a single subtree by selecting it with @kbd{C-c @@} before
8243 calling an export command, the subtree can overrule some of the file's export
8244 settings with properties @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}, @code{EXPORT_TITLE},
8245 @code{EXPORT_TEXT}, and @code{EXPORT_OPTIONS}.
8247 @node The export dispatcher, ASCII export, Export options, Exporting
8248 @section The export dispatcher
8249 @cindex dispatcher, for export commands
8251 All export commands can be reached using the export dispatcher, which is a
8252 prefix key that prompts for an additional key specifying the command.
8253 Normally the entire file is exported, but if there is an active region that
8254 contains one outline tree, the first heading is used as document title and
8255 the subtrees are exported.
8260 @vindex org-export-run-in-background
8261 Dispatcher for export and publishing commands. Displays a help-window
8262 listing the additional key(s) needed to launch an export or publishing
8263 command. The prefix arg is passed through to the exporter. A double prefix
8264 @kbd{C-u C-u} causes most commands to be executed in the background, in a
8265 separate emacs process@footnote{To make this behavior the default, customize
8266 the variable @code{org-export-run-in-background}.}.
8269 Like @kbd{C-c C-e}, but only export the text that is currently visible
8270 (i.e. not hidden by outline visibility).
8271 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-e
8272 @item C-u C-u C-c C-e
8273 @vindex org-export-run-in-background
8274 Call an the exporter, but reverse the setting of
8275 @code{org-export-run-in-background}, i.e. request background processing if
8276 not set, or force processing in the current Emacs process if st.
8279 @node ASCII export, HTML export, The export dispatcher, Exporting
8280 @section ASCII export
8281 @cindex ASCII export
8283 ASCII export produces a simple and very readable version of an Org mode
8286 @cindex region, active
8287 @cindex active region
8288 @cindex transient-mark-mode
8292 Export as ASCII file. For an org file @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file
8293 will be @file{myfile.txt}. The file will be overwritten without
8294 warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this requires
8295 @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
8296 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
8297 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will
8298 become the document title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an
8299 @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME} property, that name will be used for the
8303 Export only the visible part of the document.
8306 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
8307 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
8308 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
8309 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
8310 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
8317 creates only top level headlines and does the rest as items. When
8318 headlines are converted to items, the indentation of the text following
8319 the headline is changed to fit nicely under the item. This is done with
8320 the assumption that the first body line indicates the base indentation of
8321 the body text. Any indentation larger than this is adjusted to preserve
8322 the layout relative to the first line. Should there be lines with less
8323 indentation than the first, these are left alone.
8325 @vindex org-export-ascii-links-to-notes
8326 Links will be exported in a footnote-like style, with the descriptive part in
8327 the text and the link in a note before the next heading. See the variable
8328 @code{org-export-ascii-links-to-notes} for details and other options.
8330 @node HTML export, LaTeX and PDF export, ASCII export, Exporting
8331 @section HTML export
8334 Org mode contains an HTML (XHTML 1.0 strict) exporter with extensive
8335 HTML formatting, in ways similar to John Gruber's @emph{markdown}
8336 language, but with additional support for tables.
8339 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
8340 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
8341 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
8342 * Images in HTML export:: How to insert figures into HTML output
8343 * Text areas in HTML export:: An alternative way to show an example
8344 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
8345 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
8348 @node HTML Export commands, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export, HTML export
8349 @subsection HTML export commands
8351 @cindex region, active
8352 @cindex active region
8353 @cindex transient-mark-mode
8357 Export as HTML file @file{myfile.html}. For an org file @file{myfile.org},
8358 the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.html}. The file will be overwritten
8359 without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this requires
8360 @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
8361 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
8362 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
8363 title. If the tree head entry has, or inherits, an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
8364 property, that name will be used for the export.
8367 Export as HTML file and immediately open it with a browser.
8370 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
8373 Export the active region to a temporary buffer. With a prefix argument, do
8374 not produce the file header and footer, but just the plain HTML section for
8375 the region. This is good for cut-and-paste operations.
8384 Export only the visible part of the document.
8385 @item M-x org-export-region-as-html
8386 Convert the region to HTML under the assumption that it was Org mode
8387 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
8389 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-HTML
8390 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by HTML
8394 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
8395 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become headlines,
8396 defining a general document structure. Additional levels will be exported as
8397 itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur at a different level,
8398 specify it with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
8405 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
8407 @node Quoting HTML tags, Links, HTML Export commands, HTML export
8408 @subsection Quoting HTML tags
8410 Plain @samp{<} and @samp{>} are always transformed to @samp{<} and
8411 @samp{>} in HTML export. If you want to include simple HTML tags
8412 which should be interpreted as such, mark them with @samp{@@} as in
8413 @samp{@@<b>bold text@@</b>}. Note that this really works only for
8414 simple tags. For more extensive HTML that should be copied verbatim to
8415 the exported file use either
8418 #+HTML: Literal HTML code for export
8422 @cindex #+BEGIN_HTML
8426 All lines between these markers are exported literally
8431 @node Links, Images in HTML export, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export
8434 @cindex links, in HTML export
8435 @cindex internal links, in HTML export
8436 @cindex external links, in HTML export
8437 Internal links (@pxref{Internal links}) will continue to work in HTML. This
8438 does include automatic links created by radio targets (@pxref{Radio
8439 targets}). Links to external files will still work if the target file is on
8440 the same @i{relative} path as the published Org file. Links to other
8441 @file{.org} files will be translated into HTML links under the assumption
8442 that an HTML version also exists of the linked file, at the same relative
8443 path. @samp{id:} links can then be used to jump to specific entries across
8444 files. For information related to linking files while publishing them to a
8445 publishing directory see @ref{Publishing links}.
8447 If you want to specify attributes for links, you can do so using a special
8448 @code{#+ATTR_HTML} line to define attributes that will be added to the
8449 @code{<a>} or @code{<img>} tags. Here is an example that sets @code{title}
8450 and @code{style} attributes for a link:
8453 #+ATTR_HTML: title="The Org-mode homepage" style="color:red;"
8454 [[http://orgmode.org]]
8457 @node Images in HTML export, Text areas in HTML export, Links, HTML export
8460 @cindex images, inline in HTML
8461 @cindex inlining images in HTML
8462 @vindex org-export-html-inline-images
8463 HTML export can inline images given as links in the Org file, and
8464 it can make an image the clickable part of a link. By
8465 default@footnote{but see the variable
8466 @code{org-export-html-inline-images}}, images are inlined if a link does
8467 not have a description. So @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg]]} will be inlined,
8468 while @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg][the image]]} will just produce a link
8469 @samp{the image} that points to the image. If the description part
8470 itself is a @code{file:} link or a @code{http:} URL pointing to an
8471 image, this image will be inlined and activated so that clicking on the
8472 image will activate the link. For example, to include a thumbnail that
8473 will link to a high resolution version of the image, you could use:
8476 [[file:highres.jpg][file:thumb.jpg]]
8479 If you need to add attributes to an inlines image, use a @code{#+ATTR_HTML},
8483 #+CAPTION: A black cat stalking a spider
8484 #+ATTR_HTML: alt="cat/spider image" title="one second before action"
8489 and you could use @code{http} addresses just as well.
8491 @node Text areas in HTML export, CSS support, Images in HTML export, HTML export
8492 @subsection Text areas
8494 @cindex text areas, in HTML
8495 An alternative way to publish literal code examples in HTML is to use text
8496 areas, where the example can even be edited before pasting it into an
8497 application. It is triggered by a @code{-t} switch at an @code{example} or
8498 @code{src} block. Using this switch disables any options for syntax and
8499 label highlighting, and line numbering, which may be present. You may also
8500 use @code{-h} and @code{-w} switches to specify the height and width of the
8501 text area, which default to the number of lines in the example, and 80,
8502 respectively. For example
8505 #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE -t -w 40
8506 (defun org-xor (a b)
8513 @node CSS support, Javascript support, Text areas in HTML export, HTML export
8514 @subsection CSS support
8515 @cindex CSS, for HTML export
8516 @cindex HTML export, CSS
8518 @vindex org-export-html-todo-kwd-class-prefix
8519 @vindex org-export-html-tag-class-prefix
8520 You can also give style information for the exported file. The HTML exporter
8521 assigns the following special CSS classes@footnote{If the classes on TODO
8522 keywords and tags lead to conflicts, use the variables
8523 @code{org-export-html-todo-kwd-class-prefix} and
8524 @code{org-export-html-tag-class-prefix} to make them unique.} to appropriate
8525 parts of the document - your style specifications may change these, in
8526 addition to any of the standard classes like for headlines, tables etc.
8528 p.author @r{author information, including email}
8529 p.date @r{publishing date}
8530 p.creator @r{creator info, about Org-mode version}
8531 .title @r{document title}
8532 .todo @r{TODO keywords, all not-done states}
8533 .done @r{the DONE keywords, all stated the count as done}
8534 .WAITING @r{each TODO keyword also uses a class named after itself}
8535 .timestamp @r{time stamp}
8536 .timestamp-kwd @r{keyword associated with a time stamp, like SCHEDULED}
8537 .tag @r{tag in a headline}
8538 ._HOME @r{each tag uses itself as a class, "@@" replaced by "_"}
8539 .target @r{target for links}
8540 .linenr @r{the line number in a code example}
8541 .code-highlighted @r{for highlighting referenced code lines}
8542 div.outline-N @r{div for outline level N (headline plus text))}
8543 div.outline-text-N @r{extra div for text at outline level N}
8544 .section-number-N @r{section number in headlines, different for each level}
8545 div.figure @r{how to format an inlined image}
8546 pre.src @r{formatted source code}
8547 pre.example @r{normal example}
8548 p.verse @r{verse paragraph}
8549 div.footnotes @r{footnote section headline}
8550 p.footnote @r{footnote definition paragraph, containing a footnote}
8551 .footref @r{a footnote reference number (always a <sup>)}
8552 .footnum @r{footnote number in footnote definition (always <sup>)}
8555 @vindex org-export-html-style-default
8556 @vindex org-export-html-style-include-default
8557 @vindex org-export-html-style
8558 @vindex org-export-html-extra
8559 @vindex org-export-html-style-default
8560 Each exported files contains a compact default style that defines these
8561 classes in a basic way@footnote{This style is defined in the constant
8562 @code{org-export-html-style-default}, which you should not modify. To turn
8563 inclusion of these defaults off, customize
8564 @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}}. You may overwrite these
8565 settings, or add to them by using the variables @code{org-export-html-style}
8566 (for Org-wide settings) and @code{org-export-html-style-extra} (for more
8567 granular settings, like file-local settings). To set the latter variable
8568 individually for each file, you can use
8571 #+STYLE: <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet.css" />
8575 For longer style definitions, you can use several such lines. You could also
8576 directly write a @code{<style>} @code{</style>} section in this way, without
8577 referring to an external file.
8579 @c FIXME: More about header and footer styles
8580 @c FIXME: Talk about links and targets.
8582 @node Javascript support, , CSS support, HTML export
8583 @subsection Javascript supported display of web pages
8585 @emph{Sebastian Rose} has written a JavaScript program especially designed to
8586 enhance the web viewing experience of HTML files created with Org. This
8587 program allows you to view large files in two different ways. The first one
8588 is an @emph{Info}-like mode where each section is displayed separately and
8589 navigation can be done with the @kbd{n} and @kbd{p} keys (and some other keys
8590 as well, press @kbd{?} for an overview of the available keys). The second
8591 view type is a @emph{folding} view much like Org provides inside Emacs. The
8592 script is available at @url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js} and you can find
8593 the documentation for it at @url{http://orgmode.org/worg/code/org-info-js/}.
8594 We are serving the script from our site, but if you use it a lot, you might
8595 not want to be dependent on @url{orgmode.org} and prefer to install a local
8596 copy on your own web server.
8598 To use the script, you need to make sure that the @file{org-jsinfo.el} module
8599 gets loaded. It should be loaded by default, but you can try @kbd{M-x
8600 customize-variable @key{RET} org-modules @key{RET}} to convince yourself that
8601 this is indeed the case. All it then takes to make use of the program is
8602 adding a single line to the Org file:
8605 #+INFOJS_OPT: view:info toc:nil
8609 If this line is found, the HTML header will automatically contain the code
8610 needed to invoke the script. Using the line above, you can set the following
8614 path: @r{The path to the script. The default is to grab the script from}
8615 @r{@url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js}, but you might want to have}
8616 @r{a local copy and use a path like @samp{../scripts/org-info.js}.}
8617 view: @r{Initial view when website is first shown. Possible values are:}
8618 info @r{Info-like interface with one section per page.}
8619 overview @r{Folding interface, initially showing only top-level.}
8620 content @r{Folding interface, starting with all headlines visible.}
8621 showall @r{Folding interface, all headlines and text visible.}
8622 sdepth: @r{Maximum headline level that will still become an independent}
8623 @r{section for info and folding modes. The default is taken from}
8624 @r{@code{org-headline-levels} (= the @code{H} switch in @code{#+OPTIONS}).}
8625 @r{If this is smaller than in @code{org-headline-levels}, each}
8626 @r{info/folding section can still contain children headlines.}
8627 toc: @r{Should the table of content @emph{initially} be visible?}
8628 @r{Even when @code{nil}, you can always get to the toc with @kbd{i}.}
8629 tdepth: @r{The depth of the table of contents. The defaults are taken from}
8630 @r{the variables @code{org-headline-levels} and @code{org-export-with-toc}.}
8631 ftoc: @r{Does the css of the page specify a fixed position for the toc?}
8632 @r{If yes, the toc will never be displayed as a section.}
8633 ltoc: @r{Should there be short contents (children) in each section?}
8634 @r{Make this @code{above} it the section should be above initial text.}
8635 mouse: @r{Headings are highlighted when the mouse is over them. Should be}
8636 @r{@samp{underline} (default) or a background color like @samp{#cccccc}.}
8637 buttons: @r{Should view-toggle buttons be everywhere? When @code{nil} (the}
8638 @r{default), only one such button will be present.}
8641 @vindex org-infojs-options
8642 @vindex org-export-html-use-infojs
8643 You can choose default values for these options by customizing the variable
8644 @code{org-infojs-options}. If you always want to apply the script to your
8645 pages, configure the variable @code{org-export-html-use-infojs}.
8647 @node LaTeX and PDF export, XOXO export, HTML export, Exporting
8648 @section LaTeX and PDF export
8649 @cindex LaTeX export
8652 Org mode contains a La@TeX{} exporter written by Bastien Guerry. With
8653 further processing, this backend is also used to produce PDF output. Since
8654 the LaTeX output uses @file{hyperref} to implement links and cross
8655 references, the PDF output file will be fully linked.
8658 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invokes which commands
8659 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
8660 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
8661 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to LaTeX
8662 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into LaTeX output
8665 @node LaTeX/PDF export commands, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX and PDF export, LaTeX and PDF export
8666 @subsection LaTeX export commands
8668 @cindex region, active
8669 @cindex active region
8670 @cindex transient-mark-mode
8674 Export as La@TeX{} file @file{myfile.tex}. For an org file
8675 @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.tex}. The file will
8676 be overwritten without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this
8677 requires @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
8678 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
8679 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
8680 title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
8681 property, that name will be used for the export.
8684 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
8689 Export only the visible part of the document.
8690 @item M-x org-export-region-as-latex
8691 Convert the region to La@TeX{} under the assumption that it was Org mode
8692 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
8694 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-latex
8695 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by La@TeX{}
8699 Export as LaTeX and then process to PDF.
8702 Export as LaTeX and then process to PDF, then open the resulting PDF file.
8705 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
8706 @vindex org-latex-low-levels
8707 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
8708 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
8709 will be exported as description lists. The exporter can ignore them or
8710 convert them to a custom string depending on
8711 @code{org-latex-low-levels}.
8713 If you want that transition to occur at a different level, specify it
8714 with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
8721 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
8723 @node Quoting LaTeX code, Sectioning structure, LaTeX/PDF export commands, LaTeX and PDF export
8724 @subsection Quoting LaTeX code
8726 Embedded La@TeX{} as described in @ref{Embedded LaTeX} will be correctly
8727 inserted into the La@TeX{} file. This includes simple macros like
8728 @samp{\ref@{LABEL@}} to create a cross reference to a figure. Furthermore,
8729 you can add special code that should only be present in La@TeX{} export with
8730 the following constructs:
8733 #+LaTeX: Literal LaTeX code for export
8737 @cindex #+BEGIN_LaTeX
8741 All lines between these markers are exported literally
8745 @node Sectioning structure, Tables in LaTeX export, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX and PDF export
8746 @subsection Sectioning structure
8748 @cindex LaTeX sectioning structure
8750 By default, the La@TeX{} output uses the class @code{article}.
8752 @vindex org-export-latex-default-class
8753 @vindex org-export-latex-classes
8754 @cindex #+LATEX_HEADER:
8755 You can change this globally by setting a different value for
8756 @code{org-export-latex-default-class} or locally by adding an option like
8757 @code{#+LaTeX_CLASS: myclass} in your file, or with a @code{:LaTeX_CLASS:}
8758 property that applies when exporting a region containing only this (sub)tree.
8759 The class should be listed in @code{org-export-latex-classes}, where you can
8760 also define the sectioning structure for each class, as well as defining
8761 additional classes. You can also use @code{#+LATEX_HEADER:
8762 \usepackage@{xyz@}} to add lines to the header.
8764 @node Tables in LaTeX export, Images in LaTeX export, Sectioning structure, LaTeX and PDF export
8765 @subsection Tables in LaTeX export
8766 @cindex tables, in LaTeX export
8768 For LaTeX export of a table, you can specify a label and a caption
8769 (@pxref{Markup rules}). You can also use the @code{ATTR_LaTeX} line to
8770 request a longtable environment for the table, so that it may span several
8774 #+CAPTION: A long table
8776 #+ATTR_LaTeX: longtable
8782 @node Images in LaTeX export, , Tables in LaTeX export, LaTeX and PDF export
8783 @subsection Images in LaTeX export
8784 @cindex images, inline in LaTeX
8785 @cindex inlining images in LaTeX
8787 Images that are linked to without a description part in the link, like
8788 @samp{[[file:img.jpg]]} or @samp{[[./img.jpg]]} will be inserted into the PDF
8789 output files resulting from LaTeX output. Org will use an
8790 @code{\includegraphics} macro to insert the image. If you have specified a
8791 caption and/or a label as described in @ref{Markup rules}, the figure will
8792 be wrapped into a @code{figure} environment and thus become a floating
8793 element. Finally, you can use an @code{#+ATTR_LaTeX:} line to specify the
8794 options that can be used in the optional argument of the
8795 @code{\includegraphics} macro.
8798 #+CAPTION: The black-body emission of the disk around HR 4049
8799 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
8800 #+ATTR_LaTeX: width=5cm,angle=90
8801 [[./img/sed-hr4049.pdf]]
8804 @vindex org-export-latex-inline-image-extensions
8805 If you need references to a label created in this way, write
8806 @samp{\ref@{fig:SED-HR4049@}} just like in LaTeX. The default settings will
8807 recognize files types that can be included as images during processing by
8808 pdflatex (@file{png}, @file{jpg}, and @file{pdf} files). If you process your
8809 files in a different way, you may need to customize the variable
8810 @code{org-export-latex-inline-image-extensions}.
8812 @node XOXO export, iCalendar export, LaTeX and PDF export, Exporting
8813 @section XOXO export
8816 Org mode contains an exporter that produces XOXO-style output.
8817 Currently, this exporter only handles the general outline structure and
8818 does not interpret any additional Org mode features.
8823 Export as XOXO file @file{myfile.html}.
8826 Export only the visible part of the document.
8829 @node iCalendar export, , XOXO export, Exporting
8830 @section iCalendar export
8831 @cindex iCalendar export
8833 @vindex org-icalendar-include-todo
8834 @vindex org-icalendar-use-deadline
8835 @vindex org-icalendar-use-scheduled
8836 @vindex org-icalendar-categories
8837 Some people like to use Org mode for keeping track of projects, but still
8838 prefer a standard calendar application for anniversaries and appointments.
8839 In this case it can be useful to have deadlines and other time-stamped items
8840 in Org files show up in the calendar application. Org mode can export
8841 calendar information in the standard iCalendar format. If you also want to
8842 have TODO entries included in the export, configure the variable
8843 @code{org-icalendar-include-todo}. iCalendar export will export plain time
8844 stamps as VEVENT, and TODO items as VTODO. It will also create events from
8845 deadlines that are in non-TODO items. Deadlines and scheduling dates in TODO
8846 items will be used to set the start and due dates for the todo
8847 entry@footnote{See the variables @code{org-icalendar-use-deadline} and
8848 @code{org-icalendar-use-scheduled}.}. As categories, it will use the tags
8849 locally defined in the heading, and the file/tree category@footnote{To add
8850 inherited tags or the TODO state, configure the variable
8851 @code{org-icalendar-categories}.}.
8853 @vindex org-icalendar-store-UID
8854 The iCalendar standard requires each entry to have a globally unique
8855 identifier (UID). Org creates these identifiers during export. If you set
8856 the variable @code{org-icalendar-store-UID}, the UID will be stored in the
8857 @code{:ID:} property of the entry and re-used next time you report this
8858 entry. Since a single entry can give rise to multiple iCalendar entries (as
8859 a timestamp, a deadline, a scheduled item, and as a TODO item), Org adds
8860 prefixes to the UID, depending on what triggered the inclusion of the entry.
8861 In this way the UID remains unique, but a synchronization program can still
8862 figure out from which entry all the different instances originate.
8867 Create iCalendar entries for the current file and store them in the same
8868 directory, using a file extension @file{.ics}.
8871 @vindex org-agenda-files
8872 Like @kbd{C-c C-e i}, but do this for all files in
8873 @code{org-agenda-files}. For each of these files, a separate iCalendar
8874 file will be written.
8877 @vindex org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file
8878 Create a single large iCalendar file from all files in
8879 @code{org-agenda-files} and write it to the file given by
8880 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}.
8883 @vindex org-use-property-inheritance
8884 @vindex org-icalendar-include-body
8885 The export will honor SUMMARY, DESCRIPTION and LOCATION@footnote{The LOCATION
8886 property can be inherited from higher in the hierarchy if you configure
8887 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} accordingly.} properties if the selected
8888 entries have them. If not, the summary will be derived from the headline,
8889 and the description from the body (limited to
8890 @code{org-icalendar-include-body} characters).
8892 How this calendar is best read and updated, that depends on the application
8893 you are using. The FAQ covers this issue.
8895 @node Publishing, Miscellaneous, Exporting, Top
8899 Org includes a publishing management system that allows you to configure
8900 automatic HTML conversion of @emph{projects} composed of interlinked org
8901 files. You can also configure Org to automatically upload your exported HTML
8902 pages and related attachments, such as images and source code files, to a web
8903 server. With htese features, Org becomes a web-site authoring tool.
8905 You can also use Org to convert files into PDF, or even combine HTML and PDF
8906 conversion so that files are available in both formats on the server.
8908 Publishing has been contributed to Org by David O'Toole.
8911 * Configuration:: Defining projects
8912 * Uploading files:: How to get files up on the server
8913 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
8914 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
8917 @node Configuration, Uploading files, Publishing, Publishing
8918 @section Configuration
8920 Publishing needs significant configuration to specify files, destination
8921 and many other properties of a project.
8924 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
8925 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
8926 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
8927 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
8928 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
8929 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
8930 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
8933 @node Project alist, Sources and destinations, Configuration, Configuration
8934 @subsection The variable @code{org-publish-project-alist}
8935 @cindex org-publish-project-alist
8936 @cindex projects, for publishing
8938 @vindex org-publish-project-alist
8939 Publishing is configured almost entirely through setting the value of one
8940 variable, called @code{org-publish-project-alist}. Each element of the list
8941 configures one project, and may be in one of the two following forms:
8944 ("project-name" :property value :property value ...)
8946 ("project-name" :components ("project-name" "project-name" ...))
8950 In both cases, projects are configured by specifying property values. A
8951 project defines the set of files that will be published, as well as the
8952 publishing configuration to use when publishing those files. When a project
8953 takes the second form listed above, the individual members of the
8954 @code{:components} property are taken to be sub-projects, which group
8955 together files requiring different publishing options. When you publish such
8956 a ``meta-project'', all the components will also be published, in the
8959 @node Sources and destinations, Selecting files, Project alist, Configuration
8960 @subsection Sources and destinations for files
8961 @cindex directories, for publishing
8963 Most properties are optional, but some should always be set. In
8964 particular, Org needs to know where to look for source files,
8965 and where to put published files.
8967 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
8968 @item @code{:base-directory}
8969 @tab Directory containing publishing source files
8970 @item @code{:publishing-directory}
8971 @tab Directory where output files will be published. You can directly
8972 publish to a webserver using a file name syntax appropriate for
8973 the Emacs @file{tramp} package. Or you can publish to a local directory and
8974 use external tools to upload your website (@pxref{Uploading files}).
8975 @item @code{:preparation-function}
8976 @tab Function called before starting the publishing process, for example to
8977 run @code{make} for updating files to be published.
8978 @item @code{:completion-function}
8979 @tab Function called after finishing the publishing process, for example to
8980 change permissions of the resulting files.
8984 @node Selecting files, Publishing action, Sources and destinations, Configuration
8985 @subsection Selecting files
8986 @cindex files, selecting for publishing
8988 By default, all files with extension @file{.org} in the base directory
8989 are considered part of the project. This can be modified by setting the
8991 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
8992 @item @code{:base-extension}
8993 @tab Extension (without the dot!) of source files. This actually is a
8994 regular expression. Set this to the symbol @code{any} if you want to get all
8995 files in @code{:base-directory}, even without extension.
8997 @item @code{:exclude}
8998 @tab Regular expression to match file names that should not be
8999 published, even though they have been selected on the basis of their
9002 @item @code{:include}
9003 @tab List of files to be included regardless of @code{:base-extension}
9004 and @code{:exclude}.
9007 @node Publishing action, Publishing options, Selecting files, Configuration
9008 @subsection Publishing action
9009 @cindex action, for publishing
9011 Publishing means that a file is copied to the destination directory and
9012 possibly transformed in the process. The default transformation is to export
9013 Org files as HTML files, and this is done by the function
9014 @code{org-publish-org-to-html} which calls the HTML exporter (@pxref{HTML
9015 export}). But you also can publish your as PDF files using
9016 @code{org-publish-org-to-pdf}. Other files like images only need to be
9017 copied to the publishing destination, for this you may use
9018 @code{org-publish-attachment}. For non-Org files, you always need to provide
9019 specify the publishing function:
9021 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
9022 @item @code{:publishing-function}
9023 @tab Function executing the publication of a file. This may also be a
9024 list of functions, which will all be called in turn.
9027 The function must accept two arguments: a property list containing at least a
9028 @code{:publishing-directory} property, and the name of the file to be
9029 published. It should take the specified file, make the necessary
9030 transformation (if any) and place the result into the destination folder.
9032 @node Publishing options, Publishing links, Publishing action, Configuration
9033 @subsection Options for the HTML/LaTeX exporters
9034 @cindex options, for publishing
9036 The property list can be used to set many export options for the HTML
9037 and La@TeX{} exporters. In most cases, these properties correspond to user
9038 variables in Org. The table below lists these properties along
9039 with the variable they belong to. See the documentation string for the
9040 respective variable for details.
9042 @vindex org-export-html-link-up
9043 @vindex org-export-html-link-home
9044 @vindex org-export-default-language
9045 @vindex org-display-custom-times
9046 @vindex org-export-headline-levels
9047 @vindex org-export-with-section-numbers
9048 @vindex org-export-section-number-format
9049 @vindex org-export-with-toc
9050 @vindex org-export-preserve-breaks
9051 @vindex org-export-with-archived-trees
9052 @vindex org-export-with-emphasize
9053 @vindex org-export-with-sub-superscripts
9054 @vindex org-export-with-special-strings
9055 @vindex org-export-with-footnotes
9056 @vindex org-export-with-drawers
9057 @vindex org-export-with-tags
9058 @vindex org-export-with-todo-keywords
9059 @vindex org-export-with-priority
9060 @vindex org-export-with-TeX-macros
9061 @vindex org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments
9062 @vindex org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading
9063 @vindex org-export-with-fixed-width
9064 @vindex org-export-with-timestamps
9065 @vindex org-export-author-info
9066 @vindex org-export-creator-info
9067 @vindex org-export-with-tables
9068 @vindex org-export-highlight-first-table-line
9069 @vindex org-export-html-style-include-default
9070 @vindex org-export-html-style
9071 @vindex org-export-html-style-extra
9072 @vindex org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html
9073 @vindex org-export-html-inline-images
9074 @vindex org-export-html-extension
9075 @vindex org-export-html-table-tag
9076 @vindex org-export-html-expand
9077 @vindex org-export-html-with-timestamp
9078 @vindex org-export-publishing-directory
9079 @vindex org-export-html-preamble
9080 @vindex org-export-html-postamble
9081 @vindex org-export-html-auto-preamble
9082 @vindex org-export-html-auto-postamble
9083 @vindex user-full-name
9084 @vindex user-mail-address
9085 @vindex org-export-select-tags
9086 @vindex org-export-exclude-tags
9088 @multitable @columnfractions 0.32 0.68
9089 @item @code{:link-up} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-up}
9090 @item @code{:link-home} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-home}
9091 @item @code{:language} @tab @code{org-export-default-language}
9092 @item @code{:customtime} @tab @code{org-display-custom-times}
9093 @item @code{:headline-levels} @tab @code{org-export-headline-levels}
9094 @item @code{:section-numbers} @tab @code{org-export-with-section-numbers}
9095 @item @code{:section-number-format} @tab @code{org-export-section-number-format}
9096 @item @code{:table-of-contents} @tab @code{org-export-with-toc}
9097 @item @code{:preserve-breaks} @tab @code{org-export-preserve-breaks}
9098 @item @code{:archived-trees} @tab @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}
9099 @item @code{:emphasize} @tab @code{org-export-with-emphasize}
9100 @item @code{:sub-superscript} @tab @code{org-export-with-sub-superscripts}
9101 @item @code{:special-strings} @tab @code{org-export-with-special-strings}
9102 @item @code{:footnotes} @tab @code{org-export-with-footnotes}
9103 @item @code{:drawers} @tab @code{org-export-with-drawers}
9104 @item @code{:tags} @tab @code{org-export-with-tags}
9105 @item @code{:todo-keywords} @tab @code{org-export-with-todo-keywords}
9106 @item @code{:priority} @tab @code{org-export-with-priority}
9107 @item @code{:TeX-macros} @tab @code{org-export-with-TeX-macros}
9108 @item @code{:LaTeX-fragments} @tab @code{org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments}
9109 @item @code{:skip-before-1st-heading} @tab @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading}
9110 @item @code{:fixed-width} @tab @code{org-export-with-fixed-width}
9111 @item @code{:timestamps} @tab @code{org-export-with-timestamps}
9112 @item @code{:author-info} @tab @code{org-export-author-info}
9113 @item @code{:creator-info} @tab @code{org-export-creator-info}
9114 @item @code{:tables} @tab @code{org-export-with-tables}
9115 @item @code{:table-auto-headline} @tab @code{org-export-highlight-first-table-line}
9116 @item @code{:style-include-default} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}
9117 @item @code{:style} @tab @code{org-export-html-style}
9118 @item @code{:style-extra} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-extra}
9119 @item @code{:convert-org-links} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html}
9120 @item @code{:inline-images} @tab @code{org-export-html-inline-images}
9121 @item @code{:html-extension} @tab @code{org-export-html-extension}
9122 @item @code{:html-table-tag} @tab @code{org-export-html-table-tag}
9123 @item @code{:expand-quoted-html} @tab @code{org-export-html-expand}
9124 @item @code{:timestamp} @tab @code{org-export-html-with-timestamp}
9125 @item @code{:publishing-directory} @tab @code{org-export-publishing-directory}
9126 @item @code{:preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-preamble}
9127 @item @code{:postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-postamble}
9128 @item @code{:auto-preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-preamble}
9129 @item @code{:auto-postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-postamble}
9130 @item @code{:author} @tab @code{user-full-name}
9131 @item @code{:email} @tab @code{user-mail-address} : @code{addr;addr;..}
9132 @item @code{:select-tags} @tab @code{org-export-select-tags}
9133 @item @code{:exclude-tags} @tab @code{org-export-exclude-tags}
9136 Most of the @code{org-export-with-*} variables have the same effect in
9137 both HTML and La@TeX{} exporters, except for @code{:TeX-macros} and
9138 @code{:LaTeX-fragments}, respectively @code{nil} and @code{t} in the
9141 @vindex org-publish-project-alist
9142 When a property is given a value in @code{org-publish-project-alist},
9143 its setting overrides the value of the corresponding user variable (if
9144 any) during publishing. Options set within a file (@pxref{Export
9145 options}), however, override everything.
9147 @node Publishing links, Project page index, Publishing options, Configuration
9148 @subsection Links between published files
9149 @cindex links, publishing
9151 To create a link from one Org file to another, you would use
9152 something like @samp{[[file:foo.org][The foo]]} or simply
9153 @samp{file:foo.org.} (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). Upon publishing this link
9154 becomes a link to @file{foo.html}. In this way, you can interlink the
9155 pages of your "org web" project and the links will work as expected when
9156 you publish them to HTML.
9158 You may also link to related files, such as images. Provided you are careful
9159 with relative pathnames, and provided you have also configured Org to upload
9160 the related files, these links will work too. See @ref{Complex example} for
9161 an example of this usage.
9163 Sometimes an Org file to be published may contain links that are
9164 only valid in your production environment, but not in the publishing
9165 location. In this case, use the property
9167 @multitable @columnfractions 0.4 0.6
9168 @item @code{:link-validation-function}
9169 @tab Function to validate links
9173 to define a function for checking link validity. This function must
9174 accept two arguments, the file name and a directory relative to which
9175 the file name is interpreted in the production environment. If this
9176 function returns @code{nil}, then the HTML generator will only insert a
9177 description into the HTML file, but no link. One option for this
9178 function is @code{org-publish-validate-link} which checks if the given
9179 file is part of any project in @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
9181 @node Project page index, , Publishing links, Configuration
9182 @subsection Project page index
9183 @cindex index, of published pages
9185 The following properties may be used to control publishing of an
9186 index of files or a summary page for a given project.
9188 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
9189 @item @code{:auto-index}
9190 @tab When non-nil, publish an index during @code{org-publish-current-project}
9191 or @code{org-publish-all}.
9193 @item @code{:index-filename}
9194 @tab Filename for output of index. Defaults to @file{sitemap.org} (which
9195 becomes @file{sitemap.html}).
9197 @item @code{:index-title}
9198 @tab Title of index page. Defaults to name of file.
9200 @item @code{:index-function}
9201 @tab Plug-in function to use for generation of index.
9202 Defaults to @code{org-publish-org-index}, which generates a plain list
9203 of links to all files in the project.
9206 @node Uploading files, Sample configuration, Configuration, Publishing
9207 @section Uploading files
9211 For those people already utilising third party sync tools such as
9212 @file{rsync} or @file{unison}, it might be preferable not to use the built in
9213 @i{remote} publishing facilities of Org-mode which rely heavily on
9214 @file{Tramp}. @file{Tramp}, while very useful and powerful, tends not to be
9215 so efficient for multiple file transfer and has been known to cause problems
9218 Specialised synchronization utilities offer several advantages. In addition
9219 to timestamp comparison, they also do content and permissions/attribute
9220 checks. For this reason you might prefer to publish your web to a local
9221 directory (possibly even @i{in place} with your Org files) and then use
9222 @file{unison} or @file{rsync} to do the synchronisation with the remote host.
9224 Since Unison (for example) can be configured as to which files to transfer to
9225 a certain remote destination, it can greatly simplify the project publishing
9226 definition. Simply keep all files in the correct location, process your Org
9227 files with @code{org-publish} and let the synchronization tool do the rest.
9228 You do not need, in this scenario, to include attachments such as @file{jpg},
9229 @file{css} or @file{gif} files in the project definition since the 3rd party
9232 Publishing to a local directory is also much faster than to a remote one, so
9233 that you can afford more easily to republish entire projects. If you set
9234 @code{org-publish-use-timestamps-flag} to @code{nil}, you gain the main
9235 benefit of re-including any changed external files such as source example
9236 files you might include with @code{#+INCLUDE}. The timestamp mechanism in
9237 Org is not smart enough to detect if included files have been modified.
9239 @node Sample configuration, Triggering publication, Uploading files, Publishing
9240 @section Sample configuration
9242 Below we provide two example configurations. The first one is a simple
9243 project publishing only a set of Org files. The second example is
9244 more complex, with a multi-component project.
9247 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
9248 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
9251 @node Simple example, Complex example, Sample configuration, Sample configuration
9252 @subsection Example: simple publishing configuration
9254 This example publishes a set of Org files to the @file{public_html}
9255 directory on the local machine.
9258 (setq org-publish-project-alist
9260 :base-directory "~/org/"
9261 :publishing-directory "~/public_html"
9262 :section-numbers nil
9263 :table-of-contents nil
9264 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
9265 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\"
9266 type=\"text/css\">")))
9269 @node Complex example, , Simple example, Sample configuration
9270 @subsection Example: complex publishing configuration
9272 This more complicated example publishes an entire website, including
9273 org files converted to HTML, image files, emacs lisp source code, and
9274 style sheets. The publishing-directory is remote and private files are
9277 To ensure that links are preserved, care should be taken to replicate
9278 your directory structure on the web server, and to use relative file
9279 paths. For example, if your org files are kept in @file{~/org} and your
9280 publishable images in @file{~/images}, you'd link to an image with
9283 file:../images/myimage.png
9286 On the web server, the relative path to the image should be the
9287 same. You can accomplish this by setting up an "images" folder in the
9288 right place on the web server, and publishing images to it.
9291 (setq org-publish-project-alist
9293 :base-directory "~/org/"
9294 :base-extension "org"
9295 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/notebook/"
9296 :publishing-function org-publish-org-to-html
9297 :exclude "PrivatePage.org" ;; regexp
9299 :section-numbers nil
9300 :table-of-contents nil
9301 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
9302 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\" type=\"text/css\">"
9304 :auto-postamble nil)
9307 :base-directory "~/images/"
9308 :base-extension "jpg\\|gif\\|png"
9309 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/images/"
9310 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
9313 :base-directory "~/other/"
9314 :base-extension "css\\|el"
9315 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/other/"
9316 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
9317 ("website" :components ("orgfiles" "images" "other"))))
9320 @node Triggering publication, , Sample configuration, Publishing
9321 @section Triggering publication
9323 Once properly configured, Org can publish with the following commands:
9327 Prompt for a specific project and publish all files that belong to it.
9329 Publish the project containing the current file.
9331 Publish only the current file.
9333 Publish all projects.
9336 @vindex org-publish-use-timestamps-flag
9337 Org uses timestamps to track when a file has changed. The above functions
9338 normally only publish changed files. You can override this and force
9339 publishing of all files by giving a prefix argument, or by customizing the
9340 variable @code{org-publish-use-timestamps-flag}. This may be necessary in
9341 particular if files include other files via @code{#+SETUPFILE:} or
9344 @node Miscellaneous, Hacking, Publishing, Top
9345 @chapter Miscellaneous
9348 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
9349 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
9350 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
9351 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
9352 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
9353 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
9354 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
9358 @node Completion, Customization, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous
9360 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
9361 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
9362 @cindex completion, of dictionary words
9363 @cindex completion, of option keywords
9364 @cindex completion, of tags
9365 @cindex completion, of property keys
9366 @cindex completion, of link abbreviations
9367 @cindex @TeX{} symbol completion
9368 @cindex TODO keywords completion
9369 @cindex dictionary word completion
9370 @cindex option keyword completion
9371 @cindex tag completion
9372 @cindex link abbreviations, completion of
9374 Org supports in-buffer completion. This type of completion does
9375 not make use of the minibuffer. You simply type a few letters into
9376 the buffer and use the key to complete text right there.
9381 Complete word at point
9384 At the beginning of a headline, complete TODO keywords.
9386 After @samp{\}, complete @TeX{} symbols supported by the exporter.
9388 After @samp{*}, complete headlines in the current buffer so that they
9389 can be used in search links like @samp{[[*find this headline]]}.
9391 After @samp{:} in a headline, complete tags. The list of tags is taken
9392 from the variable @code{org-tag-alist} (possibly set through the
9393 @samp{#+TAGS} in-buffer option, @pxref{Setting tags}), or it is created
9394 dynamically from all tags used in the current buffer.
9396 After @samp{:} and not in a headline, complete property keys. The list
9397 of keys is constructed dynamically from all keys used in the current
9400 After @samp{[}, complete link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}).
9402 After @samp{#+}, complete the special keywords like @samp{TYP_TODO} or
9403 @samp{OPTIONS} which set file-specific options for Org mode. When the
9404 option keyword is already complete, pressing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} again
9405 will insert example settings for this keyword.
9407 In the line after @samp{#+STARTUP: }, complete startup keywords,
9408 i.e. valid keys for this line.
9410 Elsewhere, complete dictionary words using Ispell.
9414 @node Customization, In-buffer settings, Completion, Miscellaneous
9415 @section Customization
9416 @cindex customization
9417 @cindex options, for customization
9418 @cindex variables, for customization
9420 There are more than 180 variables that can be used to customize
9421 Org. For the sake of compactness of the manual, I am not
9422 describing the variables here. A structured overview of customization
9423 variables is available with @kbd{M-x org-customize}. Or select
9424 @code{Browse Org Group} from the @code{Org->Customization} menu. Many
9425 settings can also be activated on a per-file basis, by putting special
9426 lines into the buffer (@pxref{In-buffer settings}).
9428 @node In-buffer settings, The very busy C-c C-c key, Customization, Miscellaneous
9429 @section Summary of in-buffer settings
9430 @cindex in-buffer settings
9431 @cindex special keywords
9433 Org mode uses special lines in the buffer to define settings on a
9434 per-file basis. These lines start with a @samp{#+} followed by a
9435 keyword, a colon, and then individual words defining a setting. Several
9436 setting words can be in the same line, but you can also have multiple
9437 lines for the keyword. While these settings are described throughout
9438 the manual, here is a summary. After changing any of those lines in the
9439 buffer, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to
9440 activate the changes immediately. Otherwise they become effective only
9441 when the file is visited again in a new Emacs session.
9443 @vindex org-archive-location
9445 @item #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
9446 This line sets the archive location for the agenda file. It applies for
9447 all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+ARCHIVE} line, or the end
9448 of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
9449 The corresponding variable is @code{org-archive-location}.
9451 This line sets the category for the agenda file. The category applies
9452 for all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+CATEGORY} line, or the
9453 end of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
9454 @item #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM .....
9455 Set the default format for columns view. This format applies when
9456 columns view is invoked in location where no @code{COLUMNS} property
9458 @item #+CONSTANTS: name1=value1 ...
9459 @vindex org-table-formula-constants
9460 @vindex org-table-formula
9461 Set file-local values for constants to be used in table formulas. This
9462 line set the local variable @code{org-table-formula-constants-local}.
9463 The global version of this variable is
9464 @code{org-table-formula-constants}.
9465 @item #+FILETAGS: :tag1:tag2:tag3:
9466 Set tags that can be inherited by any entry in the file, including the
9468 @item #+DRAWERS: NAME1 .....
9470 Set the file-local set of drawers. The corresponding global variable is
9472 @item #+LINK: linkword replace
9473 @vindex org-link-abbrev-alist
9474 These lines (several are allowed) specify link abbreviations.
9475 @xref{Link abbreviations}. The corresponding variable is
9476 @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}.
9477 @item #+PRIORITIES: highest lowest default
9478 @vindex org-highest-priority
9479 @vindex org-lowest-priority
9480 @vindex org-default-priority
9481 This line sets the limits and the default for the priorities. All three
9482 must be either letters A-Z or numbers 0-9. The highest priority must
9483 have a lower ASCII number that the lowest priority.
9484 @item #+PROPERTY: Property_Name Value
9485 This line sets a default inheritance value for entries in the current
9486 buffer, most useful for specifying the allowed values of a property.
9487 @item #+SETUPFILE: file
9488 This line defines a file that holds more in-buffer setup. Normally this is
9489 entirely ignored. Only when the buffer is parsed for option-setting lines
9490 (i.e. when starting Org mode for a file, when pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} in a
9491 settings line, or when exporting), then the contents of this file are parsed
9492 as if they had been included in the buffer. In particular, the file can be
9493 any other Org mode file with internal setup. You can visit the file the
9494 cursor is in the line with @kbd{C-c '}.
9496 @vindex org-startup-folded
9497 This line sets options to be used at startup of Org mode, when an
9498 Org file is being visited. The first set of options deals with the
9499 initial visibility of the outline tree. The corresponding variable for
9500 global default settings is @code{org-startup-folded}, with a default
9501 value @code{t}, which means @code{overview}.
9502 @cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
9503 @cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
9504 @cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
9506 overview @r{top-level headlines only}
9507 content @r{all headlines}
9508 showall @r{no folding at all, show everything}
9510 @vindex org-startup-align-all-tables
9511 Then there are options for aligning tables upon visiting a file. This
9512 is useful in files containing narrowed table columns. The corresponding
9513 variable is @code{org-startup-align-all-tables}, with a default value
9515 @cindex @code{align}, STARTUP keyword
9516 @cindex @code{noalign}, STARTUP keyword
9518 align @r{align all tables}
9519 noalign @r{don't align tables on startup}
9521 @vindex org-log-done
9522 @vindex org-log-note-clock-out
9523 @vindex org-log-repeat
9524 Logging closing and reinstating TODO items, and clock intervals
9525 (variables @code{org-log-done}, @code{org-log-note-clock-out}, and
9526 @code{org-log-repeat}) can be configured using these options.
9527 @cindex @code{logdone}, STARTUP keyword
9528 @cindex @code{lognotedone}, STARTUP keyword
9529 @cindex @code{nologdone}, STARTUP keyword
9530 @cindex @code{lognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
9531 @cindex @code{nolognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
9532 @cindex @code{logrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
9533 @cindex @code{lognoterepeat}, STARTUP keyword
9534 @cindex @code{nologrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
9536 logdone @r{record a timestamp when an item is marked DONE}
9537 lognotedone @r{record timestamp and a note when DONE}
9538 nologdone @r{don't record when items are marked DONE}
9539 logrepeat @r{record a time when reinstating a repeating item}
9540 lognoterepeat @r{record a note when reinstating a repeating item}
9541 nologrepeat @r{do not record when reinstating repeating item}
9542 lognoteclock-out @r{record a note when clocking out}
9543 nolognoteclock-out @r{don't record a note when clocking out}
9545 @vindex org-hide-leading-stars
9546 @vindex org-odd-levels-only
9547 Here are the options for hiding leading stars in outline headings, and for
9548 indenting outlines. The corresponding variables are
9549 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} and @code{org-odd-levels-only}, both with a
9550 default setting @code{nil} (meaning @code{showstars} and @code{oddeven}).
9551 @cindex @code{hidestars}, STARTUP keyword
9552 @cindex @code{showstars}, STARTUP keyword
9553 @cindex @code{odd}, STARTUP keyword
9554 @cindex @code{even}, STARTUP keyword
9556 hidestars @r{make all but one of the stars starting a headline invisible.}
9557 showstars @r{show all stars starting a headline}
9558 indent @r{virtual indentation according to outline level}
9559 noindent @r{no virtual indentation according to outline level}
9560 odd @r{allow only odd outline levels (1,3,...)}
9561 oddeven @r{allow all outline levels}
9563 @vindex org-put-time-stamp-overlays
9564 @vindex org-time-stamp-overlay-formats
9565 To turn on custom format overlays over time stamps (variables
9566 @code{org-put-time-stamp-overlays} and
9567 @code{org-time-stamp-overlay-formats}), use
9568 @cindex @code{customtime}, STARTUP keyword
9570 customtime @r{overlay custom time format}
9572 @vindex constants-unit-system
9573 The following options influence the table spreadsheet (variable
9574 @code{constants-unit-system}).
9575 @cindex @code{constcgs}, STARTUP keyword
9576 @cindex @code{constSI}, STARTUP keyword
9578 constcgs @r{@file{constants.el} should use the c-g-s unit system}
9579 constSI @r{@file{constants.el} should use the SI unit system}
9581 @vindex org-footnote-define-inline
9582 @vindex org-footnote-auto-label
9583 To influence footnote settings, use the following keywords. The
9584 corresponding variables are @code{org-footnote-define-inline} and
9585 @code{org-footnote-auto-label}.
9586 @cindex @code{fninline}, STARTUP keyword
9587 @cindex @code{fnnoinline}, STARTUP keyword
9588 @cindex @code{fnlocal}, STARTUP keyword
9589 @cindex @code{fnprompt}, STARTUP keyword
9590 @cindex @code{fnauto}, STARTUP keyword
9591 @cindex @code{fnconfirm}, STARTUP keyword
9592 @cindex @code{fnplain}, STARTUP keyword
9594 fninline @r{define footnotes inline}
9595 fnnoinline @r{define footnotes in separate section}
9596 fnlocal @r{define footnotes near first reference, but not inline}
9597 fnprompt @r{prompt for footnote labels}
9598 fnauto @r{create [fn:1]-like labels automatically (default)}
9599 fnconfirm @r{offer automatic label for editing or confirmation}
9600 fnplain @r{create [1]-like labels automatically}
9602 @item #+TAGS: TAG1(c1) TAG2(c2)
9603 @vindex org-tag-alist
9604 These lines (several such lines are allowed) specify the valid tags in
9605 this file, and (potentially) the corresponding @emph{fast tag selection}
9606 keys. The corresponding variable is @code{org-tag-alist}.
9608 This line contains the formulas for the table directly above the line.
9609 @item #+TITLE:, #+AUTHOR:, #+EMAIL:, #+LANGUAGE:, #+TEXT:, #+OPTIONS, #+DATE:,
9610 @itemx #+DESCRIPTION:, #+KEYWORDS:
9611 @itemx #+LATEX_HEADER:, #+STYLE:, #+LINK_UP:, #+LINK_HOME:,
9612 @itemx #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS:, #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS:
9613 These lines provide settings for exporting files. For more details see
9614 @ref{Export options}.
9615 @item #+TODO: #+SEQ_TODO: #+TYP_TODO:
9616 @vindex org-todo-keywords
9617 These lines set the TODO keywords and their interpretation in the
9618 current file. The corresponding variable is @code{org-todo-keywords}.
9621 @node The very busy C-c C-c key, Clean view, In-buffer settings, Miscellaneous
9622 @section The very busy C-c C-c key
9624 @cindex C-c C-c, overview
9626 The key @kbd{C-c C-c} has many purposes in Org, which are all
9627 mentioned scattered throughout this manual. One specific function of
9628 this key is to add @emph{tags} to a headline (@pxref{Tags}). In many
9629 other circumstances it means something like @emph{Hey Org, look
9630 here and update according to what you see here}. Here is a summary of
9631 what this means in different contexts.
9635 If there are highlights in the buffer from the creation of a sparse
9636 tree, or from clock display, remove these highlights.
9638 If the cursor is in one of the special @code{#+KEYWORD} lines, this
9639 triggers scanning the buffer for these lines and updating the
9642 If the cursor is inside a table, realign the table. This command
9643 works even if the automatic table editor has been turned off.
9645 If the cursor is on a @code{#+TBLFM} line, re-apply the formulas to
9648 If the cursor is inside a table created by the @file{table.el} package,
9649 activate that table.
9651 If the current buffer is a remember buffer, close the note and file it.
9652 With a prefix argument, file it, without further interaction, to the
9655 If the cursor is on a @code{<<<target>>>}, update radio targets and
9656 corresponding links in this buffer.
9658 If the cursor is in a property line or at the start or end of a property
9659 drawer, offer property commands.
9661 If the cursor is at a footnote reference, go to the corresponding
9662 definition, and vice versa.
9664 If the cursor is in a plain list item with a checkbox, toggle the status
9667 If the cursor is on a numbered item in a plain list, renumber the
9670 If the cursor is on the @code{#+BEGIN} line of a dynamical block, the
9674 @node Clean view, TTY keys, The very busy C-c C-c key, Miscellaneous
9675 @section A cleaner outline view
9676 @cindex hiding leading stars
9677 @cindex dynamic indentation
9678 @cindex odd-levels-only outlines
9679 @cindex clean outline view
9681 Some people find it noisy and distracting that the Org headlines are starting
9682 with a potentially large number of stars, and that text below the headlines
9683 is not indented. This is not really a problem when you are writing a book
9684 where the outline headings are really section headlines. However, in a more
9685 list-oriented outline, it is clear that an indented structure is a lot
9686 cleaner, as can be seen by comparing the two columns in the following
9691 * Top level headline | * Top level headline
9692 ** Second level | * Second level
9693 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
9694 some text | some text
9695 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
9696 more text | more text
9697 * Another top level headline | * Another top level headline
9702 It is non-trivial to make such a look work in Emacs, but Org contains three
9703 separate features that, combined, achieve just that.
9707 @emph{Indentation of text below headlines}@*
9708 You may indent text below each headline to make the left boundary line up
9709 with the headline, like
9713 more text, now indented
9716 @vindex org-adapt-indentation
9717 A good way to get this indentation is by hand, and Org supports this with
9718 paragraph filling, line wrapping, and structure editing@footnote{See also the
9719 variable @code{org-adapt-indentation}.} preserving or adapting the
9720 indentation appropriate. A different approach would be to have a way to
9721 automatically indent lines according to outline structure by adding overlays
9722 or text properties. But I have not yet found a robust and efficient way to
9723 do this in large files.
9726 @vindex org-hide-leading-stars
9727 @emph{Hiding leading stars}@* You can modify the display in such a way that
9728 all leading stars become invisible. To do this in a global way, configure
9729 the variable @code{org-hide-leading-stars} or change this on a per-file basis
9733 #+STARTUP: hidestars
9737 Note that the opposite behavior is selected with @code{showstars}.
9739 With hidden stars, the tree becomes:
9743 * Top level headline
9751 @vindex org-hide @r{(face)}
9752 Note that the leading stars are not truly replaced by whitespace, they
9753 are only fontified with the face @code{org-hide} that uses the
9754 background color as font color. If you are not using either white or
9755 black background, you may have to customize this face to get the wanted
9756 effect. Another possibility is to set this font such that the extra
9757 stars are @i{almost} invisible, for example using the color
9758 @code{grey90} on a white background.
9761 @cindex org-odd-levels-only
9762 Things become cleaner still if you skip all the even levels and use only odd
9763 levels 1, 3, 5..., effectively adding two stars to go from one outline level
9764 to the next@footnote{When you need to specify a level for a property search
9765 or refile targets, @samp{LEVEL=2} will correspond to 3 stars etc.}. In this
9766 way we get the outline view shown at the beginning of this section. In order
9767 to make the structure editing and export commands handle this convention
9768 correctly, configure the variable @code{org-odd-levels-only}, or set this on
9769 a per-file basis with one of the following lines:
9776 You can convert an Org file from single-star-per-level to the
9777 double-star-per-level convention with @kbd{M-x org-convert-to-odd-levels
9778 RET} in that file. The reverse operation is @kbd{M-x
9779 org-convert-to-oddeven-levels}.
9782 @node TTY keys, Interaction, Clean view, Miscellaneous
9783 @section Using Org on a tty
9784 @cindex tty key bindings
9786 Because Org contains a large number of commands, by default much of
9787 Org's core commands are bound to keys that are generally not
9788 accessible on a tty, such as the cursor keys (@key{left}, @key{right},
9789 @key{up}, @key{down}), @key{TAB} and @key{RET}, in particular when used
9790 together with modifiers like @key{Meta} and/or @key{Shift}. To access
9791 these commands on a tty when special keys are unavailable, the following
9792 alternative bindings can be used. The tty bindings below will likely be
9793 more cumbersome; you may find for some of the bindings below that a
9794 customized work-around suits you better. For example, changing a time
9795 stamp is really only fun with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, whereas on a
9796 tty you would rather use @kbd{C-c .} to re-insert the timestamp.
9798 @multitable @columnfractions 0.15 0.2 0.2
9799 @item @b{Default} @tab @b{Alternative 1} @tab @b{Alternative 2}
9800 @item @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C-u @key{TAB}} @tab
9801 @item @kbd{M-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x l} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{left}}
9802 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x L} @tab
9803 @item @kbd{M-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x i} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{right}}
9804 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x R} @tab
9805 @item @kbd{M-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x u} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{up}}
9806 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x U} @tab
9807 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x d} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{down}}
9808 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x D} @tab
9809 @item @kbd{S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x c} @tab
9810 @item @kbd{M-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x m} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{RET}}
9811 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x M} @tab
9812 @item @kbd{S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{left}} @tab
9813 @item @kbd{S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{right}} @tab
9814 @item @kbd{S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{up}} @tab
9815 @item @kbd{S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{down}} @tab
9816 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{left}} @tab
9817 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{right}} @tab
9821 @node Interaction, , TTY keys, Miscellaneous
9822 @section Interaction with other packages
9823 @cindex packages, interaction with other
9824 Org lives in the world of GNU Emacs and interacts in various ways
9825 with other code out there.
9828 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
9829 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
9832 @node Cooperation, Conflicts, Interaction, Interaction
9833 @subsection Packages that Org cooperates with
9836 @cindex @file{calc.el}
9837 @item @file{calc.el} by Dave Gillespie
9838 Org uses the Calc package for implementing spreadsheet
9839 functionality in its tables (@pxref{The spreadsheet}). Org
9840 checks for the availability of Calc by looking for the function
9841 @code{calc-eval} which should be autoloaded in your setup if Calc has
9842 been installed properly. As of Emacs 22, Calc is part of the Emacs
9843 distribution. Another possibility for interaction between the two
9844 packages is using Calc for embedded calculations. @xref{Embedded Mode,
9845 , Embedded Mode, Calc, GNU Emacs Calc Manual}.
9846 @cindex @file{constants.el}
9847 @item @file{constants.el} by Carsten Dominik
9848 @vindex org-table-formula-constants
9849 In a table formula (@pxref{The spreadsheet}), it is possible to use
9850 names for natural constants or units. Instead of defining your own
9851 constants in the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}, install
9852 the @file{constants} package which defines a large number of constants
9853 and units, and lets you use unit prefixes like @samp{M} for
9854 @samp{Mega} etc. You will need version 2.0 of this package, available
9855 at @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools}. Org checks for
9856 the function @code{constants-get}, which has to be autoloaded in your
9857 setup. See the installation instructions in the file
9858 @file{constants.el}.
9859 @item @file{cdlatex.el} by Carsten Dominik
9860 @cindex @file{cdlatex.el}
9861 Org mode can make use of the CDLaTeX package to efficiently enter
9862 La@TeX{} fragments into Org files. See @ref{CDLaTeX mode}.
9863 @item @file{imenu.el} by Ake Stenhoff and Lars Lindberg
9864 @cindex @file{imenu.el}
9865 Imenu allows menu access to an index of items in a file. Org mode
9866 supports Imenu - all you need to do to get the index is the following:
9868 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook
9869 (lambda () (imenu-add-to-menubar "Imenu")))
9871 @vindex org-imenu-depth
9872 By default the index is two levels deep - you can modify the depth using
9873 the option @code{org-imenu-depth}.
9874 @item @file{remember.el} by John Wiegley
9875 @cindex @file{remember.el}
9876 Org cooperates with remember, see @ref{Remember}.
9877 @file{Remember.el} is not part of Emacs, find it on the web.
9878 @item @file{speedbar.el} by Eric M. Ludlam
9879 @cindex @file{speedbar.el}
9880 Speedbar is a package that creates a special frame displaying files and
9881 index items in files. Org mode supports Speedbar and allows you to
9882 drill into Org files directly from the Speedbar. It also allows to
9883 restrict the scope of agenda commands to a file or a subtree by using
9884 the command @kbd{<} in the Speedbar frame.
9885 @cindex @file{table.el}
9886 @item @file{table.el} by Takaaki Ota
9888 @cindex table editor, @file{table.el}
9889 @cindex @file{table.el}
9891 Complex ASCII tables with automatic line wrapping, column- and
9892 row-spanning, and alignment can be created using the Emacs table
9893 package by Takaaki Ota (@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/table},
9894 and also part of Emacs 22).
9895 When @key{TAB} or @kbd{C-c C-c} is pressed in such a table, Org mode
9896 will call @command{table-recognize-table} and move the cursor into the
9897 table. Inside a table, the keymap of Org mode is inactive. In order
9898 to execute Org mode-related commands, leave the table.
9903 Recognize @file{table.el} table. Works when the cursor is in a
9908 Insert a table.el table. If there is already a table at point, this
9909 command converts it between the table.el format and the Org mode
9910 format. See the documentation string of the command
9911 @code{org-convert-table} for the restrictions under which this is
9914 @file{table.el} is part of Emacs 22.
9915 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
9916 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
9917 Org mode recognizes numerical footnotes as provided by this package.
9918 However, Org-mode also has its own footnote support (@pxref{Footnotes}),
9919 which makes using @file{footnote.el} unnecessary.
9922 @node Conflicts, , Cooperation, Interaction
9923 @subsection Packages that lead to conflicts with Org mode
9927 @cindex @code{shift-selection-mode}
9928 @vindex org-support-shift-select
9929 In Emacs 23, @code{shift-selection-mode} is on by default, meaning that
9930 cursor motions combined with the shift key should start or enlarge regions.
9931 This conflicts with the use of @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} commands in Org to change
9932 timestamps, TODO keywords, priorities, and item bullet types if the cursor is
9933 at such a location. By default, @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} commands outside
9934 special contexts don't do anything, but you can customize the variable
9935 @code{org-support-shift-select}. Org-mode then tries to accommodate shift
9936 selection by (i) using it outside of the special contexts where special
9937 commands apply, and by (ii) extending an existing active region even if the
9938 cursor moves across a special context.
9940 @cindex @file{CUA.el}
9941 @item @file{CUA.el} by Kim. F. Storm
9942 @vindex org-replace-disputed-keys
9943 Key bindings in Org conflict with the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys used by CUA mode
9944 (as well as pc-select-mode and s-region-mode) to select and extend the
9945 region. In fact, Emacs 23 has this built-in in the form of
9946 @code{shift-selection-mode}, see previous paragraph. If you are using Emacs
9947 23 you probably don't want to use another package for this purpose. However,
9948 if you prefer to leave these keys to a different package while working in
9949 Org-mode, configure the variable @code{org-replace-disputed-keys}. When set,
9950 Org will move the following key bindings in Org files, and in the agenda
9951 buffer (but not during date selection).
9954 S-UP -> M-p S-DOWN -> M-n
9955 S-LEFT -> M-- S-RIGHT -> M-+
9956 C-S-LEFT -> M-S-- C-S-RIGHT -> M-S-+
9959 @vindex org-disputed-keys
9960 Yes, these are unfortunately more difficult to remember. If you want
9961 to have other replacement keys, look at the variable
9962 @code{org-disputed-keys}.
9964 @item @file{windmove.el} by Hovav Shacham
9965 @cindex @file{windmove.el}
9966 Also this package uses the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys, so everything written
9967 in the paragraph above about CUA mode also applies here.
9971 @node Hacking, History and Acknowledgments, Miscellaneous, Top
9975 This appendix covers some aspects where users can extend the functionality of
9979 * Hooks:: Who to reach into Org's internals
9980 * Add-on packages:: Available extensions
9981 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
9982 * Context-sensitive commands:: How to add functioality to such commands
9983 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
9984 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
9985 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
9986 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
9987 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
9990 @node Hooks, Add-on packages, Hacking, Hacking
9994 Org has a large number of hook variables that can be used to add
9995 functionality to it. This appendix about hacking is going to illustrate the
9996 use of some of them. A complete list of all hooks with documentation is
9997 maintained by the worg project and can be found at
9998 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-configs/org-hooks.php}.
10000 @node Add-on packages, Adding hyperlink types, Hooks, Hacking
10001 @section Add-on packages
10002 @cindex add-on packages
10004 A large number of add-on packages have been written by various authors.
10005 These packages are not part of Emacs, but they are distributed as contributed
10006 packages with the separate release available at the Org-mode home page at
10007 @uref{http://orgmode.org}. The list of contributed packages, along with
10008 documentation about each package, is maintained by the Worg project at
10009 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-contrib/}.
10013 @node Adding hyperlink types, Context-sensitive commands, Add-on packages, Hacking
10014 @section Adding hyperlink types
10015 @cindex hyperlinks, adding new types
10017 Org has a large number of hyperlink types built-in
10018 (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). If you would like to add new link types, it
10019 provides an interface for doing so. Let's look at an example file
10020 @file{org-man.el} that will add support for creating links like
10021 @samp{[[man:printf][The printf manpage]]} to show Unix manual pages inside
10025 ;;; org-man.el - Support for links to manpages in Org
10029 (org-add-link-type "man" 'org-man-open)
10030 (add-hook 'org-store-link-functions 'org-man-store-link)
10032 (defcustom org-man-command 'man
10033 "The Emacs command to be used to display a man page."
10035 :type '(choice (const man) (const woman)))
10037 (defun org-man-open (path)
10038 "Visit the manpage on PATH.
10039 PATH should be a topic that can be thrown at the man command."
10040 (funcall org-man-command path))
10042 (defun org-man-store-link ()
10043 "Store a link to a manpage."
10044 (when (memq major-mode '(Man-mode woman-mode))
10045 ;; This is a man page, we do make this link
10046 (let* ((page (org-man-get-page-name))
10047 (link (concat "man:" page))
10048 (description (format "Manpage for %s" page)))
10049 (org-store-link-props
10052 :description description))))
10054 (defun org-man-get-page-name ()
10055 "Extract the page name from the buffer name."
10056 ;; This works for both `Man-mode' and `woman-mode'.
10057 (if (string-match " \\(\\S-+\\)\\*" (buffer-name))
10058 (match-string 1 (buffer-name))
10059 (error "Cannot create link to this man page")))
10063 ;;; org-man.el ends here
10067 You would activate this new link type in @file{.emacs} with
10074 Let's go through the file and see what it does.
10077 It does @code{(require 'org)} to make sure that @file{org.el} has been
10080 The next line calls @code{org-add-link-type} to define a new link type
10081 with prefix @samp{man}. The call also contains the name of a function
10082 that will be called to follow such a link.
10084 @vindex org-store-link-functions
10085 The next line adds a function to @code{org-store-link-functions}, in
10086 order to allow the command @kbd{C-c l} to record a useful link in a
10087 buffer displaying a man page.
10090 The rest of the file defines the necessary variables and functions.
10091 First there is a customization variable that determines which emacs
10092 command should be used to display man pages. There are two options,
10093 @code{man} and @code{woman}. Then the function to follow a link is
10094 defined. It gets the link path as an argument - in this case the link
10095 path is just a topic for the manual command. The function calls the
10096 value of @code{org-man-command} to display the man page.
10098 Finally the function @code{org-man-store-link} is defined. When you try
10099 to store a link with @kbd{C-c l}, also this function will be called to
10100 try to make a link. The function must first decide if it is supposed to
10101 create the link for this buffer type, we do this by checking the value
10102 of the variable @code{major-mode}. If not, the function must exit and
10103 return the value @code{nil}. If yes, the link is created by getting the
10104 manual topic from the buffer name and prefixing it with the string
10105 @samp{man:}. Then it must call the command @code{org-store-link-props}
10106 and set the @code{:type} and @code{:link} properties. Optionally you
10107 can also set the @code{:description} property to provide a default for
10108 the link description when the link is later inserted into an Org
10109 buffer with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
10111 @node Context-sensitive commands, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Adding hyperlink types, Hacking
10112 @section Context-sensitive commands
10113 @cindex context-sensitive commands, hooks
10114 @cindex add-ons, context-sensitive commands
10115 @vindex org-ctrl-c-ctrl-c-hook
10117 Org has several commands that act differently depending on context. The most
10118 important example it the @kbd{C-c C-c} (@pxref{The very busy C-c C-c key}).
10119 Also the @kbd{M-cursor} and @kbd{M-S-cursor} keys do have this property.
10121 Add-ons can tap into this functionality by providing a function that detects
10122 special context for that add-on and executes functionality appropriate for
10123 the context. Here is an example from Dan Davison's @file{org-R.el} which
10124 allows to evaluate commands based on the @file{R} programming language. For
10125 this package, special contexts are lines that start with @code{#+R:} or
10129 (defun org-R-apply-maybe ()
10130 "Detect if this is context for org-R and execute R commands."
10131 (if (save-excursion
10132 (beginning-of-line 1)
10133 (looking-at "#\\+RR?:"))
10134 (progn (call-interactively 'org-R-apply)
10135 t) ;; to signal that we took action
10136 nil)) ;; to signal that we did not
10138 (add-hook 'org-ctrl-c-ctrl-c-hook 'org-R-apply-maybe)
10141 The function first checks if the cursor is in such a line. If that is the
10142 case, @code{org-R-apply} is called and the function returns @code{t} to
10143 signal that action was taken, and @kbd{C-c C-c} will stop looking for other
10144 contexts. If the function finds it should do nothing locally, it returns @code{nil} so that other, similar functions can have a try.
10147 @node Tables in arbitrary syntax, Dynamic blocks, Context-sensitive commands, Hacking
10148 @section Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
10149 @cindex tables, in other modes
10150 @cindex lists, in other modes
10151 @cindex Orgtbl mode
10153 Since Orgtbl mode can be used as a minor mode in arbitrary buffers, a
10154 frequent feature request has been to make it work with native tables in
10155 specific languages, for example La@TeX{}. However, this is extremely
10156 hard to do in a general way, would lead to a customization nightmare,
10157 and would take away much of the simplicity of the Orgtbl mode table
10161 This appendix describes a different approach. We keep the Orgtbl mode
10162 table in its native format (the @i{source table}), and use a custom
10163 function to @i{translate} the table to the correct syntax, and to
10164 @i{install} it in the right location (the @i{target table}). This puts
10165 the burden of writing conversion functions on the user, but it allows
10166 for a very flexible system.
10168 Bastien added the ability to do the same with lists. You can use Org's
10169 facilities to edit and structure lists by turning @code{orgstruct-mode}
10170 on, then locally exporting such lists in another format (HTML, La@TeX{}
10175 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
10176 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
10177 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
10178 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
10181 @node Radio tables, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Tables in arbitrary syntax
10182 @subsection Radio tables
10183 @cindex radio tables
10185 To define the location of the target table, you first need to create two
10186 lines that are comments in the current mode, but contain magic words for
10187 Orgtbl mode to find. Orgtbl mode will insert the translated table
10188 between these lines, replacing whatever was there before. For example:
10191 /* BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
10192 /* END RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
10196 Just above the source table, we put a special line that tells
10197 Orgtbl mode how to translate this table and where to install it. For
10200 #+ORGTBL: SEND table_name translation_function arguments....
10204 @code{table_name} is the reference name for the table that is also used
10205 in the receiver lines. @code{translation_function} is the Lisp function
10206 that does the translation. Furthermore, the line can contain a list of
10207 arguments (alternating key and value) at the end. The arguments will be
10208 passed as a property list to the translation function for
10209 interpretation. A few standard parameters are already recognized and
10210 acted upon before the translation function is called:
10214 Skip the first N lines of the table. Hlines do count as separate lines for
10217 @item :skipcols (n1 n2 ...)
10218 List of columns that should be skipped. If the table has a column with
10219 calculation marks, that column is automatically discarded as well.
10220 Please note that the translator function sees the table @emph{after} the
10221 removal of these columns, the function never knows that there have been
10222 additional columns.
10226 The one problem remaining is how to keep the source table in the buffer
10227 without disturbing the normal workings of the file, for example during
10228 compilation of a C file or processing of a La@TeX{} file. There are a
10229 number of different solutions:
10233 The table could be placed in a block comment if that is supported by the
10234 language. For example, in C mode you could wrap the table between
10235 @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} lines.
10237 Sometimes it is possible to put the table after some kind of @i{END}
10238 statement, for example @samp{\bye} in TeX and @samp{\end@{document@}}
10241 You can just comment the table line by line whenever you want to process
10242 the file, and uncomment it whenever you need to edit the table. This
10243 only sounds tedious - the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-toggle-comment} does
10244 make this comment-toggling very easy, in particular if you bind it to a
10248 @node A LaTeX example, Translator functions, Radio tables, Tables in arbitrary syntax
10249 @subsection A LaTeX example of radio tables
10250 @cindex LaTeX, and Orgtbl mode
10252 The best way to wrap the source table in La@TeX{} is to use the
10253 @code{comment} environment provided by @file{comment.sty}. It has to be
10254 activated by placing @code{\usepackage@{comment@}} into the document
10255 header. Orgtbl mode can insert a radio table skeleton@footnote{By
10256 default this works only for La@TeX{}, HTML, and Texinfo. Configure the
10257 variable @code{orgtbl-radio-tables} to install templates for other
10258 modes.} with the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-insert-radio-table}. You will
10259 be prompted for a table name, let's say we use @samp{salesfigures}. You
10260 will then get the following template:
10262 @cindex #+ORGTBL: SEND
10264 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
10265 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
10267 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
10273 @vindex LaTeX-verbatim-environments
10274 The @code{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line tells Orgtbl mode to use the function
10275 @code{orgtbl-to-latex} to convert the table into La@TeX{} and to put it
10276 into the receiver location with name @code{salesfigures}. You may now
10277 fill in the table, feel free to use the spreadsheet features@footnote{If
10278 the @samp{#+TBLFM} line contains an odd number of dollar characters,
10279 this may cause problems with font-lock in LaTeX mode. As shown in the
10280 example you can fix this by adding an extra line inside the
10281 @code{comment} environment that is used to balance the dollar
10282 expressions. If you are using AUCTeX with the font-latex library, a
10283 much better solution is to add the @code{comment} environment to the
10284 variable @code{LaTeX-verbatim-environments}.}:
10287 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
10288 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
10290 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
10291 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
10292 |-------+------+---------+---------|
10293 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
10294 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
10295 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
10296 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
10297 % $ (optional extra dollar to keep font-lock happy, see footnote)
10302 When you are done, press @kbd{C-c C-c} in the table to get the converted
10303 table inserted between the two marker lines.
10305 Now let's assume you want to make the table header by hand, because you
10306 want to control how columns are aligned etc. In this case we make sure
10307 that the table translator does skip the first 2 lines of the source
10308 table, and tell the command to work as a @i{splice}, i.e. to not produce
10309 header and footer commands of the target table:
10312 \begin@{tabular@}@{lrrr@}
10313 Month & \multicolumn@{1@}@{c@}@{Days@} & Nr.\ sold & per day\\
10314 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
10315 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
10319 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex :splice t :skip 2
10320 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
10321 |-------+------+---------+---------|
10322 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
10323 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
10324 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
10325 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
10329 The La@TeX{} translator function @code{orgtbl-to-latex} is already part of
10330 Orgtbl mode. It uses a @code{tabular} environment to typeset the table
10331 and marks horizontal lines with @code{\hline}. Furthermore, it
10332 interprets the following parameters (see also @ref{Translator functions}):
10335 @item :splice nil/t
10336 When set to t, return only table body lines, don't wrap them into a
10337 tabular environment. Default is nil.
10340 A format to be used to wrap each field, should contain @code{%s} for the
10341 original field value. For example, to wrap each field value in dollars,
10342 you could use @code{:fmt "$%s$"}. This may also be a property list with
10343 column numbers and formats. for example @code{:fmt (2 "$%s$" 4 "%s\\%%")}.
10344 A function of one argument can be used in place of the strings; the
10345 function must return a formatted string.
10348 Use this format to print numbers with exponentials. The format should
10349 have @code{%s} twice for inserting mantissa and exponent, for example
10350 @code{"%s\\times10^@{%s@}"}. The default is @code{"%s\\,(%s)"}. This
10351 may also be a property list with column numbers and formats, for example
10352 @code{:efmt (2 "$%s\\times10^@{%s@}$" 4 "$%s\\cdot10^@{%s@}$")}. After
10353 @code{efmt} has been applied to a value, @code{fmt} will also be
10354 applied. Similar to @code{fmt}, functions of two arguments can be
10355 supplied instead of strings.
10358 @node Translator functions, Radio lists, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax
10359 @subsection Translator functions
10360 @cindex HTML, and Orgtbl mode
10361 @cindex translator function
10363 Orgtbl mode has several translator functions built-in: @code{orgtbl-to-csv}
10364 (comma-separated values), @code{orgtbl-to-tsv} (TAB-separated values)
10365 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-html}, and @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}.
10366 Except for @code{orgtbl-to-html}@footnote{The HTML translator uses the same
10367 code that produces tables during HTML export.}, these all use a generic
10368 translator, @code{orgtbl-to-generic}. For example, @code{orgtbl-to-latex}
10369 itself is a very short function that computes the column definitions for the
10370 @code{tabular} environment, defines a few field and line separators and then
10371 hands over to the generic translator. Here is the entire code:
10375 (defun orgtbl-to-latex (table params)
10376 "Convert the Orgtbl mode TABLE to LaTeX."
10377 (let* ((alignment (mapconcat (lambda (x) (if x "r" "l"))
10378 org-table-last-alignment ""))
10381 :tstart (concat "\\begin@{tabular@}@{" alignment "@}")
10382 :tend "\\end@{tabular@}"
10383 :lstart "" :lend " \\\\" :sep " & "
10384 :efmt "%s\\,(%s)" :hline "\\hline")))
10385 (orgtbl-to-generic table (org-combine-plists params2 params))))
10389 As you can see, the properties passed into the function (variable
10390 @var{PARAMS}) are combined with the ones newly defined in the function
10391 (variable @var{PARAMS2}). The ones passed into the function (i.e. the
10392 ones set by the @samp{ORGTBL SEND} line) take precedence. So if you
10393 would like to use the La@TeX{} translator, but wanted the line endings to
10394 be @samp{\\[2mm]} instead of the default @samp{\\}, you could just
10395 overrule the default with
10398 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-latex :lend " \\\\[2mm]"
10401 For a new language, you can either write your own converter function in
10402 analogy with the La@TeX{} translator, or you can use the generic function
10403 directly. For example, if you have a language where a table is started
10404 with @samp{!BTBL!}, ended with @samp{!ETBL!}, and where table lines are
10405 started with @samp{!BL!}, ended with @samp{!EL!} and where the field
10406 separator is a TAB, you could call the generic translator like this (on
10410 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-generic :tstart "!BTBL!" :tend "!ETBL!"
10411 :lstart "!BL! " :lend " !EL!" :sep "\t"
10415 Please check the documentation string of the function
10416 @code{orgtbl-to-generic} for a full list of parameters understood by
10417 that function and remember that you can pass each of them into
10418 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}, and any other function
10419 using the generic function.
10421 Of course you can also write a completely new function doing complicated
10422 things the generic translator cannot do. A translator function takes
10423 two arguments. The first argument is the table, a list of lines, each
10424 line either the symbol @code{hline} or a list of fields. The second
10425 argument is the property list containing all parameters specified in the
10426 @samp{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line. The function must return a single string
10427 containing the formatted table. If you write a generally useful
10428 translator, please post it on @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} so that
10429 others can benefit from your work.
10431 @node Radio lists, , Translator functions, Tables in arbitrary syntax
10432 @subsection Radio lists
10433 @cindex radio lists
10434 @cindex org-list-insert-radio-list
10436 Sending and receiving radio lists works exactly the same way than
10437 sending and receiving radio tables (@pxref{Radio tables}) @footnote{You
10438 need to load the @code{org-export-latex.el} package to use radio lists
10439 since the relevant code is there for now.}. As for radio tables, you
10440 can insert radio lists templates in HTML, La@TeX{} and Texinfo modes by
10441 calling @code{org-list-insert-radio-list}.
10443 Here are the differences with radio tables:
10447 Use @code{ORGLST} instead of @code{ORGTBL}.
10449 The available translation functions for radio lists don't take
10452 `C-c C-c' will work when pressed on the first item of the list.
10455 Here is a La@TeX{} example. Let's say that you have this in your
10459 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
10460 % END RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
10462 #+ORGLIST: SEND to-buy orgtbl-to-latex
10471 Pressing `C-c C-c' on @code{a new house} and will insert the converted
10472 La@TeX{} list between the two marker lines.
10474 @node Dynamic blocks, Special agenda views, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking
10475 @section Dynamic blocks
10476 @cindex dynamic blocks
10478 Org documents can contain @emph{dynamic blocks}. These are
10479 specially marked regions that are updated by some user-written function.
10480 A good example for such a block is the clock table inserted by the
10481 command @kbd{C-c C-x C-r} (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
10483 Dynamic block are enclosed by a BEGIN-END structure that assigns a name
10484 to the block and can also specify parameters for the function producing
10485 the content of the block.
10487 #+BEGIN:dynamic block
10489 #+BEGIN: myblock :parameter1 value1 :parameter2 value2 ...
10494 Dynamic blocks are updated with the following commands
10497 @kindex C-c C-x C-u
10499 Update dynamic block at point.
10500 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
10501 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
10502 Update all dynamic blocks in the current file.
10505 Updating a dynamic block means to remove all the text between BEGIN and
10506 END, parse the BEGIN line for parameters and then call the specific
10507 writer function for this block to insert the new content. If you want
10508 to use the original content in the writer function, you can use the
10509 extra parameter @code{:content}.
10511 For a block with name @code{myblock}, the writer function is
10512 @code{org-dblock-write:myblock} with as only parameter a property list
10513 with the parameters given in the begin line. Here is a trivial example
10514 of a block that keeps track of when the block update function was last
10518 #+BEGIN: block-update-time :format "on %m/%d/%Y at %H:%M"
10524 The corresponding block writer function could look like this:
10527 (defun org-dblock-write:block-update-time (params)
10528 (let ((fmt (or (plist-get params :format) "%d. %m. %Y")))
10529 (insert "Last block update at: "
10530 (format-time-string fmt (current-time)))))
10533 If you want to make sure that all dynamic blocks are always up-to-date,
10534 you could add the function @code{org-update-all-dblocks} to a hook, for
10535 example @code{before-save-hook}. @code{org-update-all-dblocks} is
10536 written in a way that is does nothing in buffers that are not in
10539 @node Special agenda views, Using the property API, Dynamic blocks, Hacking
10540 @section Special agenda views
10541 @cindex agenda views, user-defined
10543 Org provides a special hook that can be used to narrow down the
10544 selection made by any of the agenda views. You may specify a function
10545 that is used at each match to verify if the match should indeed be part
10546 of the agenda view, and if not, how much should be skipped.
10548 Let's say you want to produce a list of projects that contain a WAITING
10549 tag anywhere in the project tree. Let's further assume that you have
10550 marked all tree headings that define a project with the TODO keyword
10551 PROJECT. In this case you would run a TODO search for the keyword
10552 PROJECT, but skip the match unless there is a WAITING tag anywhere in
10553 the subtree belonging to the project line.
10555 To achieve this, you must write a function that searches the subtree for
10556 the tag. If the tag is found, the function must return @code{nil} to
10557 indicate that this match should not be skipped. If there is no such
10558 tag, return the location of the end of the subtree, to indicate that
10559 search should continue from there.
10562 (defun my-skip-unless-waiting ()
10563 "Skip trees that are not waiting"
10564 (let ((subtree-end (save-excursion (org-end-of-subtree t))))
10565 (if (re-search-forward ":waiting:" subtree-end t)
10566 nil ; tag found, do not skip
10567 subtree-end))) ; tag not found, continue after end of subtree
10570 Now you may use this function in an agenda custom command, for example
10574 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
10575 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
10576 ((org-agenda-skip-function 'my-skip-unless-waiting)
10577 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
10580 @vindex org-agenda-overriding-header
10581 Note that this also binds @code{org-agenda-overriding-header} to get a
10582 meaningful header in the agenda view.
10584 @vindex org-odd-levels-only
10585 @vindex org-agenda-skip-function
10586 A general way to create custom searches is to base them on a search for
10587 entries with a certain level limit. If you want to study all entries with
10588 your custom search function, simply do a search for
10589 @samp{LEVEL>0}@footnote{Note that, when using @code{org-odd-levels-only}, a
10590 level number corresponds to order in the hierarchy, not to the number of
10591 stars.}, and then use @code{org-agenda-skip-function} to select the entries
10592 you really want to have.
10594 You may also put a Lisp form into @code{org-agenda-skip-function}. In
10595 particular, you may use the functions @code{org-agenda-skip-entry-if}
10596 and @code{org-agenda-skip-subtree-if} in this form, for example:
10599 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled)
10600 Skip current entry if it has been scheduled.
10601 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'notscheduled)
10602 Skip current entry if it has not been scheduled.
10603 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'deadline)
10604 Skip current entry if it has a deadline.
10605 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled 'deadline)
10606 Skip current entry if it has a deadline, or if it is scheduled.
10607 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'timestamp)
10608 Skip current entry if it has any timestamp, may also be deadline or scheduled.
10609 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'regexp "regular expression")
10610 Skip current entry if the regular expression matches in the entry.
10611 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'notregexp "regular expression")
10612 Skip current entry unless the regular expression matches.
10613 @item '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if 'regexp "regular expression")
10614 Same as above, but check and skip the entire subtree.
10617 Therefore we could also have written the search for WAITING projects
10618 like this, even without defining a special function:
10621 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
10622 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
10623 ((org-agenda-skip-function '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if
10624 'regexp ":waiting:"))
10625 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
10628 @node Using the property API, Using the mapping API, Special agenda views, Hacking
10629 @section Using the property API
10630 @cindex API, for properties
10631 @cindex properties, API
10633 Here is a description of the functions that can be used to work with
10636 @defun org-entry-properties &optional pom which
10637 Get all properties of the entry at point-or-marker POM.
10638 This includes the TODO keyword, the tags, time strings for deadline,
10639 scheduled, and clocking, and any additional properties defined in the
10640 entry. The return value is an alist, keys may occur multiple times
10641 if the property key was used several times.
10642 POM may also be nil, in which case the current entry is used.
10643 If WHICH is nil or `all', get all properties. If WHICH is
10644 `special' or `standard', only get that subclass.
10646 @vindex org-use-property-inheritance
10647 @defun org-entry-get pom property &optional inherit
10648 Get value of PROPERTY for entry at point-or-marker POM. By default,
10649 this only looks at properties defined locally in the entry. If INHERIT
10650 is non-nil and the entry does not have the property, then also check
10651 higher levels of the hierarchy. If INHERIT is the symbol
10652 @code{selective}, use inheritance if and only if the setting of
10653 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} selects PROPERTY for inheritance.
10656 @defun org-entry-delete pom property
10657 Delete the property PROPERTY from entry at point-or-marker POM.
10660 @defun org-entry-put pom property value
10661 Set PROPERTY to VALUE for entry at point-or-marker POM.
10664 @defun org-buffer-property-keys &optional include-specials
10665 Get all property keys in the current buffer.
10668 @defun org-insert-property-drawer
10669 Insert a property drawer at point.
10672 @defun org-entry-put-multivalued-property pom property &rest values
10673 Set PROPERTY at point-or-marker POM to VALUES. VALUES should be a list of
10674 strings. They will be concatenated, with spaces as separators.
10677 @defun org-entry-get-multivalued-property pom property
10678 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10679 values and return the values as a list of strings.
10682 @defun org-entry-add-to-multivalued-property pom property value
10683 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10684 values and make sure that VALUE is in this list.
10687 @defun org-entry-remove-from-multivalued-property pom property value
10688 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10689 values and make sure that VALUE is @emph{not} in this list.
10692 @defun org-entry-member-in-multivalued-property pom property value
10693 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10694 values and check if VALUE is in this list.
10697 @node Using the mapping API, , Using the property API, Hacking
10698 @section Using the mapping API
10699 @cindex API, for mapping
10700 @cindex mapping entries, API
10702 Org has sophisticated mapping capabilities to find all entries satisfying
10703 certain criteria. Internally, this functionality is used to produce agenda
10704 views, but there is also an API that can be used to execute arbitrary
10705 functions for each or selected entries. The main entry point for this API
10708 @defun org-map-entries func &optional match scope &rest skip
10709 Call FUNC at each headline selected by MATCH in SCOPE.
10711 FUNC is a function or a lisp form. The function will be called without
10712 arguments, with the cursor positioned at the beginning of the headline.
10713 The return values of all calls to the function will be collected and
10714 returned as a list.
10716 MATCH is a tags/property/todo match as it is used in the agenda match view.
10717 Only headlines that are matched by this query will be considered during
10718 the iteration. When MATCH is nil or t, all headlines will be
10719 visited by the iteration.
10721 SCOPE determines the scope of this command. It can be any of:
10724 nil @r{the current buffer, respecting the restriction if any}
10725 tree @r{the subtree started with the entry at point}
10726 file @r{the current buffer, without restriction}
10728 @r{the current buffer, and any archives associated with it}
10729 agenda @r{all agenda files}
10730 agenda-with-archives
10731 @r{all agenda files with any archive files associated with them}
10733 @r{if this is a list, all files in the list will be scanned}
10736 The remaining args are treated as settings for the skipping facilities of
10737 the scanner. The following items can be given here:
10739 @vindex org-agenda-skip-function
10741 archive @r{skip trees with the archive tag}
10742 comment @r{skip trees with the COMMENT keyword}
10743 function or Lisp form
10744 @r{will be used as value for @code{org-agenda-skip-function},}
10745 @r{so whenever the function returns t, FUNC}
10746 @r{will not be called for that entry and search will}
10747 @r{continue from the point where the function leaves it}
10751 The function given to that mapping routine can really do anything you like.
10752 It can use the property API (@pxref{Using the property API}) to gather more
10753 information about the entry, or in order to change metadata in the entry.
10754 Here are a couple of functions that might be handy:
10756 @defun org-todo &optional arg
10757 Change the TODO state of the entry, see the docstring of the functions for
10758 the many possible values for the argument ARG.
10761 @defun org-priority &optional action
10762 Change the priority of the entry, see the docstring of this function for the
10763 possible values for ACTION.
10766 @defun org-toggle-tag tag &optional onoff
10767 Toggle the tag TAG in the current entry. Setting ONOFF to either @code{on}
10768 or @code{off} will not toggle tag, but ensure that it is either on or off.
10772 Promote the current entry.
10776 Demote the current entry.
10779 Here is a simple example that will turn all entries in the current file with
10780 a tag @code{TOMORROW} into TODO entries with the keyword @code{UPCOMING}.
10781 Entries in comment trees and in archive trees will be ignored.
10785 '(org-todo "UPCOMING")
10786 "+TOMORROW" 'file 'archive 'comment)
10789 The following example counts the number of entries with TODO keyword
10790 @code{WAITING}, in all agenda files.
10793 (length (org-map-entries t "/+WAITING" 'agenda))
10796 @node History and Acknowledgments, Main Index, Hacking, Top
10797 @appendix History and Acknowledgments
10798 @cindex acknowledgments
10802 Org was borne in 2003, out of frustration over the user interface
10803 of the Emacs Outline mode. I was trying to organize my notes and
10804 projects, and using Emacs seemed to be the natural way to go. However,
10805 having to remember eleven different commands with two or three keys per
10806 command, only to hide and show parts of the outline tree, that seemed
10807 entirely unacceptable to me. Also, when using outlines to take notes, I
10808 constantly want to restructure the tree, organizing it parallel to my
10809 thoughts and plans. @emph{Visibility cycling} and @emph{structure
10810 editing} were originally implemented in the package
10811 @file{outline-magic.el}, but quickly moved to the more general
10812 @file{org.el}. As this environment became comfortable for project
10813 planning, the next step was adding @emph{TODO entries}, basic @emph{time
10814 stamps}, and @emph{table support}. These areas highlight the two main
10815 goals that Org still has today: To create a new, outline-based,
10816 plain text mode with innovative and intuitive editing features, and to
10817 incorporate project planning functionality directly into a notes file.
10819 A special thanks goes to @i{Bastien Guerry} who has not only written a large
10820 number of extensions to Org (most of them integrated into the core by now),
10821 but has also helped the development and maintenance of Org so much that he
10822 should be considered the main co-contributor to this package.
10824 Since the first release, literally thousands of emails to me or on
10825 @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} have provided a constant stream of bug
10826 reports, feedback, new ideas, and sometimes patches and add-on code.
10827 Many thanks to everyone who has helped to improve this package. I am
10828 trying to keep here a list of the people who had significant influence
10829 in shaping one or more aspects of Org. The list may not be
10830 complete, if I have forgotten someone, please accept my apologies and
10836 @i{Russel Adams} came up with the idea for drawers.
10838 @i{Thomas Baumann} wrote @file{org-bbdb.el} and @file{org-mhe.el}.
10840 @i{Christophe Bataillon} created the great unicorn logo that we use on the
10843 @i{Alex Bochannek} provided a patch for rounding time stamps.
10845 @i{Tom Breton} wrote @file{org-choose.el}.
10847 @i{Charles Cave}'s suggestion sparked the implementation of templates
10850 @i{Pavel Chalmoviansky} influenced the agenda treatment of items with
10853 @i{Gregory Chernov} patched support for lisp forms into table
10854 calculations and improved XEmacs compatibility, in particular by porting
10855 @file{nouline.el} to XEmacs.
10857 @i{Sacha Chua} suggested to copy some linking code from Planner.
10859 @i{Eddward DeVilla} proposed and tested checkbox statistics. He also
10860 came up with the idea of properties, and that there should be an API for
10863 @i{Nick Dokos} tracked down several nasty bugs.
10865 @i{Kees Dullemond} used to edit projects lists directly in HTML and so
10866 inspired some of the early development, including HTML export. He also
10867 asked for a way to narrow wide table columns.
10869 @i{Christian Egli} converted the documentation into Texinfo format,
10870 patched CSS formatting into the HTML exporter, and inspired the agenda.
10872 @i{David Emery} provided a patch for custom CSS support in exported
10875 @i{Nic Ferrier} contributed mailcap and XOXO support.
10877 @i{Miguel A. Figueroa-Villanueva} implemented hierarchical checkboxes.
10879 @i{John Foerch} figured out how to make incremental search show context
10880 around a match in a hidden outline tree.
10882 @i{Niels Giesen} had the idea to automatically archive DONE trees.
10884 @i{Bastien Guerry} wrote the La@TeX{} exporter and @file{org-bibtex.el}, and
10885 has been prolific with patches, ideas, and bug reports.
10887 @i{Kai Grossjohann} pointed out key-binding conflicts with other packages.
10889 @i{Bernt Hansen} has driven much of the support for auto-repeating tasks,
10890 task state change logging, and the clocktable. His clear explanations have
10891 been critical when we started to adopt the GIT version control system.
10893 @i{Manuel Hermenegildo} has contributed various ideas, small fixed and
10896 @i{Phil Jackson} wrote @file{org-irc.el}.
10898 @i{Scott Jaderholm} proposed footnotes, control over whitespace between
10899 folded entries, and column view for properties.
10901 @i{Tokuya Kameshima} wrote @file{org-wl.el} and @file{org-mew.el}.
10903 @i{Shidai Liu} ("Leo") asked for embedded La@TeX{} and tested it. He also
10904 provided frequent feedback and some patches.
10906 @i{Matt Lundin} has proposed last-row references for table formulas and named
10907 invisible anchors. He has also worked a lot on the FAQ.
10909 @i{Jason F. McBrayer} suggested agenda export to CSV format.
10911 @i{Max Mikhanosha} came up with the idea of refiling.
10913 @i{Dmitri Minaev} sent a patch to set priority limits on a per-file
10916 @i{Stefan Monnier} provided a patch to keep the Emacs-Lisp compiler
10919 @i{Rick Moynihan} proposed to allow multiple TODO sequences in a file
10920 and to be able to quickly restrict the agenda to a subtree.
10922 @i{Todd Neal} provided patches for links to Info files and elisp forms.
10924 @i{Tim O'Callaghan} suggested in-file links, search options for general
10925 file links, and TAGS.
10927 @i{Takeshi Okano} translated the manual and David O'Toole's tutorial
10930 @i{Oliver Oppitz} suggested multi-state TODO items.
10932 @i{Scott Otterson} sparked the introduction of descriptive text for
10933 links, among other things.
10935 @i{Pete Phillips} helped during the development of the TAGS feature, and
10936 provided frequent feedback.
10938 @i{Martin Pohlack} provided the code snippet to bundle character insertion
10939 into bundles of 20 for undo.
10941 @i{T.V. Raman} reported bugs and suggested improvements.
10943 @i{Matthias Rempe} (Oelde) provided ideas, Windows support, and quality
10946 @i{Paul Rivier} provided the basic implementation of named footnotes.
10948 @i{Kevin Rogers} contributed code to access VM files on remote hosts.
10950 @i{Sebastian Rose} wrote @file{org-info.js}, a Java script for displaying
10951 webpages derived from Org using an Info-like, or a folding interface with
10952 single key navigation.
10954 @i{Frank Ruell} solved the mystery of the @code{keymapp nil} bug, a
10955 conflict with @file{allout.el}.
10957 @i{Jason Riedy} generalized the send-receive mechanism for orgtbl tables with
10960 @i{Philip Rooke} created the Org reference card, provided lots
10961 of feedback, developed and applied standards to the Org documentation.
10963 @i{Christian Schlauer} proposed angular brackets around links, among
10966 @i{Eric Schulte} wrote @file{org-plot.el}.
10968 Linking to VM/BBDB/Gnus was first inspired by @i{Tom Shannon}'s
10969 @file{organizer-mode.el}.
10971 @i{Ilya Shlyakhter} proposed the Archive Sibling, line numbering in literal
10972 examples, and remote highlighting for referenced code lines.
10974 @i{Stathis Sideris} wrote the @file{ditaa.jar} ASCII to PNG converter that is
10975 now packaged into Org's @file{contrib} directory.
10977 @i{Daniel Sinder} came up with the idea of internal archiving by locking
10980 @i{Dale Smith} proposed link abbreviations.
10982 @i{James TD Smith} has contributed a large number of patches for useful
10983 tweaks and features.
10985 @i{Adam Spiers} asked for global linking commands, inspired the link
10986 extension system, added support for mairix, and proposed the mapping API.
10988 @i{Andy Stewart} contributed code to @file{org-w3m.el}, to copy HTML content
10989 with links transformation to Org syntax.
10991 @i{David O'Toole} wrote @file{org-publish.el} and drafted the manual
10992 chapter about publishing.
10994 @i{J@"urgen Vollmer} contributed code generating the table of contents
10997 @i{Chris Wallace} provided a patch implementing the @samp{QUOTE}
11000 @i{David Wainberg} suggested archiving, and improvements to the linking
11003 @i{John Wiegley} wrote @file{emacs-wiki.el}, @file{planner.el}, and
11004 @file{muse.el}, which have some overlap with Org. Initially the development
11005 of Org was fully independent because I was not aware of the existence of
11006 these packages. But with time I have occasionally looked at John's code and
11007 learned a lot from it. John has also contributed a number of great ideas and
11008 patches directly to Org, including the attachment system
11009 (@file{org-attach.el}), integration with Apple Mail
11010 (@file{org-mac-message.el}), and hierarchical dependencies of TODO items.
11012 @i{Carsten Wimmer} suggested some changes and helped fix a bug in
11015 @i{Roland Winkler} requested additional key bindings to make Org
11018 @i{Piotr Zielinski} wrote @file{org-mouse.el}, proposed agenda blocks
11019 and contributed various ideas and code snippets.
11023 @node Main Index, Key Index, History and Acknowledgments, Top
11024 @unnumbered Concept Index
11028 @node Key Index, Variable and Faces Index, Main Index, Top
11029 @unnumbered Key Index
11033 @node Variable and Faces Index, , Key Index, Top
11034 @unnumbered Variable Index
11036 This is not a complete index of variables and faces, only the ones that are
11037 mentioned in the manual. For a more complete list, use @kbd{M-x
11038 org-customize @key{RET}} and then klick yourself through the tree.
11045 arch-tag: 7893d1Fe-cc57-4d13-b5e5-f494a1CBC7ac
11048 @c Local variables:
11049 @c ispell-local-dictionary: "en_US-w_accents"
11050 @c ispell-local-pdict: "./.aspell.org.pws"