4 @setfilename ../../info/org
5 @settitle The Org Manual
10 @c Use proper quote and backtick for code sections in PDF output
11 @c Cf. Texinfo manual 14.2
12 @set txicodequoteundirected
13 @set txicodequotebacktick
15 @c Version and Contact Info
16 @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://orgmode.org,maintainers webpage}
17 @set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik
18 @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
19 @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{carsten at orgmode dot org}
20 @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:carsten at orgmode dot org,contact the maintainer}
26 @c @hyphenation{time-stamp time-stamps time-stamp-ing time-stamp-ed}
41 @c Subheadings inside a table.
42 @macro tsubheading{text}
52 This manual is for Org version @value{VERSION}.
54 Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Free Software Foundation
57 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
58 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
59 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
60 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
61 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license
62 is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License.''
64 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
65 modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
66 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
68 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
69 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
70 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
71 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
77 * Org Mode: (org). Outline-based notes management and organizer
83 @subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
84 @author by Carsten Dominik
85 with contributions by David O'Toole, Bastien Guerry, Philip Rooke, Dan Davison, Eric Schulte, and Thomas Dye
87 @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
89 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
93 @c Output the table of contents at the beginning.
97 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
104 * Introduction:: Getting started
105 * Document Structure:: A tree works like your brain
106 * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting
107 * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context
108 * TODO Items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item
109 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
110 * Properties and Columns:: Storing information about an entry
111 * Dates and Times:: Making items useful for planning
112 * Capture - Refile - Archive:: The ins and outs for projects
113 * Agenda Views:: Collecting information into views
114 * Markup:: Prepare text for rich export
115 * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes
116 * Publishing:: Create a web site of linked Org files
117 * Working With Source Code:: Export, evaluate, and tangle code blocks
118 * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
119 * Hacking:: How to hack your way around
120 * MobileOrg:: Viewing and capture on a mobile device
121 * History and Acknowledgments:: How Org came into being
122 * Main Index:: An index of Org's concepts and features
123 * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described
124 * Variable Index:: Variables mentioned in the manual
127 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
131 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
132 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
133 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
134 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
135 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
139 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
140 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
141 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
142 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
143 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
144 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
145 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
146 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
147 * Blocks:: Folding blocks
148 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
149 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
153 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
154 * Column width and alignment:: Overrule the automatic settings
155 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
156 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
157 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
158 * Org-Plot:: Plotting from org tables
162 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
163 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
164 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
165 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
166 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
167 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
168 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
169 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
173 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
174 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
175 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
176 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
177 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
178 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
179 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
180 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
184 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
188 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
189 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
190 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
191 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
192 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
193 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
195 Extended use of TODO keywords
197 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
198 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
199 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
200 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
201 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
202 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
203 * TODO dependencies:: When one task needs to wait for others
207 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
208 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
209 * Tracking your habits:: How consistent have you been?
213 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
214 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
215 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
217 Properties and columns
219 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
220 * Special properties:: Access to other Org-mode features
221 * Property searches:: Matching property values
222 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
223 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
224 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
228 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
229 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
230 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
234 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
235 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
239 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
240 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
241 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
242 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
243 * Resolving idle time:: Resolving time if you've been idle
244 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
245 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
249 * The date/time prompt:: How Org-mode helps you entering date and time
250 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
252 Deadlines and scheduling
254 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
255 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
257 Capture - Refile - Archive
259 * Capture:: Capturing new stuff
260 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks
261 * RSS Feeds:: Getting input from RSS feeds
262 * Protocols:: External (e.g. Browser) access to Emacs and Org
263 * Refiling notes:: Moving a tree from one place to another
264 * Archiving:: What to do with finished projects
268 * Setting up capture:: Where notes will be stored
269 * Using capture:: Commands to invoke and terminate capture
270 * Capture templates:: Define the outline of different note types
274 * Template elements:: What is needed for a complete template entry
275 * Template expansion:: Filling in information about time and context
279 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
280 * Internal archiving:: Switch off a tree but keep it in the file
284 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
285 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
286 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
287 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
288 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
289 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
290 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing a view to a file
291 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
293 The built-in agenda views
295 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
296 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
297 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
298 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
299 * Search view:: Find entries by searching for text
300 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
302 Presentation and sorting
304 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
305 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
306 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
310 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
311 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
312 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
314 Markup for rich export
316 * Structural markup elements:: The basic structure as seen by the exporter
317 * Images and tables:: Tables and Images will be included
318 * Literal examples:: Source code examples with special formatting
319 * Include files:: Include additional files into a document
320 * Index entries:: Making an index
321 * Macro replacement:: Use macros to create complex output
322 * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX can be freely used inside Org documents
324 Structural markup elements
326 * Document title:: Where the title is taken from
327 * Headings and sections:: The document structure as seen by the exporter
328 * Table of contents:: The if and where of the table of contents
329 * Initial text:: Text before the first heading?
331 * Paragraphs:: Paragraphs
332 * Footnote markup:: Footnotes
333 * Emphasis and monospace:: Bold, italic, etc.
334 * Horizontal rules:: Make a line
335 * Comment lines:: What will *not* be exported
339 * Special symbols:: Greek letters and other symbols
340 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
341 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
342 * Previewing LaTeX fragments:: What will this snippet look like?
343 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
347 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
348 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
349 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
350 * ASCII/Latin-1/UTF-8 export:: Exporting to flat files with encoding
351 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
352 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to La@TeX{}, and processing to PDF
353 * DocBook export:: Exporting to DocBook
354 * TaskJuggler export:: Exporting to TaskJuggler
355 * Freemind export:: Exporting to Freemind mind maps
356 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
357 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
361 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
362 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org-mode
363 * Links in HTML export:: How links will be interpreted and formatted
364 * Tables in HTML export:: How to modify the formatting of tables
365 * Images in HTML export:: How to insert figures into HTML output
366 * Text areas in HTML export:: An alternative way to show an example
367 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
368 * JavaScript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
370 La@TeX{} and PDF export
372 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invokes which commands
373 * Header and sectioning:: Setting up the export file structure
374 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal La@TeX{} code
375 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to La@TeX{}
376 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into La@TeX{} output
377 * Beamer class export:: Turning the file into a presentation
381 * DocBook export commands:: How to invoke DocBook export
382 * Quoting DocBook code:: Incorporating DocBook code in Org files
383 * Recursive sections:: Recursive sections in DocBook
384 * Tables in DocBook export:: Tables are exported as HTML tables
385 * Images in DocBook export:: How to insert figures into DocBook output
386 * Special characters:: How to handle special characters
390 * Configuration:: Defining projects
391 * Uploading files:: How to get files up on the server
392 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
393 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
397 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
398 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
399 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
400 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
401 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
402 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
403 * Sitemap:: Generating a list of all pages
404 * Generating an index:: An index that reaches across pages
408 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
409 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
411 Working with source code
413 * Structure of code blocks:: Code block syntax described
414 * Editing source code:: Language major-mode editing
415 * Exporting code blocks:: Export contents and/or results
416 * Extracting source code:: Create pure source code files
417 * Evaluating code blocks:: Place results of evaluation in the Org-mode buffer
418 * Library of Babel:: Use and contribute to a library of useful code blocks
419 * Languages:: List of supported code block languages
420 * Header arguments:: Configure code block functionality
421 * Results of evaluation:: How evaluation results are handled
422 * Noweb reference syntax:: Literate programming in Org-mode
423 * Key bindings and useful functions:: Work quickly with code blocks
424 * Batch execution:: Call functions from the command line
428 * Using header arguments:: Different ways to set header arguments
429 * Specific header arguments:: List of header arguments
431 Using header arguments
433 * System-wide header arguments:: Set global default values
434 * Language-specific header arguments:: Set default values by language
435 * Buffer-wide header arguments:: Set default values for a specific buffer
436 * Header arguments in Org-mode properties:: Set default values for a buffer or heading
437 * Code block specific header arguments:: The most common way to set values
439 Specific header arguments
441 * var:: Pass arguments to code blocks
442 * results:: Specify the type of results and how they will be collected and handled
443 * file:: Specify a path for file output
444 * dir:: Specify the default directory for code block execution
445 * exports:: Export code and/or results
446 * tangle:: Toggle tangling and specify file name
447 * no-expand:: Turn off variable assignment and noweb expansion during tangling
448 * session:: Preserve the state of code evaluation
449 * noweb:: Toggle expansion of noweb references
450 * cache:: Avoid re-evaluating unchanged code blocks
451 * hlines:: Handle horizontal lines in tables
452 * colnames:: Handle column names in tables
453 * rownames:: Handle row names in tables
454 * shebang:: Make tangled files executable
458 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
459 * Speed keys:: Electric commands at the beginning of a headline
460 * Code evaluation security:: Org mode files evaluate inline code
461 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
462 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
463 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
464 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
465 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
466 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
468 Interaction with other packages
470 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
471 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
475 * Hooks:: Who to reach into Org's internals
476 * Add-on packages:: Available extensions
477 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
478 * Context-sensitive commands:: How to add functionality to such commands
479 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for La@TeX{} and other programs
480 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
481 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
482 * Extracting agenda information:: Postprocessing of agenda information
483 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
484 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
486 Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
488 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving radio tables
489 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
490 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
491 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
495 * Setting up the staging area:: Where to interact with the mobile device
496 * Pushing to MobileOrg:: Uploading Org files and agendas
497 * Pulling from MobileOrg:: Integrating captured and flagged items
502 @node Introduction, Document Structure, Top, Top
503 @chapter Introduction
507 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
508 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
509 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
510 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
511 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
514 @node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction
518 Org is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, and doing
519 project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.
521 Org develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
522 lists or information about projects as plain text. Org is
523 implemented on top of Outline mode, which makes it possible to keep the
524 content of large files well structured. Visibility cycling and
525 structure editing help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created
526 with a built-in table editor. Org supports TODO items, deadlines,
527 timestamps, and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an
528 agenda that utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar
529 and diary. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails,
530 Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects.
531 For printing and sharing of notes, an Org file can be exported as a
532 structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (TODO and agenda items only) as an
533 iCalendar file. It can also serve as a publishing tool for a set of
536 As a project planning environment, Org works by adding metadata to outline
537 nodes. Based on this data, specific entries can be extracted in queries and
538 create dynamic @i{agenda views}.
540 Org mode contains the Org Babel environment which allows to work with
541 embedded source code block in a file, to facilitate code evaluation,
542 documentation, and tangling.
544 Org's automatic, context-sensitive table editor with spreadsheet
545 capabilities can be integrated into any major mode by activating the
546 minor Orgtbl mode. Using a translation step, it can be used to maintain
547 tables in arbitrary file types, for example in La@TeX{}. The structure
548 editing and list creation capabilities can be used outside Org with
549 the minor Orgstruct mode.
551 Org keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should
552 feel like a straightforward, easy to use outliner. Complexity is not
553 imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you need
554 it. Org is a toolbox and can be used in different ways and for different
558 @r{@bullet{} an outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
559 @r{@bullet{} an ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
560 @r{@bullet{} a TODO list editor}
561 @r{@bullet{} a full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
562 @pindex GTD, Getting Things Done
563 @r{@bullet{} an environment in which to implement David Allen's GTD system}
564 @r{@bullet{} a simple hypertext system, with HTML and La@TeX{} export}
565 @r{@bullet{} a publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages}
566 @r{@bullet{} an environment for literate programming}
571 There is a website for Org which provides links to the newest
572 version of Org, as well as additional information, frequently asked
573 questions (FAQ), links to tutorials, etc@. This page is located at
574 @uref{http://orgmode.org}.
579 @node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction
580 @section Installation
584 @b{Important:} @i{If you are using a version of Org that is part of the Emacs
585 distribution or an XEmacs package, please skip this section and go directly
586 to @ref{Activation}.}
588 If you have downloaded Org from the Web, either as a distribution @file{.zip}
589 or @file{.tar} file, or as a Git archive, you must take the following steps
590 to install it: go into the unpacked Org distribution directory and edit the
591 top section of the file @file{Makefile}. You must set the name of the Emacs
592 binary (likely either @file{emacs} or @file{xemacs}), and the paths to the
593 directories where local Lisp and Info files are kept. If you don't have
594 access to the system-wide directories, you can simply run Org directly from
595 the distribution directory by adding the @file{lisp} subdirectory to the
596 Emacs load path. To do this, add the following line to @file{.emacs}:
599 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/lisp" load-path))
603 If you plan to use code from the @file{contrib} subdirectory, do a similar
604 step for this directory:
607 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/contrib/lisp" load-path))
612 XEmacs users now need to install the file @file{noutline.el} from
613 the @file{xemacs} sub-directory of the Org distribution. Use the
617 make install-noutline
622 @noindent Now byte-compile the Lisp files with the shell command:
628 @noindent If you are running Org from the distribution directory, this is
629 all. If you want to install Org into the system directories, use (as
636 Installing Info files is system dependent, because of differences in the
637 @file{install-info} program. In Debian it copies the info files into the
638 correct directory and modifies the info directory file. In many other
639 systems, the files need to be copied to the correct directory separately, and
640 @file{install-info} then only modifies the directory file. Check your system
641 documentation to find out which of the following commands you need:
645 make install-info-debian
648 Then add the following line to @file{.emacs}. It is needed so that
649 Emacs can autoload functions that are located in files not immediately loaded
650 when Org-mode starts.
652 (require 'org-install)
655 Do not forget to activate Org as described in the following section.
658 @node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction
662 @cindex global key bindings
663 @cindex key bindings, global
665 Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file. The last three lines
666 define @emph{global} keys for the commands @command{org-store-link},
667 @command{org-agenda}, and @command{org-iswitchb}---please choose suitable
671 ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys.
672 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org\\'" . org-mode))
673 (global-set-key "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
674 (global-set-key "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
675 (global-set-key "\C-cb" 'org-iswitchb)
678 Furthermore, you must activate @code{font-lock-mode} in Org
679 buffers, because significant functionality depends on font-locking being
680 active. You can do this with either one of the following two lines
681 (XEmacs users must use the second option):
683 (global-font-lock-mode 1) ; for all buffers
684 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock) ; Org buffers only
687 @cindex Org-mode, turning on
688 With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put
689 into Org-mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look
693 MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*-
696 @vindex org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file
697 @noindent which will select Org-mode for this buffer no matter what
698 the file's name is. See also the variable
699 @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}.
701 Many commands in Org work on the region if the region is @i{active}. To make
702 use of this, you need to have @code{transient-mark-mode}
703 (@code{zmacs-regions} in XEmacs) turned on. In Emacs 23 this is the default,
704 in Emacs 22 you need to do this yourself with
706 (transient-mark-mode 1)
708 @noindent If you do not like @code{transient-mark-mode}, you can create an
709 active region by using the mouse to select a region, or pressing
710 @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} twice before moving the cursor.
712 @node Feedback, Conventions, Activation, Introduction
719 If you find problems with Org, or if you have questions, remarks, or ideas
720 about it, please mail to the Org mailing list @email{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org}.
721 If you are not a member of the mailing list, your mail will be passed to the
722 list after a moderator has approved it.
724 For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible, including
725 the version information of Emacs (@kbd{M-x emacs-version @key{RET}}) and Org
726 (@kbd{M-x org-version @key{RET}}), as well as the Org related setup in
727 @file{.emacs}. The easiest way to do this is to use the command
729 @kbd{M-x org-submit-bug-report}
731 @noindent which will put all this information into an Emacs mail buffer so
732 that you only need to add your description. If you re not sending the Email
733 from within Emacs, please copy and paste the content into your Email program.
735 If an error occurs, a backtrace can be very useful (see below on how to
736 create one). Often a small example file helps, along with clear information
740 @item What exactly did you do?
741 @item What did you expect to happen?
742 @item What happened instead?
744 @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode.
746 @subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace
748 @cindex backtrace of an error
749 If working with Org produces an error with a message you don't
750 understand, you may have hit a bug. The best way to report this is by
751 providing, in addition to what was mentioned above, a @emph{backtrace}.
752 This is information from the built-in debugger about where and how the
753 error occurred. Here is how to produce a useful backtrace:
757 Reload uncompiled versions of all Org-mode Lisp files. The backtrace
758 contains much more information if it is produced with uncompiled code.
761 C-u M-x org-reload RET
764 or select @code{Org -> Refresh/Reload -> Reload Org uncompiled} from the
767 Go to the @code{Options} menu and select @code{Enter Debugger on Error}
768 (XEmacs has this option in the @code{Troubleshooting} sub-menu).
770 Do whatever you have to do to hit the error. Don't forget to
771 document the steps you take.
773 When you hit the error, a @file{*Backtrace*} buffer will appear on the
774 screen. Save this buffer to a file (for example using @kbd{C-x C-w}) and
775 attach it to your bug report.
778 @node Conventions, , Feedback, Introduction
779 @section Typesetting conventions used in this manual
781 Org uses three types of keywords: TODO keywords, tags, and property
782 names. In this manual we use the following conventions:
787 TODO keywords are written with all capitals, even if they are
791 User-defined tags are written in lowercase; built-in tags with special
792 meaning are written with all capitals.
795 User-defined properties are capitalized; built-in properties with
796 special meaning are written with all capitals.
799 @node Document Structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
800 @chapter Document structure
801 @cindex document structure
802 @cindex structure of document
804 Org is based on Outline mode and provides flexible commands to
805 edit the structure of the document.
808 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
809 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
810 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
811 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
812 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
813 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
814 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
815 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
816 * Blocks:: Folding blocks
817 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
818 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
821 @node Outlines, Headlines, Document Structure, Document Structure
826 Org is implemented on top of Outline mode. Outlines allow a
827 document to be organized in a hierarchical structure, which (at least
828 for me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. An overview
829 of this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the
830 document to show only the general document structure and the parts
831 currently being worked on. Org greatly simplifies the use of
832 outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a single
833 command, @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB} key.
835 @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document Structure
839 @vindex org-special-ctrl-a/e
840 @vindex org-special-ctrl-k
841 @vindex org-ctrl-k-protect-subtree
843 Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in Org
844 start with one or more stars, on the left margin@footnote{See the variables
845 @code{org-special-ctrl-a/e}, @code{org-special-ctrl-k}, and
846 @code{org-ctrl-k-protect-subtree} to configure special behavior of @kbd{C-a},
847 @kbd{C-e}, and @kbd{C-k} in headlines.}. For example:
857 * Another top level headline
860 @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an
861 outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline
862 starters. @ref{Clean view}, describes a setup to realize this.
864 @vindex org-cycle-separator-lines
865 An empty line after the end of a subtree is considered part of it and
866 will be hidden when the subtree is folded. However, if you leave at
867 least two empty lines, one empty line will remain visible after folding
868 the subtree, in order to structure the collapsed view. See the
869 variable @code{org-cycle-separator-lines} to modify this behavior.
871 @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document Structure
872 @section Visibility cycling
873 @cindex cycling, visibility
874 @cindex visibility cycling
875 @cindex trees, visibility
876 @cindex show hidden text
879 Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer.
880 Org uses just two commands, bound to @key{TAB} and
881 @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to change the visibility in the buffer.
883 @cindex subtree visibility states
884 @cindex subtree cycling
885 @cindex folded, subtree visibility state
886 @cindex children, subtree visibility state
887 @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state
891 @emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree among the states
894 ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
895 '-----------------------------------'
898 @vindex org-cycle-emulate-tab
899 @vindex org-cycle-global-at-bob
900 The cursor must be on a headline for this to work@footnote{see, however,
901 the option @code{org-cycle-emulate-tab}.}. When the cursor is at the
902 beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then
903 @key{TAB} actually runs global cycling (see below)@footnote{see the
904 option @code{org-cycle-global-at-bob}.}. Also when called with a prefix
905 argument (@kbd{C-u @key{TAB}}), global cycling is invoked.
907 @cindex global visibility states
908 @cindex global cycling
909 @cindex overview, global visibility state
910 @cindex contents, global visibility state
911 @cindex show all, global visibility state
915 @emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer among the states
918 ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
919 '--------------------------------------'
922 When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numeric prefix argument N, the
923 CONTENTS view up to headlines of level N will be shown. Note that inside
924 tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field.
926 @cindex show all, command
927 @kindex C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
928 @item C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
929 Show all, including drawers.
932 Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following heading
933 and the hierarchy above. Useful for working near a location that has been
934 exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda command
935 (@pxref{Agenda commands}). With a prefix argument show, on each
936 level, all sibling headings. With double prefix arg, also show the entire
937 subtree of the parent.
940 Expose all the headings of the subtree, CONTENT view for just one subtree.
943 Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect
946 (@pxref{Indirect Buffers,,,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual})
949 (see the Emacs manual for more information about indirect buffers)
951 will contain the entire buffer, but will be narrowed to the current
952 tree. Editing the indirect buffer will also change the original buffer,
953 but without affecting visibility in that buffer.}. With a numeric
954 prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
955 negative then go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove
956 the previously used indirect buffer.
959 @vindex org-startup-folded
960 @cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
961 @cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
962 @cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
963 @cindex @code{showeverything}, STARTUP keyword
965 When Emacs first visits an Org file, the global state is set to
966 OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be
967 configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a
968 per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the
975 #+STARTUP: showeverything
978 @cindex property, VISIBILITY
980 Furthermore, any entries with a @samp{VISIBILITY} property (@pxref{Properties
981 and Columns}) will get their visibility adapted accordingly. Allowed values
982 for this property are @code{folded}, @code{children}, @code{content}, and
985 @kindex C-u C-u @key{TAB}
986 @item C-u C-u @key{TAB}
987 Switch back to the startup visibility of the buffer, i.e. whatever is
988 requested by startup options and @samp{VISIBILITY} properties in individual
992 @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document Structure
994 @cindex motion, between headlines
995 @cindex jumping, to headlines
996 @cindex headline navigation
997 The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer.
1008 Next heading same level.
1011 Previous heading same level.
1014 Backward to higher level heading.
1017 Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
1018 visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
1019 you can use the following keys to find your destination:
1020 @vindex org-goto-auto-isearch
1022 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
1023 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
1024 @key{RET} @r{Select this location.}
1025 @kbd{/} @r{Do a Sparse-tree search}
1026 @r{The following keys work if you turn off @code{org-goto-auto-isearch}}
1027 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
1028 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
1030 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
1033 @vindex org-goto-interface
1035 See also the variable @code{org-goto-interface}.
1038 @node Structure editing, Sparse trees, Motion, Document Structure
1039 @section Structure editing
1040 @cindex structure editing
1041 @cindex headline, promotion and demotion
1042 @cindex promotion, of subtrees
1043 @cindex demotion, of subtrees
1044 @cindex subtree, cut and paste
1045 @cindex pasting, of subtrees
1046 @cindex cutting, of subtrees
1047 @cindex copying, of subtrees
1048 @cindex sorting, of subtrees
1049 @cindex subtrees, cut and paste
1054 @vindex org-M-RET-may-split-line
1055 Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a
1056 plain list item, a new item is created (@pxref{Plain lists}). To force
1057 creation of a new headline, use a prefix argument, or first press @key{RET}
1058 to get to the beginning of the next line. When this command is used in
1059 the middle of a line, the line is split and the rest of the line becomes
1060 the new headline@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split,
1061 customize the variable @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If the
1062 command is used at the beginning of a headline, the new headline is
1063 created before the current line. If at the beginning of any other line,
1064 the content of that line is made the new heading. If the command is
1065 used at the end of a folded subtree (i.e. behind the ellipses at the end
1066 of a headline), then a headline like the current one will be inserted
1067 after the end of the subtree.
1070 Just like @kbd{M-@key{RET}}, except when adding a new heading below the
1071 current heading, the new heading is placed after the body instead of before
1072 it. This command works from anywhere in the entry.
1073 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
1075 @vindex org-treat-insert-todo-heading-as-state-change
1076 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading. See also the
1077 variable @code{org-treat-insert-todo-heading-as-state-change}.
1078 @kindex C-S-@key{RET}
1080 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading. Like
1081 @kbd{C-@key{RET}}, the new headline will be inserted after the current
1084 @item @key{TAB} @r{in new, empty entry}
1085 In a new entry with no text yet, the first @key{TAB} demotes the entry to
1086 become a child of the previous one. The next @key{TAB} makes it a parent,
1087 and so on, all the way to top level. Yet another @key{TAB}, and you are back
1088 to the initial level.
1089 @kindex M-@key{left}
1091 Promote current heading by one level.
1092 @kindex M-@key{right}
1094 Demote current heading by one level.
1095 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1096 @item M-S-@key{left}
1097 Promote the current subtree by one level.
1098 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1099 @item M-S-@key{right}
1100 Demote the current subtree by one level.
1101 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1103 Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
1105 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1106 @item M-S-@key{down}
1107 Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
1110 Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
1111 With a numeric prefix argument N, kill N sequential subtrees.
1114 Copy subtree to kill ring. With a numeric prefix argument N, copy the N
1115 sequential subtrees.
1118 Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to
1119 make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank level can
1120 also be specified with a numeric prefix argument, or by yanking after a
1121 headline marker like @samp{****}.
1124 @vindex org-yank-adjusted-subtrees
1125 @vindex org-yank-folded-subtrees
1126 Depending on the variables @code{org-yank-adjusted-subtrees} and
1127 @code{org-yank-folded-subtrees}, Org's internal @code{yank} command will
1128 paste subtrees folded and in a clever way, using the same command as @kbd{C-c
1129 C-x C-y}. With the default settings, no level adjustment will take place,
1130 but the yanked tree will be folded unless doing so would swallow text
1131 previously visible. Any prefix argument to this command will force a normal
1132 @code{yank} to be executed, with the prefix passed along. A good way to
1133 force a normal yank is @kbd{C-u C-y}. If you use @code{yank-pop} after a
1134 yank, it will yank previous kill items plainly, without adjustment and
1138 Clone a subtree by making a number of sibling copies of it. You will be
1139 prompted for the number of copies to make, and you can also specify if any
1140 timestamps in the entry should be shifted. This can be useful, for example,
1141 to create a number of tasks related to a series of lectures to prepare. For
1142 more details, see the docstring of the command
1143 @code{org-clone-subtree-with-time-shift}.
1146 Refile entry or region to a different location. @xref{Refiling notes}.
1149 Sort same-level entries. When there is an active region, all entries in the
1150 region will be sorted. Otherwise the children of the current headline are
1151 sorted. The command prompts for the sorting method, which can be
1152 alphabetically, numerically, by time (first timestamp with active preferred,
1153 creation time, scheduled time, deadline time), by priority, by TODO keyword
1154 (in the sequence the keywords have been defined in the setup) or by the value
1155 of a property. Reverse sorting is possible as well. You can also supply
1156 your own function to extract the sorting key. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix,
1157 sorting will be case-sensitive. With two @kbd{C-u C-u} prefixes, duplicate
1158 entries will also be removed.
1161 Narrow buffer to current subtree.
1164 Widen buffer to remove narrowing.
1167 Turn a normal line or plain list item into a headline (so that it becomes a
1168 subheading at its location). Also turn a headline into a normal line by
1169 removing the stars. If there is an active region, turn all lines in the
1170 region into headlines. If the first line in the region was an item, turn
1171 only the item lines into headlines. Finally, if the first line is a
1172 headline, remove the stars from all headlines in the region.
1175 @cindex region, active
1176 @cindex active region
1177 @cindex transient mark mode
1178 When there is an active region (Transient Mark mode), promotion and
1179 demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of
1180 headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a
1181 line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line
1182 just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is
1183 inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different
1187 @node Sparse trees, Plain lists, Structure editing, Document Structure
1188 @section Sparse trees
1189 @cindex sparse trees
1190 @cindex trees, sparse
1191 @cindex folding, sparse trees
1192 @cindex occur, command
1194 @vindex org-show-hierarchy-above
1195 @vindex org-show-following-heading
1196 @vindex org-show-siblings
1197 @vindex org-show-entry-below
1198 An important feature of Org-mode is the ability to construct @emph{sparse
1199 trees} for selected information in an outline tree, so that the entire
1200 document is folded as much as possible, but the selected information is made
1201 visible along with the headline structure above it@footnote{See also the
1202 variables @code{org-show-hierarchy-above}, @code{org-show-following-heading},
1203 @code{org-show-siblings}, and @code{org-show-entry-below} for detailed
1204 control on how much context is shown around each match.}. Just try it out
1205 and you will see immediately how it works.
1207 Org-mode contains several commands creating such trees, all these
1208 commands can be accessed through a dispatcher:
1213 This prompts for an extra key to select a sparse-tree creating command.
1216 @vindex org-remove-highlights-with-change
1217 Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches. If
1218 the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the match is in
1219 the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible. In order to
1220 provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of headlines above the match
1221 is shown, as well as the headline following the match. Each match is also
1222 highlighted; the highlights disappear when the buffer is changed by an
1223 editing command@footnote{This depends on the option
1224 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}}, or by pressing @kbd{C-c C-c}.
1225 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, previous highlights are kept,
1226 so several calls to this command can be stacked.
1230 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
1231 For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can
1232 use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast
1233 keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be
1234 accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
1238 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
1239 '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME")))
1242 @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating
1243 a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}.
1245 The other sparse tree commands select headings based on TODO keywords,
1246 tags, or properties and will be discussed later in this manual.
1249 @cindex printing sparse trees
1250 @cindex visible text, printing
1251 To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command
1252 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts
1253 of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because
1254 XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties.}.
1255 Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-e v} to export only the visible
1256 part of the document and print the resulting file.
1258 @node Plain lists, Drawers, Sparse trees, Document Structure
1259 @section Plain lists
1261 @cindex lists, plain
1262 @cindex lists, ordered
1263 @cindex ordered lists
1265 Within an entry of the outline tree, hand-formatted lists can provide
1266 additional structure. They also provide a way to create lists of
1267 checkboxes (@pxref{Checkboxes}). Org supports editing such lists,
1268 and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) parses and formats them.
1270 Org knows ordered lists, unordered lists, and description lists.
1273 @emph{Unordered} list items start with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or
1274 @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a bullet, lines must be indented or
1275 they will be seen as top-level headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading
1276 stars to get a clean outline view, plain list items starting with a star are
1277 visually indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though
1278 @samp{*} is supported, it may be better to not use it for plain list items.}
1281 @emph{Ordered} list items start with a numeral followed by either a period or
1282 a right parenthesis, such as @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}. If you want a list to
1283 start a different value (e.g. 20), start the text of the item with
1284 @code{[@@start:20]}.
1286 @emph{Description} list items are unordered list items, and contain the
1287 separator @samp{ :: } to separate the description @emph{term} from the
1291 @vindex org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists
1292 Items belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first
1293 line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then the
1294 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers in the
1295 list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It ends before
1296 the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or less. Empty lines
1297 are part of the previous item, so you can have several paragraphs in one
1298 item. If you would like an empty line to terminate all currently open plain
1299 lists, configure the variable @code{org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists}.
1304 ** Lord of the Rings
1305 My favorite scenes are (in this order)
1306 1. The attack of the Rohirrim
1307 2. Eowyn's fight with the witch king
1308 + this was already my favorite scene in the book
1309 + I really like Miranda Otto.
1310 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas
1312 He makes a really funny face when it happens.
1313 But in the end, no individual scenes matter but the film as a whole.
1314 Important actors in this film are:
1315 - @b{Elijah Wood} :: He plays Frodo
1316 - @b{Sean Austin} :: He plays Sam, Frodo's friend. I still remember
1317 him very well from his role as Mikey Walsh in @i{The Goonies}.
1321 Org supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to deal with
1322 them correctly@footnote{Org only changes the filling settings for Emacs. For
1323 XEmacs, you should use Kyle E. Jones' @file{filladapt.el}. To turn this on,
1324 put into @file{.emacs}: @code{(require 'filladapt)}}, and by exporting them
1325 properly (@pxref{Exporting}). Since indentation is what governs the
1326 structure of these lists, many structural constructs like @code{#+BEGIN_...}
1327 blocks can be indented to signal that they should be part of a list item.
1329 @vindex org-list-demote-modify-bullet
1330 If you find that using a different bullet for a sub-list (than that used for
1331 the current list-level) improves readability, customize the variable
1332 @code{org-list-demote-modify-bullet}.
1334 The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line
1335 of an item (the line with the bullet or number).
1340 @vindex org-cycle-include-plain-lists
1341 Items can be folded just like headline levels. Normally this works only if
1342 the cursor is on a plain list item. For more details, see the variable
1343 @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. to @code{integrate}, plain list items
1344 will be treated like low-level. The level of an item is then given by the
1345 indentation of the bullet/number. Items are always subordinate to real
1346 headlines, however; the hierarchies remain completely separated.
1348 If @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists} has not been set, @key{TAB}
1349 fixes the indentation of the current line in a heuristic way.
1352 @vindex org-M-RET-may-split-line
1353 Insert new item at current level. With a prefix argument, force a new
1354 heading (@pxref{Structure editing}). If this command is used in the middle
1355 of a line, the line is @emph{split} and the rest of the line becomes the new
1356 item@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split, customize the variable
1357 @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If this command is executed in the
1358 @emph{whitespace before a bullet or number}, the new item is created
1359 @emph{before} the current item. If the command is executed in the white
1360 space before the text that is part of an item but does not contain the
1361 bullet, a bullet is added to the current line.
1362 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
1364 Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
1366 @item @key{TAB} @r{in new, empty item}
1367 In a new item with no text yet, the first @key{TAB} demotes the item to
1368 become a child of the previous one. The next @key{TAB} makes it a parent,
1369 and so on, all the way to the left margin. Yet another @key{TAB}, and you
1370 are back to the initial level.
1372 @kindex S-@key{down}
1375 @cindex shift-selection-mode
1376 @vindex org-support-shift-select
1377 Jump to the previous/next item in the current list, but only if
1378 @code{org-support-shift-select} is off. If not, you can still use paragraph
1379 jumping commands like @kbd{C-@key{up}} and @kbd{C-@key{down}} to quite
1381 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1382 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1384 @itemx M-S-@key{down}
1385 Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item
1386 of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is
1388 @kindex M-@key{left}
1389 @kindex M-@key{right}
1391 @itemx M-@key{right}
1392 Decrease/increase the indentation of an item, leaving children alone.
1393 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1394 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1395 @item M-S-@key{left}
1396 @itemx M-S-@key{right}
1397 Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems.
1398 Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation.
1399 When these commands are executed several times in direct succession,
1400 the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation
1401 would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break
1402 the command chain with a cursor motion or so.
1405 If there is a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}) in the item line, toggle the
1406 state of the checkbox. If not, this command makes sure that all the
1407 items on this list level use the same bullet. Furthermore, if this is
1408 an ordered list, make sure the numbering is OK.
1411 Cycle the entire list level through the different itemize/enumerate bullets
1412 (@samp{-}, @samp{+}, @samp{*}, @samp{1.}, @samp{1)}). With a numeric prefix
1413 argument N, select the Nth bullet from this list. If there is an active
1414 region when calling this, all lines will be converted to list items. If the
1415 first line already was a list item, any item markers will be removed from the
1416 list. Finally, even without an active region, a normal line will be
1417 converted into a list item.
1420 Turn a plain list item into a headline (so that it becomes a subheading at
1421 its location). @xref{Structure editing}, for a detailed explanation.
1422 @kindex S-@key{left}
1423 @kindex S-@key{right}
1424 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
1425 @vindex org-support-shift-select
1426 This command also cycles bullet styles when the cursor in on the bullet or
1427 anywhere in an item line, details depending on
1428 @code{org-support-shift-select}.
1431 Sort the plain list. You will be prompted for the sorting method:
1432 numerically, alphabetically, by time, or by custom function.
1435 @node Drawers, Blocks, Plain lists, Document Structure
1439 @cindex visibility cycling, drawers
1442 Sometimes you want to keep information associated with an entry, but you
1443 normally don't want to see it. For this, Org-mode has @emph{drawers}.
1444 Drawers need to be configured with the variable
1445 @code{org-drawers}@footnote{You can define drawers on a per-file basis
1446 with a line like @code{#+DRAWERS: HIDDEN PROPERTIES STATE}}. Drawers
1450 ** This is a headline
1451 Still outside the drawer
1453 This is inside the drawer.
1458 Visibility cycling (@pxref{Visibility cycling}) on the headline will hide and
1459 show the entry, but keep the drawer collapsed to a single line. In order to
1460 look inside the drawer, you need to move the cursor to the drawer line and
1461 press @key{TAB} there. Org-mode uses the @code{PROPERTIES} drawer for
1462 storing properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}), and you can also arrange
1463 for state change notes (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}) and clock times
1464 (@pxref{Clocking work time}) to be stored in a drawer @code{LOGBOOK}. If you
1465 want to store a quick note in the LOGBOOK drawer, in a similar way as this is
1466 done by state changes, use
1471 Add a time-stamped note to the LOGBOOK drawer.
1474 @node Blocks, Footnotes, Drawers, Document Structure
1477 @vindex org-hide-block-startup
1478 @cindex blocks, folding
1479 Org-mode uses begin...end blocks for various purposes from including source
1480 code examples (@pxref{Literal examples}) to capturing time logging
1481 information (@pxref{Clocking work time}). These blocks can be folded and
1482 unfolded by pressing TAB in the begin line. You can also get all blocks
1483 folded at startup by configuring the variable @code{org-hide-block-startup}
1484 or on a per-file basis by using
1486 @cindex @code{hideblocks}, STARTUP keyword
1487 @cindex @code{nohideblocks}, STARTUP keyword
1489 #+STARTUP: hideblocks
1490 #+STARTUP: nohideblocks
1493 @node Footnotes, Orgstruct mode, Blocks, Document Structure
1497 Org-mode supports the creation of footnotes. In contrast to the
1498 @file{footnote.el} package, Org-mode's footnotes are designed for work on a
1499 larger document, not only for one-off documents like emails. The basic
1500 syntax is similar to the one used by @file{footnote.el}, i.e. a footnote is
1501 defined in a paragraph that is started by a footnote marker in square
1502 brackets in column 0, no indentation allowed. If you need a paragraph break
1503 inside a footnote, use the La@TeX{} idiom @samp{\par}. The footnote reference
1504 is simply the marker in square brackets, inside text. For example:
1507 The Org homepage[fn:1] now looks a lot better than it used to.
1509 [fn:1] The link is: http://orgmode.org
1512 Org-mode extends the number-based syntax to @emph{named} footnotes and
1513 optional inline definition. Using plain numbers as markers (as
1514 @file{footnote.el} does) is supported for backward compatibility, but not
1515 encouraged because of possible conflicts with La@TeX{} snippets (@pxref{Embedded
1516 LaTeX}). Here are the valid references:
1520 A plain numeric footnote marker. Compatible with @file{footnote.el}, but not
1521 recommended because something like @samp{[1]} could easily be part of a code
1524 A named footnote reference, where @code{name} is a unique label word, or, for
1525 simplicity of automatic creation, a number.
1526 @item [fn:: This is the inline definition of this footnote]
1527 A La@TeX{}-like anonymous footnote where the definition is given directly at the
1529 @item [fn:name: a definition]
1530 An inline definition of a footnote, which also specifies a name for the note.
1531 Since Org allows multiple references to the same note, you can then use
1532 @code{[fn:name]} to create additional references.
1535 @vindex org-footnote-auto-label
1536 Footnote labels can be created automatically, or you can create names yourself.
1537 This is handled by the variable @code{org-footnote-auto-label} and its
1538 corresponding @code{#+STARTUP} keywords, see the docstring of that variable
1541 @noindent The following command handles footnotes:
1546 The footnote action command.
1548 When the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. When it
1549 is at a definition, jump to the (first) reference.
1551 @vindex org-footnote-define-inline
1552 @vindex org-footnote-section
1553 @vindex org-footnote-auto-adjust
1554 Otherwise, create a new footnote. Depending on the variable
1555 @code{org-footnote-define-inline}@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer
1556 setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: fninline} or @code{#+STARTUP: nofninline}}, the
1557 definition will be placed right into the text as part of the reference, or
1558 separately into the location determined by the variable
1559 @code{org-footnote-section}.
1561 When this command is called with a prefix argument, a menu of additional
1564 s @r{Sort the footnote definitions by reference sequence. During editing,}
1565 @r{Org makes no effort to sort footnote definitions into a particular}
1566 @r{sequence. If you want them sorted, use this command, which will}
1567 @r{also move entries according to @code{org-footnote-section}. Automatic}
1568 @r{sorting after each insertion/deletion can be configured using the}
1569 @r{variable @code{org-footnote-auto-adjust}.}
1570 r @r{Renumber the simple @code{fn:N} footnotes. Automatic renumbering}
1571 @r{after each insertion/deletion can be configured using the variable}
1572 @r{@code{org-footnote-auto-adjust}.}
1573 S @r{Short for first @code{r}, then @code{s} action.}
1574 n @r{Normalize the footnotes by collecting all definitions (including}
1575 @r{inline definitions) into a special section, and then numbering them}
1576 @r{in sequence. The references will then also be numbers. This is}
1577 @r{meant to be the final step before finishing a document (e.g. sending}
1578 @r{off an email). The exporters do this automatically, and so could}
1579 @r{something like @code{message-send-hook}.}
1580 d @r{Delete the footnote at point, and all definitions of and references}
1583 Depending on the variable @code{org-footnote-auto-adjust}@footnote{the
1584 corresponding in-buffer options are @code{fnadjust} and @code{nofnadjust}.},
1585 renumbering and sorting footnotes can be automatic after each insertion or
1590 If the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. If it is a
1591 the definition, jump back to the reference. When called at a footnote
1592 location with a prefix argument, offer the same menu as @kbd{C-c C-x f}.
1596 @item C-c C-o @r{or} mouse-1/2
1597 Footnote labels are also links to the corresponding definition/reference, and
1598 you can use the usual commands to follow these links.
1601 @node Orgstruct mode, , Footnotes, Document Structure
1602 @section The Orgstruct minor mode
1603 @cindex Orgstruct mode
1604 @cindex minor mode for structure editing
1606 If you like the intuitive way the Org-mode structure editing and list
1607 formatting works, you might want to use these commands in other modes like
1608 Text mode or Mail mode as well. The minor mode @code{orgstruct-mode} makes
1609 this possible. Toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x orgstruct-mode}, or
1610 turn it on by default, for example in Mail mode, with one of:
1613 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
1614 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct++)
1617 When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that looks to Org like a
1618 headline or the first line of a list item, most structure editing commands
1619 will work, even if the same keys normally have different functionality in the
1620 major mode you are using. If the cursor is not in one of those special
1621 lines, Orgstruct mode lurks silently in the shadow. When you use
1622 @code{orgstruct++-mode}, Org will also export indentation and autofill
1623 settings into that mode, and detect item context after the first line of an
1626 @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document Structure, Top
1629 @cindex editing tables
1631 Org comes with a fast and intuitive table editor. Spreadsheet-like
1632 calculations are supported in connection with the Emacs @file{calc}
1635 (@pxref{Top,Calc,,Calc,Gnu Emacs Calculator Manual}).
1638 (see the Emacs Calculator manual for more information about the Emacs
1643 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
1644 * Column width and alignment:: Overrule the automatic settings
1645 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
1646 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
1647 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
1648 * Org-Plot:: Plotting from org tables
1651 @node Built-in table editor, Column width and alignment, Tables, Tables
1652 @section The built-in table editor
1653 @cindex table editor, built-in
1655 Org makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with
1656 @samp{|} as the first non-whitespace character is considered part of a
1657 table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look like
1661 | Name | Phone | Age |
1662 |-------+-------+-----|
1663 | Peter | 1234 | 17 |
1664 | Anna | 4321 | 25 |
1667 A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or
1668 @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to
1669 the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows
1670 at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation
1671 of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with
1672 @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be
1673 expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to
1674 create the above table, you would only type
1681 @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in
1682 fields. Even faster would be to type @code{|Name|Phone|Age} followed by
1683 @kbd{C-c @key{RET}}.
1685 @vindex org-enable-table-editor
1686 @vindex org-table-auto-blank-field
1687 When typing text into a field, Org treats @key{DEL},
1688 @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that
1689 inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when
1690 typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field
1691 with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the
1692 field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too
1693 unpredictable for you, configure the variables
1694 @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}.
1697 @tsubheading{Creation and conversion}
1700 Convert the active region to table. If every line contains at least one
1701 TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab separated.
1702 If every line contains a comma, comma-separated values (CSV) are assumed.
1703 If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You can use a prefix
1704 argument to force a specific separator: @kbd{C-u} forces CSV, @kbd{C-u
1705 C-u} forces TAB, and a numeric argument N indicates that at least N
1706 consecutive spaces, or alternatively a TAB will be the separator.
1708 If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org
1709 table. But it's easier just to start typing, like
1710 @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}.
1712 @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
1715 Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
1719 Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if
1724 Re-align, move to previous field.
1728 Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if
1729 necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does
1730 NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table.
1734 Move to beginning of the current table field, or on to the previous field.
1737 Move to end of the current table field, or on to the next field.
1739 @tsubheading{Column and row editing}
1740 @kindex M-@key{left}
1741 @kindex M-@key{right}
1743 @itemx M-@key{right}
1744 Move the current column left/right.
1746 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1747 @item M-S-@key{left}
1748 Kill the current column.
1750 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1751 @item M-S-@key{right}
1752 Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
1755 @kindex M-@key{down}
1758 Move the current row up/down.
1760 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1762 Kill the current row or horizontal line.
1764 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1765 @item M-S-@key{down}
1766 Insert a new row above the current row. With a prefix argument, the line is
1767 created below the current one.
1771 Insert a horizontal line below current row. With a prefix argument, the line
1772 is created above the current line.
1774 @kindex C-c @key{RET}
1776 Insert a horizontal line below current row, and move the cursor into the row
1781 Sort the table lines in the region. The position of point indicates the
1782 column to be used for sorting, and the range of lines is the range
1783 between the nearest horizontal separator lines, or the entire table. If
1784 point is before the first column, you will be prompted for the sorting
1785 column. If there is an active region, the mark specifies the first line
1786 and the sorting column, while point should be in the last line to be
1787 included into the sorting. The command prompts for the sorting type
1788 (alphabetically, numerically, or by time). When called with a prefix
1789 argument, alphabetic sorting will be case-sensitive.
1791 @tsubheading{Regions}
1794 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point and
1795 mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. If there is no active region,
1796 copy just the current field. The process ignores horizontal separator lines.
1800 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
1801 blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation.
1805 Paste a rectangular region into a table.
1806 The upper left corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields
1807 will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table,
1808 the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator
1813 Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active
1814 region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the
1815 column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A numeric
1816 prefix argument may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there
1817 is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the text
1818 fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one line
1819 down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix argument, the current
1820 field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field above.
1822 @tsubheading{Calculations}
1823 @cindex formula, in tables
1824 @cindex calculations, in tables
1825 @cindex region, active
1826 @cindex active region
1827 @cindex transient mark mode
1830 Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by
1831 the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can
1832 be inserted with @kbd{C-y}.
1836 @vindex org-table-copy-increment
1837 When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above. When not
1838 empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor along with it.
1839 Depending on the variable @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field
1840 values will be incremented during copy. Integers that are too large will not
1841 be incremented. Also, a @code{0} prefix argument temporarily disables the
1842 increment. This key is also used by shift-selection and related modes
1843 (@pxref{Conflicts}).
1845 @tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
1848 Edit the current field in a separate window. This is useful for fields that
1849 are not fully visible (@pxref{Column width and alignment}). When called with
1850 a @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be
1853 @item M-x org-table-import
1854 Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB or whitespace
1855 separated. Use, for example, to import a spreadsheet table or data
1856 from a database, because these programs generally can write
1857 TAB-separated text files. This command works by inserting the file into
1858 the buffer and then converting the region to a table. Any prefix
1859 argument is passed on to the converter, which uses it to determine the
1862 Tables can also be imported by pasting tabular text into the Org
1863 buffer, selecting the pasted text with @kbd{C-x C-x} and then using the
1864 @kbd{C-c |} command (see above under @i{Creation and conversion}).
1866 @item M-x org-table-export
1867 @vindex org-table-export-default-format
1868 Export the table, by default as a TAB-separated file. Use for data
1869 exchange with, for example, spreadsheet or database programs. The format
1870 used to export the file can be configured in the variable
1871 @code{org-table-export-default-format}. You may also use properties
1872 @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FILE} and @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FORMAT} to specify the file
1873 name and the format for table export in a subtree. Org supports quite
1874 general formats for exported tables. The exporter format is the same as the
1875 format used by Orgtbl radio tables, see @ref{Translator functions}, for a
1876 detailed description.
1879 If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your
1880 way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn
1884 (setq org-enable-table-editor nil)
1887 @noindent Then the only table command that still works is
1888 @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align.
1890 @node Column width and alignment, Column groups, Built-in table editor, Tables
1891 @section Column width and alignment
1892 @cindex narrow columns in tables
1893 @cindex alignment in tables
1895 The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor. And
1896 also the alignment of a column is determined automatically from the fraction
1897 of number-like versus non-number fields in the column.
1899 Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text, leading to
1900 inconveniently wide columns. Or maybe you want to make a table with several
1901 columns having a fixed width, regardless of content. To set@footnote{This
1902 feature does not work on XEmacs.} the width of a column, one field anywhere
1903 in the column may contain just the string @samp{<N>} where @samp{N} is an
1904 integer specifying the width of the column in characters. The next re-align
1905 will then set the width of this column to this value.
1909 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1911 | 1 | one | | 1 | one |
1912 | 2 | two | ----\ | 2 | two |
1913 | 3 | This is a long chunk of text | ----/ | 3 | This=> |
1914 | 4 | four | | 4 | four |
1915 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1920 Fields that are wider become clipped and end in the string @samp{=>}.
1921 Note that the full text is still in the buffer, it is only invisible.
1922 To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field---a tool-tip window
1923 will show the full content. To edit such a field, use the command
1924 @kbd{C-c `} (that is @kbd{C-c} followed by the backquote). This will
1925 open a new window with the full field. Edit it and finish with @kbd{C-c
1928 @vindex org-startup-align-all-tables
1929 When visiting a file containing a table with narrowed columns, the
1930 necessary character hiding has not yet happened, and the table needs to
1931 be aligned before it looks nice. Setting the option
1932 @code{org-startup-align-all-tables} will realign all tables in a file
1933 upon visiting, but also slow down startup. You can also set this option
1934 on a per-file basis with:
1941 If you would like to overrule the automatic alignment of number-rich columns
1942 to the right and of string-rich column to the left, you and use @samp{<r>} or
1943 @samp{<l>} in a similar fashion. You may also combine alignment and field
1944 width like this: @samp{<l10>}.
1946 Lines which only contain these formatting cookies will be removed
1947 automatically when exporting the document.
1949 @node Column groups, Orgtbl mode, Column width and alignment, Tables
1950 @section Column groups
1951 @cindex grouping columns in tables
1953 When Org exports tables, it does so by default without vertical
1954 lines because that is visually more satisfying in general. Occasionally
1955 however, vertical lines can be useful to structure a table into groups
1956 of columns, much like horizontal lines can do for groups of rows. In
1957 order to specify column groups, you can use a special row where the
1958 first field contains only @samp{/}. The further fields can either
1959 contain @samp{<} to indicate that this column should start a group,
1960 @samp{>} to indicate the end of a column, or @samp{<>} to make a column
1961 a group of its own. Boundaries between column groups will upon export be
1962 marked with vertical lines. Here is an example:
1965 | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1966 |---+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1967 | / | < | | > | < | > |
1968 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1969 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 1.4142 | 1.1892 |
1970 | 3 | 9 | 27 | 81 | 1.7321 | 1.3161 |
1971 |---+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1972 #+TBLFM: $2=$1^2::$3=$1^3::$4=$1^4::$5=sqrt($1)::$6=sqrt(sqrt(($1)))
1975 It is also sufficient to just insert the column group starters after
1976 every vertical line you would like to have:
1979 | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1980 |----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1984 @node Orgtbl mode, The spreadsheet, Column groups, Tables
1985 @section The Orgtbl minor mode
1987 @cindex minor mode for tables
1989 If you like the intuitive way the Org table editor works, you
1990 might also want to use it in other modes like Text mode or Mail mode.
1991 The minor mode Orgtbl mode makes this possible. You can always toggle
1992 the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for
1993 example in mail mode, use
1996 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
1999 Furthermore, with some special setup, it is possible to maintain tables
2000 in arbitrary syntax with Orgtbl mode. For example, it is possible to
2001 construct La@TeX{} tables with the underlying ease and power of
2002 Orgtbl mode, including spreadsheet capabilities. For details, see
2003 @ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}.
2005 @node The spreadsheet, Org-Plot, Orgtbl mode, Tables
2006 @section The spreadsheet
2007 @cindex calculations, in tables
2008 @cindex spreadsheet capabilities
2009 @cindex @file{calc} package
2011 The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to implement
2012 spreadsheet-like capabilities. It can also evaluate Emacs Lisp forms to
2013 derive fields from other fields. While fully featured, Org's implementation
2014 is not identical to other spreadsheets. For example, Org knows the concept
2015 of a @emph{column formula} that will be applied to all non-header fields in a
2016 column without having to copy the formula to each relevant field. There is
2017 also a formula debugger, and a formula editor with features for highlighting
2018 fields in the table corresponding to the references at the point in the
2019 formula, moving these references by arrow keys
2022 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
2023 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
2024 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
2025 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
2026 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
2027 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
2028 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
2029 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
2032 @node References, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet, The spreadsheet
2033 @subsection References
2036 To compute fields in the table from other fields, formulas must
2037 reference other fields or ranges. In Org, fields can be referenced
2038 by name, by absolute coordinates, and by relative coordinates. To find
2039 out what the coordinates of a field are, press @kbd{C-c ?} in that
2040 field, or press @kbd{C-c @}} to toggle the display of a grid.
2042 @subsubheading Field references
2043 @cindex field references
2044 @cindex references, to fields
2046 Formulas can reference the value of another field in two ways. Like in
2047 any other spreadsheet, you may reference fields with a letter/number
2048 combination like @code{B3}, meaning the 2nd field in the 3rd row.
2049 @c Such references are always fixed to that field, they don't change
2050 @c when you copy and paste a formula to a different field. So
2051 @c Org's @code{B3} behaves like @code{$B$3} in other spreadsheets.
2054 Org also uses another, more general operator that looks like this:
2056 @@@var{row}$@var{column}
2060 Column references can be absolute like @samp{1}, @samp{2},...@samp{@var{N}},
2061 or relative to the current column like @samp{+1} or @samp{-2}.
2063 The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal
2064 separator lines (hlines). You can use absolute row numbers
2065 @samp{1}...@samp{@var{N}}, and row numbers relative to the current row like
2066 @samp{+3} or @samp{-1}. Or specify the row relative to one of the
2067 hlines: @samp{I} refers to the first hline@footnote{Note that only
2068 hlines are counted that @emph{separate} table lines. If the table
2069 starts with a hline above the header, it does not count.}, @samp{II} to
2070 the second, etc@. @samp{-I} refers to the first such line above the
2071 current line, @samp{+I} to the first such line below the current line.
2072 You can also write @samp{III+2} which is the second data line after the
2073 third hline in the table.
2075 @samp{0} refers to the current row and column. Also, if you omit
2076 either the column or the row part of the reference, the current
2077 row/column is implied.
2079 Org's references with @emph{unsigned} numbers are fixed references
2080 in the sense that if you use the same reference in the formula for two
2081 different fields, the same field will be referenced each time.
2082 Org's references with @emph{signed} numbers are floating
2083 references because the same reference operator can reference different
2084 fields depending on the field being calculated by the formula.
2086 As a special case, references like @samp{$LR5} and @samp{$LR12} can be used
2087 to refer in a stable way to the 5th and 12th field in the last row of the
2090 Here are a few examples:
2093 @@2$3 @r{2nd row, 3rd column}
2094 C2 @r{same as previous}
2095 $5 @r{column 5 in the current row}
2096 E& @r{same as previous}
2097 @@2 @r{current column, row 2}
2098 @@-1$-3 @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left}
2099 @@-I$2 @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2}
2102 @subsubheading Range references
2103 @cindex range references
2104 @cindex references, to ranges
2106 You may reference a rectangular range of fields by specifying two field
2107 references connected by two dots @samp{..}. If both fields are in the
2108 current row, you may simply use @samp{$2..$7}, but if at least one field
2109 is in a different row, you need to use the general @code{@@row$column}
2110 format at least for the first field (i.e the reference must start with
2111 @samp{@@} in order to be interpreted correctly). Examples:
2114 $1..$3 @r{First three fields in the current row.}
2115 $P..$Q @r{Range, using column names (see under Advanced)}
2116 @@2$1..@@4$3 @r{6 fields between these two fields.}
2117 A2..C4 @r{Same as above.}
2118 @@-1$-2..@@-1 @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row}
2121 @noindent Range references return a vector of values that can be fed
2122 into Calc vector functions. Empty fields in ranges are normally
2123 suppressed, so that the vector contains only the non-empty fields (but
2124 see the @samp{E} mode switch below). If there are no non-empty fields,
2125 @samp{[0]} is returned to avoid syntax errors in formulas.
2127 @subsubheading Field coordinates in formulas
2128 @cindex field coordinates
2129 @cindex coordinates, of field
2130 @cindex row, of field coordinates
2131 @cindex column, of field coordinates
2133 For Calc formulas and Lisp formulas @code{@@#} and @code{$#} can be used to
2134 get the row or column number of the field where the formula result goes.
2135 The traditional Lisp formula equivalents are @code{org-table-current-dline}
2136 and @code{org-table-current-column}. Examples:
2139 if(@@# % 2, $#, string("")) @r{column number on odd lines only}
2140 $3 = remote(FOO, @@@@#$2) @r{copy column 2 from table FOO into}
2141 @r{column 3 of the current table}
2144 @noindent For the second example, table FOO must have at least as many rows
2145 as the current table. Inefficient@footnote{The computation time scales as
2146 O(N^2) because table FOO is parsed for each field to be copied.} for large
2149 @subsubheading Named references
2150 @cindex named references
2151 @cindex references, named
2152 @cindex name, of column or field
2153 @cindex constants, in calculations
2156 @vindex org-table-formula-constants
2157 @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or
2158 constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable
2159 @code{org-table-formula-constants}, and locally (for the file) through a
2163 #+CONSTANTS: c=299792458. pi=3.14 eps=2.4e-6
2167 @vindex constants-unit-system
2168 @pindex constants.el
2169 Also properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) can be used as
2170 constants in table formulas: for a property @samp{:Xyz:} use the name
2171 @samp{$PROP_Xyz}, and the property will be searched in the current
2172 outline entry and in the hierarchy above it. If you have the
2173 @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants,
2174 including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and
2175 units like @samp{$km} for kilometers@footnote{@file{constants.el} can
2176 supply the values of constants in two different unit systems, @code{SI}
2177 and @code{cgs}. Which one is used depends on the value of the variable
2178 @code{constants-unit-system}. You can use the @code{#+STARTUP} options
2179 @code{constSI} and @code{constcgs} to set this value for the current
2180 buffer.}. Column names and parameters can be specified in special table
2181 lines. These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}. All
2182 names must start with a letter, and further consist of letters and
2185 @subsubheading Remote references
2186 @cindex remote references
2187 @cindex references, remote
2188 @cindex references, to a different table
2189 @cindex name, of column or field
2190 @cindex constants, in calculations
2193 You may also reference constants, fields and ranges from a different table,
2194 either in the current file or even in a different file. The syntax is
2197 remote(NAME-OR-ID,REF)
2201 where NAME can be the name of a table in the current file as set by a
2202 @code{#+TBLNAME: NAME} line before the table. It can also be the ID of an
2203 entry, even in a different file, and the reference then refers to the first
2204 table in that entry. REF is an absolute field or range reference as
2205 described above for example @code{@@3$3} or @code{$somename}, valid in the
2208 @node Formula syntax for Calc, Formula syntax for Lisp, References, The spreadsheet
2209 @subsection Formula syntax for Calc
2210 @cindex formula syntax, Calc
2211 @cindex syntax, of formulas
2213 A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs
2214 @file{Calc} package. @b{Note that @file{calc} has the
2215 non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than
2216 @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}.} Before
2217 evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from
2218 Your Programs,calc-eval,Calling Calc from Your Lisp Programs,Calc,GNU
2219 Emacs Calc Manual}),
2220 @c FIXME: The link to the Calc manual in HTML does not work.
2221 variable substitution takes place according to the rules described above.
2222 @cindex vectors, in table calculations
2223 The range vectors can be directly fed into the Calc vector functions
2224 like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}.
2226 @cindex format specifier
2227 @cindex mode, for @file{calc}
2228 @vindex org-calc-default-modes
2229 A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This
2230 string consists of flags to influence Calc and other modes during
2231 execution. By default, Org uses the standard Calc modes (precision
2232 12, angular units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off). The display
2233 format, however, has been changed to @code{(float 8)} to keep tables
2234 compact. The default settings can be configured using the variable
2235 @code{org-calc-default-modes}.
2238 p20 @r{set the internal Calc calculation precision to 20 digits}
2239 n3 s3 e2 f4 @r{Normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed}
2240 @r{format of the result of Calc passed back to Org.}
2241 @r{Calc formatting is unlimited in precision as}
2242 @r{long as the Calc calculation precision is greater.}
2243 D R @r{angle modes: degrees, radians}
2244 F S @r{fraction and symbolic modes}
2245 N @r{interpret all fields as numbers, use 0 for non-numbers}
2246 T @r{force text interpretation}
2247 E @r{keep empty fields in ranges}
2252 Unless you use large integer numbers or high-precision-calculation
2253 and -display for floating point numbers you may alternatively provide a
2254 @code{printf} format specifier to reformat the Calc result after it has been
2255 passed back to Org instead of letting Calc already do the
2256 formatting@footnote{The @code{printf} reformatting is limited in precision
2257 because the value passed to it is converted into an @code{integer} or
2258 @code{double}. The @code{integer} is limited in size by truncating the
2259 signed value to 32 bits. The @code{double} is limited in precision to 64
2260 bits overall which leaves approximately 16 significant decimal digits.}.
2264 $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field}
2265 $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals}
2266 exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used}
2267 $0;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal}
2268 ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion}
2269 $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}}
2270 tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1}
2271 sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display}
2272 vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function}
2273 vmean($2..$7);EN @r{Same, but treat empty fields as 0}
2274 taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree}
2277 Calc also contains a complete set of logical operations. For example
2280 if($1<20,teen,string("")) @r{``teen'' if age $1 less than 20, else empty}
2283 @node Formula syntax for Lisp, Field formulas, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet
2284 @subsection Emacs Lisp forms as formulas
2285 @cindex Lisp forms, as table formulas
2287 It is also possible to write a formula in Emacs Lisp; this can be useful
2288 for string manipulation and control structures, if Calc's
2289 functionality is not enough. If a formula starts with a single-quote
2290 followed by an opening parenthesis, then it is evaluated as a Lisp form.
2291 The evaluation should return either a string or a number. Just as with
2292 @file{calc} formulas, you can specify modes and a printf format after a
2293 semicolon. With Emacs Lisp forms, you need to be conscious about the way
2294 field references are interpolated into the form. By default, a
2295 reference will be interpolated as a Lisp string (in double-quotes)
2296 containing the field. If you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all
2297 referenced elements will be numbers (non-number fields will be zero) and
2298 interpolated as Lisp numbers, without quotes. If you provide the
2299 @samp{L} flag, all fields will be interpolated literally, without quotes.
2300 I.e., if you want a reference to be interpreted as a string by the Lisp
2301 form, enclose the reference operator itself in double-quotes, like
2302 @code{"$3"}. Ranges are inserted as space-separated fields, so you can
2303 embed them in list or vector syntax. A few examples, note how the
2304 @samp{N} mode is used when we do computations in Lisp.
2307 @r{Swap the first two characters of the content of column 1}
2308 '(concat (substring $1 1 2) (substring $1 0 1) (substring $1 2))
2309 @r{Add columns 1 and 2, equivalent to Calc's @code{$1+$2}}
2311 @r{Compute the sum of columns 1-4, like Calc's @code{vsum($1..$4)}}
2312 '(apply '+ '($1..$4));N
2315 @node Field formulas, Column formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet
2316 @subsection Field formulas
2317 @cindex field formula
2318 @cindex formula, for individual table field
2320 To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the
2321 field, preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=$1+$2}. When you
2322 press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in
2323 the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for this field,
2324 evaluated, and the current field replaced with the result.
2327 Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:}
2328 directly below the table. If you typed the equation in the 4th field of
2329 the 3rd data line in the table, the formula will look like
2330 @samp{@@3$4=$1+$2}. When inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows
2331 with the appropriate commands, @i{absolute references} (but not relative
2332 ones) in stored formulas are modified in order to still reference the
2333 same field. Of course this is not true if you edit the table structure
2334 with normal editing commands---then you must fix the equations yourself.
2335 The left-hand side of a formula may also be a named field (@pxref{Advanced
2336 features}), or a last-row reference like @samp{$LR3}.
2338 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2344 Install a new formula for the current field. The command prompts for a
2345 formula with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, applies
2346 it to the current field, and stores it.
2349 @node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field formulas, The spreadsheet
2350 @subsection Column formulas
2351 @cindex column formula
2352 @cindex formula, for table column
2354 Often in a table, the same formula should be used for all fields in a
2355 particular column. Instead of having to copy the formula to all fields
2356 in that column, Org allows you to assign a single formula to an entire
2357 column. If the table contains horizontal separator hlines, everything
2358 before the first such line is considered part of the table @emph{header}
2359 and will not be modified by column formulas.
2361 To assign a formula to a column, type it directly into any field in the
2362 column, preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press
2363 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the field,
2364 the formula will be stored as the formula for the current column, evaluated
2365 and the current field replaced with the result. If the field contains only
2366 @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for this column is used. For each
2367 column, Org will only remember the most recently used formula. In the
2368 @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like @samp{$4=$1+$2}. The left-hand
2369 side of a column formula cannot currently be the name of column, it
2370 must be the numeric column reference.
2372 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2378 Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field with
2379 the result of the formula. The command prompts for a formula, with default
2380 taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM} line, applies it to the current field and
2381 stores it. With a numeric prefix argument(e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) the command
2382 will apply it to that many consecutive fields in the current column.
2385 @node Editing and debugging formulas, Updating the table, Column formulas, The spreadsheet
2386 @subsection Editing and debugging formulas
2387 @cindex formula editing
2388 @cindex editing, of table formulas
2390 @vindex org-table-use-standard-references
2391 You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the
2392 field. Org can also prepare a special buffer with all active
2393 formulas of a table. When offering a formula for editing, Org
2394 converts references to the standard format (like @code{B3} or @code{D&})
2395 if possible. If you prefer to only work with the internal format (like
2396 @code{@@3$2} or @code{$4}), configure the variable
2397 @code{org-table-use-standard-references}.
2404 Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the
2405 minibuffer. See @ref{Column formulas}, and @ref{Field formulas}.
2406 @kindex C-u C-u C-c =
2408 Re-insert the active formula (either a
2409 field formula, or a column formula) into the current field, so that you
2410 can edit it directly in the field. The advantage over editing in the
2411 minibuffer is that you can use the command @kbd{C-c ?}.
2414 While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s)
2415 referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula.
2418 Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using
2419 overlays. These are updated each time the table is aligned; you can
2420 force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
2423 Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below.
2426 Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the
2427 formulas will be displayed one per line. If the current field has an
2428 active formula, the cursor in the formula editor will mark it.
2429 While inside the special buffer, Org will automatically highlight
2430 any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit,
2431 remove and add formulas, and use the following commands:
2437 Exit the formula editor and store the modified formulas. With @kbd{C-u}
2438 prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.
2441 Exit the formula editor without installing changes.
2444 Toggle all references in the formula editor between standard (like
2445 @code{B3}) and internal (like @code{@@3$2}).
2448 Pretty-print or indent Lisp formula at point. When in a line containing
2449 a Lisp formula, format the formula according to Emacs Lisp rules.
2450 Another @key{TAB} collapses the formula back again. In the open
2451 formula, @key{TAB} re-indents just like in Emacs Lisp mode.
2454 Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs Lisp mode.
2456 @kindex S-@key{down}
2457 @kindex S-@key{left}
2458 @kindex S-@key{right}
2459 @item S-@key{up}/@key{down}/@key{left}/@key{right}
2460 Shift the reference at point. For example, if the reference is
2461 @code{B3} and you press @kbd{S-@key{right}}, it will become @code{C3}.
2462 This also works for relative references and for hline references.
2463 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
2464 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
2465 @item M-S-@key{up}/@key{down}
2466 Move the test line for column formulas in the Org buffer up and
2469 @kindex M-@key{down}
2470 @item M-@key{up}/@key{down}
2471 Scroll the window displaying the table.
2474 Turn the coordinate grid in the table on and off.
2478 Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with
2479 the field, because that is stored in a different line (the @samp{#+TBLFM}
2480 line)---during the next recalculation the field will be filled again.
2481 To remove a formula from a field, you have to give an empty reply when
2482 prompted for the formula, or to edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} line.
2485 You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply the changed
2486 equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line or with the normal
2487 recalculation commands in the table.
2489 @subsubheading Debugging formulas
2490 @cindex formula debugging
2491 @cindex debugging, of table formulas
2492 When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content
2493 becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going
2494 on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a bug,
2495 turn on formula debugging in the @code{Tbl} menu and repeat the
2496 calculation, for example by pressing @kbd{C-u C-u C-c = @key{RET}} in a
2497 field. Detailed information will be displayed.
2499 @node Updating the table, Advanced features, Editing and debugging formulas, The spreadsheet
2500 @subsection Updating the table
2501 @cindex recomputing table fields
2502 @cindex updating, table
2504 Recalculation of a table is normally not automatic, but needs to be
2505 triggered by a command. See @ref{Advanced features}, for a way to make
2506 recalculation at least semi-automatic.
2508 In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the
2514 Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas
2515 from left to right, and all field formulas in the current row.
2521 Recompute the entire table, line by line. Any lines before the first
2522 hline are left alone, assuming that these are part of the table header.
2524 @kindex C-u C-u C-c *
2525 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-c
2527 @itemx C-u C-u C-c C-c
2528 Iterate the table by recomputing it until no further changes occur.
2529 This may be necessary if some computed fields use the value of other
2530 fields that are computed @i{later} in the calculation sequence.
2531 @item M-x org-table-recalculate-buffer-tables
2532 Recompute all tables in the current buffer.
2533 @item M-x org-table-iterate-buffer-tables
2534 Iterate all tables in the current buffer, in order to converge table-to-table
2538 @node Advanced features, , Updating the table, The spreadsheet
2539 @subsection Advanced features
2541 If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically, or if
2542 you want to be able to assign @i{names} to fields and columns, you need
2543 to reserve the first column of the table for special marking characters.
2547 Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{ },
2548 @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. When there is an active region,
2549 change all marks in the region.
2552 Here is an example of a table that collects exam results of students and
2553 makes use of these features:
2557 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2558 | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note |
2559 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2560 | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | |
2561 | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 |
2562 | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | |
2563 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2564 | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 |
2565 | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 |
2566 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2567 | | Average | | | | 29.7 | |
2568 | ^ | | | | | at | |
2569 | $ | max=50 | | | | | |
2570 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2571 #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(@@-II..@@-I);%.1f
2575 @noindent @b{Important}: please note that for these special tables,
2576 recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows that
2577 are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and fields that have a formula assigned
2578 to the field itself. The column formulas are not applied in rows with
2581 @cindex marking characters, tables
2582 The marking characters have the following meaning:
2585 The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may
2586 refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}.
2588 This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such
2589 a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to
2590 the value @samp{10}. Also, if you assign a formula to a names field, it
2591 will be stored as @samp{$name=...}.
2593 Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row
2596 Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For
2597 example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then
2598 formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}.
2599 Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on
2602 Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing
2603 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row
2604 is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked
2605 lines will be left alone by this command.
2607 Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but
2608 not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic
2609 recalculation slows down editing too much.
2611 Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}.
2612 All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#}
2615 Do not export this line. Useful for lines that contain the narrowing
2616 @samp{<N>} markers or column group markers.
2619 Finally, just to whet your appetite for what can be done with the
2620 fantastic @file{calc.el} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor
2621 series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of
2626 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2627 | | Func | n | x | Result |
2628 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2629 | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x |
2630 | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 |
2631 | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 |
2632 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 |
2633 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 |
2634 | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 |
2635 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2636 #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3
2640 @node Org-Plot, , The spreadsheet, Tables
2642 @cindex graph, in tables
2643 @cindex plot tables using Gnuplot
2646 Org-Plot can produce 2D and 3D graphs of information stored in org tables
2647 using @file{Gnuplot} @uref{http://www.gnuplot.info/} and @file{gnuplot-mode}
2648 @uref{http://cars9.uchicago.edu/~ravel/software/gnuplot-mode.html}. To see
2649 this in action, ensure that you have both Gnuplot and Gnuplot mode installed
2650 on your system, then call @code{org-plot/gnuplot} on the following table.
2654 #+PLOT: title:"Citas" ind:1 deps:(3) type:2d with:histograms set:"yrange [0:]"
2655 | Sede | Max cites | H-index |
2656 |-----------+-----------+---------|
2657 | Chile | 257.72 | 21.39 |
2658 | Leeds | 165.77 | 19.68 |
2659 | Sao Paolo | 71.00 | 11.50 |
2660 | Stockholm | 134.19 | 14.33 |
2661 | Morelia | 257.56 | 17.67 |
2665 Notice that Org Plot is smart enough to apply the table's headers as labels.
2666 Further control over the labels, type, content, and appearance of plots can
2667 be exercised through the @code{#+PLOT:} lines preceding a table. See below
2668 for a complete list of Org-plot options. For more information and examples
2669 see the Org-plot tutorial at
2670 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-tutorials/org-plot.php}.
2672 @subsubheading Plot Options
2676 Specify any @command{gnuplot} option to be set when graphing.
2679 Specify the title of the plot.
2682 Specify which column of the table to use as the @code{x} axis.
2685 Specify the columns to graph as a Lisp style list, surrounded by parentheses
2686 and separated by spaces for example @code{dep:(3 4)} to graph the third and
2687 fourth columns (defaults to graphing all other columns aside from the @code{ind}
2691 Specify whether the plot will be @code{2d}, @code{3d}, or @code{grid}.
2694 Specify a @code{with} option to be inserted for every col being plotted
2695 (e.g. @code{lines}, @code{points}, @code{boxes}, @code{impulses}, etc...).
2696 Defaults to @code{lines}.
2699 If you want to plot to a file, specify @code{"@var{path/to/desired/output-file}"}.
2702 List of labels to be used for the deps (defaults to the column headers if
2706 Specify an entire line to be inserted in the Gnuplot script.
2709 When plotting @code{3d} or @code{grid} types, set this to @code{t} to graph a
2710 flat mapping rather than a @code{3d} slope.
2713 Specify format of Org-mode timestamps as they will be parsed by Gnuplot.
2714 Defaults to @samp{%Y-%m-%d-%H:%M:%S}.
2717 If you want total control, you can specify a script file (place the file name
2718 between double-quotes) which will be used to plot. Before plotting, every
2719 instance of @code{$datafile} in the specified script will be replaced with
2720 the path to the generated data file. Note: even if you set this option, you
2721 may still want to specify the plot type, as that can impact the content of
2725 @node Hyperlinks, TODO Items, Tables, Top
2729 Like HTML, Org provides links inside a file, external links to
2730 other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more.
2733 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
2734 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
2735 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
2736 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
2737 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
2738 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
2739 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
2740 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
2743 @node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
2744 @section Link format
2746 @cindex format, of links
2748 Org will recognize plain URL-like links and activate them as
2749 clickable links. The general link format, however, looks like this:
2752 [[link][description]] @r{or alternatively} [[link]]
2756 Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org
2757 will change the display so that @samp{description} is displayed instead
2758 of @samp{[[link][description]]} and @samp{link} is displayed instead of
2759 @samp{[[link]]}. Links will be highlighted in the face @code{org-link},
2760 which by default is an underlined face. You can directly edit the
2761 visible part of a link. Note that this can be either the @samp{link}
2762 part (if there is no description) or the @samp{description} part. To
2763 edit also the invisible @samp{link} part, use @kbd{C-c C-l} with the
2766 If you place the cursor at the beginning or just behind the end of the
2767 displayed text and press @key{BACKSPACE}, you will remove the
2768 (invisible) bracket at that location. This makes the link incomplete
2769 and the internals are again displayed as plain text. Inserting the
2770 missing bracket hides the link internals again. To show the
2771 internal structure of all links, use the menu entry
2772 @code{Org->Hyperlinks->Literal links}.
2774 @node Internal links, External links, Link format, Hyperlinks
2775 @section Internal links
2776 @cindex internal links
2777 @cindex links, internal
2778 @cindex targets, for links
2780 @cindex property, CUSTOM_ID
2781 If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in the
2782 current file. The most important case is a link like
2783 @samp{[[#my-custom-id]]} which will link to the entry with the
2784 @code{CUSTOM_ID} property @samp{my-custom-id}. Such custom IDs are very good
2785 for HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}) where they produce pretty section
2786 links. You are responsible yourself to make sure these custom IDs are unique
2789 Links such as @samp{[[My Target]]} or @samp{[[My Target][Find my target]]}
2790 lead to a text search in the current file.
2792 The link can be followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} when the cursor is on the link,
2793 or with a mouse click (@pxref{Handling links}). Links to custom IDs will
2794 point to the corresponding headline. The preferred match for a text link is
2795 a @i{dedicated target}: the same string in double angular brackets. Targets
2796 may be located anywhere; sometimes it is convenient to put them into a
2797 comment line. For example
2803 @noindent In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such targets will become
2804 named anchors for direct access through @samp{http} links@footnote{Note that
2805 text before the first headline is usually not exported, so the first such
2806 target should be after the first headline, or in the line directly before the
2809 If no dedicated target exists, Org will search for a headline that is exactly
2810 the link text but may also include a TODO keyword and tags@footnote{To insert
2811 a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used. Just type a
2812 star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer and press
2813 @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will be offered as
2814 completions.}. In non-Org files, the search will look for the words in the
2815 link text, in the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}.
2817 Following a link pushes a mark onto Org's own mark ring. You can
2818 return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command
2819 several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded
2823 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
2826 @node Radio targets, , Internal links, Internal links
2827 @subsection Radio targets
2828 @cindex radio targets
2829 @cindex targets, radio
2830 @cindex links, radio targets
2832 Org can automatically turn any occurrences of certain target names
2833 in normal text into a link. So without explicitly creating a link, the
2834 text connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are
2835 enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target @samp{<<<My
2836 Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in normal text to
2837 become activated as a link. The Org file is scanned automatically
2838 for radio targets only when the file is first loaded into Emacs. To
2839 update the target list during editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
2840 cursor on or at a target.
2842 @node External links, Handling links, Internal links, Hyperlinks
2843 @section External links
2844 @cindex links, external
2845 @cindex external links
2846 @cindex links, external
2854 @cindex WANDERLUST links
2856 @cindex USENET links
2861 Org supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages,
2862 BBDB database entries and links to both IRC conversations and their
2863 logs. External links are URL-like locators. They start with a short
2864 identifying string followed by a colon. There can be no space after
2865 the colon. The following list shows examples for each link type.
2868 http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik @r{on the web}
2869 doi:10.1000/182 @r{DOI for an electronic resource}
2870 file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{file, absolute path}
2871 /home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{same as above}
2872 file:papers/last.pdf @r{file, relative path}
2873 ./papers/last.pdf @r{same as above}
2874 file:/myself@@some.where:papers/last.pdf @r{file, path on remote machine}
2875 /myself@@some.where:papers/last.pdf @r{same as above}
2876 file:sometextfile::NNN @r{file with line number to jump to}
2877 file:projects.org @r{another Org file}
2878 file:projects.org::some words @r{text search in Org file}
2879 file:projects.org::*task title @r{heading search in Org file}
2880 docview:papers/last.pdf::NNN @r{open file in doc-view mode at page NNN}
2881 id:B7423F4D-2E8A-471B-8810-C40F074717E9 @r{Link to heading by ID}
2882 news:comp.emacs @r{Usenet link}
2883 mailto:adent@@galaxy.net @r{Mail link}
2884 vm:folder @r{VM folder link}
2885 vm:folder#id @r{VM message link}
2886 vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id @r{VM on remote machine}
2887 wl:folder @r{WANDERLUST folder link}
2888 wl:folder#id @r{WANDERLUST message link}
2889 mhe:folder @r{MH-E folder link}
2890 mhe:folder#id @r{MH-E message link}
2891 rmail:folder @r{RMAIL folder link}
2892 rmail:folder#id @r{RMAIL message link}
2893 gnus:group @r{Gnus group link}
2894 gnus:group#id @r{Gnus article link}
2895 bbdb:R.*Stallman @r{BBDB link (with regexp)}
2896 irc:/irc.com/#emacs/bob @r{IRC link}
2897 info:org:External%20links @r{Info node link (with encoded space)}
2898 shell:ls *.org @r{A shell command}
2899 elisp:org-agenda @r{Interactive Elisp command}
2900 elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{Elisp form to evaluate}
2903 A link should be enclosed in double brackets and may contain a
2904 descriptive text to be displayed instead of the URL (@pxref{Link
2905 format}), for example:
2908 [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/][GNU Emacs]]
2912 If the description is a file name or URL that points to an image, HTML
2913 export (@pxref{HTML export}) will inline the image as a clickable
2914 button. If there is no description at all and the link points to an
2916 that image will be inlined into the exported HTML file.
2918 @cindex square brackets, around links
2919 @cindex plain text external links
2920 Org also finds external links in the normal text and activates them
2921 as links. If spaces must be part of the link (for example in
2922 @samp{bbdb:Richard Stallman}), or if you need to remove ambiguities
2923 about the end of the link, enclose them in square brackets.
2925 @node Handling links, Using links outside Org, External links, Hyperlinks
2926 @section Handling links
2927 @cindex links, handling
2929 Org provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
2930 insert it into an Org file, and to follow the link.
2934 @cindex storing links
2936 Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command (you
2937 must create the key binding yourself) which can be used in any buffer to
2938 create a link. The link will be stored for later insertion into an Org
2939 buffer (see below). What kind of link will be created depends on the current
2942 @b{Org-mode buffers}@*
2943 For Org files, if there is a @samp{<<target>>} at the cursor, the link points
2944 to the target. Otherwise it points to the current headline, which will also
2947 @vindex org-link-to-org-use-id
2948 @cindex property, CUSTOM_ID
2949 @cindex property, ID
2950 If the headline has a @code{CUSTOM_ID} property, a link to this custom ID
2951 will be stored. In addition or alternatively (depending on the value of
2952 @code{org-link-to-org-use-id}), a globally unique @code{ID} property will be
2953 created and/or used to construct a link. So using this command in Org
2954 buffers will potentially create two links: a human-readable from the custom
2955 ID, and one that is globally unique and works even if the entry is moved from
2956 file to file. Later, when inserting the link, you need to decide which one
2959 @b{Email/News clients: VM, Rmail, Wanderlust, MH-E, Gnus}@*
2960 Pretty much all Emacs mail clients are supported. The link will point to the
2961 current article, or, in some GNUS buffers, to the group. The description is
2962 constructed from the author and the subject.
2964 @b{Web browsers: W3 and W3M}@*
2965 Here the link will be the current URL, with the page title as description.
2967 @b{Contacts: BBDB}@*
2968 Links created in a BBDB buffer will point to the current entry.
2971 @vindex org-irc-link-to-logs
2972 For IRC links, if you set the variable @code{org-irc-link-to-logs} to
2973 @code{t}, a @samp{file:/} style link to the relevant point in the logs for
2974 the current conversation is created. Otherwise an @samp{irc:/} style link to
2975 the user/channel/server under the point will be stored.
2978 For any other files, the link will point to the file, with a search string
2979 (@pxref{Search options}) pointing to the contents of the current line. If
2980 there is an active region, the selected words will form the basis of the
2981 search string. If the automatically created link is not working correctly or
2982 accurately enough, you can write custom functions to select the search string
2983 and to do the search for particular file types---see @ref{Custom searches}.
2984 The key binding @kbd{C-c l} is only a suggestion---see @ref{Installation}.
2987 When the cursor is in an agenda view, the created link points to the
2988 entry referenced by the current line.
2992 @cindex link completion
2993 @cindex completion, of links
2994 @cindex inserting links
2996 @vindex org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion
2997 Insert a link@footnote{ Note that you don't have to use this command to
2998 insert a link. Links in Org are plain text, and you can type or paste them
2999 straight into the buffer. By using this command, the links are automatically
3000 enclosed in double brackets, and you will be asked for the optional
3001 descriptive text.}. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the buffer.
3002 You can just type a link, using text for an internal link, or one of the link
3003 type prefixes mentioned in the examples above. The link will be inserted
3004 into the buffer@footnote{After insertion of a stored link, the link will be
3005 removed from the list of stored links. To keep it in the list later use, use
3006 a triple @kbd{C-u} prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the option
3007 @code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}, along with a descriptive text.
3008 If some text was selected when this command is called, the selected text
3009 becomes the default description.
3011 @b{Inserting stored links}@*
3012 All links stored during the
3013 current session are part of the history for this prompt, so you can access
3014 them with @key{up} and @key{down} (or @kbd{M-p/n}).
3016 @b{Completion support}@* Completion with @key{TAB} will help you to insert
3017 valid link prefixes like @samp{http:} or @samp{ftp:}, including the prefixes
3018 defined through link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}). If you
3019 press @key{RET} after inserting only the @var{prefix}, Org will offer
3020 specific completion support for some link types@footnote{This works by
3021 calling a special function @code{org-PREFIX-complete-link}.} For
3022 example, if you type @kbd{file @key{RET}}, file name completion (alternative
3023 access: @kbd{C-u C-c C-l}, see below) will be offered, and after @kbd{bbdb
3024 @key{RET}} you can complete contact names.
3026 @cindex file name completion
3027 @cindex completion, of file names
3029 When @kbd{C-c C-l} is called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, a link to
3030 a file will be inserted and you may use file name completion to select
3031 the name of the file. The path to the file is inserted relative to the
3032 directory of the current Org file, if the linked file is in the current
3033 directory or in a sub-directory of it, or if the path is written relative
3034 to the current directory using @samp{../}. Otherwise an absolute path
3035 is used, if possible with @samp{~/} for your home directory. You can
3036 force an absolute path with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes.
3038 @item C-c C-l @ @r{(with cursor on existing link)}
3039 When the cursor is on an existing link, @kbd{C-c C-l} allows you to edit the
3040 link and description parts of the link.
3042 @cindex following links
3045 @item C-c C-o @ @r{(or, if @code{org-return-follows-link} is set, also} @key{RET}
3046 @vindex org-file-apps
3047 Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using
3048 @command{browse-url-at-point}), run VM/MH-E/Wanderlust/Rmail/Gnus/BBDB for
3049 the corresponding links, and execute the command in a shell link. When the
3050 cursor is on an internal link, this command runs the corresponding search.
3051 When the cursor is on a TAG list in a headline, it creates the corresponding
3052 TAGS view. If the cursor is on a timestamp, it compiles the agenda for that
3053 date. Furthermore, it will visit text and remote files in @samp{file:} links
3054 with Emacs and select a suitable application for local non-text files.
3055 Classification of files is based on file extension only. See option
3056 @code{org-file-apps}. If you want to override the default application and
3057 visit the file with Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u} prefix. If you want to avoid
3058 opening in Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u C-u} prefix.@*
3059 If the cursor is on a headline, but not on a link, offer all links in the
3060 headline and entry text.
3066 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just as @kbd{C-c C-o}
3067 would. Under Emacs 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also follow a link.
3071 @vindex org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer
3072 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs, and
3073 internal links to be displayed in another window@footnote{See the
3074 variable @code{org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer}}.
3076 @cindex inlining images
3077 @cindex images, inlining
3080 Toggle the inline display of linked images. Normally this will only inline
3081 images that have no description part in the link, i.e. images that will also
3082 be inlined during export. When called with a prefix argument, also display
3083 images that do have a link description.
3087 Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
3088 easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
3090 @cindex links, returning to
3093 Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the
3094 commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this
3095 command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of
3096 previously recorded positions.
3100 @cindex links, finding next/previous
3103 Move forward/backward to the next link in the buffer. At the limit of
3104 the buffer, the search fails once, and then wraps around. The key
3105 bindings for this are really too long, you might want to bind this also
3106 to @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{C-p}
3108 (add-hook 'org-load-hook
3110 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-n" 'org-next-link)
3111 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-p" 'org-previous-link)))
3115 @node Using links outside Org, Link abbreviations, Handling links, Hyperlinks
3116 @section Using links outside Org
3118 You can insert and follow links that have Org syntax not only in
3119 Org, but in any Emacs buffer. For this, you should create two
3120 global commands, like this (please select suitable global keys
3124 (global-set-key "\C-c L" 'org-insert-link-global)
3125 (global-set-key "\C-c o" 'org-open-at-point-global)
3128 @node Link abbreviations, Search options, Using links outside Org, Hyperlinks
3129 @section Link abbreviations
3130 @cindex link abbreviations
3131 @cindex abbreviation, links
3133 Long URLs can be cumbersome to type, and often many similar links are
3134 needed in a document. For this you can use link abbreviations. An
3135 abbreviated link looks like this
3138 [[linkword:tag][description]]
3142 @vindex org-link-abbrev-alist
3143 where the tag is optional.
3144 The @i{linkword} must be a word, starting with a letter, followed by
3145 letters, numbers, @samp{-}, and @samp{_}. Abbreviations are resolved
3146 according to the information in the variable @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}
3147 that relates the linkwords to replacement text. Here is an example:
3151 (setq org-link-abbrev-alist
3152 '(("bugzilla" . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=")
3153 ("google" . "http://www.google.com/search?q=")
3154 ("ads" . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/
3155 nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST")))
3159 If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be
3160 replaced with the tag. Otherwise the tag will be appended to the string
3161 in order to create the link. You may also specify a function that will
3162 be called with the tag as the only argument to create the link.
3164 With the above setting, you could link to a specific bug with
3165 @code{[[bugzilla:129]]}, search the web for @samp{OrgMode} with
3166 @code{[[google:OrgMode]]} and find out what the Org author is
3167 doing besides Emacs hacking with @code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}.
3169 If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org buffer, you
3170 can define them in the file with
3174 #+LINK: bugzilla http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=
3175 #+LINK: google http://www.google.com/search?q=%s
3179 In-buffer completion (@pxref{Completion}) can be used after @samp{[} to
3180 complete link abbreviations. You may also define a function
3181 @code{org-PREFIX-complete-link} that implements special (e.g. completion)
3182 support for inserting such a link with @kbd{C-c C-l}. Such a function should
3183 not accept any arguments, and return the full link with prefix.
3185 @node Search options, Custom searches, Link abbreviations, Hyperlinks
3186 @section Search options in file links
3187 @cindex search option in file links
3188 @cindex file links, searching
3190 File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a
3191 particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a
3192 line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward
3193 compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon. For
3194 example, when the command @kbd{C-c l} creates a link (@pxref{Handling
3195 links}) to a file, it encodes the words in the current line as a search
3196 string that can be used to find this line back later when following the
3197 link with @kbd{C-c C-o}.
3199 Here is the syntax of the different ways to attach a search to a file
3200 link, together with an explanation:
3203 [[file:~/code/main.c::255]]
3204 [[file:~/xx.org::My Target]]
3205 [[file:~/xx.org::*My Target]]
3206 [[file:~/xx.org::#my-custom-id]]
3207 [[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]]
3214 Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, or do a text search for
3215 @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see
3216 @ref{Internal links}. In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such a file
3217 link will become an HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in
3220 In an Org file, restrict search to headlines.
3222 Link to a heading with a @code{CUSTOM_ID} property
3224 Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs
3225 command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the
3226 target file is in Org-mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a
3227 sparse tree with the matches.
3228 @c If the target file is a directory,
3229 @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory.
3232 As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used
3233 to search the current file. For example, @code{[[file:::find me]]} does
3234 a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just as
3235 @samp{[[find me]]} would.
3237 @node Custom searches, , Search options, Hyperlinks
3238 @section Custom Searches
3239 @cindex custom search strings
3240 @cindex search strings, custom
3242 The default mechanism for creating search strings and for doing the
3243 actual search related to a file link may not work correctly in all
3244 cases. For example, Bib@TeX{} database files have many entries like
3245 @samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings,
3246 because the only unique identification for a Bib@TeX{} entry is the
3249 @vindex org-create-file-search-functions
3250 @vindex org-execute-file-search-functions
3251 If you come across such a problem, you can write custom functions to set
3252 the right search string for a particular file type, and to do the search
3253 for the string in the file. Using @code{add-hook}, these functions need
3254 to be added to the hook variables
3255 @code{org-create-file-search-functions} and
3256 @code{org-execute-file-search-functions}. See the docstring for these
3257 variables for more information. Org actually uses this mechanism
3258 for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as
3259 an implementation example. See the file @file{org-bibtex.el}.
3261 @node TODO Items, Tags, Hyperlinks, Top
3265 Org-mode does not maintain TODO lists as separate documents@footnote{Of
3266 course, you can make a document that contains only long lists of TODO items,
3267 but this is not required.}. Instead, TODO items are an integral part of the
3268 notes file, because TODO items usually come up while taking notes! With Org
3269 mode, simply mark any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way,
3270 information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the TODO
3271 item emerged is always present.
3273 Of course, this technique for managing TODO items scatters them
3274 throughout your notes file. Org-mode compensates for this by providing
3275 methods to give you an overview of all the things that you have to do.
3278 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
3279 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
3280 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
3281 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
3282 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
3283 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
3286 @node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO Items, TODO Items
3287 @section Basic TODO functionality
3289 Any headline becomes a TODO item when it starts with the word
3290 @samp{TODO}, for example:
3293 *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune
3297 The most important commands to work with TODO entries are:
3301 @cindex cycling, of TODO states
3303 Rotate the TODO state of the current item among
3306 ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --.
3307 '--------------------------------'
3310 The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3311 agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3315 Select a specific keyword using completion or (if it has been set up)
3316 the fast selection interface. For the latter, you need to assign keys
3317 to TODO states, see @ref{Per-file keywords}, and @ref{Setting tags}, for
3320 @kindex S-@key{right}
3321 @kindex S-@key{left}
3322 @vindex org-treat-S-cursor-todo-selection-as-state-change
3325 Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling. Useful
3326 mostly if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO
3327 extensions}). See also @ref{Conflicts}, for a discussion of the interaction
3328 with @code{shift-selection-mode}. See also the variable
3329 @code{org-treat-S-cursor-todo-selection-as-state-change}.
3331 @cindex sparse tree, for TODO
3333 @vindex org-todo-keywords
3334 View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds the
3335 entire buffer, but shows all TODO items (with not-DONE state) and the
3336 headings hierarchy above them. With a prefix argument (or by using @kbd{C-c
3337 / T}), search for a specific TODO. You will be prompted for the keyword, and
3338 you can also give a list of keywords like @code{KWD1|KWD2|...} to list
3339 entries that match any one of these keywords. With numeric prefix argument
3340 N, show the tree for the Nth keyword in the variable
3341 @code{org-todo-keywords}. With two prefix arguments, find all TODO states,
3342 both un-done and done.
3345 Show the global TODO list. Collects the TODO items (with not-DONE states)
3346 from all agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The new
3347 buffer will be in @code{agenda-mode}, which provides commands to examine and
3348 manipulate the TODO entries from the new buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3349 @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
3350 @kindex S-M-@key{RET}
3352 Insert a new TODO entry below the current one.
3356 @vindex org-todo-state-tags-triggers
3357 Changing a TODO state can also trigger tag changes. See the docstring of the
3358 option @code{org-todo-state-tags-triggers} for details.
3360 @node TODO extensions, Progress logging, TODO basics, TODO Items
3361 @section Extended use of TODO keywords
3362 @cindex extended TODO keywords
3364 @vindex org-todo-keywords
3365 By default, marked TODO entries have one of only two states: TODO and
3366 DONE. Org-mode allows you to classify TODO items in more complex ways
3367 with @emph{TODO keywords} (stored in @code{org-todo-keywords}). With
3368 special setup, the TODO keyword system can work differently in different
3371 Note that @i{tags} are another way to classify headlines in general and
3372 TODO items in particular (@pxref{Tags}).
3375 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
3376 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
3377 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
3378 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
3379 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
3380 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
3381 * TODO dependencies:: When one task needs to wait for others
3384 @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions
3385 @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states
3386 @cindex TODO workflow
3387 @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords
3389 You can use TODO keywords to indicate different @emph{sequential} states
3390 in the process of working on an item, for example@footnote{Changing
3391 this variable only becomes effective after restarting Org-mode in a
3395 (setq org-todo-keywords
3396 '((sequence "TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "|" "DONE" "DELEGATED")))
3399 The vertical bar separates the TODO keywords (states that @emph{need
3400 action}) from the DONE states (which need @emph{no further action}). If
3401 you don't provide the separator bar, the last state is used as the DONE
3403 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
3404 With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from TODO
3405 to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE and DELEGATED. You may
3406 also use a numeric prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For
3407 example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
3408 Or you can use @kbd{S-@key{left}} to go backward through the sequence. If you
3409 define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion
3410 (@pxref{Completion}) or even a special one-key selection scheme
3411 (@pxref{Fast access to TODO states}) to insert these words into the
3412 buffer. Changing a TODO state can be logged with a timestamp, see
3413 @ref{Tracking TODO state changes}, for more information.
3415 @node TODO types, Multiple sets in one file, Workflow states, TODO extensions
3416 @subsection TODO keywords as types
3418 @cindex names as TODO keywords
3419 @cindex types as TODO keywords
3421 The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different
3422 @emph{types} of action items. For example, you might want to indicate
3423 that items are for ``work'' or ``home''. Or, when you work with several
3424 people on a single project, you might want to assign action items
3425 directly to persons, by using their names as TODO keywords. This would
3426 be set up like this:
3429 (setq org-todo-keywords '((type "Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "|" "DONE")))
3432 In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather
3433 different types. So the normal work flow would be to assign a task to a
3434 person, and later to mark it DONE. Org-mode supports this style by adapting
3435 the workings of the command @kbd{C-c C-t}@footnote{This is also true for the
3436 @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When used several
3437 times in succession, it will still cycle through all names, in order to first
3438 select the right type for a task. But when you return to the item after some
3439 time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from any name directly
3440 to DONE. Use prefix arguments or completion to quickly select a specific
3441 name. You can also review the items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree
3442 by using a numeric prefix to @kbd{C-c / t}. For example, to see all things
3443 Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c / t}. To collect Lucy's items
3444 from all agenda files into a single buffer, you would use the numeric prefix
3445 argument as well when creating the global TODO list: @kbd{C-3 C-c a t}.
3447 @node Multiple sets in one file, Fast access to TODO states, TODO types, TODO extensions
3448 @subsection Multiple keyword sets in one file
3449 @cindex TODO keyword sets
3451 Sometimes you may want to use different sets of TODO keywords in
3452 parallel. For example, you may want to have the basic
3453 @code{TODO}/@code{DONE}, but also a workflow for bug fixing, and a
3454 separate state indicating that an item has been canceled (so it is not
3455 DONE, but also does not require action). Your setup would then look
3459 (setq org-todo-keywords
3460 '((sequence "TODO" "|" "DONE")
3461 (sequence "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED")
3462 (sequence "|" "CANCELED")))
3465 The keywords should all be different, this helps Org-mode to keep track
3466 of which subsequence should be used for a given entry. In this setup,
3467 @kbd{C-c C-t} only operates within a subsequence, so it switches from
3468 @code{DONE} to (nothing) to @code{TODO}, and from @code{FIXED} to
3469 (nothing) to @code{REPORT}. Therefore you need a mechanism to initially
3470 select the correct sequence. Besides the obvious ways like typing a
3471 keyword or using completion, you may also apply the following commands:
3474 @kindex C-S-@key{right}
3475 @kindex C-S-@key{left}
3476 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-t
3477 @item C-u C-u C-c C-t
3478 @itemx C-S-@key{right}
3479 @itemx C-S-@key{left}
3480 These keys jump from one TODO subset to the next. In the above example,
3481 @kbd{C-u C-u C-c C-t} or @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} would jump from @code{TODO} or
3482 @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT}, and any of the words in the second row to
3483 @code{CANCELED}. Note that the @kbd{C-S-} key binding conflict with
3484 @code{shift-selection-mode} (@pxref{Conflicts}).
3485 @kindex S-@key{right}
3486 @kindex S-@key{left}
3489 @kbd{S-@key{<left>}} and @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} and walk through @emph{all}
3490 keywords from all sets, so for example @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} would switch
3491 from @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT} in the example above. See also
3492 @ref{Conflicts}, for a discussion of the interaction with
3493 @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3496 @node Fast access to TODO states, Per-file keywords, Multiple sets in one file, TODO extensions
3497 @subsection Fast access to TODO states
3499 If you would like to quickly change an entry to an arbitrary TODO state
3500 instead of cycling through the states, you can set up keys for
3501 single-letter access to the states. This is done by adding the section
3502 key after each keyword, in parentheses. For example:
3505 (setq org-todo-keywords
3506 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "|" "DONE(d)")
3507 (sequence "REPORT(r)" "BUG(b)" "KNOWNCAUSE(k)" "|" "FIXED(f)")
3508 (sequence "|" "CANCELED(c)")))
3511 @vindex org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo
3512 If you then press @code{C-c C-t} followed by the selection key, the entry
3513 will be switched to this state. @key{SPC} can be used to remove any TODO
3514 keyword from an entry.@footnote{Check also the variable
3515 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo}, it allows you to change the TODO
3516 state through the tags interface (@pxref{Setting tags}), in case you like to
3517 mingle the two concepts. Note that this means you need to come up with
3518 unique keys across both sets of keywords.}
3520 @node Per-file keywords, Faces for TODO keywords, Fast access to TODO states, TODO extensions
3521 @subsection Setting up keywords for individual files
3522 @cindex keyword options
3523 @cindex per-file keywords
3528 It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in
3529 different files. For file-local settings, you need to add special lines
3530 to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that file
3531 only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed above, you
3532 need one of the following lines, starting in column zero anywhere in the
3536 #+TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY | DONE CANCELED
3538 @noindent (you may also write @code{#+SEQ_TODO} to be explicit about the
3539 interpretation, but it means the same as @code{#+TODO}), or
3541 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike | DONE
3544 A setup for using several sets in parallel would be:
3548 #+TODO: REPORT BUG KNOWNCAUSE | FIXED
3552 @cindex completion, of option keywords
3554 @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type
3555 @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion.
3557 @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword
3558 Remember that the keywords after the vertical bar (or the last keyword
3559 if no bar is there) must always mean that the item is DONE (although you
3560 may use a different word). After changing one of these lines, use
3561 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to make the changes
3562 known to Org-mode@footnote{Org-mode parses these lines only when
3563 Org-mode is activated after visiting a file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
3564 cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+} is simply restarting Org-mode
3565 for the current buffer.}.
3567 @node Faces for TODO keywords, TODO dependencies, Per-file keywords, TODO extensions
3568 @subsection Faces for TODO keywords
3569 @cindex faces, for TODO keywords
3571 @vindex org-todo @r{(face)}
3572 @vindex org-done @r{(face)}
3573 @vindex org-todo-keyword-faces
3574 Org-mode highlights TODO keywords with special faces: @code{org-todo}
3575 for keywords indicating that an item still has to be acted upon, and
3576 @code{org-done} for keywords indicating that an item is finished. If
3577 you are using more than 2 different states, you might want to use
3578 special faces for some of them. This can be done using the variable
3579 @code{org-todo-keyword-faces}. For example:
3583 (setq org-todo-keyword-faces
3584 '(("TODO" . org-warning) ("STARTED" . "yellow")
3585 ("CANCELED" . (:foreground "blue" :weight bold))))
3589 While using a list with face properties as shown for CANCELED @emph{should}
3590 work, this does not aways seem to be the case. If necessary, define a
3591 special face and use that. A string is interpreted as a color. The variable
3592 @code{org-faces-easy-properties} determines if that color is interpreted as a
3593 foreground or a background color.
3595 @node TODO dependencies, , Faces for TODO keywords, TODO extensions
3596 @subsection TODO dependencies
3597 @cindex TODO dependencies
3598 @cindex dependencies, of TODO states
3600 @vindex org-enforce-todo-dependencies
3601 @cindex property, ORDERED
3602 The structure of Org files (hierarchy and lists) makes it easy to define TODO
3603 dependencies. Usually, a parent TODO task should not be marked DONE until
3604 all subtasks (defined as children tasks) are marked as DONE. And sometimes
3605 there is a logical sequence to a number of (sub)tasks, so that one task
3606 cannot be acted upon before all siblings above it are done. If you customize
3607 the variable @code{org-enforce-todo-dependencies}, Org will block entries
3608 from changing state to DONE while they have children that are not DONE.
3609 Furthermore, if an entry has a property @code{ORDERED}, each of its children
3610 will be blocked until all earlier siblings are marked DONE. Here is an
3614 * TODO Blocked until (two) is done
3623 ** TODO b, needs to wait for (a)
3624 ** TODO c, needs to wait for (a) and (b)
3630 @vindex org-track-ordered-property-with-tag
3631 @cindex property, ORDERED
3632 Toggle the @code{ORDERED} property of the current entry. A property is used
3633 for this behavior because this should be local to the current entry, not
3634 inherited like a tag. However, if you would like to @i{track} the value of
3635 this property with a tag for better visibility, customize the variable
3636 @code{org-track-ordered-property-with-tag}.
3637 @kindex C-u C-u C-u C-c C-t
3638 @item C-u C-u C-u C-c C-t
3639 Change TODO state, circumventing any state blocking.
3642 @vindex org-agenda-dim-blocked-tasks
3643 If you set the variable @code{org-agenda-dim-blocked-tasks}, TODO entries
3644 that cannot be closed because of such dependencies will be shown in a dimmed
3645 font or even made invisible in agenda views (@pxref{Agenda Views}).
3647 @cindex checkboxes and TODO dependencies
3648 @vindex org-enforce-todo-dependencies
3649 You can also block changes of TODO states by looking at checkboxes
3650 (@pxref{Checkboxes}). If you set the variable
3651 @code{org-enforce-todo-checkbox-dependencies}, an entry that has unchecked
3652 checkboxes will be blocked from switching to DONE.
3654 If you need more complex dependency structures, for example dependencies
3655 between entries in different trees or files, check out the contributed
3656 module @file{org-depend.el}.
3659 @node Progress logging, Priorities, TODO extensions, TODO Items
3660 @section Progress logging
3661 @cindex progress logging
3662 @cindex logging, of progress
3664 Org-mode can automatically record a timestamp and possibly a note when
3665 you mark a TODO item as DONE, or even each time you change the state of
3666 a TODO item. This system is highly configurable, settings can be on a
3667 per-keyword basis and can be localized to a file or even a subtree. For
3668 information on how to clock working time for a task, see @ref{Clocking
3672 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
3673 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
3674 * Tracking your habits:: How consistent have you been?
3677 @node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging
3678 @subsection Closing items
3680 The most basic logging is to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO
3681 item was finished. This is achieved with@footnote{The corresponding
3682 in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}}.
3685 (setq org-log-done 'time)
3689 Then each time you turn an entry from a TODO (not-done) state into any
3690 of the DONE states, a line @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted
3691 just after the headline. If you turn the entry back into a TODO item
3692 through further state cycling, that line will be removed again. If you
3693 want to record a note along with the timestamp, use@footnote{The
3694 corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognotedone}}
3697 (setq org-log-done 'note)
3701 You will then be prompted for a note, and that note will be stored below
3702 the entry with a @samp{Closing Note} heading.
3704 In the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda
3705 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), you can then use the @kbd{l} key to
3706 display the TODO items with a @samp{CLOSED} timestamp on each day,
3707 giving you an overview of what has been done.
3709 @node Tracking TODO state changes, Tracking your habits, Closing items, Progress logging
3710 @subsection Tracking TODO state changes
3711 @cindex drawer, for state change recording
3713 @vindex org-log-states-order-reversed
3714 @vindex org-log-into-drawer
3715 @cindex property, LOG_INTO_DRAWER
3716 When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow states}), you
3717 might want to keep track of when a state change occurred and maybe take a
3718 note about this change. You can either record just a timestamp, or a
3719 time-stamped note for a change. These records will be inserted after the
3720 headline as an itemized list, newest first@footnote{See the variable
3721 @code{org-log-states-order-reversed}}. When taking a lot of notes, you might
3722 want to get the notes out of the way into a drawer (@pxref{Drawers}).
3723 Customize the variable @code{org-log-into-drawer} to get this
3724 behavior---the recommended drawer for this is called @code{LOGBOOK}. You can
3725 also overrule the setting of this variable for a subtree by setting a
3726 @code{LOG_INTO_DRAWER} property.
3728 Since it is normally too much to record a note for every state, Org-mode
3729 expects configuration on a per-keyword basis for this. This is achieved by
3730 adding special markers @samp{!} (for a timestamp) and @samp{@@} (for a note)
3731 in parentheses after each keyword. For example, with the setting
3734 (setq org-todo-keywords
3735 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "WAIT(w@@/!)" "|" "DONE(d!)" "CANCELED(c@@)")))
3739 @vindex org-log-done
3740 you not only define global TODO keywords and fast access keys, but also
3741 request that a time is recorded when the entry is set to
3742 DONE@footnote{It is possible that Org-mode will record two timestamps
3743 when you are using both @code{org-log-done} and state change logging.
3744 However, it will never prompt for two notes---if you have configured
3745 both, the state change recording note will take precedence and cancel
3746 the @samp{Closing Note}.}, and that a note is recorded when switching to
3747 WAIT or CANCELED. The setting for WAIT is even more special: the
3748 @samp{!} after the slash means that in addition to the note taken when
3749 entering the state, a timestamp should be recorded when @i{leaving} the
3750 WAIT state, if and only if the @i{target} state does not configure
3751 logging for entering it. So it has no effect when switching from WAIT
3752 to DONE, because DONE is configured to record a timestamp only. But
3753 when switching from WAIT back to TODO, the @samp{/!} in the WAIT
3754 setting now triggers a timestamp even though TODO has no logging
3757 You can use the exact same syntax for setting logging preferences local
3760 #+TODO: TODO(t) WAIT(w@@/!) | DONE(d!) CANCELED(c@@)
3763 @cindex property, LOGGING
3764 In order to define logging settings that are local to a subtree or a
3765 single item, define a LOGGING property in this entry. Any non-empty
3766 LOGGING property resets all logging settings to nil. You may then turn
3767 on logging for this specific tree using STARTUP keywords like
3768 @code{lognotedone} or @code{logrepeat}, as well as adding state specific
3769 settings like @code{TODO(!)}. For example
3772 * TODO Log each state with only a time
3774 :LOGGING: TODO(!) WAIT(!) DONE(!) CANCELED(!)
3776 * TODO Only log when switching to WAIT, and when repeating
3778 :LOGGING: WAIT(@@) logrepeat
3780 * TODO No logging at all
3786 @node Tracking your habits, , Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging
3787 @subsection Tracking your habits
3790 Org has the ability to track the consistency of a special category of TODOs,
3791 called ``habits''. A habit has the following properties:
3795 You have enabled the @code{habits} module by customizing the variable
3798 The habit is a TODO, with a TODO keyword representing an open state.
3800 The property @code{STYLE} is set to the value @code{habit}.
3802 The TODO has a scheduled date, with a @code{.+} style repeat interval.
3804 The TODO may also have minimum and maximum ranges specified by using the
3805 syntax @samp{.+2d/3d}, which says that you want to do the task at least every
3806 three days, but at most every two days.
3808 You must also have state logging for the @code{DONE} state enabled, in order
3809 for historical data to be represented in the consistency graph. If it's not
3810 enabled it's not an error, but the consistency graphs will be largely
3814 To give you an idea of what the above rules look like in action, here's an
3815 actual habit with some history:
3819 SCHEDULED: <2009-10-17 Sat .+2d/4d>
3820 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-10-15 Thu]
3821 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-10-12 Mon]
3822 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-10-10 Sat]
3823 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-10-04 Sun]
3824 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-10-02 Fri]
3825 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-09-29 Tue]
3826 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-09-25 Fri]
3827 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-09-19 Sat]
3828 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-09-16 Wed]
3829 - State "DONE" from "TODO" [2009-09-12 Sat]
3832 :LAST_REPEAT: [2009-10-19 Mon 00:36]
3836 What this habit says is: I want to shave at most every 2 days (given by the
3837 @code{SCHEDULED} date and repeat interval) and at least every 4 days. If
3838 today is the 15th, then the habit first appears in the agenda on Oct 17,
3839 after the minimum of 2 days has elapsed, and will appear overdue on Oct 19,
3840 after four days have elapsed.
3842 What's really useful about habits is that they are displayed along with a
3843 consistency graph, to show how consistent you've been at getting that task
3844 done in the past. This graph shows every day that the task was done over the
3845 past three weeks, with colors for each day. The colors used are:
3849 If the task wasn't to be done yet on that day.
3851 If the task could have been done on that day.
3853 If the task was going to be overdue the next day.
3855 If the task was overdue on that day.
3858 In addition to coloring each day, the day is also marked with an asterisk if
3859 the task was actually done that day, and an exclamation mark to show where
3860 the current day falls in the graph.
3862 There are several configuration variables that can be used to change the way
3863 habits are displayed in the agenda.
3866 @item org-habit-graph-column
3867 The buffer column at which the consistency graph should be drawn. This will
3868 overwrite any text in that column, so it's a good idea to keep your habits'
3869 titles brief and to the point.
3870 @item org-habit-preceding-days
3871 The amount of history, in days before today, to appear in consistency graphs.
3872 @item org-habit-following-days
3873 The number of days after today that will appear in consistency graphs.
3874 @item org-habit-show-habits-only-for-today
3875 If non-nil, only show habits in today's agenda view. This is set to true by
3879 Lastly, pressing @kbd{K} in the agenda buffer will cause habits to
3880 temporarily be disabled and they won't appear at all. Press @kbd{K} again to
3881 bring them back. They are also subject to tag filtering, if you have habits
3882 which should only be done in certain contexts, for example.
3884 @node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, Progress logging, TODO Items
3888 If you use Org-mode extensively, you may end up with enough TODO items that
3889 it starts to make sense to prioritize them. Prioritizing can be done by
3890 placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the headline of a TODO item, like this
3893 *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
3897 @vindex org-priority-faces
3898 By default, Org-mode supports three priorities: @samp{A}, @samp{B}, and
3899 @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry without a cookie is
3900 treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a difference only in the
3901 agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}); outside the agenda, they have no
3902 inherent meaning to Org-mode. The cookies can be highlighted with special
3903 faces by customizing the variable @code{org-priority-faces}.
3905 Priorities can be attached to any outline tree entries; they do not need
3911 Set the priority of the current headline. The command prompts for a
3912 priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press
3913 @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline.
3914 The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3915 agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3918 @kindex S-@key{down}
3921 @vindex org-priority-start-cycle-with-default
3922 Increase/decrease priority of current headline@footnote{See also the option
3923 @code{org-priority-start-cycle-with-default}.}. Note that these keys are
3924 also used to modify timestamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}). See also
3925 @ref{Conflicts}, for a discussion of the interaction with
3926 @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3929 @vindex org-highest-priority
3930 @vindex org-lowest-priority
3931 @vindex org-default-priority
3932 You can change the range of allowed priorities by setting the variables
3933 @code{org-highest-priority}, @code{org-lowest-priority}, and
3934 @code{org-default-priority}. For an individual buffer, you may set
3935 these values (highest, lowest, default) like this (please make sure that
3936 the highest priority is earlier in the alphabet than the lowest
3939 @cindex #+PRIORITIES
3944 @node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO Items
3945 @section Breaking tasks down into subtasks
3946 @cindex tasks, breaking down
3947 @cindex statistics, for TODO items
3949 @vindex org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels
3950 It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable
3951 subtasks. You can do this by creating an outline tree below a TODO item,
3952 with detailed subtasks on the tree@footnote{To keep subtasks out of the
3953 global TODO list, see the @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels}.}. To keep
3954 the overview over the fraction of subtasks that are already completed, insert
3955 either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]} anywhere in the headline. These cookies will
3956 be updated each time the TODO status of a child changes, or when pressing
3957 @kbd{C-c C-c} on the cookie. For example:
3960 * Organize Party [33%]
3961 ** TODO Call people [1/2]
3965 ** DONE Talk to neighbor
3968 @cindex property, COOKIE_DATA
3969 If a heading has both checkboxes and TODO children below it, the meaning of
3970 the statistics cookie become ambiguous. Set the property
3971 @code{COOKIE_DATA} to either @samp{checkbox} or @samp{todo} to resolve
3974 @vindex org-hierarchical-todo-statistics
3975 If you would like to have the statistics cookie count any TODO entries in the
3976 subtree (not just direct children), configure the variable
3977 @code{org-hierarchical-todo-statistics}. To do this for a single subtree,
3978 include the word @samp{recursive} into the value of the @code{COOKIE_DATA}
3982 * Parent capturing statistics [2/20]
3984 :COOKIE_DATA: todo recursive
3988 If you would like a TODO entry to automatically change to DONE
3989 when all children are done, you can use the following setup:
3992 (defun org-summary-todo (n-done n-not-done)
3993 "Switch entry to DONE when all subentries are done, to TODO otherwise."
3994 (let (org-log-done org-log-states) ; turn off logging
3995 (org-todo (if (= n-not-done 0) "DONE" "TODO"))))
3997 (add-hook 'org-after-todo-statistics-hook 'org-summary-todo)
4001 Another possibility is the use of checkboxes to identify (a hierarchy of) a
4002 large number of subtasks (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
4005 @node Checkboxes, , Breaking down tasks, TODO Items
4009 Every item in a plain list (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made into a
4010 checkbox by starting it with the string @samp{[ ]}. This feature is
4011 similar to TODO items (@pxref{TODO Items}), but is more lightweight.
4012 Checkboxes are not included into the global TODO list, so they are often
4013 great to split a task into a number of simple steps. Or you can use
4014 them in a shopping list. To toggle a checkbox, use @kbd{C-c C-c}, or
4015 use the mouse (thanks to Piotr Zielinski's @file{org-mouse.el}).
4017 Here is an example of a checkbox list.
4020 * TODO Organize party [2/4]
4021 - [-] call people [1/3]
4026 - [ ] think about what music to play
4027 - [X] talk to the neighbors
4030 Checkboxes work hierarchically, so if a checkbox item has children that
4031 are checkboxes, toggling one of the children checkboxes will make the
4032 parent checkbox reflect if none, some, or all of the children are
4035 @cindex statistics, for checkboxes
4036 @cindex checkbox statistics
4037 @cindex property, COOKIE_DATA
4038 @vindex org-hierarchical-checkbox-statistics
4039 The @samp{[2/4]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are cookies
4040 indicating how many checkboxes present in this entry have been checked off,
4041 and the total number of checkboxes present. This can give you an idea on how
4042 many checkboxes remain, even without opening a folded entry. The cookies can
4043 be placed into a headline or into (the first line of) a plain list item.
4044 Each cookie covers checkboxes of direct children structurally below the
4045 headline/item on which the cookie appears@footnote{Set the variable
4046 @code{org-hierarchical-checkbox-statistics} if you want such cookies to
4047 represent the all checkboxes below the cookie, not just the direct
4048 children.}. You have to insert the cookie yourself by typing either
4049 @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]}. With @samp{[/]} you get an @samp{n out of m}
4050 result, as in the examples above. With @samp{[%]} you get information about
4051 the percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be
4052 @samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%]}, respectively). In a headline, a cookie can
4053 count either checkboxes below the heading or TODO states of children, and it
4054 will display whatever was changed last. Set the property @code{COOKIE_DATA}
4055 to either @samp{checkbox} or @samp{todo} to resolve this issue.
4057 @cindex blocking, of checkboxes
4058 @cindex checkbox blocking
4059 @cindex property, ORDERED
4060 If the current outline node has an @code{ORDERED} property, checkboxes must
4061 be checked off in sequence, and an error will be thrown if you try to check
4062 off a box while there are unchecked boxes above it.
4064 @noindent The following commands work with checkboxes:
4069 Toggle checkbox status or (with prefix arg) checkbox presence at point. With
4070 double prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]}, which is considered to be an
4074 Toggle checkbox status or (with prefix arg) checkbox presence at point. With
4075 double prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]}, which is considered to be an
4079 If there is an active region, toggle the first checkbox in the region
4080 and set all remaining boxes to the same status as the first. With a prefix
4081 arg, add or remove the checkbox for all items in the region.
4083 If the cursor is in a headline, toggle checkboxes in the region between
4084 this headline and the next (so @emph{not} the entire subtree).
4086 If there is no active region, just toggle the checkbox at point.
4088 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
4090 Insert a new item with a checkbox.
4091 This works only if the cursor is already in a plain list item
4092 (@pxref{Plain lists}).
4095 @vindex org-track-ordered-property-with-tag
4096 @cindex property, ORDERED
4097 Toggle the @code{ORDERED} property of the entry, to toggle if checkboxes must
4098 be checked off in sequence. A property is used for this behavior because
4099 this should be local to the current entry, not inherited like a tag.
4100 However, if you would like to @i{track} the value of this property with a tag
4101 for better visibility, customize the variable
4102 @code{org-track-ordered-property-with-tag}.
4105 Update the statistics cookie in the current outline entry. When called with
4106 a @kbd{C-u} prefix, update the entire file. Checkbox statistic cookies are
4107 updated automatically if you toggle checkboxes with @kbd{C-c C-c} and make
4108 new ones with @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}}. TODO statistics cookies update when
4109 changing TODO states. If you delete boxes/entries or add/change them by
4110 hand, use this command to get things back into sync. Or simply toggle any
4111 entry twice (checkboxes with @kbd{C-c C-c}).
4114 @node Tags, Properties and Columns, TODO Items, Top
4117 @cindex headline tagging
4118 @cindex matching, tags
4119 @cindex sparse tree, tag based
4121 An excellent way to implement labels and contexts for cross-correlating
4122 information is to assign @i{tags} to headlines. Org-mode has extensive
4125 @vindex org-tag-faces
4126 Every headline can contain a list of tags; they occur at the end of the
4127 headline. Tags are normal words containing letters, numbers, @samp{_}, and
4128 @samp{@@}. Tags must be preceded and followed by a single colon, e.g.,
4129 @samp{:work:}. Several tags can be specified, as in @samp{:work:urgent:}.
4130 Tags will by default be in bold face with the same color as the headline.
4131 You may specify special faces for specific tags using the variable
4132 @code{org-tag-faces}, in much the same way as you can for TODO keywords
4133 (@pxref{Faces for TODO keywords}).
4136 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
4137 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
4138 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
4141 @node Tag inheritance, Setting tags, Tags, Tags
4142 @section Tag inheritance
4143 @cindex tag inheritance
4144 @cindex inheritance, of tags
4145 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into tags match
4147 @i{Tags} make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees. If a
4148 heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
4149 well. For example, in the list
4152 * Meeting with the French group :work:
4153 ** Summary by Frank :boss:notes:
4154 *** TODO Prepare slides for him :action:
4158 the final heading will have the tags @samp{:work:}, @samp{:boss:},
4159 @samp{:notes:}, and @samp{:action:} even though the final heading is not
4160 explicitly marked with those tags. You can also set tags that all entries in
4161 a file should inherit just as if these tags were defined in a hypothetical
4162 level zero that surrounds the entire file. Use a line like this@footnote{As
4163 with all these in-buffer settings, pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} activates any
4164 changes in the line.}:
4168 #+FILETAGS: :Peter:Boss:Secret:
4172 @vindex org-use-tag-inheritance
4173 @vindex org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance
4174 To limit tag inheritance to specific tags, or to turn it off entirely, use
4175 the variables @code{org-use-tag-inheritance} and
4176 @code{org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance}.
4178 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
4179 When a headline matches during a tags search while tag inheritance is turned
4180 on, all the sublevels in the same tree will (for a simple match form) match
4181 as well@footnote{This is only true if the search does not involve more
4182 complex tests including properties (@pxref{Property searches}).}. The list
4183 of matches may then become very long. If you only want to see the first tags
4184 match in a subtree, configure the variable
4185 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels} (not recommended).
4187 @node Setting tags, Tag searches, Tag inheritance, Tags
4188 @section Setting tags
4189 @cindex setting tags
4190 @cindex tags, setting
4193 Tags can simply be typed into the buffer at the end of a headline.
4194 After a colon, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on tags. There is
4195 also a special command for inserting tags:
4200 @cindex completion, of tags
4201 @vindex org-tags-column
4202 Enter new tags for the current headline. Org-mode will either offer
4203 completion or a special single-key interface for setting tags, see
4204 below. After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will be inserted and aligned
4205 to @code{org-tags-column}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all
4206 tags in the current buffer will be aligned to that column, just to make
4207 things look nice. TAGS are automatically realigned after promotion,
4208 demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
4211 When the cursor is in a headline, this does the same as @kbd{C-c C-q}.
4214 @vindex org-tag-alist
4215 Org will support tag insertion based on a @emph{list of tags}. By
4216 default this list is constructed dynamically, containing all tags
4217 currently used in the buffer. You may also globally specify a hard list
4218 of tags with the variable @code{org-tag-alist}. Finally you can set
4219 the default tags for a given file with lines like
4223 #+TAGS: @@work @@home @@tennisclub
4224 #+TAGS: laptop car pc sailboat
4227 If you have globally defined your preferred set of tags using the
4228 variable @code{org-tag-alist}, but would like to use a dynamic tag list
4229 in a specific file, add an empty TAGS option line to that file:
4235 @vindex org-tag-persistent-alist
4236 If you have a preferred set of tags that you would like to use in every file,
4237 in addition to those defined on a per-file basis by TAGS option lines, then
4238 you may specify a list of tags with the variable
4239 @code{org-tag-persistent-alist}. You may turn this off on a per-file basis
4240 by adding a STARTUP option line to that file:
4246 By default Org-mode uses the standard minibuffer completion facilities for
4247 entering tags. However, it also implements another, quicker, tag selection
4248 method called @emph{fast tag selection}. This allows you to select and
4249 deselect tags with just a single key press. For this to work well you should
4250 assign unique letters to most of your commonly used tags. You can do this
4251 globally by configuring the variable @code{org-tag-alist} in your
4252 @file{.emacs} file. For example, you may find the need to tag many items in
4253 different files with @samp{:@@home:}. In this case you can set something
4257 (setq org-tag-alist '(("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h) ("laptop" . ?l)))
4260 @noindent If the tag is only relevant to the file you are working on, then you
4261 can instead set the TAGS option line as:
4264 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) laptop(l) pc(p)
4267 @noindent The tags interface will show the available tags in a splash
4268 window. If you want to start a new line after a specific tag, insert
4269 @samp{\n} into the tag list
4272 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) \n laptop(l) pc(p)
4275 @noindent or write them in two lines:
4278 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t)
4279 #+TAGS: laptop(l) pc(p)
4283 You can also group together tags that are mutually exclusive by using
4287 #+TAGS: @{ @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) @} laptop(l) pc(p)
4290 @noindent you indicate that at most one of @samp{@@work}, @samp{@@home},
4291 and @samp{@@tennisclub} should be selected. Multiple such groups are allowed.
4293 @noindent Don't forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in one of
4294 these lines to activate any changes.
4297 To set these mutually exclusive groups in the variable @code{org-tags-alist},
4298 you must use the dummy tags @code{:startgroup} and @code{:endgroup} instead
4299 of the braces. Similarly, you can use @code{:newline} to indicate a line
4300 break. The previous example would be set globally by the following
4304 (setq org-tag-alist '((:startgroup . nil)
4305 ("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h)
4306 ("@@tennisclub" . ?t)
4308 ("laptop" . ?l) ("pc" . ?p)))
4311 If at least one tag has a selection key then pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} will
4312 automatically present you with a special interface, listing inherited tags,
4313 the tags of the current headline, and a list of all valid tags with
4314 corresponding keys@footnote{Keys will automatically be assigned to tags which
4315 have no configured keys.}. In this interface, you can use the following
4320 Pressing keys assigned to tags will add or remove them from the list of
4321 tags in the current line. Selecting a tag in a group of mutually
4322 exclusive tags will turn off any other tags from that group.
4325 Enter a tag in the minibuffer, even if the tag is not in the predefined
4326 list. You will be able to complete on all tags present in the buffer.
4329 Clear all tags for this line.
4332 Accept the modified set.
4334 Abort without installing changes.
4336 If @kbd{q} is not assigned to a tag, it aborts like @kbd{C-g}.
4338 Turn off groups of mutually exclusive tags. Use this to (as an
4339 exception) assign several tags from such a group.
4341 Toggle auto-exit after the next change (see below).
4342 If you are using expert mode, the first @kbd{C-c} will display the
4347 This method lets you assign tags to a headline with very few keys. With
4348 the above setup, you could clear the current tags and set @samp{@@home},
4349 @samp{laptop} and @samp{pc} tags with just the following keys: @kbd{C-c
4350 C-c @key{SPC} h l p @key{RET}}. Switching from @samp{@@home} to
4351 @samp{@@work} would be done with @kbd{C-c C-c w @key{RET}} or
4352 alternatively with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c w}. Adding the non-predefined tag
4353 @samp{Sarah} could be done with @kbd{C-c C-c @key{TAB} S a r a h
4354 @key{RET} @key{RET}}.
4356 @vindex org-fast-tag-selection-single-key
4357 If you find that most of the time you need only a single key press to
4358 modify your list of tags, set the variable
4359 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-single-key}. Then you no longer have to
4360 press @key{RET} to exit fast tag selection---it will immediately exit
4361 after the first change. If you then occasionally need more keys, press
4362 @kbd{C-c} to turn off auto-exit for the current tag selection process
4363 (in effect: start selection with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c} instead of @kbd{C-c
4364 C-c}). If you set the variable to the value @code{expert}, the special
4365 window is not even shown for single-key tag selection, it comes up only
4366 when you press an extra @kbd{C-c}.
4368 @node Tag searches, , Setting tags, Tags
4369 @section Tag searches
4370 @cindex tag searches
4371 @cindex searching for tags
4373 Once a system of tags has been set up, it can be used to collect related
4374 information into special lists.
4381 Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search. With a
4382 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
4385 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
4386 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
4389 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
4390 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
4391 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
4392 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
4395 These commands all prompt for a match string which allows basic Boolean logic
4396 like @samp{+boss+urgent-project1}, to find entries with tags @samp{boss} and
4397 @samp{urgent}, but not @samp{project1}, or @samp{Kathy|Sally} to find entries
4398 which are tagged, like @samp{Kathy} or @samp{Sally}. The full syntax of the search
4399 string is rich and allows also matching against TODO keywords, entry levels
4400 and properties. For a complete description with many examples, see
4401 @ref{Matching tags and properties}.
4404 @node Properties and Columns, Dates and Times, Tags, Top
4405 @chapter Properties and columns
4408 Properties are a set of key-value pairs associated with an entry. There
4409 are two main applications for properties in Org-mode. First, properties
4410 are like tags, but with a value. Second, you can use properties to
4411 implement (very basic) database capabilities in an Org buffer. For
4412 an example of the first application, imagine maintaining a file where
4413 you document bugs and plan releases for a piece of software. Instead of
4414 using tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, one can use a
4415 property, say @code{:Release:}, that in different subtrees has different
4416 values, such as @code{1.0} or @code{2.0}. For an example of the second
4417 application of properties, imagine keeping track of your music CDs,
4418 where properties could be things such as the album, artist, date of
4419 release, number of tracks, and so on.
4421 Properties can be conveniently edited and viewed in column view
4422 (@pxref{Column view}).
4425 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
4426 * Special properties:: Access to other Org-mode features
4427 * Property searches:: Matching property values
4428 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
4429 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
4430 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
4433 @node Property syntax, Special properties, Properties and Columns, Properties and Columns
4434 @section Property syntax
4435 @cindex property syntax
4436 @cindex drawer, for properties
4438 Properties are key-value pairs. They need to be inserted into a special
4439 drawer (@pxref{Drawers}) with the name @code{PROPERTIES}. Each property
4440 is specified on a single line, with the key (surrounded by colons)
4441 first, and the value after it. Here is an example:
4446 *** Goldberg Variations
4448 :Title: Goldberg Variations
4449 :Composer: J.S. Bach
4451 :Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon
4456 You may define the allowed values for a particular property @samp{:Xyz:}
4457 by setting a property @samp{:Xyz_ALL:}. This special property is
4458 @emph{inherited}, so if you set it in a level 1 entry, it will apply to
4459 the entire tree. When allowed values are defined, setting the
4460 corresponding property becomes easier and is less prone to typing
4461 errors. For the example with the CD collection, we can predefine
4462 publishers and the number of disks in a box like this:
4467 :NDisks_ALL: 1 2 3 4
4468 :Publisher_ALL: "Deutsche Grammophon" Philips EMI
4472 If you want to set properties that can be inherited by any entry in a
4473 file, use a line like
4474 @cindex property, _ALL
4477 #+PROPERTY: NDisks_ALL 1 2 3 4
4480 @vindex org-global-properties
4481 Property values set with the global variable
4482 @code{org-global-properties} can be inherited by all entries in all
4486 The following commands help to work with properties:
4491 After an initial colon in a line, complete property keys. All keys used
4492 in the current file will be offered as possible completions.
4495 Set a property. This prompts for a property name and a value. If
4496 necessary, the property drawer is created as well.
4497 @item M-x org-insert-property-drawer
4498 Insert a property drawer into the current entry. The drawer will be
4499 inserted early in the entry, but after the lines with planning
4500 information like deadlines.
4503 With the cursor in a property drawer, this executes property commands.
4505 Set a property in the current entry. Both the property and the value
4506 can be inserted using completion.
4507 @kindex S-@key{right}
4508 @kindex S-@key{left}
4509 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
4510 Switch property at point to the next/previous allowed value.
4512 Remove a property from the current entry.
4514 Globally remove a property, from all entries in the current file.
4516 Compute the property at point, using the operator and scope from the
4517 nearest column format definition.
4520 @node Special properties, Property searches, Property syntax, Properties and Columns
4521 @section Special properties
4522 @cindex properties, special
4524 Special properties provide an alternative access method to Org-mode
4525 features, like the TODO state or the priority of an entry, discussed in the
4526 previous chapters. This interface exists so that you can include
4527 these states in a column view (@pxref{Column view}), or to use them in
4528 queries. The following property names are special and should not be
4529 used as keys in the properties drawer:
4531 @cindex property, special, TODO
4532 @cindex property, special, TAGS
4533 @cindex property, special, ALLTAGS
4534 @cindex property, special, CATEGORY
4535 @cindex property, special, PRIORITY
4536 @cindex property, special, DEADLINE
4537 @cindex property, special, SCHEDULED
4538 @cindex property, special, CLOSED
4539 @cindex property, special, TIMESTAMP
4540 @cindex property, special, TIMESTAMP_IA
4541 @cindex property, special, CLOCKSUM
4542 @cindex property, special, BLOCKED
4543 @c guessing that ITEM is needed in this area; also, should this list be sorted?
4544 @cindex property, special, ITEM
4546 TODO @r{The TODO keyword of the entry.}
4547 TAGS @r{The tags defined directly in the headline.}
4548 ALLTAGS @r{All tags, including inherited ones.}
4549 CATEGORY @r{The category of an entry.}
4550 PRIORITY @r{The priority of the entry, a string with a single letter.}
4551 DEADLINE @r{The deadline time string, without the angular brackets.}
4552 SCHEDULED @r{The scheduling timestamp, without the angular brackets.}
4553 CLOSED @r{When was this entry closed?}
4554 TIMESTAMP @r{The first keyword-less timestamp in the entry.}
4555 TIMESTAMP_IA @r{The first inactive timestamp in the entry.}
4556 CLOCKSUM @r{The sum of CLOCK intervals in the subtree. @code{org-clock-sum}}
4557 @r{must be run first to compute the values.}
4558 BLOCKED @r{"t" if task is currently blocked by children or siblings}
4559 ITEM @r{The content of the entry.}
4562 @node Property searches, Property inheritance, Special properties, Properties and Columns
4563 @section Property searches
4564 @cindex properties, searching
4565 @cindex searching, of properties
4567 To create sparse trees and special lists with selection based on properties,
4568 the same commands are used as for tag searches (@pxref{Tag searches}).
4574 Create a sparse tree with all matching entries. With a
4575 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
4578 Create a global list of tag/property matches from all agenda files.
4579 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
4582 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
4583 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
4584 only TODO items and force checking of subitems (see variable
4585 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
4588 The syntax for the search string is described in @ref{Matching tags and
4591 There is also a special command for creating sparse trees based on a
4597 Create a sparse tree based on the value of a property. This first
4598 prompts for the name of a property, and then for a value. A sparse tree
4599 is created with all entries that define this property with the given
4600 value. If you enclose the value into curly braces, it is interpreted as
4601 a regular expression and matched against the property values.
4604 @node Property inheritance, Column view, Property searches, Properties and Columns
4605 @section Property Inheritance
4606 @cindex properties, inheritance
4607 @cindex inheritance, of properties
4609 @vindex org-use-property-inheritance
4610 The outline structure of Org-mode documents lends itself for an
4611 inheritance model of properties: if the parent in a tree has a certain
4612 property, the children can inherit this property. Org-mode does not
4613 turn this on by default, because it can slow down property searches
4614 significantly and is often not needed. However, if you find inheritance
4615 useful, you can turn it on by setting the variable
4616 @code{org-use-property-inheritance}. It may be set to @code{t} to make
4617 all properties inherited from the parent, to a list of properties
4618 that should be inherited, or to a regular expression that matches
4619 inherited properties. If a property has the value @samp{nil}, this is
4620 interpreted as an explicit undefine of he property, so that inheritance
4621 search will stop at this value and return @code{nil}.
4623 Org-mode has a few properties for which inheritance is hard-coded, at
4624 least for the special applications for which they are used:
4626 @cindex property, COLUMNS
4629 The @code{:COLUMNS:} property defines the format of column view
4630 (@pxref{Column view}). It is inherited in the sense that the level
4631 where a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is defined is used as the starting
4632 point for a column view table, independently of the location in the
4633 subtree from where columns view is turned on.
4635 @cindex property, CATEGORY
4636 For agenda view, a category set through a @code{:CATEGORY:} property
4637 applies to the entire subtree.
4639 @cindex property, ARCHIVE
4640 For archiving, the @code{:ARCHIVE:} property may define the archive
4641 location for the entire subtree (@pxref{Moving subtrees}).
4643 @cindex property, LOGGING
4644 The LOGGING property may define logging settings for an entry or a
4645 subtree (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}).
4648 @node Column view, Property API, Property inheritance, Properties and Columns
4649 @section Column view
4651 A great way to view and edit properties in an outline tree is
4652 @emph{column view}. In column view, each outline node is turned into a
4653 table row. Columns in this table provide access to properties of the
4654 entries. Org-mode implements columns by overlaying a tabular structure
4655 over the headline of each item. While the headlines have been turned
4656 into a table row, you can still change the visibility of the outline
4657 tree. For example, you get a compact table by switching to CONTENTS
4658 view (@kbd{S-@key{TAB} S-@key{TAB}}, or simply @kbd{c} while column view
4659 is active), but you can still open, read, and edit the entry below each
4660 headline. Or, you can switch to column view after executing a sparse
4661 tree command and in this way get a table only for the selected items.
4662 Column view also works in agenda buffers (@pxref{Agenda Views}) where
4663 queries have collected selected items, possibly from a number of files.
4666 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
4667 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
4668 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
4671 @node Defining columns, Using column view, Column view, Column view
4672 @subsection Defining columns
4673 @cindex column view, for properties
4674 @cindex properties, column view
4676 Setting up a column view first requires defining the columns. This is
4677 done by defining a column format line.
4680 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
4681 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
4684 @node Scope of column definitions, Column attributes, Defining columns, Defining columns
4685 @subsubsection Scope of column definitions
4687 To define a column format for an entire file, use a line like
4691 #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4694 To specify a format that only applies to a specific tree, add a
4695 @code{:COLUMNS:} property to the top node of that tree, for example:
4698 ** Top node for columns view
4700 :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4704 If a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is present in an entry, it defines columns
4705 for the entry itself, and for the entire subtree below it. Since the
4706 column definition is part of the hierarchical structure of the document,
4707 you can define columns on level 1 that are general enough for all
4708 sublevels, and more specific columns further down, when you edit a
4709 deeper part of the tree.
4711 @node Column attributes, , Scope of column definitions, Defining columns
4712 @subsubsection Column attributes
4713 A column definition sets the attributes of a column. The general
4714 definition looks like this:
4717 %[@var{width}]@var{property}[(@var{title})][@{@var{summary-type}@}]
4721 Except for the percent sign and the property name, all items are
4722 optional. The individual parts have the following meaning:
4725 @var{width} @r{An integer specifying the width of the column in characters.}
4726 @r{If omitted, the width will be determined automatically.}
4727 @var{property} @r{The property that should be edited in this column.}
4728 @r{Special properties representing meta data are allowed here}
4729 @r{as well (@pxref{Special properties})}
4730 @var{(title)} @r{The header text for the column. If omitted, the property}
4732 @{@var{summary-type}@} @r{The summary type. If specified, the column values for}
4733 @r{parent nodes are computed from the children.}
4734 @r{Supported summary types are:}
4735 @{+@} @r{Sum numbers in this column.}
4736 @{+;%.1f@} @r{Like @samp{+}, but format result with @samp{%.1f}.}
4737 @{$@} @r{Currency, short for @samp{+;%.2f}.}
4738 @{:@} @r{Sum times, HH:MM, plain numbers are hours.}
4739 @{X@} @r{Checkbox status, @samp{[X]} if all children are @samp{[X]}.}
4740 @{X/@} @r{Checkbox status, @samp{[n/m]}.}
4741 @{X%@} @r{Checkbox status, @samp{[n%]}.}
4742 @{min@} @r{Smallest number in column.}
4743 @{max@} @r{Largest number.}
4744 @{mean@} @r{Arithmetic mean of numbers.}
4745 @{:min@} @r{Smallest time value in column.}
4746 @{:max@} @r{Largest time value.}
4747 @{:mean@} @r{Arithmetic mean of time values.}
4748 @{@@min@} @r{Minimum age (in days/hours/mins/seconds).}
4749 @{@@max@} @r{Maximum age (in days/hours/mins/seconds).}
4750 @{@@mean@} @r{Arithmetic mean of ages (in days/hours/mins/seconds).}
4751 @{est+@} @r{Add low-high estimates.}
4755 Be aware that you can only have one summary type for any property you
4756 include. Subsequent columns referencing the same property will all display the
4757 same summary information.
4759 The @code{est+} summary type requires further explanation. It is used for
4760 combining estimates, expressed as low-high ranges. For example, instead
4761 of estimating a particular task will take 5 days, you might estimate it as
4762 5-6 days if you're fairly confident you know how much woark is required, or
4763 1-10 days if you don't really know what needs to be done. Both ranges
4764 average at 5.5 days, but the first represents a more predictable delivery.
4766 When combining a set of such estimates, simply adding the lows and highs
4767 produces an unrealistically wide result. Instead, @code{est+} adds the
4768 statistical mean and variance of the sub-tasks, generating a final estimate
4769 from the sum. For example, suppose you had ten tasks, each of which was
4770 estimated at 0.5 to 2 days of work. Straight addition produces an estimate
4771 of 5 to 20 days, representing what to expect if everything goes either
4772 extremely well or extremely poorly. In contrast, @code{est+} estimates the
4773 full job more realistically, at 10-15 days.
4775 Here is an example for a complete columns definition, along with allowed
4779 :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %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.}
4780 %10Time_Estimate@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
4781 :Owner_ALL: Tammy Mark Karl Lisa Don
4782 :Status_ALL: "In progress" "Not started yet" "Finished" ""
4783 :Approved_ALL: "[ ]" "[X]"
4787 The first column, @samp{%25ITEM}, means the first 25 characters of the
4788 item itself, i.e. of the headline. You probably always should start the
4789 column definition with the @samp{ITEM} specifier. The other specifiers
4790 create columns @samp{Owner} with a list of names as allowed values, for
4791 @samp{Status} with four different possible values, and for a checkbox
4792 field @samp{Approved}. When no width is given after the @samp{%}
4793 character, the column will be exactly as wide as it needs to be in order
4794 to fully display all values. The @samp{Approved} column does have a
4795 modified title (@samp{Approved?}, with a question mark). Summaries will
4796 be created for the @samp{Time_Estimate} column by adding time duration
4797 expressions like HH:MM, and for the @samp{Approved} column, by providing
4798 an @samp{[X]} status if all children have been checked. The
4799 @samp{CLOCKSUM} column is special, it lists the sum of CLOCK intervals
4802 @node Using column view, Capturing column view, Defining columns, Column view
4803 @subsection Using column view
4806 @tsubheading{Turning column view on and off}
4809 @vindex org-columns-default-format
4810 Turn on column view. If the cursor is before the first headline in the file,
4811 column view is turned on for the entire file, using the @code{#+COLUMNS}
4812 definition. If the cursor is somewhere inside the outline, this command
4813 searches the hierarchy, up from point, for a @code{:COLUMNS:} property that
4814 defines a format. When one is found, the column view table is established
4815 for the tree starting at the entry that contains the @code{:COLUMNS:}
4816 property. If no such property is found, the format is taken from the
4817 @code{#+COLUMNS} line or from the variable @code{org-columns-default-format},
4818 and column view is established for the current entry and its subtree.
4821 Recreate the column view, to include recent changes made in the buffer.
4828 @tsubheading{Editing values}
4829 @item @key{left} @key{right} @key{up} @key{down}
4830 Move through the column view from field to field.
4831 @kindex S-@key{left}
4832 @kindex S-@key{right}
4833 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
4834 Switch to the next/previous allowed value of the field. For this, you
4835 have to have specified allowed values for a property.
4837 Directly select the nth allowed value, @kbd{0} selects the 10th value.
4841 Same as @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}
4844 Edit the property at point. For the special properties, this will
4845 invoke the same interface that you normally use to change that
4846 property. For example, when editing a TAGS property, the tag completion
4847 or fast selection interface will pop up.
4850 When there is a checkbox at point, toggle it.
4853 View the full value of this property. This is useful if the width of
4854 the column is smaller than that of the value.
4857 Edit the list of allowed values for this property. If the list is found
4858 in the hierarchy, the modified values is stored there. If no list is
4859 found, the new value is stored in the first entry that is part of the
4860 current column view.
4861 @tsubheading{Modifying the table structure}
4865 Make the column narrower/wider by one character.
4866 @kindex S-M-@key{right}
4867 @item S-M-@key{right}
4868 Insert a new column, to the left of the current column.
4869 @kindex S-M-@key{left}
4870 @item S-M-@key{left}
4871 Delete the current column.
4874 @node Capturing column view, , Using column view, Column view
4875 @subsection Capturing column view
4877 Since column view is just an overlay over a buffer, it cannot be
4878 exported or printed directly. If you want to capture a column view, use
4879 a @code{columnview} dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). The frame
4880 of this block looks like this:
4882 @cindex #+BEGIN, columnview
4885 #+BEGIN: columnview :hlines 1 :id "label"
4890 @noindent This dynamic block has the following parameters:
4894 This is the most important parameter. Column view is a feature that is
4895 often localized to a certain (sub)tree, and the capture block might be
4896 at a different location in the file. To identify the tree whose view to
4897 capture, you can use 4 values:
4898 @cindex property, ID
4900 local @r{use the tree in which the capture block is located}
4901 global @r{make a global view, including all headings in the file}
4902 "file:@var{path-to-file}"
4903 @r{run column view at the top of this file}
4904 "@var{ID}" @r{call column view in the tree that has an @code{:ID:}}
4905 @r{property with the value @i{label}. You can use}
4906 @r{@kbd{M-x org-id-copy} to create a globally unique ID for}
4907 @r{the current entry and copy it to the kill-ring.}
4910 When @code{t}, insert an hline after every line. When a number @var{N}, insert
4911 an hline before each headline with level @code{<= @var{N}}.
4913 When set to @code{t}, force column groups to get vertical lines.
4915 When set to a number, don't capture entries below this level.
4916 @item :skip-empty-rows
4917 When set to @code{t}, skip rows where the only non-empty specifier of the
4918 column view is @code{ITEM}.
4923 The following commands insert or update the dynamic block:
4928 Insert a dynamic block capturing a column view. You will be prompted
4929 for the scope or ID of the view.
4934 Update dynamic block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
4935 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
4936 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4937 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
4938 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
4939 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
4942 You can add formulas to the column view table and you may add plotting
4943 instructions in front of the table---these will survive an update of the
4944 block. If there is a @code{#+TBLFM:} after the table, the table will
4945 actually be recalculated automatically after an update.
4947 An alternative way to capture and process property values into a table is
4948 provided by Eric Schulte's @file{org-collector.el} which is a contributed
4949 package@footnote{Contributed packages are not part of Emacs, but are
4950 distributed with the main distribution of Org (visit
4951 @uref{http://orgmode.org}).}. It provides a general API to collect
4952 properties from entries in a certain scope, and arbitrary Lisp expressions to
4953 process these values before inserting them into a table or a dynamic block.
4955 @node Property API, , Column view, Properties and Columns
4956 @section The Property API
4957 @cindex properties, API
4958 @cindex API, for properties
4960 There is a full API for accessing and changing properties. This API can
4961 be used by Emacs Lisp programs to work with properties and to implement
4962 features based on them. For more information see @ref{Using the
4965 @node Dates and Times, Capture - Refile - Archive, Properties and Columns, Top
4966 @chapter Dates and times
4972 To assist project planning, TODO items can be labeled with a date and/or
4973 a time. The specially formatted string carrying the date and time
4974 information is called a @emph{timestamp} in Org-mode. This may be a
4975 little confusing because timestamp is often used as indicating when
4976 something was created or last changed. However, in Org-mode this term
4977 is used in a much wider sense.
4980 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
4981 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
4982 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
4983 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
4984 * Resolving idle time:: Resolving time if you've been idle
4985 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
4986 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
4990 @node Timestamps, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times, Dates and Times
4991 @section Timestamps, deadlines, and scheduling
4993 @cindex ranges, time
4998 A timestamp is a specification of a date (possibly with a time or a range of
4999 times) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or
5000 @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue
5001 12:00-12:30>}@footnote{This is inspired by the standard ISO 8601 date/time
5002 format. To use an alternative format, see @ref{Custom time format}.}. A
5003 timestamp can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an Org tree entry.
5004 Its presence causes entries to be shown on specific dates in the agenda
5005 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}). We distinguish:
5008 @item Plain timestamp; Event; Appointment
5010 A simple timestamp just assigns a date/time to an item. This is just
5011 like writing down an appointment or event in a paper agenda. In the
5012 timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry associated with a
5013 plain timestamp will be shown exactly on that date.
5016 * Meet Peter at the movies <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15>
5017 * Discussion on climate change <2006-11-02 Thu 20:00-22:00>
5020 @item Timestamp with repeater interval
5021 @cindex timestamp, with repeater interval
5022 A timestamp may contain a @emph{repeater interval}, indicating that it
5023 applies not only on the given date, but again and again after a certain
5024 interval of N days (d), weeks (w), months (m), or years (y). The
5025 following will show up in the agenda every Wednesday:
5028 * Pick up Sam at school <2007-05-16 Wed 12:30 +1w>
5031 @item Diary-style sexp entries
5032 For more complex date specifications, Org-mode supports using the
5033 special sexp diary entries implemented in the Emacs calendar/diary
5034 package. For example
5037 * The nerd meeting on every 2nd Thursday of the month
5038 <%%(diary-float t 4 2)>
5041 @item Time/Date range
5044 Two timestamps connected by @samp{--} denote a range. The headline
5045 will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on any dates
5046 that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an example:
5049 ** Meeting in Amsterdam
5050 <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu>
5053 @item Inactive timestamp
5054 @cindex timestamp, inactive
5055 @cindex inactive timestamp
5056 Just like a plain timestamp, but with square brackets instead of
5057 angular ones. These timestamps are inactive in the sense that they do
5058 @emph{not} trigger an entry to show up in the agenda.
5061 * Gillian comes late for the fifth time [2006-11-01 Wed]
5066 @node Creating timestamps, Deadlines and scheduling, Timestamps, Dates and Times
5067 @section Creating timestamps
5068 @cindex creating timestamps
5069 @cindex timestamps, creating
5071 For Org-mode to recognize timestamps, they need to be in the specific
5072 format. All commands listed below produce timestamps in the correct
5078 Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding timestamp. When the cursor is
5079 at an existing timestamp in the buffer, the command is used to modify this
5080 timestamp instead of inserting a new one. When this command is used twice in
5081 succession, a time range is inserted.
5085 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive timestamp that will not cause
5092 @vindex org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes
5093 Like @kbd{C-c .} and @kbd{C-c !}, but use the alternative format which
5094 contains date and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5
5095 minutes, see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}.
5099 Insert a timestamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
5103 Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a
5104 timestamp in the current line, go to the corresponding date
5109 Access the agenda for the date given by the timestamp or -range at
5110 point (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
5112 @kindex S-@key{left}
5113 @kindex S-@key{right}
5115 @itemx S-@key{right}
5116 Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with
5117 shift-selection and related modes (@pxref{Conflicts}).
5120 @kindex S-@key{down}
5123 Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on a
5124 year, month, day, hour or minute. When the timestamp contains a time range
5125 like @samp{15:30-16:30}, modifying the first time will also shift the second,
5126 shifting the time block with constant length. To change the length, modify
5127 the second time. Note that if the cursor is in a headline and not at a
5128 timestamp, these same keys modify the priority of an item.
5129 (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with shift-selection and
5130 related modes (@pxref{Conflicts}).
5133 @cindex evaluate time range
5135 Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and end.
5136 With a prefix argument, insert result after the time range (in a table: into
5137 the following column).
5142 * The date/time prompt:: How Org-mode helps you entering date and time
5143 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
5146 @node The date/time prompt, Custom time format, Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps
5147 @subsection The date/time prompt
5148 @cindex date, reading in minibuffer
5149 @cindex time, reading in minibuffer
5151 @vindex org-read-date-prefer-future
5152 When Org-mode prompts for a date/time, the default is shown in default
5153 date/time format, and the prompt therefore seems to ask for a specific
5154 format. But it will in fact accept any string containing some date and/or
5155 time information, and it is really smart about interpreting your input. You
5156 can, for example, use @kbd{C-y} to paste a (possibly multi-line) string
5157 copied from an email message. Org-mode will find whatever information is in
5158 there and derive anything you have not specified from the @emph{default date
5159 and time}. The default is usually the current date and time, but when
5160 modifying an existing timestamp, or when entering the second stamp of a
5161 range, it is taken from the stamp in the buffer. When filling in
5162 information, Org-mode assumes that most of the time you will want to enter a
5163 date in the future: if you omit the month/year and the given day/month is
5164 @i{before} today, it will assume that you mean a future date@footnote{See the
5165 variable @code{org-read-date-prefer-future}. You may set that variable to
5166 the symbol @code{time} to even make a time before now shift the date to
5167 tomorrow.}. If the date has been automatically shifted into the future, the
5168 time prompt will show this with @samp{(=>F).}
5170 For example, let's assume that today is @b{June 13, 2006}. Here is how
5171 various inputs will be interpreted, the items filled in by Org-mode are
5175 3-2-5 --> 2003-02-05
5176 2/5/3 --> 2003-02-05
5177 14 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-14
5178 12 --> @b{2006}-@b{07}-12
5179 2/5 --> @b{2007}-02-05
5180 Fri --> nearest Friday (default date or later)
5181 sep 15 --> @b{2006}-09-15
5182 feb 15 --> @b{2007}-02-15
5183 sep 12 9 --> 2009-09-12
5184 12:45 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-@b{13} 12:45
5185 22 sept 0:34 --> @b{2006}-09-22 0:34
5186 w4 --> ISO week for of the current year @b{2006}
5187 2012 w4 fri --> Friday of ISO week 4 in 2012
5188 2012-w04-5 --> Same as above
5191 Furthermore you can specify a relative date by giving, as the
5192 @emph{first} thing in the input: a plus/minus sign, a number and a
5193 letter ([dwmy]) to indicate change in days, weeks, months, or years. With a
5194 single plus or minus, the date is always relative to today. With a
5195 double plus or minus, it is relative to the default date. If instead of
5196 a single letter, you use the abbreviation of day name, the date will be
5197 the nth such day. E.g.
5202 +4d --> four days from today
5203 +4 --> same as above
5204 +2w --> two weeks from today
5205 ++5 --> five days from default date
5206 +2tue --> second Tuesday from now.
5209 @vindex parse-time-months
5210 @vindex parse-time-weekdays
5211 The function understands English month and weekday abbreviations. If
5212 you want to use unabbreviated names and/or other languages, configure
5213 the variables @code{parse-time-months} and @code{parse-time-weekdays}.
5215 You can specify a time range by giving start and end times or by giving a
5216 start time and a duration (in HH:MM format). Use '-' or '--' as the separator
5217 in the former case and use '+' as the separator in the latter case. E.g.
5220 11am-1:15pm --> 11:00-13:15
5221 11am--1:15pm --> same as above
5222 11am+2:15 --> same as above
5225 @cindex calendar, for selecting date
5226 @vindex org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt
5227 Parallel to the minibuffer prompt, a calendar is popped up@footnote{If
5228 you don't need/want the calendar, configure the variable
5229 @code{org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt}.}. When you exit the date
5230 prompt, either by clicking on a date in the calendar, or by pressing
5231 @key{RET}, the date selected in the calendar will be combined with the
5232 information entered at the prompt. You can control the calendar fully
5233 from the minibuffer:
5240 @kindex S-@key{right}
5241 @kindex S-@key{left}
5242 @kindex S-@key{down}
5244 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
5245 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
5248 @key{RET} @r{Choose date at cursor in calendar.}
5249 mouse-1 @r{Select date by clicking on it.}
5250 S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One day forward/backward.}
5251 S-@key{down}/@key{up} @r{One week forward/backward.}
5252 M-S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One month forward/backward.}
5253 > / < @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by one month.}
5254 M-v / C-v @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by 3 months.}
5257 @vindex org-read-date-display-live
5258 The actions of the date/time prompt may seem complex, but I assure you they
5259 will grow on you, and you will start getting annoyed by pretty much any other
5260 way of entering a date/time out there. To help you understand what is going
5261 on, the current interpretation of your input will be displayed live in the
5262 minibuffer@footnote{If you find this distracting, turn the display of with
5263 @code{org-read-date-display-live}.}.
5265 @node Custom time format, , The date/time prompt, Creating timestamps
5266 @subsection Custom time format
5267 @cindex custom date/time format
5268 @cindex time format, custom
5269 @cindex date format, custom
5271 @vindex org-display-custom-times
5272 @vindex org-time-stamp-custom-formats
5273 Org-mode uses the standard ISO notation for dates and times as it is
5274 defined in ISO 8601. If you cannot get used to this and require another
5275 representation of date and time to keep you happy, you can get it by
5276 customizing the variables @code{org-display-custom-times} and
5277 @code{org-time-stamp-custom-formats}.
5282 Toggle the display of custom formats for dates and times.
5286 Org-mode needs the default format for scanning, so the custom date/time
5287 format does not @emph{replace} the default format---instead it is put
5288 @emph{over} the default format using text properties. This has the
5289 following consequences:
5292 You cannot place the cursor onto a timestamp anymore, only before or
5295 The @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} keys can no longer be used to adjust
5296 each component of a timestamp. If the cursor is at the beginning of
5297 the stamp, @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} will change the stamp by one day,
5298 just like @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}. At the end of the stamp, the
5299 time will be changed by one minute.
5301 If the timestamp contains a range of clock times or a repeater, these
5302 will not be overlayed, but remain in the buffer as they were.
5304 When you delete a timestamp character-by-character, it will only
5305 disappear from the buffer after @emph{all} (invisible) characters
5306 belonging to the ISO timestamp have been removed.
5308 If the custom timestamp format is longer than the default and you are
5309 using dates in tables, table alignment will be messed up. If the custom
5310 format is shorter, things do work as expected.
5314 @node Deadlines and scheduling, Clocking work time, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times
5315 @section Deadlines and scheduling
5317 A timestamp may be preceded by special keywords to facilitate planning:
5321 @cindex DEADLINE keyword
5323 Meaning: the task (most likely a TODO item, though not necessarily) is supposed
5324 to be finished on that date.
5326 @vindex org-deadline-warning-days
5327 On the deadline date, the task will be listed in the agenda. In
5328 addition, the agenda for @emph{today} will carry a warning about the
5329 approaching or missed deadline, starting
5330 @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date, and continuing
5331 until the entry is marked DONE. An example:
5334 *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide
5335 The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]]
5336 DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
5339 You can specify a different lead time for warnings for a specific
5340 deadlines using the following syntax. Here is an example with a warning
5341 period of 5 days @code{DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun -5d>}.
5344 @cindex SCHEDULED keyword
5346 Meaning: you are planning to start working on that task on the given
5349 @vindex org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done
5350 The headline will be listed under the given date@footnote{It will still
5351 be listed on that date after it has been marked DONE. If you don't like
5352 this, set the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done}.}. In
5353 addition, a reminder that the scheduled date has passed will be present
5354 in the compilation for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE.
5355 I.e. the task will automatically be forwarded until completed.
5358 *** TODO Call Trillian for a date on New Years Eve.
5359 SCHEDULED: <2004-12-25 Sat>
5363 @b{Important:} Scheduling an item in Org-mode should @i{not} be
5364 understood in the same way that we understand @i{scheduling a meeting}.
5365 Setting a date for a meeting is just a simple appointment, you should
5366 mark this entry with a simple plain timestamp, to get this item shown
5367 on the date where it applies. This is a frequent misunderstanding by
5368 Org users. In Org-mode, @i{scheduling} means setting a date when you
5369 want to start working on an action item.
5372 You may use timestamps with repeaters in scheduling and deadline
5373 entries. Org-mode will issue early and late warnings based on the
5374 assumption that the timestamp represents the @i{nearest instance} of
5375 the repeater. However, the use of diary sexp entries like
5377 @code{<%%(diary-float t 42)>}
5379 in scheduling and deadline timestamps is limited. Org-mode does not
5380 know enough about the internals of each sexp function to issue early and
5381 late warnings. However, it will show the item on each day where the
5385 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
5386 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
5389 @node Inserting deadline/schedule, Repeated tasks, Deadlines and scheduling, Deadlines and scheduling
5390 @subsection Inserting deadlines or schedules
5392 The following commands allow you to quickly insert a deadline or to schedule
5399 Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will happen
5400 in the line directly following the headline. When called with a prefix arg,
5401 an existing deadline will be removed from the entry. Depending on the
5402 variable @code{org-log-redeadline}@footnote{with corresponding
5403 @code{#+STARTUP} keywords @code{logredeadline}, @code{lognoteredeadline},
5404 and @code{nologredeadline}}, a note will be taken when changing an existing
5406 @c FIXME Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed.????????
5410 Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
5411 happen in the line directly following the headline. Any CLOSED timestamp
5412 will be removed. When called with a prefix argument, remove the scheduling
5413 date from the entry. Depending on the variable
5414 @code{org-log-reschedule}@footnote{with corresponding @code{#+STARTUP}
5415 keywords @code{logredeadline}, @code{lognoteredeadline}, and
5416 @code{nologredeadline}}, a note will be taken when changing an existing
5423 Mark the current entry for agenda action. After you have marked the entry
5424 like this, you can open the agenda or the calendar to find an appropriate
5425 date. With the cursor on the selected date, press @kbd{k s} or @kbd{k d} to
5426 schedule the marked item.
5429 @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
5431 @vindex org-deadline-warning-days
5432 Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or
5433 which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}.
5434 With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric
5435 prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c / d} shows
5436 all deadlines due tomorrow.
5440 Sparse tree for deadlines and scheduled items before a given date.
5444 Sparse tree for deadlines and scheduled items after a given date.
5447 @node Repeated tasks, , Inserting deadline/schedule, Deadlines and scheduling
5448 @subsection Repeated tasks
5449 @cindex tasks, repeated
5450 @cindex repeated tasks
5452 Some tasks need to be repeated again and again. Org-mode helps to
5453 organize such tasks using a so-called repeater in a DEADLINE, SCHEDULED,
5454 or plain timestamp. In the following example
5456 ** TODO Pay the rent
5457 DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m>
5460 the @code{+1m} is a repeater; the intended interpretation is that the task
5461 has a deadline on <2005-10-01> and repeats itself every (one) month starting
5462 from that time. If you need both a repeater and a special warning period in
5463 a deadline entry, the repeater should come first and the warning period last:
5464 @code{DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m -3d>}.
5466 @vindex org-todo-repeat-to-state
5467 Deadlines and scheduled items produce entries in the agenda when they are
5468 over-due, so it is important to be able to mark such an entry as completed
5469 once you have done so. When you mark a DEADLINE or a SCHEDULE with the TODO
5470 keyword DONE, it will no longer produce entries in the agenda. The problem
5471 with this is, however, that then also the @emph{next} instance of the
5472 repeated entry will not be active. Org-mode deals with this in the following
5473 way: When you try to mark such an entry DONE (using @kbd{C-c C-t}), it will
5474 shift the base date of the repeating timestamp by the repeater interval, and
5475 immediately set the entry state back to TODO@footnote{In fact, the target
5476 state is taken from, in this sequence, the @code{REPEAT_TO_STATE} property or
5477 the variable @code{org-todo-repeat-to-state}. If neither of these is
5478 specified, the target state defaults to the first state of the TODO state
5479 sequence.}. In the example above, setting the state to DONE would actually
5480 switch the date like this:
5483 ** TODO Pay the rent
5484 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue +1m>
5487 @vindex org-log-repeat
5488 A timestamp@footnote{You can change this using the option
5489 @code{org-log-repeat}, or the @code{#+STARTUP} options @code{logrepeat},
5490 @code{lognoterepeat}, and @code{nologrepeat}. With @code{lognoterepeat}, you
5491 will also be prompted for a note.} will be added under the deadline, to keep
5492 a record that you actually acted on the previous instance of this deadline.
5494 As a consequence of shifting the base date, this entry will no longer be
5495 visible in the agenda when checking past dates, but all future instances
5498 With the @samp{+1m} cookie, the date shift will always be exactly one
5499 month. So if you have not paid the rent for three months, marking this
5500 entry DONE will still keep it as an overdue deadline. Depending on the
5501 task, this may not be the best way to handle it. For example, if you
5502 forgot to call you father for 3 weeks, it does not make sense to call
5503 him 3 times in a single day to make up for it. Finally, there are tasks
5504 like changing batteries which should always repeat a certain time
5505 @i{after} the last time you did it. For these tasks, Org-mode has
5506 special repeaters markers with @samp{++} and @samp{.+}. For example:
5510 DEADLINE: <2008-02-10 Sun ++1w>
5511 Marking this DONE will shift the date by at least one week,
5512 but also by as many weeks as it takes to get this date into
5513 the future. However, it stays on a Sunday, even if you called
5514 and marked it done on Saturday.
5515 ** TODO Check the batteries in the smoke detectors
5516 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue .+1m>
5517 Marking this DONE will shift the date to one month after
5521 You may have both scheduling and deadline information for a specific
5522 task---just make sure that the repeater intervals on both are the same.
5524 An alternative to using a repeater is to create a number of copies of a task
5525 subtree, with dates shifted in each copy. The command @kbd{C-c C-x c} was
5526 created for this purpose, it is described in @ref{Structure editing}.
5529 @node Clocking work time, Resolving idle time, Deadlines and scheduling, Dates and Times
5530 @section Clocking work time
5532 Org-mode allows you to clock the time you spend on specific tasks in a
5533 project. When you start working on an item, you can start the clock.
5534 When you stop working on that task, or when you mark the task done, the
5535 clock is stopped and the corresponding time interval is recorded. It
5536 also computes the total time spent on each subtree of a project. And it
5537 remembers a history or tasks recently clocked, to that you can jump quickly
5538 between a number of tasks absorbing your time.
5540 To save the clock history across Emacs sessions, use
5542 (setq org-clock-persist 'history)
5543 (org-clock-persistence-insinuate)
5545 When you clock into a new task after resuming Emacs, the incomplete
5546 clock@footnote{To resume the clock under the assumption that you have worked
5547 on this task while outside Emacs, use @code{(setq org-clock-persist t)}.}
5548 will be found (@pxref{Resolving idle time}) and you will be prompted about
5554 @vindex org-clock-into-drawer
5555 Start the clock on the current item (clock-in). This inserts the CLOCK
5556 keyword together with a timestamp. If this is not the first clocking of
5557 this item, the multiple CLOCK lines will be wrapped into a
5558 @code{:LOGBOOK:} drawer (see also the variable
5559 @code{org-clock-into-drawer}). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument,
5560 select the task from a list of recently clocked tasks. With two @kbd{C-u
5561 C-u} prefixes, clock into the task at point and mark it as the default task.
5562 The default task will always be available when selecting a clocking task,
5563 with letter @kbd{d}.@*
5564 @cindex property: CLOCK_MODELINE_TOTAL
5565 @cindex property: LAST_REPEAT
5566 @vindex org-clock-modeline-total
5567 While the clock is running, the current clocking time is shown in the mode
5568 line, along with the title of the task. The clock time shown will be all
5569 time ever clocked for this task and its children. If the task has an effort
5570 estimate (@pxref{Effort estimates}), the mode line displays the current
5571 clocking time against it@footnote{To add an effort estimate ``on the fly'',
5572 hook a function doing this to @code{org-clock-in-prepare-hook}.} If the task
5573 is a repeating one (@pxref{Repeated tasks}), only the time since the last
5574 reset of the task @footnote{as recorded by the @code{LAST_REPEAT} property}
5575 will be shown. More control over what time is shown can be exercised with
5576 the @code{CLOCK_MODELINE_TOTAL} property. It may have the values
5577 @code{current} to show only the current clocking instance, @code{today} to
5578 show all time clocked on this tasks today (see also the variable
5579 @code{org-extend-today-until}), @code{all} to include all time, or
5580 @code{auto} which is the default@footnote{See also the variable
5581 @code{org-clock-modeline-total}.}.@* Clicking with @kbd{mouse-1} onto the
5582 mode line entry will pop up a menu with clocking options.
5585 @vindex org-log-note-clock-out
5586 Stop the clock (clock-out). This inserts another timestamp at the same
5587 location where the clock was last started. It also directly computes
5588 the resulting time in inserts it after the time range as @samp{=>
5589 HH:MM}. See the variable @code{org-log-note-clock-out} for the
5590 possibility to record an additional note together with the clock-out
5591 timestamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is:
5592 @code{#+STARTUP: lognoteclock-out}}.
5595 Update the effort estimate for the current clock task.
5598 @item C-c C-y @ @ @r{or}@ @ C-c C-c
5599 Recompute the time interval after changing one of the timestamps. This
5600 is only necessary if you edit the timestamps directly. If you change
5601 them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic.
5604 Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock
5605 if it is running in this same item.
5608 Cancel the current clock. This is useful if a clock was started by
5609 mistake, or if you ended up working on something else.
5612 In the agenda buffer, jump to the headline of the currently clocked in task.
5613 In an org file, jump to the entry that contains the currently running clock.
5614 With a @kbd{C-u} prefix arg, select the target task from a list of recently
5618 @vindex org-remove-highlights-with-change
5619 Display time summaries for each subtree in the current buffer. This
5620 puts overlays at the end of each headline, showing the total time
5621 recorded under that heading, including the time of any subheadings. You
5622 can use visibility cycling to study the tree, but the overlays disappear
5623 when you change the buffer (see variable
5624 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}) or press @kbd{C-c C-c}.
5627 Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock
5628 report as an Org-mode table into the current file. When the cursor is
5629 at an existing clock table, just update it. When called with a prefix
5630 argument, jump to the first clock report in the current document and
5632 @cindex #+BEGIN, clocktable
5634 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil :scope file
5638 If such a block already exists at point, its content is replaced by the
5639 new table. The @samp{BEGIN} line can specify options:
5641 :maxlevel @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.}
5642 :emphasize @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items.}
5643 :scope @r{The scope to consider. This can be any of the following:}
5644 nil @r{the current buffer or narrowed region}
5645 file @r{the full current buffer}
5646 subtree @r{the subtree where the clocktable is located}
5647 tree@var{N} @r{the surrounding level @var{N} tree, for example @code{tree3}}
5648 tree @r{the surrounding level 1 tree}
5649 agenda @r{all agenda files}
5650 ("file"..) @r{scan these files}
5651 file-with-archives @r{current file and its archives}
5652 agenda-with-archives @r{all agenda files, including archives}
5653 :block @r{The time block to consider. This block is specified either}
5654 @r{absolute, or relative to the current time and may be any of}
5656 2007-12-31 @r{New year eve 2007}
5657 2007-12 @r{December 2007}
5658 2007-W50 @r{ISO-week 50 in 2007}
5659 2007 @r{the year 2007}
5660 today, yesterday, today-@var{N} @r{a relative day}
5661 thisweek, lastweek, thisweek-@var{N} @r{a relative week}
5662 thismonth, lastmonth, thismonth-@var{N} @r{a relative month}
5663 thisyear, lastyear, thisyear-@var{N} @r{a relative year}
5664 @r{Use @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}} keys to shift the time interval.}
5665 :tstart @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times.}
5666 :tend @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times.}
5667 :step @r{@code{week} or @code{day}, to split the table into chunks.}
5668 @r{To use this, @code{:block} or @code{:tstart}, @code{:tend} are needed.}
5669 :stepskip0 @r{Don't show steps that have zero time}
5670 :tags @r{A tags match to select entries that should contribute}
5671 :link @r{Link the item headlines in the table to their origins.}
5672 :formula @r{Content of a @code{#+TBLFM} line to be added and evaluated.}
5673 @r{As a special case, @samp{:formula %} adds a column with % time.}
5674 @r{If you do not specify a formula here, any existing formula.}
5675 @r{below the clock table will survive updates and be evaluated.}
5676 :timestamp @r{A timestamp for the entry, when available. Look for SCHEDULED,}
5677 @r{DEADLINE, TIMESTAMP and TIMESTAMP_IA, in this order.}
5679 To get a clock summary of the current level 1 tree, for the current
5680 day, you could write
5682 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today :scope tree1 :link t
5686 and to use a specific time range you could write@footnote{Note that all
5687 parameters must be specified in a single line---the line is broken here
5688 only to fit it into the manual.}
5690 #+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>"
5691 :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>"
5694 A summary of the current subtree with % times would be
5696 #+BEGIN: clocktable :scope subtree :link t :formula %
5703 Update dynamic block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
5704 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
5705 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
5706 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
5707 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
5708 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
5709 @kindex S-@key{left}
5710 @kindex S-@key{right}
5712 @itemx S-@key{right}
5713 Shift the current @code{:block} interval and update the table. The cursor
5714 needs to be in the @code{#+BEGIN: clocktable} line for this command. If
5715 @code{:block} is @code{today}, it will be shifted to @code{today-1} etc.
5718 The @kbd{l} key may be used in the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in
5719 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}) to show which tasks have been
5720 worked on or closed during a day.
5722 @node Resolving idle time, Effort estimates, Clocking work time, Dates and Times
5723 @section Resolving idle time
5724 @cindex resolve idle time
5726 @cindex idle, resolve, dangling
5727 If you clock in on a work item, and then walk away from your
5728 computer---perhaps to take a phone call---you often need to ``resolve'' the
5729 time you were away by either subtracting it from the current clock, or
5730 applying it to another one.
5732 @vindex org-clock-idle-time
5733 By customizing the variable @code{org-clock-idle-time} to some integer, such
5734 as 10 or 15, Emacs can alert you when you get back to your computer after
5735 being idle for that many minutes@footnote{On computers using Mac OS X,
5736 idleness is based on actual user idleness, not just Emacs' idle time. For
5737 X11, you can install a utility program @file{x11idle.c}, available in the
5738 UTILITIES directory of the Org git distribution, to get the same general
5739 treatment of idleness. On other systems, idle time refers to Emacs idle time
5740 only.}, and ask what you want to do with the idle time. There will be a
5741 question waiting for you when you get back, indicating how much idle time has
5742 passed (constantly updated with the current amount), as well as a set of
5743 choices to correct the discrepancy:
5747 To keep some or all of the minutes and stay clocked in, press @kbd{k}. Org
5748 will ask how many of the minutes to keep. Press @key{RET} to keep them all,
5749 effectively changing nothing, or enter a number to keep that many minutes.
5751 If you use the shift key and press @kbd{K}, it will keep however many minutes
5752 you request and then immediately clock out of that task. If you keep all of
5753 the minutes, this is the same as just clocking out of the current task.
5755 To keep none of the minutes, use @kbd{s} to subtract all the away time from
5756 the clock, and then check back in from the moment you returned.
5758 To keep none of the minutes and just clock out at the start of the away time,
5759 use the shift key and press @kbd{S}. Remember that using shift will always
5760 leave you clocked out, no matter which option you choose.
5762 To cancel the clock altogether, use @kbd{C}. Note that if instead of
5763 canceling you subtract the away time, and the resulting clock amount is less
5764 than a minute, the clock will still be canceled rather than clutter up the
5765 log with an empty entry.
5768 What if you subtracted those away minutes from the current clock, and now
5769 want to apply them to a new clock? Simply clock in to any task immediately
5770 after the subtraction. Org will notice that you have subtracted time ``on
5771 the books'', so to speak, and will ask if you want to apply those minutes to
5772 the next task you clock in on.
5774 There is one other instance when this clock resolution magic occurs. Say you
5775 were clocked in and hacking away, and suddenly your cat chased a mouse who
5776 scared a hamster that crashed into your UPS's power button! You suddenly
5777 lose all your buffers, but thanks to auto-save you still have your recent Org
5778 mode changes, including your last clock in.
5780 If you restart Emacs and clock into any task, Org will notice that you have a
5781 dangling clock which was never clocked out from your last session. Using
5782 that clock's starting time as the beginning of the unaccounted-for period,
5783 Org will ask how you want to resolve that time. The logic and behavior is
5784 identical to dealing with away time due to idleness, it's just happening due
5785 to a recovery event rather than a set amount of idle time.
5787 You can also check all the files visited by your Org agenda for dangling
5788 clocks at any time using @kbd{M-x org-resolve-clocks}.
5790 @node Effort estimates, Relative timer, Resolving idle time, Dates and Times
5791 @section Effort estimates
5792 @cindex effort estimates
5794 @cindex property, Effort
5795 @vindex org-effort-property
5796 If you want to plan your work in a very detailed way, or if you need to
5797 produce offers with quotations of the estimated work effort, you may want to
5798 assign effort estimates to entries. If you are also clocking your work, you
5799 may later want to compare the planned effort with the actual working time, a
5800 great way to improve planning estimates. Effort estimates are stored in a
5801 special property @samp{Effort}@footnote{You may change the property being
5802 used with the variable @code{org-effort-property}.}. You can set the effort
5803 for an entry with the following commands:
5808 Set the effort estimate for the current entry. With a numeric prefix
5809 argument, set it to the NTH allowed value (see below). This command is also
5810 accessible from the agenda with the @kbd{e} key.
5813 Modify the effort estimate of the item currently being clocked.
5816 Clearly the best way to work with effort estimates is through column view
5817 (@pxref{Column view}). You should start by setting up discrete values for
5818 effort estimates, and a @code{COLUMNS} format that displays these values
5819 together with clock sums (if you want to clock your time). For a specific
5823 #+PROPERTY: Effort_ALL 0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00
5824 #+COLUMNS: %40ITEM(Task) %17Effort(Estimated Effort)@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
5828 @vindex org-global-properties
5829 @vindex org-columns-default-format
5830 or, even better, you can set up these values globally by customizing the
5831 variables @code{org-global-properties} and @code{org-columns-default-format}.
5832 In particular if you want to use this setup also in the agenda, a global
5833 setup may be advised.
5835 The way to assign estimates to individual items is then to switch to column
5836 mode, and to use @kbd{S-@key{right}} and @kbd{S-@key{left}} to change the
5837 value. The values you enter will immediately be summed up in the hierarchy.
5838 In the column next to it, any clocked time will be displayed.
5840 @vindex org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum
5841 If you switch to column view in the daily/weekly agenda, the effort column
5842 will summarize the estimated work effort for each day@footnote{Please note
5843 the pitfalls of summing hierarchical data in a flat list (@pxref{Agenda
5844 column view}).}, and you can use this to find space in your schedule. To get
5845 an overview of the entire part of the day that is committed, you can set the
5846 option @code{org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum}. The
5847 appointments on a day that take place over a specified time interval will
5848 then also be added to the load estimate of the day.
5850 Effort estimates can be used in secondary agenda filtering that is triggered
5851 with the @kbd{/} key in the agenda (@pxref{Agenda commands}). If you have
5852 these estimates defined consistently, two or three key presses will narrow
5853 down the list to stuff that fits into an available time slot.
5855 @node Relative timer, , Effort estimates, Dates and Times
5856 @section Taking notes with a relative timer
5857 @cindex relative timer
5859 When taking notes during, for example, a meeting or a video viewing, it can
5860 be useful to have access to times relative to a starting time. Org provides
5861 such a relative timer and make it easy to create timed notes.
5866 Insert a relative time into the buffer. The first time you use this, the
5867 timer will be started. When called with a prefix argument, the timer is
5871 Insert a description list item with the current relative time. With a prefix
5872 argument, first reset the timer to 0.
5875 Once the timer list is started, you can also use @kbd{M-@key{RET}} to insert
5879 Pause the timer, or continue it if it is already paused.
5880 @c removed the sentence because it is redundant to the following item
5881 @kindex C-u C-c C-x ,
5883 Stop the timer. After this, you can only start a new timer, not continue the
5884 old one. This command also removes the timer from the mode line.
5887 Reset the timer without inserting anything into the buffer. By default, the
5888 timer is reset to 0. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, reset the timer to
5889 specific starting offset. The user is prompted for the offset, with a
5890 default taken from a timer string at point, if any, So this can be used to
5891 restart taking notes after a break in the process. When called with a double
5892 prefix argument @kbd{C-u C-u}, change all timer strings in the active region
5893 by a certain amount. This can be used to fix timer strings if the timer was
5894 not started at exactly the right moment.
5897 @node Capture - Refile - Archive, Agenda Views, Dates and Times, Top
5898 @chapter Capture - Refile - Archive
5901 An important part of any organization system is the ability to quickly
5902 capture new ideas and tasks, and to associate reference material with them.
5903 Org does this using a process called @i{capture}. It also can store files
5904 related to a task (@i{attachments}) in a special directory. Once in the
5905 system, tasks and projects need to be moved around. Moving completed project
5906 trees to an archive file keeps the system compact and fast.
5909 * Capture:: Capturing new stuff
5910 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks
5911 * RSS Feeds:: Getting input from RSS feeds
5912 * Protocols:: External (e.g. Browser) access to Emacs and Org
5913 * Refiling notes:: Moving a tree from one place to another
5914 * Archiving:: What to do with finished projects
5917 @node Capture, Attachments, Capture - Refile - Archive, Capture - Refile - Archive
5921 Org's method for capturing new items is heavily inspired by John Wiegley
5922 excellent remember package. Up to version 6.36 Org used a special setup
5923 for @file{remember.el}. @file{org-remember.el} is still part of Org-mode for
5924 backward compatibility with existing setups. You can find the documentation
5925 for org-remember at @url{http://orgmode.org/org-remember.pdf}.
5927 The new capturing setup described here is preferred and should be used by new
5928 users. To convert your @code{org-remember-templates}, run the command
5930 @kbd{M-x org-capture-import-remember-templates @key{RET}}
5932 @noindent and then customize the new variable with @kbd{M-x
5933 customize-variable org-capture-templates}, check the result, and save the
5934 customization. You can then use both remember and capture until
5935 you are familiar with the new mechanism.
5937 Capture lets you quickly store notes with little interruption of your work
5938 flow. The basic process of capturing is very similar to remember, but Org
5939 does enhance it with templates and more.
5942 * Setting up capture:: Where notes will be stored
5943 * Using capture:: Commands to invoke and terminate capture
5944 * Capture templates:: Define the outline of different note types
5947 @node Setting up capture, Using capture, Capture, Capture
5948 @subsection Setting up capture
5950 The following customization sets a default target file for notes, and defines
5951 a global key@footnote{Please select your own key, @kbd{C-c c} is only a
5952 suggestion.} for capturing new material.
5954 @vindex org-default-notes-file
5956 (setq org-default-notes-file (concat org-directory "/notes.org"))
5957 (define-key global-map "\C-cc" 'org-capture)
5960 @node Using capture, Capture templates, Setting up capture, Capture
5961 @subsection Using capture
5966 Call the command @code{org-capture}. If you have templates defined
5967 @pxref{Capture templates}, it will offer these templates for selection or use
5968 a new Org outline node as the default template. It will insert the template
5969 into the target file and switch to an indirect buffer narrowed to this new
5970 node. You may then insert the information you want.
5974 Once you have finished entering information into the capture buffer,
5975 @kbd{C-c C-c} will return you to the window configuration before the capture
5976 process, so that you can resume your work without further distraction.
5980 Finalize the capture process by refiling (@pxref{Refiling notes}) the note to
5985 Abort the capture process and return to the previous state.
5988 You can also call @code{org-capture} in a special way from the agenda, using
5989 the @kbd{k c} key combination. With this access, any timestamps inserted by
5990 the selected capture template will default to the cursor date in the agenda,
5991 rather than to the current date.
5993 @node Capture templates, , Using capture, Capture
5994 @subsection Capture templates
5995 @cindex templates, for Capture
5997 You can use templates for different types of capture items, and
5998 for different target locations. The easiest way to create such templates is
5999 through the customize interface.
6004 Customize the variable @code{org-capture-templates}.
6007 Before we give the formal description of template definitions, let's look at
6008 an example. Say you would like to use one template to create general TODO
6009 entries, and you want to put these entries under the heading @samp{Tasks} in
6010 your file @file{~/org/gtd.org}. Also, a date tree in the file
6011 @file{journal.org} should capture journal entries. A possible configuration
6015 (setq org-capture-templates
6016 '(("t" "Todo" entry (file+headline "~/org/gtd.org" "Tasks")
6017 "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a")
6018 ("j" "Journal" entry (file+datetree "~/org/journal.org")
6019 "* %?\nEntered on %U\n %i\n %a")))
6022 @noindent If you then press @kbd{C-c c t}, Org will prepare the template
6026 [[file:@var{link to where you initiated capture}]]
6030 During expansion of the template, @code{%a} has been replaced by a link to
6031 the location from where you called the capture command. This can be
6032 extremely useful for deriving tasks from emails, for example. You fill in
6033 the task definition, press @code{C-c C-c} and Org returns you to the same
6034 place where you started the capture process.
6038 * Template elements:: What is needed for a complete template entry
6039 * Template expansion:: Filling in information about time and context
6042 @node Template elements, Template expansion, Capture templates, Capture templates
6043 @subsubsection Template elements
6045 Now lets look at the elements of a template definition. Each entry in
6046 @code{org-capture-templates} is a list with the following items:
6050 The keys that will select the template, as a string, characters
6051 only, for example @code{"a"} for a template to be selected with a
6052 single key, or @code{"bt"} for selection with two keys. When using
6053 several keys, keys using the same prefix key must be sequential
6054 in the list and preceded by a 2-element entry explaining the
6055 prefix key, for example
6057 ("b" "Templates for marking stuff to buy")
6059 @noindent If you do not define a template for the @kbd{C} key, this key will
6060 be used to open the customize buffer for this complex variable.
6063 A short string describing the template, which will be shown during
6067 The type of entry, a symbol. Valid values are:
6070 An Org-mode node, with a headline. Will be filed as the child of the
6071 target entry or as a top-level entry. The target file should be an Org-mode
6074 A plain list item, placed in the first plain list at the target
6075 location. Again the target file should be an Org file.
6077 A checkbox item. This only differs from the plain list item by the
6080 a new line in the first table at the target location. Where exactly the
6081 line will be inserted depends on the properties @code{:prepend} and
6082 @code{:table-line-pos} (see below).
6084 Text to be inserted as it is.
6088 @vindex org-default-notes-file
6089 Specification of where the captured item should be placed. In Org-mode
6090 files, targets usually define a node. Entries will become children of this
6091 node, other types will be added to the table or list in the body of this
6092 node. Most target specifications contain a file name. If that file name is
6093 the empty string, it defaults to @code{org-default-notes-file}.
6097 @item (file "path/to/file")
6098 Text will be placed at the beginning or end of that file.
6100 @item (id "id of existing org entry")
6101 Filing as child of this entry, or in the body of the entry.
6103 @item (file+headline "path/to/file" "node headline")
6104 Fast configuration if the target heading is unique in the file.
6106 @item (file+olp "path/to/file" "Level 1 heading" "Level 2" ...)
6107 For non-unique headings, the full path is safer.
6109 @item (file+regexp "path/to/file" "regexp to find location")
6110 Use a regular expression to position the cursor.
6112 @item (file+datetree "path/to/file")
6113 Will create a heading in a date tree.
6115 @item (file+function "path/to/file" function-finding-location)
6116 A function to find the right location in the file.
6119 File to the entry that is currently being clocked.
6121 @item (function function-finding-location)
6122 Most general way, write your own function to find both
6127 The template for creating the capture item. If you leave this empty, an
6128 appropriate default template will be used. Otherwise this is a string with
6129 escape codes, which will be replaced depending on time and context of the
6130 capture call. The string with escapes may be loaded from a template file,
6131 using the special syntax @code{(file "path/to/template")}. See below for
6135 The rest of the entry is a property list of additional options.
6136 Recognized properties are:
6139 Normally new captured information will be appended at
6140 the target location (last child, last table line, last list item...).
6141 Setting this property will change that.
6143 @item :immediate-finish
6144 When set, do not offer to edit the information, just
6145 file it away immediately. This makes sense if the template only needs
6146 information that can be added automatically.
6149 Set this to the number of lines to insert
6150 before and after the new item. Default 0, only common other value is 1.
6153 Start the clock in this item.
6156 If starting the capture interrupted a clock, restart that clock when finished
6160 Do not narrow the target buffer, simply show the full buffer. Default is to
6161 narrow it so that you only see the new material.
6165 @node Template expansion, , Template elements, Capture templates
6166 @subsubsection Template expansion
6168 In the template itself, special @kbd{%}-escapes@footnote{If you need one of
6169 these sequences literally, escape the @kbd{%} with a backslash.} allow
6170 dynamic insertion of content:
6172 @comment SJE: should these sentences terminate in period?
6174 %^@{@var{prompt}@} @r{prompt the user for a string and replace this sequence with it.}
6175 @r{You may specify a default value and a completion table with}
6176 @r{%^@{prompt|default|completion2|completion3...@}}
6177 @r{The arrow keys access a prompt-specific history.}
6178 %a @r{annotation, normally the link created with @code{org-store-link}}
6179 %A @r{like @code{%a}, but prompt for the description part}
6180 %i @r{initial content, the region when capture is called while the}
6181 @r{region is active.}
6182 @r{The entire text will be indented like @code{%i} itself.}
6183 %t @r{timestamp, date only}
6184 %T @r{timestamp with date and time}
6185 %u, %U @r{like the above, but inactive timestamps}
6186 %^t @r{like @code{%t}, but prompt for date. Similarly @code{%^T}, @code{%^u}, @code{%^U}}
6187 @r{You may define a prompt like @code{%^@{Birthday@}t}}
6188 %n @r{user name (taken from @code{user-full-name})}
6189 %c @r{Current kill ring head.}
6190 %x @r{Content of the X clipboard.}
6191 %^C @r{Interactive selection of which kill or clip to use.}
6192 %^L @r{Like @code{%^C}, but insert as link.}
6193 %k @r{title of the currently clocked task}
6194 %K @r{link to the currently clocked task}
6195 %^g @r{prompt for tags, with completion on tags in target file.}
6196 %^G @r{prompt for tags, with completion all tags in all agenda files.}
6197 %^@{@var{prop}@}p @r{Prompt the user for a value for property @var{prop}}
6198 %:keyword @r{specific information for certain link types, see below}
6199 %[@var{file}] @r{insert the contents of the file given by @var{file}}
6200 %(@var{sexp}) @r{evaluate Elisp @var{sexp} and replace with the result}
6204 For specific link types, the following keywords will be
6205 defined@footnote{If you define your own link types (@pxref{Adding
6206 hyperlink types}), any property you store with
6207 @code{org-store-link-props} can be accessed in capture templates in a
6210 @vindex org-from-is-user-regexp
6212 Link type | Available keywords
6213 -------------------+----------------------------------------------
6214 bbdb | %:name %:company
6215 bbdb | %::server %:port %:nick
6216 vm, wl, mh, rmail | %:type %:subject %:message-id
6217 | %:from %:fromname %:fromaddress
6218 | %:to %:toname %:toaddress
6219 | %: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}.}}
6220 gnus | %:group, @r{for messages also all email fields}
6222 info | %:file %:node
6227 To place the cursor after template expansion use:
6230 %? @r{After completing the template, position cursor here.}
6234 @node Attachments, RSS Feeds, Capture, Capture - Refile - Archive
6235 @section Attachments
6238 @vindex org-attach-directory
6239 It is often useful to associate reference material with an outline node/task.
6240 Small chunks of plain text can simply be stored in the subtree of a project.
6241 Hyperlinks (@pxref{Hyperlinks}) can establish associations with
6242 files that live elsewhere on your computer or in the cloud, like emails or
6243 source code files belonging to a project. Another method is @i{attachments},
6244 which are files located in a directory belonging to an outline node. Org
6245 uses directories named by the unique ID of each entry. These directories are
6246 located in the @file{data} directory which lives in the same directory where
6247 your Org file lives@footnote{If you move entries or Org files from one
6248 directory to another, you may want to configure @code{org-attach-directory}
6249 to contain an absolute path.}. If you initialize this directory with
6250 @code{git init}, Org will automatically commit changes when it sees them.
6251 The attachment system has been contributed to Org by John Wiegley.
6253 In cases where it seems better to do so, you can also attach a directory of your
6254 choice to an entry. You can also make children inherit the attachment
6255 directory from a parent, so that an entire subtree uses the same attached
6258 @noindent The following commands deal with attachments:
6264 The dispatcher for commands related to the attachment system. After these
6265 keys, a list of commands is displayed and you must press an additional key
6266 to select a command:
6271 @vindex org-attach-method
6272 Select a file and move it into the task's attachment directory. The file
6273 will be copied, moved, or linked, depending on @code{org-attach-method}.
6274 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
6280 Attach a file using the copy/move/link method.
6281 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
6285 Create a new attachment as an Emacs buffer.
6289 Synchronize the current task with its attachment directory, in case you added
6290 attachments yourself.
6294 @vindex org-file-apps
6295 Open current task's attachment. If there is more than one, prompt for a
6296 file name first. Opening will follow the rules set by @code{org-file-apps}.
6297 For more details, see the information on following hyperlinks
6298 (@pxref{Handling links}).
6302 Also open the attachment, but force opening the file in Emacs.
6306 Open the current task's attachment directory.
6310 Also open the directory, but force using @command{dired} in Emacs.
6314 Select and delete a single attachment.
6318 Delete all of a task's attachments. A safer way is to open the directory in
6319 @command{dired} and delete from there.
6323 @cindex property, ATTACH_DIR
6324 Set a specific directory as the entry's attachment directory. This works by
6325 putting the directory path into the @code{ATTACH_DIR} property.
6329 @cindex property, ATTACH_DIR_INHERIT
6330 Set the @code{ATTACH_DIR_INHERIT} property, so that children will use the
6331 same directory for attachments as the parent does.
6335 @node RSS Feeds, Protocols, Attachments, Capture - Refile - Archive
6340 Org can add and change entries based on information found in RSS feeds and
6341 Atom feeds. You could use this to make a task out of each new podcast in a
6342 podcast feed. Or you could use a phone-based note-creating service on the
6343 web to import tasks into Org. To access feeds, configure the variable
6344 @code{org-feed-alist}. The docstring of this variable has detailed
6345 information. Here is just an example:
6348 (setq org-feed-alist
6350 "http://rss.slashdot.org/Slashdot/slashdot"
6351 "~/txt/org/feeds.org" "Slashdot Entries")))
6355 will configure that new items from the feed provided by
6356 @code{rss.slashdot.org} will result in new entries in the file
6357 @file{~/org/feeds.org} under the heading @samp{Slashdot Entries}, whenever
6358 the following command is used:
6363 Collect items from the feeds configured in @code{org-feed-alist} and act upon
6367 Prompt for a feed name and go to the inbox configured for this feed.
6370 Under the same headline, Org will create a drawer @samp{FEEDSTATUS} in which
6371 it will store information about the status of items in the feed, to avoid
6372 adding the same item several times. You should add @samp{FEEDSTATUS} to the
6373 list of drawers in that file:
6376 #+DRAWERS: LOGBOOK PROPERTIES FEEDSTATUS
6379 For more information, including how to read atom feeds, see
6380 @file{org-feed.el} and the docstring of @code{org-feed-alist}.
6382 @node Protocols, Refiling notes, RSS Feeds, Capture - Refile - Archive
6383 @section Protocols for external access
6384 @cindex protocols, for external access
6387 You can set up Org for handling protocol calls from outside applications that
6388 are passed to Emacs through the @file{emacsserver}. For example, you can
6389 configure bookmarks in your web browser to send a link to the current page to
6390 Org and create a note from it using capture (@pxref{Capture}). Or you
6391 could create a bookmark that will tell Emacs to open the local source file of
6392 a remote website you are looking at with the browser. See
6393 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-contrib/org-protocol.php} for detailed
6394 documentation and setup instructions.
6396 @node Refiling notes, Archiving, Protocols, Capture - Refile - Archive
6397 @section Refiling notes
6398 @cindex refiling notes
6400 When reviewing the captured data, you may want to refile some of the entries
6401 into a different list, for example into a project. Cutting, finding the
6402 right location, and then pasting the note is cumbersome. To simplify this
6403 process, you can use the following special command:
6408 @vindex org-reverse-note-order
6409 @vindex org-refile-targets
6410 @vindex org-refile-use-outline-path
6411 @vindex org-outline-path-complete-in-steps
6412 @vindex org-refile-allow-creating-parent-nodes
6413 @vindex org-log-refile
6414 @vindex org-refile-use-cache
6415 Refile the entry or region at point. This command offers possible locations
6416 for refiling the entry and lets you select one with completion. The item (or
6417 all items in the region) is filed below the target heading as a subitem.
6418 Depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}, it will be either the first or
6420 By default, all level 1 headlines in the current buffer are considered to be
6421 targets, but you can have more complex definitions across a number of files.
6422 See the variable @code{org-refile-targets} for details. If you would like to
6423 select a location via a file-path-like completion along the outline path, see
6424 the variables @code{org-refile-use-outline-path} and
6425 @code{org-outline-path-complete-in-steps}. If you would like to be able to
6426 create new nodes as new parents for refiling on the fly, check the
6427 variable @code{org-refile-allow-creating-parent-nodes}.
6428 When the variable @code{org-log-refile}@footnote{with corresponding
6429 @code{#+STARTUP} keywords @code{logrefile}, @code{lognoterefile},
6430 and @code{nologrefile}} is set, a time stamp or a note will be
6431 recorded when an entry has been refiled.
6434 Use the refile interface to jump to a heading.
6435 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-w
6436 @item C-u C-u C-c C-w
6437 Jump to the location where @code{org-refile} last moved a tree to.
6439 Refile as the child of the item currently being clocked.
6440 @item C-0 C-c C-w @ @r{or} @ C-u C-u C-u C-c C-w
6441 Clear the target cache. Caching of refile targets can be turned on by
6442 setting @code{org-refile-use-cache}. To make the command seen new possible
6443 targets, you have to clear the cache with this command.
6446 @node Archiving, , Refiling notes, Capture - Refile - Archive
6450 When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want
6451 to move the tree out of the way and to stop it from contributing to the
6452 agenda. Archiving is important to keep your working files compact and global
6453 searches like the construction of agenda views fast.
6458 @vindex org-archive-default-command
6459 Archive the current entry using the command specified in the variable
6460 @code{org-archive-default-command}.
6464 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
6465 * Internal archiving:: Switch off a tree but keep it in the file
6468 @node Moving subtrees, Internal archiving, Archiving, Archiving
6469 @subsection Moving a tree to the archive file
6470 @cindex external archiving
6472 The most common archiving action is to move a project tree to another file,
6478 @item C-c C-x C-s@ @r{or short} @ C-c $
6479 @vindex org-archive-location
6480 Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location
6481 given by @code{org-archive-location}.
6482 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-s
6483 @item C-u C-c C-x C-s
6484 Check if any direct children of the current headline could be moved to
6485 the archive. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries.
6486 If none are found, the command offers to move it to the archive
6487 location. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command
6488 is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked.
6491 @cindex archive locations
6492 The default archive location is a file in the same directory as the
6493 current file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the
6494 current file name. For information and examples on how to change this,
6495 see the documentation string of the variable
6496 @code{org-archive-location}. There is also an in-buffer option for
6497 setting this variable, for example@footnote{For backward compatibility,
6498 the following also works: If there are several such lines in a file,
6499 each specifies the archive location for the text below it. The first
6500 such line also applies to any text before its definition. However,
6501 using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is incompatible
6502 with the outline structure of the document. The correct method for
6503 setting multiple archive locations in a buffer is using properties.}:
6507 #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
6510 @cindex property, ARCHIVE
6512 If you would like to have a special ARCHIVE location for a single entry
6513 or a (sub)tree, give the entry an @code{:ARCHIVE:} property with the
6514 location as the value (@pxref{Properties and Columns}).
6516 @vindex org-archive-save-context-info
6517 When a subtree is moved, it receives a number of special properties that
6518 record context information like the file from where the entry came, its
6519 outline path the archiving time etc. Configure the variable
6520 @code{org-archive-save-context-info} to adjust the amount of information
6524 @node Internal archiving, , Moving subtrees, Archiving
6525 @subsection Internal archiving
6527 If you want to just switch off (for agenda views) certain subtrees without
6528 moving them to a different file, you can use the @code{ARCHIVE tag}.
6530 A headline that is marked with the ARCHIVE tag (@pxref{Tags}) stays at
6531 its location in the outline tree, but behaves in the following way:
6534 @vindex org-cycle-open-archived-trees
6535 It does not open when you attempt to do so with a visibility cycling
6536 command (@pxref{Visibility cycling}). You can force cycling archived
6537 subtrees with @kbd{C-@key{TAB}}, or by setting the option
6538 @code{org-cycle-open-archived-trees}. Also normal outline commands like
6539 @code{show-all} will open archived subtrees.
6541 @vindex org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees
6542 During sparse tree construction (@pxref{Sparse trees}), matches in
6543 archived subtrees are not exposed, unless you configure the option
6544 @code{org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees}.
6546 @vindex org-agenda-skip-archived-trees
6547 During agenda view construction (@pxref{Agenda Views}), the content of
6548 archived trees is ignored unless you configure the option
6549 @code{org-agenda-skip-archived-trees}, in which case these trees will always
6550 be included. In the agenda you can press @kbd{v a} to get archives
6551 temporarily included.
6553 @vindex org-export-with-archived-trees
6554 Archived trees are not exported (@pxref{Exporting}), only the headline
6555 is. Configure the details using the variable
6556 @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}.
6558 @vindex org-columns-skip-archived-trees
6559 Archived trees are excluded from column view unless the variable
6560 @code{org-columns-skip-archived-trees} is configured to @code{nil}.
6563 The following commands help manage the ARCHIVE tag:
6568 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline. When the tag is set,
6569 the headline changes to a shadowed face, and the subtree below it is
6571 @kindex C-u C-c C-x a
6573 Check if any direct children of the current headline should be archived.
6574 To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are
6575 found, the command offers to set the ARCHIVE tag for the child. If the
6576 cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the
6577 level 1 trees will be checked.
6580 Cycle a tree even if it is tagged with ARCHIVE.
6583 Move the current entry to the @emph{Archive Sibling}. This is a sibling of
6584 the entry with the heading @samp{Archive} and the tag @samp{ARCHIVE}. The
6585 entry becomes a child of that sibling and in this way retains a lot of its
6586 original context, including inherited tags and approximate position in the
6591 @node Agenda Views, Markup, Capture - Refile - Archive, Top
6592 @chapter Agenda views
6593 @cindex agenda views
6595 Due to the way Org works, TODO items, time-stamped items, and
6596 tagged headlines can be scattered throughout a file or even a number of
6597 files. To get an overview of open action items, or of events that are
6598 important for a particular date, this information must be collected,
6599 sorted and displayed in an organized way.
6601 Org can select items based on various criteria and display them
6602 in a separate buffer. Seven different view types are provided:
6606 an @emph{agenda} that is like a calendar and shows information
6609 a @emph{TODO list} that covers all unfinished
6612 a @emph{match view}, showings headlines based on the tags, properties, and
6613 TODO state associated with them,
6615 a @emph{timeline view} that shows all events in a single Org file,
6616 in time-sorted view,
6618 a @emph{text search view} that shows all entries from multiple files
6619 that contain specified keywords,
6621 a @emph{stuck projects view} showing projects that currently don't move
6624 @emph{custom views} that are special searches and combinations of different
6629 The extracted information is displayed in a special @emph{agenda
6630 buffer}. This buffer is read-only, but provides commands to visit the
6631 corresponding locations in the original Org files, and even to
6632 edit these files remotely.
6634 @vindex org-agenda-window-setup
6635 @vindex org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit
6636 Two variables control how the agenda buffer is displayed and whether the
6637 window configuration is restored when the agenda exits:
6638 @code{org-agenda-window-setup} and
6639 @code{org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit}.
6642 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
6643 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
6644 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
6645 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
6646 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
6647 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
6648 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing a view to a file
6649 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
6652 @node Agenda files, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views, Agenda Views
6653 @section Agenda files
6654 @cindex agenda files
6655 @cindex files for agenda
6657 @vindex org-agenda-files
6658 The information to be shown is normally collected from all @emph{agenda
6659 files}, the files listed in the variable
6660 @code{org-agenda-files}@footnote{If the value of that variable is not a
6661 list, but a single file name, then the list of agenda files will be
6662 maintained in that external file.}. If a directory is part of this list,
6663 all files with the extension @file{.org} in this directory will be part
6666 Thus, even if you only work with a single Org file, that file should
6667 be put into the list@footnote{When using the dispatcher, pressing
6668 @kbd{<} before selecting a command will actually limit the command to
6669 the current file, and ignore @code{org-agenda-files} until the next
6670 dispatcher command.}. You can customize @code{org-agenda-files}, but
6671 the easiest way to maintain it is through the following commands
6673 @cindex files, adding to agenda list
6677 Add current file to the list of agenda files. The file is added to
6678 the front of the list. If it was already in the list, it is moved to
6679 the front. With a prefix argument, file is added/moved to the end.
6682 Remove current file from the list of agenda files.
6687 Cycle through agenda file list, visiting one file after the other.
6688 @kindex M-x org-iswitchb
6689 @item M-x org-iswitchb
6690 Command to use an @code{iswitchb}-like interface to switch to and between Org
6695 The Org menu contains the current list of files and can be used
6696 to visit any of them.
6698 If you would like to focus the agenda temporarily on a file not in
6699 this list, or on just one file in the list, or even on only a subtree in a
6700 file, then this can be done in different ways. For a single agenda command,
6701 you may press @kbd{<} once or several times in the dispatcher
6702 (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}). To restrict the agenda scope for an
6703 extended period, use the following commands:
6708 Permanently restrict the agenda to the current subtree. When with a
6709 prefix argument, or with the cursor before the first headline in a file,
6710 the agenda scope is set to the entire file. This restriction remains in
6711 effect until removed with @kbd{C-c C-x >}, or by typing either @kbd{<}
6712 or @kbd{>} in the agenda dispatcher. If there is a window displaying an
6713 agenda view, the new restriction takes effect immediately.
6716 Remove the permanent restriction created by @kbd{C-c C-x <}.
6720 When working with @file{speedbar.el}, you can use the following commands in
6724 @item < @r{in the speedbar frame}
6725 Permanently restrict the agenda to the item---either an Org file or a subtree
6726 in such a file---at the cursor in the Speedbar frame.
6727 If there is a window displaying an agenda view, the new restriction takes
6730 @item > @r{in the speedbar frame}
6731 Lift the restriction.
6734 @node Agenda dispatcher, Built-in agenda views, Agenda files, Agenda Views
6735 @section The agenda dispatcher
6736 @cindex agenda dispatcher
6737 @cindex dispatching agenda commands
6738 The views are created through a dispatcher, which should be bound to a
6739 global key---for example @kbd{C-c a} (@pxref{Installation}). In the
6740 following we will assume that @kbd{C-c a} is indeed how the dispatcher
6741 is accessed and list keyboard access to commands accordingly. After
6742 pressing @kbd{C-c a}, an additional letter is required to execute a
6743 command. The dispatcher offers the following default commands:
6746 Create the calendar-like agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
6748 Create a list of all TODO items (@pxref{Global TODO list}).
6750 Create a list of headlines matching a TAGS expression (@pxref{Matching
6751 tags and properties}).
6753 Create the timeline view for the current buffer (@pxref{Timeline}).
6755 Create a list of entries selected by a boolean expression of keywords
6756 and/or regular expressions that must or must not occur in the entry.
6758 @vindex org-agenda-text-search-extra-files
6759 Search for a regular expression in all agenda files and additionally in
6760 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-text-search-extra-files}. This
6761 uses the Emacs command @code{multi-occur}. A prefix argument can be
6762 used to specify the number of context lines for each match, default is
6765 Create a list of stuck projects (@pxref{Stuck projects}).
6767 Restrict an agenda command to the current buffer@footnote{For backward
6768 compatibility, you can also press @kbd{1} to restrict to the current
6769 buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{<}, you still need to press the character
6770 selecting the command.
6772 If there is an active region, restrict the following agenda command to
6773 the region. Otherwise, restrict it to the current subtree@footnote{For
6774 backward compatibility, you can also press @kbd{0} to restrict to the
6775 current region/subtree.}. After pressing @kbd{< <}, you still need to press the
6776 character selecting the command.
6779 You can also define custom commands that will be accessible through the
6780 dispatcher, just like the default commands. This includes the
6781 possibility to create extended agenda buffers that contain several
6782 blocks together, for example the weekly agenda, the global TODO list and
6783 a number of special tags matches. @xref{Custom agenda views}.
6785 @node Built-in agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views
6786 @section The built-in agenda views
6788 In this section we describe the built-in views.
6791 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
6792 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
6793 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
6794 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
6795 * Search view:: Find entries by searching for text
6796 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
6799 @node Weekly/daily agenda, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views, Built-in agenda views
6800 @subsection The weekly/daily agenda
6802 @cindex weekly agenda
6803 @cindex daily agenda
6805 The purpose of the weekly/daily @emph{agenda} is to act like a page of a
6806 paper agenda, showing all the tasks for the current week or day.
6809 @cindex org-agenda, command
6812 @vindex org-agenda-ndays
6813 Compile an agenda for the current week from a list of Org files. The agenda
6814 shows the entries for each day. With a numeric prefix@footnote{For backward
6815 compatibility, the universal prefix @kbd{C-u} causes all TODO entries to be
6816 listed before the agenda. This feature is deprecated, use the dedicated TODO
6817 list, or a block agenda instead (@pxref{Block agenda}).} (like @kbd{C-u 2 1
6818 C-c a a}) you may set the number of days to be displayed (see also the
6819 variable @code{org-agenda-ndays})
6822 Remote editing from the agenda buffer means, for example, that you can
6823 change the dates of deadlines and appointments from the agenda buffer.
6824 The commands available in the Agenda buffer are listed in @ref{Agenda
6827 @subsubheading Calendar/Diary integration
6828 @cindex calendar integration
6829 @cindex diary integration
6831 Emacs contains the calendar and diary by Edward M. Reingold. The
6832 calendar displays a three-month calendar with holidays from different
6833 countries and cultures. The diary allows you to keep track of
6834 anniversaries, lunar phases, sunrise/set, recurrent appointments
6835 (weekly, monthly) and more. In this way, it is quite complementary to
6836 Org. It can be very useful to combine output from Org with
6839 In order to include entries from the Emacs diary into Org-mode's
6840 agenda, you only need to customize the variable
6843 (setq org-agenda-include-diary t)
6846 @noindent After that, everything will happen automatically. All diary
6847 entries including holidays, anniversaries, etc., will be included in the
6848 agenda buffer created by Org-mode. @key{SPC}, @key{TAB}, and
6849 @key{RET} can be used from the agenda buffer to jump to the diary
6850 file in order to edit existing diary entries. The @kbd{i} command to
6851 insert new entries for the current date works in the agenda buffer, as
6852 well as the commands @kbd{S}, @kbd{M}, and @kbd{C} to display
6853 Sunrise/Sunset times, show lunar phases and to convert to other
6854 calendars, respectively. @kbd{c} can be used to switch back and forth
6855 between calendar and agenda.
6857 If you are using the diary only for sexp entries and holidays, it is
6858 faster to not use the above setting, but instead to copy or even move
6859 the entries into an Org file. Org-mode evaluates diary-style sexp
6860 entries, and does it faster because there is no overhead for first
6861 creating the diary display. Note that the sexp entries must start at
6862 the left margin, no whitespace is allowed before them. For example,
6863 the following segment of an Org file will be processed and entries
6864 will be made in the agenda:
6867 * Birthdays and similar stuff
6869 %%(org-calendar-holiday) ; special function for holiday names
6871 %%(diary-anniversary 5 14 1956)@footnote{Note that the order of the arguments (month, day, year) depends on the setting of @code{calendar-date-style}.} Arthur Dent is %d years old
6872 %%(diary-anniversary 10 2 1869) Mahatma Gandhi would be %d years old
6875 @subsubheading Anniversaries from BBDB
6876 @cindex BBDB, anniversaries
6877 @cindex anniversaries, from BBDB
6879 If you are using the Big Brothers Database to store your contacts, you will
6880 very likely prefer to store anniversaries in BBDB rather than in a
6881 separate Org or diary file. Org supports this and will show BBDB
6882 anniversaries as part of the agenda. All you need to do is to add the
6883 following to one your your agenda files:
6890 %%(org-bbdb-anniversaries)
6893 You can then go ahead and define anniversaries for a BBDB record. Basically,
6894 you need to press @kbd{C-o anniversary @key{RET}} with the cursor in a BBDB
6895 record and then add the date in the format @code{YYYY-MM-DD}, followed by a
6896 space and the class of the anniversary (@samp{birthday} or @samp{wedding}, or
6897 a format string). If you omit the class, it will default to @samp{birthday}.
6898 Here are a few examples, the header for the file @file{org-bbdb.el} contains
6899 more detailed information.
6904 2008-04-14 %s released version 6.01 of org-mode, %d years ago
6907 After a change to BBDB, or for the first agenda display during an Emacs
6908 session, the agenda display will suffer a short delay as Org updates its
6909 hash with anniversaries. However, from then on things will be very fast---much
6910 faster in fact than a long list of @samp{%%(diary-anniversary)} entries
6911 in an Org or Diary file.
6913 @subsubheading Appointment reminders
6914 @cindex @file{appt.el}
6915 @cindex appointment reminders
6917 Org can interact with Emacs appointments notification facility. To add all
6918 the appointments of your agenda files, use the command
6919 @code{org-agenda-to-appt}. This command also lets you filter through the
6920 list of your appointments and add only those belonging to a specific category
6921 or matching a regular expression. See the docstring for details.
6923 @node Global TODO list, Matching tags and properties, Weekly/daily agenda, Built-in agenda views
6924 @subsection The global TODO list
6925 @cindex global TODO list
6926 @cindex TODO list, global
6928 The global TODO list contains all unfinished TODO items formatted and
6929 collected into a single place.
6934 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all agenda
6935 files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. By default, this lists
6936 items with a state the is not a DONE state. The buffer is in
6937 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate the TODO
6938 entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
6941 @cindex TODO keyword matching
6942 @vindex org-todo-keywords
6943 Like the above, but allows selection of a specific TODO keyword. You can
6944 also do this by specifying a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c a t}. You are
6945 prompted for a keyword, and you may also specify several keywords by
6946 separating them with @samp{|} as the boolean OR operator. With a numeric
6947 prefix, the nth keyword in @code{org-todo-keywords} is selected.
6949 The @kbd{r} key in the agenda buffer regenerates it, and you can give
6950 a prefix argument to this command to change the selected TODO keyword,
6951 for example @kbd{3 r}. If you often need a search for a specific
6952 keyword, define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).@*
6953 Matching specific TODO keywords can also be done as part of a tags
6954 search (@pxref{Tag searches}).
6957 Remote editing of TODO items means that you can change the state of a
6958 TODO entry with a single key press. The commands available in the
6959 TODO list are described in @ref{Agenda commands}.
6961 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into TODO list
6962 Normally the global TODO list simply shows all headlines with TODO
6963 keywords. This list can become very long. There are two ways to keep
6967 @vindex org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled
6968 @vindex org-agenda-todo-ignore-deadlines
6969 @vindex org-agenda-todo-ignore-with-date
6970 Some people view a TODO item that has been @emph{scheduled} for execution or
6971 have a @emph{deadline} (@pxref{Timestamps}) as no longer @emph{open}.
6972 Configure the variables @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled},
6973 @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-deadlines}, and/or
6974 @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-with-date} to exclude such items from the
6977 @vindex org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels
6978 TODO items may have sublevels to break up the task into subtasks. In
6979 such cases it may be enough to list only the highest level TODO headline
6980 and omit the sublevels from the global list. Configure the variable
6981 @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels} to get this behavior.
6984 @node Matching tags and properties, Timeline, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views
6985 @subsection Matching tags and properties
6986 @cindex matching, of tags
6987 @cindex matching, of properties
6991 If headlines in the agenda files are marked with @emph{tags} (@pxref{Tags}),
6992 or have properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}), you can select headlines
6993 based on this metadata and collect them into an agenda buffer. The match
6994 syntax described here also applies when creating sparse trees with @kbd{C-c /
7000 Produce a list of all headlines that match a given set of tags. The
7001 command prompts for a selection criterion, which is a boolean logic
7002 expression with tags, like @samp{+work+urgent-withboss} or
7003 @samp{work|home} (@pxref{Tags}). If you often need a specific search,
7004 define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
7007 @vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
7008 @vindex org-agenda-tags-todo-honor-ignore-options
7009 Like @kbd{C-c a m}, but only select headlines that are also TODO items in a
7010 not-DONE state and force checking subitems (see variable
7011 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}). To exclude scheduled/deadline items,
7012 see the variable @code{org-agenda-tags-todo-honor-ignore-options}. Matching
7013 specific TODO keywords together with a tags match is also possible, see
7017 The commands available in the tags list are described in @ref{Agenda
7020 @subsubheading Match syntax
7022 @cindex Boolean logic, for tag/property searches
7023 A search string can use Boolean operators @samp{&} for AND and @samp{|} for
7024 OR. @samp{&} binds more strongly than @samp{|}. Parentheses are currently
7025 not implemented. Each element in the search is either a tag, a regular
7026 expression matching tags, or an expression like @code{PROPERTY OPERATOR
7027 VALUE} with a comparison operator, accessing a property value. Each element
7028 may be preceded by @samp{-}, to select against it, and @samp{+} is syntactic
7029 sugar for positive selection. The AND operator @samp{&} is optional when
7030 @samp{+} or @samp{-} is present. Here are some examples, using only tags.
7034 Select headlines tagged @samp{:work:}, but discard those also tagged
7037 Selects lines tagged @samp{:work:} or @samp{:laptop:}.
7038 @item work|laptop+night
7039 Like before, but require the @samp{:laptop:} lines to be tagged also
7043 @cindex regular expressions, with tags search
7044 Instead of a tag, you may also specify a regular expression enclosed in curly
7045 braces. For example,
7046 @samp{work+@{^boss.*@}} matches headlines that contain the tag
7047 @samp{:work:} and any tag @i{starting} with @samp{boss}.
7049 @cindex TODO keyword matching, with tags search
7050 @cindex level, require for tags/property match
7051 @cindex category, require for tags/property match
7052 @vindex org-odd-levels-only
7053 You may also test for properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) at the same
7054 time as matching tags. The properties may be real properties, or special
7055 properties that represent other metadata (@pxref{Special properties}). For
7056 example, the ``property'' @code{TODO} represents the TODO keyword of the
7057 entry. Or, the ``property'' @code{LEVEL} represents the level of an entry.
7058 So a search @samp{+LEVEL=3+boss-TODO="DONE"} lists all level three headlines
7059 that have the tag @samp{boss} and are @emph{not} marked with the TODO keyword
7060 DONE. In buffers with @code{org-odd-levels-only} set, @samp{LEVEL} does not
7061 count the number of stars, but @samp{LEVEL=2} will correspond to 3 stars etc.
7063 Here are more examples:
7065 @item work+TODO="WAITING"
7066 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines with the specific TODO
7067 keyword @samp{WAITING}.
7068 @item work+TODO="WAITING"|home+TODO="WAITING"
7069 Waiting tasks both at work and at home.
7072 When matching properties, a number of different operators can be used to test
7073 the value of a property. Here is a complex example:
7076 +work-boss+PRIORITY="A"+Coffee="unlimited"+Effort<2 \
7077 +With=@{Sarah\|Denny@}+SCHEDULED>="<2008-10-11>"
7081 The type of comparison will depend on how the comparison value is written:
7084 If the comparison value is a plain number, a numerical comparison is done,
7085 and the allowed operators are @samp{<}, @samp{=}, @samp{>}, @samp{<=},
7086 @samp{>=}, and @samp{<>}.
7088 If the comparison value is enclosed in double-quotes,
7089 a string comparison is done, and the same operators are allowed.
7091 If the comparison value is enclosed in double-quotes @emph{and} angular
7092 brackets (like @samp{DEADLINE<="<2008-12-24 18:30>"}), both values are
7093 assumed to be date/time specifications in the standard Org way, and the
7094 comparison will be done accordingly. Special values that will be recognized
7095 are @code{"<now>"} for now (including time), and @code{"<today>"}, and
7096 @code{"<tomorrow>"} for these days at 0:00 hours, i.e. without a time
7097 specification. Also strings like @code{"<+5d>"} or @code{"<-2m>"} with units
7098 @code{d}, @code{w}, @code{m}, and @code{y} for day, week, month, and year,
7099 respectively, can be used.
7101 If the comparison value is enclosed
7102 in curly braces, a regexp match is performed, with @samp{=} meaning that the
7103 regexp matches the property value, and @samp{<>} meaning that it does not
7107 So the search string in the example finds entries tagged @samp{:work:} but
7108 not @samp{:boss:}, which also have a priority value @samp{A}, a
7109 @samp{:Coffee:} property with the value @samp{unlimited}, an @samp{Effort}
7110 property that is numerically smaller than 2, a @samp{:With:} property that is
7111 matched by the regular expression @samp{Sarah\|Denny}, and that are scheduled
7112 on or after October 11, 2008.
7114 Accessing TODO, LEVEL, and CATEGORY during a search is fast. Accessing any
7115 other properties will slow down the search. However, once you have paid the
7116 price by accessing one property, testing additional properties is cheap
7119 You can configure Org-mode to use property inheritance during a search, but
7120 beware that this can slow down searches considerably. See @ref{Property
7121 inheritance}, for details.
7123 For backward compatibility, and also for typing speed, there is also a
7124 different way to test TODO states in a search. For this, terminate the
7125 tags/property part of the search string (which may include several terms
7126 connected with @samp{|}) with a @samp{/} and then specify a Boolean
7127 expression just for TODO keywords. The syntax is then similar to that for
7128 tags, but should be applied with care: for example, a positive selection on
7129 several TODO keywords cannot meaningfully be combined with boolean AND.
7130 However, @emph{negative selection} combined with AND can be meaningful. To
7131 make sure that only lines are checked that actually have any TODO keyword
7132 (resulting in a speed-up), use @kbd{C-c a M}, or equivalently start the TODO
7133 part after the slash with @samp{!}. Using @kbd{C-c a M} or @samp{/!} will
7134 not match TODO keywords in a DONE state. Examples:
7138 Same as @samp{work+TODO="WAITING"}
7139 @item work/!-WAITING-NEXT
7140 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are neither @samp{WAITING}
7142 @item work/!+WAITING|+NEXT
7143 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are either @samp{WAITING} or
7147 @node Timeline, Search view, Matching tags and properties, Built-in agenda views
7148 @subsection Timeline for a single file
7149 @cindex timeline, single file
7150 @cindex time-sorted view
7152 The timeline summarizes all time-stamped items from a single Org-mode
7153 file in a @emph{time-sorted view}. The main purpose of this command is
7154 to give an overview over events in a project.
7159 Show a time-sorted view of the Org file, with all time-stamped items.
7160 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all unfinished TODO entries
7161 (scheduled or not) are also listed under the current date.
7165 The commands available in the timeline buffer are listed in
7166 @ref{Agenda commands}.
7168 @node Search view, Stuck projects, Timeline, Built-in agenda views
7169 @subsection Search view
7172 @cindex searching, for text
7174 This agenda view is a general text search facility for Org-mode entries.
7175 It is particularly useful to find notes.
7180 This is a special search that lets you select entries by matching a substring
7181 or specific words using a boolean logic.
7183 For example, the search string @samp{computer equipment} will find entries
7184 that contain @samp{computer equipment} as a substring. If the two words are
7185 separated by more space or a line break, the search will still match.
7186 Search view can also search for specific keywords in the entry, using Boolean
7187 logic. The search string @samp{+computer +wifi -ethernet -@{8\.11[bg]@}}
7188 will search for note entries that contain the keywords @code{computer}
7189 and @code{wifi}, but not the keyword @code{ethernet}, and which are also
7190 not matched by the regular expression @code{8\.11[bg]}, meaning to
7191 exclude both 8.11b and 8.11g. The first @samp{+} is necessary to turn on
7192 word search, other @samp{+} characters are optional. For more details, see
7193 the docstring of the command @code{org-search-view}.
7195 @vindex org-agenda-text-search-extra-files
7196 Note that in addition to the agenda files, this command will also search
7197 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-text-search-extra-files}.
7199 @node Stuck projects, , Search view, Built-in agenda views
7200 @subsection Stuck projects
7202 If you are following a system like David Allen's GTD to organize your
7203 work, one of the ``duties'' you have is a regular review to make sure
7204 that all projects move along. A @emph{stuck} project is a project that
7205 has no defined next actions, so it will never show up in the TODO lists
7206 Org-mode produces. During the review, you need to identify such
7207 projects and define next actions for them.
7212 List projects that are stuck.
7215 @vindex org-stuck-projects
7216 Customize the variable @code{org-stuck-projects} to define what a stuck
7217 project is and how to find it.
7220 You almost certainly will have to configure this view before it will
7221 work for you. The built-in default assumes that all your projects are
7222 level-2 headlines, and that a project is not stuck if it has at least
7223 one entry marked with a TODO keyword TODO or NEXT or NEXTACTION.
7225 Let's assume that you, in your own way of using Org-mode, identify
7226 projects with a tag PROJECT, and that you use a TODO keyword MAYBE to
7227 indicate a project that should not be considered yet. Let's further
7228 assume that the TODO keyword DONE marks finished projects, and that NEXT
7229 and TODO indicate next actions. The tag @@SHOP indicates shopping and
7230 is a next action even without the NEXT tag. Finally, if the project
7231 contains the special word IGNORE anywhere, it should not be listed
7232 either. In this case you would start by identifying eligible projects
7233 with a tags/todo match@footnote{@xref{Tag searches}.}
7234 @samp{+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE}, and then check for TODO, NEXT, @@SHOP, and
7235 IGNORE in the subtree to identify projects that are not stuck. The
7236 correct customization for this is
7239 (setq org-stuck-projects
7240 '("+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE" ("NEXT" "TODO") ("@@SHOP")
7244 Note that if a project is identified as non-stuck, the subtree of this entry
7245 will still be searched for stuck projects.
7247 @node Presentation and sorting, Agenda commands, Built-in agenda views, Agenda Views
7248 @section Presentation and sorting
7249 @cindex presentation, of agenda items
7251 @vindex org-agenda-prefix-format
7252 Before displaying items in an agenda view, Org-mode visually prepares
7253 the items and sorts them. Each item occupies a single line. The line
7254 starts with a @emph{prefix} that contains the @emph{category}
7255 (@pxref{Categories}) of the item and other important information. You can
7256 customize the prefix using the option @code{org-agenda-prefix-format}.
7257 The prefix is followed by a cleaned-up version of the outline headline
7258 associated with the item.
7261 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
7262 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
7263 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
7266 @node Categories, Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting, Presentation and sorting
7267 @subsection Categories
7270 The category is a broad label assigned to each agenda item. By default,
7271 the category is simply derived from the file name, but you can also
7272 specify it with a special line in the buffer, like this@footnote{For
7273 backward compatibility, the following also works: if there are several
7274 such lines in a file, each specifies the category for the text below it.
7275 The first category also applies to any text before the first CATEGORY
7276 line. However, using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is
7277 incompatible with the outline structure of the document. The correct
7278 method for setting multiple categories in a buffer is using a
7286 @cindex property, CATEGORY
7287 If you would like to have a special CATEGORY for a single entry or a
7288 (sub)tree, give the entry a @code{:CATEGORY:} property with the
7289 special category you want to apply as the value.
7292 The display in the agenda buffer looks best if the category is not
7293 longer than 10 characters.
7295 @node Time-of-day specifications, Sorting of agenda items, Categories, Presentation and sorting
7296 @subsection Time-of-day specifications
7297 @cindex time-of-day specification
7299 Org-mode checks each agenda item for a time-of-day specification. The
7300 time can be part of the timestamp that triggered inclusion into the
7301 agenda, for example as in @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 19:00>}}. Time
7302 ranges can be specified with two timestamps, like
7304 @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 20:30>--<2005-05-10 Tue 22:15>}}.
7306 In the headline of the entry itself, a time(range) may also appear as
7307 plain text (like @samp{12:45} or a @samp{8:30-1pm}). If the agenda
7308 integrates the Emacs diary (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), time
7309 specifications in diary entries are recognized as well.
7311 For agenda display, Org-mode extracts the time and displays it in a
7312 standard 24 hour format as part of the prefix. The example times in
7313 the previous paragraphs would end up in the agenda like this:
7316 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
7317 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
7318 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
7319 20:30-22:15 Marvin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
7323 If the agenda is in single-day mode, or for the display of today, the
7324 timed entries are embedded in a time grid, like
7327 8:00...... ------------------
7328 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
7329 10:00...... ------------------
7330 12:00...... ------------------
7331 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
7332 14:00...... ------------------
7333 16:00...... ------------------
7334 18:00...... ------------------
7335 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
7336 20:00...... ------------------
7337 20:30-22:15 Marvin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
7340 @vindex org-agenda-use-time-grid
7341 @vindex org-agenda-time-grid
7342 The time grid can be turned on and off with the variable
7343 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid}, and can be configured with
7344 @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
7346 @node Sorting of agenda items, , Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting
7347 @subsection Sorting of agenda items
7348 @cindex sorting, of agenda items
7349 @cindex priorities, of agenda items
7350 Before being inserted into a view, the items are sorted. How this is
7351 done depends on the type of view.
7354 @vindex org-agenda-files
7355 For the daily/weekly agenda, the items for each day are sorted. The
7356 default order is to first collect all items containing an explicit
7357 time-of-day specification. These entries will be shown at the beginning
7358 of the list, as a @emph{schedule} for the day. After that, items remain
7359 grouped in categories, in the sequence given by @code{org-agenda-files}.
7360 Within each category, items are sorted by priority (@pxref{Priorities}),
7361 which is composed of the base priority (2000 for priority @samp{A}, 1000
7362 for @samp{B}, and 0 for @samp{C}), plus additional increments for
7363 overdue scheduled or deadline items.
7365 For the TODO list, items remain in the order of categories, but within
7366 each category, sorting takes place according to priority
7367 (@pxref{Priorities}). The priority used for sorting derives from the
7368 priority cookie, with additions depending on how close an item is to its due
7371 For tags matches, items are not sorted at all, but just appear in the
7372 sequence in which they are found in the agenda files.
7375 @vindex org-agenda-sorting-strategy
7376 Sorting can be customized using the variable
7377 @code{org-agenda-sorting-strategy}, and may also include criteria based on
7378 the estimated effort of an entry (@pxref{Effort estimates}).
7380 @node Agenda commands, Custom agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda Views
7381 @section Commands in the agenda buffer
7382 @cindex commands, in agenda buffer
7384 Entries in the agenda buffer are linked back to the Org file or diary
7385 file where they originate. You are not allowed to edit the agenda
7386 buffer itself, but commands are provided to show and jump to the
7387 original entry location, and to edit the Org files ``remotely'' from
7388 the agenda buffer. In this way, all information is stored only once,
7389 removing the risk that your agenda and note files may diverge.
7391 Some commands can be executed with mouse clicks on agenda lines. For
7392 the other commands, the cursor needs to be in the desired line.
7395 @tsubheading{Motion}
7396 @cindex motion commands in agenda
7399 Next line (same as @key{up} and @kbd{C-p}).
7402 Previous line (same as @key{down} and @kbd{C-n}).
7403 @tsubheading{View/Go to Org file}
7408 Display the original location of the item in another window.
7409 With prefix arg, make sure that the entire entry is made visible in the
7410 outline, not only the heading.
7414 Display original location and recenter that window.
7422 Go to the original location of the item in another window. Under Emacs
7423 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also works for this.
7427 Go to the original location of the item and delete other windows.
7431 @vindex org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode
7432 Toggle Follow mode. In Follow mode, as you move the cursor through
7433 the agenda buffer, the other window always shows the corresponding
7434 location in the Org file. The initial setting for this mode in new
7435 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
7436 @code{org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode}.
7440 Display the entire subtree of the current item in an indirect buffer. With a
7441 numeric prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
7442 negative, go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove the
7443 previously used indirect buffer.
7447 Follow a link in the entry. This will offer a selection of any links in the
7448 text belonging to the referenced Org node. If there is only one link, it
7449 will be followed without a selection prompt.
7451 @tsubheading{Change display}
7452 @cindex display changing, in agenda
7455 Delete other windows.
7463 @item v d @ @r{or short} @ d
7464 @itemx v w @ @r{or short} @ w
7467 Switch to day/week/month/year view. When switching to day or week view,
7468 this setting becomes the default for subsequent agenda commands. Since
7469 month and year views are slow to create, they do not become the default.
7470 A numeric prefix argument may be used to jump directly to a specific day
7471 of the year, ISO week, month, or year, respectively. For example,
7472 @kbd{32 d} jumps to February 1st, @kbd{9 w} to ISO week number 9. When
7473 setting day, week, or month view, a year may be encoded in the prefix
7474 argument as well. For example, @kbd{200712 w} will jump to week 12 in
7475 2007. If such a year specification has only one or two digits, it will
7476 be mapped to the interval 1938-2037.
7480 @vindex org-agenda-ndays
7481 Go forward in time to display the following @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
7482 For example, if the display covers a week, switch to the following week.
7483 With prefix arg, go forward that many times @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
7487 Go backward in time to display earlier dates.
7495 Prompt for a date and go there.
7499 Toggle the inclusion of diary entries. See @ref{Weekly/daily agenda}.
7504 @item v l @ @r{or short} @ l
7505 @vindex org-log-done
7506 @vindex org-agenda-log-mode-items
7507 Toggle Logbook mode. In Logbook mode, entries that were marked DONE while
7508 logging was on (variable @code{org-log-done}) are shown in the agenda, as are
7509 entries that have been clocked on that day. You can configure the entry
7510 types that should be included in log mode using the variable
7511 @code{org-agenda-log-mode-items}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, show
7512 all possible logbook entries, including state changes. When called with two
7513 prefix args @kbd{C-u C-u}, show only logging information, nothing else.
7514 @kbd{v L} is equivalent to @kbd{C-u v l}.
7518 @item v [ @ @r{or short} @ [
7519 Include inactive timestamps into the current view. Only for weekly/daily
7520 agenda and timeline views.
7526 Toggle Archives mode. In Archives mode, trees that are marked
7527 @code{ARCHIVED} are also scanned when producing the agenda. When you use the
7528 capital @kbd{A}, even all archive files are included. To exit archives mode,
7529 press @kbd{v a} again.
7533 @item v R @ @r{or short} @ R
7534 @vindex org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode
7535 Toggle Clockreport mode. In Clockreport mode, the daily/weekly agenda will
7536 always show a table with the clocked times for the timespan and file scope
7537 covered by the current agenda view. The initial setting for this mode in new
7538 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
7539 @code{org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode}.
7543 @item v E @ @r{or short} @ E
7544 @vindex org-agenda-start-with-entry-text-mode
7545 @vindex org-agenda-entry-text-maxlines
7546 Toggle entry text mode. In entry text mode, a number of lines from the Org
7547 outline node referenced by an agenda line will be displayed below the line.
7548 The maximum number of lines is given by the variable
7549 @code{org-agenda-entry-text-maxlines}. Calling this command with a numeric
7550 prefix argument will temporarily modify that number to the prefix value.
7554 @vindex org-agenda-use-time-grid
7555 @vindex org-agenda-time-grid
7556 Toggle the time grid on and off. See also the variables
7557 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid} and @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
7561 Recreate the agenda buffer, for example to reflect the changes after
7562 modification of the timestamps of items with @kbd{S-@key{left}} and
7563 @kbd{S-@key{right}}. When the buffer is the global TODO list, a prefix
7564 argument is interpreted to create a selective list for a specific TODO
7574 Save all Org buffers in the current Emacs session, and also the locations of
7579 @vindex org-columns-default-format
7580 Invoke column view (@pxref{Column view}) in the agenda buffer. The column
7581 view format is taken from the entry at point, or (if there is no entry at
7582 point), from the first entry in the agenda view. So whatever the format for
7583 that entry would be in the original buffer (taken from a property, from a
7584 @code{#+COLUMNS} line, or from the default variable
7585 @code{org-columns-default-format}), will be used in the agenda.
7589 Remove the restriction lock on the agenda, if it is currently restricted to a
7590 file or subtree (@pxref{Agenda files}).
7592 @tsubheading{Secondary filtering and query editing}
7593 @cindex filtering, by tag and effort, in agenda
7594 @cindex tag filtering, in agenda
7595 @cindex effort filtering, in agenda
7596 @cindex query editing, in agenda
7600 @vindex org-agenda-filter-preset
7601 Filter the current agenda view with respect to a tag and/or effort estimates.
7602 The difference between this and a custom agenda command is that filtering is
7603 very fast, so that you can switch quickly between different filters without
7604 having to recreate the agenda@footnote{Custom commands can preset a filter by
7605 binding the variable @code{org-agenda-filter-preset} as an option. This
7606 filter will then be applied to the view and persist as a basic filter through
7607 refreshes and more secondary filtering. The filter is a global property of
7608 the entire agenda view - in a block agenda, you should only set this in the
7609 global options section, not in the section of an individual block.}
7611 You will be prompted for a tag selection letter, SPC will mean any tag at
7612 all. Pressing @key{TAB} at that prompt will offer use completion to select a
7613 tag (including any tags that do not have a selection character). The command
7614 then hides all entries that do not contain or inherit this tag. When called
7615 with prefix arg, remove the entries that @emph{do} have the tag. A second
7616 @kbd{/} at the prompt will turn off the filter and unhide any hidden entries.
7617 If the first key you press is either @kbd{+} or @kbd{-}, the previous filter
7618 will be narrowed by requiring or forbidding the selected additional tag.
7619 Instead of pressing @kbd{+} or @kbd{-} after @kbd{/}, you can also
7620 immediately use the @kbd{\} command.
7622 @vindex org-sort-agenda-noeffort-is-high
7623 In order to filter for effort estimates, you should set-up allowed
7624 efforts globally, for example
7626 (setq org-global-properties
7627 '(("Effort_ALL". "0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00")))
7629 You can then filter for an effort by first typing an operator, one of
7630 @kbd{<}, @kbd{>}, and @kbd{=}, and then the one-digit index of an effort
7631 estimate in your array of allowed values, where @kbd{0} means the 10th value.
7632 The filter will then restrict to entries with effort smaller-or-equal, equal,
7633 or larger-or-equal than the selected value. If the digits 0-9 are not used
7634 as fast access keys to tags, you can also simply press the index digit
7635 directly without an operator. In this case, @kbd{<} will be assumed. For
7636 application of the operator, entries without a defined effort will be treated
7637 according to the value of @code{org-sort-agenda-noeffort-is-high}. To filter
7638 for tasks without effort definition, press @kbd{?} as the operator.
7640 Org also supports automatic, context-aware tag filtering. If the variable
7641 @code{org-agenda-auto-exclude-function} is set to a user-defined function,
7642 that function can decide which tags should be excluded from the agenda
7643 automatically. Once this is set, the @kbd{/} command then accepts @kbd{RET}
7644 as a sub-option key and runs the auto exclusion logic. For example, let's
7645 say you use a @code{Net} tag to identify tasks which need network access, an
7646 @code{Errand} tag for errands in town, and a @code{Call} tag for making phone
7647 calls. You could auto-exclude these tags based on the availability of the
7648 Internet, and outside of business hours, with something like this:
7652 (defun org-my-auto-exclude-function (tag)
7654 ((string= tag "Net")
7655 (/= 0 (call-process "/sbin/ping" nil nil nil
7656 "-c1" "-q" "-t1" "mail.gnu.org")))
7657 ((or (string= tag "Errand") (string= tag "Call"))
7658 (let ((hour (nth 2 (decode-time))))
7659 (or (< hour 8) (> hour 21)))))
7662 (setq org-agenda-auto-exclude-function 'org-my-auto-exclude-function)
7668 Narrow the current agenda filter by an additional condition. When called with
7669 prefix arg, remove the entries that @emph{do} have the tag, or that do match
7670 the effort criterion. You can achieve the same effect by pressing @kbd{+} or
7671 @kbd{-} as the first key after the @kbd{/} command.
7679 @item @r{in} search view
7680 add new search words (@kbd{[} and @kbd{]}) or new regular expressions
7681 (@kbd{@{} and @kbd{@}}) to the query string. The opening bracket/brace will
7682 add a positive search term prefixed by @samp{+}, indicating that this search
7683 term @i{must} occur/match in the entry. The closing bracket/brace will add a
7684 negative search term which @i{must not} occur/match in the entry for it to be
7689 @tsubheading{Remote editing}
7690 @cindex remote editing, from agenda
7695 @cindex undoing remote-editing events
7696 @cindex remote editing, undo
7699 Undo a change due to a remote editing command. The change is undone
7700 both in the agenda buffer and in the remote buffer.
7704 Change the TODO state of the item, both in the agenda and in the
7707 @kindex C-S-@key{right}
7708 @kindex C-S-@key{left}
7709 @item C-S-@key{right}@r{/}@key{left}
7710 Switch to the next/previous set of TODO keywords.
7714 @vindex org-agenda-confirm-kill
7715 Delete the current agenda item along with the entire subtree belonging
7716 to it in the original Org file. If the text to be deleted remotely
7717 is longer than one line, the kill needs to be confirmed by the user. See
7718 variable @code{org-agenda-confirm-kill}.
7722 Refile the entry at point.
7726 @item C-c C-x C-a @ @r{or short} @ a
7727 @vindex org-archive-default-command
7728 Archive the subtree corresponding to the entry at point using the default
7729 archiving command set in @code{org-archive-default-command}. When using the
7730 @code{a} key, confirmation will be required.
7734 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline.
7738 Move the subtree corresponding to the current entry to its @emph{archive
7743 @item C-c C-x C-s @ @r{or short} @ $
7744 Archive the subtree corresponding to the current headline. This means the
7745 entry will be moved to the configured archive location, most likely a
7750 @vindex org-agenda-show-inherited-tags
7751 Show all tags associated with the current item. This is useful if you have
7752 turned off @code{org-agenda-show-inherited-tags}, but still want to see all
7753 tags of a headline occasionally.
7757 Set tags for the current headline. If there is an active region in the
7758 agenda, change a tag for all headings in the region.
7762 Set the priority for the current item. Org-mode prompts for the
7763 priority character. If you reply with @key{SPC}, the priority cookie
7764 is removed from the entry.
7768 Display weighted priority of current item.
7774 Increase the priority of the current item. The priority is changed in
7775 the original buffer, but the agenda is not resorted. Use the @kbd{r}
7779 @kindex S-@key{down}
7782 Decrease the priority of the current item.
7786 @item z @ @r{or also} @ C-c C-z
7787 @vindex org-log-into-drawer
7788 Add a note to the entry. This note will be recorded, and then files to the
7789 same location where state change notes are put. Depending on
7790 @code{org-log-into-drawer}, this maybe inside a drawer.
7794 Dispatcher for all command related to attachments.
7798 Schedule this item, with prefix arg remove the scheduling timestamp
7802 Set a deadline for this item, with prefix arg remove the deadline.
7806 Agenda actions, to set dates for selected items to the cursor date.
7807 This command also works in the calendar! The command prompts for an
7810 m @r{Mark the entry at point for action. You can also make entries}
7811 @r{in Org files with @kbd{C-c C-x C-k}.}
7812 d @r{Set the deadline of the marked entry to the date at point.}
7813 s @r{Schedule the marked entry at the date at point.}
7814 r @r{Call @code{org-capture} with the cursor date as default date.}
7817 Press @kbd{r} afterward to refresh the agenda and see the effect of the
7820 @kindex S-@key{right}
7822 Change the timestamp associated with the current line by one day into the
7823 future. With a numeric prefix argument, change it by that many days. For
7824 example, @kbd{3 6 5 S-@key{right}} will change it by a year. With a
7825 @kbd{C-u} prefix, change the time by one hour. If you immediately repeat the
7826 command, it will continue to change hours even without the prefix arg. With
7827 a double @kbd{C-u C-u} prefix, do the same for changing minutes. The stamp
7828 is changed in the original Org file, but the change is not directly reflected
7829 in the agenda buffer. Use @kbd{r} or @kbd{g} to update the buffer.
7831 @kindex S-@key{left}
7833 Change the timestamp associated with the current line by one day
7838 Change the timestamp associated with the current line. The key @kbd{>} has
7839 been chosen, because it is the same as @kbd{S-.} on my keyboard.
7843 Start the clock on the current item. If a clock is running already, it
7848 Stop the previously started clock.
7852 Cancel the currently running clock.
7856 Jump to the running clock in another window.
7858 @tsubheading{Bulk remote editing selected entries}
7859 @cindex remote editing, bulk, from agenda
7863 Mark the entry at point for bulk action.
7867 Unmark entry for bulk action.
7871 Unmark all marked entries for bulk action.
7875 Bulk action: act on all marked entries in the agenda. This will prompt for
7876 another key to select the action to be applied. The prefix arg to @kbd{B}
7877 will be passed through to the @kbd{s} and @kbd{d} commands, to bulk-remove
7878 these special timestamps.
7880 r @r{Prompt for a single refile target and move all entries. The entries}
7881 @r{will no longer be in the agenda, refresh (@kbd{g}) to bring them back.}
7882 $ @r{Archive all selected entries.}
7883 A @r{Archive entries by moving them to their respective archive siblings.}
7884 t @r{Change TODO state. This prompts for a single TODO keyword and}
7885 @r{changes the state of all selected entries, bypassing blocking and}
7886 @r{suppressing logging notes (but not time stamps).}
7887 + @r{Add a tag to all selected entries.}
7888 - @r{Remove a tag from all selected entries.}
7889 s @r{Schedule all items to a new date. To shift existing schedule dates}
7890 @r{by a fixed number of days, use something starting with double plus}
7891 @r{at the prompt, for example @samp{++8d} or @samp{++2w}.}
7892 d @r{Set deadline to a specific date.}
7896 @tsubheading{Calendar commands}
7897 @cindex calendar commands, from agenda
7900 Open the Emacs calendar and move to the date at the agenda cursor.
7903 When in the calendar, compute and show the Org-mode agenda for the
7906 @cindex diary entries, creating from agenda
7909 @vindex org-agenda-diary-file
7910 Insert a new entry into the diary, using the date at the cursor and (for
7911 block entries) the date at the mark. This will add to the Emacs diary
7912 file@footnote{This file is parsed for the agenda when
7913 @code{org-agenda-include-diary} is set.}, in a way similar to the @kbd{i}
7914 command in the calendar. The diary file will pop up in another window, where
7915 you can add the entry.
7917 If you configure @code{org-agenda-diary-file} to point to an Org-mode file,
7918 Org will create entries (in org-mode syntax) in that file instead. Most
7919 entries will be stored in a date-based outline tree that will later make it
7920 easy to archive appointments from previous months/years. The tree will be
7921 built under an entry with a @code{DATE_TREE} property, or else with years as
7922 top-level entries. Emacs will prompt you for the entry text - if you specify
7923 it, the entry will be created in @code{org-agenda-diary-file} without further
7924 interaction. If you directly press @key{RET} at the prompt without typing
7925 text, the target file will be shown in another window for you to finish the
7926 entry there. See also the @kbd{k r} command.
7930 Show the phases of the moon for the three months around current date.
7934 Show sunrise and sunset times. The geographical location must be set
7935 with calendar variables, see the documentation for the Emacs calendar.
7939 Convert the date at cursor into many other cultural and historic
7944 Show holidays for three months around the cursor date.
7946 @item M-x org-export-icalendar-combine-agenda-files
7947 Export a single iCalendar file containing entries from all agenda files.
7948 This is a globally available command, and also available in the agenda menu.
7950 @tsubheading{Exporting to a file}
7953 @cindex exporting agenda views
7954 @cindex agenda views, exporting
7955 @vindex org-agenda-exporter-settings
7956 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the selected
7957 file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension @file{.html} or
7958 @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), PDF (extension @file{.pdf}),
7959 and plain text (any other extension). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix
7960 argument, immediately open the newly created file. Use the variable
7961 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print} and
7962 for @file{htmlize} to be used during export.
7964 @tsubheading{Quit and Exit}
7967 Quit agenda, remove the agenda buffer.
7970 @cindex agenda files, removing buffers
7972 Exit agenda, remove the agenda buffer and all buffers loaded by Emacs
7973 for the compilation of the agenda. Buffers created by the user to
7974 visit Org files will not be removed.
7978 @node Custom agenda views, Exporting Agenda Views, Agenda commands, Agenda Views
7979 @section Custom agenda views
7980 @cindex custom agenda views
7981 @cindex agenda views, custom
7983 Custom agenda commands serve two purposes: to store and quickly access
7984 frequently used TODO and tags searches, and to create special composite
7985 agenda buffers. Custom agenda commands will be accessible through the
7986 dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}), just like the default commands.
7989 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
7990 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
7991 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
7994 @node Storing searches, Block agenda, Custom agenda views, Custom agenda views
7995 @subsection Storing searches
7997 The first application of custom searches is the definition of keyboard
7998 shortcuts for frequently used searches, either creating an agenda
7999 buffer, or a sparse tree (the latter covering of course only the current
8002 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
8003 Custom commands are configured in the variable
8004 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. You can customize this variable, for
8005 example by pressing @kbd{C-c a C}. You can also directly set it with
8006 Emacs Lisp in @file{.emacs}. The following example contains all valid
8011 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
8012 '(("w" todo "WAITING")
8013 ("W" todo-tree "WAITING")
8014 ("u" tags "+boss-urgent")
8015 ("v" tags-todo "+boss-urgent")
8016 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent")
8017 ("f" occur-tree "\\<FIXME\\>")
8018 ("h" . "HOME+Name tags searches") ; description for "h" prefix
8019 ("hl" tags "+home+Lisa")
8020 ("hp" tags "+home+Peter")
8021 ("hk" tags "+home+Kim")))
8026 The initial string in each entry defines the keys you have to press
8027 after the dispatcher command @kbd{C-c a} in order to access the command.
8028 Usually this will be just a single character, but if you have many
8029 similar commands, you can also define two-letter combinations where the
8030 first character is the same in several combinations and serves as a
8031 prefix key@footnote{You can provide a description for a prefix key by
8032 inserting a cons cell with the prefix and the description.}. The second
8033 parameter is the search type, followed by the string or regular
8034 expression to be used for the matching. The example above will
8039 as a global search for TODO entries with @samp{WAITING} as the TODO
8042 as the same search, but only in the current buffer and displaying the
8043 results as a sparse tree
8045 as a global tags search for headlines marked @samp{:boss:} but not
8048 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but limiting the search to
8049 headlines that are also TODO items
8051 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but only in the current buffer and
8052 displaying the result as a sparse tree
8054 to create a sparse tree (again: current buffer only) with all entries
8055 containing the word @samp{FIXME}
8057 as a prefix command for a HOME tags search where you have to press an
8058 additional key (@kbd{l}, @kbd{p} or @kbd{k}) to select a name (Lisa,
8059 Peter, or Kim) as additional tag to match.
8062 @node Block agenda, Setting Options, Storing searches, Custom agenda views
8063 @subsection Block agenda
8064 @cindex block agenda
8065 @cindex agenda, with block views
8067 Another possibility is the construction of agenda views that comprise
8068 the results of @emph{several} commands, each of which creates a block in
8069 the agenda buffer. The available commands include @code{agenda} for the
8070 daily or weekly agenda (as created with @kbd{C-c a a}), @code{alltodo}
8071 for the global TODO list (as constructed with @kbd{C-c a t}), and the
8072 matching commands discussed above: @code{todo}, @code{tags}, and
8073 @code{tags-todo}. Here are two examples:
8077 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
8078 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
8082 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
8090 This will define @kbd{C-c a h} to create a multi-block view for stuff
8091 you need to attend to at home. The resulting agenda buffer will contain
8092 your agenda for the current week, all TODO items that carry the tag
8093 @samp{home}, and also all lines tagged with @samp{garden}. Finally the
8094 command @kbd{C-c a o} provides a similar view for office tasks.
8096 @node Setting Options, , Block agenda, Custom agenda views
8097 @subsection Setting options for custom commands
8098 @cindex options, for custom agenda views
8100 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
8101 Org-mode contains a number of variables regulating agenda construction
8102 and display. The global variables define the behavior for all agenda
8103 commands, including the custom commands. However, if you want to change
8104 some settings just for a single custom view, you can do so. Setting
8105 options requires inserting a list of variable names and values at the
8106 right spot in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. For example:
8110 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
8111 '(("w" todo "WAITING"
8112 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))
8113 (org-agenda-prefix-format " Mixed: ")))
8114 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent"
8115 ((org-show-following-heading nil)
8116 (org-show-hierarchy-above nil)))
8118 ((org-agenda-files '("~org/notes.org"))
8119 (org-agenda-text-search-extra-files nil)))))
8124 Now the @kbd{C-c a w} command will sort the collected entries only by
8125 priority, and the prefix format is modified to just say @samp{ Mixed: }
8126 instead of giving the category of the entry. The sparse tags tree of
8127 @kbd{C-c a U} will now turn out ultra-compact, because neither the
8128 headline hierarchy above the match, nor the headline following the match
8129 will be shown. The command @kbd{C-c a N} will do a text search limited
8130 to only a single file.
8132 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
8133 For command sets creating a block agenda,
8134 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} has two separate spots for setting
8135 options. You can add options that should be valid for just a single
8136 command in the set, and options that should be valid for all commands in
8137 the set. The former are just added to the command entry, the latter
8138 must come after the list of command entries. Going back to the block
8139 agenda example (@pxref{Block agenda}), let's change the sorting strategy
8140 for the @kbd{C-c a h} commands to @code{priority-down}, but let's sort
8141 the results for GARDEN tags query in the opposite order,
8142 @code{priority-up}. This would look like this:
8146 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
8147 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
8151 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-up)))))
8152 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))))
8153 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
8160 As you see, the values and parentheses setting is a little complex.
8161 When in doubt, use the customize interface to set this variable---it
8162 fully supports its structure. Just one caveat: when setting options in
8163 this interface, the @emph{values} are just Lisp expressions. So if the
8164 value is a string, you need to add the double-quotes around the value
8168 @node Exporting Agenda Views, Agenda column view, Custom agenda views, Agenda Views
8169 @section Exporting Agenda Views
8170 @cindex agenda views, exporting
8172 If you are away from your computer, it can be very useful to have a printed
8173 version of some agenda views to carry around. Org-mode can export custom
8174 agenda views as plain text, HTML@footnote{You need to install Hrvoje Niksic's
8175 @file{htmlize.el}.}, Postscript, PDF@footnote{To create PDF output, the
8176 ghostscript @file{ps2pdf} utility must be installed on the system. Selecting
8177 a PDF file with also create the postscript file.}, and iCalendar files. If
8178 you want to do this only occasionally, use the command
8183 @cindex exporting agenda views
8184 @cindex agenda views, exporting
8185 @vindex org-agenda-exporter-settings
8186 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the selected
8187 file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension @file{.html} or
8188 @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), iCalendar (extension
8189 @file{.ics}), or plain text (any other extension). Use the variable
8190 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print} and
8191 for @file{htmlize} to be used during export, for example
8193 @vindex org-agenda-add-entry-text-maxlines
8194 @vindex htmlize-output-type
8195 @vindex ps-number-of-columns
8196 @vindex ps-landscape-mode
8198 (setq org-agenda-exporter-settings
8199 '((ps-number-of-columns 2)
8200 (ps-landscape-mode t)
8201 (org-agenda-add-entry-text-maxlines 5)
8202 (htmlize-output-type 'css)))
8206 If you need to export certain agenda views frequently, you can associate
8207 any custom agenda command with a list of output file names
8208 @footnote{If you want to store standard views like the weekly agenda
8209 or the global TODO list as well, you need to define custom commands for
8210 them in order to be able to specify file names.}. Here is an example
8211 that first defines custom commands for the agenda and the global
8212 TODO list, together with a number of files to which to export them.
8213 Then we define two block agenda commands and specify file names for them
8214 as well. File names can be relative to the current working directory,
8219 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
8220 '(("X" agenda "" nil ("agenda.html" "agenda.ps"))
8221 ("Y" alltodo "" nil ("todo.html" "todo.txt" "todo.ps"))
8222 ("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
8227 ("~/views/home.html"))
8228 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
8233 ("~/views/office.ps" "~/calendars/office.ics"))))
8237 The extension of the file name determines the type of export. If it is
8238 @file{.html}, Org-mode will use the @file{htmlize.el} package to convert
8239 the buffer to HTML and save it to this file name. If the extension is
8240 @file{.ps}, @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} is used to produce
8241 Postscript output. If the extension is @file{.ics}, iCalendar export is
8242 run export over all files that were used to construct the agenda, and
8243 limit the export to entries listed in the agenda. Any other
8244 extension produces a plain ASCII file.
8246 The export files are @emph{not} created when you use one of those
8247 commands interactively because this might use too much overhead.
8248 Instead, there is a special command to produce @emph{all} specified
8254 Export all agenda views that have export file names associated with
8258 You can use the options section of the custom agenda commands to also
8259 set options for the export commands. For example:
8262 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
8264 ((ps-number-of-columns 2)
8265 (ps-landscape-mode t)
8266 (org-agenda-prefix-format " [ ] ")
8267 (org-agenda-with-colors nil)
8268 (org-agenda-remove-tags t))
8273 This command sets two options for the Postscript exporter, to make it
8274 print in two columns in landscape format---the resulting page can be cut
8275 in two and then used in a paper agenda. The remaining settings modify
8276 the agenda prefix to omit category and scheduling information, and
8277 instead include a checkbox to check off items. We also remove the tags
8278 to make the lines compact, and we don't want to use colors for the
8279 black-and-white printer. Settings specified in
8280 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} will also apply, but the settings
8281 in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} take precedence.
8284 From the command line you may also use
8286 emacs -f org-batch-store-agenda-views -kill
8289 or, if you need to modify some parameters@footnote{Quoting depends on the
8290 system you use, please check the FAQ for examples.}
8292 emacs -eval '(org-batch-store-agenda-views \
8293 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
8294 org-agenda-start-day "2007-11-01" \
8295 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
8296 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
8300 which will create the agenda views restricted to the file
8301 @file{~/org/project.org}, without diary entries and with a 30-day
8304 You can also extract agenda information in a way that allows further
8305 processing by other programs. See @ref{Extracting agenda information}, for
8309 @node Agenda column view, , Exporting Agenda Views, Agenda Views
8310 @section Using column view in the agenda
8311 @cindex column view, in agenda
8312 @cindex agenda, column view
8314 Column view (@pxref{Column view}) is normally used to view and edit
8315 properties embedded in the hierarchical structure of an Org file. It can be
8316 quite useful to use column view also from the agenda, where entries are
8317 collected by certain criteria.
8322 Turn on column view in the agenda.
8325 To understand how to use this properly, it is important to realize that the
8326 entries in the agenda are no longer in their proper outline environment.
8327 This causes the following issues:
8331 @vindex org-columns-default-format
8332 @vindex org-overriding-columns-format
8333 Org needs to make a decision which @code{COLUMNS} format to use. Since the
8334 entries in the agenda are collected from different files, and different files
8335 may have different @code{COLUMNS} formats, this is a non-trivial problem.
8336 Org first checks if the variable @code{org-overriding-columns-format} is
8337 currently set, and if so, takes the format from there. Otherwise it takes
8338 the format associated with the first item in the agenda, or, if that item
8339 does not have a specific format (defined in a property, or in its file), it
8340 uses @code{org-columns-default-format}.
8342 @cindex property, special, CLOCKSUM
8343 If any of the columns has a summary type defined (@pxref{Column attributes}),
8344 turning on column view in the agenda will visit all relevant agenda files and
8345 make sure that the computations of this property are up to date. This is
8346 also true for the special @code{CLOCKSUM} property. Org will then sum the
8347 values displayed in the agenda. In the daily/weekly agenda, the sums will
8348 cover a single day, in all other views they cover the entire block. It is
8349 vital to realize that the agenda may show the same entry @emph{twice} (for
8350 example as scheduled and as a deadline), and it may show two entries from the
8351 same hierarchy (for example a @emph{parent} and its @emph{child}). In these
8352 cases, the summation in the agenda will lead to incorrect results because
8353 some values will count double.
8355 When the column view in the agenda shows the @code{CLOCKSUM}, that is always
8356 the entire clocked time for this item. So even in the daily/weekly agenda,
8357 the clocksum listed in column view may originate from times outside the
8358 current view. This has the advantage that you can compare these values with
8359 a column listing the planned total effort for a task---one of the major
8360 applications for column view in the agenda. If you want information about
8361 clocked time in the displayed period use clock table mode (press @kbd{R} in
8366 @node Markup, Exporting, Agenda Views, Top
8367 @chapter Markup for rich export
8369 When exporting Org-mode documents, the exporter tries to reflect the
8370 structure of the document as accurately as possible in the backend. Since
8371 export targets like HTML, La@TeX{}, or DocBook allow much richer formatting,
8372 Org-mode has rules on how to prepare text for rich export. This section
8373 summarizes the markup rules used in an Org-mode buffer.
8376 * Structural markup elements:: The basic structure as seen by the exporter
8377 * Images and tables:: Tables and Images will be included
8378 * Literal examples:: Source code examples with special formatting
8379 * Include files:: Include additional files into a document
8380 * Index entries:: Making an index
8381 * Macro replacement:: Use macros to create complex output
8382 * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX can be freely used inside Org documents
8385 @node Structural markup elements, Images and tables, Markup, Markup
8386 @section Structural markup elements
8389 * Document title:: Where the title is taken from
8390 * Headings and sections:: The document structure as seen by the exporter
8391 * Table of contents:: The if and where of the table of contents
8392 * Initial text:: Text before the first heading?
8394 * Paragraphs:: Paragraphs
8395 * Footnote markup:: Footnotes
8396 * Emphasis and monospace:: Bold, italic, etc.
8397 * Horizontal rules:: Make a line
8398 * Comment lines:: What will *not* be exported
8401 @node Document title, Headings and sections, Structural markup elements, Structural markup elements
8402 @subheading Document title
8403 @cindex document title, markup rules
8406 The title of the exported document is taken from the special line
8410 #+TITLE: This is the title of the document
8414 If this line does not exist, the title is derived from the first non-empty,
8415 non-comment line in the buffer. If no such line exists, or if you have
8416 turned off exporting of the text before the first headline (see below), the
8417 title will be the file name without extension.
8419 @cindex property, EXPORT_TITLE
8420 If you are exporting only a subtree by marking is as the region, the heading
8421 of the subtree will become the title of the document. If the subtree has a
8422 property @code{EXPORT_TITLE}, that will take precedence.
8424 @node Headings and sections, Table of contents, Document title, Structural markup elements
8425 @subheading Headings and sections
8426 @cindex headings and sections, markup rules
8428 @vindex org-export-headline-levels
8429 The outline structure of the document as described in @ref{Document
8430 Structure}, forms the basis for defining sections of the exported document.
8431 However, since the outline structure is also used for (for example) lists of
8432 tasks, only the first three outline levels will be used as headings. Deeper
8433 levels will become itemized lists. You can change the location of this
8434 switch globally by setting the variable @code{org-export-headline-levels}, or on a
8435 per-file basis with a line
8442 @node Table of contents, Initial text, Headings and sections, Structural markup elements
8443 @subheading Table of contents
8444 @cindex table of contents, markup rules
8446 @vindex org-export-with-toc
8447 The table of contents is normally inserted directly before the first headline
8448 of the file. If you would like to get it to a different location, insert the
8449 string @code{[TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]} on a line by itself at the desired
8450 location. The depth of the table of contents is by default the same as the
8451 number of headline levels, but you can choose a smaller number, or turn off
8452 the table of contents entirely, by configuring the variable
8453 @code{org-export-with-toc}, or on a per-file basis with a line like
8456 #+OPTIONS: toc:2 (only to two levels in TOC)
8457 #+OPTIONS: toc:nil (no TOC at all)
8460 @node Initial text, Lists, Table of contents, Structural markup elements
8461 @subheading Text before the first headline
8462 @cindex text before first headline, markup rules
8465 Org-mode normally exports the text before the first headline, and even uses
8466 the first line as the document title. The text will be fully marked up. If
8467 you need to include literal HTML, La@TeX{}, or DocBook code, use the special
8468 constructs described below in the sections for the individual exporters.
8470 @vindex org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading
8471 Some people like to use the space before the first headline for setup and
8472 internal links and therefore would like to control the exported text before
8473 the first headline in a different way. You can do so by setting the variable
8474 @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading} to @code{t}. On a per-file
8475 basis, you can get the same effect with @samp{#+OPTIONS: skip:t}.
8478 If you still want to have some text before the first headline, use the
8479 @code{#+TEXT} construct:
8483 #+TEXT: This text will go before the *first* headline.
8484 #+TEXT: [TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]
8485 #+TEXT: This goes between the table of contents and the first headline
8488 @node Lists, Paragraphs, Initial text, Structural markup elements
8490 @cindex lists, markup rules
8492 Plain lists as described in @ref{Plain lists}, are translated to the backend's
8493 syntax for such lists. Most backends support unordered, ordered, and
8496 @node Paragraphs, Footnote markup, Lists, Structural markup elements
8497 @subheading Paragraphs, line breaks, and quoting
8498 @cindex paragraphs, markup rules
8500 Paragraphs are separated by at least one empty line. If you need to enforce
8501 a line break within a paragraph, use @samp{\\} at the end of a line.
8503 To keep the line breaks in a region, but otherwise use normal formatting, you
8504 can use this construct, which can also be used to format poetry.
8506 @cindex #+BEGIN_VERSE
8509 Great clouds overhead
8510 Tiny black birds rise and fall
8517 When quoting a passage from another document, it is customary to format this
8518 as a paragraph that is indented on both the left and the right margin. You
8519 can include quotations in Org-mode documents like this:
8521 @cindex #+BEGIN_QUOTE
8524 Everything should be made as simple as possible,
8525 but not any simpler -- Albert Einstein
8529 If you would like to center some text, do it like this:
8530 @cindex #+BEGIN_CENTER
8533 Everything should be made as simple as possible, \\
8539 @node Footnote markup, Emphasis and monospace, Paragraphs, Structural markup elements
8540 @subheading Footnote markup
8541 @cindex footnotes, markup rules
8542 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
8544 Footnotes defined in the way described in @ref{Footnotes}, will be exported by
8545 all backends. Org allows multiple references to the same note, and
8546 different backends support this to varying degrees.
8548 @node Emphasis and monospace, Horizontal rules, Footnote markup, Structural markup elements
8549 @subheading Emphasis and monospace
8551 @cindex underlined text, markup rules
8552 @cindex bold text, markup rules
8553 @cindex italic text, markup rules
8554 @cindex verbatim text, markup rules
8555 @cindex code text, markup rules
8556 @cindex strike-through text, markup rules
8557 You can make words @b{*bold*}, @i{/italic/}, _underlined_, @code{=code=}
8558 and @code{~verbatim~}, and, if you must, @samp{+strike-through+}. Text
8559 in the code and verbatim string is not processed for Org-mode specific
8560 syntax, it is exported verbatim.
8562 @node Horizontal rules, Comment lines, Emphasis and monospace, Structural markup elements
8563 @subheading Horizontal rules
8564 @cindex horizontal rules, markup rules
8565 A line consisting of only dashes, and at least 5 of them, will be
8566 exported as a horizontal line (@samp{<hr/>} in HTML).
8568 @node Comment lines, , Horizontal rules, Structural markup elements
8569 @subheading Comment lines
8570 @cindex comment lines
8571 @cindex exporting, not
8572 @cindex #+BEGIN_COMMENT
8574 Lines starting with @samp{#} in column zero are treated as comments and will
8575 never be exported. If you want an indented line to be treated as a comment,
8576 start it with @samp{#+ }. Also entire subtrees starting with the word
8577 @samp{COMMENT} will never be exported. Finally, regions surrounded by
8578 @samp{#+BEGIN_COMMENT} ... @samp{#+END_COMMENT} will not be exported.
8583 Toggle the COMMENT keyword at the beginning of an entry.
8587 @node Images and tables, Literal examples, Structural markup elements, Markup
8588 @section Images and Tables
8590 @cindex tables, markup rules
8593 Both the native Org-mode tables (@pxref{Tables}) and tables formatted with
8594 the @file{table.el} package will be exported properly. For Org-mode tables,
8595 the lines before the first horizontal separator line will become table header
8596 lines. You can use the following lines somewhere before the table to assign
8597 a caption and a label for cross references, and in the text you can refer to
8598 the object with @code{\ref@{tab:basic-data@}}:
8601 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next table (or link)
8602 #+LABEL: tbl:basic-data
8607 @cindex inlined images, markup rules
8608 Some backends (HTML, La@TeX{}, and DocBook) allow you to directly include
8609 images into the exported document. Org does this, if a link to an image
8610 files does not have a description part, for example @code{[[./img/a.jpg]]}.
8611 If you wish to define a caption for the image and maybe a label for internal
8612 cross references, make sure that the link is on a line by itself and precede
8613 it with @code{#+CAPTION} and @code{#+LABEL} as follows:
8616 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next figure link (or table)
8617 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
8621 You may also define additional attributes for the figure. As this is
8622 backend-specific, see the sections about the individual backends for more
8626 @node Literal examples, Include files, Images and tables, Markup
8627 @section Literal examples
8628 @cindex literal examples, markup rules
8629 @cindex code line references, markup rules
8631 You can include literal examples that should not be subjected to
8632 markup. Such examples will be typeset in monospace, so this is well suited
8633 for source code and similar examples.
8634 @cindex #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
8638 Some example from a text file.
8642 Note that such blocks may be @i{indented} in order to align nicely with
8643 indented text and in particular with plain list structure (@pxref{Plain
8644 lists}). For simplicity when using small examples, you can also start the
8645 example lines with a colon followed by a space. There may also be additional
8646 whitespace before the colon:
8650 : Some example from a text file.
8653 @cindex formatting source code, markup rules
8654 If the example is source code from a programming language, or any other text
8655 that can be marked up by font-lock in Emacs, you can ask for the example to
8656 look like the fontified Emacs buffer@footnote{Currently this works for the
8657 HTML backend, and requires the @file{htmlize.el} package version 1.34 or
8658 later. It also works for LaTeX with the listings package, if you turn on the
8659 option @code{org-export-latex-listings} and make sure that the listings
8660 package is included by the LaTeX header.}. This is done with the @samp{src}
8661 block, where you also need to specify the name of the major mode that should
8662 be used to fontify the example:
8666 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
8667 (defun org-xor (a b)
8673 Both in @code{example} and in @code{src} snippets, you can add a @code{-n}
8674 switch to the end of the @code{BEGIN} line, to get the lines of the example
8675 numbered. If you use a @code{+n} switch, the numbering from the previous
8676 numbered snippet will be continued in the current one. In literal examples,
8677 Org will interpret strings like @samp{(ref:name)} as labels, and use them as
8678 targets for special hyperlinks like @code{[[(name)]]} (i.e. the reference name
8679 enclosed in single parenthesis). In HTML, hovering the mouse over such a
8680 link will remote-highlight the corresponding code line, which is kind of
8683 You can also add a @code{-r} switch which @i{removes} the labels from the
8684 source code@footnote{Adding @code{-k} to @code{-n -r} will @i{keep} the
8685 labels in the source code while using line numbers for the links, which might
8686 be useful to explain those in an org-mode example code.}. With the @code{-n}
8687 switch, links to these references will be labeled by the line numbers from
8688 the code listing, otherwise links will use the labels with no parentheses.
8692 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp -n -r
8693 (save-excursion (ref:sc)
8694 (goto-char (point-min)) (ref:jump)
8696 In line [[(sc)]] we remember the current position. [[(jump)][Line (jump)]]
8700 @vindex org-coderef-label-format
8701 If the syntax for the label format conflicts with the language syntax, use a
8702 @code{-l} switch to change the format, for example @samp{#+BEGIN_SRC pascal
8703 -n -r -l "((%s))"}. See also the variable @code{org-coderef-label-format}.
8705 HTML export also allows examples to be published as text areas, @xref{Text
8706 areas in HTML export}.
8711 Edit the source code example at point in its native mode. This works by
8712 switching to a temporary buffer with the source code. You need to exit by
8713 pressing @kbd{C-c '} again@footnote{Upon exit, lines starting with @samp{*}
8714 or @samp{#} will get a comma prepended, to keep them from being interpreted
8715 by Org as outline nodes or special comments. These commas will be stripped
8716 for editing with @kbd{C-c '}, and also for export.}, the edited version will
8717 then replace the old version in the Org buffer. Fixed-width regions
8718 (where each line starts with a colon followed by a space) will be edited
8719 using @code{artist-mode}@footnote{You may select a different-mode with the
8720 variable @code{org-edit-fixed-width-region-mode}.} to allow creating ASCII
8721 drawings easily. Using this command in an empty line will create a new
8725 Calling @code{org-store-link} while editing a source code example in a
8726 temporary buffer created with @kbd{C-c '} will prompt for a label, make sure
8727 that it is unique in the current buffer, and insert it with the proper
8728 formatting like @samp{(ref:label)} at the end of the current line. Then the
8729 label is stored as a link @samp{(label)}, for retrieval with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
8733 @node Include files, Index entries, Literal examples, Markup
8734 @section Include files
8735 @cindex include files, markup rules
8737 During export, you can include the content of another file. For example, to
8738 include your @file{.emacs} file, you could use:
8742 #+INCLUDE: "~/.emacs" src emacs-lisp
8745 The optional second and third parameter are the markup (e.g. @samp{quote},
8746 @samp{example}, or @samp{src}), and, if the markup is @samp{src}, the
8747 language for formatting the contents. The markup is optional, if it is not
8748 given, the text will be assumed to be in Org-mode format and will be
8749 processed normally. The include line will also allow additional keyword
8750 parameters @code{:prefix1} and @code{:prefix} to specify prefixes for the
8751 first line and for each following line, as well as any options accepted by
8752 the selected markup. For example, to include a file as an item, use
8755 #+INCLUDE: "~/snippets/xx" :prefix1 " + " :prefix " "
8761 Visit the include file at point.
8764 @node Index entries, Macro replacement, Include files, Markup
8765 @section Index entries
8766 @cindex index entries, for publishing
8768 You can specify entries that will be used for generating an index during
8769 publishing. This is done by lines starting with @code{#+INDEX}. An entry
8770 the contains an exclamation mark will create a sub item. See @ref{Generating
8771 an index} for more information.
8776 #+INDEX: Application!CV
8782 @node Macro replacement, Embedded LaTeX, Index entries, Markup
8783 @section Macro replacement
8784 @cindex macro replacement, during export
8787 You can define text snippets with
8790 #+MACRO: name replacement text $1, $2 are arguments
8793 @noindent which can be referenced anywhere in the document (even in
8794 code examples) with @code{@{@{@{name(arg1,arg2)@}@}@}}. In addition to
8795 defined macros, @code{@{@{@{title@}@}@}}, @code{@{@{@{author@}@}@}}, etc.,
8796 will reference information set by the @code{#+TITLE:}, @code{#+AUTHOR:}, and
8797 similar lines. Also, @code{@{@{@{date(@var{FORMAT})@}@}@}} and
8798 @code{@{@{@{modification-time(@var{FORMAT})@}@}@}} refer to current date time
8799 and to the modification time of the file being exported, respectively.
8800 @var{FORMAT} should be a format string understood by
8801 @code{format-time-string}.
8803 Macro expansion takes place during export, and some people use it to
8804 construct complex HTML code.
8807 @node Embedded LaTeX, , Macro replacement, Markup
8808 @section Embedded La@TeX{}
8809 @cindex @TeX{} interpretation
8810 @cindex La@TeX{} interpretation
8812 Plain ASCII is normally sufficient for almost all note taking. One
8813 exception, however, are scientific notes which need to be able to contain
8814 mathematical symbols and the occasional formula. La@TeX{}@footnote{La@TeX{}
8815 is a macro system based on Donald E. Knuth's @TeX{} system. Many of the
8816 features described here as ``La@TeX{}'' are really from @TeX{}, but for
8817 simplicity I am blurring this distinction.} is widely used to typeset
8818 scientific documents. Org-mode supports embedding La@TeX{} code into its
8819 files, because many academics are used to reading La@TeX{} source code, and
8820 because it can be readily processed into images for HTML production.
8822 It is not necessary to mark La@TeX{} macros and code in any special way.
8823 If you observe a few conventions, Org-mode knows how to find it and what
8827 * Special symbols:: Greek letters and other symbols
8828 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
8829 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
8830 * Previewing LaTeX fragments:: What will this snippet look like?
8831 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
8834 @node Special symbols, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX, Embedded LaTeX
8835 @subsection Special symbols
8836 @cindex math symbols
8837 @cindex special symbols
8838 @cindex @TeX{} macros
8839 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments, markup rules
8840 @cindex HTML entities
8841 @cindex La@TeX{} entities
8843 You can use La@TeX{} macros to insert special symbols like @samp{\alpha} to
8844 indicate the Greek letter, or @samp{\to} to indicate an arrow. Completion
8845 for these macros is available, just type @samp{\} and maybe a few letters,
8846 and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to see possible completions. Unlike La@TeX{}
8847 code, Org-mode allows these macros to be present without surrounding math
8848 delimiters, for example:
8851 Angles are written as Greek letters \alpha, \beta and \gamma.
8854 @vindex org-entities
8855 During export, these symbols will be transformed into the native format of
8856 the exporter backend. Strings like @code{\alpha} will be exported as
8857 @code{α} in the HTML output, and as @code{$\alpha$} in the La@TeX{}
8858 output. Similarly, @code{\nbsp} will become @code{ } in HTML and
8859 @code{~} in La@TeX{}. If you need such a symbol inside a word, terminate it
8860 like this: @samp{\Aacute@{@}stor}.
8862 A large number of entities is provided, with names taken from both HTML and
8863 La@TeX{}, see the variable @code{org-entities} for the complete list.
8864 @samp{\-} is treated as a shy hyphen, and @samp{--}, @samp{---}, and
8865 @samp{...} are all converted into special commands creating hyphens of
8866 different lengths or a compact set of dots.
8868 If you would like to see entities displayed as utf8 characters, use the
8869 following command@footnote{You can turn this on by default by setting the
8870 variable @code{org-pretty-entities}, or on a per-file base with the
8871 @code{#+STARTUP} option @code{entitiespretty}.}:
8876 Toggle display of entities as UTF8 characters. This does not change the
8877 buffer content which remains plain ASCII, but it overlays the UTF8 character
8878 for display purposes only.
8881 @node Subscripts and superscripts, LaTeX fragments, Special symbols, Embedded LaTeX
8882 @subsection Subscripts and superscripts
8886 Just like in La@TeX{}, @samp{^} and @samp{_} are used to indicate super-
8887 and subscripts. Again, these can be used without embedding them in
8888 math-mode delimiters. To increase the readability of ASCII text, it is
8889 not necessary (but OK) to surround multi-character sub- and superscripts
8890 with curly braces. For example
8893 The mass if the sun is M_sun = 1.989 x 10^30 kg. The radius of
8894 the sun is R_@{sun@} = 6.96 x 10^8 m.
8897 @vindex org-export-with-sub-superscripts
8898 To avoid interpretation as raised or lowered text, you can quote @samp{^} and
8899 @samp{_} with a backslash: @samp{\^} and @samp{\_}. If you write a text
8900 where the underscore is often used in a different context, Org's convention
8901 to always interpret these as subscripts can get in your way. Configure the
8902 variable @code{org-export-with-sub-superscripts} to globally change this
8903 convention, or use, on a per-file basis:
8912 In addition to showing entities as UTF8 characters, this command will also
8913 format sub- and superscripts in a WYSIWYM way.
8916 @node LaTeX fragments, Previewing LaTeX fragments, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX
8917 @subsection La@TeX{} fragments
8918 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments
8920 @vindex org-format-latex-header
8921 With symbols, sub- and superscripts, HTML is pretty much at its end when
8922 it comes to representing mathematical formulas@footnote{Yes, there is
8923 MathML, but that is not yet fully supported by many browsers, and there
8924 is no decent converter for turning La@TeX{} or ASCII representations of
8925 formulas into MathML. So for the time being, converting formulas into
8926 images seems the way to go.}. More complex expressions need a dedicated
8927 formula processor. To this end, Org-mode can contain arbitrary La@TeX{}
8928 fragments. It provides commands to preview the typeset result of these
8929 fragments, and upon export to HTML, all fragments will be converted to
8930 images and inlined into the HTML document@footnote{The La@TeX{} export
8931 will not use images for displaying La@TeX{} fragments but include these
8932 fragments directly into the La@TeX{} code.}. For this to work you
8933 need to be on a system with a working La@TeX{} installation. You also
8934 need the @file{dvipng} program, available at
8935 @url{http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvipng/}. The La@TeX{} header that
8936 will be used when processing a fragment can be configured with the
8937 variable @code{org-format-latex-header}.
8939 La@TeX{} fragments don't need any special marking at all. The following
8940 snippets will be identified as La@TeX{} source code:
8943 Environments of any kind. The only requirement is that the
8944 @code{\begin} statement appears on a new line, preceded by only
8947 Text within the usual La@TeX{} math delimiters. To avoid conflicts with
8948 currency specifications, single @samp{$} characters are only recognized as
8949 math delimiters if the enclosed text contains at most two line breaks, is
8950 directly attached to the @samp{$} characters with no whitespace in between,
8951 and if the closing @samp{$} is followed by whitespace, punctuation or a dash.
8952 For the other delimiters, there is no such restriction, so when in doubt, use
8953 @samp{\(...\)} as inline math delimiters.
8956 @noindent For example:
8959 \begin@{equation@} % arbitrary environments,
8960 x=\sqrt@{b@} % even tables, figures
8961 \end@{equation@} % etc
8963 If $a^2=b$ and \( b=2 \), then the solution must be
8964 either $$ a=+\sqrt@{2@} $$ or \[ a=-\sqrt@{2@} \].
8968 @vindex org-format-latex-options
8969 If you need any of the delimiter ASCII sequences for other purposes, you
8970 can configure the option @code{org-format-latex-options} to deselect the
8971 ones you do not wish to have interpreted by the La@TeX{} converter.
8973 @node Previewing LaTeX fragments, CDLaTeX mode, LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
8974 @subsection Previewing LaTeX fragments
8975 @cindex LaTeX fragments, preview
8977 La@TeX{} fragments can be processed to produce preview images of the
8978 typeset expressions:
8983 Produce a preview image of the La@TeX{} fragment at point and overlay it
8984 over the source code. If there is no fragment at point, process all
8985 fragments in the current entry (between two headlines). When called
8986 with a prefix argument, process the entire subtree. When called with
8987 two prefix arguments, or when the cursor is before the first headline,
8988 process the entire buffer.
8991 Remove the overlay preview images.
8994 @vindex org-format-latex-options
8995 You can customize the variable @code{org-format-latex-options} to influence
8996 some aspects of the preview. In particular, the @code{:scale} (and for HTML
8997 export, @code{:html-scale}) property can be used to adjust the size of the
9000 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), all La@TeX{} fragments are
9001 converted into images and inlined into the document if the following
9005 (setq org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments t)
9008 @node CDLaTeX mode, , Previewing LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
9009 @subsection Using CDLa@TeX{} to enter math
9012 CDLa@TeX{} mode is a minor mode that is normally used in combination with a
9013 major La@TeX{} mode like AUC@TeX{} in order to speed-up insertion of
9014 environments and math templates. Inside Org-mode, you can make use of
9015 some of the features of CDLa@TeX{} mode. You need to install
9016 @file{cdlatex.el} and @file{texmathp.el} (the latter comes also with
9017 AUC@TeX{}) from @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/cdlatex}.
9018 Don't use CDLa@TeX{} mode itself under Org-mode, but use the light
9019 version @code{org-cdlatex-mode} that comes as part of Org-mode. Turn it
9020 on for the current buffer with @code{M-x org-cdlatex-mode}, or for all
9024 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-org-cdlatex)
9027 When this mode is enabled, the following features are present (for more
9028 details see the documentation of CDLa@TeX{} mode):
9032 Environment templates can be inserted with @kbd{C-c @{}.
9035 The @key{TAB} key will do template expansion if the cursor is inside a
9036 La@TeX{} fragment@footnote{Org-mode has a method to test if the cursor is
9037 inside such a fragment, see the documentation of the function
9038 @code{org-inside-LaTeX-fragment-p}.}. For example, @key{TAB} will
9039 expand @code{fr} to @code{\frac@{@}@{@}} and position the cursor
9040 correctly inside the first brace. Another @key{TAB} will get you into
9041 the second brace. Even outside fragments, @key{TAB} will expand
9042 environment abbreviations at the beginning of a line. For example, if
9043 you write @samp{equ} at the beginning of a line and press @key{TAB},
9044 this abbreviation will be expanded to an @code{equation} environment.
9045 To get a list of all abbreviations, type @kbd{M-x cdlatex-command-help}.
9049 @vindex cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts
9050 Pressing @kbd{_} and @kbd{^} inside a La@TeX{} fragment will insert these
9051 characters together with a pair of braces. If you use @key{TAB} to move
9052 out of the braces, and if the braces surround only a single character or
9053 macro, they are removed again (depending on the variable
9054 @code{cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts}).
9057 Pressing the backquote @kbd{`} followed by a character inserts math
9058 macros, also outside La@TeX{} fragments. If you wait more than 1.5 seconds
9059 after the backquote, a help window will pop up.
9062 Pressing the single-quote @kbd{'} followed by another character modifies
9063 the symbol before point with an accent or a font. If you wait more than
9064 1.5 seconds after the backquote, a help window will pop up. Character
9065 modification will work only inside La@TeX{} fragments, outside the quote
9069 @node Exporting, Publishing, Markup, Top
9073 Org-mode documents can be exported into a variety of other formats. For
9074 printing and sharing of notes, ASCII export produces a readable and simple
9075 version of an Org file. HTML export allows you to publish a notes file on
9076 the web, while the XOXO format provides a solid base for exchange with a
9077 broad range of other applications. La@TeX{} export lets you use Org-mode and
9078 its structured editing functions to easily create La@TeX{} files. DocBook
9079 export makes it possible to convert Org files to many other formats using
9080 DocBook tools. For project management you can create gantt and resource
9081 charts by using TaskJuggler export. To incorporate entries with associated
9082 times like deadlines or appointments into a desktop calendar program like
9083 iCal, Org-mode can also produce extracts in the iCalendar format. Currently
9084 Org-mode only supports export, not import of these different formats.
9086 Org supports export of selected regions when @code{transient-mark-mode} is
9087 enabled (default in Emacs 23).
9090 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
9091 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
9092 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
9093 * ASCII/Latin-1/UTF-8 export:: Exporting to flat files with encoding
9094 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
9095 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to La@TeX{}, and processing to PDF
9096 * DocBook export:: Exporting to DocBook
9097 * TaskJuggler export:: Exporting to TaskJuggler
9098 * Freemind export:: Exporting to Freemind mind maps
9099 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
9100 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
9103 @node Selective export, Export options, Exporting, Exporting
9104 @section Selective export
9105 @cindex export, selective by tags
9107 @vindex org-export-select-tags
9108 @vindex org-export-exclude-tags
9109 You may use tags to select the parts of a document that should be exported,
9110 or to exclude parts from export. This behavior is governed by two variables:
9111 @code{org-export-select-tags} and @code{org-export-exclude-tags}.
9113 Org first checks if any of the @emph{select} tags is present in the buffer.
9114 If yes, all trees that do not carry one of these tags will be excluded. If a
9115 selected tree is a subtree, the heading hierarchy above it will also be
9116 selected for export, but not the text below those headings.
9119 If none of the select tags is found, the whole buffer will be selected for
9123 Finally, all subtrees that are marked by any of the @emph{exclude} tags will
9124 be removed from the export buffer.
9126 @node Export options, The export dispatcher, Selective export, Exporting
9127 @section Export options
9128 @cindex options, for export
9130 @cindex completion, of option keywords
9131 The exporter recognizes special lines in the buffer which provide
9132 additional information. These lines may be put anywhere in the file.
9133 The whole set of lines can be inserted into the buffer with @kbd{C-c
9134 C-e t}. For individual lines, a good way to make sure the keyword is
9135 correct is to type @samp{#+} and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion
9136 (@pxref{Completion}). For a summary of other in-buffer settings not
9137 specifically related to export, see @ref{In-buffer settings}.
9138 In particular, note that you can place commonly-used (export) options in
9139 a separate file which can be included using @code{#+SETUPFILE}.
9144 Insert template with export options, see example below.
9151 @cindex #+DESCRIPTION
9159 @cindex #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS
9160 @cindex #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS
9162 @cindex #+LATEX_HEADER
9163 @vindex user-full-name
9164 @vindex user-mail-address
9165 @vindex org-export-default-language
9167 #+TITLE: the title to be shown (default is the buffer name)
9168 #+AUTHOR: the author (default taken from @code{user-full-name})
9169 #+DATE: a date, fixed, of a format string for @code{format-time-string}
9170 #+EMAIL: his/her email address (default from @code{user-mail-address})
9171 #+DESCRIPTION: the page description, e.g. for the XHTML meta tag
9172 #+KEYWORDS: the page keywords, e.g. for the XHTML meta tag
9173 #+LANGUAGE: language for HTML, e.g. @samp{en} (@code{org-export-default-language})
9174 #+TEXT: Some descriptive text to be inserted at the beginning.
9175 #+TEXT: Several lines may be given.
9176 #+OPTIONS: H:2 num:t toc:t \n:nil @@:t ::t |:t ^:t f:t TeX:t ...
9177 #+BIND: lisp-var lisp-val, e.g.: org-export-latex-low-levels itemize
9178 @r{You need to confirm using these, or configure @code{org-export-allow-BIND}}
9179 #+LINK_UP: the ``up'' link of an exported page
9180 #+LINK_HOME: the ``home'' link of an exported page
9181 #+LATEX_HEADER: extra line(s) for the LaTeX header, like \usepackage@{xyz@}
9182 #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS: Tags that select a tree for export
9183 #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS: Tags that exclude a tree from export
9184 #+XSLT: the XSLT stylesheet used by DocBook exporter to generate FO file
9188 The OPTIONS line is a compact@footnote{If you want to configure many options
9189 this way, you can use several OPTIONS lines.} form to specify export settings. Here
9191 @cindex headline levels
9192 @cindex section-numbers
9193 @cindex table of contents
9194 @cindex line-break preservation
9195 @cindex quoted HTML tags
9196 @cindex fixed-width sections
9198 @cindex @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts
9200 @cindex special strings
9201 @cindex emphasized text
9202 @cindex @TeX{} macros
9203 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments
9204 @cindex author info, in export
9205 @cindex time info, in export
9207 H: @r{set the number of headline levels for export}
9208 num: @r{turn on/off section-numbers}
9209 toc: @r{turn on/off table of contents, or set level limit (integer)}
9210 \n: @r{turn on/off line-break-preservation (DOES NOT WORK)}
9211 @@: @r{turn on/off quoted HTML tags}
9212 :: @r{turn on/off fixed-width sections}
9213 |: @r{turn on/off tables}
9214 ^: @r{turn on/off @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts. If}
9215 @r{you write "^:@{@}", @code{a_@{b@}} will be interpreted, but}
9216 @r{the simple @code{a_b} will be left as it is.}
9217 -: @r{turn on/off conversion of special strings.}
9218 f: @r{turn on/off footnotes like this[1].}
9219 todo: @r{turn on/off inclusion of TODO keywords into exported text}
9220 pri: @r{turn on/off priority cookies}
9221 tags: @r{turn on/off inclusion of tags, may also be @code{not-in-toc}}
9222 <: @r{turn on/off inclusion of any time/date stamps like DEADLINES}
9223 *: @r{turn on/off emphasized text (bold, italic, underlined)}
9224 TeX: @r{turn on/off simple @TeX{} macros in plain text}
9225 LaTeX: @r{turn on/off La@TeX{} fragments}
9226 skip: @r{turn on/off skipping the text before the first heading}
9227 author: @r{turn on/off inclusion of author name/email into exported file}
9228 email: @r{turn on/off inclusion of author email into exported file}
9229 creator: @r{turn on/off inclusion of creator info into exported file}
9230 timestamp: @r{turn on/off inclusion creation time into exported file}
9231 d: @r{turn on/off inclusion of drawers}
9234 These options take effect in both the HTML and La@TeX{} export, except
9235 for @code{TeX} and @code{LaTeX}, which are respectively @code{t} and
9236 @code{nil} for the La@TeX{} export.
9238 When exporting only a single subtree by selecting it with @kbd{C-c @@} before
9239 calling an export command, the subtree can overrule some of the file's export
9240 settings with properties @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}, @code{EXPORT_TITLE},
9241 @code{EXPORT_TEXT}, @code{EXPORT_AUTHOR}, @code{EXPORT_DATE}, and
9242 @code{EXPORT_OPTIONS}.
9244 @node The export dispatcher, ASCII/Latin-1/UTF-8 export, Export options, Exporting
9245 @section The export dispatcher
9246 @cindex dispatcher, for export commands
9248 All export commands can be reached using the export dispatcher, which is a
9249 prefix key that prompts for an additional key specifying the command.
9250 Normally the entire file is exported, but if there is an active region that
9251 contains one outline tree, the first heading is used as document title and
9252 the subtrees are exported.
9257 @vindex org-export-run-in-background
9258 Dispatcher for export and publishing commands. Displays a help-window
9259 listing the additional key(s) needed to launch an export or publishing
9260 command. The prefix arg is passed through to the exporter. A double prefix
9261 @kbd{C-u C-u} causes most commands to be executed in the background, in a
9262 separate Emacs process@footnote{To make this behavior the default, customize
9263 the variable @code{org-export-run-in-background}.}.
9266 Like @kbd{C-c C-e}, but only export the text that is currently visible
9267 (i.e. not hidden by outline visibility).
9268 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-e
9269 @item C-u C-u C-c C-e
9270 @vindex org-export-run-in-background
9271 Call an the exporter, but reverse the setting of
9272 @code{org-export-run-in-background}, i.e. request background processing if
9273 not set, or force processing in the current Emacs process if set.
9276 @node ASCII/Latin-1/UTF-8 export, HTML export, The export dispatcher, Exporting
9277 @section ASCII/Latin-1/UTF-8 export
9278 @cindex ASCII export
9279 @cindex Latin-1 export
9280 @cindex UTF-8 export
9282 ASCII export produces a simple and very readable version of an Org-mode
9283 file, containing only plain ASCII. Latin-1 and UTF-8 export augment the file
9284 with special characters and symbols available in these encodings.
9286 @cindex region, active
9287 @cindex active region
9288 @cindex transient-mark-mode
9292 @cindex property, EXPORT_FILE_NAME
9293 Export as ASCII file. For an Org file, @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file
9294 will be @file{myfile.txt}. The file will be overwritten without
9295 warning. If there is an active region@footnote{This requires
9296 @code{transient-mark-mode} be turned on.}, only the region will be
9297 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
9298 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will
9299 become the document title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an
9300 @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME} property, that name will be used for the
9304 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
9307 @item C-c C-e n @ @ @r{and} @ @ C-c C-e N
9308 Like the above commands, but use Latin-1 encoding.
9311 @item C-c C-e u @ @ @r{and} @ @ C-c C-e U
9312 Like the above commands, but use UTF-8 encoding.
9316 @item C-c C-e v a @ @ @r{and} @ @ C-c C-e v n @ @ @r{and} @ @ C-c C-e v u
9317 Export only the visible part of the document.
9320 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
9321 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
9322 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
9323 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
9324 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
9331 creates only top level headlines and does the rest as items. When
9332 headlines are converted to items, the indentation of the text following
9333 the headline is changed to fit nicely under the item. This is done with
9334 the assumption that the first body line indicates the base indentation of
9335 the body text. Any indentation larger than this is adjusted to preserve
9336 the layout relative to the first line. Should there be lines with less
9337 indentation than the first, these are left alone.
9339 @vindex org-export-ascii-links-to-notes
9340 Links will be exported in a footnote-like style, with the descriptive part in
9341 the text and the link in a note before the next heading. See the variable
9342 @code{org-export-ascii-links-to-notes} for details and other options.
9344 @node HTML export, LaTeX and PDF export, ASCII/Latin-1/UTF-8 export, Exporting
9345 @section HTML export
9348 Org-mode contains an HTML (XHTML 1.0 strict) exporter with extensive
9349 HTML formatting, in ways similar to John Gruber's @emph{markdown}
9350 language, but with additional support for tables.
9353 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
9354 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org-mode
9355 * Links in HTML export:: How links will be interpreted and formatted
9356 * Tables in HTML export:: How to modify the formatting of tables
9357 * Images in HTML export:: How to insert figures into HTML output
9358 * Text areas in HTML export:: An alternative way to show an example
9359 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
9360 * JavaScript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
9363 @node HTML Export commands, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export, HTML export
9364 @subsection HTML export commands
9366 @cindex region, active
9367 @cindex active region
9368 @cindex transient-mark-mode
9372 @cindex property, EXPORT_FILE_NAME
9373 Export as HTML file @file{myfile.html}. For an Org file @file{myfile.org},
9374 the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.html}. The file will be overwritten
9375 without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{This requires
9376 @code{transient-mark-mode} be turned on.}, only the region will be
9377 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
9378 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
9379 title. If the tree head entry has, or inherits, an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
9380 property, that name will be used for the export.
9383 Export as HTML file and immediately open it with a browser.
9386 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
9389 Export the active region to a temporary buffer. With a prefix argument, do
9390 not produce the file header and footer, but just the plain HTML section for
9391 the region. This is good for cut-and-paste operations.
9400 Export only the visible part of the document.
9401 @item M-x org-export-region-as-html
9402 Convert the region to HTML under the assumption that it was Org-mode
9403 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
9405 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-HTML
9406 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org-mode syntax) by HTML
9410 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
9411 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become headlines,
9412 defining a general document structure. Additional levels will be exported as
9413 itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur at a different level,
9414 specify it with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
9421 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
9423 @node Quoting HTML tags, Links in HTML export, HTML Export commands, HTML export
9424 @subsection Quoting HTML tags
9426 Plain @samp{<} and @samp{>} are always transformed to @samp{<} and
9427 @samp{>} in HTML export. If you want to include simple HTML tags
9428 which should be interpreted as such, mark them with @samp{@@} as in
9429 @samp{@@<b>bold text@@</b>}. Note that this really works only for
9430 simple tags. For more extensive HTML that should be copied verbatim to
9431 the exported file use either
9434 @cindex #+BEGIN_HTML
9436 #+HTML: Literal HTML code for export
9440 @cindex #+BEGIN_HTML
9444 All lines between these markers are exported literally
9449 @node Links in HTML export, Tables in HTML export, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export
9450 @subsection Links in HTML export
9452 @cindex links, in HTML export
9453 @cindex internal links, in HTML export
9454 @cindex external links, in HTML export
9455 Internal links (@pxref{Internal links}) will continue to work in HTML. This
9456 includes automatic links created by radio targets (@pxref{Radio
9457 targets}). Links to external files will still work if the target file is on
9458 the same @i{relative} path as the published Org file. Links to other
9459 @file{.org} files will be translated into HTML links under the assumption
9460 that an HTML version also exists of the linked file, at the same relative
9461 path. @samp{id:} links can then be used to jump to specific entries across
9462 files. For information related to linking files while publishing them to a
9463 publishing directory see @ref{Publishing links}.
9465 If you want to specify attributes for links, you can do so using a special
9466 @code{#+ATTR_HTML} line to define attributes that will be added to the
9467 @code{<a>} or @code{<img>} tags. Here is an example that sets @code{title}
9468 and @code{style} attributes for a link:
9472 #+ATTR_HTML: title="The Org-mode homepage" style="color:red;"
9473 [[http://orgmode.org]]
9476 @node Tables in HTML export, Images in HTML export, Links in HTML export, HTML export
9478 @cindex tables, in HTML
9479 @vindex org-export-html-table-tag
9481 Org-mode tables are exported to HTML using the table tag defined in
9482 @code{org-export-html-table-tag}. The default setting makes tables without
9483 cell borders and frame. If you would like to change this for individual
9484 tables, place something like the following before the table:
9489 #+CAPTION: This is a table with lines around and between cells
9490 #+ATTR_HTML: border="2" rules="all" frame="all"
9493 @node Images in HTML export, Text areas in HTML export, Tables in HTML export, HTML export
9494 @subsection Images in HTML export
9496 @cindex images, inline in HTML
9497 @cindex inlining images in HTML
9498 @vindex org-export-html-inline-images
9499 HTML export can inline images given as links in the Org file, and
9500 it can make an image the clickable part of a link. By
9501 default@footnote{But see the variable
9502 @code{org-export-html-inline-images}.}, images are inlined if a link does
9503 not have a description. So @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg]]} will be inlined,
9504 while @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg][the image]]} will just produce a link
9505 @samp{the image} that points to the image. If the description part
9506 itself is a @code{file:} link or a @code{http:} URL pointing to an
9507 image, this image will be inlined and activated so that clicking on the
9508 image will activate the link. For example, to include a thumbnail that
9509 will link to a high resolution version of the image, you could use:
9512 [[file:highres.jpg][file:thumb.jpg]]
9515 If you need to add attributes to an inlined image, use a @code{#+ATTR_HTML}.
9516 In the example below we specify the @code{alt} and @code{title} attributes to
9517 support text viewers and accessibility, and align it to the right.
9522 #+CAPTION: A black cat stalking a spider
9523 #+ATTR_HTML: alt="cat/spider image" title="Action!" align="right"
9528 and you could use @code{http} addresses just as well.
9530 @node Text areas in HTML export, CSS support, Images in HTML export, HTML export
9531 @subsection Text areas in HTML export
9533 @cindex text areas, in HTML
9534 An alternative way to publish literal code examples in HTML is to use text
9535 areas, where the example can even be edited before pasting it into an
9536 application. It is triggered by a @code{-t} switch at an @code{example} or
9537 @code{src} block. Using this switch disables any options for syntax and
9538 label highlighting, and line numbering, which may be present. You may also
9539 use @code{-h} and @code{-w} switches to specify the height and width of the
9540 text area, which default to the number of lines in the example, and 80,
9541 respectively. For example
9544 #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE -t -w 40
9545 (defun org-xor (a b)
9552 @node CSS support, JavaScript support, Text areas in HTML export, HTML export
9553 @subsection CSS support
9554 @cindex CSS, for HTML export
9555 @cindex HTML export, CSS
9557 @vindex org-export-html-todo-kwd-class-prefix
9558 @vindex org-export-html-tag-class-prefix
9559 You can also give style information for the exported file. The HTML exporter
9560 assigns the following special CSS classes@footnote{If the classes on TODO
9561 keywords and tags lead to conflicts, use the variables
9562 @code{org-export-html-todo-kwd-class-prefix} and
9563 @code{org-export-html-tag-class-prefix} to make them unique.} to appropriate
9564 parts of the document---your style specifications may change these, in
9565 addition to any of the standard classes like for headlines, tables, etc.
9567 p.author @r{author information, including email}
9568 p.date @r{publishing date}
9569 p.creator @r{creator info, about org-mode version}
9570 .title @r{document title}
9571 .todo @r{TODO keywords, all not-done states}
9572 .done @r{the DONE keywords, all stated the count as done}
9573 .WAITING @r{each TODO keyword also uses a class named after itself}
9574 .timestamp @r{timestamp}
9575 .timestamp-kwd @r{keyword associated with a timestamp, like SCHEDULED}
9576 .timestamp-wrapper @r{span around keyword plus timestamp}
9577 .tag @r{tag in a headline}
9578 ._HOME @r{each tag uses itself as a class, "@@" replaced by "_"}
9579 .target @r{target for links}
9580 .linenr @r{the line number in a code example}
9581 .code-highlighted @r{for highlighting referenced code lines}
9582 div.outline-N @r{div for outline level N (headline plus text))}
9583 div.outline-text-N @r{extra div for text at outline level N}
9584 .section-number-N @r{section number in headlines, different for each level}
9585 div.figure @r{how to format an inlined image}
9586 pre.src @r{formatted source code}
9587 pre.example @r{normal example}
9588 p.verse @r{verse paragraph}
9589 div.footnotes @r{footnote section headline}
9590 p.footnote @r{footnote definition paragraph, containing a footnote}
9591 .footref @r{a footnote reference number (always a <sup>)}
9592 .footnum @r{footnote number in footnote definition (always <sup>)}
9595 @vindex org-export-html-style-default
9596 @vindex org-export-html-style-include-default
9597 @vindex org-export-html-style
9598 @vindex org-export-html-extra
9599 @vindex org-export-html-style-default
9600 Each exported file contains a compact default style that defines these
9601 classes in a basic way@footnote{This style is defined in the constant
9602 @code{org-export-html-style-default}, which you should not modify. To turn
9603 inclusion of these defaults off, customize
9604 @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}}. You may overwrite these
9605 settings, or add to them by using the variables @code{org-export-html-style}
9606 (for Org-wide settings) and @code{org-export-html-style-extra} (for more
9607 granular settings, like file-local settings). To set the latter variable
9608 individually for each file, you can use
9612 #+STYLE: <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet.css" />
9616 For longer style definitions, you can use several such lines. You could also
9617 directly write a @code{<style>} @code{</style>} section in this way, without
9618 referring to an external file.
9620 @c FIXME: More about header and footer styles
9621 @c FIXME: Talk about links and targets.
9623 @node JavaScript support, , CSS support, HTML export
9624 @subsection JavaScript supported display of web pages
9626 @cindex Rose, Sebastian
9627 Sebastian Rose has written a JavaScript program especially designed to
9628 enhance the web viewing experience of HTML files created with Org. This
9629 program allows you to view large files in two different ways. The first one
9630 is an @emph{Info}-like mode where each section is displayed separately and
9631 navigation can be done with the @kbd{n} and @kbd{p} keys (and some other keys
9632 as well, press @kbd{?} for an overview of the available keys). The second
9633 view type is a @emph{folding} view much like Org provides inside Emacs. The
9634 script is available at @url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js} and you can find
9635 the documentation for it at @url{http://orgmode.org/worg/code/org-info-js/}.
9636 We host the script at our site, but if you use it a lot, you might
9637 not want to be dependent on @url{orgmode.org} and prefer to install a local
9638 copy on your own web server.
9640 To use the script, you need to make sure that the @file{org-jsinfo.el} module
9641 gets loaded. It should be loaded by default, but you can try @kbd{M-x
9642 customize-variable @key{RET} org-modules @key{RET}} to convince yourself that
9643 this is indeed the case. All it then takes to make use of the program is
9644 adding a single line to the Org file:
9646 @cindex #+INFOJS_OPT
9648 #+INFOJS_OPT: view:info toc:nil
9652 If this line is found, the HTML header will automatically contain the code
9653 needed to invoke the script. Using the line above, you can set the following
9657 path: @r{The path to the script. The default is to grab the script from}
9658 @r{@url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js}, but you might want to have}
9659 @r{a local copy and use a path like @samp{../scripts/org-info.js}.}
9660 view: @r{Initial view when website is first shown. Possible values are:}
9661 info @r{Info-like interface with one section per page.}
9662 overview @r{Folding interface, initially showing only top-level.}
9663 content @r{Folding interface, starting with all headlines visible.}
9664 showall @r{Folding interface, all headlines and text visible.}
9665 sdepth: @r{Maximum headline level that will still become an independent}
9666 @r{section for info and folding modes. The default is taken from}
9667 @r{@code{org-export-headline-levels} (= the @code{H} switch in @code{#+OPTIONS}).}
9668 @r{If this is smaller than in @code{org-export-headline-levels}, each}
9669 @r{info/folding section can still contain child headlines.}
9670 toc: @r{Should the table of content @emph{initially} be visible?}
9671 @r{Even when @code{nil}, you can always get to the "toc" with @kbd{i}.}
9672 tdepth: @r{The depth of the table of contents. The defaults are taken from}
9673 @r{the variables @code{org-export-headline-levels} and @code{org-export-with-toc}.}
9674 ftoc: @r{Does the css of the page specify a fixed position for the "toc"?}
9675 @r{If yes, the toc will never be displayed as a section.}
9676 ltoc: @r{Should there be short contents (children) in each section?}
9677 @r{Make this @code{above} if the section should be above initial text.}
9678 mouse: @r{Headings are highlighted when the mouse is over them. Should be}
9679 @r{@samp{underline} (default) or a background color like @samp{#cccccc}.}
9680 buttons: @r{Should view-toggle buttons be everywhere? When @code{nil} (the}
9681 @r{default), only one such button will be present.}
9684 @vindex org-infojs-options
9685 @vindex org-export-html-use-infojs
9686 You can choose default values for these options by customizing the variable
9687 @code{org-infojs-options}. If you always want to apply the script to your
9688 pages, configure the variable @code{org-export-html-use-infojs}.
9690 @node LaTeX and PDF export, DocBook export, HTML export, Exporting
9691 @section La@TeX{} and PDF export
9692 @cindex La@TeX{} export
9694 @cindex Guerry, Bastien
9696 Org-mode contains a La@TeX{} exporter written by Bastien Guerry. With
9697 further processing@footnote{The default LaTeX output is designed for
9698 processing with pdftex or latex. It includes packages that are not
9699 compatible with xetex and possibly luatex. See the variables
9700 @code{org-export-latex-default-packages-alist} and
9701 @code{org-export-latex-packages-alist}.}, this backend is also used to
9702 produce PDF output. Since the La@TeX{} output uses @file{hyperref} to
9703 implement links and cross references, the PDF output file will be fully
9707 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invokes which commands
9708 * Header and sectioning:: Setting up the export file structure
9709 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal La@TeX{} code
9710 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to La@TeX{}
9711 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into La@TeX{} output
9712 * Beamer class export:: Turning the file into a presentation
9715 @node LaTeX/PDF export commands, Header and sectioning, LaTeX and PDF export, LaTeX and PDF export
9716 @subsection La@TeX{} export commands
9718 @cindex region, active
9719 @cindex active region
9720 @cindex transient-mark-mode
9724 @cindex property EXPORT_FILE_NAME
9725 Export as La@TeX{} file @file{myfile.tex}. For an Org file
9726 @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.tex}. The file will
9727 be overwritten without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{This
9728 requires @code{transient-mark-mode} be turned on.}, only the region will be
9729 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
9730 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
9731 title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
9732 property, that name will be used for the export.
9735 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
9740 Export only the visible part of the document.
9741 @item M-x org-export-region-as-latex
9742 Convert the region to La@TeX{} under the assumption that it was Org-mode
9743 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
9745 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-latex
9746 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org-mode syntax) by La@TeX{}
9750 Export as La@TeX{} and then process to PDF.
9753 Export as La@TeX{} and then process to PDF, then open the resulting PDF file.
9756 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
9757 @vindex org-latex-low-levels
9758 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
9759 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
9760 will be exported as description lists. The exporter can ignore them or
9761 convert them to a custom string depending on
9762 @code{org-latex-low-levels}.
9764 If you want that transition to occur at a different level, specify it
9765 with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
9772 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
9774 @node Header and sectioning, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX/PDF export commands, LaTeX and PDF export
9775 @subsection Header and sectioning structure
9776 @cindex La@TeX{} class
9777 @cindex La@TeX{} sectioning structure
9778 @cindex La@TeX{} header
9779 @cindex header, for LaTeX files
9780 @cindex sectioning structure, for LaTeX export
9782 By default, the La@TeX{} output uses the class @code{article}.
9784 @vindex org-export-latex-default-class
9785 @vindex org-export-latex-classes
9786 @vindex org-export-latex-default-packages-alist
9787 @vindex org-export-latex-packages-alist
9788 @cindex #+LATEX_HEADER
9789 @cindex #+LATEX_CLASS
9790 @cindex #+LATEX_CLASS_OPTIONS
9791 @cindex property, LATEX_CLASS
9792 @cindex property, LATEX_CLASS_OPTIONS
9793 You can change this globally by setting a different value for
9794 @code{org-export-latex-default-class} or locally by adding an option like
9795 @code{#+LaTeX_CLASS: myclass} in your file, or with a @code{:LaTeX_CLASS:}
9796 property that applies when exporting a region containing only this (sub)tree.
9797 The class must be listed in @code{org-export-latex-classes}. This variable
9798 defines a header template for each class@footnote{Into which the values of
9799 @code{org-export-latex-default-packages-alist} and
9800 @code{org-export-latex-packages-alist} are spliced.}, and allows you to
9801 define the sectioning structure for each class. You can also define your own
9802 classes there. @code{#+LaTeX_CLASS_OPTIONS} or a @code{LaTeX_CLASS_OPTIONS}
9803 property can specify the options for the @code{\documentclass} macro. You
9804 can also use @code{#+LATEX_HEADER: \usepackage@{xyz@}} to add lines to the
9805 header. See the docstring of @code{org-export-latex-classes} for more
9808 @node Quoting LaTeX code, Tables in LaTeX export, Header and sectioning, LaTeX and PDF export
9809 @subsection Quoting La@TeX{} code
9811 Embedded La@TeX{} as described in @ref{Embedded LaTeX}, will be correctly
9812 inserted into the La@TeX{} file. This includes simple macros like
9813 @samp{\ref@{LABEL@}} to create a cross reference to a figure. Furthermore,
9814 you can add special code that should only be present in La@TeX{} export with
9815 the following constructs:
9818 @cindex #+BEGIN_LaTeX
9820 #+LaTeX: Literal LaTeX code for export
9824 @cindex #+BEGIN_LaTeX
9828 All lines between these markers are exported literally
9833 @node Tables in LaTeX export, Images in LaTeX export, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX and PDF export
9834 @subsection Tables in La@TeX{} export
9835 @cindex tables, in La@TeX{} export
9837 For La@TeX{} export of a table, you can specify a label and a caption
9838 (@pxref{Images and tables}). You can also use the @code{ATTR_LaTeX} line to
9839 request a @code{longtable} environment for the table, so that it may span
9840 several pages, or provide the @code{multicolumn} keyword that will make the
9841 table span the page in a multicolumn environment (@code{table*} environment).
9842 Finally, you can set the alignment string:
9846 @cindex #+ATTR_LaTeX
9848 #+CAPTION: A long table
9850 #+ATTR_LaTeX: longtable align=l|lp@{3cm@}r|l
9856 @node Images in LaTeX export, Beamer class export, Tables in LaTeX export, LaTeX and PDF export
9857 @subsection Images in La@TeX{} export
9858 @cindex images, inline in La@TeX{}
9859 @cindex inlining images in La@TeX{}
9861 Images that are linked to without a description part in the link, like
9862 @samp{[[file:img.jpg]]} or @samp{[[./img.jpg]]} will be inserted into the PDF
9863 output file resulting from La@TeX{} processing. Org will use an
9864 @code{\includegraphics} macro to insert the image. If you have specified a
9865 caption and/or a label as described in @ref{Images and tables}, the figure
9866 will be wrapped into a @code{figure} environment and thus become a floating
9867 element. You can use an @code{#+ATTR_LaTeX:} line to specify the various
9868 options that can be used in the optional argument of the
9869 @code{\includegraphics} macro. To modify the placement option of the
9870 @code{figure} environment, add something like @samp{placement=[h!]} to the
9873 If you would like to let text flow around the image, add the word @samp{wrap}
9874 to the @code{#+ATTR_LaTeX:} line, which will make the figure occupy the left
9875 half of the page. To fine-tune, the @code{placement} field will be the set
9876 of additional arguments needed by the @code{wrapfigure} environment. Note
9877 that if you change the size of the image, you need to use compatible settings
9878 for @code{\includegraphics} and @code{wrapfigure}.
9882 @cindex #+ATTR_LaTeX
9884 #+CAPTION: The black-body emission of the disk around HR 4049
9885 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
9886 #+ATTR_LaTeX: width=5cm,angle=90
9887 [[./img/sed-hr4049.pdf]]
9889 #+ATTR_LaTeX: width=0.38\textwidth wrap placement=@{r@}@{0.4\textwidth@}
9893 If you need references to a label created in this way, write
9894 @samp{\ref@{fig:SED-HR4049@}} just like in La@TeX{}.
9896 @node Beamer class export, , Images in LaTeX export, LaTeX and PDF export
9897 @subsection Beamer class export
9899 The LaTeX class @file{beamer} allows production of high quality presentations
9900 using LaTeX and pdf processing. Org-mode has special support for turning an
9901 Org-mode file or tree into a @file{beamer} presentation.
9903 When the LaTeX class for the current buffer (as set with @code{#+LaTeX_CLASS:
9904 beamer}) or subtree (set with a @code{LaTeX_CLASS} property) is
9905 @code{beamer}, a special export mode will turn the file or tree into a beamer
9906 presentation. Any tree with not-too-deep level nesting should in principle be
9907 exportable as a beamer presentation. By default, the top-level entries (or
9908 the first level below the selected subtree heading) will be turned into
9909 frames, and the outline structure below this level will become itemize lists.
9910 You can also configure the variable @code{org-beamer-frame-level} to a
9911 different level - then the hierarchy above frames will produce the sectioning
9912 structure of the presentation.
9914 A template for useful in-buffer settings or properties can be inserted into
9915 the buffer with @kbd{M-x org-insert-beamer-options-template}. Among other
9916 things, this will install a column view format which is very handy for
9917 editing special properties used by beamer.
9919 You can influence the structure of the presentation using the following
9924 The environment that should be used to format this entry. Valid environments
9925 are defined in the constant @code{org-beamer-environments-default}, and you
9926 can define more in @code{org-beamer-environments-extra}. If this property is
9927 set, the entry will also get a @code{:B_environment:} tag to make this
9928 visible. This tag has no semantic meaning, it is only a visual aid.
9929 @item BEAMER_envargs
9930 The beamer-special arguments that should be used for the environment, like
9931 @code{[t]} or @code{[<+->]} of @code{<2-3>}. If the @code{BEAMER_col}
9932 property is also set, something like @code{C[t]} can be added here as well to
9933 set an options argument for the implied @code{columns} environment.
9934 @code{c[t]} will set an option for the implied @code{column} environment.
9936 The width of a column that should start with this entry. If this property is
9937 set, the entry will also get a @code{:BMCOL:} property to make this visible.
9938 Also this tag is only a visual aid. When this is a plain number, it will be
9939 interpreted as a fraction of @code{\textwidth}. Otherwise it will be assumed
9940 that you have specified the units, like @samp{3cm}. The first such property
9941 in a frame will start a @code{columns} environment to surround the columns.
9942 This environment is closed when an entry has a @code{BEAMER_col} property
9943 with value 0 or 1, or automatically at the end of the frame.
9945 Additional commands that should be inserted after the environment has been
9946 opened. For example, when creating a frame, this can be used to specify
9950 Frames will automatically receive a @code{fragile} option if they contain
9951 source code that uses the verbatim environment. Special @file{beamer}
9952 specific code can be inserted using @code{#+BEAMER:} and
9953 @code{#+BEGIN_beamer...#+end_beamer} constructs, similar to other export
9954 backends, but with the difference that @code{#+LaTeX:} stuff will be included
9955 in the presentation as well.
9957 Outline nodes with @code{BEAMER_env} property value @samp{note} or
9958 @samp{noteNH} will be formatted as beamer notes, i,e, they will be wrapped
9959 into @code{\note@{...@}}. The former will include the heading as part of the
9960 note text, the latter will ignore the heading of that node. To simplify note
9961 generation, it is actually enough to mark the note with a @emph{tag} (either
9962 @code{:B_note:} or @code{:B_noteNH:}) instead of creating the
9963 @code{BEAMER_env} property.
9965 You can turn on a special minor mode @code{org-beamer-mode} for editing
9975 In @code{org-beamer-mode}, this key offers fast selection of a beamer
9976 environment or the @code{BEAMER_col} property.
9979 Column view provides a great way to set the environment of a node and other
9980 important parameters. Make sure you are using a COLUMN format that is geared
9981 toward this special purpose. The command @kbd{M-x
9982 org-insert-beamer-options-template} defines such a format.
9984 Here is a simple example Org document that is intended for beamer export.
9987 #+LaTeX_CLASS: beamer
9988 #+TITLE: Example Presentation
9989 #+AUTHOR: Carsten Dominik
9990 #+LaTeX_CLASS_OPTIONS: [presentation]
9991 #+BEAMER_FRAME_LEVEL: 2
9992 #+BEAMER_HEADER_EXTRA: \usetheme@{Madrid@}\usecolortheme@{default@}
9993 #+COLUMNS: %35ITEM %10BEAMER_env(Env) %10BEAMER_envargs(Args) %4BEAMER_col(Col) %8BEAMER_extra(Ex)
9995 * This is the first structural section
9997 ** Frame 1 \\ with a subtitle
9998 *** Thanks to Eric Fraga :BMCOL:B_block:
10001 :BEAMER_envargs: C[t]
10004 for the first viable beamer setup in Org
10005 *** Thanks to everyone else :BMCOL:B_block:
10009 :BEAMER_envargs: <2->
10011 for contributing to the discussion
10012 **** This will be formatted as a beamer note :B_note:
10013 ** Frame 2 \\ where we will not use columns
10014 *** Request :B_block:
10015 Please test this stuff!
10021 For more information, see the documentation on Worg.
10023 @node DocBook export, TaskJuggler export, LaTeX and PDF export, Exporting
10024 @section DocBook export
10025 @cindex DocBook export
10027 @cindex Cui, Baoqiu
10029 Org contains a DocBook exporter written by Baoqiu Cui. Once an Org file is
10030 exported to DocBook format, it can be further processed to produce other
10031 formats, including PDF, HTML, man pages, etc., using many available DocBook
10032 tools and stylesheets.
10034 Currently DocBook exporter only supports DocBook V5.0.
10037 * DocBook export commands:: How to invoke DocBook export
10038 * Quoting DocBook code:: Incorporating DocBook code in Org files
10039 * Recursive sections:: Recursive sections in DocBook
10040 * Tables in DocBook export:: Tables are exported as HTML tables
10041 * Images in DocBook export:: How to insert figures into DocBook output
10042 * Special characters:: How to handle special characters
10045 @node DocBook export commands, Quoting DocBook code, DocBook export, DocBook export
10046 @subsection DocBook export commands
10048 @cindex region, active
10049 @cindex active region
10050 @cindex transient-mark-mode
10054 @cindex property EXPORT_FILE_NAME
10055 Export as DocBook file. For an Org file, @file{myfile.org}, the DocBook XML
10056 file will be @file{myfile.xml}. The file will be overwritten without
10057 warning. If there is an active region@footnote{This requires
10058 @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
10059 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
10060 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
10061 title. If the tree head entry has, or inherits, an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
10062 property, that name will be used for the export.
10065 Export as DocBook file, process to PDF, then open the resulting PDF file.
10067 @vindex org-export-docbook-xslt-proc-command
10068 @vindex org-export-docbook-xsl-fo-proc-command
10069 Note that, in order to produce PDF output based on exported DocBook file, you
10070 need to have XSLT processor and XSL-FO processor software installed on your
10071 system. Check variables @code{org-export-docbook-xslt-proc-command} and
10072 @code{org-export-docbook-xsl-fo-proc-command}.
10074 @vindex org-export-docbook-xslt-stylesheet
10075 The stylesheet argument @code{%s} in variable
10076 @code{org-export-docbook-xslt-proc-command} is replaced by the value of
10077 variable @code{org-export-docbook-xslt-stylesheet}, which needs to be set by
10078 the user. You can also overrule this global setting on a per-file basis by
10079 adding an in-buffer setting @code{#+XSLT:} to the Org file.
10081 @kindex C-c C-e v D
10083 Export only the visible part of the document.
10086 @node Quoting DocBook code, Recursive sections, DocBook export commands, DocBook export
10087 @subsection Quoting DocBook code
10089 You can quote DocBook code in Org files and copy it verbatim into exported
10090 DocBook file with the following constructs:
10093 @cindex #+BEGIN_DOCBOOK
10095 #+DOCBOOK: Literal DocBook code for export
10099 @cindex #+BEGIN_DOCBOOK
10103 All lines between these markers are exported by DocBook exporter
10108 For example, you can use the following lines to include a DocBook warning
10109 admonition. As to what this warning says, you should pay attention to the
10110 document context when quoting DocBook code in Org files. You may make
10111 exported DocBook XML files invalid by not quoting DocBook code correctly.
10116 <para>You should know what you are doing when quoting DocBook XML code
10117 in your Org file. Invalid DocBook XML file may be generated by
10118 DocBook exporter if you are not careful!</para>
10123 @node Recursive sections, Tables in DocBook export, Quoting DocBook code, DocBook export
10124 @subsection Recursive sections
10125 @cindex DocBook recursive sections
10127 DocBook exporter exports Org files as articles using the @code{article}
10128 element in DocBook. Recursive sections, i.e. @code{section} elements, are
10129 used in exported articles. Top level headlines in Org files are exported as
10130 top level sections, and lower level headlines are exported as nested
10131 sections. The entire structure of Org files will be exported completely, no
10132 matter how many nested levels of headlines there are.
10134 Using recursive sections makes it easy to port and reuse exported DocBook
10135 code in other DocBook document types like @code{book} or @code{set}.
10137 @node Tables in DocBook export, Images in DocBook export, Recursive sections, DocBook export
10138 @subsection Tables in DocBook export
10139 @cindex tables, in DocBook export
10141 Tables in Org files are exported as HTML tables, which have been supported since
10144 If a table does not have a caption, an informal table is generated using the
10145 @code{informaltable} element; otherwise, a formal table will be generated
10146 using the @code{table} element.
10148 @node Images in DocBook export, Special characters, Tables in DocBook export, DocBook export
10149 @subsection Images in DocBook export
10150 @cindex images, inline in DocBook
10151 @cindex inlining images in DocBook
10153 Images that are linked to without a description part in the link, like
10154 @samp{[[file:img.jpg]]} or @samp{[[./img.jpg]]}, will be exported to DocBook
10155 using @code{mediaobject} elements. Each @code{mediaobject} element contains
10156 an @code{imageobject} that wraps an @code{imagedata} element. If you have
10157 specified a caption for an image as described in @ref{Images and tables}, a
10158 @code{caption} element will be added in @code{mediaobject}. If a label is
10159 also specified, it will be exported as an @code{xml:id} attribute of the
10160 @code{mediaobject} element.
10162 @vindex org-export-docbook-default-image-attributes
10163 Image attributes supported by the @code{imagedata} element, like @code{align}
10164 or @code{width}, can be specified in two ways: you can either customize
10165 variable @code{org-export-docbook-default-image-attributes} or use the
10166 @code{#+ATTR_DOCBOOK:} line. Attributes specified in variable
10167 @code{org-export-docbook-default-image-attributes} are applied to all inline
10168 images in the Org file to be exported (unless they are overridden by image
10169 attributes specified in @code{#+ATTR_DOCBOOK:} lines).
10171 The @code{#+ATTR_DOCBOOK:} line can be used to specify additional image
10172 attributes or override default image attributes for individual images. If
10173 the same attribute appears in both the @code{#+ATTR_DOCBOOK:} line and
10174 variable @code{org-export-docbook-default-image-attributes}, the former
10175 takes precedence. Here is an example about how image attributes can be
10180 @cindex #+ATTR_DOCBOOK
10182 #+CAPTION: The logo of Org-mode
10183 #+LABEL: unicorn-svg
10184 #+ATTR_DOCBOOK: scalefit="1" width="100%" depth="100%"
10185 [[./img/org-mode-unicorn.svg]]
10188 @vindex org-export-docbook-inline-image-extensions
10189 By default, DocBook exporter recognizes the following image file types:
10190 @file{jpeg}, @file{jpg}, @file{png}, @file{gif}, and @file{svg}. You can
10191 customize variable @code{org-export-docbook-inline-image-extensions} to add
10192 more types to this list as long as DocBook supports them.
10194 @node Special characters, , Images in DocBook export, DocBook export
10195 @subsection Special characters in DocBook export
10196 @cindex Special characters in DocBook export
10198 @vindex org-export-docbook-doctype
10199 @vindex org-entities
10200 Special characters that are written in @TeX{}-like syntax, such as @code{\alpha},
10201 @code{\Gamma}, and @code{\Zeta}, are supported by DocBook exporter. These
10202 characters are rewritten to XML entities, like @code{α},
10203 @code{Γ}, and @code{Ζ}, based on the list saved in variable
10204 @code{org-entities}. As long as the generated DocBook file includes the
10205 corresponding entities, these special characters are recognized.
10207 You can customize variable @code{org-export-docbook-doctype} to include the
10208 entities you need. For example, you can set variable
10209 @code{org-export-docbook-doctype} to the following value to recognize all
10210 special characters included in XHTML entities:
10213 "<!DOCTYPE article [
10214 <!ENTITY % xhtml1-symbol PUBLIC
10215 \"-//W3C//ENTITIES Symbol for HTML//EN//XML\"
10216 \"http://www.w3.org/2003/entities/2007/xhtml1-symbol.ent\"
10223 @node TaskJuggler export, Freemind export, DocBook export, Exporting
10224 @section TaskJuggler export
10225 @cindex TaskJuggler export
10226 @cindex Project management
10228 @uref{http://www.taskjuggler.org/, TaskJuggler} is a project management tool.
10229 It provides an optimizing scheduler that computes your project time lines and
10230 resource assignments based on the project outline and the constraints that
10233 The TaskJuggler exporter is a bit different from other exporters, such as the
10234 HTML and LaTeX exporters for example, in that it does not export all the
10235 nodes of a document or strictly follow the order of the nodes in the
10238 Instead the TaskJuggler exporter looks for a tree that defines the tasks and
10239 a optionally tree that defines the resources for this project. It then
10240 creates a TaskJuggler file based on these trees and the attributes defined in
10243 @subsection TaskJuggler export commands
10248 Export as TaskJuggler file.
10252 Export as TaskJuggler file and then open the file with TaskJugglerUI.
10257 @vindex org-export-taskjuggler-project-tag
10258 Create your tasks as you usually do with Org-mode. Assign efforts to each
10259 task using properties (it's easiest to do this in the column view). You
10260 should end up with something similar to the example by Peter Jones in
10261 @url{http://www.contextualdevelopment.com/static/artifacts/articles/2008/project-planning/project-planning.org}.
10262 Now mark the top node of your tasks with a tag named
10263 @code{:taskjuggler_project:} (or whatever you customized
10264 @code{org-export-taskjuggler-project-tag} to). You are now ready to export
10265 the project plan with @kbd{C-c C-e J} which will export the project plan and
10266 open a gantt chart in TaskJugglerUI.
10268 @subsection Resources
10270 @vindex org-export-taskjuggler-resource-tag
10271 Next you can define resources and assign those to work on specific tasks. You
10272 can group your resources hierarchically. Tag the top node of the resources
10273 with @code{:taskjuggler_resource:} (or whatever you customized
10274 @code{org-export-taskjuggler-resource-tag} to). You can optionally assign an
10275 identifier (named @samp{resource_id}) to the resources (using the standard
10276 Org properties commands, @pxref{Property syntax}) or you can let the exporter
10277 generate identifiers automatically (the exporter picks the first word of the
10278 headline as the identifier as long as it is unique, see the documentation of
10279 @code{org-taskjuggler-get-unique-id}). Using that identifier you can then
10280 allocate resources to tasks. This is again done with the @samp{allocate}
10281 property on the tasks. Do this in column view or when on the task type
10282 @kbd{C-c C-x p allocate @key{RET} <resource_id> @key{RET}}.
10284 Once the allocations are done you can again export to TaskJuggler and check
10285 in the Resource Allocation Graph which person is working on what task at what
10288 @subsection Export of properties
10290 The exporter also takes TODO state information into consideration, i.e. if a
10291 task is marked as done it will have the corresponding attribute in
10292 TaskJuggler (@samp{complete 100}). Also it will export any property on a task
10293 resource or resource node which is known to TaskJuggler, such as
10294 @samp{limits}, @samp{vacation}, @samp{shift}, @samp{booking},
10295 @samp{efficiency}, @samp{journalentry}, @samp{rate} for resources or
10296 @samp{account}, @samp{start}, @samp{note}, @samp{duration}, @samp{end},
10297 @samp{journalentry}, @samp{milestone}, @samp{reference}, @samp{responsible},
10298 @samp{scheduling}, etc for tasks.
10300 @subsection Dependencies
10302 The exporter will handle dependencies that are defined in the tasks either
10303 with the @samp{ORDERED} attribute (@pxref{TODO dependencies}), with the
10304 @samp{BLOCKER} attribute (see org-depend.el) or alternatively with a
10305 @samp{depends} attribute. Both the @samp{BLOCKER} and the @samp{depends}
10306 attribute can be either @samp{previous-sibling} or a reference to an
10307 identifier (named @samp{task_id}) which is defined for another task in the
10308 project. @samp{BLOCKER} and the @samp{depends} attribute can define multiple
10309 dependencies separated by either space or comma. You can also specify
10310 optional attributes on the dependency by simply appending it. The following
10311 examples should illustrate this:
10316 :task_id: preparation
10319 * Training material
10321 :task_id: training_material
10324 ** Markup Guidelines
10328 ** Workflow Guidelines
10335 :BLOCKER: training_material @{ gapduration 1d @} preparation
10339 @subsection Reports
10341 @vindex org-export-taskjuggler-default-reports
10342 TaskJuggler can produce many kinds of reports (e.g. gantt chart, resource
10343 allocation, etc). The user defines what kind of reports should be generated
10344 for a project in the TaskJuggler file. The exporter will automatically insert
10345 some default reports in the file. These defaults are defined in
10346 @code{org-export-taskjuggler-default-reports}. They can be modified using
10347 customize along with a number of other options. For a more complete list, see
10348 @kbd{M-x customize-group @key{RET} org-export-taskjuggler @key{RET}}.
10350 For more information and examples see the Org-taskjuggler tutorial at
10351 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-tutorials/org-taskjuggler.php}.
10353 @node Freemind export, XOXO export, TaskJuggler export, Exporting
10354 @section Freemind export
10355 @cindex Freemind export
10358 The Freemind exporter was written by Lennart Borgman.
10363 Export as Freemind mind map @file{myfile.mm}.
10366 @node XOXO export, iCalendar export, Freemind export, Exporting
10367 @section XOXO export
10368 @cindex XOXO export
10370 Org-mode contains an exporter that produces XOXO-style output.
10371 Currently, this exporter only handles the general outline structure and
10372 does not interpret any additional Org-mode features.
10377 Export as XOXO file @file{myfile.html}.
10380 Export only the visible part of the document.
10383 @node iCalendar export, , XOXO export, Exporting
10384 @section iCalendar export
10385 @cindex iCalendar export
10387 @vindex org-icalendar-include-todo
10388 @vindex org-icalendar-use-deadline
10389 @vindex org-icalendar-use-scheduled
10390 @vindex org-icalendar-categories
10391 @vindex org-icalendar-alarm-time
10392 Some people use Org-mode for keeping track of projects, but still prefer a
10393 standard calendar application for anniversaries and appointments. In this
10394 case it can be useful to show deadlines and other time-stamped items in Org
10395 files in the calendar application. Org-mode can export calendar information
10396 in the standard iCalendar format. If you also want to have TODO entries
10397 included in the export, configure the variable
10398 @code{org-icalendar-include-todo}. Plain timestamps are exported as VEVENT,
10399 and TODO items as VTODO. It will also create events from deadlines that are
10400 in non-TODO items. Deadlines and scheduling dates in TODO items will be used
10401 to set the start and due dates for the TODO entry@footnote{See the variables
10402 @code{org-icalendar-use-deadline} and @code{org-icalendar-use-scheduled}.}.
10403 As categories, it will use the tags locally defined in the heading, and the
10404 file/tree category@footnote{To add inherited tags or the TODO state,
10405 configure the variable @code{org-icalendar-categories}.}. See the variable
10406 @code{org-icalendar-alarm-time} for a way to assign alarms to entries with a
10409 @vindex org-icalendar-store-UID
10410 @cindex property, ID
10411 The iCalendar standard requires each entry to have a globally unique
10412 identifier (UID). Org creates these identifiers during export. If you set
10413 the variable @code{org-icalendar-store-UID}, the UID will be stored in the
10414 @code{:ID:} property of the entry and re-used next time you report this
10415 entry. Since a single entry can give rise to multiple iCalendar entries (as
10416 a timestamp, a deadline, a scheduled item, and as a TODO item), Org adds
10417 prefixes to the UID, depending on what triggered the inclusion of the entry.
10418 In this way the UID remains unique, but a synchronization program can still
10419 figure out from which entry all the different instances originate.
10424 Create iCalendar entries for the current file and store them in the same
10425 directory, using a file extension @file{.ics}.
10428 @vindex org-agenda-files
10429 Like @kbd{C-c C-e i}, but do this for all files in
10430 @code{org-agenda-files}. For each of these files, a separate iCalendar
10431 file will be written.
10434 @vindex org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file
10435 Create a single large iCalendar file from all files in
10436 @code{org-agenda-files} and write it to the file given by
10437 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}.
10440 @vindex org-use-property-inheritance
10441 @vindex org-icalendar-include-body
10442 @cindex property, SUMMARY
10443 @cindex property, DESCRIPTION
10444 @cindex property, LOCATION
10445 The export will honor SUMMARY, DESCRIPTION and LOCATION@footnote{The LOCATION
10446 property can be inherited from higher in the hierarchy if you configure
10447 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} accordingly.} properties if the selected
10448 entries have them. If not, the summary will be derived from the headline,
10449 and the description from the body (limited to
10450 @code{org-icalendar-include-body} characters).
10452 How this calendar is best read and updated, depends on the application
10453 you are using. The FAQ covers this issue.
10455 @node Publishing, Working With Source Code, Exporting, Top
10456 @chapter Publishing
10459 Org includes a publishing management system that allows you to configure
10460 automatic HTML conversion of @emph{projects} composed of interlinked org
10461 files. You can also configure Org to automatically upload your exported HTML
10462 pages and related attachments, such as images and source code files, to a web
10465 You can also use Org to convert files into PDF, or even combine HTML and PDF
10466 conversion so that files are available in both formats on the server.
10468 Publishing has been contributed to Org by David O'Toole.
10471 * Configuration:: Defining projects
10472 * Uploading files:: How to get files up on the server
10473 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
10474 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
10477 @node Configuration, Uploading files, Publishing, Publishing
10478 @section Configuration
10480 Publishing needs significant configuration to specify files, destination
10481 and many other properties of a project.
10484 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
10485 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
10486 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
10487 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
10488 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
10489 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
10490 * Sitemap:: Generating a list of all pages
10491 * Generating an index:: An index that reaches across pages
10494 @node Project alist, Sources and destinations, Configuration, Configuration
10495 @subsection The variable @code{org-publish-project-alist}
10496 @cindex org-publish-project-alist
10497 @cindex projects, for publishing
10499 @vindex org-publish-project-alist
10500 Publishing is configured almost entirely through setting the value of one
10501 variable, called @code{org-publish-project-alist}. Each element of the list
10502 configures one project, and may be in one of the two following forms:
10505 ("project-name" :property value :property value ...)
10507 ("project-name" :components ("project-name" "project-name" ...))
10511 In both cases, projects are configured by specifying property values. A
10512 project defines the set of files that will be published, as well as the
10513 publishing configuration to use when publishing those files. When a project
10514 takes the second form listed above, the individual members of the
10515 @code{:components} property are taken to be sub-projects, which group
10516 together files requiring different publishing options. When you publish such
10517 a ``meta-project'', all the components will also be published, in the
10520 @node Sources and destinations, Selecting files, Project alist, Configuration
10521 @subsection Sources and destinations for files
10522 @cindex directories, for publishing
10524 Most properties are optional, but some should always be set. In
10525 particular, Org needs to know where to look for source files,
10526 and where to put published files.
10528 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
10529 @item @code{:base-directory}
10530 @tab Directory containing publishing source files
10531 @item @code{:publishing-directory}
10532 @tab Directory where output files will be published. You can directly
10533 publish to a webserver using a file name syntax appropriate for
10534 the Emacs @file{tramp} package. Or you can publish to a local directory and
10535 use external tools to upload your website (@pxref{Uploading files}).
10536 @item @code{:preparation-function}
10537 @tab Function or list of functions to be called before starting the
10538 publishing process, for example, to run @code{make} for updating files to be
10539 published. The project property list is scoped into this call as the
10540 variable @code{project-plist}.
10541 @item @code{:completion-function}
10542 @tab Function or list of functions called after finishing the publishing
10543 process, for example, to change permissions of the resulting files. The
10544 project property list is scoped into this call as the variable
10545 @code{project-plist}.
10549 @node Selecting files, Publishing action, Sources and destinations, Configuration
10550 @subsection Selecting files
10551 @cindex files, selecting for publishing
10553 By default, all files with extension @file{.org} in the base directory
10554 are considered part of the project. This can be modified by setting the
10556 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
10557 @item @code{:base-extension}
10558 @tab Extension (without the dot!) of source files. This actually is a
10559 regular expression. Set this to the symbol @code{any} if you want to get all
10560 files in @code{:base-directory}, even without extension.
10562 @item @code{:exclude}
10563 @tab Regular expression to match file names that should not be
10564 published, even though they have been selected on the basis of their
10567 @item @code{:include}
10568 @tab List of files to be included regardless of @code{:base-extension}
10569 and @code{:exclude}.
10572 @node Publishing action, Publishing options, Selecting files, Configuration
10573 @subsection Publishing action
10574 @cindex action, for publishing
10576 Publishing means that a file is copied to the destination directory and
10577 possibly transformed in the process. The default transformation is to export
10578 Org files as HTML files, and this is done by the function
10579 @code{org-publish-org-to-html} which calls the HTML exporter (@pxref{HTML
10580 export}). But you also can publish your content as PDF files using
10581 @code{org-publish-org-to-pdf}. If you want to publish the Org file itself,
10582 but with @i{archived}, @i{commented}, and @i{tag-excluded} trees removed, use
10583 @code{org-publish-org-to-org} and set the parameters @code{:plain-source}
10584 and/or @code{:htmlized-source}. This will produce @file{file.org} and
10585 @file{file.org.html} in the publishing
10586 directory@footnote{@file{file-source.org} and @file{file-source.org.html} if
10587 source and publishing directories are equal. Note that with this kind of
10588 setup, you need to add @code{:exclude "-source\\.org"} to the project
10589 definition in @code{org-publish-project-alist} to avoid that the published
10590 source files will be considered as new org files the next time the project is
10591 published.}. Other files like images only
10592 need to be copied to the publishing destination, for this you may use
10593 @code{org-publish-attachment}. For non-Org files, you always need to
10594 specify the publishing function:
10596 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
10597 @item @code{:publishing-function}
10598 @tab Function executing the publication of a file. This may also be a
10599 list of functions, which will all be called in turn.
10600 @item @code{:plain-source}
10601 @tab Non-nil means, publish plain source.
10602 @item @code{:htmlized-source}
10603 @tab Non-nil means, publish htmlized source.
10606 The function must accept three arguments: a property list containing at least
10607 a @code{:publishing-directory} property, the name of the file to be
10608 published, and the path to the publishing directory of the output file. It
10609 should take the specified file, make the necessary transformation (if any)
10610 and place the result into the destination folder.
10612 @node Publishing options, Publishing links, Publishing action, Configuration
10613 @subsection Options for the HTML/La@TeX{} exporters
10614 @cindex options, for publishing
10616 The property list can be used to set many export options for the HTML
10617 and La@TeX{} exporters. In most cases, these properties correspond to user
10618 variables in Org. The table below lists these properties along
10619 with the variable they belong to. See the documentation string for the
10620 respective variable for details.
10622 @vindex org-export-html-link-up
10623 @vindex org-export-html-link-home
10624 @vindex org-export-default-language
10625 @vindex org-display-custom-times
10626 @vindex org-export-headline-levels
10627 @vindex org-export-with-section-numbers
10628 @vindex org-export-section-number-format
10629 @vindex org-export-with-toc
10630 @vindex org-export-preserve-breaks
10631 @vindex org-export-with-archived-trees
10632 @vindex org-export-with-emphasize
10633 @vindex org-export-with-sub-superscripts
10634 @vindex org-export-with-special-strings
10635 @vindex org-export-with-footnotes
10636 @vindex org-export-with-drawers
10637 @vindex org-export-with-tags
10638 @vindex org-export-with-todo-keywords
10639 @vindex org-export-with-priority
10640 @vindex org-export-with-TeX-macros
10641 @vindex org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments
10642 @vindex org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading
10643 @vindex org-export-with-fixed-width
10644 @vindex org-export-with-timestamps
10645 @vindex org-export-author-info
10646 @vindex org-export-email
10647 @vindex org-export-creator-info
10648 @vindex org-export-with-tables
10649 @vindex org-export-highlight-first-table-line
10650 @vindex org-export-html-style-include-default
10651 @vindex org-export-html-style
10652 @vindex org-export-html-style-extra
10653 @vindex org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html
10654 @vindex org-export-html-inline-images
10655 @vindex org-export-html-extension
10656 @vindex org-export-html-table-tag
10657 @vindex org-export-html-expand
10658 @vindex org-export-html-with-timestamp
10659 @vindex org-export-publishing-directory
10660 @vindex org-export-html-preamble
10661 @vindex org-export-html-postamble
10662 @vindex org-export-html-auto-preamble
10663 @vindex org-export-html-auto-postamble
10664 @vindex user-full-name
10665 @vindex user-mail-address
10666 @vindex org-export-select-tags
10667 @vindex org-export-exclude-tags
10669 @multitable @columnfractions 0.32 0.68
10670 @item @code{:link-up} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-up}
10671 @item @code{:link-home} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-home}
10672 @item @code{:language} @tab @code{org-export-default-language}
10673 @item @code{:customtime} @tab @code{org-display-custom-times}
10674 @item @code{:headline-levels} @tab @code{org-export-headline-levels}
10675 @item @code{:section-numbers} @tab @code{org-export-with-section-numbers}
10676 @item @code{:section-number-format} @tab @code{org-export-section-number-format}
10677 @item @code{:table-of-contents} @tab @code{org-export-with-toc}
10678 @item @code{:preserve-breaks} @tab @code{org-export-preserve-breaks}
10679 @item @code{:archived-trees} @tab @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}
10680 @item @code{:emphasize} @tab @code{org-export-with-emphasize}
10681 @item @code{:sub-superscript} @tab @code{org-export-with-sub-superscripts}
10682 @item @code{:special-strings} @tab @code{org-export-with-special-strings}
10683 @item @code{:footnotes} @tab @code{org-export-with-footnotes}
10684 @item @code{:drawers} @tab @code{org-export-with-drawers}
10685 @item @code{:tags} @tab @code{org-export-with-tags}
10686 @item @code{:todo-keywords} @tab @code{org-export-with-todo-keywords}
10687 @item @code{:priority} @tab @code{org-export-with-priority}
10688 @item @code{:TeX-macros} @tab @code{org-export-with-TeX-macros}
10689 @item @code{:LaTeX-fragments} @tab @code{org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments}
10690 @item @code{:latex-listings} @tab @code{org-export-latex-listings}
10691 @item @code{:skip-before-1st-heading} @tab @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading}
10692 @item @code{:fixed-width} @tab @code{org-export-with-fixed-width}
10693 @item @code{:timestamps} @tab @code{org-export-with-timestamps}
10694 @item @code{:author-info} @tab @code{org-export-author-info}
10695 @item @code{:email-info} @tab @code{org-export-email-info}
10696 @item @code{:creator-info} @tab @code{org-export-creator-info}
10697 @item @code{:tables} @tab @code{org-export-with-tables}
10698 @item @code{:table-auto-headline} @tab @code{org-export-highlight-first-table-line}
10699 @item @code{:style-include-default} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}
10700 @item @code{:style} @tab @code{org-export-html-style}
10701 @item @code{:style-extra} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-extra}
10702 @item @code{:convert-org-links} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html}
10703 @item @code{:inline-images} @tab @code{org-export-html-inline-images}
10704 @item @code{:html-extension} @tab @code{org-export-html-extension}
10705 @item @code{:xml-declaration} @tab @code{org-export-html-xml-declaration}
10706 @item @code{:html-table-tag} @tab @code{org-export-html-table-tag}
10707 @item @code{:expand-quoted-html} @tab @code{org-export-html-expand}
10708 @item @code{:timestamp} @tab @code{org-export-html-with-timestamp}
10709 @item @code{:publishing-directory} @tab @code{org-export-publishing-directory}
10710 @item @code{:preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-preamble}
10711 @item @code{:postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-postamble}
10712 @item @code{:auto-preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-preamble}
10713 @item @code{:auto-postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-postamble}
10714 @item @code{:author} @tab @code{user-full-name}
10715 @item @code{:email} @tab @code{user-mail-address} : @code{addr;addr;..}
10716 @item @code{:select-tags} @tab @code{org-export-select-tags}
10717 @item @code{:exclude-tags} @tab @code{org-export-exclude-tags}
10718 @item @code{:latex-image-options} @tab @code{org-export-latex-image-default-option}
10721 Most of the @code{org-export-with-*} variables have the same effect in
10722 both HTML and La@TeX{} exporters, except for @code{:TeX-macros} and
10723 @code{:LaTeX-fragments}, respectively @code{nil} and @code{t} in the
10726 @vindex org-publish-project-alist
10727 When a property is given a value in @code{org-publish-project-alist},
10728 its setting overrides the value of the corresponding user variable (if
10729 any) during publishing. Options set within a file (@pxref{Export
10730 options}), however, override everything.
10732 @node Publishing links, Sitemap, Publishing options, Configuration
10733 @subsection Links between published files
10734 @cindex links, publishing
10736 To create a link from one Org file to another, you would use
10737 something like @samp{[[file:foo.org][The foo]]} or simply
10738 @samp{file:foo.org.} (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). When published, this link
10739 becomes a link to @file{foo.html}. In this way, you can interlink the
10740 pages of your "org web" project and the links will work as expected when
10741 you publish them to HTML. If you also publish the Org source file and want
10742 to link to that, use an @code{http:} link instead of a @code{file:} link,
10743 because @code{file:} links are converted to link to the corresponding
10746 You may also link to related files, such as images. Provided you are careful
10747 with relative file names, and provided you have also configured Org to upload
10748 the related files, these links will work too. See @ref{Complex example}, for
10749 an example of this usage.
10751 Sometimes an Org file to be published may contain links that are
10752 only valid in your production environment, but not in the publishing
10753 location. In this case, use the property
10755 @multitable @columnfractions 0.4 0.6
10756 @item @code{:link-validation-function}
10757 @tab Function to validate links
10761 to define a function for checking link validity. This function must
10762 accept two arguments, the file name and a directory relative to which
10763 the file name is interpreted in the production environment. If this
10764 function returns @code{nil}, then the HTML generator will only insert a
10765 description into the HTML file, but no link. One option for this
10766 function is @code{org-publish-validate-link} which checks if the given
10767 file is part of any project in @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
10769 @node Sitemap, Generating an index, Publishing links, Configuration
10770 @subsection Generating a sitemap
10771 @cindex sitemap, of published pages
10773 The following properties may be used to control publishing of
10774 a map of files for a given project.
10776 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.65
10777 @item @code{:auto-sitemap}
10778 @tab When non-nil, publish a sitemap during @code{org-publish-current-project}
10779 or @code{org-publish-all}.
10781 @item @code{:sitemap-filename}
10782 @tab Filename for output of sitemap. Defaults to @file{sitemap.org} (which
10783 becomes @file{sitemap.html}).
10785 @item @code{:sitemap-title}
10786 @tab Title of sitemap page. Defaults to name of file.
10788 @item @code{:sitemap-function}
10789 @tab Plug-in function to use for generation of the sitemap.
10790 Defaults to @code{org-publish-org-sitemap}, which generates a plain list
10791 of links to all files in the project.
10793 @item @code{:sitemap-sort-folders}
10794 @tab Where folders should appear in the sitemap. Set this to @code{first}
10795 (default) or @code{last} to display folders first or last,
10796 respectively. Any other value will mix files and folders.
10798 @item @code{:sitemap-alphabetically}
10799 @tab The site map is normally sorted alphabetically. Set this explicitly to
10800 @code{nil} to turn off sorting.
10802 @item @code{:sitemap-ignore-case}
10803 @tab Should sorting be case-sensitive? Default @code{nil}.
10807 @node Generating an index, , Sitemap, Configuration
10808 @subsection Generating an index
10809 @cindex index, in a publishing project
10811 Org-mode can generate an index across the files of a publishing project.
10813 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
10814 @item @code{:makeindex}
10815 @tab When non-nil, generate in index in the file @file{theindex.org} and
10816 publish it as @file{theindex.html}.
10819 The file will be create when first publishing a project with the
10820 @code{:makeindex} set. The file only contains a statement @code{#+include:
10821 "theindex.inc"}. You can then built around this include statement by adding
10822 a title, style information etc.
10824 @node Uploading files, Sample configuration, Configuration, Publishing
10825 @section Uploading files
10829 For those people already utilizing third party sync tools such as
10830 @command{rsync} or @command{unison}, it might be preferable not to use the built in
10831 @i{remote} publishing facilities of Org-mode which rely heavily on
10832 Tramp. Tramp, while very useful and powerful, tends not to be
10833 so efficient for multiple file transfer and has been known to cause problems
10836 Specialized synchronization utilities offer several advantages. In addition
10837 to timestamp comparison, they also do content and permissions/attribute
10838 checks. For this reason you might prefer to publish your web to a local
10839 directory (possibly even @i{in place} with your Org files) and then use
10840 @file{unison} or @file{rsync} to do the synchronization with the remote host.
10842 Since Unison (for example) can be configured as to which files to transfer to
10843 a certain remote destination, it can greatly simplify the project publishing
10844 definition. Simply keep all files in the correct location, process your Org
10845 files with @code{org-publish} and let the synchronization tool do the rest.
10846 You do not need, in this scenario, to include attachments such as @file{jpg},
10847 @file{css} or @file{gif} files in the project definition since the 3rd party
10850 Publishing to a local directory is also much faster than to a remote one, so
10851 that you can afford more easily to republish entire projects. If you set
10852 @code{org-publish-use-timestamps-flag} to @code{nil}, you gain the main
10853 benefit of re-including any changed external files such as source example
10854 files you might include with @code{#+INCLUDE}. The timestamp mechanism in
10855 Org is not smart enough to detect if included files have been modified.
10857 @node Sample configuration, Triggering publication, Uploading files, Publishing
10858 @section Sample configuration
10860 Below we provide two example configurations. The first one is a simple
10861 project publishing only a set of Org files. The second example is
10862 more complex, with a multi-component project.
10865 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
10866 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
10869 @node Simple example, Complex example, Sample configuration, Sample configuration
10870 @subsection Example: simple publishing configuration
10872 This example publishes a set of Org files to the @file{public_html}
10873 directory on the local machine.
10876 (setq org-publish-project-alist
10878 :base-directory "~/org/"
10879 :publishing-directory "~/public_html"
10880 :section-numbers nil
10881 :table-of-contents nil
10882 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
10883 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\"
10884 type=\"text/css\"/>")))
10887 @node Complex example, , Simple example, Sample configuration
10888 @subsection Example: complex publishing configuration
10890 This more complicated example publishes an entire website, including
10891 Org files converted to HTML, image files, Emacs Lisp source code, and
10892 style sheets. The publishing directory is remote and private files are
10895 To ensure that links are preserved, care should be taken to replicate
10896 your directory structure on the web server, and to use relative file
10897 paths. For example, if your Org files are kept in @file{~/org} and your
10898 publishable images in @file{~/images}, you would link to an image with
10901 file:../images/myimage.png
10904 On the web server, the relative path to the image should be the
10905 same. You can accomplish this by setting up an "images" folder in the
10906 right place on the web server, and publishing images to it.
10909 (setq org-publish-project-alist
10911 :base-directory "~/org/"
10912 :base-extension "org"
10913 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/notebook/"
10914 :publishing-function org-publish-org-to-html
10915 :exclude "PrivatePage.org" ;; regexp
10917 :section-numbers nil
10918 :table-of-contents nil
10919 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
10920 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\" type=\"text/css\"/>"
10922 :auto-postamble nil)
10925 :base-directory "~/images/"
10926 :base-extension "jpg\\|gif\\|png"
10927 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/images/"
10928 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
10931 :base-directory "~/other/"
10932 :base-extension "css\\|el"
10933 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/other/"
10934 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
10935 ("website" :components ("orgfiles" "images" "other"))))
10938 @node Triggering publication, , Sample configuration, Publishing
10939 @section Triggering publication
10941 Once properly configured, Org can publish with the following commands:
10946 Prompt for a specific project and publish all files that belong to it.
10949 Publish the project containing the current file.
10952 Publish only the current file.
10955 Publish every project.
10958 @vindex org-publish-use-timestamps-flag
10959 Org uses timestamps to track when a file has changed. The above functions
10960 normally only publish changed files. You can override this and force
10961 publishing of all files by giving a prefix argument to any of the commands
10962 above, or by customizing the variable @code{org-publish-use-timestamps-flag}.
10963 This may be necessary in particular if files include other files via
10964 @code{#+SETUPFILE:} or @code{#+INCLUDE:}.
10966 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
10967 @comment Working With Source Code, Miscellaneous, Publishing, Top
10969 @node Working With Source Code, Miscellaneous, Publishing, Top
10970 @chapter Working with source code
10971 @cindex Schulte, Eric
10972 @cindex Davison, Dan
10973 @cindex source code, working with
10975 Source code can be included in Org-mode documents using a @samp{src} block,
10979 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
10980 (defun org-xor (a b)
10986 Org-mode provides a number of features for working with live source code,
10987 including editing of code blocks in their native major-mode, evaluation of
10988 code blocks, tangling of code blocks, and exporting code blocks and their
10989 results in several formats. This functionality was contributed by Eric
10990 Schulte and Dan Davison, and was originally named Org-babel.
10992 The following sections describe Org-mode's code block handling facilities.
10995 * Structure of code blocks:: Code block syntax described
10996 * Editing source code:: Language major-mode editing
10997 * Exporting code blocks:: Export contents and/or results
10998 * Extracting source code:: Create pure source code files
10999 * Evaluating code blocks:: Place results of evaluation in the Org-mode buffer
11000 * Library of Babel:: Use and contribute to a library of useful code blocks
11001 * Languages:: List of supported code block languages
11002 * Header arguments:: Configure code block functionality
11003 * Results of evaluation:: How evaluation results are handled
11004 * Noweb reference syntax:: Literate programming in Org-mode
11005 * Key bindings and useful functions:: Work quickly with code blocks
11006 * Batch execution:: Call functions from the command line
11009 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
11010 @comment Structure of code blocks, Editing source code, Working With Source Code, Working With Source Code
11012 @node Structure of code blocks, Editing source code, Working With Source Code, Working With Source Code
11013 @section Structure of code blocks
11014 @cindex code block, structure
11015 @cindex source code, block structure
11017 The structure of code blocks is as follows:
11021 #+begin_src <language> <switches> <header arguments>
11028 This name is associated with the code block. This is similar to the
11029 @samp{#+tblname} lines that can be used to name tables in Org-mode files.
11030 Referencing the name of a code block makes it possible to evaluate the
11031 block from other places in the file, other files, or from Org-mode table
11032 formulas (see @ref{The spreadsheet}).
11034 The language of the code in the block.
11036 Switches controlling exportation of the code block (see switches discussion in
11037 @ref{Literal examples})
11038 @item <header arguments>
11039 Optional header arguments control many aspects of evaluation, export and
11040 tangling of code blocks. See the @ref{Header arguments}
11041 section. Header arguments can also be set on a per-buffer or per-subtree
11042 basis using properties.
11047 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
11048 @comment Editing source code, Exporting code blocks, Structure of code blocks, Working With Source Code
11050 @node Editing source code, Exporting code blocks, Structure of code blocks, Working With Source Code
11051 @section Editing source code
11052 @cindex code block, editing
11053 @cindex source code, editing
11056 Use @kbd{C-c '} to edit the current code block. This brings up
11057 a language major-mode edit buffer containing the body of the code
11058 block. Saving this buffer will write the new contents back to the Org
11059 buffer. Use @kbd{C-c '} again to exit.
11061 The @code{org-src-mode} minor mode will be active in the edit buffer. The
11062 following variables can be used to configure the behavior of the edit
11063 buffer. See also the customization group @code{org-edit-structure} for
11064 further configuration options.
11067 @item org-src-lang-modes
11068 If an Emacs major-mode named @code{<lang>-mode} exists, where
11069 @code{<lang>} is the language named in the header line of the code block,
11070 then the edit buffer will be placed in that major-mode. This variable
11071 can be used to map arbitrary language names to existing major modes.
11072 @item org-src-window-setup
11073 Controls the way Emacs windows are rearranged when the edit buffer is created.
11074 @item org-src-preserve-indentation
11075 This variable is especially useful for tangling languages such as
11076 python, in which whitespace indentation in the output is critical.
11077 @item org-src-ask-before-returning-to-edit-buffer
11078 By default, Org will ask before returning to an open edit buffer. Set
11079 this variable to nil to switch without asking.
11082 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
11083 @comment Exporting code blocks, Extracting source code, Editing source code, Working With Source Code
11085 @node Exporting code blocks, Extracting source code, Editing source code, Working With Source Code
11086 @section Exporting code blocks
11087 @cindex code block, exporting
11088 @cindex source code, exporting
11090 It is possible to export the @emph{contents} of code blocks, the
11091 @emph{results} of code block evaluation, @emph{neither}, or @emph{both}. For
11092 most languages, the default exports the contents of code blocks. However, for
11093 some languages (e.g. @code{ditaa}) the default exports the results of code
11094 block evaluation. For information on exporting code block bodies, see
11095 @ref{Literal examples}.
11097 The @code{:exports} header argument can be used to specify export
11100 @subsubheading Header arguments:
11102 @item :exports code
11103 The default in most languages. The body of the code block is exported, as
11104 described in @ref{Literal examples}.
11105 @item :exports results
11106 The code block will be evaluated and the results will be placed in the
11107 Org-mode buffer for export, either updating previous results of the code
11108 block located anywhere in the buffer or, if no previous results exist,
11109 placing the results immediately after the code block. The body of the code
11110 block will not be exported.
11111 @item :exports both
11112 Both the code block and its results will be exported.
11113 @item :exports none
11114 Neither the code block nor its results will be exported.
11117 It is possible to inhibit the evaluation of code blocks during export.
11118 Setting the the @code{org-export-babel-evaluate} variable to @code{nil} will
11119 ensure that no code blocks are evaluated as part of the export process. This
11120 can be useful in situations where potentially untrusted Org-mode files are
11121 exported in an automated fashion, for example when Org-mode is used as the
11122 markup language for a wiki.
11124 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
11125 @comment Extracting source code, Evaluating code blocks, Exporting code blocks, Working With Source Code
11126 @node Extracting source code, Evaluating code blocks, Exporting code blocks, Working With Source Code
11127 @section Extracting source code
11128 @cindex source code, extracting
11129 @cindex code block, extracting source code
11131 Creating pure source code files by extracting code from source blocks is
11132 referred to as ``tangling''---a term adopted from the literate programming
11133 community. During ``tangling'' of code blocks their bodies are expanded
11134 using @code{org-babel-expand-src-block} which can expand both variable and
11135 ``noweb'' style references (see @ref{Noweb reference syntax}).
11137 @subsubheading Header arguments
11140 The default. The code block is not included in the tangled output.
11142 Include the code block in the tangled output. The output file name is the
11143 name of the org file with the extension @samp{.org} replaced by the extension
11144 for the block language.
11145 @item :tangle filename
11146 Include the code block in the tangled output to file @samp{filename}.
11150 @subsubheading Functions
11152 @item org-babel-tangle @kbd{C-c C-v t}
11153 Tangle the current file.
11154 @item org-babel-tangle-file
11155 Choose a file to tangle.
11158 @subsubheading Hooks
11160 @item org-babel-post-tangle-hook
11161 This hook is run from within code files tangled by @code{org-babel-tangle}.
11162 Example applications could include post-processing, compilation or evaluation
11163 of tangled code files.
11166 @node Evaluating code blocks, Library of Babel, Extracting source code, Working With Source Code
11167 @section Evaluating code blocks
11168 @cindex code block, evaluating
11169 @cindex source code, evaluating
11171 Code blocks can be evaluated@footnote{Whenever code is evaluated there is a
11172 potential for that code to do harm. Org-mode provides a number of safeguards
11173 to ensure that it only evaluates code with explicit confirmation from the
11174 user. For information on these safeguards (and on how to disable them) see
11175 @ref{Code evaluation security}.} and the results placed in the Org-mode
11176 buffer. By default, evaluation is only turned on for @code{emacs-lisp} code
11177 blocks, however support exists for evaluating blocks in many languages. See
11178 @ref{Languages} for a list of supported languages. See @ref{Structure of
11179 code blocks} for information on the syntax used to define a code block.
11182 There are a number of ways to evaluate code blocks. The simplest is to press
11183 @kbd{C-c C-c} or @kbd{C-c C-v e} with the point on a code block@footnote{The
11184 @code{org-babel-no-eval-on-ctrl-c-ctrl-c} variable can be used to remove code
11185 evaluation from the @kbd{C-c C-c} key binding.}. This will call the
11186 @code{org-babel-execute-src-block} function to evaluate the block and insert
11187 its results into the Org-mode buffer.
11189 It is also possible to evaluate named code blocks from anywhere in an
11190 Org-mode buffer or an Org-mode table. @code{#+call} (or synonymously
11191 @code{#+function} or @code{#+lob}) lines can be used to remotely execute code
11192 blocks located in the current Org-mode buffer or in the ``Library of Babel''
11193 (see @ref{Library of Babel}). These lines use the following syntax.
11196 #+call: <name>(<arguments>) <header arguments>
11197 #+function: <name>(<arguments>) <header arguments>
11198 #+lob: <name>(<arguments>) <header arguments>
11203 The name of the code block to be evaluated.
11205 Arguments specified in this section will be passed to the code block.
11206 @item <header arguments>
11207 Header arguments can be placed after the function invocation. See
11208 @ref{Header arguments} for more information on header arguments.
11212 @node Library of Babel, Languages, Evaluating code blocks, Working With Source Code
11213 @section Library of Babel
11214 @cindex babel, library of
11215 @cindex source code, library
11216 @cindex code block, library
11218 The ``Library of Babel'' is a library of code blocks
11219 that can be called from any Org-mode file. The library is housed in an
11220 Org-mode file located in the @samp{contrib} directory of Org-mode.
11221 Org-mode users can deposit functions they believe to be generally
11222 useful in the library.
11224 Code blocks defined in the ``Library of Babel'' can be called remotely as if
11225 they were in the current Org-mode buffer (see @ref{Evaluating code blocks}
11226 for information on the syntax of remote code block evaluation).
11229 Code blocks located in any Org-mode file can be loaded into the ``Library of
11230 Babel'' with the @code{org-babel-lob-ingest} function, bound to @kbd{C-c C-v
11233 @node Languages, Header arguments, Library of Babel, Working With Source Code
11235 @cindex babel, languages
11236 @cindex source code, languages
11237 @cindex code block, languages
11239 Code blocks in the following languages are supported.
11241 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.3 0.22 0.2
11242 @item @b{Language} @tab @b{Identifier} @tab @b{Language} @tab @b{Identifier}
11243 @item Asymptote @tab asymptote @tab C @tab C
11244 @item C++ @tab C++ @tab Clojure @tab clojure
11245 @item css @tab css @tab ditaa @tab ditaa
11246 @item Graphviz @tab dot @tab Emacs Lisp @tab emacs-lisp
11247 @item gnuplot @tab gnuplot @tab Haskell @tab haskell
11248 @item LaTeX @tab latex @tab Matlab @tab matlab
11249 @item Mscgen @tab mscgen @tab Objective Caml @tab ocaml
11250 @item Octave @tab octave @tab OZ @tab oz
11251 @item Perl @tab perl @tab Python @tab python
11252 @item R @tab R @tab Ruby @tab ruby
11253 @item Sass @tab sass @tab GNU Screen @tab screen
11254 @item shell @tab sh @tab SQL @tab sql
11255 @item Sqlite @tab sqlite
11258 Language-specific documentation is available for some languages. If
11259 available, it can be found at
11260 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-contrib/babel/languages}.
11262 The @code{org-babel-load-languages} controls which languages are enabled for
11263 evaluation (by default only @code{emacs-lisp} is enabled). This variable can
11264 be set using the customization interface or by adding code like the following
11265 to your emacs configuration.
11268 The following disables @code{emacs-lisp} evaluation and enables evaluation of
11269 @code{R} code blocks.
11273 (org-babel-do-load-languages
11274 'org-babel-load-languages
11275 '((emacs-lisp . nil)
11279 It is also possible to enable support for a language by loading the related
11280 elisp file with @code{require}.
11283 The following adds support for evaluating @code{clojure} code blocks.
11287 (require 'ob-clojure)
11290 @node Header arguments, Results of evaluation, Languages, Working With Source Code
11291 @section Header arguments
11292 @cindex code block, header arguments
11293 @cindex source code, block header arguments
11295 Code block functionality can be configured with header arguments. This
11296 section provides an overview of the use of header arguments, and then
11297 describes each header argument in detail.
11300 * Using header arguments:: Different ways to set header arguments
11301 * Specific header arguments:: List of header arguments
11304 @node Using header arguments, Specific header arguments, Header arguments, Header arguments
11305 @subsection Using header arguments
11307 The values of header arguments can be set in five different ways, each more
11308 specific (and having higher priority) than the last.
11310 * System-wide header arguments:: Set global default values
11311 * Language-specific header arguments:: Set default values by language
11312 * Buffer-wide header arguments:: Set default values for a specific buffer
11313 * Header arguments in Org-mode properties:: Set default values for a buffer or heading
11314 * Code block specific header arguments:: The most common way to set values
11318 @node System-wide header arguments, Language-specific header arguments, Using header arguments, Using header arguments
11319 @subsubheading System-wide header arguments
11320 @vindex org-babel-default-header-args
11321 System-wide values of header arguments can be specified by customizing the
11322 @code{org-babel-default-header-args} variable:
11326 :results => "replace"
11333 @c org-babel-default-header-args is a variable defined in `org-babel.el'.
11335 @c ((:session . "none")
11336 @c (:results . "replace")
11337 @c (:exports . "code")
11339 @c (:noweb . "no"))
11343 @c Default arguments to use when evaluating a code block.
11346 For example, the following example could be used to set the default value of
11347 @code{:noweb} header arguments to @code{yes}. This would have the effect of
11348 expanding @code{:noweb} references by default when evaluating source code
11352 (setq org-babel-default-header-args
11353 (cons '(:noweb . "yes")
11354 (assq-delete-all :noweb org-babel-default-header-args)))
11357 @node Language-specific header arguments, Buffer-wide header arguments, System-wide header arguments, Using header arguments
11358 @subsubheading Language-specific header arguments
11359 Each language can define its own set of default header arguments. See the
11360 language-specific documentation available online at
11361 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-contrib/babel}.
11363 @node Buffer-wide header arguments, Header arguments in Org-mode properties, Language-specific header arguments, Using header arguments
11364 @subsubheading Buffer-wide header arguments
11365 Buffer-wide header arguments may be specified through the use of a special
11366 line placed anywhere in an Org-mode file. The line consists of the
11367 @code{#+BABEL:} keyword followed by a series of header arguments which may be
11368 specified using the standard header argument syntax.
11370 For example the following would set @code{session} to @code{*R*}, and
11371 @code{results} to @code{silent} for every code block in the buffer, ensuring
11372 that all execution took place in the same session, and no results would be
11373 inserted into the buffer.
11376 #+BABEL: :session *R* :results silent
11379 @node Header arguments in Org-mode properties, Code block specific header arguments, Buffer-wide header arguments, Using header arguments
11380 @subsubheading Header arguments in Org-mode properties
11382 Header arguments are also read from Org-mode properties (see @ref{Property
11383 syntax}), which can be set on a buffer-wide or per-heading basis. An example
11384 of setting a header argument for all code blocks in a buffer is
11387 #+property: tangle yes
11390 When properties are used to set default header arguments, they are looked up
11391 with inheritance, so the value of the @code{:cache} header argument will default
11392 to @code{yes} in all code blocks in the subtree rooted at the following
11403 @vindex org-babel-default-header-args
11404 Properties defined in this way override the properties set in
11405 @code{org-babel-default-header-args}. It is convenient to use the
11406 @code{org-set-property} function bound to @kbd{C-c C-x p} to set properties
11407 in Org-mode documents.
11409 @node Code block specific header arguments, , Header arguments in Org-mode properties, Using header arguments
11410 @subsubheading Code block specific header arguments
11412 The most common way to assign values to header arguments is at the
11413 code block level. This can be done by listing a sequence of header
11414 arguments and their values as part of the @code{#+begin_src} line.
11415 Properties set in this way override both the values of
11416 @code{org-babel-default-header-args} and header arguments specified as
11417 properties. In the following example, the @code{:results} header argument
11418 is set to @code{silent}, meaning the results of execution will not be
11419 inserted in the buffer, and the @code{:exports} header argument is set to
11420 @code{code}, meaning only the body of the code block will be
11421 preserved on export to HTML or LaTeX.
11424 #+source: factorial
11425 #+begin_src haskell :results silent :exports code :var n=0
11427 fac n = n * fac (n-1)
11431 Similarly, it is possible to set header arguments for inline code blocks:
11434 src_haskell[:exports both]@{fac 5@}
11437 Header arguments for ``Library of Babel'' or function call lines can be set as shown below:
11440 #+call: factorial(n=5) :exports results
11443 @node Specific header arguments, , Using header arguments, Header arguments
11444 @subsection Specific header arguments
11445 The following header arguments are defined:
11448 * var:: Pass arguments to code blocks
11449 * results:: Specify the type of results and how they will
11450 be collected and handled
11451 * file:: Specify a path for file output
11452 * dir:: Specify the default (possibly remote)
11453 directory for code block execution
11454 * exports:: Export code and/or results
11455 * tangle:: Toggle tangling and specify file name
11456 * no-expand:: Turn off variable assignment and noweb
11457 expansion during tangling
11458 * comments:: Toggle insertion of comments in tangled
11460 * session:: Preserve the state of code evaluation
11461 * noweb:: Toggle expansion of noweb references
11462 * cache:: Avoid re-evaluating unchanged code blocks
11463 * hlines:: Handle horizontal lines in tables
11464 * colnames:: Handle column names in tables
11465 * rownames:: Handle row names in tables
11466 * shebang:: Make tangled files executable
11467 * eval:: Limit evaluation of specific code blocks
11470 @node var, results, Specific header arguments, Specific header arguments
11471 @subsubsection @code{:var}
11472 The @code{:var} header argument is used to pass arguments to code blocks.
11473 The specifics of how arguments are included in a code block vary by language;
11474 these are addressed in the language-specific documentation. However, the
11475 syntax used to specify arguments is the same across all languages. The
11476 values passed to arguments can be literal values, values from org-mode tables
11477 and literal example blocks, or the results of other code blocks.
11479 These values can be indexed in a manner similar to arrays---see the
11480 ``indexable variable values'' heading below.
11482 The following syntax is used to pass arguments to code blocks using the
11483 @code{:var} header argument.
11489 where @code{assign} can take one of the following forms
11492 @item literal value
11493 either a string @code{"string"} or a number @code{9}.
11498 #+tblname: example-table
11504 #+source: table-length
11505 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var table=example-table
11509 #+results: table-length
11513 a code block name, as assigned by @code{#+srcname:}, followed by
11517 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var length=table-length()
11525 In addition, an argument can be passed to the code block referenced
11526 by @code{:var}. The argument is passed within the parentheses following the
11531 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var input=8
11539 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var input=double(input=1)
11548 @subsubheading Alternate argument syntax
11549 It is also possible to specify arguments in a potentially more natural way
11550 using the @code{#+source:} line of a code block. As in the following
11551 example arguments can be packed inside of parenthesis, separated by commas,
11552 following the source name.
11555 #+source: double(input=0, x=2)
11556 #+begin_src emacs-lisp
11561 @subsubheading Indexable variable values
11562 It is possible to reference portions of variable values by ``indexing'' into
11563 the variables. Indexes are 0 based with negative values counting back from
11564 the end. If an index is separated by @code{,}s then each subsequent section
11565 will index into the next deepest nesting or dimension of the value. The
11566 following example assigns the last cell of the first row the table
11567 @code{example-table} to the variable @code{data}:
11570 #+results: example-table
11576 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var data=example-table[0,-1]
11584 Ranges of variable values can be referenced using two integers separated by a
11585 @code{:}, in which case the entire inclusive range is referenced. For
11586 example the following assigns the middle three rows of @code{example-table}
11590 #+results: example-table
11597 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var data=example-table[1:3]
11607 Additionally, an empty index, or the single character @code{*}, are both
11608 interpreted to mean the entire range and as such are equivalent to
11609 @code{0:-1}, as shown in the following example in which the entire first
11610 column is referenced.
11613 #+results: example-table
11619 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var data=example-table[,0]
11627 It is possible to index into the results of code blocks as well as tables.
11628 Any number of dimensions can be indexed. Dimensions are separated from one
11629 another by commas, as shown in the following example.
11633 #+begin_src emacs-lisp
11634 '(((1 2 3) (4 5 6) (7 8 9))
11635 ((10 11 12) (13 14 15) (16 17 18))
11636 ((19 20 21) (22 23 24) (25 26 27)))
11639 #+begin_src emacs-lisp :var data=3D[1,,1]
11647 @node results, file, var, Specific header arguments
11648 @subsubsection @code{:results}
11650 There are three classes of @code{:results} header argument. Only one option of
11651 each type may be supplied per code block.
11655 @b{collection} header arguments specify how the results should be collected
11656 from the code block
11658 @b{type} header arguments specify what type of result the code block will
11659 return---which has implications for how they will be inserted into the
11662 @b{handling} header arguments specify how the results of evaluating the code
11663 block should be handled.
11666 @subsubheading Collection
11667 The following options are mutually exclusive, and specify how the results
11668 should be collected from the code block.
11672 This is the default. The result is the value of the last statement in the
11673 code block. This header argument places the evaluation in functional
11674 mode. Note that in some languages, e.g., python, use of this result type
11675 requires that a @code{return} statement be included in the body of the source
11676 code block. E.g., @code{:results value}.
11677 @item @code{output}
11678 The result is the collection of everything printed to STDOUT during the
11679 execution of the code block. This header argument places the
11680 evaluation in scripting mode. E.g., @code{:results output}.
11683 @subsubheading Type
11685 The following options are mutually exclusive and specify what type of results
11686 the code block will return. By default, results are inserted as either a
11687 table or scalar depending on their value.
11690 @item @code{table}, @code{vector}
11691 The results should be interpreted as an Org-mode table. If a single value is
11692 returned, it will be converted into a table with one row and one column.
11693 E.g., @code{:results value table}.
11694 @item @code{scalar}, @code{verbatim}
11695 The results should be interpreted literally---they will not be
11696 converted into a table. The results will be inserted into the Org-mode
11697 buffer as quoted text. E.g., @code{:results value verbatim}.
11699 The results will be interpreted as the path to a file, and will be inserted
11700 into the Org-mode buffer as a file link. E.g., @code{:results value file}.
11701 @item @code{raw}, @code{org}
11702 The results are interpreted as raw Org-mode code and are inserted directly
11703 into the buffer. If the results look like a table they will be aligned as
11704 such by Org-mode. E.g., @code{:results value raw}.
11706 Results are assumed to be HTML and will be enclosed in a @code{begin_html}
11707 block. E.g., @code{:results value html}.
11709 Results assumed to be LaTeX and are enclosed in a @code{begin_latex} block.
11710 E.g., @code{:results value latex}.
11712 Result are assumed to be parseable code and are enclosed in a code block.
11713 E.g., @code{:results value code}.
11715 The result is converted to pretty-printed code and is enclosed in a code
11716 block. This option currently supports Emacs Lisp, python, and ruby. E.g.,
11717 @code{:results value pp}.
11720 @subsubheading Handling
11721 The following results options indicate what happens with the
11722 results once they are collected.
11725 @item @code{silent}
11726 The results will be echoed in the minibuffer but will not be inserted into
11727 the Org-mode buffer. E.g., @code{:results output silent}.
11728 @item @code{replace}
11729 The default value. Any existing results will be removed, and the new results
11730 will be inserted into the Org-mode buffer in their place. E.g.,
11731 @code{:results output replace}.
11732 @item @code{append}
11733 If there are pre-existing results of the code block then the new results will
11734 be appended to the existing results. Otherwise the new results will be
11735 inserted as with @code{replace}.
11736 @item @code{prepend}
11737 If there are pre-existing results of the code block then the new results will
11738 be prepended to the existing results. Otherwise the new results will be
11739 inserted as with @code{replace}.
11742 @node file, dir, results, Specific header arguments
11743 @subsubsection @code{:file}
11745 The header argument @code{:file} is used to specify a path for file output.
11746 An Org-mode style @code{file:} link is inserted into the buffer as the result
11747 (see @ref{Link format}). Common examples are graphical output from R,
11748 gnuplot, ditaa and LaTeX code blocks.
11750 Note that for some languages, including R, gnuplot, LaTeX and ditaa,
11751 graphical output is sent to the specified file without the file being
11752 referenced explicitly in the code block. See the documentation for the
11753 individual languages for details. In contrast, general purpose languages such
11754 as python and ruby require that the code explicitly create output
11755 corresponding to the path indicated by @code{:file}.
11758 @node dir, exports, file, Specific header arguments
11759 @subsubsection @code{:dir} and remote execution
11761 While the @code{:file} header argument can be used to specify the path to the
11762 output file, @code{:dir} specifies the default directory during code block
11763 execution. If it is absent, then the directory associated with the current
11764 buffer is used. In other words, supplying @code{:dir path} temporarily has
11765 the same effect as changing the current directory with @kbd{M-x cd path}, and
11766 then not supplying @code{:dir}. Under the surface, @code{:dir} simply sets
11767 the value of the Emacs variable @code{default-directory}.
11769 When using @code{:dir}, you should supply a relative path for file output
11770 (e.g. @code{:file myfile.jpg} or @code{:file results/myfile.jpg}) in which
11771 case that path will be interpreted relative to the default directory.
11773 In other words, if you want your plot to go into a folder called Work in your
11774 home directory, you could use
11777 #+begin_src R :file myplot.png :dir ~/Work
11778 matplot(matrix(rnorm(100), 10), type="l")
11782 @subsubheading Remote execution
11783 A directory on a remote machine can be specified using tramp file syntax, in
11784 which case the code will be evaluated on the remote machine. An example is
11787 #+begin_src R :file plot.png :dir /dand@@yakuba.princeton.edu:
11788 plot(1:10, main=system("hostname", intern=TRUE))
11792 Text results will be returned to the local Org-mode buffer as usual, and file
11793 output will be created on the remote machine with relative paths interpreted
11794 relative to the remote directory. An Org-mode link to the remote file will be
11797 So, in the above example a plot will be created on the remote machine,
11798 and a link of the following form will be inserted in the org buffer:
11801 [[file:/scp:dand@@yakuba.princeton.edu:/home/dand/plot.png][plot.png]]
11804 Most of this functionality follows immediately from the fact that @code{:dir}
11805 sets the value of the Emacs variable @code{default-directory}, thanks to
11806 tramp. Those using XEmacs, or GNU Emacs prior to version 23 may need to
11807 install tramp separately in order for the these features to work correctly.
11809 @subsubheading Further points
11813 If @code{:dir} is used in conjunction with @code{:session}, although it will
11814 determine the starting directory for a new session as expected, no attempt is
11815 currently made to alter the directory associated with an existing session.
11817 @code{:dir} should typically not be used to create files during export with
11818 @code{:exports results} or @code{:exports both}. The reason is that, in order
11819 to retain portability of exported material between machines, during export
11820 links inserted into the buffer will *not* be expanded against @code{default
11821 directory}. Therefore, if @code{default-directory} is altered using
11822 @code{:dir}, it is probable that the file will be created in a location to
11823 which the link does not point.
11826 @node exports, tangle, dir, Specific header arguments
11827 @subsubsection @code{:exports}
11829 The @code{:exports} header argument specifies what should be included in HTML
11830 or LaTeX exports of the Org-mode file.
11834 The default. The body of code is included into the exported file. E.g.,
11835 @code{:exports code}.
11836 @item @code{results}
11837 The result of evaluating the code is included in the exported file. E.g.,
11838 @code{:exports results}.
11840 Both the code and results are included in the exported file. E.g.,
11841 @code{:exports both}.
11843 Nothing is included in the exported file. E.g., @code{:exports none}.
11846 @node tangle, comments, exports, Specific header arguments
11847 @subsubsection @code{:tangle}
11849 The @code{:tangle} header argument specifies whether or not the code
11850 block should be included in tangled extraction of source code files.
11854 The code block is exported to a source code file named after the
11855 basename (name w/o extension) of the Org-mode file. E.g., @code{:tangle
11858 The default. The code block is not exported to a source code file.
11859 E.g., @code{:tangle no}.
11861 Any other string passed to the @code{:tangle} header argument is interpreted
11862 as a file basename to which the block will be exported. E.g., @code{:tangle
11866 @node comments, no-expand, tangle, Specific header arguments
11867 @subsubsection @code{:comments}
11868 By default code blocks are tangled to source-code files without any insertion
11869 of comments beyond those which may already exist in the body of the code
11870 block. The @code{:comments} header argument can be set to ``yes''
11871 e.g. @code{:comments yes} to enable the insertion of comments around code
11872 blocks during tangling. The inserted comments contain pointers back to the
11873 original Org file from which the comment was tangled.
11875 @node no-expand, session, comments, Specific header arguments
11876 @subsubsection @code{:no-expand}
11878 By default, code blocks are expanded with @code{org-babel-expand-src-block}
11879 during tangling. This has the effect of assigning values to variables
11880 specified with @code{:var} (see @ref{var}), and of replacing ``noweb''
11881 references (see @ref{Noweb reference syntax}) with their targets. The
11882 @code{:no-expand} header argument can be used to turn off this behavior.
11884 @node session, noweb, no-expand, Specific header arguments
11885 @subsubsection @code{:session}
11887 The @code{:session} header argument starts a session for an interpreted
11888 language where state is preserved.
11890 By default, a session is not started.
11892 A string passed to the @code{:session} header argument will give the session
11893 a name. This makes it possible to run concurrent sessions for each
11894 interpreted language.
11896 @node noweb, cache, session, Specific header arguments
11897 @subsubsection @code{:noweb}
11899 The @code{:noweb} header argument controls expansion of ``noweb'' style (see
11900 @ref{Noweb reference syntax}) references in a code block. This header
11901 argument can have one of two values: @code{yes} or @code{no}.
11905 The default. No ``noweb'' syntax specific action is taken on evaluating
11906 code blocks, However, noweb references will still be expanded during
11909 All ``noweb'' syntax references in the body of the code block will be
11910 expanded before the block is evaluated.
11913 @subsubheading Noweb prefix lines
11914 Noweb insertions are now placed behind the line prefix of the
11915 @code{<<reference>>}.
11916 This behavior is illustrated in the following example. Because the
11917 @code{<<example>>} noweb reference appears behind the SQL comment syntax,
11918 each line of the expanded noweb reference will be commented.
11931 -- multi-line body of example
11934 Note that noweb replacement text that does not contain any newlines will not
11935 be affected by this change, so it is still possible to use inline noweb
11938 @node cache, hlines, noweb, Specific header arguments
11939 @subsubsection @code{:cache}
11941 The @code{:cache} header argument controls the use of in-buffer caching of
11942 the results of evaluating code blocks. It can be used to avoid re-evaluating
11943 unchanged code blocks. This header argument can have one of two
11944 values: @code{yes} or @code{no}.
11948 The default. No caching takes place, and the code block will be evaluated
11949 every time it is called.
11951 Every time the code block is run a sha1 hash of the code and arguments
11952 passed to the block will be generated. This hash is packed into the
11953 @code{#+results:} line and will be checked on subsequent
11954 executions of the code block. If the code block has not
11955 changed since the last time it was evaluated, it will not be re-evaluated.
11958 @node hlines, colnames, cache, Specific header arguments
11959 @subsubsection @code{:hlines}
11961 Tables are frequently represented with one or more horizontal lines, or
11962 hlines. The @code{:hlines} argument to a code block accepts the
11963 values @code{yes} or @code{no}, with a default value of @code{no}.
11967 Strips horizontal lines from the input table. In most languages this is the
11968 desired effect because an @code{hline} symbol is interpreted as an unbound
11969 variable and raises an error. Setting @code{:hlines no} or relying on the
11970 default value yields the following results.
11973 #+tblname: many-cols
11980 #+source: echo-table
11981 #+begin_src python :var tab=many-cols
11985 #+results: echo-table
11992 Leaves hlines in the table. Setting @code{:hlines yes} has this effect.
11995 #+tblname: many-cols
12002 #+source: echo-table
12003 #+begin_src python :var tab=many-cols :hlines yes
12007 #+results: echo-table
12016 @node colnames, rownames, hlines, Specific header arguments
12017 @subsubsection @code{:colnames}
12019 The @code{:colnames} header argument accepts the values @code{yes},
12020 @code{no}, or @code{nil} for unassigned. The default value is @code{nil}.
12024 If an input table looks like it has column names
12025 (because its second row is an hline), then the column
12026 names will be removed from the table before
12027 processing, then reapplied to the results.
12030 #+tblname: less-cols
12036 #+srcname: echo-table-again
12037 #+begin_src python :var tab=less-cols
12038 return [[val + '*' for val in row] for row in tab]
12041 #+results: echo-table-again
12049 No column name pre-processing takes place
12052 Column names are removed and reapplied as with @code{nil} even if the table
12053 does not ``look like'' it has column names (i.e. the second row is not an
12057 @node rownames, shebang, colnames, Specific header arguments
12058 @subsubsection @code{:rownames}
12060 The @code{:rownames} header argument can take on the values @code{yes}
12061 or @code{no}, with a default value of @code{no}.
12065 No row name pre-processing will take place.
12068 The first column of the table is removed from the table before processing,
12069 and is then reapplied to the results.
12072 #+tblname: with-rownames
12073 | one | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
12074 | two | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
12076 #+srcname: echo-table-once-again
12077 #+begin_src python :var tab=with-rownames :rownames yes
12078 return [[val + 10 for val in row] for row in tab]
12081 #+results: echo-table-once-again
12082 | one | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
12083 | two | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
12087 @node shebang, eval, rownames, Specific header arguments
12088 @subsubsection @code{:shebang}
12090 Setting the @code{:shebang} header argument to a string value
12091 (e.g. @code{:shebang "#!/bin/bash"}) causes the string to be inserted as the
12092 first line of any tangled file holding the code block, and the file
12093 permissions of the tangled file are set to make it executable.
12095 @node eval, , shebang, Specific header arguments
12096 @subsubsection @code{:eval}
12097 The @code{:eval} header argument can be used to limit the evaluation of
12098 specific code blocks. @code{:eval} accepts two arguments ``never'' and
12099 ``query''. @code{:eval never} will ensure that a code block is never
12100 evaluated, this can be useful for protecting against the evaluation of
12101 dangerous code blocks. @code{:eval query} will require a query for every
12102 execution of a code block regardless of the value of the
12103 @code{org-confirm-babel-evaluate} variable.
12105 @node Results of evaluation, Noweb reference syntax, Header arguments, Working With Source Code
12106 @section Results of evaluation
12107 @cindex code block, results of evaluation
12108 @cindex source code, results of evaluation
12110 The way in which results are handled depends on whether a session is invoked,
12111 as well as on whether @code{:results value} or @code{:results output} is
12112 used. The following table shows the possibilities:
12114 @multitable @columnfractions 0.26 0.33 0.41
12115 @item @tab @b{Non-session} @tab @b{Session}
12116 @item @code{:results value} @tab value of last expression @tab value of last expression
12117 @item @code{:results output} @tab contents of STDOUT @tab concatenation of interpreter output
12120 Note: With @code{:results value}, the result in both @code{:session} and
12121 non-session is returned to Org-mode as a table (a one- or two-dimensional
12122 vector of strings or numbers) when appropriate.
12124 @subsection Non-session
12125 @subsubsection @code{:results value}
12126 This is the default. Internally, the value is obtained by wrapping the code
12127 in a function definition in the external language, and evaluating that
12128 function. Therefore, code should be written as if it were the body of such a
12129 function. In particular, note that python does not automatically return a
12130 value from a function unless a @code{return} statement is present, and so a
12131 @samp{return} statement will usually be required in python.
12133 This is the only one of the four evaluation contexts in which the code is
12134 automatically wrapped in a function definition.
12136 @subsubsection @code{:results output}
12137 The code is passed to the interpreter as an external process, and the
12138 contents of the standard output stream are returned as text. (In certain
12139 languages this also contains the error output stream; this is an area for
12142 @subsection @code{:session}
12143 @subsubsection @code{:results value}
12144 The code is passed to the interpreter running as an interactive Emacs
12145 inferior process. The result returned is the result of the last evaluation
12146 performed by the interpreter. (This is obtained in a language-specific
12147 manner: the value of the variable @code{_} in python and ruby, and the value
12148 of @code{.Last.value} in R).
12150 @subsubsection @code{:results output}
12151 The code is passed to the interpreter running as an interactive Emacs
12152 inferior process. The result returned is the concatenation of the sequence of
12153 (text) output from the interactive interpreter. Notice that this is not
12154 necessarily the same as what would be sent to @code{STDOUT} if the same code
12155 were passed to a non-interactive interpreter running as an external
12156 process. For example, compare the following two blocks:
12159 #+begin_src python :results output
12170 In non-session mode, the '2' is not printed and does not appear.
12172 #+begin_src python :results output :session
12184 But in @code{:session} mode, the interactive interpreter receives input '2'
12185 and prints out its value, '2'. (Indeed, the other print statements are
12188 @node Noweb reference syntax, Key bindings and useful functions, Results of evaluation, Working With Source Code
12189 @section Noweb reference syntax
12190 @cindex code block, noweb reference
12191 @cindex syntax, noweb
12192 @cindex source code, noweb reference
12194 The ``noweb'' (see @uref{http://www.cs.tufts.edu/~nr/noweb/}) Literate
12195 Programming system allows named blocks of code to be referenced by using the
12196 familiar Noweb syntax:
12199 <<code-block-name>>
12202 When a code block is tangled or evaluated, whether or not ``noweb''
12203 references are expanded depends upon the value of the @code{:noweb} header
12204 argument. If @code{:noweb yes}, then a Noweb reference is expanded before
12205 evaluation. If @code{:noweb no}, the default, then the reference is not
12206 expanded before evaluation.
12208 Note: the default value, @code{:noweb no}, was chosen to ensure that
12209 correct code is not broken in a language, such as Ruby, where
12210 @code{<<arg>>} is a syntactically valid construct. If @code{<<arg>>} is not
12211 syntactically valid in languages that you use, then please consider setting
12214 @node Key bindings and useful functions, Batch execution, Noweb reference syntax, Working With Source Code
12215 @section Key bindings and useful functions
12216 @cindex code block, key bindings
12218 Many common Org-mode key sequences are re-bound depending on
12221 Within a code block, the following key bindings
12224 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
12226 @item @kbd{C-c C-c} @tab org-babel-execute-src-block
12228 @item @kbd{C-c C-o} @tab org-babel-open-src-block-result
12230 @item @kbd{C-@key{up}} @tab org-babel-load-in-session
12232 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab org-babel-pop-to-session
12235 In an Org-mode buffer, the following key bindings are active:
12237 @multitable @columnfractions 0.45 0.55
12239 @kindex C-c C-v C-a
12240 @item @kbd{C-c C-v a} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-a} @tab org-babel-sha1-hash
12242 @kindex C-c C-v C-b
12243 @item @kbd{C-c C-v b} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-b} @tab org-babel-execute-buffer
12245 @kindex C-c C-v C-f
12246 @item @kbd{C-c C-v f} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-f} @tab org-babel-tangle-file
12248 @item @kbd{C-c C-v g} @tab org-babel-goto-named-source-block
12250 @item @kbd{C-c C-v h} @tab org-babel-describe-bindings
12252 @kindex C-c C-v C-l
12253 @item @kbd{C-c C-v l} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-l} @tab org-babel-lob-ingest
12255 @kindex C-c C-v C-p
12256 @item @kbd{C-c C-v p} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-p} @tab org-babel-expand-src-block
12258 @kindex C-c C-v C-s
12259 @item @kbd{C-c C-v s} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-s} @tab org-babel-execute-subtree
12261 @kindex C-c C-v C-t
12262 @item @kbd{C-c C-v t} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-t} @tab org-babel-tangle
12264 @kindex C-c C-v C-z
12265 @item @kbd{C-c C-v z} @ @ @r{or} @ @ @kbd{C-c C-v C-z} @tab org-babel-switch-to-session
12268 @c When possible these keybindings were extended to work when the control key is
12269 @c kept pressed, resulting in the following additional keybindings.
12271 @c @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
12272 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-a} @tab org-babel-sha1-hash
12273 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-b} @tab org-babel-execute-buffer
12274 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-f} @tab org-babel-tangle-file
12275 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-l} @tab org-babel-lob-ingest
12276 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-p} @tab org-babel-expand-src-block
12277 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-s} @tab org-babel-execute-subtree
12278 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-t} @tab org-babel-tangle
12279 @c @item @kbd{C-c C-v C-z} @tab org-babel-switch-to-session
12282 @node Batch execution, , Key bindings and useful functions, Working With Source Code
12283 @section Batch execution
12284 @cindex code block, batch execution
12285 @cindex source code, batch execution
12287 It is possible to call functions from the command line. This shell
12288 script calls @code{org-babel-tangle} on every one of its arguments.
12290 Be sure to adjust the paths to fit your system.
12294 # -*- mode: shell-script -*-
12296 # tangle a file with org-mode
12301 # wrap each argument in the code required to call tangle on it
12303 FILES="$FILES \"$i\""
12308 (add-to-list 'load-path (expand-file-name \"~/src/org/lisp/\"))
12309 (add-to-list 'load-path (expand-file-name \"~/src/org/contrib/lisp/\"))
12310 (require 'org)(require 'org-exp)(require 'ob)(require 'ob-tangle)
12311 (mapc (lambda (file)
12312 (find-file (expand-file-name file \"$DIR\"))
12314 (kill-buffer)) '($FILES)))"
12317 @node Miscellaneous, Hacking, Working With Source Code, Top
12318 @chapter Miscellaneous
12321 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
12322 * Speed keys:: Electric commands at the beginning of a headline
12323 * Code evaluation security:: Org mode files evaluate inline code
12324 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
12325 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
12326 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
12327 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
12328 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
12329 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
12333 @node Completion, Speed keys, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous
12334 @section Completion
12335 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
12336 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
12337 @cindex completion, of dictionary words
12338 @cindex completion, of option keywords
12339 @cindex completion, of tags
12340 @cindex completion, of property keys
12341 @cindex completion, of link abbreviations
12342 @cindex @TeX{} symbol completion
12343 @cindex TODO keywords completion
12344 @cindex dictionary word completion
12345 @cindex option keyword completion
12346 @cindex tag completion
12347 @cindex link abbreviations, completion of
12349 Emacs would not be Emacs without completion, and Org-mode uses it whenever it
12350 makes sense. If you prefer an @i{iswitchb}- or @i{ido}-like interface for
12351 some of the completion prompts, you can specify your preference by setting at
12352 most one of the variables @code{org-completion-use-iswitchb}
12353 @code{org-completion-use-ido}.
12355 Org supports in-buffer completion. This type of completion does
12356 not make use of the minibuffer. You simply type a few letters into
12357 the buffer and use the key to complete text right there.
12360 @kindex M-@key{TAB}
12362 Complete word at point
12365 At the beginning of a headline, complete TODO keywords.
12367 After @samp{\}, complete @TeX{} symbols supported by the exporter.
12369 After @samp{*}, complete headlines in the current buffer so that they
12370 can be used in search links like @samp{[[*find this headline]]}.
12372 After @samp{:} in a headline, complete tags. The list of tags is taken
12373 from the variable @code{org-tag-alist} (possibly set through the
12374 @samp{#+TAGS} in-buffer option, @pxref{Setting tags}), or it is created
12375 dynamically from all tags used in the current buffer.
12377 After @samp{:} and not in a headline, complete property keys. The list
12378 of keys is constructed dynamically from all keys used in the current
12381 After @samp{[}, complete link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}).
12383 After @samp{#+}, complete the special keywords like @samp{TYP_TODO} or
12384 @samp{OPTIONS} which set file-specific options for Org-mode. When the
12385 option keyword is already complete, pressing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} again
12386 will insert example settings for this keyword.
12388 In the line after @samp{#+STARTUP: }, complete startup keywords,
12389 i.e. valid keys for this line.
12391 Elsewhere, complete dictionary words using Ispell.
12395 @node Speed keys, Code evaluation security, Completion, Miscellaneous
12396 @section Speed keys
12398 @vindex org-use-speed-commands
12399 @vindex org-speed-commands-user
12401 Single keys can be made to execute commands when the cursor is at the
12402 beginning of a headline, i.e. before the first star. Configure the variable
12403 @code{org-use-speed-commands} to activate this feature. There is a
12404 pre-defined list of commands, and you can add more such commands using the
12405 variable @code{org-speed-commands-user}. Speed keys do not only speed up
12406 navigation and other commands, but they also provide an alternative way to
12407 execute commands bound to keys that are not or not easily available on a tty,
12408 or on a small mobile device with a limited keyboard.
12410 To see which commands are available, activate the feature and press @kbd{?}
12411 with the cursor at the beginning of a headline.
12413 @node Code evaluation security, Customization, Speed keys, Miscellaneous
12414 @section Code evaluation and security issues
12416 Org provides tools to work with the code snippets, including evaluating them.
12418 Running code on your machine always comes with a security risk. Badly
12419 written or malicious code can be executed on purpose or by accident. Org has
12420 default settings which will only evaluate such code if you give explicit
12421 permission to do so, and as a casual user of these features you should leave
12422 these precautions intact.
12424 For people who regularly work with such code, the confirmation prompts can
12425 become annoying, and you might want to turn them off. This can be done, but
12426 you must be aware of the risks that are involved.
12428 Code evaluation can happen under the following circumstances:
12431 @item Source code blocks
12432 Source code blocks can be evaluated during export, or when pressing @kbd{C-c
12433 C-c} in the block. The most important thing to realize here is that Org mode
12434 files which contain code snippets are, in a certain sense, like executable
12435 files. So you should accept them and load them into Emacs only from trusted
12436 sources - just like you would do with a program you install on your computer.
12438 Make sure you know what you are doing before customizing the variables
12439 which take off the default security brakes.
12441 @defopt org-confirm-babel-evaluate
12442 When set to t user is queried before code block evaluation
12445 @item Following @code{shell} and @code{elisp} links
12446 Org has two link types that can directly evaluate code (@pxref{External
12447 links}). These links can be problematic because the code to be evaluated is
12450 @defopt org-confirm-shell-link-function
12451 Function to queries user about shell link execution.
12453 @defopt org-confirm-elisp-link-function
12454 Functions to query user for Emacs Lisp link execution.
12457 @item Formulas in tables
12458 Formulas in tables (@pxref{The spreadsheet}) are code that is evaluated
12459 either by the @i{calc} interpreter, or by the @i{Emacs Lisp} interpreter.
12462 @node Customization, In-buffer settings, Code evaluation security, Miscellaneous
12463 @section Customization
12464 @cindex customization
12465 @cindex options, for customization
12466 @cindex variables, for customization
12468 There are more than 180 variables that can be used to customize
12469 Org. For the sake of compactness of the manual, I am not
12470 describing the variables here. A structured overview of customization
12471 variables is available with @kbd{M-x org-customize}. Or select
12472 @code{Browse Org Group} from the @code{Org->Customization} menu. Many
12473 settings can also be activated on a per-file basis, by putting special
12474 lines into the buffer (@pxref{In-buffer settings}).
12476 @node In-buffer settings, The very busy C-c C-c key, Customization, Miscellaneous
12477 @section Summary of in-buffer settings
12478 @cindex in-buffer settings
12479 @cindex special keywords
12481 Org-mode uses special lines in the buffer to define settings on a
12482 per-file basis. These lines start with a @samp{#+} followed by a
12483 keyword, a colon, and then individual words defining a setting. Several
12484 setting words can be in the same line, but you can also have multiple
12485 lines for the keyword. While these settings are described throughout
12486 the manual, here is a summary. After changing any of those lines in the
12487 buffer, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to
12488 activate the changes immediately. Otherwise they become effective only
12489 when the file is visited again in a new Emacs session.
12491 @vindex org-archive-location
12493 @item #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
12494 This line sets the archive location for the agenda file. It applies for
12495 all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+ARCHIVE} line, or the end
12496 of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
12497 The corresponding variable is @code{org-archive-location}.
12499 This line sets the category for the agenda file. The category applies
12500 for all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+CATEGORY} line, or the
12501 end of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
12502 @item #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM .....
12503 @cindex property, COLUMNS
12504 Set the default format for columns view. This format applies when
12505 columns view is invoked in locations where no @code{COLUMNS} property
12507 @item #+CONSTANTS: name1=value1 ...
12508 @vindex org-table-formula-constants
12509 @vindex org-table-formula
12510 Set file-local values for constants to be used in table formulas. This
12511 line set the local variable @code{org-table-formula-constants-local}.
12512 The global version of this variable is
12513 @code{org-table-formula-constants}.
12514 @item #+FILETAGS: :tag1:tag2:tag3:
12515 Set tags that can be inherited by any entry in the file, including the
12517 @item #+DRAWERS: NAME1 .....
12518 @vindex org-drawers
12519 Set the file-local set of drawers. The corresponding global variable is
12520 @code{org-drawers}.
12521 @item #+LINK: linkword replace
12522 @vindex org-link-abbrev-alist
12523 These lines (several are allowed) specify link abbreviations.
12524 @xref{Link abbreviations}. The corresponding variable is
12525 @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}.
12526 @item #+PRIORITIES: highest lowest default
12527 @vindex org-highest-priority
12528 @vindex org-lowest-priority
12529 @vindex org-default-priority
12530 This line sets the limits and the default for the priorities. All three
12531 must be either letters A-Z or numbers 0-9. The highest priority must
12532 have a lower ASCII number that the lowest priority.
12533 @item #+PROPERTY: Property_Name Value
12534 This line sets a default inheritance value for entries in the current
12535 buffer, most useful for specifying the allowed values of a property.
12536 @cindex #+SETUPFILE
12537 @item #+SETUPFILE: file
12538 This line defines a file that holds more in-buffer setup. Normally this is
12539 entirely ignored. Only when the buffer is parsed for option-setting lines
12540 (i.e. when starting Org-mode for a file, when pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} in a
12541 settings line, or when exporting), then the contents of this file are parsed
12542 as if they had been included in the buffer. In particular, the file can be
12543 any other Org-mode file with internal setup. You can visit the file the
12544 cursor is in the line with @kbd{C-c '}.
12547 This line sets options to be used at startup of Org-mode, when an
12548 Org file is being visited.
12550 The first set of options deals with the initial visibility of the outline
12551 tree. The corresponding variable for global default settings is
12552 @code{org-startup-folded}, with a default value @code{t}, which means
12554 @vindex org-startup-folded
12555 @cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
12556 @cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
12557 @cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
12558 @cindex @code{showeverything}, STARTUP keyword
12560 overview @r{top-level headlines only}
12561 content @r{all headlines}
12562 showall @r{no folding of any entries}
12563 showeverything @r{show even drawer contents}
12566 @vindex org-startup-indented
12567 @cindex @code{indent}, STARTUP keyword
12568 @cindex @code{noindent}, STARTUP keyword
12569 Dynamic virtual indentation is controlled by the variable
12570 @code{org-startup-indented}@footnote{Emacs 23 and Org-mode 6.29 are required}
12572 indent @r{start with @code{org-indent-mode} turned on}
12573 noindent @r{start with @code{org-indent-mode} turned off}
12576 @vindex org-startup-align-all-tables
12577 Then there are options for aligning tables upon visiting a file. This
12578 is useful in files containing narrowed table columns. The corresponding
12579 variable is @code{org-startup-align-all-tables}, with a default value
12581 @cindex @code{align}, STARTUP keyword
12582 @cindex @code{noalign}, STARTUP keyword
12584 align @r{align all tables}
12585 noalign @r{don't align tables on startup}
12587 @vindex org-log-done
12588 @vindex org-log-note-clock-out
12589 @vindex org-log-repeat
12590 Logging the closing and reopening of TODO items and clock intervals can be
12591 configured using these options (see variables @code{org-log-done},
12592 @code{org-log-note-clock-out} and @code{org-log-repeat})
12593 @cindex @code{logdone}, STARTUP keyword
12594 @cindex @code{lognotedone}, STARTUP keyword
12595 @cindex @code{nologdone}, STARTUP keyword
12596 @cindex @code{lognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
12597 @cindex @code{nolognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
12598 @cindex @code{logrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
12599 @cindex @code{lognoterepeat}, STARTUP keyword
12600 @cindex @code{nologrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
12601 @cindex @code{logreschedule}, STARTUP keyword
12602 @cindex @code{lognotereschedule}, STARTUP keyword
12603 @cindex @code{nologreschedule}, STARTUP keyword
12604 @cindex @code{logredeadline}, STARTUP keyword
12605 @cindex @code{lognoteredeadline}, STARTUP keyword
12606 @cindex @code{nologredeadline}, STARTUP keyword
12607 @cindex @code{logrefile}, STARTUP keyword
12608 @cindex @code{lognoterefile}, STARTUP keyword
12609 @cindex @code{nologrefile}, STARTUP keyword
12611 logdone @r{record a timestamp when an item is marked DONE}
12612 lognotedone @r{record timestamp and a note when DONE}
12613 nologdone @r{don't record when items are marked DONE}
12614 logrepeat @r{record a time when reinstating a repeating item}
12615 lognoterepeat @r{record a note when reinstating a repeating item}
12616 nologrepeat @r{do not record when reinstating repeating item}
12617 lognoteclock-out @r{record a note when clocking out}
12618 nolognoteclock-out @r{don't record a note when clocking out}
12619 logreschedule @r{record a timestamp when scheduling time changes}
12620 lognotereschedule @r{record a note when scheduling time changes}
12621 nologreschedule @r{do not record when a scheduling date changes}
12622 logredeadline @r{record a timestamp when deadline changes}
12623 lognoteredeadline @r{record a note when deadline changes}
12624 nologredeadline @r{do not record when a deadline date changes}
12625 logrefile @r{record a timestamp when refiling}
12626 lognoterefile @r{record a note when refiling}
12627 nologrefile @r{do not record when refiling}
12629 @vindex org-hide-leading-stars
12630 @vindex org-odd-levels-only
12631 Here are the options for hiding leading stars in outline headings, and for
12632 indenting outlines. The corresponding variables are
12633 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} and @code{org-odd-levels-only}, both with a
12634 default setting @code{nil} (meaning @code{showstars} and @code{oddeven}).
12635 @cindex @code{hidestars}, STARTUP keyword
12636 @cindex @code{showstars}, STARTUP keyword
12637 @cindex @code{odd}, STARTUP keyword
12638 @cindex @code{even}, STARTUP keyword
12640 hidestars @r{make all but one of the stars starting a headline invisible.}
12641 showstars @r{show all stars starting a headline}
12642 indent @r{virtual indentation according to outline level}
12643 noindent @r{no virtual indentation according to outline level}
12644 odd @r{allow only odd outline levels (1,3,...)}
12645 oddeven @r{allow all outline levels}
12647 @vindex org-put-time-stamp-overlays
12648 @vindex org-time-stamp-overlay-formats
12649 To turn on custom format overlays over timestamps (variables
12650 @code{org-put-time-stamp-overlays} and
12651 @code{org-time-stamp-overlay-formats}), use
12652 @cindex @code{customtime}, STARTUP keyword
12654 customtime @r{overlay custom time format}
12656 @vindex constants-unit-system
12657 The following options influence the table spreadsheet (variable
12658 @code{constants-unit-system}).
12659 @cindex @code{constcgs}, STARTUP keyword
12660 @cindex @code{constSI}, STARTUP keyword
12662 constcgs @r{@file{constants.el} should use the c-g-s unit system}
12663 constSI @r{@file{constants.el} should use the SI unit system}
12665 @vindex org-footnote-define-inline
12666 @vindex org-footnote-auto-label
12667 @vindex org-footnote-auto-adjust
12668 To influence footnote settings, use the following keywords. The
12669 corresponding variables are @code{org-footnote-define-inline},
12670 @code{org-footnote-auto-label}, and @code{org-footnote-auto-adjust}.
12671 @cindex @code{fninline}, STARTUP keyword
12672 @cindex @code{nofninline}, STARTUP keyword
12673 @cindex @code{fnlocal}, STARTUP keyword
12674 @cindex @code{fnprompt}, STARTUP keyword
12675 @cindex @code{fnauto}, STARTUP keyword
12676 @cindex @code{fnconfirm}, STARTUP keyword
12677 @cindex @code{fnplain}, STARTUP keyword
12678 @cindex @code{fnadjust}, STARTUP keyword
12679 @cindex @code{nofnadjust}, STARTUP keyword
12681 fninline @r{define footnotes inline}
12682 fnnoinline @r{define footnotes in separate section}
12683 fnlocal @r{define footnotes near first reference, but not inline}
12684 fnprompt @r{prompt for footnote labels}
12685 fnauto @r{create [fn:1]-like labels automatically (default)}
12686 fnconfirm @r{offer automatic label for editing or confirmation}
12687 fnplain @r{create [1]-like labels automatically}
12688 fnadjust @r{automatically renumber and sort footnotes}
12689 nofnadjust @r{do not renumber and sort automatically}
12691 @cindex org-hide-block-startup
12692 To hide blocks on startup, use these keywords. The corresponding variable is
12693 @code{org-hide-block-startup}.
12694 @cindex @code{hideblocks}, STARTUP keyword
12695 @cindex @code{nohideblocks}, STARTUP keyword
12697 hideblocks @r{Hide all begin/end blocks on startup}
12698 nohideblocks @r{Do not hide blocks on startup}
12700 @cindex org-pretty-entities
12701 The the display of entities as UTF8 characters is governed by the variable
12702 @code{org-pretty-entities} and the keywords
12703 @cindex @code{entitiespretty}, STARTUP keyword
12704 @cindex @code{entitiesplain}, STARTUP keyword
12706 entitiespretty @r{Show entities as UTF8 characters where possible}
12707 entitiesplain @r{Leave entities plain}
12709 @item #+TAGS: TAG1(c1) TAG2(c2)
12710 @vindex org-tag-alist
12711 These lines (several such lines are allowed) specify the valid tags in
12712 this file, and (potentially) the corresponding @emph{fast tag selection}
12713 keys. The corresponding variable is @code{org-tag-alist}.
12715 This line contains the formulas for the table directly above the line.
12716 @item #+TITLE:, #+AUTHOR:, #+EMAIL:, #+LANGUAGE:, #+TEXT:, #+DATE:,
12717 @itemx #+OPTIONS:, #+BIND:, #+XSLT:,
12718 @itemx #+DESCRIPTION:, #+KEYWORDS:,
12719 @itemx #+LATEX_HEADER:, #+STYLE:, #+LINK_UP:, #+LINK_HOME:,
12720 @itemx #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS:, #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS:
12721 These lines provide settings for exporting files. For more details see
12722 @ref{Export options}.
12723 @item #+TODO: #+SEQ_TODO: #+TYP_TODO:
12724 @vindex org-todo-keywords
12725 These lines set the TODO keywords and their interpretation in the
12726 current file. The corresponding variable is @code{org-todo-keywords}.
12729 @node The very busy C-c C-c key, Clean view, In-buffer settings, Miscellaneous
12730 @section The very busy C-c C-c key
12732 @cindex C-c C-c, overview
12734 The key @kbd{C-c C-c} has many purposes in Org, which are all
12735 mentioned scattered throughout this manual. One specific function of
12736 this key is to add @emph{tags} to a headline (@pxref{Tags}). In many
12737 other circumstances it means something like @emph{``Hey Org, look
12738 here and update according to what you see here''}. Here is a summary of
12739 what this means in different contexts.
12743 If there are highlights in the buffer from the creation of a sparse
12744 tree, or from clock display, remove these highlights.
12746 If the cursor is in one of the special @code{#+KEYWORD} lines, this
12747 triggers scanning the buffer for these lines and updating the
12750 If the cursor is inside a table, realign the table. This command
12751 works even if the automatic table editor has been turned off.
12753 If the cursor is on a @code{#+TBLFM} line, re-apply the formulas to
12756 If the current buffer is a capture buffer, close the note and file it.
12757 With a prefix argument, file it, without further interaction, to the
12760 If the cursor is on a @code{<<<target>>>}, update radio targets and
12761 corresponding links in this buffer.
12763 If the cursor is in a property line or at the start or end of a property
12764 drawer, offer property commands.
12766 If the cursor is at a footnote reference, go to the corresponding
12767 definition, and vice versa.
12769 If the cursor is on a statistics cookie, update it.
12771 If the cursor is in a plain list item with a checkbox, toggle the status
12774 If the cursor is on a numbered item in a plain list, renumber the
12777 If the cursor is on the @code{#+BEGIN} line of a dynamic block, the
12781 @node Clean view, TTY keys, The very busy C-c C-c key, Miscellaneous
12782 @section A cleaner outline view
12783 @cindex hiding leading stars
12784 @cindex dynamic indentation
12785 @cindex odd-levels-only outlines
12786 @cindex clean outline view
12788 Some people find it noisy and distracting that the Org headlines start with a
12789 potentially large number of stars, and that text below the headlines is not
12790 indented. While this is no problem when writing a @emph{book-like} document
12791 where the outline headings are really section headings, in a more
12792 @emph{list-oriented} outline, indented structure is a lot cleaner:
12796 * Top level headline | * Top level headline
12797 ** Second level | * Second level
12798 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
12799 some text | some text
12800 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
12801 more text | more text
12802 * Another top level headline | * Another top level headline
12808 If you are using at least Emacs 23.2@footnote{Emacs 23.1 can actually crash
12809 with @code{org-indent-mode}} and version 6.29 of Org, this kind of view can
12810 be achieved dynamically at display time using @code{org-indent-mode}. In
12811 this minor mode, all lines are prefixed for display with the necessary amount
12812 of space@footnote{@code{org-indent-mode} also sets the @code{wrap-prefix}
12813 property, such that @code{visual-line-mode} (or purely setting
12814 @code{word-wrap}) wraps long lines (including headlines) correctly indented.
12815 }. Also headlines are prefixed with additional stars, so that the amount of
12816 indentation shifts by two@footnote{See the variable
12817 @code{org-indent-indentation-per-level}.} spaces per level. All headline
12818 stars but the last one are made invisible using the @code{org-hide}
12819 face@footnote{Turning on @code{org-indent-mode} sets
12820 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} to @code{t} and @code{org-adapt-indentation} to
12821 @code{nil}.} - see below under @samp{2.} for more information on how this
12822 works. You can turn on @code{org-indent-mode} for all files by customizing
12823 the variable @code{org-startup-indented}, or you can turn it on for
12824 individual files using
12830 If you want a similar effect in earlier version of Emacs and/or Org, or if
12831 you want the indentation to be hard space characters so that the plain text
12832 file looks as similar as possible to the Emacs display, Org supports you in
12837 @emph{Indentation of text below headlines}@*
12838 You may indent text below each headline to make the left boundary line up
12839 with the headline, like
12843 more text, now indented
12846 @vindex org-adapt-indentation
12847 Org supports this with paragraph filling, line wrapping, and structure
12848 editing@footnote{See also the variable @code{org-adapt-indentation}.},
12849 preserving or adapting the indentation as appropriate.
12852 @vindex org-hide-leading-stars
12853 @emph{Hiding leading stars}@* You can modify the display in such a way that
12854 all leading stars become invisible. To do this in a global way, configure
12855 the variable @code{org-hide-leading-stars} or change this on a per-file basis
12859 #+STARTUP: hidestars
12860 #+STARTUP: showstars
12863 With hidden stars, the tree becomes:
12867 * Top level headline
12875 @vindex org-hide @r{(face)}
12876 The leading stars are not truly replaced by whitespace, they are only
12877 fontified with the face @code{org-hide} that uses the background color as
12878 font color. If you are not using either white or black background, you may
12879 have to customize this face to get the wanted effect. Another possibility is
12880 to set this font such that the extra stars are @i{almost} invisible, for
12881 example using the color @code{grey90} on a white background.
12884 @vindex org-odd-levels-only
12885 Things become cleaner still if you skip all the even levels and use only odd
12886 levels 1, 3, 5..., effectively adding two stars to go from one outline level
12887 to the next@footnote{When you need to specify a level for a property search
12888 or refile targets, @samp{LEVEL=2} will correspond to 3 stars, etc@.}. In this
12889 way we get the outline view shown at the beginning of this section. In order
12890 to make the structure editing and export commands handle this convention
12891 correctly, configure the variable @code{org-odd-levels-only}, or set this on
12892 a per-file basis with one of the following lines:
12899 You can convert an Org file from single-star-per-level to the
12900 double-star-per-level convention with @kbd{M-x org-convert-to-odd-levels
12901 RET} in that file. The reverse operation is @kbd{M-x
12902 org-convert-to-oddeven-levels}.
12905 @node TTY keys, Interaction, Clean view, Miscellaneous
12906 @section Using Org on a tty
12907 @cindex tty key bindings
12909 Because Org contains a large number of commands, by default many of
12910 Org's core commands are bound to keys that are generally not
12911 accessible on a tty, such as the cursor keys (@key{left}, @key{right},
12912 @key{up}, @key{down}), @key{TAB} and @key{RET}, in particular when used
12913 together with modifiers like @key{Meta} and/or @key{Shift}. To access
12914 these commands on a tty when special keys are unavailable, the following
12915 alternative bindings can be used. The tty bindings below will likely be
12916 more cumbersome; you may find for some of the bindings below that a
12917 customized workaround suits you better. For example, changing a timestamp
12918 is really only fun with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, whereas on a
12919 tty you would rather use @kbd{C-c .} to re-insert the timestamp.
12921 @multitable @columnfractions 0.15 0.2 0.1 0.2
12922 @item @b{Default} @tab @b{Alternative 1} @tab @b{Speed key} @tab @b{Alternative 2}
12923 @item @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C-u @key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C} @tab
12924 @item @kbd{M-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x l} @tab @kbd{l} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{left}}
12925 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x L} @tab @kbd{L} @tab
12926 @item @kbd{M-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x r} @tab @kbd{r} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{right}}
12927 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x R} @tab @kbd{R} @tab
12928 @item @kbd{M-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x u} @tab @kbd{ } @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{up}}
12929 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x U} @tab @kbd{U} @tab
12930 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x d} @tab @kbd{ } @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{down}}
12931 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x D} @tab @kbd{D} @tab
12932 @item @kbd{S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x c} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12933 @item @kbd{M-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x m} @tab @kbd{ } @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{RET}}
12934 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x M} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12935 @item @kbd{S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{left}} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12936 @item @kbd{S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{right}} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12937 @item @kbd{S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{up}} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12938 @item @kbd{S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{down}} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12939 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{left}} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12940 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{right}} @tab @kbd{ } @tab
12944 @node Interaction, , TTY keys, Miscellaneous
12945 @section Interaction with other packages
12946 @cindex packages, interaction with other
12947 Org lives in the world of GNU Emacs and interacts in various ways
12948 with other code out there.
12951 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
12952 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
12955 @node Cooperation, Conflicts, Interaction, Interaction
12956 @subsection Packages that Org cooperates with
12959 @cindex @file{calc.el}
12960 @cindex Gillespie, Dave
12961 @item @file{calc.el} by Dave Gillespie
12962 Org uses the Calc package for implementing spreadsheet
12963 functionality in its tables (@pxref{The spreadsheet}). Org
12964 checks for the availability of Calc by looking for the function
12965 @code{calc-eval} which will have been autoloaded during setup if Calc has
12966 been installed properly. As of Emacs 22, Calc is part of the Emacs
12967 distribution. Another possibility for interaction between the two
12968 packages is using Calc for embedded calculations. @xref{Embedded Mode,
12969 , Embedded Mode, Calc, GNU Emacs Calc Manual}.
12970 @item @file{constants.el} by Carsten Dominik
12971 @cindex @file{constants.el}
12972 @cindex Dominik, Carsten
12973 @vindex org-table-formula-constants
12974 In a table formula (@pxref{The spreadsheet}), it is possible to use
12975 names for natural constants or units. Instead of defining your own
12976 constants in the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}, install
12977 the @file{constants} package which defines a large number of constants
12978 and units, and lets you use unit prefixes like @samp{M} for
12979 @samp{Mega}, etc@. You will need version 2.0 of this package, available
12980 at @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools}. Org checks for
12981 the function @code{constants-get}, which has to be autoloaded in your
12982 setup. See the installation instructions in the file
12983 @file{constants.el}.
12984 @item @file{cdlatex.el} by Carsten Dominik
12985 @cindex @file{cdlatex.el}
12986 @cindex Dominik, Carsten
12987 Org-mode can make use of the CDLa@TeX{} package to efficiently enter
12988 La@TeX{} fragments into Org files. See @ref{CDLaTeX mode}.
12989 @item @file{imenu.el} by Ake Stenhoff and Lars Lindberg
12990 @cindex @file{imenu.el}
12991 Imenu allows menu access to an index of items in a file. Org-mode
12992 supports Imenu---all you need to do to get the index is the following:
12994 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook
12995 (lambda () (imenu-add-to-menubar "Imenu")))
12997 @vindex org-imenu-depth
12998 By default the index is two levels deep---you can modify the depth using
12999 the option @code{org-imenu-depth}.
13000 @item @file{remember.el} by John Wiegley
13001 @cindex @file{remember.el}
13002 @cindex Wiegley, John
13003 Org used to use this package for capture, but no longer does.
13004 @item @file{speedbar.el} by Eric M. Ludlam
13005 @cindex @file{speedbar.el}
13006 @cindex Ludlam, Eric M.
13007 Speedbar is a package that creates a special frame displaying files and
13008 index items in files. Org-mode supports Speedbar and allows you to
13009 drill into Org files directly from the Speedbar. It also allows you to
13010 restrict the scope of agenda commands to a file or a subtree by using
13011 the command @kbd{<} in the Speedbar frame.
13012 @cindex @file{table.el}
13013 @item @file{table.el} by Takaaki Ota
13015 @cindex table editor, @file{table.el}
13016 @cindex @file{table.el}
13017 @cindex Ota, Takaaki
13019 Complex ASCII tables with automatic line wrapping, column- and row-spanning,
13020 and alignment can be created using the Emacs table package by Takaaki Ota
13021 (@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/table}, and also part of Emacs 22).
13022 Org-mode will recognize these tables and export them properly. Because of
13023 interference with other Org-mode functionality, you unfortunately cannot edit
13024 these tables directly in the buffer. Instead, you need to use the command
13025 @kbd{C-c '} to edit them, similar to source code snippets.
13030 Edit a @file{table.el} table. Works when the cursor is in a table.el table.
13034 Insert a @file{table.el} table. If there is already a table at point, this
13035 command converts it between the @file{table.el} format and the Org-mode
13036 format. See the documentation string of the command
13037 @code{org-convert-table} for the restrictions under which this is
13040 @file{table.el} is part of Emacs since Emacs 22.
13041 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
13042 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
13043 @cindex Baur, Steven L.
13044 Org-mode recognizes numerical footnotes as provided by this package.
13045 However, Org-mode also has its own footnote support (@pxref{Footnotes}),
13046 which makes using @file{footnote.el} unnecessary.
13049 @node Conflicts, , Cooperation, Interaction
13050 @subsection Packages that lead to conflicts with Org-mode
13054 @cindex @code{shift-selection-mode}
13055 @vindex org-support-shift-select
13056 In Emacs 23, @code{shift-selection-mode} is on by default, meaning that
13057 cursor motions combined with the shift key should start or enlarge regions.
13058 This conflicts with the use of @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} commands in Org to change
13059 timestamps, TODO keywords, priorities, and item bullet types if the cursor is
13060 at such a location. By default, @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} commands outside
13061 special contexts don't do anything, but you can customize the variable
13062 @code{org-support-shift-select}. Org-mode then tries to accommodate shift
13063 selection by (i) using it outside of the special contexts where special
13064 commands apply, and by (ii) extending an existing active region even if the
13065 cursor moves across a special context.
13067 @item @file{CUA.el} by Kim. F. Storm
13068 @cindex @file{CUA.el}
13069 @cindex Storm, Kim. F.
13070 @vindex org-replace-disputed-keys
13071 Key bindings in Org conflict with the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys used by CUA mode
13072 (as well as @code{pc-select-mode} and @code{s-region-mode}) to select and extend the
13073 region. In fact, Emacs 23 has this built-in in the form of
13074 @code{shift-selection-mode}, see previous paragraph. If you are using Emacs
13075 23, you probably don't want to use another package for this purpose. However,
13076 if you prefer to leave these keys to a different package while working in
13077 Org-mode, configure the variable @code{org-replace-disputed-keys}. When set,
13078 Org will move the following key bindings in Org files, and in the agenda
13079 buffer (but not during date selection).
13082 S-UP -> M-p S-DOWN -> M-n
13083 S-LEFT -> M-- S-RIGHT -> M-+
13084 C-S-LEFT -> M-S-- C-S-RIGHT -> M-S-+
13087 @vindex org-disputed-keys
13088 Yes, these are unfortunately more difficult to remember. If you want
13089 to have other replacement keys, look at the variable
13090 @code{org-disputed-keys}.
13092 @item @file{yasnippet.el}
13093 @cindex @file{yasnippet.el}
13094 The way Org-mode binds the TAB key (binding to @code{[tab]} instead of
13095 @code{"\t"}) overrules yasnippets' access to this key. The following code
13096 fixed this problem:
13099 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook
13101 (org-set-local 'yas/trigger-key [tab])
13102 (define-key yas/keymap [tab] 'yas/next-field-group)))
13105 @item @file{windmove.el} by Hovav Shacham
13106 @cindex @file{windmove.el}
13107 This package also uses the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys, so everything written
13108 in the paragraph above about CUA mode also applies here. If you want make
13109 the windmove function active in locations where Org-mode does not have
13110 special functionality on @kbd{S-@key{cursor}}, add this to your
13114 ;; Make windmove work in org-mode:
13115 (add-hook 'org-shiftup-final-hook 'windmove-up)
13116 (add-hook 'org-shiftleft-final-hook 'windmove-left)
13117 (add-hook 'org-shiftdown-final-hook 'windmove-down)
13118 (add-hook 'org-shiftright-final-hook 'windmove-right)
13121 @item @file{viper.el} by Michael Kifer
13122 @cindex @file{viper.el}
13124 Viper uses @kbd{C-c /} and therefore makes this key not access the
13125 corresponding Org-mode command @code{org-sparse-tree}. You need to find
13126 another key for this command, or override the key in
13127 @code{viper-vi-global-user-map} with
13130 (define-key viper-vi-global-user-map "C-c /" 'org-sparse-tree)
13136 @node Hacking, MobileOrg, Miscellaneous, Top
13140 This appendix covers some aspects where users can extend the functionality of
13144 * Hooks:: Who to reach into Org's internals
13145 * Add-on packages:: Available extensions
13146 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
13147 * Context-sensitive commands:: How to add functionality to such commands
13148 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for La@TeX{} and other programs
13149 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
13150 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
13151 * Extracting agenda information:: Postprocessing of agenda information
13152 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
13153 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
13156 @node Hooks, Add-on packages, Hacking, Hacking
13160 Org has a large number of hook variables that can be used to add
13161 functionality. This appendix about hacking is going to illustrate the
13162 use of some of them. A complete list of all hooks with documentation is
13163 maintained by the Worg project and can be found at
13164 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-configs/org-hooks.php}.
13166 @node Add-on packages, Adding hyperlink types, Hooks, Hacking
13167 @section Add-on packages
13168 @cindex add-on packages
13170 A large number of add-on packages have been written by various authors.
13171 These packages are not part of Emacs, but they are distributed as contributed
13172 packages with the separate release available at the Org-mode home page at
13173 @uref{http://orgmode.org}. The list of contributed packages, along with
13174 documentation about each package, is maintained by the Worg project at
13175 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-contrib/}.
13179 @node Adding hyperlink types, Context-sensitive commands, Add-on packages, Hacking
13180 @section Adding hyperlink types
13181 @cindex hyperlinks, adding new types
13183 Org has a large number of hyperlink types built-in
13184 (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). If you would like to add new link types, Org
13185 provides an interface for doing so. Let's look at an example file,
13186 @file{org-man.el}, that will add support for creating links like
13187 @samp{[[man:printf][The printf manpage]]} to show Unix manual pages inside
13191 ;;; org-man.el - Support for links to manpages in Org
13195 (org-add-link-type "man" 'org-man-open)
13196 (add-hook 'org-store-link-functions 'org-man-store-link)
13198 (defcustom org-man-command 'man
13199 "The Emacs command to be used to display a man page."
13201 :type '(choice (const man) (const woman)))
13203 (defun org-man-open (path)
13204 "Visit the manpage on PATH.
13205 PATH should be a topic that can be thrown at the man command."
13206 (funcall org-man-command path))
13208 (defun org-man-store-link ()
13209 "Store a link to a manpage."
13210 (when (memq major-mode '(Man-mode woman-mode))
13211 ;; This is a man page, we do make this link
13212 (let* ((page (org-man-get-page-name))
13213 (link (concat "man:" page))
13214 (description (format "Manpage for %s" page)))
13215 (org-store-link-props
13218 :description description))))
13220 (defun org-man-get-page-name ()
13221 "Extract the page name from the buffer name."
13222 ;; This works for both `Man-mode' and `woman-mode'.
13223 (if (string-match " \\(\\S-+\\)\\*" (buffer-name))
13224 (match-string 1 (buffer-name))
13225 (error "Cannot create link to this man page")))
13229 ;;; org-man.el ends here
13233 You would activate this new link type in @file{.emacs} with
13240 Let's go through the file and see what it does.
13243 It does @code{(require 'org)} to make sure that @file{org.el} has been
13246 The next line calls @code{org-add-link-type} to define a new link type
13247 with prefix @samp{man}. The call also contains the name of a function
13248 that will be called to follow such a link.
13250 @vindex org-store-link-functions
13251 The next line adds a function to @code{org-store-link-functions}, in
13252 order to allow the command @kbd{C-c l} to record a useful link in a
13253 buffer displaying a man page.
13256 The rest of the file defines the necessary variables and functions.
13257 First there is a customization variable that determines which Emacs
13258 command should be used to display man pages. There are two options,
13259 @code{man} and @code{woman}. Then the function to follow a link is
13260 defined. It gets the link path as an argument---in this case the link
13261 path is just a topic for the manual command. The function calls the
13262 value of @code{org-man-command} to display the man page.
13264 Finally the function @code{org-man-store-link} is defined. When you try
13265 to store a link with @kbd{C-c l}, this function will be called to
13266 try to make a link. The function must first decide if it is supposed to
13267 create the link for this buffer type; we do this by checking the value
13268 of the variable @code{major-mode}. If not, the function must exit and
13269 return the value @code{nil}. If yes, the link is created by getting the
13270 manual topic from the buffer name and prefixing it with the string
13271 @samp{man:}. Then it must call the command @code{org-store-link-props}
13272 and set the @code{:type} and @code{:link} properties. Optionally you
13273 can also set the @code{:description} property to provide a default for
13274 the link description when the link is later inserted into an Org
13275 buffer with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
13277 When is makes sense for your new link type, you may also define a function
13278 @code{org-PREFIX-complete-link} that implements special (e.g. completion)
13279 support for inserting such a link with @kbd{C-c C-l}. Such a function should
13280 not accept any arguments, and return the full link with prefix.
13282 @node Context-sensitive commands, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Adding hyperlink types, Hacking
13283 @section Context-sensitive commands
13284 @cindex context-sensitive commands, hooks
13285 @cindex add-ons, context-sensitive commands
13286 @vindex org-ctrl-c-ctrl-c-hook
13288 Org has several commands that act differently depending on context. The most
13289 important example it the @kbd{C-c C-c} (@pxref{The very busy C-c C-c key}).
13290 Also the @kbd{M-cursor} and @kbd{M-S-cursor} keys have this property.
13292 Add-ons can tap into this functionality by providing a function that detects
13293 special context for that add-on and executes functionality appropriate for
13294 the context. Here is an example from Dan Davison's @file{org-R.el} which
13295 allows you to evaluate commands based on the @file{R} programming language
13296 @footnote{@file{org-R.el} has been replaced by the org-mode functionality
13297 described in @ref{Working With Source Code} and is now obsolete.}. For this
13298 package, special contexts are lines that start with @code{#+R:} or
13302 (defun org-R-apply-maybe ()
13303 "Detect if this is context for org-R and execute R commands."
13304 (if (save-excursion
13305 (beginning-of-line 1)
13306 (looking-at "#\\+RR?:"))
13307 (progn (call-interactively 'org-R-apply)
13308 t) ;; to signal that we took action
13309 nil)) ;; to signal that we did not
13311 (add-hook 'org-ctrl-c-ctrl-c-hook 'org-R-apply-maybe)
13314 The function first checks if the cursor is in such a line. If that is the
13315 case, @code{org-R-apply} is called and the function returns @code{t} to
13316 signal that action was taken, and @kbd{C-c C-c} will stop looking for other
13317 contexts. If the function finds it should do nothing locally, it returns @code{nil} so that other, similar functions can have a try.
13320 @node Tables in arbitrary syntax, Dynamic blocks, Context-sensitive commands, Hacking
13321 @section Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
13322 @cindex tables, in other modes
13323 @cindex lists, in other modes
13324 @cindex Orgtbl mode
13326 Since Orgtbl mode can be used as a minor mode in arbitrary buffers, a
13327 frequent feature request has been to make it work with native tables in
13328 specific languages, for example La@TeX{}. However, this is extremely
13329 hard to do in a general way, would lead to a customization nightmare,
13330 and would take away much of the simplicity of the Orgtbl-mode table
13333 This appendix describes a different approach. We keep the Orgtbl mode
13334 table in its native format (the @i{source table}), and use a custom
13335 function to @i{translate} the table to the correct syntax, and to
13336 @i{install} it in the right location (the @i{target table}). This puts
13337 the burden of writing conversion functions on the user, but it allows
13338 for a very flexible system.
13340 Bastien added the ability to do the same with lists, in Orgstruct mode. You
13341 can use Org's facilities to edit and structure lists by turning
13342 @code{orgstruct-mode} on, then locally exporting such lists in another format
13343 (HTML, La@TeX{} or Texinfo.)
13347 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving radio tables
13348 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
13349 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
13350 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
13353 @node Radio tables, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Tables in arbitrary syntax
13354 @subsection Radio tables
13355 @cindex radio tables
13357 To define the location of the target table, you first need to create two
13358 lines that are comments in the current mode, but contain magic words for
13359 Orgtbl mode to find. Orgtbl mode will insert the translated table
13360 between these lines, replacing whatever was there before. For example:
13363 /* BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
13364 /* END RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
13368 Just above the source table, we put a special line that tells
13369 Orgtbl mode how to translate this table and where to install it. For
13373 #+ORGTBL: SEND table_name translation_function arguments....
13377 @code{table_name} is the reference name for the table that is also used
13378 in the receiver lines. @code{translation_function} is the Lisp function
13379 that does the translation. Furthermore, the line can contain a list of
13380 arguments (alternating key and value) at the end. The arguments will be
13381 passed as a property list to the translation function for
13382 interpretation. A few standard parameters are already recognized and
13383 acted upon before the translation function is called:
13387 Skip the first N lines of the table. Hlines do count as separate lines for
13390 @item :skipcols (n1 n2 ...)
13391 List of columns that should be skipped. If the table has a column with
13392 calculation marks, that column is automatically discarded as well.
13393 Please note that the translator function sees the table @emph{after} the
13394 removal of these columns, the function never knows that there have been
13395 additional columns.
13399 The one problem remaining is how to keep the source table in the buffer
13400 without disturbing the normal workings of the file, for example during
13401 compilation of a C file or processing of a La@TeX{} file. There are a
13402 number of different solutions:
13406 The table could be placed in a block comment if that is supported by the
13407 language. For example, in C mode you could wrap the table between
13408 @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} lines.
13410 Sometimes it is possible to put the table after some kind of @i{END}
13411 statement, for example @samp{\bye} in @TeX{} and @samp{\end@{document@}}
13414 You can just comment the table line-by-line whenever you want to process
13415 the file, and uncomment it whenever you need to edit the table. This
13416 only sounds tedious---the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-toggle-comment}
13417 makes this comment-toggling very easy, in particular if you bind it to a
13421 @node A LaTeX example, Translator functions, Radio tables, Tables in arbitrary syntax
13422 @subsection A La@TeX{} example of radio tables
13423 @cindex La@TeX{}, and Orgtbl mode
13425 The best way to wrap the source table in La@TeX{} is to use the
13426 @code{comment} environment provided by @file{comment.sty}. It has to be
13427 activated by placing @code{\usepackage@{comment@}} into the document
13428 header. Orgtbl mode can insert a radio table skeleton@footnote{By
13429 default this works only for La@TeX{}, HTML, and Texinfo. Configure the
13430 variable @code{orgtbl-radio-tables} to install templates for other
13431 modes.} with the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-insert-radio-table}. You will
13432 be prompted for a table name, let's say we use @samp{salesfigures}. You
13433 will then get the following template:
13435 @cindex #+ORGTBL, SEND
13437 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
13438 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
13440 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
13446 @vindex La@TeX{}-verbatim-environments
13447 The @code{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line tells Orgtbl mode to use the function
13448 @code{orgtbl-to-latex} to convert the table into La@TeX{} and to put it
13449 into the receiver location with name @code{salesfigures}. You may now
13450 fill in the table, feel free to use the spreadsheet features@footnote{If
13451 the @samp{#+TBLFM} line contains an odd number of dollar characters,
13452 this may cause problems with font-lock in La@TeX{} mode. As shown in the
13453 example you can fix this by adding an extra line inside the
13454 @code{comment} environment that is used to balance the dollar
13455 expressions. If you are using AUC@TeX{} with the font-latex library, a
13456 much better solution is to add the @code{comment} environment to the
13457 variable @code{LaTeX-verbatim-environments}.}:
13460 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
13461 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
13463 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
13464 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
13465 |-------+------+---------+---------|
13466 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
13467 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
13468 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
13469 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
13470 % $ (optional extra dollar to keep font-lock happy, see footnote)
13475 When you are done, press @kbd{C-c C-c} in the table to get the converted
13476 table inserted between the two marker lines.
13478 Now let's assume you want to make the table header by hand, because you
13479 want to control how columns are aligned, etc@. In this case we make sure
13480 that the table translator skips the first 2 lines of the source
13481 table, and tell the command to work as a @i{splice}, i.e. to not produce
13482 header and footer commands of the target table:
13485 \begin@{tabular@}@{lrrr@}
13486 Month & \multicolumn@{1@}@{c@}@{Days@} & Nr.\ sold & per day\\
13487 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
13488 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
13492 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex :splice t :skip 2
13493 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
13494 |-------+------+---------+---------|
13495 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
13496 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
13497 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
13498 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
13502 The La@TeX{} translator function @code{orgtbl-to-latex} is already part of
13503 Orgtbl mode. It uses a @code{tabular} environment to typeset the table
13504 and marks horizontal lines with @code{\hline}. Furthermore, it
13505 interprets the following parameters (see also @pxref{Translator functions}):
13508 @item :splice nil/t
13509 When set to t, return only table body lines, don't wrap them into a
13510 tabular environment. Default is nil.
13513 A format to be used to wrap each field, it should contain @code{%s} for the
13514 original field value. For example, to wrap each field value in dollars,
13515 you could use @code{:fmt "$%s$"}. This may also be a property list with
13516 column numbers and formats. for example @code{:fmt (2 "$%s$" 4 "%s\\%%")}.
13517 A function of one argument can be used in place of the strings; the
13518 function must return a formatted string.
13521 Use this format to print numbers with exponentials. The format should
13522 have @code{%s} twice for inserting mantissa and exponent, for example
13523 @code{"%s\\times10^@{%s@}"}. The default is @code{"%s\\,(%s)"}. This
13524 may also be a property list with column numbers and formats, for example
13525 @code{:efmt (2 "$%s\\times10^@{%s@}$" 4 "$%s\\cdot10^@{%s@}$")}. After
13526 @code{efmt} has been applied to a value, @code{fmt} will also be
13527 applied. Similar to @code{fmt}, functions of two arguments can be
13528 supplied instead of strings.
13531 @node Translator functions, Radio lists, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax
13532 @subsection Translator functions
13533 @cindex HTML, and Orgtbl mode
13534 @cindex translator function
13536 Orgtbl mode has several translator functions built-in: @code{orgtbl-to-csv}
13537 (comma-separated values), @code{orgtbl-to-tsv} (TAB-separated values)
13538 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-html}, and @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}.
13539 Except for @code{orgtbl-to-html}@footnote{The HTML translator uses the same
13540 code that produces tables during HTML export.}, these all use a generic
13541 translator, @code{orgtbl-to-generic}. For example, @code{orgtbl-to-latex}
13542 itself is a very short function that computes the column definitions for the
13543 @code{tabular} environment, defines a few field and line separators and then
13544 hands processing over to the generic translator. Here is the entire code:
13548 (defun orgtbl-to-latex (table params)
13549 "Convert the Orgtbl mode TABLE to LaTeX."
13550 (let* ((alignment (mapconcat (lambda (x) (if x "r" "l"))
13551 org-table-last-alignment ""))
13554 :tstart (concat "\\begin@{tabular@}@{" alignment "@}")
13555 :tend "\\end@{tabular@}"
13556 :lstart "" :lend " \\\\" :sep " & "
13557 :efmt "%s\\,(%s)" :hline "\\hline")))
13558 (orgtbl-to-generic table (org-combine-plists params2 params))))
13562 As you can see, the properties passed into the function (variable
13563 @var{PARAMS}) are combined with the ones newly defined in the function
13564 (variable @var{PARAMS2}). The ones passed into the function (i.e. the
13565 ones set by the @samp{ORGTBL SEND} line) take precedence. So if you
13566 would like to use the La@TeX{} translator, but wanted the line endings to
13567 be @samp{\\[2mm]} instead of the default @samp{\\}, you could just
13568 overrule the default with
13571 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-latex :lend " \\\\[2mm]"
13574 For a new language, you can either write your own converter function in
13575 analogy with the La@TeX{} translator, or you can use the generic function
13576 directly. For example, if you have a language where a table is started
13577 with @samp{!BTBL!}, ended with @samp{!ETBL!}, and where table lines are
13578 started with @samp{!BL!}, ended with @samp{!EL!}, and where the field
13579 separator is a TAB, you could call the generic translator like this (on
13583 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-generic :tstart "!BTBL!" :tend "!ETBL!"
13584 :lstart "!BL! " :lend " !EL!" :sep "\t"
13588 Please check the documentation string of the function
13589 @code{orgtbl-to-generic} for a full list of parameters understood by
13590 that function, and remember that you can pass each of them into
13591 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}, and any other function
13592 using the generic function.
13594 Of course you can also write a completely new function doing complicated
13595 things the generic translator cannot do. A translator function takes
13596 two arguments. The first argument is the table, a list of lines, each
13597 line either the symbol @code{hline} or a list of fields. The second
13598 argument is the property list containing all parameters specified in the
13599 @samp{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line. The function must return a single string
13600 containing the formatted table. If you write a generally useful
13601 translator, please post it on @email{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} so that
13602 others can benefit from your work.
13604 @node Radio lists, , Translator functions, Tables in arbitrary syntax
13605 @subsection Radio lists
13606 @cindex radio lists
13607 @cindex org-list-insert-radio-list
13609 Sending and receiving radio lists works exactly the same way than sending and
13610 receiving radio tables (@pxref{Radio tables}). As for radio tables, you can
13611 insert radio lists templates in HTML, La@TeX{} and Texinfo modes by calling
13612 @code{org-list-insert-radio-list}.
13614 Here are the differences with radio tables:
13618 Orgstruct mode must be active.
13620 Use the @code{ORGLST} keyword instead of @code{ORGTBL}.
13622 The available translation functions for radio lists don't take
13625 @kbd{C-c C-c} will work when pressed on the first item of the list.
13628 Here is a La@TeX{} example. Let's say that you have this in your
13633 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
13634 % END RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
13636 #+ORGLST: SEND to-buy org-list-to-latex
13645 Pressing `C-c C-c' on @code{a new house} and will insert the converted
13646 La@TeX{} list between the two marker lines.
13648 @node Dynamic blocks, Special agenda views, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking
13649 @section Dynamic blocks
13650 @cindex dynamic blocks
13652 Org documents can contain @emph{dynamic blocks}. These are
13653 specially marked regions that are updated by some user-written function.
13654 A good example for such a block is the clock table inserted by the
13655 command @kbd{C-c C-x C-r} (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
13657 Dynamic block are enclosed by a BEGIN-END structure that assigns a name
13658 to the block and can also specify parameters for the function producing
13659 the content of the block.
13661 #+BEGIN:dynamic block
13663 #+BEGIN: myblock :parameter1 value1 :parameter2 value2 ...
13668 Dynamic blocks are updated with the following commands
13671 @kindex C-c C-x C-u
13673 Update dynamic block at point.
13674 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
13675 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
13676 Update all dynamic blocks in the current file.
13679 Updating a dynamic block means to remove all the text between BEGIN and
13680 END, parse the BEGIN line for parameters and then call the specific
13681 writer function for this block to insert the new content. If you want
13682 to use the original content in the writer function, you can use the
13683 extra parameter @code{:content}.
13685 For a block with name @code{myblock}, the writer function is
13686 @code{org-dblock-write:myblock} with as only parameter a property list
13687 with the parameters given in the begin line. Here is a trivial example
13688 of a block that keeps track of when the block update function was last
13692 #+BEGIN: block-update-time :format "on %m/%d/%Y at %H:%M"
13698 The corresponding block writer function could look like this:
13701 (defun org-dblock-write:block-update-time (params)
13702 (let ((fmt (or (plist-get params :format) "%d. %m. %Y")))
13703 (insert "Last block update at: "
13704 (format-time-string fmt (current-time)))))
13707 If you want to make sure that all dynamic blocks are always up-to-date,
13708 you could add the function @code{org-update-all-dblocks} to a hook, for
13709 example @code{before-save-hook}. @code{org-update-all-dblocks} is
13710 written in a way such that it does nothing in buffers that are not in
13713 @node Special agenda views, Extracting agenda information, Dynamic blocks, Hacking
13714 @section Special agenda views
13715 @cindex agenda views, user-defined
13717 Org provides a special hook that can be used to narrow down the
13718 selection made by any of the agenda views. You may specify a function
13719 that is used at each match to verify if the match should indeed be part
13720 of the agenda view, and if not, how much should be skipped.
13722 Let's say you want to produce a list of projects that contain a WAITING
13723 tag anywhere in the project tree. Let's further assume that you have
13724 marked all tree headings that define a project with the TODO keyword
13725 PROJECT. In this case you would run a TODO search for the keyword
13726 PROJECT, but skip the match unless there is a WAITING tag anywhere in
13727 the subtree belonging to the project line.
13729 To achieve this, you must write a function that searches the subtree for
13730 the tag. If the tag is found, the function must return @code{nil} to
13731 indicate that this match should not be skipped. If there is no such
13732 tag, return the location of the end of the subtree, to indicate that
13733 search should continue from there.
13736 (defun my-skip-unless-waiting ()
13737 "Skip trees that are not waiting"
13738 (let ((subtree-end (save-excursion (org-end-of-subtree t))))
13739 (if (re-search-forward ":waiting:" subtree-end t)
13740 nil ; tag found, do not skip
13741 subtree-end))) ; tag not found, continue after end of subtree
13744 Now you may use this function in an agenda custom command, for example
13748 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
13749 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
13750 ((org-agenda-skip-function 'my-skip-unless-waiting)
13751 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
13754 @vindex org-agenda-overriding-header
13755 Note that this also binds @code{org-agenda-overriding-header} to get a
13756 meaningful header in the agenda view.
13758 @vindex org-odd-levels-only
13759 @vindex org-agenda-skip-function
13760 A general way to create custom searches is to base them on a search for
13761 entries with a certain level limit. If you want to study all entries with
13762 your custom search function, simply do a search for
13763 @samp{LEVEL>0}@footnote{Note that, when using @code{org-odd-levels-only}, a
13764 level number corresponds to order in the hierarchy, not to the number of
13765 stars.}, and then use @code{org-agenda-skip-function} to select the entries
13766 you really want to have.
13768 You may also put a Lisp form into @code{org-agenda-skip-function}. In
13769 particular, you may use the functions @code{org-agenda-skip-entry-if}
13770 and @code{org-agenda-skip-subtree-if} in this form, for example:
13773 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled)
13774 Skip current entry if it has been scheduled.
13775 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'notscheduled)
13776 Skip current entry if it has not been scheduled.
13777 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'deadline)
13778 Skip current entry if it has a deadline.
13779 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled 'deadline)
13780 Skip current entry if it has a deadline, or if it is scheduled.
13781 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'todo '("TODO" "WAITING"))
13782 Skip current entry if the TODO keyword is TODO or WAITING.
13783 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'todo 'done)
13784 Skip current entry if the TODO keyword marks a DONE state.
13785 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'timestamp)
13786 Skip current entry if it has any timestamp, may also be deadline or scheduled.
13787 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'regexp "regular expression")
13788 Skip current entry if the regular expression matches in the entry.
13789 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'notregexp "regular expression")
13790 Skip current entry unless the regular expression matches.
13791 @item '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if 'regexp "regular expression")
13792 Same as above, but check and skip the entire subtree.
13795 Therefore we could also have written the search for WAITING projects
13796 like this, even without defining a special function:
13799 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
13800 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
13801 ((org-agenda-skip-function '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if
13802 'regexp ":waiting:"))
13803 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
13806 @node Extracting agenda information, Using the property API, Special agenda views, Hacking
13807 @section Extracting agenda information
13808 @cindex agenda, pipe
13809 @cindex Scripts, for agenda processing
13811 @vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
13812 Org provides commands to access agenda information for the command
13813 line in Emacs batch mode. This extracted information can be sent
13814 directly to a printer, or it can be read by a program that does further
13815 processing of the data. The first of these commands is the function
13816 @code{org-batch-agenda}, that produces an agenda view and sends it as
13817 ASCII text to STDOUT. The command takes a single string as parameter.
13818 If the string has length 1, it is used as a key to one of the commands
13819 you have configured in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}, basically any
13820 key you can use after @kbd{C-c a}. For example, to directly print the
13821 current TODO list, you could use
13824 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda "t")' | lpr
13827 If the parameter is a string with 2 or more characters, it is used as a
13828 tags/TODO match string. For example, to print your local shopping list
13829 (all items with the tag @samp{shop}, but excluding the tag
13830 @samp{NewYork}), you could use
13833 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
13834 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "+shop-NewYork")' | lpr
13838 You may also modify parameters on the fly like this:
13841 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
13842 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "a" \
13843 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
13844 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
13845 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
13850 which will produce a 30-day agenda, fully restricted to the Org file
13851 @file{~/org/projects.org}, not even including the diary.
13853 If you want to process the agenda data in more sophisticated ways, you
13854 can use the command @code{org-batch-agenda-csv} to get a comma-separated
13855 list of values for each agenda item. Each line in the output will
13856 contain a number of fields separated by commas. The fields in a line
13860 category @r{The category of the item}
13861 head @r{The headline, without TODO keyword, TAGS and PRIORITY}
13862 type @r{The type of the agenda entry, can be}
13863 todo @r{selected in TODO match}
13864 tagsmatch @r{selected in tags match}
13865 diary @r{imported from diary}
13866 deadline @r{a deadline}
13867 scheduled @r{scheduled}
13868 timestamp @r{appointment, selected by timestamp}
13869 closed @r{entry was closed on date}
13870 upcoming-deadline @r{warning about nearing deadline}
13871 past-scheduled @r{forwarded scheduled item}
13872 block @r{entry has date block including date}
13873 todo @r{The TODO keyword, if any}
13874 tags @r{All tags including inherited ones, separated by colons}
13875 date @r{The relevant date, like 2007-2-14}
13876 time @r{The time, like 15:00-16:50}
13877 extra @r{String with extra planning info}
13878 priority-l @r{The priority letter if any was given}
13879 priority-n @r{The computed numerical priority}
13883 Time and date will only be given if a timestamp (or deadline/scheduled)
13884 led to the selection of the item.
13886 A CSV list like this is very easy to use in a post-processing script.
13887 For example, here is a Perl program that gets the TODO list from
13888 Emacs/Org and prints all the items, preceded by a checkbox:
13893 # define the Emacs command to run
13894 $cmd = "emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda-csv \"t\")'";
13896 # run it and capture the output
13897 $agenda = qx@{$cmd 2>/dev/null@};
13899 # loop over all lines
13900 foreach $line (split(/\n/,$agenda)) @{
13901 # get the individual values
13902 ($category,$head,$type,$todo,$tags,$date,$time,$extra,
13903 $priority_l,$priority_n) = split(/,/,$line);
13904 # process and print
13905 print "[ ] $head\n";
13909 @node Using the property API, Using the mapping API, Extracting agenda information, Hacking
13910 @section Using the property API
13911 @cindex API, for properties
13912 @cindex properties, API
13914 Here is a description of the functions that can be used to work with
13917 @defun org-entry-properties &optional pom which
13918 Get all properties of the entry at point-or-marker POM.@*
13919 This includes the TODO keyword, the tags, time strings for deadline,
13920 scheduled, and clocking, and any additional properties defined in the
13921 entry. The return value is an alist, keys may occur multiple times
13922 if the property key was used several times.@*
13923 POM may also be nil, in which case the current entry is used.
13924 If WHICH is nil or `all', get all properties. If WHICH is
13925 `special' or `standard', only get that subclass.
13927 @vindex org-use-property-inheritance
13928 @defun org-entry-get pom property &optional inherit
13929 Get value of PROPERTY for entry at point-or-marker POM. By default,
13930 this only looks at properties defined locally in the entry. If INHERIT
13931 is non-nil and the entry does not have the property, then also check
13932 higher levels of the hierarchy. If INHERIT is the symbol
13933 @code{selective}, use inheritance if and only if the setting of
13934 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} selects PROPERTY for inheritance.
13937 @defun org-entry-delete pom property
13938 Delete the property PROPERTY from entry at point-or-marker POM.
13941 @defun org-entry-put pom property value
13942 Set PROPERTY to VALUE for entry at point-or-marker POM.
13945 @defun org-buffer-property-keys &optional include-specials
13946 Get all property keys in the current buffer.
13949 @defun org-insert-property-drawer
13950 Insert a property drawer at point.
13953 @defun org-entry-put-multivalued-property pom property &rest values
13954 Set PROPERTY at point-or-marker POM to VALUES. VALUES should be a list of
13955 strings. They will be concatenated, with spaces as separators.
13958 @defun org-entry-get-multivalued-property pom property
13959 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
13960 values and return the values as a list of strings.
13963 @defun org-entry-add-to-multivalued-property pom property value
13964 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
13965 values and make sure that VALUE is in this list.
13968 @defun org-entry-remove-from-multivalued-property pom property value
13969 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
13970 values and make sure that VALUE is @emph{not} in this list.
13973 @defun org-entry-member-in-multivalued-property pom property value
13974 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
13975 values and check if VALUE is in this list.
13978 @defopt org-property-allowed-value-functions
13979 Hook for functions supplying allowed values for specific.
13980 The functions must take a single argument, the name of the property, and
13981 return a flat list of allowed values. If @samp{:ETC} is one of
13982 the values, use the values as completion help, but allow also other values
13983 to be entered. The functions must return @code{nil} if they are not
13984 responsible for this property.
13987 @node Using the mapping API, , Using the property API, Hacking
13988 @section Using the mapping API
13989 @cindex API, for mapping
13990 @cindex mapping entries, API
13992 Org has sophisticated mapping capabilities to find all entries satisfying
13993 certain criteria. Internally, this functionality is used to produce agenda
13994 views, but there is also an API that can be used to execute arbitrary
13995 functions for each or selected entries. The main entry point for this API
13998 @defun org-map-entries func &optional match scope &rest skip
13999 Call FUNC at each headline selected by MATCH in SCOPE.
14001 FUNC is a function or a Lisp form. The function will be called without
14002 arguments, with the cursor positioned at the beginning of the headline.
14003 The return values of all calls to the function will be collected and
14004 returned as a list.
14006 The call to FUNC will be wrapped into a save-excursion form, so FUNC
14007 does not need to preserve point. After evaluation, the cursor will be
14008 moved to the end of the line (presumably of the headline of the
14009 processed entry) and search continues from there. Under some
14010 circumstances, this may not produce the wanted results. For example,
14011 if you have removed (e.g. archived) the current (sub)tree it could
14012 mean that the next entry will be skipped entirely. In such cases, you
14013 can specify the position from where search should continue by making
14014 FUNC set the variable `org-map-continue-from' to the desired buffer
14017 MATCH is a tags/property/todo match as it is used in the agenda match view.
14018 Only headlines that are matched by this query will be considered during
14019 the iteration. When MATCH is nil or t, all headlines will be
14020 visited by the iteration.
14022 SCOPE determines the scope of this command. It can be any of:
14025 nil @r{the current buffer, respecting the restriction if any}
14026 tree @r{the subtree started with the entry at point}
14027 file @r{the current buffer, without restriction}
14029 @r{the current buffer, and any archives associated with it}
14030 agenda @r{all agenda files}
14031 agenda-with-archives
14032 @r{all agenda files with any archive files associated with them}
14034 @r{if this is a list, all files in the list will be scanned}
14037 The remaining args are treated as settings for the skipping facilities of
14038 the scanner. The following items can be given here:
14040 @vindex org-agenda-skip-function
14042 archive @r{skip trees with the archive tag}
14043 comment @r{skip trees with the COMMENT keyword}
14044 function or Lisp form
14045 @r{will be used as value for @code{org-agenda-skip-function},}
14046 @r{so whenever the function returns t, FUNC}
14047 @r{will not be called for that entry and search will}
14048 @r{continue from the point where the function leaves it}
14052 The function given to that mapping routine can really do anything you like.
14053 It can use the property API (@pxref{Using the property API}) to gather more
14054 information about the entry, or in order to change metadata in the entry.
14055 Here are a couple of functions that might be handy:
14057 @defun org-todo &optional arg
14058 Change the TODO state of the entry, see the docstring of the functions for
14059 the many possible values for the argument ARG.
14062 @defun org-priority &optional action
14063 Change the priority of the entry, see the docstring of this function for the
14064 possible values for ACTION.
14067 @defun org-toggle-tag tag &optional onoff
14068 Toggle the tag TAG in the current entry. Setting ONOFF to either @code{on}
14069 or @code{off} will not toggle tag, but ensure that it is either on or off.
14073 Promote the current entry.
14077 Demote the current entry.
14080 Here is a simple example that will turn all entries in the current file with
14081 a tag @code{TOMORROW} into TODO entries with the keyword @code{UPCOMING}.
14082 Entries in comment trees and in archive trees will be ignored.
14086 '(org-todo "UPCOMING")
14087 "+TOMORROW" 'file 'archive 'comment)
14090 The following example counts the number of entries with TODO keyword
14091 @code{WAITING}, in all agenda files.
14094 (length (org-map-entries t "/+WAITING" 'agenda))
14097 @node MobileOrg, History and Acknowledgments, Hacking, Top
14098 @appendix MobileOrg
14102 @uref{http://mobileorg.ncogni.to/, MobileOrg} is an application for the
14103 @i{iPhone/iPod Touch} series of devices, developed by Richard Moreland.
14104 @i{MobileOrg} offers offline viewing and capture support for an Org-mode
14105 system rooted on a ``real'' computer. It does also allow you to record
14106 changes to existing entries. Android users should check out
14107 @uref{http://wiki.github.com/matburt/mobileorg-android/, MobileOrg Android}
14110 This appendix describes the support Org has for creating agenda views in a
14111 format that can be displayed by @i{MobileOrg}, and for integrating notes
14112 captured and changes made by @i{MobileOrg} into the main system.
14114 For changing tags and TODO states in MobileOrg, you should have set up the
14115 customization variables @code{org-todo-keywords} and @code{org-tags-alist} to
14116 cover all important tags and TODO keywords, even if individual files use only
14117 part of these. MobileOrg will also offer you states and tags set up with
14118 in-buffer settings, but it will understand the logistics of TODO state
14119 @i{sets} (@pxref{Per-file keywords}) and @i{mutually exclusive} tags
14120 (@pxref{Setting tags}) only for those set in these variables.
14123 * Setting up the staging area:: Where to interact with the mobile device
14124 * Pushing to MobileOrg:: Uploading Org files and agendas
14125 * Pulling from MobileOrg:: Integrating captured and flagged items
14128 @node Setting up the staging area, Pushing to MobileOrg, MobileOrg, MobileOrg
14129 @section Setting up the staging area
14131 MobileOrg needs to interact with Emacs through directory on a
14132 server@footnote{If you are using a public server, you might prefer to encrypt
14133 the files on the server. This can be done with Org-mode 6.35 and, hopefully,
14134 with MobileOrg 1.4 (please check before trying to use this). On the Emacs
14135 side, configure the variables @code{org-mobile-use-encryption} and
14136 @code{org-mobile-encryption-password}.}. The easiest way to create that
14137 directory is to use a free @uref{http://dropbox.com,Dropbox.com}
14138 account@footnote{If you cannot use Dropbox, or if your version of MobileOrg
14139 does not support it, you can use a webdav server. For more information,
14140 check out the the documentation of MobileOrg and also this
14141 @uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-faq.php#mobileorg_webdav, FAQ entry}.}.
14142 When MobileOrg first connects to your Dropbox, it will create a directory
14143 @i{MobileOrg} inside the Dropbox. After the directory has been created, tell
14147 (setq org-mobile-directory "~/Dropbox/MobileOrg")
14150 Org-mode has commands to put files for @i{MobileOrg} into that directory,
14151 and to read captured notes from there.
14153 @node Pushing to MobileOrg, Pulling from MobileOrg, Setting up the staging area, MobileOrg
14154 @section Pushing to MobileOrg
14156 This operation copies all files currently listed in @code{org-mobile-files}
14157 to the directory @code{org-mobile-directory}. By default this list contains
14158 all agenda files (as listed in @code{org-agenda-files}), but additional files
14159 can be included by customizing @code{org-mobiles-files}. File names will be
14160 staged with path relative to @code{org-directory}, so all files should be
14161 inside this directory. The push operation also creates a special Org file
14162 @file{agendas.org} with all custom agenda view defined by the
14163 user@footnote{While creating the agendas, Org-mode will force (see the
14164 variable @code{org-mobile-force-id-on-agenda-items}) ID properties on all
14165 referenced entries, so that these entries can be uniquely
14166 identified if @i{MobileOrg} flags them for further action.}. Finally, Org
14167 writes the file @file{index.org}, containing links to all other files.
14168 @i{MobileOrg} first reads this file from the server, and then downloads all
14169 agendas and Org files listed in it. To speed up the download, MobileOrg will
14170 only read files whose checksums@footnote{stored automatically in the file
14171 @file{checksums.dat}} have changed.
14173 @node Pulling from MobileOrg, , Pushing to MobileOrg, MobileOrg
14174 @section Pulling from MobileOrg
14176 When @i{MobileOrg} synchronizes with the server, it not only pulls the Org
14177 files for viewing. It also appends captured entries and pointers to flagged
14178 and changed entries to the file @file{mobileorg.org} on the server. Org has
14179 a @emph{pull} operation that integrates this information into an inbox file
14180 and operates on the pointers to flagged entries. Here is how it works:
14184 Org moves all entries found in
14185 @file{mobileorg.org}@footnote{@file{mobileorg.org} will be empty after this
14186 operation.} and appends them to the file pointed to by the variable
14187 @code{org-mobile-inbox-for-pull}. Each captured entry and each editing event
14188 will be a top-level entry in the inbox file.
14190 After moving the entries, Org will attempt to implement the changes made in
14191 @i{MobileOrg}. Some changes are applied directly and without user
14192 interaction. Examples are all changes to tags, TODO state, headline and body
14193 text that can be cleanly applied. Entries that have been flagged for further
14194 action will receive a tag @code{:FLAGGED:}, so that they can be easily found
14195 again. When there is a problem finding an entry or applying the change, the
14196 pointer entry will remain in the inbox and will be marked with an error
14197 message. You need to later resolve these issues by hand.
14199 Org will then generate an agenda view with all flagged entries. The user
14200 should then go through these entries and do whatever actions are necessary.
14201 If a note has been stored while flagging an entry in @i{MobileOrg}, that note
14202 will be displayed in the echo area when the cursor is on the corresponding
14207 Pressing @kbd{?} in that special agenda will display the full flagging note in
14208 another window and also push it onto the kill ring. So you could use @kbd{?
14209 z C-y C-c C-c} to store that flagging note as a normal note in the entry.
14210 Pressing @kbd{?} twice in succession will offer to remove the
14211 @code{:FLAGGED:} tag along with the recorded flagging note (which is stored
14212 in a property). In this way you indicate, that the intended processing for
14213 this flagged entry is finished.
14218 If you are not able to process all flagged entries directly, you can always
14219 return to this agenda view using @kbd{C-c a ?}. Note, however, that there is
14220 a subtle difference. The view created automatically by @kbd{M-x
14221 org-mobile-pull @key{RET}} is guaranteed to search all files that have been
14222 addressed by the last pull. This might include a file that is not currently
14223 in your list of agenda files. If you later use @kbd{C-c a ?} to regenerate
14224 the view, only the current agenda files will be searched.
14226 @node History and Acknowledgments, Main Index, MobileOrg, Top
14227 @appendix History and acknowledgments
14228 @cindex acknowledgments
14232 Org was born in 2003, out of frustration over the user interface of the Emacs
14233 Outline mode. I was trying to organize my notes and projects, and using
14234 Emacs seemed to be the natural way to go. However, having to remember eleven
14235 different commands with two or three keys per command, only to hide and show
14236 parts of the outline tree, that seemed entirely unacceptable to me. Also,
14237 when using outlines to take notes, I constantly wanted to restructure the
14238 tree, organizing it parallel to my thoughts and plans. @emph{Visibility
14239 cycling} and @emph{structure editing} were originally implemented in the
14240 package @file{outline-magic.el}, but quickly moved to the more general
14241 @file{org.el}. As this environment became comfortable for project planning,
14242 the next step was adding @emph{TODO entries}, basic @emph{timestamps}, and
14243 @emph{table support}. These areas highlighted the two main goals that Org
14244 still has today: to be a new, outline-based, plain text mode with innovative
14245 and intuitive editing features, and to incorporate project planning
14246 functionality directly into a notes file.
14248 Since the first release, literally thousands of emails to me or to
14249 @email{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} have provided a constant stream of bug
14250 reports, feedback, new ideas, and sometimes patches and add-on code.
14251 Many thanks to everyone who has helped to improve this package. I am
14252 trying to keep here a list of the people who had significant influence
14253 in shaping one or more aspects of Org. The list may not be
14254 complete, if I have forgotten someone, please accept my apologies and
14257 Before I get to this list, a few special mentions are in order:
14260 @item Bastien Guerry
14261 Bastien has written a large number of extensions to Org (most of them
14262 integrated into the core by now), including the LaTeX exporter and the plain
14263 list parser. His support during the early days, when he basically acted as
14264 co-maintainer, was central to the success of this project. Bastien also
14265 invented Worg, helped establishing the Web presence of Org, and sponsors
14266 hosting costs for the orgmode.org website.
14267 @item Eric Schulte and Dan Davison
14268 Eric and Dan are jointly responsible for the Org-babel system, which turns
14269 Org into a multi-language environment for evaluating code and doing literate
14270 programming and reproducible research.
14272 John has also contributed a number of great ideas and patches
14273 directly to Org, including the attachment system (@file{org-attach.el}),
14274 integration with Apple Mail (@file{org-mac-message.el}), hierarchical
14275 dependencies of TODO items, habit tracking (@file{org-habits.el}), and
14276 encryption (@file{org-crypt.el}). Also, the capture system is really an
14277 extended copy of his great @file{remember.el}.
14278 @item Sebastian Rose
14279 Without Sebastian, the HTML/XHTML publishing of Org would be the pitiful work
14280 of an ignorant amateur. Sebastian has pushed this part of Org onto a much
14281 higher level. He also wrote @file{org-info.js}, a Java script for displaying
14282 webpages derived from Org using an Info-like or a folding interface with
14283 single-key navigation.
14286 @noindent OK, now to the full list of contributions! Again, please let me
14287 know what I am missing here!
14292 @i{Russel Adams} came up with the idea for drawers.
14294 @i{Thomas Baumann} wrote @file{org-bbdb.el} and @file{org-mhe.el}.
14296 @i{Christophe Bataillon} created the great unicorn logo that we use on the
14299 @i{Alex Bochannek} provided a patch for rounding timestamps.
14301 @i{Jan Böcker} wrote @file{org-docview.el}.
14303 @i{Brad Bozarth} showed how to pull RSS feed data into Org-mode files.
14305 @i{Tom Breton} wrote @file{org-choose.el}.
14307 @i{Charles Cave}'s suggestion sparked the implementation of templates
14308 for Remember, which are now templates for capture.
14310 @i{Pavel Chalmoviansky} influenced the agenda treatment of items with
14313 @i{Gregory Chernov} patched support for Lisp forms into table
14314 calculations and improved XEmacs compatibility, in particular by porting
14315 @file{nouline.el} to XEmacs.
14317 @i{Sacha Chua} suggested copying some linking code from Planner.
14319 @i{Baoqiu Cui} contributed the DocBook exporter.
14321 @i{Eddward DeVilla} proposed and tested checkbox statistics. He also
14322 came up with the idea of properties, and that there should be an API for
14325 @i{Nick Dokos} tracked down several nasty bugs.
14327 @i{Kees Dullemond} used to edit projects lists directly in HTML and so
14328 inspired some of the early development, including HTML export. He also
14329 asked for a way to narrow wide table columns.
14331 @i{Thomas S. Dye} contributed documentation on Worg and helped integrating
14332 the Org-Babel documentation into the manual.
14334 @i{Christian Egli} converted the documentation into Texinfo format,
14335 patched CSS formatting into the HTML exporter, and inspired the agenda.
14337 @i{David Emery} provided a patch for custom CSS support in exported
14340 @i{Nic Ferrier} contributed mailcap and XOXO support.
14342 @i{Miguel A. Figueroa-Villanueva} implemented hierarchical checkboxes.
14344 @i{John Foerch} figured out how to make incremental search show context
14345 around a match in a hidden outline tree.
14347 @i{Raimar Finken} wrote @file{org-git-line.el}.
14349 @i{Mikael Fornius} works as a mailing list moderator.
14351 @i{Austin Frank} works as a mailing list moderator.
14353 @i{Niels Giesen} had the idea to automatically archive DONE trees.
14355 @i{Kai Grossjohann} pointed out key-binding conflicts with other packages.
14357 @i{Bernt Hansen} has driven much of the support for auto-repeating tasks,
14358 task state change logging, and the clocktable. His clear explanations have
14359 been critical when we started to adopt the Git version control system.
14361 @i{Manuel Hermenegildo} has contributed various ideas, small fixes and
14364 @i{Phil Jackson} wrote @file{org-irc.el}.
14366 @i{Scott Jaderholm} proposed footnotes, control over whitespace between
14367 folded entries, and column view for properties.
14369 @i{Matt Jones} wrote @i{MobileOrg Android}.
14371 @i{Tokuya Kameshima} wrote @file{org-wl.el} and @file{org-mew.el}.
14373 @i{Shidai Liu} ("Leo") asked for embedded La@TeX{} and tested it. He also
14374 provided frequent feedback and some patches.
14376 @i{Matt Lundin} has proposed last-row references for table formulas and named
14377 invisible anchors. He has also worked a lot on the FAQ.
14379 @i{David Maus} wrote @file{org-atom.el}, maintains the issues file for Org,
14380 and is a prolific contributor on the mailing list with competent replies,
14381 small fixes and patches.
14383 @i{Jason F. McBrayer} suggested agenda export to CSV format.
14385 @i{Max Mikhanosha} came up with the idea of refiling.
14387 @i{Dmitri Minaev} sent a patch to set priority limits on a per-file
14390 @i{Stefan Monnier} provided a patch to keep the Emacs-Lisp compiler
14393 @i{Richard Moreland} wrote @i{MobileOrg} for the iPhone.
14395 @i{Rick Moynihan} proposed allowing multiple TODO sequences in a file
14396 and being able to quickly restrict the agenda to a subtree.
14398 @i{Todd Neal} provided patches for links to Info files and Elisp forms.
14400 @i{Greg Newman} refreshed the unicorn logo into its current form.
14402 @i{Tim O'Callaghan} suggested in-file links, search options for general
14403 file links, and TAGS.
14405 @i{Osamu Okano} wrote @file{orgcard2ref.pl}, a perl program to create a text
14406 version of the reference card.
14408 @i{Takeshi Okano} translated the manual and David O'Toole's tutorial
14411 @i{Oliver Oppitz} suggested multi-state TODO items.
14413 @i{Scott Otterson} sparked the introduction of descriptive text for
14414 links, among other things.
14416 @i{Pete Phillips} helped during the development of the TAGS feature, and
14417 provided frequent feedback.
14419 @i{Martin Pohlack} provided the code snippet to bundle character insertion
14420 into bundles of 20 for undo.
14422 @i{T.V. Raman} reported bugs and suggested improvements.
14424 @i{Matthias Rempe} (Oelde) provided ideas, Windows support, and quality
14427 @i{Paul Rivier} provided the basic implementation of named footnotes. He
14428 also acted as mailing list moderator for some time.
14430 @i{Kevin Rogers} contributed code to access VM files on remote hosts.
14432 @i{Frank Ruell} solved the mystery of the @code{keymapp nil} bug, a
14433 conflict with @file{allout.el}.
14435 @i{Jason Riedy} generalized the send-receive mechanism for Orgtbl tables with
14438 @i{Philip Rooke} created the Org reference card, provided lots
14439 of feedback, developed and applied standards to the Org documentation.
14441 @i{Christian Schlauer} proposed angular brackets around links, among
14444 @i{Paul Sexton} wrote @file{org-ctags.el}.
14446 Linking to VM/BBDB/Gnus was first inspired by @i{Tom Shannon}'s
14447 @file{organizer-mode.el}.
14449 @i{Ilya Shlyakhter} proposed the Archive Sibling, line numbering in literal
14450 examples, and remote highlighting for referenced code lines.
14452 @i{Stathis Sideris} wrote the @file{ditaa.jar} ASCII to PNG converter that is
14453 now packaged into Org's @file{contrib} directory.
14455 @i{Daniel Sinder} came up with the idea of internal archiving by locking
14458 @i{Dale Smith} proposed link abbreviations.
14460 @i{James TD Smith} has contributed a large number of patches for useful
14461 tweaks and features.
14463 @i{Adam Spiers} asked for global linking commands, inspired the link
14464 extension system, added support for mairix, and proposed the mapping API.
14466 @i{Ulf Stegemann} created the table to translate special symbols to HTML,
14467 LaTeX, UTF-8, Latin-1 and ASCII.
14469 @i{Andy Stewart} contributed code to @file{org-w3m.el}, to copy HTML content
14470 with links transformation to Org syntax.
14472 @i{David O'Toole} wrote @file{org-publish.el} and drafted the manual
14473 chapter about publishing.
14475 @i{Stefan Vollmar} organized a video-recorded talk at the
14476 Max-Planck-Institute for Neurology. He also inspired the creation of a
14477 concept index for HTML export.
14479 @i{J@"urgen Vollmer} contributed code generating the table of contents
14482 @i{Samuel Wales} has provided important feedback and bug reports.
14484 @i{Chris Wallace} provided a patch implementing the @samp{QUOTE}
14487 @i{David Wainberg} suggested archiving, and improvements to the linking
14490 @i{Carsten Wimmer} suggested some changes and helped fix a bug in
14493 @i{Roland Winkler} requested additional key bindings to make Org
14496 @i{Piotr Zielinski} wrote @file{org-mouse.el}, proposed agenda blocks
14497 and contributed various ideas and code snippets.
14501 @node Main Index, Key Index, History and Acknowledgments, Top
14502 @unnumbered Concept index
14506 @node Key Index, Variable Index, Main Index, Top
14507 @unnumbered Key index
14511 @node Variable Index, , Key Index, Top
14512 @unnumbered Variable index
14514 This is not a complete index of variables and faces, only the ones that are
14515 mentioned in the manual. For a more complete list, use @kbd{M-x
14516 org-customize @key{RET}} and then click yourself through the tree.
14523 arch-tag: 7893d1Fe-cc57-4d13-b5e5-f494a1CBC7ac
14526 @c Local variables:
14531 @c LocalWords: webdavhost pre