3 @setfilename ../../info/org
4 @settitle The Org Manual
11 * Org Mode: (org). Outline-based notes management and organizer
14 @c Version and Contact Info
15 @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://orgmode.org,maintainers webpage}
16 @set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik
17 @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
18 @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{carsten at orgmode dot org}
19 @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:carsten at orgmode dot org,contact the maintainer}
25 @c Subheadings inside a table.
26 @macro tsubheading{text}
36 This manual is for Org (version @value{VERSION}).
38 Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Free Software Foundation
41 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
42 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
43 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
44 Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
45 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license
46 is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License.''
48 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
49 modify this GNU manual. Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
50 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
52 This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
53 Documentation License. If you want to distribute this document
54 separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
55 license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
62 @subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
63 @author by Carsten Dominik
65 @c The following two commands start the copyright page.
67 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
71 @c Output the table of contents at the beginning.
75 @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir)
82 * Introduction:: Getting started
83 * Document Structure:: A tree works like your brain
84 * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting
85 * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context
86 * TODO Items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item
87 * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
88 * Properties and Columns:: Storing information about an entry
89 * Dates and Times:: Making items useful for planning
90 * Capture:: Creating tasks and attaching files
91 * Agenda Views:: Collecting information into views
92 * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX fragments and formulas
93 * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes
94 * Publishing:: Create a web site of linked Org files
95 * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
96 * Extensions:: Add-ons for Org mode
97 * Hacking:: How to hack your way around
98 * History and Acknowledgments:: How Org came into being
99 * Main Index:: An index of Org's concepts and features
100 * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described
103 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---
107 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
108 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
109 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
110 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
111 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
115 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
116 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
117 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
118 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
119 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
120 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
121 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
122 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
123 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
124 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
125 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
129 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
130 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
134 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
135 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
136 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
137 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
138 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
139 * Org Plot:: Plotting from org tables
143 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
144 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
145 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
146 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
147 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
148 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
149 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
150 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
154 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
155 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
156 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
157 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
158 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
159 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
160 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
161 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
165 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
169 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
170 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
171 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
172 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
173 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
174 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
176 Extended use of TODO keywords
178 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
179 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
180 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
181 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
182 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
183 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
184 * TODO dependencies:: When one tasks needs to wait for others
188 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
189 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
193 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
194 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
195 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
197 Properties and Columns
199 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
200 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
201 * Property searches:: Matching property values
202 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
203 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
204 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
208 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
209 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
210 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
214 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
215 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
219 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
220 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
221 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
222 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
223 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
224 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
228 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
229 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
231 Deadlines and scheduling
233 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
234 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
238 * Remember:: Capture new tasks/ideas with little interruption
239 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks.
243 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
244 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
245 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
246 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
250 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
251 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
252 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
253 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
254 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
255 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
256 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
258 The built-in agenda views
260 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
261 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
262 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
263 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
264 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
265 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
267 Presentation and sorting
269 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
270 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
271 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
275 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
276 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
277 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
278 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
279 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
283 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
284 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
285 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
286 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
287 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
291 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
292 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
293 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
294 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
295 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
296 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
297 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to LaTeX, and processing to PDF
298 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
299 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
303 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
304 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
305 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
306 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
307 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
308 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
309 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
310 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
311 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
312 * Inlined images:: How to inline images during export
314 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
315 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
316 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
317 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
321 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
322 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
323 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
324 * Images in HTML export:: How to insert figures into HTML output
325 * Text areas in HTML export:: An alternative way to show an example
326 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
327 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
331 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invokes which commands
332 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
333 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
334 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to LaTeX
335 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into LaTeX output
339 * Configuration:: Defining projects
340 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
341 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
345 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
346 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
347 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
348 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
349 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
350 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
351 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
355 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
356 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
360 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
361 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
362 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
363 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
364 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
365 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
366 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
367 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
369 Interaction with other packages
371 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
372 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
376 * Extensions in the contrib directory:: These come with the Org distro
377 * Other extensions:: These you have to find on the web.
381 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
382 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
383 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
384 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
385 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
386 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
388 Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
390 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
391 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
392 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
393 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
398 @node Introduction, Document Structure, Top, Top
399 @chapter Introduction
403 * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org does
404 * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org
405 * Activation:: How to activate Org for certain buffers
406 * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
407 * Conventions:: Type-setting conventions in the manual
410 @node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction
414 Org is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, and doing
415 project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.
417 Org develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
418 lists or information about projects as plain text. Org is
419 implemented on top of Outline mode, which makes it possible to keep the
420 content of large files well structured. Visibility cycling and
421 structure editing help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created
422 with a built-in table editor. Org supports TODO items, deadlines,
423 time stamps, and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an
424 agenda that utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar
425 and diary. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails,
426 Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects.
427 For printing and sharing of notes, an Org file can be exported as a
428 structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (TODO and agenda items only) as an
429 iCalendar file. It can also serve as a publishing tool for a set of
432 An important design aspect that distinguishes Org from for example
433 Planner/Muse is that it encourages to store every piece of information
434 only once. In Planner, you have project pages, day pages and possibly
435 other files, duplicating some information such as tasks. In Org,
436 you only have notes files. In your notes you mark entries as tasks,
437 label them with tags and timestamps. All necessary lists like a
438 schedule for the day, the agenda for a meeting, tasks lists selected by
439 tags etc are created dynamically when you need them.
441 Org keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should
442 feel like a straightforward, easy to use outliner. Complexity is not
443 imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you need
444 it. Org is a toolbox and can be used in different ways, for
448 @r{@bullet{} outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
449 @r{@bullet{} ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
450 @r{@bullet{} ASCII table editor with spreadsheet-like capabilities}
451 @r{@bullet{} TODO list editor}
452 @r{@bullet{} full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
453 @r{@bullet{} environment to implement David Allen's GTD system}
454 @r{@bullet{} a basic database application}
455 @r{@bullet{} simple hypertext system, with HTML and LaTeX export}
456 @r{@bullet{} publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages}
459 Org's automatic, context sensitive table editor with spreadsheet
460 capabilities can be integrated into any major mode by activating the
461 minor Orgtbl mode. Using a translation step, it can be used to maintain
462 tables in arbitrary file types, for example in La@TeX{}. The structure
463 editing and list creation capabilities can be used outside Org with
464 the minor Orgstruct mode.
467 There is a website for Org which provides links to the newest
468 version of Org, as well as additional information, frequently asked
469 questions (FAQ), links to tutorials etc. This page is located at
470 @uref{http://orgmode.org}.
475 @node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction
476 @section Installation
480 @b{Important:} @i{If Org is part of the Emacs distribution or an
481 XEmacs package, please skip this section and go directly to
484 If you have downloaded Org from the Web, either as a distribution @file{.zip}
485 or @file{.tar} file, or as a GIT archive, you must take the following steps
486 to install it: Go into the unpacked Org distribution directory and edit the
487 top section of the file @file{Makefile}. You must set the name of the Emacs
488 binary (likely either @file{emacs} or @file{xemacs}), and the paths to the
489 directories where local Lisp and Info files are kept. If you don't have
490 access to the system-wide directories, you can simply run Org directly from
491 the distribution directory by adding the @file{lisp} subdirectory to the
492 Emacs load path. To do this, add the following line to @file{.emacs}:
495 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/lisp" load-path))
499 If you plan to use code from the @file{contrib} subdirectory, do a similar
500 step for this directory:
503 (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/orgdir/contrib/lisp" load-path))
506 @b{XEmacs users now need to install the file @file{noutline.el} from
507 the @file{xemacs} sub-directory of the Org distribution. Use the
511 @b{make install-noutline}
514 @noindent Now byte-compile the Lisp files with the shell command:
520 @noindent If you are running Org from the distribution directory, this is
521 all. If you want to install into the system directories, use
528 @noindent Then add to @file{.emacs}:
531 ;; This line only if Org is not part of the X/Emacs distribution.
532 (require 'org-install)
535 Do not forget to activate Org as described in the following section.
537 @node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction
541 @cindex global key bindings
542 @cindex key bindings, global
545 @b{Important:} @i{If you use copy-and-paste to copy lisp code from the
546 PDF documentation as viewed by some PDF viewers to your .emacs file, the
547 single quote character comes out incorrectly and the code will not work.
548 You need to fix the single quotes by hand, or copy from Info
552 Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file. The last three lines
553 define @emph{global} keys for the commands @command{org-store-link},
554 @command{org-agenda}, and @command{org-iswitchb} - please choose suitable
558 ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys.
559 (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org\\'" . org-mode))
560 (global-set-key "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
561 (global-set-key "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
562 (global-set-key "\C-cb" 'org-iswitchb)
565 Furthermore, you must activate @code{font-lock-mode} in Org
566 buffers, because significant functionality depends on font-locking being
567 active. You can do this with either one of the following two lines
568 (XEmacs user must use the second option):
570 (global-font-lock-mode 1) ; for all buffers
571 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock) ; Org buffers only
574 @cindex Org mode, turning on
575 With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put
576 into Org mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look
580 MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*-
583 @noindent which will select Org mode for this buffer no matter what
584 the file's name is. See also the variable
585 @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}.
587 Many commands in Org work on the region if the region is active. To make use
588 of this, you need to have @code{transient-mark-mode} (@code{zmacs-regions} in
589 XEmacs) turned on. In Emacs 23 this is the default, in Emacs 22 you need to
590 do this yourself with
593 (transient-mark-mode 1)
596 @node Feedback, Conventions, Activation, Introduction
603 If you find problems with Org, or if you have questions, remarks, or ideas
604 about it, please mail to the Org mailing list @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org}.
605 If you are not a member of the mailing list, your mail will be reviewed by a
606 moderator and then passed through to the list.
608 For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible,
609 including the version information of Emacs (@kbd{C-h v emacs-version
610 @key{RET}}) and Org (@kbd{C-h v org-version @key{RET}}), as well as
611 the Org related setup in @file{.emacs}. If an error occurs, a
612 backtrace can be very useful (see below on how to create one). Often a
613 small example file helps, along with clear information about:
616 @item What exactly did you do?
617 @item What did you expect to happen?
618 @item What happened instead?
620 @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode.
622 @subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace
624 @cindex backtrace of an error
625 If working with Org produces an error with a message you don't
626 understand, you may have hit a bug. The best way to report this is by
627 providing, in addition to what was mentioned above, a @emph{Backtrace}.
628 This is information from the built-in debugger about where and how the
629 error occurred. Here is how to produce a useful backtrace:
633 Start a fresh Emacs or XEmacs, and make sure that it will load the
634 original Lisp code in @file{org.el} instead of the compiled version in
635 @file{org.elc}. The backtrace contains much more information if it is
636 produced with uncompiled code. To do this, either rename @file{org.elc}
637 to something else before starting Emacs, or ask Emacs explicitly to load
638 @file{org.el} by using the command line
640 emacs -l /path/to/org.el
643 Go to the @code{Options} menu and select @code{Enter Debugger on Error}
644 (XEmacs has this option in the @code{Troubleshooting} sub-menu).
646 Do whatever you have to do to hit the error. Don't forget to
647 document the steps you take.
649 When you hit the error, a @file{*Backtrace*} buffer will appear on the
650 screen. Save this buffer to a file (for example using @kbd{C-x C-w}) and
651 attach it to your bug report.
654 @node Conventions, , Feedback, Introduction
655 @section Typesetting conventions used in this manual
657 Org uses three types of keywords: TODO keywords, tags, and property
658 names. In this manual we use the following conventions:
663 TODO keywords are written with all capitals, even if they are
667 User-defined tags are written in lowercase; built-in tags with special
668 meaning are written with all capitals.
671 User-defined properties are capitalized; built-in properties with
672 special meaning are written with all capitals.
675 @node Document Structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
676 @chapter Document Structure
677 @cindex document structure
678 @cindex structure of document
680 Org is based on outline mode and provides flexible commands to
681 edit the structure of the document.
684 * Outlines:: Org is based on Outline mode
685 * Headlines:: How to typeset Org tree headlines
686 * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified
687 * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines
688 * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines
689 * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place
690 * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context
691 * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry
692 * Drawers:: Tucking stuff away
693 * Footnotes:: How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
694 * Orgstruct mode:: Structure editing outside Org
697 @node Outlines, Headlines, Document Structure, Document Structure
702 Org is implemented on top of Outline mode. Outlines allow a
703 document to be organized in a hierarchical structure, which (at least
704 for me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. An overview
705 of this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the
706 document to show only the general document structure and the parts
707 currently being worked on. Org greatly simplifies the use of
708 outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a single
709 command @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB} key.
711 @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document Structure
716 Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in
717 Org start with one or more stars, on the left margin@footnote{See
718 the variable @code{org-special-ctrl-a/e} to configure special behavior
719 of @kbd{C-a} and @kbd{C-e} in headlines.}. For example:
729 * Another top level headline
732 @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an
733 outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline
734 starters. @ref{Clean view} describes a setup to realize this.
736 An empty line after the end of a subtree is considered part of it and
737 will be hidden when the subtree is folded. However, if you leave at
738 least two empty lines, one empty line will remain visible after folding
739 the subtree, in order to structure the collapsed view. See the
740 variable @code{org-cycle-separator-lines} to modify this behavior.
742 @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document Structure
743 @section Visibility cycling
744 @cindex cycling, visibility
745 @cindex visibility cycling
746 @cindex trees, visibility
747 @cindex show hidden text
750 Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer.
751 Org uses just two commands, bound to @key{TAB} and
752 @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to change the visibility in the buffer.
754 @cindex subtree visibility states
755 @cindex subtree cycling
756 @cindex folded, subtree visibility state
757 @cindex children, subtree visibility state
758 @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state
762 @emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree among the states
765 ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
766 '-----------------------------------'
769 The cursor must be on a headline for this to work@footnote{see, however,
770 the option @code{org-cycle-emulate-tab}.}. When the cursor is at the
771 beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then
772 @key{TAB} actually runs global cycling (see below)@footnote{see the
773 option @code{org-cycle-global-at-bob}.}. Also when called with a prefix
774 argument (@kbd{C-u @key{TAB}}), global cycling is invoked.
776 @cindex global visibility states
777 @cindex global cycling
778 @cindex overview, global visibility state
779 @cindex contents, global visibility state
780 @cindex show all, global visibility state
784 @emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer among the states
787 ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
788 '--------------------------------------'
791 When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numeric prefix argument N, the
792 CONTENTS view up to headlines of level N will be shown. Note that inside
793 tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field.
795 @cindex show all, command
796 @kindex C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
797 @item C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB}
798 Show all, including drawers.
801 Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following heading
802 and the hierarchy above. Useful for working near a location that has been
803 exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda command
804 (@pxref{Agenda commands}). With a prefix argument show, on each
805 level, all sibling headings.
808 Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect
811 (@pxref{Indirect Buffers,,,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual})
814 (see the Emacs manual for more information about indirect buffers)
816 will contain the entire buffer, but will be narrowed to the current
817 tree. Editing the indirect buffer will also change the original buffer,
818 but without affecting visibility in that buffer.}. With a numeric
819 prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
820 negative then go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove
821 the previously used indirect buffer.
824 When Emacs first visits an Org file, the global state is set to
825 OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be
826 configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a
827 per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the
837 Furthermore, any entries with a @samp{VISIBILITY} property (@pxref{Properties
838 and Columns}) will get their visibility adapted accordingly. Allowed values
839 for this property are @code{folded}, @code{children}, @code{content}, and
842 @kindex C-u C-u @key{TAB}
843 @item C-u C-u @key{TAB}
844 Switch back to the startup visibility of the buffer, i.e. whatever is
845 requested by startup options and @samp{VISIBILITY} properties in individual
849 @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document Structure
851 @cindex motion, between headlines
852 @cindex jumping, to headlines
853 @cindex headline navigation
854 The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer.
865 Next heading same level.
868 Previous heading same level.
871 Backward to higher level heading.
874 Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
875 visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
876 you can use the following keys to find your destination:
878 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
879 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
880 @key{RET} @r{Select this location.}
881 @kbd{/} @r{Do a Sparse-tree search}
882 @r{The following keys work if you turn off @code{org-goto-auto-isearch}}
883 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
884 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
886 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
889 See also the variable@code{org-goto-interface}.
892 @node Structure editing, Archiving, Motion, Document Structure
893 @section Structure editing
894 @cindex structure editing
895 @cindex headline, promotion and demotion
896 @cindex promotion, of subtrees
897 @cindex demotion, of subtrees
898 @cindex subtree, cut and paste
899 @cindex pasting, of subtrees
900 @cindex cutting, of subtrees
901 @cindex copying, of subtrees
902 @cindex subtrees, cut and paste
907 Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a
908 plain list item, a new item is created (@pxref{Plain lists}). To force
909 creation of a new headline, use a prefix argument, or first press @key{RET}
910 to get to the beginning of the next line. When this command is used in
911 the middle of a line, the line is split and the rest of the line becomes
912 the new headline@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split,
913 customize the variable @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If the
914 command is used at the beginning of a headline, the new headline is
915 created before the current line. If at the beginning of any other line,
916 the content of that line is made the new heading. If the command is
917 used at the end of a folded subtree (i.e. behind the ellipses at the end
918 of a headline), then a headline like the current one will be inserted
919 after the end of the subtree.
922 Just like @kbd{M-@key{RET}}, except when adding a new heading below the
923 current heading, the new heading is placed after the body instead of before
924 it. This command works from anywhere in the entry.
925 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
927 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.
928 @kindex C-S-@key{RET}
930 Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading. Like
931 @kbd{C-@key{RET}}, the new headline will be inserted after the current
935 Promote current heading by one level.
936 @kindex M-@key{right}
938 Demote current heading by one level.
939 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
941 Promote the current subtree by one level.
942 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
943 @item M-S-@key{right}
944 Demote the current subtree by one level.
947 Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
949 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
951 Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
954 Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
955 With a numeric prefix argument N, kill N sequential subtrees.
958 Copy subtree to kill ring. With a numeric prefix argument N, copy the N
962 Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to
963 make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank level can
964 also be specified with a numeric prefix argument, or by yanking after a
965 headline marker like @samp{****}.
968 Depending on the variables @code{org-yank-adjusted-subtrees} and
969 @code{org-yank-folded-subtrees}, Org's internal @code{yank} command will
970 paste subtrees folded and in a clever way, using the same command as @kbd{C-c
971 C-x C-y}. With the default settings, level adjustment will take place and
972 yanked trees will be folded unless doing so would swallow text previously
973 visible. Any prefix argument to this command will force a normal @code{yank}
974 to be executed, with the prefix passed along. A good way to force a normal
975 yank is @kbd{C-u C-y}. If you use @code{yank-pop} after a yank, it will yank
976 previous kill items plainly, without adjustment and folding.
979 Refile entry or region to a different location. @xref{Refiling notes}.
982 Sort same-level entries. When there is an active region, all entries in the
983 region will be sorted. Otherwise the children of the current headline are
984 sorted. The command prompts for the sorting method, which can be
985 alphabetically, numerically, by time (using the first time stamp in each
986 entry), by priority, or by TODO keyword (in the sequence the keywords have
987 been defined in the setup). Reverse sorting is possible as well. You can
988 also supply your own function to extract the sorting key. With a @kbd{C-u}
989 prefix, sorting will be case-sensitive. With two @kbd{C-u C-u} prefixes,
990 duplicate entries will also be removed.
993 Narrow buffer to current subtree.
996 Widen buffer to remove a narrowing.
999 Turn a normal line or plain list item into a headline (so that it becomes a
1000 subheading at its location). Also turn a headline into a normal line by
1001 removing the stars. If there is an active region, turn all lines in the
1002 region into headlines. If the first line in the region was an item, turn
1003 only the item lines into headlines. Finally, if the first line is a
1004 headline, remove the stars from all headlines in the region.
1007 @cindex region, active
1008 @cindex active region
1009 @cindex Transient mark mode
1010 When there is an active region (Transient mark mode), promotion and
1011 demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of
1012 headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a
1013 line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line
1014 just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is
1015 inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different
1018 @node Archiving, Sparse trees, Structure editing, Document Structure
1022 When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want
1023 to move the tree out of the way and to stop it from contributing to the
1024 agenda. Org mode knows two ways of archiving. You can mark a tree with
1025 the ARCHIVE tag, or you can move an entire (sub)tree to a different
1029 * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive
1030 * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file
1033 @node ARCHIVE tag, Moving subtrees, Archiving, Archiving
1034 @subsection The ARCHIVE tag
1035 @cindex internal archiving
1037 A headline that is marked with the ARCHIVE tag (@pxref{Tags}) stays at
1038 its location in the outline tree, but behaves in the following way:
1041 It does not open when you attempt to do so with a visibility cycling
1042 command (@pxref{Visibility cycling}). You can force cycling archived
1043 subtrees with @kbd{C-@key{TAB}}, or by setting the option
1044 @code{org-cycle-open-archived-trees}. Also normal outline commands like
1045 @code{show-all} will open archived subtrees.
1047 During sparse tree construction (@pxref{Sparse trees}), matches in
1048 archived subtrees are not exposed, unless you configure the option
1049 @code{org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees}.
1051 During agenda view construction (@pxref{Agenda Views}), the content of
1052 archived trees is ignored unless you configure the option
1053 @code{org-agenda-skip-archived-trees}, in which case these trees will always
1054 be included. In the agenda you can press the @kbd{v} key to get archives
1055 temporarily included.
1057 Archived trees are not exported (@pxref{Exporting}), only the headline
1058 is. Configure the details using the variable
1059 @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}.
1062 The following commands help managing the ARCHIVE tag:
1067 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline. When the tag is set,
1068 the headline changes to a shadowed face, and the subtree below it is
1070 @kindex C-u C-c C-x a
1072 Check if any direct children of the current headline should be archived.
1073 To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are
1074 found, the command offers to set the ARCHIVE tag for the child. If the
1075 cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the
1076 level 1 trees will be checked.
1079 Cycle a tree even if it is tagged with ARCHIVE.
1082 @node Moving subtrees, , ARCHIVE tag, Archiving
1083 @subsection Moving subtrees
1084 @cindex external archiving
1086 Once an entire project is finished, you may want to move it to a different
1087 location. Org can move it to an @emph{Archive Sibling} in the same tree, to a
1088 different tree in the current file, or to a different file, the archive file.
1093 Move the current entry to the @emph{Archive Sibling}. This is a sibling of
1094 the entry with the heading @samp{Archive} and the tag @samp{ARCHIVE}
1095 (@pxref{ARCHIVE tag}). The entry becomes a child of that sibling and in this
1096 way retains a lot of its original context, including inherited tags and
1097 approximate position in the outline.
1100 Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location
1101 given by @code{org-archive-location}. Context information that could be
1102 lost like the file name, the category, inherited tags, and the TODO
1103 state will be store as properties in the entry.
1104 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-s
1105 @item C-u C-c C-x C-s
1106 Check if any direct children of the current headline could be moved to
1107 the archive. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries.
1108 If none are found, the command offers to move it to the archive
1109 location. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command
1110 is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked.
1113 @cindex archive locations
1114 The default archive location is a file in the same directory as the
1115 current file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the
1116 current file name. For information and examples on how to change this,
1117 see the documentation string of the variable
1118 @code{org-archive-location}. There is also an in-buffer option for
1119 setting this variable, for example@footnote{For backward compatibility,
1120 the following also works: If there are several such lines in a file,
1121 each specifies the archive location for the text below it. The first
1122 such line also applies to any text before its definition. However,
1123 using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is incompatible
1124 with the outline structure of the document. The correct method for
1125 setting multiple archive locations in a buffer is using properties.}:
1128 #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
1132 If you would like to have a special ARCHIVE location for a single entry
1133 or a (sub)tree, give the entry an @code{:ARCHIVE:} property with the
1134 location as the value (@pxref{Properties and Columns}).
1136 When a subtree is moved, it receives a number of special properties that
1137 record context information like the file from where the entry came, it's
1138 outline path the archiving time etc. Configure the variable
1139 @code{org-archive-save-context-info} to adjust the amount of information
1142 @node Sparse trees, Plain lists, Archiving, Document Structure
1143 @section Sparse trees
1144 @cindex sparse trees
1145 @cindex trees, sparse
1146 @cindex folding, sparse trees
1147 @cindex occur, command
1149 An important feature of Org mode is the ability to construct @emph{sparse
1150 trees} for selected information in an outline tree, so that the entire
1151 document is folded as much as possible, but the selected information is made
1152 visible along with the headline structure above it@footnote{See also the
1153 variables @code{org-show-hierarchy-above}, @code{org-show-following-heading},
1154 @code{org-show-siblings}, and @code{org-show-entry-below} for detailed
1155 control on how much context is shown around each match.}. Just try it out
1156 and you will see immediately how it works.
1158 Org mode contains several commands creating such trees, all these
1159 commands can be accessed through a dispatcher:
1164 This prompts for an extra key to select a sparse-tree creating command.
1167 Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches. If
1168 the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the match is in
1169 the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible. In order to
1170 provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of headlines above the match
1171 is shown, as well as the headline following the match. Each match is also
1172 highlighted; the highlights disappear when the buffer is changed by an
1173 editing command@footnote{depending on the option
1174 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}}, or by pressing @kbd{C-c C-c}.
1175 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, previous highlights are kept,
1176 so several calls to this command can be stacked.
1180 For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can
1181 use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast
1182 keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be
1183 accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
1187 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
1188 '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME")))
1191 @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating
1192 a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}.
1194 The other sparse tree commands select headings based on TODO keywords,
1195 tags, or properties and will be discussed later in this manual.
1198 @cindex printing sparse trees
1199 @cindex visible text, printing
1200 To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command
1201 @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts
1202 of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because
1203 XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties.}.
1204 Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-e v} to export only the visible
1205 part of the document and print the resulting file.
1207 @node Plain lists, Drawers, Sparse trees, Document Structure
1208 @section Plain lists
1210 @cindex lists, plain
1211 @cindex lists, ordered
1212 @cindex ordered lists
1214 Within an entry of the outline tree, hand-formatted lists can provide
1215 additional structure. They also provide a way to create lists of
1216 checkboxes (@pxref{Checkboxes}). Org supports editing such lists,
1217 and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) parses and formats them.
1219 Org knows ordered lists, unordered lists, and description lists.
1222 @emph{Unordered} list items start with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or
1223 @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a bullet, lines must be indented or
1224 they will be seen as top-level headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading
1225 stars to get a clean outline view, plain list items starting with a star are
1226 visually indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though
1227 @samp{*} is supported, it may be better to not use it for plain list items.}
1230 @emph{Ordered} list items start with a numeral followed by either a period or
1231 a right parenthesis, such as @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}.
1233 @emph{Description} list items are like unordered list items, but contain the
1234 separator @samp{ :: } to separate the description @emph{term} from the
1238 Items belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first
1239 line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then the
1240 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers in the
1241 list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It ends before
1242 the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or less. Empty lines
1243 are part of the previous item, so you can have several paragraphs in one
1244 item. If you would like an empty line to terminate all currently open plain
1245 lists, configure the variable @code{org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists}.
1250 ** Lord of the Rings
1251 My favorite scenes are (in this order)
1252 1. The attack of the Rohirrim
1253 2. Eowyn's fight with the witch king
1254 + this was already my favorite scene in the book
1255 + I really like Miranda Otto.
1256 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas
1258 He makes a really funny face when it happens.
1259 But in the end, no individual scenes matter but the film as a whole.
1260 Important actors in this film are:
1261 - @b{Elijah Wood} :: He plays Frodo
1262 - @b{Sean Austin} :: He plays Sam, Frodo's friend. I still remember
1263 him very well from his role as Mikey Walsh in the Goonies.
1267 Org supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to
1268 deal with them correctly@footnote{Org only changes the filling
1269 settings for Emacs. For XEmacs, you should use Kyle E. Jones'
1270 @file{filladapt.el}. To turn this on, put into @file{.emacs}:
1271 @code{(require 'filladapt)}}, and by exporting them properly
1272 (@pxref{Exporting}).
1274 The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line
1275 of an item (the line with the bullet or number).
1280 Items can be folded just like headline levels if you set the variable
1281 @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. The level of an item is then
1282 given by the indentation of the bullet/number. Items are always
1283 subordinate to real headlines, however; the hierarchies remain
1284 completely separated.
1286 If @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists} has not been set, @key{TAB}
1287 fixes the indentation of the current line in a heuristic way.
1290 Insert new item at current level. With a prefix argument, force a new
1291 heading (@pxref{Structure editing}). If this command is used in the middle
1292 of a line, the line is @emph{split} and the rest of the line becomes the new
1293 item@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split, customize the variable
1294 @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}. If this command is executed in the
1295 @emph{whitespace before a bullet or number}, the new item is created
1296 @emph{before} the current item. If the command is executed in the white
1297 space before the text that is part of an item but does not contain the
1298 bullet, a bullet is added to the current line.
1299 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
1301 Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
1303 @kindex S-@key{down}
1306 @cindex shift-selection-mode
1307 Jump to the previous/next item in the current list, but only if
1308 @code{org-support-shift-select} is off. If not, you can still use paragraph
1309 jumping commands like @kbd{C-@key{up}} and @kbd{C-@key{down}} to quite
1311 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1312 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1314 @itemx M-S-@key{down}
1315 Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item
1316 of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is
1318 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1319 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1320 @item M-S-@key{left}
1321 @itemx M-S-@key{right}
1322 Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems.
1323 Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation.
1324 When these commands are executed several times in direct succession,
1325 the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation
1326 would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break
1327 the command chain with a cursor motion or so.
1330 If there is a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}) in the item line, toggle the
1331 state of the checkbox. If not, this command makes sure that all the
1332 items on this list level use the same bullet. Furthermore, if this is
1333 an ordered list, make sure the numbering is OK.
1336 Cycle the entire list level through the different itemize/enumerate bullets
1337 (@samp{-}, @samp{+}, @samp{*}, @samp{1.}, @samp{1)}). With a numeric prefix
1338 argument N, select the Nth bullet from this list. If there is an active
1339 region when calling this, all lines will be converted to list items. If the
1340 first line already was a list item, any item markers will be removed from the
1341 list. Finally, even without an active region, a normal line will be
1342 converted into a list item.
1343 @kindex S-@key{left}
1344 @kindex S-@key{right}
1345 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
1346 This command also cycles bullet styles when the cursor in on the bullet or
1347 anywhere in an item line, details depending on
1348 @code{org-support-shift-select}.
1351 @node Drawers, Footnotes, Plain lists, Document Structure
1354 @cindex visibility cycling, drawers
1356 Sometimes you want to keep information associated with an entry, but you
1357 normally don't want to see it. For this, Org mode has @emph{drawers}.
1358 Drawers need to be configured with the variable
1359 @code{org-drawers}@footnote{You can define drawers on a per-file basis
1360 with a line like @code{#+DRAWERS: HIDDEN PROPERTIES STATE}}. Drawers
1364 ** This is a headline
1365 Still outside the drawer
1367 This is inside the drawer.
1372 Visibility cycling (@pxref{Visibility cycling}) on the headline will
1373 hide and show the entry, but keep the drawer collapsed to a single line.
1374 In order to look inside the drawer, you need to move the cursor to the
1375 drawer line and press @key{TAB} there. Org mode uses a drawer for
1376 storing properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}), and another one for
1377 storing clock times (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
1379 @node Footnotes, Orgstruct mode, Drawers, Document Structure
1383 Org-mode supports the creation of footnotes. In contrast to the
1384 @file{footnote.el} package, Org-mode's footnotes are designed for work on a
1385 larger document, not only for one-off documents like emails. The basic
1386 syntax is similar to the one used by @file{footnote.el}, i.e. a footnote is
1387 defined in a paragraph that is started by a footnote marker in square
1388 brackets in column 0, no indentation allowed. If you need a paragraph break
1389 inside a footnote, use the LaTeX idiom @samp{\par}. The footnote reference
1390 is simply the marker in square brackets, inside text. For example:
1393 The Org homepage[fn:1] now looks a lot better than it used to.
1395 [fn:1] The link is: http://orgmode.org
1398 Org-mode extends the number-based syntax to @emph{named} footnotes and
1399 optional inline definition. Using plain numbers as markers (as
1400 @file{footnote.el} does) is supported for backward compatibility, but not
1401 encouraged because of possible conflicts with LaTeX snippets @pxref{Embedded
1402 LaTeX}. Here are the valid references:
1406 A plain numeric footnote marker.
1408 A named footnote reference, where @code{name} is a unique label word, or, for
1409 simplicity of automatic creation, a number.
1410 @item [fn:: This is the inline definition of this footnote]
1411 A LaTeX-like anonymous footnote where the definition is given directly at the
1413 @item [fn:name: a definition]
1414 An inline definition of a footnote, which also specifies a name for the note.
1415 Since Org allows multiple references to the same note, you can then use use
1416 @code{[fn:name]} to create additional references.
1419 Footnote labels can be created automatically, or you create names yourself.
1420 This is handled by the variable @code{org-footnote-auto-label} and its
1421 corresponding @code{#+STARTUP} keywords, see the docstring of that variable
1424 @noindent The following command handles footnotes:
1429 The footnote action command.
1431 When the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. When it
1432 is at a definition, jump to the (first) reference.
1434 Otherwise, create a new footnote. Depending on the variable
1435 @code{org-footnote-define-inline}@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer
1436 setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: fninline} or @code{#+STARTUP: nofninline}}, the
1437 definition will be placed right into the text as part of the reference, or
1438 separately into the location determined by the variable
1439 @code{org-footnote-section}.
1441 When this command is called with a prefix argument, a menu of additional
1444 s @r{Sort the footnote definitions by reference sequence. During editing,}
1445 @r{Org makes no effort to sort footnote definitions into a particular}
1446 @r{sequence. If you want them sorted, use this command, which will}
1447 @r{also move entries according to @code{org-footnote-section}.}
1448 n @r{Normalize the footnotes by collecting all definitions (including}
1449 @r{inline definitions) into a special section, and then numbering them}
1450 @r{in sequence. The references will then also be numbers. This is}
1451 @r{meant to be the final step before finishing a document (e.g. sending}
1452 @r{off an email). The exporters do this automatically, and so could}
1453 @r{something like @code{message-send-hook}.}
1454 d @r{Delete the footnote at point, and all definitions of and references}
1459 If the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition. If it is a
1460 the definition, jump back to the reference. When called at a footnote
1461 location with a prefix argument, offer the same menu as @kbd{C-c C-x f}.
1465 @item C-c C-c @r{or} mouse-1/2
1466 Footnote labels are also links to the corresponding definition/reference, and
1467 you can use the usual commands to follow these links.
1470 @node Orgstruct mode, , Footnotes, Document Structure
1471 @section The Orgstruct minor mode
1472 @cindex Orgstruct mode
1473 @cindex minor mode for structure editing
1475 If you like the intuitive way the Org mode structure editing and list
1476 formatting works, you might want to use these commands in other modes
1477 like Text mode or Mail mode as well. The minor mode Orgstruct mode
1478 makes this possible. You can always toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x
1479 orgstruct-mode}. To turn it on by default, for example in Mail mode,
1483 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
1486 When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that looks to
1487 Org like a headline of the first line of a list item, most
1488 structure editing commands will work, even if the same keys normally
1489 have different functionality in the major mode you are using. If the
1490 cursor is not in one of those special lines, Orgstruct mode lurks
1491 silently in the shadow.
1493 @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document Structure, Top
1496 @cindex editing tables
1498 Org comes with a fast and intuitive table editor. Spreadsheet-like
1499 calculations are supported in connection with the Emacs @file{calc}
1502 (@pxref{Top,Calc,,Calc,Gnu Emacs Calculator Manual}).
1505 (see the Emacs Calculator manual for more information about the Emacs
1510 * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables
1511 * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables
1512 * Column groups:: Grouping to trigger vertical lines
1513 * Orgtbl mode:: The table editor as minor mode
1514 * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
1515 * Org Plot:: Plotting from org tables
1518 @node Built-in table editor, Narrow columns, Tables, Tables
1519 @section The built-in table editor
1520 @cindex table editor, built-in
1522 Org makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with
1523 @samp{|} as the first non-whitespace character is considered part of a
1524 table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look like
1528 | Name | Phone | Age |
1529 |-------+-------+-----|
1530 | Peter | 1234 | 17 |
1531 | Anna | 4321 | 25 |
1534 A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or
1535 @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to
1536 the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows
1537 at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation
1538 of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with
1539 @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be
1540 expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to
1541 create the above table, you would only type
1548 @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in
1549 fields. Even faster would be to type @code{|Name|Phone|Age} followed by
1550 @kbd{C-c @key{RET}}.
1552 When typing text into a field, Org treats @key{DEL},
1553 @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that
1554 inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when
1555 typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field
1556 with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the
1557 field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too
1558 unpredictable for you, configure the variables
1559 @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}.
1562 @tsubheading{Creation and conversion}
1565 Convert the active region to table. If every line contains at least one
1566 TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab separated.
1567 If every line contains a comma, comma-separated values (CSV) are assumed.
1568 If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You can use a prefix
1569 argument to force a specific separator: @kbd{C-u} forces CSV, @kbd{C-u
1570 C-u} forces TAB, and a numeric argument N indicates that at least N
1571 consecutive spaces, or alternatively a TAB will be the separator.
1573 If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org
1574 table. But it's easier just to start typing, like
1575 @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}.
1577 @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
1580 Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
1584 Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if
1589 Re-align, move to previous field.
1593 Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if
1594 necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does
1595 NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table.
1597 @tsubheading{Column and row editing}
1598 @kindex M-@key{left}
1599 @kindex M-@key{right}
1601 @itemx M-@key{right}
1602 Move the current column left/right.
1604 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
1605 @item M-S-@key{left}
1606 Kill the current column.
1608 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
1609 @item M-S-@key{right}
1610 Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
1613 @kindex M-@key{down}
1616 Move the current row up/down.
1618 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
1620 Kill the current row or horizontal line.
1622 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
1623 @item M-S-@key{down}
1624 Insert a new row above the current row. With a prefix argument, the line is
1625 created below the current one.
1629 Insert a horizontal line below current row. With a prefix argument, the line
1630 is created above the current line.
1632 @kindex C-c @key{RET}
1634 Insert a horizontal line below current row, and move the cursor into the row
1639 Sort the table lines in the region. The position of point indicates the
1640 column to be used for sorting, and the range of lines is the range
1641 between the nearest horizontal separator lines, or the entire table. If
1642 point is before the first column, you will be prompted for the sorting
1643 column. If there is an active region, the mark specifies the first line
1644 and the sorting column, while point should be in the last line to be
1645 included into the sorting. The command prompts for the sorting type
1646 (alphabetically, numerically, or by time). When called with a prefix
1647 argument, alphabetic sorting will be case-sensitive.
1649 @tsubheading{Regions}
1652 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point
1653 and mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. The process ignores
1654 horizontal separator lines.
1658 Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
1659 blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation.
1663 Paste a rectangular region into a table.
1664 The upper left corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields
1665 will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table,
1666 the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator
1671 Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active
1672 region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the
1673 column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A numeric
1674 prefix argument may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there
1675 is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the text
1676 fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one line
1677 down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix argument, the current
1678 field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field above.
1680 @tsubheading{Calculations}
1681 @cindex formula, in tables
1682 @cindex calculations, in tables
1683 @cindex region, active
1684 @cindex active region
1685 @cindex Transient mark mode
1688 Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by
1689 the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can
1690 be inserted with @kbd{C-y}.
1694 When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above. When not
1695 empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor along with it.
1696 Depending on the variable @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field
1697 values will be incremented during copy. Integers that are too large will not
1698 be incremented. Also, a @code{0} prefix argument temporarily disables the
1699 increment. This key is also used by CUA mode (@pxref{Cooperation}).
1701 @tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
1704 Edit the current field in a separate window. This is useful for fields
1705 that are not fully visible (@pxref{Narrow columns}). When called with a
1706 @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be
1709 @item M-x org-table-import
1710 Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB- or whitespace
1711 separated. Useful, for example, to import a spreadsheet table or data
1712 from a database, because these programs generally can write
1713 TAB-separated text files. This command works by inserting the file into
1714 the buffer and then converting the region to a table. Any prefix
1715 argument is passed on to the converter, which uses it to determine the
1718 Tables can also be imported by pasting tabular text into the Org
1719 buffer, selecting the pasted text with @kbd{C-x C-x} and then using the
1720 @kbd{C-c |} command (see above under @i{Creation and conversion}).
1722 @item M-x org-table-export
1723 Export the table, by default as a TAB-separated file. Useful for data
1724 exchange with, for example, spreadsheet or database programs. The format
1725 used to export the file can be configured in the variable
1726 @code{org-table-export-default-format}. You may also use properties
1727 @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FILE} and @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FORMAT} to specify the file
1728 name and the format for table export in a subtree. Org supports quite
1729 general formats for exported tables. The exporter format is the same as the
1730 format used by Orgtbl radio tables, see @ref{Translator functions} for a
1731 detailed description.
1734 If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your
1735 way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn
1739 (setq org-enable-table-editor nil)
1742 @noindent Then the only table command that still works is
1743 @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align.
1745 @node Narrow columns, Column groups, Built-in table editor, Tables
1746 @section Narrow columns
1747 @cindex narrow columns in tables
1749 The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor.
1750 Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text,
1751 leading to inconveniently wide columns. To limit@footnote{This feature
1752 does not work on XEmacs.} the width of a column, one field anywhere in
1753 the column may contain just the string @samp{<N>} where @samp{N} is an
1754 integer specifying the width of the column in characters. The next
1755 re-align will then set the width of this column to no more than this
1760 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1762 | 1 | one | | 1 | one |
1763 | 2 | two | ----\ | 2 | two |
1764 | 3 | This is a long chunk of text | ----/ | 3 | This=> |
1765 | 4 | four | | 4 | four |
1766 |---+------------------------------| |---+--------|
1771 Fields that are wider become clipped and end in the string @samp{=>}.
1772 Note that the full text is still in the buffer, it is only invisible.
1773 To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field - a tool-tip window
1774 will show the full content. To edit such a field, use the command
1775 @kbd{C-c `} (that is @kbd{C-c} followed by the backquote). This will
1776 open a new window with the full field. Edit it and finish with @kbd{C-c
1779 When visiting a file containing a table with narrowed columns, the
1780 necessary character hiding has not yet happened, and the table needs to
1781 be aligned before it looks nice. Setting the option
1782 @code{org-startup-align-all-tables} will realign all tables in a file
1783 upon visiting, but also slow down startup. You can also set this option
1784 on a per-file basis with:
1791 @node Column groups, Orgtbl mode, Narrow columns, Tables
1792 @section Column groups
1793 @cindex grouping columns in tables
1795 When Org exports tables, it does so by default without vertical
1796 lines because that is visually more satisfying in general. Occasionally
1797 however, vertical lines can be useful to structure a table into groups
1798 of columns, much like horizontal lines can do for groups of rows. In
1799 order to specify column groups, you can use a special row where the
1800 first field contains only @samp{/}. The further fields can either
1801 contain @samp{<} to indicate that this column should start a group,
1802 @samp{>} to indicate the end of a column, or @samp{<>} to make a column
1803 a group of its own. Boundaries between column groups will upon export be
1804 marked with vertical lines. Here is an example:
1807 | | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1808 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1809 | / | <> | < | | > | < | > |
1810 | # | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1811 | # | 2 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 1.4142 | 1.1892 |
1812 | # | 3 | 9 | 27 | 81 | 1.7321 | 1.3161 |
1813 |---+----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1814 #+TBLFM: $3=$2^2::$4=$2^3::$5=$2^4::$6=sqrt($2)::$7=sqrt(sqrt(($2)))
1817 It is also sufficient to just insert the column group starters after
1818 every vertical line you'd like to have:
1821 | N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
1822 |----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
1826 @node Orgtbl mode, The spreadsheet, Column groups, Tables
1827 @section The Orgtbl minor mode
1829 @cindex minor mode for tables
1831 If you like the intuitive way the Org table editor works, you
1832 might also want to use it in other modes like Text mode or Mail mode.
1833 The minor mode Orgtbl mode makes this possible. You can always toggle
1834 the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for
1835 example in mail mode, use
1838 (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl)
1841 Furthermore, with some special setup, it is possible to maintain tables
1842 in arbitrary syntax with Orgtbl mode. For example, it is possible to
1843 construct La@TeX{} tables with the underlying ease and power of
1844 Orgtbl mode, including spreadsheet capabilities. For details, see
1845 @ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}.
1847 @node The spreadsheet, Org Plot, Orgtbl mode, Tables
1848 @section The spreadsheet
1849 @cindex calculations, in tables
1850 @cindex spreadsheet capabilities
1851 @cindex @file{calc} package
1853 The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to implement
1854 spreadsheet-like capabilities. It can also evaluate Emacs Lisp forms to
1855 derive fields from other fields. While fully featured, Org's
1856 implementation is not identical to other spreadsheets. For example,
1857 Org knows the concept of a @emph{column formula} that will be
1858 applied to all non-header fields in a column without having to copy the
1859 formula to each relevant field.
1862 * References:: How to refer to another field or range
1863 * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff
1864 * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp
1865 * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field
1866 * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column
1867 * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas
1868 * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields
1869 * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc
1872 @node References, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet, The spreadsheet
1873 @subsection References
1876 To compute fields in the table from other fields, formulas must
1877 reference other fields or ranges. In Org, fields can be referenced
1878 by name, by absolute coordinates, and by relative coordinates. To find
1879 out what the coordinates of a field are, press @kbd{C-c ?} in that
1880 field, or press @kbd{C-c @}} to toggle the display of a grid.
1882 @subsubheading Field references
1883 @cindex field references
1884 @cindex references, to fields
1886 Formulas can reference the value of another field in two ways. Like in
1887 any other spreadsheet, you may reference fields with a letter/number
1888 combination like @code{B3}, meaning the 2nd field in the 3rd row.
1889 @c Such references are always fixed to that field, they don't change
1890 @c when you copy and paste a formula to a different field. So
1891 @c Org's @code{B3} behaves like @code{$B$3} in other spreadsheets.
1894 Org also uses another, more general operator that looks like this:
1900 Column references can be absolute like @samp{1}, @samp{2},...@samp{N},
1901 or relative to the current column like @samp{+1} or @samp{-2}.
1903 The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal
1904 separator lines (hlines). You can use absolute row numbers
1905 @samp{1}...@samp{N}, and row numbers relative to the current row like
1906 @samp{+3} or @samp{-1}. Or specify the row relative to one of the
1907 hlines: @samp{I} refers to the first hline@footnote{Note that only
1908 hlines are counted that @emph{separate} table lines. If the table
1909 starts with a hline above the header, it does not count.}, @samp{II} to
1910 the second etc. @samp{-I} refers to the first such line above the
1911 current line, @samp{+I} to the first such line below the current line.
1912 You can also write @samp{III+2} which is the second data line after the
1913 third hline in the table. Relative row numbers like @samp{-3} will not
1914 cross hlines if the current line is too close to the hline. Instead,
1915 the value directly at the hline is used.
1917 @samp{0} refers to the current row and column. Also, if you omit
1918 either the column or the row part of the reference, the current
1919 row/column is implied.
1921 Org's references with @emph{unsigned} numbers are fixed references
1922 in the sense that if you use the same reference in the formula for two
1923 different fields, the same field will be referenced each time.
1924 Org's references with @emph{signed} numbers are floating
1925 references because the same reference operator can reference different
1926 fields depending on the field being calculated by the formula.
1928 As a special case references like @samp{$LR5} and @samp{$LR12} can be used to
1929 refer in a stable way to the 5th and 12th field in the last row of the
1932 Here are a few examples:
1935 @@2$3 @r{2nd row, 3rd column}
1936 C2 @r{same as previous}
1937 $5 @r{column 5 in the current row}
1938 E& @r{same as previous}
1939 @@2 @r{current column, row 2}
1940 @@-1$-3 @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left}
1941 @@-I$2 @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2}
1944 @subsubheading Range references
1945 @cindex range references
1946 @cindex references, to ranges
1948 You may reference a rectangular range of fields by specifying two field
1949 references connected by two dots @samp{..}. If both fields are in the
1950 current row, you may simply use @samp{$2..$7}, but if at least one field
1951 is in a different row, you need to use the general @code{@@row$column}
1952 format at least for the first field (i.e the reference must start with
1953 @samp{@@} in order to be interpreted correctly). Examples:
1956 $1..$3 @r{First three fields in the current row.}
1957 $P..$Q @r{Range, using column names (see under Advanced)}
1958 @@2$1..@@4$3 @r{6 fields between these two fields.}
1959 A2..C4 @r{Same as above.}
1960 @@-1$-2..@@-1 @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row}
1963 @noindent Range references return a vector of values that can be fed
1964 into Calc vector functions. Empty fields in ranges are normally
1965 suppressed, so that the vector contains only the non-empty fields (but
1966 see the @samp{E} mode switch below). If there are no non-empty fields,
1967 @samp{[0]} is returned to avoid syntax errors in formulas.
1969 @subsubheading Named references
1970 @cindex named references
1971 @cindex references, named
1972 @cindex name, of column or field
1973 @cindex constants, in calculations
1975 @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or
1976 constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable
1977 @code{org-table-formula-constants}, and locally (for the file) through a
1981 #+CONSTANTS: c=299792458. pi=3.14 eps=2.4e-6
1985 Also properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) can be used as
1986 constants in table formulas: For a property @samp{:Xyz:} use the name
1987 @samp{$PROP_Xyz}, and the property will be searched in the current
1988 outline entry and in the hierarchy above it. If you have the
1989 @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants,
1990 including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and
1991 units like @samp{$km} for kilometers@footnote{@file{Constant.el} can
1992 supply the values of constants in two different unit systems, @code{SI}
1993 and @code{cgs}. Which one is used depends on the value of the variable
1994 @code{constants-unit-system}. You can use the @code{#+STARTUP} options
1995 @code{constSI} and @code{constcgs} to set this value for the current
1996 buffer.}. Column names and parameters can be specified in special table
1997 lines. These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}. All
1998 names must start with a letter, and further consist of letters and
2001 @subsubheading Remote references
2002 @cindex remote references
2003 @cindex references, remote
2004 @cindex references, to a different table
2005 @cindex name, of column or field
2006 @cindex constants, in calculations
2008 You may also reference constants, fields and ranges from a different table,
2009 either in the current file or even in a different file. The syntax is
2012 remote(NAME-OR-ID,REF)
2016 where NAME can be the name of a table in the current file as set by a
2017 @code{#+TBLNAME: NAME} line before the table. It can also be the ID of an
2018 entry, even in a different file, and the reference then refers to the first
2019 table in that entry. REF is an absolute field or range reference as
2020 described above, valid in the referenced table.
2022 @node Formula syntax for Calc, Formula syntax for Lisp, References, The spreadsheet
2023 @subsection Formula syntax for Calc
2024 @cindex formula syntax, Calc
2025 @cindex syntax, of formulas
2027 A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs
2028 @file{Calc} package. @b{Note that @file{calc} has the
2029 non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than
2030 @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}.} Before
2031 evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from
2032 Your Programs,calc-eval,Calling Calc from Your Lisp Programs,Calc,GNU
2033 Emacs Calc Manual}),
2034 @c FIXME: The link to the Calc manual in HTML does not work.
2035 variable substitution takes place according to the rules described above.
2036 @cindex vectors, in table calculations
2037 The range vectors can be directly fed into the Calc vector functions
2038 like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}.
2040 @cindex format specifier
2041 @cindex mode, for @file{calc}
2042 A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This
2043 string consists of flags to influence Calc and other modes during
2044 execution. By default, Org uses the standard Calc modes (precision
2045 12, angular units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off). The display
2046 format, however, has been changed to @code{(float 5)} to keep tables
2047 compact. The default settings can be configured using the variable
2048 @code{org-calc-default-modes}.
2051 p20 @r{switch the internal precision to 20 digits}
2052 n3 s3 e2 f4 @r{normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed display format}
2053 D R @r{angle modes: degrees, radians}
2054 F S @r{fraction and symbolic modes}
2055 N @r{interpret all fields as numbers, use 0 for non-numbers}
2056 T @r{force text interpretation}
2057 E @r{keep empty fields in ranges}
2061 In addition, you may provide a @code{printf} format specifier to
2062 reformat the final result. A few examples:
2065 $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field}
2066 $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals}
2067 exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used}
2068 $0;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal}
2069 ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion}
2070 $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}}
2071 tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1}
2072 sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display}
2073 vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function}
2074 vmean($2..$7);EN @r{Same, but treat empty fields as 0}
2075 taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree}
2078 Calc also contains a complete set of logical operations. For example
2081 if($1<20,teen,string("")) @r{``teen'' if age $1 less than 20, else empty}
2084 @node Formula syntax for Lisp, Field formulas, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet
2085 @subsection Emacs Lisp forms as formulas
2086 @cindex Lisp forms, as table formulas
2088 It is also possible to write a formula in Emacs Lisp; this can be useful
2089 for string manipulation and control structures, if Calc's
2090 functionality is not enough. If a formula starts with a single quote
2091 followed by an opening parenthesis, then it is evaluated as a lisp form.
2092 The evaluation should return either a string or a number. Just as with
2093 @file{calc} formulas, you can specify modes and a printf format after a
2094 semicolon. With Emacs Lisp forms, you need to be conscious about the way
2095 field references are interpolated into the form. By default, a
2096 reference will be interpolated as a Lisp string (in double quotes)
2097 containing the field. If you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all
2098 referenced elements will be numbers (non-number fields will be zero) and
2099 interpolated as Lisp numbers, without quotes. If you provide the
2100 @samp{L} flag, all fields will be interpolated literally, without quotes.
2101 I.e., if you want a reference to be interpreted as a string by the Lisp
2102 form, enclose the reference operator itself in double quotes, like
2103 @code{"$3"}. Ranges are inserted as space-separated fields, so you can
2104 embed them in list or vector syntax. A few examples, note how the
2105 @samp{N} mode is used when we do computations in lisp.
2108 @r{Swap the first two characters of the content of column 1}
2109 '(concat (substring $1 1 2) (substring $1 0 1) (substring $1 2))
2110 @r{Add columns 1 and 2, equivalent to Calc's @code{$1+$2}}
2112 @r{Compute the sum of columns 1-4, like Calc's @code{vsum($1..$4)}}
2113 '(apply '+ '($1..$4));N
2116 @node Field formulas, Column formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet
2117 @subsection Field formulas
2118 @cindex field formula
2119 @cindex formula, for individual table field
2121 To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the
2122 field, preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=$1+$2}. When you
2123 press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in
2124 the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for this field,
2125 evaluated, and the current field replaced with the result.
2127 Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:}
2128 directly below the table. If you typed the equation in the 4th field of
2129 the 3rd data line in the table, the formula will look like
2130 @samp{@@3$4=$1+$2}. When inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows
2131 with the appropriate commands, @i{absolute references} (but not relative
2132 ones) in stored formulas are modified in order to still reference the
2133 same field. Of cause this is not true if you edit the table structure
2134 with normal editing commands - then you must fix the equations yourself.
2135 The left hand side of a formula may also be a named field (@pxref{Advanced
2136 features}), or a last-row reference like @samp{$LR3}.
2138 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2144 Install a new formula for the current field. The command prompts for a
2145 formula, with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, applies
2146 it to the current field and stores it.
2149 @node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field formulas, The spreadsheet
2150 @subsection Column formulas
2151 @cindex column formula
2152 @cindex formula, for table column
2154 Often in a table, the same formula should be used for all fields in a
2155 particular column. Instead of having to copy the formula to all fields
2156 in that column, Org allows to assign a single formula to an entire
2157 column. If the table contains horizontal separator hlines, everything
2158 before the first such line is considered part of the table @emph{header}
2159 and will not be modified by column formulas.
2161 To assign a formula to a column, type it directly into any field in the
2162 column, preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press
2163 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the
2164 field, the formula will be stored as the formula for the current column,
2165 evaluated and the current field replaced with the result. If the field
2166 contains only @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for this column is
2167 used. For each column, Org will only remember the most recently
2168 used formula. In the @samp{TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like
2171 Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
2177 Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field with
2178 the result of the formula. The command prompts for a formula, with default
2179 taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM} line, applies it to the current field and
2180 stores it. With a numeric prefix argument(e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) the command
2181 will apply it to that many consecutive fields in the current column.
2184 @node Editing and debugging formulas, Updating the table, Column formulas, The spreadsheet
2185 @subsection Editing and debugging formulas
2186 @cindex formula editing
2187 @cindex editing, of table formulas
2189 You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the
2190 field. Org can also prepare a special buffer with all active
2191 formulas of a table. When offering a formula for editing, Org
2192 converts references to the standard format (like @code{B3} or @code{D&})
2193 if possible. If you prefer to only work with the internal format (like
2194 @code{@@3$2} or @code{$4}), configure the variable
2195 @code{org-table-use-standard-references}.
2202 Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the
2203 minibuffer. See @ref{Column formulas} and @ref{Field formulas}.
2204 @kindex C-u C-u C-c =
2206 Re-insert the active formula (either a
2207 field formula, or a column formula) into the current field, so that you
2208 can edit it directly in the field. The advantage over editing in the
2209 minibuffer is that you can use the command @kbd{C-c ?}.
2212 While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s)
2213 referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula.
2216 Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using
2217 overlays. These are updated each time the table is aligned, you can
2218 force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
2221 Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below.
2224 Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the
2225 formulas will be displayed one per line. If the current field has an
2226 active formula, the cursor in the formula editor will mark it.
2227 While inside the special buffer, Org will automatically highlight
2228 any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit,
2229 remove and add formulas, and use the following commands:
2235 Exit the formula editor and store the modified formulas. With @kbd{C-u}
2236 prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.
2239 Exit the formula editor without installing changes.
2242 Toggle all references in the formula editor between standard (like
2243 @code{B3}) and internal (like @code{@@3$2}).
2246 Pretty-print or indent lisp formula at point. When in a line containing
2247 a lisp formula, format the formula according to Emacs Lisp rules.
2248 Another @key{TAB} collapses the formula back again. In the open
2249 formula, @key{TAB} re-indents just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2252 Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs lisp mode.
2254 @kindex S-@key{down}
2255 @kindex S-@key{left}
2256 @kindex S-@key{right}
2257 @item S-@key{up}/@key{down}/@key{left}/@key{right}
2258 Shift the reference at point. For example, if the reference is
2259 @code{B3} and you press @kbd{S-@key{right}}, it will become @code{C3}.
2260 This also works for relative references, and for hline references.
2261 @kindex M-S-@key{up}
2262 @kindex M-S-@key{down}
2263 @item M-S-@key{up}/@key{down}
2264 Move the test line for column formulas in the Org buffer up and
2267 @kindex M-@key{down}
2268 @item M-@key{up}/@key{down}
2269 Scroll the window displaying the table.
2272 Turn the coordinate grid in the table on and off.
2276 Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with
2277 the field, because that is stored in a different line (the @samp{TBLFM}
2278 line) - during the next recalculation the field will be filled again.
2279 To remove a formula from a field, you have to give an empty reply when
2280 prompted for the formula, or to edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} line.
2283 You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply the changed
2284 equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line, or with the normal
2285 recalculation commands in the table.
2287 @subsubheading Debugging formulas
2288 @cindex formula debugging
2289 @cindex debugging, of table formulas
2290 When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content
2291 becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going
2292 on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a bug,
2293 turn on formula debugging in the @code{Tbl} menu and repeat the
2294 calculation, for example by pressing @kbd{C-u C-u C-c = @key{RET}} in a
2295 field. Detailed information will be displayed.
2297 @node Updating the table, Advanced features, Editing and debugging formulas, The spreadsheet
2298 @subsection Updating the table
2299 @cindex recomputing table fields
2300 @cindex updating, table
2302 Recalculation of a table is normally not automatic, but needs to be
2303 triggered by a command. See @ref{Advanced features} for a way to make
2304 recalculation at least semi-automatically.
2306 In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the
2312 Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas
2313 from left to right, and all field formulas in the current row.
2319 Recompute the entire table, line by line. Any lines before the first
2320 hline are left alone, assuming that these are part of the table header.
2322 @kindex C-u C-u C-c *
2323 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-c
2325 @itemx C-u C-u C-c C-c
2326 Iterate the table by recomputing it until no further changes occur.
2327 This may be necessary if some computed fields use the value of other
2328 fields that are computed @i{later} in the calculation sequence.
2331 @node Advanced features, , Updating the table, The spreadsheet
2332 @subsection Advanced features
2334 If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically, or if
2335 you want to be able to assign @i{names} to fields and columns, you need
2336 to reserve the first column of the table for special marking characters.
2340 Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{},
2341 @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. When there is an active region,
2342 change all marks in the region.
2345 Here is an example of a table that collects exam results of students and
2346 makes use of these features:
2350 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2351 | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note |
2352 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2353 | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | |
2354 | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 |
2355 | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | |
2356 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2357 | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 |
2358 | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 |
2359 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2360 | | Average | | | | 29.7 | |
2361 | ^ | | | | | at | |
2362 | $ | max=50 | | | | | |
2363 |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
2364 #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(@@-II..@@-I);%.1f
2368 @noindent @b{Important}: Please note that for these special tables,
2369 recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows that
2370 are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and fields that have a formula assigned
2371 to the field itself. The column formulas are not applied in rows with
2374 @cindex marking characters, tables
2375 The marking characters have the following meaning:
2378 The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may
2379 refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}.
2381 This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such
2382 a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to
2383 the value @samp{10}. Also, if you assign a formula to a names field, it
2384 will be stored as @samp{$name=...}.
2386 Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row
2389 Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For
2390 example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then
2391 formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}.
2392 Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on
2395 Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing
2396 @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row
2397 is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked
2398 lines will be left alone by this command.
2400 Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but
2401 not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic
2402 recalculation slows down editing too much.
2404 Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}.
2405 All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#}
2408 Do not export this line. Useful for lines that contain the narrowing
2412 Finally, just to whet your appetite on what can be done with the
2413 fantastic @file{calc} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor
2414 series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of
2419 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2420 | | Func | n | x | Result |
2421 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2422 | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x |
2423 | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 |
2424 | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 |
2425 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 |
2426 | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 |
2427 | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 |
2428 |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------|
2429 #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3
2434 @node Org Plot, , The spreadsheet, Tables
2436 @cindex graph, in tables
2437 @cindex plot tables using gnuplot
2439 Org Plot can produce 2D and 3D graphs of information stored in org tables
2440 using @file{Gnuplot} @uref{http://www.gnuplot.info/} and @file{gnuplot-mode}
2441 @uref{http://cars9.uchicago.edu/~ravel/software/gnuplot-mode.html}. To see
2442 this in action ensure that you have both Gnuplot and Gnuplot-mode installed
2443 on your system, then call @code{org-plot/gnuplot} on the following table.
2447 #+PLOT: title:"Citas" ind:1 deps:(3) type:2d with:histograms set:"yrange [0:]"
2448 | Sede | Max cites | H-index |
2449 |-----------+-----------+---------|
2450 | Chile | 257.72 | 21.39 |
2451 | Leeds | 165.77 | 19.68 |
2452 | Sao Paolo | 71.00 | 11.50 |
2453 | Stockholm | 134.19 | 14.33 |
2454 | Morelia | 257.56 | 17.67 |
2458 Notice that Org Plot is smart enough to apply the tables headers as labels.
2459 Further control over the labels, type, content, and appearance of plots can
2460 be exercised through the @code{#+Plot:} lines preceding a table. See below
2461 for a complete list of Org plot options. For more information and examples
2462 see the org-plot tutorial at
2463 @uref{http://legito.org/worg/org-tutorials/org-plot.php}.
2465 @subsubheading Plot Options
2469 Specify any @file{gnuplot} option to be set when graphing.
2472 Specify the title of the plot.
2475 Specify which column of the table to use as the @code{x} axis.
2478 Specify the columns to graph as a lisp style list, surrounded by parenthesis
2479 and separated by spaces for example @code{dep:(3 4)} to graph the third and
2480 fourth columns (defaults to graphing all other columns aside from the ind
2484 Specify whether the plot will be @code{2d}, @code{3d}, or @code{grid}.
2487 Specify a @code{with} option to be inserted for every col being plotted
2488 (e.g. @code{lines}, @code{points}, @code{boxes}, @code{impulses}, etc...).
2489 Defaults to 'lines'.
2492 If you want to plot to a file specify the @code{"path/to/desired/output-file"}.
2495 List of labels to be used for the deps (defaults to column headers if they
2499 Specify an entire line to be inserted in the gnuplot script.
2502 When plotting @code{3d} or @code{grid} types, set this to @code{t} to graph a
2503 flat mapping rather than a @code{3d} slope.
2506 Specify format of org-mode timestamps as they will be parsed by gnuplot.
2507 Defaults to '%Y-%m-%d-%H:%M:%S'.
2510 If you want total control you can specify a script file (place the file name
2511 between double quotes) which will be used to plot. Before plotting, every
2512 instance of @code{$datafile} in the specified script will be replaced with
2513 the path to the generated data file. Note even if you set this option you
2514 may still want to specify the plot type, as that can impact the content of
2518 @node Hyperlinks, TODO Items, Tables, Top
2522 Like HTML, Org provides links inside a file, external links to
2523 other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more.
2526 * Link format:: How links in Org are formatted
2527 * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file
2528 * External links:: URL-like links to the world
2529 * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following
2530 * Using links outside Org:: Linking from my C source code?
2531 * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links
2532 * Search options:: Linking to a specific location
2533 * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough
2536 @node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
2537 @section Link format
2539 @cindex format, of links
2541 Org will recognize plain URL-like links and activate them as
2542 clickable links. The general link format, however, looks like this:
2545 [[link][description]] @r{or alternatively} [[link]]
2548 Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org
2549 will change the display so that @samp{description} is displayed instead
2550 of @samp{[[link][description]]} and @samp{link} is displayed instead of
2551 @samp{[[link]]}. Links will be highlighted in the face @code{org-link},
2552 which by default is an underlined face. You can directly edit the
2553 visible part of a link. Note that this can be either the @samp{link}
2554 part (if there is no description) or the @samp{description} part. To
2555 edit also the invisible @samp{link} part, use @kbd{C-c C-l} with the
2558 If you place the cursor at the beginning or just behind the end of the
2559 displayed text and press @key{BACKSPACE}, you will remove the
2560 (invisible) bracket at that location. This makes the link incomplete
2561 and the internals are again displayed as plain text. Inserting the
2562 missing bracket hides the link internals again. To show the
2563 internal structure of all links, use the menu entry
2564 @code{Org->Hyperlinks->Literal links}.
2566 @node Internal links, External links, Link format, Hyperlinks
2567 @section Internal links
2568 @cindex internal links
2569 @cindex links, internal
2570 @cindex targets, for links
2572 If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in
2573 the current file. Links such as @samp{[[My Target]]} or @samp{[[My
2574 Target][Find my target]]} lead to a text search in the current file.
2575 The link can be followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} when the cursor is on the
2576 link, or with a mouse click (@pxref{Handling links}). The preferred
2577 match for such a link is a dedicated target: the same string in double
2578 angular brackets. Targets may be located anywhere; sometimes it is
2579 convenient to put them into a comment line. For example
2585 @noindent In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such targets will become
2586 named anchors for direct access through @samp{http} links@footnote{Note that
2587 text before the first headline is usually not exported, so the first such
2588 target should be after the first headline, or in the line directly before the
2591 If no dedicated target exists, Org will search for the words in the
2592 link. In the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}.
2593 Links starting with a star like @samp{*My Target} restrict the search to
2594 headlines. When searching, Org mode will first try an exact match, but
2595 then move on to more and more lenient searches. For example, the link
2596 @samp{[[*My Targets]]} will find any of the following:
2600 ** TODO my targets are bright
2601 ** my 20 targets are
2604 To insert a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used.
2605 Just type a star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer and
2606 press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will be
2607 offered as completions. @xref{Handling links}, for more commands
2610 Following a link pushes a mark onto Org's own mark ring. You can
2611 return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command
2612 several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded
2616 * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text
2619 @node Radio targets, , Internal links, Internal links
2620 @subsection Radio targets
2621 @cindex radio targets
2622 @cindex targets, radio
2623 @cindex links, radio targets
2625 Org can automatically turn any occurrences of certain target names
2626 in normal text into a link. So without explicitly creating a link, the
2627 text connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are
2628 enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target @samp{<<<My
2629 Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in normal text to
2630 become activated as a link. The Org file is scanned automatically
2631 for radio targets only when the file is first loaded into Emacs. To
2632 update the target list during editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
2633 cursor on or at a target.
2635 @node External links, Handling links, Internal links, Hyperlinks
2636 @section External links
2637 @cindex links, external
2638 @cindex external links
2639 @cindex links, external
2647 @cindex WANDERLUST links
2649 @cindex USENET links
2654 Org supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages,
2655 BBDB database entries and links to both IRC conversations and their
2656 logs. External links are URL-like locators. They start with a short
2657 identifying string followed by a colon. There can be no space after
2658 the colon. The following list shows examples for each link type.
2661 http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik @r{on the web}
2662 file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{file, absolute path}
2663 /home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{same as above}
2664 file:papers/last.pdf @r{file, relative path}
2665 ./papers/last.pdf @r{same as above}
2666 file:projects.org @r{another org file}
2667 file:projects.org::some words @r{text search in org file}
2668 file:projects.org::*task title @r{heading search in org file}
2669 id:B7423F4D-2E8A-471B-8810-C40F074717E9 @r{Link to heading by ID}
2670 news:comp.emacs @r{Usenet link}
2671 mailto:adent@@galaxy.net @r{Mail link}
2672 vm:folder @r{VM folder link}
2673 vm:folder#id @r{VM message link}
2674 vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id @r{VM on remote machine}
2675 wl:folder @r{WANDERLUST folder link}
2676 wl:folder#id @r{WANDERLUST message link}
2677 mhe:folder @r{MH-E folder link}
2678 mhe:folder#id @r{MH-E message link}
2679 rmail:folder @r{RMAIL folder link}
2680 rmail:folder#id @r{RMAIL message link}
2681 gnus:group @r{Gnus group link}
2682 gnus:group#id @r{Gnus article link}
2683 bbdb:R.*Stallman @r{BBDB link (with regexp)}
2684 irc:/irc.com/#emacs/bob @r{IRC link}
2685 shell:ls *.org @r{A shell command}
2686 elisp:org-agenda @r{Interactive elisp command}
2687 elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{Elisp form to evaluate}
2690 A link should be enclosed in double brackets and may contain a
2691 descriptive text to be displayed instead of the URL (@pxref{Link
2692 format}), for example:
2695 [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/][GNU Emacs]]
2699 If the description is a file name or URL that points to an image, HTML
2700 export (@pxref{HTML export}) will inline the image as a clickable
2701 button. If there is no description at all and the link points to an
2703 that image will be inlined into the exported HTML file.
2705 @cindex angular brackets, around links
2706 @cindex plain text external links
2707 Org also finds external links in the normal text and activates them
2708 as links. If spaces must be part of the link (for example in
2709 @samp{bbdb:Richard Stallman}), or if you need to remove ambiguities
2710 about the end of the link, enclose them in angular brackets.
2712 @node Handling links, Using links outside Org, External links, Hyperlinks
2713 @section Handling links
2714 @cindex links, handling
2716 Org provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
2717 insert it into an Org file, and to follow the link.
2721 @cindex storing links
2723 Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command (you
2724 must create the key binding yourself) which can be used in any buffer to
2725 create a link. The link will be stored for later insertion into an Org
2728 For Org files, if there is a @samp{<<target>>} at the cursor, the link points
2729 to the target. Otherwise it points to the current headline, either by text
2730 (unsafe), or, if @file{org-id.el} is loaded and @code{org-link-to-org-use-id}
2731 is set, by ID property.
2733 For VM, Rmail, Wanderlust, MH-E, Gnus and BBDB buffers, the link will
2734 indicate the current article/entry. For W3 and W3M buffers, the link goes to
2735 the current URL. For IRC links, if you set the variable
2736 @code{org-irc-link-to-logs} to non-nil then @kbd{C-c l} will store a
2737 @samp{file:/} style link to the relevant point in the logs for the current
2738 conversation. Otherwise an @samp{irc:/} style link to the user/channel/server
2739 under the point will be stored.
2741 For any other files, the link will point to the file, with a search string
2742 (@pxref{Search options}) pointing to the contents of the current line. If
2743 there is an active region, the selected words will form the basis of the
2744 search string. If the automatically created link is not working correctly or
2745 accurately enough, you can write custom functions to select the search string
2746 and to do the search for particular file types - see @ref{Custom searches}.
2747 The key binding @kbd{C-c l} is only a suggestion - see @ref{Installation}.
2750 @cindex link completion
2751 @cindex completion, of links
2752 @cindex inserting links
2754 Insert a link. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the buffer. You
2755 can just type a link, using text for an internal link, or one of the link
2756 type prefixes mentioned in the examples above. All links stored during the
2757 current session are part of the history for this prompt, so you can access
2758 them with @key{up} and @key{down} (or @kbd{M-p/n}). Completion, on the other
2759 hand, will help you to insert valid link prefixes like @samp{http:} or
2760 @samp{ftp:}, including the prefixes defined through link abbreviations
2761 (@pxref{Link abbreviations}). The link will be inserted into the
2762 buffer@footnote{After insertion of a stored link, the link will be removed
2763 from the list of stored links. To keep it in the list later use, use a
2764 triple @kbd{C-u} prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the option
2765 @code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}, along with a descriptive text.
2766 If some text was selected when this command is called, the selected text
2767 becomes the default description.@* Note that you don't have to use this
2768 command to insert a link. Links in Org are plain text, and you can type
2769 or paste them straight into the buffer. By using this command, the links are
2770 automatically enclosed in double brackets, and you will be asked for the
2771 optional descriptive text.
2773 @c If the link is a @samp{file:} link and
2774 @c the linked file is located in the same directory as the current file or
2775 @c a subdirectory of it, the path of the file will be inserted relative to
2776 @c the current directory.
2779 @cindex file name completion
2780 @cindex completion, of file names
2782 When @kbd{C-c C-l} is called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, a link to
2783 a file will be inserted and you may use file name completion to select
2784 the name of the file. The path to the file is inserted relative to the
2785 directory of the current org file, if the linked file is in the current
2786 directory or in a sub-directory of it, or if the path is written relative
2787 to the current directory using @samp{../}. Otherwise an absolute path
2788 is used, if possible with @samp{~/} for your home directory. You can
2789 force an absolute path with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes.
2791 @item C-c C-l @r{(with cursor on existing link)}
2792 When the cursor is on an existing link, @kbd{C-c C-l} allows you to edit the
2793 link and description parts of the link.
2795 @cindex following links
2798 Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using
2799 @command{browse-url-at-point}), run VM/MH-E/Wanderlust/Rmail/Gnus/BBDB for
2800 the corresponding links, and execute the command in a shell link. When the
2801 cursor is on an internal link, this commands runs the corresponding search.
2802 When the cursor is on a TAG list in a headline, it creates the corresponding
2803 TAGS view. If the cursor is on a time stamp, it compiles the agenda for that
2804 date. Furthermore, it will visit text and remote files in @samp{file:} links
2805 with Emacs and select a suitable application for local non-text files.
2806 Classification of files is based on file extension only. See option
2807 @code{org-file-apps}. If you want to override the default application and
2808 visit the file with Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u} prefix. If you want to avoid
2809 opening in Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u C-u} prefix.
2815 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just as @kbd{C-c C-o}
2816 would. Under Emacs 22, also @kbd{mouse-1} will follow a link.
2820 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs, and
2821 internal links to be displayed in another window@footnote{See the
2822 variable @code{org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer}}.
2827 Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
2828 easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
2830 @cindex links, returning to
2833 Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the
2834 commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this
2835 command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of
2836 previously recorded positions.
2840 @cindex links, finding next/previous
2843 Move forward/backward to the next link in the buffer. At the limit of
2844 the buffer, the search fails once, and then wraps around. The key
2845 bindings for this are really too long, you might want to bind this also
2846 to @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{C-p}
2848 (add-hook 'org-load-hook
2850 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-n" 'org-next-link)
2851 (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-p" 'org-previous-link)))
2855 @node Using links outside Org, Link abbreviations, Handling links, Hyperlinks
2856 @section Using links outside Org
2858 You can insert and follow links that have Org syntax not only in
2859 Org, but in any Emacs buffer. For this, you should create two
2860 global commands, like this (please select suitable global keys
2864 (global-set-key "\C-c L" 'org-insert-link-global)
2865 (global-set-key "\C-c o" 'org-open-at-point-global)
2868 @node Link abbreviations, Search options, Using links outside Org, Hyperlinks
2869 @section Link abbreviations
2870 @cindex link abbreviations
2871 @cindex abbreviation, links
2873 Long URLs can be cumbersome to type, and often many similar links are
2874 needed in a document. For this you can use link abbreviations. An
2875 abbreviated link looks like this
2878 [[linkword:tag][description]]
2882 where the tag is optional. Such abbreviations are resolved according to
2883 the information in the variable @code{org-link-abbrev-alist} that
2884 relates the linkwords to replacement text. Here is an example:
2888 (setq org-link-abbrev-alist
2889 '(("bugzilla" . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=")
2890 ("google" . "http://www.google.com/search?q=")
2891 ("ads" . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/
2892 nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST")))
2896 If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be
2897 replaced with the tag. Otherwise the tag will be appended to the string
2898 in order to create the link. You may also specify a function that will
2899 be called with the tag as the only argument to create the link.
2901 With the above setting, you could link to a specific bug with
2902 @code{[[bugzilla:129]]}, search the web for @samp{OrgMode} with
2903 @code{[[google:OrgMode]]} and find out what the Org author is
2904 doing besides Emacs hacking with @code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}.
2906 If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org buffer, you
2907 can define them in the file with
2910 #+LINK: bugzilla http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=
2911 #+LINK: google http://www.google.com/search?q=%s
2915 In-buffer completion @pxref{Completion} can be used after @samp{[} to
2916 complete link abbreviations.
2918 @node Search options, Custom searches, Link abbreviations, Hyperlinks
2919 @section Search options in file links
2920 @cindex search option in file links
2921 @cindex file links, searching
2923 File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a
2924 particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a
2925 line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward
2926 compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon. For
2927 example, when the command @kbd{C-c l} creates a link (@pxref{Handling
2928 links}) to a file, it encodes the words in the current line as a search
2929 string that can be used to find this line back later when following the
2930 link with @kbd{C-c C-o}.
2932 Here is the syntax of the different ways to attach a search to a file
2933 link, together with an explanation:
2936 [[file:~/code/main.c::255]]
2937 [[file:~/xx.org::My Target]]
2938 [[file:~/xx.org::*My Target]]
2939 [[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]]
2946 Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, or do a text search for
2947 @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see
2948 @ref{Internal links}. In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such a file
2949 link will become an HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in
2952 In an Org file, restrict search to headlines.
2954 Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs
2955 command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the
2956 target file is in Org mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a
2957 sparse tree with the matches.
2958 @c If the target file is a directory,
2959 @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory.
2962 As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used
2963 to search the current file. For example, @code{[[file:::find me]]} does
2964 a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just as
2965 @samp{[[find me]]} would.
2967 @node Custom searches, , Search options, Hyperlinks
2968 @section Custom Searches
2969 @cindex custom search strings
2970 @cindex search strings, custom
2972 The default mechanism for creating search strings and for doing the
2973 actual search related to a file link may not work correctly in all
2974 cases. For example, BibTeX database files have many entries like
2975 @samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings,
2976 because the only unique identification for a BibTeX entry is the
2979 If you come across such a problem, you can write custom functions to set
2980 the right search string for a particular file type, and to do the search
2981 for the string in the file. Using @code{add-hook}, these functions need
2982 to be added to the hook variables
2983 @code{org-create-file-search-functions} and
2984 @code{org-execute-file-search-functions}. See the docstring for these
2985 variables for more information. Org actually uses this mechanism
2986 for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as
2987 an implementation example. See the file @file{org-bibtex.el}.
2989 @node TODO Items, Tags, Hyperlinks, Top
2993 Org mode does not maintain TODO lists as separate documents@footnote{Of
2994 course, you can make a document that contains only long lists of TODO items,
2995 but this is not required.}. Instead, TODO items are an integral part of the
2996 notes file, because TODO items usually come up while taking notes! With Org
2997 mode, simply mark any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way,
2998 information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the TODO
2999 item emerged is always present.
3001 Of course, this technique for managing TODO items scatters them
3002 throughout your notes file. Org mode compensates for this by providing
3003 methods to give you an overview of all the things that you have to do.
3006 * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries
3007 * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments
3008 * Progress logging:: Dates and notes for progress
3009 * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others
3010 * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into manageable pieces
3011 * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists
3014 @node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO Items, TODO Items
3015 @section Basic TODO functionality
3017 Any headline becomes a TODO item when it starts with the word
3018 @samp{TODO}, for example:
3021 *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune
3025 The most important commands to work with TODO entries are:
3029 @cindex cycling, of TODO states
3031 Rotate the TODO state of the current item among
3034 ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --.
3035 '--------------------------------'
3038 The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3039 agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3043 Select a specific keyword using completion or (if it has been set up)
3044 the fast selection interface. For the latter, you need to assign keys
3045 to TODO states, see @ref{Per-file keywords} and @ref{Setting tags} for
3048 @kindex S-@key{right}
3049 @kindex S-@key{left}
3052 Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling. Useful
3053 mostly if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO
3054 extensions}). See also @ref{Conflicts} for a discussion of the interaction
3055 with @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3058 @cindex sparse tree, for TODO
3061 View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds
3062 the entire buffer, but shows all TODO items and the headings hierarchy
3063 above them. With a prefix argument, search for a specific TODO. You will be
3064 prompted for the keyword, and you can also give a list of keywords like
3065 @code{KWD1|KWD2|...}. With numeric prefix argument N, show the tree for the
3066 Nth keyword in the variable @code{org-todo-keywords}. With two prefix
3067 arguments, find all TODO and DONE entries.
3070 Show the global TODO list. Collects the TODO items from all agenda
3071 files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The new buffer will
3072 be in @code{agenda-mode}, which provides commands to examine and
3073 manipulate the TODO entries from the new buffer (@pxref{Agenda
3074 commands}). @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
3075 @kindex S-M-@key{RET}
3077 Insert a new TODO entry below the current one.
3081 Changing a TODO state can also trigger tag changes. See the docstring of the
3082 option @code{org-todo-state-tags-triggers} for details.
3084 @node TODO extensions, Progress logging, TODO basics, TODO Items
3085 @section Extended use of TODO keywords
3086 @cindex extended TODO keywords
3088 By default, marked TODO entries have one of only two states: TODO and
3089 DONE. Org mode allows you to classify TODO items in more complex ways
3090 with @emph{TODO keywords} (stored in @code{org-todo-keywords}). With
3091 special setup, the TODO keyword system can work differently in different
3094 Note that @i{tags} are another way to classify headlines in general and
3095 TODO items in particular (@pxref{Tags}).
3098 * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps
3099 * TODO types:: I do this, Fred does the rest
3100 * Multiple sets in one file:: Mixing it all, and still finding your way
3101 * Fast access to TODO states:: Single letter selection of a state
3102 * Per-file keywords:: Different files, different requirements
3103 * Faces for TODO keywords:: Highlighting states
3104 * TODO dependencies:: When one tasks needs to wait for others
3107 @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions
3108 @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states
3109 @cindex TODO workflow
3110 @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords
3112 You can use TODO keywords to indicate different @emph{sequential} states
3113 in the process of working on an item, for example@footnote{Changing
3114 this variable only becomes effective after restarting Org mode in a
3118 (setq org-todo-keywords
3119 '((sequence "TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "|" "DONE" "DELEGATED")))
3122 The vertical bar separates the TODO keywords (states that @emph{need
3123 action}) from the DONE states (which need @emph{no further action}). If
3124 you don't provide the separator bar, the last state is used as the DONE
3126 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
3127 With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from TODO
3128 to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE and DELEGATED. You may
3129 also use a numeric prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For
3130 example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
3131 Or you can use @kbd{S-left} to go backward through the sequence. If you
3132 define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion
3133 (@pxref{Completion}) or even a special one-key selection scheme
3134 (@pxref{Fast access to TODO states}) to insert these words into the
3135 buffer. Changing a TODO state can be logged with a timestamp, see
3136 @ref{Tracking TODO state changes} for more information.
3138 @node TODO types, Multiple sets in one file, Workflow states, TODO extensions
3139 @subsection TODO keywords as types
3141 @cindex names as TODO keywords
3142 @cindex types as TODO keywords
3144 The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different
3145 @emph{types} of action items. For example, you might want to indicate
3146 that items are for ``work'' or ``home''. Or, when you work with several
3147 people on a single project, you might want to assign action items
3148 directly to persons, by using their names as TODO keywords. This would
3149 be set up like this:
3152 (setq org-todo-keywords '((type "Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "|" "DONE")))
3155 In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather
3156 different types. So the normal work flow would be to assign a task to a
3157 person, and later to mark it DONE. Org mode supports this style by adapting
3158 the workings of the command @kbd{C-c C-t}@footnote{This is also true for the
3159 @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When used several
3160 times in succession, it will still cycle through all names, in order to first
3161 select the right type for a task. But when you return to the item after some
3162 time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from any name directly
3163 to DONE. Use prefix arguments or completion to quickly select a specific
3164 name. You can also review the items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree
3165 by using a numeric prefix to @kbd{C-c C-v}. For example, to see all things
3166 Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c C-v}. To collect Lucy's items
3167 from all agenda files into a single buffer, you would use the numeric prefix
3168 argument as well when creating the global TODO list: @kbd{C-3 C-c t}.
3170 @node Multiple sets in one file, Fast access to TODO states, TODO types, TODO extensions
3171 @subsection Multiple keyword sets in one file
3172 @cindex TODO keyword sets
3174 Sometimes you may want to use different sets of TODO keywords in
3175 parallel. For example, you may want to have the basic
3176 @code{TODO}/@code{DONE}, but also a workflow for bug fixing, and a
3177 separate state indicating that an item has been canceled (so it is not
3178 DONE, but also does not require action). Your setup would then look
3182 (setq org-todo-keywords
3183 '((sequence "TODO" "|" "DONE")
3184 (sequence "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED")
3185 (sequence "|" "CANCELED")))
3188 The keywords should all be different, this helps Org mode to keep track
3189 of which subsequence should be used for a given entry. In this setup,
3190 @kbd{C-c C-t} only operates within a subsequence, so it switches from
3191 @code{DONE} to (nothing) to @code{TODO}, and from @code{FIXED} to
3192 (nothing) to @code{REPORT}. Therefore you need a mechanism to initially
3193 select the correct sequence. Besides the obvious ways like typing a
3194 keyword or using completion, you may also apply the following commands:
3197 @kindex C-S-@key{right}
3198 @kindex C-S-@key{left}
3199 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-t
3200 @item C-u C-u C-c C-t
3201 @itemx C-S-@key{right}
3202 @itemx C-S-@key{left}
3203 These keys jump from one TODO subset to the next. In the above example,
3204 @kbd{C-u C-u C-c C-t} or @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} would jump from @code{TODO} or
3205 @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT}, and any of the words in the second row to
3206 @code{CANCELED}. Note that the @kbd{C-S-} key binding conflict with
3207 @code{shift-selection-mode} (@pxref{Conflicts}).
3208 @kindex S-@key{right}
3209 @kindex S-@key{left}
3212 @kbd{S-@key{<left>}} and @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} and walk through @emph{all}
3213 keywords from all sets, so for example @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} would switch
3214 from @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT} in the example above. See also
3215 @ref{Conflicts} for a discussion of the interaction with
3216 @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3219 @node Fast access to TODO states, Per-file keywords, Multiple sets in one file, TODO extensions
3220 @subsection Fast access to TODO states
3222 If you would like to quickly change an entry to an arbitrary TODO state
3223 instead of cycling through the states, you can set up keys for
3224 single-letter access to the states. This is done by adding the section
3225 key after each keyword, in parenthesis. For example:
3228 (setq org-todo-keywords
3229 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "|" "DONE(d)")
3230 (sequence "REPORT(r)" "BUG(b)" "KNOWNCAUSE(k)" "|" "FIXED(f)")
3231 (sequence "|" "CANCELED(c)")))
3234 If you then press @code{C-u C-c C-t} followed by the selection key, the
3235 entry will be switched to this state. @key{SPC} can be used to remove
3236 any TODO keyword from an entry. Should you like this way of selecting
3237 TODO states a lot, you might want to set the variable
3238 @code{org-use-fast-todo-selection} to @code{t} and make this behavior
3239 the default. Check also the variable
3240 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo}, it allows to change the TODO
3241 state through the tags interface (@pxref{Setting tags}), in case you
3242 like to mingle the two concepts.
3244 @node Per-file keywords, Faces for TODO keywords, Fast access to TODO states, TODO extensions
3245 @subsection Setting up keywords for individual files
3246 @cindex keyword options
3247 @cindex per-file keywords
3249 It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in
3250 different files. For file-local settings, you need to add special lines
3251 to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that file
3252 only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed above, you
3253 need one of the following lines, starting in column zero anywhere in the
3257 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY | DONE CANCELED
3261 #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike | DONE
3264 A setup for using several sets in parallel would be:
3267 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO | DONE
3268 #+SEQ_TODO: REPORT BUG KNOWNCAUSE | FIXED
3269 #+SEQ_TODO: | CANCELED
3272 @cindex completion, of option keywords
3274 @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type
3275 @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion.
3277 @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword
3278 Remember that the keywords after the vertical bar (or the last keyword
3279 if no bar is there) must always mean that the item is DONE (although you
3280 may use a different word). After changing one of these lines, use
3281 @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to make the changes
3282 known to Org mode@footnote{Org mode parses these lines only when
3283 Org mode is activated after visiting a file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the
3284 cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+} is simply restarting Org mode
3285 for the current buffer.}.
3287 @node Faces for TODO keywords, TODO dependencies, Per-file keywords, TODO extensions
3288 @subsection Faces for TODO keywords
3289 @cindex faces, for TODO keywords
3291 Org mode highlights TODO keywords with special faces: @code{org-todo}
3292 for keywords indicating that an item still has to be acted upon, and
3293 @code{org-done} for keywords indicating that an item is finished. If
3294 you are using more than 2 different states, you might want to use
3295 special faces for some of them. This can be done using the variable
3296 @code{org-todo-keyword-faces}. For example:
3300 (setq org-todo-keyword-faces
3301 '(("TODO" . org-warning)
3302 ("DEFERRED" . shadow)
3303 ("CANCELED" . (:foreground "blue" :weight bold))))
3307 While using a list with face properties as shown for CANCELED
3308 @emph{should} work, this does not aways seem to be the case. If
3309 necessary, define a special face and use that.
3311 @node TODO dependencies, , Faces for TODO keywords, TODO extensions
3312 @subsection TODO dependencies
3314 The structure of Org files (hierarchy and lists) makes it easy to define TODO
3315 dependencies. Usually, a parent TODO task should not be marked DONE until
3316 all subtasks (defined as children tasks) are marked as DONE. And sometimes
3317 there is a logical sequence to a number of (sub)tasks, so that one task
3318 cannot be acted upon before all siblings above it are done. If you customize
3319 the variable @code{org-enforce-todo-dependencies}, Org will block entries
3320 from changing state while they have children that are not DONE. Furthermore,
3321 if an entry has a property @code{ORDERED}, each of its children will be
3322 blocked until all earlier siblings are marked DONE. Here is an example:
3325 * TODO Blocked until (two) is done
3334 ** TODO b, needs to wait for (a)
3335 ** TODO c, needs to wait for (a) and (b)
3341 Toggle the @code{ORDERED} property of the current entry.
3344 If you set the variable @code{org-agenda-dim-blocked-tasks}, TODO entries
3345 that cannot be closed because of such dependencies will be shown in a dimmed
3346 font or even made invisible in agenda views (@pxref{Agenda Views}).
3348 If you need more complex dependency structures, for example dependencies
3349 between entries in different trees or files, check out the contributed
3350 module @file{org-depend.el}.
3353 @node Progress logging, Priorities, TODO extensions, TODO Items
3354 @section Progress logging
3355 @cindex progress logging
3356 @cindex logging, of progress
3358 Org mode can automatically record a time stamp and possibly a note when
3359 you mark a TODO item as DONE, or even each time you change the state of
3360 a TODO item. This system is highly configurable, settings can be on a
3361 per-keyword basis and can be localized to a file or even a subtree. For
3362 information on how to clock working time for a task, see @ref{Clocking
3366 * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE?
3367 * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change?
3370 @node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging
3371 @subsection Closing items
3373 The most basic logging is to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO
3374 item was finished. This is achieved with@footnote{The corresponding
3375 in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}}.
3378 (setq org-log-done 'time)
3382 Then each time you turn an entry from a TODO (not-done) state into any
3383 of the DONE states, a line @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted
3384 just after the headline. If you turn the entry back into a TODO item
3385 through further state cycling, that line will be removed again. If you
3386 want to record a note along with the timestamp, use@footnote{The
3387 corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognotedone}}
3390 (setq org-log-done 'note)
3394 You will then be prompted for a note, and that note will be stored below
3395 the entry with a @samp{Closing Note} heading.
3397 In the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda
3398 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), you can then use the @kbd{l} key to
3399 display the TODO items with a @samp{CLOSED} timestamp on each day,
3400 giving you an overview of what has been done.
3402 @node Tracking TODO state changes, , Closing items, Progress logging
3403 @subsection Tracking TODO state changes
3405 When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow
3406 states}), you might want to keep track of when a state change occurred
3407 and maybe take a note about this change. Since it is normally too much
3408 to record a note for every state, Org mode expects configuration on a
3409 per-keyword basis for this. This is achieved by adding special markers
3410 @samp{!} (for a time stamp) and @samp{@@} (for a note) in parenthesis
3411 after each keyword. For example, with the setting
3414 (setq org-todo-keywords
3415 '((sequence "TODO(t)" "WAIT(w@@/!)" "|" "DONE(d!)" "CANCELED(c@@)")))
3419 you not only define global TODO keywords and fast access keys, but also
3420 request that a time is recorded when the entry is turned into
3421 DONE@footnote{It is possible that Org mode will record two time stamps
3422 when you are using both @code{org-log-done} and state change logging.
3423 However, it will never prompt for two notes - if you have configured
3424 both, the state change recording note will take precedence and cancel
3425 the @samp{Closing Note}.}, and that a note is recorded when switching to
3426 WAIT or CANCELED. The setting for WAIT is even more special: The
3427 @samp{!} after the slash means that in addition to the note taken when
3428 entering the state, a time stamp should be recorded when @i{leaving} the
3429 WAIT state, if and only if the @i{target} state does not configure
3430 logging for entering it. So it has no effect when switching from WAIT
3431 to DONE, because DONE is configured to record a timestamp only. But
3432 when switching from WAIT back to TODO, the @samp{/!} in the WAIT
3433 setting now triggers a timestamp even though TODO has no logging
3436 You can use the exact same syntax for setting logging preferences local
3439 #+SEQ_TODO: TODO(t) WAIT(w@@/!) | DONE(d!) CANCELED(c@@)
3442 In order to define logging settings that are local to a subtree or a
3443 single item, define a LOGGING property in this entry. Any non-empty
3444 LOGGING property resets all logging settings to nil. You may then turn
3445 on logging for this specific tree using STARTUP keywords like
3446 @code{lognotedone} or @code{logrepeat}, as well as adding state specific
3447 settings like @code{TODO(!)}. For example
3450 * TODO Log each state with only a time
3452 :LOGGING: TODO(!) WAIT(!) DONE(!) CANCELED(!)
3454 * TODO Only log when switching to WAIT, and when repeating
3456 :LOGGING: WAIT(@@) logrepeat
3458 * TODO No logging at all
3464 @node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, Progress logging, TODO Items
3468 If you use Org mode extensively, you may end up enough TODO items that
3469 it starts to make sense to prioritize them. Prioritizing can be done by
3470 placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the headline of a TODO item, like
3474 *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
3478 By default, Org mode supports three priorities: @samp{A}, @samp{B}, and
3479 @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry without a cookie
3480 is treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a difference only in
3481 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}); outside the agenda, they have
3482 no inherent meaning to Org mode.
3484 Priorities can be attached to any outline tree entries; they do not need
3490 Set the priority of the current headline. The command prompts for a
3491 priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press
3492 @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline.
3493 The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and
3494 agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
3497 @kindex S-@key{down}
3500 Increase/decrease priority of current headline@footnote{See also the option
3501 @code{org-priority-start-cycle-with-default'}.}. Note that these keys are
3502 also used to modify time stamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}). See also
3503 @ref{Conflicts} for a discussion of the interaction with
3504 @code{shift-selection-mode}.
3507 You can change the range of allowed priorities by setting the variables
3508 @code{org-highest-priority}, @code{org-lowest-priority}, and
3509 @code{org-default-priority}. For an individual buffer, you may set
3510 these values (highest, lowest, default) like this (please make sure that
3511 the highest priority is earlier in the alphabet than the lowest
3518 @node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO Items
3519 @section Breaking tasks down into subtasks
3520 @cindex tasks, breaking down
3522 It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable
3523 subtasks. You can do this by creating an outline tree below a TODO item,
3524 with detailed subtasks on the tree@footnote{To keep subtasks out of the
3525 global TODO list, see the @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels}.}. To keep
3526 the overview over the fraction of subtasks that are already completed, insert
3527 either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]} anywhere in the headline. These cookies will
3528 be updates each time the todo status of a child changes. For example:
3531 * Organize Party [33%]
3532 ** TODO Call people [1/2]
3536 ** DONE Talk to neighbor
3539 If you would like a TODO entry to automatically change to DONE when all
3540 children are done, you can use the following setup:
3543 (defun org-summary-todo (n-done n-not-done)
3544 "Switch entry to DONE when all subentries are done, to TODO otherwise."
3545 (let (org-log-done org-log-states) ; turn off logging
3546 (org-todo (if (= n-not-done 0) "DONE" "TODO"))))
3548 (add-hook 'org-after-todo-statistics-hook 'org-summary-todo)
3552 Another possibility is the use of checkboxes to identify (a hierarchy of) a
3553 large number of subtasks (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
3556 @node Checkboxes, , Breaking down tasks, TODO Items
3560 Every item in a plain list (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made into a
3561 checkbox by starting it with the string @samp{[ ]}. This feature is
3562 similar to TODO items (@pxref{TODO Items}), but is more lightweight.
3563 Checkboxes are not included into the global TODO list, so they are often
3564 great to split a task into a number of simple steps. Or you can use
3565 them in a shopping list. To toggle a checkbox, use @kbd{C-c C-c}, or
3566 use the mouse (thanks to Piotr Zielinski's @file{org-mouse.el}).
3568 Here is an example of a checkbox list.
3571 * TODO Organize party [2/4]
3572 - [-] call people [1/3]
3577 - [ ] think about what music to play
3578 - [X] talk to the neighbors
3581 Checkboxes work hierarchically, so if a checkbox item has children that
3582 are checkboxes, toggling one of the children checkboxes will make the
3583 parent checkbox reflect if none, some, or all of the children are
3586 @cindex statistics, for checkboxes
3587 @cindex checkbox statistics
3588 The @samp{[2/4]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are
3589 cookies indicating how many checkboxes present in this entry have been
3590 checked off, and the total number of checkboxes are present. This can
3591 give you an idea on how many checkboxes remain, even without opening a
3592 folded entry. The cookies can be placed into a headline or into (the
3593 first line of) a plain list item. Each cookie covers all checkboxes
3594 structurally below the headline/item on which the cookie appear. You
3595 have to insert the cookie yourself by typing either @samp{[/]} or
3596 @samp{[%]}. With @samp{[/]} you get an @samp{n out of m} result, as in
3597 the examples above. With @samp{[%]} you get information about the
3598 percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be
3599 @samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%]}, respectively).
3601 @noindent The following commands work with checkboxes:
3606 Toggle checkbox at point. With a prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]},
3607 which is considered to be an intermediate state.
3610 Toggle checkbox status or (with prefix arg) checkbox presence at point.
3613 If there is an active region, toggle the first checkbox in the region
3614 and set all remaining boxes to the same status as the first. With a prefix
3615 arg, add or remove the checkbox for all items in the region.
3617 If the cursor is in a headline, toggle checkboxes in the region between
3618 this headline and the next (so @emph{not} the entire subtree).
3620 If there is no active region, just toggle the checkbox at point.
3622 @kindex M-S-@key{RET}
3624 Insert a new item with a checkbox.
3625 This works only if the cursor is already in a plain list item
3626 (@pxref{Plain lists}).
3629 Update the checkbox statistics in the current outline entry. When
3630 called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, update the entire file. Checkbox
3631 statistic cookies are updated automatically if you toggle checkboxes
3632 with @kbd{C-c C-c} and make new ones with @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}}. If you
3633 delete boxes or add/change them by hand, use this command to get things
3634 back into sync. Or simply toggle any checkbox twice with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
3637 @node Tags, Properties and Columns, TODO Items, Top
3640 @cindex headline tagging
3641 @cindex matching, tags
3642 @cindex sparse tree, tag based
3644 An excellent way to implement labels and contexts for cross-correlating
3645 information is to assign @i{tags} to headlines. Org mode has extensive
3648 Every headline can contain a list of tags; they occur at the end of the
3649 headline. Tags are normal words containing letters, numbers, @samp{_}, and
3650 @samp{@@}. Tags must be preceded and followed by a single colon, e.g.,
3651 @samp{:work:}. Several tags can be specified, as in @samp{:work:urgent:}.
3652 Tags will by default get a bold face with the same color as the headline.
3653 You may specify special faces for specific tags using the variable
3654 @code{org-tag-faces}, much in the same way as you can do for TODO keywords
3655 (@pxref{Faces for TODO keywords}).
3658 * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline
3659 * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline
3660 * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags
3663 @node Tag inheritance, Setting tags, Tags, Tags
3664 @section Tag inheritance
3665 @cindex tag inheritance
3666 @cindex inheritance, of tags
3667 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into tags match
3669 @i{Tags} make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees. If a
3670 heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
3671 well. For example, in the list
3674 * Meeting with the French group :work:
3675 ** Summary by Frank :boss:notes:
3676 *** TODO Prepare slides for him :action:
3680 the final heading will have the tags @samp{:work:}, @samp{:boss:},
3681 @samp{:notes:}, and @samp{:action:} even though the final heading is not
3682 explicitly marked with those tags. You can also set tags that all entries in
3683 a file should inherit as if these tags would be defined in a hypothetical
3684 level zero that surrounds the entire file.
3687 #+FILETAGS: :Peter:Boss:Secret:
3691 To limit tag inheritance to specific tags, or to turn it off entirely, use
3692 the variables @code{org-use-tag-inheritance} and
3693 @code{org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance}.
3695 When a headline matches during a tags search while tag inheritance is turned
3696 on, all the sublevels in the same tree will (for a simple match form) match
3697 as well@footnote{This is only true if the search does not involve more
3698 complex tests including properties (@pxref{Property searches}).}. The list
3699 of matches may then become very long. If you only want to see the first tags
3700 match in a subtree, configure the variable
3701 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels} (not recommended).
3703 @node Setting tags, Tag searches, Tag inheritance, Tags
3704 @section Setting tags
3705 @cindex setting tags
3706 @cindex tags, setting
3709 Tags can simply be typed into the buffer at the end of a headline.
3710 After a colon, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on tags. There is
3711 also a special command for inserting tags:
3716 @cindex completion, of tags
3717 Enter new tags for the current headline. Org mode will either offer
3718 completion or a special single-key interface for setting tags, see
3719 below. After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will be inserted and aligned
3720 to @code{org-tags-column}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all
3721 tags in the current buffer will be aligned to that column, just to make
3722 things look nice. TAGS are automatically realigned after promotion,
3723 demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
3726 When the cursor is in a headline, this does the same as @kbd{C-c C-q}.
3729 Org will support tag insertion based on a @emph{list of tags}. By
3730 default this list is constructed dynamically, containing all tags
3731 currently used in the buffer. You may also globally specify a hard list
3732 of tags with the variable @code{org-tag-alist}. Finally you can set
3733 the default tags for a given file with lines like
3736 #+TAGS: @@work @@home @@tennisclub
3737 #+TAGS: laptop car pc sailboat
3740 If you have globally defined your preferred set of tags using the
3741 variable @code{org-tag-alist}, but would like to use a dynamic tag list
3742 in a specific file, add an empty TAGS option line to that file:
3748 By default Org mode uses the standard minibuffer completion facilities for
3749 entering tags. However, it also implements another, quicker, tag selection
3750 method called @emph{fast tag selection}. This allows you to select and
3751 deselect tags with just a single key press. For this to work well you should
3752 assign unique letters to most of your commonly used tags. You can do this
3753 globally by configuring the variable @code{org-tag-alist} in your
3754 @file{.emacs} file. For example, you may find the need to tag many items in
3755 different files with @samp{:@@home:}. In this case you can set something
3759 (setq org-tag-alist '(("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h) ("laptop" . ?l)))
3762 @noindent If the tag is only relevant to the file you are working on then you
3763 can, instead, set the TAGS option line as:
3766 #+TAGS: @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) laptop(l) pc(p)
3770 You can also group together tags that are mutually exclusive. By using
3774 #+TAGS: @{ @@work(w) @@home(h) @@tennisclub(t) @} laptop(l) pc(p)
3777 @noindent you indicate that at most one of @samp{@@work}, @samp{@@home},
3778 and @samp{@@tennisclub} should be selected. Multiple such groups are allowed.
3780 @noindent Don't forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in one of
3781 these lines to activate any changes.
3784 To set these mutually exclusive groups in the variable @code{org-mode-alist}
3785 you must use the dummy tags @code{:startgroup} and @code{:endgroup} instead
3786 of the braces. The previous example would be set globally by the following
3790 (setq org-tag-alist '((:startgroup . nil)
3791 ("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h)
3792 ("@@tennisclub" . ?t)
3794 ("laptop" . ?l) ("pc" . ?p)))
3797 If at least one tag has a selection key then pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} will
3798 automatically present you with a special interface, listing inherited tags,
3799 the tags of the current headline, and a list of all valid tags with
3800 corresponding keys@footnote{Keys will automatically be assigned to tags which
3801 have no configured keys.}. In this interface, you can use the following
3806 Pressing keys assigned to tags will add or remove them from the list of
3807 tags in the current line. Selecting a tag in a group of mutually
3808 exclusive tags will turn off any other tags from that group.
3811 Enter a tag in the minibuffer, even if the tag is not in the predefined
3812 list. You will be able to complete on all tags present in the buffer.
3815 Clear all tags for this line.
3818 Accept the modified set.
3820 Abort without installing changes.
3822 If @kbd{q} is not assigned to a tag, it aborts like @kbd{C-g}.
3824 Turn off groups of mutually exclusive tags. Use this to (as an
3825 exception) assign several tags from such a group.
3827 Toggle auto-exit after the next change (see below).
3828 If you are using expert mode, the first @kbd{C-c} will display the
3833 This method lets you assign tags to a headline with very few keys. With
3834 the above setup, you could clear the current tags and set @samp{@@home},
3835 @samp{laptop} and @samp{pc} tags with just the following keys: @kbd{C-c
3836 C-c @key{SPC} h l p @key{RET}}. Switching from @samp{@@home} to
3837 @samp{@@work} would be done with @kbd{C-c C-c w @key{RET}} or
3838 alternatively with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c w}. Adding the non-predefined tag
3839 @samp{Sarah} could be done with @kbd{C-c C-c @key{TAB} S a r a h
3840 @key{RET} @key{RET}}.
3842 If you find that most of the time, you need only a single key press to
3843 modify your list of tags, set the variable
3844 @code{org-fast-tag-selection-single-key}. Then you no longer have to
3845 press @key{RET} to exit fast tag selection - it will immediately exit
3846 after the first change. If you then occasionally need more keys, press
3847 @kbd{C-c} to turn off auto-exit for the current tag selection process
3848 (in effect: start selection with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c} instead of @kbd{C-c
3849 C-c}). If you set the variable to the value @code{expert}, the special
3850 window is not even shown for single-key tag selection, it comes up only
3851 when you press an extra @kbd{C-c}.
3853 @node Tag searches, , Setting tags, Tags
3854 @section Tag searches
3855 @cindex tag searches
3856 @cindex searching for tags
3858 Once a system of tags has been set up, it can be used to collect related
3859 information into special lists.
3866 Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search. With a
3867 @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
3870 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
3871 @xref{Matching tags and properties}.
3874 Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
3875 only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
3876 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
3879 @cindex Boolean logic, for tag searches
3880 A @i{tags} search string can use Boolean operators @samp{&} for AND and
3881 @samp{|} for OR. @samp{&} binds more strongly than @samp{|}.
3882 Parenthesis are currently not implemented. A tag may also be preceded
3883 by @samp{-}, to select against it, and @samp{+} is syntactic sugar for
3884 positive selection. The AND operator @samp{&} is optional when @samp{+}
3885 or @samp{-} is present. Examples:
3889 Select headlines tagged @samp{:work:}, but discard those also tagged
3892 Selects lines tagged @samp{:work:} or @samp{:laptop:}.
3893 @item work|laptop&night
3894 Like before, but require the @samp{:laptop:} lines to be tagged also
3898 @cindex TODO keyword matching, with tags search
3899 You may also test for TODO keywords (@pxref{TODO extensions}) and properties
3900 (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) at the same time as matching tags. For a
3901 guide on how to match properties, see @ref{Property searches}. To match a
3902 specific TODO keyword, include an expression like @samp{+TODO="NEXT"} as one
3903 of the terms in a tags search.
3905 There is also the possibility to end the tags part of the match (which may
3906 include several terms connected with @samp{|}) with a @samp{/} and then
3907 specify a Boolean expression just for TODO keywords. The syntax is then
3908 similar to the tag matches, but should be applied with consideration: For
3909 example, a positive selection on several TODO keywords can not meaningfully
3910 be combined with boolean AND. However, @emph{negative selection} combined
3911 with AND can be meaningful. To make sure that only lines are checked that
3912 actually have any TODO keyword (resulting in a speed-up), use @kbd{C-c a M},
3913 or equivalently start the TODO part after the slash with @samp{!}. Examples:
3916 @item work+TODO="WAITING"
3917 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines with the specific TODO
3918 keyword @samp{WAITING}.
3919 @item work+TODO="WAITING"|home+TODO="WAITING"
3920 Waiting tasks both at work and at home.
3922 Same as the first example.
3923 @item work/!-WAITING-NEXT
3924 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are neither @samp{WAITING}
3926 @item work/!+WAITING|+NEXT
3927 Select @samp{:work:}-tagged TODO lines that are either @samp{WAITING} or
3931 @cindex regular expressions, with tags search
3932 Any element of the tag/todo match can be a regular expression - in this
3933 case it must be enclosed in curly braces. For example,
3934 @samp{work+@{^boss.*@}} matches headlines that contain the tag
3935 @samp{:work:} and any tag @i{starting} with @samp{boss}. You may also use a
3936 regular expression in @samp{TODO=@{^W@}} which would match TODO keywords
3937 starting with the letter @samp{W}.
3939 @cindex level, require for tags/property match
3940 @cindex category, require for tags/property match
3941 You can also require a headline to be of a certain level or category, by
3942 writing instead of any TAG an expression like @samp{LEVEL=3} or
3943 @samp{CATEGORY="work"}, respectively. For example, a search
3944 @samp{+LEVEL=3+boss/-DONE} lists all level three headlines that have the
3945 tag @samp{boss} and are @emph{not} marked with the TODO keyword DONE.
3947 Accessing TODO, LEVEL, and CATEGORY during a search is fast. Accessing any
3948 other properties will slow down the search.
3950 @node Properties and Columns, Dates and Times, Tags, Top
3951 @chapter Properties and Columns
3954 Properties are a set of key-value pairs associated with an entry. There
3955 are two main applications for properties in Org mode. First, properties
3956 are like tags, but with a value. Second, you can use properties to
3957 implement (very basic) database capabilities in an Org buffer. For
3958 an example of the first application, imagine maintaining a file where
3959 you document bugs and plan releases of a piece of software. Instead of
3960 using tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, one can use a
3961 property, say @code{:Release:}, that in different subtrees has different
3962 values, such as @code{1.0} or @code{2.0}. For an example of the second
3963 application of properties, imagine keeping track of your music CDs,
3964 where properties could be things such as the album artist, date of
3965 release, number of tracks, and so on.
3967 Properties can be conveniently edited and viewed in column view
3968 (@pxref{Column view}).
3971 * Property syntax:: How properties are spelled out
3972 * Special properties:: Access to other Org mode features
3973 * Property searches:: Matching property values
3974 * Property inheritance:: Passing values down the tree
3975 * Column view:: Tabular viewing and editing
3976 * Property API:: Properties for Lisp programmers
3979 @node Property syntax, Special properties, Properties and Columns, Properties and Columns
3980 @section Property syntax
3981 @cindex property syntax
3982 @cindex drawer, for properties
3984 Properties are key-value pairs. They need to be inserted into a special
3985 drawer (@pxref{Drawers}) with the name @code{PROPERTIES}. Each property
3986 is specified on a single line, with the key (surrounded by colons)
3987 first, and the value after it. Here is an example:
3992 *** Goldberg Variations
3994 :Title: Goldberg Variations
3995 :Composer: J.S. Bach
3997 :Publisher: Deutsche Grammphon
4002 You may define the allowed values for a particular property @samp{:Xyz:}
4003 by setting a property @samp{:Xyz_ALL:}. This special property is
4004 @emph{inherited}, so if you set it in a level 1 entry, it will apply to
4005 the entire tree. When allowed values are defined, setting the
4006 corresponding property becomes easier and is less prone to typing
4007 errors. For the example with the CD collection, we can predefine
4008 publishers and the number of disks in a box like this:
4013 :NDisks_ALL: 1 2 3 4
4014 :Publisher_ALL: "Deutsche Grammophon" Philips EMI
4018 If you want to set properties that can be inherited by any entry in a
4019 file, use a line like
4022 #+PROPERTY: NDisks_ALL 1 2 3 4
4025 Property values set with the global variable
4026 @code{org-global-properties} can be inherited by all entries in all
4030 The following commands help to work with properties:
4035 After an initial colon in a line, complete property keys. All keys used
4036 in the current file will be offered as possible completions.
4039 Set a property. This prompts for a property name and a value. If
4040 necessary, the property drawer is created as well.
4041 @item M-x org-insert-property-drawer
4042 Insert a property drawer into the current entry. The drawer will be
4043 inserted early in the entry, but after the lines with planning
4044 information like deadlines.
4047 With the cursor in a property drawer, this executes property commands.
4049 Set a property in the current entry. Both the property and the value
4050 can be inserted using completion.
4051 @kindex S-@key{right}
4052 @kindex S-@key{left}
4053 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
4054 Switch property at point to the next/previous allowed value.
4056 Remove a property from the current entry.
4058 Globally remove a property, from all entries in the current file.
4060 Compute the property at point, using the operator and scope from the
4061 nearest column format definition.
4064 @node Special properties, Property searches, Property syntax, Properties and Columns
4065 @section Special properties
4066 @cindex properties, special
4068 Special properties provide alternative access method to Org mode
4069 features discussed in the previous chapters, like the TODO state or the
4070 priority of an entry. This interface exists so that you can include
4071 these states into columns view (@pxref{Column view}), or to use them in
4072 queries. The following property names are special and should not be
4073 used as keys in the properties drawer:
4076 TODO @r{The TODO keyword of the entry.}
4077 TAGS @r{The tags defined directly in the headline.}
4078 ALLTAGS @r{All tags, including inherited ones.}
4079 PRIORITY @r{The priority of the entry, a string with a single letter.}
4080 DEADLINE @r{The deadline time string, without the angular brackets.}
4081 SCHEDULED @r{The scheduling time stamp, without the angular brackets.}
4082 TIMESTAMP @r{The first keyword-less time stamp in the entry.}
4083 TIMESTAMP_IA @r{The first inactive time stamp in the entry.}
4084 CLOCKSUM @r{The sum of CLOCK intervals in the subtree. @code{org-clock-sum}}
4085 @r{must be run first to compute the values.}
4088 @node Property searches, Property inheritance, Special properties, Properties and Columns
4089 @section Property searches
4090 @cindex properties, searching
4091 @cindex searching, of properties
4093 To create sparse trees and special lists with selection based on properties,
4094 the same commands are used as for tag searches (@pxref{Tag searches}), and
4095 the same logic applies. For example, here is a search string:
4098 +work-boss+PRIORITY="A"+Coffee="unlimited"+Effort<2 \
4099 +With=@{Sarah\|Denny@}+SCHEDULED>="<2008-10-11>"
4103 The type of comparison will depend on how the comparison value is written:
4106 If the comparison value is a plain number, a numerical comparison is done,
4107 and the allowed operators are @samp{<}, @samp{=}, @samp{>}, @samp{<=},
4108 @samp{>=}, and @samp{<>}.
4110 If the comparison value is enclosed in double
4111 quotes, a string comparison is done, and the same operators are allowed.
4113 If the comparison value is enclosed in double quotes @emph{and} angular
4114 brackets (like @samp{DEADLINE<="<2008-12-24 18:30>"}), both values are
4115 assumed to be date/time specifications in the standard Org way, and the
4116 comparison will be done accordingly. Special values that will be recognized
4117 are @code{"<now>"} for now (including time), and @code{"<today>"}, and
4118 @code{"<tomorrow>"} for these days at 0:00 hours, i.e. without a time
4119 specification. Also strings like @code{"<+5d>"} or @code{"<-2m>"} with units
4120 @code{d}, @code{w}, @code{m}, and @code{y} for day, week, month, and year,
4121 respectively, can be used.
4123 If the comparison value is enclosed
4124 in curly braces, a regexp match is performed, with @samp{=} meaning that the
4125 regexp matches the property value, and @samp{<>} meaning that it does not
4129 So the search string in the example finds entries tagged @samp{:work:} but
4130 not @samp{:boss:}, which also have a priority value @samp{A}, a
4131 @samp{:Coffee:} property with the value @samp{unlimited}, an @samp{Effort}
4132 property that is numerically smaller than 2, a @samp{:With:} property that is
4133 matched by the regular expression @samp{Sarah\|Denny}, and that are scheduled
4134 on or after October 11, 2008.
4136 You can configure Org mode to use property inheritance during a search, but
4137 beware that this can slow down searches considerably. See @ref{Property
4138 inheritance} for details.
4140 There is also a special command for creating sparse trees based on a
4146 Create a sparse tree based on the value of a property. This first
4147 prompts for the name of a property, and then for a value. A sparse tree
4148 is created with all entries that define this property with the given
4149 value. If you enclose the value into curly braces, it is interpreted as
4150 a regular expression and matched against the property values.
4153 @node Property inheritance, Column view, Property searches, Properties and Columns
4154 @section Property Inheritance
4155 @cindex properties, inheritance
4156 @cindex inheritance, of properties
4158 The outline structure of Org mode documents lends itself for an
4159 inheritance model of properties: If the parent in a tree has a certain
4160 property, the children can inherit this property. Org mode does not
4161 turn this on by default, because it can slow down property searches
4162 significantly and is often not needed. However, if you find inheritance
4163 useful, you can turn it on by setting the variable
4164 @code{org-use-property-inheritance}. It may be set to @code{t}, to make
4165 all properties inherited from the parent, to a list of properties
4166 that should be inherited, or to a regular expression that matches
4167 inherited properties.
4169 Org mode has a few properties for which inheritance is hard-coded, at
4170 least for the special applications for which they are used:
4174 The @code{:COLUMNS:} property defines the format of column view
4175 (@pxref{Column view}). It is inherited in the sense that the level
4176 where a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is defined is used as the starting
4177 point for a column view table, independently of the location in the
4178 subtree from where columns view is turned on.
4180 For agenda view, a category set through a @code{:CATEGORY:} property
4181 applies to the entire subtree.
4183 For archiving, the @code{:ARCHIVE:} property may define the archive
4184 location for the entire subtree (@pxref{Moving subtrees}).
4186 The LOGGING property may define logging settings for an entry or a
4187 subtree (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}).
4190 @node Column view, Property API, Property inheritance, Properties and Columns
4191 @section Column view
4193 A great way to view and edit properties in an outline tree is
4194 @emph{column view}. In column view, each outline item is turned into a
4195 table row. Columns in this table provide access to properties of the
4196 entries. Org mode implements columns by overlaying a tabular structure
4197 over the headline of each item. While the headlines have been turned
4198 into a table row, you can still change the visibility of the outline
4199 tree. For example, you get a compact table by switching to CONTENTS
4200 view (@kbd{S-@key{TAB} S-@key{TAB}}, or simply @kbd{c} while column view
4201 is active), but you can still open, read, and edit the entry below each
4202 headline. Or, you can switch to column view after executing a sparse
4203 tree command and in this way get a table only for the selected items.
4204 Column view also works in agenda buffers (@pxref{Agenda Views}) where
4205 queries have collected selected items, possibly from a number of files.
4208 * Defining columns:: The COLUMNS format property
4209 * Using column view:: How to create and use column view
4210 * Capturing column view:: A dynamic block for column view
4213 @node Defining columns, Using column view, Column view, Column view
4214 @subsection Defining columns
4215 @cindex column view, for properties
4216 @cindex properties, column view
4218 Setting up a column view first requires defining the columns. This is
4219 done by defining a column format line.
4222 * Scope of column definitions:: Where defined, where valid?
4223 * Column attributes:: Appearance and content of a column
4226 @node Scope of column definitions, Column attributes, Defining columns, Defining columns
4227 @subsubsection Scope of column definitions
4229 To define a column format for an entire file, use a line like
4232 #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4235 To specify a format that only applies to a specific tree, add a
4236 @code{:COLUMNS:} property to the top node of that tree, for example:
4239 ** Top node for columns view
4241 :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
4245 If a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is present in an entry, it defines columns
4246 for the entry itself, and for the entire subtree below it. Since the
4247 column definition is part of the hierarchical structure of the document,
4248 you can define columns on level 1 that are general enough for all
4249 sublevels, and more specific columns further down, when you edit a
4250 deeper part of the tree.
4252 @node Column attributes, , Scope of column definitions, Defining columns
4253 @subsubsection Column attributes
4254 A column definition sets the attributes of a column. The general
4255 definition looks like this:
4258 %[width]property[(title)][@{summary-type@}]
4262 Except for the percent sign and the property name, all items are
4263 optional. The individual parts have the following meaning:
4266 width @r{An integer specifying the width of the column in characters.}
4267 @r{If omitted, the width will be determined automatically.}
4268 property @r{The property that should be edited in this column.}
4269 (title) @r{The header text for the column. If omitted, the}
4270 @r{property name is used.}
4271 @{summary-type@} @r{The summary type. If specified, the column values for}
4272 @r{parent nodes are computed from the children.}
4273 @r{Supported summary types are:}
4274 @{+@} @r{Sum numbers in this column.}
4275 @{+;%.1f@} @r{Like @samp{+}, but format result with @samp{%.1f}.}
4276 @{$@} @r{Currency, short for @samp{+;%.2f}.}
4277 @{:@} @r{Sum times, HH:MM:SS, plain numbers are hours.}
4278 @{X@} @r{Checkbox status, [X] if all children are [X].}
4279 @{X/@} @r{Checkbox status, [n/m].}
4280 @{X%@} @r{Checkbox status, [n%].}
4284 Here is an example for a complete columns definition, along with allowed
4288 :COLUMNS: %20ITEM %9Approved(Approved?)@{X@} %Owner %11Status \@footnote{Please note that the COLUMNS definition must be on a single line - it is wrapped here only because of formatting constraints.}
4289 %10Time_Estimate@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
4290 :Owner_ALL: Tammy Mark Karl Lisa Don
4291 :Status_ALL: "In progress" "Not started yet" "Finished" ""
4292 :Approved_ALL: "[ ]" "[X]"
4295 The first column, @samp{%25ITEM}, means the first 25 characters of the
4296 item itself, i.e. of the headline. You probably always should start the
4297 column definition with the @samp{ITEM} specifier. The other specifiers
4298 create columns @samp{Owner} with a list of names as allowed values, for
4299 @samp{Status} with four different possible values, and for a checkbox
4300 field @samp{Approved}. When no width is given after the @samp{%}
4301 character, the column will be exactly as wide as it needs to be in order
4302 to fully display all values. The @samp{Approved} column does have a
4303 modified title (@samp{Approved?}, with a question mark). Summaries will
4304 be created for the @samp{Time_Estimate} column by adding time duration
4305 expressions like HH:MM, and for the @samp{Approved} column, by providing
4306 an @samp{[X]} status if all children have been checked. The
4307 @samp{CLOCKSUM} column is special, it lists the sum of CLOCK intervals
4310 @node Using column view, Capturing column view, Defining columns, Column view
4311 @subsection Using column view
4314 @tsubheading{Turning column view on and off}
4317 Create the column view for the local environment. This command searches
4318 the hierarchy, up from point, for a @code{:COLUMNS:} property that defines
4319 a format. When one is found, the column view table is established for
4320 the entire tree, starting from the entry that contains the @code{:COLUMNS:}
4321 property. If none is found, the format is taken from the @code{#+COLUMNS}
4322 line or from the variable @code{org-columns-default-format}, and column
4323 view is established for the current entry and its subtree.
4326 Recreate the column view, to include recent changes made in the buffer.
4333 @tsubheading{Editing values}
4334 @item @key{left} @key{right} @key{up} @key{down}
4335 Move through the column view from field to field.
4336 @kindex S-@key{left}
4337 @kindex S-@key{right}
4338 @item S-@key{left}/@key{right}
4339 Switch to the next/previous allowed value of the field. For this, you
4340 have to have specified allowed values for a property.
4342 Directly select the nth allowed value, @kbd{0} selects the 10th value.
4346 Same as @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}
4349 Edit the property at point. For the special properties, this will
4350 invoke the same interface that you normally use to change that
4351 property. For example, when editing a TAGS property, the tag completion
4352 or fast selection interface will pop up.
4355 When there is a checkbox at point, toggle it.
4358 View the full value of this property. This is useful if the width of
4359 the column is smaller than that of the value.
4362 Edit the list of allowed values for this property. If the list is found
4363 in the hierarchy, the modified values is stored there. If no list is
4364 found, the new value is stored in the first entry that is part of the
4365 current column view.
4366 @tsubheading{Modifying the table structure}
4370 Make the column narrower/wider by one character.
4371 @kindex S-M-@key{right}
4372 @item S-M-@key{right}
4373 Insert a new column, to the left of the current column.
4374 @kindex S-M-@key{left}
4375 @item S-M-@key{left}
4376 Delete the current column.
4379 @node Capturing column view, , Using column view, Column view
4380 @subsection Capturing column view
4382 Since column view is just an overlay over a buffer, it cannot be
4383 exported or printed directly. If you want to capture a column view, use
4384 this @code{columnview} dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). The frame
4385 of this block looks like this:
4387 @cindex #+BEGIN: columnview
4390 #+BEGIN: columnview :hlines 1 :id "label"
4395 @noindent This dynamic block has the following parameters:
4399 This is most important parameter. Column view is a feature that is
4400 often localized to a certain (sub)tree, and the capture block might be
4401 in a different location in the file. To identify the tree whose view to
4402 capture, you can use 3 values:
4404 local @r{use the tree in which the capture block is located}
4405 global @r{make a global view, including all headings in the file}
4407 @r{run column view at the top of this file}
4408 "ID" @r{call column view in the tree that has an @code{:ID:}}
4409 @r{property with the value @i{label}. You can use}
4410 @r{@kbd{M-x org-id-copy} to create a globally unique ID for}
4411 @r{the current entry and copy it to the kill-ring.}
4414 When @code{t}, insert a hline after every line. When a number N, insert
4415 a hline before each headline with level @code{<= N}.
4417 When set to @code{t}, enforce column groups to get vertical lines.
4419 When set to a number, don't capture entries below this level.
4420 @item :skip-empty-rows
4421 When set to @code{t}, skip row where the only non-empty specifier of the
4422 column view is @code{ITEM}.
4427 The following commands insert or update the dynamic block:
4432 Insert a dynamic block capturing a column view. You will be prompted
4433 for the scope or id of the view.
4438 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
4439 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
4440 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
4441 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
4442 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
4443 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
4446 You can add formulas to the column view table and you may add plotting
4447 instructions in front of the table - these will survive an update of the
4448 block. If there is a @code{#+TBLFM:} after the table, the table will
4449 actually be recalculated automatically after an update.
4451 @node Property API, , Column view, Properties and Columns
4452 @section The Property API
4453 @cindex properties, API
4454 @cindex API, for properties
4456 There is a full API for accessing and changing properties. This API can
4457 be used by Emacs Lisp programs to work with properties and to implement
4458 features based on them. For more information see @ref{Using the
4461 @node Dates and Times, Capture, Properties and Columns, Top
4462 @chapter Dates and Times
4468 To assist project planning, TODO items can be labeled with a date and/or
4469 a time. The specially formatted string carrying the date and time
4470 information is called a @emph{timestamp} in Org mode. This may be a
4471 little confusing because timestamp is often used as indicating when
4472 something was created or last changed. However, in Org mode this term
4473 is used in a much wider sense.
4476 * Timestamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry
4477 * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps
4478 * Deadlines and scheduling:: Planning your work
4479 * Clocking work time:: Tracking how long you spend on a task
4480 * Effort estimates:: Planning work effort in advance
4481 * Relative timer:: Notes with a running timer
4485 @node Timestamps, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times, Dates and Times
4486 @section Timestamps, deadlines and scheduling
4488 @cindex ranges, time
4493 A time stamp is a specification of a date (possibly with time or a range
4494 of times) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or
4495 @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue
4496 12:00-12:30>}@footnote{This is the standard ISO date/time format. To
4497 use an alternative format, see @ref{Custom time format}.}. A time stamp
4498 can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an Org tree entry. Its
4499 presence causes entries to be shown on specific dates in the agenda
4500 (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}). We distinguish:
4503 @item Plain time stamp; Event; Appointment
4505 A simple time stamp just assigns a date/time to an item. This is just
4506 like writing down an appointment or event in a paper agenda. In the
4507 timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry associated with a
4508 plain time stamp will be shown exactly on that date.
4511 * Meet Peter at the movies <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15>
4512 * Discussion on climate change <2006-11-02 Thu 20:00-22:00>
4515 @item Time stamp with repeater interval
4516 @cindex timestamp, with repeater interval
4517 A time stamp may contain a @emph{repeater interval}, indicating that it
4518 applies not only on the given date, but again and again after a certain
4519 interval of N days (d), weeks (w), months(m), or years(y). The
4520 following will show up in the agenda every Wednesday:
4523 * Pick up Sam at school <2007-05-16 Wed 12:30 +1w>
4526 @item Diary-style sexp entries
4527 For more complex date specifications, Org mode supports using the
4528 special sexp diary entries implemented in the Emacs calendar/diary
4529 package. For example
4532 * The nerd meeting on every 2nd Thursday of the month
4533 <%%(diary-float t 4 2)>
4536 @item Time/Date range
4539 Two time stamps connected by @samp{--} denote a range. The headline
4540 will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on any dates
4541 that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an example:
4544 ** Meeting in Amsterdam
4545 <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu>
4548 @item Inactive time stamp
4549 @cindex timestamp, inactive
4550 @cindex inactive timestamp
4551 Just like a plain time stamp, but with square brackets instead of
4552 angular ones. These time stamps are inactive in the sense that they do
4553 @emph{not} trigger an entry to show up in the agenda.
4556 * Gillian comes late for the fifth time [2006-11-01 Wed]
4561 @node Creating timestamps, Deadlines and scheduling, Timestamps, Dates and Times
4562 @section Creating timestamps
4563 @cindex creating timestamps
4564 @cindex timestamps, creating
4566 For Org mode to recognize time stamps, they need to be in the specific
4567 format. All commands listed below produce time stamps in the correct
4573 Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding time stamp. When the cursor is
4574 at an existing time stamp in the buffer, the command is used to modify this
4575 timestamp instead of inserting a new one. When this command is used twice in
4576 succession, a time range is inserted.
4580 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but use the alternative format which contains date
4581 and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5 minutes,
4582 see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}.
4586 Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive time stamp that will not cause
4591 Insert a time stamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
4595 Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a
4596 timestamp in the current line, go to the corresponding date
4601 Access the agenda for the date given by the time stamp or -range at
4602 point (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
4604 @kindex S-@key{left}
4605 @kindex S-@key{right}
4607 @itemx S-@key{right}
4608 Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with
4609 CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4612 @kindex S-@key{down}
4615 Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on a
4616 year, month, day, hour or minute. Note that if the cursor is in a
4617 headline and not at a time stamp, these same keys modify the priority of
4618 an item. (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with
4619 CUA mode (@pxref{Conflicts}).
4622 @cindex evaluate time range
4624 Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and end.
4625 With a prefix argument, insert result after the time range (in a table: into
4626 the following column).
4631 * The date/time prompt:: How Org mode helps you entering date and time
4632 * Custom time format:: Making dates look different
4635 @node The date/time prompt, Custom time format, Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps
4636 @subsection The date/time prompt
4637 @cindex date, reading in minibuffer
4638 @cindex time, reading in minibuffer
4640 When Org mode prompts for a date/time, the default is shown as an ISO
4641 date, and the prompt therefore seems to ask for an ISO date. But it
4642 will in fact accept any string containing some date and/or time
4643 information, and it is really smart about interpreting your input. You
4644 can, for example, use @kbd{C-y} to paste a (possibly multi-line) string
4645 copied from an email message. Org mode will find whatever information
4646 is in there and derive anything you have not specified from the
4647 @emph{default date and time}. The default is usually the current date
4648 and time, but when modifying an existing time stamp, or when entering
4649 the second stamp of a range, it is taken from the stamp in the buffer.
4650 When filling in information, Org mode assumes that most of the time you
4651 will want to enter a date in the future: If you omit the month/year and
4652 the given day/month is @i{before} today, it will assume that you mean a
4653 future date@footnote{See the variable
4654 @code{org-read-date-prefer-future}.}.
4656 For example, let's assume that today is @b{June 13, 2006}. Here is how
4657 various inputs will be interpreted, the items filled in by Org mode are
4661 3-2-5 --> 2003-02-05
4662 14 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-14
4663 12 --> @b{2006}-@b{07}-12
4664 Fri --> nearest Friday (defaultdate or later)
4665 sep 15 --> @b{2006}-09-15
4666 feb 15 --> @b{2007}-02-15
4667 sep 12 9 --> 2009-09-12
4668 12:45 --> @b{2006}-@b{06}-@b{13} 12:45
4669 22 sept 0:34 --> @b{2006}-09-22 0:34
4670 w4 --> ISO week for of the current year @b{2006}
4671 2012 w4 fri --> Friday of ISO week 4 in 2012
4672 2012-w04-5 --> Same as above
4675 Furthermore you can specify a relative date by giving, as the
4676 @emph{first} thing in the input: a plus/minus sign, a number and a
4677 letter [dwmy] to indicate change in days weeks, months, years. With a
4678 single plus or minus, the date is always relative to today. With a
4679 double plus or minus, it is relative to the default date. If instead of
4680 a single letter, you use the abbreviation of day name, the date will be
4681 the nth such day. E.g.
4686 +4d --> four days from today
4687 +4 --> same as above
4688 +2w --> two weeks from today
4689 ++5 --> five days from default date
4690 +2tue --> second tuesday from now.
4693 The function understands English month and weekday abbreviations. If
4694 you want to use unabbreviated names and/or other languages, configure
4695 the variables @code{parse-time-months} and @code{parse-time-weekdays}.
4697 @cindex calendar, for selecting date
4698 Parallel to the minibuffer prompt, a calendar is popped up@footnote{If
4699 you don't need/want the calendar, configure the variable
4700 @code{org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt}.}. When you exit the date
4701 prompt, either by clicking on a date in the calendar, or by pressing
4702 @key{RET}, the date selected in the calendar will be combined with the
4703 information entered at the prompt. You can control the calendar fully
4704 from the minibuffer:
4709 @kindex S-@key{right}
4710 @kindex S-@key{left}
4711 @kindex S-@key{down}
4713 @kindex M-S-@key{right}
4714 @kindex M-S-@key{left}
4717 > / < @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by one month.}
4718 mouse-1 @r{Select date by clicking on it.}
4719 S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One day forward/backward.}
4720 S-@key{down}/@key{up} @r{One week forward/backward.}
4721 M-S-@key{right}/@key{left} @r{One month forward/backward.}
4722 @key{RET} @r{Choose date in calendar.}
4725 The actions of the date/time prompt may seem complex, but I assure you they
4726 will grow on you, and you will start getting annoyed by pretty much any other
4727 way of entering a date/time out there. To help you understand what is going
4728 on, the current interpretation of your input will be displayed live in the
4729 minibuffer@footnote{If you find this distracting, turn the display of with
4730 @code{org-read-date-display-live}.}.
4732 @node Custom time format, , The date/time prompt, Creating timestamps
4733 @subsection Custom time format
4734 @cindex custom date/time format
4735 @cindex time format, custom
4736 @cindex date format, custom
4738 Org mode uses the standard ISO notation for dates and times as it is
4739 defined in ISO 8601. If you cannot get used to this and require another
4740 representation of date and time to keep you happy, you can get it by
4741 customizing the variables @code{org-display-custom-times} and
4742 @code{org-time-stamp-custom-formats}.
4747 Toggle the display of custom formats for dates and times.
4751 Org mode needs the default format for scanning, so the custom date/time
4752 format does not @emph{replace} the default format - instead it is put
4753 @emph{over} the default format using text properties. This has the
4754 following consequences:
4757 You cannot place the cursor onto a time stamp anymore, only before or
4760 The @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} keys can no longer be used to adjust
4761 each component of a time stamp. If the cursor is at the beginning of
4762 the stamp, @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} will change the stamp by one day,
4763 just like @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}. At the end of the stamp, the
4764 time will be changed by one minute.
4766 If the time stamp contains a range of clock times or a repeater, these
4767 will not be overlayed, but remain in the buffer as they were.
4769 When you delete a time stamp character-by-character, it will only
4770 disappear from the buffer after @emph{all} (invisible) characters
4771 belonging to the ISO timestamp have been removed.
4773 If the custom time stamp format is longer than the default and you are
4774 using dates in tables, table alignment will be messed up. If the custom
4775 format is shorter, things do work as expected.
4779 @node Deadlines and scheduling, Clocking work time, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times
4780 @section Deadlines and scheduling
4782 A time stamp may be preceded by special keywords to facilitate planning:
4786 @cindex DEADLINE keyword
4788 Meaning: the task (most likely a TODO item, though not necessarily) is supposed
4789 to be finished on that date.
4791 On the deadline date, the task will be listed in the agenda. In
4792 addition, the agenda for @emph{today} will carry a warning about the
4793 approaching or missed deadline, starting
4794 @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date, and continuing
4795 until the entry is marked DONE. An example:
4798 *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide
4799 The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]]
4800 DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
4803 You can specify a different lead time for warnings for a specific
4804 deadlines using the following syntax. Here is an example with a warning
4805 period of 5 days @code{DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun -5d>}.
4808 @cindex SCHEDULED keyword
4810 Meaning: you are planning to start working on that task on the given
4813 The headline will be listed under the given date@footnote{It will still
4814 be listed on that date after it has been marked DONE. If you don't like
4815 this, set the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done}.}. In
4816 addition, a reminder that the scheduled date has passed will be present
4817 in the compilation for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE.
4818 I.e., the task will automatically be forwarded until completed.
4821 *** TODO Call Trillian for a date on New Years Eve.
4822 SCHEDULED: <2004-12-25 Sat>
4826 @b{Important:} Scheduling an item in Org mode should @i{not} be
4827 understood in the same way that we understand @i{scheduling a meeting}.
4828 Setting a date for a meeting is just a simple appointment, you should
4829 mark this entry with a simple plain time stamp, to get this item shown
4830 on the date where it applies. This is a frequent mis-understanding from
4831 Org-users. In Org mode, @i{scheduling} means setting a date when you
4832 want to start working on an action item.
4835 You may use time stamps with repeaters in scheduling and deadline
4836 entries. Org mode will issue early and late warnings based on the
4837 assumption that the time stamp represents the @i{nearest instance} of
4838 the repeater. However, the use of diary sexp entries like
4840 @code{<%%(diary-float t 42)>}
4842 in scheduling and deadline timestamps is limited. Org mode does not
4843 know enough about the internals of each sexp function to issue early and
4844 late warnings. However, it will show the item on each day where the
4848 * Inserting deadline/schedule:: Planning items
4849 * Repeated tasks:: Items that show up again and again
4852 @node Inserting deadline/schedule, Repeated tasks, Deadlines and scheduling, Deadlines and scheduling
4853 @subsection Inserting deadlines or schedules
4855 The following commands allow to quickly insert a deadline or to schedule
4862 Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4863 happen in the line directly following the headline. When called with a
4864 prefix arg, an existing deadline will be removed from the entry.
4865 @c FIXME Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed.????????
4868 @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
4870 Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or
4871 which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}.
4872 With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric
4873 prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c / d} shows
4874 all deadlines due tomorrow.
4878 Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will
4879 happen in the line directly following the headline. Any CLOSED
4880 timestamp will be removed. When called with a prefix argument, remove
4881 the scheduling date from the entry.
4887 Mark the current entry for agenda action. After you have marked the entry
4888 like this, you can open the agenda or the calendar to find an appropriate
4889 date. With the cursor on the selected date, press @kbd{k s} or @kbd{k d} to
4890 schedule the marked item.
4893 @node Repeated tasks, , Inserting deadline/schedule, Deadlines and scheduling
4894 @subsection Repeated tasks
4896 Some tasks need to be repeated again and again. Org mode helps to
4897 organize such tasks using a so-called repeater in a DEADLINE, SCHEDULED,
4898 or plain time stamp. In the following example
4900 ** TODO Pay the rent
4901 DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m>
4903 the @code{+1m} is a repeater; the intended interpretation is that the
4904 task has a deadline on <2005-10-01> and repeats itself every (one) month
4905 starting from that time. If you need both a repeater and a special
4906 warning period in a deadline entry, the repeater comes first and the
4907 warning period last: @code{DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m -3d>}.
4909 Deadlines and scheduled items produce entries in the agenda when they
4910 are over-due, so it is important to be able to mark such an entry as
4911 completed once you have done so. When you mark a DEADLINE or a SCHEDULE
4912 with the TODO keyword DONE, it will no longer produce entries in the
4913 agenda. The problem with this is, however, that then also the
4914 @emph{next} instance of the repeated entry will not be active. Org mode
4915 deals with this in the following way: When you try to mark such an entry
4916 DONE (using @kbd{C-c C-t}), it will shift the base date of the repeating
4917 time stamp by the repeater interval, and immediately set the entry state
4918 back to TODO. In the example above, setting the state to DONE would
4919 actually switch the date like this:
4922 ** TODO Pay the rent
4923 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue +1m>
4926 A timestamp@footnote{You can change this using the option
4927 @code{org-log-repeat}, or the @code{#+STARTUP} options @code{logrepeat},
4928 @code{lognoterepeat}, and @code{nologrepeat}. With @code{lognoterepeat}, you
4929 will also be prompted for a note.} will be added under the deadline, to keep
4930 a record that you actually acted on the previous instance of this deadline.
4932 As a consequence of shifting the base date, this entry will no longer be
4933 visible in the agenda when checking past dates, but all future instances
4936 With the @samp{+1m} cookie, the date shift will always be exactly one
4937 month. So if you have not payed the rent for three months, marking this
4938 entry DONE will still keep it as an overdue deadline. Depending on the
4939 task, this may not be the best way to handle it. For example, if you
4940 forgot to call you father for 3 weeks, it does not make sense to call
4941 him 3 times in a single day to make up for it. Finally, there are tasks
4942 like changing batteries which should always repeat a certain time
4943 @i{after} the last time you did it. For these tasks, Org mode has
4944 special repeaters markers with @samp{++} and @samp{.+}. For example:
4948 DEADLINE: <2008-02-10 Sun ++1w>
4949 Marking this DONE will shift the date by at least one week,
4950 but also by as many weeks as it takes to get this date into
4951 the future. However, it stays on a Sunday, even if you called
4952 and marked it done on Saturday.
4953 ** TODO Check the batteries in the smoke detectors
4954 DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue .+1m>
4955 Marking this DONE will shift the date to one month after
4959 You may have both scheduling and deadline information for a specific
4960 task - just make sure that the repeater intervals on both are the same.
4962 @node Clocking work time, Effort estimates, Deadlines and scheduling, Dates and Times
4963 @section Clocking work time
4965 Org mode allows you to clock the time you spent on specific tasks in a
4966 project. When you start working on an item, you can start the clock.
4967 When you stop working on that task, or when you mark the task done, the
4968 clock is stopped and the corresponding time interval is recorded. It
4969 also computes the total time spent on each subtree of a project.
4974 Start the clock on the current item (clock-in). This inserts the CLOCK
4975 keyword together with a timestamp. If this is not the first clocking of
4976 this item, the multiple CLOCK lines will be wrapped into a
4977 @code{:CLOCK:} drawer (see also the variable
4978 @code{org-clock-into-drawer}). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument,
4979 select the task from a list of recently clocked tasks. With two @kbd{C-u
4980 C-u} prefixes, clock into the task at point and mark it as the default task.
4981 The default task will always be available when selecting a clocking task,
4982 with letter @kbd{d}.
4985 Stop the clock (clock-out). This inserts another timestamp at the same
4986 location where the clock was last started. It also directly computes
4987 the resulting time in inserts it after the time range as @samp{=>
4988 HH:MM}. See the variable @code{org-log-note-clock-out} for the
4989 possibility to record an additional note together with the clock-out
4990 time stamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is:
4991 @code{#+STARTUP: lognoteclock-out}}.
4994 Recompute the time interval after changing one of the time stamps. This
4995 is only necessary if you edit the time stamps directly. If you change
4996 them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic.
4999 Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock
5000 if it is running in this same item.
5003 Cancel the current clock. This is useful if a clock was started by
5004 mistake, or if you ended up working on something else.
5007 Jump to the entry that contains the currently running clock. With a
5008 @kbd{C-u} prefix arg, select the target task from a list of recently clocked
5012 Display time summaries for each subtree in the current buffer. This
5013 puts overlays at the end of each headline, showing the total time
5014 recorded under that heading, including the time of any subheadings. You
5015 can use visibility cycling to study the tree, but the overlays disappear
5016 when you change the buffer (see variable
5017 @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}) or press @kbd{C-c C-c}.
5020 Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock
5021 report as an Org mode table into the current file. When the cursor is
5022 at an existing clock table, just update it. When called with a prefix
5023 argument, jump to the first clock report in the current document and
5025 @cindex #+BEGIN: clocktable
5027 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil :scope file
5031 If such a block already exists at point, its content is replaced by the
5032 new table. The @samp{BEGIN} line can specify options:
5034 :maxlevel @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.}
5035 :emphasize @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items}
5036 :scope @r{The scope to consider. This can be any of the following:}
5037 nil @r{the current buffer or narrowed region}
5038 file @r{the full current buffer}
5039 subtree @r{the subtree where the clocktable is located}
5040 treeN @r{the surrounding level N tree, for example @code{tree3}}
5041 tree @r{the surrounding level 1 tree}
5042 agenda @r{all agenda files}
5043 ("file"..) @r{scan these files}
5044 file-with-archives @r{current file and its archives}
5045 agenda-with-archives @r{all agenda files, including archives}
5046 :block @r{The time block to consider. This block is specified either}
5047 @r{absolute, or relative to the current time and may be any of}
5049 2007-12-31 @r{New year eve 2007}
5050 2007-12 @r{December 2007}
5051 2007-W50 @r{ISO-week 50 in 2007}
5052 2007 @r{the year 2007}
5053 today, yesterday, today-N @r{a relative day}
5054 thisweek, lastweek, thisweek-N @r{a relative week}
5055 thismonth, lastmonth, thismonth-N @r{a relative month}
5056 thisyear, lastyear, thisyear-N @r{a relative year}
5057 @r{Use @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}} keys to shift the time interval.}
5058 :tstart @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times}
5059 :tend @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times}
5060 :step @r{@code{week} or @code{day}, to split the table into chunks.}
5061 @r{To use this, @code{:block} or @code{:tstart}, @code{:tend} are needed.}
5062 :link @r{Link the item headlines in the table to their origins}
5063 :formula @r{Content of a @code{#+TBLFM} line to be added and evaluated.}
5064 @r{As a special case, @samp{:formula %} adds column with % time.}
5065 @r{If you do not specify a formula here, any existing formula}
5066 @r{below the clock table will survive updates and be evaluated.}
5068 So to get a clock summary of the current level 1 tree, for the current
5069 day, you could write
5071 #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today :scope tree1 :link t
5074 and to use a specific time range you could write@footnote{Note that all
5075 parameters must be specified in a single line - the line is broken here
5076 only to fit it onto the manual.}
5078 #+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>"
5079 :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>"
5082 A summary of the current subtree with % times would be
5084 #+BEGIN: clocktable :scope subtree :link t :formula %
5091 Update dynamical block at point. The cursor needs to be in the
5092 @code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
5093 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
5094 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
5095 Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if
5096 you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
5097 @kindex S-@key{left}
5098 @kindex S-@key{right}
5100 @itemx S-@key{right}
5101 Shift the current @code{:block} interval and update the table. The cursor
5102 needs to be in the @code{#+BEGIN: clocktable} line for this command. If
5103 @code{:block} is @code{today}, it will be shifted to @code{today-1} etc.
5106 The @kbd{l} key may be used in the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in
5107 the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}) to show which tasks have been
5108 worked on or closed during a day.
5110 @node Effort estimates, Relative timer, Clocking work time, Dates and Times
5111 @section Effort estimates
5112 @cindex effort estimates
5114 If you want to plan your work in a very detailed way, or if you need to
5115 produce offers with quotations of the estimated work effort, you may want to
5116 assign effort estimates to entries. If you are also clocking your work, you
5117 may later want to compare the planned effort with the actual working time, a
5118 great way to improve planning estimates. Effort estimates are stored in a
5119 special property @samp{Effort}@footnote{You may change the property being
5120 used with the variable @code{org-effort-property}.}. Clearly the best way to
5121 work with effort estimates is through column view (@pxref{Column view}). You
5122 should start by setting up discrete values for effort estimates, and a
5123 @code{COLUMNS} format that displays these values together with clock sums (if
5124 you want to clock your time). For a specific buffer you can use
5127 #+PROPERTY: Effort_ALL 0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00
5128 #+COLUMNS: %40ITEM(Task) %17Effort(Estimated Effort)@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
5132 or, even better, you can set up these values globally by customizing the
5133 variables @code{org-global-properties} and @code{org-columns-default-format}.
5134 In particular if you want to use this setup also in the agenda, a global
5135 setup may be advised.
5137 The way to assign estimates to individual items is then to switch to column
5138 mode, and to use @kbd{S-@key{right}} and @kbd{S-@key{left}} to change the
5139 value. The values you enter will immediately be summed up in the hierarchy.
5140 In the column next to it, any clocked time will be displayed.
5142 If you switch to column view in the daily/weekly agenda, the effort column
5143 will summarize the estimated work effort for each day@footnote{Please note
5144 the pitfalls of summing hierarchical data in a flat list (@pxref{Agenda
5145 column view}).}, and you can use this to find space in your schedule. To get
5146 an overview of the entire part of the day that is committed, you can set the
5147 option @code{org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum}. The
5148 appointments on a day that take place over a specified time interval will
5149 then also be added to the load estimate of the day.
5151 Effort estimates can be used in secondary agenda filtering that is triggered
5152 with the @kbd{/} key in the agenda (@pxref{Agenda commands}). If you have
5153 these estimates defined consistently, two or three key presses will narrow
5154 down the list to stuff that fits into an available time slot.
5156 @node Relative timer, , Effort estimates, Dates and Times
5157 @section Taking notes with a relative timer
5158 @cindex relative timer
5160 When taking notes during, for example, a meeting or a video viewing, it can
5161 be useful to have access to times relative to a starting time. Org provides
5162 such a relative timer and make it easy to create timed notes.
5167 Insert a relative time into the buffer. The first time you use this, the
5168 timer will be started. When called with a prefix argument, the timer is
5172 Insert a description list item with the current relative time. With a prefix
5173 argument, first reset the timer to 0.
5176 Once the timer list is started, you can also use @kbd{M-@key{RET}} to insert
5180 Pause the timer, or continue it if it is already paused. With prefix
5181 argument, stop it entirely.
5182 @kindex C-u C-c C-x ,
5184 Stop the timer. After this, you can only start a new timer, not continue the
5185 old one. This command also removes the timer from the mode line.
5188 Reset the timer without inserting anything into the buffer. By default, the
5189 timer is reset to 0. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, reset the timer to
5190 specific starting offset. The user is prompted for the offset, with a
5191 default taken from a timer string at point, if any, So this can be used to
5192 restart taking notes after a break in the process. When called with a double
5193 prefix argument @kbd{C-c C-u}, change all timer strings in the active region
5194 by a certain amount. This can be used to fix timer strings if the timer was
5195 not started at exactly the right moment.
5198 @node Capture, Agenda Views, Dates and Times, Top
5202 An important part of any organization system is the ability to quickly
5203 capture new ideas and tasks, and to associate reference material with them.
5204 Org uses the @file{remember} package to create tasks, and stores files
5205 related to a task (@i{attachments}) in a special directory.
5208 * Remember:: Capture new tasks/ideas with little interruption
5209 * Attachments:: Add files to tasks.
5212 @node Remember, Attachments, Capture, Capture
5214 @cindex @file{remember.el}
5216 The @i{Remember} package by John Wiegley lets you store quick notes with
5217 little interruption of your work flow. See
5218 @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/RememberMode} for more
5219 information. It is an excellent way to add new notes and tasks to
5220 Org files. Org significantly expands the possibilities of
5221 @i{remember}: You may define templates for different note types, and
5222 associate target files and headlines with specific templates. It also
5223 allows you to select the location where a note should be stored
5224 interactively, on the fly.
5227 * Setting up Remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going
5228 * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types
5229 * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs
5230 * Refiling notes:: Moving a note or task to a project
5233 @node Setting up Remember, Remember templates, Remember, Remember
5234 @subsection Setting up Remember
5236 The following customization will tell @i{remember} to use org files as
5237 target, and to create annotations compatible with Org links.
5240 (org-remember-insinuate)
5241 (setq org-directory "~/path/to/my/orgfiles/")
5242 (setq org-default-notes-file (concat org-directory "/notes.org"))
5243 (define-key global-map "\C-cr" 'org-remember)
5246 The last line binds the command @code{org-remember} to a global
5247 key@footnote{Please select your own key, @kbd{C-c r} is only a
5248 suggestion.}. @code{org-remember} basically just calls @code{remember},
5249 but it makes a few things easier: If there is an active region, it will
5250 automatically copy the region into the remember buffer. It also allows
5251 to jump to the buffer and location where remember notes are being
5252 stored: Just call @code{org-remember} with a prefix argument. If you
5253 use two prefix arguments, Org jumps to the location where the last
5254 remember note was stored.
5256 The remember buffer will actually use @code{org-mode} as its major mode, so
5257 that all editing features of Org-mode are available. In addition to this, a
5258 minor mode @code{org-remember-mode} is turned on, for the single purpose that
5259 you can use its keymap @code{org-remember-mode-map} to overwrite some of
5260 Org-mode's key bindings.
5262 You can also call @code{org-remember} in a special way from the agenda,
5263 using the @kbd{k r} key combination. With this access, any time stamps
5264 inserted by the selected remember template (see below) will default to
5265 the cursor date in the agenda, rather than to the current date.
5267 @node Remember templates, Storing notes, Setting up Remember, Remember
5268 @subsection Remember templates
5269 @cindex templates, for remember
5271 In combination with Org, you can use templates to generate
5272 different types of @i{remember} notes. For example, if you would like
5273 to use one template to create general TODO entries, another one for
5274 journal entries, and a third one for collecting random ideas, you could
5278 (setq org-remember-templates
5279 '(("Todo" ?t "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/TODO.org" "Tasks")
5280 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org")
5281 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
5284 @noindent In these entries, the first string is just a name, and the
5285 character specifies how to select the template. It is useful if the
5286 character is also the first letter of the name. The next string specifies
5287 the template. Two more (optional) strings give the file in which, and the
5288 headline under which the new note should be stored. The file (if not present
5289 or @code{nil}) defaults to @code{org-default-notes-file}, the heading to
5290 @code{org-remember-default-headline}. If the file name is not an absolute
5291 path, it will be interpreted relative to @code{org-directory}. The heading
5292 can also be the symbols @code{top} or @code{bottom} to send note as level 1
5293 entries to the beginning or end of the file, respectively.
5295 An optional sixth element specifies the contexts in which the user can select
5296 the template. This element can be a list of major modes or a function.
5297 @code{org-remember} will first check whether the function returns @code{t} or
5298 if we are in any of the listed major mode, and exclude templates for which
5299 this condition is not fulfilled. Templates that do not specify this element
5300 at all, or that use @code{nil} or @code{t} as a value will always be
5306 (setq org-remember-templates
5307 '(("Bug" ?b "* BUG %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/BUGS.org" "Bugs" (emacs-lisp-mode))
5308 ("Journal" ?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "X" my-check)
5309 ("Idea" ?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas")))
5312 The first template will only be available when invoking @code{org-remember}
5313 from an buffer in @code{emacs-lisp-mode}. The second template will only be
5314 available when the function @code{my-check} returns @code{t}. The third
5315 template will be proposed in any context.
5317 When you call @kbd{M-x org-remember} (or @kbd{M-x remember}) to remember
5318 something, Org will prompt for a key to select the template (if you have
5319 more than one template) and then prepare the buffer like
5322 [[file:link to where you called remember]]
5326 During expansion of the template, special @kbd{%}-escapes allow dynamic
5327 insertion of content:
5329 %^@{prompt@} @r{prompt the user for a string and replace this sequence with it.}
5330 @r{You may specify a default value and a completion table with}
5331 @r{%^@{prompt|default|completion2|completion3...@}}
5332 @r{The arrow keys access a prompt-specific history.}
5333 %a @r{annotation, normally the link created with @code{org-store-link}}
5334 %A @r{like @code{%a}, but prompt for the description part}
5335 %i @r{initial content, the region when remember is called with C-u.}
5336 @r{The entire text will be indented like @code{%i} itself.}
5337 %t @r{time stamp, date only}
5338 %T @r{time stamp with date and time}
5339 %u, %U @r{like the above, but inactive time stamps}
5340 %^t @r{like @code{%t}, but prompt for date. Similarly @code{%^T}, @code{%^u}, @code{%^U}}
5341 @r{You may define a prompt like @code{%^@{Birthday@}t}}
5342 %n @r{user name (taken from @code{user-full-name})}
5343 %c @r{Current kill ring head.}
5344 %x @r{Content of the X clipboard.}
5345 %^C @r{Interactive selection of which kill or clip to use.}
5346 %^L @r{Like @code{%^C}, but insert as link.}
5347 %^g @r{prompt for tags, with completion on tags in target file.}
5348 %k @r{title of currently clocked task}
5349 %K @r{link to currently clocked task}
5350 %^G @r{prompt for tags, with completion all tags in all agenda files.}
5351 %^@{prop@}p @r{Prompt the user for a value for property @code{prop}}
5352 %:keyword @r{specific information for certain link types, see below}
5353 %[pathname] @r{insert the contents of the file given by @code{pathname}}
5354 %(sexp) @r{evaluate elisp @code{(sexp)} and replace with the result}
5355 %! @r{immediately store note after completing the template}
5356 @r{(skipping the @kbd{C-c C-c} that normally triggers storing)}
5357 %& @r{jump to target location immediately after storing note}
5361 For specific link types, the following keywords will be
5362 defined@footnote{If you define your own link types (@pxref{Adding
5363 hyperlink types}), any property you store with
5364 @code{org-store-link-props} can be accessed in remember templates in a
5368 Link type | Available keywords
5369 -------------------+----------------------------------------------
5370 bbdb | %:name %:company
5371 bbdb | %::server %:port %:nick
5372 vm, wl, mh, rmail | %:type %:subject %:message-id
5373 | %:from %:fromname %:fromaddress
5374 | %:to %:toname %:toaddress
5375 | %: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}.}}
5376 gnus | %:group, @r{for messages also all email fields}
5378 info | %:file %:node
5383 To place the cursor after template expansion use:
5386 %? @r{After completing the template, position cursor here.}
5390 If you change your mind about which template to use, call
5391 @code{org-remember} in the remember buffer. You may then select a new
5392 template that will be filled with the previous context information.
5394 @node Storing notes, Refiling notes, Remember templates, Remember
5395 @subsection Storing notes
5397 When you are finished preparing a note with @i{remember}, you have to press
5398 @kbd{C-c C-c} to file the note away. If you have started the clock in the
5399 remember buffer, you will first be asked if you want to clock out
5400 now@footnote{To avoid this query, configure the variable
5401 @code{org-remember-clock-out-on-exit}.}. If you answer @kbd{n}, the clock
5402 will continue to run after the note was filed away.
5404 The handler will then store the note in the file and under the headline
5405 specified in the template, or it will use the default file and headlines.
5406 The window configuration will be restored, sending you back to the working
5407 context before the call to @code{remember}. To re-use the location found
5408 during the last call to @code{remember}, exit the remember buffer with
5409 @kbd{C-0 C-c C-c}, i.e. specify a zero prefix argument to @kbd{C-c C-c}.
5410 Another special case is @kbd{C-2 C-c C-c} which files the note as a child of
5411 the currently clocked item.
5413 If you want to store the note directly to a different place, use
5414 @kbd{C-1 C-c C-c} instead to exit remember@footnote{Configure the
5415 variable @code{org-remember-store-without-prompt} to make this behavior
5416 the default.}. The handler will then first prompt for a target file -
5417 if you press @key{RET}, the value specified for the template is used.
5418 Then the command offers the headings tree of the selected file, with the
5419 cursor position at the default headline (if you had specified one in the
5420 template). You can either immediately press @key{RET} to get the note
5421 placed there. Or you can use the following keys to find a different
5424 @key{TAB} @r{Cycle visibility.}
5425 @key{down} / @key{up} @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
5426 n / p @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
5427 f / b @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
5429 @c 0-9 @r{Digit argument.}
5432 Pressing @key{RET} or @key{left} or @key{right}
5433 then leads to the following result.
5435 @multitable @columnfractions 0.2 0.15 0.65
5436 @item @b{Cursor position} @tab @b{Key} @tab @b{Note gets inserted}
5437 @item on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab as sublevel of the heading at cursor, first or last
5438 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5439 @item @tab @key{left}/@key{right} @tab as same level, before/after current heading
5440 @item buffer-start @tab @key{RET} @tab as level 2 heading at end of file or level 1 at beginning
5441 @item @tab @tab depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}.
5442 @item not on headline @tab @key{RET}
5443 @tab at cursor position, level taken from context.
5446 Before inserting the text into a tree, the function ensures that the text has
5447 a headline, i.e. a first line that starts with a @samp{*}. If not, a
5448 headline is constructed from the current date. If you have indented the text
5449 of the note below the headline, the indentation will be adapted if inserting
5450 the note into the tree requires demotion from level 1.
5452 @node Refiling notes, , Storing notes, Remember
5453 @subsection Refiling notes
5454 @cindex refiling notes
5456 Remember is usually used to quickly capture notes and tasks into one or
5457 a few capture lists. When reviewing the captured data, you may want to
5458 refile some of the entries into a different list, for example into a
5459 project. Cutting, finding the right location and then pasting the note
5460 is cumbersome. To simplify this process, you can use the following
5466 Refile the entry or region at point. This command offers possible locations
5467 for refiling the entry and lets you select one with completion. The item (or
5468 all items in the region) is filed below the target heading as a subitem.
5469 Depending on @code{org-reverse-note-order}, it will be either the first or
5471 By default, all level 1 headlines in the current buffer are considered to be
5472 targets, but you can have more complex definitions across a number of files.
5473 See the variable @code{org-refile-targets} for details. If you would like to
5474 select a location via a file-path-like completion along the outline path, see
5475 the variables @code{org-refile-use-outline-path} and
5476 @code{org-outline-path-complete-in-steps}.
5479 Use the refile interface to jump to a heading.
5480 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-w
5481 @item C-u C-u C-c C-w
5482 Jump to the location where @code{org-refile} last moved a tree to.
5485 @node Attachments, , Remember, Capture
5486 @section Attachments
5489 It is often useful to associate reference material with an outline node/task.
5490 Small chunks of plain text can simply be stored in the subtree of a project.
5491 Hyperlinks (@pxref{Hyperlinks}) can be used to establish associations with
5492 files that live elsewhere on your computer or in the cloud, like emails or
5493 source code files belonging to a project. Another method is @i{attachments},
5494 which are files located in a directory belonging to an outline node. Org
5495 uses directories named by the unique ID of each entry. These directories are
5496 located in the @file{data} directory which lives in the same directory where
5497 your org-file lives@footnote{If you move entries or Org-files from one
5498 directory to the next, you may want to configure @code{org-attach-directory}
5499 to contain an absolute path.}. If you initialize this directory with
5500 @code{git-init}, Org will automatically commit changes when it sees them.
5501 The attachment system has been contributed to Org by John Wiegley.
5503 In cases where this seems better, you can also attach a directory of your
5504 choice to an entry. You can also make children inherit the attachment
5505 directory from a parent, so that an entire subtree uses the same attached
5508 @noindent The following commands deal with attachments.
5514 The dispatcher for commands related to the attachment system. After these
5515 keys, a list of commands is displayed and you need to press an additional key
5516 to select a command:
5521 Select a file and move it into the task's attachment directory. The file
5522 will be copied, moved, or linked, depending on @code{org-attach-method}.
5523 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
5529 Attach a file using the copy/move/link method.
5530 Note that hard links are not supported on all systems.
5534 Create a new attachment as an Emacs buffer.
5538 Synchronize the current task with its attachment directory, in case you added
5539 attachments yourself.
5543 Open current task's attachment. If there are more than one, prompt for a
5544 file name first. Opening will follow the rules set by @code{org-file-apps}.
5545 For more details, see the information on following hyperlinks
5546 (@pxref{Handling links}).
5550 Also open the attachment, but force opening the file in Emacs.
5554 Open the current task's attachment directory.
5558 Also open the directory, but force using @code{dired} in Emacs.
5562 Select and delete a single attachment.
5566 Delete all of a task's attachments. A safer way is to open the directory in
5567 dired and delete from there.
5571 Set a specific directory as the entry's attachment directory. This works by
5572 putting the directory path into the @code{ATTACH_DIR} property.
5576 Set the @code{ATTACH_DIR_INHERIT} property, so that children will use the
5577 same directory for attachments as the parent.
5581 @node Agenda Views, Embedded LaTeX, Capture, Top
5582 @chapter Agenda Views
5583 @cindex agenda views
5585 Due to the way Org works, TODO items, time-stamped items, and
5586 tagged headlines can be scattered throughout a file or even a number of
5587 files. To get an overview of open action items, or of events that are
5588 important for a particular date, this information must be collected,
5589 sorted and displayed in an organized way.
5591 Org can select items based on various criteria, and display them
5592 in a separate buffer. Seven different view types are provided:
5596 an @emph{agenda} that is like a calendar and shows information
5599 a @emph{TODO list} that covers all unfinished
5602 a @emph{match view}, showings headlines based on the tags, properties and
5603 TODO state associated with them,
5605 a @emph{timeline view} that shows all events in a single Org file,
5606 in time-sorted view,
5608 a @emph{keyword search view} that shows all entries from multiple files
5609 that contain specified keywords.
5611 a @emph{stuck projects view} showing projects that currently don't move
5614 @emph{custom views} that are special tag/keyword searches and
5615 combinations of different views.
5619 The extracted information is displayed in a special @emph{agenda
5620 buffer}. This buffer is read-only, but provides commands to visit the
5621 corresponding locations in the original Org files, and even to
5622 edit these files remotely.
5624 Two variables control how the agenda buffer is displayed and whether the
5625 window configuration is restored when the agenda exits:
5626 @code{org-agenda-window-setup} and
5627 @code{org-agenda-restore-windows-after-quit}.
5630 * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information
5631 * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views
5632 * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box?
5633 * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display
5634 * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of Org trees
5635 * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views
5636 * Agenda column view:: Using column view for collected entries
5639 @node Agenda files, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views, Agenda Views
5640 @section Agenda files
5641 @cindex agenda files
5642 @cindex files for agenda
5644 The information to be shown is normally collected from all @emph{agenda
5645 files}, the files listed in the variable
5646 @code{org-agenda-files}@footnote{If the value of that variable is not a
5647 list, but a single file name, then the list of agenda files will be
5648 maintained in that external file.}. If a directory is part of this list,
5649 all files with the extension @file{.org} in this directory will be part
5652 Thus even if you only work with a single Org file, this file should
5653 be put into that list@footnote{When using the dispatcher, pressing
5654 @kbd{<} before selecting a command will actually limit the command to
5655 the current file, and ignore @code{org-agenda-files} until the next
5656 dispatcher command.}. You can customize @code{org-agenda-files}, but
5657 the easiest way to maintain it is through the following commands
5659 @cindex files, adding to agenda list
5663 Add current file to the list of agenda files. The file is added to
5664 the front of the list. If it was already in the list, it is moved to
5665 the front. With a prefix argument, file is added/moved to the end.
5668 Remove current file from the list of agenda files.
5673 Cycle through agenda file list, visiting one file after the other.
5674 @kindex M-x org-iswitchb
5675 @item M-x org-iswitchb
5676 Command to use an @code{iswitchb}-like interface to switch to and between Org
5681 The Org menu contains the current list of files and can be used
5682 to visit any of them.
5684 If you would like to focus the agenda temporarily onto a file not in
5685 this list, or onto just one file in the list or even only a subtree in a
5686 file, this can be done in different ways. For a single agenda command,
5687 you may press @kbd{<} once or several times in the dispatcher
5688 (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}). To restrict the agenda scope for an
5689 extended period, use the following commands:
5694 Permanently restrict the agenda to the current subtree. When with a
5695 prefix argument, or with the cursor before the first headline in a file,
5696 the agenda scope is set to the entire file. This restriction remains in
5697 effect until removed with @kbd{C-c C-x >}, or by typing either @kbd{<}
5698 or @kbd{>} in the agenda dispatcher. If there is a window displaying an
5699 agenda view, the new restriction takes effect immediately.
5702 Remove the permanent restriction created by @kbd{C-c C-x <}.
5706 When working with @file{Speedbar}, you can use the following commands in
5710 @item < @r{in the speedbar frame}
5711 Permanently restrict the agenda to the item at the cursor in the
5712 Speedbar frame, either an Org file or a subtree in such a file.
5713 If there is a window displaying an agenda view, the new restriction takes
5716 @item > @r{in the speedbar frame}
5717 Lift the restriction again.
5720 @node Agenda dispatcher, Built-in agenda views, Agenda files, Agenda Views
5721 @section The agenda dispatcher
5722 @cindex agenda dispatcher
5723 @cindex dispatching agenda commands
5724 The views are created through a dispatcher that should be bound to a
5725 global key, for example @kbd{C-c a} (@pxref{Installation}). In the
5726 following we will assume that @kbd{C-c a} is indeed how the dispatcher
5727 is accessed and list keyboard access to commands accordingly. After
5728 pressing @kbd{C-c a}, an additional letter is required to execute a
5729 command. The dispatcher offers the following default commands:
5732 Create the calendar-like agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
5734 Create a list of all TODO items (@pxref{Global TODO list}).
5736 Create a list of headlines matching a TAGS expression (@pxref{Matching
5737 tags and properties}).
5739 Create the timeline view for the current buffer (@pxref{Timeline}).
5741 Create a list of entries selected by a boolean expression of keywords
5742 and/or regular expressions that must or must not occur in the entry.
5744 Search for a regular expression in all agenda files and additionally in
5745 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-multi-occur-extra-files}. This
5746 uses the Emacs command @code{multi-occur}. A prefix argument can be
5747 used to specify the number of context lines for each match, default is
5750 Create a list of stuck projects (@pxref{Stuck projects}).
5752 Restrict an agenda command to the current buffer@footnote{For backward
5753 compatibility, you can also press @kbd{1} to restrict to the current
5754 buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{<}, you still need to press the character
5755 selecting the command.
5757 If there is an active region, restrict the following agenda command to
5758 the region. Otherwise, restrict it to the current subtree@footnote{For
5759 backward compatibility, you can also press @kbd{0} to restrict to the
5760 current buffer.}. After pressing @kbd{< <}, you still need to press the
5761 character selecting the command.
5764 You can also define custom commands that will be accessible through the
5765 dispatcher, just like the default commands. This includes the
5766 possibility to create extended agenda buffers that contain several
5767 blocks together, for example the weekly agenda, the global TODO list and
5768 a number of special tags matches. @xref{Custom agenda views}.
5770 @node Built-in agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda dispatcher, Agenda Views
5771 @section The built-in agenda views
5773 In this section we describe the built-in views.
5776 * Weekly/daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks
5777 * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items
5778 * Matching tags and properties:: Structured information with fine-tuned search
5779 * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file
5780 * Keyword search:: Finding entries by keyword
5781 * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review
5784 @node Weekly/daily agenda, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views, Built-in agenda views
5785 @subsection The weekly/daily agenda
5787 @cindex weekly agenda
5788 @cindex daily agenda
5790 The purpose of the weekly/daily @emph{agenda} is to act like a page of a
5791 paper agenda, showing all the tasks for the current week or day.
5794 @cindex org-agenda, command
5797 Compile an agenda for the current week from a list of org files. The agenda
5798 shows the entries for each day. With a numeric prefix@footnote{For backward
5799 compatibility, the universal prefix @kbd{C-u} causes all TODO entries to be
5800 listed before the agenda. This feature is deprecated, use the dedicated TODO
5801 list, or a block agenda instead (@pxref{Block agenda}).} (like @kbd{C-u 2 1
5802 C-c a a}) you may set the number of days to be displayed (see also the
5803 variable @code{org-agenda-ndays})
5806 Remote editing from the agenda buffer means, for example, that you can
5807 change the dates of deadlines and appointments from the agenda buffer.
5808 The commands available in the Agenda buffer are listed in @ref{Agenda
5811 @subsubheading Calendar/Diary integration
5812 @cindex calendar integration
5813 @cindex diary integration
5815 Emacs contains the calendar and diary by Edward M. Reingold. The
5816 calendar displays a three-month calendar with holidays from different
5817 countries and cultures. The diary allows you to keep track of
5818 anniversaries, lunar phases, sunrise/set, recurrent appointments
5819 (weekly, monthly) and more. In this way, it is quite complementary to
5820 Org. It can be very useful to combine output from Org with
5823 In order to include entries from the Emacs diary into Org mode's
5824 agenda, you only need to customize the variable
5827 (setq org-agenda-include-diary t)
5830 @noindent After that, everything will happen automatically. All diary
5831 entries including holidays, anniversaries etc will be included in the
5832 agenda buffer created by Org mode. @key{SPC}, @key{TAB}, and
5833 @key{RET} can be used from the agenda buffer to jump to the diary
5834 file in order to edit existing diary entries. The @kbd{i} command to
5835 insert new entries for the current date works in the agenda buffer, as
5836 well as the commands @kbd{S}, @kbd{M}, and @kbd{C} to display
5837 Sunrise/Sunset times, show lunar phases and to convert to other
5838 calendars, respectively. @kbd{c} can be used to switch back and forth
5839 between calendar and agenda.
5841 If you are using the diary only for sexp entries and holidays, it is
5842 faster to not use the above setting, but instead to copy or even move
5843 the entries into an Org file. Org mode evaluates diary-style sexp
5844 entries, and does it faster because there is no overhead for first
5845 creating the diary display. Note that the sexp entries must start at
5846 the left margin, no white space is allowed before them. For example,
5847 the following segment of an Org file will be processed and entries
5848 will be made in the agenda:
5851 * Birthdays and similar stuff
5853 %%(org-calendar-holiday) ; special function for holiday names
5855 %%(diary-anniversary 14 5 1956) Arthur Dent is %d years old
5856 %%(diary-anniversary 2 10 1869) Mahatma Gandhi would be %d years old
5859 @subsubheading Appointment reminders
5860 @cindex @file{appt.el}
5861 @cindex appointment reminders
5863 Org can interact with Emacs appointments notification facility.
5865 To add all the appointments of your agenda files, use the command
5866 @code{org-agenda-to-appt}. This commands also lets you filter through
5867 the list of your appointments and add only those belonging to a specific
5868 category or matching a regular expression. See the docstring for
5871 @node Global TODO list, Matching tags and properties, Weekly/daily agenda, Built-in agenda views
5872 @subsection The global TODO list
5873 @cindex global TODO list
5874 @cindex TODO list, global
5876 The global TODO list contains all unfinished TODO items, formatted and
5877 collected into a single place.
5882 Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all
5883 agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in
5884 @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate
5885 the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
5888 @cindex TODO keyword matching
5889 Like the above, but allows selection of a specific TODO keyword. You
5890 can also do this by specifying a prefix argument to @kbd{C-c a t}. With
5891 a @kbd{C-u} prefix you are prompted for a keyword, and you may also
5892 specify several keywords by separating them with @samp{|} as boolean OR
5893 operator. With a numeric prefix, the Nth keyword in
5894 @code{org-todo-keywords} is selected.
5896 The @kbd{r} key in the agenda buffer regenerates it, and you can give
5897 a prefix argument to this command to change the selected TODO keyword,
5898 for example @kbd{3 r}. If you often need a search for a specific
5899 keyword, define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).@*
5900 Matching specific TODO keywords can also be done as part of a tags
5901 search (@pxref{Tag searches}).
5904 Remote editing of TODO items means that you can change the state of a
5905 TODO entry with a single key press. The commands available in the
5906 TODO list are described in @ref{Agenda commands}.
5908 @cindex sublevels, inclusion into TODO list
5909 Normally the global TODO list simply shows all headlines with TODO
5910 keywords. This list can become very long. There are two ways to keep
5914 Some people view a TODO item that has been @emph{scheduled} for
5915 execution (@pxref{Timestamps}) as no longer @emph{open}. Configure the
5916 variable @code{org-agenda-todo-ignore-scheduled} to exclude scheduled
5917 items from the global TODO list.
5919 TODO items may have sublevels to break up the task into subtasks. In
5920 such cases it may be enough to list only the highest level TODO headline
5921 and omit the sublevels from the global list. Configure the variable
5922 @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels} to get this behavior.
5925 @node Matching tags and properties, Timeline, Global TODO list, Built-in agenda views
5926 @subsection Matching tags and properties
5927 @cindex matching, of tags
5928 @cindex matching, of properties
5932 If headlines in the agenda files are marked with @emph{tags}
5933 (@pxref{Tags}), you can select headlines based on the tags that apply
5934 to them and collect them into an agenda buffer.
5939 Produce a list of all headlines that match a given set of tags. The
5940 command prompts for a selection criterion, which is a boolean logic
5941 expression with tags, like @samp{+work+urgent-withboss} or
5942 @samp{work|home} (@pxref{Tags}). If you often need a specific search,
5943 define a custom command for it (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}).
5946 Like @kbd{C-c a m}, but only select headlines that are also TODO items
5947 and force checking subitems (see variable
5948 @code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}). Matching specific TODO keywords
5949 together with a tags match is also possible, see @ref{Tag searches}.
5952 The commands available in the tags list are described in @ref{Agenda
5955 @node Timeline, Keyword search, Matching tags and properties, Built-in agenda views
5956 @subsection Timeline for a single file
5957 @cindex timeline, single file
5958 @cindex time-sorted view
5960 The timeline summarizes all time-stamped items from a single Org mode
5961 file in a @emph{time-sorted view}. The main purpose of this command is
5962 to give an overview over events in a project.
5967 Show a time-sorted view of the org file, with all time-stamped items.
5968 When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all unfinished TODO entries
5969 (scheduled or not) are also listed under the current date.
5973 The commands available in the timeline buffer are listed in
5974 @ref{Agenda commands}.
5976 @node Keyword search, Stuck projects, Timeline, Built-in agenda views
5977 @subsection Keyword search
5978 @cindex keyword search
5979 @cindex searching, for keywords
5981 This agenda view is a general text search facility for Org mode entries.
5982 It is particularly useful to find notes.
5987 This is a special search that lets you select entries by keywords or
5988 regular expression, using a boolean logic. For example, the search
5992 +computer +wifi -ethernet -@{8\.11[bg]@}
5996 will search for note entries that contain the keywords @code{computer}
5997 and @code{wifi}, but not the keyword @code{ethernet}, and which are also
5998 not matched by the regular expression @code{8\.11[bg]}, meaning to
5999 exclude both 8.11b and 8.11g.
6001 Note that in addition to the agenda files, this command will also search
6002 the files listed in @code{org-agenda-text-search-extra-files}.
6005 @node Stuck projects, , Keyword search, Built-in agenda views
6006 @subsection Stuck projects
6008 If you are following a system like David Allen's GTD to organize your
6009 work, one of the ``duties'' you have is a regular review to make sure
6010 that all projects move along. A @emph{stuck} project is a project that
6011 has no defined next actions, so it will never show up in the TODO lists
6012 Org mode produces. During the review, you need to identify such
6013 projects and define next actions for them.
6018 List projects that are stuck.
6021 Customize the variable @code{org-stuck-projects} to define what a stuck
6022 project is and how to find it.
6025 You almost certainly will have to configure this view before it will
6026 work for you. The built-in default assumes that all your projects are
6027 level-2 headlines, and that a project is not stuck if it has at least
6028 one entry marked with a TODO keyword TODO or NEXT or NEXTACTION.
6030 Let's assume that you, in your own way of using Org mode, identify
6031 projects with a tag PROJECT, and that you use a TODO keyword MAYBE to
6032 indicate a project that should not be considered yet. Let's further
6033 assume that the TODO keyword DONE marks finished projects, and that NEXT
6034 and TODO indicate next actions. The tag @@SHOP indicates shopping and
6035 is a next action even without the NEXT tag. Finally, if the project
6036 contains the special word IGNORE anywhere, it should not be listed
6037 either. In this case you would start by identifying eligible projects
6038 with a tags/todo match @samp{+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE}, and then check for
6039 TODO, NEXT, @@SHOP, and IGNORE in the subtree to identify projects that
6040 are not stuck. The correct customization for this is
6043 (setq org-stuck-projects
6044 '("+PROJECT/-MAYBE-DONE" ("NEXT" "TODO") ("@@SHOP")
6049 @node Presentation and sorting, Agenda commands, Built-in agenda views, Agenda Views
6050 @section Presentation and sorting
6051 @cindex presentation, of agenda items
6053 Before displaying items in an agenda view, Org mode visually prepares
6054 the items and sorts them. Each item occupies a single line. The line
6055 starts with a @emph{prefix} that contains the @emph{category}
6056 (@pxref{Categories}) of the item and other important information. You can
6057 customize the prefix using the option @code{org-agenda-prefix-format}.
6058 The prefix is followed by a cleaned-up version of the outline headline
6059 associated with the item.
6062 * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal
6063 * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time
6064 * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things
6067 @node Categories, Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting, Presentation and sorting
6068 @subsection Categories
6071 The category is a broad label assigned to each agenda item. By default,
6072 the category is simply derived from the file name, but you can also
6073 specify it with a special line in the buffer, like this@footnote{For
6074 backward compatibility, the following also works: If there are several
6075 such lines in a file, each specifies the category for the text below it.
6076 The first category also applies to any text before the first CATEGORY
6077 line. However, using this method is @emph{strongly} deprecated as it is
6078 incompatible with the outline structure of the document. The correct
6079 method for setting multiple categories in a buffer is using a
6087 If you would like to have a special CATEGORY for a single entry or a
6088 (sub)tree, give the entry a @code{:CATEGORY:} property with the
6089 special category you want to apply as the value.
6092 The display in the agenda buffer looks best if the category is not
6093 longer than 10 characters.
6095 @node Time-of-day specifications, Sorting of agenda items, Categories, Presentation and sorting
6096 @subsection Time-of-day specifications
6097 @cindex time-of-day specification
6099 Org mode checks each agenda item for a time-of-day specification. The
6100 time can be part of the time stamp that triggered inclusion into the
6101 agenda, for example as in @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 19:00>}}. Time
6102 ranges can be specified with two time stamps, like
6104 @w{@samp{<2005-05-10 Tue 20:30>--<2005-05-10 Tue 22:15>}}.
6106 In the headline of the entry itself, a time(range) may also appear as
6107 plain text (like @samp{12:45} or a @samp{8:30-1pm}). If the agenda
6108 integrates the Emacs diary (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}), time
6109 specifications in diary entries are recognized as well.
6111 For agenda display, Org mode extracts the time and displays it in a
6112 standard 24 hour format as part of the prefix. The example times in
6113 the previous paragraphs would end up in the agenda like this:
6116 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
6117 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
6118 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
6119 20:30-22:15 Marvin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
6123 If the agenda is in single-day mode, or for the display of today, the
6124 timed entries are embedded in a time grid, like
6127 8:00...... ------------------
6128 8:30-13:00 Arthur Dent lies in front of the bulldozer
6129 10:00...... ------------------
6130 12:00...... ------------------
6131 12:45...... Ford Prefect arrives and takes Arthur to the pub
6132 14:00...... ------------------
6133 16:00...... ------------------
6134 18:00...... ------------------
6135 19:00...... The Vogon reads his poem
6136 20:00...... ------------------
6137 20:30-22:15 Marvin escorts the Hitchhikers to the bridge
6140 The time grid can be turned on and off with the variable
6141 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid}, and can be configured with
6142 @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
6144 @node Sorting of agenda items, , Time-of-day specifications, Presentation and sorting
6145 @subsection Sorting of agenda items
6146 @cindex sorting, of agenda items
6147 @cindex priorities, of agenda items
6148 Before being inserted into a view, the items are sorted. How this is
6149 done depends on the type of view.
6152 For the daily/weekly agenda, the items for each day are sorted. The
6153 default order is to first collect all items containing an explicit
6154 time-of-day specification. These entries will be shown at the beginning
6155 of the list, as a @emph{schedule} for the day. After that, items remain
6156 grouped in categories, in the sequence given by @code{org-agenda-files}.
6157 Within each category, items are sorted by priority (@pxref{Priorities}),
6158 which is composed of the base priority (2000 for priority @samp{A}, 1000
6159 for @samp{B}, and 0 for @samp{C}), plus additional increments for
6160 overdue scheduled or deadline items.
6162 For the TODO list, items remain in the order of categories, but within
6163 each category, sorting takes place according to priority
6164 (@pxref{Priorities}).
6166 For tags matches, items are not sorted at all, but just appear in the
6167 sequence in which they are found in the agenda files.
6170 Sorting can be customized using the variable
6171 @code{org-agenda-sorting-strategy}, and may also include criteria based on
6172 the estimated effort of an entry (@pxref{Effort estimates}).
6174 @node Agenda commands, Custom agenda views, Presentation and sorting, Agenda Views
6175 @section Commands in the agenda buffer
6176 @cindex commands, in agenda buffer
6178 Entries in the agenda buffer are linked back to the org file or diary
6179 file where they originate. You are not allowed to edit the agenda
6180 buffer itself, but commands are provided to show and jump to the
6181 original entry location, and to edit the org-files ``remotely'' from
6182 the agenda buffer. In this way, all information is stored only once,
6183 removing the risk that your agenda and note files may diverge.
6185 Some commands can be executed with mouse clicks on agenda lines. For
6186 the other commands, the cursor needs to be in the desired line.
6189 @tsubheading{Motion}
6190 @cindex motion commands in agenda
6193 Next line (same as @key{up} and @kbd{C-p}).
6196 Previous line (same as @key{down} and @kbd{C-n}).
6197 @tsubheading{View/Go to org file}
6202 Display the original location of the item in another window.
6203 With prefix arg, make sure that the entire entry is made visible in the
6204 outline, not only the heading.
6208 Display original location and recenter that window.
6216 Go to the original location of the item in another window. Under Emacs
6217 22, @kbd{mouse-1} will also works for this.
6221 Go to the original location of the item and delete other windows.
6225 Toggle Follow mode. In Follow mode, as you move the cursor through
6226 the agenda buffer, the other window always shows the corresponding
6227 location in the org file. The initial setting for this mode in new
6228 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
6229 @code{org-agenda-start-with-follow-mode}.
6233 Display the entire subtree of the current item in an indirect buffer. With a
6234 numeric prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree. If N is
6235 negative, go up that many levels. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove the
6236 previously used indirect buffer.
6240 Toggle Logbook mode. In Logbook mode, entries that were marked DONE while
6241 logging was on (variable @code{org-log-done}) are shown in the agenda, as are
6242 entries that have been clocked on that day. You can configure the entry
6243 types that should be included in log mode using the variable
6244 @code{org-agenda-log-mode-items}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, show
6245 all possible logbook entries, including state changes. When called with two
6246 prefix args @kbd{C-u C-u}, show only logging information, nothing else.
6250 Toggle Archives mode. In archives mode, trees that are marked
6251 @code{ARCHIVED} are also scanned when producing the agenda. When you call
6252 this command with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, even all archive files are
6253 included. To exit archives mode, press @kbd{v} again.
6257 Toggle Clockreport mode. In clockreport mode, the daily/weekly agenda will
6258 always show a table with the clocked times for the timespan and file scope
6259 covered by the current agenda view. The initial setting for this mode in new
6260 agenda buffers can be set with the variable
6261 @code{org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode}.
6263 @tsubheading{Change display}
6264 @cindex display changing, in agenda
6267 Delete other windows.
6274 Switch to day/week/month/year view. When switching to day or week view,
6275 this setting becomes the default for subsequent agenda commands. Since
6276 month and year views are slow to create, they do not become the default.
6277 A numeric prefix argument may be used to jump directly to a specific day
6278 of the year, ISO week, month, or year, respectively. For example,
6279 @kbd{32 d} jumps to February 1st, @kbd{9 w} to ISO week number 9. When
6280 setting day, week, or month view, a year may be encoded in the prefix
6281 argument as well. For example, @kbd{200712 w} will jump to week 12 in
6282 2007. If such a year specification has only one or two digits, it will
6283 be mapped to the interval 1938-2037.
6287 Toggle the inclusion of diary entries. See @ref{Weekly/daily agenda}.
6291 Toggle the time grid on and off. See also the variables
6292 @code{org-agenda-use-time-grid} and @code{org-agenda-time-grid}.
6296 Recreate the agenda buffer, for example to reflect the changes
6297 after modification of the time stamps of items with S-@key{left} and
6298 S-@key{right}. When the buffer is the global TODO list, a prefix
6299 argument is interpreted to create a selective list for a specific TODO
6309 Save all Org buffers in the current Emacs session.
6313 Display the following @code{org-agenda-ndays} days. For example, if
6314 the display covers a week, switch to the following week. With prefix
6315 arg, go forward that many times @code{org-agenda-ndays} days.
6319 Display the previous dates.
6327 Invoke column view (@pxref{Column view}) in the agenda buffer. The column
6328 view format is taken from the entry at point, or (if there is no entry at
6329 point), from the first entry in the agenda view. So whatever the format for
6330 that entry would be in the original buffer (taken from a property, from a
6331 @code{#+COLUMNS} line, or from the default variable
6332 @code{org-columns-default-format}), will be used in the agenda.
6334 @tsubheading{Secondary filtering and query editing}
6335 @cindex filtering, by tag and effort, in agenda
6336 @cindex tag filtering, in agenda
6337 @cindex effort filtering, in agenda
6338 @cindex query editing, in agenda
6342 Filter the current agenda view with respect to a tag and/or effort estimates.
6343 The difference between this and a custom agenda commands is that filtering is
6344 very fast, so that you can switch quickly between different filters without
6345 having to recreate the agenda.
6347 You will be prompted for a tag selection letter. Pressing @key{TAB} at that
6348 prompt will offer use completion to select a tag (including any tags that do
6349 not have a selection character). The command then hides all entries that do
6350 not contain or inherit this tag. When called with prefix arg, remove the
6351 entries that @emph{do} have the tag. A second @kbd{/} at the prompt will
6352 turn off the filter and unhide any hidden entries. If the first key you
6353 press is either @kbd{+} or @kbd{-}, the previous filter will be narrowed by
6354 requiring or forbidding the selected additional tag. Instead of pressing
6355 @kbd{+} or @kbd{-} after @kbd{/}, you can also immediately use the @kbd{\}
6358 In order to filter for effort estimates, you should set-up allowed
6359 efforts globally, for example
6361 (setq org-global-properties
6362 '(("Effort_ALL". "0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00")))
6364 You can then filter for an effort by first typing an operator, one of @kbd{<},
6365 @kbd{>}, and @kbd{=}, and then the one-digit index of an effort estimate in
6366 your array of allowed values, where @kbd{0} means the 10th value. The filter
6367 will then restrict to entries with effort smaller-or-equal, equal, or
6368 larger-or-equal than the selected value. If the digits 0-9 are not used as
6369 fast access keys to tags, you can also simply press the index digit directly
6370 without an operator. In this case, @kbd{<} will be assumed.
6374 Narrow the current agenda filter by an additional condition. When called with
6375 prefix arg, remove the entries that @emph{do} have the tag, or that do match
6376 the effort criterion. You can achieve the same effect by pressing @kbd{+} or
6377 @kbd{-} as the first key after the @kbd{/} command.
6384 In the @i{search view} (@pxref{Keyword search}), these keys add new search
6385 words (@kbd{[} and @kbd{]}) or new regular expressions (@kbd{@{} and
6386 @kbd{@}}) to the query string. The opening bracket/brace will add a positive
6387 search term prefixed by @samp{+}, indicating that this search term @i{must}
6388 occur/match in the entry. The closing bracket/brace will add a negative
6389 search term which @i{must not} occur/match in the entry for it to be
6393 @tsubheading{Remote editing}
6394 @cindex remote editing, from agenda
6399 @cindex undoing remote-editing events
6400 @cindex remote editing, undo
6403 Undo a change due to a remote editing command. The change is undone
6404 both in the agenda buffer and in the remote buffer.
6408 Change the TODO state of the item, both in the agenda and in the
6413 Delete the current agenda item along with the entire subtree belonging
6414 to it in the original Org file. If the text to be deleted remotely
6415 is longer than one line, the kill needs to be confirmed by the user. See
6416 variable @code{org-agenda-confirm-kill}.
6420 Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline.
6424 Move the subtree corresponding to the current entry to its @emph{Archive
6429 Archive the subtree corresponding to the current headline. This means the
6430 entry will be moved to the configured archive location, most likely a
6435 Show all tags associated with the current item. This is useful if you have
6436 turned off @code{org-agenda-show-inherited-tags}, but still want to see all
6437 tags of a headline occasionally.
6441 Set tags for the current headline. If there is an active region in the
6442 agenda, change a tag for all headings in the region.
6446 Set the priority for the current item. Org mode prompts for the
6447 priority character. If you reply with @key{SPC}, the priority cookie
6448 is removed from the entry.
6452 Display weighted priority of current item.
6458 Increase the priority of the current item. The priority is changed in
6459 the original buffer, but the agenda is not resorted. Use the @kbd{r}
6463 @kindex S-@key{down}
6466 Decrease the priority of the current item.
6470 Dispatcher for all command related to attachments.
6478 Set a deadline for this item.
6482 Agenda actions, to set dates for selected items to the cursor date.
6483 This command also works in the calendar! The command prompts for an
6486 m @r{Mark the entry at point for action. You can also make entries}
6487 @r{in Org files with @kbd{C-c C-x C-k}.}
6488 d @r{Set the deadline of the marked entry to the date at point.}
6489 s @r{Schedule the marked entry at the date at point.}
6490 r @r{Call @code{org-remember} with the cursor date as default date.}
6492 Press @kbd{r} afterward to refresh the agenda and see the effect of the
6495 @kindex S-@key{right}
6497 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day into the
6498 future. With a numeric prefix argument, change it by that many days. For
6499 example, @kbd{3 6 5 S-@key{right}} will change it by a year. The stamp is
6500 changed in the original org file, but the change is not directly reflected in
6501 the agenda buffer. Use the @kbd{r} key to update the buffer.
6503 @kindex S-@key{left}
6505 Change the time stamp associated with the current line by one day
6510 Change the time stamp associated with the current line to today.
6511 The key @kbd{>} has been chosen, because it is the same as @kbd{S-.}
6516 Start the clock on the current item. If a clock is running already, it
6521 Stop the previously started clock.
6525 Cancel the currently running clock.
6529 Jump to the running clock in another window.
6531 @tsubheading{Calendar commands}
6532 @cindex calendar commands, from agenda
6535 Open the Emacs calendar and move to the date at the agenda cursor.
6538 When in the calendar, compute and show the Org mode agenda for the
6541 @cindex diary entries, creating from agenda
6544 Insert a new entry into the diary. Prompts for the type of entry
6545 (day, weekly, monthly, yearly, anniversary, cyclic) and creates a new
6546 entry in the diary, just as @kbd{i d} etc. would do in the calendar.
6547 The date is taken from the cursor position.
6551 Show the phases of the moon for the three months around current date.
6555 Show sunrise and sunset times. The geographical location must be set
6556 with calendar variables, see documentation of the Emacs calendar.
6560 Convert the date at cursor into many other cultural and historic
6565 Show holidays for three month around the cursor date.
6567 @item M-x org-export-icalendar-combine-agenda-files
6568 Export a single iCalendar file containing entries from all agenda files.
6569 This is a globally available command, and also available in the agenda menu.
6571 @tsubheading{Exporting to a file}
6574 @cindex exporting agenda views
6575 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6576 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
6577 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
6578 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}), or
6579 plain text (any other extension). Use the variable
6580 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to set options for @file{ps-print}
6581 and for @file{htmlize} to be used during export.
6583 @tsubheading{Quit and Exit}
6586 Quit agenda, remove the agenda buffer.
6589 @cindex agenda files, removing buffers
6591 Exit agenda, remove the agenda buffer and all buffers loaded by Emacs
6592 for the compilation of the agenda. Buffers created by the user to
6593 visit org files will not be removed.
6597 @node Custom agenda views, Agenda column view, Agenda commands, Agenda Views
6598 @section Custom agenda views
6599 @cindex custom agenda views
6600 @cindex agenda views, custom
6602 Custom agenda commands serve two purposes: to store and quickly access
6603 frequently used TODO and tags searches, and to create special composite
6604 agenda buffers. Custom agenda commands will be accessible through the
6605 dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}), just like the default commands.
6608 * Storing searches:: Type once, use often
6609 * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer
6610 * Setting Options:: Changing the rules
6611 * Exporting Agenda Views:: Writing agendas to files
6612 * Using the agenda elsewhere:: Using agenda information in other programs
6615 @node Storing searches, Block agenda, Custom agenda views, Custom agenda views
6616 @subsection Storing searches
6618 The first application of custom searches is the definition of keyboard
6619 shortcuts for frequently used searches, either creating an agenda
6620 buffer, or a sparse tree (the latter covering of course only the current
6623 Custom commands are configured in the variable
6624 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. You can customize this variable, for
6625 example by pressing @kbd{C-c a C}. You can also directly set it with
6626 Emacs Lisp in @file{.emacs}. The following example contains all valid
6631 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6632 '(("w" todo "WAITING")
6633 ("W" todo-tree "WAITING")
6634 ("u" tags "+boss-urgent")
6635 ("v" tags-todo "+boss-urgent")
6636 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent")
6637 ("f" occur-tree "\\<FIXME\\>")
6638 ("h" . "HOME+Name tags searches") ; description for "h" prefix
6639 ("hl" tags "+home+Lisa")
6640 ("hp" tags "+home+Peter")
6641 ("hk" tags "+home+Kim")))
6646 The initial string in each entry defines the keys you have to press
6647 after the dispatcher command @kbd{C-c a} in order to access the command.
6648 Usually this will be just a single character, but if you have many
6649 similar commands, you can also define two-letter combinations where the
6650 first character is the same in several combinations and serves as a
6651 prefix key@footnote{You can provide a description for a prefix key by
6652 inserting a cons cell with the prefix and the description.}. The second
6653 parameter is the search type, followed by the string or regular
6654 expression to be used for the matching. The example above will
6659 as a global search for TODO entries with @samp{WAITING} as the TODO
6662 as the same search, but only in the current buffer and displaying the
6663 results as a sparse tree
6665 as a global tags search for headlines marked @samp{:boss:} but not
6668 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but limiting the search to
6669 headlines that are also TODO items
6671 as the same search as @kbd{C-c a u}, but only in the current buffer and
6672 displaying the result as a sparse tree
6674 to create a sparse tree (again: current buffer only) with all entries
6675 containing the word @samp{FIXME}
6677 as a prefix command for a HOME tags search where you have to press an
6678 additional key (@kbd{l}, @kbd{p} or @kbd{k}) to select a name (Lisa,
6679 Peter, or Kim) as additional tag to match.
6682 @node Block agenda, Setting Options, Storing searches, Custom agenda views
6683 @subsection Block agenda
6684 @cindex block agenda
6685 @cindex agenda, with block views
6687 Another possibility is the construction of agenda views that comprise
6688 the results of @emph{several} commands, each of which creates a block in
6689 the agenda buffer. The available commands include @code{agenda} for the
6690 daily or weekly agenda (as created with @kbd{C-c a a}), @code{alltodo}
6691 for the global TODO list (as constructed with @kbd{C-c a t}), and the
6692 matching commands discussed above: @code{todo}, @code{tags}, and
6693 @code{tags-todo}. Here are two examples:
6697 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6698 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6702 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6710 This will define @kbd{C-c a h} to create a multi-block view for stuff
6711 you need to attend to at home. The resulting agenda buffer will contain
6712 your agenda for the current week, all TODO items that carry the tag
6713 @samp{home}, and also all lines tagged with @samp{garden}. Finally the
6714 command @kbd{C-c a o} provides a similar view for office tasks.
6716 @node Setting Options, Exporting Agenda Views, Block agenda, Custom agenda views
6717 @subsection Setting options for custom commands
6718 @cindex options, for custom agenda views
6720 Org mode contains a number of variables regulating agenda construction
6721 and display. The global variables define the behavior for all agenda
6722 commands, including the custom commands. However, if you want to change
6723 some settings just for a single custom view, you can do so. Setting
6724 options requires inserting a list of variable names and values at the
6725 right spot in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}. For example:
6729 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6730 '(("w" todo "WAITING"
6731 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))
6732 (org-agenda-prefix-format " Mixed: ")))
6733 ("U" tags-tree "+boss-urgent"
6734 ((org-show-following-heading nil)
6735 (org-show-hierarchy-above nil)))
6737 ((org-agenda-files '("~org/notes.org"))
6738 (org-agenda-text-search-extra-files nil)))))
6743 Now the @kbd{C-c a w} command will sort the collected entries only by
6744 priority, and the prefix format is modified to just say @samp{ Mixed: }
6745 instead of giving the category of the entry. The sparse tags tree of
6746 @kbd{C-c a U} will now turn out ultra-compact, because neither the
6747 headline hierarchy above the match, nor the headline following the match
6748 will be shown. The command @kbd{C-c a N} will do a text search limited
6749 to only a single file.
6751 For command sets creating a block agenda,
6752 @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} has two separate spots for setting
6753 options. You can add options that should be valid for just a single
6754 command in the set, and options that should be valid for all commands in
6755 the set. The former are just added to the command entry, the latter
6756 must come after the list of command entries. Going back to the block
6757 agenda example (@pxref{Block agenda}), let's change the sorting strategy
6758 for the @kbd{C-c a h} commands to @code{priority-down}, but let's sort
6759 the results for GARDEN tags query in the opposite order,
6760 @code{priority-up}. This would look like this:
6764 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6765 '(("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6769 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-up)))))
6770 ((org-agenda-sorting-strategy '(priority-down))))
6771 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6778 As you see, the values and parenthesis setting is a little complex.
6779 When in doubt, use the customize interface to set this variable - it
6780 fully supports its structure. Just one caveat: When setting options in
6781 this interface, the @emph{values} are just lisp expressions. So if the
6782 value is a string, you need to add the double quotes around the value
6786 @node Exporting Agenda Views, Using the agenda elsewhere, Setting Options, Custom agenda views
6787 @subsection Exporting Agenda Views
6788 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6790 If you are away from your computer, it can be very useful to have a printed
6791 version of some agenda views to carry around. Org mode can export custom
6792 agenda views as plain text, HTML@footnote{You need to install Hrvoje Niksic's
6793 @file{htmlize.el}.}, Postscript, and iCalendar files. If you want to do this
6794 only occasionally, use the command
6799 @cindex exporting agenda views
6800 @cindex agenda views, exporting
6801 Write the agenda view to a file. Depending on the extension of the
6802 selected file name, the view will be exported as HTML (extension
6803 @file{.html} or @file{.htm}), Postscript (extension @file{.ps}),
6804 iCalendar (extension @file{.ics}), or plain text (any other extension).
6805 Use the variable @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} to
6806 set options for @file{ps-print} and for @file{htmlize} to be used during
6810 (setq org-agenda-exporter-settings
6811 '((ps-number-of-columns 2)
6812 (ps-landscape-mode t)
6813 (htmlize-output-type 'css)))
6817 If you need to export certain agenda views frequently, you can associate
6818 any custom agenda command with a list of output file names
6819 @footnote{If you want to store standard views like the weekly agenda
6820 or the global TODO list as well, you need to define custom commands for
6821 them in order to be able to specify file names.}. Here is an example
6822 that first does define custom commands for the agenda and the global
6823 todo list, together with a number of files to which to export them.
6824 Then we define two block agenda commands and specify file names for them
6825 as well. File names can be relative to the current working directory,
6830 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6831 '(("X" agenda "" nil ("agenda.html" "agenda.ps"))
6832 ("Y" alltodo "" nil ("todo.html" "todo.txt" "todo.ps"))
6833 ("h" "Agenda and Home-related tasks"
6838 ("~/views/home.html"))
6839 ("o" "Agenda and Office-related tasks"
6844 ("~/views/office.ps" "~/calendars/office.ics"))))
6848 The extension of the file name determines the type of export. If it is
6849 @file{.html}, Org mode will use the @file{htmlize.el} package to convert
6850 the buffer to HTML and save it to this file name. If the extension is
6851 @file{.ps}, @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} is used to produce
6852 postscript output. If the extension is @file{.ics}, iCalendar export is
6853 run export over all files that were used to construct the agenda, and
6854 limit the export to entries listed in the agenda now. Any other
6855 extension produces a plain ASCII file.
6857 The export files are @emph{not} created when you use one of those
6858 commands interactively because this might use too much overhead.
6859 Instead, there is a special command to produce @emph{all} specified
6865 Export all agenda views that have export file names associated with
6869 You can use the options section of the custom agenda commands to also
6870 set options for the export commands. For example:
6873 (setq org-agenda-custom-commands
6875 ((ps-number-of-columns 2)
6876 (ps-landscape-mode t)
6877 (org-agenda-prefix-format " [ ] ")
6878 (org-agenda-with-colors nil)
6879 (org-agenda-remove-tags t))
6884 This command sets two options for the postscript exporter, to make it
6885 print in two columns in landscape format - the resulting page can be cut
6886 in two and then used in a paper agenda. The remaining settings modify
6887 the agenda prefix to omit category and scheduling information, and
6888 instead include a checkbox to check off items. We also remove the tags
6889 to make the lines compact, and we don't want to use colors for the
6890 black-and-white printer. Settings specified in
6891 @code{org-agenda-exporter-settings} will also apply, but the settings
6892 in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} take precedence.
6895 From the command line you may also use
6897 emacs -f org-batch-store-agenda-views -kill
6900 or, if you need to modify some parameters@footnote{Quoting may depend on the
6901 system you use, please check th FAQ for examples.}
6903 emacs -eval '(org-batch-store-agenda-views \
6904 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
6905 org-agenda-start-day "2007-11-01" \
6906 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
6907 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
6911 which will create the agenda views restricted to the file
6912 @file{~/org/project.org}, without diary entries and with 30 days
6915 @node Using the agenda elsewhere, , Exporting Agenda Views, Custom agenda views
6916 @subsection Using agenda information outside of Org
6917 @cindex agenda, pipe
6918 @cindex Scripts, for agenda processing
6920 Org provides commands to access agenda information for the command
6921 line in emacs batch mode. This extracted information can be sent
6922 directly to a printer, or it can be read by a program that does further
6923 processing of the data. The first of these commands is the function
6924 @code{org-batch-agenda}, that produces an agenda view and sends it as
6925 ASCII text to STDOUT. The command takes a single string as parameter.
6926 If the string has length 1, it is used as a key to one of the commands
6927 you have configured in @code{org-agenda-custom-commands}, basically any
6928 key you can use after @kbd{C-c a}. For example, to directly print the
6929 current TODO list, you could use
6932 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda "t")' | lpr
6935 If the parameter is a string with 2 or more characters, it is used as a
6936 tags/todo match string. For example, to print your local shopping list
6937 (all items with the tag @samp{shop}, but excluding the tag
6938 @samp{NewYork}), you could use
6941 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
6942 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "+shop-NewYork")' | lpr
6946 You may also modify parameters on the fly like this:
6949 emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs \
6950 -eval '(org-batch-agenda "a" \
6951 org-agenda-ndays 30 \
6952 org-agenda-include-diary nil \
6953 org-agenda-files (quote ("~/org/project.org")))' \
6958 which will produce a 30 day agenda, fully restricted to the Org file
6959 @file{~/org/projects.org}, not even including the diary.
6961 If you want to process the agenda data in more sophisticated ways, you
6962 can use the command @code{org-batch-agenda-csv} to get a comma-separated
6963 list of values for each agenda item. Each line in the output will
6964 contain a number of fields separated by commas. The fields in a line
6968 category @r{The category of the item}
6969 head @r{The headline, without TODO kwd, TAGS and PRIORITY}
6970 type @r{The type of the agenda entry, can be}
6971 todo @r{selected in TODO match}
6972 tagsmatch @r{selected in tags match}
6973 diary @r{imported from diary}
6974 deadline @r{a deadline}
6975 scheduled @r{scheduled}
6976 timestamp @r{appointment, selected by timestamp}
6977 closed @r{entry was closed on date}
6978 upcoming-deadline @r{warning about nearing deadline}
6979 past-scheduled @r{forwarded scheduled item}
6980 block @r{entry has date block including date}
6981 todo @r{The TODO keyword, if any}
6982 tags @r{All tags including inherited ones, separated by colons}
6983 date @r{The relevant date, like 2007-2-14}
6984 time @r{The time, like 15:00-16:50}
6985 extra @r{String with extra planning info}
6986 priority-l @r{The priority letter if any was given}
6987 priority-n @r{The computed numerical priority}
6991 Time and date will only be given if a timestamp (or deadline/scheduled)
6992 lead to the selection of the item.
6994 A CSV list like this is very easy to use in a post processing script.
6995 For example, here is a Perl program that gets the TODO list from
6996 Emacs/Org and prints all the items, preceded by a checkbox:
7002 # define the Emacs command to run
7003 $cmd = "emacs -batch -l ~/.emacs -eval '(org-batch-agenda-csv \"t\")'";
7005 # run it and capture the output
7006 $agenda = qx@{$cmd 2>/dev/null@};
7008 # loop over all lines
7009 foreach $line (split(/\n/,$agenda)) @{
7011 # get the individual values
7012 ($category,$head,$type,$todo,$tags,$date,$time,$extra,
7013 $priority_l,$priority_n) = split(/,/,$line);
7016 print "[ ] $head\n";
7021 @node Agenda column view, , Custom agenda views, Agenda Views
7022 @section Using column view in the agenda
7023 @cindex column view, in agenda
7024 @cindex agenda, column view
7026 Column view (@pxref{Column view}) is normally used to view and edit
7027 properties embedded in the hierarchical structure of an Org file. It can be
7028 quite useful to use column view also from the agenda, where entries are
7029 collected by certain criteria.
7034 Turn on column view in the agenda.
7037 To understand how to use this properly, it is important to realize that the
7038 entries in the agenda are no longer in their proper outline environment.
7039 This causes the following issues:
7043 Org needs to make a decision which @code{COLUMNS} format to use. Since the
7044 entries in the agenda are collected from different files, and different files
7045 may have different @code{COLUMNS} formats, this is a non-trivial problem.
7046 Org first checks if the variable @code{org-overriding-columns-format} is
7047 currently set, and if yes takes the format from there. Otherwise it takes
7048 the format associated with the first item in the agenda, or, if that item
7049 does not have a specific format (defined in a property, or in it's file), it
7050 uses @code{org-columns-default-format}.
7052 If any of the columns has a summary type defined (@pxref{Column attributes}),
7053 turning on column view in the agenda will visit all relevant agenda files and
7054 make sure that the computations of this property are up to date. This is
7055 also true for the special @code{CLOCKSUM} property. Org will then sum the
7056 values displayed in the agenda. In the daily/weekly agenda, the sums will
7057 cover a single day, in all other views they cover the entire block. It is
7058 vital to realize that the agenda may show the same entry @emph{twice} (for
7059 example as scheduled and as a deadline), and it may show two entries from the
7060 same hierarchy (for example a @emph{parent} and it's @emph{child}). In these
7061 cases, the summation in the agenda will lead to incorrect results because
7062 some values will count double.
7064 When the column view in the agenda shows the @code{CLOCKSUM}, that is always
7065 the entire clocked time for this item. So even in the daily/weekly agenda,
7066 the clocksum listed in column view may originate from times outside the
7067 current view. This has the advantage that you can compare these values with
7068 a column listing the planned total effort for a task - one of the major
7069 applications for column view in the agenda. If you want information about
7070 clocked time in the displayed period use clock table mode (press @kbd{R} in
7075 @node Embedded LaTeX, Exporting, Agenda Views, Top
7076 @chapter Embedded LaTeX
7077 @cindex @TeX{} interpretation
7078 @cindex La@TeX{} interpretation
7080 Plain ASCII is normally sufficient for almost all note taking. One
7081 exception, however, are scientific notes which need to be able to contain
7082 mathematical symbols and the occasional formula. La@TeX{}@footnote{La@TeX{}
7083 is a macro system based on Donald E. Knuth's @TeX{} system. Many of the
7084 features described here as ``La@TeX{}'' are really from @TeX{}, but for
7085 simplicity I am blurring this distinction.} is widely used to typeset
7086 scientific documents. Org mode supports embedding La@TeX{} code into its
7087 files, because many academics are used to reading La@TeX{} source code, and
7088 because it can be readily processed into images for HTML production.
7090 It is not necessary to mark La@TeX{} macros and code in any special way.
7091 If you observe a few conventions, Org mode knows how to find it and what
7095 * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters
7096 * Subscripts and superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
7097 * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy
7098 * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing
7099 * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas
7102 @node Math symbols, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX, Embedded LaTeX
7103 @section Math symbols
7104 @cindex math symbols
7107 You can use La@TeX{} macros to insert special symbols like @samp{\alpha} to
7108 indicate the Greek letter, or @samp{\to} to indicate an arrow. Completion
7109 for these macros is available, just type @samp{\} and maybe a few letters,
7110 and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} to see possible completions. Unlike La@TeX{}
7111 code, Org mode allows these macros to be present without surrounding math
7112 delimiters, for example:
7115 Angles are written as Greek letters \alpha, \beta and \gamma.
7118 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), these symbols are translated
7119 into the proper syntax for HTML, for the above examples this is
7120 @samp{α} and @samp{→}, respectively. If you need such a symbol
7121 inside a word, terminate it like this: @samp{\Aacute@{@}stor}.
7123 @node Subscripts and superscripts, LaTeX fragments, Math symbols, Embedded LaTeX
7124 @section Subscripts and superscripts
7128 Just like in La@TeX{}, @samp{^} and @samp{_} are used to indicate super-
7129 and subscripts. Again, these can be used without embedding them in
7130 math-mode delimiters. To increase the readability of ASCII text, it is
7131 not necessary (but OK) to surround multi-character sub- and superscripts
7132 with curly braces. For example
7135 The mass if the sun is M_sun = 1.989 x 10^30 kg. The radius of
7136 the sun is R_@{sun@} = 6.96 x 10^8 m.
7139 To avoid interpretation as raised or lowered text, you can quote
7140 @samp{^} and @samp{_} with a backslash: @samp{\_} and @samp{\^}.
7142 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), subscript and superscripts
7143 are surrounded with @code{<sub>} and @code{<sup>} tags, respectively.
7145 @node LaTeX fragments, Processing LaTeX fragments, Subscripts and superscripts, Embedded LaTeX
7146 @section LaTeX fragments
7147 @cindex LaTeX fragments
7149 With symbols, sub- and superscripts, HTML is pretty much at its end when
7150 it comes to representing mathematical formulas@footnote{Yes, there is
7151 MathML, but that is not yet fully supported by many browsers, and there
7152 is no decent converter for turning La@TeX{} or ASCII representations of
7153 formulas into MathML. So for the time being, converting formulas into
7154 images seems the way to go.}. More complex expressions need a dedicated
7155 formula processor. To this end, Org mode can contain arbitrary La@TeX{}
7156 fragments. It provides commands to preview the typeset result of these
7157 fragments, and upon export to HTML, all fragments will be converted to
7158 images and inlined into the HTML document@footnote{The La@TeX{} export
7159 will not use images for displaying La@TeX{} fragments but include these
7160 fragments directly into the La@TeX{} code.}. For this to work you
7161 need to be on a system with a working La@TeX{} installation. You also
7162 need the @file{dvipng} program, available at
7163 @url{http://sourceforge.net/projects/dvipng/}. The La@TeX{} header that
7164 will be used when processing a fragment can be configured with the
7165 variable @code{org-format-latex-header}.
7167 La@TeX{} fragments don't need any special marking at all. The following
7168 snippets will be identified as La@TeX{} source code:
7171 Environments of any kind. The only requirement is that the
7172 @code{\begin} statement appears on a new line, preceded by only
7175 Text within the usual La@TeX{} math delimiters. To avoid conflicts with
7176 currency specifications, single @samp{$} characters are only recognized as
7177 math delimiters if the enclosed text contains at most two line breaks, is
7178 directly attached to the @samp{$} characters with no whitespace in between,
7179 and if the closing @samp{$} is followed by whitespace, punctuation or a dash.
7180 For the other delimiters, there is no such restriction, so when in doubt, use
7181 @samp{\(...\)} as inline math delimiters.
7184 @noindent For example:
7187 \begin@{equation@} % arbitrary environments,
7188 x=\sqrt@{b@} % even tables, figures
7189 \end@{equation@} % etc
7191 If $a^2=b$ and \( b=2 \), then the solution must be
7192 either $$ a=+\sqrt@{2@} $$ or \[ a=-\sqrt@{2@} \].
7196 If you need any of the delimiter ASCII sequences for other purposes, you
7197 can configure the option @code{org-format-latex-options} to deselect the
7198 ones you do not wish to have interpreted by the La@TeX{} converter.
7200 @node Processing LaTeX fragments, CDLaTeX mode, LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
7201 @section Processing LaTeX fragments
7202 @cindex LaTeX fragments, preview
7204 La@TeX{} fragments can be processed to produce a preview images of the
7205 typeset expressions:
7210 Produce a preview image of the La@TeX{} fragment at point and overlay it
7211 over the source code. If there is no fragment at point, process all
7212 fragments in the current entry (between two headlines). When called
7213 with a prefix argument, process the entire subtree. When called with
7214 two prefix arguments, or when the cursor is before the first headline,
7215 process the entire buffer.
7218 Remove the overlay preview images.
7221 During HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), all La@TeX{} fragments are
7222 converted into images and inlined into the document if the following
7226 (setq org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments t)
7229 @node CDLaTeX mode, , Processing LaTeX fragments, Embedded LaTeX
7230 @section Using CDLaTeX to enter math
7233 CDLaTeX mode is a minor mode that is normally used in combination with a
7234 major La@TeX{} mode like AUCTeX in order to speed-up insertion of
7235 environments and math templates. Inside Org mode, you can make use of
7236 some of the features of CDLaTeX mode. You need to install
7237 @file{cdlatex.el} and @file{texmathp.el} (the latter comes also with
7238 AUCTeX) from @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools/cdlatex}.
7239 Don't use CDLaTeX mode itself under Org mode, but use the light
7240 version @code{org-cdlatex-mode} that comes as part of Org mode. Turn it
7241 on for the current buffer with @code{M-x org-cdlatex-mode}, or for all
7245 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-org-cdlatex)
7248 When this mode is enabled, the following features are present (for more
7249 details see the documentation of CDLaTeX mode):
7253 Environment templates can be inserted with @kbd{C-c @{}.
7256 The @key{TAB} key will do template expansion if the cursor is inside a
7257 La@TeX{} fragment@footnote{Org mode has a method to test if the cursor is
7258 inside such a fragment, see the documentation of the function
7259 @code{org-inside-LaTeX-fragment-p}.}. For example, @key{TAB} will
7260 expand @code{fr} to @code{\frac@{@}@{@}} and position the cursor
7261 correctly inside the first brace. Another @key{TAB} will get you into
7262 the second brace. Even outside fragments, @key{TAB} will expand
7263 environment abbreviations at the beginning of a line. For example, if
7264 you write @samp{equ} at the beginning of a line and press @key{TAB},
7265 this abbreviation will be expanded to an @code{equation} environment.
7266 To get a list of all abbreviations, type @kbd{M-x cdlatex-command-help}.
7270 Pressing @kbd{_} and @kbd{^} inside a La@TeX{} fragment will insert these
7271 characters together with a pair of braces. If you use @key{TAB} to move
7272 out of the braces, and if the braces surround only a single character or
7273 macro, they are removed again (depending on the variable
7274 @code{cdlatex-simplify-sub-super-scripts}).
7277 Pressing the backquote @kbd{`} followed by a character inserts math
7278 macros, also outside La@TeX{} fragments. If you wait more than 1.5 seconds
7279 after the backquote, a help window will pop up.
7282 Pressing the normal quote @kbd{'} followed by another character modifies
7283 the symbol before point with an accent or a font. If you wait more than
7284 1.5 seconds after the backquote, a help window will pop up. Character
7285 modification will work only inside La@TeX{} fragments, outside the quote
7289 @node Exporting, Publishing, Embedded LaTeX, Top
7293 Org mode documents can be exported into a variety of other formats. For
7294 printing and sharing of notes, ASCII export produces a readable and
7295 simple version of an Org file. HTML export allows you to publish a
7296 notes file on the web, while the XOXO format provides a solid base for
7297 exchange with a broad range of other applications. La@TeX{} export lets
7298 you use Org mode and its structured editing functions to easily create
7299 La@TeX{} files. To incorporate entries with associated times like
7300 deadlines or appointments into a desktop calendar program like iCal,
7301 Org mode can also produce extracts in the iCalendar format. Currently
7302 Org mode only supports export, not import of these different formats.
7304 Org supports export of selected regions when @code{transient-mark-mode} is
7305 enabled (default in Emacs 23).
7308 * Markup rules:: Which structures are recognized?
7309 * Selective export:: Using tags to select and exclude trees
7310 * Export options:: Per-file export settings
7311 * The export dispatcher:: How to access exporter commands
7312 * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII
7313 * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML
7314 * LaTeX and PDF export:: Exporting to LaTeX, and processing to PDF
7315 * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO
7316 * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format
7319 @node Markup rules, Selective export, Exporting, Exporting
7320 @section Markup rules
7322 When exporting Org mode documents, the exporter tries to reflect the
7323 structure of the document as accurately as possible in the back-end. Since
7324 export targets like HTML or La@TeX{} allow much richer formatting, Org mode
7325 has rules how to prepare text for rich export. This section summarizes the
7326 markup rule used in an Org mode buffer.
7329 * Document title:: How the document title is determined
7330 * Headings and sections:: The main structure of the exported document
7331 * Table of contents:: If, where, how to create a table of contents
7332 * Initial text:: Text before the first headline
7333 * Lists:: Plain lists are exported
7334 * Paragraphs:: What determines beginning and ending
7335 * Literal examples:: Source code and other examples
7336 * Include files:: Include the contents of a file during export
7337 * Tables exported:: Tables are exported richly
7338 * Inlined images:: How to inline images during export
7340 * Emphasis and monospace:: To bold or not to bold
7341 * TeX macros and LaTeX fragments:: Create special, rich export.
7342 * Horizontal rules:: A line across the page
7343 * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported
7346 @node Document title, Headings and sections, Markup rules, Markup rules
7347 @subheading Document title
7348 @cindex document title, markup rules
7351 The title of the exported document is taken from the special line
7354 #+TITLE: This is the title of the document
7358 If this line does not exist, the title is derived from the first non-empty,
7359 non-comment line in the buffer. If no such line exists, or if you have
7360 turned off exporting of the text before the first headline (see below), the
7361 title will be the file name without extension.
7363 If you are exporting only a subtree by marking is as the region, the heading
7364 of the subtree will become the title of the document. If the subtree has a
7365 property @code{EXPORT_TITLE}, that will take precedence.
7367 @node Headings and sections, Table of contents, Document title, Markup rules
7368 @subheading Headings and sections
7369 @cindex headings and sections, markup rules
7371 The outline structure of the document as described in @ref{Document
7372 Structure} forms the basis for defining sections of the exported document.
7373 However, since the outline structure is also used for (for example) lists of
7374 tasks, only the first three outline levels will be used as headings. Deeper
7375 levels will become itemized lists. You can change the location of this
7376 switch, globally by setting the variable @code{org-headline-levels}, or on a
7377 per file basis with a line
7383 @node Table of contents, Initial text, Headings and sections, Markup rules
7384 @subheading Table of contents
7385 @cindex table of contents, markup rules
7387 The table of contents is normally inserted directly before the first headline
7388 of the file. If you would like to get it to a different location, insert the
7389 string @code{[TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]} on a line by itself at the desired
7390 location. The depth of the table of contents is by default the same as the
7391 number of headline levels, but you can choose a smaller number or turn off
7392 the table of contents entirely by configuring the variable
7393 @code{org-export-with-toc}, or on a per-file basis with a line like
7396 #+OPTIONS: toc:2 (only to two levels in TOC)
7397 #+OPTIONS: toc:nil (no TOC at all)
7400 @node Initial text, Lists, Table of contents, Markup rules
7401 @subheading Text before the first headline
7402 @cindex text before first headline, markup rules
7405 Org mode normally exports the text before the first headline, and even uses
7406 the first line as the document title. The text will be fully marked up. If
7407 you need to include literal HTML or La@TeX{} code, use the special constructs
7408 described below in the sections for the individual exporters.
7410 Some people like to use the space before the first headline for setup and
7411 internal links and therefore would like to control the exported text before
7412 the first headline in a different way. You can do so by setting the variable
7413 @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading} to @code{t}. On a per-file
7414 basis, you can get the same effect with @samp{#+OPTIONS: skip:t}.
7417 If you still want to have some text before the first headline, use the
7418 @code{#+TEXT} construct:
7422 #+TEXT: This text will go before the *first* headline.
7423 #+TEXT: [TABLE-OF-CONTENTS]
7424 #+TEXT: This goes between the table of contents and the first headline
7427 @node Lists, Paragraphs, Initial text, Markup rules
7429 @cindex lists, markup rules
7431 Plain lists as described in @ref{Plain lists} are translated to the back-ends
7432 syntax for such lists. Most back-ends support unordered, ordered, and
7435 @node Paragraphs, Literal examples, Lists, Markup rules
7436 @subheading Paragraphs, line breaks, and quoting
7437 @cindex paragraphs, markup rules
7439 Paragraphs are separated by at least one empty line. If you need to enforce
7440 a line break within a paragraph, use @samp{\\} at the end of a line.
7442 To keep the line breaks in a region, but otherwise use normal formatting, you
7443 can use this construct, which can also be used to format poetry.
7447 Great clouds overhead
7448 Tiny black birds rise and fall
7455 When quoting a passage from another document, it is customary to format this
7456 as a paragraph that is indented on both the left and the right margin. You
7457 can include quotations in Org mode documents like this:
7461 Everything should be made as simple as possible,
7462 but not any simpler -- Albert Einstein
7467 @node Literal examples, Include files, Paragraphs, Markup rules
7468 @subheading Literal examples
7469 @cindex literal examples, markup rules
7470 @cindex code line refenences, markup rules
7472 You can include literal examples that should not be subjected to
7473 markup. Such examples will be typeset in monospace, so this is well suited
7474 for source code and similar examples.
7475 @cindex #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE
7479 Some example from a text file.
7483 For simplicity when using small examples, you can also start the example
7484 lines with a colon followed by a space. There may also be additional
7485 whitespace before the colon:
7489 : Some example from a text file.
7492 @cindex formatting source code, markup rules
7493 If the example is source code from a programming language, or any other text
7494 that can be marked up by font-lock in Emacs, you can ask for the example to
7495 look like the fontified Emacs buffer@footnote{Currently this works only for
7496 the HTML back-end, and requires the @file{htmlize.el} package version 1.34 or
7497 later.}. This is done with the @samp{src} block, where you also need to
7498 specify the name of the major mode that should be used to fontify the
7503 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp
7504 (defun org-xor (a b)
7510 Both in @code{example} and in @code{src} snippets, you can add a @code{-n}
7511 switch to the end of the @code{BEGIN} line, to get the lines of the example
7512 numbered. If you use a @code{+n} switch, the numbering from the previous
7513 numbered snippet will be continued in the current one. In literal examples,
7514 Org will interpret strings like @samp{(ref:name)} as labels, and use them as
7515 targets for special hyperlinks like @code{[[(name)]]} (i.e. the reference
7516 name enclosed in single parenthesis). In HTML, hovering the mouse over such
7517 a link will remote-highlight the corresponding code line, which is kind of
7518 cool. If the example/src snippet is numbered, you can also add a @code{-r}
7519 switch. Then labels will be @i{removed} from the source code and the links
7520 will be @i{replaced}@footnote{If you want to explain the use of such labels
7521 themelves in org-mode example code, you can use the @code{-k} switch to make
7522 sure they are not touched.} with line numbers from the code listing. Here is
7526 #+BEGIN_SRC emacs-lisp -n -r
7527 (save-excursion (ref:sc)
7528 (goto-char (point-min)) (ref:jump)
7530 In line [[(sc)]] we remember the current positon. [[(jump)][Line (jump)]]
7534 If the syntax for the label format conflicts with the language syntax, use a
7535 @code{-l} switch to change the format, for example @samp{#+BEGIN_SRC pascal
7536 -n -r -l "((%s))"}. See also the variable @code{org-coderef-label-format}.
7538 HTML export also allows examples to be published as text areas, @pxref{Text
7539 areas in HTML export}.
7544 Edit the source code example at point in its native mode. This works by
7545 switching to an indirect buffer, narrowing the buffer and switching to the
7546 other mode. You need to exit by pressing @kbd{C-c '} again@footnote{Upon
7547 exit, lines starting with @samp{*} or @samp{#} will get a comma prepended, to
7548 keep them from being interpreted by Org as outline nodes or special
7549 comments. These commas will be striped for editing with @kbd{C-c '}, and
7550 also for export.}. Fixed-width
7551 regions (where each line starts with a colon followed by a space) will be
7552 edited using @code{artist-mode}@footnote{You may select a different-mode with
7553 the variable @code{org-edit-fixed-width-region-mode}.} to allow creating
7554 ASCII drawings easily. Using this command in an empty line will create a new
7558 Calling @code{org-store-link} while editing a source code example in a
7559 temporary buffer created with @kbd{C-c '} will prompt for a label, make sure
7560 that it is unique in the current buffer, and insert it with the proper
7561 formatting like @samp{(ref:label)} at the end of the current line. Then the
7562 label is stored as a link @samp{(label)}, for retrieval with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
7566 @node Include files, Tables exported, Literal examples, Markup rules
7567 @subheading Include files
7568 @cindex include files, markup rules
7570 During export, you can include the content of another file. For example, to
7571 include your .emacs file, you could use:
7575 #+INCLUDE: "~/.emacs" src emacs-lisp
7578 The optional second and third parameter are the markup (@samp{quote},
7579 @samp{example}, or @samp{src}), and, if the markup is @samp{src}, the
7580 language for formatting the contents. The markup is optional, if it is not
7581 given, the text will be assumed to be in Org mode format and will be
7582 processed normally. The include line will also allow additional keyword
7583 parameters @code{:prefix1} and @code{:prefix} to specify prefixes for the
7584 first line and for each following line, as well as any options accepted by
7585 the selected markup. For example, to include a file as an item, use
7588 #+INCLUDE: "~/snippets/xx" :prefix1 " + " :prefix " "
7594 Visit the include file at point.
7597 @node Tables exported, Inlined images, Include files, Markup rules
7599 @cindex tables, markup rules
7601 Both the native Org mode tables (@pxref{Tables}) and tables formatted with
7602 the @file{table.el} package will be exported properly. For Org mode tables,
7603 the lines before the first horizontal separator line will become table header
7604 lines. You can use the following lines somewhere before the table to assign
7605 a caption and a label for cross references:
7608 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next table (or link)
7609 #+LABEL: tbl:basic-data
7612 @node Inlined images, Footnote markup, Tables exported, Markup rules
7613 @subheading Inlined Images
7614 @cindex inlined images, markup rules
7616 Some backends (HTML and LaTeX) allow to directly include images into the
7617 exported document. Org does this, if a link to an image files does not have
7618 a description part, for example @code{[[./img/a.jpg]]}. If you wish to
7619 define a caption for the image and maybe a label for internal cross
7620 references, you can use (before, but close to the link)
7623 #+CAPTION: This is the caption for the next figure link (or table)
7624 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
7627 You may also define additional attributes for the figure. As this is
7628 backend-specific, see the sections about the individual backends for more
7631 @node Footnote markup, Emphasis and monospace, Inlined images, Markup rules
7632 @subheading Footnote markup
7633 @cindex footnotes, markup rules
7634 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
7636 Footnotes defined in the way descriped in @ref{Footnotes} will be exported by
7637 all backends. Org does allow multiple references to the same note, and
7638 different backends support this to varying degree.
7640 @node Emphasis and monospace, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Footnote markup, Markup rules
7641 @subheading Emphasis and monospace
7643 @cindex underlined text, markup rules
7644 @cindex bold text, markup rules
7645 @cindex italic text, markup rules
7646 @cindex verbatim text, markup rules
7647 @cindex code text, markup rules
7648 @cindex strike-through text, markup rules
7649 You can make words @b{*bold*}, @i{/italic/}, _underlined_, @code{=code=}
7650 and @code{~verbatim~}, and, if you must, @samp{+strike-through+}. Text
7651 in the code and verbatim string is not processed for Org mode specific
7652 syntax, it is exported verbatim.
7654 @node TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Horizontal rules, Emphasis and monospace, Markup rules
7655 @subheading @TeX{} macros and La@TeX{} fragments
7656 @cindex LaTeX fragments, markup rules
7657 @cindex TeX macros, markup rules
7658 @cindex HTML entities
7659 @cindex LaTeX entities
7661 A @TeX{}-like syntax is used to specify special characters. Where possible,
7662 these will be transformed into the native format of the exporter back-end.
7663 Strings like @code{\alpha} will be exported as @code{α} in the HTML
7664 output, and as @code{$\alpha$} in the La@TeX{} output. Similarly,
7665 @code{\nbsp} will become @code{ } in HTML and @code{~} in La@TeX{}.
7666 This applies for a large number of entities, with names taken from both HTML
7667 and La@TeX{}, see the variable @code{org-html-entities} for the complete
7668 list. If you are unsure about a name, use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} for completion
7669 after having typed the backslash and maybe a few characters
7670 (@pxref{Completion}).
7672 La@TeX{} fragments are converted into images for HTML export, and they are
7673 written literally into the La@TeX{} export. See also @ref{Embedded LaTeX}.
7675 Finally, @samp{\-} is treated as a shy hyphen, and @samp{--}, @samp{---}, and
7676 @samp{...} are all converted into special commands creating hyphens of
7677 different lengths or a compact set of dots.
7679 @node Horizontal rules, Comment lines, TeX macros and LaTeX fragments, Markup rules
7680 @subheading Horizontal rules
7681 @cindex horizontal rules, markup rules
7682 A line consisting of only dashes, and at least 5 of them, will be
7683 exported as a horizontal line (@samp{<hr/>} in HTML).
7685 @node Comment lines, , Horizontal rules, Markup rules
7686 @subheading Comment lines
7687 @cindex comment lines
7688 @cindex exporting, not
7690 Lines starting with @samp{#} in column zero are treated as comments and will
7691 never be exported. Also entire subtrees starting with the word
7692 @samp{COMMENT} will never be exported. Finally, regions surrounded by
7693 @samp{#+BEGIN_COMMENT} ... @samp{#+END_COMMENT} will not be exported.
7698 Toggle the COMMENT keyword at the beginning of an entry.
7701 @node Selective export, Export options, Markup rules, Exporting
7702 @section Selective export
7703 @cindex export, selective by tags
7705 You may use tags to select the parts of a document that should be exported,
7706 or to exclude parts from export. This behavior is governed by two variables:
7707 @code{org-export-select-tags} and @code{org-export-exclude-tags}.
7709 Org first checks if any of the @emph{select} tags is present in the buffer.
7710 If yes, all trees that do not carry one of these tags will be excluded. If a
7711 selected tree is a subtree, the heading hierarchy above it will also be
7712 selected for export, but not the text below those headings.
7715 If none of the select tags is found, the whole buffer will be selected for
7719 Finally, all subtrees that are marked by any of the @emph{exclude} tags will
7720 be removed from the export buffer.
7722 @node Export options, The export dispatcher, Selective export, Exporting
7723 @section Export options
7724 @cindex options, for export
7726 @cindex completion, of option keywords
7727 The exporter recognizes special lines in the buffer which provide
7728 additional information. These lines may be put anywhere in the file.
7729 The whole set of lines can be inserted into the buffer with @kbd{C-c
7730 C-e t}. For individual lines, a good way to make sure the keyword is
7731 correct is to type @samp{#+} and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion
7732 (@pxref{Completion}).
7737 Insert template with export options, see example below.
7748 @cindex #+LINK_HOME:
7749 @cindex #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS:
7750 @cindex #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS:
7752 #+TITLE: the title to be shown (default is the buffer name)
7753 #+AUTHOR: the author (default taken from @code{user-full-name})
7754 #+DATE: A date, fixed, of a format string for @code{format-time-string}
7755 #+EMAIL: his/her email address (default from @code{user-mail-address})
7756 #+LANGUAGE: language for HTML, e.g. @samp{en} (@code{org-export-default-language})
7757 #+TEXT: Some descriptive text to be inserted at the beginning.
7758 #+TEXT: Several lines may be given.
7759 #+OPTIONS: H:2 num:t toc:t \n:nil @@:t ::t |:t ^:t f:t TeX:t ...
7760 #+LINK_UP: the ``up'' link of an exported page
7761 #+LINK_HOME: the ``home'' link of an exported page
7762 #+EXPORT_SELECT_TAGS: Tags that select a tree for export
7763 #+EXPORT_EXCLUDE_TAGS: Tags that exclude a tree from export
7767 The OPTIONS line is a compact@footnote{If you want to configure many options
7768 this way, you can use several OPTIONS lines.} form to specify export settings. Here
7770 @cindex headline levels
7771 @cindex section-numbers
7772 @cindex table of contents
7773 @cindex line-break preservation
7774 @cindex quoted HTML tags
7775 @cindex fixed-width sections
7777 @cindex @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts
7779 @cindex special strings
7780 @cindex emphasized text
7781 @cindex @TeX{} macros
7782 @cindex La@TeX{} fragments
7783 @cindex author info, in export
7784 @cindex time info, in export
7786 H: @r{set the number of headline levels for export}
7787 num: @r{turn on/off section-numbers}
7788 toc: @r{turn on/off table of contents, or set level limit (integer)}
7789 \n: @r{turn on/off line-break-preservation}
7790 @@: @r{turn on/off quoted HTML tags}
7791 :: @r{turn on/off fixed-width sections}
7792 |: @r{turn on/off tables}
7793 ^: @r{turn on/off @TeX{}-like syntax for sub- and superscripts. If}
7794 @r{you write "^:@{@}", @code{a_@{b@}} will be interpreted, but}
7795 @r{the simple @code{a_b} will be left as it is.}
7796 -: @r{turn on/off conversion of special strings.}
7797 f: @r{turn on/off footnotes like this[1].}
7798 todo: @r{turn on/off inclusion of TODO keywords into exported text}
7799 pri: @r{turn on/off priority cookies}
7800 tags: @r{turn on/off inclusion of tags, may also be @code{not-in-toc}}
7801 <: @r{turn on/off inclusion of any time/date stamps like DEADLINES}
7802 *: @r{turn on/off emphasized text (bold, italic, underlined)}
7803 TeX: @r{turn on/off simple @TeX{} macros in plain text}
7804 LaTeX: @r{turn on/off La@TeX{} fragments}
7805 skip: @r{turn on/off skipping the text before the first heading}
7806 author: @r{turn on/off inclusion of author name/email into exported file}
7807 creator: @r{turn on/off inclusion of creator info into exported file}
7808 timestamp: @r{turn on/off inclusion creation time into exported file}
7809 d: @r{turn on/off inclusion of drawers}
7812 These options take effect in both the HTML and La@TeX{} export, except
7813 for @code{TeX} and @code{LaTeX}, which are respectively @code{t} and
7814 @code{nil} for the La@TeX{} export.
7816 When exporting only a single subtree by selecting it with @kbd{C-c @@} before
7817 calling an export command, the subtree can overrule some of the file's export
7818 settings with properties @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}, @code{EXPORT_TITLE},
7819 @code{EXPORT_TEXT}, and @code{EXPORT_OPTIONS}.
7821 @node The export dispatcher, ASCII export, Export options, Exporting
7822 @section The export dispatcher
7823 @cindex dispatcher, for export commands
7825 All export commands can be reached using the export dispatcher, which is a
7826 prefix key that prompts for an additional key specifying the command.
7827 Normally the entire file is exported, but if there is an active region that
7828 contains one outline tree, the first heading is used as document title and
7829 the subtrees are exported.
7834 Dispatcher for export and publishing commands. Displays a help-window
7835 listing the additional key(s) needed to launch an export or publishing
7836 command. The prefix arg is passed through to the exporter. A double prefix
7837 @kbd{C-u C-u} causes most commands to be executed in the background, in a
7838 separate emacs process@footnote{To make this behavior the default, customize
7839 the variable @code{org-export-run-in-background}.}.
7842 Like @kbd{C-c C-e}, but only export the text that is currently visible
7843 (i.e. not hidden by outline visibility).
7844 @kindex C-u C-u C-c C-e
7845 @item C-u C-u C-c C-e
7846 Call an the exporter, but reverse the setting of
7847 @code{org-export-run-in-background}, i.e. request background processing if
7848 not set, or force processing in the current Emacs process if st.
7851 @node ASCII export, HTML export, The export dispatcher, Exporting
7852 @section ASCII export
7853 @cindex ASCII export
7855 ASCII export produces a simple and very readable version of an Org mode
7858 @cindex region, active
7859 @cindex active region
7860 @cindex transient-mark-mode
7864 Export as ASCII file. For an org file @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file
7865 will be @file{myfile.txt}. The file will be overwritten without
7866 warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this requires
7867 @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
7868 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
7869 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will
7870 become the document title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an
7871 @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME} property, that name will be used for the
7875 Export only the visible part of the document.
7878 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
7879 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
7880 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
7881 will be exported as itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur
7882 at a different level, specify it with a prefix argument. For example,
7889 creates only top level headlines and does the rest as items. When
7890 headlines are converted to items, the indentation of the text following
7891 the headline is changed to fit nicely under the item. This is done with
7892 the assumption that the first body line indicates the base indentation of
7893 the body text. Any indentation larger than this is adjusted to preserve
7894 the layout relative to the first line. Should there be lines with less
7895 indentation than the first, these are left alone.
7897 @node HTML export, LaTeX and PDF export, ASCII export, Exporting
7898 @section HTML export
7901 Org mode contains an HTML (XHTML 1.0 strict) exporter with extensive
7902 HTML formatting, in ways similar to John Gruber's @emph{markdown}
7903 language, but with additional support for tables.
7906 * HTML Export commands:: How to invoke HTML export
7907 * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org mode
7908 * Links:: Transformation of links for HTML
7909 * Images in HTML export:: How to insert figures into HTML output
7910 * Text areas in HTML export:: An alternative way to show an example
7911 * CSS support:: Changing the appearance of the output
7912 * Javascript support:: Info and Folding in a web browser
7915 @node HTML Export commands, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export, HTML export
7916 @subsection HTML export commands
7918 @cindex region, active
7919 @cindex active region
7920 @cindex transient-mark-mode
7924 Export as HTML file @file{myfile.html}. For an org file @file{myfile.org},
7925 the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.html}. The file will be overwritten
7926 without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this requires
7927 @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
7928 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
7929 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
7930 title. If the tree head entry has, or inherits, an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
7931 property, that name will be used for the export.
7934 Export as HTML file and immediately open it with a browser.
7937 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
7940 Export the active region to a temporary buffer. With a prefix argument, do
7941 not produce the file header and footer, but just the plain HTML section for
7942 the region. This is good for cut-and-paste operations.
7951 Export only the visible part of the document.
7952 @item M-x org-export-region-as-html
7953 Convert the region to HTML under the assumption that it was Org mode
7954 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
7956 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-HTML
7957 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by HTML
7961 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
7962 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become headlines,
7963 defining a general document structure. Additional levels will be exported as
7964 itemized lists. If you want that transition to occur at a different level,
7965 specify it with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
7972 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
7974 @node Quoting HTML tags, Links, HTML Export commands, HTML export
7975 @subsection Quoting HTML tags
7977 Plain @samp{<} and @samp{>} are always transformed to @samp{<} and
7978 @samp{>} in HTML export. If you want to include simple HTML tags
7979 which should be interpreted as such, mark them with @samp{@@} as in
7980 @samp{@@<b>bold text@@</b>}. Note that this really works only for
7981 simple tags. For more extensive HTML that should be copied verbatim to
7982 the exported file use either
7985 #+HTML: Literal HTML code for export
7989 @cindex #+BEGIN_HTML
7993 All lines between these markers are exported literally
7998 @node Links, Images in HTML export, Quoting HTML tags, HTML export
8001 @cindex links, in HTML export
8002 @cindex internal links, in HTML export
8003 @cindex external links, in HTML export
8004 Internal links (@pxref{Internal links}) will continue to work in HTML. This
8005 does include automatic links created by radio targets (@pxref{Radio
8006 targets}). Links to external files will still work if the target file is on
8007 the same @i{relative} path as the published Org file. Links to other
8008 @file{.org} files will be translated into HTML links under the assumption
8009 that an HTML version also exists of the linked file, at the same relative
8010 path. @samp{id:} links can then be used to jump to specific entries across
8011 files. For information related to linking files while publishing them to a
8012 publishing directory see @ref{Publishing links}.
8014 If you want to specify attributes for links, you can do so using a special
8015 @code{#+ATTR_HTML} line to define attributes that will be added to the
8016 @code{<a>} or @code{<img>} tags. Here is an example that sets @code{alt} and
8017 @code{title} attributes for an inlined image:
8020 #+ATTR_HTML: alt="This is image A" title="Image with no action"
8024 @node Images in HTML export, Text areas in HTML export, Links, HTML export
8027 @cindex images, inline in HTML
8028 @cindex inlining images in HTML
8029 HTML export can inline images given as links in the Org file, and
8030 it can make an image the clickable part of a link. By
8031 default@footnote{but see the variable
8032 @code{org-export-html-inline-images}}, images are inlined if a link does
8033 not have a description. So @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg]]} will be inlined,
8034 while @samp{[[file:myimg.jpg][the image]]} will just produce a link
8035 @samp{the image} that points to the image. If the description part
8036 itself is a @code{file:} link or a @code{http:} URL pointing to an
8037 image, this image will be inlined and activated so that clicking on the
8038 image will activate the link. For example, to include a thumbnail that
8039 will link to a high resolution version of the image, you could use:
8042 [[file:highres.jpg][file:thumb.jpg]]
8046 and you could use @code{http} addresses just as well.
8048 @node Text areas in HTML export, CSS support, Images in HTML export, HTML export
8049 @subsection Text areas
8051 @cindex text areas, in HTML
8052 An alternative way to publish literal code examples in HTML is to use text
8053 areas, where the example can even be edited before pasting it into an
8054 application. It is triggered by a @code{-t} switch at an @code{example} or
8055 @code{src} block. Using this switch disables any options for syntax and
8056 label highlighting, and line numbering, which may be present. You may also
8057 use @code{-h} and @code{-w} switches to specify the height and width of the
8058 text area, which default to the number of lines in the example, and 80,
8059 respectively. For example
8062 #+BEGIN_EXAMPLE -t -w 40
8063 (defun org-xor (a b)
8070 @node CSS support, Javascript support, Text areas in HTML export, HTML export
8071 @subsection CSS support
8072 @cindex CSS, for HTML export
8073 @cindex HTML export, CSS
8075 You can also give style information for the exported file. The HTML exporter
8076 assigns the following special CSS classes to appropriate parts of the
8077 document - your style specifications may change these, in addition to any of
8078 the standard classes like for headlines, tables etc.
8080 .todo @r{TODO keywords}
8081 .done @r{the DONE keyword}
8082 .timestamp @r{time stamp}
8083 .timestamp-kwd @r{keyword associated with a time stamp, like SCHEDULED}
8084 .tag @r{tag in a headline}
8085 .target @r{target for links}
8086 div.figure @r{how to format an inlined image}
8087 .linenr @r{the line number in a code example}
8088 .code-highlighted @r{for highlighting referenced code lines}
8091 Each exported files contains a compact default style that defines these
8092 classes in a basic way@footnote{This style is defined in the constant
8093 @code{org-export-html-style-default}, which you should not modify. To turn
8094 inclusion of these defaults off, customize
8095 @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}}. You may overwrite these
8096 settings, or add to them by using the variables @code{org-export-html-style}
8097 (for Org-wide settings) and @code{org-export-html-style-extra} (for more
8098 granular settings, like file-local settings). To set the latter variable
8099 individually for each file, you can use
8102 #+STYLE: <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="stylesheet.css" />
8106 For longer style definitions, you can use several such lines. You could also
8107 directly write a @code{<style>} @code{</style>} section in this way, without
8108 referring to an external file.
8110 @c FIXME: More about header and footer styles
8111 @c FIXME: Talk about links and targets.
8113 @node Javascript support, , CSS support, HTML export
8114 @subsection Javascript supported display of web pages
8116 @emph{Sebastian Rose} has written a JavaScript program especially designed to
8117 enhance the web viewing experience of HTML files created with Org. This
8118 program allows you to view large files in two different ways. The first one
8119 is an @emph{Info}-like mode where each section is displayed separately and
8120 navigation can be done with the @kbd{n} and @kbd{p} keys (and some other keys
8121 as well, press @kbd{?} for an overview of the available keys). The second
8122 view type is a @emph{folding} view much like Org provides inside Emacs. The
8123 script is available at @url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js} and you can find
8124 the documentation for it at @url{http://orgmode.org/worg/code/org-info-js/}.
8125 We are serving the script from our site, but if you use it a lot, you might
8126 not want to be dependent on @url{orgmode.org} and prefer to install a local
8127 copy on your own web server.
8129 To use the script, you need to make sure that the @file{org-jsinfo.el} module
8130 gets loaded. It should be loaded by default, but you can try @kbd{M-x
8131 customize-variable @key{RET} org-modules @key{RET}} to convince yourself that
8132 this is indeed the case. All it then takes to make use of the program is
8133 adding a single line to the Org file:
8136 #+INFOJS_OPT: view:info toc:nil
8140 If this line is found, the HTML header will automatically contain the code
8141 needed to invoke the script. Using the line above, you can set the following
8145 path: @r{The path to the script. The default is to grab the script from}
8146 @r{@url{http://orgmode.org/org-info.js}, but you might want to have}
8147 @r{a local copy and use a path like @samp{../scripts/org-info.js}.}
8148 view: @r{Initial view when website is first shown. Possible values are:}
8149 info @r{Info-like interface with one section per page.}
8150 overview @r{Folding interface, initially showing only top-level.}
8151 content @r{Folding interface, starting with all headlines visible.}
8152 showall @r{Folding interface, all headlines and text visible.}
8153 sdepth: @r{Maximum headline level that will still become an independent}
8154 @r{section for info and folding modes. The default is taken from}
8155 @r{@code{org-headline-levels} (= the @code{H} switch in @code{#+OPTIONS}).}
8156 @r{If this is smaller than in @code{org-headline-levels}, each}
8157 @r{info/folding section can still contain children headlines.}
8158 toc: @r{Should the table of content @emph{initially} be visible?}
8159 @r{Even when @code{nil}, you can always get to the toc with @kbd{i}.}
8160 tdepth: @r{The depth of the table of contents. The defaults are taken from}
8161 @r{the variables @code{org-headline-levels} and @code{org-export-with-toc}.}
8162 ftoc: @r{Does the css of the page specify a fixed position for the toc?}
8163 @r{If yes, the toc will never be displayed as a section.}
8164 ltoc: @r{Should there be short contents (children) in each section?}
8165 mouse: @r{Headings are highlighted when the mouse is over them. Should be}
8166 @r{@samp{underline} (default) or a background color like @samp{#cccccc}.}
8167 buttons: @r{Should view-toggle buttons be everywhere? When @code{nil} (the}
8168 @r{default), only one such button will be present.}
8171 You can choose default values for these options by customizing the variable
8172 @code{org-infojs-options}. If you always want to apply the script to your
8173 pages, configure the variable @code{org-export-html-use-infojs}.
8175 @node LaTeX and PDF export, XOXO export, HTML export, Exporting
8176 @section LaTeX and PDF export
8177 @cindex LaTeX export
8180 Org mode contains a La@TeX{} exporter written by Bastien Guerry. With
8181 further processing, this backend is also used to produce PDF output. Since
8182 the LaTeX output uses @file{hyperref} to implement links and cross
8183 references, the PDF output file will be fully linked.
8186 * LaTeX/PDF export commands:: Which key invokes which commands
8187 * Quoting LaTeX code:: Incorporating literal LaTeX code
8188 * Sectioning structure:: Changing sectioning in LaTeX output
8189 * Tables in LaTeX export:: Options for exporting tables to LaTeX
8190 * Images in LaTeX export:: How to insert figures into LaTeX output
8193 @node LaTeX/PDF export commands, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX and PDF export, LaTeX and PDF export
8194 @subsection LaTeX export commands
8196 @cindex region, active
8197 @cindex active region
8198 @cindex transient-mark-mode
8202 Export as La@TeX{} file @file{myfile.tex}. For an org file
8203 @file{myfile.org}, the ASCII file will be @file{myfile.tex}. The file will
8204 be overwritten without warning. If there is an active region@footnote{this
8205 requires @code{transient-mark-mode} to be turned on}, only the region will be
8206 exported. If the selected region is a single tree@footnote{To select the
8207 current subtree, use @kbd{C-c @@}.}, the tree head will become the document
8208 title. If the tree head entry has or inherits an @code{EXPORT_FILE_NAME}
8209 property, that name will be used for the export.
8212 Export to a temporary buffer, do not create a file.
8217 Export only the visible part of the document.
8218 @item M-x org-export-region-as-latex
8219 Convert the region to La@TeX{} under the assumption that it was Org mode
8220 syntax before. This is a global command that can be invoked in any
8222 @item M-x org-replace-region-by-latex
8223 Replace the active region (assumed to be in Org mode syntax) by La@TeX{}
8227 Export as LaTeX and then process to PDF.
8230 Export as LaTeX and then process to PDF, then open the resulting PDF file.
8233 @cindex headline levels, for exporting
8234 In the exported version, the first 3 outline levels will become
8235 headlines, defining a general document structure. Additional levels
8236 will be exported as description lists. The exporter can ignore them or
8237 convert them to a custom string depending on
8238 @code{org-latex-low-levels}.
8240 If you want that transition to occur at a different level, specify it
8241 with a numeric prefix argument. For example,
8248 creates two levels of headings and does the rest as items.
8250 @node Quoting LaTeX code, Sectioning structure, LaTeX/PDF export commands, LaTeX and PDF export
8251 @subsection Quoting LaTeX code
8253 Embedded La@TeX{} as described in @ref{Embedded LaTeX} will be correctly
8254 inserted into the La@TeX{} file. This includes simple macros like
8255 @samp{\ref@{LABEL@}} to create a cross reference to a figure. Furthermore,
8256 you can add special code that should only be present in La@TeX{} export with
8257 the following constructs:
8260 #+LaTeX: Literal LaTeX code for export
8264 @cindex #+BEGIN_LaTeX
8268 All lines between these markers are exported literally
8272 @node Sectioning structure, Tables in LaTeX export, Quoting LaTeX code, LaTeX and PDF export
8273 @subsection Sectioning structure
8275 @cindex LaTeX sectioning structure
8277 By default, the La@TeX{} output uses the class @code{article}.
8279 You can change this globally by setting a different value for
8280 @code{org-export-latex-default-class} or locally by adding an option like
8281 @code{#+LaTeX_CLASS: myclass} in your file, or with a @code{:LaTeX_CLASS:}
8282 property that applies when exporting a region containing only this (sub)tree.
8283 The class should be listed in @code{org-export-latex-classes}, where you can
8284 also define the sectioning structure for each class, as well as defining
8287 @node Tables in LaTeX export, Images in LaTeX export, Sectioning structure, LaTeX and PDF export
8288 @subsection Tables in LaTeX export
8289 @cindex tables, in LaTeX export
8291 For LaTeX export of a table, you can specify a label and a caption
8292 (@pxref{Markup rules}). You can also use the @code{ATTR_LaTeX} line to
8293 request a longtable environment for the table, so that it may span several
8297 #+CAPTION: A long table
8299 #+ATTR_LaTeX: longtable
8305 @node Images in LaTeX export, , Tables in LaTeX export, LaTeX and PDF export
8306 @subsection Images in LaTeX export
8307 @cindex images, inline in LaTeX
8308 @cindex inlining images in LaTeX
8310 Images that are linked to without a description part in the link, like
8311 @samp{[[file:img.jpg]]} or @samp{[[./img.jpg]]} will be inserted into the PDF
8312 output files resulting from LaTeX output. Org will use an
8313 @code{\includegraphics} macro to insert the image. If you have specified a
8314 caption and/or a label as described in @ref{Markup rules}, the figure will
8315 be wrapped into a @code{figure} environment and thus become a floating
8316 element. Finally, you can use an @code{#+ATTR_LaTeX:} line to specify the
8317 options that can be used in the optional argument of the
8318 @code{\includegraphics} macro.
8321 #+CAPTION: The black-body emission of the disk around HR 4049
8322 #+LABEL: fig:SED-HR4049
8323 #+ATTR_LaTeX: width=5cm,angle=90
8324 [[./img/sed-hr4049.pdf]]
8327 If you need references to a label created in this way, write
8328 @samp{\ref@{fig:SED-HR4049@}} just like in LaTeX. The default settings will
8329 recognize files types that can be included as images during processing by
8330 pdflatex (@file{png}, @file{jpg}, and @file{pdf} files). If you process your
8331 files in a different way, you may need to customize the variable
8332 @code{org-export-latex-inline-image-extensions}.
8334 @node XOXO export, iCalendar export, LaTeX and PDF export, Exporting
8335 @section XOXO export
8338 Org mode contains an exporter that produces XOXO-style output.
8339 Currently, this exporter only handles the general outline structure and
8340 does not interpret any additional Org mode features.
8345 Export as XOXO file @file{myfile.html}.
8348 Export only the visible part of the document.
8351 @node iCalendar export, , XOXO export, Exporting
8352 @section iCalendar export
8353 @cindex iCalendar export
8355 Some people like to use Org mode for keeping track of projects, but still
8356 prefer a standard calendar application for anniversaries and appointments.
8357 In this case it can be useful to have deadlines and other time-stamped items
8358 in Org files show up in the calendar application. Org mode can export
8359 calendar information in the standard iCalendar format. If you also want to
8360 have TODO entries included in the export, configure the variable
8361 @code{org-icalendar-include-todo}. iCalendar export will export plain time
8362 stamps as VEVENT, and TODO items as VTODO. It will also create events from
8363 deadlines that are in non-TODO items. Deadlines and scheduling dates in TODO
8364 items will be used to set the start and due dates for the todo
8365 entry@footnote{See the variables @code{org-icalendar-use-deadline} and
8366 @code{org-icalendar-use-scheduled}.}. As categories, it will use the tags
8367 locally defined in the heading, and the file/tree category@footnote{To add
8368 inherited tags or the TODO state, configure the variable
8369 @code{org-icalendar-categories}.}.
8371 The iCalendar standard requires each entry to have a globally unique
8372 identifier (UID). Org creates these identifiers during export. If you set
8373 the variable @code{org-icalendar-store-UID}, the UID will be stored in the
8374 @code{:ID:} property of the entry and re-used next time you report this
8375 entry. Since a single entry can give rise to multiple iCalendar entries (as
8376 a timestamp, a deadline, a scheduled item, and as a TODO item), Org adds
8377 prefixes to the UID, depending on what triggered the inclusion of the entry.
8378 In this way the UID remains unique, but a synchronization program can still
8379 figure out from which entry all the different instances originate.
8384 Create iCalendar entries for the current file and store them in the same
8385 directory, using a file extension @file{.ics}.
8388 Like @kbd{C-c C-e i}, but do this for all files in
8389 @code{org-agenda-files}. For each of these files, a separate iCalendar
8390 file will be written.
8393 Create a single large iCalendar file from all files in
8394 @code{org-agenda-files} and write it to the file given by
8395 @code{org-combined-agenda-icalendar-file}.
8398 The export will honor SUMMARY, DESCRIPTION and LOCATION@footnote{The LOCATION
8399 property can be inherited from higher in the hierarchy if you configure
8400 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} accordingly.} properties if the selected
8401 entries have them. If not, the summary will be derived from the headline,
8402 and the description from the body (limited to
8403 @code{org-icalendar-include-body} characters).
8405 How this calendar is best read and updated, that depends on the application
8406 you are using. The FAQ covers this issue.
8408 @node Publishing, Miscellaneous, Exporting, Top
8412 Org includes@footnote{@file{org-publish.el} is not distributed with
8413 Emacs 21, if you are still using Emacs 21, you need you need to download
8414 this file separately.} a publishing management system that allows you to
8415 configure automatic HTML conversion of @emph{projects} composed of
8416 interlinked org files. This system is called @emph{org-publish}. You can
8417 also configure org-publish to automatically upload your exported HTML
8418 pages and related attachments, such as images and source code files, to
8419 a web server. Org-publish turns Org into a web-site authoring tool.
8421 You can also use Org-publish to convert files into La@TeX{}, or even
8422 combine HTML and La@TeX{} conversion so that files are available in both
8423 formats on the server@footnote{Since La@TeX{} files on a server are not
8424 that helpful, you surely want to perform further conversion on them --
8425 e.g. convert them to @code{PDF} format.}.
8427 Org-publish has been contributed to Org by David O'Toole.
8430 * Configuration:: Defining projects
8431 * Sample configuration:: Example projects
8432 * Triggering publication:: Publication commands
8435 @node Configuration, Sample configuration, Publishing, Publishing
8436 @section Configuration
8438 Publishing needs significant configuration to specify files, destination
8439 and many other properties of a project.
8442 * Project alist:: The central configuration variable
8443 * Sources and destinations:: From here to there
8444 * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project?
8445 * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing
8446 * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export
8447 * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing?
8448 * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files
8451 @node Project alist, Sources and destinations, Configuration, Configuration
8452 @subsection The variable @code{org-publish-project-alist}
8453 @cindex org-publish-project-alist
8454 @cindex projects, for publishing
8456 Org-publish is configured almost entirely through setting the value of
8457 one variable, called @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
8458 Each element of the list configures one project, and may be in one of
8459 the two following forms:
8462 ("project-name" :property value :property value ...)
8466 ("project-name" :components ("project-name" "project-name" ...))
8470 In both cases, projects are configured by specifying property values.
8471 A project defines the set of files that will be published, as well as
8472 the publishing configuration to use when publishing those files. When
8473 a project takes the second form listed above, the individual members
8474 of the ``components'' property are taken to be components of the
8475 project, which group together files requiring different publishing
8476 options. When you publish such a ``meta-project'' all the components
8477 will also publish. The @code{:components} are published in the sequence
8480 @node Sources and destinations, Selecting files, Project alist, Configuration
8481 @subsection Sources and destinations for files
8482 @cindex directories, for publishing
8484 Most properties are optional, but some should always be set. In
8485 particular, org-publish needs to know where to look for source files,
8486 and where to put published files.
8488 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
8489 @item @code{:base-directory}
8490 @tab Directory containing publishing source files
8491 @item @code{:publishing-directory}
8492 @tab Directory (possibly remote) where output files will be published.
8493 @item @code{:preparation-function}
8494 @tab Function called before starting the publishing process, for example to
8495 run @code{make} for updating files to be published.
8496 @item @code{:completion-function}
8497 @tab Function called after finishing the publishing process, for example to
8498 change permissions of the resulting files.
8502 @node Selecting files, Publishing action, Sources and destinations, Configuration
8503 @subsection Selecting files
8504 @cindex files, selecting for publishing
8506 By default, all files with extension @file{.org} in the base directory
8507 are considered part of the project. This can be modified by setting the
8509 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
8510 @item @code{:base-extension}
8511 @tab Extension (without the dot!) of source files. This actually is a
8514 @item @code{:exclude}
8515 @tab Regular expression to match file names that should not be
8516 published, even though they have been selected on the basis of their
8519 @item @code{:include}
8520 @tab List of files to be included regardless of @code{:base-extension}
8521 and @code{:exclude}.
8524 @node Publishing action, Publishing options, Selecting files, Configuration
8525 @subsection Publishing action
8526 @cindex action, for publishing
8528 Publishing means that a file is copied to the destination directory and
8529 possibly transformed in the process. The default transformation is to export
8530 Org files as HTML files, and this is done by the function
8531 @code{org-publish-org-to-html} which calls the HTML exporter (@pxref{HTML
8532 export}). But you also can publish your files in La@TeX{} by using the
8533 function @code{org-publish-org-to-latex} instead, or as PDF files using
8534 @code{org-publish-org-to-pdf}. Other files like images only need to be
8535 copied to the publishing destination. For non-Org files, you need to provide
8536 your own publishing function:
8538 @multitable @columnfractions 0.3 0.7
8539 @item @code{:publishing-function}
8540 @tab Function executing the publication of a file. This may also be a
8541 list of functions, which will all be called in turn.
8544 The function must accept two arguments: a property list containing at
8545 least a @code{:publishing-directory} property, and the name of the file
8546 to be published. It should take the specified file, make the necessary
8547 transformation (if any) and place the result into the destination folder.
8548 You can write your own publishing function, but @code{org-publish}
8549 provides one for attachments (files that only need to be copied):
8550 @code{org-publish-attachment}.
8552 @node Publishing options, Publishing links, Publishing action, Configuration
8553 @subsection Options for the HTML/LaTeX exporters
8554 @cindex options, for publishing
8556 The property list can be used to set many export options for the HTML
8557 and La@TeX{} exporters. In most cases, these properties correspond to user
8558 variables in Org. The table below lists these properties along
8559 with the variable they belong to. See the documentation string for the
8560 respective variable for details.
8562 @multitable @columnfractions 0.32 0.68
8563 @item @code{:link-up} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-up}
8564 @item @code{:link-home} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-home}
8565 @item @code{:language} @tab @code{org-export-default-language}
8566 @item @code{:customtime} @tab @code{org-display-custom-times}
8567 @item @code{:headline-levels} @tab @code{org-export-headline-levels}
8568 @item @code{:section-numbers} @tab @code{org-export-with-section-numbers}
8569 @item @code{:section-number-format} @tab @code{org-export-section-number-format}
8570 @item @code{:table-of-contents} @tab @code{org-export-with-toc}
8571 @item @code{:preserve-breaks} @tab @code{org-export-preserve-breaks}
8572 @item @code{:archived-trees} @tab @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}
8573 @item @code{:emphasize} @tab @code{org-export-with-emphasize}
8574 @item @code{:sub-superscript} @tab @code{org-export-with-sub-superscripts}
8575 @item @code{:special-strings} @tab @code{org-export-with-special-strings}
8576 @item @code{:footnotes} @tab @code{org-export-with-footnotes}
8577 @item @code{:drawers} @tab @code{org-export-with-drawers}
8578 @item @code{:tags} @tab @code{org-export-with-tags}
8579 @item @code{:todo-keywords} @tab @code{org-export-with-todo-keywords}
8580 @item @code{:priority} @tab @code{org-export-with-priority}
8581 @item @code{:TeX-macros} @tab @code{org-export-with-TeX-macros}
8582 @item @code{:LaTeX-fragments} @tab @code{org-export-with-LaTeX-fragments}
8583 @item @code{:skip-before-1st-heading} @tab @code{org-export-skip-text-before-1st-heading}
8584 @item @code{:fixed-width} @tab @code{org-export-with-fixed-width}
8585 @item @code{:timestamps} @tab @code{org-export-with-timestamps}
8586 @item @code{:author-info} @tab @code{org-export-author-info}
8587 @item @code{:creator-info} @tab @code{org-export-creator-info}
8588 @item @code{:tables} @tab @code{org-export-with-tables}
8589 @item @code{:table-auto-headline} @tab @code{org-export-highlight-first-table-line}
8590 @item @code{:style-include-default} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-include-default}
8591 @item @code{:style} @tab @code{org-export-html-style}
8592 @item @code{:style-extra} @tab @code{org-export-html-style-extra}
8593 @item @code{:convert-org-links} @tab @code{org-export-html-link-org-files-as-html}
8594 @item @code{:inline-images} @tab @code{org-export-html-inline-images}
8595 @item @code{:html-extension} @tab @code{org-export-html-extension}
8596 @item @code{:html-table-tag} @tab @code{org-export-html-table-tag}
8597 @item @code{:expand-quoted-html} @tab @code{org-export-html-expand}
8598 @item @code{:timestamp} @tab @code{org-export-html-with-timestamp}
8599 @item @code{:publishing-directory} @tab @code{org-export-publishing-directory}
8600 @item @code{:preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-preamble}
8601 @item @code{:postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-postamble}
8602 @item @code{:auto-preamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-preamble}
8603 @item @code{:auto-postamble} @tab @code{org-export-html-auto-postamble}
8604 @item @code{:author} @tab @code{user-full-name}
8605 @item @code{:email} @tab @code{user-mail-address}
8606 @item @code{:select-tags} @tab @code{org-export-select-tags}
8607 @item @code{:exclude-tags} @tab @code{org-export-exclude-tags}
8610 If you use several email addresses, separate them by a semi-column.
8612 Most of the @code{org-export-with-*} variables have the same effect in
8613 both HTML and La@TeX{} exporters, except for @code{:TeX-macros} and
8614 @code{:LaTeX-fragments}, respectively @code{nil} and @code{t} in the
8617 When a property is given a value in @code{org-publish-project-alist},
8618 its setting overrides the value of the corresponding user variable (if
8619 any) during publishing. Options set within a file (@pxref{Export
8620 options}), however, override everything.
8622 @node Publishing links, Project page index, Publishing options, Configuration
8623 @subsection Links between published files
8624 @cindex links, publishing
8626 To create a link from one Org file to another, you would use
8627 something like @samp{[[file:foo.org][The foo]]} or simply
8628 @samp{file:foo.org.} (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). Upon publishing this link
8629 becomes a link to @file{foo.html}. In this way, you can interlink the
8630 pages of your "org web" project and the links will work as expected when
8631 you publish them to HTML.
8633 You may also link to related files, such as images. Provided you are
8634 careful with relative pathnames, and provided you have also configured
8635 @code{org-publish} to upload the related files, these links will work
8636 too. See @ref{Complex example} for an example of this usage.
8638 Sometime an Org file to be published may contain links that are
8639 only valid in your production environment, but not in the publishing
8640 location. In this case, use the property
8642 @multitable @columnfractions 0.4 0.6
8643 @item @code{:link-validation-function}
8644 @tab Function to validate links
8648 to define a function for checking link validity. This function must
8649 accept two arguments, the file name and a directory relative to which
8650 the file name is interpreted in the production environment. If this
8651 function returns @code{nil}, then the HTML generator will only insert a
8652 description into the HTML file, but no link. One option for this
8653 function is @code{org-publish-validate-link} which checks if the given
8654 file is part of any project in @code{org-publish-project-alist}.
8656 @node Project page index, , Publishing links, Configuration
8657 @subsection Project page index
8658 @cindex index, of published pages
8660 The following properties may be used to control publishing of an
8661 index of files or summary page for a given project.
8663 @multitable @columnfractions 0.25 0.75
8664 @item @code{:auto-index}
8665 @tab When non-nil, publish an index during org-publish-current-project or
8668 @item @code{:index-filename}
8669 @tab Filename for output of index. Defaults to @file{index.org} (which
8670 becomes @file{index.html}).
8672 @item @code{:index-title}
8673 @tab Title of index page. Defaults to name of file.
8675 @item @code{:index-function}
8676 @tab Plug-in function to use for generation of index.
8677 Defaults to @code{org-publish-org-index}, which generates a plain list
8678 of links to all files in the project.
8681 @node Sample configuration, Triggering publication, Configuration, Publishing
8682 @section Sample configuration
8684 Below we provide two example configurations. The first one is a simple
8685 project publishing only a set of Org files. The second example is
8686 more complex, with a multi-component project.
8689 * Simple example:: One-component publishing
8690 * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example
8693 @node Simple example, Complex example, Sample configuration, Sample configuration
8694 @subsection Example: simple publishing configuration
8696 This example publishes a set of Org files to the @file{public_html}
8697 directory on the local machine.
8700 (setq org-publish-project-alist
8702 :base-directory "~/org/"
8703 :publishing-directory "~/public_html"
8704 :section-numbers nil
8705 :table-of-contents nil
8706 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
8707 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\"
8708 type=\"text/css\">")))
8711 @node Complex example, , Simple example, Sample configuration
8712 @subsection Example: complex publishing configuration
8714 This more complicated example publishes an entire website, including
8715 org files converted to HTML, image files, emacs lisp source code, and
8716 style sheets. The publishing-directory is remote and private files are
8719 To ensure that links are preserved, care should be taken to replicate
8720 your directory structure on the web server, and to use relative file
8721 paths. For example, if your org files are kept in @file{~/org} and your
8722 publishable images in @file{~/images}, you'd link to an image with
8725 file:../images/myimage.png
8728 On the web server, the relative path to the image should be the
8729 same. You can accomplish this by setting up an "images" folder in the
8730 right place on the web server, and publishing images to it.
8733 (setq org-publish-project-alist
8735 :base-directory "~/org/"
8736 :base-extension "org"
8737 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/notebook/"
8738 :publishing-function org-publish-org-to-html
8739 :exclude "PrivatePage.org" ;; regexp
8741 :section-numbers nil
8742 :table-of-contents nil
8743 :style "<link rel=\"stylesheet\"
8744 href=\"../other/mystyle.css\" type=\"text/css\">"
8746 :auto-postamble nil)
8749 :base-directory "~/images/"
8750 :base-extension "jpg\\|gif\\|png"
8751 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/images/"
8752 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
8755 :base-directory "~/other/"
8756 :base-extension "css\\|el"
8757 :publishing-directory "/ssh:user@@host:~/html/other/"
8758 :publishing-function org-publish-attachment)
8759 ("website" :components ("orgfiles" "images" "other"))))
8762 @node Triggering publication, , Sample configuration, Publishing
8763 @section Triggering publication
8765 Once org-publish is properly configured, you can publish with the
8766 following functions:
8770 Prompt for a specific project and publish all files that belong to it.
8772 Publish the project containing the current file.
8774 Publish only the current file.
8776 Publish all projects.
8779 Org uses timestamps to track when a file has changed. The above
8780 functions normally only publish changed files. You can override this and
8781 force publishing of all files by giving a prefix argument.
8783 @node Miscellaneous, Extensions, Publishing, Top
8784 @chapter Miscellaneous
8787 * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need
8788 * Customization:: Adapting Org to your taste
8789 * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS
8790 * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c
8791 * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline
8792 * TTY keys:: Using Org on a tty
8793 * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages
8794 * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly
8797 @node Completion, Customization, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous
8799 @cindex completion, of @TeX{} symbols
8800 @cindex completion, of TODO keywords
8801 @cindex completion, of dictionary words
8802 @cindex completion, of option keywords
8803 @cindex completion, of tags
8804 @cindex completion, of property keys
8805 @cindex completion, of link abbreviations
8806 @cindex @TeX{} symbol completion
8807 @cindex TODO keywords completion
8808 @cindex dictionary word completion
8809 @cindex option keyword completion
8810 @cindex tag completion
8811 @cindex link abbreviations, completion of
8813 Org supports in-buffer completion. This type of completion does
8814 not make use of the minibuffer. You simply type a few letters into
8815 the buffer and use the key to complete text right there.
8820 Complete word at point
8823 At the beginning of a headline, complete TODO keywords.
8825 After @samp{\}, complete @TeX{} symbols supported by the exporter.
8827 After @samp{*}, complete headlines in the current buffer so that they
8828 can be used in search links like @samp{[[*find this headline]]}.
8830 After @samp{:} in a headline, complete tags. The list of tags is taken
8831 from the variable @code{org-tag-alist} (possibly set through the
8832 @samp{#+TAGS} in-buffer option, @pxref{Setting tags}), or it is created
8833 dynamically from all tags used in the current buffer.
8835 After @samp{:} and not in a headline, complete property keys. The list
8836 of keys is constructed dynamically from all keys used in the current
8839 After @samp{[}, complete link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}).
8841 After @samp{#+}, complete the special keywords like @samp{TYP_TODO} or
8842 @samp{OPTIONS} which set file-specific options for Org mode. When the
8843 option keyword is already complete, pressing @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} again
8844 will insert example settings for this keyword.
8846 In the line after @samp{#+STARTUP: }, complete startup keywords,
8847 i.e. valid keys for this line.
8849 Elsewhere, complete dictionary words using Ispell.
8853 @node Customization, In-buffer settings, Completion, Miscellaneous
8854 @section Customization
8855 @cindex customization
8856 @cindex options, for customization
8857 @cindex variables, for customization
8859 There are more than 180 variables that can be used to customize
8860 Org. For the sake of compactness of the manual, I am not
8861 describing the variables here. A structured overview of customization
8862 variables is available with @kbd{M-x org-customize}. Or select
8863 @code{Browse Org Group} from the @code{Org->Customization} menu. Many
8864 settings can also be activated on a per-file basis, by putting special
8865 lines into the buffer (@pxref{In-buffer settings}).
8867 @node In-buffer settings, The very busy C-c C-c key, Customization, Miscellaneous
8868 @section Summary of in-buffer settings
8869 @cindex in-buffer settings
8870 @cindex special keywords
8872 Org mode uses special lines in the buffer to define settings on a
8873 per-file basis. These lines start with a @samp{#+} followed by a
8874 keyword, a colon, and then individual words defining a setting. Several
8875 setting words can be in the same line, but you can also have multiple
8876 lines for the keyword. While these settings are described throughout
8877 the manual, here is a summary. After changing any of those lines in the
8878 buffer, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to
8879 activate the changes immediately. Otherwise they become effective only
8880 when the file is visited again in a new Emacs session.
8883 @item #+ARCHIVE: %s_done::
8884 This line sets the archive location for the agenda file. It applies for
8885 all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+ARCHIVE} line, or the end
8886 of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
8887 The corresponding variable is @code{org-archive-location}.
8889 This line sets the category for the agenda file. The category applies
8890 for all subsequent lines until the next @samp{#+CATEGORY} line, or the
8891 end of the file. The first such line also applies to any entries before it.
8892 @item #+COLUMNS: %25ITEM .....
8893 Set the default format for columns view. This format applies when
8894 columns view is invoked in location where no @code{COLUMNS} property
8896 @item #+CONSTANTS: name1=value1 ...
8897 Set file-local values for constants to be used in table formulas. This
8898 line set the local variable @code{org-table-formula-constants-local}.
8899 The global version of this variable is
8900 @code{org-table-formula-constants}.
8901 @item #+FILETAGS: :tag1:tag2:tag3:
8902 Set tags that can be inherited by any entry in the file, including the
8904 @item #+DRAWERS: NAME1 .....
8905 Set the file-local set of drawers. The corresponding global variable is
8907 @item #+LINK: linkword replace
8908 These lines (several are allowed) specify link abbreviations.
8909 @xref{Link abbreviations}. The corresponding variable is
8910 @code{org-link-abbrev-alist}.
8911 @item #+PRIORITIES: highest lowest default
8912 This line sets the limits and the default for the priorities. All three
8913 must be either letters A-Z or numbers 0-9. The highest priority must
8914 have a lower ASCII number that the lowest priority.
8915 @item #+PROPERTY: Property_Name Value
8916 This line sets a default inheritance value for entries in the current
8917 buffer, most useful for specifying the allowed values of a property.
8918 @item #+SETUPFILE: file
8919 This line defines a file that holds more in-buffer setup. Normally this is
8920 entirely ignored. Only when the buffer is parsed for option-setting lines
8921 (i.e. when starting Org mode for a file, when pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} in a
8922 settings line, or when exporting), then the contents of this file are parsed
8923 as if they had been included in the buffer. In particular, the file can be
8924 any other Org mode file with internal setup. You can visit the file the
8925 cursor is in the line with @kbd{C-c '}.
8927 This line sets options to be used at startup of Org mode, when an
8928 Org file is being visited. The first set of options deals with the
8929 initial visibility of the outline tree. The corresponding variable for
8930 global default settings is @code{org-startup-folded}, with a default
8931 value @code{t}, which means @code{overview}.
8932 @cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
8933 @cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
8934 @cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
8936 overview @r{top-level headlines only}
8937 content @r{all headlines}
8938 showall @r{no folding at all, show everything}
8940 Then there are options for aligning tables upon visiting a file. This
8941 is useful in files containing narrowed table columns. The corresponding
8942 variable is @code{org-startup-align-all-tables}, with a default value
8944 @cindex @code{align}, STARTUP keyword
8945 @cindex @code{noalign}, STARTUP keyword
8947 align @r{align all tables}
8948 noalign @r{don't align tables on startup}
8950 Logging closing and reinstating TODO items, and clock intervals
8951 (variables @code{org-log-done}, @code{org-log-note-clock-out}, and
8952 @code{org-log-repeat}) can be configured using these options.
8953 @cindex @code{logdone}, STARTUP keyword
8954 @cindex @code{lognotedone}, STARTUP keyword
8955 @cindex @code{nologdone}, STARTUP keyword
8956 @cindex @code{lognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
8957 @cindex @code{nolognoteclock-out}, STARTUP keyword
8958 @cindex @code{logrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8959 @cindex @code{lognoterepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8960 @cindex @code{nologrepeat}, STARTUP keyword
8962 logdone @r{record a timestamp when an item is marked DONE}
8963 lognotedone @r{record timestamp and a note when DONE}
8964 nologdone @r{don't record when items are marked DONE}
8965 logrepeat @r{record a time when reinstating a repeating item}
8966 lognoterepeat @r{record a note when reinstating a repeating item}
8967 nologrepeat @r{do not record when reinstating repeating item}
8968 lognoteclock-out @r{record a note when clocking out}
8969 nolognoteclock-out @r{don't record a note when clocking out}
8971 Here are the options for hiding leading stars in outline headings, and for
8972 indenting outlines. The corresponding variables are
8973 @code{org-hide-leading-stars} and @code{org-odd-levels-only}, both with a
8974 default setting @code{nil} (meaning @code{showstars} and @code{oddeven}).
8975 @cindex @code{hidestars}, STARTUP keyword
8976 @cindex @code{showstars}, STARTUP keyword
8977 @cindex @code{odd}, STARTUP keyword
8978 @cindex @code{even}, STARTUP keyword
8980 hidestars @r{make all but one of the stars starting a headline invisible.}
8981 showstars @r{show all stars starting a headline}
8982 indent @r{virtual indentation according to outline level}
8983 noindent @r{no virtual indentation according to outline level}
8984 odd @r{allow only odd outline levels (1,3,...)}
8985 oddeven @r{allow all outline levels}
8987 To turn on custom format overlays over time stamps (variables
8988 @code{org-put-time-stamp-overlays} and
8989 @code{org-time-stamp-overlay-formats}), use
8990 @cindex @code{customtime}, STARTUP keyword
8992 customtime @r{overlay custom time format}
8994 The following options influence the table spreadsheet (variable
8995 @code{constants-unit-system}).
8996 @cindex @code{constcgs}, STARTUP keyword
8997 @cindex @code{constSI}, STARTUP keyword
8999 constcgs @r{@file{constants.el} should use the c-g-s unit system}
9000 constSI @r{@file{constants.el} should use the SI unit system}
9002 To influence footnote settings, use the following keywords. The
9003 corresponding variables are @code{org-footnote-define-inline} and
9004 @code{org-footnote-auto-label}.
9005 @cindex @code{fninline}, STARTUP keyword
9006 @cindex @code{fnnoinline}, STARTUP keyword
9007 @cindex @code{fnlocal}, STARTUP keyword
9008 @cindex @code{fnprompt}, STARTUP keyword
9009 @cindex @code{fnauto}, STARTUP keyword
9010 @cindex @code{fnconfirm}, STARTUP keyword
9011 @cindex @code{fnplain}, STARTUP keyword
9013 fninline @r{define footnotes inline}
9014 fnnoinline @r{define footnotes in separate section}
9015 fnlocal @r{define footnotes near first reference, but not inline}
9016 fnprompt @r{prompt for footnote labels}
9017 fnauto @r{create [fn:1]-like labels automatically (default)}
9018 fnconfirm @r{offer automatic label for editing or confirmation}
9019 fnplain @r{create [1]-like labels automatically}
9021 @item #+TAGS: TAG1(c1) TAG2(c2)
9022 These lines (several such lines are allowed) specify the valid tags in
9023 this file, and (potentially) the corresponding @emph{fast tag selection}
9024 keys. The corresponding variable is @code{org-tag-alist}.
9026 This line contains the formulas for the table directly above the line.
9027 @item #+TITLE:, #+AUTHOR:, #+EMAIL:, #+LANGUAGE:, #+TEXT:, #+OPTIONS, #+DATE:
9028 These lines provide settings for exporting files. For more details see
9029 @ref{Export options}.
9030 @item #+SEQ_TODO: #+TYP_TODO:
9031 These lines set the TODO keywords and their interpretation in the
9032 current file. The corresponding variables are @code{org-todo-keywords}
9033 and @code{org-todo-interpretation}.
9036 @node The very busy C-c C-c key, Clean view, In-buffer settings, Miscellaneous
9037 @section The very busy C-c C-c key
9039 @cindex C-c C-c, overview
9041 The key @kbd{C-c C-c} has many purposes in Org, which are all
9042 mentioned scattered throughout this manual. One specific function of
9043 this key is to add @emph{tags} to a headline (@pxref{Tags}). In many
9044 other circumstances it means something like @emph{Hey Org, look
9045 here and update according to what you see here}. Here is a summary of
9046 what this means in different contexts.
9050 If there are highlights in the buffer from the creation of a sparse
9051 tree, or from clock display, remove these highlights.
9053 If the cursor is in one of the special @code{#+KEYWORD} lines, this
9054 triggers scanning the buffer for these lines and updating the
9057 If the cursor is inside a table, realign the table. This command
9058 works even if the automatic table editor has been turned off.
9060 If the cursor is on a @code{#+TBLFM} line, re-apply the formulas to
9063 If the cursor is inside a table created by the @file{table.el} package,
9064 activate that table.
9066 If the current buffer is a remember buffer, close the note and file it.
9067 With a prefix argument, file it, without further interaction, to the
9070 If the cursor is on a @code{<<<target>>>}, update radio targets and
9071 corresponding links in this buffer.
9073 If the cursor is in a property line or at the start or end of a property
9074 drawer, offer property commands.
9076 If the cursor is at a footnote reference, go to the corresponding
9077 definition, and vice versa.
9079 If the cursor is in a plain list item with a checkbox, toggle the status
9082 If the cursor is on a numbered item in a plain list, renumber the
9085 If the cursor is on the @code{#+BEGIN} line of a dynamical block, the
9089 @node Clean view, TTY keys, The very busy C-c C-c key, Miscellaneous
9090 @section A cleaner outline view
9091 @cindex hiding leading stars
9092 @cindex dynamic indentation
9093 @cindex odd-levels-only outlines
9094 @cindex clean outline view
9096 Some people find it noisy and distracting that the Org headlines are starting
9097 with a potentially large number of stars, and that text below the headlines
9098 is not indented. This is not really a problem when you are writing a book
9099 where the outline headings are really section headlines. However, in a more
9100 list-oriented outline, it is clear that an indented structure is a lot
9101 cleaner, as can be seen by comparing the two columns in the following
9106 * Top level headline | * Top level headline
9107 ** Second level | * Second level
9108 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
9109 some text | some text
9110 *** 3rd level | * 3rd level
9111 more text | more text
9112 * Another top level headline | * Another top level headline
9117 It is non-trivial to make such a look work in Emacs, but Org contains three
9118 separate features that, combined, achieve just that.
9122 @emph{Indentation of text below headlines}@*
9123 You may indent text below each headline to make the left boundary line up
9124 with the headline, like
9128 more text, now indented
9131 A good way to get this indentation is by hand, and Org supports this with
9132 paragraph filling, line wrapping, and structure editing@footnote{See also the
9133 variable @code{org-adapt-indentation}.} preserving or adapting the
9134 indentation appropriate. A different approach would be to have a way to
9135 automatically indent lines according to outline structure by adding overlays
9136 or text properties. But I have not yet found a robust and efficient way to
9137 do this in large files.
9140 @emph{Hiding leading stars}@* You can modify the display in such a way that
9141 all leading stars become invisible. To do this in a global way, configure
9142 the variable @code{org-hide-leading-stars} or change this on a per-file basis
9146 #+STARTUP: hidestars
9150 Note that the opposite behavior is selected with @code{showstars}.
9152 With hidden stars, the tree becomes:
9156 * Top level headline
9164 Note that the leading stars are not truly replaced by whitespace, they
9165 are only fontified with the face @code{org-hide} that uses the
9166 background color as font color. If you are not using either white or
9167 black background, you may have to customize this face to get the wanted
9168 effect. Another possibility is to set this font such that the extra
9169 stars are @i{almost} invisible, for example using the color
9170 @code{grey90} on a white background.
9173 Things become cleaner still if you skip all the even levels and use only odd
9174 levels 1, 3, 5..., effectively adding two stars to go from one outline level
9175 to the next. In this way we get the outline view shown at the beginning of
9176 this section. In order to make the structure editing and export commands
9177 handle this convention correctly, configure the variable
9178 @code{org-odd-levels-only}, or set this on a per-file basis with one of the
9186 You can convert an Org file from single-star-per-level to the
9187 double-star-per-level convention with @kbd{M-x org-convert-to-odd-levels
9188 RET} in that file. The reverse operation is @kbd{M-x
9189 org-convert-to-oddeven-levels}.
9192 @node TTY keys, Interaction, Clean view, Miscellaneous
9193 @section Using Org on a tty
9194 @cindex tty key bindings
9196 Because Org contains a large number of commands, by default much of
9197 Org's core commands are bound to keys that are generally not
9198 accessible on a tty, such as the cursor keys (@key{left}, @key{right},
9199 @key{up}, @key{down}), @key{TAB} and @key{RET}, in particular when used
9200 together with modifiers like @key{Meta} and/or @key{Shift}. To access
9201 these commands on a tty when special keys are unavailable, the following
9202 alternative bindings can be used. The tty bindings below will likely be
9203 more cumbersome; you may find for some of the bindings below that a
9204 customized work-around suits you better. For example, changing a time
9205 stamp is really only fun with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, whereas on a
9206 tty you would rather use @kbd{C-c .} to re-insert the timestamp.
9208 @multitable @columnfractions 0.15 0.2 0.2
9209 @item @b{Default} @tab @b{Alternative 1} @tab @b{Alternative 2}
9210 @item @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} @tab @kbd{C-u @key{TAB}} @tab
9211 @item @kbd{M-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x l} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{left}}
9212 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x L} @tab
9213 @item @kbd{M-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x i} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{right}}
9214 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x R} @tab
9215 @item @kbd{M-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x u} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{up}}
9216 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x U} @tab
9217 @item @kbd{M-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x d} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{down}}
9218 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x D} @tab
9219 @item @kbd{S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x c} @tab
9220 @item @kbd{M-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x m} @tab @kbd{@key{Esc} @key{RET}}
9221 @item @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x M} @tab
9222 @item @kbd{S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{left}} @tab
9223 @item @kbd{S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{right}} @tab
9224 @item @kbd{S-@key{up}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{up}} @tab
9225 @item @kbd{S-@key{down}} @tab @kbd{C-c @key{down}} @tab
9226 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{left}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{left}} @tab
9227 @item @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} @tab @kbd{C-c C-x @key{right}} @tab
9230 @node Interaction, Bugs, TTY keys, Miscellaneous
9231 @section Interaction with other packages
9232 @cindex packages, interaction with other
9233 Org lives in the world of GNU Emacs and interacts in various ways
9234 with other code out there.
9237 * Cooperation:: Packages Org cooperates with
9238 * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts
9241 @node Cooperation, Conflicts, Interaction, Interaction
9242 @subsection Packages that Org cooperates with
9245 @cindex @file{calc.el}
9246 @item @file{calc.el} by Dave Gillespie
9247 Org uses the Calc package for implementing spreadsheet
9248 functionality in its tables (@pxref{The spreadsheet}). Org
9249 checks for the availability of Calc by looking for the function
9250 @code{calc-eval} which should be autoloaded in your setup if Calc has
9251 been installed properly. As of Emacs 22, Calc is part of the Emacs
9252 distribution. Another possibility for interaction between the two
9253 packages is using Calc for embedded calculations. @xref{Embedded Mode,
9254 , Embedded Mode, Calc, GNU Emacs Calc Manual}.
9255 @cindex @file{constants.el}
9256 @item @file{constants.el} by Carsten Dominik
9257 In a table formula (@pxref{The spreadsheet}), it is possible to use
9258 names for natural constants or units. Instead of defining your own
9259 constants in the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}, install
9260 the @file{constants} package which defines a large number of constants
9261 and units, and lets you use unit prefixes like @samp{M} for
9262 @samp{Mega} etc. You will need version 2.0 of this package, available
9263 at @url{http://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik/Tools}. Org checks for
9264 the function @code{constants-get}, which has to be autoloaded in your
9265 setup. See the installation instructions in the file
9266 @file{constants.el}.
9267 @item @file{cdlatex.el} by Carsten Dominik
9268 @cindex @file{cdlatex.el}
9269 Org mode can make use of the CDLaTeX package to efficiently enter
9270 La@TeX{} fragments into Org files. See @ref{CDLaTeX mode}.
9271 @item @file{imenu.el} by Ake Stenhoff and Lars Lindberg
9272 @cindex @file{imenu.el}
9273 Imenu allows menu access to an index of items in a file. Org mode
9274 supports Imenu - all you need to do to get the index is the following:
9276 (add-hook 'org-mode-hook
9277 (lambda () (imenu-add-to-menubar "Imenu")))
9279 By default the index is two levels deep - you can modify the depth using
9280 the option @code{org-imenu-depth}.
9281 @item @file{remember.el} by John Wiegley
9282 @cindex @file{remember.el}
9283 Org cooperates with remember, see @ref{Remember}.
9284 @file{Remember.el} is not part of Emacs, find it on the web.
9285 @item @file{speedbar.el} by Eric M. Ludlam
9286 @cindex @file{speedbar.el}
9287 Speedbar is a package that creates a special frame displaying files and
9288 index items in files. Org mode supports Speedbar and allows you to
9289 drill into Org files directly from the Speedbar. It also allows to
9290 restrict the scope of agenda commands to a file or a subtree by using
9291 the command @kbd{<} in the Speedbar frame.
9292 @cindex @file{table.el}
9293 @item @file{table.el} by Takaaki Ota
9295 @cindex table editor, @file{table.el}
9296 @cindex @file{table.el}
9298 Complex ASCII tables with automatic line wrapping, column- and
9299 row-spanning, and alignment can be created using the Emacs table
9300 package by Takaaki Ota (@uref{http://sourceforge.net/projects/table},
9301 and also part of Emacs 22).
9302 When @key{TAB} or @kbd{C-c C-c} is pressed in such a table, Org mode
9303 will call @command{table-recognize-table} and move the cursor into the
9304 table. Inside a table, the keymap of Org mode is inactive. In order
9305 to execute Org mode-related commands, leave the table.
9310 Recognize @file{table.el} table. Works when the cursor is in a
9315 Insert a table.el table. If there is already a table at point, this
9316 command converts it between the table.el format and the Org mode
9317 format. See the documentation string of the command
9318 @code{org-convert-table} for the restrictions under which this is
9321 @file{table.el} is part of Emacs 22.
9322 @cindex @file{footnote.el}
9323 @item @file{footnote.el} by Steven L. Baur
9324 Org mode recognizes numerical footnotes as provided by this package.
9325 However, Org-mode also has its own footnote support (@pxref{Footnotes}),
9326 which makes using @file{footnote.el} unnecessary.
9329 @node Conflicts, , Cooperation, Interaction
9330 @subsection Packages that lead to conflicts with Org mode
9334 @cindex @code{shift-selection-mode}
9335 In Emacs 23, @code{shift-selection-mode} is on by default, meaning that
9336 cursor motions combined with the shift key should start or enlarge regions.
9337 This conflicts with the use of @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} commands in Org to change
9338 timestamps, TODO keywords, priorities, and item bullet types if the cursor is
9339 at such a location. By default, @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} commands outside
9340 special contexts don't do anything, but you can customize the variable
9341 @code{org-support-shift-select}. Org-mode then tries to accommodate shift
9342 selection by (i) using it outside of the special contexts where special
9343 commands apply, and by (ii) extending an existing active region even if the
9344 cursor moves across a special context.
9346 @cindex @file{CUA.el}
9347 @item @file{CUA.el} by Kim. F. Storm
9348 Key bindings in Org conflict with the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys used by CUA mode
9349 (as well as pc-select-mode and s-region-mode) to select and extend the
9350 region. In fact, Emacs 23 has this built-in in the form of
9351 @code{shift-selection-mode}, see previous paragraph. If you are using Emacs
9352 23 you probably don't want to use another package for this purpose. However,
9353 if you prefer to leave these keys to a different package while working in
9354 Org-mode, configure the variable @code{org-replace-disputed-keys}. When set,
9355 Org will move the following key bindings in Org files, and in the agenda
9356 buffer (but not during date selection).
9359 S-UP -> M-p S-DOWN -> M-n
9360 S-LEFT -> M-- S-RIGHT -> M-+
9361 C-S-LEFT -> M-S-- C-S-RIGHT -> M-S-+
9364 Yes, these are unfortunately more difficult to remember. If you want
9365 to have other replacement keys, look at the variable
9366 @code{org-disputed-keys}.
9368 @item @file{windmove.el} by Hovav Shacham
9369 @cindex @file{windmove.el}
9370 Also this package uses the @kbd{S-<cursor>} keys, so everything written
9371 in the paragraph above about CUA mode also applies here.
9376 @node Bugs, , Interaction, Miscellaneous
9380 Here is a list of things that should work differently, but which I
9381 have found too hard to fix.
9385 If a table field starts with a link, and if the corresponding table
9386 column is narrowed (@pxref{Narrow columns}) to a width too small to
9387 display the link, the field would look entirely empty even though it is
9388 not. To prevent this, Org throws an error. The work-around is to
9389 make the column wide enough to fit the link, or to add some text (at
9390 least 2 characters) before the link in the same field.
9392 Narrowing table columns does not work on XEmacs, because the
9393 @code{format} function does not transport text properties.
9395 Text in an entry protected with the @samp{QUOTE} keyword should not
9398 When the application called by @kbd{C-c C-o} to open a file link fails
9399 (for example because the application does not exist or refuses to open
9400 the file), it does so silently. No error message is displayed.
9402 Recalculating a table line applies the formulas from left to right.
9403 If a formula uses @emph{calculated} fields further down the row,
9404 multiple recalculation may be needed to get all fields consistent. You
9405 may use the command @code{org-table-iterate} (@kbd{C-u C-c *}) to
9406 recalculate until convergence.
9408 The exporters work well, but could be made more efficient.
9412 @node Extensions, Hacking, Miscellaneous, Top
9413 @appendix Extensions
9415 This appendix lists the extension modules that have been written for Org.
9416 Many of these extensions live in the @file{contrib} directory of the Org
9417 distribution, others are available somewhere on the web.
9420 * Extensions in the contrib directory:: These come with the Org distro
9421 * Other extensions:: These you have to find on the web.
9424 @node Extensions in the contrib directory, Other extensions, Extensions, Extensions
9425 @section Extensions in the @file{contrib} directory
9427 A number of extension are distributed with Org when you download it from its
9428 homepage. Please note that these extensions are @emph{not} distributed as
9429 part of Emacs, so if you use Org as delivered with Emacs, you still need to
9430 go to @url{http://orgmode.org} to get access to these modules.
9433 @item @file{org-annotate-file.el} by @i{Philip Jackson}
9434 Annotate a file with org syntax, in a separate file, with links back to the
9437 @item @file{org-annotation-helper.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry and Daniel E. German}
9438 Call @i{remember} directly from Firefox/Opera, or from Adobe Reader. When
9439 activating a special link or bookmark, Emacs receives a trigger to create a
9440 note with a link back to the website. Requires some setup, a detailed
9441 description is in @file{contrib/packages/org-annotation-helper}.
9443 @item @file{org-bookmark.el} by @i{Tokuya Kameshima}
9444 Support for links to Emacs bookmarks.
9446 @item @file{org-depend.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9447 TODO dependencies for Org-mode. Make TODO state changes in one entry trigger
9448 changes in another, or be blocked by the state of another entry. Also,
9449 easily create chains of TODO items with exactly one active item at any time.
9451 @item @file{org-elisp-symbol.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9452 Org links to emacs-lisp symbols. This can create annotated links that
9453 exactly point to the definition location of a variable of function.
9455 @item @file{org-eval.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9456 The @code{<lisp>} tag, adapted from Emacs Wiki and Emacs Muse, allows text to
9457 be included in a document that is the result of evaluating some code. Other
9458 scripting languages like @code{perl} can be supported with this package as
9461 @item @file{org-eval-light.el} by @i{Eric Schulte}
9462 User-controlled evaluation of code in an Org buffer.
9464 @item @file{org-exp-blocks.el} by @i{Eric Schulte}
9465 Preprocess user-defined blocks for export.
9467 @item @file{org-expiry.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9468 Expiry mechanism for Org entries.
9470 @item @file{org-indent.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9471 Dynamic indentation of Org outlines. The plan is to indent an outline
9472 according to level, but so far this is too hard for a proper and stable
9473 implementation. Still, it works somewhat.
9475 @item @file{org-interactive-query.el} by @i{Christopher League}
9476 Interactive modification of tags queries. After running a general query in
9477 Org, this package allows you to narrow down the results by adding more tags
9480 @item @file{org-mairix.el} by @i{Georg C. F. Greve}
9481 Hook mairix search into Org for different MUAs.
9483 @item @file{org-man.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9484 Support for links to manpages in Org-mode.
9486 @item @file{org-mtags.el} by @i{Carsten Dominik}
9487 Support for some Muse-like tags in Org-mode. This package allows you to
9488 write @code{<example>} and @code{<src>} and other syntax copied from Emacs
9489 Muse, right inside an Org file. The goal here is to make it easy to publish
9490 the same file using either org-publish or Muse.
9492 @item @file{org-panel.el} by @i{Lennart Borgman}
9493 Simplified and display-aided access to some Org commands.
9495 @item @file{org-registry.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9496 A registry for Org links, to find out from where links point to a given file
9499 @item @file{org2rem.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9500 Convert org appointments into reminders for the @file{remind} program.
9502 @item @file{org-screen.el} by @i{Andrew Hyatt}
9503 Visit screen sessions through Org-mode links.
9505 @item @file{org-toc.el} by @i{Bastien Guerry}
9506 Table of contents in a separate buffer, with fast access to sections and easy
9509 @item @file{orgtbl-sqlinsert.el} by @i{Jason Riedy}
9510 Convert Org-mode tables to SQL insertions. Documentation for this can be
9511 found on the Worg pages.
9515 @node Other extensions, , Extensions in the contrib directory, Extensions
9516 @section Other extensions
9520 @node Hacking, History and Acknowledgments, Extensions, Top
9523 This appendix covers some aspects where users can extend the functionality of
9527 * Adding hyperlink types:: New custom link types
9528 * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs
9529 * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks
9530 * Special agenda views:: Customized views
9531 * Using the property API:: Writing programs that use entry properties
9532 * Using the mapping API:: Mapping over all or selected entries
9535 @node Adding hyperlink types, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking, Hacking
9536 @section Adding hyperlink types
9537 @cindex hyperlinks, adding new types
9539 Org has a large number of hyperlink types built-in
9540 (@pxref{Hyperlinks}). If you would like to add new link types, it
9541 provides an interface for doing so. Let's look at an example file
9542 @file{org-man.el} that will add support for creating links like
9543 @samp{[[man:printf][The printf manpage]]} to show Unix manual pages inside
9547 ;;; org-man.el - Support for links to manpages in Org
9551 (org-add-link-type "man" 'org-man-open)
9552 (add-hook 'org-store-link-functions 'org-man-store-link)
9554 (defcustom org-man-command 'man
9555 "The Emacs command to be used to display a man page."
9557 :type '(choice (const man) (const woman)))
9559 (defun org-man-open (path)
9560 "Visit the manpage on PATH.
9561 PATH should be a topic that can be thrown at the man command."
9562 (funcall org-man-command path))
9564 (defun org-man-store-link ()
9565 "Store a link to a manpage."
9566 (when (memq major-mode '(Man-mode woman-mode))
9567 ;; This is a man page, we do make this link
9568 (let* ((page (org-man-get-page-name))
9569 (link (concat "man:" page))
9570 (description (format "Manpage for %s" page)))
9571 (org-store-link-props
9574 :description description))))
9576 (defun org-man-get-page-name ()
9577 "Extract the page name from the buffer name."
9578 ;; This works for both `Man-mode' and `woman-mode'.
9579 (if (string-match " \\(\\S-+\\)\\*" (buffer-name))
9580 (match-string 1 (buffer-name))
9581 (error "Cannot create link to this man page")))
9585 ;;; org-man.el ends here
9589 You would activate this new link type in @file{.emacs} with
9596 Let's go through the file and see what it does.
9599 It does @code{(require 'org)} to make sure that @file{org.el} has been
9602 The next line calls @code{org-add-link-type} to define a new link type
9603 with prefix @samp{man}. The call also contains the name of a function
9604 that will be called to follow such a link.
9606 The next line adds a function to @code{org-store-link-functions}, in
9607 order to allow the command @kbd{C-c l} to record a useful link in a
9608 buffer displaying a man page.
9611 The rest of the file defines the necessary variables and functions.
9612 First there is a customization variable that determines which emacs
9613 command should be used to display man pages. There are two options,
9614 @code{man} and @code{woman}. Then the function to follow a link is
9615 defined. It gets the link path as an argument - in this case the link
9616 path is just a topic for the manual command. The function calls the
9617 value of @code{org-man-command} to display the man page.
9619 Finally the function @code{org-man-store-link} is defined. When you try
9620 to store a link with @kbd{C-c l}, also this function will be called to
9621 try to make a link. The function must first decide if it is supposed to
9622 create the link for this buffer type, we do this by checking the value
9623 of the variable @code{major-mode}. If not, the function must exit and
9624 return the value @code{nil}. If yes, the link is created by getting the
9625 manual topic from the buffer name and prefixing it with the string
9626 @samp{man:}. Then it must call the command @code{org-store-link-props}
9627 and set the @code{:type} and @code{:link} properties. Optionally you
9628 can also set the @code{:description} property to provide a default for
9629 the link description when the link is later inserted into an Org
9630 buffer with @kbd{C-c C-l}.
9632 @node Tables in arbitrary syntax, Dynamic blocks, Adding hyperlink types, Hacking
9633 @section Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax
9634 @cindex tables, in other modes
9635 @cindex lists, in other modes
9638 Since Orgtbl mode can be used as a minor mode in arbitrary buffers, a
9639 frequent feature request has been to make it work with native tables in
9640 specific languages, for example La@TeX{}. However, this is extremely
9641 hard to do in a general way, would lead to a customization nightmare,
9642 and would take away much of the simplicity of the Orgtbl mode table
9646 This appendix describes a different approach. We keep the Orgtbl mode
9647 table in its native format (the @i{source table}), and use a custom
9648 function to @i{translate} the table to the correct syntax, and to
9649 @i{install} it in the right location (the @i{target table}). This puts
9650 the burden of writing conversion functions on the user, but it allows
9651 for a very flexible system.
9653 Bastien added the ability to do the same with lists. You can use Org's
9654 facilities to edit and structure lists by turning @code{orgstruct-mode}
9655 on, then locally exporting such lists in another format (HTML, La@TeX{}
9660 * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving
9661 * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial
9662 * Translator functions:: Copy and modify
9663 * Radio lists:: Doing the same for lists
9666 @node Radio tables, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9667 @subsection Radio tables
9668 @cindex radio tables
9670 To define the location of the target table, you first need to create two
9671 lines that are comments in the current mode, but contain magic words for
9672 Orgtbl mode to find. Orgtbl mode will insert the translated table
9673 between these lines, replacing whatever was there before. For example:
9676 /* BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
9677 /* END RECEIVE ORGTBL table_name */
9681 Just above the source table, we put a special line that tells
9682 Orgtbl mode how to translate this table and where to install it. For
9685 #+ORGTBL: SEND table_name translation_function arguments....
9689 @code{table_name} is the reference name for the table that is also used
9690 in the receiver lines. @code{translation_function} is the Lisp function
9691 that does the translation. Furthermore, the line can contain a list of
9692 arguments (alternating key and value) at the end. The arguments will be
9693 passed as a property list to the translation function for
9694 interpretation. A few standard parameters are already recognized and
9695 acted upon before the translation function is called:
9699 Skip the first N lines of the table. Hlines do count as separate lines for
9702 @item :skipcols (n1 n2 ...)
9703 List of columns that should be skipped. If the table has a column with
9704 calculation marks, that column is automatically discarded as well.
9705 Please note that the translator function sees the table @emph{after} the
9706 removal of these columns, the function never knows that there have been
9711 The one problem remaining is how to keep the source table in the buffer
9712 without disturbing the normal workings of the file, for example during
9713 compilation of a C file or processing of a La@TeX{} file. There are a
9714 number of different solutions:
9718 The table could be placed in a block comment if that is supported by the
9719 language. For example, in C mode you could wrap the table between
9720 @samp{/*} and @samp{*/} lines.
9722 Sometimes it is possible to put the table after some kind of @i{END}
9723 statement, for example @samp{\bye} in TeX and @samp{\end@{document@}}
9726 You can just comment the table line by line whenever you want to process
9727 the file, and uncomment it whenever you need to edit the table. This
9728 only sounds tedious - the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-toggle-comment} does
9729 make this comment-toggling very easy, in particular if you bind it to a
9733 @node A LaTeX example, Translator functions, Radio tables, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9734 @subsection A LaTeX example of radio tables
9735 @cindex LaTeX, and Orgtbl mode
9737 The best way to wrap the source table in La@TeX{} is to use the
9738 @code{comment} environment provided by @file{comment.sty}. It has to be
9739 activated by placing @code{\usepackage@{comment@}} into the document
9740 header. Orgtbl mode can insert a radio table skeleton@footnote{By
9741 default this works only for La@TeX{}, HTML, and Texinfo. Configure the
9742 variable @code{orgtbl-radio-tables} to install templates for other
9743 modes.} with the command @kbd{M-x orgtbl-insert-radio-table}. You will
9744 be prompted for a table name, let's say we use @samp{salesfigures}. You
9745 will then get the following template:
9747 @cindex #+ORGTBL: SEND
9749 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9750 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9752 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
9758 The @code{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line tells Orgtbl mode to use the function
9759 @code{orgtbl-to-latex} to convert the table into La@TeX{} and to put it
9760 into the receiver location with name @code{salesfigures}. You may now
9761 fill in the table, feel free to use the spreadsheet features@footnote{If
9762 the @samp{#+TBLFM} line contains an odd number of dollar characters,
9763 this may cause problems with font-lock in LaTeX mode. As shown in the
9764 example you can fix this by adding an extra line inside the
9765 @code{comment} environment that is used to balance the dollar
9766 expressions. If you are using AUCTeX with the font-latex library, a
9767 much better solution is to add the @code{comment} environment to the
9768 variable @code{LaTeX-verbatim-environments}.}:
9771 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9772 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9774 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex
9775 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
9776 |-------+------+---------+---------|
9777 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
9778 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
9779 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
9780 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
9781 % $ (optional extra dollar to keep font-lock happy, see footnote)
9786 When you are done, press @kbd{C-c C-c} in the table to get the converted
9787 table inserted between the two marker lines.
9789 Now let's assume you want to make the table header by hand, because you
9790 want to control how columns are aligned etc. In this case we make sure
9791 that the table translator does skip the first 2 lines of the source
9792 table, and tell the command to work as a @i{splice}, i.e. to not produce
9793 header and footer commands of the target table:
9796 \begin@{tabular@}@{lrrr@}
9797 Month & \multicolumn@{1@}@{c@}@{Days@} & Nr.\ sold & per day\\
9798 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9799 % END RECEIVE ORGTBL salesfigures
9803 #+ORGTBL: SEND salesfigures orgtbl-to-latex :splice t :skip 2
9804 | Month | Days | Nr sold | per day |
9805 |-------+------+---------+---------|
9806 | Jan | 23 | 55 | 2.4 |
9807 | Feb | 21 | 16 | 0.8 |
9808 | March | 22 | 278 | 12.6 |
9809 #+TBLFM: $4=$3/$2;%.1f
9813 The La@TeX{} translator function @code{orgtbl-to-latex} is already part of
9814 Orgtbl mode. It uses a @code{tabular} environment to typeset the table
9815 and marks horizontal lines with @code{\hline}. Furthermore, it
9816 interprets the following parameters (see also @ref{Translator functions}):
9820 When set to t, return only table body lines, don't wrap them into a
9821 tabular environment. Default is nil.
9824 A format to be used to wrap each field, should contain @code{%s} for the
9825 original field value. For example, to wrap each field value in dollars,
9826 you could use @code{:fmt "$%s$"}. This may also be a property list with
9827 column numbers and formats. for example @code{:fmt (2 "$%s$" 4 "%s\\%%")}.
9828 A function of one argument can be used in place of the strings; the
9829 function must return a formatted string.
9832 Use this format to print numbers with exponentials. The format should
9833 have @code{%s} twice for inserting mantissa and exponent, for example
9834 @code{"%s\\times10^@{%s@}"}. The default is @code{"%s\\,(%s)"}. This
9835 may also be a property list with column numbers and formats, for example
9836 @code{:efmt (2 "$%s\\times10^@{%s@}$" 4 "$%s\\cdot10^@{%s@}$")}. After
9837 @code{efmt} has been applied to a value, @code{fmt} will also be
9838 applied. Similar to @code{fmt}, functions of two arguments can be
9839 supplied instead of strings.
9842 @node Translator functions, Radio lists, A LaTeX example, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9843 @subsection Translator functions
9844 @cindex HTML, and Orgtbl mode
9845 @cindex translator function
9847 Orgtbl mode has several translator functions built-in: @code{orgtbl-to-csv}
9848 (comma-separated values), @code{orgtbl-to-tsv} (TAB-separated values)
9849 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-html}, and @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}.
9850 Except for @code{orgtbl-to-html}@footnote{The HTML translator uses the same
9851 code that produces tables during HTML export.}, these all use a generic
9852 translator, @code{orgtbl-to-generic}. For example, @code{orgtbl-to-latex}
9853 itself is a very short function that computes the column definitions for the
9854 @code{tabular} environment, defines a few field and line separators and then
9855 hands over to the generic translator. Here is the entire code:
9859 (defun orgtbl-to-latex (table params)
9860 "Convert the Orgtbl mode TABLE to LaTeX."
9861 (let* ((alignment (mapconcat (lambda (x) (if x "r" "l"))
9862 org-table-last-alignment ""))
9865 :tstart (concat "\\begin@{tabular@}@{" alignment "@}")
9866 :tend "\\end@{tabular@}"
9867 :lstart "" :lend " \\\\" :sep " & "
9868 :efmt "%s\\,(%s)" :hline "\\hline")))
9869 (orgtbl-to-generic table (org-combine-plists params2 params))))
9873 As you can see, the properties passed into the function (variable
9874 @var{PARAMS}) are combined with the ones newly defined in the function
9875 (variable @var{PARAMS2}). The ones passed into the function (i.e. the
9876 ones set by the @samp{ORGTBL SEND} line) take precedence. So if you
9877 would like to use the La@TeX{} translator, but wanted the line endings to
9878 be @samp{\\[2mm]} instead of the default @samp{\\}, you could just
9879 overrule the default with
9882 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-latex :lend " \\\\[2mm]"
9885 For a new language, you can either write your own converter function in
9886 analogy with the La@TeX{} translator, or you can use the generic function
9887 directly. For example, if you have a language where a table is started
9888 with @samp{!BTBL!}, ended with @samp{!ETBL!}, and where table lines are
9889 started with @samp{!BL!}, ended with @samp{!EL!} and where the field
9890 separator is a TAB, you could call the generic translator like this (on
9894 #+ORGTBL: SEND test orgtbl-to-generic :tstart "!BTBL!" :tend "!ETBL!"
9895 :lstart "!BL! " :lend " !EL!" :sep "\t"
9899 Please check the documentation string of the function
9900 @code{orgtbl-to-generic} for a full list of parameters understood by
9901 that function and remember that you can pass each of them into
9902 @code{orgtbl-to-latex}, @code{orgtbl-to-texinfo}, and any other function
9903 using the generic function.
9905 Of course you can also write a completely new function doing complicated
9906 things the generic translator cannot do. A translator function takes
9907 two arguments. The first argument is the table, a list of lines, each
9908 line either the symbol @code{hline} or a list of fields. The second
9909 argument is the property list containing all parameters specified in the
9910 @samp{#+ORGTBL: SEND} line. The function must return a single string
9911 containing the formatted table. If you write a generally useful
9912 translator, please post it on @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} so that
9913 others can benefit from your work.
9915 @node Radio lists, , Translator functions, Tables in arbitrary syntax
9916 @subsection Radio lists
9918 @cindex org-list-insert-radio-list
9920 Sending and receiving radio lists works exactly the same way than
9921 sending and receiving radio tables (@pxref{Radio tables}) @footnote{You
9922 need to load the @code{org-export-latex.el} package to use radio lists
9923 since the relevant code is there for now.}. As for radio tables, you
9924 can insert radio lists templates in HTML, La@TeX{} and Texinfo modes by
9925 calling @code{org-list-insert-radio-list}.
9927 Here are the differences with radio tables:
9931 Use @code{ORGLST} instead of @code{ORGTBL}.
9933 The available translation functions for radio lists don't take
9936 `C-c C-c' will work when pressed on the first item of the list.
9939 Here is a La@TeX{} example. Let's say that you have this in your
9943 % BEGIN RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
9944 % END RECEIVE ORGLST to-buy
9946 #+ORGLIST: SEND to-buy orgtbl-to-latex
9955 Pressing `C-c C-c' on @code{a new house} and will insert the converted
9956 La@TeX{} list between the two marker lines.
9958 @node Dynamic blocks, Special agenda views, Tables in arbitrary syntax, Hacking
9959 @section Dynamic blocks
9960 @cindex dynamic blocks
9962 Org documents can contain @emph{dynamic blocks}. These are
9963 specially marked regions that are updated by some user-written function.
9964 A good example for such a block is the clock table inserted by the
9965 command @kbd{C-c C-x C-r} (@pxref{Clocking work time}).
9967 Dynamic block are enclosed by a BEGIN-END structure that assigns a name
9968 to the block and can also specify parameters for the function producing
9969 the content of the block.
9971 #+BEGIN:dynamic block
9973 #+BEGIN: myblock :parameter1 value1 :parameter2 value2 ...
9978 Dynamic blocks are updated with the following commands
9983 Update dynamic block at point.
9984 @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u
9985 @item C-u C-c C-x C-u
9986 Update all dynamic blocks in the current file.
9989 Updating a dynamic block means to remove all the text between BEGIN and
9990 END, parse the BEGIN line for parameters and then call the specific
9991 writer function for this block to insert the new content. If you want
9992 to use the original content in the writer function, you can use the
9993 extra parameter @code{:content}.
9995 For a block with name @code{myblock}, the writer function is
9996 @code{org-dblock-write:myblock} with as only parameter a property list
9997 with the parameters given in the begin line. Here is a trivial example
9998 of a block that keeps track of when the block update function was last
10002 #+BEGIN: block-update-time :format "on %m/%d/%Y at %H:%M"
10008 The corresponding block writer function could look like this:
10011 (defun org-dblock-write:block-update-time (params)
10012 (let ((fmt (or (plist-get params :format) "%d. %m. %Y")))
10013 (insert "Last block update at: "
10014 (format-time-string fmt (current-time)))))
10017 If you want to make sure that all dynamic blocks are always up-to-date,
10018 you could add the function @code{org-update-all-dblocks} to a hook, for
10019 example @code{before-save-hook}. @code{org-update-all-dblocks} is
10020 written in a way that is does nothing in buffers that are not in
10023 @node Special agenda views, Using the property API, Dynamic blocks, Hacking
10024 @section Special agenda views
10025 @cindex agenda views, user-defined
10027 Org provides a special hook that can be used to narrow down the
10028 selection made by any of the agenda views. You may specify a function
10029 that is used at each match to verify if the match should indeed be part
10030 of the agenda view, and if not, how much should be skipped.
10032 Let's say you want to produce a list of projects that contain a WAITING
10033 tag anywhere in the project tree. Let's further assume that you have
10034 marked all tree headings that define a project with the TODO keyword
10035 PROJECT. In this case you would run a TODO search for the keyword
10036 PROJECT, but skip the match unless there is a WAITING tag anywhere in
10037 the subtree belonging to the project line.
10039 To achieve this, you must write a function that searches the subtree for
10040 the tag. If the tag is found, the function must return @code{nil} to
10041 indicate that this match should not be skipped. If there is no such
10042 tag, return the location of the end of the subtree, to indicate that
10043 search should continue from there.
10046 (defun my-skip-unless-waiting ()
10047 "Skip trees that are not waiting"
10048 (let ((subtree-end (save-excursion (org-end-of-subtree t))))
10049 (if (re-search-forward ":waiting:" subtree-end t)
10050 nil ; tag found, do not skip
10051 subtree-end))) ; tag not found, continue after end of subtree
10054 Now you may use this function in an agenda custom command, for example
10058 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
10059 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
10060 ((org-agenda-skip-function 'my-skip-unless-waiting)
10061 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
10064 Note that this also binds @code{org-agenda-overriding-header} to get a
10065 meaningful header in the agenda view.
10067 A general way to create custom searches is to base them on a search for
10068 entries with a certain level limit. If you want to study all entries with
10069 your custom search function, simply do a search for @samp{LEVEL>0}, and then
10070 use @code{org-agenda-skip-function} to select the entries you really want to
10073 You may also put a Lisp form into @code{org-agenda-skip-function}. In
10074 particular, you may use the functions @code{org-agenda-skip-entry-if}
10075 and @code{org-agenda-skip-subtree-if} in this form, for example:
10078 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled)
10079 Skip current entry if it has been scheduled.
10080 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'notscheduled)
10081 Skip current entry if it has not been scheduled.
10082 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'deadline)
10083 Skip current entry if it has a deadline.
10084 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry-if 'scheduled 'deadline)
10085 Skip current entry if it has a deadline, or if it is scheduled.
10086 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'regexp "regular expression")
10087 Skip current entry if the regular expression matches in the entry.
10088 @item '(org-agenda-skip-entry 'notregexp "regular expression")
10089 Skip current entry unless the regular expression matches.
10090 @item '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if 'regexp "regular expression")
10091 Same as above, but check and skip the entire subtree.
10094 Therefore we could also have written the search for WAITING projects
10095 like this, even without defining a special function:
10098 (org-add-agenda-custom-command
10099 '("b" todo "PROJECT"
10100 ((org-agenda-skip-function '(org-agenda-skip-subtree-if
10101 'regexp ":waiting:"))
10102 (org-agenda-overriding-header "Projects waiting for something: "))))
10105 @node Using the property API, Using the mapping API, Special agenda views, Hacking
10106 @section Using the property API
10107 @cindex API, for properties
10108 @cindex properties, API
10110 Here is a description of the functions that can be used to work with
10113 @defun org-entry-properties &optional pom which
10114 Get all properties of the entry at point-or-marker POM.
10115 This includes the TODO keyword, the tags, time strings for deadline,
10116 scheduled, and clocking, and any additional properties defined in the
10117 entry. The return value is an alist, keys may occur multiple times
10118 if the property key was used several times.
10119 POM may also be nil, in which case the current entry is used.
10120 If WHICH is nil or `all', get all properties. If WHICH is
10121 `special' or `standard', only get that subclass.
10123 @defun org-entry-get pom property &optional inherit
10124 Get value of PROPERTY for entry at point-or-marker POM. By default,
10125 this only looks at properties defined locally in the entry. If INHERIT
10126 is non-nil and the entry does not have the property, then also check
10127 higher levels of the hierarchy. If INHERIT is the symbol
10128 @code{selective}, use inheritance if and only if the setting of
10129 @code{org-use-property-inheritance} selects PROPERTY for inheritance.
10132 @defun org-entry-delete pom property
10133 Delete the property PROPERTY from entry at point-or-marker POM.
10136 @defun org-entry-put pom property value
10137 Set PROPERTY to VALUE for entry at point-or-marker POM.
10140 @defun org-buffer-property-keys &optional include-specials
10141 Get all property keys in the current buffer.
10144 @defun org-insert-property-drawer
10145 Insert a property drawer at point.
10148 @defun org-entry-put-multivalued-property pom property &rest values
10149 Set PROPERTY at point-or-marker POM to VALUES. VALUES should be a list of
10150 strings. They will be concatenated, with spaces as separators.
10153 @defun org-entry-get-multivalued-property pom property
10154 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10155 values and return the values as a list of strings.
10158 @defun org-entry-add-to-multivalued-property pom property value
10159 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10160 values and make sure that VALUE is in this list.
10163 @defun org-entry-remove-from-multivalued-property pom property value
10164 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10165 values and make sure that VALUE is @emph{not} in this list.
10168 @defun org-entry-member-in-multivalued-property pom property value
10169 Treat the value of the property PROPERTY as a whitespace-separated list of
10170 values and check if VALUE is in this list.
10173 @node Using the mapping API, , Using the property API, Hacking
10174 @section Using the mapping API
10175 @cindex API, for mapping
10176 @cindex mapping entries, API
10178 Org has sophisticated mapping capabilities to find all entries satisfying
10179 certain criteria. Internally, this functionality is used to produce agenda
10180 views, but there is also an API that can be used to execute arbitrary
10181 functions for each or selected entries. The main entry point for this API
10184 @defun org-map-entries func &optional match scope &rest skip
10185 Call FUNC at each headline selected by MATCH in SCOPE.
10187 FUNC is a function or a lisp form. The function will be called without
10188 arguments, with the cursor positioned at the beginning of the headline.
10189 The return values of all calls to the function will be collected and
10190 returned as a list.
10192 MATCH is a tags/property/todo match as it is used in the agenda match view.
10193 Only headlines that are matched by this query will be considered during
10194 the iteration. When MATCH is nil or t, all headlines will be
10195 visited by the iteration.
10197 SCOPE determines the scope of this command. It can be any of:
10200 nil @r{the current buffer, respecting the restriction if any}
10201 tree @r{the subtree started with the entry at point}
10202 file @r{the current buffer, without restriction}
10204 @r{the current buffer, and any archives associated with it}
10205 agenda @r{all agenda files}
10206 agenda-with-archives
10207 @r{all agenda files with any archive files associated with them}
10209 @r{if this is a list, all files in the list will be scanned}
10212 The remaining args are treated as settings for the skipping facilities of
10213 the scanner. The following items can be given here:
10216 archive @r{skip trees with the archive tag}
10217 comment @r{skip trees with the COMMENT keyword}
10218 function or Lisp form
10219 @r{will be used as value for @code{org-agenda-skip-function},}
10220 @r{so whenever the the function returns t, FUNC}
10221 @r{will not be called for that entry and search will}
10222 @r{continue from the point where the function leaves it}
10226 The function given to that mapping routine can really do anything you like.
10227 It can use the property API (@pxref{Using the property API}) to gather more
10228 information about the entry, or in order to change metadata in the entry.
10229 Here are a couple of functions that might be handy:
10231 @defun org-todo &optional arg
10232 Change the TODO state of the entry, see the docstring of the functions for
10233 the many possible values for the argument ARG.
10236 @defun org-priority &optional action
10237 Change the priority of the entry, see the docstring of this function for the
10238 possible values for ACTION.
10241 @defun org-toggle-tag tag &optional onoff
10242 Toggle the tag TAG in the current entry. Setting ONOFF to either @code{on}
10243 or @code{off} will not toggle tag, but ensure that it is either on or off.
10247 Promote the current entry.
10251 Demote the current entry.
10254 Here is a simple example that will turn all entries in the current file with
10255 a tag @code{TOMORROW} into TODO entries with the keyword @code{UPCOMING}.
10256 Entries in comment trees and in archive trees will be ignored.
10260 '(org-todo "UPCOMING")
10261 "+TOMORROW" 'file 'archive 'comment)
10264 The following example counts the number of entries with TODO keyword
10265 @code{WAITING}, in all agenda files.
10268 (length (org-map-entries t "/+WAITING" 'agenda))
10271 @node History and Acknowledgments, Main Index, Hacking, Top
10272 @appendix History and Acknowledgments
10273 @cindex acknowledgments
10277 Org was borne in 2003, out of frustration over the user interface
10278 of the Emacs Outline mode. I was trying to organize my notes and
10279 projects, and using Emacs seemed to be the natural way to go. However,
10280 having to remember eleven different commands with two or three keys per
10281 command, only to hide and show parts of the outline tree, that seemed
10282 entirely unacceptable to me. Also, when using outlines to take notes, I
10283 constantly want to restructure the tree, organizing it parallel to my
10284 thoughts and plans. @emph{Visibility cycling} and @emph{structure
10285 editing} were originally implemented in the package
10286 @file{outline-magic.el}, but quickly moved to the more general
10287 @file{org.el}. As this environment became comfortable for project
10288 planning, the next step was adding @emph{TODO entries}, basic @emph{time
10289 stamps}, and @emph{table support}. These areas highlight the two main
10290 goals that Org still has today: To create a new, outline-based,
10291 plain text mode with innovative and intuitive editing features, and to
10292 incorporate project planning functionality directly into a notes file.
10294 A special thanks goes to @i{Bastien Guerry} who has not only written a large
10295 number of extensions to Org (most of them integrated into the core by now),
10296 but has also helped the development and maintenance of Org so much that he
10297 should be considered the main co-contributor to this package.
10299 Since the first release, literally thousands of emails to me or on
10300 @code{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org} have provided a constant stream of bug
10301 reports, feedback, new ideas, and sometimes patches and add-on code.
10302 Many thanks to everyone who has helped to improve this package. I am
10303 trying to keep here a list of the people who had significant influence
10304 in shaping one or more aspects of Org. The list may not be
10305 complete, if I have forgotten someone, please accept my apologies and
10311 @i{Russel Adams} came up with the idea for drawers.
10313 @i{Thomas Baumann} wrote @file{org-bbdb.el} and @file{org-mhe.el}.
10315 @i{Christophe Bataillon} created the great unicorn logo that we use on the
10318 @i{Alex Bochannek} provided a patch for rounding time stamps.
10320 @i{Charles Cave}'s suggestion sparked the implementation of templates
10323 @i{Pavel Chalmoviansky} influenced the agenda treatment of items with
10326 @i{Gregory Chernov} patched support for lisp forms into table
10327 calculations and improved XEmacs compatibility, in particular by porting
10328 @file{nouline.el} to XEmacs.
10330 @i{Sacha Chua} suggested to copy some linking code from Planner.
10332 @i{Eddward DeVilla} proposed and tested checkbox statistics. He also
10333 came up with the idea of properties, and that there should be an API for
10336 @i{Kees Dullemond} used to edit projects lists directly in HTML and so
10337 inspired some of the early development, including HTML export. He also
10338 asked for a way to narrow wide table columns.
10340 @i{Christian Egli} converted the documentation into Texinfo format,
10341 patched CSS formatting into the HTML exporter, and inspired the agenda.
10343 @i{David Emery} provided a patch for custom CSS support in exported
10346 @i{Nic Ferrier} contributed mailcap and XOXO support.
10348 @i{Miguel A. Figueroa-Villanueva} implemented hierarchical checkboxes.
10350 @i{John Foerch} figured out how to make incremental search show context
10351 around a match in a hidden outline tree.
10353 @i{Niels Giesen} had the idea to automatically archive DONE trees.
10355 @i{Bastien Guerry} wrote the La@TeX{} exporter and @file{org-bibtex.el}, and
10356 has been prolific with patches, ideas, and bug reports.
10358 @i{Kai Grossjohann} pointed out key-binding conflicts with other packages.
10360 @i{Bernt Hansen} has driven much of the support for auto-repeating tasks,
10361 task state change logging, and the clocktable. His clear explanations have
10362 been critical when we started to adopt the GIT version control system.
10364 @i{Manuel Hermenegildo} has contributed various ideas, small fixed and
10367 @i{Phil Jackson} wrote @file{org-irc.el}.
10369 @i{Scott Jaderholm} proposed footnotes, control over whitespace between
10370 folded entries, and column view for properties.
10372 @i{Tokuya Kameshima} wrote @file{org-wl.el} and @file{org-mew.el}.
10374 @i{Shidai Liu} ("Leo") asked for embedded La@TeX{} and tested it. He also
10375 provided frequent feedback and some patches.
10377 @i{Matt Lundin} has proposed last-row references for table formulas and named
10378 invisible anchors. He has also worked a lot on the FAQ.
10380 @i{Jason F. McBrayer} suggested agenda export to CSV format.
10382 @i{Max Mikhanosha} came up with the idea of refiling.
10384 @i{Dmitri Minaev} sent a patch to set priority limits on a per-file
10387 @i{Stefan Monnier} provided a patch to keep the Emacs-Lisp compiler
10390 @i{Rick Moynihan} proposed to allow multiple TODO sequences in a file
10391 and to be able to quickly restrict the agenda to a subtree.
10393 @i{Todd Neal} provided patches for links to Info files and elisp forms.
10395 @i{Tim O'Callaghan} suggested in-file links, search options for general
10396 file links, and TAGS.
10398 @i{Takeshi Okano} translated the manual and David O'Toole's tutorial
10401 @i{Oliver Oppitz} suggested multi-state TODO items.
10403 @i{Scott Otterson} sparked the introduction of descriptive text for
10404 links, among other things.
10406 @i{Pete Phillips} helped during the development of the TAGS feature, and
10407 provided frequent feedback.
10409 @i{T.V. Raman} reported bugs and suggested improvements.
10411 @i{Matthias Rempe} (Oelde) provided ideas, Windows support, and quality
10414 @i{Paul Rivier} provided the basic implementation of named footnotes.
10416 @i{Kevin Rogers} contributed code to access VM files on remote hosts.
10418 @i{Sebastian Rose} wrote @file{org-info.js}, a Java script for displaying
10419 webpages derived from Org using an Info-like, or a folding interface with
10420 single key navigation.
10422 @i{Frank Ruell} solved the mystery of the @code{keymapp nil} bug, a
10423 conflict with @file{allout.el}.
10425 @i{Jason Riedy} generalized the send-receive mechanism for orgtbl tables with
10428 @i{Philip Rooke} created the Org reference card, provided lots
10429 of feedback, developed and applied standards to the Org documentation.
10431 @i{Christian Schlauer} proposed angular brackets around links, among
10434 @i{Eric Schulte} wrote @file{org-plot.el}.
10436 Linking to VM/BBDB/Gnus was first inspired by @i{Tom Shannon}'s
10437 @file{organizer-mode.el}.
10439 @i{Ilya Shlyakhter} proposed the Archive Sibling, line numbering in literal
10440 examples, and remote highlighting for referenced code lines.
10442 @i{Stathis Sideris} wrote the @file{ditaa.jar} ASCII to PNG converter that is
10443 now packaged into Org's @file{contrib} directory.
10445 @i{Daniel Sinder} came up with the idea of internal archiving by locking
10448 @i{Dale Smith} proposed link abbreviations.
10450 @i{James TD Smith} has contributed a large number of patches for useful
10451 tweaks and features.
10453 @i{Adam Spiers} asked for global linking commands, inspired the link
10454 extension system, added support for mairix, and proposed the mapping API.
10456 @i{Andy Stewart} contributed code to @file{org-w3m.el}, to copy HTML content
10457 with links transformation to Org syntax.
10459 @i{David O'Toole} wrote @file{org-publish.el} and drafted the manual
10460 chapter about publishing.
10462 @i{J@"urgen Vollmer} contributed code generating the table of contents
10465 @i{Chris Wallace} provided a patch implementing the @samp{QUOTE}
10468 @i{David Wainberg} suggested archiving, and improvements to the linking
10471 @i{John Wiegley} wrote @file{emacs-wiki.el}, @file{planner.el}, and
10472 @file{muse.el}, which have some overlap with Org. Initially the development
10473 of Org was fully independent because I was not aware of the existence of
10474 these packages. But with time I have occasionally looked at John's code and
10475 learned a lot from it. John has also contributed a number of great ideas and
10476 patches directly to Org, including the attachment system
10477 (@file{org-attach.el}), integration with Apple Mail
10478 (@file{org-mac-message.el}), and hierarchical dependencies of TODO items.
10480 @i{Carsten Wimmer} suggested some changes and helped fix a bug in
10483 @i{Roland Winkler} requested additional key bindings to make Org
10486 @i{Piotr Zielinski} wrote @file{org-mouse.el}, proposed agenda blocks
10487 and contributed various ideas and code snippets.
10491 @node Main Index, Key Index, History and Acknowledgments, Top
10492 @unnumbered The Main Index
10496 @node Key Index, , Main Index, Top
10497 @unnumbered Key Index
10504 arch-tag: 7893d1Fe-cc57-4d13-b5e5-f494a1CBC7ac
10507 @c Local variables:
10508 @c ispell-local-dictionary: "en_US-w_accents"
10509 @c ispell-local-pdict: "./.aspell.org.pws"