\input texinfo @c %**start of header @setfilename ../info/org @settitle Org Mode Manual @set VERSION 4.67 @set DATE February 2007 @dircategory Emacs @direntry * Org Mode: (org). Outline-based notes management and organizer @end direntry @c Version and Contact Info @set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://orgmode.org/,maintainers webpage} @set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik @set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik @set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{dominik at science dot uva dot nl} @set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:dominik at science dot uva dot nl,contact the maintainer} @c %**end of header @finalout @c Macro definitions @c Subheadings inside a table. @macro tsubheading{text} @ifinfo @subsubheading \text\ @end ifinfo @ifnotinfo @item @b{\text\} @end ifnotinfo @end macro @copying This manual is for Org-mode (version @value{VERSION}). Copyright @copyright{} 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Free Software Foundation @quotation Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover texts being ``A GNU Manual,'' and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License.'' (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have freedom to copy and modify this GNU Manual, like GNU software. Copies published by the Free Software Foundation raise funds for GNU development.'' @end quotation @end copying @titlepage @title Org Mode Manual @subtitle Release @value{VERSION} @author by Carsten Dominik @c The following two commands start the copyright page. @page @vskip 0pt plus 1filll @insertcopying @end titlepage @c Output the table of contents at the beginning. @contents @ifnottex @node Top, Introduction, (dir), (dir) @top Org Mode Manual @insertcopying @end ifnottex @menu * Introduction:: Getting started * Document structure:: A tree works like your brain * Tables:: Pure magic for quick formatting * Hyperlinks:: Notes in context * TODO items:: Every tree branch can be a TODO item * Timestamps:: Assign date and time to items * Tags:: Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags * Agenda views:: Collecting information into views * Embedded LaTeX:: LaTeX fragments and formulas * Exporting:: Sharing and publishing of notes * Publishing:: Create a web site of linked Org-mode files * Miscellaneous:: All the rest which did not fit elsewhere * Extensions and Hacking:: It is possible to write add-on code * History and Acknowledgments:: How Org-mode came into being * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation. * Index:: The fast road to specific information * Key Index:: Key bindings and where they are described @detailmenu --- The Detailed Node Listing --- Introduction * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org-mode does * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org-mode * Activation:: How to activate Org-mode for certain buffers. * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc. Document Structure * Outlines:: Org-mode is based on outline-mode * Headlines:: How to typeset org-tree headlines * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry Archiving * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file Tables * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables * orgtbl-mode:: The table editor as minor mode * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities. The spreadsheet * References:: How to refer to another field or range * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc Hyperlinks * Link format:: How links in Org-mode are formatted * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file * External links:: URL-like links to the world * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links * Search options:: Linking to a specific location * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough * Remember:: Org-trees store quick notes Internal links * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text. Remember * Setting up remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs TODO items * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into managable pieces * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists Extended use of TODO keywords * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps * TODO types:: I do this, Fred the rest * Per file keywords:: Different files, different requirements Timestamps * Time stamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps * Custom time format:: If you cannot work with the ISO format * Repeating items:: Deadlines that come back again and again * Progress logging:: Documenting when what work was done. Creating timestamps * The date/time prompt:: How org-mode helps you entering date and time Progress Logging * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE? * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change? * Clocking work time:: When exactly did you work on this item? Tags * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags Agenda Views * Agenda files:: Files being searched for agenda information * Agenda dispatcher:: Keyboard access to agenda views * Built-in agenda views:: What is available out of the box? * Presentation and sorting:: How agenda items are prepared for display * Agenda commands:: Remote editing of org trees * Custom agenda views:: Defining special searches and views The built-in agenda views * Weekly/Daily agenda:: The calendar page with current tasks * Global TODO list:: All unfinished action items * Matching headline tags:: Structured information with fine-tuned search * Timeline:: Time-sorted view for single file * Stuck projects:: Find projects you need to review Presentation and sorting * Categories:: Not all tasks are equal * Time-of-day specifications:: How the agenda knows the time * Sorting of agenda items:: The order of things Custom agenda views * Storing searches:: Type once, use often * Block agenda:: All the stuff you need in a single buffer * Setting Options:: Changing the rules * Batch processing:: Agenda views from the command line Embedded LaTeX * Math symbols:: TeX macros for symbols and Greek letters * Subscripts and Superscripts:: Simple syntax for raising/lowering text * LaTeX fragments:: Complex formulas made easy * Processing LaTeX fragments:: Previewing LaTeX processing * CDLaTeX mode:: Speed up entering of formulas Exporting * ASCII export:: Exporting to plain ASCII * HTML export:: Exporting to HTML * XOXO export:: Exporting to XOXO * iCalendar export:: Exporting in iCalendar format * Text interpretation:: How the exporter looks at the file HTML export * Export commands:: How to invode HTML export * Quoting HTML tags:: Using direct HTML in Org-mode * Links:: How hyperlinks get transferred to HTML * Images:: To inline or not to inline? * CSS support:: Style specifications Text interpretation by the exporter * Comment lines:: Some lines will not be exported * Enhancing text:: Subscripts, symbols and more * Export options:: How to influence the export settings Publishing * Configuration:: Defining projects * Sample configuration:: Example projects * Triggering publication:: Publication commands Configuration * Project alist:: The central configuration variable * Sources and destinations:: From here to there * Selecting files:: What files are part of the project? * Publishing action:: Setting the function doing the publishing * Publishing options:: Tweaking HTML export * Publishing links:: Which links keep working after publishing? * Project page index:: Publishing a list of project files Sample configuration * Simple example:: One-component publishing * Complex example:: A multi-component publishing example Miscellaneous * Completion:: M-TAB knows what you need * Customization:: Adapting Org-mode to your taste * In-buffer settings:: Overview of the #+KEYWORDS * The very busy C-c C-c key:: When in doubt, press C-c C-c * Clean view:: Getting rid of leading stars in the outline * TTY keys:: Using Org-mode on a tty * Interaction:: Other Emacs packages * Bugs:: Things which do not work perfectly Interaction with other packages * Cooperation:: Packages Org-mode cooperates with * Conflicts:: Packages that lead to conflicts Extensions, Hooks and Hacking * Extensions:: Existing 3rd-part extensions * Tables in arbitrary syntax:: Orgtbl for LaTeX and other programs * Dynamic blocks:: Automatically filled blocks * Special agenda views:: Customized views Tables in arbitrary syntax * Radio tables:: Sending and receiving * A LaTeX example:: Step by step, almost a tutorial * Translator functions:: Copy and modify @end detailmenu @end menu @node Introduction, Document structure, Top, Top @chapter Introduction @cindex introduction @menu * Summary:: Brief summary of what Org-mode does * Installation:: How to install a downloaded version of Org-mode * Activation:: How to activate Org-mode for certain buffers. * Feedback:: Bug reports, ideas, patches etc. @end menu @node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction @section Summary @cindex summary Org-mode is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining ToDo lists, and doing project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system. Org-mode develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain lists or information about projects as plain text. Org-mode is implemented on top of outline-mode, which makes it possible to keep the content of large files well structured. Visibility cycling and structure editing help to work with the tree. Tables are easily created with a built-in table editor. Org-mode supports ToDo items, deadlines, time stamps, and scheduling. It dynamically compiles entries into an agenda that utilizes and smoothly integrates much of the Emacs calendar and diary. Plain text URL-like links connect to websites, emails, Usenet messages, BBDB entries, and any files related to the projects. For printing and sharing of notes, an Org-mode file can be exported as a structured ASCII file, as HTML, or (todo and agenda items only) as an iCalendar file. It can also serve as a publishing tool for a set of linked webpages. An important design aspect that distinguishes Org-mode from for example Planner/Muse is that it encourages to store every piece of information only once. In Planner, you have project pages, day pages and possibly other files, duplicating some information such as tasks. In Org-mode, you only have notes files. In your notes you mark entries as tasks, label them with tags and timestamps. All necessary lists like a schedule for the day, the agenda for a meeting, tasks lists selected by tags etc are created dynamically when you need them. Org-mode keeps simple things simple. When first fired up, it should feel like a straightforward, easy to use outliner. Complexity is not imposed, but a large amount of functionality is available when you need it. Org-mode can be used on different levels and in different ways, for example as: @example @r{@bullet{} outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing} @r{@bullet{} ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes} @r{@bullet{} ASCII table editor with spreadsheet-like capabilities} @r{@bullet{} TODO list editor} @r{@bullet{} full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling} @r{@bullet{} environment to implement David Allen's GTD system} @r{@bullet{} simple hypertext system, with HTML export} @r{@bullet{} publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages} @end example Org-mode's automatic, context sensitive table editor with spreadsheet capabilities can be integrated into any major mode by activating the minor Orgtbl-mode. Using a translation step, it can be used to maintain tables in arbitray file types, for example in LaTeX. @cindex FAQ There is a website for Org-mode which provides links to the newest version of Org-mode, as well as additional information, frequently asked questions (FAQ), links to tutorials etc. This page is located at @uref{http://orgmode.org/}. @page @node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction @section Installation @cindex installation @cindex XEmacs @b{Important:} @i{If Org-mode is part of the Emacs distribution or an XEmacs package, please skip this section and go directly to @ref{Activation}.} If you have downloaded Org-mode from the Web, you must take the following steps to install it: Go into the Org-mode distribution directory and edit the top section of the file @file{Makefile}. You must set the name of the Emacs binary (likely either @file{emacs} or @file{xemacs}), and the paths to the directories where local Lisp and Info files are kept. If you don't have access to the system-wide directories, create your own two directories for these files, enter them into the Makefile, and make sure Emacs finds the Lisp files by adding the following line to @file{.emacs}: @example (setq load-path (cons "~/path/to/lispdir" load-path)) @end example @b{XEmacs users now need to install the file @file{noutline.el} from the @file{xemacs} subdirectory of the Org-mode distribution. Use the command:} @example @b{make install-noutline} @end example @noindent Now byte-compile and install the Lisp files with the shell commands: @example make make install @end example @noindent If you want to install the info documentation, use this command: @example make install-info @end example @noindent Then add to @file{.emacs}: @lisp ;; This line only if org-mode is not part of the X/Emacs distribution. (require 'org-install) @end lisp @node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction @section Activation @cindex activation @cindex autoload @cindex global keybindings @cindex keybindings, global @iftex @b{Important:} @i{If you use copy-and-paste to copy lisp code from the PDF documentation to your .emacs file, the single quote character comes out incorrectly and the code will not work. You need to fix the single quotes by hand, or copy from Info documentation.} @end iftex Add the following lines to your @file{.emacs} file. The last two lines define @emph{global} keys for the commands @command{org-store-link} and @command{org-agenda} - please choose suitable keys yourself. @lisp ;; The following lines are always needed. Choose your own keys. (add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org$" . org-mode)) (define-key global-map "\C-cl" 'org-store-link) (define-key global-map "\C-ca" 'org-agenda) @end lisp Furthermore, you must activate @code{font-lock-mode} in org-mode buffers, because significant functionality depends on font-locking being active. You can do this with either one of the following two lines (XEmacs user must use the second option): @lisp (global-font-lock-mode 1) ; for all buffers (add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock) ; org-mode buffers only @end lisp @cindex org-mode, turning on With this setup, all files with extension @samp{.org} will be put into Org-mode. As an alternative, make the first line of a file look like this: @example MY PROJECTS -*- mode: org; -*- @end example @noindent which will select Org-mode for this buffer no matter what the file's name is. See also the variable @code{org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file}. @node Feedback, , Activation, Introduction @section Feedback @cindex feedback @cindex bug reports @cindex maintainer @cindex author If you find problems with Org-mode, or if you have questions, remarks, or ideas about it, please contact the maintainer @value{MAINTAINER} at @value{MAINTAINEREMAIL}. For bug reports, please provide as much information as possible, including the version information of Emacs (@kbd{C-h v emacs-version @key{RET}}) and Org-mode (@kbd{C-h v org-version @key{RET}}), as well as the Org-mode related setup in @file{.emacs}. If an error occurs, a backtrace can be very useful (see below on how to create one). Often a small example file helps, along with clear information about: @enumerate @item What exactly did you do? @item What did you expect to happen? @item What happened instead? @end enumerate @noindent Thank you for helping to improve this mode. @subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace @cindex backtrace of an error If working with Org-mode produces an error with a message you don't understand, you may have hit a bug. The best way to report this is by providing, in addition to what was mentioned above, a @emph{Backtrace}. This is information from the built-in debugger about where and how the error occurred. Here is how to produce a useful backtrace: @enumerate @item Start a fresh Emacs or XEmacs, and make sure that it will load the original Lisp code in @file{org.el} instead of the compiled version in @file{org.elc}. The backtrace contains much more information if it is produced with uncompiled code. To do this, either rename @file{org.elc} to something else before starting Emacs, or ask Emacs explicitly to load @file{org.el} by using the command line @example emacs -l /path/to/org.el @end example @item Go to the @code{Options} menu and select @code{Enter Debugger on Error} (XEmacs has this option in the @code{Troubleshooting} sub-menu). @item Do whatever you have to do to hit the error. Don't forget to document the steps you take. @item When you hit the error, a @file{*Backtrace*} buffer will appear on the screen. Save this buffer to a file (for example using @kbd{C-x C-w}) and attach it to your bug report. @end enumerate @node Document structure, Tables, Introduction, Top @chapter Document Structure @cindex document structure @cindex structure of document Org-mode is based on outline mode and provides flexible commands to edit the structure of the document. @menu * Outlines:: Org-mode is based on outline-mode * Headlines:: How to typeset org-tree headlines * Visibility cycling:: Show and hide, much simplified * Motion:: Jumping to other headlines * Structure editing:: Changing sequence and level of headlines * Archiving:: Move done task trees to a different place * Sparse trees:: Matches embedded in context * Plain lists:: Additional structure within an entry @end menu @node Outlines, Headlines, Document structure, Document structure @section Outlines @cindex outlines @cindex outline-mode Org-mode is implemented on top of outline-mode. Outlines allow to organize a document in a hierarchical structure, which (at least for me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts. Overview over this structure is achieved by folding (hiding) large parts of the document to show only the general document structure and the parts currently being worked on. Org-mode greatly simplifies the use of outlines by compressing the entire show/hide functionality into a single command @command{org-cycle}, which is bound to the @key{TAB} key. @node Headlines, Visibility cycling, Outlines, Document structure @section Headlines @cindex headlines @cindex outline tree Headlines define the structure of an outline tree. The headlines in Org-mode start with one or more stars, on the left margin. For example: @example * Top level headline ** Second level *** 3rd level some text *** 3rd level more text * Another top level headline @end example @noindent Some people find the many stars too noisy and would prefer an outline that has whitespace followed by a single star as headline starters. @ref{Clean view} describes a setup to realize this. @node Visibility cycling, Motion, Headlines, Document structure @section Visibility cycling @cindex cycling, visibility @cindex visibility cycling @cindex trees, visibility @cindex show hidden text @cindex hide text Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer. Org-mode uses just two commands, bound to @key{TAB} and @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} to change the visibility in the buffer. @cindex subtree visibility states @cindex subtree cycling @cindex folded, subtree visibility state @cindex children, subtree visibility state @cindex subtree, subtree visibility state @table @kbd @kindex @key{TAB} @item @key{TAB} @emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree between the states @example ,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --. '-----------------------------------' @end example The cursor must be on a headline for this to work@footnote{see, however, the option @code{org-cycle-emulate-tab}.}. When the cursor is at the beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then @key{TAB} actually runs global cycling (see below)@footnote{see the option @code{org-cycle-global-at-bob}.}. Also when called with a prefix argument (@kbd{C-u @key{TAB}}), global cycling is invoked. @cindex global visibility states @cindex global cycling @cindex overview, global visibility state @cindex contents, global visibility state @cindex show all, global visibility state @kindex S-@key{TAB} @item S-@key{TAB} @itemx C-u @key{TAB} @emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer between the states @example ,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --. '--------------------------------------' @end example When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numerical prefix N, the CONTENTS view up to headlines of level N will be shown. Note that inside tables, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} jumps to the previous field. @cindex show all, command @kindex C-c C-a @item C-c C-a Show all. @kindex C-c C-r @item C-c C-r Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following heading and the hierarchy above. Useful for working near a location exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda command (@pxref{Agenda commands}). With prefix arg show, on each level, all sibling headings. @kindex C-c C-x b @item C-c C-x b Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect buffer (@pxref{Indirect Buffers,Indirect Buffers,Indirect Buffers,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual}) will contain the entire buffer, but will be narrowed to the current tree. Editing the indirect buffer will also change the original buffer, but without affecting visibility in that buffer.}. With numerical prefix ARG, go up to this level and then take that tree. If ARG is negative, go up that many levels. With @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove the previously used indirect buffer. @end table When Emacs first visits an Org-mode file, the global state is set to OVERVIEW, i.e. only the top level headlines are visible. This can be configured through the variable @code{org-startup-folded}, or on a per-file basis by adding one of the following lines anywhere in the buffer: @example #+STARTUP: overview #+STARTUP: content #+STARTUP: showall @end example @node Motion, Structure editing, Visibility cycling, Document structure @section Motion @cindex motion, between headlines @cindex jumping, to headlines @cindex headline navigation The following commands jump to other headlines in the buffer. @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-n @item C-c C-n Next heading. @kindex C-c C-p @item C-c C-p Previous heading. @kindex C-c C-f @item C-c C-f Next heading same level. @kindex C-c C-b @item C-c C-b Previous heading same level. @kindex C-c C-u @item C-c C-u Backward to higher level heading. @kindex C-c C-j @item C-c C-j Jump to a different place without changing the current outline visibility. Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where you can use visibility cycling (@key{TAB}) to find your destination. After pressing @key{RET}, the cursor moves to the selected location in the original buffer, and the headings hierarchy above it is made visible. @end table @node Structure editing, Archiving, Motion, Document structure @section Structure editing @cindex structure editing @cindex headline, promotion and demotion @cindex promotion, of subtrees @cindex demotion, of subtrees @cindex subtree, cut and paste @cindex pasting, of subtrees @cindex cutting, of subtrees @cindex copying, of subtrees @cindex subtrees, cut and paste @table @kbd @kindex M-@key{RET} @item M-@key{RET} Insert new heading with same level as current. If the cursor is in a plain list item, a new item is created (@pxref{Plain lists}). To force creation of a new headline, use a prefix arg, or first press @key{RET} to get to the beginning of the next line. When this command is used in the middle of a line, the line is split and the rest of the line becomes the new headline. If the command is used at the beginning of a headline, the new headline is created before the current line. If at the beginning of any other line, the content of that line is made the new heading. If the command is used at the end of a folded subtree (i.e. behind the ellipses at the end of a headline), then a headline like the current one will be inserted after the end of the subtree. @kindex M-S-@key{RET} @item M-S-@key{RET} Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading. @kindex M-@key{left} @item M-@key{left} Promote current heading by one level. @kindex M-@key{right} @item M-@key{right} Demote current heading by one level. @kindex M-S-@key{left} @item M-S-@key{left} Promote the current subtree by one level. @kindex M-S-@key{right} @item M-S-@key{right} Demote the current subtree by one level. @kindex M-S-@key{up} @item M-S-@key{up} Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same level). @kindex M-S-@key{down} @item M-S-@key{down} Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level). @kindex C-c C-x C-w @kindex C-c C-x C-k @item C-c C-x C-w @itemx C-c C-x C-k Kill subtree, i.e. remove it from buffer but save in kill ring. @kindex C-c C-x M-w @item C-c C-x M-w Copy subtree to kill ring. @kindex C-c C-x C-y @item C-c C-x C-y Yank subtree from kill ring. This does modify the level of the subtree to make sure the tree fits in nicely at the yank position. The yank level can also be specified with a prefix arg, or by yanking after a headline marker like @samp{****}. @kindex C-c ^ @item C-c ^ Sort same-level entries. When there is an active region, all entries in the region will be sorted. Otherwise the children of the current headline are sorted. The command prompts for the sorting method, which can be alphabetically, numerically, by time (using the first time stamp in each entry), and each of these in reverse order. With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, sorting will be case-sensitive. With two @kbd{C-u C-u} prefixes, duplicate entries will also be removed. @end table @cindex region, active @cindex active region @cindex transient-mark-mode When there is an active region (transient-mark-mode), promotion and demotion work on all headlines in the region. To select a region of headlines, it is best to place both point and mark at the beginning of a line, mark at the beginning of the first headline, and point at the line just after the last headline to change. Note that when the cursor is inside a table (@pxref{Tables}), the Meta-Cursor keys have different functionality. @node Archiving, Sparse trees, Structure editing, Document structure @section Archiving @cindex archiving When a project represented by a (sub)tree is finished, you may want to move the tree out of the way and to stop it from contributing to the agenda. Org-mode knows two ways of archiving. You can mark a tree with the ARCHIVE tag, or you can move an entire (sub)tree to a different location. @menu * ARCHIVE tag:: Marking a tree as inactive * Moving subtrees:: Moving a tree to an archive file @end menu @node ARCHIVE tag, Moving subtrees, Archiving, Archiving @subsection The ARCHIVE tag @cindex internal archiving A headline that is marked with the ARCHIVE tag (@pxref{Tags}) stays at its location in the outline tree, but behaves in the following way: @itemize @minus @item It does not open when you attempt to do so with a visibility cycling command (@pxref{Visibility cycling}). You can force cycling archived subtrees with @kbd{C-@key{TAB}}, or by setting the option @code{org-cycle-open-archived-trees}. Also normal outline commands like @code{show-all} will open archived subtrees. @item During sparse tree construction (@pxref{Sparse trees}), matches in archived subtrees are not exposed, unless you configure the option @code{org-sparse-tree-open-archived-trees}. @item During agenda view construction (@pxref{Agenda views}), the content of archived trees is ignored unless you configure the option @code{org-agenda-skip-archived-trees}. @item Archived trees are not exported (@pxref{Exporting}), only the headline is. Configure the details using the variable @code{org-export-with-archived-trees}. @end itemize The following commands help managing the ARCHIVE tag: @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-x C-a @item C-c C-x C-a Toggle the ARCHIVE tag for the current headline. When the tag is set, the headline changes to a shadowish face, and the subtree below it is hidden. @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-a @item C-u C-c C-x C-a Check if any direct children of the current headline should be archived. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are found, the command offers to set the ARCHIVE tag for the child. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked. @kindex C-@kbd{TAB} @item C-@kbd{TAB} Cycle a tree even if it is tagged with ARCHIVE. @end table @node Moving subtrees, , ARCHIVE tag, Archiving @subsection Moving subtrees @cindex external archiving Once an entire project is finished, you may want to move it to a different location, either in the current file, or even in a different file, the archive file. @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-x C-s @item C-c C-x C-s Archive the subtree starting at the cursor position to the location given by @code{org-archive-location}. @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-s @item C-u C-c C-x C-s Check if any direct children of the current headline could be moved to the archive. To do this, each subtree is checked for open TODO entries. If none are found, the command offers to move it to the archive location. If the cursor is @emph{not} on a headline when this command is invoked, the level 1 trees will be checked. @end table @cindex archive locations The default archive location is a file in the same directory as the current file, with the name derived by appending @file{_archive} to the current file name. For information and examples on how to change this, see the documentation string of the variable @code{org-archive-location}. There is also an in-buffer option for setting this variable, for example @example #+ARCHIVE: %s_done:: @end example @noindent You may have several such lines in the buffer, they will then be valid for the entries following the line (the first will also apply to any text before it). @node Sparse trees, Plain lists, Archiving, Document structure @section Sparse trees @cindex sparse trees @cindex trees, sparse @cindex folding, sparse trees @cindex occur, command An important feature of Org-mode is the ability to construct @emph{sparse trees} for selected information in an outline tree. A sparse tree means that the entire document is folded as much as possible, but the selected information is made visible along with the headline structure above it@footnote{See also the variables @code{org-show-hierarchy-above}, @code{org-show-following-heading}, and @code{org-show-siblings} for detailed control on how much context is shown around each match.}. Just try it out and you will see immediately how it works. Org-mode contains several commands creating such trees. The most basic one is @command{org-occur}: @table @kbd @kindex C-c / @item C-c / Occur. Prompts for a regexp and shows a sparse tree with all matches. If the match is in a headline, the headline is made visible. If the match is in the body of an entry, headline and body are made visible. In order to provide minimal context, also the full hierarchy of headlines above the match is shown, as well as the headline following the match. Each match is also highlighted; the highlights disappear when the buffer is changes an editing command, or by pressing @kbd{C-c C-c}. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, previous highlights are kept, so several calls to this command can be stacked. @end table @noindent For frequently used sparse trees of specific search strings, you can use the variable @code{org-agenda-custom-commands} to define fast keyboard access to specific sparse trees. These commands will then be accessible through the agenda dispatcher (@pxref{Agenda dispatcher}). For example: @lisp (setq org-agenda-custom-commands '(("f" occur-tree "FIXME"))) @end lisp @noindent will define the key @kbd{C-c a f} as a shortcut for creating a sparse tree matching the string @samp{FIXME}. Other commands use sparse trees as well. For example @kbd{C-c C-v} creates a sparse TODO tree (@pxref{TODO basics}). @kindex C-c C-e v @cindex printing sparse trees @cindex visible text, printing To print a sparse tree, you can use the Emacs command @code{ps-print-buffer-with-faces} which does not print invisible parts of the document @footnote{This does not work under XEmacs, because XEmacs uses selective display for outlining, not text properties.}. Or you can use the command @kbd{C-c C-e v} to export only the visible part of the document and print the resulting file. @node Plain lists, , Sparse trees, Document structure @section Plain lists @cindex plain lists @cindex lists, plain @cindex lists, ordered @cindex ordered lists Within an entry of the outline tree, hand-formatted lists can provide additional structure. They also provide a way to create lists of checkboxes (@pxref{Checkboxes}). Org-mode supports editing such lists, and the HTML exporter (@pxref{Exporting}) does parse and format them. Org-mode knows ordered and unordered lists. Unordered list items start with @samp{-}, @samp{+}, or @samp{*}@footnote{When using @samp{*} as a bullet, lines must be indented or they will be seen as top-level headlines. Also, when you are hiding leading stars to get a clean outline view, plain list items starting with a star are visually indistinguishable from true headlines. In short: even though @samp{*} is supported, it may be better not to use it for plain list items} as bullets. Ordered list items start with @samp{1.} or @samp{1)}. Items belonging to the same list must have the same indentation on the first line. In particular, if an ordered list reaches number @samp{10.}, then the 2--digit numbers must be written left-aligned with the other numbers in the list. Indentation also determines the end of a list item. It ends before the next line that is indented like the bullet/number, or less. For example: @example @group ** Lord of the Rings My favorite scenes are (in this order) 1. The attack of the Rohirrim 2. Eowyns fight with the witch king + this was already my favorite scene in the book + I really like Miranda Otto. 3. Peter Jackson being shot by Legolas - on DVD only He makes a really funny face when it happens. But in the end, not individual scenes matter but the film as a whole. @end group @end example Org-mode supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to deal with them correctly@footnote{Org-mode only changes the filling settings for Emacs. For XEmacs, you should use Kyle E. Jones' @file{filladapt.el}. To turn this on, put into @file{.emacs}: @example (require 'filladapt) @end example }. The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line of an item (the line with the bullet or number). @table @kbd @kindex @key{TAB} @item @key{TAB} Items can be folded just like headline levels if you set the variable @code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}. The level of an item is then given by the indentation of the bullet/number. Items are always subordinate to real headlines, however; the hierarchies remain completely separated. @kindex M-@key{RET} @item M-@key{RET} Insert new item at current level. With prefix arg, force a new heading (@pxref{Structure editing}). If this command is used in the middle of a line, the line is @emph{split} and the rest of the line becomes the new item. If this command is executed in the @emph{whitespace before a bullet or number}, the new item is created @emph{before} the current item. If the command is executed in the white space before the text that is part of an item but does not contain the bullet, a bullet is added to the current line. @kindex M-S-@key{RET} @item M-S-@key{RET} Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}). @kindex S-@key{up} @kindex S-@key{down} @item S-@key{up} @itemx S-@key{down} Jump to the previous/next item in the current list. @kindex M-S-@key{up} @kindex M-S-@key{down} @item M-S-@key{up} @itemx M-S-@key{down} Move the item including subitems up/down (swap with previous/next item of same indentation). If the list is ordered, renumbering is automatic. @kindex M-S-@key{left} @kindex M-S-@key{right} @item M-S-@key{left} @itemx M-S-@key{right} Decrease/increase the indentation of the item, including subitems. Initially, the item tree is selected based on current indentation. When these commands are executed several times in direct succession, the initially selected region is used, even if the new indentation would imply a different hierarchy. To use the new hierarchy, break the command chain with a cursor motion or so. @kindex C-c C-c @item C-c C-c If there is a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}) in the item line, toggle the state of the checkbox. Otherwise, if this is an ordered list, renumber the ordered list at the cursor. @end table @node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document structure, Top @chapter Tables @cindex tables @cindex editing tables Org-mode has a very fast and intuitive table editor built-in. Spreadsheet-like calculations are supported in connection with the Emacs @file{calc} package. @menu * Built-in table editor:: Simple tables * Narrow columns:: Stop wasting space in tables * orgtbl-mode:: The table editor as minor mode * The spreadsheet:: The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities. @end menu @node Built-in table editor, Narrow columns, Tables, Tables @section The built-in table editor @cindex table editor, built-in Org-mode makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII. Any line with @samp{|} as the first non-white character is considered part of a table. @samp{|} is also the column separator. A table might look like this: @example | Name | Phone | Age | |-------+-------+-----| | Peter | 1234 | 17 | | Anna | 4321 | 25 | @end example A table is re-aligned automatically each time you press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} inside the table. @key{TAB} also moves to the next field (@key{RET} to the next row) and creates new table rows at the end of the table or before horizontal lines. The indentation of the table is set by the first line. Any line starting with @samp{|-} is considered as a horizontal separator line and will be expanded on the next re-align to span the whole table width. So, to create the above table, you would only type @example |Name|Phone|Age| |- @end example @noindent and then press @key{TAB} to align the table and start filling in fields. When typing text into a field, Org-mode treats @key{DEL}, @key{Backspace}, and all character keys in a special way, so that inserting and deleting avoids shifting other fields. Also, when typing @emph{immediately after the cursor was moved into a new field with @kbd{@key{TAB}}, @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} or @kbd{@key{RET}}}, the field is automatically made blank. If this behavior is too unpredictable for you, configure the variables @code{org-enable-table-editor} and @code{org-table-auto-blank-field}. @table @kbd @tsubheading{Creation and conversion} @kindex C-c | @item C-c | Convert the active region to table. If every line contains at least one TAB character, the function assumes that the material is tab separated. If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields. You can use a prefix argument to indicate the minimum number of consecutive spaces required to identify a field separator (default: just one).@* If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org-mode table. But it's easier just to start typing, like @kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}. @tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion} @kindex C-c C-c @item C-c C-c Re-align the table without moving the cursor. @kindex @key{TAB} @item @key{TAB} Re-align the table, move to the next field. Creates a new row if necessary. @kindex S-@key{TAB} @item S-@key{TAB} Re-align, move to previous field. @kindex @key{RET} @item @key{RET} Re-align the table and move down to next row. Creates a new row if necessary. At the beginning or end of a line, @key{RET} still does NEWLINE, so it can be used to split a table. @tsubheading{Column and row editing} @kindex M-@key{left} @kindex M-@key{right} @item M-@key{left} @itemx M-@key{right} Move the current column left/right. @kindex M-S-@key{left} @item M-S-@key{left} Kill the current column. @kindex M-S-@key{right} @item M-S-@key{right} Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position. @kindex M-@key{up} @kindex M-@key{down} @item M-@key{up} @itemx M-@key{down} Move the current row up/down. @kindex M-S-@key{up} @item M-S-@key{up} Kill the current row or horizontal line. @kindex M-S-@key{down} @item M-S-@key{down} Insert a new row above (with arg: below) the current row. @kindex C-c - @item C-c - Insert a horizontal line below current row. With prefix arg, the line is created above the current line. @kindex C-c ^ @item C-c ^ Sort the table lines in the region. The position of point indicates the column to be used for sorting, and the range of lines is the range between the nearest horizontal separator lines, or the entire table. If point is before the first column, you will be prompted for the sorting column. If there is an active region, the mark specifies the first line and the sorting column, while point should be in the last line to be included into the sorting. The command prompts for the sorting type (alphabetically, numerically, or by time). When called with a prefix argument, alphabetic sorting will be case-sensitive. @tsubheading{Regions} @kindex C-c C-x M-w @item C-c C-x M-w Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard. Point and mark determine edge fields of the rectangle. The process ignores horizontal separator lines. @kindex C-c C-x C-w @item C-c C-x C-w Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and blank all fields in the rectangle. So this is the ``cut'' operation. @kindex C-c C-x C-y @item C-c C-x C-y Paste a rectangular region into a table. The upper right corner ends up in the current field. All involved fields will be overwritten. If the rectangle does not fit into the present table, the table is enlarged as needed. The process ignores horizontal separator lines. @kindex C-c C-q @item C-c C-q Wrap several fields in a column like a paragraph. If there is an active region, and both point and mark are in the same column, the text in the column is wrapped to minimum width for the given number of lines. A prefix ARG may be used to change the number of desired lines. If there is no region, the current field is split at the cursor position and the text fragment to the right of the cursor is prepended to the field one line down. If there is no region, but you specify a prefix ARG, the current field is made blank, and the content is appended to the field above. @tsubheading{Calculations} @cindex formula, in tables @cindex calculations, in tables @cindex region, active @cindex active region @cindex transient-mark-mode @kindex C-c + @item C-c + Sum the numbers in the current column, or in the rectangle defined by the active region. The result is shown in the echo area and can be inserted with @kbd{C-y}. @kindex S-@key{RET} @item S-@key{RET} When current field is empty, copy from first non-empty field above. When not empty, copy current field down to next row and move cursor along with it. Depending on the variable @code{org-table-copy-increment}, integer field values will be incremented during copy. This key is also used by CUA-mode (@pxref{Cooperation}). @tsubheading{Miscellaneous} @kindex C-c ` @item C-c ` Edit the current field in a separate window. This is useful for fields that are not fully visible (@pxref{Narrow columns}). When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be edited in place. @kindex C-c @key{TAB} @item C-c @key{TAB} This is an alias for @kbd{C-u C-c `} to make the current field fully visible. @item M-x org-table-import Import a file as a table. The table should be TAB- or whitespace separated. Useful, for example, to import an Excel table or data from a database, because these programs generally can write TAB-separated text files. This command works by inserting the file into the buffer and then converting the region to a table. Any prefix argument is passed on to the converter, which uses it to determine the separator. @item M-x org-table-export Export the table as a TAB-separated file. Useful for data exchange with, for example, Excel or database programs. @end table If you don't like the automatic table editor because it gets in your way on lines which you would like to start with @samp{|}, you can turn it off with @lisp (setq org-enable-table-editor nil) @end lisp @noindent Then the only table command that still works is @kbd{C-c C-c} to do a manual re-align. @node Narrow columns, orgtbl-mode, Built-in table editor, Tables @section Narrow columns @cindex narrow columns in tables The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor. Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text, leading to inconveniently wide columns. To limit@footnote{This feature does not work on XEmacs.} the width of a column, one field anywhere in the column may contain just the string @samp{} where @samp{N} is an integer specifying the width of the column in characters. The next re-align will then set the width of this column to no more than this value. @example @group |---+------------------------------| |---+--------| | | | | | <6> | | 1 | one | | 1 | one | | 2 | two | ----\ | 2 | two | | 3 | This is a long chunk of text | ----/ | 3 | This=> | | 4 | four | | 4 | four | |---+------------------------------| |---+--------| @end group @end example @noindent Fields that are wider become clipped and end in the string @samp{=>}. Note that the full text is still in the buffer, it is only invisible. To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field - a tooltip window will show the full content. To edit such a field, use the command @kbd{C-c `} (that is @kbd{C-c} followed by the backquote). This will open a new window with the full field. Edit it and finish with @kbd{C-c C-c}. When visiting a file containing a table with narrowed columns, the necessary character hiding has not yet happened, and the table needs to be aligned before it looks nice. Setting the option @code{org-startup-align-all-tables} will realign all tables in a file upon visiting, but also slow down startup. You can also set this option on a per-file basis with: @example #+STARTUP: align #+STARTUP: noalign @end example @node orgtbl-mode, The spreadsheet, Narrow columns, Tables @section The Orgtbl minor mode @cindex orgtbl-mode @cindex minor mode for tables If you like the intuitive way the Org-mode table editor works, you might also want to use it in other modes like text-mode or mail-mode. The minor mode Orgtbl-mode makes this possible. You can always toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x orgtbl-mode}. To turn it on by default, for example in mail mode, use @lisp (add-hook 'mail-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgtbl) @end lisp Furthermore, with some special setup, it is possible to maintain tables in arbitrary syntax with Orgtbl-mode. For example, it is possible to construct LaTeX tables with the underlying ease and power of Orgtbl-mode, including spreadsheet capabulities. For details, see @ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}. @node The spreadsheet, , orgtbl-mode, Tables @section The spreadsheet @cindex calculations, in tables @cindex spreadsheet capabilities @cindex @file{calc} package The table editor makes use of the Emacs @file{calc} package to implement spreadsheet-like capabilities. It can also evaluate Emacs Lisp forms to derive fields from other fields. @menu * References:: How to refer to another field or range * Formula syntax for Calc:: Using Calc to compute stuff * Formula syntax for Lisp:: Writing formulas in Emacs Lisp * Field formulas:: Formulas valid for a single field * Column formulas:: Formulas valid for an entire column * Editing and debugging formulas:: Fixing formulas * Updating the table:: Recomputing all dependent fields * Advanced features:: Field names, parameters and automatic recalc @end menu @node References, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet, The spreadsheet @subsection References @cindex references To compute fields in the table from other fields, formulas must reference other fields or ranges. In Org-mode, fields can be referenced by name, by absolute coordinates, and by relative coordinates. To find out what the coordinates of a field are, press @kbd{C-c ?} in that field. @subsubheading Field references @cindex field references @cindex references, to fields Formulas can reference the value of another field with the operator @example @@row$column @end example Column references can be absolute like @samp{1}, @samp{2},...@samp{N}, or relative to the current column like @samp{+1} or @samp{-2}. The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal separator lines (hlines). You can use absolute row numbers @samp{1}...@samp{N}, and row numbers relative to the current row like @samp{+3} or @samp{-1}. Or specify the row relative to one of the hlines: @samp{I} refers to the first hline, @samp{II} to the second etc. @samp{-I} refers to the first such line above the current line, @samp{+I} to the first such line below the current line. You can also write @samp{III+2} which is the second data line after the third hline in the table. Relative row numbers like @samp{-3} will not cross hlines if the current line is too close to the hline. Instead, the value directly at the hline is used. @samp{0} refers to the current row and column. Also, if you omit either the column or the row part of the reference, the current row/column is implied. Org-mode's references with @emph{positive} numbers correspond to fixed references in other spreadsheet programs. For example, @code{@@3$28} corresponds to @code{$AB$3}. Org-mode's references with @emph{negative} numbers behave similar to non-fixed references in other spreadsheet programs, because when the same formula is used in several fields, different fields are referenced each time. Here are a few examples: @example @@2$3 @r{2nd row, 3rd column} $5 @r{column 5 in the current row} @@2 @r{current column, row 2} @@-1$-3 @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left} @@-I$2 @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2} @end example @subsubheading Range references @cindex range references @cindex references, to ranges You may reference a rectangular range of fields by specifying two field references connected by two dots @samp{..}. If both fields are in the current row, you may simply use @samp{$2..$7}, but if at least one field is in a different row, you need to use the general @code{@@row$column} format at least for the first field (i.e the reference must start with @samp{@@} in order to be interpreted correctly). Examples: @example $1..$3 @r{First three fields in the current row.} $P..$Q @r{Range, using column names (see under Advanced)} @@2$1..@@4$3 @r{6 fields between these two fields.} @@-1$-2..@@-1 @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row} @end example @noindent Range references return a vector of values that can be fed into Calc vector functions. Empty fields in ranges are normally suppressed, so that the vector contains only the non-empty fields (but see the @samp{E} mode switch below). If there are no non-empty fields, @samp{[0]} is returned to avoid syntax errors in formulas. @subsubheading Named references @cindex named references @cindex references, named @cindex name, of column or field @cindex constants, in calculations @samp{$name} is interpreted as the name of a column, parameter or constant. Constants are defined globally through the variable @code{org-table-formula-constants}. If you have the @file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants, including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and units like @samp{$km} for kilometers. Column names and parameters can be specified in special table lines. These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}. @node Formula syntax for Calc, Formula syntax for Lisp, References, The spreadsheet @subsection Formula syntax for Calc @cindex formula syntax, Calc @cindex syntax, of formulas A formula can be any algebraic expression understood by the Emacs @file{Calc} package. @b{Note that @file{calc} has the non-standard convention that @samp{/} has lower precedence than @samp{*}, so that @samp{a/b*c} is interpreted as @samp{a/(b*c)}.} Before evaluation by @code{calc-eval} (@pxref{Calling Calc from Your Programs,calc-eval,Calling calc from Your Lisp Programs,calc,GNU Emacs Calc Manual}), variable substitution takes place according to the rules described above. @cindex vectors, in table calculations The range vectors can be directly fed into the calc vector functions like @samp{vmean} and @samp{vsum}. @cindex format specifier @cindex mode, for @file{calc} A formula can contain an optional mode string after a semicolon. This string consists of flags to influence Calc and other modes during execution. By default, Org-mode uses the standard calc modes (precision 12, angular units degrees, fraction and symbolic modes off. The display format, however, has been changed to @code{(float 5)} to keep tables compact. The default settings can be configured using the variable @code{org-calc-default-modes}. @example p20 @r{switch the internal precision to 20 digits} n3 s3 e2 f4 @r{normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed display format} D R @r{angle modes: degrees, radians} F S @r{fraction and symbolic modes} N @r{interpret all fields as numbers, use 0 for non-numbers} T @r{force text interpretation} E @r{keep empty fields in ranges} @end example @noindent In addition, you may provide a @code{printf} format specifier to reformat the final result. A few examples: @example $1+$2 @r{Sum of first and second field} $1+$2;%.2f @r{Same, format result to two decimals} exp($2)+exp($1) @r{Math functions can be used} $;%.1f @r{Reformat current cell to 1 decimal} ($3-32)*5/9 @r{Degrees F -> C conversion} $c/$1/$cm @r{Hz -> cm conversion, using @file{constants.el}} tan($1);Dp3s1 @r{Compute in degrees, precision 3, display SCI 1} sin($1);Dp3%.1e @r{Same, but use printf specifier for display} vmean($2..$7) @r{Compute column range mean, using vector function} vmean($2..$7);EN @r{Same, but treat empty fields as 0} taylor($3,x=7,2) @r{taylor series of $3, at x=7, second degree} @end example @node Formula syntax for Lisp, Field formulas, Formula syntax for Calc, The spreadsheet @subsection Emacs Lisp forms as formulas @cindex Lisp forms, as table formulas It is also possible to write a formula in Emacs Lisp; this can be useful for string manipulation and control structures. If a formula starts with a single quote followed by an opening parenthesis, then it is evaluated as a lisp form. The evaluation should return either a string or a number. Just as with @file{calc} formulas, you can specify modes and a printf format after a semicolon. A reference will be replaced with a string (in double quotes) containing the field. If you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all referenced elements will be numbers. Ranges are inserted as space-separated fields, so you can embed them in list or vector syntax. A few examples, note how the @samp{N} mode is used when we do computations in lisp. @example @r{Swap the first two characters of the content of column 1} '(concat (substring $1 1 2) (substring $1 0 1) (substring $1 2)) @r{Add columns 1 and 2, equivalent to the Calc's @code{$1+$2}} '(+ $1 $2);N @r{Compute the sum of columns 1-4, like Calc's @code{vsum($1..$4)}} '(apply '+ '($1..$4));N @end example @node Field formulas, Column formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet @subsection Field formulas @cindex field formula @cindex formula, for individual table field To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the field, preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=$1+$2}. When you press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for this field, evaluated, and the current field replaced with the result. Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:} directly below the table. If you typed the equation in the 4th field of the 3rd data line in the table, the formula will look like @samp{@@3$2=$1+$2}. When inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows with the appropriate commands, @i{absolute references} (but not relative ones) in stored formulas are modified in order to still reference the same field. Of cause this is not true if you edit the table structure with normal editing commands - then you must go and fix equations yourself. Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the following command @table @kbd @kindex C-u C-c = @item C-u C-c = Install a new formula for the current field. The command prompts for a formula, with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM:} line, applies it to the current field and stores it. @end table @node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field formulas, The spreadsheet @subsection Column formulas @cindex column formula @cindex formula, for table column Often in a table, the same formula should be used for all fields in a particular column. Instead of having to copy the formula to all fields in that column, org-mode allows to assign a single formula to an entire column. To assign a formula to a column, type it directly into any field in the column, preceded by an equal sign, like @samp{=$1+$2}. When you press @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the field, the formula will be stored as the formula for the current column, evaluated and the current field replaced with the result. If the field contains only @samp{=}, the previously stored formula for this column is used. For each column, Org-mode will only remember the most recently used formula. In the @samp{TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like @samp{$4=$1+$2}. Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the following command: @table @kbd @kindex C-c = @item C-c = Install a new formula for the current column and replace current field with the result of the formula. The command prompts for a formula, with default taken from the @samp{#+TBLFM} line, applies it to the current field and stores it. With a numerical prefix (e.g. @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) will apply it to that many consecutive fields in the current column. @end table @node Editing and debugging formulas, Updating the table, Column formulas, The spreadsheet @subsection Editing and Debugging formulas @cindex formula editing @cindex editing, of table formulas You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the field. Org-mode can also prepare a special buffer with all active formulas of a table. @table @kbd @kindex C-c = @kindex C-u C-c = @item C-c = @itemx C-u C-c = Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the minibuffer. See @ref{Column formulas} and @ref{Field formulas}. @kindex C-u C-u C-c = @item C-u C-u C-c = Re-insert the active formula (either a field formula, or a column formula) into the current field, so that you can edit it directly in the field. The advantage over editing in the minibuffer is that you can use the command @kbd{C-c ?}. @kindex C-c ? @item C-c ? While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s) referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula. @kindex C-c ' @item C-c ' Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the formulas will be displayed one per line. While inside the special buffer, Org-mode will automatically highlight any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit, remove and add formulas, and use the following commands: @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-c @item C-c C-c Exit the buffer and store the modified formulas. With @kbd{C-u} prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table. @kindex C-c C-q @item C-c C-q Exit the buffer without installing changes. @kindex @key{TAB} @item @key{TAB} Pretty-print or indent lisp formula at point. When in a line containing a lisp formula, format the formula according to Emacs Lisp rules. Another @key{TAB} collapses the formula back again. In the open formula, @key{TAB} re-indents just like in Emacs-lisp-mode. @kindex M-@key{TAB} @item M-@key{TAB} Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs-lisp-mode. @kindex S-@key{up} @kindex S-@key{down} @item S-@key{up}/@key{down} Move the reference line in the Org-mode buffer up and down. This is important for highlighting the references of column formulas for different rows. @kindex M-@key{up} @kindex M-@key{down} @item M-@key{up}/@key{down} Scroll the window displaying the table. @end table @kindex C-c @} @item C-c @} Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using overlays. These are uptated each time the table is aligned, you can force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}. @kindex C-c @{ @item C-c @{ Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below. @end table Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with the field, because that is stored in a different line (the @samp{TBLFM} line) - during the next recalculation the field will be filled again. To remove a formula from a field, you have to give an empty reply when prompted for the formula, or to edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} line. @kindex C-c C-c You may edit the @samp{#+TBLFM} directly and re-apply the changed equations with @kbd{C-c C-c} in that line, or with the normal recalculation commands in the table. @subsubheading Debugging formulas @cindex formula debugging @cindex debugging, of table formulas When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content becomes the string @samp{#ERROR}. If you would like see what is going on during variable substitution and calculation in order to find a bug, turn on formula debugging in the @code{Tbl} menu and repeat the calculation, for example by pressing @kbd{C-c = @key{RET}} in a field. Detailed information will be displayed. @node Updating the table, Advanced features, Editing and debugging formulas, The spreadsheet @subsection Updating the Table @cindex recomputing table fields @cindex updating, table Recalculation of a table is normally not automatic, but needs to be triggered by a command. See @ref{Advanced features} for a way to make recalculation at least semi-automatically. In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the following commands: @table @kbd @kindex C-c * @item C-c * Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas from left to right, and all field formulas in the current row. @kindex C-u C-c * @item C-u C-c * @kindex C-u C-c C-c @itemx C-u C-c C-c Recompute the entire table, line by line. Any lines before the first hline are left alone, assuming that these are part of the table header. @kindex C-u C-u C-c * @item C-u C-u C-c * Iterate the table by recomputing it until no further changes occur. This may be necessary if some computed fields use the value of other fields that are computed @i{later} in the calculation sequence. @end table @node Advanced features, , Updating the table, The spreadsheet @subsection Advanced features If you want the recalculation of fields to happen automatically, or if you want to be able to assign @i{names} to fields and columns, you need to reserve the first column of the table for special marking characters. @table @kbd @kindex C-# @item C-# Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{}, @samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}. The meaning of these characters is discussed below. When there is an active region, change all marks in the region. @end table Here is an example of a table that collects exam results of students and makes use of these features: @example @group |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------| | | Student | Prob 1 | Prob 2 | Prob 3 | Total | Note | |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------| | ! | | P1 | P2 | P3 | Tot | | | # | Maximum | 10 | 15 | 25 | 50 | 10.0 | | ^ | | m1 | m2 | m3 | mt | | |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------| | # | Peter | 10 | 8 | 23 | 41 | 8.2 | | # | Sara | 6 | 14 | 19 | 39 | 7.8 | | # | Sam | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 1.8 | |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------| | | Average | | | | 29.7 | | | ^ | | | | | at | | | $ | max=50 | | | | | | |---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------| #+TBLFM: $6=vsum($P1..$P3)::$7=10*$Tot/$max;%.1f::$at=vmean(@@-II..@@-I);%.1f @end group @end example @noindent @b{Important}: Please note that for these special tables, recalculating the table with @kbd{C-u C-c *} will only affect rows that are marked @samp{#} or @samp{*}, and fields that have a formula assigned to the field itself. The column formulas are not applied in rows with empty first field. @cindex marking characters, tables The marking characters have the following meaning: @table @samp @item ! The fields in this line define names for the columns, so that you may refer to a column as @samp{$Tot} instead of @samp{$6}. @item ^ This row defines names for the fields @emph{above} the row. With such a definition, any formula in the table may use @samp{$m1} to refer to the value @samp{10}. Also, if you assign a formula to a names field, it will be stored as @samp{$name=...}. @item _ Similar to @samp{^}, but defines names for the fields in the row @emph{below}. @item $ Fields in this row can define @emph{parameters} for formulas. For example, if a field in a @samp{$} row contains @samp{max=50}, then formulas in this table can refer to the value 50 using @samp{$max}. Parameters work exactly like constants, only that they can be defined on a per-table basis. @item # Fields in this row are automatically recalculated when pressing @key{TAB} or @key{RET} or @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} in this row. Also, this row is selected for a global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. Unmarked lines will be left alone by this command. @item * Selects this line for global recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}, but not for automatic recalculation. Use this when automatic recalculation slows down editing too much. @item Unmarked lines are exempt from recalculation with @kbd{C-u C-c *}. All lines that should be recalculated should be marked with @samp{#} or @samp{*}. @item / Do not export this line. Useful for lines that contain the narrowing @samp{} markers. @end table Finally, just to whet your appetite on what can be done with the fantastic @file{calc} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of functions (homework: try that with Excel :-) @example @group |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------| | | Func | n | x | Result | |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------| | # | exp(x) | 1 | x | 1 + x | | # | exp(x) | 2 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 | | # | exp(x) | 3 | x | 1 + x + x^2 / 2 + x^3 / 6 | | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=0 | x*(0.5 / 0) + x^2 (2 - 0.25 / 0) / 2 | | # | x^2+sqrt(x) | 2 | x=1 | 2 + 2.5 x - 2.5 + 0.875 (x - 1)^2 | | * | tan(x) | 3 | x | 0.0175 x + 1.77e-6 x^3 | |---+-------------+---+-----+--------------------------------------| #+TBLFM: $5=taylor($2,$4,$3);n3 @end group @end example @node Hyperlinks, TODO items, Tables, Top @chapter Hyperlinks @cindex hyperlinks Just like HTML, Org-mode provides links inside a file, and external links to other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more. @menu * Link format:: How links in Org-mode are formatted * Internal links:: Links to other places in the current file * External links:: URL-like links to the world * Handling links:: Creating, inserting and following * Link abbreviations:: Shortcuts for writing complex links * Search options:: Linking to a specific location * Custom searches:: When the default search is not enough * Remember:: Org-trees store quick notes @end menu @node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks @section Link format @cindex link format @cindex format, of links Org-mode will recognize plain URL-like links and activate them as clickable links. The general link format, however, looks like this: @example [[link][description]] @r{or alternatively} [[link]] @end example Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org-mode will change the display so that @samp{description} is displayed instead of @samp{[[link][description]]} and @samp{link} is displayed instead of @samp{[[link]]}. Links will be highlighted in the face @code{org-link}, which by default is an underlined face. You can directly edit the visible part of a link. Note that this can be either the @samp{link} part (if there is no description) or the @samp{description} part. To edit also the invisible @samp{link} part, use @kbd{C-c C-l} with the cursor on the link. If you place the cursor at the beginning or just behind the end of the displayed text and press @key{BACKSPACE}, you will remove the (invisible) bracket at that location. This makes the link incomplete and the internals are again displayed as plain text. Inserting the missing bracket hides the link internals again. To show the internal structure of all links, use the menu entry @code{Org->Hyperlinks->Literal links}. @node Internal links, External links, Link format, Hyperlinks @section Internal links @cindex internal links @cindex links, internal @cindex targets, for links If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in the current file. Links such as @samp{[[My Target]]} or @samp{[[My Target][Find my target]]} lead to a text search in the current file. The link can be followed with @kbd{C-c C-o} when the cursor is on the link, or with a mouse click (@pxref{Handling links}). The preferred match for such a link is a dedicated target: the same string in double angular brackets. Targets may be located anywhere; sometimes it is convenient to put them into a comment line. For example @example # <> @end example @noindent In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such targets will become named anchors for direct access through @samp{http} links@footnote{Note that text before the first headline will never be exported, so the first such target must be after the first headline.}. If no dedicated target exists, Org-mode will search for the words in the link. In the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}. Links starting with a star like @samp{*My Target} restrict the search to headlines. When searching, Org-mode will first try an exact match, but then move on to more and more lenient searches. For example, the link @samp{[[*My Targets]]} will find any of the following: @example ** My targets ** TODO my targets are bright ** my 20 targets are @end example To insert a link targeting a headline, in-buffer completion can be used. Just type a star followed by a few optional letters into the buffer and press @kbd{M-@key{TAB}}. All headlines in the current buffer will be offered as completions. @xref{Handling links}, for more commands creating links. Following a link pushes a mark onto Org-mode's own mark ring. You can return to the previous position with @kbd{C-c &}. Using this command several times in direct succession goes back to positions recorded earlier. @menu * Radio targets:: Make targets trigger links in plain text. @end menu @node Radio targets, , Internal links, Internal links @subsection Radio targets @cindex radio targets @cindex targets, radio @cindex links, radio targets You can configure Org-mode to link any occurrences of certain target names in normal text. So without explicitly creating a link, the text connects to the target radioing its position. Radio targets are enclosed by triple angular brackets. For example, a target @samp{<<>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in normal text to become activated as a link. The Org-mode file is scanned automatically for radio targets only when the file is first loaded into Emacs. To update the target list during editing, press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor on or at a target. @node External links, Handling links, Internal links, Hyperlinks @section External links @cindex links, external @cindex external links @cindex links, external @cindex GNUS links @cindex BBDB links @cindex URL links @cindex file links @cindex VM links @cindex RMAIL links @cindex WANDERLUST links @cindex MH-E links @cindex USENET links @cindex SHELL links @cindex Info links @cindex elisp links Org-mode supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages, and BBDB database entries. External links are URL-like locators. They start with a short identifying string followed by a colon. There can be no space after the colon. The following list shows examples for each link type. @example http://orgmode.org/ @r{on the web} file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg @r{file, absolute path} file:papers/last.pdf @r{file, relative path} news:comp.emacs @r{Usenet link} mailto:adent@@galaxy.net @r{Mail link} vm:folder @r{VM folder link} vm:folder#id @r{VM message link} vm://myself@@some.where.org/folder#id @r{VM on remote machine} wl:folder @r{WANDERLUST folder link} wl:folder#id @r{WANDERLUST message link} mhe:folder @r{MH-E folder link} mhe:folder#id @r{MH-E message link} rmail:folder @r{RMAIL folder link} rmail:folder#id @r{RMAIL message link} gnus:group @r{GNUS group link} gnus:group#id @r{GNUS article link} bbdb:Richard Stallman @r{BBDB link} shell:ls *.org @r{A shell command} elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{An elisp form to evaluate} @end example A link should be enclosed in double brackets and may contain a descriptive text to be displayed instead of the url (@pxref{Link format}), for example: @example [[http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/][GNU Emacs]] @end example @noindent If the description is a file name or URL that points to an image, HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}) will inline the image as a clickable button. If there is no description at all and the link points to an image, that image will be inlined into the exported HTML file. @cindex angular brackets, around links @cindex plain text external links Org-mode also finds external links in the normal text and activates them as links. If spaces must be part of the link (for example in @samp{bbdb:Richard Stallman}), or if you need to remove ambiguities about the end of the link, enclose them in angular brackets. @node Handling links, Link abbreviations, External links, Hyperlinks @section Handling links @cindex links, handling Org-mode provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to insert it into an org-mode file, and to follow the link. @table @kbd @kindex C-c l @cindex storing links @item C-c l Store a link to the current location. This is a @emph{global} command which can be used in any buffer to create a link. The link will be stored for later insertion into an Org-mode buffer (see below). For Org-mode files, if there is a @samp{<>} at the cursor, the link points to the target. Otherwise it points to the current headline. For VM, RMAIL, WANDERLUST, MH-E, GNUS and BBDB buffers, the link will indicate the current article/entry. For W3 and W3M buffers, the link goes to the current URL. For any other files, the link will point to the file, with a search string (@pxref{Search options}) pointing to the contents of the current line. If there is an active region, the selected words will form the basis of the search string. If the automatically created link is not working correctly or accurately enough, you can write custom functions to select the search string and to do the search for particular file types - see @ref{Custom searches}. The key binding @kbd{C-c l} is only a suggestion - see @ref{Installation}. @kindex C-c C-l @cindex link completion @cindex completion, of links @cindex inserting links @item C-c C-l Insert a link. This prompts for a link to be inserted into the buffer. You can just type a link, using text for an internal link, or one of the link type prefixes mentioned in the examples above. All links stored during the current session are part of the history for this prompt, so you can access them with @key{up} and @key{down}, or with completion@footnote{After insertion of a stored link, the link will be removed from the list of stored links. To keep it in the list later use, use a triple @kbd{C-u} prefix to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the option @code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}. The link will be inserted into the buffer, along with a descriptive text. If some text was selected when this command is called, the selected text becomes the default description.@* Note that you don't have to use this command to insert a link. Links in Org-mode are plain text, and you can type or paste them straight into the buffer. By using this command, the links are automatically enclosed in double brackets, and you will be asked for the optional descriptive text. @c If the link is a @samp{file:} link and @c the linked file is located in the same directory as the current file or @c a subdirectory of it, the path of the file will be inserted relative to @c the current directory. @kindex C-u C-c C-l @cindex file name completion @cindex completion, of file names @item C-u C-c C-l When @kbd{C-c C-l} is called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument, a link to a file will be inserted and you may use file name completion to select the name of the file. The path to the file is inserted relative to the directory of the current org file, if the linked file is in the current directory or in a subdirectory of it, or if the path is written relative to the current directory using @samp{../}. Otherwise an absolute path is used, if possible with @samp{~/} for your home directory. You can force an absolute path with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes. @item C-c C-l @r{with cursor on existing link} When the cursor is on an existing link, @kbd{C-c C-l} allows you to edit the link and description parts of the link. @cindex following links @kindex C-c C-o @item C-c C-o Open link at point. This will launch a web browser for URLs (using @command{browse-url-at-point}), run vm/mh-e/wanderlust/rmail/gnus/bbdb for the corresponding links, and execute the command in a shell link. When the cursor is on an internal link, this commands runs the corresponding search. When the cursor is on a TAG list in a headline, it creates the corresponding TAGS view. If the cursor is on a time stamp, it compiles the agenda for that date. Furthermore, it will visit text and remote files in @samp{file:} links with Emacs and select a suitable application for local non-text files. Classification of files is based on file extension only. See option @code{org-file-apps}. If you want to override the default application and visit the file with Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u} prefix. @kindex mouse-2 @kindex mouse-1 @item mouse-2 @itemx mouse-1 On links, @kbd{mouse-2} will open the link just as @kbd{C-c C-o} would. Under Emacs 22, also @kbd{mouse-1} will follow a link. @kindex mouse-3 @item mouse-3 Like @kbd{mouse-2}, but force file links to be opened with Emacs, and internal links to be displayed in another window@footnote{See the variable @code{org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer}}. @cindex mark ring @kindex C-c % @item C-c % Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return easily. Commands following an internal link do this automatically. @cindex links, returning to @kindex C-c & @item C-c & Jump back to a recorded position. A position is recorded by the commands following internal links, and by @kbd{C-c %}. Using this command several times in direct succession moves through a ring of previously recorded positions. @kindex C-c C-x C-n @kindex C-c C-x C-p @cindex links, finding next/previous @item C-c C-x C-n @itemx C-c C-x C-p Move forward/backward to the next link in the buffer. At the limit of the buffer, the search fails once, and then wraps around. The key bindings for this are really too long, you might want to bind this also to @kbd{C-n} and @kbd{C-p} @lisp (add-hook 'org-load-hook (lambda () (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-n" 'org-next-link) (define-key 'org-mode-map "\C-p" 'org-previous-link))) @end lisp @end table @node Link abbreviations, Search options, Handling links, Hyperlinks @section Link abbreviations @cindex link abbreviations @cindex abbreviation, links Long URLs can be cumbersome to type, and often many similar links are needed in a document. For this you can use link abbreviations. An abbreviated link looks like this @example [[linkword:tag][description]] @end example @noindent where the tag is optional. Such abbreviations are resolved according to the information in the variable @code{org-link-abbrev-alist} that relates the linkwords to replacement text. Here is an example: @lisp @group (setq org-link-abbrev-alist '(("bugzilla" . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=") ("google" . "http://www.google.com/search?q=") ("ads" . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/ nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST"))) @end group @end lisp If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be replaced with the tag. Otherwise the tag will be appended to the string in order to create the link. You may also specify a function that will be called with the tag as the only argument to create the link. With the above setting, you could link to a specific bug with @code{[[bugzilla:129]]}, search the web for @samp{OrgMode} with @code{[[google:OrgMode]]} and find out what the Org-mode author is doing besides Emacs hacking with @code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}. If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org-mode buffer, you can define them in the file with @example #+LINK: bugzilla http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id= #+LINK: google http://www.google.com/search?q=%s @end example @noindent In-buffer completion @pxref{Completion} can be used after @samp{[} to complete link abbreviations. @node Search options, Custom searches, Link abbreviations, Hyperlinks @section Search options in file links @cindex search option in file links @cindex file links, searching File links can contain additional information to make Emacs jump to a particular location in the file when following a link. This can be a line number or a search option after a double@footnote{For backward compatibility, line numbers can also follow a single colon.} colon. For example, when the command @kbd{C-c l} creates a link (@pxref{Handling links}) to a file, it encodes the words in the current line as a search string that can be used to find this line back later when following the link with @kbd{C-c C-o}. Here is the syntax of the different ways to attach a search to a file link, together with an explanation: @example [[file:~/code/main.c::255]] [[file:~/xx.org::My Target]] [[file:~/xx.org::*My Target]] [[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]] @end example @table @code @item 255 Jump to line 255. @item My Target Search for a link target @samp{<>}, or do a text search for @samp{my target}, similar to the search in internal links, see @ref{Internal links}. In HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}), such a file link will become an HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in the linked file. @item *My Target In an Org-mode file, restrict search to headlines. @item /regexp/ Do a regular expression search for @code{regexp}. This uses the Emacs command @code{occur} to list all matches in a separate window. If the target file is in Org-mode, @code{org-occur} is used to create a sparse tree with the matches. @c If the target file is a directory, @c @code{grep} will be used to search all files in the directory. @end table As a degenerate case, a file link with an empty file name can be used to search the current file. For example, @code{[[file:::find me]]} does a search for @samp{find me} in the current file, just as @samp{[[find me]]} would. @node Custom searches, Remember, Search options, Hyperlinks @section Custom Searches @cindex custom search strings @cindex search strings, custom The default mechanism for creating search strings and for doing the actual search related to a file link may not work correctly in all cases. For example, BibTeX database files have many entries like @samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings, because the only unique identification for a BibTeX entry is the citation key. If you come across such a problem, you can write custom functions to set the right search string for a particular file type, and to do the search for the string in the file. Using @code{add-hook}, these functions need to be added to the hook variables @code{org-create-file-search-functions} and @code{org-execute-file-search-functions}. See the docstring for these variables for more information. Org-mode actually uses this mechanism for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as an implementation example. Search for @samp{BibTeX links} in the source file. @node Remember, , Custom searches, Hyperlinks @section Remember @cindex @file{remember.el} Another way to create org entries with links to other files is through the @i{remember} package by John Wiegley. @i{Remember} lets you store quick notes with little interruption of your work flow. See @uref{http://www.emacswiki.org/cgi-bin/wiki/RememberMode} for more information. The notes produced by @i{Remember} can be stored in different ways, and Org-mode files are a good target. Org-mode significantly expands the possibilities of @i{remember}: You may define templates for different note types, and to associate target files and headlines with specific templates. It also allows you to select the location where a note should be stored interactively, on the fly. @menu * Setting up remember:: Some code for .emacs to get things going * Remember templates:: Define the outline of different note types * Storing notes:: Directly get the note to where it belongs @end menu @node Setting up remember, Remember templates, Remember, Remember @subsection Setting up remember The following customization will tell @i{remember} to use org files as target, and to create annotations compatible with Org-mode links. @example (setq org-directory "~/path/to/my/orgfiles/") (setq org-default-notes-file "~/.notes") (setq remember-annotation-functions '(org-remember-annotation)) (setq remember-handler-functions '(org-remember-handler)) (add-hook 'remember-mode-hook 'org-remember-apply-template) @end example @node Remember templates, Storing notes, Setting up remember, Remember @subsection Remember templates @cindex templates, for remember In combination with Org-mode, you can use templates to generate different types of @i{remember} notes. For example, if you would like to use one template to create general TODO entries, another one for journal entries, and a third one for collecting random ideas, you could use: @example (setq org-remember-templates '((?t "* TODO %?\n %i\n %a" "~/org/TODO.org") (?j "* %U %?\n\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org") (?i "* %^@{Title@}\n %i\n %a" "~/org/JOURNAL.org" "New Ideas"))) @end example @noindent In these entries, the character specifies how to select the template. The first string specifies the template. Two more (optional) strings give the file in which, and the headline under which the new note should be stored. The file defaults to @code{org-default-notes-file}, the heading to @code{org-remember-default-headline}. Both defaults help to get to the storing location quickly, but you can change the location interactively while storing the note. When you call @kbd{M-x remember} (or @kbd{M-x org-remember}) to remember something, org will prompt for a key to select the template (if you have more than one template) and then prepare the buffer like @example * TODO [[file:link to where you called remember]] @end example @noindent or @example * [2006-03-21 Tue 15:37] [[file:link to where you called remember]] @end example @noindent During expansion of the template, special @kbd{%}-escapes allow dynamic insertion of content: @example %^@{prompt@} @r{prompt the user for a string and replace this sequence with it.} %t @r{time stamp, date only} %T @r{time stamp with date and time} %u, %U @r{like the above, but inactive time stamps} %^t @r{like @code{%t}, but prompt for date. Similarly @code{%^T}, @code{%^u}, @code{%^U}} @r{You may define a prompt like @code{%^@{Birthday@}t}} %n @r{user name (taken from @code{user-full-name})} %a @r{annotation, normally the link created with @code{org-store-link}} %i @r{initial content, the region when remember is called with C-u.} @r{The entire text will be indented like @code{%i} itself.} %:keyword @r{specific information for certain link types, see below} @end example @noindent For specific link types, the following keywords will be defined: @example Link type | Available keywords -------------------+---------------------------------------------- bbdb | %:name %:company vm, wl, mh, rmail | %:type %:subject %:message-id | %:from %:fromname %:fromaddress | %:to %:toname %:toaddress | %: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}.}} gnus | %:group, @r{for messages also all email fields} w3, w3m | %:url info | %:file %:node calendar | %:date" @end example @noindent If you would like to have the cursor in a specific position after the template has been expanded: @example %? @r{After completing the template, position cursor here.} @end example @noindent If you change you mind about which template to use, call @code{org-remember} in the remember buffer. You may then select a new template that will be filled with the previoous context information. @node Storing notes, , Remember templates, Remember @subsection Storing notes When you are finished preparing a note with @i{remember}, you have to press @kbd{C-c C-c} to file the note away. The handler first prompts for a target file - if you press @key{RET}, the value specified for the template is used. Then the command offers the headings tree of the selected file, with the cursor position at the default headline (if you had specified one in the template). You can either immediately press @key{RET} to get the note placed there. Or you can use vertical cursor motion (@key{up} and @key{down}) and visibility cycling (@key{TAB}) to find a better place. Pressing @key{RET} or @key{left} or @key{right} then leads to the following result. @multitable @columnfractions 0.2 0.1 0.7 @item @b{Cursor position} @tab @b{Key} @tab @b{Note gets inserted} @item buffer-start @tab @key{RET} @tab as level 2 heading at end of file @item on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab as sublevel of the heading at cursor @item @tab @key{left} @tab as same level, before current heading @item @tab @key{right} @tab as same level, after current heading @item not on headline @tab @key{RET} @tab at cursor position, level taken from context. Or use prefix arg to specify level manually. @end multitable So a fast way to store the note to its default location is to press @kbd{C-c C-c @key{RET} @key{RET}}. Even shorter would be @kbd{C-u C-c C-c}, which does the same without even asking for a file or showing the tree. Before inserting the text into a tree, the function ensures that the text has a headline, i.e. a first line that starts with a @samp{*}. If not, a headline is constructed from the current date and some additional data. If the variable @code{org-adapt-indentation} is non-nil, the entire text is also indented so that it starts in the same column as the headline (after the asterisks). @node TODO items, Timestamps, Hyperlinks, Top @chapter TODO items @cindex TODO items Org-mode does not maintain TODO lists as a separate document. TODO items are an integral part of the notes file, because TODO items usually come up while taking notes! With Org-mode, you simply mark any entry in a tree as being a TODO item. In this way, the information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the item emerged is always present when you check. Of course, this technique causes TODO items to be scattered throughout your file. Org-mode provides methods to give you an overview over all things you have to do. @menu * TODO basics:: Marking and displaying TODO entries * TODO extensions:: Workflow and assignments * Priorities:: Some things are more important than others * Breaking down tasks:: Splitting a task into managable pieces * Checkboxes:: Tick-off lists @end menu @node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO items, TODO items @section Basic TODO functionality Any headline can become a TODO item by starting it with the word TODO, for example: @example *** TODO Write letter to Sam Fortune @end example @noindent The most important commands to work with TODO entries are: @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-t @cindex cycling, of TODO states @item C-c C-t Rotate the TODO state of the current item between @example ,-> (unmarked) -> TODO -> DONE --. '--------------------------------' @end example The same rotation can also be done ``remotely'' from the timeline and agenda buffers with the @kbd{t} command key (@pxref{Agenda commands}). @kindex S-@key{right} @kindex S-@key{left} @item S-@key{right} @itemx S-@key{left} Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling. Mostly useful if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO extensions}). @kindex C-c C-v @cindex sparse tree, for TODO @item C-c C-v View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}). Folds the entire buffer, but shows all TODO items and the headings hierarchy above them. With prefix arg, show also the DONE entries. With numerical prefix N, show the tree for the Nth keyword in the variable @code{org-todo-keywords}. @kindex C-c a t @item C-c a t Show the global TODO list. This collects the TODO items from all agenda files (@pxref{Agenda views}) into a single buffer. The buffer is in @code{agenda-mode}, so there are commands to examine and manipulate the TODO entries directly from that buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}). @xref{Global TODO list}, for more information. @c @item @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo} @c If you would like to have all your TODO items listed as part of your @c agenda, customize the variable @code{org-agenda-include-all-todo}. @end table @node TODO extensions, Priorities, TODO basics, TODO items @section Extended use of TODO keywords @cindex extended TODO keywords The default implementation of TODO entries is just two states: TODO and DONE. You can, however, use the TODO feature for more complicated things by configuring the variables @code{org-todo-keywords} and @code{org-todo-interpretation}. Using special setup, you can even use TODO keywords in different ways in different org files. Note that @i{tags} are another way to classify headlines in general and TODO items in particular (@pxref{Tags}). @menu * Workflow states:: From TODO to DONE in steps * TODO types:: I do this, Fred the rest * Per file keywords:: Different files, different requirements @end menu @node Workflow states, TODO types, TODO extensions, TODO extensions @subsection TODO keywords as workflow states @cindex TODO workflow @cindex workflow states as TODO keywords You can use TODO keywords to indicate different states in the process of working on an item, for example: @lisp (setq org-todo-keywords '("TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "DONE") org-todo-interpretation 'sequence) @end lisp @cindex completion, of TODO keywords Changing these variables only becomes effective in a new Emacs session. With this setup, the command @kbd{C-c C-t} will cycle an entry from TODO to FEEDBACK, then to VERIFY, and finally to DONE. You may also use a prefix argument to quickly select a specific state. For example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY. If you define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion (see @ref{Completion}) to insert these words into the buffer. Changing a todo state can be logged with a timestamp, see @ref{Tracking TODO state changes} for more information. @node TODO types, Per file keywords, Workflow states, TODO extensions @subsection TODO keywords as types @cindex TODO types @cindex names as TODO keywords @cindex types as TODO keywords The second possibility is to use TODO keywords to indicate different types of action items. For example, you might want to indicate that items are for ``work'' or ``home''. If you are into David Allen's @emph{Getting Things DONE}, you might want to use todo types @samp{NEXTACTION}, @samp{WAITING}, @samp{MAYBE}. Or, when you work with several people on a single project, you might want to assign action items directly to persons, by using their names as TODO keywords. This would be set up like this: @lisp (setq org-todo-keywords '("Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "Mike" "DONE") org-todo-interpretation 'type) @end lisp In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather different types. So it is normally not useful to change from one type to another. Therefore, in this case the behavior of the command @kbd{C-c C-t} is changed slightly@footnote{This is also true for the @kbd{t} command in the timeline and agenda buffers.}. When used several times in succession, it will still cycle through all names. But when you return to the item after some time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from each name directly to DONE. Use prefix arguments or completion to quickly select a specific name. You can also review the items of a specific TODO type in a sparse tree by using a numeric prefix to @kbd{C-c C-v}. For example, to see all things Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c C-v}. To collect Lucy's items from all agenda files into a single buffer, you would use the prefix arg as well when creating the global todo list: @kbd{C-3 C-c t}. @node Per file keywords, , TODO types, TODO extensions @subsection Setting up TODO keywords for individual files @cindex keyword options @cindex per file keywords It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in different files, which is not possible with the global settings described above. For file-local settings, you need to add special lines to the file which set the keywords and interpretation for that file only. For example, to set one of the two examples discussed above, you need one of the following lines, starting in column zero anywhere in the file: @example #+SEQ_TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY DONE #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike DONE @end example @cindex completion, of option keywords @kindex M-@key{TAB} @noindent To make sure you are using the correct keyword, type @samp{#+} into the buffer and then use @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} completion. @cindex DONE, final TODO keyword Remember that the last keyword must always mean that the item is DONE (although you may use a different word). Also note that in each file, only one of the two aspects of TODO keywords can be used. After changing one of these lines, use @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor still in the line to make the changes known to Org-mode@footnote{Org-mode parses these lines only when Org-mode is activated after visiting a file. @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in a line starting with @samp{#+} is simply restarting Org-mode for the current buffer.}. If you want to use very many keywords, for example when working with a large group of people, you may split the names over several lines: @example #+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike #+TYP_TODO: Luis George Jules Jessica #+TYP_TODO: Kim Arnold Peter #+TYP_TODO: DONE @end example @node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, TODO extensions, TODO items @section Priorities @cindex priorities If you use Org-mode extensively to organize your work, you may end up with a number of TODO entries so large that you'd like to prioritize them. This can be done by placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the headline, like this @example *** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune @end example @noindent With its standard setup, Org-mode supports priorities @samp{A}, @samp{B}, and @samp{C}. @samp{A} is the highest priority. An entry without a cookie is treated as priority @samp{B}. Priorities make a difference only in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}). @table @kbd @kindex @kbd{C-c ,} @item @kbd{C-c ,} Set the priority of the current headline. The command prompts for a priority character @samp{A}, @samp{B} or @samp{C}. When you press @key{SPC} instead, the priority cookie is removed from the headline. The priorities can also be changed ``remotely'' from the timeline and agenda buffer with the @kbd{,} command (@pxref{Agenda commands}). @kindex S-@key{up} @kindex S-@key{down} @item S-@key{up} @itemx S-@key{down} Increase/decrease priority of current headline. Note that these keys are also used to modify time stamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}). Furthermore, these keys are also used by CUA-mode (@pxref{Conflicts}). @end table @node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO items @section Breaking tasks down into subtasks @cindex tasks, breaking down It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, managable subtasks. You can do this by creating an outline tree below a TODO item, with detailed subtasks on the tree@footnote{To keep subtasks out of the global TODO list, see the @code{org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels}.}. Another possibility is the use of checkboxes to identify (a hierarchy of) a large number of subtasks (@pxref{Checkboxes}). @node Checkboxes, , Breaking down tasks, TODO items @section Checkboxes @cindex checkboxes Every item in a plain list (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made a checkbox by starting it with the string @samp{[ ]}. This feature is similar to TODO items (@pxref{TODO items}), but more lightweight. Checkboxes are not included into the global TODO list, so they are often great to split a task into a number of simple steps. Or you can use them in a shopping list. To toggle a checkbox, use @kbd{C-c C-c}, or try Piotr Zielinski's @file{org-mouse.el}. Here is an example of a checkbox list. @example * TODO Organize party [3/6] - call people [1/3] - [ ] Peter - [X] Sarah - [ ] Sam - [X] order food - [ ] think about what music to play - [X] talk to the neighbors @end example @cindex statistics, for checkboxes @cindex checkbox statistics The @samp{[3/6]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are cookies indicating how many checkboxes are present in this entry, and how many of them have been checked off. This can give you an idea on how many checkboxes remain, even without opening a folded entry. The cookies can be placed into a headline or into (the first line of) a plain list item. Each cookie covers all checkboxes structurally below that headline/item. You have to insert the cookie yourself by typing either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]}. In the first case you get an @samp{n out of m} result, in the second case you get information about the percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be @samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%], respectively}). @noindent The following commands work with checkboxes: @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-c @item C-c C-c Toggle checkbox at point. @kindex C-c C-x C-b @item C-c C-x C-b Toggle checkbox at point. @itemize @minus @item If there is an active region, toggle the first checkbox in the region and set all remaining boxes to the same status as the first. If you want to toggle all boxes in the region independently, use a prefix argument. @item If the cursor is in a headline, toggle checkboxes in the region between this headline and the next (so @emph{not} the entire subtree). @item If there is no active region, just toggle the checkbox at point. @end itemize @kindex M-S-@key{RET} @item M-S-@key{RET} Insert a new item with a checkbox. This works only if the cursor is already in a plain list item (@pxref{Plain lists}). @kindex C-c # @item C-c # Update the checkbox statistics in the current outline entry. When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, update the entire file. Checkbox statistic cookies are updated automatically if you toggle checkboxes with @kbd{C-c C-c} and make new ones with @kbd{M-S-@key{RET}}. If you delete boxes or add/change them by hand, use this command to get things back into synch. Or simply toggle any checkbox twice with @kbd{C-c C-c}. @end table @node Timestamps, Tags, TODO items, Top @chapter Timestamps @cindex time stamps @cindex date stamps Items can be labeled with timestamps to make them useful for project planning. @menu * Time stamps:: Assigning a time to a tree entry * Creating timestamps:: Commands which insert timestamps * Custom time format:: If you cannot work with the ISO format * Repeating items:: Deadlines that come back again and again * Progress logging:: Documenting when what work was done. @end menu @node Time stamps, Creating timestamps, Timestamps, Timestamps @section Time stamps, deadlines and scheduling @cindex time stamps @cindex ranges, time @cindex date stamps @cindex deadlines @cindex scheduling A time stamp is a specification of a date (possibly with time) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>}@footnote{This is the standard ISO date/time format. If you cannot get used to these, see @ref{Custom time format}}. A time stamp can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an org-tree entry. Its presence allows entries to be shown on specific dates in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}). We distinguish: @table @var @item Plain time stamp @cindex timestamp A simple time stamp just assigns a date/time to an item. This is just like writing down an appointment in a paper agenda, or like writing down an event in a diary, when you want to take note of when something happened. In the timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry associated with a plain time stamp will be shown exactly on that date. @example * Meet Peter at the movies <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15> @end example @item Inactive time stamp @cindex timestamp, inactive @cindex inactive timestamp Just like a plain time stamp, but with square brackets instead of angular ones. These time stamps are inactive in the sense that they do @emph{not} trigger an entry to show up in the agenda. @example * Gillian comes late for the fifth time [2006-11-01 Wed] @end example @item Time stamp range @cindex timerange Two time stamps connected by @samp{--} denote a time range. The headline will be shown on the first and last day of the range, and on any dates that are displayed and fall in the range. Here is an example: @example ** Meeting in Amsterdam <2004-08-23 Mon>--<2004-08-26 Thu> @end example @item Time stamp with SCHEDULED keyword @cindex SCHEDULED keyword If a time stamp is preceded by the word @samp{SCHEDULED:}, it means you are planning to start working on that task on the given date. So this is not about recording an event, but about planning your work. The headline will be listed under the given date@footnote{It will still be listed on that date after it has been marked DONE. If you don't like this, set the variable @code{org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done}.}. In addition, a reminder that the scheduled date has passed will be present in the compilation for @emph{today}, until the entry is marked DONE. I.e., the task will automatically be forwarded until completed. @example *** TODO Call Trillian for a date on New Years Eve. SCHEDULED: <2004-12-25 Sat> @end example @item Time stamp with DEADLINE keyword @cindex DEADLINE keyword If a time stamp is preceded by the word @samp{DEADLINE:}, the task (most likely a TODO item) is supposed to be finished on that date, and it will be listed then. In addition, the compilation for @emph{today} will carry a warning about the approaching or missed deadline, starting @code{org-deadline-warning-days} before the due date, and continuing until the entry is marked DONE. An example: @example *** TODO write article about the Earth for the Guide The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]] DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun> @end example @item Time stamp with CLOSED keyword @cindex CLOSED keyword When @code{org-log-done} is non-nil, Org-mode will automatically insert a special time stamp each time a TODO entry is marked done (@pxref{Progress logging}). This time stamp is enclosed in square brackets instead of angular brackets. @item Time range with CLOCK keyword @cindex CLOCK keyword When using the clock to time the work that is being done on specific items, time ranges preceded by the CLOCK keyword are inserted automatically into the file. The time stamps are enclosed in square brackets instead of angular brackets. @xref{Clocking work time}. @end table @node Creating timestamps, Custom time format, Time stamps, Timestamps @section Creating timestamps @cindex creating timestamps @cindex timestamps, creating For Org-mode to recognize time stamps, they need to be in the specific format. All commands listed below produce time stamps in the correct format. @table @kbd @kindex C-c . @item C-c . Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding time stamp. When the cursor is at a previously used time stamp, it is updated to NOW. When this command is used twice in succession, a time range is inserted. @kindex C-u C-c . @item C-u C-c . Like @kbd{C-c .}, but use the alternative format which contains date and time. The default time can be rounded to multiples of 5 minutes, see the option @code{org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes}. @kindex C-c ! @item C-c ! Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive time stamp not triggering the agenda. @kindex C-c < @item C-c < Insert a time stamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar. @kindex C-c > @item C-c > Access the Emacs calendar for the current date. If there is a timestamp in the current line, goto the corresponding date instead. @kindex C-c C-o @item C-c C-o Access the agenda for the date given by the time stamp or -range at point (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}). @kindex C-c C-d @item C-c C-d Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will happen in the line directly following the headline. @c FIXME Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed.???????? @kindex C-c C-w @cindex sparse tree, for deadlines @item C-c C-w Create a sparse tree with all deadlines that are either past-due, or which will become due within @code{org-deadline-warning-days}. With @kbd{C-u} prefix, show all deadlines in the file. With a numeric prefix, check that many days. For example, @kbd{C-1 C-c C-w} shows all deadlines due tomorrow. @kindex C-c C-s @item C-c C-s Insert @samp{SCHEDULED} keyword along with a stamp. The insertion will happen in the line directly following the headline. Any CLOSED timestamp will be removed. @kindex S-@key{left} @kindex S-@key{right} @item S-@key{left} @itemx S-@key{right} Change date at cursor by one day. These key bindings conflict with CUA-mode (@pxref{Conflicts}). @kindex S-@key{up} @kindex S-@key{down} @item S-@key{up} @itemx S-@key{down} Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp. The cursor can be on a year, month, day, hour or minute. Note that if the cursor is in a headline and not at a time stamp, these same keys modify the priority of an item. (@pxref{Priorities}). The key bindings also conflict with CUA-mode (@pxref{Conflicts}). @kindex C-c C-y @cindex evaluate time range @item C-c C-y Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and end. With prefix arg, insert result after the time range (in a table: into the following column). @end table @menu * The date/time prompt:: How org-mode helps you entering date and time @end menu @node The date/time prompt, , Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps @subsection The date/time prompt @cindex date, reading in minibuffer @cindex time, reading in minibuffer When Org-mode prompts for a date/time, the prompt suggests to enter an ISO date. But it will in fact accept any string containing some date and/or time information. You can, for example, use @kbd{C-y} to paste a (possibly multi-line) string copied from an email message. Org-mode will find whatever information is in there and will replace anything not specified with the current date and time. For example: @example 3-2-5 --> 2003-02-05 feb 15 --> currentyear-02-15 sep 12 9 --> 2009-09-12 12:45 --> today 12:45 22 sept 0:34 --> currentyear-09-22 0:34 12 --> currentyear-currentmonth-12 Fri --> nearest Friday (today or later) +4 --> 4 days from now (if +N is the only thing given) @end example The function understands English month and weekday abbreviations. If you want to use unabbreviated names and/or other languages, configure the variables @code{parse-time-months} and @code{parse-time-weekdays}. @cindex calendar, for selecting date Parallel to the minibuffer prompt, a calendar is popped up@footnote{If you don't need/want the calendar, configure the variable @code{org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt}.}. When you exit the date prompt, either by clicking on a date in the calendar, or by pressing @key{RET}, the date selected in the calendar will be combined with the information entered at the prompt. You can control the calendar fully from the minibuffer: @table @kbd @kindex < @item < Scroll calendar backwards by one month. @kindex > @item > Scroll calendar forwards by one month. @kindex mouse-1 @item mouse-1 Select date by clicking on it. @kindex S-@key{right} @item S-@key{right} One day forward. @kindex S-@key{left} @item S-@key{left} One day back. @kindex S-@key{down} @item S-@key{down} One week forward. @kindex S-@key{up} @item S-@key{up} One week back. @kindex M-S-@key{right} @item M-S-@key{right} One month forward. @kindex M-S-@key{left} @item M-S-@key{left} One month back. @kindex @key{RET} @item @key{RET} Choose date in calendar (only if nothing was typed into minibuffer). @end table @node Custom time format, Repeating items, Creating timestamps, Timestamps @section Custom time format @cindex custom date/time format @cindex time format, custom @cindex date format, custom Org-mode uses the standard ISO notation for dates and times as it is defined in ISO 8601. If you cannot get used to this and require another representation of date and time to keep you happy, you can get it by customizing the variables @code{org-display-custom-times} and @code{org-time-stamp-custom-formats}. @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-x C-t @item C-c C-x C-t Toggle the display of custom formats for dates and times. @end table @noindent Org-mode needs the default format for scanning, so the custom date/time format does not @emph{replace} the default format - instead it is put @emph{over} the default format using text properties. This has the following consequences: @itemize @bullet @item You cannot place the cursor onto a time stamp anymore, only before or after. @item The @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} keys can no longer be used to adjust each component of a time stamp. If the cursor is at the beginning of the stamp, @kbd{S-@key{up}/@key{down}} will change the stamp by one day, just like @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}. At the end of the stamp, the time will be changed by one minute. @item When you delete a time stamp character-by-character, it will only disappear from the buffer after @emph{all} (invisible) characters belonging to the ISO timestamp have been removed. @item If the custom time stamp format is longer than the default and you are using dates in tables, table alignment will be messed up. If the custom format is shorter, things do work as expected. @end itemize @node Repeating items, Progress logging, Custom time format, Timestamps @section Repeating items @cindex TODO items, repeating @cindex deadlines, repeating @cindex scheduling, repeating Org-mode integrates with the Emacs calendar and diary to display cyclic appointments, anniversaries and other special entries in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}). However, it can be useful to have certain deadlines and scheduling items to auto-repeat. The advantage of a deadline or scheduled item is that the they produce warnings ahead of time and automatically forward themselves in the agenda until they are done. The abstract difference is therefore between cyclic @i{appointments} and cyclic @i{action items}. For appointments you should use the diary, for actions you can uses an org-mode deadline or scheduling time stamp together with a REPEAT cookie. For example: @example * TODO Replace batteries in smoke detector REPEAT(+18m) SCHEDULED: <2007-01-01 Mon> * TODO Get dentist appointment REPEAT(+6m) SCHEDULED: <2006-12-19 Tue> * TODO Tax report to IRS REPEAT(+1y) DEADLINE: <2007-04-01 Sun> @end example Each time you try to mark one of these entries DONE using @kbd{C-c C-t}, they will automatically switch back to the state TODO, and the deadline/scheduling will be shifted accordingly. The time units recognized by org-mode are year (y), month (m), week (w), and day (d). Org-mode will also prompt you for a note and record the fact that you have closed this item in a note under the headline. One unusual property of these repeating items is that only one instance of each exist at any given time. So if you look back or ahead in the agenda, you will not find past and future instances, only the current one will show up. Use a cyclic diary entry if you need all past and future instances to be visible in the agenda. @node Progress logging, , Repeating items, Timestamps @section Progress Logging @cindex progress logging @cindex logging, of progress Org-mode can automatically record a time stamp when you mark a TODO item as DONE, or even each time when you change the state of a TODO item. You can also measure precisely the time you spent on specific items in a project by starting and stopping a clock when you start and stop working on an aspect of a project. @menu * Closing items:: When was this entry marked DONE? * Tracking TODO state changes:: When did the status change? * Clocking work time:: When exactly did you work on this item? @end menu @node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging @subsection Closing items If you want to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO item was finished, turn on logging with@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}} @lisp (setq org-log-done t) @end lisp @noindent Then each time you turn a TODO entry into DONE using either @kbd{C-c C-t} in the Org-mode buffer or @kbd{t} in the agenda buffer, a line @samp{CLOSED: [timestamp]} will be inserted just after the headline. If you turn the entry back into a TODO item through further state cycling, that line will be removed again. In the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}), you can then use the @kbd{l} key to display the TODO items closed on each day, giving you an overview of what has been done on a day. If you want to record a note along with the timestamp, use@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognotedone}} @lisp (setq org-log-done '(done)) @end lisp @node Tracking TODO state changes, Clocking work time, Closing items, Progress logging @subsection Tracking TODO state changes When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow states}), you might want to keep track of when a state change occurred, and you may even want to attach notes to that state change. With the setting @lisp (setq org-log-done '(state)) @end lisp @noindent each state change will prompt you for a note that will be attached to the current headline. Very likely you do not want this verbose tracking all the time, so it is probably better to configure this behavior with in-buffer options. For example, if you are tracking purchases, put these into a separate file that starts with: @example #+SEQ_TODO: TODO ORDERED INVOICE PAYED RECEIVED SENT #+STARTUP: lognotestate @end example @node Clocking work time, , Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging @subsection Clocking work time Org-mode allows you to clock the time you spent on specific tasks in a project. When you start working on an item, you can start the clock. When you stop working on that task, or when you mark the task done, the clock is stopped and the corresponding time interval is recorded. It also computes the total time spent on each subtree of a project. @table @kbd @kindex C-c C-x C-i @item C-c C-x C-i Start the clock on the current item (clock-in). This inserts the CLOCK keyword together with a timestamp. @kindex C-c C-x C-o @item C-c C-x C-o Stop the clock (clock-out). The inserts another timestamp at the same location where the clock was last started. It also directly computes the resulting time in inserts it after the time range as @samp{=> HH:MM}. See the variable @code{org-log-done} for the possibility to record an additional note together with the clock-out time stamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: lognoteclock-out}}. @kindex C-c C-y @item C-c C-y Recompute the time interval after changing one of the time stamps. This is only necessary if you edit the time stamps directly. If you change them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic. @kindex C-c C-t @item C-c C-t Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock if it is running in this same item. @kindex C-c C-x C-x @item C-c C-x C-x Cancel the current clock. This is useful if a clock was started by mistake, or if you ended up working on something else. @kindex C-c C-x C-d @item C-c C-x C-d Display time summaries for each subtree in the current buffer. This puts overlays at the end of each headline, showing the total time recorded under that heading, including the time of any subheadings. You can use visibility cycling to study the tree, but the overlays disappear when you change the buffer (see variable @code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}) or press @kbd{C-c C-c}. @kindex C-c C-x C-r @item C-c C-x C-r Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock report as an org-mode table into the current file. @example #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil #+END: clocktable @end example @noindent If such a block already exists, its content is replaced by the new table. The @samp{BEGIN} line can specify options: @example :maxlevels @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.} :emphasize @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items} :block @r{The time block to consider. This block is specified relative} @r{to the current time and may be any of these keywords:} @r{@code{today}, @code{yesterday}, @code{thisweek}, @code{lastweek},} @r{@code{thismonth}, @code{lastmonth}, @code{thisyear}, or @code{lastyear}}. :tstart @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times} :tend @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times} @end example So to get a clock summary for the current day, you could write @example #+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today #+END: clocktable @end example and to use a specific time range you could write@footnote{Note that all parameters must be specified in a single line - the line is broken here only to fit it onto the manual.} @example #+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>" :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>" #+END: clocktable @end example @kindex C-u C-c C-x C-u @item C-u C-c C-x C-u Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}). This is useful if you have several clocktable blocks in a buffer. @end table The @kbd{l} key may be used in the timeline (@pxref{Timeline}) and in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/Daily agenda}) to show which tasks have been worked on or closed during a day. @node Tags, Agenda views, Timestamps, Top @chapter Tags @cindex tags @cindex headline tagging @cindex matching, tags @cindex sparse tree, tag based If you wish to implement a system of labels and contexts for cross-correlating information, an excellent way is to assign @i{tags} to headlines. Org-mode has extensive support for using tags. Every headline can contain a list of tags, at the end of the headline. Tags are normal words containing letters, numbers, @samp{_}, and @samp{@@}. Tags must be preceded and followed by a single colon; like @samp{:WORK:}. Several tags can be specified like @samp{:WORK:URGENT:}. @menu * Tag inheritance:: Tags use the tree structure of the outline * Setting tags:: How to assign tags to a headline * Tag searches:: Searching for combinations of tags @end menu @node Tag inheritance, Setting tags, Tags, Tags @section