org-mode/doc/org.texi

\input texinfo
@c %**start of header
@setfilename ../../info/org
@settitle The Org Manual

@include org-version.inc

@c Use proper quote and backtick for code sections in PDF output
@c Cf. Texinfo manual 14.2
@set txicodequoteundirected
@set txicodequotebacktick

@c Version and Contact Info
@set MAINTAINERSITE @uref{http://orgmode.org,maintainers webpage}
@set AUTHOR Carsten Dominik
@set MAINTAINER Carsten Dominik
@set MAINTAINEREMAIL @email{carsten at orgmode dot org}
@set MAINTAINERCONTACT @uref{mailto:carsten at orgmode dot org,contact the maintainer}
@c %**end of header
@finalout


@c -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

@c Macro definitions for commands and keys
@c =======================================

@c The behavior of the key/command macros will depend on the flag cmdnames
@c When set, commands names are shown.  When clear, they are not shown.

@set cmdnames

@c Below we define the following macros for Org key tables:

@c orgkey{key}                        A key item
@c orgcmd{key,cmd}                    Key with command name
@c xorgcmd{key,cmd}                   Key with command name as @itemx
@c orgcmdnki{key,cmd}                 Like orgcmd, but do not index the key
@c orgcmdtkc{text,key,cmd}            Like orgcmd,special text instead of key
@c orgcmdkkc{key1,key2,cmd}           Two keys with one command name, use "or"
@c orgcmdkxkc{key1,key2,cmd}          Two keys with one command name, but
@c                                    different functions, so format as @itemx
@c orgcmdkskc{key1,key2,cmd}          Same as orgcmdkkc, but use "or short"
@c xorgcmdkskc{key1,key2,cmd}         Same as previous, but use @itemx
@c orgcmdkkcc{key1,key2,cmd1,cmd2}    Two keys and two commands

@c a key but no command
@c    Inserts:    @item key
@macro orgkey{key}
@kindex \key\
@item @kbd{\key\}
@end macro

@macro xorgkey{key}
@kindex \key\
@itemx @kbd{\key\}
@end macro

@c one key with a command
@c   Inserts:    @item KEY               COMMAND
@macro orgcmd{key,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key\
@findex \command\
@iftex
@item @kbd{\key\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@item @kbd{\key\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key\
@item @kbd{\key\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c One key with one command, formatted using @itemx
@c   Inserts:    @itemx KEY               COMMAND
@macro xorgcmd{key,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key\
@findex \command\
@iftex
@itemx @kbd{\key\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@itemx @kbd{\key\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key\
@itemx @kbd{\key\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c one key with a command, bit do not index the key
@c   Inserts:    @item KEY               COMMAND
@macro orgcmdnki{key,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@findex \command\
@iftex
@item @kbd{\key\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@item @kbd{\key\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@item @kbd{\key\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c one key with a command, and special text to replace key in item
@c   Inserts:    @item TEXT                    COMMAND
@macro orgcmdtkc{text,key,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key\
@findex \command\
@iftex
@item @kbd{\text\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@item @kbd{\text\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key\
@item @kbd{\text\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c two keys with one command
@c   Inserts:    @item KEY1 or KEY2            COMMAND
@macro orgcmdkkc{key1,key2,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@findex \command\
@iftex
@item @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or} @ @kbd{\key2\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@item @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or} @ @kbd{\key2\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@item @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or} @ @kbd{\key2\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c Two keys with one command name, but different functions, so format as
@c @itemx
@c   Inserts:    @item KEY1
@c               @itemx KEY2                COMMAND
@macro orgcmdkxkc{key1,key2,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@findex \command\
@iftex
@item @kbd{\key1\}
@itemx @kbd{\key2\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@item @kbd{\key1\}
@itemx @kbd{\key2\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@item @kbd{\key1\}
@itemx @kbd{\key2\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c Same as previous, but use "or short"
@c   Inserts:    @item KEY1 or short KEY2            COMMAND
@macro orgcmdkskc{key1,key2,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@findex \command\
@iftex
@item @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or short} @ @kbd{\key2\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@item @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or short} @ @kbd{\key2\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@item @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or short} @ @kbd{\key2\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c Same as previous, but use @itemx
@c   Inserts:    @itemx KEY1 or short KEY2            COMMAND
@macro xorgcmdkskc{key1,key2,command}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@findex \command\
@iftex
@itemx @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or short} @ @kbd{\key2\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@itemx @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or short} @ @kbd{\key2\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@itemx @kbd{\key1\} @ @r{or short} @ @kbd{\key2\}
@end ifclear
@end macro

@c two keys with two commands
@c   Inserts:    @item KEY1                        COMMAND1
@c               @itemx KEY2                       COMMAND2
@macro orgcmdkkcc{key1,key2,command1,command2}
@ifset cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@findex \command1\
@findex \command2\
@iftex
@item @kbd{\key1\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command1\}
@itemx @kbd{\key2\} @hskip 0pt plus 1filll @code{\command2\}
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@item @kbd{\key1\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command1\})
@itemx @kbd{\key2\} @tie{}@tie{}@tie{}@tie{}(@code{\command2\})
@end ifnottex
@end ifset
@ifclear cmdnames
@kindex \key1\
@kindex \key2\
@item @kbd{\key1\}
@itemx @kbd{\key2\}
@end ifclear
@end macro
@c -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

@iftex
@c @hyphenation{time-stamp time-stamps time-stamp-ing time-stamp-ed}
@end iftex

@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 version @value{VERSION}.

Copyright @copyright{} 2004-2012  Free Software Foundation, Inc.

@quotation
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 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 the freedom to copy and
modify this GNU manual.  Buying copies from the FSF supports it in
developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''

This document is part of a collection distributed under the GNU Free
Documentation License.  If you want to distribute this document
separately from the collection, you can do so by adding a copy of the
license to the document, as described in section 6 of the license.
@end quotation
@end copying

@dircategory Emacs editing modes
@direntry
* Org Mode: (org).      Outline-based notes management and organizer
@end direntry

@titlepage
@title The Org Manual

@subtitle Release @value{VERSION}
@author by Carsten Dominik
with contributions by David O'Toole, Bastien Guerry, Philip Rooke, Dan Davison, Eric Schulte, Thomas Dye and Jambunathan K.

@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
* Tags::                        Tagging headlines and matching sets of tags
* Properties and Columns::      Storing information about an entry
* Dates and Times::             Making items useful for planning
* Capture - Refile - Archive::  The ins and outs for projects
* Agenda Views::                Collecting information into views
* Markup::                      Prepare text for rich export
* Exporting::                   Sharing and publishing of notes
* Publishing::                  Create a web site of linked Org files
* Working With Source Code::    Export, evaluate, and tangle code blocks
* Miscellaneous::               All the rest which did not fit elsewhere
* Hacking::                     How to hack your way around
* MobileOrg::                   Viewing and capture on a mobile device
* History and Acknowledgments::  How Org came into being
* Main Index::                  An index of Org's concepts and features
* Key Index::                   Key bindings and where they are described
* Command and Function Index::  Command names and some internal functions
* Variable Index::              Variables mentioned in the manual

@detailmenu
 --- The Detailed Node Listing ---

Introduction

* Summary::                     Brief summary of what Org does
* Installation::                How to install a downloaded version of Org
* Activation::                  How to activate Org for certain buffers
* Feedback::                    Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
* Conventions::                 Typesetting conventions in the manual

Document structure

* Outlines::                    Org 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
* Sparse trees::                Matches embedded in context
* Plain lists::                 Additional structure within an entry
* Drawers::                     Tucking stuff away
* Blocks::                      Folding blocks
* Footnotes::                   How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
* Orgstruct mode::              Structure editing outside Org

Tables

* Built-in table editor::       Simple tables
* Column width and alignment::  Overrule the automatic settings
* Column groups::               Grouping to trigger vertical lines
* Orgtbl mode::                 The table editor as minor mode
* The spreadsheet::             The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
* Org-Plot::                    Plotting from org tables

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
* Durations and time values::   How to compute durations and time values
* Field and range formulas::    Formula for specific (ranges of) fields
* Column formulas::             Formulas valid for an entire column
* Editing and debugging formulas::  Fixing formulas
* Updating the table::          Recomputing all dependent fields
* Advanced features::           Field and column names, parameters and automatic recalc

Hyperlinks

* Link format::                 How links in Org 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
* Using links outside Org::     Linking from my C source code?
* Link abbreviations::          Shortcuts for writing complex links
* Search options::              Linking to a specific location
* Custom searches::             When the default search is not enough

Internal links

* Radio targets::               Make targets trigger links in plain text

TODO items

* TODO basics::                 Marking and displaying TODO entries
* TODO extensions::             Workflow and assignments
* Progress logging::            Dates and notes for progress
* Priorities::                  Some things are more important than others
* Breaking down tasks::         Splitting a task into manageable pieces
* Checkboxes::                  Tick-off lists

Extended use of TODO keywords

* Workflow states::             From TODO to DONE in steps
* TODO types::                  I do this, Fred does the rest
* Multiple sets in one file::   Mixing it all, and still finding your way
* Fast access to TODO states::  Single letter selection of a state
* Per-file keywords::           Different files, different requirements
* Faces for TODO keywords::     Highlighting states
* TODO dependencies::           When one task needs to wait for others

Progress logging

* Closing items::               When was this entry marked DONE?
* Tracking TODO state changes::  When did the status change?
* Tracking your habits::        How consistent have you been?

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

Properties and columns

* Property syntax::             How properties are spelled out
* Special properties::          Access to other Org mode features
* Property searches::           Matching property values
* Property inheritance::        Passing values down the tree
* Column view::                 Tabular viewing and editing
* Property API::                Properties for Lisp programmers

Column view

* Defining columns::            The COLUMNS format property
* Using column view::           How to create and use column view
* Capturing column view::       A dynamic block for column view

Defining columns

* Scope of column definitions::  Where defined, where valid?
* Column attributes::           Appearance and content of a column

Dates and times

* Timestamps::                  Assigning a time to a tree entry
* Creating timestamps::         Commands which insert timestamps
* Deadlines and scheduling::    Planning your work
* Clocking work time::          Tracking how long you spend on a task
* Effort estimates::            Planning work effort in advance
* Relative timer::              Notes with a running timer
* Countdown timer::             Starting a countdown timer for a task

Creating timestamps

* The date/time prompt::        How Org mode helps you entering date and time
* Custom time format::          Making dates look different

Deadlines and scheduling

* Inserting deadline/schedule::  Planning items
* Repeated tasks::              Items that show up again and again

Clocking work time

* Clocking commands::           Starting and stopping a clock
* The clock table::             Detailed reports
* Resolving idle time::         Resolving time when you've been idle

Capture - Refile - Archive

* Capture::                     Capturing new stuff
* Attachments::                 Add files to tasks
* RSS Feeds::                   Getting input from RSS feeds
* Protocols::                   External (e.g.@: Browser) access to Emacs and Org
* Refiling notes::              Moving a tree from one place to another
* Archiving::                   What to do with finished projects

Capture

* Setting up capture::          Where notes will be stored
* Using capture::               Commands to invoke and terminate capture
* Capture templates::           Define the outline of different note types

Capture templates

* Template elements::           What is needed for a complete template entry
* Template expansion::          Filling in information about time and context
* Templates in contexts::       Only show a template in a specific context

Archiving

* Moving subtrees::             Moving a tree to an archive file
* Internal archiving::          Switch off a tree but keep it in the file

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
* Exporting Agenda Views::      Writing a view to a file
* Agenda column view::          Using column view for collected entries

The built-in agenda views

* Weekly/daily agenda::         The calendar page with current tasks
* Global TODO list::            All unfinished action items
* Matching tags and properties::  Structured information with fine-tuned search
* Timeline::                    Time-sorted view for single file
* Search view::                 Find entries by searching for text
* 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

Markup for rich export

* Structural markup elements::  The basic structure as seen by the exporter
* Images and tables::           Tables and Images will be included
* Literal examples::            Source code examples with special formatting
* Include files::               Include additional files into a document
* Index entries::               Making an index
* Macro replacement::           Use macros to create complex output
* Embedded @LaTeX{}::           LaTeX can be freely used inside Org documents

Structural markup elements

* Document title::              Where the title is taken from
* Headings and sections::       The document structure as seen by the exporter
* Table of contents::           The if and where of the table of contents
* Initial text::                Text before the first heading?
* Lists::                       Lists
* Paragraphs::                  Paragraphs
* Footnote markup::             Footnotes
* Emphasis and monospace::      Bold, italic, etc.
* Horizontal rules::            Make a line
* Comment lines::               What will *not* be exported

Embedded @LaTeX{}

* Special symbols::             Greek letters and other symbols
* Subscripts and superscripts::  Simple syntax for raising/lowering text
* @LaTeX{} fragments::          Complex formulas made easy
* Previewing @LaTeX{} fragments::  What will this snippet look like?
* CDLaTeX mode::                Speed up entering of formulas

Exporting

* Selective export::            Using tags to select and exclude trees
* Export options::              Per-file export settings
* The export dispatcher::       How to access exporter commands
* ASCII/Latin-1/UTF-8 export::  Exporting to flat files with encoding
* HTML export::                 Exporting to HTML
* @LaTeX{} and PDF export::     Exporting to @LaTeX{}, and processing to PDF
* DocBook export::              Exporting to DocBook
* OpenDocument Text export::    Exporting to OpenDocument Text
* TaskJuggler export::          Exporting to TaskJuggler
* Freemind export::             Exporting to Freemind mind maps
* XOXO export::                 Exporting to XOXO
* iCalendar export::            Exporting in iCalendar format

HTML export

* HTML Export commands::        How to invoke HTML export
* HTML preamble and postamble::  How to insert a preamble and a postamble
* Quoting HTML tags::           Using direct HTML in Org mode
* Links in HTML export::        How links will be interpreted and formatted
* Tables in HTML export::       How to modify the formatting of tables
* Images in HTML export::       How to insert figures into HTML output
* Math formatting in HTML export::  Beautiful math also on the web
* Text areas in HTML export::   An alternative way to show an example
* CSS support::                 Changing the appearance of the output
* JavaScript support::          Info and Folding in a web browser

@LaTeX{} and PDF export

* @LaTeX{}/PDF export commands::
* Header and sectioning::       Setting up the export file structure
* Quoting @LaTeX{} code::       Incorporating literal @LaTeX{} code
* Tables in @LaTeX{} export::   Options for exporting tables to @LaTeX{}
* Images in @LaTeX{} export::   How to insert figures into @LaTeX{} output
* Beamer class export::         Turning the file into a presentation

DocBook export

* DocBook export commands::     How to invoke DocBook export
* Quoting DocBook code::        Incorporating DocBook code in Org files
* Recursive sections::          Recursive sections in DocBook
* Tables in DocBook export::    Tables are exported as HTML tables
* Images in DocBook export::    How to insert figures into DocBook output
* Special characters::          How to handle special characters

OpenDocument Text export

* Pre-requisites for ODT export::  What packages ODT exporter relies on
* ODT export commands::         How to invoke ODT export
* Extending ODT export::        How to produce @samp{doc}, @samp{pdf} files
* Applying custom styles::      How to apply custom styles to the output
* Links in ODT export::         How links will be interpreted and formatted
* Tables in ODT export::        How Tables are exported
* Images in ODT export::        How to insert images
* Math formatting in ODT export::  How @LaTeX{} fragments are formatted
* Labels and captions in ODT export::  How captions are rendered
* Literal examples in ODT export::  How source and example blocks are formatted
* Advanced topics in ODT export::  Read this if you are a power user

Math formatting in ODT export

* Working with @LaTeX{} math snippets::  How to embed @LaTeX{} math fragments
* Working with MathML or OpenDocument formula files::  How to embed equations in native format

Advanced topics in ODT export

* Configuring a document converter::  How to register a document converter
* Working with OpenDocument style files::  Explore the internals
* Creating one-off styles::     How to produce custom highlighting etc
* Customizing tables in ODT export::  How to define and use Table templates
* Validating OpenDocument XML::  How to debug corrupt OpenDocument files

Publishing

* Configuration::               Defining projects
* Uploading files::             How to get files up on the server
* 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/@LaTeX{} export
* Publishing links::            Which links keep working after publishing?
* Sitemap::                     Generating a list of all pages
* Generating an index::         An index that reaches across pages

Sample configuration

* Simple example::              One-component publishing
* Complex example::             A multi-component publishing example

Working with source code

* Structure of code blocks::    Code block syntax described
* Editing source code::         Language major-mode editing
* Exporting code blocks::       Export contents and/or results
* Extracting source code::      Create pure source code files
* Evaluating code blocks::      Place results of evaluation in the Org mode buffer
* Library of Babel::            Use and contribute to a library of useful code blocks
* Languages::                   List of supported code block languages
* Header arguments::            Configure code block functionality
* Results of evaluation::       How evaluation results are handled
* Noweb reference syntax::      Literate programming in Org mode
* Key bindings and useful functions::  Work quickly with code blocks
* Batch execution::             Call functions from the command line

Header arguments

* Using header arguments::      Different ways to set header arguments
* Specific header arguments::   List of header arguments

Using header arguments

* System-wide header arguments::  Set global default values
* Language-specific header arguments::  Set default values by language
* Buffer-wide header arguments::  Set default values for a specific buffer
* Header arguments in Org mode properties::  Set default values for a buffer or heading
* Code block specific header arguments::  The most common way to set values
* Header arguments in function calls::  The most specific level

Specific header arguments

* var::                         Pass arguments to code blocks
* results::                     Specify the type of results and how they will
                                be collected and handled
* file::                        Specify a path for file output
* file-desc::                   Specify a description for file results
* dir::                         Specify the default (possibly remote)
                                directory for code block execution
* exports::                     Export code and/or results
* tangle::                      Toggle tangling and specify file name
* mkdirp::                      Toggle creation of parent directories of target
                                files during tangling
* comments::                    Toggle insertion of comments in tangled
                                code files
* padline::                     Control insertion of padding lines in tangled
                                code files
* no-expand::                   Turn off variable assignment and noweb
                                expansion during tangling
* session::                     Preserve the state of code evaluation
* noweb::                       Toggle expansion of noweb references
* noweb-ref::                   Specify block's noweb reference resolution target
* noweb-sep::                   String used to separate noweb references
* cache::                       Avoid re-evaluating unchanged code blocks
* sep::                         Delimiter for writing tabular results outside Org
* hlines::                      Handle horizontal lines in tables
* colnames::                    Handle column names in tables
* rownames::                    Handle row names in tables
* shebang::                     Make tangled files executable
* eval::                        Limit evaluation of specific code blocks
* wrap::                        Mark source block evaluation results

Miscellaneous

* Completion::                  M-TAB knows what you need
* Easy Templates::              Quick insertion of structural elements
* Speed keys::                  Electric commands at the beginning of a headline
* Code evaluation security::    Org mode files evaluate inline code
* Customization::               Adapting Org 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 on a tty
* Interaction::                 Other Emacs packages
* org-crypt.el::                Encrypting Org files

Interaction with other packages

* Cooperation::                 Packages Org cooperates with
* Conflicts::                   Packages that lead to conflicts

Hacking

* Hooks::                       How to reach into Org's internals
* Add-on packages::             Available extensions
* Adding hyperlink types::      New custom link types
* Context-sensitive commands::  How to add functionality to such commands
* Tables in arbitrary syntax::  Orgtbl for @LaTeX{} and other programs
* Dynamic blocks::              Automatically filled blocks
* Special agenda views::        Customized views
* Extracting agenda information::  Postprocessing of agenda information
* Using the property API::      Writing programs that use entry properties
* Using the mapping API::       Mapping over all or selected entries

Tables and lists in arbitrary syntax

* Radio tables::                Sending and receiving radio tables
* A @LaTeX{} example::          Step by step, almost a tutorial
* Translator functions::        Copy and modify
* Radio lists::                 Doing the same for lists

MobileOrg

* Setting up the staging area::  Where to interact with the mobile device
* Pushing to MobileOrg::        Uploading Org files and agendas
* Pulling from MobileOrg::      Integrating captured and flagged items

@end detailmenu
@end menu

@node Introduction, Document Structure, Top, Top
@chapter Introduction
@cindex introduction

@menu
* Summary::                     Brief summary of what Org does
* Installation::                How to install a downloaded version of Org
* Activation::                  How to activate Org for certain buffers
* Feedback::                    Bug reports, ideas, patches etc.
* Conventions::                 Typesetting conventions in the manual
@end menu

@node Summary, Installation, Introduction, Introduction
@section Summary
@cindex summary

Org is a mode for keeping notes, maintaining TODO lists, and doing
project planning with a fast and effective plain-text system.

Org develops organizational tasks around NOTES files that contain
lists or information about projects as plain text.  Org 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 supports TODO items, deadlines,
timestamps, 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 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 web pages.

As a project planning environment, Org works by adding metadata to outline
nodes.  Based on this data, specific entries can be extracted in queries and
create dynamic @i{agenda views}.

Org mode contains the Org Babel environment which allows you to work with
embedded source code blocks in a file, to facilitate code evaluation,
documentation, and literate programming techniques.

Org'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 arbitrary file types, for example in @LaTeX{}.  The structure
editing and list creation capabilities can be used outside Org with
the minor Orgstruct mode.

Org 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 is a toolbox and can be used in different ways and for different
ends, for example:

@example
@r{@bullet{} an outline extension with visibility cycling and structure editing}
@r{@bullet{} an ASCII system and table editor for taking structured notes}
@r{@bullet{} a TODO list editor}
@r{@bullet{} a full agenda and planner with deadlines and work scheduling}
@pindex GTD, Getting Things Done
@r{@bullet{} an environment in which to implement David Allen's GTD system}
@r{@bullet{} a simple hypertext system, with HTML and @LaTeX{} export}
@r{@bullet{} a publishing tool to create a set of interlinked webpages}
@r{@bullet{} an environment for literate programming}
@end example


@cindex FAQ
There is a website for Org which provides links to the newest
version of Org, as well as additional information, frequently asked
questions (FAQ), links to tutorials, etc@.  This page is located at
@uref{http://orgmode.org}.

@cindex print edition
The version 7.3 of this manual is available as a
@uref{http://www.network-theory.co.uk/org/manual/, paperback book from Network
Theory Ltd.}

@page


@node Installation, Activation, Summary, Introduction
@section Installation
@cindex installation
@cindex XEmacs

@b{Important:} @i{If you are using a version of Org that is part of the Emacs
distribution, GNU ELPA or an XEmacs package, please skip this section and go
directly to @ref{Activation}.  To see what version of Org (if any) is part of
your Emacs distribution, type @kbd{M-x org-version} (if your Emacs
distribution does not come with Org, this function will not be defined).}

If you have downloaded Org from the Web as a distribution @file{.zip} or
@file{.tar} archive, you must take the following steps to install it:

@itemize @bullet
@item Unpack the distribution archive.
@item Change into (@code{cd}) the Org directory.
@item Run @code{make help}
and then check and edit the file @file{local.mk}.  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 will be installed.
@item Run @code{make config}
to check the configuration.
@item Run @code{make install} or @code{sudo make install}
to build and install Org mode on your system.  If you use a local Git
repository, preferrably us @code{make update2} or, if you want to run the
complete test suite before installation, @code{make up2}.
@end itemize

If you use a cloned Git repository, then the procedure is slightly different:

@itemize @bullet
@item Change into (@code{cd}) the Org repository.
@item Run @code{git checkout master}
to switch to the @code{master} branch of the Org repository.
@item Run @code{make help}
and then check and edit the file @file{local.mk}.  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 will be installed.
@item Run @code{make config}
to check the configuration.
@item Run @code{make update2} or @code{make up2}
to update the Git repository and build and install Org mode.  The latter
invocation runs the complete test suite before installation and installs only
if the build passes all tests.
@end itemize

If you don't have access to the system-wide directories and you don't want to
install somewhere into your home directory, you can run Org directly from the
distribution directory or Org repository by compiling Org mode in place:

@itemize @bullet
@item Change into (@code{cd}) the Org repository.
@item Run @code{git checkout master}
to switch to the @code{master} branch of the Org repository.
@item Run @code{make compile}
@end itemize

Last but not least you can also run Org mode directly from an Org repository
without any compilation.  Simply replace the last step in the recipe above
with @code{make uncompiled}.

Then add the following line to @file{.emacs}:

@example
(add-to-list 'load-path "~/path/to/orgdir/lisp")
@end example

@noindent
If you plan to use code from the @file{contrib} subdirectory, do a similar
step for this directory:

@example
(add-to-list 'load-path "~/path/to/orgdir/contrib/lisp")
@end example

Installing Info files is system dependent, because of differences in the
@file{install-info} program.  The Info documentation is installed together
with the rest of Org mode.  If you don't install Org mode, it is possible to
install the Info documentation seperately (you need to have
install-info@footnote{The output from install-info (if any) is system
dependent.  In particular Debian and its derivatives use two different
versions of install-info and you may see the message:

@example
This is not dpkg install-info anymore, but GNU install-info
See the man page for ginstall-info for command line arguments
@end example

@noindent which can be safely ignored.}
on your system).

@example
make install-info
@end example

Then add the following line to @file{.emacs}.  It is needed so that
Emacs can autoload functions that are located in files not immediately loaded
when Org mode starts.
@lisp
(require 'org-install)
@end lisp

Do not forget to activate Org as described in the following section.
@page

@node Activation, Feedback, Installation, Introduction
@section Activation
@cindex activation
@cindex autoload
@cindex global key bindings
@cindex key bindings, global
@findex org-agenda
@findex org-capture
@findex org-store-link
@findex org-iswitchb

To make sure files with extension @file{.org} use Org mode, add the following
line to your @file{.emacs} file.
@lisp
(add-to-list 'auto-mode-alist '("\\.org\\'" . org-mode))
@end lisp
@noindent Org mode buffers need font-lock to be turned on - this is the
default in Emacs@footnote{If you don't use font-lock globally, turn it on in
Org buffer with @code{(add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'turn-on-font-lock)}}.

The four Org commands @command{org-store-link}, @command{org-capture},
@command{org-agenda}, and @command{org-iswitchb} should be accessible through
global keys (i.e.@: anywhere in Emacs, not just in Org buffers).  Here are
suggested bindings for these keys, please modify the keys to your own
liking.
@lisp
(global-set-key "\C-cl" 'org-store-link)
(global-set-key "\C-cc" 'org-capture)
(global-set-key "\C-ca" 'org-agenda)
(global-set-key "\C-cb" 'org-iswitchb)
@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

@vindex org-insert-mode-line-in-empty-file
@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}.

Many commands in Org work on the region if the region is @i{active}.  To make
use of this, you need to have @code{transient-mark-mode}
(@code{zmacs-regions} in XEmacs) turned on.  In Emacs 23 this is the default,
in Emacs 22 you need to do this yourself with
@lisp
(transient-mark-mode 1)
@end lisp
@noindent If you do not like @code{transient-mark-mode}, you can create an
active region by using the mouse to select a region, or pressing
@kbd{C-@key{SPC}} twice before moving the cursor.

@node Feedback, Conventions, Activation, Introduction
@section Feedback
@cindex feedback
@cindex bug reports
@cindex maintainer
@cindex author

If you find problems with Org, or if you have questions, remarks, or ideas
about it, please mail to the Org mailing list @email{emacs-orgmode@@gnu.org}.
If you are not a member of the mailing list, your mail will be passed to the
list after a moderator has approved it@footnote{Please consider subscribing
to the mailing list, in order to minimize the work the mailing list
moderators have to do.}.

For bug reports, please first try to reproduce the bug with the latest
version of Org available---if you are running an outdated version, it is
quite possible that the bug has been fixed already.  If the bug persists,
prepare a report and provide as much information as possible, including the
version information of Emacs (@kbd{M-x emacs-version @key{RET}}) and Org
(@kbd{M-x org-version @key{RET}}), as well as the Org related setup in
@file{.emacs}.  The easiest way to do this is to use the command
@example
@kbd{M-x org-submit-bug-report}
@end example
@noindent which will put all this information into an Emacs mail buffer so
that you only need to add your description.  If you re not sending the Email
from within Emacs, please copy and paste the content into your Email program.

Sometimes you might face a problem due to an error in your Emacs or Org mode
setup.  Before reporting a bug, it is very helpful to start Emacs with minimal
customizations and reproduce the problem.  Doing so often helps you determine
if the problem is with your customization or with Org mode itself.  You can
start a typical minimal session with a command like the example below.

@example
$ emacs -Q -l /path/to/minimal-org.el
@end example

However if you are using Org mode as distributed with Emacs, a minimal setup
is not necessary.  In that case it is sufficient to start Emacs as @code{emacs
-Q}.  The @code{minimal-org.el} setup file can have contents as shown below.

@example
;;; Minimal setup to load latest `org-mode'

;; activate debugging
(setq debug-on-error t
      debug-on-signal nil
      debug-on-quit nil)

;; add latest org-mode to load path
(add-to-list 'load-path (expand-file-name "/path/to/org-mode/lisp"))
(add-to-list 'load-path (expand-file-name "/path/to/org-mode/contrib/lisp"))

;; activate org
(require 'org-install)
@end example

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 program.

@subsubheading How to create a useful backtrace

@cindex backtrace of an error
If working with Org 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
Reload uncompiled versions of all Org mode Lisp files.  The backtrace
contains much more information if it is produced with uncompiled code.
To do this, use
@example
C-u M-x org-reload RET
@end example
@noindent
or select @code{Org -> Refresh/Reload -> Reload Org uncompiled} from the
menu.
@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 Conventions,  , Feedback, Introduction
@section Typesetting conventions used in this manual

@subsubheading TODO keywords, tags, properties, etc.

Org mainly uses three types of keywords: TODO keywords, tags and property
names.  In this manual we use the following conventions:

@table @code
@item TODO
@itemx WAITING
TODO keywords are written with all capitals, even if they are
user-defined.
@item boss
@itemx ARCHIVE
User-defined tags are written in lowercase; built-in tags with special
meaning are written with all capitals.
@item Release
@itemx PRIORITY
User-defined properties are capitalized; built-in properties with
special meaning are written with all capitals.
@end table

Moreover, Org uses @i{option keywords} (like @code{#+TITLE} to set the title)
and @i{environment keywords} (like @code{#+BEGIN_HTML} to start a @code{HTML}
environment).  They are written in uppercase in the manual to enhance its
readability, but you can use lowercase in your Org files@footnote{Easy
templates insert lowercase keywords and Babel dynamically inserts
@code{#+results}.}

@subsubheading Keybindings and commands
@kindex C-c a
@findex org-agenda
@kindex C-c c
@findex org-capture

The manual suggests two global keybindings: @kbd{C-c a} for @code{org-agenda}
and @kbd{C-c c} for @code{org-capture}.  These are only suggestions, but the
rest of the manual assumes that you are using these keybindings.

Also, the manual lists both the keys and the corresponding commands for
accessing a functionality.  Org mode often uses the same key for different
functions, depending on context.  The command that is bound to such keys has
a generic name, like @code{org-metaright}.  In the manual we will, wherever
possible, give the function that is internally called by the generic command.
For example, in the chapter on document structure, @kbd{M-@key{right}} will
be listed to call @code{org-do-demote}, while in the chapter on tables, it
will be listed to call @code{org-table-move-column-right}.  If you prefer,
you can compile the manual without the command names by unsetting the flag
@code{cmdnames} in @file{org.texi}.

@node Document Structure, Tables, Introduction, Top
@chapter Document structure
@cindex document structure
@cindex structure of document

Org is based on Outline mode and provides flexible commands to
edit the structure of the document.

@menu
* Outlines::                    Org 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
* Sparse trees::                Matches embedded in context
* Plain lists::                 Additional structure within an entry
* Drawers::                     Tucking stuff away
* Blocks::                      Folding blocks
* Footnotes::                   How footnotes are defined in Org's syntax
* Orgstruct mode::              Structure editing outside Org
@end menu

@node Outlines, Headlines, Document Structure, Document Structure
@section Outlines
@cindex outlines
@cindex Outline mode

Org is implemented on top of Outline mode.  Outlines allow a
document to be organized in a hierarchical structure, which (at least
for me) is the best representation of notes and thoughts.  An overview
of 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 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
@vindex org-special-ctrl-a/e
@vindex org-special-ctrl-k
@vindex org-ctrl-k-protect-subtree

Headlines define the structure of an outline tree.  The headlines in Org
start with one or more stars, on the left margin@footnote{See the variables
@code{org-special-ctrl-a/e}, @code{org-special-ctrl-k}, and
@code{org-ctrl-k-protect-subtree} to configure special behavior of @kbd{C-a},
@kbd{C-e}, and @kbd{C-k} in headlines.} @footnote{Clocking only works with
headings indented less then 30 stars.}.  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.

@vindex org-cycle-separator-lines
An empty line after the end of a subtree is considered part of it and
will be hidden when the subtree is folded.  However, if you leave at
least two empty lines, one empty line will remain visible after folding
the subtree, in order to structure the collapsed view.  See the
variable @code{org-cycle-separator-lines} to modify this behavior.

@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 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 @asis
@orgcmd{@key{TAB},org-cycle}
@emph{Subtree cycling}: Rotate current subtree among the states

@example
,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
'-----------------------------------'
@end example

@vindex org-cycle-emulate-tab
@vindex org-cycle-global-at-bob
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
@orgcmd{S-@key{TAB},org-global-cycle}
@itemx C-u @key{TAB}
@emph{Global cycling}: Rotate the entire buffer among the states

@example
,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
'--------------------------------------'
@end example

When @kbd{S-@key{TAB}} is called with a numeric prefix argument 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
@orgcmd{C-u C-u C-u @key{TAB},show-all}
Show all, including drawers.
@cindex revealing context
@orgcmd{C-c C-r,org-reveal}
Reveal context around point, showing the current entry, the following heading
and the hierarchy above.  Useful for working near a location that has been
exposed by a sparse tree command (@pxref{Sparse trees}) or an agenda command
(@pxref{Agenda commands}).  With a prefix argument show, on each
level, all sibling headings.  With a double prefix argument, also show the
entire subtree of the parent.
@cindex show branches, command
@orgcmd{C-c C-k,show-branches}
Expose all the headings of the subtree, CONTENT view for just one subtree.
@cindex show children, command
@orgcmd{C-c @key{TAB},show-children}
Expose all direct children of the subtree.  With a numeric prefix argument N,
expose all children down to level N.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x b,org-tree-to-indirect-buffer}
Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer@footnote{The indirect
buffer
@ifinfo
(@pxref{Indirect Buffers,,,emacs,GNU Emacs Manual})
@end ifinfo
@ifnotinfo
(see the Emacs manual for more information about indirect buffers)
@end ifnotinfo
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 a numeric
prefix argument N, go up to level N and then take that tree.  If N is
negative then go up that many levels.  With a @kbd{C-u} prefix, do not remove
the previously used indirect buffer.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x v,org-copy-visible}
Copy the @i{visible} text in the region into the kill ring.
@end table

@vindex org-startup-folded
@cindex @code{overview}, STARTUP keyword
@cindex @code{content}, STARTUP keyword
@cindex @code{showall}, STARTUP keyword
@cindex @code{showeverything}, STARTUP keyword

When Emacs first visits an Org 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
#+STARTUP: showeverything
@end example

@cindex property, VISIBILITY
@noindent
Furthermore, any entries with a @samp{VISIBILITY} property (@pxref{Properties
and Columns}) will get their visibility adapted accordingly.  Allowed values
for this property are @code{folded}, @code{children}, @code{content}, and
@code{all}.
@table @asis
@orgcmd{C-u C-u @key{TAB},org-set-startup-visibility}
Switch back to the startup visibility of the buffer, i.e.@: whatever is
requested by startup options and @samp{VISIBILITY} properties in individual
entries.
@end table

@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 @asis
@orgcmd{C-c C-n,outline-next-visible-heading}
Next heading.
@orgcmd{C-c C-p,outline-previous-visible-heading}
Previous heading.
@orgcmd{C-c C-f,org-forward-same-level}
Next heading same level.
@orgcmd{C-c C-b,org-backward-same-level}
Previous heading same level.
@orgcmd{C-c C-u,outline-up-heading}
Backward to higher level heading.
@orgcmd{C-c C-j,org-goto}
Jump to a different place without changing the current outline
visibility.  Shows the document structure in a temporary buffer, where
you can use the following keys to find your destination:
@vindex org-goto-auto-isearch
@example
@key{TAB}         @r{Cycle visibility.}
@key{down} / @key{up}   @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
@key{RET}         @r{Select this location.}
@kbd{/}           @r{Do a Sparse-tree search}
@r{The following keys work if you turn off @code{org-goto-auto-isearch}}
n / p        @r{Next/previous visible headline.}
f / b        @r{Next/previous headline same level.}
u            @r{One level up.}
0-9          @r{Digit argument.}
q            @r{Quit}
@end example
@vindex org-goto-interface
@noindent
See also the variable @code{org-goto-interface}.
@end table

@node Structure editing, Sparse trees, 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 sorting, of subtrees
@cindex subtrees, cut and paste

@table @asis
@orgcmd{M-@key{RET},org-insert-heading}
@vindex org-M-RET-may-split-line
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 argument.  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@footnote{If you do not want the line to be split, customize the
variable @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}.  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.
@orgcmd{C-@key{RET},org-insert-heading-respect-content}
Just like @kbd{M-@key{RET}}, except when adding a new heading below the
current heading, the new heading is placed after the body instead of before
it.  This command works from anywhere in the entry.
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{RET},org-insert-todo-heading}
@vindex org-treat-insert-todo-heading-as-state-change
Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.  See also the
variable @code{org-treat-insert-todo-heading-as-state-change}.
@orgcmd{C-S-@key{RET},org-insert-todo-heading-respect-content}
Insert new TODO entry with same level as current heading.  Like
@kbd{C-@key{RET}}, the new headline will be inserted after the current
subtree.
@orgcmd{@key{TAB},org-cycle}
In a new entry with no text yet, the first @key{TAB} demotes the entry to
become a child of the previous one.  The next @key{TAB} makes it a parent,
and so on, all the way to top level.  Yet another @key{TAB}, and you are back
to the initial level.
@orgcmd{M-@key{left},org-do-promote}
Promote current heading by one level.
@orgcmd{M-@key{right},org-do-demote}
Demote current heading by one level.
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{left},org-promote-subtree}
Promote the current subtree by one level.
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{right},org-demote-subtree}
Demote the current subtree by one level.
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{up},org-move-subtree-up}
Move subtree up (swap with previous subtree of same
level).
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{down},org-move-subtree-down}
Move subtree down (swap with next subtree of same level).
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-w,org-cut-subtree}
Kill subtree, i.e.@: remove it from buffer but save in kill ring.
With a numeric prefix argument N, kill N sequential subtrees.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x M-w,org-copy-subtree}
Copy subtree to kill ring.  With a numeric prefix argument N, copy the N
sequential subtrees.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-y,org-paste-subtree}
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 numeric prefix argument, or by yanking after a
headline marker like @samp{****}.
@orgcmd{C-y,org-yank}
@vindex org-yank-adjusted-subtrees
@vindex org-yank-folded-subtrees
Depending on the variables @code{org-yank-adjusted-subtrees} and
@code{org-yank-folded-subtrees}, Org's internal @code{yank} command will
paste subtrees folded and in a clever way, using the same command as @kbd{C-c
C-x C-y}.  With the default settings, no level adjustment will take place,
but the yanked tree will be folded unless doing so would swallow text
previously visible.  Any prefix argument to this command will force a normal
@code{yank} to be executed, with the prefix passed along.  A good way to
force a normal yank is @kbd{C-u C-y}.  If you use @code{yank-pop} after a
yank, it will yank previous kill items plainly, without adjustment and
folding.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x c,org-clone-subtree-with-time-shift}
Clone a subtree by making a number of sibling copies of it.  You will be
prompted for the number of copies to make, and you can also specify if any
timestamps in the entry should be shifted.  This can be useful, for example,
to create a number of tasks related to a series of lectures to prepare.  For
more details, see the docstring of the command
@code{org-clone-subtree-with-time-shift}.
@orgcmd{C-c C-w,org-refile}
Refile entry or region to a different location.  @xref{Refiling notes}.
@orgcmd{C-c ^,org-sort}
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 (first timestamp with active preferred,
creation time, scheduled time, deadline time), by priority, by TODO keyword
(in the sequence the keywords have been defined in the setup) or by the value
of a property.  Reverse sorting is possible as well.  You can also supply
your own function to extract the sorting key.  With a @kbd{C-u} prefix,
sorting will be case-sensitive.
@orgcmd{C-x n s,org-narrow-to-subtree}
Narrow buffer to current subtree.
@orgcmd{C-x n b,org-narrow-to-block}
Narrow buffer to current block.
@orgcmd{C-x n w,widen}
Widen buffer to remove narrowing.
@orgcmd{C-c *,org-toggle-heading}
Turn a normal line or plain list item into a headline (so that it becomes a
subheading at its location).  Also turn a headline into a normal line by
removing the stars.  If there is an active region, turn all lines in the
region into headlines.  If the first line in the region was an item, turn
only the item lines into headlines.  Finally, if the first line is a
headline, remove the stars from all headlines in the region.
@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 Sparse trees, Plain lists, Structure editing, Document Structure
@section Sparse trees
@cindex sparse trees
@cindex trees, sparse
@cindex folding, sparse trees
@cindex occur, command

@vindex org-show-hierarchy-above
@vindex org-show-following-heading
@vindex org-show-siblings
@vindex org-show-entry-below
An important feature of Org mode is the ability to construct @emph{sparse
trees} for selected information in an outline tree, so 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},
@code{org-show-siblings}, and @code{org-show-entry-below} 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, all these
commands can be accessed through a dispatcher:

@table @asis
@orgcmd{C-c /,org-sparse-tree}
This prompts for an extra key to select a sparse-tree creating command.
@orgcmd{C-c / r,org-occur}
@vindex org-remove-highlights-with-change
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 changed by an
editing command@footnote{This depends on the option
@code{org-remove-highlights-with-change}}, 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.
@orgcmdkkc{M-g n,M-g M-n,next-error}
Jump to the next sparse tree match in this buffer.
@orgcmdkkc{M-g p,M-g M-p,previous-error}
Jump to the previous sparse tree match in this buffer.
@end table


@noindent
@vindex org-agenda-custom-commands
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}.

The other sparse tree commands select headings based on TODO keywords,
tags, or properties and will be discussed later in this manual.

@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, Drawers, 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 supports editing such lists, and every exporter
(@pxref{Exporting}) can parse and format them.

Org knows ordered lists, unordered lists, and description lists.
@itemize @bullet
@item
@emph{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 may
be hard to distinguish from true headlines.  In short: even though @samp{*}
is supported, it may be better to not use it for plain list items.}  as
bullets.
@item
@vindex org-plain-list-ordered-item-terminator
@vindex org-alphabetical-lists
@emph{Ordered} list items start with a numeral followed by either a period or
a right parenthesis@footnote{You can filter out any of them by configuring
@code{org-plain-list-ordered-item-terminator}.}, such as @samp{1.} or
@samp{1)}@footnote{You can also get @samp{a.}, @samp{A.}, @samp{a)} and
@samp{A)} by configuring @code{org-alphabetical-lists}.  To minimize
confusion with normal text, those are limited to one character only.  Beyond
that limit, bullets will automatically fallback to numbers.}.  If you want a
list to start with a different value (e.g.@: 20), start the text of the item
with @code{[@@20]}@footnote{If there's a checkbox in the item, the cookie
must be put @emph{before} the checkbox.  If you have activated alphabetical
lists, you can also use counters like @code{[@@b]}.}.  Those constructs can
be used in any item of the list in order to enforce a particular numbering.
@item
@emph{Description} list items are unordered list items, and contain the
separator @samp{ :: } to distinguish the description @emph{term} from the
description.
@end itemize

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.  An item ends before the next line that is less or equally indented
than its bullet/number.

@vindex org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists
A list ends whenever every item has ended, which means before any line less
or equally indented than items at top level.  It also ends before two blank
lines@footnote{See also @code{org-empty-line-terminates-plain-lists}.}.  In
that case, all items are closed.  Here is an example:

@example
@group
** Lord of the Rings
   My favorite scenes are (in this order)
   1. The attack of the Rohirrim
   2. Eowyn's 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, no individual scenes matter but the film as a whole.
   Important actors in this film are:
   - @b{Elijah Wood} :: He plays Frodo
   - @b{Sean Austin} :: He plays Sam, Frodo's friend.  I still remember
     him very well from his role as Mikey Walsh in @i{The Goonies}.
@end group
@end example

Org supports these lists by tuning filling and wrapping commands to deal with
them correctly@footnote{Org 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}: @code{(require 'filladapt)}}, and by exporting them
properly (@pxref{Exporting}).  Since indentation is what governs the
structure of these lists, many structural constructs like @code{#+BEGIN_...}
blocks can be indented to signal that they belong to a particular item.

@vindex org-list-demote-modify-bullet
@vindex org-list-indent-offset
If you find that using a different bullet for a sub-list (than that used for
the current list-level) improves readability, customize the variable
@code{org-list-demote-modify-bullet}.  To get a greater difference of
indentation between items and theirs sub-items, customize
@code{org-list-indent-offset}.

@vindex org-list-automatic-rules
The following commands act on items when the cursor is in the first line of
an item (the line with the bullet or number).  Some of them imply the
application of automatic rules to keep list structure intact.  If some of
these actions get in your way, configure @code{org-list-automatic-rules}
to disable them individually.

@table @asis
@orgcmd{@key{TAB},org-cycle}
@cindex cycling, in plain lists
@vindex org-cycle-include-plain-lists
Items can be folded just like headline levels.  Normally this works only if
the cursor is on a plain list item.  For more details, see the variable
@code{org-cycle-include-plain-lists}.  If this variable is set to
@code{integrate}, plain list items will be treated like low-level
headlines.  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.  In a new item with no text yet, the
first @key{TAB} demotes the item to become a child of the previous
one.  Subsequent @key{TAB}s move the item to meaningful levels in the list
and eventually get it back to its initial position.
@orgcmd{M-@key{RET},org-insert-heading}
@vindex org-M-RET-may-split-line
@vindex org-list-automatic-rules
Insert new item at current level.  With a prefix argument, force a new
heading (@pxref{Structure editing}).  If this command is used in the middle
of an item, that item is @emph{split} in two, and the second part becomes the
new item@footnote{If you do not want the item to be split, customize the
variable @code{org-M-RET-may-split-line}.}.  If this command is executed
@emph{before item's body}, the new item is created @emph{before} the current
one.
@end table

@table @kbd
@kindex M-S-@key{RET}
@item M-S-RET
Insert a new item with a checkbox (@pxref{Checkboxes}).
@kindex S-@key{down}
@item S-up
@itemx S-down
@cindex shift-selection-mode
@vindex org-support-shift-select
@vindex org-list-use-circular-motion
Jump to the previous/next item in the current list@footnote{If you want to
cycle around items that way, you may customize
@code{org-list-use-circular-motion}.}, but only if
@code{org-support-shift-select} is off.  If not, you can still use paragraph
jumping commands like @kbd{C-@key{up}} and @kbd{C-@key{down}} to quite
similar effect.
@kindex M-@key{up}
@kindex M-@key{down}
@item M-up
@itemx M-down
Move the item including subitems up/down@footnote{See
@code{org-liste-use-circular-motion} for a cyclic behavior.} (swap with
previous/next item of same indentation).  If the list is ordered, renumbering
is automatic.
@kindex M-@key{left}
@kindex M-@key{right}
@item M-left
@itemx M-right
Decrease/increase the indentation of an item, leaving children alone.
@kindex M-S-@key{left}
@kindex M-S-@key{right}
@item M-S-left
@itemx M-S-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.

As a special case, using this command on the very first item of a list will
move the whole list.  This behavior can be disabled by configuring
@code{org-list-automatic-rules}.  The global indentation of a list has no
influence on the text @emph{after} the list.
@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.  In any case, verify bullets and indentation
consistency in the whole list.
@kindex C-c -
@vindex org-plain-list-ordered-item-terminator
@item C-c -
Cycle the entire list level through the different itemize/enumerate bullets
(@samp{-}, @samp{+}, @samp{*}, @samp{1.}, @samp{1)}) or a subset of them,
depending on @code{org-plain-list-ordered-item-terminator}, the type of list,
and its indentation.  With a numeric prefix argument N, select the Nth bullet
from this list.  If there is an active region when calling this, selected
text will be changed into an item.  With a prefix argument, all lines will be
converted to list items.  If the first line already was a list item, any item
marker will be removed from the list.  Finally, even without an active
region, a normal line will be converted into a list item.
@kindex C-c *
@item C-c *
Turn a plain list item into a headline (so that it becomes a subheading at
its location).  @xref{Structure editing}, for a detailed explanation.
@kindex C-c C-*
@item C-c C-*
Turn the whole plain list into a subtree of the current heading.  Checkboxes
(@pxref{Checkboxes}) will become TODO (resp. DONE) keywords when unchecked
(resp. checked).
@kindex S-@key{left}
@kindex S-@key{right}
@item S-left/right
@vindex org-support-shift-select
This command also cycles bullet styles when the cursor in on the bullet or
anywhere in an item line, details depending on
@code{org-support-shift-select}.
@kindex C-c ^
@item C-c ^
Sort the plain list.  You will be prompted for the sorting method:
numerically, alphabetically, by time, or by custom function.
@end table

@node Drawers, Blocks, Plain lists, Document Structure
@section Drawers
@cindex drawers
@cindex #+DRAWERS
@cindex visibility cycling, drawers

@vindex org-drawers
@cindex org-insert-drawer
@kindex C-c C-x d
Sometimes you want to keep information associated with an entry, but you
normally don't want to see it.  For this, Org mode has @emph{drawers}.
Drawers need to be configured with the variable
@code{org-drawers}@footnote{You can define additional drawers on a
per-file basis with a line like @code{#+DRAWERS: HIDDEN STATE}}.  Drawers
look like this:

@example
** This is a headline
   Still outside the drawer
   :DRAWERNAME:
   This is inside the drawer.
   :END:
   After the drawer.
@end example

You can interactively insert drawers at point by calling
@code{org-insert-drawer}, which is bound to @key{C-c C-x d}.  With an active
region, this command will put the region inside the drawer.  With a prefix
argument, this command calls @code{org-insert-property-drawer} and add a
property drawer right below the current headline.  Completion over drawer
keywords is also possible using @key{M-TAB}.

Visibility cycling (@pxref{Visibility cycling}) on the headline will hide and
show the entry, but keep the drawer collapsed to a single line.  In order to
look inside the drawer, you need to move the cursor to the drawer line and
press @key{TAB} there.  Org mode uses the @code{PROPERTIES} drawer for
storing properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}), and you can also arrange
for state change notes (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}) and clock times
(@pxref{Clocking work time}) to be stored in a drawer @code{LOGBOOK}.  If you
want to store a quick note in the LOGBOOK drawer, in a similar way to state changes, use

@table @kbd
@kindex C-c C-z
@item C-c C-z
Add a time-stamped note to the LOGBOOK drawer.
@end table

@node Blocks, Footnotes, Drawers, Document Structure
@section Blocks

@vindex org-hide-block-startup
@cindex blocks, folding
Org mode uses begin...end blocks for various purposes from including source
code examples (@pxref{Literal examples}) to capturing time logging
information (@pxref{Clocking work time}).  These blocks can be folded and
unfolded by pressing TAB in the begin line.  You can also get all blocks
folded at startup by configuring the variable @code{org-hide-block-startup}
or on a per-file basis by using

@cindex @code{hideblocks}, STARTUP keyword
@cindex @code{nohideblocks}, STARTUP keyword
@example
#+STARTUP: hideblocks
#+STARTUP: nohideblocks
@end example

@node Footnotes, Orgstruct mode, Blocks, Document Structure
@section Footnotes
@cindex footnotes

Org mode supports the creation of footnotes.  In contrast to the
@file{footnote.el} package, Org mode's footnotes are designed for work on a
larger document, not only for one-off documents like emails.  The basic
syntax is similar to the one used by @file{footnote.el}, i.e.@: a footnote is
defined in a paragraph that is started by a footnote marker in square
brackets in column 0, no indentation allowed.  If you need a paragraph break
inside a footnote, use the @LaTeX{} idiom @samp{\par}.  The footnote reference
is simply the marker in square brackets, inside text.  For example:

@example
The Org homepage[fn:1] now looks a lot better than it used to.
...
[fn:1] The link is: http://orgmode.org
@end example

Org mode extends the number-based syntax to @emph{named} footnotes and
optional inline definition.  Using plain numbers as markers (as
@file{footnote.el} does) is supported for backward compatibility, but not
encouraged because of possible conflicts with @LaTeX{} snippets (@pxref{Embedded
@LaTeX{}}).  Here are the valid references:

@table @code
@item [1]
A plain numeric footnote marker.  Compatible with @file{footnote.el}, but not
recommended because something like @samp{[1]} could easily be part of a code
snippet.
@item [fn:name]
A named footnote reference, where @code{name} is a unique label word, or, for
simplicity of automatic creation, a number.
@item [fn:: This is the inline definition of this footnote]
A @LaTeX{}-like anonymous footnote where the definition is given directly at the
reference point.
@item [fn:name: a definition]
An inline definition of a footnote, which also specifies a name for the note.
Since Org allows multiple references to the same note, you can then use
@code{[fn:name]} to create additional references.
@end table

@vindex org-footnote-auto-label
Footnote labels can be created automatically, or you can create names yourself.
This is handled by the variable @code{org-footnote-auto-label} and its
corresponding @code{#+STARTUP} keywords.  See the docstring of that variable
for details.

@noindent The following command handles footnotes:

@table @kbd
@kindex C-c C-x f
@item C-c C-x f
The footnote action command.

When the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition.  When it
is at a definition, jump to the (first) reference.

@vindex org-footnote-define-inline
@vindex org-footnote-section
@vindex org-footnote-auto-adjust
Otherwise, create a new footnote.  Depending on the variable
@code{org-footnote-define-inline}@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer
setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: fninline} or @code{#+STARTUP: nofninline}}, the
definition will be placed right into the text as part of the reference, or
separately into the location determined by the variable
@code{org-footnote-section}.

When this command is called with a prefix argument, a menu of additional
options is offered:
@example
s   @r{Sort the footnote definitions by reference sequence.  During editing,}
    @r{Org makes no effort to sort footnote definitions into a particular}
    @r{sequence.  If you want them sorted, use this command, which will}
    @r{also move entries according to @code{org-footnote-section}.  Automatic}
    @r{sorting after each insertion/deletion can be configured using the}
    @r{variable @code{org-footnote-auto-adjust}.}
r   @r{Renumber the simple @code{fn:N} footnotes.  Automatic renumbering}
    @r{after each insertion/deletion can be configured using the variable}
    @r{@code{org-footnote-auto-adjust}.}
S   @r{Short for first @code{r}, then @code{s} action.}
n   @r{Normalize the footnotes by collecting all definitions (including}
    @r{inline definitions) into a special section, and then numbering them}
    @r{in sequence.  The references will then also be numbers.  This is}
    @r{meant to be the final step before finishing a document (e.g.@: sending}
    @r{off an email).  The exporters do this automatically, and so could}
    @r{something like @code{message-send-hook}.}
d   @r{Delete the footnote at point, and all definitions of and references}
    @r{to it.}
@end example
Depending on the variable @code{org-footnote-auto-adjust}@footnote{the
corresponding in-buffer options are @code{fnadjust} and @code{nofnadjust}.},
renumbering and sorting footnotes can be automatic after each insertion or
deletion.

@kindex C-c C-c
@item C-c C-c
If the cursor is on a footnote reference, jump to the definition.  If it is a
the definition, jump back to the reference.  When called at a footnote
location with a prefix argument, offer the same menu as @kbd{C-c C-x f}.
@kindex C-c C-o
@kindex mouse-1
@kindex mouse-2
@item C-c C-o  @r{or} mouse-1/2
Footnote labels are also links to the corresponding definition/reference, and
you can use the usual commands to follow these links.
@end table

@node Orgstruct mode,  , Footnotes, Document Structure
@section The Orgstruct minor mode
@cindex Orgstruct mode
@cindex minor mode for structure editing

If you like the intuitive way the Org mode structure editing and list
formatting works, you might want to use these commands in other modes like
Text mode or Mail mode as well.  The minor mode @code{orgstruct-mode} makes
this possible.   Toggle the mode with @kbd{M-x orgstruct-mode}, or
turn it on by default, for example in Message mode, with one of:

@lisp
(add-hook 'message-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct)
(add-hook 'message-mode-hook 'turn-on-orgstruct++)
@end lisp

When this mode is active and the cursor is on a line that looks to Org like a
headline or the first line of a list item, most structure editing commands
will work, even if the same keys normally have different functionality in the
major mode you are using.  If the cursor is not in one of those special
lines, Orgstruct mode lurks silently in the shadows.  When you use
@code{orgstruct++-mode}, Org will also export indentation and autofill
settings into that mode, and detect item context after the first line of an
item.

@node Tables, Hyperlinks, Document Structure, Top
@chapter Tables
@cindex tables
@cindex editing tables

Org comes with a fast and intuitive table editor.  Spreadsheet-like
calculations are supported using the Emacs @file{calc} package
(@pxref{Top, Calc, , calc, Gnu Emacs Calculator Manual}).

@menu
* Built-in table editor::       Simple tables
* Column width and alignment::  Overrule the automatic settings
* Column groups::               Grouping to trigger vertical lines
* Orgtbl mode::                 The table editor as minor mode
* The spreadsheet::             The table editor has spreadsheet capabilities
* Org-Plot::                    Plotting from org tables
@end menu

@node Built-in table editor, Column width and alignment, Tables, Tables
@section The built-in table editor
@cindex table editor, built-in

Org makes it easy to format tables in plain ASCII.  Any line with @samp{|} as
the first non-whitespace character is considered part of a table.  @samp{|}
is also the column separator@footnote{To insert a vertical bar into a table
field, use @code{\vert} or, inside a word @code{abc\vert@{@}def}.}.  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.  Even faster would be to type @code{|Name|Phone|Age} followed by
@kbd{C-c @key{RET}}.

@vindex org-enable-table-editor
@vindex org-table-auto-blank-field
When typing text into a field, Org 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}
@orgcmd{C-c |,org-table-create-or-convert-from-region}
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 every line contains a comma, comma-separated values (CSV) are assumed.
If not, lines are split at whitespace into fields.  You can use a prefix
argument to force a specific separator: @kbd{C-u} forces CSV, @kbd{C-u
C-u} forces TAB, and a numeric argument N indicates that at least N
consecutive spaces, or alternatively a TAB will be the separator.
@*
If there is no active region, this command creates an empty Org
table.  But it is easier just to start typing, like
@kbd{|Name|Phone|Age @key{RET} |- @key{TAB}}.

@tsubheading{Re-aligning and field motion}
@orgcmd{C-c C-c,org-table-align}
Re-align the table without moving the cursor.
@c
@orgcmd{<TAB>,org-table-next-field}
Re-align the table, move to the next field.  Creates a new row if
necessary.
@c
@orgcmd{S-@key{TAB},org-table-previous-field}
Re-align, move to previous field.
@c
@orgcmd{@key{RET},org-table-next-row}
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.
@c
@orgcmd{M-a,org-table-beginning-of-field}
Move to beginning of the current table field, or on to the previous field.
@orgcmd{M-e,org-table-end-of-field}
Move to end of the current table field, or on to the next field.

@tsubheading{Column and row editing}
@orgcmdkkcc{M-@key{left},M-@key{right},org-table-move-column-left,org-table-move-column-right}
Move the current column left/right.
@c
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{left},org-table-delete-column}
Kill the current column.
@c
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{right},org-table-insert-column}
Insert a new column to the left of the cursor position.
@c
@orgcmdkkcc{M-@key{up},M-@key{down},org-table-move-row-up,org-table-move-row-down}
Move the current row up/down.
@c
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{up},org-table-kill-row}
Kill the current row or horizontal line.
@c
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{down},org-table-insert-row}
Insert a new row above the current row.  With a prefix argument, the line is
created below the current one.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c -,org-table-insert-hline}
Insert a horizontal line below current row.  With a prefix argument, the line
is created above the current line.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c @key{RET},org-table-hline-and-move}
Insert a horizontal line below current row, and move the cursor into the row
below that line.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c ^,org-table-sort-lines}
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}
@orgcmd{C-c C-x M-w,org-table-copy-region}
Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard.  Point and
mark determine edge fields of the rectangle.  If there is no active region,
copy just the current field.  The process ignores horizontal separator lines.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-w,org-table-cut-region}
Copy a rectangular region from a table to a special clipboard, and
blank all fields in the rectangle.  So this is the ``cut'' operation.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-y,org-table-paste-rectangle}
Paste a rectangular region into a table.
The upper left 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.
@c
@orgcmd{M-@key{RET},org-table-wrap-region}
Split the current field at the cursor position and move the rest to the line
below.  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 numeric prefix argument may be used to change the number
of desired lines.  If there is no region, but you specify a prefix argument,
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
@orgcmd{C-c +,org-table-sum}
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}.
@c
@orgcmd{S-@key{RET},org-table-copy-down}
@vindex org-table-copy-increment
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.  Integers that are too large will not
be incremented.  Also, a @code{0} prefix argument temporarily disables the
increment.  This key is also used by shift-selection and related modes
(@pxref{Conflicts}).

@tsubheading{Miscellaneous}
@orgcmd{C-c `,org-table-edit-field}
Edit the current field in a separate window.  This is useful for fields that
are not fully visible (@pxref{Column width and alignment}).  When called with
a @kbd{C-u} prefix, just make the full field visible, so that it can be
edited in place.  When called with two @kbd{C-u} prefixes, make the editor
window follow the cursor through the table and always show the current
field.  The follow mode exits automatically when the cursor leaves the table,
or when you repeat this command with @kbd{C-u C-u C-c `}.
@c
@item M-x org-table-import
Import a file as a table.  The table should be TAB or whitespace
separated.  Use, for example, to import a spreadsheet 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.
@orgcmd{C-c |,org-table-create-or-convert-from-region}
Tables can also be imported by pasting tabular text into the Org
buffer, selecting the pasted text with @kbd{C-x C-x} and then using the
@kbd{C-c |} command (see above under @i{Creation and conversion}).
@c
@item M-x org-table-export
@findex org-table-export
@vindex org-table-export-default-format
Export the table, by default as a TAB-separated file.  Use for data
exchange with, for example, spreadsheet or database programs.  The format
used to export the file can be configured in the variable
@code{org-table-export-default-format}.  You may also use properties
@code{TABLE_EXPORT_FILE} and @code{TABLE_EXPORT_FORMAT} to specify the file
name and the format for table export in a subtree.  Org supports quite
general formats for exported tables.  The exporter format is the same as the
format used by Orgtbl radio tables, see @ref{Translator functions}, for a
detailed description.
@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 Column width and alignment, Column groups, Built-in table editor, Tables
@section Column width and alignment
@cindex narrow columns in tables
@cindex alignment in tables

The width of columns is automatically determined by the table editor.  And
also the alignment of a column is determined automatically from the fraction
of number-like versus non-number fields in the column.

Sometimes a single field or a few fields need to carry more text, leading to
inconveniently wide columns.  Or maybe you want to make a table with several
columns having a fixed width, regardless of content.  To set@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{<N>} 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 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 but is hidden.
To see the full text, hold the mouse over the field---a tool-tip 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}.

@vindex org-startup-align-all-tables
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

If you would like to overrule the automatic alignment of number-rich columns
to the right and of string-rich column to the left, you can use @samp{<r>},
@samp{c}@footnote{Centering does not work inside Emacs, but it does have an
effect when exporting to HTML.} or @samp{<l>} in a similar fashion.  You may
also combine alignment and field width like this: @samp{<l10>}.

Lines which only contain these formatting cookies will be removed
automatically when exporting the document.

@node Column groups, Orgtbl mode, Column width and alignment, Tables
@section Column groups
@cindex grouping columns in tables

When Org exports tables, it does so by default without vertical
lines because that is visually more satisfying in general.  Occasionally
however, vertical lines can be useful to structure a table into groups
of columns, much like horizontal lines can do for groups of rows.  In
order to specify column groups, you can use a special row where the
first field contains only @samp{/}.  The further fields can either
contain @samp{<} to indicate that this column should start a group,
@samp{>} to indicate the end of a column, or @samp{<>} (no space between @samp{<}
and @samp{>}) to make a column
a group of its own.  Boundaries between column groups will upon export be
marked with vertical lines.  Here is an example:

@example
| N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
|---+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
| / |   < |     |   > |       < |          > |
| 1 |   1 |   1 |   1 |       1 |          1 |
| 2 |   4 |   8 |  16 |  1.4142 |     1.1892 |
| 3 |   9 |  27 |  81 |  1.7321 |     1.3161 |
|---+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
#+TBLFM: $2=$1^2::$3=$1^3::$4=$1^4::$5=sqrt($1)::$6=sqrt(sqrt(($1)))
@end example

It is also sufficient to just insert the column group starters after
every vertical line you would like to have:

@example
|  N | N^2 | N^3 | N^4 | sqrt(n) | sqrt[4](N) |
|----+-----+-----+-----+---------+------------|
| /  | <   |     |     | <       |            |
@end example

@node Orgtbl mode, The spreadsheet, Column groups, Tables
@section The Orgtbl minor mode
@cindex Orgtbl mode
@cindex minor mode for tables

If you like the intuitive way the Org 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 Message mode, use

@lisp
(add-hook 'message-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 capabilities.  For details, see
@ref{Tables in arbitrary syntax}.

@node The spreadsheet, Org-Plot, 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.  While fully featured, Org's implementation
is not identical to other spreadsheets.  For example, Org knows the concept
of a @emph{column formula} that will be applied to all non-header fields in a
column without having to copy the formula to each relevant field.  There is
also a formula debugger, and a formula editor with features for highlighting
fields in the table corresponding to the references at the point in the
formula, moving these references by arrow keys

@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
* Durations and time values::   How to compute durations and time values
* Field and range formulas::    Formula for specific (ranges of) fields
* Column formulas::             Formulas valid for an entire column
* Editing and debugging formulas::  Fixing formulas
* Updating the table::          Recomputing all dependent fields
* Advanced features::           Field and column 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, 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, or press @kbd{C-c @}} to toggle the display of a grid.

@subsubheading Field references
@cindex field references
@cindex references, to fields

Formulas can reference the value of another field in two ways.  Like in
any other spreadsheet, you may reference fields with a letter/number
combination like @code{B3}, meaning the 2nd field in the 3rd row.
@vindex org-table-use-standard-references
However, Org prefers@footnote{Org will understand references typed by the
user as @samp{B4}, but it will not use this syntax when offering a formula
for editing.  You can customize this behavior using the variable
@code{org-table-use-standard-references}.}  to use another, more general
representation that looks like this:
@example
@@@var{row}$@var{column}
@end example

Column specifications can be absolute like @code{$1},
@code{$2},...@code{$@var{N}}, or relative to the current column (i.e.@: the
column of the field which is being computed) like @code{$+1} or @code{$-2}.
@code{$<} and @code{$>} are immutable references to the first and last
column, respectively, and you can use @code{$>>>} to indicate the third
column from the right.

The row specification only counts data lines and ignores horizontal separator
lines (hlines).  Like with columns, you can use absolute row numbers
@code{@@1}, @code{@@2},...@code{@@@var{N}}, and row numbers relative to the
current row like @code{@@+3} or @code{@@-1}.  @code{@@<} and @code{@@>} are
immutable references the first and last@footnote{For backward compatibility
you can also use special names like @code{$LR5} and @code{$LR12} to refer in
a stable way to the 5th and 12th field in the last row of the table.
However, this syntax is deprecated, it should not be used for new documents.
Use @code{@@>$} instead.} row in the table, respectively.  You may also
specify the row relative to one of the hlines: @code{@@I} refers to the first
hline, @code{@@II} to the second, etc@.  @code{@@-I} refers to the first such
line above the current line, @code{@@+I} to the first such line below the
current line.  You can also write @code{@@III+2} which is the second data line
after the third hline in the table.

@code{@@0} and @code{$0} refer to the current row and column, respectively,
i.e. to the row/column for the field being computed.  Also, if you omit
either the column or the row part of the reference, the current row/column is
implied.

Org's references with @emph{unsigned} numbers are fixed references
in the sense that if you use the same reference in the formula for two
different fields, the same field will be referenced each time.
Org's references with @emph{signed} numbers are floating
references because the same reference operator can reference different
fields depending on the field being calculated by the formula.

Here are a few examples:

@example
@@2$3      @r{2nd row, 3rd column (same as @code{C2})}
$5        @r{column 5 in the current row (same as @code{E&})}
@@2        @r{current column, row 2}
@@-1$-3    @r{the field one row up, three columns to the left}
@@-I$2     @r{field just under hline above current row, column 2}
@@>$5      @r{field in the last row, in column 5}
@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)}
$<<<..$>>     @r{start in third column, continue to the one but last}
@@2$1..@@4$3    @r{6 fields between these two fields (same as @code{A2..C4})}
@@-1$-2..@@-1   @r{3 numbers from the column to the left, 2 up to current row}
@@I..II        @r{between first and second hline, short for @code{@@I..@@II}}
@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 Field coordinates in formulas
@cindex field coordinates
@cindex coordinates, of field
@cindex row, of field coordinates
@cindex column, of field coordinates

For Calc formulas and Lisp formulas @code{@@#} and @code{$#} can be used to
get the row or column number of the field where the formula result goes.
The traditional Lisp formula equivalents are @code{org-table-current-dline}
and @code{org-table-current-column}.  Examples:

@example
if(@@# % 2, $#, string(""))   @r{column number on odd lines only}
$3 = remote(FOO, @@@@#$2)      @r{copy column 2 from table FOO into}
                             @r{column 3 of the current table}
@end example

@noindent For the second example, table FOO must have at least as many rows
as the current table.  Note that this is inefficient@footnote{The computation time scales as
O(N^2) because table FOO is parsed for each field to be copied.} for large
number of rows.

@subsubheading Named references
@cindex named references
@cindex references, named
@cindex name, of column or field
@cindex constants, in calculations
@cindex #+CONSTANTS

@vindex org-table-formula-constants
@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}, and locally (for the file) through a
line like

@example
#+CONSTANTS: c=299792458. pi=3.14 eps=2.4e-6
@end example

@noindent
@vindex constants-unit-system
@pindex constants.el
Also properties (@pxref{Properties and Columns}) can be used as
constants in table formulas: for a property @samp{:Xyz:} use the name
@samp{$PROP_Xyz}, and the property will be searched in the current
outline entry and in the hierarchy above it.  If you have the
@file{constants.el} package, it will also be used to resolve constants,
including natural constants like @samp{$h} for Planck's constant, and
units like @samp{$km} for kilometers@footnote{@file{constants.el} can
supply the values of constants in two different unit systems, @code{SI}
and @code{cgs}.  Which one is used depends on the value of the variable
@code{constants-unit-system}.  You can use the @code{#+STARTUP} options
@code{constSI} and @code{constcgs} to set this value for the current
buffer.}.  Column names and parameters can be specified in special table
lines.  These are described below, see @ref{Advanced features}.  All
names must start with a letter, and further consist of letters and
numbers.

@subsubheading Remote references
@cindex remote references
@cindex references, remote
@cindex references, to a different table
@cindex name, of column or field
@cindex constants, in calculations
@cindex #+TBLNAME

You may also reference constants, fields and ranges from a different table,
either in the current file or even in a different file.  The syntax is

@example
remote(NAME-OR-ID,REF)
@end example

@noindent
where NAME can be the name of a table in the current file as set by a
@code{#+TBLNAME: NAME} line before the table.  It can also be the ID of an
entry, even in a different file, and the reference then refers to the first
table in that entry.  REF is an absolute field or range reference as
described above for example @code{@@3$3} or @code{$somename}, valid in the
referenced table.

@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}
@vindex org-calc-default-modes
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 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 8)} to keep tables
compact.  The default settings can be configured using the variable
@code{org-calc-default-modes}.

@example
p20           @r{set the internal Calc calculation precision to 20 digits}
n3 s3 e2 f4   @r{Normal, scientific, engineering, or fixed}
              @r{format of the result of Calc passed back to Org.}
              @r{Calc formatting is unlimited in precision as}
              @r{long as the Calc calculation precision is greater.}
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}
E             @r{keep empty fields in ranges}
L             @r{literal}
@end example

@noindent
Unless you use large integer numbers or high-precision-calculation
and -display for floating point numbers you may alternatively provide a
@code{printf} format specifier to reformat the Calc result after it has been
passed back to Org instead of letting Calc already do the
formatting@footnote{The @code{printf} reformatting is limited in precision
because the value passed to it is converted into an @code{integer} or
@code{double}.  The @code{integer} is limited in size by truncating the
signed value to 32 bits.  The @code{double} is limited in precision to 64
bits overall which leaves approximately 16 significant decimal digits.}.
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}
$0;%.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

Calc also contains a complete set of logical operations.  For example

@example
if($1<20,teen,string(""))  @r{"teen" if age $1 less than 20, else empty}
@end example

Note that you can also use two org-specific flags @code{T} and @code{t} for
durations computations @ref{Durations and time values}.

@node Formula syntax for Lisp, Durations and time values, 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 Calc's functionality is 
not enough.  

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.  

With Emacs Lisp forms, you need to be conscious about the way field
references are interpolated into the form.  By default, a reference will be
interpolated as a Lisp string (in double-quotes) containing the field.  If
you provide the @samp{N} mode switch, all referenced elements will be numbers
(non-number fields will be zero) and interpolated as Lisp numbers, without
quotes.  If you provide the @samp{L} flag, all fields will be interpolated
literally, without quotes.  I.e., if you want a reference to be interpreted
as a string by the Lisp form, enclose the reference operator itself in
double-quotes, like @code{"$3"}.  Ranges are inserted as space-separated
fields, so you can embed them in list or vector syntax.

Here are 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 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 Durations and time values, Field and range formulas, Formula syntax for Lisp, The spreadsheet
@subsection Durations and time values
@cindex Duration, computing
@cindex Time, computing
@vindex org-table-duration-custom-format

If you want to compute time values use the @code{T} flag, either in Calc
formulas or Elisp formulas:

@example
@group
  |  Task 1 |   Task 2 |    Total |
  |---------+----------+----------|
  |    2:12 |     1:47 | 03:59:00 |
  | 3:02:20 | -2:07:00 |     0.92 |
  #+TBLFM: @@2$3=$1+$2;T::@@3$3=$1+$2;t
@end group
@end example

Input duration values must be of the form @code{[HH:MM[:SS]}, where seconds
are optional.  With the @code{T} flag, computed durations will be displayed
as @code{HH:MM:SS} (see the first formula above).  With the @code{t} flag,
computed durations will be displayed according to the value of the variable
@code{org-table-duration-custom-format}, which defaults to @code{'hours} and
will display the result as a fraction of hours (see the second formula in the
example above).

Negative duration values can be manipulated as well, and integers will be
considered as seconds in addition and subtraction.

@node Field and range formulas, Column formulas, Durations and time values, The spreadsheet
@subsection Field and range formulas
@cindex field formula
@cindex range formula
@cindex formula, for individual table field
@cindex formula, for range of fields

To assign a formula to a particular field, type it directly into the field,
preceded by @samp{:=}, for example @samp{:=vsum(@@II..III)}.  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 will be replaced with the result.

@cindex #+TBLFM
Formulas are stored in a special line starting with @samp{#+TBLFM:} directly
below the table.  If you type the equation in the 4th field of the 3rd data
line in the table, the formula will look like @samp{@@3$4=$1+$2}.  When
inserting/deleting/swapping column and rows with the appropriate commands,
@i{absolute references} (but not relative ones) in stored formulas are
modified in order to still reference the same field.  To avoid this from
happening, in particular in range references, anchor ranges at the table
borders (using @code{@@<}, @code{@@>}, @code{$<}, @code{$>}), or at hlines
using the @code{@@I} notation.  Automatic adaptation of field references does
of course not happen if you edit the table structure with normal editing
commands---then you must fix the equations yourself.

Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the following
command

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-u C-c =,org-table-eval-formula}
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

The left-hand side of a formula can also be a special expression in order to
assign the formula to a number of different fields.  There is no keyboard
shortcut to enter such range formulas.  To add them, use the formula editor
(@pxref{Editing and debugging formulas}) or edit the @code{#+TBLFM:} line
directly.

@table @code
@item $2=
Column formula, valid for the entire column.  This is so common that Org
treats these formulas in a special way, see @ref{Column formulas}.
@item @@3=
Row formula, applies to all fields in the specified row.  @code{@@>=} means
the last row.
@item @@1$2..@@4$3=
Range formula, applies to all fields in the given rectangular range.  This
can also be used to assign a formula to some but not all fields in a row.
@item $name=
Named field, see @ref{Advanced features}.
@end table

@node Column formulas, Editing and debugging formulas, Field and range formulas, The spreadsheet
@subsection Column formulas
@cindex column formula
@cindex formula, for table column

When you assign a formula to a simple column reference like @code{$3=}, the
same formula will be used in all fields of that column, with the following
very convenient exceptions: (i) If the table contains horizontal separator
hlines, everything before the first such line is considered part of the table
@emph{header} and will not be modified by column formulas.  (ii) Fields that
already get a value from a field/range formula will be left alone by column
formulas.  These conditions make column formulas very easy to use.

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 will only remember the most recently used formula.  In the
@samp{#+TBLFM:} line, column formulas will look like @samp{$4=$1+$2}.  The
left-hand side of a column formula can not be the name of column, it must be
the numeric column reference or @code{$>}.

Instead of typing an equation into the field, you may also use the
following command:

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c =,org-table-eval-formula}
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 numeric prefix argument(e.g.@: @kbd{C-5 C-c =}) the command
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

@vindex org-table-use-standard-references
You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the
field.  Org can also prepare a special buffer with all active
formulas of a table.  When offering a formula for editing, Org
converts references to the standard format (like @code{B3} or @code{D&})
if possible.  If you prefer to only work with the internal format (like
@code{@@3$2} or @code{$4}), configure the variable
@code{org-table-use-standard-references}.

@table @kbd
@orgcmdkkc{C-c =,C-u C-c =,org-table-eval-formula}
Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the
minibuffer.  See @ref{Column formulas}, and @ref{Field and range formulas}.
@orgcmd{C-u C-u C-c =,org-table-eval-formula}
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 ?}.
@orgcmd{C-c ?,org-table-field-info}
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 @}
@findex org-table-toggle-coordinate-overlays
@item C-c @}
Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using overlays
(@command{org-table-toggle-coordinate-overlays}).  These are updated each
time the table is aligned; you can force it with @kbd{C-c C-c}.
@kindex C-c @{
@findex org-table-toggle-formula-debugger
@item C-c @{
Toggle the formula debugger on and off
(@command{org-table-toggle-formula-debugger}).  See below.
@orgcmd{C-c ',org-table-edit-formulas}
Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the
formulas will be displayed one per line.  If the current field has an
active formula, the cursor in the formula editor will mark it.
While inside the special buffer, Org 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
@orgcmdkkc{C-c C-c,C-x C-s,org-table-fedit-finish}
Exit the formula editor and store the modified formulas.  With @kbd{C-u}
prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.
@orgcmd{C-c C-q,org-table-fedit-abort}
Exit the formula editor without installing changes.
@orgcmd{C-c C-r,org-table-fedit-toggle-ref-type}
Toggle all references in the formula editor between standard (like
@code{B3}) and internal (like @code{@@3$2}).
@orgcmd{@key{TAB},org-table-fedit-lisp-indent}
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.
@orgcmd{M-@key{TAB},lisp-complete-symbol}
Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs Lisp mode.
@kindex S-@key{up}
@kindex S-@key{down}
@kindex S-@key{left}
@kindex S-@key{right}
@findex org-table-fedit-ref-up
@findex org-table-fedit-ref-down
@findex org-table-fedit-ref-left
@findex org-table-fedit-ref-right
@item S-@key{up}/@key{down}/@key{left}/@key{right}
Shift the reference at point.  For example, if the reference is
@code{B3} and you press @kbd{S-@key{right}}, it will become @code{C3}.
This also works for relative references and for hline references.
@orgcmdkkcc{M-S-@key{up},M-S-@key{down},org-table-fedit-line-up,org-table-fedit-line-down}
Move the test line for column formulas in the Org buffer up and
down.
@orgcmdkkcc{M-@key{up},M-@key{down},org-table-fedit-scroll-down,org-table-fedit-scroll-up}
Scroll the window displaying the table.
@kindex C-c @}
@findex org-table-toggle-coordinate-overlays
@item C-c @}
Turn the coordinate grid in the table on and off.
@end table
@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-u C-u 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-automatic.

In order to recalculate a line of a table or the entire table, use the
following commands:

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c *,org-table-recalculate}
Recalculate the current row by first applying the stored column formulas
from left to right, and all field/range formulas in the current row.
@c
@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.
@c
@orgcmdkkc{C-u C-u C-c *,C-u C-u C-c C-c,org-table-iterate}
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.
@item M-x org-table-recalculate-buffer-tables
@findex org-table-recalculate-buffer-tables
Recompute all tables in the current buffer.
@item M-x org-table-iterate-buffer-tables
@findex org-table-iterate-buffer-tables
Iterate all tables in the current buffer, in order to converge table-to-table
dependencies.
@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}@footnote{Such names must start by an
alphabetic character and use only alphanumeric/underscore characters.} to
fields and columns, you need to reserve the first column of the table for
special marking characters.

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-#,org-table-rotate-recalc-marks}
Rotate the calculation mark in first column through the states @samp{ },
@samp{#}, @samp{*}, @samp{!}, @samp{$}.  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 |
| # | Sam     |      2 |      4 |      3 |     9 |  1.8 |
|---+---------+--------+--------+--------+-------+------|
|   | Average |        |        |        |  25.0 |      |
| ^ |         |        |        |        |    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{<N>} markers or column group markers.
@end table

Finally, just to whet your appetite for what can be done with the
fantastic @file{calc.el} package, here is a table that computes the Taylor
series of degree @code{n} at location @code{x} for a couple of
functions.

@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 Org-Plot,  , The spreadsheet, Tables
@section Org-Plot
@cindex graph, in tables
@cindex plot tables using Gnuplot
@cindex #+PLOT

Org-Plot can produce 2D and 3D graphs of information stored in org tables
using @file{Gnuplot} @uref{http://www.gnuplot.info/} and @file{gnuplot-mode}
@uref{http://cars9.uchicago.edu/~ravel/software/gnuplot-mode.html}.  To see
this in action, ensure that you have both Gnuplot and Gnuplot mode installed
on your system, then call @code{org-plot/gnuplot} on the following table.

@example
@group
#+PLOT: title:"Citas" ind:1 deps:(3) type:2d with:histograms set:"yrange [0:]"
| Sede      | Max cites | H-index |
|-----------+-----------+---------|
| Chile     |    257.72 |   21.39 |
| Leeds     |    165.77 |   19.68 |
| Sao Paolo |     71.00 |   11.50 |
| Stockholm |    134.19 |   14.33 |
| Morelia   |    257.56 |   17.67 |
@end group
@end example

Notice that Org Plot is smart enough to apply the table's headers as labels.
Further control over the labels, type, content, and appearance of plots can
be exercised through the @code{#+PLOT:} lines preceding a table.  See below
for a complete list of Org-plot options.  For more information and examples
see the Org-plot tutorial at
@uref{http://orgmode.org/worg/org-tutorials/org-plot.html}.

@subsubheading Plot Options

@table @code
@item set
Specify any @command{gnuplot} option to be set when graphing.

@item title
Specify the title of the plot.

@item ind
Specify which column of the table to use as the @code{x} axis.

@item deps
Specify the columns to graph as a Lisp style list, surrounded by parentheses
and separated by spaces for example @code{dep:(3 4)} to graph the third and
fourth columns (defaults to graphing all other columns aside from the @code{ind}
column).

@item type
Specify whether the plot will be @code{2d}, @code{3d}, or @code{grid}.

@item with
Specify a @code{with} option to be inserted for every col being plotted
(e.g.@: @code{lines}, @code{points}, @code{boxes}, @code{impulses}, etc...).
Defaults to @code{lines}.

@item file
If you want to plot to a file, specify @code{"@var{path/to/desired/output-file}"}.

@item labels
List of labels to be used for the @code{deps} (defaults to the column headers
if they exist).

@item line
Specify an entire line to be inserted in the Gnuplot script.

@item map
When plotting @code{3d} or @code{grid} types, set this to @code{t} to graph a
flat mapping rather than a @code{3d} slope.

@item timefmt
Specify format of Org mode timestamps as they will be parsed by Gnuplot.
Defaults to @samp{%Y-%m-%d-%H:%M:%S}.

@item script
If you want total control, you can specify a script file (place the file name
between double-quotes) which will be used to plot.  Before plotting, every
instance of @code{$datafile} in the specified script will be replaced with
the path to the generated data file.  Note: even if you set this option, you
may still want to specify the plot type, as that can impact the content of
the data file.
@end table

@node Hyperlinks, TODO Items, Tables, Top
@chapter Hyperlinks
@cindex hyperlinks

Like HTML, Org provides links inside a file, external links to
other files, Usenet articles, emails, and much more.

@menu
* Link format::                 How links in Org 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
* Using links outside Org::     Linking from my C source code?
* Link abbreviations::          Shortcuts for writing complex links
* Search options::              Linking to a specific location
* Custom searches::             When the default search is not enough
@end menu

@node Link format, Internal links, Hyperlinks, Hyperlinks
@section Link format
@cindex link format
@cindex format, of links

Org 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

@noindent
Once a link in the buffer is complete (all brackets present), Org
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

@cindex property, CUSTOM_ID
If the link does not look like a URL, it is considered to be internal in the
current file.  The most important case is a link like
@samp{[[#my-custom-id]]} which will link to the entry with the
@code{CUSTOM_ID} property @samp{my-custom-id}.  Such custom IDs are very good
for HTML export (@pxref{HTML export}) where they produce pretty section
links.  You are responsible yourself to make sure these custom IDs are unique
in a 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}).  Links to custom IDs will
point to the corresponding headline.  The preferred match for a text link is
a @i{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
# <<My Target>>
@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 is usually not exported, so the first such
target should be after the first headline, or in the line directly before the
first headline.}.

If no dedicated target exists, Org will search for a headline that is exactly
the link text but may also include a TODO keyword and tags@footnote{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.}.  In non-Org files, the search will look for the words in the
link text.  In the above example the search would be for @samp{my target}.

Following a link pushes a mark onto Org'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

Org can automatically turn any occurrences of certain target names
in normal text into a link.  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{<<<My
Target>>>} causes each occurrence of @samp{my target} in normal text to
become activated as a link.  The Org 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 IRC 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 supports links to files, websites, Usenet and email messages,
BBDB database entries and links to both IRC conversations and their
logs.  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://www.astro.uva.nl/~dominik          @r{on the web}
doi:10.1000/182                           @r{DOI for an electronic resource}
file:/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg     @r{file, absolute path}
/home/dominik/images/jupiter.jpg          @r{same as above}
file:papers/last.pdf                      @r{file, relative path}
./papers/last.pdf                         @r{same as above}
file:/myself@@some.where:papers/last.pdf   @r{file, path on remote machine}
/myself@@some.where:papers/last.pdf        @r{same as above}
file:sometextfile::NNN                    @r{file, jump to line number}
file:projects.org                         @r{another Org file}
file:projects.org::some words             @r{text search in Org file}@footnote{
The actual behavior of the search will depend on the value of
the variable @code{org-link-search-must-match-exact-headline}.  If its value
is nil, then a fuzzy text search will be done.  If it is t, then only the
exact headline will be matched.  If the value is @code{'query-to-create},
then an exact headline will be searched; if it is not found, then the user
will be queried to create it.}
file:projects.org::*task title            @r{heading search in Org file}
file+sys:/path/to/file                    @r{open via OS, like double-click}
file+emacs:/path/to/file                  @r{force opening by Emacs}
docview:papers/last.pdf::NNN              @r{open in doc-view mode at page}
id:B7423F4D-2E8A-471B-8810-C40F074717E9   @r{Link to heading by ID}
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}
vm-imap:account:folder                    @r{VM IMAP folder link}
vm-imap:account:folder#id                 @r{VM IMAP message link}
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:R.*Stallman                          @r{BBDB link (with regexp)}
irc:/irc.com/#emacs/bob                   @r{IRC link}
info:org#External links                   @r{Info node link}
shell:ls *.org                            @r{A shell command}
elisp:org-agenda                          @r{Interactive Elisp command}
elisp:(find-file-other-frame "Elisp.org") @r{Elisp form to evaluate}
@end example

For customizing Org to add new link types @ref{Adding hyperlink types}.

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 square brackets, around links
@cindex plain text external links
Org 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 square brackets.

@node Handling links, Using links outside Org, External links, Hyperlinks
@section Handling links
@cindex links, handling

Org provides methods to create a link in the correct syntax, to
insert it into an Org file, and to follow the link.

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c l,org-store-link}
@cindex storing links
Store a link to the current location.  This is a @emph{global} command (you
must create the key binding yourself) which can be used in any buffer to
create a link.  The link will be stored for later insertion into an Org
buffer (see below).  What kind of link will be created depends on the current
buffer:

@b{Org mode buffers}@*
For Org files, if there is a @samp{<<target>>} at the cursor, the link points
to the target.  Otherwise it points to the current headline, which will also
be the description@footnote{If the headline contains a timestamp, it will be
removed from the link and result in a wrong link -- you should avoid putting
timestamp in the headline.}.

@vindex org-link-to-org-use-id
@cindex property, CUSTOM_ID
@cindex property, ID
If the headline has a @code{CUSTOM_ID} property, a link to this custom ID
will be stored.  In addition or alternatively (depending on the value of
@code{org-link-to-org-use-id}), a globally unique @code{ID} property will be
created and/or used to construct a link.  So using this command in Org
buffers will potentially create two links: a human-readable from the custom
ID, and one that is globally unique and works even if the entry is moved from
file to file.  Later, when inserting the link, you need to decide which one
to use.

@b{Email/News clients: VM, Rmail, Wanderlust, MH-E, Gnus}@*
Pretty much all Emacs mail clients are supported.  The link will point to the
current article, or, in some GNUS buffers, to the group.  The description is
constructed from the author and the subject.

@b{Web browsers: W3 and W3M}@*
Here the link will be the current URL, with the page title as description.

@b{Contacts: BBDB}@*
Links created in a BBDB buffer will point to the current entry.

@b{Chat: IRC}@*
@vindex org-irc-link-to-logs
For IRC links, if you set the variable @code{org-irc-link-to-logs} to
@code{t}, a @samp{file:/} style link to the relevant point in the logs for
the current conversation is created.  Otherwise an @samp{irc:/} style link to
the user/channel/server under the point will be stored.

@b{Other files}@*
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}.

@b{Agenda view}@*
When the cursor is in an agenda view, the created link points to the
entry referenced by the current line.

@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-l,org-insert-link}
@cindex link completion
@cindex completion, of links
@cindex inserting links
@vindex org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion
Insert a link@footnote{ Note that you don't have to use this command to
insert a link.  Links in Org 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.}.  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.  The link will be inserted
into the buffer@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 argument to @kbd{C-c C-l}, or configure the option
@code{org-keep-stored-link-after-insertion}.}, along with a descriptive text.
If some text was selected when this command is called, the selected text
becomes the default description.

@b{Inserting stored links}@*
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 @kbd{M-p/n}).

@b{Completion support}@* Completion with @key{TAB} will help you to insert
valid link prefixes like @samp{http:} or @samp{ftp:}, including the prefixes
defined through link abbreviations (@pxref{Link abbreviations}).  If you
press @key{RET} after inserting only the @var{prefix}, Org will offer
specific completion support for some link types@footnote{This works by
calling a special function @code{org-PREFIX-complete-link}.}  For
example, if you type @kbd{file @key{RET}}, file name completion (alternative
access: @kbd{C-u C-c C-l}, see below) will be offered, and after @kbd{bbdb
@key{RET}} you can complete contact names.
@orgkey C-u C-c C-l
@cindex file name completion
@cindex completion, of file names
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 sub-directory 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.
@c
@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.
@c
@cindex following links
@orgcmd{C-c C-o,org-open-at-point}
@vindex org-file-apps
@vindex org-link-frame-setup
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 command 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 timestamp, 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.  If you want to avoid
opening in Emacs, use a @kbd{C-u C-u} prefix.@*
If the cursor is on a headline, but not on a link, offer all links in the
headline and entry text.  If you want to setup the frame configuration for
following links, customize @code{org-link-frame-setup}.

@orgkey @key{RET}
@vindex org-return-follows-link
When @code{org-return-follows-link} is set, @kbd{@key{RET}} will also follow
the link at point.
@c
@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 and later, @kbd{mouse-1} will also follow a link.
@c
@kindex mouse-3
@item mouse-3
@vindex org-display-internal-link-with-indirect-buffer
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}}.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-v,org-toggle-inline-images}
@cindex inlining images
@cindex images, inlining
@vindex org-startup-with-inline-images
@cindex @code{inlineimages}, STARTUP keyword
@cindex @code{noinlineimages}, STARTUP keyword
Toggle the inline display of linked images.  Normally this will only inline
images that have no description part in the link, i.e.@: images that will also
be inlined during export.  When called with a prefix argument, also display
images that do have a link description.  You can ask for inline images to be
displayed at startup by configuring the variable
@code{org-startup-with-inline-images}@footnote{with corresponding
@code{#+STARTUP} keywords @code{inlineimages} and @code{inlineimages}}.
@orgcmd{C-c %,org-mark-ring-push}
@cindex mark ring
Push the current position onto the mark ring, to be able to return
easily.  Commands following an internal link do this automatically.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c &,org-mark-ring-goto}
@cindex links, returning to
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.
@c
@orgcmdkkcc{C-c C-x C-n,C-c C-x C-p,org-next-link,org-previous-link}
@cindex links, finding next/previous
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 Using links outside Org, Link abbreviations, Handling links, Hyperlinks
@section Using links outside Org

You can insert and follow links that have Org syntax not only in
Org, but in any Emacs buffer.  For this, you should create two
global commands, like this (please select suitable global keys
yourself):

@lisp
(global-set-key "\C-c L" 'org-insert-link-global)
(global-set-key "\C-c o" 'org-open-at-point-global)
@end lisp

@node Link abbreviations, Search options, Using links outside Org, 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
@vindex org-link-abbrev-alist
where the tag is optional.
The @i{linkword} must be a word, starting with a letter, followed by
letters, numbers, @samp{-}, and @samp{_}.  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:

@smalllisp
@group
(setq org-link-abbrev-alist
  '(("bugzilla"  . "http://10.1.2.9/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=")
    ("url-to-ja" . "http://translate.google.fr/translate?sl=en&tl=ja&u=%h")
    ("google"    . "http://www.google.com/search?q=")
    ("gmap"      . "http://maps.google.com/maps?q=%s")
    ("omap"      . "http://nominatim.openstreetmap.org/search?q=%s&polygon=1")
    ("ads"       . "http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-abs_connect?author=%s&db_key=AST")))
@end group
@end smalllisp

If the replacement text contains the string @samp{%s}, it will be
replaced with the tag.  Using @samp{%h} instead of @samp{%s} will
url-encode the tag (see the example above, where we need to encode
the URL parameter.)  Using @samp{%(my-function)} will pass the tag
to a custom function, and replace it by the resulting string.

If the replacement text don't contain any specifier, it will simply
be appended to the string in order to create the link.

Instead of a string, 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]]}, show the map location of the Free Software
Foundation @code{[[gmap:51 Franklin Street, Boston]]} or of Carsten office
@code{[[omap:Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands]]} and find out
what the Org author is doing besides Emacs hacking with
@code{[[ads:Dominik,C]]}.

If you need special abbreviations just for a single Org buffer, you
can define them in the file with

@cindex #+LINK
@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.  You may also define a function
@code{org-PREFIX-complete-link} that implements special (e.g.@: completion)
support for inserting such a link with @kbd{C-c C-l}.  Such a function should
not accept any arguments, and return the full link with prefix.

@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::#my-custom-id]]
[[file:~/xx.org::/regexp/]]
@end example

@table @code
@item 255
Jump to line 255.
@item My Target
Search for a link target @samp{<<My Target>>}, 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 a HTML reference to the corresponding named anchor in
the linked file.
@item *My Target
In an Org file, restrict search to headlines.
@item #my-custom-id
Link to a heading with a @code{CUSTOM_ID} property
@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,  , 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, Bib@TeX{} database files have many entries like
@samp{year="1993"} which would not result in good search strings,
because the only unique identification for a Bib@TeX{} entry is the
citation key.

@vindex org-create-file-search-functions
@vindex org-execute-file-search-functions
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 actually uses this mechanism
for Bib@TeX{} database files, and you can use the corresponding code as
an implementation example.  See the file @file{org-bibtex.el}.

@node TODO Items, Tags, Hyperlinks, Top
@chapter TODO items
@cindex TODO items

Org mode does not maintain TODO lists as separate documents@footnote{Of
course, you can make a document that contains only long lists of TODO items,
but this is not required.}.  Instead, TODO items are an integral part of the
notes file, because TODO items usually come up while taking notes!  With Org
mode, simply mark any entry in a tree as being a TODO item.  In this way,
information is not duplicated, and the entire context from which the TODO
item emerged is always present.

Of course, this technique for managing TODO items scatters them
throughout your notes file.  Org mode compensates for this by providing
methods to give you an overview of all the things that you have to do.

@menu
* TODO basics::                 Marking and displaying TODO entries
* TODO extensions::             Workflow and assignments
* Progress logging::            Dates and notes for progress
* Priorities::                  Some things are more important than others
* Breaking down tasks::         Splitting a task into manageable pieces
* Checkboxes::                  Tick-off lists
@end menu

@node TODO basics, TODO extensions, TODO Items, TODO Items
@section Basic TODO functionality

Any headline becomes a TODO item when it starts with the word
@samp{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
@orgcmd{C-c C-t,org-todo}
@cindex cycling, of TODO states
Rotate the TODO state of the current item among

@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}).

@orgkey{C-u C-c C-t}
Select a specific keyword using completion or (if it has been set up)
the fast selection interface.  For the latter, you need to assign keys
to TODO states, see @ref{Per-file keywords}, and @ref{Setting tags}, for
more information.

@kindex S-@key{right}
@kindex S-@key{left}
@item S-@key{right} @ @r{/} @ S-@key{left}
@vindex org-treat-S-cursor-todo-selection-as-state-change
Select the following/preceding TODO state, similar to cycling.  Useful
mostly if more than two TODO states are possible (@pxref{TODO
extensions}).  See also @ref{Conflicts}, for a discussion of the interaction
with @code{shift-selection-mode}.  See also the variable
@code{org-treat-S-cursor-todo-selection-as-state-change}.
@orgcmd{C-c / t,org-show-todo-key}
@cindex sparse tree, for TODO
@vindex org-todo-keywords
View TODO items in a @emph{sparse tree} (@pxref{Sparse trees}).  Folds the
entire buffer, but shows all TODO items (with not-DONE state) and the
headings hierarchy above them.  With a prefix argument (or by using @kbd{C-c
/ T}), search for a specific TODO.  You will be prompted for the keyword, and
you can also give a list of keywords like @code{KWD1|KWD2|...} to list
entries that match any one of these keywords.  With a numeric prefix argument
N, show the tree for the Nth keyword in the variable
@code{org-todo-keywords}.  With two prefix arguments, find all TODO states,
both un-done and done.
@orgcmd{C-c a t,org-todo-list}
Show the global TODO list.  Collects the TODO items (with not-DONE states)
from all agenda files (@pxref{Agenda Views}) into a single buffer.  The new
buffer will be in @code{agenda-mode}, which provides commands to examine and
manipulate the TODO entries from the new buffer (@pxref{Agenda commands}).
@xref{Global TODO list}, for more information.
@orgcmd{S-M-@key{RET},org-insert-todo-heading}
Insert a new TODO entry below the current one.
@end table

@noindent
@vindex org-todo-state-tags-triggers
Changing a TODO state can also trigger tag changes.  See the docstring of the
option @code{org-todo-state-tags-triggers} for details.

@node TODO extensions, Progress logging, TODO basics, TODO Items
@section Extended use of TODO keywords
@cindex extended TODO keywords

@vindex org-todo-keywords
By default, marked TODO entries have one of only two states: TODO and
DONE.  Org mode allows you to classify TODO items in more complex ways
with @emph{TODO keywords} (stored in @code{org-todo-keywords}).  With
special setup, the TODO keyword system can work differently in different
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 does the rest
* Multiple sets in one file::   Mixing it all, and still finding your way
* Fast access to TODO states::  Single letter selection of a state
* Per-file keywords::           Different files, different requirements
* Faces for TODO keywords::     Highlighting states
* TODO dependencies::           When one task needs to wait for others
@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 @emph{sequential} states
in the process of working on an item, for example@footnote{Changing
this variable only becomes effective after restarting Org mode in a
buffer.}:

@lisp
(setq org-todo-keywords
  '((sequence "TODO" "FEEDBACK" "VERIFY" "|" "DONE" "DELEGATED")))
@end lisp

The vertical bar separates the TODO keywords (states that @emph{need
action}) from the DONE states (which need @emph{no further action}).  If
you don't provide the separator bar, the last state is used as the DONE
state.
@cindex completion, of TODO keywords
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 and DELEGATED.  You may
also use a numeric prefix argument to quickly select a specific state.  For
example @kbd{C-3 C-c C-t} will change the state immediately to VERIFY.
Or you can use @kbd{S-@key{left}} to go backward through the sequence.  If you
define many keywords, you can use in-buffer completion
(@pxref{Completion}) or even a special one-key selection scheme
(@pxref{Fast access to TODO states}) 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, Multiple sets in one file, 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
@emph{types} of action items.  For example, you might want to indicate
that items are for ``work'' or ``home''.  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 '((type "Fred" "Sara" "Lucy" "|" "DONE")))
@end lisp

In this case, different keywords do not indicate a sequence, but rather
different types.  So the normal work flow would be to assign a task to a
person, and later to mark it DONE.  Org mode supports this style by adapting
the workings of the command @kbd{C-c C-t}@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, in order to first
select the right type for a task.  But when you return to the item after some
time and execute @kbd{C-c C-t} again, it will switch from any 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 / t}.  For example, to see all things
Lucy has to do, you would use @kbd{C-3 C-c / t}.  To collect Lucy's items
from all agenda files into a single buffer, you would use the numeric prefix
argument as well when creating the global TODO list: @kbd{C-3 C-c a t}.

@node Multiple sets in one file, Fast access to TODO states, TODO types, TODO extensions
@subsection Multiple keyword sets in one file
@cindex TODO keyword sets

Sometimes you may want to use different sets of TODO keywords in
parallel.  For example, you may want to have the basic
@code{TODO}/@code{DONE}, but also a workflow for bug fixing, and a
separate state indicating that an item has been canceled (so it is not
DONE, but also does not require action).  Your setup would then look
like this:

@lisp
(setq org-todo-keywords
      '((sequence "TODO" "|" "DONE")
        (sequence "REPORT" "BUG" "KNOWNCAUSE" "|" "FIXED")
        (sequence "|" "CANCELED")))
@end lisp

The keywords should all be different, this helps Org mode to keep track
of which subsequence should be used for a given entry.  In this setup,
@kbd{C-c C-t} only operates within a subsequence, so it switches from
@code{DONE} to (nothing) to @code{TODO}, and from @code{FIXED} to
(nothing) to @code{REPORT}.  Therefore you need a mechanism to initially
select the correct sequence.  Besides the obvious ways like typing a
keyword or using completion, you may also apply the following commands:

@table @kbd
@kindex C-S-@key{right}
@kindex C-S-@key{left}
@kindex C-u C-u C-c C-t
@item C-u C-u C-c C-t
@itemx C-S-@key{right}
@itemx C-S-@key{left}
These keys jump from one TODO subset to the next.  In the above example,
@kbd{C-u C-u C-c C-t} or @kbd{C-S-@key{right}} would jump from @code{TODO} or
@code{DONE} to @code{REPORT}, and any of the words in the second row to
@code{CANCELED}.  Note that the @kbd{C-S-} key binding conflict with
@code{shift-selection-mode} (@pxref{Conflicts}).
@kindex S-@key{right}
@kindex S-@key{left}
@item S-@key{right}
@itemx S-@key{left}
@kbd{S-@key{<left>}} and @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} and walk through @emph{all}
keywords from all sets, so for example @kbd{S-@key{<right>}} would switch
from @code{DONE} to @code{REPORT} in the example above.  See also
@ref{Conflicts}, for a discussion of the interaction with
@code{shift-selection-mode}.
@end table

@node Fast access to TODO states, Per-file keywords, Multiple sets in one file, TODO extensions
@subsection Fast access to TODO states

If you would like to quickly change an entry to an arbitrary TODO state
instead of cycling through the states, you can set up keys for single-letter
access to the states.  This is done by adding the selection character after
each keyword, in parentheses@footnote{All characters are allowed except
@code{@@^!}, which have a special meaning here.}.  For example:

@lisp
(setq org-todo-keywords
      '((sequence "TODO(t)" "|" "DONE(d)")
        (sequence "REPORT(r)" "BUG(b)" "KNOWNCAUSE(k)" "|" "FIXED(f)")
        (sequence "|" "CANCELED(c)")))
@end lisp

@vindex org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo
If you then press @kbd{C-c C-t} followed by the selection key, the entry
will be switched to this state.  @kbd{SPC} can be used to remove any TODO
keyword from an entry.@footnote{Check also the variable
@code{org-fast-tag-selection-include-todo}, it allows you to change the TODO
state through the tags interface (@pxref{Setting tags}), in case you like to
mingle the two concepts.  Note that this means you need to come up with
unique keys across both sets of keywords.}

@node Per-file keywords, Faces for TODO keywords, Fast access to TODO states, TODO extensions
@subsection Setting up keywords for individual files
@cindex keyword options
@cindex per-file keywords
@cindex #+TODO
@cindex #+TYP_TODO
@cindex #+SEQ_TODO

It can be very useful to use different aspects of the TODO mechanism in
different files.  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
#+TODO: TODO FEEDBACK VERIFY | DONE CANCELED
@end example
@noindent (you may also write @code{#+SEQ_TODO} to be explicit about the
interpretation, but it means the same as @code{#+TODO}), or
@example
#+TYP_TODO: Fred Sara Lucy Mike | DONE
@end example

A setup for using several sets in parallel would be:

@example
#+TODO: TODO | DONE
#+TODO: REPORT BUG KNOWNCAUSE | FIXED
#+TODO: | CANCELED
@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 keywords after the vertical bar (or the last keyword
if no bar is there) must always mean that the item is DONE (although you
may use a different word).  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.}.

@node Faces for TODO keywords, TODO dependencies, Per-file keywords, TODO extensions
@subsection Faces for TODO keywords
@cindex faces, for TODO keywords

@vindex org-todo @r{(face)}
@vindex org-done @r{(face)}
@vindex org-todo-keyword-faces
Org mode highlights TODO keywords with special faces: @code{org-todo}
for keywords indicating that an item still has to be acted upon, and
@code{org-done} for keywords indicating that an item is finished.  If
you are using more than 2 different states, you might want to use
special faces for some of them.  This can be done using the variable
@code{org-todo-keyword-faces}.  For example:

@lisp
@group
(setq org-todo-keyword-faces
      '(("TODO" . org-warning) ("STARTED" . "yellow")
        ("CANCELED" . (:foreground "blue" :weight bold))))
@end group
@end lisp

While using a list with face properties as shown for CANCELED @emph{should}
work, this does not always seem to be the case.  If necessary, define a
special face and use that.  A string is interpreted as a color.  The variable
@code{org-faces-easy-properties} determines if that color is interpreted as a
foreground or a background color.

@node TODO dependencies,  , Faces for TODO keywords, TODO extensions
@subsection TODO dependencies
@cindex TODO dependencies
@cindex dependencies, of TODO states

@vindex org-enforce-todo-dependencies
@cindex property, ORDERED
The structure of Org files (hierarchy and lists) makes it easy to define TODO
dependencies.  Usually, a parent TODO task should not be marked DONE until
all subtasks (defined as children tasks) are marked as DONE.  And sometimes
there is a logical sequence to a number of (sub)tasks, so that one task
cannot be acted upon before all siblings above it are done.  If you customize
the variable @code{org-enforce-todo-dependencies}, Org will block entries
from changing state to DONE while they have children that are not DONE.
Furthermore, if an entry has a property @code{ORDERED}, each of its children
will be blocked until all earlier siblings are marked DONE.  Here is an
example:

@example
* TODO Blocked until (two) is done
** DONE one
** TODO two

* Parent
  :PROPERTIES:
  :ORDERED: t
  :END:
** TODO a
** TODO b, needs to wait for (a)
** TODO c, needs to wait for (a) and (b)
@end example

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-x o,org-toggle-ordered-property}
@vindex org-track-ordered-property-with-tag
@cindex property, ORDERED
Toggle the @code{ORDERED} property of the current entry.  A property is used
for this behavior because this should be local to the current entry, not
inherited like a tag.  However, if you would like to @i{track} the value of
this property with a tag for better visibility, customize the variable
@code{org-track-ordered-property-with-tag}.
@orgkey{C-u C-u C-u C-c C-t}
Change TODO state, circumventing any state blocking.
@end table

@vindex org-agenda-dim-blocked-tasks
If you set the variable @code{org-agenda-dim-blocked-tasks}, TODO entries
that cannot be closed because of such dependencies will be shown in a dimmed
font or even made invisible in agenda views (@pxref{Agenda Views}).

@cindex checkboxes and TODO dependencies
@vindex org-enforce-todo-dependencies
You can also block changes of TODO states by looking at checkboxes
(@pxref{Checkboxes}).  If you set the variable
@code{org-enforce-todo-checkbox-dependencies}, an entry that has unchecked
checkboxes will be blocked from switching to DONE.

If you need more complex dependency structures, for example dependencies
between entries in different trees or files, check out the contributed
module @file{org-depend.el}.

@page
@node Progress logging, Priorities, TODO extensions, TODO Items
@section Progress logging
@cindex progress logging
@cindex logging, of progress

Org mode can automatically record a timestamp and possibly a note when
you mark a TODO item as DONE, or even each time you change the state of
a TODO item.  This system is highly configurable, settings can be on a
per-keyword basis and can be localized to a file or even a subtree.  For
information on how to clock working time for a task, see @ref{Clocking
work time}.

@menu
* Closing items::               When was this entry marked DONE?
* Tracking TODO state changes::  When did the status change?
* Tracking your habits::        How consistent have you been?
@end menu

@node Closing items, Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging, Progress logging
@subsection Closing items

The most basic logging is to keep track of @emph{when} a certain TODO
item was finished.  This is achieved with@footnote{The corresponding
in-buffer setting is: @code{#+STARTUP: logdone}}

@lisp
(setq org-log-done 'time)
@end lisp

@noindent
Then each time you turn an entry from a TODO (not-done) state into any
of the DONE states, 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.  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 'note)
@end lisp

@noindent
You will then be prompted for a note, and that note will be stored below
the entry with a @samp{Closing Note} heading.

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 with a @samp{CLOSED} timestamp on each day,
giving you an overview of what has been done.

@node Tracking TODO state changes, Tracking your habits, Closing items, Progress logging
@subsection Tracking TODO state changes
@cindex drawer, for state change recording

@vindex org-log-states-order-reversed
@vindex org-log-into-drawer
@cindex property, LOG_INTO_DRAWER
When TODO keywords are used as workflow states (@pxref{Workflow states}), you
might want to keep track of when a state change occurred and maybe take a
note about this change.  You can either record just a timestamp, or a
time-stamped note for a change.  These records will be inserted after the
headline as an itemized list, newest first@footnote{See the variable
@code{org-log-states-order-reversed}}.  When taking a lot of notes, you might
want to get the notes out of the way into a drawer (@pxref{Drawers}).
Customize the variable @code{org-log-into-drawer} to get this behavior---the
recommended drawer for this is called @code{LOGBOOK}@footnote{Note that the
@code{LOGBOOK} drawer is unfolded when pressing @key{SPC} in the agenda to
show an entry---use @key{C-u SPC} to keep it folded here}.  You can also
overrule the setting of this variable for a subtree by setting a
@code{LOG_INTO_DRAWER} property.

Since it is normally too much to record a note for every state, Org mode
expects configuration on a per-keyword basis for this.  This is achieved by
adding special markers @samp{!} (for a timestamp) or @samp{@@} (for a note
with timestamp) in parentheses after each keyword.  For example, with the
setting

@lisp
(setq org-todo-keywords
  '((sequence "TODO(t)" "WAIT(w@@/!)" "|" "DONE(d!)" "CANCELED(c@@)")))
@end lisp

To record a timestamp without a note for TODO keywords configured with
@samp{@@}, just type @kbd{C-c C-c} to enter a blank note when prompted.

@noindent
@vindex org-log-done
you not only define global TODO keywords and fast access keys, but also
request that a time is recorded when the entry is set to
DONE@footnote{It is possible that Org mode will record two timestamps
when you are using both @code{org-log-done} and state change logging.
However, it will never prompt for two notes---if you have configured
both, the state change recording note will take precedence and cancel
the @samp{Closing Note}.}, and that a note is recorded when switching to
WAIT or CANCELED.  The setting for WAIT is even more special: the
@samp{!} after the slash means that in addition to the note taken when
entering the state, a timestamp should be recorded when @i{leaving} the
WAIT state, if and only if the @i{target} state does not configure
logging for entering it.  So it has no effect when switching from WAIT
to DONE, because DONE is configured to record a timestamp only.  But
when switching from WAIT back to TODO, the @samp{/!} in the WAIT
setting now triggers a timestamp even though TODO has no logging
configured.

You can use the exact same syntax for setting logging preferences local
to a buffer:
@example
#+TODO: TODO(t) WAIT(w@@/!) | DONE(d!) CANCELED(c@@)
@end example

@cindex property, LOGGING
In order to define logging settings that are local to a subtree or a
single item, define a LOGGING property in this entry.  Any non-empty
LOGGING property resets all logging settings to nil.  You may then turn
on logging for this specific tree using STARTUP keywords like
@code{lognotedone} or @code{logrepeat}, as well as adding state specific
settings like @code{TODO(!)}.  For example

@example
* TODO Log each state with only a time
  :PROPERTIES:
  :LOGGING: TODO(!) WAIT(!) DONE(!) CANCELED(!)
  :END:
* TODO Only log when switching to WAIT, and when repeating
  :PROPERTIES:
  :LOGGING: WAIT(@@) logrepeat
  :END:
* TODO No logging at all
  :PROPERTIES:
  :LOGGING: nil
  :END:
@end example

@node Tracking your habits,  , Tracking TODO state changes, Progress logging
@subsection Tracking your habits
@cindex habits

Org has the ability to track the consistency of a special category of TODOs,
called ``habits''.  A habit has the following properties:

@enumerate
@item
You have enabled the @code{habits} module by customizing the variable
@code{org-modules}.
@item
The habit is a TODO item, with a TODO keyword representing an open state.
@item
The property @code{STYLE} is set to the value @code{habit}.
@item
The TODO has a scheduled date, usually with a @code{.+} style repeat
interval.  A @code{++} style may be appropriate for habits with time
constraints, e.g., must be done on weekends, or a @code{+} style for an
unusual habit that can have a backlog, e.g., weekly reports.
@item
The TODO may also have minimum and maximum ranges specified by using the
syntax @samp{.+2d/3d}, which says that you want to do the task at least every
three days, but at most every two days.
@item
You must also have state logging for the @code{DONE} state enabled, in order
for historical data to be represented in the consistency graph.  If it is not
enabled it is not an error, but the consistency graphs will be largely
meaningless.
@end enumerate

To give you an idea of what the above rules look like in action, here's an
actual habit with some history:

@example
** TODO Shave
   SCHEDULED: <2009-10-17 Sat .+2d/4d>
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-10-15 Thu]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-10-12 Mon]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-10-10 Sat]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-10-04 Sun]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-10-02 Fri]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-09-29 Tue]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-09-25 Fri]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-09-19 Sat]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-09-16 Wed]
   - State "DONE"       from "TODO"       [2009-09-12 Sat]
   :PROPERTIES:
   :STYLE:    habit
   :LAST_REPEAT: [2009-10-19 Mon 00:36]
   :END:
@end example

What this habit says is: I want to shave at most every 2 days (given by the
@code{SCHEDULED} date and repeat interval) and at least every 4 days.  If
today is the 15th, then the habit first appears in the agenda on Oct 17,
after the minimum of 2 days has elapsed, and will appear overdue on Oct 19,
after four days have elapsed.

What's really useful about habits is that they are displayed along with a
consistency graph, to show how consistent you've been at getting that task
done in the past.  This graph shows every day that the task was done over the
past three weeks, with colors for each day.  The colors used are:

@table @code
@item Blue
If the task wasn't to be done yet on that day.
@item Green
If the task could have been done on that day.
@item Yellow
If the task was going to be overdue the next day.
@item Red
If the task was overdue on that day.
@end table

In addition to coloring each day, the day is also marked with an asterisk if
the task was actually done that day, and an exclamation mark to show where
the current day falls in the graph.

There are several configuration variables that can be used to change the way
habits are displayed in the agenda.

@table @code
@item org-habit-graph-column
The buffer column at which the consistency graph should be drawn.  This will
overwrite any text in that column, so it is a good idea to keep your habits'
titles brief and to the point.
@item org-habit-preceding-days
The amount of history, in days before today, to appear in consistency graphs.
@item org-habit-following-days
The number of days after today that will appear in consistency graphs.
@item org-habit-show-habits-only-for-today
If non-nil, only show habits in today's agenda view.  This is set to true by
default.
@end table

Lastly, pressing @kbd{K} in the agenda buffer will cause habits to
temporarily be disabled and they won't appear at all.  Press @kbd{K} again to
bring them back.  They are also subject to tag filtering, if you have habits
which should only be done in certain contexts, for example.

@node Priorities, Breaking down tasks, Progress logging, TODO Items
@section Priorities
@cindex priorities

If you use Org mode extensively, you may end up with enough TODO items that
it starts to make sense to prioritize them.  Prioritizing can be done by
placing a @emph{priority cookie} into the headline of a TODO item, like this

@example
*** TODO [#A] Write letter to Sam Fortune
@end example

@noindent
@vindex org-priority-faces
By default, Org mode supports three priorities: @samp{A}, @samp{B}, and
@samp{C}.  @samp{A} is the highest priority.  An entry without a cookie is
treated just like priority @samp{B}.  Priorities make a difference only for
sorting in the agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}); outside the agenda, they
have no inherent meaning to Org mode.  The cookies can be highlighted with
special faces by customizing the variable @code{org-priority-faces}.

Priorities can be attached to any outline node; they do not need to be TODO
items.

@table @kbd
@item @kbd{C-c ,}
@kindex @kbd{C-c ,}
@findex org-priority
Set the priority of the current headline (@command{org-priority}).  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}).
@c
@orgcmdkkcc{S-@key{up},S-@key{down},org-priority-up,org-priority-down}
@vindex org-priority-start-cycle-with-default
Increase/decrease priority of current headline@footnote{See also the option
@code{org-priority-start-cycle-with-default}.}.  Note that these keys are
also used to modify timestamps (@pxref{Creating timestamps}).  See also
@ref{Conflicts}, for a discussion of the interaction with
@code{shift-selection-mode}.
@end table

@vindex org-highest-priority
@vindex org-lowest-priority
@vindex org-default-priority
You can change the range of allowed priorities by setting the variables
@code{org-highest-priority}, @code{org-lowest-priority}, and
@code{org-default-priority}.  For an individual buffer, you may set
these values (highest, lowest, default) like this (please make sure that
the highest priority is earlier in the alphabet than the lowest
priority):

@cindex #+PRIORITIES
@example
#+PRIORITIES: A C B
@end example

@node Breaking down tasks, Checkboxes, Priorities, TODO Items
@section Breaking tasks down into subtasks
@cindex tasks, breaking down
@cindex statistics, for TODO items

@vindex org-agenda-todo-list-sublevels
It is often advisable to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable
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}.}.  To keep
the overview over the fraction of subtasks that are already completed, insert
either @samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]} anywhere in the headline.  These cookies will
be updated each time the TODO status of a child changes, or when pressing
@kbd{C-c C-c} on the cookie.  For example:

@example
* Organize Party [33%]
** TODO Call people [1/2]
*** TODO Peter
*** DONE Sarah
** TODO Buy food
** DONE Talk to neighbor
@end example

@cindex property, COOKIE_DATA
If a heading has both checkboxes and TODO children below it, the meaning of
the statistics cookie become ambiguous.  Set the property
@code{COOKIE_DATA} to either @samp{checkbox} or @samp{todo} to resolve
this issue.

@vindex org-hierarchical-todo-statistics
If you would like to have the statistics cookie count any TODO entries in the
subtree (not just direct children), configure the variable
@code{org-hierarchical-todo-statistics}.  To do this for a single subtree,
include the word @samp{recursive} into the value of the @code{COOKIE_DATA}
property.

@example
* Parent capturing statistics [2/20]
  :PROPERTIES:
  :COOKIE_DATA: todo recursive
  :END:
@end example

If you would like a TODO entry to automatically change to DONE
when all children are done, you can use the following setup:

@example
(defun org-summary-todo (n-done n-not-done)
  "Switch entry to DONE when all subentries are done, to TODO otherwise."
  (let (org-log-done org-log-states)   ; turn off logging
    (org-todo (if (= n-not-done 0) "DONE" "TODO"))))

(add-hook 'org-after-todo-statistics-hook 'org-summary-todo)
@end example


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

@vindex org-list-automatic-rules
Every item in a plain list@footnote{With the exception of description
lists.  But you can allow it by modifying @code{org-list-automatic-rules}
accordingly.} (@pxref{Plain lists}) can be made into a checkbox by starting
it with the string @samp{[ ]}.  This feature is similar to TODO items
(@pxref{TODO Items}), but is 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 use the mouse (thanks to Piotr Zielinski's
@file{org-mouse.el}).

Here is an example of a checkbox list.

@example
* TODO Organize party [2/4]
  - [-] call people [1/3]
    - [ ] Peter
    - [X] Sarah
    - [ ] Sam
  - [X] order food
  - [ ] think about what music to play
  - [X] talk to the neighbors
@end example

Checkboxes work hierarchically, so if a checkbox item has children that
are checkboxes, toggling one of the children checkboxes will make the
parent checkbox reflect if none, some, or all of the children are
checked.

@cindex statistics, for checkboxes
@cindex checkbox statistics
@cindex property, COOKIE_DATA
@vindex org-hierarchical-checkbox-statistics
The @samp{[2/4]} and @samp{[1/3]} in the first and second line are cookies
indicating how many checkboxes present in this entry have been checked off,
and the total number of checkboxes present.  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 checkboxes of direct children structurally below the
headline/item on which the cookie appears@footnote{Set the variable
@code{org-hierarchical-checkbox-statistics} if you want such cookies to
count all checkboxes below the cookie, not just those belonging to direct
children.}.  You have to insert the cookie yourself by typing either
@samp{[/]} or @samp{[%]}.  With @samp{[/]} you get an @samp{n out of m}
result, as in the examples above.  With @samp{[%]} you get information about
the percentage of checkboxes checked (in the above example, this would be
@samp{[50%]} and @samp{[33%]}, respectively).  In a headline, a cookie can
count either checkboxes below the heading or TODO states of children, and it
will display whatever was changed last.  Set the property @code{COOKIE_DATA}
to either @samp{checkbox} or @samp{todo} to resolve this issue.

@cindex blocking, of checkboxes
@cindex checkbox blocking
@cindex property, ORDERED
If the current outline node has an @code{ORDERED} property, checkboxes must
be checked off in sequence, and an error will be thrown if you try to check
off a box while there are unchecked boxes above it.

@noindent The following commands work with checkboxes:

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-c,org-toggle-checkbox}
Toggle checkbox status or (with prefix arg) checkbox presence at point.
With a single prefix argument, add an empty checkbox or remove the current
one@footnote{`C-u C-c C-c' on the @emph{first} item of a list with no checkbox
will add checkboxes to the rest of the list.}.  With a double prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]}, which is
considered to be an intermediate state.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-b,org-toggle-checkbox}
Toggle checkbox status or (with prefix arg) checkbox presence at point.  With
double prefix argument, set it to @samp{[-]}, which is considered to be an
intermediate state.
@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.  With a prefix
arg, add or remove the checkbox for all items in the region.
@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
@orgcmd{M-S-@key{RET},org-insert-todo-heading}
Insert a new item with a checkbox.  This works only if the cursor is already
in a plain list item (@pxref{Plain lists}).
@orgcmd{C-c C-x o,org-toggle-ordered-property}
@vindex org-track-ordered-property-with-tag
@cindex property, ORDERED
Toggle the @code{ORDERED} property of the entry, to toggle if checkboxes must
be checked off in sequence.  A property is used for this behavior because
this should be local to the current entry, not inherited like a tag.
However, if you would like to @i{track} the value of this property with a tag
for better visibility, customize the variable
@code{org-track-ordered-property-with-tag}.
@orgcmd{C-c #,org-update-statistics-cookies}
Update the statistics cookie 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}}.  TODO statistics cookies update when
changing TODO states.  If you delete boxes/entries or add/change them by
hand, use this command to get things back into sync.
@end table

@node Tags, Properties and Columns, TODO Items, Top
@chapter Tags
@cindex tags
@cindex headline tagging
@cindex matching, tags
@cindex sparse tree, tag based

An excellent way to implement labels and contexts for cross-correlating
information is to assign @i{tags} to headlines.  Org mode has extensive
support for tags.

@vindex org-tag-faces
Every headline can contain a list of tags; they occur 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, e.g.,
@samp{:work:}.  Several tags can be specified, as in @samp{:work:urgent:}.
Tags will by default be in bold face with the same color as the headline.
You may specify special faces for specific tags using the variable
@code{org-tag-faces}, in much the same way as you can for TODO keywords
(@pxref{Faces for TODO keywords}).

@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 Tag inheritance
@cindex tag inheritance
@cindex inheritance, of tags
@cindex sublevels, inclusion into tags match

@i{Tags} make use of the hierarchical structure of outline trees.  If a
heading has a certain tag, all subheadings will inherit the tag as
well.  For example, in the list

@example
* Meeting with the French group      :work:
** Summary by Frank                  :boss:notes:
*** TODO Prepare slides for him      :action:
@end example

@noindent
the final heading will have the tags @samp{:work:}, @samp{:boss:},
@samp{:notes:}, and @samp{:action:} even though the final heading is not
explicitly marked with those tags.  You can also set tags that all entries in
a file should inherit just as if these tags were defined in a hypothetical
level zero that surrounds the entire file.  Use a line like this@footnote{As
with all these in-buffer settings, pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} activates any
changes in the line.}:

@cindex #+FILETAGS
@example
#+FILETAGS: :Peter:Boss:Secret:
@end example

@noindent
@vindex org-use-tag-inheritance
@vindex org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance
To limit tag inheritance to specific tags, or to turn it off entirely, use
the variables @code{org-use-tag-inheritance} and
@code{org-tags-exclude-from-inheritance}.

@vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
When a headline matches during a tags search while tag inheritance is turned
on, all the sublevels in the same tree will (for a simple match form) match
as well@footnote{This is only true if the search does not involve more
complex tests including properties (@pxref{Property searches}).}.  The list
of matches may then become very long.  If you only want to see the first tags
match in a subtree, configure the variable
@code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels} (not recommended).

@node Setting tags, Tag searches, Tag inheritance, Tags
@section Setting tags
@cindex setting tags
@cindex tags, setting

@kindex M-@key{TAB}
Tags can simply be typed into the buffer at the end of a headline.
After a colon, @kbd{M-@key{TAB}} offers completion on tags.  There is
also a special command for inserting tags:

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-q,org-set-tags-command}
@cindex completion, of tags
@vindex org-tags-column
Enter new tags for the current headline.  Org mode will either offer
completion or a special single-key interface for setting tags, see
below.  After pressing @key{RET}, the tags will be inserted and aligned
to @code{org-tags-column}.  When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, all
tags in the current buffer will be aligned to that column, just to make
things look nice.  TAGS are automatically realigned after promotion,
demotion, and TODO state changes (@pxref{TODO basics}).
@orgcmd{C-c C-c,org-set-tags-command}
When the cursor is in a headline, this does the same as @kbd{C-c C-q}.
@end table

@vindex org-tag-alist
Org supports tag insertion based on a @emph{list of tags}.  By
default this list is constructed dynamically, containing all tags
currently used in the buffer.  You may also globally specify a hard list
of tags with the variable @code{org-tag-alist}.  Finally you can set
the default tags for a given file with lines like

@cindex #+TAGS
@example
#+TAGS: @@work @@home @@tennisclub
#+TAGS: laptop car pc sailboat
@end example

If you have globally defined your preferred set of tags using the
variable @code{org-tag-alist}, but would like to use a dynamic tag list
in a specific file, add an empty TAGS option line to that file:

@example
#+TAGS:
@end example

@vindex org-tag-persistent-alist
If you have a preferred set of tags that you would like to use in every file,
in addition to those defined on a per-file basis by TAGS option lines, then
you may specify a list of tags with the variable
@code{org-tag-persistent-alist}.  You may turn this off on a per-file basis
by adding a STARTUP option line to that file:

@example
#+STARTUP: noptag
@end example

By default Org mode uses the standard minibuffer completion facilities for
entering tags.  However, it also implements another, quicker, tag selection
method called @emph{fast tag selection}.  This allows you to select and
deselect tags with just a single key press.  For this to work well you should
assign unique letters to most of your commonly used tags.  You can do this
globally by configuring the variable @code{org-tag-alist} in your
@file{.emacs} file.  For example, you may find the need to tag many items in
different files with @samp{:@@home:}.  In this case you can set something
like:

@lisp
(setq org-tag-alist '(("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h) ("laptop" . ?l)))
@end lisp

@noindent If the tag is only relevant to the file you are working on, then you
can instead set the TAGS option line as:

@example
#+TAGS: @@work(w)  @@home(h)  @@tennisclub(t)  laptop(l)  pc(p)
@end example

@noindent The tags interface will show the available tags in a splash
window.  If you want to start a new line after a specific tag, insert
@samp{\n} into the tag list

@example
#+TAGS: @@work(w)  @@home(h)  @@tennisclub(t) \n laptop(l)  pc(p)
@end example

@noindent or write them in two lines:

@example
#+TAGS: @@work(w)  @@home(h)  @@tennisclub(t)
#+TAGS: laptop(l)  pc(p)
@end example

@noindent
You can also group together tags that are mutually exclusive by using
braces, as in:

@example
#+TAGS: @{ @@work(w)  @@home(h)  @@tennisclub(t) @}  laptop(l)  pc(p)
@end example

@noindent you indicate that at most one of @samp{@@work}, @samp{@@home},
and @samp{@@tennisclub} should be selected.  Multiple such groups are allowed.

@noindent Don't forget to press @kbd{C-c C-c} with the cursor in one of
these lines to activate any changes.

@noindent
To set these mutually exclusive groups in the variable @code{org-tags-alist},
you must use the dummy tags @code{:startgroup} and @code{:endgroup} instead
of the braces.  Similarly, you can use @code{:newline} to indicate a line
break.  The previous example would be set globally by the following
configuration:

@lisp
(setq org-tag-alist '((:startgroup . nil)
                      ("@@work" . ?w) ("@@home" . ?h)
                      ("@@tennisclub" . ?t)
                      (:endgroup . nil)
                      ("laptop" . ?l) ("pc" . ?p)))
@end lisp

If at least one tag has a selection key then pressing @kbd{C-c C-c} will
automatically present you with a special interface, listing inherited tags,
the tags of the current headline, and a list of all valid tags with
corresponding keys@footnote{Keys will automatically be assigned to tags which
have no configured keys.}.  In this interface, you can use the following
keys:

@table @kbd
@item a-z...
Pressing keys assigned to tags will add or remove them from the list of
tags in the current line.  Selecting a tag in a group of mutually
exclusive tags will turn off any other tags from that group.
@kindex @key{TAB}
@item @key{TAB}
Enter a tag in the minibuffer, even if the tag is not in the predefined
list.  You will be able to complete on all tags present in the buffer.
You can also add several tags: just separate them with a comma.

@kindex @key{SPC}
@item @key{SPC}
Clear all tags for this line.
@kindex @key{RET}
@item @key{RET}
Accept the modified set.
@item C-g
Abort without installing changes.
@item q
If @kbd{q} is not assigned to a tag, it aborts like @kbd{C-g}.
@item !
Turn off groups of mutually exclusive tags.  Use this to (as an
exception) assign several tags from such a group.
@item C-c
Toggle auto-exit after the next change (see below).
If you are using expert mode, the first @kbd{C-c} will display the
selection window.
@end table

@noindent
This method lets you assign tags to a headline with very few keys.  With
the above setup, you could clear the current tags and set @samp{@@home},
@samp{laptop} and @samp{pc} tags with just the following keys: @kbd{C-c
C-c @key{SPC} h l p @key{RET}}.  Switching from @samp{@@home} to
@samp{@@work} would be done with @kbd{C-c C-c w @key{RET}} or
alternatively with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c w}.  Adding the non-predefined tag
@samp{Sarah} could be done with @kbd{C-c C-c @key{TAB} S a r a h
@key{RET} @key{RET}}.

@vindex org-fast-tag-selection-single-key
If you find that most of the time you need only a single key press to
modify your list of tags, set the variable
@code{org-fast-tag-selection-single-key}.  Then you no longer have to
press @key{RET} to exit fast tag selection---it will immediately exit
after the first change.  If you then occasionally need more keys, press
@kbd{C-c} to turn off auto-exit for the current tag selection process
(in effect: start selection with @kbd{C-c C-c C-c} instead of @kbd{C-c
C-c}).  If you set the variable to the value @code{expert}, the special
window is not even shown for single-key tag selection, it comes up only
when you press an extra @kbd{C-c}.

@node Tag searches,  , Setting tags, Tags
@section Tag searches
@cindex tag searches
@cindex searching for tags

Once a system of tags has been set up, it can be used to collect related
information into special lists.

@table @kbd
@orgcmdkkc{C-c / m,C-c \\,org-match-sparse-tree}
Create a sparse tree with all headlines matching a tags search.  With a
@kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
@orgcmd{C-c a m,org-tags-view}
Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files.
@xref{Matching tags and properties}.
@orgcmd{C-c a M,org-tags-view}
@vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
only TODO items and force checking subitems (see variable
@code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
@end table

These commands all prompt for a match string which allows basic Boolean logic
like @samp{+boss+urgent-project1}, to find entries with tags @samp{boss} and
@samp{urgent}, but not @samp{project1}, or @samp{Kathy|Sally} to find entries
which are tagged, like @samp{Kathy} or @samp{Sally}.  The full syntax of the search
string is rich and allows also matching against TODO keywords, entry levels
and properties.  For a complete description with many examples, see
@ref{Matching tags and properties}.


@node Properties and Columns, Dates and Times, Tags, Top
@chapter Properties and columns
@cindex properties

A property is a key-value pair associated with an entry.  Properties can be
set so they are associated with a single entry, with every entry in a tree,
or with every entry in an Org mode file.

There are two main applications for properties in Org mode.  First,
properties are like tags, but with a value.  Imagine maintaining a file where
you document bugs and plan releases for a piece of software.  Instead of
using tags like @code{:release_1:}, @code{:release_2:}, you can use a
property, say @code{:Release:}, that in different subtrees has different
values, such as @code{1.0} or @code{2.0}.  Second, you can use properties to
implement (very basic) database capabilities in an Org buffer.  Imagine
keeping track of your music CDs, where properties could be things such as the
album, artist, date of release, number of tracks, and so on.

Properties can be conveniently edited and viewed in column view
(@pxref{Column view}).

@menu
* Property syntax::             How properties are spelled out
* Special properties::          Access to other Org mode features
* Property searches::           Matching property values
* Property inheritance::        Passing values down the tree
* Column view::                 Tabular viewing and editing
* Property API::                Properties for Lisp programmers
@end menu

@node Property syntax, Special properties, Properties and Columns, Properties and Columns
@section Property syntax
@cindex property syntax
@cindex drawer, for properties

Properties are key-value pairs.  When they are associated with a single entry
or with a tree they need to be inserted into a special
drawer (@pxref{Drawers}) with the name @code{PROPERTIES}.  Each property
is specified on a single line, with the key (surrounded by colons)
first, and the value after it.  Here is an example:

@example
* CD collection
** Classic
*** Goldberg Variations
    :PROPERTIES:
    :Title:     Goldberg Variations
    :Composer:  J.S. Bach
    :Artist:    Glen Gould
    :Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon
    :NDisks:    1
    :END:
@end example

Depending on the value of @code{org-use-property-inheritance}, a property set
this way will either be associated with a single entry, or the sub-tree
defined by the entry, see @ref{Property inheritance}.

You may define the allowed values for a particular property @samp{:Xyz:}
by setting a property @samp{:Xyz_ALL:}.  This special property is
@emph{inherited}, so if you set it in a level 1 entry, it will apply to
the entire tree.  When allowed values are defined, setting the
corresponding property becomes easier and is less prone to typing
errors.  For the example with the CD collection, we can predefine
publishers and the number of disks in a box like this:

@example
* CD collection
  :PROPERTIES:
  :NDisks_ALL:  1 2 3 4
  :Publisher_ALL: "Deutsche Grammophon" Philips EMI
  :END:
@end example

If you want to set properties that can be inherited by any entry in a
file, use a line like
@cindex property, _ALL
@cindex #+PROPERTY
@example
#+PROPERTY: NDisks_ALL 1 2 3 4
@end example

If you want to add to the value of an existing property, append a @code{+} to
the property name.  The following results in the property @code{var} having
the value ``foo=1 bar=2''.
@cindex property, +
@example
#+PROPERTY: var  foo=1
#+PROPERTY: var+ bar=2
@end example

It is also possible to add to the values of inherited properties.  The
following results in the @code{genres} property having the value ``Classic
Baroque'' under the @code{Goldberg Variations} subtree.
@cindex property, +
@example
* CD collection
** Classic
    :PROPERTIES:
    :GENRES: Classic
    :END:
*** Goldberg Variations
    :PROPERTIES:
    :Title:     Goldberg Variations
    :Composer:  J.S. Bach
    :Artist:    Glen Gould
    :Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon
    :NDisks:    1
    :GENRES+:   Baroque
    :END:
@end example
Note that a property can only have one entry per Drawer.

@vindex org-global-properties
Property values set with the global variable
@code{org-global-properties} can be inherited by all entries in all
Org files.

@noindent
The following commands help to work with properties:

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{M-@key{TAB},pcomplete}
After an initial colon in a line, complete property keys.  All keys used
in the current file will be offered as possible completions.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x p,org-set-property}
Set a property.  This prompts for a property name and a value.  If
necessary, the property drawer is created as well.
@item C-u M-x org-insert-drawer
@cindex org-insert-drawer
Insert a property drawer into the current entry.  The drawer will be
inserted early in the entry, but after the lines with planning
information like deadlines.
@orgcmd{C-c C-c,org-property-action}
With the cursor in a property drawer, this executes property commands.
@orgcmd{C-c C-c s,org-set-property}
Set a property in the current entry.  Both the property and the value
can be inserted using completion.
@orgcmdkkcc{S-@key{right},S-@key{left},org-property-next-allowed-value,org-property-previous-allowed-value}
Switch property at point to the next/previous allowed value.
@orgcmd{C-c C-c d,org-delete-property}
Remove a property from the current entry.
@orgcmd{C-c C-c D,org-delete-property-globally}
Globally remove a property, from all entries in the current file.
@orgcmd{C-c C-c c,org-compute-property-at-point}
Compute the property at point, using the operator and scope from the
nearest column format definition.
@end table

@node Special properties, Property searches, Property syntax, Properties and Columns
@section Special properties
@cindex properties, special

Special properties provide an alternative access method to Org mode features,
like the TODO state or the priority of an entry, discussed in the previous
chapters.  This interface exists so that you can include these states in a
column view (@pxref{Column view}), or to use them in queries.  The following
property names are special and (except for @code{:CATEGORY:}) should not be
used as keys in the properties drawer:

@cindex property, special, ID
@cindex property, special, TODO
@cindex property, special, TAGS
@cindex property, special, ALLTAGS
@cindex property, special, CATEGORY
@cindex property, special, PRIORITY
@cindex property, special, DEADLINE
@cindex property, special, SCHEDULED
@cindex property, special, CLOSED
@cindex property, special, TIMESTAMP
@cindex property, special, TIMESTAMP_IA
@cindex property, special, CLOCKSUM
@cindex property, special, CLOCKSUM_T
@cindex property, special, BLOCKED
@c guessing that ITEM is needed in this area; also, should this list be sorted?
@cindex property, special, ITEM
@cindex property, special, FILE
@example
ID           @r{A globally unique ID used for synchronization during}
             @r{iCalendar or MobileOrg export.}
TODO         @r{The TODO keyword of the entry.}
TAGS         @r{The tags defined directly in the headline.}
ALLTAGS      @r{All tags, including inherited ones.}
CATEGORY     @r{The category of an entry.}
PRIORITY     @r{The priority of the entry, a string with a single letter.}
DEADLINE     @r{The deadline time string, without the angular brackets.}
SCHEDULED    @r{The scheduling timestamp, without the angular brackets.}
CLOSED       @r{When was this entry closed?}
TIMESTAMP    @r{The first keyword-less timestamp in the entry.}
TIMESTAMP_IA @r{The first inactive timestamp in the entry.}
CLOCKSUM     @r{The sum of CLOCK intervals in the subtree.  @code{org-clock-sum}}
             @r{must be run first to compute the values in the current buffer.}
CLOCKSUM_T   @r{The sum of CLOCK intervals in the subtree for today.}
             @r{@code{org-clock-sum-today} must be run first to compute the}
             @r{values in the current buffer.}
BLOCKED      @r{"t" if task is currently blocked by children or siblings}
ITEM         @r{The headline of the entry.}
FILE         @r{The filename the entry is located in.}
@end example

@node Property searches, Property inheritance, Special properties, Properties and Columns
@section Property searches
@cindex properties, searching
@cindex searching, of properties

To create sparse trees and special lists with selection based on properties,
the same commands are used as for tag searches (@pxref{Tag searches}).
@table @kbd
@orgcmdkkc{C-c / m,C-c \,org-match-sparse-tree}
Create a sparse tree with all matching entries.  With a
@kbd{C-u} prefix argument, ignore headlines that are not a TODO line.
@orgcmd{C-c a m,org-tags-view}
Create a global list of tag/property  matches from all agenda files.
@xref{Matching tags and properties}.
@orgcmd{C-c a M,org-tags-view}
@vindex org-tags-match-list-sublevels
Create a global list of tag matches from all agenda files, but check
only TODO items and force checking of subitems (see variable
@code{org-tags-match-list-sublevels}).
@end table

The syntax for the search string is described in @ref{Matching tags and
properties}.

There is also a special command for creating sparse trees based on a
single property:

@table @kbd
@orgkey{C-c / p}
Create a sparse tree based on the value of a property.  This first
prompts for the name of a property, and then for a value.  A sparse tree
is created with all entries that define this property with the given
value.  If you enclose the value in curly braces, it is interpreted as
a regular expression and matched against the property values.
@end table

@node Property inheritance, Column view, Property searches, Properties and Columns
@section Property Inheritance
@cindex properties, inheritance
@cindex inheritance, of properties

@vindex org-use-property-inheritance
The outline structure of Org mode documents lends itself to an
inheritance model of properties: if the parent in a tree has a certain
property, the children can inherit this property.  Org mode does not
turn this on by default, because it can slow down property searches
significantly and is often not needed.  However, if you find inheritance
useful, you can turn it on by setting the variable
@code{org-use-property-inheritance}.  It may be set to @code{t} to make
all properties inherited from the parent, to a list of properties
that should be inherited, or to a regular expression that matches
inherited properties.  If a property has the value @samp{nil}, this is
interpreted as an explicit undefine of the property, so that inheritance
search will stop at this value and return @code{nil}.

Org mode has a few properties for which inheritance is hard-coded, at
least for the special applications for which they are used:

@cindex property, COLUMNS
@table @code
@item COLUMNS
The @code{:COLUMNS:} property defines the format of column view
(@pxref{Column view}).  It is inherited in the sense that the level
where a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is defined is used as the starting
point for a column view table, independently of the location in the
subtree from where columns view is turned on.
@item CATEGORY
@cindex property, CATEGORY
For agenda view, a category set through a @code{:CATEGORY:} property
applies to the entire subtree.
@item ARCHIVE
@cindex property, ARCHIVE
For archiving, the @code{:ARCHIVE:} property may define the archive
location for the entire subtree (@pxref{Moving subtrees}).
@item LOGGING
@cindex property, LOGGING
The LOGGING property may define logging settings for an entry or a
subtree (@pxref{Tracking TODO state changes}).
@end table

@node Column view, Property API, Property inheritance, Properties and Columns
@section Column view

A great way to view and edit properties in an outline tree is
@emph{column view}.  In column view, each outline node is turned into a
table row.  Columns in this table provide access to properties of the
entries.  Org mode implements columns by overlaying a tabular structure
over the headline of each item.  While the headlines have been turned
into a table row, you can still change the visibility of the outline
tree.  For example, you get a compact table by switching to CONTENTS
view (@kbd{S-@key{TAB} S-@key{TAB}}, or simply @kbd{c} while column view
is active), but you can still open, read, and edit the entry below each
headline.  Or, you can switch to column view after executing a sparse
tree command and in this way get a table only for the selected items.
Column view also works in agenda buffers (@pxref{Agenda Views}) where
queries have collected selected items, possibly from a number of files.

@menu
* Defining columns::            The COLUMNS format property
* Using column view::           How to create and use column view
* Capturing column view::       A dynamic block for column view
@end menu

@node Defining columns, Using column view, Column view, Column view
@subsection Defining columns
@cindex column view, for properties
@cindex properties, column view

Setting up a column view first requires defining the columns.  This is
done by defining a column format line.

@menu
* Scope of column definitions::  Where defined, where valid?
* Column attributes::           Appearance and content of a column
@end menu

@node Scope of column definitions, Column attributes, Defining columns, Defining columns
@subsubsection Scope of column definitions

To define a column format for an entire file, use a line like

@cindex #+COLUMNS
@example
#+COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
@end example

To specify a format that only applies to a specific tree, add a
@code{:COLUMNS:} property to the top node of that tree, for example:

@example
** Top node for columns view
   :PROPERTIES:
   :COLUMNS: %25ITEM %TAGS %PRIORITY %TODO
   :END:
@end example

If a @code{:COLUMNS:} property is present in an entry, it defines columns
for the entry itself, and for the entire subtree below it.  Since the
column definition is part of the hierarchical structure of the document,
you can define columns on level 1 that are general enough for all
sublevels, and more specific columns further down, when you edit a
deeper part of the tree.

@node Column attributes,  , Scope of column definitions, Defining columns
@subsubsection Column attributes
A column definition sets the attributes of a column.  The general
definition looks like this:

@example
 %[@var{width}]@var{property}[(@var{title})][@{@var{summary-type}@}]
@end example

@noindent
Except for the percent sign and the property name, all items are
optional.  The individual parts have the following meaning:

@example
@var{width}           @r{An integer specifying the width of the column in characters.}
                @r{If omitted, the width will be determined automatically.}
@var{property}        @r{The property that should be edited in this column.}
                @r{Special properties representing meta data are allowed here}
                @r{as well (@pxref{Special properties})}
@var{title}           @r{The header text for the column.  If omitted, the property}
                @r{name is used.}
@{@var{summary-type}@}  @r{The summary type.  If specified, the column values for}
                @r{parent nodes are computed from the children.}
                @r{Supported summary types are:}
                @{+@}       @r{Sum numbers in this column.}
                @{+;%.1f@}  @r{Like @samp{+}, but format result with @samp{%.1f}.}
                @{$@}       @r{Currency, short for @samp{+;%.2f}.}
                @{:@}       @r{Sum times, HH:MM, plain numbers are hours.}
                @{X@}       @r{Checkbox status, @samp{[X]} if all children are @samp{[X]}.}
                @{X/@}      @r{Checkbox status, @samp{[n/m]}.}
                @{X%@}      @r{Checkbox status, @samp{[n%]}.}
                @{min@}     @r{Smallest number in column.}
                @{max@}     @r{Largest number.}
                @{mean@}    @r{Arithmetic mean of numbers.}
                @{:min@}    @r{Smallest time value in column.}
                @{:max@}    @r{Largest time value.}
                @{:mean@}   @r{Arithmetic mean of time values.}
                @{@@min@}    @r{Minimum age (in days/hours/mins/seconds).}
                @{@@max@}    @r{Maximum age (in days/hours/mins/seconds).}
                @{@@mean@}   @r{Arithmetic mean of ages (in days/hours/mins/seconds).}
                @{est+@}    @r{Add low-high estimates.}
@end example

@noindent
Be aware that you can only have one summary type for any property you
include.  Subsequent columns referencing the same property will all display the
same summary information.

The @code{est+} summary type requires further explanation.  It is used for
combining estimates, expressed as low-high ranges.  For example, instead
of estimating a particular task will take 5 days, you might estimate it as
5-6 days if you're fairly confident you know how much work is required, or
1-10 days if you don't really know what needs to be done.  Both ranges
average at 5.5 days, but the first represents a more predictable delivery.

When combining a set of such estimates, simply adding the lows and highs
produces an unrealistically wide result.  Instead, @code{est+} adds the
statistical mean and variance of the sub-tasks, generating a final estimate
from the sum.  For example, suppose you had ten tasks, each of which was
estimated at 0.5 to 2 days of work.  Straight addition produces an estimate
of 5 to 20 days, representing what to expect if everything goes either
extremely well or extremely poorly.  In contrast, @code{est+} estimates the
full job more realistically, at 10-15 days.

Here is an example for a complete columns definition, along with allowed
values.

@example
:COLUMNS:  %25ITEM %9Approved(Approved?)@{X@} %Owner %11Status \@footnote{Please note that the COLUMNS definition must be on a single line---it is wrapped here only because of formatting constraints.}
                   %10Time_Estimate@{:@} %CLOCKSUM %CLOCKSUM_T
:Owner_ALL:    Tammy Mark Karl Lisa Don
:Status_ALL:   "In progress" "Not started yet" "Finished" ""
:Approved_ALL: "[ ]" "[X]"
@end example

@noindent
The first column, @samp{%25ITEM}, means the first 25 characters of the
item itself, i.e.@: of the headline.  You probably always should start the
column definition with the @samp{ITEM} specifier.  The other specifiers
create columns @samp{Owner} with a list of names as allowed values, for
@samp{Status} with four different possible values, and for a checkbox
field @samp{Approved}.  When no width is given after the @samp{%}
character, the column will be exactly as wide as it needs to be in order
to fully display all values.  The @samp{Approved} column does have a
modified title (@samp{Approved?}, with a question mark).  Summaries will
be created for the @samp{Time_Estimate} column by adding time duration
expressions like HH:MM, and for the @samp{Approved} column, by providing
an @samp{[X]} status if all children have been checked.  The
@samp{CLOCKSUM} and @samp{CLOCKSUM_T} columns are special, they lists the
sums of CLOCK intervals in the subtree, either for all clocks or just for
today.

@node Using column view, Capturing column view, Defining columns, Column view
@subsection Using column view

@table @kbd
@tsubheading{Turning column view on and off}
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-c,org-columns}
@vindex org-columns-default-format
Turn on column view.  If the cursor is before the first headline in the file,
column view is turned on for the entire file, using the @code{#+COLUMNS}
definition.  If the cursor is somewhere inside the outline, this command
searches the hierarchy, up from point, for a @code{:COLUMNS:} property that
defines a format.  When one is found, the column view table is established
for the tree starting at the entry that contains the @code{:COLUMNS:}
property.  If no such property is found, the format is taken from the
@code{#+COLUMNS} line or from the variable @code{org-columns-default-format},
and column view is established for the current entry and its subtree.
@orgcmd{r,org-columns-redo}
Recreate the column view, to include recent changes made in the buffer.
@orgcmd{g,org-columns-redo}
Same as @kbd{r}.
@orgcmd{q,org-columns-quit}
Exit column view.
@tsubheading{Editing values}
@item @key{left} @key{right} @key{up} @key{down}
Move through the column view from field to field.
@kindex S-@key{left}
@kindex S-@key{right}
@item  S-@key{left}/@key{right}
Switch to the next/previous allowed value of the field.  For this, you
have to have specified allowed values for a property.
@item 1..9,0
Directly select the Nth allowed value, @kbd{0} selects the 10th value.
@orgcmdkkcc{n,p,org-columns-next-allowed-value,org-columns-previous-allowed-value}
Same as @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}}
@orgcmd{e,org-columns-edit-value}
Edit the property at point.  For the special properties, this will
invoke the same interface that you normally use to change that
property.  For example, when editing a TAGS property, the tag completion
or fast selection interface will pop up.
@orgcmd{C-c C-c,org-columns-set-tags-or-toggle}
When there is a checkbox at point, toggle it.
@orgcmd{v,org-columns-show-value}
View the full value of this property.  This is useful if the width of
the column is smaller than that of the value.
@orgcmd{a,org-columns-edit-allowed}
Edit the list of allowed values for this property.  If the list is found
in the hierarchy, the modified values is stored there.  If no list is
found, the new value is stored in the first entry that is part of the
current column view.
@tsubheading{Modifying the table structure}
@orgcmdkkcc{<,>,org-columns-narrow,org-columns-widen}
Make the column narrower/wider by one character.
@orgcmd{S-M-@key{right},org-columns-new}
Insert a new column, to the left of the current column.
@orgcmd{S-M-@key{left},org-columns-delete}
Delete the current column.
@end table

@node Capturing column view,  , Using column view, Column view
@subsection Capturing column view

Since column view is just an overlay over a buffer, it cannot be
exported or printed directly.  If you want to capture a column view, use
a @code{columnview} dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}).  The frame
of this block looks like this:

@cindex #+BEGIN, columnview
@example
* The column view
#+BEGIN: columnview :hlines 1 :id "label"

#+END:
@end example

@noindent This dynamic block has the following parameters:

@table @code
@item :id
This is the most important parameter.  Column view is a feature that is
often localized to a certain (sub)tree, and the capture block might be
at a different location in the file.  To identify the tree whose view to
capture, you can use 4 values:
@cindex property, ID
@example
local     @r{use the tree in which the capture block is located}
global    @r{make a global view, including all headings in the file}
"file:@var{path-to-file}"
          @r{run column view at the top of this file}
"@var{ID}"      @r{call column view in the tree that has an @code{:ID:}}
          @r{property with the value @i{label}.  You can use}
          @r{@kbd{M-x org-id-copy} to create a globally unique ID for}
          @r{the current entry and copy it to the kill-ring.}
@end example
@item :hlines
When @code{t}, insert an hline after every line.  When a number @var{N}, insert
an hline before each headline with level @code{<= @var{N}}.
@item :vlines
When set to @code{t}, force column groups to get vertical lines.
@item :maxlevel
When set to a number, don't capture entries below this level.
@item :skip-empty-rows
When set to @code{t}, skip rows where the only non-empty specifier of the
column view is @code{ITEM}.

@end table

@noindent
The following commands insert or update the dynamic block:

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-x i,org-insert-columns-dblock}
Insert a dynamic block capturing a column view.  You will be prompted
for the scope or ID of the view.
@orgcmdkkc{C-c C-c,C-c C-x C-u,org-dblock-update}
Update dynamic block at point.  The cursor needs to be in the
@code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
@orgcmd{C-u C-c C-x C-u,org-update-all-dblocks}
Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}).  This is useful if
you have several clock table blocks, column-capturing blocks or other dynamic
blocks in a buffer.
@end table

You can add formulas to the column view table and you may add plotting
instructions in front of the table---these will survive an update of the
block.  If there is a @code{#+TBLFM:} after the table, the table will
actually be recalculated automatically after an update.

An alternative way to capture and process property values into a table is
provided by Eric Schulte's @file{org-collector.el} which is a contributed
package@footnote{Contributed packages are not part of Emacs, but are
distributed with the main distribution of Org (visit
@uref{http://orgmode.org}).}.  It provides a general API to collect
properties from entries in a certain scope, and arbitrary Lisp expressions to
process these values before inserting them into a table or a dynamic block.

@node Property API,  , Column view, Properties and Columns
@section The Property API
@cindex properties, API
@cindex API, for properties

There is a full API for accessing and changing properties.  This API can
be used by Emacs Lisp programs to work with properties and to implement
features based on them.  For more information see @ref{Using the
property API}.

@node Dates and Times, Capture - Refile - Archive, Properties and Columns, Top
@chapter Dates and times
@cindex dates
@cindex times
@cindex timestamp
@cindex date stamp

To assist project planning, TODO items can be labeled with a date and/or
a time.  The specially formatted string carrying the date and time
information is called a @emph{timestamp} in Org mode.  This may be a
little confusing because timestamp is often used as indicating when
something was created or last changed.  However, in Org mode this term
is used in a much wider sense.

@menu
* Timestamps::                  Assigning a time to a tree entry
* Creating timestamps::         Commands which insert timestamps
* Deadlines and scheduling::    Planning your work
* Clocking work time::          Tracking how long you spend on a task
* Effort estimates::            Planning work effort in advance
* Relative timer::              Notes with a running timer
* Countdown timer::             Starting a countdown timer for a task
@end menu


@node Timestamps, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times, Dates and Times
@section Timestamps, deadlines, and scheduling
@cindex timestamps
@cindex ranges, time
@cindex date stamps
@cindex deadlines
@cindex scheduling

A timestamp is a specification of a date (possibly with a time or a range of
times) in a special format, either @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue>}@footnote{In this
simplest form, the day name is optional when you type the date yourself.
However, any dates inserted or modified by Org will add that day name, for
reading convenience.} or @samp{<2003-09-16 Tue 09:39>} or @samp{<2003-09-16
Tue 12:00-12:30>}@footnote{This is inspired by the standard ISO 8601
date/time format.  To use an alternative format, see @ref{Custom time
format}.}.  A timestamp can appear anywhere in the headline or body of an Org
tree entry.  Its presence causes entries to be shown on specific dates in the
agenda (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).  We distinguish:

@table @var
@item Plain timestamp; Event; Appointment
@cindex timestamp
@cindex appointment
A simple timestamp just assigns a date/time to an item.  This is just
like writing down an appointment or event in a paper agenda.  In the
timeline and agenda displays, the headline of an entry associated with a
plain timestamp will be shown exactly on that date.

@example
* Meet Peter at the movies
  <2006-11-01 Wed 19:15>
* Discussion on climate change
  <2006-11-02 Thu 20:00-22:00>
@end example

@item Timestamp with repeater interval
@cindex timestamp, with repeater interval
A timestamp may contain a @emph{repeater interval}, indicating that it
applies not only on the given date, but again and again after a certain
interval of N days (d), weeks (w), months (m), or years (y).  The
following will show up in the agenda every Wednesday:

@example
* Pick up Sam at school
  <2007-05-16 Wed 12:30 +1w>
@end example

@item Diary-style sexp entries
For more complex date specifications, Org mode supports using the special
sexp diary entries implemented in the Emacs calendar/diary
package@footnote{When working with the standard diary sexp functions, you
need to be very careful with the order of the arguments.  That order depend
evilly on the variable @code{calendar-date-style} (or, for older Emacs
versions, @code{european-calendar-style}).  For example, to specify a date
December 12, 2005, the call might look like @code{(diary-date 12 1 2005)} or
@code{(diary-date 1 12 2005)} or @code{(diary-date 2005 12 1)}, depending on
the settings.  This has been the source of much confusion.  Org mode users
can resort to special versions of these functions like @code{org-date} or
@code{org-anniversary}.  These work just like the corresponding @code{diary-}
functions, but with stable ISO order of arguments (year, month, day) wherever
applicable, independent of the value of @code{calendar-date-style}.}.  For
example with optional time

@example
* 22:00-23:00 The nerd meeting on every 2nd Thursday of the month
  <%%(org-float t 4 2)>
@end example

@item Time/Date range
@cindex timerange
@cindex date range
Two timestamps connected by @samp{--} denote a 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 Inactive timestamp
@cindex timestamp, inactive
@cindex inactive timestamp
Just like a plain timestamp, but with square brackets instead of
angular ones.  These timestamps 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

@end table

@node Creating timestamps, Deadlines and scheduling, Timestamps, Dates and Times
@section Creating timestamps
@cindex creating timestamps
@cindex timestamps, creating

For Org mode to recognize timestamps, they need to be in the specific
format.  All commands listed below produce timestamps in the correct
format.

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c .,org-time-stamp}
Prompt for a date and insert a corresponding timestamp.  When the cursor is
at an existing timestamp in the buffer, the command is used to modify this
timestamp instead of inserting a new one.  When this command is used twice in
succession, a time range is inserted.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c !,org-time-stamp-inactive}
Like @kbd{C-c .}, but insert an inactive timestamp that will not cause
an agenda entry.
@c
@kindex C-u C-c .
@kindex C-u C-c !
@item C-u C-c .
@itemx C-u C-c !
@vindex org-time-stamp-rounding-minutes
Like @kbd{C-c .} and @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}.
@c
@orgkey{C-c C-c}
Normalize timestamp, insert/fix day name if missing or wrong.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c <,org-date-from-calendar}
Insert a timestamp corresponding to the cursor date in the Calendar.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c >,org-goto-calendar}
Access the Emacs calendar for the current date.  If there is a
timestamp in the current line, go to the corresponding date
instead.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-o,org-open-at-point}
Access the agenda for the date given by the timestamp or -range at
point (@pxref{Weekly/daily agenda}).
@c
@orgcmdkkcc{S-@key{left},S-@key{right},org-timestamp-down-day,org-timestamp-up-day}
Change date at cursor by one day.  These key bindings conflict with
shift-selection and related modes (@pxref{Conflicts}).
@c
@orgcmdkkcc{S-@key{up},S-@key{down},org-timestamp-up,org-timestamp-down-down}
Change the item under the cursor in a timestamp.  The cursor can be on a
year, month, day, hour or minute.  When the timestamp contains a time range
like @samp{15:30-16:30}, modifying the first time will also shift the second,
shifting the time block with constant length.  To change the length, modify
the second time.  Note that if the cursor is in a headline and not at a
timestamp, these same keys modify the priority of an item.
(@pxref{Priorities}).  The key bindings also conflict with shift-selection and
related modes (@pxref{Conflicts}).
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-y,org-evaluate-time-range}
@cindex evaluate time range
Evaluate a time range by computing the difference between start and end.
With a prefix argument, 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
* Custom time format::          Making dates look different
@end menu

@node The date/time prompt, Custom time format, Creating timestamps, Creating timestamps
@subsection The date/time prompt
@cindex date, reading in minibuffer
@cindex time, reading in minibuffer

@vindex org-read-date-prefer-future
When Org mode prompts for a date/time, the default is shown in default
date/time format, and the prompt therefore seems to ask for a specific
format.  But it will in fact accept any string containing some date and/or
time information, and it is really smart about interpreting your input.  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 derive anything you have not specified from the @emph{default date
and time}.  The default is usually the current date and time, but when
modifying an existing timestamp, or when entering the second stamp of a
range, it is taken from the stamp in the buffer.  When filling in
information, Org mode assumes that most of the time you will want to enter a
date in the future: if you omit the month/year and the given day/month is
@i{before} today, it will assume that you mean a future date@footnote{See the
variable @code{org-read-date-prefer-future}.  You may set that variable to
the symbol @code{time} to even make a time before now shift the date to
tomorrow.}.  If the date has been automatically shifted into the future, the
time prompt will show this with @samp{(=>F).}

For example, let's assume that today is @b{June 13, 2006}.  Here is how
various inputs will be interpreted, the items filled in by Org mode are
in @b{bold}.

@example
3-2-5         @result{} 2003-02-05
2/5/3         @result{} 2003-02-05
14            @result{} @b{2006}-@b{06}-14
12            @result{} @b{2006}-@b{07}-12
2/5           @result{} @b{2007}-02-05
Fri           @result{} nearest Friday (default date or later)
sep 15        @result{} @b{2006}-09-15
feb 15        @result{} @b{2007}-02-15
sep 12 9      @result{} 2009-09-12
12:45         @result{} @b{2006}-@b{06}-@b{13} 12:45
22 sept 0:34  @result{} @b{2006}-09-22 0:34
w4            @result{} ISO week for of the current year @b{2006}
2012 w4 fri   @result{} Friday of ISO week 4 in 2012
2012-w04-5    @result{} Same as above
@end example

Furthermore you can specify a relative date by giving, as the
@emph{first} thing in the input: a plus/minus sign, a number and a
letter ([dwmy]) to indicate change in days, weeks, months, or years.  With a
single plus or minus, the date is always relative to today.  With a
double plus or minus, it is relative to the default date.  If instead of
a single letter, you use the abbreviation of day name, the date will be
the Nth such day, e.g.@:

@example
+0            @result{} today
.             @result{} today
+4d           @result{} four days from today
+4            @result{} same as above
+2w           @result{} two weeks from today
++5           @result{} five days from default date
+2tue         @result{} second Tuesday from now.
@end example

@vindex parse-time-months
@vindex parse-time-weekdays
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}.

@vindex org-read-date-force-compatible-dates
Not all dates can be represented in a given Emacs implementation.  By default
Org mode forces dates into the compatibility range 1970--2037 which works on
all Emacs implementations.  If you want to use dates outside of this range,
read the docstring of the variable
@code{org-read-date-force-compatible-dates}.

You can specify a time range by giving start and end times or by giving a
start time and a duration (in HH:MM format).  Use one or two dash(es) as the
separator in the former case and use '+' as the separator in the latter
case, e.g.@:

@example
11am-1:15pm    @result{} 11:00-13:15
11am--1:15pm   @result{} same as above
11am+2:15      @result{} same as above
@end example

@cindex calendar, for selecting date
@vindex org-popup-calendar-for-date-prompt
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:

@kindex <
@kindex >
@kindex M-v
@kindex C-v
@kindex mouse-1
@kindex S-@key{right}
@kindex S-@key{left}
@kindex S-@key{down}
@kindex S-@key{up}
@kindex M-S-@key{right}
@kindex M-S-@key{left}
@kindex @key{RET}
@example
@key{RET}           @r{Choose date at cursor in calendar.}
mouse-1        @r{Select date by clicking on it.}
S-@key{right}/@key{left}     @r{One day forward/backward.}
S-@key{down}/@key{up}     @r{One week forward/backward.}
M-S-@key{right}/@key{left}   @r{One month forward/backward.}
> / <          @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by one month.}
M-v / C-v      @r{Scroll calendar forward/backward by 3 months.}
@end example

@vindex org-read-date-display-live
The actions of the date/time prompt may seem complex, but I assure you they
will grow on you, and you will start getting annoyed by pretty much any other
way of entering a date/time out there.  To help you understand what is going
on, the current interpretation of your input will be displayed live in the
minibuffer@footnote{If you find this distracting, turn the display of with
@code{org-read-date-display-live}.}.

@node Custom time format,  , The date/time prompt, Creating timestamps
@subsection Custom time format
@cindex custom date/time format
@cindex time format, custom
@cindex date format, custom

@vindex org-display-custom-times
@vindex org-time-stamp-custom-formats
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
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-t,org-toggle-time-stamp-overlays}
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 timestamp 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 timestamp.  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
If the timestamp contains a range of clock times or a repeater, these
will not be overlaid, but remain in the buffer as they were.
@item
When you delete a timestamp 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 timestamp 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 Deadlines and scheduling, Clocking work time, Creating timestamps, Dates and Times
@section Deadlines and scheduling

A timestamp may be preceded by special keywords to facilitate planning:

@table @var
@item DEADLINE
@cindex DEADLINE keyword

Meaning: the task (most likely a TODO item, though not necessarily) is supposed
to be finished on that date.

@vindex org-deadline-warning-days
On the deadline date, the task will be listed in the agenda.  In
addition, the agenda 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
    DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun>
    The editor in charge is [[bbdb:Ford Prefect]]
@end example

You can specify a different lead time for warnings for a specific
deadlines using the following syntax.  Here is an example with a warning
period of 5 days @code{DEADLINE: <2004-02-29 Sun -5d>}.

@item SCHEDULED
@cindex SCHEDULED keyword

Meaning: you are planning to start working on that task on the given
date.

@vindex org-agenda-skip-scheduled-if-done
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

@noindent
@b{Important:} Scheduling an item in Org mode should @i{not} be
understood in the same way that we understand @i{scheduling a meeting}.
Setting a date for a meeting is just a simple appointment, you should
mark this entry with a simple plain timestamp, to get this item shown
on the date where it applies.  This is a frequent misunderstanding by
Org users.  In Org mode, @i{scheduling} means setting a date when you
want to start working on an action item.
@end table

You may use timestamps with repeaters in scheduling and deadline
entries.  Org mode will issue early and late warnings based on the
assumption that the timestamp represents the @i{nearest instance} of
the repeater.  However, the use of diary sexp entries like
@c
@code{<%%(org-float t 42)>}
@c
in scheduling and deadline timestamps is limited.  Org mode does not
know enough about the internals of each sexp function to issue early and
late warnings.  However, it will show the item on each day where the
sexp entry matches.

@menu
* Inserting deadline/schedule::  Planning items
* Repeated tasks::              Items that show up again and again
@end menu

@node Inserting deadline/schedule, Repeated tasks, Deadlines and scheduling, Deadlines and scheduling
@subsection Inserting deadlines or schedules

The following commands allow you to quickly insert@footnote{The @samp{SCHEDULED} and
@samp{DEADLINE} dates are inserted on the line right below the headline.  Don't put
any text between this line and the headline.} a deadline or to schedule
an item:

@table @kbd
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-d,org-deadline}
Insert @samp{DEADLINE} keyword along with a stamp.  The insertion will happen
in the line directly following the headline.  Any CLOSED timestamp will be
removed.  When called with a prefix arg, an existing deadline will be removed
from the entry.  Depending on the variable @code{org-log-redeadline}@footnote{with corresponding
@code{#+STARTUP} keywords @code{logredeadline}, @code{lognoteredeadline},
and @code{nologredeadline}}, a note will be taken when changing an existing
deadline.

@orgcmd{C-c C-s,org-schedule}
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.  When called with a prefix argument, remove the scheduling
date from the entry.  Depending on the variable
@code{org-log-reschedule}@footnote{with corresponding @code{#+STARTUP}
keywords @code{logreschedule}, @code{lognotereschedule}, and
@code{nologreschedule}}, a note will be taken when changing an existing
scheduling time.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-k,org-mark-entry-for-agenda-action}
@kindex k a
@kindex k s
Mark the current entry for agenda action.  After you have marked the entry
like this, you can open the agenda or the calendar to find an appropriate
date.  With the cursor on the selected date, press @kbd{k s} or @kbd{k d} to
schedule the marked item.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c / d,org-check-deadlines}
@cindex sparse tree, for deadlines
@vindex org-deadline-warning-days
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 / d} shows
all deadlines due tomorrow.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c / b,org-check-before-date}
Sparse tree for deadlines and scheduled items before a given date.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c / a,org-check-after-date}
Sparse tree for deadlines and scheduled items after a given date.
@end table

Note that @code{org-schedule} and @code{org-deadline} supports
setting the date by indicating a relative time: e.g. +1d will set
the date to the next day after today, and --1w will set the date
to the previous week before any current timestamp.

@node Repeated tasks,  , Inserting deadline/schedule, Deadlines and scheduling
@subsection Repeated tasks
@cindex tasks, repeated
@cindex repeated tasks

Some tasks need to be repeated again and again.  Org mode helps to
organize such tasks using a so-called repeater in a DEADLINE, SCHEDULED,
or plain timestamp.  In the following example
@example
** TODO Pay the rent
   DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m>
@end example
@noindent
the @code{+1m} is a repeater; the intended interpretation is that the task
has a deadline on <2005-10-01> and repeats itself every (one) month starting
from that time.  You can use yearly, monthly, weekly, daily and hourly repeat
cookies by using the @code{y/w/m/d/h} letters.  If you need both a repeater
and a special warning period in a deadline entry, the repeater should come
first and the warning period last: @code{DEADLINE: <2005-10-01 Sat +1m -3d>}.

@vindex org-todo-repeat-to-state
Deadlines and scheduled items produce entries in the agenda when they are
over-due, so it is important to be able to mark such an entry as completed
once you have done so.  When you mark a DEADLINE or a SCHEDULE with the TODO
keyword DONE, it will no longer produce entries in the agenda.  The problem
with this is, however, that then also the @emph{next} instance of the
repeated entry will not be active.  Org mode deals with this in the following
way: When you try to mark such an entry DONE (using @kbd{C-c C-t}), it will
shift the base date of the repeating timestamp by the repeater interval, and
immediately set the entry state back to TODO@footnote{In fact, the target
state is taken from, in this sequence, the @code{REPEAT_TO_STATE} property or
the variable @code{org-todo-repeat-to-state}.  If neither of these is
specified, the target state defaults to the first state of the TODO state
sequence.}.  In the example above, setting the state to DONE would actually
switch the date like this:

@example
** TODO Pay the rent
   DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue +1m>
@end example

@vindex org-log-repeat
A timestamp@footnote{You can change this using the option
@code{org-log-repeat}, or the @code{#+STARTUP} options @code{logrepeat},
@code{lognoterepeat}, and @code{nologrepeat}.  With @code{lognoterepeat}, you
will also be prompted for a note.} will be added under the deadline, to keep
a record that you actually acted on the previous instance of this deadline.

As a consequence of shifting the base date, this entry will no longer be
visible in the agenda when checking past dates, but all future instances
will be visible.

With the @samp{+1m} cookie, the date shift will always be exactly one
month.  So if you have not paid the rent for three months, marking this
entry DONE will still keep it as an overdue deadline.  Depending on the
task, this may not be the best way to handle it.  For example, if you
forgot to call your father for 3 weeks, it does not make sense to call
him 3 times in a single day to make up for it.  Finally, there are tasks
like changing batteries which should always repeat a certain time
@i{after} the last time you did it.  For these tasks, Org mode has
special repeaters  @samp{++} and @samp{.+}.  For example:

@example
** TODO Call Father
   DEADLINE: <2008-02-10 Sun ++1w>
   Marking this DONE will shift the date by at least one week,
   but also by as many weeks as it takes to get this date into
   the future.  However, it stays on a Sunday, even if you called
   and marked it done on Saturday.
** TODO Check the batteries in the smoke detectors
   DEADLINE: <2005-11-01 Tue .+1m>
   Marking this DONE will shift the date to one month after
   today.
@end example

You may have both scheduling and deadline information for a specific
task---just make sure that the repeater intervals on both are the same.

An alternative to using a repeater is to create a number of copies of a task
subtree, with dates shifted in each copy.  The command @kbd{C-c C-x c} was
created for this purpose, it is described in @ref{Structure editing}.


@node Clocking work time, Effort estimates, Deadlines and scheduling, Dates and Times
@section Clocking work time
@cindex clocking time
@cindex time clocking

Org mode allows you to clock the time you spend 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@footnote{Clocking only works if all
headings are indented with less than 30 stars.  This is a hardcoded
limitation of `lmax' in `org-clock-sum'.} of a project.  And it remembers a
history or tasks recently clocked, to that you can jump quickly between a
number of tasks absorbing your time.

To save the clock history across Emacs sessions, use
@lisp
(setq org-clock-persist 'history)
(org-clock-persistence-insinuate)
@end lisp
When you clock into a new task after resuming Emacs, the incomplete
clock@footnote{To resume the clock under the assumption that you have worked
on this task while outside Emacs, use @code{(setq org-clock-persist t)}.}
will be found (@pxref{Resolving idle time}) and you will be prompted about
what to do with it.

@menu
* Clocking commands::           Starting and stopping a clock
* The clock table::             Detailed reports
* Resolving idle time::         Resolving time when you've been idle
@end menu

@node Clocking commands, The clock table, Clocking work time, Clocking work time
@subsection Clocking commands

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-i,org-clock-in}
@vindex org-clock-into-drawer
@vindex org-clock-continuously
@cindex property, LOG_INTO_DRAWER
Start the clock on the current item (clock-in).  This inserts the CLOCK
keyword together with a timestamp.  If this is not the first clocking of
this item, the multiple CLOCK lines will be wrapped into a
@code{:LOGBOOK:} drawer (see also the variable
@code{org-clock-into-drawer}).  You can also overrule
the setting of this variable for a subtree by setting a
@code{CLOCK_INTO_DRAWER} or @code{LOG_INTO_DRAWER} property.
When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix argument,
select the task from a list of recently clocked tasks.  With two @kbd{C-u
C-u} prefixes, clock into the task at point and mark it as the default task;
the default task will then always be available with letter @kbd{d} when
selecting a clocking task.  With three @kbd{C-u C-u C-u} prefixes, force
continuous clocking by starting the clock when the last clock stopped.@*
@cindex property: CLOCK_MODELINE_TOTAL
@cindex property: LAST_REPEAT
@vindex org-clock-modeline-total
While the clock is running, the current clocking time is shown in the mode
line, along with the title of the task.  The clock time shown will be all
time ever clocked for this task and its children.  If the task has an effort
estimate (@pxref{Effort estimates}), the mode line displays the current
clocking time against it@footnote{To add an effort estimate ``on the fly'',
hook a function doing this to @code{org-clock-in-prepare-hook}.}  If the task
is a repeating one (@pxref{Repeated tasks}), only the time since the last
reset of the task @footnote{as recorded by the @code{LAST_REPEAT} property}
will be shown.  More control over what time is shown can be exercised with
the @code{CLOCK_MODELINE_TOTAL} property.  It may have the values
@code{current} to show only the current clocking instance, @code{today} to
show all time clocked on this tasks today (see also the variable
@code{org-extend-today-until}), @code{all} to include all time, or
@code{auto} which is the default@footnote{See also the variable
@code{org-clock-modeline-total}.}.@* Clicking with @kbd{mouse-1} onto the
mode line entry will pop up a menu with clocking options.
@c
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-o,org-clock-out}
@vindex org-log-note-clock-out
Stop the clock (clock-out).  This 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-note-clock-out} for the
possibility to record an additional note together with the clock-out
timestamp@footnote{The corresponding in-buffer setting is:
@code{#+STARTUP: lognoteclock-out}}.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-x,org-clock-in-last}
@vindex org-clock-continuously
Reclock the last clocked task.  With one @kbd{C-u} prefix argument,
select the task from the clock history.  With two @kbd{C-u} prefixes,
force continuous clocking by starting the clock when the last clock
stopped.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-e,org-clock-modify-effort-estimate}
Update the effort estimate for the current clock task.
@kindex C-c C-y
@kindex C-c C-c
@orgcmdkkc{C-c C-c,C-c C-y,org-evaluate-time-range}
Recompute the time interval after changing one of the timestamps.  This
is only necessary if you edit the timestamps directly.  If you change
them with @kbd{S-@key{cursor}} keys, the update is automatic.
@orgcmd{C-S-@key{up/down},org-clock-timestamps-up/down}
On @code{CLOCK} log lines, increase/decrease both timestamps so that the
clock duration keeps the same. 
@orgcmd{S-M-@key{up/down},org-timestamp-up/down}
On @code{CLOCK} log lines, increase/decrease the timestamp at point and
the one of the previous (or the next clock) timestamp by the same duration.
For example, if you hit @kbd{S-M-@key{up}} to increase a clocked-out timestamp
by five minutes, then the clocked-in timestamp of the next clock will be
increased by five minutes.
@orgcmd{C-c C-t,org-todo}
Changing the TODO state of an item to DONE automatically stops the clock
if it is running in this same item.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-q,org-clock-cancel}
Cancel the current clock.  This is useful if a clock was started by
mistake, or if you ended up working on something else.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-j,org-clock-goto}
Jump to the headline of the currently clocked in task.  With a @kbd{C-u}
prefix arg, select the target task from a list of recently clocked tasks.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-d,org-clock-display}
@vindex org-remove-highlights-with-change
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}.
@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.

@strong{Important:} note that both @code{org-clock-out} and
@code{org-clock-in-last} can have a global keybinding and will not
modify the window disposition.

@node The clock table, Resolving idle time, Clocking commands, Clocking work time
@subsection The clock table
@cindex clocktable, dynamic block
@cindex report, of clocked time

Org mode can produce quite complex reports based on the time clocking
information.  Such a report is called a @emph{clock table}, because it is
formatted as one or several Org tables.

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-r,org-clock-report}
Insert a dynamic block (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}) containing a clock
report as an Org mode table into the current file.  When the cursor is
at an existing clock table, just update it.  When called with a prefix
argument, jump to the first clock report in the current document and
update it.  The clock table always includes also trees with
@code{:ARCHIVE:} tag.
@orgcmdkkc{C-c C-c,C-c C-x C-u,org-dblock-update}
Update dynamic block at point.  The cursor needs to be in the
@code{#+BEGIN} line of the dynamic block.
@orgkey{C-u C-c C-x C-u}
Update all dynamic blocks (@pxref{Dynamic blocks}).  This is useful if
you have several clock table blocks in a buffer.
@orgcmdkxkc{S-@key{left},S-@key{right},org-clocktable-try-shift}
Shift the current @code{:block} interval and update the table.  The cursor
needs to be in the @code{#+BEGIN: clocktable} line for this command.  If
@code{:block} is @code{today}, it will be shifted to @code{today-1} etc.
@end table


Here is an example of the frame for a clock table as it is inserted into the
buffer with the @kbd{C-c C-x C-r} command:

@cindex #+BEGIN, clocktable
@example
#+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :emphasize nil :scope file
#+END: clocktable
@end example
@noindent
@vindex org-clocktable-defaults
The @samp{BEGIN} line and specify a number of options to define the scope,
structure, and formatting of the report.  Defaults for all these options can
be configured in the variable @code{org-clocktable-defaults}.

@noindent First there are options that determine which clock entries are to
be selected:
@example
:maxlevel    @r{Maximum level depth to which times are listed in the table.}
             @r{Clocks at deeper levels will be summed into the upper level.}
:scope       @r{The scope to consider.  This can be any of the following:}
             nil        @r{the current buffer or narrowed region}
             file       @r{the full current buffer}
             subtree    @r{the subtree where the clocktable is located}
             tree@var{N}      @r{the surrounding level @var{N} tree, for example @code{tree3}}
             tree       @r{the surrounding level 1 tree}
             agenda     @r{all agenda files}
             ("file"..) @r{scan these files}
             file-with-archives    @r{current file and its archives}
             agenda-with-archives  @r{all agenda files, including archives}
:block       @r{The time block to consider.  This block is specified either}
             @r{absolute, or relative to the current time and may be any of}
             @r{these formats:}
             2007-12-31    @r{New year eve 2007}
             2007-12       @r{December 2007}
             2007-W50      @r{ISO-week 50 in 2007}
             2007-Q2       @r{2nd quarter in 2007}
             2007          @r{the year 2007}
             today, yesterday, today-@var{N}          @r{a relative day}
             thisweek, lastweek, thisweek-@var{N}     @r{a relative week}
             thismonth, lastmonth, thismonth-@var{N}  @r{a relative month}
             thisyear, lastyear, thisyear-@var{N}     @r{a relative year}
             @r{Use @kbd{S-@key{left}/@key{right}} keys to shift the time interval.}
:tstart      @r{A time string specifying when to start considering times.}
:tend        @r{A time string specifying when to stop considering times.}
:step        @r{@code{week} or @code{day}, to split the table into chunks.}
             @r{To use this, @code{:block} or @code{:tstart}, @code{:tend} are needed.}
:stepskip0   @r{Do not show steps that have zero time.}
:fileskip0   @r{Do not show table sections from files which did not contribute.}
:tags        @r{A tags match to select entries that should contribute.  See}
             @r{@ref{Matching tags and properties} for the match syntax.}
@end example

Then there are options which determine the formatting of the table.  There
options are interpreted by the function @code{org-clocktable-write-default},
but you can specify your own function using the @code{:formatter} parameter.
@example
:emphasize   @r{When @code{t}, emphasize level one and level two items.}
:lang        @r{Language@footnote{Language terms can be set through the variable @code{org-clock-clocktable-language-setup}.} to use for descriptive cells like "Task".}
:link        @r{Link the item headlines in the table to their origins.}
:narrow      @r{An integer to limit the width of the headline column in}
             @r{the org table.  If you write it like @samp{50!}, then the}
             @r{headline will also be shortened in export.}
:indent      @r{Indent each headline field according to its level.}
:tcolumns    @r{Number of columns to be used for times.  If this is smaller}
             @r{than @code{:maxlevel}, lower levels will be lumped into one column.}
:level       @r{Should a level number column be included?}
:compact     @r{Abbreviation for @code{:level nil :indent t :narrow 40! :tcolumns 1}}
             @r{All are overwritten except if there is an explicit @code{:narrow}}
:timestamp   @r{A timestamp for the entry, when available.  Look for SCHEDULED,}
             @r{DEADLINE, TIMESTAMP and TIMESTAMP_IA, in this order.}
:properties  @r{List of properties that should be shown in the table.  Each}
             @r{property will get its own column.}
:inherit-props @r{When this flag is @code{t}, the values for @code{:properties} will be inherited.}
:formula     @r{Content of a @code{#+TBLFM} line to be added and evaluated.}
             @r{As a special case, @samp{:formula %} adds a column with % time.}
             @r{If you do not specify a formula here, any existing formula}
             @r{below the clock table will survive updates and be evaluated.}
:formatter   @r{A function to format clock data and insert it into the buffer.}
@end example
To get a clock summary of the current level 1 tree, for the current
day, you could write
@example
#+BEGIN: clocktable :maxlevel 2 :block today :scope tree1 :link t
#+END: clocktable
@end example
@noindent
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 into the manual.}
@example
#+BEGIN: clocktable :tstart "<2006-08-10 Thu 10:00>"
                    :tend "<2006-08-10 Thu 12:00>"
#+END: clocktable
@end example
A summary of the current subtree with % times would be
@example
#+BEGIN: clocktable :scope subtree :link t :formula %
#+END: clocktable
@end example
A horizontally compact representation of everything clocked during last week
would be
@example
#+BEGIN: clocktable :scope agenda :block lastweek :compact t
#+END: clocktable
@end example

@node Resolving idle time,  , The clock table, Clocking work time
@subsection Resolving idle time and continuous clocking

@subsubheading Resolving idle time
@cindex resolve idle time

@cindex idle, resolve, dangling
If you clock in on a work item, and then walk away from your
computer---perhaps to take a phone call---you often need to ``resolve'' the
time you were away by either subtracting it from the current clock, or
applying it to another one.

@vindex org-clock-idle-time
By customizing the variable @code{org-clock-idle-time} to some integer, such
as 10 or 15, Emacs can alert you when you get back to your computer after
being idle for that many minutes@footnote{On computers using Mac OS X,
idleness is based on actual user idleness, not just Emacs' idle time.  For
X11, you can install a utility program @file{x11idle.c}, available in the
@code{contrib/scripts} directory of the Org git distribution, to get the same
general treatment of idleness.  On other systems, idle time refers to Emacs
idle time only.}, and ask what you want to do with the idle time.  There will
be a question waiting for you when you get back, indicating how much idle
time has passed (constantly updated with the current amount), as well as a
set of choices to correct the discrepancy:

@table @kbd
@item k
To keep some or all of the minutes and stay clocked in, press @kbd{k}.  Org
will ask how many of the minutes to keep.  Press @key{RET} to keep them all,
effectively changing nothing, or enter a number to keep that many minutes.
@item K
If you use the shift key and press @kbd{K}, it will keep however many minutes
you request and then immediately clock out of that task.  If you keep all of
the minutes, this is the same as just clocking out of the current task.
@item s
To keep none of the minutes, use @kbd{s} to subtract all the away time from
the clock, and then check back in from the moment you returned.
@item S
To keep none of the minutes and just clock out at the start of the away time,
use the shift key and press @kbd{S}.  Remember that using shift will always
leave you clocked out, no matter which option you choose.
@item C
To cancel the clock altogether, use @kbd{C}.  Note that if instead of
canceling you subtract the away time, and the resulting clock amount is less
than a minute, the clock will still be canceled rather than clutter up the
log with an empty entry.
@end table

What if you subtracted those away minutes from the current clock, and now
want to apply them to a new clock?  Simply clock in to any task immediately
after the subtraction.  Org will notice that you have subtracted time ``on
the books'', so to speak, and will ask if you want to apply those minutes to
the next task you clock in on.

There is one other instance when this clock resolution magic occurs.  Say you
were clocked in and hacking away, and suddenly your cat chased a mouse who
scared a hamster that crashed into your UPS's power button!  You suddenly
lose all your buffers, but thanks to auto-save you still have your recent Org
mode changes, including your last clock in.

If you restart Emacs and clock into any task, Org will notice that you have a
dangling clock which was never clocked out from your last session.  Using
that clock's starting time as the beginning of the unaccounted-for period,
Org will ask how you want to resolve that time.  The logic and behavior is
identical to dealing with away time due to idleness; it is just happening due
to a recovery event rather than a set amount of idle time.

You can also check all the files visited by your Org agenda for dangling
clocks at any time using @kbd{M-x org-resolve-clocks RET} (or @kbd{C-c C-x C-z}).

@subsubheading Continuous clocking
@cindex continuous clocking
@vindex org-clock-continuously

You may want to start clocking from the time when you clocked out the
previous task.  To enable this systematically, set @code{org-clock-continuously}
to @code{t}.  Each time you clock in, Org retrieves the clock-out time of the
last clocked entry for this session, and start the new clock from there.

If you only want this from time to time, use three universal prefix arguments
with @code{org-clock-in} and two @kbd{C-u C-u} with @code{org-clock-in-last}.

@node Effort estimates, Relative timer, Clocking work time, Dates and Times
@section Effort estimates
@cindex effort estimates

@cindex property, Effort
@vindex org-effort-property
If you want to plan your work in a very detailed way, or if you need to
produce offers with quotations of the estimated work effort, you may want to
assign effort estimates to entries.  If you are also clocking your work, you
may later want to compare the planned effort with the actual working time, a
great way to improve planning estimates.  Effort estimates are stored in a
special property @samp{Effort}@footnote{You may change the property being
used with the variable @code{org-effort-property}.}.  You can set the effort
for an entry with the following commands:

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-x e,org-set-effort}
Set the effort estimate for the current entry.  With a numeric prefix
argument, set it to the Nth allowed value (see below).  This command is also
accessible from the agenda with the @kbd{e} key.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x C-e,org-clock-modify-effort-estimate}
Modify the effort estimate of the item currently being clocked.
@end table

Clearly the best way to work with effort estimates is through column view
(@pxref{Column view}).  You should start by setting up discrete values for
effort estimates, and a @code{COLUMNS} format that displays these values
together with clock sums (if you want to clock your time).  For a specific
buffer you can use

@example
#+PROPERTY: Effort_ALL 0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00
#+COLUMNS: %40ITEM(Task) %17Effort(Estimated Effort)@{:@} %CLOCKSUM
@end example

@noindent
@vindex org-global-properties
@vindex org-columns-default-format
or, even better, you can set up these values globally by customizing the
variables @code{org-global-properties} and @code{org-columns-default-format}.
In particular if you want to use this setup also in the agenda, a global
setup may be advised.

The way to assign estimates to individual items is then to switch to column
mode, and to use @kbd{S-@key{right}} and @kbd{S-@key{left}} to change the
value.  The values you enter will immediately be summed up in the hierarchy.
In the column next to it, any clocked time will be displayed.

@vindex org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum
If you switch to column view in the daily/weekly agenda, the effort column
will summarize the estimated work effort for each day@footnote{Please note
the pitfalls of summing hierarchical data in a flat list (@pxref{Agenda
column view}).}, and you can use this to find space in your schedule.  To get
an overview of the entire part of the day that is committed, you can set the
option @code{org-agenda-columns-add-appointments-to-effort-sum}.  The
appointments on a day that take place over a specified time interval will
then also be added to the load estimate of the day.

Effort estimates can be used in secondary agenda filtering that is triggered
with the @kbd{/} key in the agenda (@pxref{Agenda commands}).  If you have
these estimates defined consistently, two or three key presses will narrow
down the list to stuff that fits into an available time slot.

@node Relative timer, Countdown timer, Effort estimates, Dates and Times
@section Taking notes with a relative timer
@cindex relative timer

When taking notes during, for example, a meeting or a video viewing, it can
be useful to have access to times relative to a starting time.  Org provides
such a relative timer and make it easy to create timed notes.

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c C-x .,org-timer}
Insert a relative time into the buffer.  The first time you use this, the
timer will be started.  When called with a prefix argument, the timer is
restarted.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x -,org-timer-item}
Insert a description list item with the current relative time.  With a prefix
argument, first reset the timer to 0.
@orgcmd{M-@key{RET},org-insert-heading}
Once the timer list is started, you can also use @kbd{M-@key{RET}} to insert
new timer items.
@c for key sequences with a comma, command name macros fail :(
@kindex C-c C-x ,
@item C-c C-x ,
Pause the timer, or continue it if it is already paused
(@command{org-timer-pause-or-continue}).
@c removed the sentence because it is redundant to the following item
@kindex C-u C-c C-x ,
@item C-u C-c C-x ,
Stop the timer.  After this, you can only start a new timer, not continue the
old one.  This command also removes the timer from the mode line.
@orgcmd{C-c C-x 0,org-timer-start}
Reset the timer without inserting anything into the buffer.  By default, the
timer is reset to 0.  When called with a @kbd{C-u} prefix, reset the timer to
specific starting offset.  The user is prompted for the offset, with a
default taken from a timer string at point, if any, So this can be used to
restart taking notes after a break in the process.  When called with a double
prefix argument @kbd{C-u C-u}, change all timer strings in the active region
by a certain amount.  This can be used to fix timer strings if the timer was
not started at exactly the right moment.
@end table

@node Countdown timer,  , Relative timer, Dates and Times
@section Countdown timer
@cindex Countdown timer
@kindex C-c C-x ;
@kindex ;

Calling @code{org-timer-set-timer} from an Org mode buffer runs a countdown
timer.  Use @kbd{;} from agenda buffers, @key{C-c C-x ;} everywhere else.

@code{org-timer-set-timer} prompts the user for a duration and displays a
countdown timer in the modeline.  @code{org-timer-default-timer} sets the
default countdown value.  Giving a prefix numeric argument overrides this
default value.

@node Capture - Refile - Archive, Agenda Views, Dates and Times, Top
@chapter Capture - Refile - Archive
@cindex capture

An important part of any organization system is the ability to quickly
capture new ideas and tasks, and to associate reference material with them.
Org does this using a process called @i{capture}.  It also can store files
related to a task (@i{attachments}) in a special directory.  Once in the
system, tasks and projects need to be moved around.  Moving completed project
trees to an archive file keeps the system compact and fast.

@menu
* Capture::                     Capturing new stuff
* Attachments::                 Add files to tasks
* RSS Feeds::                   Getting input from RSS feeds
* Protocols::                   External (e.g.@: Browser) access to Emacs and Org
* Refiling notes::              Moving a tree from one place to another
* Archiving::                   What to do with finished projects
@end menu

@node Capture, Attachments, Capture - Refile - Archive, Capture - Refile - Archive
@section Capture
@cindex capture

Org's method for capturing new items is heavily inspired by John Wiegley
excellent remember package.  Up to version 6.36 Org used a special setup
for @file{remember.el}.  @file{org-remember.el} is still part of Org mode for
backward compatibility with existing setups.  You can find the documentation
for org-remember at @url{http://orgmode.org/org-remember.pdf}.

The new capturing setup described here is preferred and should be used by new
users.  To convert your @code{org-remember-templates}, run the command
@example
@kbd{M-x org-capture-import-remember-templates @key{RET}}
@end example
@noindent and then customize the new variable with @kbd{M-x
customize-variable org-capture-templates}, check the result, and save the
customization.  You can then use both remember and capture until
you are familiar with the new mechanism.

Capture lets you quickly store notes with little interruption of your work
flow.  The basic process of capturing is very similar to remember, but Org
does enhance it with templates and more.

@menu
* Setting up capture::          Where notes will be stored
* Using capture::               Commands to invoke and terminate capture
* Capture templates::           Define the outline of different note types
@end menu

@node Setting up capture, Using capture, Capture, Capture
@subsection Setting up capture

The following customization sets a default target file for notes, and defines
a global key@footnote{Please select your own key, @kbd{C-c c} is only a
suggestion.}  for capturing new material.

@vindex org-default-notes-file
@example
(setq org-default-notes-file (concat org-directory "/notes.org"))
(define-key global-map "\C-cc" 'org-capture)
@end example

@node Using capture, Capture templates, Setting up capture, Capture
@subsection Using capture

@table @kbd
@orgcmd{C-c c,org-capture}
Call the command @code{org-capture}.  Note that this keybinding is global and
not active by default - you need to install it.  If you have templates
@cindex date tree
defined @pxref{Capture templates}, it will offer these templates for
selection or use a new Org outline node as the default template.  It will
insert the template into the target file and switch to an indirect buffer
narrowed to this new node.  You may then insert the information you want.

@orgcmd{C-c C-c,org-capture-finalize}
Once you have finished entering information into the capture buffer, @kbd{C-c
C-c} will return you to the window configuration before the capture process,
so that you can resume your work without further distraction.  When called
with a prefix arg, finalize and then jump to the captured item.

@orgcmd{C-c C-w,org-capture-refile}
Finalize the capture process by refiling (@pxref{Refiling notes}) the note to
a different place.  Please realize that this is a normal refiling command
that will be executed---so the cursor position at the moment you run this
command is important.  If you have inserted a tree with a parent and
children, first move the cursor back to the parent.  Any prefix argument
given to this command will be passed on to the @code{org-refile} command.

@orgcmd{C-c C-k,org-capture-kill}
Abort the capture process and return to the previous state.

@end table

You can also call @code{org-capture} in a special way from the agenda, using
the @kbd{k c} key combination.  With this access, any timestamps inserted by
the selected capture template will default to the cursor date in the agenda,
rather than to the current date.

To find the locations of the last stored capture, use @code{org-capture} with
prefix commands:

@table @kbd
@orgkey{C-u C-c c}
Visit the target location of a capture template.  You get to select the
template in the usual way.
@orgkey{C-u C-u C-c c}
Visit the last stored capture item in its buffer.
@end table

@vindex org-capture-bookmark
@cindex org-capture-last-stored
You can also jump to the bookmark @code{org-capture-last-stored}, which will
automatically be created unless you set @code{org-capture-bookmark} to
@code{nil}.

To insert the capture at point in an Org buffer, call @code{org-capture} with
a @code{C-0} prefix argument.

@node Capture templates,  , Using capture, Capture
@subsection Capture templates
@cindex templates, for Capture