2.3.1 Global and local cycling

Outlines make it possible to hide parts of the text in the buffer. Org uses just two commands, bound to TAB and S-TAB to change the visibility in the buffer.

TAB     (org-cycle)

Subtree cycling: Rotate current subtree among the states

,-> FOLDED -> CHILDREN -> SUBTREE --.
'-----------------------------------'

The cursor must be on a headline for this to work⁶. When the cursor is at the beginning of the buffer and the first line is not a headline, then TAB actually runs global cycling (see below)⁷. Also when called with a prefix argument (C-u TAB), global cycling is invoked.

S-TAB     (org-global-cycle)

C-u TAB

Global cycling: Rotate the entire buffer among the states

,-> OVERVIEW -> CONTENTS -> SHOW ALL --.
'--------------------------------------'

When S-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, S-TAB jumps to the previous field.

C-u C-u TAB     (org-set-startup-visibility)

Switch back to the startup visibility of the buffer (see Initial visibility).

C-u C-u C-u TAB     (show-all)

Show all, including drawers.

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 (see Sparse trees) or an agenda command (see 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.

C-c C-k     (show-branches)

Expose all the headings of the subtree, CONTENT view for just one subtree.

C-c TAB     (show-children)

Expose all direct children of the subtree. With a numeric prefix argument N, expose all children down to level N.

C-c C-x b     (org-tree-to-indirect-buffer)

Show the current subtree in an indirect buffer⁸. 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 C-u prefix, do not remove the previously used indirect buffer.

C-c C-x v     (org-copy-visible)

Copy the visible text in the region into the kill ring.