From b8636d918e9ff79cac320003361c5a16846f156c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Eric Abrahamsen <eric@ericabrahamsen.net>
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2017 13:23:05 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] New function org-insert-structure-template

* lisp/org.el (org-insert-structure-template): New function for
  wrapping region (or element at point) in a begin/end block.
* etc/ORG-NEWS: Mention in news.
* doc/org.texi (Structure of code blocks, Easy templates): And in
  manual.
---
 doc/org.texi | 21 +++++++++++++++------
 etc/ORG-NEWS |  5 +++++
 lisp/org.el  | 25 +++++++++++++++++++++++++
 3 files changed, 45 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/org.texi b/doc/org.texi
index 1c79d8330..2274e584a 100644
--- a/doc/org.texi
+++ b/doc/org.texi
@@ -15215,12 +15215,14 @@ A @samp{src} block conforms to this structure:
 #+END_SRC
 @end example
 
-Org mode's templates system (@pxref{Easy templates}) speeds up creating
-@samp{src} code blocks with just three keystrokes.  Do not be put-off by
-having to remember the source block syntax.  Org also works with other
-completion systems in Emacs, some of which predate Org and have custom
-domain-specific languages for defining templates.  Regular use of templates
-reduces errors, increases accuracy, and maintains consistency.
+Do not be put off by having to remember the source block syntax.  Org mode
+offers two ways of speeding up the creation of @samp{src} code blocks: a
+templates system that can create a new block with just three keystrokes, and
+a command for wrapping existing text in a block (@pxref{Easy templates}).
+Org also works with other completion systems in Emacs, some of which predate
+Org and have custom domain-specific languages for defining templates.
+Regular use of templates reduces errors, increases accuracy, and maintains
+consistency.
 
 @cindex source code, inline
 An inline code block conforms to this structure:
@@ -17391,6 +17393,13 @@ Org comes with these pre-defined easy templates:
 More templates can added by customizing the variable
 @code{org-structure-template-alist}, whose docstring has additional details.
 
+@findex org-insert-structure-template
+Easy templates are ideal when writing new content, but sometimes it is
+necessary to mark up existing content.  For these cases, Org provides the
+function @code{org-insert-structure-template}, which prompts for a block
+type, and wraps either the active region or the current Org element in that
+block.  This command is bound to @kbd{C-c C-x t} by default.
+
 @node Speed keys
 @section Speed keys
 @cindex speed keys
diff --git a/etc/ORG-NEWS b/etc/ORG-NEWS
index 7c69efa89..1a3aa9e92 100644
--- a/etc/ORG-NEWS
+++ b/etc/ORG-NEWS
@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@ you should expect to see something like:
   ,#+STARTUP: shrink
 #+END_EXAMPLE
 
+** New Functions
+*** ~org-insert-structure-template~
+
+This function can be used to wrap existing text of Org elements in
+a #+BEGIN_FOO/#+END_FOO block.  Bound to C-c C-x t by default.
 ** Miscellaneous
 
 *** ~org-publish-resolve-external-link~ accepts a new optional argument.
diff --git a/lisp/org.el b/lisp/org.el
index 1ffea80fe..fe7bfd1c5 100644
--- a/lisp/org.el
+++ b/lisp/org.el
@@ -12199,6 +12199,30 @@ expands them."
     (insert rpl)
     (when (re-search-backward "\\?" start t) (delete-char 1))))
 
+(defun org-insert-structure-template (type)
+  "Insert a block structure of the type #+BEGIN_FOO/#+END_FOO.
+Prompts for a block type, and inserts the block.  With an active
+region, wrap the region in the block."
+  (interactive "sBlock type: ")
+  (unless (use-region-p)
+    (org-mark-element))
+  (let ((s (copy-marker (min (point) (mark))))
+	(e (copy-marker (max (point) (mark)))))
+    (when (string-equal (downcase type) "example")
+      (org-escape-code-in-region s e))
+    (goto-char s)
+    (beginning-of-line)
+    (insert (format "#+BEGIN_%s" type))
+    (newline-and-indent)
+    (goto-char e)
+    (unless (bolp)
+      (end-of-line)
+      (newline-and-indent))
+    (insert (format "#+END_%s" type))
+    (newline-and-indent)
+    (set-marker s nil)
+    (set-marker e nil))))
+
 ;;;; TODO, DEADLINE, Comments
 
 (defun org-toggle-comment ()
@@ -19660,6 +19684,7 @@ COMMANDS is a list of alternating OLDDEF NEWDEF command names."
 (org-defkey org-mode-map "\C-c\C-xE"    'org-inc-effort)
 (org-defkey org-mode-map "\C-c\C-xo"    'org-toggle-ordered-property)
 (org-defkey org-mode-map "\C-c\C-xi"    'org-columns-insert-dblock)
+(org-defkey org-mode-map "\C-c\C-xt"    'org-insert-structure-template)
 (org-defkey org-mode-map [(control ?c) (control ?x) ?\;] 'org-timer-set-timer)
 
 (org-defkey org-mode-map "\C-c\C-x."    'org-timer)
-- 
2.14.2