Hi Leo

> Any one find the column view feature of any use?

I use it quite a bit. Let me show you a simple use case:

If I plan a simple project I quickly write down all the tasks that I have to do. Let's say I want to create a new web site.

In order to plan it I need to make some time estimates, i.e. I need an effort attribute for all my tasks. I add a properties drawer that defines the columns of the column view. Note that the '{+}' will cause column view to automatically calculate the sum of the subtasks.

Now that I've defined the columns I can go into column view to fill in my effort estimates. Type C-c C-x C-c. This brings me into column view where I have a tabular view of all the tasks and the estimated efforts.

I fill in all the estimates by moving to the right row/column and edit the values by pressing 'e' and entering the value at the prompt. As the values are entered the sum is automatically calculated and filled for the "Implementation" and for the top row. Once I've filled in all the values I'm basically done with the column view. I quit the view by pressing 'q'.

Now, say I want to export the project plan to HTML so I can send it to my client. For that I add a dynamic block. Press C-c C-x r. Make sure the cursor right below the main header as below.

This will insert a table outlining your tasks and the estimated efforts ready for export to HTML as shown below

There you go! A quick and simple way to get an overview. The power of column view stems from the fact that it lets you quickly and simply define hierarchical structures and then combine them with a tabular overview.

Hope this helps

Christian