insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode.]

Hi 

Is there any way to insert a header and automatically a timestamp with
date/time?

I can write me a small function doing this and bind it to some unused
key, but is there a more general/elegant way I just miss?

Thanks 

Uwe Brauer 

Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[pinmacs via General discussions about Org-mode.]

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On 2025-02-01 08:55, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode. 
wrote:
> Is there any way to insert a header and automatically a timestamp with
> date/time?
>
> I can write me a small function doing this and bind it to some unused
> key, but is there a more general/elegant way I just miss?

Hi Uwe,

TL DR; I add the timestamp automatically on entry creation as a hook 
[2], in fact, I have several hooks on entry creation and I think is a 
good way to handle this. I am happy with my setup since I started using 
it in 2023.

Let me share my experience on that topic (and very happy to hear other 
experiences and/or feedback), I hope the offtopic inside is welcome and 
useful:

1. Before, I was manually adding timestamp headers as a postfix for the 
creation of the header (and this is how I reverted using this script per 
target buffer [1]) to transform to CREATED properties (see here the 
automation on how I add the timestamp automatically on entry creation 
[2]), which I think are even better, specially, because then you can add 
that column to your table-reports such as clocktable, org-ql, propview, 
custom org-map-entries stuff.
2. After, as a prefix, in the journal files, for facilitating 
alphanumeric sorting of items in my customized journal (with a structure 
of year > week > day). I finally got rid of that, and brain and eyes 
appreciated that movement, it is too much noise to see a lot of items 
with timestamp. I discovered that problem when I started using 
variable-pitch mode, which with modes themes works very nice with 
(enable variable: (setq modus-themes-mixed-fonts t) ). Then, 
alternatively, sorting can be done by adding "SCHEDULED" to all items 
created on certain buffers and levels [3], which I also add for certain 
org-agenda files (then I use schedule as a poor's man alternative to 
anki [4] for space repetition [5], which could of course involve real 
tasks and projects apart from the typical usecase of memorizing concepts).

I do it this way and it works fine for me since that date I use it:

Cheers,
pinmacs



[1] see attached file: migrate-from-ts-header-to-created-property.org

[2] see attached file: auto-insert-created-timestamp-as-property.org

[3] see attached file: autoadd-scheduled-entry

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anki_(software)

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaced_repetition

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** org-insert-heading-hook(s) (7)
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2023-04-29 Sat 16:04]
:CUSTOM_ID: 2023-04-29_16:04:47.146113
:END:

*** 1. always add CREATED property
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2023-04-29 Sat 16:05]
:CUSTOM_ID: 2023-04-29_16:05:16.930966
:END:

#+name: created on [2023-04-29 Sat 16:06:09]
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/org-heading-insert-heading-inactive-timestamp ()
  (save-excursion
    ;; src https://emacs.stackexchange.com/questions/72147/org-mode-adding-creation-date-property-upon-heading-creation
    (org-back-to-heading)
    (my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp "CREATED")))

;; src https://emacs-orgmode.gnu.narkive.com/xdMIn5QZ/o-how-can-i-calculate-the-age-of-a-headline
;; extra src https://emacs.stackexchange.com/questions/72147/org-mode-adding-creation-date-property-upon-heading-creation
(add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-heading-insert-heading-inactive-timestamp 'append)
#+end_src


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** org-insert-heading-hook(s) (7)
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2023-04-29 Sat 16:04]
:CUSTOM_ID: 2023-04-29_16:04:47.146113
:END:

*** 1. always add CREATED property
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2023-04-29 Sat 16:05]
:CUSTOM_ID: 2023-04-29_16:05:16.930966
:END:

#+name: created on [2023-04-29 Sat 16:06:09]
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/org-heading-insert-heading-inactive-timestamp ()
  (save-excursion
    ;; src https://emacs.stackexchange.com/questions/72147/org-mode-adding-creation-date-property-upon-heading-creation
    (org-back-to-heading)
    (my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp "CREATED")))

;; src https://emacs-orgmode.gnu.narkive.com/xdMIn5QZ/o-how-can-i-calculate-the-age-of-a-headline
;; extra src https://emacs.stackexchange.com/questions/72147/org-mode-adding-creation-date-property-upon-heading-creation
(add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-heading-insert-heading-inactive-timestamp 'append)
#+end_src

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*** 4. always add SCHEDULED when in journal and project files
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2023-11-17 Fri 19:32]
:CUSTOM_ID: emacsconf_61
:END:
:BACKLINKS:
[2024-01-12 Fri 09:20] <- [[file:~/org/1activity.org::#1activity_3774][org agenda cleanup/puesta a punto, y vaciado de notas de móvil]]
:END:

#+name: created on [2023-11-17 Fri 19:33:09]
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/org-heading-insert-scheduled ()
  (if (or
       (and (string-match-p my/diary-file (buffer-name))
            (= (org-current-level) 4))
       (and (string-match-p my/board-file (buffer-name))
            (= (org-current-level) 4))
       (and (string-match-p my/proj-file (buffer-name))
            ;; projects are 3-level (tasks start at 5-level, we don't care on its children)
            (> (org-current-level) 4))
       (and (string-match-p my/proj-candidates-file (buffer-name))
            ;; projects are 4-level (tasks start at 3-level, we don't care on its children)
            (> (org-current-level) 3))
       )
      (save-excursion
        ;; src https://emacs.stackexchange.com/questions/72147/org-mode-adding-creation-date-property-upon-heading-creation
        ;;(org-back-to-heading)
        (org-schedule nil (format-time-string "[%Y-%m-%d %a]" nil)))))

(add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-heading-insert-scheduled 'append)
#+end_src

Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode.]

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>>> "GdaO" == General discussions about Org-mode <pinmacs> writes:

> On 2025-02-01 08:55, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about
> Org-mode. wrote:
>> Is there any way to insert a header and automatically a timestamp with
>> date/time?
>> 
>> I can write me a small function doing this and bind it to some unused
>> key, but is there a more general/elegant way I just miss?

Hi pinmacs 

(BTW do you speak Spanish , since there is some Spanish text in the
files that are attached) 

Anyhow.

Let me see if I understand that correctly

    - Your code does not insert
* <2025-02-01>
    But instead
* Some heading 
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2023-11-17 Fri 19:32]
:END:
   that is also ok, but for the moment I prefer the timestamp in the
   heading, because if I use outline-hide-body I obtain a nice overview
   with the dates.


    - Another problem is that I don't get your code to work for example
      the one in the file  auto-insert-created-timestamp-as-property.org
      gives me 
--8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8---

Debugger entered--Lisp error: (void-function my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp)
  (my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp "CREATED")
  (save-excursion (org-back-to-heading) (my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp "CREATED"))
  my/org-heading-insert-heading-inactive-timestamp()
  run-hooks(org-insert-heading-hook)
  org-insert-heading(nil)
  funcall-interactively(org-insert-heading nil)
  call-interactively(org-insert-heading)
  (or (run-hook-with-args-until-success 'org-metareturn-hook) (call-interactively (cond (arg #'org-insert-heading) ((org-at-table-p) #'org-table-wrap-region) ((org-in-item-p) #'org-insert-item) (t #'org-insert-heading))))
  (closure (org-clock-history org-with-time org-defdecode org-def org-read-date-inactive org-ans2 org-ans1 org-columns-current-fmt-compiled org-clock-current-task org-clock-effort org-end-time-was-given org-time-was-given org-state org-agenda-headline-snapshot-before-repeat org-element-cache-version org-struct-menu org-last-state org-clock-start-time org-export-registered-backends org-indent-indentation-per-level org-inlinetask-min-level t) (&optional arg) "Insert a new heading or wrap a region in a table.\n..." (interactive "P") (or (run-hook-with-args-until-success 'org-metareturn-hook) (call-interactively (cond (arg #'org-insert-heading) ((org-at-table-p) #'org-table-wrap-region) ((org-in-item-p) #'org-insert-item) (t #'org-insert-heading)))))(nil)
  apply((closure (org-clock-history org-with-time org-defdecode org-def org-read-date-inactive org-ans2 org-ans1 org-columns-current-fmt-compiled org-clock-current-task org-clock-effort org-end-time-was-given org-time-was-given org-state org-agenda-headline-snapshot-before-repeat org-element-cache-version org-struct-menu org-last-state org-clock-start-time org-export-registered-backends org-indent-indentation-per-level org-inlinetask-min-level t) (&optional arg) "Insert a new heading or wrap a region in a table.\n..." (interactive "P") (or (run-hook-with-args-until-success 'org-metareturn-hook) (call-interactively (cond (arg #'org-insert-heading) ((org-at-table-p) #'org-table-wrap-region) ((org-in-item-p) #'org-insert-item) (t #'org-insert-heading))))) nil)
  org-meta-return(nil)
  funcall-interactively(org-meta-return nil)
  call-interactively(org-meta-return nil nil)
  command-execute(org-meta-return)
--8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8---

The one in autoadd-scheduled-entry.org refers to files I don't have. 

Anyhow I continue playing with your code.

Thanks for sharing it

Uwe 


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Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[Pedro]

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On 2025-02-01 18:43, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode. 
wrote:
> (BTW do you speak Spanish , since there is some Spanish text in the
> files that are attached)
>
> Anyhow.
>
> Let me see if I understand that correctly
>
>      - Your code does not insert
> * <2025-02-01>
>      But instead
> * Some heading
> :PROPERTIES:
> :CREATED:  [2023-11-17 Fri 19:32]
> :END:
>     that is also ok, but for the moment I prefer the timestamp in the
>     heading, because if I use outline-hide-body I obtain a nice overview
>     with the dates.
>
>
>      - Another problem is that I don't get your code to work for example
>        the one in the file  auto-insert-created-timestamp-as-property.org
>        gives me

Yes, I speak Spanish :)

To generate dates as you said, you can use the following code [0], on 
~man date~ you can find other strftime format constructions, or 
alternatively, visit this [1]

The scheduled thing [2] had an if for certain conditions where you want 
that hook to get triggered (that uses specific buffer names that in my 
case are [2]), for a more simple approach, you might want to experiment 
with a simpler function [3]

I attach again the script migrate-from-ts-header-to-created-property.org 
because I got confused; I hope "soon" I could have a git public repo 
with my emacs config

[0]
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading ()
   (save-excursion
     (org-back-to-heading)
     (org-edit-headline (format-time-string "<%F>"))
     (my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp "CREATED")))

(add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading 'append)
;; to remove it
;; (remove-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading)
#+end_src

[1] https://strftime.org/

[2]

#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(setq my/diary-file "1activity.org")
(setq my/board-file "board.org")
(setq my/proj-file "projects.org")
(setq my/proj-candidates-file "projects-candidates.org")
#+end_src

[3]
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/org-heading-insert-scheduled ()
   (save-excursion
     ;; src 
https://emacs.stackexchange.com/questions/72147/org-mode-adding-creation-date-property-upon-heading-creation
     (org-schedule nil (format-time-string "[%Y-%m-%d %a]" nil))))

(add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-heading-insert-scheduled 'append)
#+end_src

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**** script: migrate from old heading format
:PROPERTIES:
:CREATED:  [2023-07-24 Mon 03:38]
:CUSTOM_ID: emacsconf_51
:END:

#+name: created on [2023-07-24 Mon 03:38:47]
#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/migrate-legacy-created-format ()
  (interactive)
  (org-map-entries
   (lambda ()
     (let* ((title (org-entry-get nil "ITEM"))
            (regexp "^\\(.*\\) <\\(20.*\\)>")
            (current-created (org-entry-get (point) "CREATED")))
       (when (string-match regexp title)
         (let ((new-title (match-string 1 title))
               (new-created (match-string 2 title)))
           (if current-created
               (message "Warning: \"%s\" not added as created property" title)
             (progn
               ;; move match to CREATED property
               (org-entry-put (point) "CREATED" (format "[%s]" new-created))
               ;; delete heading text
               (org-edit-headline new-title)))))))
   nil 'file))
#+end_src

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Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode.]

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> On 2025-02-01 18:43, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode. 
> wrote:

> Yes, I speak Spanish :)

Vale, entendido (supongo que eres español, porque usas la palabra movil,
¿correcto?) 


> To generate dates as you said, you can use the following code [0], on 
> ~man date~ you can find other strftime format constructions, or 
> alternatively, visit this [1]

> The scheduled thing [2] had an if for certain conditions where you want 
> that hook to get triggered (that uses specific buffer names that in my 
> case are [2]), for a more simple approach, you might want to experiment 
> with a simpler function [3]

> I attach again the script migrate-from-ts-header-to-created-property.org 
> because I got confused; I hope "soon" I could have a git public repo 
> with my emacs config

> [0]

> #+begin_src emacs-lisp
> (defun my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading ()
>    (save-excursion
>      (org-back-to-heading)
>      (org-edit-headline (format-time-string "<%F>"))
>      (my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp "CREATED")))


Thanks, but I cannot find the function

my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp

In your code, 



Uwe 

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Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[pinmacs]

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On 2025-02-02 08:38, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode. 
wrote:
> Vale, entendido (supongo que eres español, porque usas la palabra movil,
> ¿correcto?)
Yes :D
   but let's keep the discussion in the mailinglist in English so other 
people can participate, or benefit from it
> Thanks, but I cannot find the function
>
> my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp
>
> In your code,

In fact you don't need ~my/get-inactive-timestamp~ for your pursposes, 
try with this one:

#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading ()
   (save-excursion
     (org-back-to-heading)
     (org-edit-headline (format-time-string "<%F>"))))

(add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading 'append)
;; to remove it
;; (remove-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading)
#+end_src

but here you have for curiosity, there you can see compact strftime 
format to construct a inactive timestamp

[1]

#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(defun my/get-inactive-timestamp ()
   (format-time-string "[%F %a %R]"))

(defun my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp (property)
   (interactive)
   (org-set-property property (my/get-inactive-timestamp)))
#+end_src

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Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode.]

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> On 2025-02-02 08:38, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode. 
> wrote:
> Yes :D
>    but let's keep the discussion in the mailinglist in English so other 
> people can participate, or benefit from it


Sure!

> In fact you don't need ~my/get-inactive-timestamp~ for your pursposes, 
> try with this one:

> #+begin_src emacs-lisp
> (defun my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading ()
>    (save-excursion
>      (org-back-to-heading)
>      (org-edit-headline (format-time-string "<%F>"))))

> (add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading 'append)
> ;; to remove it
> ;; (remove-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading)
> #+end_src

I did this already 😉 thanks

Actually I used 
(defun my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading ()
  (save-excursion
    (org-back-to-heading)
    (org-edit-headline (format-time-string "<%Y-%m-%d %H:%M>")))
  (insert " "))

(add-hook 'org-insert-heading-hook 'my/org-add-timestamp-on-heading 'append)




> but here you have for curiosity, there you can see compact strftime 
> format to construct a inactive timestamp

> [1]

> #+begin_src emacs-lisp
> (defun my/get-inactive-timestamp ()
>    (format-time-string "[%F %a %R]"))

> (defun my/set-property-with-inactive-timestamp (property)
>    (interactive)
>    (org-set-property property (my/get-inactive-timestamp)))
> #+end_src

Thanks, I try that out.


A last question though.

Now if I want my headings look like 

* <2025-02-02 08:58> Second entry 

* <2025-02-02 08:53> First 

* <2025-02-02 08:56> third 



Is there any way to sort these heading with respect to the timestamps from oldes to newest?

-- 
I strongly condemn Hamas heinous despicable pogroms/atrocities on Israel
I strongly condemn Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine.
I support to deliver weapons to Ukraine's military. 
I support the EU and NATO membership of Ukraine. 


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Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[pinmacs]

On 2025-02-02 21:02, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode. 
wrote:
> A last question though.
>
> Now if I want my headings look like
>
> * <2025-02-02 08:58> Second entry
>
> * <2025-02-02 08:53> First
>
> * <2025-02-02 08:56> third
>
>
>
> Is there any way to sort these heading with respect to the timestamps from oldes to newest?

I'm glad it works for you :)

You need a parent entry (see how I added example). From that parent 
entry, do M-x org-sort and select alphanumeric (a), and that sorts fine 
the timestamps; you will see that there are other ways to sort entries, 
the one I use today is scheduled (s).


* example

** <2025-02-02 08:53> First

** <2025-02-02 08:56> third

** <2025-02-02 08:58> Second entry

Re: insert a header and automatically a timestamp with date/time

[Uwe Brauer via General discussions about Org-mode.]

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> On 2025-02-02 21:02, Uwe Brauer via General discussions about
> Org-mode. wrote:

> I'm glad it works for you :)

> You need a parent entry (see how I added example). From that parent
> entry, do M-x org-sort and select alphanumeric (a), and that sorts
> fine the timestamps; you will see that there are other ways to sort
> entries, the one I use today is scheduled (s).

Ah, I see, thanks!

> * example

> ** <2025-02-02 08:53> First

> ** <2025-02-02 08:56> third

> ** <2025-02-02 08:58> Second entry




-- 
I strongly condemn Hamas heinous despicable pogroms/atrocities on Israel
I strongly condemn Putin's war of aggression against Ukraine.
I support to deliver weapons to Ukraine's military. 
I support the EU and NATO membership of Ukraine. 


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