3.4.6 Editing and Debugging formulas

You can edit individual formulas in the minibuffer or directly in the field. Org-mode can also prepare a special buffer with all active formulas of a table.

C-c =

C-u C-c =

Edit the formula associated with the current column/field in the minibuffer. See Column formulas and Field formulas.

C-u C-u C-c =

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 C-c ?.

C-c ?

While editing a formula in a table field, highlight the field(s) referenced by the reference at the cursor position in the formula.

C-c '

Edit all formulas for the current table in a special buffer, where the formulas will be displayed one per line. While inside the special buffer, Org-mode will automatically highlight any field or range reference at the cursor position. You may edit, remove and add formulas, and use the following commands:

C-c C-c

Exit the buffer and store the modified formulas. With C-u prefix, also apply the new formulas to the entire table.

C-c C-q

Exit the buffer without installing changes.

<TAB>

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 <TAB> collapses the formula back again. In the open formula, <TAB> re-indents just like in Emacs-lisp-mode.

M-<TAB>

Complete Lisp symbols, just like in Emacs-lisp-mode.

S-<up>/<down>

Move the reference line in the Org-mode buffer up and down. This is important for highlighting the references of column formulas for different rows.

M-<up>/<down>

Scroll the window displaying the table.

C-c }

Toggle the display of row and column numbers for a table, using overlays. These are uptated each time the table is aligned, you can force it with C-c C-c.

C-c {

Toggle the formula debugger on and off. See below.

Making a table field blank does not remove the formula associated with the field, because that is stored in a different line (the `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 `#+TBLFM' line.

You may edit the `#+TBLFM' directly and re-apply the changed equations with C-c C-c in that line, or with the normal recalculation commands in the table.

Debugging formulas

When the evaluation of a formula leads to an error, the field content becomes the string `#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 Tbl menu and repeat the calculation, for example by pressing C-c = <RET> in a field. Detailed information will be displayed.