#+SYNTAX · Org 9.8
Syntax quick reference
The plain-text markers Org reads. One line each: the mark on the left, what it means on the right.
Outline
* Heading- A top-level heading. More stars nest deeper.
** Child- A second-level heading under the one above it.
# a comment- A line beginning with a hash and space is a comment.
#+TITLE: A file- A keyword line that configures the document.
Tasks & planning
* TODO [#A] Ship :work:- A task heading with priority A and a work tag.
SCHEDULED: <2026-09-02 Wed>- Plan to work on this from that date.
DEADLINE: <2026-09-05 Sat -2d>- Last acceptable date; warn two days early.
<2026-09-02 Wed +1w>- An active timestamp with a weekly repeater.
[2026-09-02 Wed]- An inactive timestamp: recorded, not in the Agenda.
Metadata drawers
:PROPERTIES:- Opens a property drawer under a heading.
:ID: 8f1c-...- A stable identifier that survives renames.
:OWNER: Maya- A key/value property with a real value.
:END:- Closes the drawer.
Emphasis
*bold*- Bold text.
/italic/- Italic text.
_underline_- Underlined text.
+strike+- Struck-through text.
~code~- Inline code.
=verbatim=- Verbatim, unparsed text.
Lists
- item- An unordered list item (also + or *).
1. item- An ordered list item (also 1)).
- [ ] task- A checkbox item; C-c C-c toggles it.
term :: definition- A descriptive list entry.
References
[[target][description]]- A link with visible description text.
[[https://orgmode.org]]- A plain link with no description.
[cite:@key]- A citation using the modern org-cite syntax.
text[fn:1]- A footnote reference; define it as [fn:1] ...
Tables & code
| A | B |- A table row; TAB aligns the columns.
|---+---|- A horizontal rule between rows.
#+TBLFM: $2=$1*2- A formula line: column 2 is column 1 doubled.
#+name: example- Names a block or table so Babel can consume it.
#+begin_src python- Opens a source block; #+end_src closes it.