[Orgmode] Re: Ignore sub-items of Scheduled TODOs?

[Matthew Lundin]

Nathan Neff <address@hidden> writes:

>> Probably the simplest thing to do is to add SCHEDULED timestamps to the
>> sub-items as well. As I understand it, org-mode timestamps cannot be
>> inherited by subheadings. I imagine someone else will quickly come along
>> and correct me if I'm wrong. :)
>
> It's just kind of a bummer if I have 10-12 TODOs under an item, and
> want to put the item off for awhile. I have to go and schedule 10-12
> items. That's why I don't think I'm doing this correctly -- any other
> advice would be appreciated.

Emacs macros come in really handy here. To define the macro, type:

C-x (                   [starts macro definition]
C-c C-s +2w             [schedule two weeks in future]
C-c C-n                 [move to next heading]
C-x )                   [end macro definition]

Then once you've defined the macro, simply type:

C-x e             [to execute the macro on the next heading]

or 

C-u 12 C-x e      [to execute the macro on the next twelve headings]

I believe there was something on the mailing list recently about batch
rescheduling in the agenda. You might want to check that out.

On the other hand, if all of the sub-items are sub-tasks of the first
task, do you really need to activate each of them as todos (i.e., add
the TODO keyword) right away? Wouldn't it suffice to schedule the main
item and then to check the subitems on the day the main item appears on
the agenda?

The other possibility here would be to enter the subitems as plain list
checkboxes:

--8<---------------cut here---------------start------------->8---
* TODO top level item, scheduled for future [0/2]
  SCHEDULED: <2009-07-16 Thu>

  - [ ] A sub-item I don't want to see until 7/16
  - [ ] Another sub-item I don't want to see until 7/16
--8<---------------cut here---------------end--------------->8---

By adding the cookie "[/]" the end of the main item, you would then be
reminded of the number and state of the subtasks when the main item
appears in the agenda.

Best,
Matt