Search headers in org-mode

December 15, 2016

In org-mode, I often have the need to jump to a top-level heading matching some word.

Since an org-mode buffer can be searched just like any other, I can simply invoke forward search with C-s, but this will match all occurrences of the text, instead of limiting the search to headings only.

This makes it hard to search for a phrase like “Travel”, for which I have a top-level heading, but also often occurs elsewhere in my notes.

I have a solution of the following form:

Launch a regular expression search
Pre-fill the text input with ^* so that only headings are matched.

First, define a custom search function. It puts the keys ^* in the “unread command events” list (i.e, a list of events waiting to be seen by emacs), and then launches interactive forward regular expression search.

(defun stefan/isearch-heading ()
  (interactive)
  (setq unread-command-events (listify-key-sequence "^* "))
  (isearch-mode t t nil t))

Next, we add a keybinding for org-mode:

(defun org-mode-keys ()
  (interactive)
  (local-set-key (kbd "C-c g") 'stefan/isearch-heading)
)
(add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'org-mode-keys)

And that’s it! Pressing C-c g (for “go”) in org-mode will now present you with a search prompt. Typing a heading name will take you there directly, at which point you can choose to expand it with the TAB key.

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