#+DATE: 2021

* Using bbdb in emacs

BBDB is the "Big Brother’s Insidious Database". It can be used as
email/phone contacts address book.

** How to install

Install bbdb

: M-x package-install bbdb

Install "bbdb-vcard" to extract vcard information

: M-x package-install bbdb-vcard

Install helm-bbdb to query the database using ~helm~ package

: M-x package-install helm-bbdb

** How to create a new record

: M-x bbdb-create

Or use helm

: M-x helm-bbdb

Then, write the name of the new record. If it is not in the list, ~helm~ will ask
if it should be included.

** Importing records from vcard (phone or email)

: M-x bbdb-vcard-import-file

: M-x bbdb-save

**  Edit records

Open bbdb and press "e" on the line to be edited in bbdb buffer. Or use:

: M-x bbdb-edit-field

** Display records

: M-x bbdb-display-records

: M-x bbdb-display-all-records

: M-x helm-bbdb

** Add birthdays to agenda

Include this code in one of the agenda files:

#+begin_example
  * Anniversaries
  :PROPERTIES:
  :CATEGORY: Anniv
  :END:
  %%(org-bbdb-anniversaries-future)
#+end_example

This includes a reminder 7 days before the birthday in the agenda.

Then go to bbdb and add a new field

: M-x bbdb-insert-field

Now you can write the new field name "anniversary" and include a date for this
field.