emacs_tutorial/doc/ddbb_use.org

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:

  * Anniversaries
  :PROPERTIES:
  :CATEGORY: Anniv
  :END:
  %%(org-bbdb-anniversaries-future)

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.