how to end TODO lists in emacs org-mode

Question

I have a list of TODO items, and I\'m trying to have 2 TODO lists in the same file, but can\'t seem to end the first one.

FIRST LIST: TODAY
* TODO Item 1
  D         


        

Answer 1

You cannot do so within a single file. Org treats all content under a headline as belonging to it until you reach another headline of the same level. There is no way to end a headline short of starting a new one.

This does have a few shortcomings in that you have to use blank headlines if you want a sub-heading and then to return to the parent level without any new headline. This means the only text that does not belong to a headline is the text before the first heading, which essentially is the equivalent of an abstract.

The two solutions I can think of would be

1. Use a solution such as the one offered by daramarak

2. Use 2 separate Org files then use the Agenda as a way of keeping track of the multiple TODOs in independent lists that can still be put together to see an overview.