Emacs org-mode capture without expansions

Question

I've been trying to make an org capture template for storing quick ideas to my current project so I can get back to what I'm working on and evaluating the notes later.

This is the template code:

(setq org-capture-templates '( ("a" "quick notes" entry (file+olp "~/myproject" "NOTES" "IDEAS") "") ))

When I hit C-c c a *** invent flying light bulb RET this is what I expect the target will look like:

* NOTES
** IDEAS
*** invent flying light bulb

Instead I get:

* NOTES
** IDEAS
*** invent flying light bulb
    $THE-HEADING-THAT-THE-CURSOR-IS-ON

That is: whatever headline the cursor touches when 'org-capture is called is inserted along with my note. When I delete that string this appears:

[[file:~/$PATH-TO-FILE-I-WAS-WORKING-ON][]]

I haven't chosen any template expansions so why is this stuff inserted?

Answer 1

When using entry, the last field should not be blank. The example in the frequently asked questions for org-mode uses item when leaving the last field blank.

(setq org-capture-templates '(
  ("a" "quick notes" entry
    (file+olp "~/Desktop/myproject.org" "NOTES" "IDEAS")
      "*** %?") ))