Emacs Manual Command Summary, Draft 2016-12-21

Notes to the Emacs Manual
Johannes Choo
CHAPTER 6 EXITING EMACS
Chapter 1
The Organization of the Screen

{Note: TODO}
Chapter 2
Kinds of User Input

{Note: TODO}
Chapter 3
Keys
{Note: TODO}
Chapter 4
Keys and Commands

{Note: TODO}
Chapter 5
Entering Emacs
{Note: TODO}
Chapter 6
Exiting Emacs
2
Key
Command
Description
C-c C-x
save-bufferskill-terminal
Prompt to save buffers, then kill

Emacs.
C-z
suspend-emacs
Suspend Emacs if on a terminal;

minimize Emacs if graphical.
M-x kill-emacs
RET
Kill emacs.
Chapter 7
Basic Editing Commands

7.1
Inserting Text
Key
Command
Description
graphic
character
self-insertcommand
Insert the keys graphic character at

the point.
RET
newline
Start a newline before the point,

and automatic indentation.
C-j
electricnewline-andmaybe-indent
Insert a newline, usually without

indentation.
DEL
deletebackward-char
Deletes the character immediately

before the point.
C-q char
quoted-insert
Insert char before the cursor.
C-q nn
quoted-insert
If nnn is an arbitrary sequence of

octal digits, insert the character
with the corresponding octal
character code. The sequence is
resolved when a non-octal-digit
character is read; that character is
handled as normal input.
C-x 8
prefix key
Prefix for input of Unicode

characters that are also present in
Latin-1.
C-u C-x 8
prefix key
As C-x 8, but inserts n characters

instead of 1.
CHAPTER 7 BASIC EDITING COMMANDS
Key
Command
Description
C-x 8 RET
insert-char
Prompt for Unicode name or

code-point number of a character;
inserts that character before point.
C-u n C-x 8
RET
insert-char
As C-x 8 RET, but inserts n

characters instead of 1.
7.2
Changing the location of point
Key
Command
Description
C-f
forward-char
Move the point 1 character forward.
RIGHT
right-char
Move the point 1 character forward,

but backward if the point is in an rtl
paragraph.
C-b
backward-char
Move the point 1 character

backward.
LEFT
left-char
Move the point 1 character

backward, but forward if the point
is in an rtl paragraph.
C-n,
DOWN
next-line
Move the point down one screen

line.
C-p,
UP
previous-line
Move the point up one screen line.
C-a,
Home
move-beginningof-line
Move the point to the beginning of

the line.
C-e,
End
move-end
Move the point to the end of the

line.
M-f
forward-word
Move the point to the next end of

word.
M-RIGHT
right-word
As forward-word, but as
backward-word if the point is in
an rtl paragraph.
M-b
backward-word
Move the point to the previous start

of word.
M-LEFT
left-word
As backward-word, but as
forward-word if the point is in an
rtl paragraph.
M-<
beginning-ofbuffer
Move the point to the start of the

buffer.
C-u n M-<
beginning-ofbuffer
Move the point to the line just

below n10 of the buffer.
7.3 ERASING TEXT
Key
Command
Description
M->
end-of-buffer
Move the point to the end of the

buffer.
M-r
move-to-windowline-top-bottom
Move the point to the left margin of

the centermost text line of the
window.
M-r M-r

the topmost text line of the window.
M-r M-r
M-r

the bottommost text line of the
window.
C-v,
PageDown,
next
scroll-upcommand
Move the window one screen

forward in the buffer, and
reposition the point if necessary.
M-v,
PageUp,
prior
scroll-downcommand
Move the window one screen

backward in the buffer, and
reposition the point if necessary.
M-g c n RET
goto-char
Prompt for a number n, then moves

the pointer immediately before
character n.
M-g TAB n
RET
move-to-column

the pointer before the n-1 th
character of the current line.
M-g g n RET,
M-g M-g n
RET
goto-line

the pointer to the beginning of line
number n.
C-u n M-g g,
C-u n M-g
M-g
goto-line
Move the point to the beginning of

line number n.
C-x C-n
set-goal-column
Set the semipermanent goal

column to the current column of
the point. When set, C-p and C-n
will move the point to this column
as well whenever possible.
C-u C-x
C-n
set-goal-column
Unset the semipermanent goal

column.
7.3
Erasing Text
Key
Command
Description
DEL,
BACKSPACE
deletebackward-char
If the region is active, delete the

region; else delete the character
before the point.
Delete
delete-forwardchar
If the region is active, delete the

region; else delete the character after
the point.
C-d
delete-char
Delete the character after the point.
C-k
kill-line
Kill the text between the point and

the end of line; but if the point is at
the end of line, kill the entire line
instead.
M-d
kill-word
Kill the text between the point and

the next end of word.
M-DEL
backward-killword
Kill the text betweed the point and

the previous start of word.
7.4
Key
Command
Description
C-/,
C-_
undo
Undo the last change; repeating it undoes a

yet earlier change.
C-x u
advertised-undo
Alias for undo
7.5
Files
Key
Command
Description
C-x C-f
find-file
Prompts for a file name; then creates a buffer

associated with that filename; then if file is
accessible, copies the contents of the file to
the buffer.
C-x C-s
save-buffer
If the current buffer is associated with a file,

copies the contents of the current buffer to the
associated file.
7.6
Undoing Changes
Basic Help
7.8 CONTINUATION LINES
Key
Command
Description
C-h
prefix key
Prefix key for many help commands.
F1
prefix key
Alias for C-h.
C-h k key
describe-key
Show the command key is bound to and the

help for that command.
7.7
Blank Lines
Key
Command
Description
C-o
open-line
Insert a newline after the point.
C-x C-o
delete-blanklines
If the point is in a run of consecutive

blank lines, collapse them to one. If it
is in a run of one sole blank line, delete
that blank line. If it is on a nonblank
line right before a run of blank lines,
deletes that run of blank lines.
7.8
Continuation Lines
7.9
Cursor Position Information
Key
Command
Description
M-x what-line
RET
Echo the line number of the line

containing the point.
M-x linenumber-mode
RET
When Line-Number mode is on,

display the points line number at
the mode line.
M-x columnnumber-mode
RET
When Column-Number mode is on,

display the points column number
at the mode line.
M-=
count-wordsregion
Echo the number of lines, words,

and characters in the region.
M-x countwords
RET
count-words
Echo the number of lines, words,

and characters in the buffer.
C-x =
what-cursorposition
Echo the character code of the

character after the point, the
character position of point, and the
column of point.
Key
7.10
Description
M-x
hl-line-mode
RET
When Hl-Line mode is on, the line

containing the point on the buffer is
highlighted, and even if the buffer is
inactive.
M-x sizeindication-mode
RET
When Size-Indication mode is on,

display the number of characters in
the current buffer at the mode line.
Numeric Arguments
Key
Command
Description
M- n
digit-argument
n is a digit. Alias for C-u n
M--
negativeargument
Alias for C-u --
C-u
universalargument
Called the universal argument
C-u n
digit-argument
n is a digit. Called a numeric

argument
C-u -- n
negativeargument
n is a digit. Called a negative

argument.
7.11
Command
Repeating a Command
Key
Command
Description
C-x z
repeat
Repeat the previous command with the same

arguments and input. While the next input character
is z, pressing it repeats the command again.
Chapter 8
Minibuffer
8.1
Using the Minibuffer
8.2
Minibuffers for File Names
8.3
Editing in the Minibuffer
Use C-q C-j to insert a newline in the minibuffer, since RET submits the argument.
8.4
8.4.1
Completion
Completion Example
{Note: TODO}
8.4.2
Completion Commands
Completion commands from the minibuffer.

Key
Command
Description
TAB
minibuffercomplete
Complete the text in the minibuffer as

much as possible; if unable to
complete, display a list of possible
completions in another window.
SPC
minibuffercomplete-word
Complete the text in the minibuffer up

to the end of word; if unable to
complete, display a list of possible
completions in another window.
RET
minibuffercomplete-andexit
Submit the text in the minibuffer as

the argument, possibly completing it
depending on the command.
minibuffercompletion-help
Display a list of all completions in

another window.
mouse-1,
mouse-2
mouse-choosecompletion
Clicking on a completion alternative

chooses it.
M-v,
PageUp,
prior
switch-tocompletions
Select the window showing the

completions.
CHAPTER 8 MINIBUFFER
Key
Command
Description
Completion commands from the completion list buffer that has CompletionList mode.
Key
Command
Description
RET
choose-completion
Choose the completion at the point.
RIGHT
next-completion
Move the point to the next completion.
LEFT
previouscompletion
Move the point to the previous

completion.
8.4.3
Completion Exit
{Note: TODO}
8.4.4
How Completion Alternatives are Chosen
{Note: TODO}
8.4.5
Completion Options
{Note: TODO}
8.5
Minibuffer History
Key
Command
Description
M-p
previoushistory-element
Move to the previous item in the

minibuffer history.
M-n
next-historyelement
Move to the next item in the

minibuffer history.
UP
previous-lineor-historyelement
If the point is not on the first line of

a multi-line item, move up one line.
Otherwise, as
previous-history-element.
DOWN
next-line-orhistory-element
If the point is not on the last line of

a multi-line item, move down one
line. Otherwise, as
next-history-element.
M-r regexp
RET
previousmatchinghistory-element
Move to an earlier item in the

minibuffer history that matches
regexp.
10
Key
Command
Description
M-s regexp
RET
next-matchinghistory-element
Move to a later item in the

minibuffer history that matches
regexp.
8.6
Repeating Minibuffer Commands
Key
Command
Description
C-x ESC
ESC
repeat-complexcommand
Re-execute the last command that

used the minibuffer, with the
arguments it was executed with.
C-u n C-x
ESC ESC
repeat-complexcommand
Re-execute the n th last command

that used the minibuffer.
M-x listcommand-history
RET
List the command history of

commands that used the
minibuffer, with the most recent
first.
8.7
Entering Passwords
{Note: TODO}
8.8
Yes or No Prompts
Chapter 9
Running Commands by Name

Key
Command
Description
M-x
execute-extendedcommand
Prompt for a command name to execute.
11
CHAPTER 10 HELP
Chapter 10
Help
{Note: TODO}
10.1
Help Summary
{Note: TODO}
10.2
Documentation for a Key
{Note: TODO}
10.3
Help by Command or Variable Name
{Note: TODO}
10.4
Apropos
{Note: TODO}
10.5
Help Mode Commands
{Note: TODO}
10.6
Keyword Search for Packages
{Note: TODO}
10.7
Help for International Language Support
{Note: TODO}
10.8
Other Help Commands
{Note: TODO}
10.9
Help Files
{Note: TODO}
12
11.2 COMMANDS TO MARK TEXTUAL OBJECTS
10.10
Help on Active Text and Tooltips
{Note: TODO}
Chapter 11
The Mark and the Region

11.1
Setting the mark
Key
Command
Description
C-SPC,
C-@
set-markcommand
Set the mark at point and activate it.
C-x C-x
exchange-pointand-mark
Set the mark at point and activate it,

then move point where the mark
used to be.
Dragmouse-1
TODO
Set the mark where the drag began,

then the point at the end of the
drag.
mouse-3
mouse-davethen-kill
Set the mark at point, then move

point to the location clicked.
Shift selection?
11.2
Commands to Mark Textual Objects
Key
Command
Description
M-@
mark-word
Set the mark at the next end of word.
C-M-@
mark-sexp
Set the mark at the next end of a balanced

expression.
M-h
mark-paragraph
Move the point to the beginning of the

current paragraph, then set mark at the end
of the current paragraph.
C-M-h
mark-defun
Move the point to the beginning of the

current defun, and set the mark at the end of
the current defun.
13
CHAPTER 12 KILLING AND MOVING TEXT
11.3
Operating on the Region
{Note: TODO}
11.4
The Mark Ring
{Note: TODO}
11.5
The Global Mark Ring
{Note: TODO}
11.6
Shift Selection
{Note: TODO}
11.7
Disabling Transient Mark Mode
{Note: TODO}
Chapter 12
Killing and Moving Text

12.1
Deletion and Killing
{Note: TODO}
12.1.1
Deletion
{Note: TODO}
12.1.2
Killing by Lines
{Note: TODO}
12.1.3
Other Kill Commands
{Note: TODO}
12.1.4
Options for Killing
{Note: TODO}
12.2
Yanking
{Note: TODO}
14
15.1 INCREMENTAL SEARCH
12.2.1
The Kill Ring
{Note: TODO}
12.2.2
Yanking Earlier Kills
{Note: TODO}
12.2.3
Appending Kills
{Note: TODO}
12.3
Cut and Paste Operations on Graphical Displays
{Note: TODO}
Chapter 13
TODO Registers
Chapter 14
TODO Display
Chapter 15
Search
15.1
Incremental Search
Key
Command
Description
C-s
isearch-forward
Begin an incremental search forward from

the point.
C-r
isearch-backward
Begin an incremental search backward from

the point.
15
CHAPTER 15 SEARCH
15.1.1
Basics of Incremental Search
Key
Command
Description
C-s
isearch-forward
Begin an incremental search

forward from the point.
C-r
isearchbackward
Begin an incremental search

backward from the point.
RET
isearch-exit
Successfully terminate the

incremental search, leaving the
point at the current match, and
adding the point where the search
started to the mark ring, and adding
the current search string to the
search ring.
ESC ESC
ESC
isearch-cancel
Terminate the current search and

return the point to the location the
incremental search began.
C-g
isearch-abort
If search string is empty or

completely matched, as
isearch-cancel.
15.1.2
Repeating Incremental Search
Key
Command
Description
C-s
isearch-repeatforward
While in an incremental search

forward, search for the next
occurence of a match. If at the end
of the buffer, wraps and continues
the search from the beginning of
the buffer.
C-r
isearch-repeatbackward
While in an incremental search

backward, search for the next
occurence of a match. If at the end
of the buffer, wraps and continues
the search from the end of the
buffer.
M-p
isearch-ringretreat
Cycle backwards in the search ring.
M-n
isearch-ringforward
Cycle forwards in the search ring.
16
15.1 INCREMENTAL SEARCH
Key
Command
Description
M-e,
mouse-1 in
the
minibuffer
isearch-editstring
Begin editing the search string.
RET
exit-minibuffer
While editing the search string,

cease editing.
C-s,
isearchforward-exitminibuffer
As RET, but also set the incremental

search to forward.
C-r
isearchreverse-exitminibuffer
As RET, but also set the incremental

search to reverse.
C-f,
RIGHT
isearch-yankchar-inminibuffer
While editing the search string, with

each successive invocation, append
successive characters following the
point in the buffer to the end of the
search string.
15.1.3
Isearch Yanking
Key
Command
Description
C-w
isearch-yankword-or-char
Append either the next character or

the next word to the search string.
Whether a character or word is
copied is heuristically determined.
M-s C-e
isearch-yankline
Append the rest of the line of the

point to the search string.
C-u n M-s
C-e
isearch-yankline
Yanks the next n lines to the search

string, including the line of the
point.
C-y
isearch-yankkill
Append the most recent kill to the

search string.
M-y
isearch-yankpop
Just after yanking a kill or popping a

kill, pop the next kill.
mouse-2 in
the echo area
isearch-yank-xselection
Append the current X selection to

the search string.
C-M-w
isearch-delchar
Delete the last character from the

search string.
C-M-y
isearch-yankchar
Append the character after the

point to the search string.
17
CHAPTER 15 SEARCH
15.1.4
Errors in Incremental Search
Key
Command
Description
DEL
isearch-deletechar
Undo the last edit of the search string.
C-g
isearch-abort
If the search string is not fully matched,

delete the unmatched part of the current
search string.
15.1.5
Special Input for Incremental Search
Key
Command
Description
M-s SPC
isearch-togglelax-whitespace
Toggle lax space matching.
M-c,
M-s c
isearch-casefold
Toggle case sensitivity of the search.
M-s '
isearch-togglechar-fold
Toggle considering similar characters

(e.g. accented) as equivalent.
M-s i
isearch-toggleinvisible
Toggle whether invisible text is

searched.
M-r,
M-s r
isearch-toggleregexp
Toggle between normal (literal) and

regexp search.
M-s _
isearch-togglesymbol
Toggle symbol search.
C-\
isearch-toggleinput-method
Toggle the input method.
C-
isearch-togglespecified-inputmethod
Prompt to use a non-default input

method.
M-s o
isearch-occur
Invoke occur using the current

search string.
M-%
isearch-queryreplace
Invoke query-replace with the

current search string if in normal
search, or query-replace-regexp
with the current search string if in
incremental regexp.
M-TAB
isearch-complete
Try to complete the search string using

the search ring as completion
alternatives.
18
15.3 WORD SEARCH
Key
Command
Description
M-s h r
isearchhighlight-regexp
Run highlight-regexp with the

regexp from the last search string, and
exit the search.
M-s h u
unhighlightregexp
Remove highlighting of
highlight-regexp.
C-h C-h
isearch-help-map
Access interactive help options related

to incremental search.
As in normal text, use C-j to input a newline character, use C-q or C-x 8 RET
to input other special characters.
15.1.6
Not Exiting Incremental Search
15.1.7
Searching the Minibuffer
15.2
Nonincremental Search
Key
Command
Description
C-s RET string

RET
nonincrementalsearch-forward
Search forward for string.
C-r RET string

RET
nonincrementalsearch-backward
Search backward for string.
M-x search-forward
RET
Simple search forward.
M-x search-backward
RET
Simple search backward.
15.3
Word Search
Key
Command
Description
M-s w
isearchforward-word
Begin a forward incremental word

search.
M-s w from
incremental
search
isearch-toggleword
Make the incremental search a

word search.
M-s w RET
words RET
word-searchforward
Begin a simple word search for

words forward.
M-s w C-r
RET words
RET
word-searchbackward
Begin a simple word search for

words backward.
19
CHAPTER 15 SEARCH
15.4
Symbol Search
Key
Command
Description
M-s _
isearchforward-symbol
Begin a forward incremental

symbol search.
M-s _ from
incremental
search
isearch-togglesymbol
Make the current search a symbol

search.
M-s .
isearchforward-symbolat-point
Begin a forward incremental

symbol search with the symbol at
the point.
M-s _ RET
symbol RET
Simple search forward for symbol.
M-s _ C-r
RET symbol
RET
Simple search backward for symbol.
15.5
Regular Expression Search
Key
Command
Description
C-M-s,
arg C-s
isearchforward-regexp
Begin incremental regexp forward

search. arg is any argument.
C-M-r,
arg C-r
isearchbackward-regexp
Begin incremental regexp backward

search. arg is any argument.
M-r while in
incremental
search
isearch-toggleregexp
Change search to a regexp search.
C-M-s RET
re-searchforward
Begin nonincremental regexp

search forward.
C-M-r RET
re-searchbackward
Begin nonincremental regexp

search backward.
15.6
Syntax of Regular Expressions
15.7
Backslash in Regular Expressions
15.8
Regular Expression Example
15.9
Lax Matching During Searching
20
15.10 REPLACEMENT COMMANDS
Key
Command
Description
M-s SPC
isearch-togglelax-whitespace
Toggles whether the current

incremental search has lax space
matching.
M-c,
M-s c
isearch-togglecase-fold
Toggle case folding.
M-s '
isearch-togglechar-fold
Toggle character folding.
15.10
Replacement Commands
15.10.1
Key
Command
Description
M-x replace-string
RET
Prompt for a string and a newstring. Then,

replace every occurrence of string with
newstring.
15.10.2
Key
Unconditional Replacement
Regexp Replacement
Command
Description
M-x replace-regexp
RET
Prompt for a regexp and a newstring. Then,

replace every match for regexp with
newstring.
15.10.3
Query Replace
Key
Command
Description
M-% string
RET
newstring
RET
C-M-% regexp
RET
newstring
RET
query-replace
Prompt at each match of string to

replace with newstring.
M-p
Cycle back previous replacements.
M-n
Cycle forward previous

replacements.
Prompt at each
match of regexp to
replace with
newstring.
21
CHAPTER 15 SEARCH
During a query replace,

Key
Command
Description
SPC,
y
Replace the current match with newstring and

move to the next occurence.
DEL,
Delete,
BACKSPACE,
n
Skip to the next match without replacing this

current match.
Replace the current match with newstring

without moving to the next occurrence.
RET,
q
Terminate the query replace without any more

replacements.
Replace the current match with newstring, then

terminate query replace.
Perform the current and all remaining

replacements without prompting.
Go back to previous (possibly already replaced)

match.
C-r
Enter a recursive editing level.
C-M-c from
recursive editing
leven
Exit the recursive editing level and proceed to the

next match.
C-w
Delete the current match, then enter a recursive

editing level at the location of the deleted match.
Edit the replacement string in the minibuffer.
RET while editing

the replacement
string
Replace the current match with the edited

replacement string and use the edited replacement
string for following matched.
C-l
Redisplay the screen; does not exit query replace.
Replace all remaining matches in all remaining

buffers in multi-buffer query replace without
prompting.
Move to the next buffer in multi-buffer

replacements without making any further
replacements in the current buffer.
C-h,
?,
F1
Display a summary of query replace options.
22
15.11 OTHER SEARCH-AND-LOOP COMMANDS
15.11
Other Search-and-Loop Commands
Key
o in the occur
list
Command
Description
M-x multiisearch-buffers
RET
Prompt for one or more

RET-delimited buffers, ended by
two consecutive RETs. Begins a
multi-buffer query replace on those
buffers.
arg M-x multiisearch-buffers

RET

RET-delimited buffers, ended by
multi-buffer regex query replace on
those buffers. arg is any argument.
M-x
multi-isearchbuffers-regexp
RET
As arg M-x
multi-isearch-buffers RET.
M-x multiisearch-files
RET

RET-delimited filenames, ended by
multi-buffer query replace on those
files.
arg M-x multiisearch-files

RET

RET-delimited filenames, ended by
multi-buffer regex query replace on
those files. arg is any argument.
M-x
multi-isearchfiles-regexp
RET
M-x occur RET,
M-x listmatching-files
RET
As arg M-x
multi-isearch-files RET.
n M-x occur RET,

n M-x listmatching-files
RET
n is a numeric argument. As M-x

occur RET, but shows n lines of
context before and after the line of
the match.
Display the line containing the

entry in another window and select
that window.
Prompt for a regexp, then display a

list of each line that contains a
match. Click on or input RET on a
list entry to move to the
corresponding line.
23
CHAPTER 15 SEARCH
Key
Command
Description
C-o in the
occur list
Display the line containing the

entry in another window but do not
select that window.
C-x ` in the
occur list
next-error
Display the line containing the next

entry in another window.
e in the occur
list
Switch to Occur-Edit mode; allows

editing the occur list, and these
edits are reflected in the original
lines.
C-c C-c in
Occur-Edit
mode
Return to Occur mode.
M-s o
Run occur with the previous

incremental search string.
M-x multi-occur
RET
Prompts for buffer names, then

performs a multi-buffer occur on
those buffers.
M-x
multi-occur-inmatchingbuffers
RET
Prompts for a regexp, then performs

a multi-buffer occur on buffers
that match the regexp.
M-x how-many
RET
Prompt for a regexp. Then print the

number of regexp matches after the
point. If the region is active, print
instead the number of regexp
matches in the region.
M-x flush-lines
RET
Prompts for a regexp. Delete the

lines of matches starting from after
the point. If the region is active,
have the matches be the matches
within the region instead. If a
match is split across lines, all those
lines are deleted.
M-x keep-lines
RET
Prompts for a regexp. Delete the

lines from the one containing the
point onward if they do not contain
a regexp match. If the region is
active, instead delete lines fully
contained within the region that do
not contain a match. If a match is
split across lines, those lines are
kept.
24
15.11 OTHER SEARCH-AND-LOOP COMMANDS
25
CHAPTER 30 DIRED, THE DIRECTORY EDITOR
15.12
Tailoring Search to Your Needs
Chapter 16
TODO Fixit
Chapter 17
TODO Keyboard Macros

Chapter 18
TODO Files
Chapter 19
TODO Buffers
Chapter 20
TODO Windows
Chapter 21
TODO Frames
Chapter 22
26
TODO International
Chapter 23
30.3 DELETING FILES WITH DIRED
Key
Command
Description
C-x d
dired
Prompt for a directory name, then

open a Dired buffer.
C-x C-f
find-file
Opens Dired if given a folder name.
C-x 4 d
dired-otherwindow

open a Dired buffer in another
window.
C-x 5 d
dired-otherframe

open a Dired buffer in another
frame.
q on Dired
buffer
quit-window
bury the Dired buffer and close the

window that contained Dired if the
window was created just for that
buffer.
30.2
Navigation in the Dired Buffer
Key
Command
Description
C-n
next-line
Move the point to the next line.
n,
SPC
dired-next-line
As C-n.
C-p
previous-line
Move the point to the previous line.
dired-previousline
As C-p.
DEL
dired-unmarkbackward
As p, then unmark the line at point.
dired-goto-file
Prompt for a file name, then move

the point to the line in the buffer for
that file.
M-s f C-s
dired-isearchfilenames
Perform a forward incremental

search in the Dired buffer for file
name matches only.
M-s f
C-M-s
dired-isearchfilenamesregexp
Perform a forward incremental

regexp search in the Dired buffer for
file name matches only.
30.3
Deleting Files with Dired
27
Key
Command
Description
dired-flag-filedeletion
Flag the line at point for deletion.
dired-unmark
Unflag and unmark the line at point.
DEL
Move the point one line up and then

unflag that line.
dired-do-flaggeddelete
Delete files flagged for deletion.
30.4
Flagging Many Files
Key
Command
Description
dired-flagauto-save-files
Flag all auto-save files for deletion

(files with names that start and end
in #).
dired-flagbackup-files
Flag all backup files for deletion

(files with names that end in ~).
dired-cleandirectory
Flag numeric backup files except

the two oldest and newest backup
versions for deletion.
dired-cleandirectory
If n is a positive numeric argument,

then behaves as ., but keeps the n
newest versions as well instead. If n
is a negative numeric argument,
then behaves as ., but keeps the n
oldest versions as well instead.
% &
dired-flaggarbage-files
Flag for deletion lines that end in

.aux, .bak, .dvi, .log, .orig,
.rej, or .toc.
% d regexp
RET
dired-flagfiles-regexp
Flag for deletion lines whose

filenames match regexp.
30.5
Visiting Files in Dired
Key
Command
Description
f,
e,
RET
dired-find-file
Visit the file of the current line in this

window.
28
30.6 MARKS VS FLAGS
Key
Command
Description
dired-find-fileother-window
Visit the file of the current line in

another window, and select that
window.
C-o
dired-displayfile
Visit the file of the current line in

another window, but do not select that
window.
mouse-1,
mouse-2
dired-mousefind-file-otherwindow
Visit the file of the line clicked on in

another window, and select that
window.
dired-view-file
Visit the file of the current line with

View mode.
dired-updirectory
Visit the parent directory of the

current directory.
30.6
Marks vs Flags
Key
Command
Description
m,
* m
dired-mark
Mark the current line. If the region

is active, mark all lines in the region.
n m,
n* m
dired-mark
If n is positive, mark the next n files,

including the current file. If n is
negative, mark the previous n files,
including the current file.
* *
dired-markexecutables
Mark all lines of executable files.
arg * *
dired-markexecutables
arg is any argument. Unmark all

lines of executable files.
* @
dired-marksymlinks
Mark all lines of symbolic links.
arg * @
dired-marksymlinks

lines of symbolic links.
* /
dired-markdirectories
Mark all lines of directories, except

for . and ...
arg * /
dired-markdirectories

lines of directories, except for . and
...
* s
dired-marksubdir-files
Mark all the files in the current

subdirectory, except of . and ...
29
Key
Command
Description
u,
* u
dired-unmark
Remove any mark on the line

containing the point. If the region is
active, unmark all the files in the
region instead.
n u,
n* u
dired-unmark
If n is a positive argument, unmark

the next n lines from the point,
including the line containing the
point. If n is a negative argument,
unmark the previous n lines from
the point, including the line
containing the point.
DEL,
* DEL
Move point to the previous line,

then remove any mark at that line.
If the region is active, unmark all
lines in the region instead.
n DEL,
n * DEL
If n is a positive argument, unmark

the n preceding lines excluding the
current line. If n is a negative
argument, unmark the next n lines
including the line containing the
point.
* !,
U
dired-unmarkall-marks
Remove all marks from all lines in

the buffer.
* ?
markchar,
M-DEL
dired-unmarkall-files
markchar is a single character.

Unmark all characters marked with
markchar.
arg * ?
markchar,
arg M-DEL
dired-unmarkall-files
arg is any argument. Prompts for

each line marked with markchar to
unmark that mark.
* C-p,
M-}
dired-prevmarked-file
Move to the previously marked file.
t,
* t
dired-togglemarks
Files marked with * become

unmarked, and unmarked files
become marked with *. Files
otherwise marked or flagged are
unaffected.
* c
old-markchar
newmarkchar
dired-changemarks
Change all old-markchar marks to

new-markchar marks. SPC in the
stead of old-markchar or
new-markchar refers to being
unmarked.
30
30.7 OPERATING ON FILES
Key
Command
Description
% m regexp
RET,
* % regexp
RET
dired-markfiles-regexp
Mark all lines whose filenames

match regexp. Does not include
searching hidden subdirectories.
% g regexp
RET
dired-markfilescontainingregexp
Mark all lines whose file contents

match regexp; searches the
corresponding buffer if the file is
already open in a buffer, else
searches the file.
C-/,
C-x u,
C-_
dired-undo
Undo changes in the Dired buffer,

such as adding or removing marks.
Using this to undo changes that
correspond to operations to the
actual files may render the buffer
out of sync with the actual directory.
30.7
Operating on Files
For all of the commands in this section, if the command is passed a positive numeric argument n, then operate on the next n lines including the line containing
the cursor. If the command is passed a negative numeric argument n, then operate on the previous n lines including the line containing the point.
Otherwise, if there are marked lines, operate on those lines. Otherwise, operate on the current line.
Key
Command
Description
C new RET
dired-do-copy
If operating on multiple files, copy

the files to the directory new. If
operating on one file, new is the
filename of the copy.
dired-do-delete
Delete the files operated on.
R new RET
dired-do-rename
If operating on multiple files, move

the files to the folder new. If
operating on one file, rename the
file to new.
S new RET
dired-dosymlink
If operating on multiple files, make

symlinks in the folder new to those
files. If operating on one file, make
a symlink named new.
M modespec
RET
dired-do-chmod
Sets the permissions on the files

operated on to modespec, where
modespec is either octal or symbolic
notation.
31
Key
Command
Description
G newgroup
RET
dired-do-chgrp
Sets the group owner of the files

operated on to newgroup.
O newowner
RET
dired-do-chown
Sets the owner of files operated on

to newowner.
T timestamp
RET
dired-to-touch
Sets the timestamp of files operated

on to timestamp, where timestamp
is in epoch time.
P command
RET
dired-do-print
Print the files operated on. Prompts

for the print command.
dired-docompress
On the files operated upon,

compress uncompressed files into
each their own archive and
uncompress compressed files.
dired-docompress-to
Prompt for the name of a new

archive. Compress the files
operated on into that archive.
:d
epa-dired-dodecrypt
Decrypt the files operated on.
:v
epa-dired-doverify
Verify digital signatures on the files

operated on.
:s
epa-dired-dosign
Digitally sign the specified files.
:e
epa-dired-doencrypt
Encrypt the files operated on.
dired-do-load
Load the Emacs Lisp files operated

on.
dired-do-bytecompile
Byte compile the Emacs Lisp files

operated on.
A regexp RET
dired-do-findregexp
Search the files and folders for a

match with regexp in their contents.
This is a variant of
xref-find-references.
Q regexp RET
to RET
dired-do-fineregexp-andreplace
Variant of xref-queryreplace-in-results..
Performs a query replace on the
files operated on.
30.8
32
Shell Commands in Dired
30.9 TRANSFORMING FILE NAMES
Key
Command
Description
dired-do-shellcommand
If there are marked files, operate on the

marked files; otherwise, operate on the
line containing point. Prompt for a
command. If the command ends in a &
character, the command is run
asynchronously. If the command ends in ;
or ;&, the command is run in the
background on each file sequentially;
emack waits for each iteration of the
command invocation to terminate before
starting another.
In the command, if * appears with
surrounding whitespace, substitute the
files operated to *. The order of file names
is the order of appearance in the Dired
buffer. Else, if ? appears with surrounding
whitespace, Emacs runs the command
once for each file, substituting the current
filename to ?; ? can appear any number of
times. If neither of the whitespace
surrounded * or ? are present, Emacs runs
the shell command once for each file,
appending the filename at the end of the
command.
n!
dired-do-shellcommand
If n is a positive argument, as !, but

operates on the next n files including the
current line. If n is a negative argument, as
!, but operates on the previous n files,
including the current line.
&
dired-do-asyncshell-command
as !, but commands are run

asynchronously.
n&
dired-do-asynccommand
as n !, but commands are run

asynchronously.
30.9
Transforming File Names
For all of the commands in this section, if the command is passed a positive numeric argument n, then operate on the next n lines including the line containing
the cursor. If the command is passed a negative numeric argument n, then operate on the previous n lines including the line containing the point.
Otherwise, if there are marked lines, operate on those lines. Otherwise, operate on the current line.
All the commands in this section operate interactively; they prompt to confirm
performing the operation on each line.
33
Key
Command
Description
% u
dired-upcase
Rename each file operated on to

uppercase.
% l
dired-downcase
Rename each file operated on to

lowercase.
% R regexp
RET to RET
dired-dorename-regexp
Renames the files of lines whose

filenames match regexp to to.
% C regexp
RET to RET
dired-do-copyregexp
Copies the files of lines whose

filenames match regexp to to.
% H regexp
RET to RET
dired-dohardname-regexp
For all files whose lines whose

filenames match regexp, create a
hardlink to them named to.
% S regexp
RET to RET
dired-dosymlink-regexp
For all files whose lines whose

filenames match regexp, create a
symbolic link to them named to.
{Note: TODO: numeric argument}
30.10
Comparison in Dired
Key
Command
Description
dired-diff
Compare the file of the line at point to the file whose

name will be prompted for at the minibuffer with
diff. Print the output of diff to a new buffer in Diff
mode. If the mark is set, the file of the line at the mark
is used to populate the default of the prompt.
30.11
Subdirectories in Dired
Key
Command
Description
dired-maybeinsert-subdir
If the point is on a line corresponding to a

directory, and the directory isnt already
listed in the current buffer, then list the
contents of the subdirectory below.
Otherwise, move to the listing for that
directory.
34
30.15 UPDATING
30.12
TODO Subdir Switches
30.13
Moving Over Subdirectories
Key
Command
Description
C-x ]
forward-page
Move to the next subdirectory header

line.
C-M-n
dired-next-subdir
As C-x ].
C-x [
backward-page
Move to the previous subdirectory

header line.
C-M-p
dired-prev-subdir
As C-x [.
C-M-u
dired-tree-up
Go up to the parent directorys header

line.
C-M-d
dired-tree-down
Go down to the first subdirectorys

header line.
<
dired-prevdirline
Move to the previous line that

corresponds to a directory file.
>
dired-nextdirline
Move to the next line that corresponds

to a directory file.
30.14
Hiding Subdirectories
Key
Command
Description
dired-hide-subdir
Toggle hiding and showing the subdirectory

the point is in. When a subdirectory is
hidden, only its header line is displayed.
M-$
dired-hide-all
Hide all subdirectories in the Dired buffer if

no subdirectories are hidden; if all
subdirectories are hidden, make all
subdirectories visible again.
30.15
Updating
Key
Command
Description
revert-buffer
Update the contents of the Dired

buffer.
35
Key
Command
Description
dired-doredisplay
If the command is passed a positive

numeric argument n, then operate
on the next n lines including the
line containing the cursor. If the
command is passed a negative
on the previous n lines including
the line containing the point.
Otherwise, if there are marked lines,
operate on those lines. Otherwise,
operate on the current line. Update
the files operated on.
dired-do-killlines
If the command is passed a positive

on the next n lines including the
line containing the cursor. If the
command is passed a negative
on the previous n lines including
the line containing the point.
Otherwise, if there are marked lines,
operate on those lines. Otherwise,
operate on the current line. Kill the
file lines operated on. If a directory
line is killed, then also kill their
corresponding subdirectory listing,
if displayed.
dired-sortdottle-or-edit
Toggle between alphabetical order

and date/time order.
C-u s
switches RET
dired-listingswitches
Refresh the buffer passing switches

to the ls program used.
36
30.15 UPDATING
37
CHAPTER 53 TODO LOSSAGE
30.16
TODO Find
30.17
TODO Wdired
30.18
TODO Image-Dired
30.19
TODO Misc
Chapter 31
TODO Calendar/Diary
Chapter 32
TODO Sending Mail

Chapter 33
TODO Rmail
Chapter 34
TODO Gnus
Chapter 35
TODO Host Security

Chapter 36
38
TODO Network Security

Chapter 37

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Notes to the Emacs Manual

CHAPTER 6 EXITING EMACS

The Organization of the Screen

Kinds of User Input

Keys and Commands

Prompt to save buffers, then kill

Suspend Emacs if on a terminal;

Basic Editing Commands

Insert the keys graphic character at

Start a newline before the point,

Insert a newline, usually without

Deletes the character immediately

Insert char before the cursor.

If nnn is an arbitrary sequence of

Prefix for input of Unicode

As C-x 8, but inserts n characters

CHAPTER 7 BASIC EDITING COMMANDS

Prompt for Unicode name or

As C-x 8 RET, but inserts n

Changing the location of point

Move the point 1 character forward.

Move the point 1 character forward,

Move the point 1 character

Move the point 1 character

Move the point down one screen

Move the point up one screen line.

Move the point to the beginning of

Move the point to the end of the

Move the point to the next end of

Move the point to the previous start

Move the point to the start of the

Move the point to the line just

7.3 ERASING TEXT

Move the point to the end of the

Move the point to the left margin of

Move the point to the left margin of

Move the point to the left margin of

Move the window one screen

Move the window one screen

Prompt for a number n, then moves

Prompt for a number n, then moves

Prompt for a number n, then moves

Move the point to the beginning of

Set the semipermanent goal

Unset the semipermanent goal

CHAPTER 7 BASIC EDITING COMMANDS

If the region is active, delete the

If the region is active, delete the

Delete the character after the point.

Kill the text between the point and

Kill the text between the point and

Kill the text betweed the point and

Undo the last change; repeating it undoes a

Alias for undo

Prompts for a file name; then creates a buffer

If the current buffer is associated with a file,

7.8 CONTINUATION LINES

Prefix key for many help commands.