annotate man/mark.texi @ 44947:e0182b284e42

(mail-recover-1): Decrease non-random-len by 1 for the newly-readded #.
author Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
date Sun, 28 Apr 2002 22:35:54 +0000
parents 898b4b31410f
children 46b0c6f318b5
Ignore whitespace changes - Everywhere: Within whitespace: At end of lines:
rev   line source
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
1 @c This is part of the Emacs manual.
39287
3b40423b9355 Update the copyright years.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 39264
diff changeset
2 @c Copyright (C) 1985,86,87,93,94,95,1997,2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
3 @c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
4 @node Mark, Killing, Help, Top
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
5 @chapter The Mark and the Region
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
6 @cindex mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
7 @cindex setting a mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
8 @cindex region
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
9
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
10 Many Emacs commands operate on an arbitrary contiguous part of the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
11 current buffer. To specify the text for such a command to operate on,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
12 you set @dfn{the mark} at one end of it, and move point to the other
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
13 end. The text between point and the mark is called @dfn{the region}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
14 Emacs highlights the region whenever there is one, if you enable
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
15 Transient Mark mode (@pxref{Transient Mark}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
16
38411
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
17 Certain Emacs commands set the mark; other editing commands do not
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
18 affect it, so the mark remains where you set it last. Each Emacs
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
19 buffer has its own mark, and setting the mark in one buffer has no
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
20 effect on other buffers' marks. When you return to a buffer that was
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
21 current earlier, its mark is at the same place as before.
38411
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
22
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
23 The ends of the region are always point and the mark. It doesn't
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
24 matter which of them was put in its current place first, or which one
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
25 comes earlier in the text---the region starts from point or the mark
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
26 (whichever comes first), and ends at point or the mark (whichever
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
27 comes last). Every time you move point, or set the mark in a new
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
28 place, the region changes.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
29
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
30 Many commands that insert text, such as @kbd{C-y} (@code{yank}) and
38411
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
31 @kbd{M-x insert-buffer}, position point and the mark at opposite ends
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
32 of the inserted text, so that the region consists of the text just
2fc02d49a9a4 Clarify initial discussion.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38208
diff changeset
33 inserted.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
34
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
35 Aside from delimiting the region, the mark is also useful for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
36 remembering a spot that you may want to go back to. To make this
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
37 feature more useful, each buffer remembers 16 previous locations of the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
38 mark in the @dfn{mark ring}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
39
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
40 @menu
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
41 * Setting Mark:: Commands to set the mark.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
42 * Transient Mark:: How to make Emacs highlight the region--
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
43 when there is one.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
44 * Using Region:: Summary of ways to operate on contents of the region.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
45 * Marking Objects:: Commands to put region around textual units.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
46 * Mark Ring:: Previous mark positions saved so you can go back there.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
47 * Global Mark Ring:: Previous mark positions in various buffers.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
48 @end menu
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
49
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
50 @node Setting Mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
51 @section Setting the Mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
52
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
53 Here are some commands for setting the mark:
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
54
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
55 @table @kbd
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
56 @item C-@key{SPC}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
57 Set the mark where point is (@code{set-mark-command}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
58 @item C-@@
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
59 The same.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
60 @item C-x C-x
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
61 Interchange mark and point (@code{exchange-point-and-mark}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
62 @item Drag-Mouse-1
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
63 Set point and the mark around the text you drag across.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
64 @item Mouse-3
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
65 Set the mark where point is, then move point to where you click
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
66 (@code{mouse-save-then-kill}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
67 @end table
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
68
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
69 For example, suppose you wish to convert part of the buffer to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
70 upper case, using the @kbd{C-x C-u} (@code{upcase-region}) command,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
71 which operates on the text in the region. You can first go to the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
72 beginning of the text to be capitalized, type @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} to put
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
73 the mark there, move to the end, and then type @kbd{C-x C-u}. Or, you
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
74 can set the mark at the end of the text, move to the beginning, and then
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
75 type @kbd{C-x C-u}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
76
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
77 @kindex C-SPC
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
78 @findex set-mark-command
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
79 The most common way to set the mark is with the @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} command
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
80 (@code{set-mark-command}). This sets the mark where point is. Then you
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
81 can move point away, leaving the mark behind.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
82
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
83 There are two ways to set the mark with the mouse. You can drag mouse
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
84 button one across a range of text; that puts point where you release the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
85 mouse button, and sets the mark at the other end of that range. Or you
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
86 can click mouse button three, which sets the mark at point (like
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
87 @kbd{C-@key{SPC}}) and then moves point (like @kbd{Mouse-1}). Both of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
88 these methods copy the region into the kill ring in addition to setting
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
89 the mark; that gives behavior consistent with other window-driven
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
90 applications, but if you don't want to modify the kill ring, you must
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
91 use keyboard commands to set the mark. @xref{Mouse Commands}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
92
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
93 @kindex C-x C-x
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
94 @findex exchange-point-and-mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
95 Ordinary terminals have only one cursor, so there is no way for Emacs
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
96 to show you where the mark is located. You have to remember. The usual
38482
c8c4805bde95 Minor changes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38461
diff changeset
97 solution to this problem is to set the mark and then use it soon, before
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
98 you forget where it is. Alternatively, you can see where the mark is
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
99 with the command @kbd{C-x C-x} (@code{exchange-point-and-mark}) which
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
100 puts the mark where point was and point where the mark was. The extent
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
101 of the region is unchanged, but the cursor and point are now at the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
102 previous position of the mark. In Transient Mark mode, this command
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
103 reactivates the mark.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
104
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
105 @kbd{C-x C-x} is also useful when you are satisfied with the position
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
106 of point but want to move the other end of the region (where the mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
107 is); do @kbd{C-x C-x} to put point at that end of the region, and then
38461
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
108 move it. Using @kbd{C-x C-x} a second time, if necessary, puts the mark at
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
109 the new position with point back at its original position.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
110
36359
33c7ddaf02c6 (Setting Mark): Add a cross-reference to the section which describes
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36165
diff changeset
111 For more facilities that allow you to go to previously set marks, see
33c7ddaf02c6 (Setting Mark): Add a cross-reference to the section which describes
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36165
diff changeset
112 @ref{Mark Ring}.
33c7ddaf02c6 (Setting Mark): Add a cross-reference to the section which describes
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 36165
diff changeset
113
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
114 @kindex C-@@
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
115 There is no such character as @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} in ASCII; when you
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
116 type @key{SPC} while holding down @key{CTRL}, what you get on most
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
117 ordinary terminals is the character @kbd{C-@@}. This key is actually
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
118 bound to @code{set-mark-command}. But unless you are unlucky enough to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
119 have a terminal where typing @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} does not produce
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
120 @kbd{C-@@}, you might as well think of this character as
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
121 @kbd{C-@key{SPC}}. Under X, @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} is actually a distinct
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
122 character, but its binding is still @code{set-mark-command}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
123
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
124 @node Transient Mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
125 @section Transient Mark Mode
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
126 @cindex mode, Transient Mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
127 @cindex Transient Mark mode
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
128 @cindex highlighting region
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
129 @cindex region highlighting
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
130
36164
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
131 On a terminal that supports colors, Emacs can highlight the current
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
132 region. But normally it does not. Why not?
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
133
36164
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
134 Highlighting the region whenever it exists would not be desirable in
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
135 Emacs, because once you have set a mark, there is @emph{always} a
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
136 region (in that buffer). And highlighting the region all the time
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
137 would be a nuisance. So normally Emacs highlights the region only
36165
7ae44c5a0404 One more small cleanup.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 36164
diff changeset
138 immediately after you have selected one with the mouse.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
139
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
140 You can turn on region highlighting by enabling Transient Mark mode.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
141 This is a more rigid mode of operation in which the region ``lasts''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
142 only temporarily, so you must set up a region for each command that uses
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
143 one. In Transient Mark mode, most of the time there is no region;
36164
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
144 therefore, highlighting the region when it exists is useful and
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
145 not annoying.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
146
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
147 @findex transient-mark-mode
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
148 To enable Transient Mark mode, type @kbd{M-x transient-mark-mode}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
149 This command toggles the mode, so you can repeat the command to turn off
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
150 the mode.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
151
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
152 Here are the details of Transient Mark mode:
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
153
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
154 @itemize @bullet
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
155 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
156 To set the mark, type @kbd{C-@key{SPC}} (@code{set-mark-command}).
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
157 This makes the mark active and thus begins highlighting of the region.
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
158 As you move point, you will see the highlighted region grow and
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
159 shrink.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
160
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
161 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
162 The mouse commands for specifying the mark also make it active. So do
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
163 keyboard commands whose purpose is to specify a region, including
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
164 @kbd{M-@@}, @kbd{C-M-@@}, @kbd{M-h}, @kbd{C-M-h}, @kbd{C-x C-p}, and
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
165 @kbd{C-x h}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
166
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
167 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
168 When the mark is active, you can execute commands that operate on the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
169 region, such as killing, indenting, or writing to a file.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
170
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
171 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
172 Any change to the buffer, such as inserting or deleting a character,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
173 deactivates the mark. This means any subsequent command that operates
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
174 on a region will get an error and refuse to operate. You can make the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
175 region active again by typing @kbd{C-x C-x}.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
176
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
177 @item
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
178 Commands like @kbd{M->} and @kbd{C-s}, that ``leave the mark behind'' in
38461
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
179 addition to some other primary purpose, do not activate the new mark.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
180 You can activate the new region by executing @kbd{C-x C-x}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
181 (@code{exchange-point-and-mark}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
182
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
183 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
184 @kbd{C-s} when the mark is active does not alter the mark.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
185
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
186 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
187 Quitting with @kbd{C-g} deactivates the mark.
36164
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
188
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
189 @item
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
190 Some commands operate on the region whenever it is active. For
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
191 instance, @kbd{C-x u} in Transient Mark mode operates on the region
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
192 when there is a region. Outside Transient Mark mode, you must type
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
193 @kbd{C-u C-x u} if you want it to operate on the region.
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
194 @xref{Undo}. Other commands that act this way are identified
d97455a119bb Clean up intro to Transient Mark mode.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 27215
diff changeset
195 in their own documentation.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
196 @end itemize
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
197
38461
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
198 The highlighting of the region uses the @code{region} face; you can
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
199 customize the appearance of the highlighted region by changing this
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
200 face. @xref{Face Customization}.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
201
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
202 @vindex highlight-nonselected-windows
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
203 When multiple windows show the same buffer, they can have different
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
204 regions, because they can have different values of point (though they
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
205 all share one common mark position). Ordinarily, only the selected
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
206 window highlights its region (@pxref{Windows}). However, if the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
207 variable @code{highlight-nonselected-windows} is non-@code{nil}, then
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
208 each window highlights its own region (provided that Transient Mark mode
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
209 is enabled and the mark in the window's buffer is active).
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
210
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
211 When Transient Mark mode is not enabled, every command that sets the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
212 mark also activates it, and nothing ever deactivates it.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
213
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
214 @vindex mark-even-if-inactive
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
215 If the variable @code{mark-even-if-inactive} is non-@code{nil} in
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
216 Transient Mark mode, then commands can use the mark and the region
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
217 even when it is inactive. Region highlighting appears and disappears
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
218 just as it normally does in Transient Mark mode, but the mark doesn't
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
219 really go away when the highlighting disappears.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
220
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
221 @cindex Zmacs mode
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
222 Transient Mark mode is also sometimes known as ``Zmacs mode''
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
223 because the Zmacs editor on the MIT Lisp Machine handled the mark in a
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
224 similar way.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
225
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
226 @node Using Region
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
227 @section Operating on the Region
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
228
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
229 @cindex operations on a marked region
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
230 Once you have a region and the mark is active, here are some of the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
231 ways you can operate on the region:
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
232
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
233 @itemize @bullet
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
234 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
235 Kill it with @kbd{C-w} (@pxref{Killing}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
236 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
237 Save it in a register with @kbd{C-x r s} (@pxref{Registers}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
238 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
239 Save it in a buffer or a file (@pxref{Accumulating Text}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
240 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
241 Convert case with @kbd{C-x C-l} or @kbd{C-x C-u} (@pxref{Case}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
242 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
243 Indent it with @kbd{C-x @key{TAB}} or @kbd{C-M-\} (@pxref{Indentation}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
244 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
245 Fill it as text with @kbd{M-x fill-region} (@pxref{Filling}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
246 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
247 Print hardcopy with @kbd{M-x print-region} (@pxref{Hardcopy}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
248 @item
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
249 Evaluate it as Lisp code with @kbd{M-x eval-region} (@pxref{Lisp Eval}).
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
250 @end itemize
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
251
38482
c8c4805bde95 Minor changes from Richard Stallman.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38461
diff changeset
252 Most commands that operate on the text in the region have the word
38461
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
253 @code{region} in their names.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
254
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
255 @node Marking Objects
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
256 @section Commands to Mark Textual Objects
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
257
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
258 @cindex marking sections of text
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
259 Here are the commands for placing point and the mark around a textual
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
260 object such as a word, list, paragraph or page.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
261
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
262 @table @kbd
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
263 @item M-@@
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
264 Set mark after end of next word (@code{mark-word}). This command and
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
265 the following one do not move point.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
266 @item C-M-@@
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
267 Set mark after end of following balanced expression (@code{mark-sexp}).
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
268 @item M-h
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
269 Put region around current paragraph (@code{mark-paragraph}).
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
270 @item C-M-h
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
271 Put region around current defun (@code{mark-defun}).
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
272 @item C-x h
38461
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
273 Put region around the entire buffer (@code{mark-whole-buffer}).
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
274 @item C-x C-p
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
275 Put region around current page (@code{mark-page}).
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
276 @end table
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
277
38207
e24d77a5adf1 Say "expression" instead of "sexp". Update xref, Sexps -> Expressions.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 37316
diff changeset
278 @kbd{M-@@} (@code{mark-word}) puts the mark at the end of the next
e24d77a5adf1 Say "expression" instead of "sexp". Update xref, Sexps -> Expressions.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 37316
diff changeset
279 word, while @kbd{C-M-@@} (@code{mark-sexp}) puts it at the end of the
e24d77a5adf1 Say "expression" instead of "sexp". Update xref, Sexps -> Expressions.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 37316
diff changeset
280 next balanced expression (@pxref{Expressions}). These commands handle
43301
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
281 arguments just like @kbd{M-f} and @kbd{C-M-f}. If you repeat these
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
282 commands, the region is extended. For example, you can type either
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
283 @kbd{C-u 2 M-@@} or @kbd{M-@@ M-@@} to mark the next two words.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
284
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
285 @kindex C-x h
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
286 @findex mark-whole-buffer
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
287 Other commands set both point and mark, to delimit an object in the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
288 buffer. For example, @kbd{M-h} (@code{mark-paragraph}) moves point to
41748
0302528bddbc Fix wording of the last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 41743
diff changeset
289 the beginning of the paragraph that surrounds or follows point, and
0302528bddbc Fix wording of the last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 41743
diff changeset
290 puts the mark at the end of that paragraph (@pxref{Paragraphs}). It
0302528bddbc Fix wording of the last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 41743
diff changeset
291 prepares the region so you can indent, case-convert, or kill a whole
0302528bddbc Fix wording of the last change.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 41743
diff changeset
292 paragraph. With prefix argument, if the argument's value is positive,
41795
48c74a2caa77 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 41748
diff changeset
293 @kbd{M-h} marks that many paragraphs starting with the one surrounding
48c74a2caa77 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 41748
diff changeset
294 point. If the prefix argument is @minus{}@var{n}, @kbd{M-h} also
48c74a2caa77 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 41748
diff changeset
295 marks @var{n} paragraphs, running back form the one surrounding point.
48c74a2caa77 *** empty log message ***
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 41748
diff changeset
296 In that last case, point moves forward to the end of that paragraph,
43301
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
297 and the mark goes at the start of the region. The @kbd{M-h} command
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
298 also supports the extension of the region, similar to @kbd{M-@@} and
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
299 @kbd{C-M-@@}.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
300
38461
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
301 @kbd{C-M-h} (@code{mark-defun}) similarly puts point before, and the
38786
4d3fd773cd30 Minor cleanups.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 38490
diff changeset
302 mark after, the current (or following) major top-level definition, or
43301
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
303 defun (@pxref{Moving by Defuns}). (Currently it only marks one defun,
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
304 but repeating it marks more defuns, like for @kbd{M-@@}.) @kbd{C-x
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
305 C-p} (@code{mark-page}) puts point before the current page, and mark
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
306 at the end (@pxref{Pages}). The mark goes after the terminating page
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
307 delimiter (to include it in the region), while point goes after the
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
308 preceding page delimiter (to exclude it). A numeric argument
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
309 specifies a later page (if positive) or an earlier page (if negative)
898b4b31410f * lisp/simple.el (mark-word): Mark more if repeated.
Kai Großjohann <kgrossjo@eu.uu.net>
parents: 41795
diff changeset
310 instead of the current page.
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
311
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
312 Finally, @kbd{C-x h} (@code{mark-whole-buffer}) sets up the entire
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
313 buffer as the region, by putting point at the beginning and the mark at
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
314 the end.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
315
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
316 In Transient Mark mode, all of these commands activate the mark.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
317
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
318 @node Mark Ring
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
319 @section The Mark Ring
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
320
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
321 @kindex C-u C-SPC
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
322 @cindex mark ring
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
323 @kindex C-u C-@@
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
324 Aside from delimiting the region, the mark is also useful for
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
325 remembering a spot that you may want to go back to. To make this
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
326 feature more useful, each buffer remembers 16 previous locations of the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
327 mark, in the @dfn{mark ring}. Commands that set the mark also push the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
328 old mark onto this ring. To return to a marked location, use @kbd{C-u
38490
1518ad710658 Fix last changes.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38482
diff changeset
329 C-@key{SPC}} (or @kbd{C-u C-@@}); this is the command
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
330 @code{set-mark-command} given a numeric argument. It moves point to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
331 where the mark was, and restores the mark from the ring of former
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
332 marks. Thus, repeated use of this command moves point to all of the old
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
333 marks on the ring, one by one. The mark positions you move through in
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
334 this way are not lost; they go to the end of the ring.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
335
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
336 Each buffer has its own mark ring. All editing commands use the current
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
337 buffer's mark ring. In particular, @kbd{C-u C-@key{SPC}} always stays in
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
338 the same buffer.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
339
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
340 Many commands that can move long distances, such as @kbd{M-<}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
341 (@code{beginning-of-buffer}), start by setting the mark and saving the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
342 old mark on the mark ring. This is to make it easier for you to move
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
343 back later. Searches set the mark if they move point. You can tell
37316
171ad460e884 Correct case of "Mark set" message.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 36359
diff changeset
344 when a command sets the mark because it displays @samp{Mark set} in the
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
345 echo area.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
346
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
347 If you want to move back to the same place over and over, the mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
348 ring may not be convenient enough. If so, you can record the position
37316
171ad460e884 Correct case of "Mark set" message.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 36359
diff changeset
349 in a register for later retrieval (@pxref{RegPos,, Saving Positions in
171ad460e884 Correct case of "Mark set" message.
Richard M. Stallman <rms@gnu.org>
parents: 36359
diff changeset
350 Registers}).
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
351
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
352 @vindex mark-ring-max
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
353 The variable @code{mark-ring-max} specifies the maximum number of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
354 entries to keep in the mark ring. If that many entries exist and
38461
23f63206a867 Proofreading fixes from Chris Green <chris_e_green@yahoo.com>.
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>
parents: 38411
diff changeset
355 another one is pushed, the earliest one in the list is discarded. Repeating
25829
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
356 @kbd{C-u C-@key{SPC}} cycles through the positions currently in the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
357 ring.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
358
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
359 @vindex mark-ring
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
360 The variable @code{mark-ring} holds the mark ring itself, as a list of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
361 marker objects, with the most recent first. This variable is local in
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
362 every buffer.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
363
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
364 @node Global Mark Ring
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
365 @section The Global Mark Ring
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
366 @cindex global mark ring
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
367
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
368 In addition to the ordinary mark ring that belongs to each buffer,
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
369 Emacs has a single @dfn{global mark ring}. It records a sequence of
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
370 buffers in which you have recently set the mark, so you can go back
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
371 to those buffers.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
372
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
373 Setting the mark always makes an entry on the current buffer's mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
374 ring. If you have switched buffers since the previous mark setting, the
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
375 new mark position makes an entry on the global mark ring also. The
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
376 result is that the global mark ring records a sequence of buffers that
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
377 you have been in, and, for each buffer, a place where you set the mark.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
378
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
379 @kindex C-x C-@key{SPC}
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
380 @findex pop-global-mark
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
381 The command @kbd{C-x C-@key{SPC}} (@code{pop-global-mark}) jumps to
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
382 the buffer and position of the latest entry in the global ring. It also
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
383 rotates the ring, so that successive uses of @kbd{C-x C-@key{SPC}} take
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
384 you to earlier and earlier buffers.
Dave Love <fx@gnu.org>
parents:
diff changeset
385