ARCHIVED: Where can I find help with Emacs?

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You have several methods for finding out how to do things in Emacs:

  • The complete text of the Emacs manual is available online via the Info hypertext reader. Press C-h i to invoke Info.
  • You can list all of the commands whose names contain a certain word or match a particular pattern using C-h a (or M-x command-apropos).
  • Many other commands in Emacs allow you to get help and information. To get a list of these commands, press C-h C-h C-h.
    Note:
    If C-h has been re-mapped to act like Delete or otherwise isn't functioning, you can use M-x help-for-help instead.
  • You can order a hard copy of the manual from the Free Software Foundation. For more details, see ARCHIVED: For Emacs, how do I get a printed copy of the manual?
  • You can get a printed reference card listing commands and keys to invoke them. You can order one from the Free Software Foundation for $1.50 (or 10 for $10), or you can print your own from the etc/refcard.ps PostScript file in the Emacs distribution.
  • Check your local bookstore. One good reference is Learning GNU Emacs by Cameron and Rosenblatt, published by O'Reilly and Associates, Inc.
  • Many sources of help will tell you to type something like C-x, where x is a letter. This means to hold down Ctrl while pressing the designated letter. For more information on this and other Emacs keystroke conventions, see How keystrokes are denoted in Emacs

At Indiana University, for personal or departmental Linux or Unix systems support, see Get help for Linux or Unix at IU.

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Last modified on 2018-01-18 08:53:33.