GNU Info

(elisp)Minibuffers

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Minibuffers
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   A "minibuffer" is a special buffer that Emacs commands use to read
arguments more complicated than the single numeric prefix argument.
These arguments include file names, buffer names, and command names (as
in `M-x').  The minibuffer is displayed on the bottom line of the
frame, in the same place as the echo area, but only while it is in use
for reading an argument.

Intro to Minibuffers

Basic information about minibuffers.

Text from Minibuffer

How to read a straight text string.

Object from Minibuffer

How to read a Lisp object or expression.

Minibuffer History

Recording previous minibuffer inputs

so the user can reuse them.

Completion

How to invoke and customize completion.

Yes-or-No Queries

Asking a question with a simple answer.

Multiple Queries

Asking a series of similar questions.

Reading a Password

Reading a password from the terminal.

Minibuffer Misc

Various customization hooks and variables.