GNU Info

(efaq)Learning how to do something

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How do I find out how to do something in Emacs?
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   There are several methods for finding out how to do things in Emacs.

   * The complete text of the Emacs manual is available on-line via the
     Info hypertext reader.  Type `C-h i' to invoke Info.  Typing <h>
     immediately after entering Info will provide a short tutorial on
     how to use it.

   * To quickly locate the section of the manual which discusses a
     certain issue, or describes a command or a variable, type `C-h i m
     emacs <RET> i TOPIC <RET>', where TOPIC is the name of the topic,
     the command, or the variable which you are looking for.  If this
     does not land you on the right place in the manual, press `,'
     (comma) repeatedly until you find what you need.  (The `i' and `,'
     keys invoke the index-searching functions, which look for the
     TOPIC you type in all the indices of the Emacs manual.)

   * You can list all of the commands whose names contain a certain word
     (actually which match a regular expression) using `C-h a' (`M-x
     command-apropos').

   * The command `C-h C-f' (`Info-goto-emacs-command-node') prompts for
     the name of a command, and then attempts to find the section in the
     Emacs manual where that command is described.

   * You can list all of the functions and variables whose names
     contain a certain word using `M-x apropos'.

   * You can list all of the functions and variables whose documentation
     matches a regular expression or a string, using `M-x
     apropos-documentation'.

   * You can order a hardcopy of the manual from the FSF.  Note:
     Getting a printed manual.

   * You can get a printed reference card listing commands and keys to
     invoke them.  You can order one from the FSF for $1 (or 10 for $5),
     or you can print your own from the `etc/refcard.tex' or
     `etc/refcard.ps' files in the Emacs distribution.  Beginning with
     version 21.1, the Emacs distribution comes with translations of the
     reference card into several languages; look for files named
     `etc/LANG-refcard.*', where LANG is a two-letter code of the
     language.  For example, the German version of the reference card
     is in the files `etc/de-refcard.tex' and `etc/de-refcard.ps'.

   * There are many other commands in Emacs for getting help and
     information.  To get a list of these commands, type `?' after
     `C-h'.