GNU Info
(emacs)Query Replace
Query Replace
-------------
`M-% STRING <RET> NEWSTRING <RET>'
`M-x query-replace <RET> STRING <RET> NEWSTRING <RET>'
Replace some occurrences of STRING with NEWSTRING.
`C-M-% REGEXP <RET> NEWSTRING <RET>'
`M-x query-replace-regexp <RET> REGEXP <RET> NEWSTRING <RET>'
Replace some matches for REGEXP with NEWSTRING.
If you want to change only some of the occurrences of `foo' to
`bar', not all of them, then you cannot use an ordinary
`replace-string'. Instead, use `M-%' (`query-replace'). This command
finds occurrences of `foo' one by one, displays each occurrence and
asks you whether to replace it. Aside from querying, `query-replace'
works just like `replace-string'. It preserves case, like
`replace-string', provided `case-replace' is non-`nil', as it normally
is. A numeric argument means consider only occurrences that are
bounded by word-delimiter characters.
`C-M-%' performs regexp search and replace (`query-replace-regexp').
The characters you can type when you are shown a match for the string
or regexp are:
`<SPC>'
to replace the occurrence with NEWSTRING.
`<DEL>'
to skip to the next occurrence without replacing this one.
`, (Comma)'
to replace this occurrence and display the result. You are then
asked for another input character to say what to do next. Since
the replacement has already been made, <DEL> and <SPC> are
equivalent in this situation; both move to the next occurrence.
You can type `C-r' at this point (see below) to alter the replaced
text. You can also type `C-x u' to undo the replacement; this
exits the `query-replace', so if you want to do further
replacement you must use `C-x <ESC> <ESC> <RET>' to restart (Note:
Repetition).
`<RET>'
to exit without doing any more replacements.
`. (Period)'
to replace this occurrence and then exit without searching for more
occurrences.
`!'
to replace all remaining occurrences without asking again.
`^'
to go back to the position of the previous occurrence (or what
used to be an occurrence), in case you changed it by mistake.
This works by popping the mark ring. Only one `^' in a row is
meaningful, because only one previous replacement position is kept
during `query-replace'.
`C-r'
to enter a recursive editing level, in case the occurrence needs
to be edited rather than just replaced with NEWSTRING. When you
are done, exit the recursive editing level with `C-M-c' to proceed
to the next occurrence. Note: Recursive Edit.
`C-w'
to delete the occurrence, and then enter a recursive editing level
as in `C-r'. Use the recursive edit to insert text to replace the
deleted occurrence of STRING. When done, exit the recursive
editing level with `C-M-c' to proceed to the next occurrence.
`e'
to edit the replacement string in the minibuffer. When you exit
the minibuffer by typing <RET>, the minibuffer contents replace the
current occurrence of the pattern. They also become the new
replacement string for any further occurrences.
`C-l'
to redisplay the screen. Then you must type another character to
specify what to do with this occurrence.
`C-h'
to display a message summarizing these options. Then you must type
another character to specify what to do with this occurrence.
Some other characters are aliases for the ones listed above: `y',
`n' and `q' are equivalent to <SPC>, <DEL> and <RET>.
Aside from this, any other character exits the `query-replace', and
is then reread as part of a key sequence. Thus, if you type `C-k', it
exits the `query-replace' and then kills to end of line.
To restart a `query-replace' once it is exited, use `C-x <ESC>
<ESC>', which repeats the `query-replace' because it used the
minibuffer to read its arguments. Note: C-x ESC ESC.
See also Note: Transforming File Names, for Dired commands to
rename, copy, or link files by replacing regexp matches in file names.
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