path: root/doc/emacs/help.texi

@c This is part of the Emacs manual.
@c Copyright (C) 1985-1987, 1993-1995, 1997, 2000-2015 Free Software
@c Foundation, Inc.
@c See file emacs.texi for copying conditions.
@node Help
@chapter Help
@kindex Help
@cindex help
@cindex self-documentation
@findex help-command
@kindex C-h
@kindex F1

@kindex C-h C-h
@findex help-for-help
  Emacs provides a wide variety of help commands, all accessible
through the prefix key @kbd{C-h} (or, equivalently, the function key
@key{F1}).  These help commands are described in the following
sections.  You can also type @kbd{C-h C-h} to view a list of help
commands (@code{help-for-help}).  You can scroll the list with
@key{SPC} and @key{DEL}, then type the help command you want.  To
cancel, type @kbd{C-g}.

  Many help commands display their information in a special @dfn{help
buffer}.  In this buffer, you can type @key{SPC} and @key{DEL} to
scroll and type @key{RET} to follow hyperlinks.  @xref{Help Mode}.

@cindex searching documentation efficiently
@cindex looking for a subject in documentation
  If you are looking for a certain feature, but don't know what it is
called or where to look, we recommend three methods.  First, try an
apropos command, then try searching the manual index, then look in the
FAQ and the package keywords.

@table @kbd
@item C-h a @var{topics} @key{RET}
This searches for commands whose names match the argument
@var{topics}.  The argument can be a keyword, a list of keywords, or a
regular expression (@pxref{Regexps}).  @xref{Apropos}.

@item C-h i d m emacs @key{RET} i @var{topic} @key{RET}
This searches for @var{topic} in the indices of the Emacs Info manual,
displaying the first match found.  Press @kbd{,} to see subsequent
matches.  You can use a regular expression as @var{topic}.

@item C-h i d m emacs @key{RET} s @var{topic} @key{RET}
Similar, but searches the @emph{text} of the manual rather than the
indices.

@item C-h C-f
This displays the Emacs FAQ, using Info.

@item C-h p
This displays the available Emacs packages based on keywords.
@xref{Package Keywords}.
@end table

  @kbd{C-h} or @key{F1} mean ``help'' in various other contexts as
well.  For instance, you can type them after a prefix key to view a
list of the keys that can follow the prefix key.  (You can also use
@kbd{?} in this context.  A few prefix keys don't support @kbd{C-h}
or @kbd{?} in this way, because they define other meanings for those
inputs, but they all support @key{F1}.)

@menu
* Help Summary::        Brief list of all Help commands.
* Key Help::            Asking what a key does in Emacs.
* Name Help::           Asking about a command, variable or function name.
* Apropos::             Asking what pertains to a given topic.
* Help Mode::           Special features of Help mode and Help buffers.
* Package Keywords::    Finding Lisp libraries by keywords (topics).
* Language Help::       Help relating to international language support.
* Misc Help::           Other help commands.
* Help Files::          Commands to display auxiliary help files.
* Help Echo::           Help on active text and tooltips ("balloon help").
@end menu

@iftex
@node Help Summary
@end iftex
@ifnottex
@node Help Summary
@section Help Summary
@end ifnottex

  Here is a summary of help commands for accessing the built-in
documentation.  Most of these are described in more detail in the
following sections.

@table @kbd
@item C-h a @var{topics} @key{RET}
Display a list of commands whose names match @var{topics}
(@code{apropos-command}).
@item C-h b
Display all active key bindings; minor mode bindings first, then those
of the major mode, then global bindings (@code{describe-bindings}).
@item C-h c @var{key}
Show the name of the command that the key sequence @var{key} is bound
to (@code{describe-key-briefly}).  Here @kbd{c} stands for
``character''.  For more extensive information on @var{key}, use
@kbd{C-h k}.
@item C-h d @var{topics} @key{RET}
Display the commands and variables whose documentation matches
@var{topics} (@code{apropos-documentation}).
@item C-h e
Display the @file{*Messages*} buffer
(@code{view-echo-area-messages}).
@item C-h f @var{function} @key{RET}
Display documentation on the Lisp function named @var{function}
(@code{describe-function}).  Since commands are Lisp functions,
this works for commands too.
@item C-h h
Display the @file{HELLO} file, which shows examples of various character
sets.
@item C-h i
Run Info, the GNU documentation browser (@code{info}).  The Emacs
manual is available in Info.
@item C-h k @var{key}
Display the name and documentation of the command that @var{key} runs
(@code{describe-key}).
@item C-h l
Display a description of your last 300 keystrokes
(@code{view-lossage}).
@item C-h m
Display documentation of the current major mode (@code{describe-mode}).
@item C-h n
Display news of recent Emacs changes (@code{view-emacs-news}).
@item C-h p
Find packages by topic keyword (@code{finder-by-keyword}).  This lists
packages using a package menu buffer.  @xref{Packages}.
@item C-h P @var{package} @key{RET}
Display documentation about the specified package
(@code{describe-package}).
@item C-h r
Display the Emacs manual in Info (@code{info-emacs-manual}).
@item C-h s
Display the contents of the current @dfn{syntax table}
(@code{describe-syntax}).  The syntax table says which characters are
opening delimiters, which are parts of words, and so on.  @xref{Syntax
Tables,, Syntax Tables, elisp, The Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}, for
details.
@item C-h t
Enter the Emacs interactive tutorial (@code{help-with-tutorial}).
@item C-h v @var{var} @key{RET}
Display the documentation of the Lisp variable @var{var}
(@code{describe-variable}).
@item C-h w @var{command} @key{RET}
Show which keys run the command named @var{command} (@code{where-is}).
@item C-h C @var{coding} @key{RET}
Describe the coding system @var{coding}
(@code{describe-coding-system}).
@item C-h C @key{RET}
Describe the coding systems currently in use.
@item C-h F @var{command} @key{RET}
Enter Info and go to the node that documents the Emacs command
@var{command} (@code{Info-goto-emacs-command-node}).
@item C-h I @var{method} @key{RET}
Describe the input method @var{method} (@code{describe-input-method}).
@item C-h K @var{key}
Enter Info and go to the node that documents the key sequence
@var{key} (@code{Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node}).
@item C-h L @var{language-env} @key{RET}
Display information on the character sets, coding systems, and input
methods used in language environment @var{language-env}
(@code{describe-language-environment}).
@item C-h S @var{symbol} @key{RET}
Display the Info documentation on symbol @var{symbol} according to the
programming language you are editing (@code{info-lookup-symbol}).
@item C-h .
Display the help message for a special text area, if point is in one
(@code{display-local-help}).  (These include, for example, links in
@file{*Help*} buffers.)
@end table

@node Key Help
@section Documentation for a Key

@findex describe-key-briefly
@findex describe-key
  The help commands to get information about a key sequence are
@kbd{C-h c} (@code{describe-key-briefly}) and @kbd{C-h k}
(@code{describe-key}).

@kindex C-h c
  @kbd{C-h c @var{key}} displays in the echo area the name of the
command that @var{key} is bound to.  For example, @kbd{C-h c C-f}
displays @samp{forward-char}.

@cindex documentation string
@kindex C-h k
  @kbd{C-h k @var{key}} is similar but gives more information: it
displays a help buffer containing the command's @dfn{documentation
string}, which describes exactly what the command does.

@kindex C-h K
@findex Info-goto-emacs-key-command-node
  @kbd{C-h K @var{key}} displays the section of the Emacs manual that
describes the command corresponding to @var{key}.

  @kbd{C-h c}, @kbd{C-h k} and @kbd{C-h K} work for any sort of key
sequences, including function keys, menus, and mouse events.  For
instance, after @kbd{C-h k} you can select a menu item from the menu
bar, to view the documentation string of the command it runs.

@kindex C-h w
@findex where-is
  @kbd{C-h w @var{command} @key{RET}} lists the keys that are bound to
@var{command}.  It displays the list in the echo area.  If it says the
command is not on any key, that means you must use @kbd{M-x} to run
it.  @kbd{C-h w} runs the command @code{where-is}.

@node Name Help
@section Help by Command or Variable Name

@kindex C-h f
@findex describe-function
  @kbd{C-h f @var{function} @key{RET}} (@code{describe-function})
displays the documentation of Lisp function @var{function}, in a
window.  Since commands are Lisp functions, you can use this method to
view the documentation of any command whose name you know.  For
example,

@example
C-h f auto-fill-mode @key{RET}
@end example

@noindent
displays the documentation of @code{auto-fill-mode}.  This is the only
way to get the documentation of a command that is not bound to any key
(one which you would normally run using @kbd{M-x}).

  @kbd{C-h f} is also useful for Lisp functions that you use in a Lisp
program.  For example, if you have just written the expression
@code{(make-vector len)} and want to check that you are using
@code{make-vector} properly, type @kbd{C-h f make-vector @key{RET}}.
Because @kbd{C-h f} allows all function names, not just command names,
you may find that some of your favorite completion abbreviations that
work in @kbd{M-x} don't work in @kbd{C-h f}.  An abbreviation that is
unique among command names may not be unique among all function names.

  If you type @kbd{C-h f @key{RET}}, it describes the function called
by the innermost Lisp expression in the buffer around point,
@emph{provided} that function name is a valid, defined Lisp function.
(That name appears as the default while you enter the argument.)  For
example, if point is located following the text @samp{(make-vector
(car x)}, the innermost list containing point is the one that starts
with @samp{(make-vector}, so @kbd{C-h f @key{RET}} describes the
function @code{make-vector}.

  @kbd{C-h f} is also useful just to verify that you spelled a
function name correctly.  If the minibuffer prompt for @kbd{C-h f}
shows the function name from the buffer as the default, it means that
name is defined as a Lisp function.  Type @kbd{C-g} to cancel the
@kbd{C-h f} command if you don't really want to view the
documentation.

@kindex C-h v
@findex describe-variable
  @kbd{C-h v} (@code{describe-variable}) is like @kbd{C-h f} but
describes Lisp variables instead of Lisp functions.  Its default is
the Lisp symbol around or before point, if that is the name of a
defined Lisp variable.  @xref{Variables}.

  Help buffers that describe Emacs variables and functions normally
have hyperlinks to the corresponding source code, if you have the
source files installed (@pxref{Hyperlinking}).

@kindex C-h F
@findex Info-goto-emacs-command-node
  To find a command's documentation in a manual, use @kbd{C-h F}
(@code{Info-goto-emacs-command-node}).  This knows about various
manuals, not just the Emacs manual, and finds the right one.

@node Apropos
@section Apropos
@cindex apropos

  The @dfn{apropos} commands answer questions like, ``What are the
commands for working with files?''  More precisely, you specify an
@dfn{apropos pattern}, which means either a word, a list of words, or
a regular expression.

  Each of the following apropos commands reads an apropos pattern in
the minibuffer, searches for items that match the pattern, and
displays the results in a different window.

@table @kbd
@item C-h a
@kindex C-h a
@findex apropos-command
Search for commands (@code{apropos-command}).  With a prefix argument,
search for noninteractive functions too.

@item M-x apropos
@findex apropos
Search for functions and variables.  Both interactive functions
(commands) and noninteractive functions can be found by this.

@item M-x apropos-user-option
@findex apropos-user-option
Search for user-customizable variables.  With a prefix argument,
search for non-customizable variables too.

@item M-x apropos-variable
@findex apropos-variable
Search for variables.  With a prefix argument, search for
customizable variables only.

@item M-x apropos-value
@findex apropos-value
Search for variables whose values match the specified pattern.  With a
prefix argument, search also for functions with definitions matching
the pattern, and Lisp symbols with properties matching the pattern.

@item C-h d
@kindex C-h d
@findex apropos-documentation
Search for functions and variables whose documentation strings match
the specified pattern (@code{apropos-documentation}).
@end table

  The simplest kind of apropos pattern is one word.  Anything
containing that word matches the pattern.  Thus, to find commands that
work on files, type @kbd{C-h a file @key{RET}}.  This displays a list
of all command names that contain @samp{file}, including
@code{copy-file}, @code{find-file}, and so on.  Each command name
comes with a brief description and a list of keys you can currently
invoke it with.  In our example, it would say that you can invoke
@code{find-file} by typing @kbd{C-x C-f}.

  For more information about a function definition, variable or symbol
property listed in an apropos buffer, you can click on it with
@kbd{Mouse-1} or @kbd{Mouse-2}, or move there and type @key{RET}.

  When you specify more than one word in the apropos pattern, a name
must contain at least two of the words in order to match.  Thus, if
you are looking for commands to kill a chunk of text before point, you
could try @kbd{C-h a kill back backward behind before @key{RET}}.  The
real command name @code{kill-backward} will match that; if there were
a command @code{kill-text-before}, it would also match, since it
contains two of the specified words.

  For even greater flexibility, you can specify a regular expression
(@pxref{Regexps}).  An apropos pattern is interpreted as a regular
expression if it contains any of the regular expression special
characters, @samp{^$*+?.\[}.

  Following the conventions for naming Emacs commands, here are some
words that you'll find useful in apropos patterns.  By using them in
@kbd{C-h a}, you will also get a feel for the naming conventions.

@quotation
char, line, word, sentence, paragraph, region, page, sexp, list, defun,
rect, buffer, frame, window, face, file, dir, register, mode, beginning, end,
forward, backward, next, previous, up, down, search, goto, kill, delete,
mark, insert, yank, fill, indent, case, change, set, what, list, find,
view, describe, default.
@end quotation

@vindex apropos-do-all
  If the variable @code{apropos-do-all} is non-@code{nil}, the apropos
commands always behave as if they had been given a prefix argument.

@vindex apropos-sort-by-scores
@cindex apropos search results, order by score
@vindex apropos-documentation-sort-by-scores
  By default, all apropos commands except @code{apropos-documentation}
list their results in alphabetical order.  If the variable
@code{apropos-sort-by-scores} is non-@code{nil}, these commands
instead try to guess the relevance of each result, and display the
most relevant ones first.  The @code{apropos-documentation} command
lists its results in order of relevance by default; to list them in
alphabetical order, change the variable
@code{apropos-documentation-sort-by-scores} to @code{nil}.

@node Help Mode
@section Help Mode Commands

  Help buffers provide the same commands as View mode (@pxref{View
Mode}); for instance, @key{SPC} scrolls forward, and @key{DEL} or
@kbd{S-@key{SPC}} scrolls backward.  A few special commands are also
provided:

@table @kbd
@item @key{RET}
Follow a cross reference at point (@code{help-follow}).
@item @key{TAB}
Move point forward to the next hyperlink (@code{forward-button}).
@item S-@key{TAB}
Move point back to the previous hyperlink (@code{backward-button}).
@item Mouse-1
@itemx Mouse-2
Follow a hyperlink that you click on.
@item C-c C-c
Show all documentation about the symbol at point
(@code{help-follow-symbol}).
@item C-c C-b
Go back to the previous help topic (@code{help-go-back}).
@end table

@cindex hyperlink
@findex help-follow
@findex help-go-back
@kindex RET @r{(Help mode)}
@kindex C-c C-b @r{(Help mode)}
  When a function name, variable name, or face name (@pxref{Faces})
appears in the documentation in the help buffer, it is normally an
underlined @dfn{hyperlink}.  To view the associated documentation,
move point there and type @key{RET} (@code{help-follow}), or click on
the hyperlink with @kbd{Mouse-1} or @kbd{Mouse-2}.  Doing so replaces
the contents of the help buffer; to retrace your steps, type @kbd{C-c
C-b} (@code{help-go-back}).

@cindex URL, viewing in help
@cindex help, viewing web pages
@cindex viewing web pages in help
@cindex web pages, viewing in help
@findex browse-url
  A help buffer can also contain hyperlinks to Info manuals, source
code definitions, and URLs (web pages).  The first two are opened in
Emacs, and the third using a web browser via the @code{browse-url}
command (@pxref{Browse-URL}).

@kindex TAB @r{(Help mode)}
@findex forward-button
@kindex S-TAB @r{(Help mode)}
@findex backward-button
  In a help buffer, @key{TAB} (@code{forward-button}) moves point
forward to the next hyperlink, while @kbd{S-@key{TAB}}
(@code{backward-button}) point back to the previous hyperlink.  These
commands act cyclically; for instance, typing @key{TAB} at the last
hyperlink moves back to the first hyperlink.

  To view all documentation about any symbol in the text, move point
to there and type @kbd{C-c C-c} (@code{help-follow-symbol}).  This
shows all available documentation about the symbol---as a variable,
function and/or face.

@node Package Keywords
@section Keyword Search for Packages
@cindex finder

Most optional features in Emacs are grouped into @dfn{packages}.
Emacs contains several hundred built-in packages, and more can be
installed over the network (@pxref{Packages}).

@kindex C-h p
@findex finder-by-keyword
  To make it easier to find packages related to a topic, most packages
are associated with one or more @dfn{keywords} based on what they do.
Type @kbd{C-h p} (@code{finder-by-keyword}) to bring up a list of
package keywords, together with a description of what the keywords
mean.  To view a list of packages for a given keyword, type @key{RET}
on that line; this displays the list of packages in a Package Menu
buffer (@pxref{Package Menu}).

@findex describe-package
@kindex C-h P
  @kbd{C-h P} (@code{describe-package}) prompts for the name of a
package, and displays a help buffer describing the attributes of the
package and the features that it implements.  The buffer lists the
keywords that relate to the package in the form of buttons.  Click on
a button to see other packages related to that keyword.

@node Language Help
@section Help for International Language Support

  For information on a specific language environment (@pxref{Language
Environments}), type @kbd{C-h L}
(@code{describe-language-environment}).  This displays a help buffer
describing the languages supported by the language environment, and
listing the associated character sets, coding systems, and input
methods, as well as some sample text for that language environment.

  The command @kbd{C-h h} (@code{view-hello-file}) displays the file
@file{etc/HELLO}, which demonstrates various character sets by showing
how to say ``hello'' in many languages.

  The command @kbd{C-h I} (@code{describe-input-method}) describes an
input method---either a specified input method, or by default the
input method currently in use.  @xref{Input Methods}.

  The command @kbd{C-h C} (@code{describe-coding-system}) describes
coding systems---either a specified coding system, or the ones
currently in use.  @xref{Coding Systems}.

@node Misc Help
@section Other Help Commands

@kindex C-h i
@findex info
@cindex Info
@cindex manuals, included
  @kbd{C-h i} (@code{info}) runs the Info program, which browses
structured documentation files.  The entire Emacs manual is available
within Info, along with many other manuals for the GNU system.  Type
@kbd{h} after entering Info to run a tutorial on using Info.

@cindex find Info manual by its file name
  With a numeric argument @var{n}, @kbd{C-h i} selects the Info buffer
@samp{*info*<@var{n}>}.  This is useful if you want to browse multiple
Info manuals simultaneously.  If you specify just @kbd{C-u} as the
prefix argument, @kbd{C-h i} prompts for the name of a documentation
file, so you can browse a file which doesn't have an entry in the
top-level Info menu.

  The help commands @kbd{C-h F @var{function} @key{RET}} and @kbd{C-h
K @var{key}}, described above, enter Info and go straight to the
documentation of @var{function} or @var{key}.

@kindex C-h S
@findex info-lookup-symbol
  When editing a program, if you have an Info version of the manual
for the programming language, you can use @kbd{C-h S}
(@code{info-lookup-symbol}) to find an entry for a symbol (keyword,
function or variable) in the proper manual.  The details of how this
command works depend on the major mode.

@kindex C-h l
@findex view-lossage
  If something surprising happens, and you are not sure what you typed,
use @kbd{C-h l} (@code{view-lossage}).  @kbd{C-h l} displays your last
300 input keystrokes.  If you see commands that you don't know, you can
use @kbd{C-h c} to find out what they do.

@kindex C-h e
@findex view-echo-area-messages
  To review recent echo area messages, use @kbd{C-h e}
(@code{view-echo-area-messages}).  This displays the buffer
@file{*Messages*}, where those messages are kept.

@kindex C-h m
@findex describe-mode
  Each Emacs major mode typically redefines a few keys and makes other
changes in how editing works.  @kbd{C-h m} (@code{describe-mode})
displays documentation on the current major mode, which normally
describes the commands and features that are changed in this mode.

@kindex C-h b
@findex describe-bindings
@kindex C-h s
@findex describe-syntax
  @kbd{C-h b} (@code{describe-bindings}) and @kbd{C-h s}
(@code{describe-syntax}) show other information about the current
environment within Emacs.  @kbd{C-h b} displays a list of all the key
bindings now in effect: first the local bindings of the current minor
modes, then the local bindings defined by the current major mode, and
finally the global bindings (@pxref{Key Bindings}).  @kbd{C-h s}
displays the contents of the syntax table, with explanations of each
character's syntax (@pxref{Syntax Tables,, Syntax Tables, elisp, The
Emacs Lisp Reference Manual}).

@findex describe-prefix-bindings
  You can get a list of subcommands for a particular prefix key by
typing @kbd{C-h}, @kbd{?}, or @key{F1}
(@code{describe-prefix-bindings}) after the prefix key.  (There are a
few prefix keys for which not all of these keys work---those that
provide their own bindings for that key.  One of these prefix keys
is @key{ESC}, because @kbd{@key{ESC} C-h} is actually @kbd{C-M-h},
which marks a defun.  However, @kbd{@key{ESC} @key{F1}} and
@kbd{@key{ESC} ?} work fine.)

@node Help Files
@section Help Files

  Apart from the built-in documentation and manuals, Emacs contains
several other files describing topics like copying conditions, release
notes, instructions for debugging and reporting bugs, and so forth.
You can use the following commands to view these files.  Apart from
@kbd{C-h g}, they all have the form @kbd{C-h C-@var{char}}.

@kindex C-h C-c
@findex describe-copying
@kindex C-h C-d
@findex view-emacs-debugging
@kindex C-h C-e
@findex view-external-packages
@kindex C-h C-f
@findex view-emacs-FAQ
@kindex C-h g
@findex describe-gnu-project
@kindex C-h C-m
@findex view-order-manuals
@kindex C-h C-n
@findex view-emacs-news
@kindex C-h C-o
@findex describe-distribution
@kindex C-h C-p
@findex view-emacs-problems
@kindex C-h C-t
@findex view-emacs-todo
@kindex C-h C-w
@findex describe-no-warranty

@table @kbd
@item C-h C-c
Display the rules under which you can copy and redistribute Emacs
(@code{describe-copying}).
@item C-h C-d
Display help for debugging Emacs (@code{view-emacs-debugging}).
@item C-h C-e
Display information about where to get external packages
(@code{view-external-packages}).
@item C-h C-f
Display the Emacs frequently-answered-questions list (@code{view-emacs-FAQ}).
@item C-h g
Display information about the GNU Project (@code{describe-gnu-project}).
@item C-h C-m
Display information about ordering printed copies of Emacs manuals
(@code{view-order-manuals}).
@item C-h C-n
Display the ``news'' file, which lists the new features in this
version of Emacs (@code{view-emacs-news}).
@item C-h C-o
Display how to order or download the latest version of
Emacs and other GNU software (@code{describe-distribution}).
@item C-h C-p
Display the list of known Emacs problems, sometimes with suggested
workarounds (@code{view-emacs-problems}).
@item C-h C-t
Display the Emacs to-do list (@code{view-emacs-todo}).
@item C-h C-w
Display the full details on the complete absence of warranty for GNU
Emacs (@code{describe-no-warranty}).
@end table

@node Help Echo
@section Help on Active Text and Tooltips

@cindex tooltips
@cindex balloon help
  In Emacs, stretches of ``active text'' (text that does something
special in response to mouse clicks or @key{RET}) often have
associated help text.  This includes hyperlinks in Emacs buffers, as
well as parts of the mode line.  On graphical displays, as well as
some text terminals which support mouse tracking, moving the mouse
over the active text displays the help text as a @dfn{tooltip}.
@xref{Tooltips}.

@kindex C-h .
@findex display-local-help
@vindex help-at-pt-display-when-idle
  On terminals that don't support mouse-tracking, you can display the
help text for active buffer text at point by typing @kbd{C-h .}
(@code{display-local-help}).  This shows the help text in the echo
area.  To display help text automatically whenever it is available at
point, set the variable @code{help-at-pt-display-when-idle} to
@code{t}.