Elisp: Get User Input

Ask for File Name

read-file-name

Ask user to give a file name. Return a string.

(read-file-name "Enter file name:")

Ask for Directory

read-directory-name

Ask user to give a directory name. Return a string.

(read-directory-name "Directory:")

Ask for String

read-string

Ask user to type a string. Return a string.

(read-string "Enter name:")

Ask for Regex

read-regexp

Ask user to type a Regex . Return a string.

(read-regexp "Type a regex:")

Ask for Number

read-number

Ask user to type a number. Return the answer.

(read-number "Type a number: " 10)

Select from a List

The best way to ask user to select from a list, is by completing-read.

(let ((xlist '("cat" "dog" "dragon" "tiger")))
  (message
   "%s"
   (completing-read "pick one:" xlist nil t)))

Query User for Yes/No

y-or-n-p

Ask user a yes or no question. Return t if user types “y” and nil if user types “n”.

(if (y-or-n-p "Do it?")
    (progn
      ;; code to do something here
    )
  (progn
    ;; code if user answered no.
  )
)

Reference

• Minibuffers (ELISP Manual)