Emacs: Select Text (mark and region)

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

Select Text

To select text,

  1. Alt+x set-mark-command 【Ctrl+Space】 This sets a mark.
  2. Move cursor anywhere.

The last marked position to current cursor position is the text selection, called region or active region. (cursor position is called point)

Change Selection Point (Swap Mark and Point)

Alt+x exchange-point-and-mark 【Ctrl+x Ctrl+x】

This moves the cursor to the other end of selection.

Cancel Selection

press Ctrl+g to cancel selection. (aka, make region inactive.)

Emacs Copy/Paste