Emacs Keybinding Syntax
Find Key Syntax
- Alt+x
describe-key -
prompt user to type a key sequence, and display the key syntax and command bound to it, if any.
key sequence can be a single key, or any sequence with modifier keys.
For example, suppose you want to know the syntax for the key press of Ctrl+Alt+t.
- Alt+x
describe-key - press Ctrl+Alt+t, emacs prints
“C-M-t runs the command transpose-sexps”.
That means,
"C-M-t"is the key syntax.
(Note: emacs has a lot syntax variations for a given key combination, but the one printed by describe-key is guaranteed to work.)
once you know the key syntax, you can bind the key by:
- for emacs 29, use this
(keymap-global-set keySyntax #'cmdName) - before emacs 29, use this
(global-set-key (kbd keySyntax) #'cmdName)
Key Syntax Examples
One Modifier
"M-a"→ Alt+a"C-a"→ Ctrl+a"A"→ Shift+a"S-<f3>"→ Shift+ F3
Function keys
"<f3>"→ F3 key
Numberpad Keys
"<kp-3>"→ the key 3 on number pad
Arrow and Home End Cluster Keys
"<left>"→ left arrow"<right>"→ right arrow"<up>"→ up arrow"<down>"→ down arrow
"<next>"→ page down key"<prior>"→ page up key
"<insert>"→ Ins key"<delete>"→ Del key ⌦ (forward delete)
"<home>""<end>"
Enter, Return, Space, Backspace Keys
<backspace>→ backspace key ⌫"SPC"→ Space key"<return>"→ Enter/Return key while in gui emacs (usually auto translated to RET)
1 Modifier + Special Key
"M-<f3>"→ Alt+F3"C-<f3>"→ Ctrl+F3"S-<f3>"→ Shift+F3
"M-<up>"→ Alt+↑"C-<up>"→ Ctrl+↑"S-<up>"→ Shift+↑
2 Modifier Keys
2 modifier keys pressed simultaneously, plus a letter key:
"M-A"→ Alt+Shift+a"C-A"→ Ctrl+Shift+a"C-M-a"→ Ctrl+Alt+a
Example of 2 modifier keys with a digit key:
"M-#"→ Alt+Shift+3 or Alt+#"C-#"→ Ctrl+Shift+3 or Ctrl+#"C-M-3"→ Ctrl+Alt+3"C-S-<kp-3>"→ Ctrl+Shift+“number pad 3”
3 Modifier Keys
3 modifier keys pressed simultaneously:
"C-M-S-a"→ Ctrl+Alt+Shift+a"C-M-!"→ Ctrl+Alt+Shift+1 or Ctrl+Alt+!"C-M-S-<up>"→ Ctrl+Alt+Shift+↑
No Modifiers
A shortcut can be created without any modifier keys.
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