2 @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
3 @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
6 @setfilename ../info/windows
7 @node Windows, Frames, Buffers, Top
10 This chapter describes most of the functions and variables related to
11 Emacs windows. See @ref{Display}, for information on how text is
15 * Basic Windows:: Basic information on using windows.
16 * Splitting Windows:: Splitting one window into two windows.
17 * Deleting Windows:: Deleting a window gives its space to other windows.
18 * Selecting Windows:: The selected window is the one that you edit in.
19 * Cyclic Window Ordering:: Moving around the existing windows.
20 * Buffers and Windows:: Each window displays the contents of a buffer.
21 * Displaying Buffers:: Higher-lever functions for displaying a buffer
22 and choosing a window for it.
23 * Choosing Window:: How to choose a window for displaying a buffer.
24 * Window Point:: Each window has its own location of point.
25 * Window Start:: The display-start position controls which text
26 is on-screen in the window.
27 * Textual Scrolling:: Moving text up and down through the window.
28 * Vertical Scrolling:: Moving the contents up and down on the window.
29 * Horizontal Scrolling:: Moving the contents sideways on the window.
30 * Size of Window:: Accessing the size of a window.
31 * Resizing Windows:: Changing the size of a window.
32 * Coordinates and Windows:: Converting coordinates to windows.
33 * Window Configurations:: Saving and restoring the state of the screen.
34 * Window Hooks:: Hooks for scrolling, window size changes,
35 redisplay going past a certain point,
36 or window configuration changes.
40 @section Basic Concepts of Emacs Windows
42 @cindex selected window
44 A @dfn{window} in Emacs is the physical area of the screen in which a
45 buffer is displayed. The term is also used to refer to a Lisp object that
46 represents that screen area in Emacs Lisp. It should be
47 clear from the context which is meant.
49 Emacs groups windows into frames. A frame represents an area of
50 screen available for Emacs to use. Each frame always contains at least
51 one window, but you can subdivide it vertically or horizontally into
52 multiple nonoverlapping Emacs windows.
54 In each frame, at any time, one and only one window is designated as
55 @dfn{selected within the frame}. The frame's cursor appears in that
56 window. At any time, one frame is the selected frame; and the window
57 selected within that frame is @dfn{the selected window}. The selected
58 window's buffer is usually the current buffer (except when
59 @code{set-buffer} has been used). @xref{Current Buffer}.
61 For practical purposes, a window exists only while it is displayed in
62 a frame. Once removed from the frame, the window is effectively deleted
63 and should not be used, @emph{even though there may still be references
64 to it} from other Lisp objects. Restoring a saved window configuration
65 is the only way for a window no longer on the screen to come back to
66 life. (@xref{Deleting Windows}.)
68 Each window has the following attributes:
81 window edges with respect to the screen or frame
84 the buffer it displays
87 position within the buffer at the upper left of the window
90 amount of horizontal scrolling, in columns
99 how recently the window was selected
102 @cindex multiple windows
103 Users create multiple windows so they can look at several buffers at
104 once. Lisp libraries use multiple windows for a variety of reasons, but
105 most often to display related information. In Rmail, for example, you
106 can move through a summary buffer in one window while the other window
107 shows messages one at a time as they are reached.
109 The meaning of ``window'' in Emacs is similar to what it means in the
110 context of general-purpose window systems such as X, but not identical.
111 The X Window System places X windows on the screen; Emacs uses one or
112 more X windows as frames, and subdivides them into
113 Emacs windows. When you use Emacs on a character-only terminal, Emacs
114 treats the whole terminal screen as one frame.
116 @cindex terminal screen
117 @cindex screen of terminal
118 @cindex tiled windows
119 Most window systems support arbitrarily located overlapping windows.
120 In contrast, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap, and
121 together they fill the whole screen or frame. Because of the way in
122 which Emacs creates new windows and resizes them, not all conceivable
123 tilings of windows on an Emacs frame are actually possible.
124 @xref{Splitting Windows}, and @ref{Size of Window}.
126 @xref{Display}, for information on how the contents of the
127 window's buffer are displayed in the window.
129 @defun windowp object
130 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window.
133 @node Splitting Windows
134 @section Splitting Windows
135 @cindex splitting windows
136 @cindex window splitting
138 The functions described here are the primitives used to split a window
139 into two windows. Two higher level functions sometimes split a window,
140 but not always: @code{pop-to-buffer} and @code{display-buffer}
141 (@pxref{Displaying Buffers}).
143 The functions described here do not accept a buffer as an argument.
144 The two ``halves'' of the split window initially display the same buffer
145 previously visible in the window that was split.
147 @deffn Command split-window &optional window size horizontal
148 This function splits @var{window} into two windows. The original
149 window @var{window} remains the selected window, but occupies only
150 part of its former screen area. The rest is occupied by a newly created
151 window which is returned as the value of this function.
153 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{window} splits into
154 two side by side windows. The original window @var{window} keeps the
155 leftmost @var{size} columns, and gives the rest of the columns to the
156 new window. Otherwise, it splits into windows one above the other, and
157 @var{window} keeps the upper @var{size} lines and gives the rest of the
158 lines to the new window. The original window is therefore the
159 left-hand or upper of the two, and the new window is the right-hand or
162 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the selected window is
163 split. If @var{size} is omitted or @code{nil}, then @var{window} is
164 divided evenly into two parts. (If there is an odd line, it is
165 allocated to the new window.) When @code{split-window} is called
166 interactively, all its arguments are @code{nil}.
168 If splitting would result in making a window that is smaller than
169 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, the function
170 signals an error and does not split the window at all.
172 The following example starts with one window on a screen that is 50
173 lines high by 80 columns wide; then it splits the window.
177 (setq w (selected-window))
178 @result{} #<window 8 on windows.texi>
179 (window-edges) ; @r{Edges in order:}
180 @result{} (0 0 80 50) ; @r{left--top--right--bottom}
184 ;; @r{Returns window created}
185 (setq w2 (split-window w 15))
186 @result{} #<window 28 on windows.texi>
190 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window;}
195 @result{} (0 0 80 15) ; @r{Top window}
199 The screen looks like this:
215 Next, split the top window horizontally:
219 (setq w3 (split-window w 35 t))
220 @result{} #<window 32 on windows.texi>
224 @result{} (35 0 80 15) ; @r{Left edge at column 35}
228 @result{} (0 0 35 15) ; @r{Right edge at column 35}
232 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window unchanged}
237 Now the screen looks like this:
254 Normally, Emacs indicates the border between two side-by-side windows
255 with a scroll bar (@pxref{Window Frame Parameters,Scroll Bars}) or @samp{|}
256 characters. The display table can specify alternative border
257 characters; see @ref{Display Tables}.
260 @deffn Command split-window-vertically &optional size
261 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above the
262 other, leaving the upper of the two windows selected, with @var{size}
263 lines. (If @var{size} is negative, then the lower of the two windows
264 gets @minus{} @var{size} lines and the upper window gets the rest, but
265 the upper window is still the one selected.)
268 @deffn Command split-window-horizontally &optional size
269 This function splits the selected window into two windows
270 side-by-side, leaving the selected window with @var{size} columns.
272 This function is basically an interface to @code{split-window}.
273 You could define a simplified version of the function like this:
277 (defun split-window-horizontally (&optional arg)
278 "Split selected window into two windows, side by side..."
282 (let ((size (and arg (prefix-numeric-value arg))))
284 (setq size (+ (window-width) size)))
285 (split-window nil size t)))
290 @defun one-window-p &optional no-mini all-frames
291 This function returns non-@code{nil} if there is only one window. The
292 argument @var{no-mini}, if non-@code{nil}, means don't count the
293 minibuffer even if it is active; otherwise, the minibuffer window is
294 included, if active, in the total number of windows, which is compared
297 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
298 are the possible values and their meanings:
302 Count the windows in the selected frame, plus the minibuffer used
303 by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
306 Count all windows in all existing frames.
309 Count all windows in all visible frames.
312 Count all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
315 Count precisely the windows in the selected frame, and no others.
319 @node Deleting Windows
320 @section Deleting Windows
321 @cindex deleting windows
323 A window remains visible on its frame unless you @dfn{delete} it by
324 calling certain functions that delete windows. A deleted window cannot
325 appear on the screen, but continues to exist as a Lisp object until
326 there are no references to it. There is no way to cancel the deletion
327 of a window aside from restoring a saved window configuration
328 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). Restoring a window configuration also
329 deletes any windows that aren't part of that configuration.
331 When you delete a window, the space it took up is given to one
335 @defun window-live-p window
336 This function returns @code{nil} if @var{window} is deleted, and
339 @strong{Warning:} Erroneous information or fatal errors may result from
340 using a deleted window as if it were live.
343 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window
344 This function removes @var{window} from display, and returns @code{nil}.
345 If @var{window} is omitted, then the selected window is deleted. An
346 error is signaled if there is only one window when @code{delete-window}
350 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
351 This function makes @var{window} the only window on its frame, by
352 deleting the other windows in that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
353 @code{nil}, then the selected window is used by default.
355 The return value is @code{nil}.
358 @deffn Command delete-windows-on buffer &optional frame
359 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer}. If there are
360 no windows showing @var{buffer}, it does nothing.
362 @code{delete-windows-on} operates frame by frame. If a frame has
363 several windows showing different buffers, then those showing
364 @var{buffer} are removed, and the others expand to fill the space. If
365 all windows in some frame are showing @var{buffer} (including the case
366 where there is only one window), then the frame reverts to having a
367 single window showing another buffer chosen with @code{other-buffer}.
368 @xref{The Buffer List}.
370 The argument @var{frame} controls which frames to operate on. This
371 function does not use it in quite the same way as the other functions
372 which scan all windows; specifically, the values @code{t} and @code{nil}
373 have the opposite of their meanings in other functions. Here are the
378 If it is @code{nil}, operate on all frames.
380 If it is @code{t}, operate on the selected frame.
382 If it is @code{visible}, operate on all visible frames.
384 If it is 0, operate on all visible or iconified frames.
386 If it is a frame, operate on that frame.
389 This function always returns @code{nil}.
392 @node Selecting Windows
393 @section Selecting Windows
394 @cindex selecting windows
396 When a window is selected, the buffer in the window becomes the current
397 buffer, and the cursor will appear in it.
399 @defun selected-window
400 This function returns the selected window. This is the window in
401 which the cursor appears and to which many commands apply.
404 @defun select-window window
405 This function makes @var{window} the selected window. The cursor then
406 appears in @var{window} (on redisplay). The buffer being displayed in
407 @var{window} is immediately designated the current buffer.
409 The return value is @var{window}.
413 (setq w (next-window))
415 @result{} #<window 65 on windows.texi>
420 @defmac save-selected-window forms@dots{}
421 This macro records the selected window, executes @var{forms}
422 in sequence, then restores the earlier selected window (unless that
423 window is no longer alive).
425 This macro does not save or restore anything about the sizes, arrangement
426 or contents of windows; therefore, if the @var{forms} change them,
429 Each frame, at any time, has a window selected within the frame. This
430 macro saves only @emph{the} selected window; it does not save anything
431 about other frames. If the @var{forms} select some other frame and
432 alter the window selected within it, the change persists.
435 @cindex finding windows
436 The following functions choose one of the windows on the screen,
437 offering various criteria for the choice.
439 @defun get-lru-window &optional frame
440 This function returns the window least recently ``used'' (that is,
441 selected). The selected window is always the most recently used window.
443 The selected window can be the least recently used window if it is the
444 only window. A newly created window becomes the least recently used
445 window until it is selected. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
447 The argument @var{frame} controls which windows are considered.
451 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
453 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
455 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
457 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
459 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
463 @defun get-largest-window &optional frame
464 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
465 width). If there are no side-by-side windows, then this is the window
466 with the most lines. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
468 If there are two windows of the same size, then the function returns
469 the window that is first in the cyclic ordering of windows (see
470 following section), starting from the selected window.
472 The argument @var{frame} controls which set of windows to
473 consider. See @code{get-lru-window}, above.
476 @cindex window that satisfies a predicate
477 @cindex conditional selection of windows
478 @defun get-window-with-predicate predicate &optional minibuf all-frames default
479 This function returns a window satisfying @var{predicate}. It cycles
480 through all visible windows using @code{walk-windows} (@pxref{Cyclic
481 Window Ordering}), calling @var{predicate} on each one one of them
482 with that window as its argument. The function returns the first
483 window for which @var{predicate} returns a non-@code{nil} value; if
484 that never happens, it returns @var{default}.
486 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
487 set of windows to include in the scan. See the description of
488 @code{next-window} in @ref{Cyclic Window Ordering}, for details.
491 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
492 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
493 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
494 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
495 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
496 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
498 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
499 the next window, it moves through all the windows on the screen in a
500 specific cyclic order. For any given configuration of windows, this
501 order never varies. It is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
503 This ordering generally goes from top to bottom, and from left to
504 right. But it may go down first or go right first, depending on the
505 order in which the windows were split.
507 If the first split was vertical (into windows one above each other),
508 and then the subwindows were split horizontally, then the ordering is
509 left to right in the top of the frame, and then left to right in the
510 next lower part of the frame, and so on. If the first split was
511 horizontal, the ordering is top to bottom in the left part, and so on.
512 In general, within each set of siblings at any level in the window tree,
513 the order is left to right, or top to bottom.
515 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
516 @cindex minibuffer window
517 This function returns the window following @var{window} in the cyclic
518 ordering of windows. This is the window that @kbd{C-x o} would select
519 if typed when @var{window} is selected. If @var{window} is the only
520 window visible, then this function returns @var{window}. If omitted,
521 @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
523 The value of the argument @var{minibuf} determines whether the
524 minibuffer is included in the window order. Normally, when
525 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}, the minibuffer is included if it is
526 currently active; this is the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (The minibuffer
527 window is active while the minibuffer is in use. @xref{Minibuffers}.)
529 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, then the cyclic ordering includes the
530 minibuffer window even if it is not active.
532 If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor @code{nil}, then the minibuffer
533 window is not included even if it is active.
535 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
536 are the possible values and their meanings:
540 Consider all the windows in @var{window}'s frame, plus the minibuffer
541 used by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
544 Consider all windows in all existing frames.
547 Consider all windows in all visible frames. (To get useful results, you
548 must ensure @var{window} is in a visible frame.)
551 Consider all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
554 Consider precisely the windows in @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
557 This example assumes there are two windows, both displaying the
558 buffer @samp{windows.texi}:
563 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
566 (next-window (selected-window))
567 @result{} #<window 52 on windows.texi>
570 (next-window (next-window (selected-window)))
571 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
576 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
577 This function returns the window preceding @var{window} in the cyclic
578 ordering of windows. The other arguments specify which windows to
579 include in the cycle, as in @code{next-window}.
582 @deffn Command other-window count &optional all-frames
583 This function selects the @var{count}th following window in the cyclic
584 order. If count is negative, then it moves back @minus{}@var{count}
585 windows in the cycle, rather than forward. It returns @code{nil}.
587 The argument @var{all-frames} has the same meaning as in
588 @code{next-window}, but the @var{minibuf} argument of @code{next-window}
589 is always effectively @code{nil}.
591 In an interactive call, @var{count} is the numeric prefix argument.
595 @defun walk-windows proc &optional minibuf all-frames
596 This function cycles through all windows, calling @code{proc}
597 once for each window with the window as its sole argument.
599 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
600 set of windows to include in the scan. See @code{next-window}, above,
604 @defun window-list &optional frame minibuf window
605 This function returns a list of the windows on @var{frame}, starting
606 with @var{window}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil} or omitted, the
607 selected frame is used instead; if @var{window} is @code{nil} or
608 omitted, the selected window is used instead.
610 The value of @var{minibuf} determines if the minibuffer window will be
611 included in the result list. If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, the
612 minibuffer window will be included, even if it isn't active. If
613 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil} or omitted, the minibuffer window will
614 only be included in the list if it is active. If @var{minibuf} is
615 neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, the minibuffer window is not
616 included, whether or not it is active.
619 @node Buffers and Windows
620 @section Buffers and Windows
621 @cindex examining windows
622 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
623 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
625 This section describes low-level functions to examine windows or to
626 display buffers in windows in a precisely controlled fashion.
628 See the following section for
631 @xref{Displaying Buffers}, for
633 related functions that find a window to use and specify a buffer for it.
634 The functions described there are easier to use than these, but they
635 employ heuristics in choosing or creating a window; use these functions
636 when you need complete control.
638 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name
639 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name} as its
640 contents. It returns @code{nil}. This is the fundamental primitive
641 for changing which buffer is displayed in a window, and all ways
642 of doing that call this function.
646 (set-window-buffer (selected-window) "foo")
652 @defun window-buffer &optional window
653 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
654 @var{window} is omitted, this function returns the buffer for the
660 @result{} #<buffer windows.texi>
665 @defun get-buffer-window buffer-or-name &optional all-frames
666 This function returns a window currently displaying
667 @var{buffer-or-name}, or @code{nil} if there is none. If there are
668 several such windows, then the function returns the first one in the
669 cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window.
670 @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
672 The argument @var{all-frames} controls which windows to consider.
676 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
678 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
680 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
682 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
684 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
688 @defun get-buffer-window-list buffer-or-name &optional minibuf all-frames
689 This function returns a list of all the windows currently displaying
690 @var{buffer-or-name}.
692 The two optional arguments work like the optional arguments of
693 @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}); they are @emph{not}
694 like the single optional argument of @code{get-buffer-window}. Perhaps
695 we should change @code{get-buffer-window} in the future to make it
696 compatible with the other functions.
698 The argument @var{all-frames} controls which windows to consider.
702 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
704 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
706 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
708 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
710 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
714 @defvar buffer-display-time
715 This variable records the time at which a buffer was last made visible
716 in a window. It is always local in each buffer; each time
717 @code{set-window-buffer} is called, it sets this variable to
718 @code{(current-time)} in the specified buffer (@pxref{Time of Day}).
719 When a buffer is first created, @code{buffer-display-time} starts out
720 with the value @code{nil}.
723 @node Displaying Buffers
724 @section Displaying Buffers in Windows
725 @cindex switching to a buffer
726 @cindex displaying a buffer
728 In this section we describe convenient functions that choose a window
729 automatically and use it to display a specified buffer. These functions
730 can also split an existing window in certain circumstances. We also
731 describe variables that parameterize the heuristics used for choosing a
734 See the preceding section for
737 @xref{Buffers and Windows}, for
739 low-level functions that give you more precise control. All of these
740 functions work by calling @code{set-window-buffer}.
742 Do not use the functions in this section in order to make a buffer
743 current so that a Lisp program can access or modify it; they are too
744 drastic for that purpose, since they change the display of buffers in
745 windows, which would be gratuitous and surprise the user. Instead, use
746 @code{set-buffer} and @code{save-current-buffer} (@pxref{Current
747 Buffer}), which designate buffers as current for programmed access
748 without affecting the display of buffers in windows.
750 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord
751 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer, and also
752 displays the buffer in the selected window. This means that a human can
753 see the buffer and subsequent keyboard commands will apply to it.
754 Contrast this with @code{set-buffer}, which makes @var{buffer-or-name}
755 the current buffer but does not display it in the selected window.
756 @xref{Current Buffer}.
758 If @var{buffer-or-name} does not identify an existing buffer, then a new
759 buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new buffer is
760 set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}. @xref{Auto
763 Normally the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer list
764 (both the selected frame's buffer list and the frame-independent buffer
765 list). This affects the operation of @code{other-buffer}. However, if
766 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this is not done. @xref{The Buffer
769 The @code{switch-to-buffer} function is often used interactively, as
770 the binding of @kbd{C-x b}. It is also used frequently in programs. It
771 returns the buffer that it switched to.
774 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
775 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
776 displays it in a window not currently selected. It then selects that
777 window. The handling of the buffer is the same as in
778 @code{switch-to-buffer}.
780 The currently selected window is absolutely never used to do the job.
781 If it is the only window, then it is split to make a distinct window for
782 this purpose. If the selected window is already displaying the buffer,
783 then it continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to
784 display it in as well.
786 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
787 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
790 @defun pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional other-window norecord
791 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
792 switches to it in some window, preferably not the window previously
793 selected. The ``popped-to'' window becomes the selected window within
794 its frame. The return value is the buffer that was switched to.
796 If the variable @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil},
797 @code{pop-to-buffer} looks for a window in any visible frame already
798 displaying the buffer; if there is one, it returns that window and makes
799 it be selected within its frame. If there is none, it creates a new
800 frame and displays the buffer in it.
802 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{pop-to-buffer}
803 operates entirely within the selected frame. (If the selected frame has
804 just a minibuffer, @code{pop-to-buffer} operates within the most
805 recently selected frame that was not just a minibuffer.)
807 If the variable @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}, windows may
808 be split to create a new window that is different from the original
809 window. For details, see @ref{Choosing Window}.
811 If @var{other-window} is non-@code{nil}, @code{pop-to-buffer} finds or
812 creates another window even if @var{buffer-or-name} is already visible
813 in the selected window. Thus @var{buffer-or-name} could end up
814 displayed in two windows. On the other hand, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
815 already displayed in the selected window and @var{other-window} is
816 @code{nil}, then the selected window is considered sufficient display
817 for @var{buffer-or-name}, so that nothing needs to be done.
819 All the variables that affect @code{display-buffer} affect
820 @code{pop-to-buffer} as well. @xref{Choosing Window}.
822 If @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that does not name an existing
823 buffer, a buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new
824 buffer is set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}.
825 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
827 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
828 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
831 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows buffer
832 This function replaces @var{buffer} with some other buffer in all
833 windows displaying it. The other buffer used is chosen with
834 @code{other-buffer}. In the usual applications of this function, you
835 don't care which other buffer is used; you just want to make sure that
836 @var{buffer} is no longer displayed.
838 This function returns @code{nil}.
841 @node Choosing Window
842 @section Choosing a Window for Display
844 This section describes the basic facility that chooses a window to
845 display a buffer in---@code{display-buffer}. All the higher-level
846 functions and commands use this subroutine. Here we describe how to use
847 @code{display-buffer} and how to customize it.
849 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional not-this-window frame
850 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, like
851 @code{pop-to-buffer}, but it does not select that window and does not
852 make the buffer current. The identity of the selected window is
853 unaltered by this function.
855 If @var{not-this-window} is non-@code{nil}, it means to display the
856 specified buffer in a window other than the selected one, even if it is
857 already on display in the selected window. This can cause the buffer to
858 appear in two windows at once. Otherwise, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
859 already being displayed in any window, that is good enough, so this
860 function does nothing.
862 @code{display-buffer} returns the window chosen to display
863 @var{buffer-or-name}.
865 If the argument @var{frame} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies which frames
866 to check when deciding whether the buffer is already displayed. If the
867 buffer is already displayed in some window on one of these frames,
868 @code{display-buffer} simply returns that window. Here are the possible
869 values of @var{frame}:
873 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
875 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
877 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
879 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
881 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
884 Precisely how @code{display-buffer} finds or creates a window depends on
885 the variables described below.
888 @defopt display-buffer-reuse-frames
889 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} searches
890 existing frames for a window displaying the buffer. If the buffer is
891 already displayed in a window in some frame, @code{display-buffer} makes
892 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. If the buffer is
893 not already displayed, or if @code{display-buffer-reuse-frames} is
894 @code{nil}, @code{display-buffer}'s behavior is determined by other
895 variables, described below.
898 @defopt pop-up-windows
899 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new windows.
900 If it is non-@code{nil} and there is only one window, then that window
901 is split. If it is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} does not
902 split the single window, but uses it whole.
905 @defopt split-height-threshold
906 This variable determines when @code{display-buffer} may split a window,
907 if there are multiple windows. @code{display-buffer} always splits the
908 largest window if it has at least this many lines. If the largest
909 window is not this tall, it is split only if it is the sole window and
910 @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}.
913 @defopt even-window-heights
914 This variable determines if @code{display-buffer} should even out window
915 heights if the buffer gets displayed in an existing window, above or
916 beneath another existing window. If @code{even-window-heights} is
917 @code{t}, the default, window heights will be evened out. If
918 @code{even-window-heights} is @code{nil}, the original window heights
923 @defopt pop-up-frames
924 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new frames.
925 If it is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} looks for an existing
926 window already displaying the desired buffer, on any visible frame. If
927 it finds one, it returns that window. Otherwise it makes a new frame.
928 The variables @code{pop-up-windows} and @code{split-height-threshold} do
929 not matter if @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
931 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} either
932 splits a window or reuses one.
934 @xref{Frames}, for more information.
938 @defvar pop-up-frame-function
939 This variable specifies how to make a new frame if @code{pop-up-frames}
942 Its value should be a function of no arguments. When
943 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame, it does so by calling that
944 function, which should return a frame. The default value of the
945 variable is a function that creates a frame using parameters from
946 @code{pop-up-frame-alist}.
949 @defopt pop-up-frame-alist
950 This variable holds an alist specifying frame parameters used when
951 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame. @xref{Frame Parameters}, for
952 more information about frame parameters.
955 @defopt special-display-buffer-names
956 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed specially.
957 If the buffer's name is in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
960 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
962 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
963 list is the buffer name, and the rest of the list says how to create the
964 frame. There are two possibilities for the rest of the list. It can be
965 an alist, specifying frame parameters, or it can contain a function and
966 arguments to give to it. (The function's first argument is always the
967 buffer to be displayed; the arguments from the list come after that.)
970 @defopt special-display-regexps
971 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
972 displayed specially. If the buffer's name matches any of the regular
973 expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer
976 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
978 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
979 list is the regular expression, and the rest of the list says how to
980 create the frame. See above, under @code{special-display-buffer-names}.
983 @defvar special-display-function
984 This variable holds the function to call to display a buffer specially.
985 It receives the buffer as an argument, and should return the window in
986 which it is displayed.
988 The default value of this variable is
989 @code{special-display-popup-frame}.
992 @defun special-display-popup-frame buffer &rest args
993 This function makes @var{buffer} visible in a frame of its own. If
994 @var{buffer} is already displayed in a window in some frame, it makes
995 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. Otherwise, it
996 creates a frame that will be dedicated to @var{buffer}.
998 If @var{args} is an alist, it specifies frame parameters for the new
1001 If @var{args} is a list whose @sc{car} is a symbol, then @code{(car
1002 @var{args})} is called as a function to actually create and set up the
1003 frame; it is called with @var{buffer} as first argument, and @code{(cdr
1004 @var{args})} as additional arguments.
1006 This function always uses an existing window displaying @var{buffer},
1007 whether or not it is in a frame of its own; but if you set up the above
1008 variables in your init file, before @var{buffer} was created, then
1009 presumably the window was previously made by this function.
1012 @defopt special-display-frame-alist
1013 This variable holds frame parameters for
1014 @code{special-display-popup-frame} to use when it creates a frame.
1017 @defopt same-window-buffer-names
1018 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
1019 selected window. If the buffer's name is in this list,
1020 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by switching to it in the
1024 @defopt same-window-regexps
1025 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1026 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
1027 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1028 buffer by switching to it in the selected window.
1032 @defvar display-buffer-function
1033 This variable is the most flexible way to customize the behavior of
1034 @code{display-buffer}. If it is non-@code{nil}, it should be a function
1035 that @code{display-buffer} calls to do the work. The function should
1036 accept two arguments, the same two arguments that @code{display-buffer}
1037 received. It should choose or create a window, display the specified
1038 buffer, and then return the window.
1040 This hook takes precedence over all the other options and hooks
1045 @cindex dedicated window
1046 A window can be marked as ``dedicated'' to its buffer. Then
1047 @code{display-buffer} will not try to use that window to display any
1050 @defun window-dedicated-p window
1051 This function returns @code{t} if @var{window} is marked as dedicated;
1052 otherwise @code{nil}.
1055 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
1056 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated if @var{flag} is
1057 non-@code{nil}, and nondedicated otherwise.
1061 @section Windows and Point
1062 @cindex window position
1063 @cindex window point
1064 @cindex position in window
1065 @cindex point in window
1067 Each window has its own value of point, independent of the value of
1068 point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This makes it useful
1069 to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
1073 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
1074 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
1075 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
1078 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer from the
1079 window's value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the
1080 window's value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch
1081 between windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the
1082 selected window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for
1083 the other windows are stored in those windows.
1086 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
1087 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
1090 @xref{Positions}, for more details on buffer positions.
1093 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
1094 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
1095 position of point in that buffer.
1097 @defun window-point &optional window
1098 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
1099 For a nonselected window, this is the value point would have (in that
1100 window's buffer) if that window were selected. If @var{window} is
1101 @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1103 When @var{window} is the selected window and its buffer is also the
1104 current buffer, the value returned is the same as point in that buffer.
1106 Strictly speaking, it would be more correct to return the
1107 ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any @code{save-excursion}
1108 forms. But that value is hard to find.
1111 @defun set-window-point window position
1112 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
1113 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer.
1117 @section The Window Start Position
1119 Each window contains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
1120 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
1121 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
1122 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
1123 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
1124 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
1126 @defun window-start &optional window
1127 @cindex window top line
1128 This function returns the display-start position of window
1129 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1139 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
1140 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
1141 for the same buffer, or 1 if the buffer doesn't have any.
1143 Redisplay updates the window-start position (if you have not specified
1144 it explicitly since the previous redisplay)---for example, to make sure
1145 point appears on the screen. Nothing except redisplay automatically
1146 changes the window-start position; if you move point, do not expect the
1147 window-start position to change in response until after the next
1150 For a realistic example of using @code{window-start}, see the
1151 description of @code{count-lines} in @ref{Text Lines}.
1154 @defun window-end &optional window update
1155 This function returns the position of the end of the display in window
1156 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1159 Simply changing the buffer text or moving point does not update the
1160 value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated only when
1161 Emacs redisplays and redisplay completes without being preempted.
1163 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
1164 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
1165 In that case, this function returns @code{nil}.
1167 If @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} always returns an
1168 up-to-date value for where the window ends, based on the current
1169 @code{window-start} value. If the saved value is valid,
1170 @code{window-end} returns that; otherwise it computes the correct
1171 value by scanning the buffer text.
1173 Even if @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} does not
1174 attempt to scroll the display if point has moved off the screen, the
1175 way real redisplay would do. It does not alter the
1176 @code{window-start} value. In effect, it reports where the displayed
1177 text will end if scrolling is not required.
1180 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
1181 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
1182 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1184 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
1185 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
1186 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
1187 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
1188 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
1189 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
1190 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
1191 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
1193 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window @w{to
1194 2}, then point would be ``above'' the top of the window. The display
1195 routines will automatically move point if it is still 1 when redisplay
1196 occurs. Here is an example:
1200 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
1201 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1205 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1206 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
1212 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1218 (1+ (window-start)))
1223 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
1224 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1225 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1226 his is the contents of buffer foo.
1232 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1236 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
1237 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
1238 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
1241 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window partially
1242 This function returns @code{t} if @var{position} is within the range of
1243 text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It returns
1244 @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically or horizontally out
1245 of view. Locations that are partially obscured are not considered
1246 visible unless @var{partially} is non-@code{nil}. The argument
1247 @var{position} defaults to the current position of point in
1248 @var{window}; @var{window}, to the selected window.
1254 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
1255 (point) (selected-window))
1261 @node Textual Scrolling
1262 @section Textual Scrolling
1263 @cindex textual scrolling
1264 @cindex scrolling textually
1266 @dfn{Textual scrolling} means moving the text up or down though a
1267 window. It works by changing the value of the window's display-start
1268 location. It may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep
1269 point on the screen.
1271 Textual scrolling was formerly called ``vertical scrolling,'' but we
1272 changed its name to distinguish it from the new vertical fractional
1273 scrolling feature (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1275 In the commands @code{scroll-up} and @code{scroll-down}, the directions
1276 ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the motion of the text in the buffer at which
1277 you are looking through the window. Imagine that the text is
1278 written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling commands move the
1279 paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at text in the middle of a
1280 buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will eventually see
1281 the beginning of the buffer.
1283 Some people have urged that the opposite convention be used: they
1284 imagine that the window moves over text that remains in place. Then
1285 ``down'' commands would take you to the end of the buffer. This view is
1286 more consistent with the actual relationship between windows and the
1287 text in the buffer, but it is less like what the user sees. The
1288 position of a window on the terminal does not move, and short scrolling
1289 commands clearly move the text up or down on the screen. We have chosen
1290 names that fit the user's point of view.
1292 The textual scrolling functions (aside from
1293 @code{scroll-other-window}) have unpredictable results if the current
1294 buffer is different from the buffer that is displayed in the selected
1295 window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1297 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional count
1298 This function scrolls the text in the selected window upward
1299 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1302 If @var{count} is @code{nil} (or omitted), then the length of scroll
1303 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1304 the window (not counting its mode line).
1306 @code{scroll-up} returns @code{nil}.
1309 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional count
1310 This function scrolls the text in the selected window downward
1311 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1314 If @var{count} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the length of the scroll
1315 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1316 the window (not counting its mode line).
1318 @code{scroll-down} returns @code{nil}.
1321 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional count
1322 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{count}
1323 lines. Negative values of @var{count}, or @code{nil}, are handled
1324 as in @code{scroll-up}.
1326 You can specify which buffer to scroll by setting the variable
1327 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer} to a buffer. If that buffer isn't
1328 already displayed, @code{scroll-other-window} displays it in some
1331 When the selected window is the minibuffer, the next window is normally
1332 the one at the top left corner. You can specify a different window to
1333 scroll, when the minibuffer is selected, by setting the variable
1334 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
1335 other window is selected. @xref{Minibuffer Misc}.
1337 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
1338 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
1339 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
1340 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
1341 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
1342 ``Beginning of buffer''.
1346 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
1347 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
1348 which buffer to scroll.
1351 @defopt scroll-margin
1352 This option specifies the size of the scroll margin---a minimum number
1353 of lines between point and the top or bottom of a window. Whenever
1354 point gets within this many lines of the top or bottom of the window,
1355 redisplay scrolls the text automatically (if possible) to move point
1356 out of the margin, closer to the center of the window.
1359 @defopt scroll-conservatively
1360 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
1361 moves off the screen (or into the scroll margin). If the value is a
1362 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay scrolls the text up to
1363 @var{n} lines in either direction, if that will bring point back into
1364 proper view. This action is called @dfn{conservative scrolling}.
1365 Otherwise, scrolling happens in the usual way, under the control of
1366 other variables such as @code{scroll-up-aggressively} and
1367 @code{scroll-down-aggressively}.
1369 The default value is zero, which means that conservative scrolling
1373 @defopt scroll-down-aggressively
1374 @tindex scroll-down-aggressively
1375 The value of this variable should be either @code{nil} or a fraction
1376 @var{f} between 0 and 1. If it is a fraction, that specifies where on
1377 the screen to put point when scrolling down. More precisely, when a
1378 window scrolls down because point is above the window start, the new
1379 start position is chosen to put point @var{f} part of the window
1380 height from the top. The larger @var{f}, the more aggressive the
1383 A value of @code{nil} is equivalent to .5, since its effect is to center
1384 point. This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set in any
1388 @defopt scroll-up-aggressively
1389 @tindex scroll-up-aggressively
1390 Likewise, for scrolling up. The value, @var{f}, specifies how far
1391 point should be placed from the bottom of the window; thus, as with
1392 @code{scroll-up-aggressively}, a larger value scrolls more aggressively.
1396 This variable is an older variant of @code{scroll-conservatively}. The
1397 difference is that it if its value is @var{n}, that permits scrolling
1398 only by precisely @var{n} lines, not a smaller number. This feature
1399 does not work with @code{scroll-margin}. The default value is zero.
1402 @defopt scroll-preserve-screen-position
1403 If this option is non-@code{nil}, the scroll functions move point so
1404 that the vertical position of the cursor is unchanged, when that is
1408 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
1409 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
1410 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
1411 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
1412 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
1416 @deffn Command recenter &optional count
1417 @cindex centering point
1418 This function scrolls the text in the selected window so that point is
1419 displayed at a specified vertical position within the window. It does
1420 not ``move point'' with respect to the text.
1422 If @var{count} is a nonnegative number, that puts the line containing
1423 point @var{count} lines down from the top of the window. If
1424 @var{count} is a negative number, then it counts upward from the
1425 bottom of the window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable
1426 line in the window. If @var{count} is a non-@code{nil} list, then it
1427 stands for the line in the middle of the window.
1429 If @var{count} is @code{nil}, @code{recenter} puts the line containing
1430 point in the middle of the window, then clears and redisplays the entire
1433 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{count} is the raw
1434 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
1435 @var{count} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
1436 @var{count} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
1439 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
1440 the top of the window. This action is so handy that some people make a
1441 separate key binding to do this. For example,
1445 (defun line-to-top-of-window ()
1446 "Scroll current line to top of window.
1447 Replaces three keystroke sequence C-u 0 C-l."
1451 (global-set-key [kp-multiply] 'line-to-top-of-window)
1456 @node Vertical Scrolling
1457 @section Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1458 @cindex Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1460 @dfn{Vertical fractional scrolling} means shifting the image in the
1461 window up or down by a specified multiple or fraction of a line.
1462 Starting in Emacs 21, each window has a @dfn{vertical scroll position},
1463 which is a number, never less than zero. It specifies how far to raise
1464 the contents of the window. Raising the window contents generally makes
1465 all or part of some lines disappear off the top, and all or part of some
1466 other lines appear at the bottom. The usual value is zero.
1468 The vertical scroll position is measured in units of the normal line
1469 height, which is the height of the default font. Thus, if the value is
1470 .5, that means the window contents are scrolled up half the normal line
1471 height. If it is 3.3, that means the window contents are scrolled up
1472 somewhat over three times the normal line height.
1474 What fraction of a line the vertical scrolling covers, or how many
1475 lines, depends on what the lines contain. A value of .5 could scroll a
1476 line whose height is very short off the screen, while a value of 3.3
1477 could scroll just part of the way through a tall line or an image.
1479 @defun window-vscroll &optional window
1480 This function returns the current vertical scroll position of
1481 @var{window}, If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1492 @defun set-window-vscroll window lines
1493 This function sets @var{window}'s vertical scroll position to
1494 @var{lines}. The argument @var{lines} should be zero or positive; if
1495 not, it is taken as zero.
1497 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1499 The actual vertical scroll position must always correspond
1500 to an integral number of pixels, so the value you specify
1501 is rounded accordingly.
1503 The return value is the result of this rounding.
1507 (set-window-vscroll (selected-window) 1.2)
1513 @node Horizontal Scrolling
1514 @section Horizontal Scrolling
1515 @cindex horizontal scrolling
1517 @dfn{Horizontal scrolling} means shifting the image in the window left
1518 or right by a specified multiple of the normal character width. Each
1519 window has a @dfn{horizontal scroll position}, which is a number, never
1520 less than zero. It specifies how far to shift the contents left.
1521 Shifting the window contents left generally makes all or part of some
1522 characters disappear off the left, and all or part of some other
1523 characters appear at the right. The usual value is zero.
1525 The horizontal scroll position is measured in units of the normal
1526 character width, which is the width of space in the default font. Thus,
1527 if the value is 5, that means the window contents are scrolled left by 5
1528 times the normal character width. How many characters actually
1529 disappear off to the left depends on their width, and could vary from
1532 Because we read from side to side in the ``inner loop'', and from top
1533 to bottom in the ``outer loop'', the effect of horizontal scrolling is
1534 not like that of textual or vertical scrolling. Textual scrolling
1535 involves selection of a portion of text to display, and vertical
1536 scrolling moves the window contents contiguously; but horizontal
1537 scrolling causes part of @emph{each line} to go off screen.
1539 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
1540 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
1541 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the edge
1542 to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the left is
1543 allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of the window
1544 and can reveal additional columns on the right that were truncated
1545 before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward horizontal
1546 scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so far as to
1547 reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit to how far
1548 left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will disappear off the
1551 @vindex auto-hscroll-mode
1552 In Emacs 21, redisplay automatically alters the horizontal scrolling
1553 of a window as necessary to ensure that point is always visible, if
1554 @code{auto-hscroll-mode} is set. However, you can still set the
1555 horizontal scrolling value explicitly. The value you specify serves as
1556 a lower bound for automatic scrolling, i.e. automatic scrolling
1557 will not scroll a window to a column less than the specified one.
1559 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count
1560 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1561 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The default
1562 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
1564 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
1565 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
1566 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1569 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count
1570 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1571 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The default
1572 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
1574 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
1575 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
1576 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1578 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
1579 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
1580 any farther right have no effect.
1583 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
1584 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
1585 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
1586 is scrolled left past the left margin.
1588 The value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal scrolling
1589 has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
1591 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1609 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
1610 This function sets the number of columns from the left margin that
1611 @var{window} is scrolled from the value of @var{columns}. The argument
1612 @var{columns} should be zero or positive; if not, it is taken as zero.
1613 Fractional values of @var{columns} are not supported at present.
1615 Note that @code{set-window-hscroll} may appear not to work if you test
1616 it by evaluating a call with @kbd{M-:} in a simple way. What happens
1617 is that the function sets the horizontal scroll value and returns, but
1618 then redisplay adjusts the horizontal scrolling to make point visible,
1619 and this overrides what the function did. You can observe the
1620 function's effect if you call it while point is sufficiently far from
1621 the left margin that it will remain visible.
1623 The value returned is @var{columns}.
1627 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
1633 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
1634 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
1638 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
1640 (goto-char position)
1642 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
1643 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
1644 (window-width window)))))
1648 @node Size of Window
1649 @section The Size of a Window
1651 @cindex size of window
1653 An Emacs window is rectangular, and its size information consists of
1654 the height (the number of lines) and the width (the number of character
1655 positions in each line). The mode line is included in the height. But
1656 the width does not count the scroll bar or the column of @samp{|}
1657 characters that separates side-by-side windows.
1659 The following three functions return size information about a window:
1661 @defun window-height &optional window
1662 This function returns the number of lines in @var{window}, including
1663 its mode line and header line, if any. If @var{window} fills its
1664 entire frame except for the echo area, and there is no tool bar, this
1665 is typically one less than the value of @code{frame-height} on that
1668 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1676 (split-window-vertically)
1677 @result{} #<window 4 on windows.texi>
1686 @tindex window-body-height
1687 @defun window-body-height &optional window
1688 Like @code{window-height} but the value does not include the
1689 mode line (if any) or the header line (if any).
1692 @defun window-width &optional window
1693 This function returns the number of columns in @var{window}. If
1694 @var{window} fills its entire frame, this is the same as the value of
1695 @code{frame-width} on that frame. The width does not include the
1696 window's scroll bar or the column of @samp{|} characters that separates
1697 side-by-side windows.
1699 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1709 @defun window-edges &optional window
1710 This function returns a list of the edge coordinates of @var{window}.
1711 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1713 The order of the list is @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
1714 @var{bottom})}, all elements relative to 0, 0 at the top left corner of
1715 the frame. The element @var{right} of the value is one more than the
1716 rightmost column used by @var{window}, and @var{bottom} is one more than
1717 the bottommost row used by @var{window} and its mode-line.
1719 If a window has a scroll bar, the right edge value includes the width of
1720 the scroll bar. Otherwise, if the window has a neighbor on the right,
1721 its right edge value includes the width of the separator line between
1722 the window and that neighbor. Since the width of the window does not
1723 include this separator, the width does not usually equal the difference
1724 between the right and left edges.
1726 Here is the result obtained on a typical 24-line terminal with just one
1731 (window-edges (selected-window))
1732 @result{} (0 0 80 23)
1737 The bottom edge is at line 23 because the last line is the echo area.
1739 If @var{window} is at the upper left corner of its frame, then
1740 @var{bottom} is the same as the value of @code{(window-height)},
1741 @var{right} is almost the same as the value of @code{(window-width)},
1742 and @var{top} and @var{left} are zero. For example, the edges of the
1743 following window are @w{@samp{0 0 8 5}}. Assuming that the frame has
1744 more than 8 columns, the last column of the window (column 7) holds a
1745 border rather than text. The last row (row 4) holds the mode line,
1746 shown here with @samp{xxxxxxxxx}.
1762 In the following example, let's suppose that the frame is 7
1763 columns wide. Then the edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 4 3}}
1764 and the edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 8 3}}.
1778 @node Resizing Windows
1779 @section Changing the Size of a Window
1780 @cindex window resizing
1781 @cindex changing window size
1782 @cindex window size, changing
1784 The window size functions fall into two classes: high-level commands
1785 that change the size of windows and low-level functions that access
1786 window size. Emacs does not permit overlapping windows or gaps between
1787 windows, so resizing one window affects other windows.
1789 @deffn Command enlarge-window size &optional horizontal
1790 This function makes the selected window @var{size} lines taller,
1791 stealing lines from neighboring windows. It takes the lines from one
1792 window at a time until that window is used up, then takes from another.
1793 If a window from which lines are stolen shrinks below
1794 @code{window-min-height} lines, that window disappears.
1796 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this function makes
1797 @var{window} wider by @var{size} columns, stealing columns instead of
1798 lines. If a window from which columns are stolen shrinks below
1799 @code{window-min-width} columns, that window disappears.
1801 If the requested size would exceed that of the window's frame, then the
1802 function makes the window occupy the entire height (or width) of the
1805 If there are various other windows from which lines or columns can be
1806 stolen, and some of them specify fixed size (using
1807 @code{window-size-fixed}, see below), they are left untouched while
1808 other windows are ``robbed.'' If it would be necessary to alter the
1809 size of a fixed-size window, @code{enlarge-window} gets an error
1812 If @var{size} is negative, this function shrinks the window by
1813 @minus{}@var{size} lines or columns. If that makes the window smaller
1814 than the minimum size (@code{window-min-height} and
1815 @code{window-min-width}), @code{enlarge-window} deletes the window.
1817 @code{enlarge-window} returns @code{nil}.
1820 @deffn Command enlarge-window-horizontally columns
1821 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} wider.
1822 It could be defined as follows:
1826 (defun enlarge-window-horizontally (columns)
1827 (enlarge-window columns t))
1832 @deffn Command shrink-window size &optional horizontal
1833 This function is like @code{enlarge-window} but negates the argument
1834 @var{size}, making the selected window smaller by giving lines (or
1835 columns) to the other windows. If the window shrinks below
1836 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, then it disappears.
1838 If @var{size} is negative, the window is enlarged by @minus{}@var{size}
1842 @deffn Command shrink-window-horizontally columns
1843 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} narrower.
1844 It could be defined as follows:
1848 (defun shrink-window-horizontally (columns)
1849 (shrink-window columns t))
1854 @deffn Command shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer &optional window
1855 This command shrinks @var{window} to be as small as possible while still
1856 showing the full contents of its buffer---but not less than
1857 @code{window-min-height} lines. If @var{window} is not given,
1858 it defaults to the selected window.
1860 However, the command does nothing if the window is already too small to
1861 display the whole text of the buffer, or if part of the contents are
1862 currently scrolled off screen, or if the window is not the full width of
1863 its frame, or if the window is the only window in its frame.
1866 @tindex window-size-fixed
1867 @defvar window-size-fixed
1868 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, in any given buffer,
1869 then the size of any window displaying the buffer remains fixed
1870 unless you explicitly change it or Emacs has no other choice.
1871 (This feature is new in Emacs 21.)
1873 If the value is @code{height}, then only the window's height is fixed;
1874 if the value is @code{width}, then only the window's width is fixed.
1875 Any other non-@code{nil} value fixes both the width and the height.
1877 The usual way to use this variable is to give it a buffer-local value in
1878 a particular buffer. That way, the windows (but usually there is only
1879 one) displaying that buffer have fixed size.
1881 Explicit size-change functions such as @code{enlarge-window}
1882 get an error if they would have to change a window size which is fixed.
1883 Therefore, when you want to change the size of such a window,
1884 you should bind @code{window-size-fixed} to @code{nil}, like this:
1887 (let ((window-size-fixed nil))
1888 (enlarge-window 10))
1891 Note that changing the frame size will change the size of a
1892 fixed-size window, if there is no other alternative.
1895 @cindex minimum window size
1896 The following two variables constrain the window-structure-changing
1897 functions to a minimum height and width.
1899 @defopt window-min-height
1900 The value of this variable determines how short a window may become
1901 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
1902 @code{window-min-height} automatically deletes it, and no window may
1903 be created shorter than this. The default value is 4.
1905 The absolute minimum window height is one; actions that change window
1906 sizes reset this variable to one if it is less than one.
1909 @defopt window-min-width
1910 The value of this variable determines how narrow a window may become
1911 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
1912 @code{window-min-width} automatically deletes it, and no window may be
1913 created narrower than this. The default value is 10.
1915 The absolute minimum window width is two; actions that change window
1916 sizes reset this variable to two if it is less than two.
1919 @node Coordinates and Windows
1920 @section Coordinates and Windows
1922 This section describes how to relate screen coordinates to windows.
1924 @defun window-at x y &optional frame
1925 This function returns the window containing the specified cursor
1926 position in the frame @var{frame}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y}
1927 are measured in characters and count from the top left corner of the
1928 frame. If they are out of range, @code{window-at} returns @code{nil}.
1930 If you omit @var{frame}, the selected frame is used.
1933 @defun coordinates-in-window-p coordinates window
1934 This function checks whether a particular frame position falls within
1935 the window @var{window}.
1937 The argument @var{coordinates} is a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{x}
1938 . @var{y})}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y} are measured in
1939 characters, and count from the top left corner of the screen or frame.
1941 The value returned by @code{coordinates-in-window-p} is non-@code{nil}
1942 if the coordinates are inside @var{window}. The value also indicates
1943 what part of the window the position is in, as follows:
1946 @item (@var{relx} . @var{rely})
1947 The coordinates are inside @var{window}. The numbers @var{relx} and
1948 @var{rely} are the equivalent window-relative coordinates for the
1949 specified position, counting from 0 at the top left corner of the
1953 The coordinates are in the mode line of @var{window}.
1956 The coordinates are in the header line of @var{window}.
1959 The coordinates are in the vertical line between @var{window} and its
1960 neighbor to the right. This value occurs only if the window doesn't
1961 have a scroll bar; positions in a scroll bar are considered outside the
1962 window for these purposes.
1965 The coordinates are not in any part of @var{window}.
1968 The function @code{coordinates-in-window-p} does not require a frame as
1969 argument because it always uses the frame that @var{window} is on.
1972 @node Window Configurations
1973 @section Window Configurations
1974 @cindex window configurations
1975 @cindex saving window information
1977 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of one
1978 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, what
1979 part of each buffer is displayed, and the values of point and the
1980 mark. It also includes the values of @code{window-min-height},
1981 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. An
1982 exception is made for point in the selected window for the current
1983 buffer; its value is not saved in the window configuration.
1985 You can bring back an entire previous layout by restoring a window
1986 configuration previously saved. If you want to record all frames
1987 instead of just one, use a frame configuration instead of a window
1988 configuration. @xref{Frame Configurations}.
1990 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
1991 This function returns a new object representing @var{frame}'s current
1992 window configuration. If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame
1996 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
1997 This function restores the configuration of windows and buffers as
1998 specified by @var{configuration}, for the frame that @var{configuration}
2001 The argument @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously
2002 returned by @code{current-window-configuration}. This configuration is
2003 restored in the frame from which @var{configuration} was made, whether
2004 that frame is selected or not. This always counts as a window size
2005 change and triggers execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}
2006 (@pxref{Window Hooks}), because @code{set-window-configuration} doesn't
2007 know how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the
2010 If the frame which @var{configuration} was saved from is dead, all this
2011 function does is restore the three variables @code{window-min-height},
2012 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}.
2014 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
2015 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
2019 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
2021 (progn (split-window-vertically nil)
2023 (set-window-configuration config)))
2028 @defspec save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
2029 This special form records the window configuration, executes @var{forms}
2030 in sequence, then restores the earlier window configuration. The window
2031 configuration includes the value of point and the portion of the buffer
2032 that is visible. It also includes the choice of selected window.
2033 However, it does not include the value of point in the current buffer;
2034 use @code{save-excursion} also, if you wish to preserve that.
2036 Don't use this construct when @code{save-selected-window} is all you need.
2038 Exit from @code{save-window-excursion} always triggers execution of the
2039 @code{window-size-change-functions}. (It doesn't know how to tell
2040 whether the restored configuration actually differs from the one in
2041 effect at the end of the @var{forms}.)
2043 The return value is the value of the final form in @var{forms}.
2049 @result{} #<window 25 on control.texi>
2052 (setq w (selected-window))
2053 @result{} #<window 19 on control.texi>
2056 (save-window-excursion
2057 (delete-other-windows w)
2058 (switch-to-buffer "foo")
2060 @result{} do-something
2061 ;; @r{The screen is now split again.}
2066 @defun window-configuration-p object
2067 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
2070 @defun compare-window-configurations config1 config2
2071 This function compares two window configurations as regards the
2072 structure of windows, but ignores the values of point and mark and the
2073 saved scrolling positions---it can return @code{t} even if those
2076 The function @code{equal} can also compare two window configurations; it
2077 regards configurations as unequal if they differ in any respect, even a
2078 saved point or mark.
2081 Primitives to look inside of window configurations would make sense,
2082 but none are implemented. It is not clear they are useful enough to
2083 be worth implementing. See the file @file{winner.el} for some more
2084 operations on windows configurations.
2087 @section Hooks for Window Scrolling and Changes
2089 This section describes how a Lisp program can take action whenever a
2090 window displays a different part of its buffer or a different buffer.
2091 There are three actions that can change this: scrolling the window,
2092 switching buffers in the window, and changing the size of the window.
2093 The first two actions run @code{window-scroll-functions}; the last runs
2094 @code{window-size-change-functions}. The paradigmatic use of these
2095 hooks is in the implementation of Lazy Lock mode; see @ref{Support
2096 Modes, Lazy Lock, Font Lock Support Modes, emacs, The GNU Emacs Manual}.
2098 @defvar window-scroll-functions
2099 This variable holds a list of functions that Emacs should call before
2100 redisplaying a window with scrolling. It is not a normal hook, because
2101 each function is called with two arguments: the window, and its new
2102 display-start position.
2104 Displaying a different buffer in the window also runs these functions.
2106 These functions must be careful in using @code{window-end}
2107 (@pxref{Window Start}); if you need an up-to-date value, you must use
2108 the @var{update} argument to ensure you get it.
2111 @defvar window-size-change-functions
2112 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
2113 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
2114 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
2117 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
2118 direct way to find out which windows on that frame have changed size, or
2119 precisely how. However, if a size-change function records, at each
2120 call, the existing windows and their sizes, it can also compare the
2121 present sizes and the previous sizes.
2123 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
2124 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
2125 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
2127 It is not a good idea to use @code{save-window-excursion} (@pxref{Window
2128 Configurations}) in these functions, because that always counts as a
2129 size change, and it would cause these functions to be called over and
2130 over. In most cases, @code{save-selected-window} (@pxref{Selecting
2131 Windows}) is what you need here.
2134 @defvar redisplay-end-trigger-functions
2135 This abnormal hook is run whenever redisplay in a window uses text that
2136 extends past a specified end trigger position. You set the end trigger
2137 position with the function @code{set-window-redisplay-end-trigger}. The
2138 functions are called with two arguments: the window, and the end trigger
2139 position. Storing @code{nil} for the end trigger position turns off the
2140 feature, and the trigger value is automatically reset to @code{nil} just
2141 after the hook is run.
2144 @defun set-window-redisplay-end-trigger window position
2145 This function sets @var{window}'s end trigger position at
2149 @defun window-redisplay-end-trigger &optional window
2150 This function returns @var{window}'s current end trigger position.
2153 @defvar window-configuration-change-hook
2154 A normal hook that is run every time you change the window configuration
2155 of an existing frame. This includes splitting or deleting windows,
2156 changing the sizes of windows, or displaying a different buffer in a
2157 window. The frame whose window configuration has changed is the
2158 selected frame when this hook runs.