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
111 @cindex multiple windows
112 Users create multiple windows so they can look at several buffers at
113 once. Lisp libraries use multiple windows for a variety of reasons, but
114 most often to display related information. In Rmail, for example, you
115 can move through a summary buffer in one window while the other window
116 shows messages one at a time as they are reached.
118 The meaning of ``window'' in Emacs is similar to what it means in the
119 context of general-purpose window systems such as X, but not identical.
120 The X Window System places X windows on the screen; Emacs uses one or
121 more X windows as frames, and subdivides them into
122 Emacs windows. When you use Emacs on a character-only terminal, Emacs
123 treats the whole terminal screen as one frame.
125 @cindex terminal screen
126 @cindex screen of terminal
127 @cindex tiled windows
128 Most window systems support arbitrarily located overlapping windows.
129 In contrast, Emacs windows are @dfn{tiled}; they never overlap, and
130 together they fill the whole screen or frame. Because of the way in
131 which Emacs creates new windows and resizes them, not all conceivable
132 tilings of windows on an Emacs frame are actually possible.
133 @xref{Splitting Windows}, and @ref{Size of Window}.
135 @xref{Display}, for information on how the contents of the
136 window's buffer are displayed in the window.
138 @defun windowp object
139 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window.
142 @node Splitting Windows
143 @section Splitting Windows
144 @cindex splitting windows
145 @cindex window splitting
147 The functions described here are the primitives used to split a window
148 into two windows. Two higher level functions sometimes split a window,
149 but not always: @code{pop-to-buffer} and @code{display-buffer}
150 (@pxref{Displaying Buffers}).
152 The functions described here do not accept a buffer as an argument.
153 The two ``halves'' of the split window initially display the same buffer
154 previously visible in the window that was split.
156 @deffn Command split-window &optional window size horizontal
157 This function splits @var{window} into two windows. The original
158 window @var{window} remains the selected window, but occupies only
159 part of its former screen area. The rest is occupied by a newly created
160 window which is returned as the value of this function.
161 This function returns the newly created window.
163 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, then @var{window} splits into
164 two side by side windows. The original window @var{window} keeps the
165 leftmost @var{size} columns, and gives the rest of the columns to the
166 new window. Otherwise, it splits into windows one above the other, and
167 @var{window} keeps the upper @var{size} lines and gives the rest of the
168 lines to the new window. The original window is therefore the
169 left-hand or upper of the two, and the new window is the right-hand or
172 If @var{window} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the selected window is
173 split. If @var{size} is omitted or @code{nil}, then @var{window} is
174 divided evenly into two parts. (If there is an odd line, it is
175 allocated to the new window.) When @code{split-window} is called
176 interactively, all its arguments are @code{nil}.
178 If splitting would result in making a window that is smaller than
179 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, the function
180 signals an error and does not split the window at all.
182 The following example starts with one window on a screen that is 50
183 lines high by 80 columns wide; then it splits the window.
187 (setq w (selected-window))
188 @result{} #<window 8 on windows.texi>
189 (window-edges) ; @r{Edges in order:}
190 @result{} (0 0 80 50) ; @r{left--top--right--bottom}
194 ;; @r{Returns window created}
195 (setq w2 (split-window w 15))
196 @result{} #<window 28 on windows.texi>
200 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window;}
205 @result{} (0 0 80 15) ; @r{Top window}
209 The screen looks like this:
225 Next, split the top window horizontally:
229 (setq w3 (split-window w 35 t))
230 @result{} #<window 32 on windows.texi>
234 @result{} (35 0 80 15) ; @r{Left edge at column 35}
238 @result{} (0 0 35 15) ; @r{Right edge at column 35}
242 @result{} (0 15 80 50) ; @r{Bottom window unchanged}
247 Now the screen looks like this:
264 Normally, Emacs indicates the border between two side-by-side windows
265 with a scroll bar (@pxref{Window Frame Parameters,Scroll Bars}) or @samp{|}
266 characters. The display table can specify alternative border
267 characters; see @ref{Display Tables}.
270 @deffn Command split-window-vertically &optional size
271 This function splits the selected window into two windows, one above the
272 other, leaving the upper of the two windows selected, with @var{size}
273 lines. (If @var{size} is negative, then the lower of the two windows
274 gets @minus{} @var{size} lines and the upper window gets the rest, but
275 the upper window is still the one selected.)
278 @deffn Command split-window-horizontally &optional size
279 This function splits the selected window into two windows
280 side-by-side, leaving the selected window with @var{size} columns.
282 This function is basically an interface to @code{split-window}.
283 You could define a simplified version of the function like this:
287 (defun split-window-horizontally (&optional arg)
288 "Split selected window into two windows, side by side..."
292 (let ((size (and arg (prefix-numeric-value arg))))
294 (setq size (+ (window-width) size)))
295 (split-window nil size t)))
300 @defun one-window-p &optional no-mini all-frames
301 This function returns non-@code{nil} if there is only one window. The
302 argument @var{no-mini}, if non-@code{nil}, means don't count the
303 minibuffer even if it is active; otherwise, the minibuffer window is
304 counted when it is active.
306 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
307 are the possible values and their meanings:
311 Count the windows in the selected frame, plus the minibuffer used
312 by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
315 Count all windows in all existing frames.
318 Count all windows in all visible frames.
321 Count all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
324 Count precisely the windows in the selected frame, and no others.
328 @node Deleting Windows
329 @section Deleting Windows
330 @cindex deleting windows
332 A window remains visible on its frame unless you @dfn{delete} it by
333 calling certain functions that delete windows. A deleted window cannot
334 appear on the screen, but continues to exist as a Lisp object until
335 there are no references to it. There is no way to cancel the deletion
336 of a window aside from restoring a saved window configuration
337 (@pxref{Window Configurations}). Restoring a window configuration also
338 deletes any windows that aren't part of that configuration.
340 When you delete a window, the space it took up is given to one
344 @defun window-live-p window
345 This function returns @code{nil} if @var{window} is deleted, and
348 @strong{Warning:} Erroneous information or fatal errors may result from
349 using a deleted window as if it were live.
352 @deffn Command delete-window &optional window
353 This function removes @var{window} from display, and returns @code{nil}.
354 If @var{window} is omitted, then the selected window is deleted. An
355 error is signaled if there is only one window when @code{delete-window}
359 @deffn Command delete-other-windows &optional window
360 This function makes @var{window} the only window on its frame, by
361 deleting the other windows in that frame. If @var{window} is omitted or
362 @code{nil}, then the selected window is used by default.
364 The return value is @code{nil}.
367 @deffn Command delete-windows-on buffer &optional frame
368 This function deletes all windows showing @var{buffer}. If there are
369 no windows showing @var{buffer}, it does nothing.
371 @code{delete-windows-on} operates frame by frame. If a frame has
372 several windows showing different buffers, then those showing
373 @var{buffer} are removed, and the others expand to fill the space. If
374 all windows in some frame are showing @var{buffer} (including the case
375 where there is only one window), then the frame reverts to having a
376 single window showing another buffer chosen with @code{other-buffer}.
377 @xref{The Buffer List}.
379 The argument @var{frame} controls which frames to operate on. This
380 function does not use it in quite the same way as the other functions
381 which scan all windows; specifically, the values @code{t} and @code{nil}
382 have the opposite of their meanings in other functions. Here are the
387 If it is @code{nil}, operate on all frames.
389 If it is @code{t}, operate on the selected frame.
391 If it is @code{visible}, operate on all visible frames.
393 If it is 0, operate on all visible or iconified frames.
395 If it is a frame, operate on that frame.
398 This function always returns @code{nil}.
401 @node Selecting Windows
402 @section Selecting Windows
403 @cindex selecting windows
405 When a window is selected, the buffer in the window becomes the current
406 buffer, and the cursor will appear in it.
408 @defun selected-window
409 This function returns the selected window. This is the window in
410 which the cursor appears and to which many commands apply.
413 @defun select-window window &optional norecord
414 This function makes @var{window} the selected window. The cursor then
415 appears in @var{window} (on redisplay). The buffer being displayed in
416 @var{window} is immediately designated the current buffer.
418 Normally @var{window}'s selected buffer is moved to the front of the
419 buffer list, but if @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, the buffer list
422 The return value is @var{window}.
426 (setq w (next-window))
428 @result{} #<window 65 on windows.texi>
433 @defmac save-selected-window forms@dots{}
434 This macro records the selected window of each frame, executes
435 @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the earlier selected windows.
437 This macro does not save or restore anything about the sizes,
438 arrangement or contents of windows; therefore, if the @var{forms}
439 change them, the change persists. If the previously selected window
440 of some frame is no longer live at the time of exit from this form,
441 that frame's selected window is left alone.
444 @defmac with-selected-window window forms@dots{}
445 This macro selects @var{window} (without changing the buffer list),
446 executes @var{forms} in sequence, then restores the previously
447 selected window (unless that window is no longer alive). It is similar
448 to @code{save-selected-window} except that it explicitly selects
449 @var{window} and that it does not alter the buffer list sequence.
452 @cindex finding windows
453 The following functions choose one of the windows on the screen,
454 offering various criteria for the choice.
456 @defun get-lru-window &optional frame
457 This function returns the window least recently ``used'' (that is,
458 selected). The selected window is always the most recently used window.
460 The selected window can be the least recently used window if it is the
461 only window. A newly created window becomes the least recently used
462 window until it is selected. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
464 The argument @var{frame} controls which windows are considered.
468 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
470 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
472 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
474 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
476 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
480 @defun get-largest-window &optional frame
481 This function returns the window with the largest area (height times
482 width). If there are no side-by-side windows, then this is the window
483 with the most lines. A minibuffer window is never a candidate.
485 If there are two windows of the same size, then the function returns
486 the window that is first in the cyclic ordering of windows (see
487 following section), starting from the selected window.
489 The argument @var{frame} controls which set of windows to
490 consider. See @code{get-lru-window}, above.
493 @cindex window that satisfies a predicate
494 @cindex conditional selection of windows
495 @defun get-window-with-predicate predicate &optional minibuf all-frames default
496 This function returns a window satisfying @var{predicate}. It cycles
497 through all visible windows using @code{walk-windows} (@pxref{Cyclic
498 Window Ordering}), calling @var{predicate} on each one of them
499 with that window as its argument. The function returns the first
500 window for which @var{predicate} returns a non-@code{nil} value; if
501 that never happens, it returns @var{default}.
503 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
504 set of windows to include in the scan. See the description of
505 @code{next-window} in @ref{Cyclic Window Ordering}, for details.
508 @node Cyclic Window Ordering
509 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
510 @section Cyclic Ordering of Windows
511 @cindex cyclic ordering of windows
512 @cindex ordering of windows, cyclic
513 @cindex window ordering, cyclic
515 When you use the command @kbd{C-x o} (@code{other-window}) to select
516 the next window, it moves through all the windows on the screen in a
517 specific cyclic order. For any given configuration of windows, this
518 order never varies. It is called the @dfn{cyclic ordering of windows}.
520 This ordering generally goes from top to bottom, and from left to
521 right. But it may go down first or go right first, depending on the
522 order in which the windows were split.
524 If the first split was vertical (into windows one above each other),
525 and then the subwindows were split horizontally, then the ordering is
526 left to right in the top of the frame, and then left to right in the
527 next lower part of the frame, and so on. If the first split was
528 horizontal, the ordering is top to bottom in the left part, and so on.
529 In general, within each set of siblings at any level in the window tree,
530 the order is left to right, or top to bottom.
532 @defun next-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
533 @cindex minibuffer window
534 This function returns the window following @var{window} in the cyclic
535 ordering of windows. This is the window that @kbd{C-x o} would select
536 if typed when @var{window} is selected. If @var{window} is the only
537 window visible, then this function returns @var{window}. If omitted,
538 @var{window} defaults to the selected window.
540 The value of the argument @var{minibuf} determines whether the
541 minibuffer is included in the window order. Normally, when
542 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil}, the minibuffer is included if it is
543 currently active; this is the behavior of @kbd{C-x o}. (The minibuffer
544 window is active while the minibuffer is in use. @xref{Minibuffers}.)
546 If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, then the cyclic ordering includes the
547 minibuffer window even if it is not active.
549 If @var{minibuf} is neither @code{t} nor @code{nil}, then the minibuffer
550 window is not included even if it is active.
552 The argument @var{all-frames} specifies which frames to consider. Here
553 are the possible values and their meanings:
557 Consider all the windows in @var{window}'s frame, plus the minibuffer
558 used by that frame even if it lies in some other frame.
561 Consider all windows in all existing frames.
564 Consider all windows in all visible frames. (To get useful results, you
565 must ensure @var{window} is in a visible frame.)
568 Consider all windows in all visible or iconified frames.
571 Consider all windows on that frame.
574 Consider precisely the windows in @var{window}'s frame, and no others.
577 This example assumes there are two windows, both displaying the
578 buffer @samp{windows.texi}:
583 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
586 (next-window (selected-window))
587 @result{} #<window 52 on windows.texi>
590 (next-window (next-window (selected-window)))
591 @result{} #<window 56 on windows.texi>
596 @defun previous-window &optional window minibuf all-frames
597 This function returns the window preceding @var{window} in the cyclic
598 ordering of windows. The other arguments specify which windows to
599 include in the cycle, as in @code{next-window}.
602 @deffn Command other-window count &optional all-frames
603 This function selects the @var{count}th following window in the cyclic
604 order. If count is negative, then it moves back @minus{}@var{count}
605 windows in the cycle, rather than forward. It returns @code{nil}.
607 The argument @var{all-frames} has the same meaning as in
608 @code{next-window}, but the @var{minibuf} argument of @code{next-window}
609 is always effectively @code{nil}.
611 In an interactive call, @var{count} is the numeric prefix argument.
615 @defun walk-windows proc &optional minibuf all-frames
616 This function cycles through all windows, calling @code{proc}
617 once for each window with the window as its sole argument.
619 The optional arguments @var{minibuf} and @var{all-frames} specify the
620 set of windows to include in the scan. See @code{next-window}, above,
624 @defun window-list &optional frame minibuf window
625 This function returns a list of the windows on @var{frame}, starting
626 with @var{window}. If @var{frame} is @code{nil} or omitted, the
627 selected frame is used instead; if @var{window} is @code{nil} or
628 omitted, the selected window is used instead.
630 The value of @var{minibuf} determines if the minibuffer window will be
631 included in the result list. If @var{minibuf} is @code{t}, the
632 minibuffer window will be included, even if it isn't active. If
633 @var{minibuf} is @code{nil} or omitted, the minibuffer window will
634 only be included in the list if it is active. If @var{minibuf} is
635 neither @code{nil} nor @code{t}, the minibuffer window is not
636 included, whether or not it is active.
639 @node Buffers and Windows
640 @section Buffers and Windows
641 @cindex examining windows
642 @cindex windows, controlling precisely
643 @cindex buffers, controlled in windows
645 This section describes low-level functions to examine windows or to
646 display buffers in windows in a precisely controlled fashion.
648 See the following section for
651 @xref{Displaying Buffers}, for
653 related functions that find a window to use and specify a buffer for it.
654 The functions described there are easier to use than these, but they
655 employ heuristics in choosing or creating a window; use these functions
656 when you need complete control.
658 @defun set-window-buffer window buffer-or-name &optional keep-margins
659 This function makes @var{window} display @var{buffer-or-name} as its
660 contents. It returns @code{nil}. This is the fundamental primitive
661 for changing which buffer is displayed in a window, and all ways
662 of doing that call this function.
666 (set-window-buffer (selected-window) "foo")
671 Normally, displaying @var{buffer} in @var{window} resets the window's
672 display margins, fringe widths, scroll bar settings, and position
673 based on the local variables of @var{buffer}. However, if
674 @var{keep-margins} is non-@code{nil}, the display margins and fringe
675 widths of @var{window} remain unchanged. @xref{Fringes}.
678 @defun window-buffer &optional window
679 This function returns the buffer that @var{window} is displaying. If
680 @var{window} is omitted, this function returns the buffer for the
686 @result{} #<buffer windows.texi>
691 @defun get-buffer-window buffer-or-name &optional all-frames
692 This function returns a window currently displaying
693 @var{buffer-or-name}, or @code{nil} if there is none. If there are
694 several such windows, then the function returns the first one in the
695 cyclic ordering of windows, starting from the selected window.
696 @xref{Cyclic Window Ordering}.
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 @defun get-buffer-window-list buffer-or-name &optional minibuf all-frames
715 This function returns a list of all the windows currently displaying
716 @var{buffer-or-name}.
718 The two optional arguments work like the optional arguments of
719 @code{next-window} (@pxref{Cyclic Window Ordering}); they are @emph{not}
720 like the single optional argument of @code{get-buffer-window}. Perhaps
721 we should change @code{get-buffer-window} in the future to make it
722 compatible with the other functions.
724 The argument @var{all-frames} controls which windows to consider.
728 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
730 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
732 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
734 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
736 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
740 @defvar buffer-display-time
741 This variable records the time at which a buffer was last made visible
742 in a window. It is always local in each buffer; each time
743 @code{set-window-buffer} is called, it sets this variable to
744 @code{(current-time)} in the specified buffer (@pxref{Time of Day}).
745 When a buffer is first created, @code{buffer-display-time} starts out
746 with the value @code{nil}.
749 @node Displaying Buffers
750 @section Displaying Buffers in Windows
751 @cindex switching to a buffer
752 @cindex displaying a buffer
754 In this section we describe convenient functions that choose a window
755 automatically and use it to display a specified buffer. These functions
756 can also split an existing window in certain circumstances. We also
757 describe variables that parameterize the heuristics used for choosing a
760 See the preceding section for
763 @xref{Buffers and Windows}, for
765 low-level functions that give you more precise control. All of these
766 functions work by calling @code{set-window-buffer}.
768 Do not use the functions in this section in order to make a buffer
769 current so that a Lisp program can access or modify it; they are too
770 drastic for that purpose, since they change the display of buffers in
771 windows, which would be gratuitous and surprise the user. Instead, use
772 @code{set-buffer} and @code{save-current-buffer} (@pxref{Current
773 Buffer}), which designate buffers as current for programmed access
774 without affecting the display of buffers in windows.
776 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional norecord
777 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer, and also
778 displays the buffer in the selected window. This means that a human can
779 see the buffer and subsequent keyboard commands will apply to it.
780 Contrast this with @code{set-buffer}, which makes @var{buffer-or-name}
781 the current buffer but does not display it in the selected window.
782 @xref{Current Buffer}.
784 If @var{buffer-or-name} does not identify an existing buffer, then a new
785 buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new buffer is
786 set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}. @xref{Auto
789 Normally the specified buffer is put at the front of the buffer list
790 (both the selected frame's buffer list and the frame-independent buffer
791 list). This affects the operation of @code{other-buffer}. However, if
792 @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}, this is not done. @xref{The Buffer
795 The @code{switch-to-buffer} function is often used interactively, as
796 the binding of @kbd{C-x b}. It is also used frequently in programs. It
797 returns the buffer that it switched to.
800 @deffn Command switch-to-buffer-other-window buffer-or-name &optional norecord
801 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
802 displays it in a window not currently selected. It then selects that
803 window. The handling of the buffer is the same as in
804 @code{switch-to-buffer}.
806 The currently selected window is absolutely never used to do the job.
807 If it is the only window, then it is split to make a distinct window for
808 this purpose. If the selected window is already displaying the buffer,
809 then it continues to do so, but another window is nonetheless found to
810 display it in as well.
812 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
813 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
816 @defun pop-to-buffer buffer-or-name &optional other-window norecord
817 This function makes @var{buffer-or-name} the current buffer and
818 switches to it in some window, preferably not the window previously
819 selected. The ``popped-to'' window becomes the selected window within
820 its frame. The return value is the buffer that was switched to.
821 If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, that means to choose some
822 other buffer, but you don't specify which.
824 If the variable @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil},
825 @code{pop-to-buffer} looks for a window in any visible frame already
826 displaying the buffer; if there is one, it returns that window and makes
827 it be selected within its frame. If there is none, it creates a new
828 frame and displays the buffer in it.
830 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{pop-to-buffer}
831 operates entirely within the selected frame. (If the selected frame has
832 just a minibuffer, @code{pop-to-buffer} operates within the most
833 recently selected frame that was not just a minibuffer.)
835 If the variable @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}, windows may
836 be split to create a new window that is different from the original
837 window. For details, see @ref{Choosing Window}.
839 If @var{other-window} is non-@code{nil}, @code{pop-to-buffer} finds or
840 creates another window even if @var{buffer-or-name} is already visible
841 in the selected window. Thus @var{buffer-or-name} could end up
842 displayed in two windows. On the other hand, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
843 already displayed in the selected window and @var{other-window} is
844 @code{nil}, then the selected window is considered sufficient display
845 for @var{buffer-or-name}, so that nothing needs to be done.
847 All the variables that affect @code{display-buffer} affect
848 @code{pop-to-buffer} as well. @xref{Choosing Window}.
850 If @var{buffer-or-name} is a string that does not name an existing
851 buffer, a buffer by that name is created. The major mode for the new
852 buffer is set according to the variable @code{default-major-mode}.
853 @xref{Auto Major Mode}.
855 This function updates the buffer list just like @code{switch-to-buffer}
856 unless @var{norecord} is non-@code{nil}.
859 @deffn Command replace-buffer-in-windows buffer
860 This function replaces @var{buffer} with some other buffer in all
861 windows displaying it. The other buffer used is chosen with
862 @code{other-buffer}. In the usual applications of this function, you
863 don't care which other buffer is used; you just want to make sure that
864 @var{buffer} is no longer displayed.
866 This function returns @code{nil}.
869 @node Choosing Window
870 @section Choosing a Window for Display
872 This section describes the basic facility that chooses a window to
873 display a buffer in---@code{display-buffer}. All the higher-level
874 functions and commands use this subroutine. Here we describe how to use
875 @code{display-buffer} and how to customize it.
877 @deffn Command display-buffer buffer-or-name &optional not-this-window frame
878 This command makes @var{buffer-or-name} appear in some window, like
879 @code{pop-to-buffer}, but it does not select that window and does not
880 make the buffer current. The identity of the selected window is
881 unaltered by this function.
883 If @var{not-this-window} is non-@code{nil}, it means to display the
884 specified buffer in a window other than the selected one, even if it is
885 already on display in the selected window. This can cause the buffer to
886 appear in two windows at once. Otherwise, if @var{buffer-or-name} is
887 already being displayed in any window, that is good enough, so this
888 function does nothing.
890 @code{display-buffer} returns the window chosen to display
891 @var{buffer-or-name}.
893 If the argument @var{frame} is non-@code{nil}, it specifies which frames
894 to check when deciding whether the buffer is already displayed. If the
895 buffer is already displayed in some window on one of these frames,
896 @code{display-buffer} simply returns that window. Here are the possible
897 values of @var{frame}:
901 If it is @code{nil}, consider windows on the selected frame.
903 If it is @code{t}, consider windows on all frames.
905 If it is @code{visible}, consider windows on all visible frames.
907 If it is 0, consider windows on all visible or iconified frames.
909 If it is a frame, consider windows on that frame.
912 Precisely how @code{display-buffer} finds or creates a window depends on
913 the variables described below.
916 @defopt display-buffer-reuse-frames
917 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} searches
918 existing frames for a window displaying the buffer. If the buffer is
919 already displayed in a window in some frame, @code{display-buffer} makes
920 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. If the buffer is
921 not already displayed, or if @code{display-buffer-reuse-frames} is
922 @code{nil}, @code{display-buffer}'s behavior is determined by other
923 variables, described below.
926 @defopt pop-up-windows
927 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new windows.
928 If it is non-@code{nil} and there is only one window, then that window
929 is split. If it is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} does not
930 split the single window, but uses it whole.
933 @defopt split-height-threshold
934 This variable determines when @code{display-buffer} may split a window,
935 if there are multiple windows. @code{display-buffer} always splits the
936 largest window if it has at least this many lines. If the largest
937 window is not this tall, it is split only if it is the sole window and
938 @code{pop-up-windows} is non-@code{nil}.
941 @defopt even-window-heights
942 This variable determines if @code{display-buffer} should even out window
943 heights if the buffer gets displayed in an existing window, above or
944 beneath another existing window. If @code{even-window-heights} is
945 @code{t}, the default, window heights will be evened out. If
946 @code{even-window-heights} is @code{nil}, the original window heights
951 @defopt pop-up-frames
952 This variable controls whether @code{display-buffer} makes new frames.
953 If it is non-@code{nil}, @code{display-buffer} looks for an existing
954 window already displaying the desired buffer, on any visible frame. If
955 it finds one, it returns that window. Otherwise it makes a new frame.
956 The variables @code{pop-up-windows} and @code{split-height-threshold} do
957 not matter if @code{pop-up-frames} is non-@code{nil}.
959 If @code{pop-up-frames} is @code{nil}, then @code{display-buffer} either
960 splits a window or reuses one.
962 @xref{Frames}, for more information.
966 @defopt pop-up-frame-function
967 This variable specifies how to make a new frame if @code{pop-up-frames}
970 Its value should be a function of no arguments. When
971 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame, it does so by calling that
972 function, which should return a frame. The default value of the
973 variable is a function that creates a frame using parameters from
974 @code{pop-up-frame-alist}.
977 @defopt pop-up-frame-alist
978 This variable holds an alist specifying frame parameters used when
979 @code{display-buffer} makes a new frame. @xref{Frame Parameters}, for
980 more information about frame parameters.
983 @defopt special-display-buffer-names
984 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed specially.
985 If the buffer's name is in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
988 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
990 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
991 list is the buffer name, and the rest of the list says how to create
992 the frame. There are two possibilities for the rest of the list (its
993 @sc{cdr}). It can be an alist, specifying frame parameters, or it can
994 contain a function and arguments to give to it. (The function's first
995 argument is always the buffer to be displayed; the arguments from the
996 list come after that.)
1001 (("myfile" (minibuffer) (menu-bar-lines . 0)))
1005 specifies to display a buffer named @samp{myfile} in a dedicated frame
1006 with specified @code{minibuffer} and @code{menu-bar-lines} parameters.
1008 The list of frame parameters can also use the phony frame parameters
1009 @code{same-frame} and @code{same-window}. If the specified frame
1010 parameters include @code{(same-window . @var{value})} and @var{value}
1011 is non-@code{nil}, that means to display the buffer in the current
1012 selected window. Otherwise, if they include @code{(same-frame .
1013 @var{value})} and @var{value} is non-@code{nil}, that means to display
1014 the buffer in a new window in the currently selected frame.
1017 @defopt special-display-regexps
1018 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1019 displayed specially. If the buffer's name matches any of the regular
1020 expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer
1023 By default, special display means to give the buffer a dedicated frame.
1025 If an element is a list, instead of a string, then the @sc{car} of the
1026 list is the regular expression, and the rest of the list says how to
1027 create the frame. See above, under @code{special-display-buffer-names}.
1030 @defun special-display-p buffer-name
1031 This function returns non-@code{nil} if displaying a buffer
1032 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1033 create a special frame. The value is @code{t} if it would
1034 use the default frame paramaters, or else the specified list
1035 of frame parameters.
1038 @defvar special-display-function
1039 This variable holds the function to call to display a buffer specially.
1040 It receives the buffer as an argument, and should return the window in
1041 which it is displayed.
1043 The default value of this variable is
1044 @code{special-display-popup-frame}.
1047 @defun special-display-popup-frame buffer &rest args
1048 This function makes @var{buffer} visible in a frame of its own. If
1049 @var{buffer} is already displayed in a window in some frame, it makes
1050 the frame visible and raises it, to use that window. Otherwise, it
1051 creates a frame that will be dedicated to @var{buffer}.
1053 If @var{args} is an alist, it specifies frame parameters for the new
1056 If @var{args} is a list whose @sc{car} is a symbol, then @code{(car
1057 @var{args})} is called as a function to actually create and set up the
1058 frame; it is called with @var{buffer} as first argument, and @code{(cdr
1059 @var{args})} as additional arguments.
1061 This function always uses an existing window displaying @var{buffer},
1062 whether or not it is in a frame of its own; but if you set up the above
1063 variables in your init file, before @var{buffer} was created, then
1064 presumably the window was previously made by this function.
1067 @defopt special-display-frame-alist
1068 This variable holds frame parameters for
1069 @code{special-display-popup-frame} to use when it creates a frame.
1072 @defopt same-window-buffer-names
1073 A list of buffer names for buffers that should be displayed in the
1074 selected window. If the buffer's name is in this list,
1075 @code{display-buffer} handles the buffer by switching to it in the
1079 @defopt same-window-regexps
1080 A list of regular expressions that specify buffers that should be
1081 displayed in the selected window. If the buffer's name matches any of
1082 the regular expressions in this list, @code{display-buffer} handles the
1083 buffer by switching to it in the selected window.
1086 @defun same-window-p buffer-name
1087 This function returns @code{t} if displaying a buffer
1088 named @var{buffer-name} with @code{display-buffer} would
1089 put it in the selected window.
1093 @defvar display-buffer-function
1094 This variable is the most flexible way to customize the behavior of
1095 @code{display-buffer}. If it is non-@code{nil}, it should be a function
1096 that @code{display-buffer} calls to do the work. The function should
1097 accept two arguments, the same two arguments that @code{display-buffer}
1098 received. It should choose or create a window, display the specified
1099 buffer, and then return the window.
1101 This hook takes precedence over all the other options and hooks
1106 @cindex dedicated window
1107 A window can be marked as ``dedicated'' to its buffer. Then
1108 @code{display-buffer} will not try to use that window to display any
1111 @defun window-dedicated-p window
1112 This function returns non-@code{nil} if @var{window} is marked as
1113 dedicated; otherwise @code{nil}.
1116 @defun set-window-dedicated-p window flag
1117 This function marks @var{window} as dedicated if @var{flag} is
1118 non-@code{nil}, and nondedicated otherwise.
1122 @section Windows and Point
1123 @cindex window position
1124 @cindex window point
1125 @cindex position in window
1126 @cindex point in window
1128 Each window has its own value of point, independent of the value of
1129 point in other windows displaying the same buffer. This makes it useful
1130 to have multiple windows showing one buffer.
1134 The window point is established when a window is first created; it is
1135 initialized from the buffer's point, or from the window point of another
1136 window opened on the buffer if such a window exists.
1139 Selecting a window sets the value of point in its buffer from the
1140 window's value of point. Conversely, deselecting a window sets the
1141 window's value of point from that of the buffer. Thus, when you switch
1142 between windows that display a given buffer, the point value for the
1143 selected window is in effect in the buffer, while the point values for
1144 the other windows are stored in those windows.
1147 As long as the selected window displays the current buffer, the window's
1148 point and the buffer's point always move together; they remain equal.
1151 @xref{Positions}, for more details on buffer positions.
1154 As far as the user is concerned, point is where the cursor is, and
1155 when the user switches to another buffer, the cursor jumps to the
1156 position of point in that buffer.
1158 @defun window-point &optional window
1159 This function returns the current position of point in @var{window}.
1160 For a nonselected window, this is the value point would have (in that
1161 window's buffer) if that window were selected. If @var{window} is
1162 @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1164 When @var{window} is the selected window and its buffer is also the
1165 current buffer, the value returned is the same as point in that buffer.
1167 Strictly speaking, it would be more correct to return the
1168 ``top-level'' value of point, outside of any @code{save-excursion}
1169 forms. But that value is hard to find.
1172 @defun set-window-point window position
1173 This function positions point in @var{window} at position
1174 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer.
1178 @section The Window Start Position
1180 Each window contains a marker used to keep track of a buffer position
1181 that specifies where in the buffer display should start. This position
1182 is called the @dfn{display-start} position of the window (or just the
1183 @dfn{start}). The character after this position is the one that appears
1184 at the upper left corner of the window. It is usually, but not
1185 inevitably, at the beginning of a text line.
1187 @defun window-start &optional window
1188 @cindex window top line
1189 This function returns the display-start position of window
1190 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1200 When you create a window, or display a different buffer in it, the
1201 display-start position is set to a display-start position recently used
1202 for the same buffer, or 1 if the buffer doesn't have any.
1204 Redisplay updates the window-start position (if you have not specified
1205 it explicitly since the previous redisplay)---for example, to make sure
1206 point appears on the screen. Nothing except redisplay automatically
1207 changes the window-start position; if you move point, do not expect the
1208 window-start position to change in response until after the next
1211 For a realistic example of using @code{window-start}, see the
1212 description of @code{count-lines} in @ref{Text Lines}.
1215 @defun window-end &optional window update
1216 This function returns the position of the end of the display in window
1217 @var{window}. If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1220 Simply changing the buffer text or moving point does not update the
1221 value that @code{window-end} returns. The value is updated only when
1222 Emacs redisplays and redisplay completes without being preempted.
1224 If the last redisplay of @var{window} was preempted, and did not finish,
1225 Emacs does not know the position of the end of display in that window.
1226 In that case, this function returns @code{nil}.
1228 If @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} always returns an
1229 up-to-date value for where the window ends, based on the current
1230 @code{window-start} value. If the saved value is valid,
1231 @code{window-end} returns that; otherwise it computes the correct
1232 value by scanning the buffer text.
1234 Even if @var{update} is non-@code{nil}, @code{window-end} does not
1235 attempt to scroll the display if point has moved off the screen, the
1236 way real redisplay would do. It does not alter the
1237 @code{window-start} value. In effect, it reports where the displayed
1238 text will end if scrolling is not required.
1241 @defun set-window-start window position &optional noforce
1242 This function sets the display-start position of @var{window} to
1243 @var{position} in @var{window}'s buffer. It returns @var{position}.
1245 The display routines insist that the position of point be visible when a
1246 buffer is displayed. Normally, they change the display-start position
1247 (that is, scroll the window) whenever necessary to make point visible.
1248 However, if you specify the start position with this function using
1249 @code{nil} for @var{noforce}, it means you want display to start at
1250 @var{position} even if that would put the location of point off the
1251 screen. If this does place point off screen, the display routines move
1252 point to the left margin on the middle line in the window.
1254 For example, if point @w{is 1} and you set the start of the window @w{to
1255 2}, then point would be ``above'' the top of the window. The display
1256 routines will automatically move point if it is still 1 when redisplay
1257 occurs. Here is an example:
1261 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like before executing}
1262 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1266 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1267 @point{}This is the contents of buffer foo.
1273 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1279 (1+ (window-start)))
1284 ;; @r{Here is what @samp{foo} looks like after executing}
1285 ;; @r{the @code{set-window-start} expression.}
1286 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1287 his is the contents of buffer foo.
1293 ---------- Buffer: foo ----------
1297 If @var{noforce} is non-@code{nil}, and @var{position} would place point
1298 off screen at the next redisplay, then redisplay computes a new window-start
1299 position that works well with point, and thus @var{position} is not used.
1302 @defun pos-visible-in-window-p &optional position window partially
1303 This function returns @code{t} if @var{position} is within the range of
1304 text currently visible on the screen in @var{window}. It returns
1305 @code{nil} if @var{position} is scrolled vertically or horizontally out
1306 of view. Locations that are partially obscured are not considered
1307 visible unless @var{partially} is non-@code{nil}. The argument
1308 @var{position} defaults to the current position of point in
1309 @var{window}; @var{window}, to the selected window.
1315 (or (pos-visible-in-window-p
1316 (point) (selected-window))
1322 @node Textual Scrolling
1323 @section Textual Scrolling
1324 @cindex textual scrolling
1325 @cindex scrolling textually
1327 @dfn{Textual scrolling} means moving the text up or down though a
1328 window. It works by changing the value of the window's display-start
1329 location. It may also change the value of @code{window-point} to keep
1330 point on the screen.
1332 Textual scrolling was formerly called ``vertical scrolling,'' but we
1333 changed its name to distinguish it from the new vertical fractional
1334 scrolling feature (@pxref{Vertical Scrolling}).
1336 In the commands @code{scroll-up} and @code{scroll-down}, the directions
1337 ``up'' and ``down'' refer to the motion of the text in the buffer at which
1338 you are looking through the window. Imagine that the text is
1339 written on a long roll of paper and that the scrolling commands move the
1340 paper up and down. Thus, if you are looking at text in the middle of a
1341 buffer and repeatedly call @code{scroll-down}, you will eventually see
1342 the beginning of the buffer.
1344 Some people have urged that the opposite convention be used: they
1345 imagine that the window moves over text that remains in place. Then
1346 ``down'' commands would take you to the end of the buffer. This view is
1347 more consistent with the actual relationship between windows and the
1348 text in the buffer, but it is less like what the user sees. The
1349 position of a window on the terminal does not move, and short scrolling
1350 commands clearly move the text up or down on the screen. We have chosen
1351 names that fit the user's point of view.
1353 The textual scrolling functions (aside from
1354 @code{scroll-other-window}) have unpredictable results if the current
1355 buffer is different from the buffer that is displayed in the selected
1356 window. @xref{Current Buffer}.
1358 @deffn Command scroll-up &optional count
1359 This function scrolls the text in the selected window upward
1360 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1363 If @var{count} is @code{nil} (or omitted), then the length of scroll
1364 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1365 the window (not counting its mode line).
1367 @code{scroll-up} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error
1368 because it can't scroll any further.
1371 @deffn Command scroll-down &optional count
1372 This function scrolls the text in the selected window downward
1373 @var{count} lines. If @var{count} is negative, scrolling is actually
1376 If @var{count} is omitted or @code{nil}, then the length of the scroll
1377 is @code{next-screen-context-lines} lines less than the usable height of
1378 the window (not counting its mode line).
1380 @code{scroll-down} returns @code{nil}, unless it gets an error because
1381 it can't scroll any further.
1384 @deffn Command scroll-other-window &optional count
1385 This function scrolls the text in another window upward @var{count}
1386 lines. Negative values of @var{count}, or @code{nil}, are handled
1387 as in @code{scroll-up}.
1389 You can specify which buffer to scroll by setting the variable
1390 @code{other-window-scroll-buffer} to a buffer. If that buffer isn't
1391 already displayed, @code{scroll-other-window} displays it in some
1394 When the selected window is the minibuffer, the next window is normally
1395 the one at the top left corner. You can specify a different window to
1396 scroll, when the minibuffer is selected, by setting the variable
1397 @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. This variable has no effect when any
1398 other window is selected. @xref{Minibuffer Misc}.
1400 When the minibuffer is active, it is the next window if the selected
1401 window is the one at the bottom right corner. In this case,
1402 @code{scroll-other-window} attempts to scroll the minibuffer. If the
1403 minibuffer contains just one line, it has nowhere to scroll to, so the
1404 line reappears after the echo area momentarily displays the message
1405 ``Beginning of buffer''.
1409 @defvar other-window-scroll-buffer
1410 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, it tells @code{scroll-other-window}
1411 which buffer to scroll.
1414 @defopt scroll-margin
1415 This option specifies the size of the scroll margin---a minimum number
1416 of lines between point and the top or bottom of a window. Whenever
1417 point gets within this many lines of the top or bottom of the window,
1418 redisplay scrolls the text automatically (if possible) to move point
1419 out of the margin, closer to the center of the window.
1422 @defopt scroll-conservatively
1423 This variable controls how scrolling is done automatically when point
1424 moves off the screen (or into the scroll margin). If the value is a
1425 positive integer @var{n}, then redisplay scrolls the text up to
1426 @var{n} lines in either direction, if that will bring point back into
1427 proper view. This action is called @dfn{conservative scrolling}.
1428 Otherwise, scrolling happens in the usual way, under the control of
1429 other variables such as @code{scroll-up-aggressively} and
1430 @code{scroll-down-aggressively}.
1432 The default value is zero, which means that conservative scrolling
1436 @defopt scroll-down-aggressively
1437 @tindex scroll-down-aggressively
1438 The value of this variable should be either @code{nil} or a fraction
1439 @var{f} between 0 and 1. If it is a fraction, that specifies where on
1440 the screen to put point when scrolling down. More precisely, when a
1441 window scrolls down because point is above the window start, the new
1442 start position is chosen to put point @var{f} part of the window
1443 height from the top. The larger @var{f}, the more aggressive the
1446 A value of @code{nil} is equivalent to .5, since its effect is to center
1447 point. This variable automatically becomes buffer-local when set in any
1451 @defopt scroll-up-aggressively
1452 @tindex scroll-up-aggressively
1453 Likewise, for scrolling up. The value, @var{f}, specifies how far
1454 point should be placed from the bottom of the window; thus, as with
1455 @code{scroll-up-aggressively}, a larger value scrolls more aggressively.
1459 This variable is an older variant of @code{scroll-conservatively}. The
1460 difference is that it if its value is @var{n}, that permits scrolling
1461 only by precisely @var{n} lines, not a smaller number. This feature
1462 does not work with @code{scroll-margin}. The default value is zero.
1465 @defopt scroll-preserve-screen-position
1466 If this option is non-@code{nil}, the scroll functions move point so
1467 that the vertical position of the cursor is unchanged, when that is
1471 @defopt next-screen-context-lines
1472 The value of this variable is the number of lines of continuity to
1473 retain when scrolling by full screens. For example, @code{scroll-up}
1474 with an argument of @code{nil} scrolls so that this many lines at the
1475 bottom of the window appear instead at the top. The default value is
1479 @deffn Command recenter &optional count
1480 @cindex centering point
1481 This function scrolls the text in the selected window so that point is
1482 displayed at a specified vertical position within the window. It does
1483 not ``move point'' with respect to the text.
1485 If @var{count} is a nonnegative number, that puts the line containing
1486 point @var{count} lines down from the top of the window. If
1487 @var{count} is a negative number, then it counts upward from the
1488 bottom of the window, so that @minus{}1 stands for the last usable
1489 line in the window. If @var{count} is a non-@code{nil} list, then it
1490 stands for the line in the middle of the window.
1492 If @var{count} is @code{nil}, @code{recenter} puts the line containing
1493 point in the middle of the window, then clears and redisplays the entire
1496 When @code{recenter} is called interactively, @var{count} is the raw
1497 prefix argument. Thus, typing @kbd{C-u} as the prefix sets the
1498 @var{count} to a non-@code{nil} list, while typing @kbd{C-u 4} sets
1499 @var{count} to 4, which positions the current line four lines from the
1502 With an argument of zero, @code{recenter} positions the current line at
1503 the top of the window. This action is so handy that some people make a
1504 separate key binding to do this. For example,
1508 (defun line-to-top-of-window ()
1509 "Scroll current line to top of window.
1510 Replaces three keystroke sequence C-u 0 C-l."
1514 (global-set-key [kp-multiply] 'line-to-top-of-window)
1519 @node Vertical Scrolling
1520 @section Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1521 @cindex Vertical Fractional Scrolling
1523 @dfn{Vertical fractional scrolling} means shifting the image in the
1524 window up or down by a specified multiple or fraction of a line.
1525 Starting in Emacs 21, each window has a @dfn{vertical scroll position},
1526 which is a number, never less than zero. It specifies how far to raise
1527 the contents of the window. Raising the window contents generally makes
1528 all or part of some lines disappear off the top, and all or part of some
1529 other lines appear at the bottom. The usual value is zero.
1531 The vertical scroll position is measured in units of the normal line
1532 height, which is the height of the default font. Thus, if the value is
1533 .5, that means the window contents are scrolled up half the normal line
1534 height. If it is 3.3, that means the window contents are scrolled up
1535 somewhat over three times the normal line height.
1537 What fraction of a line the vertical scrolling covers, or how many
1538 lines, depends on what the lines contain. A value of .5 could scroll a
1539 line whose height is very short off the screen, while a value of 3.3
1540 could scroll just part of the way through a tall line or an image.
1542 @defun window-vscroll &optional window
1543 This function returns the current vertical scroll position of
1544 @var{window}, If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is
1555 @defun set-window-vscroll window lines
1556 This function sets @var{window}'s vertical scroll position to
1557 @var{lines}. The argument @var{lines} should be zero or positive; if
1558 not, it is taken as zero.
1560 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1562 The actual vertical scroll position must always correspond
1563 to an integral number of pixels, so the value you specify
1564 is rounded accordingly.
1566 The return value is the result of this rounding.
1570 (set-window-vscroll (selected-window) 1.2)
1576 @node Horizontal Scrolling
1577 @section Horizontal Scrolling
1578 @cindex horizontal scrolling
1580 @dfn{Horizontal scrolling} means shifting the image in the window left
1581 or right by a specified multiple of the normal character width. Each
1582 window has a @dfn{horizontal scroll position}, which is a number, never
1583 less than zero. It specifies how far to shift the contents left.
1584 Shifting the window contents left generally makes all or part of some
1585 characters disappear off the left, and all or part of some other
1586 characters appear at the right. The usual value is zero.
1588 The horizontal scroll position is measured in units of the normal
1589 character width, which is the width of space in the default font. Thus,
1590 if the value is 5, that means the window contents are scrolled left by 5
1591 times the normal character width. How many characters actually
1592 disappear off to the left depends on their width, and could vary from
1595 Because we read from side to side in the ``inner loop'', and from top
1596 to bottom in the ``outer loop'', the effect of horizontal scrolling is
1597 not like that of textual or vertical scrolling. Textual scrolling
1598 involves selection of a portion of text to display, and vertical
1599 scrolling moves the window contents contiguously; but horizontal
1600 scrolling causes part of @emph{each line} to go off screen.
1602 Usually, no horizontal scrolling is in effect; then the leftmost
1603 column is at the left edge of the window. In this state, scrolling to
1604 the right is meaningless, since there is no data to the left of the edge
1605 to be revealed by it; so this is not allowed. Scrolling to the left is
1606 allowed; it scrolls the first columns of text off the edge of the window
1607 and can reveal additional columns on the right that were truncated
1608 before. Once a window has a nonzero amount of leftward horizontal
1609 scrolling, you can scroll it back to the right, but only so far as to
1610 reduce the net horizontal scroll to zero. There is no limit to how far
1611 left you can scroll, but eventually all the text will disappear off the
1614 @vindex auto-hscroll-mode
1615 If @code{auto-hscroll-mode} is set, redisplay automatically alters
1616 the horizontal scrolling of a window as necessary to ensure that point
1617 is always visible. However, you can still set the horizontal
1618 scrolling value explicitly. The value you specify serves as a lower
1619 bound for automatic scrolling, i.e. automatic scrolling will not
1620 scroll a window to a column less than the specified one.
1622 @deffn Command scroll-left &optional count
1623 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1624 left (or to the right if @var{count} is negative). The default
1625 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
1627 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
1628 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
1629 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1632 @deffn Command scroll-right &optional count
1633 This function scrolls the selected window @var{count} columns to the
1634 right (or to the left if @var{count} is negative). The default
1635 for @var{count} is the window width, minus 2.
1637 The return value is the total amount of leftward horizontal scrolling in
1638 effect after the change---just like the value returned by
1639 @code{window-hscroll} (below).
1641 Once you scroll a window as far right as it can go, back to its normal
1642 position where the total leftward scrolling is zero, attempts to scroll
1643 any farther right have no effect.
1646 @defun window-hscroll &optional window
1647 This function returns the total leftward horizontal scrolling of
1648 @var{window}---the number of columns by which the text in @var{window}
1649 is scrolled left past the left margin.
1651 The value is never negative. It is zero when no horizontal scrolling
1652 has been done in @var{window} (which is usually the case).
1654 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1672 @defun set-window-hscroll window columns
1673 This function sets horizontal scrolling of @var{window}. The value of
1674 @var{columns} specifies the amount of scrolling, in terms of columns
1675 from the left margin. The argument @var{columns} should be zero or
1676 positive; if not, it is taken as zero. Fractional values of
1677 @var{columns} are not supported at present.
1679 Note that @code{set-window-hscroll} may appear not to work if you test
1680 it by evaluating a call with @kbd{M-:} in a simple way. What happens
1681 is that the function sets the horizontal scroll value and returns, but
1682 then redisplay adjusts the horizontal scrolling to make point visible,
1683 and this overrides what the function did. You can observe the
1684 function's effect if you call it while point is sufficiently far from
1685 the left margin that it will remain visible.
1687 The value returned is @var{columns}.
1691 (set-window-hscroll (selected-window) 10)
1697 Here is how you can determine whether a given position @var{position}
1698 is off the screen due to horizontal scrolling:
1702 (defun hscroll-on-screen (window position)
1704 (goto-char position)
1706 (>= (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window)) 0)
1707 (< (- (current-column) (window-hscroll window))
1708 (window-width window)))))
1712 @node Size of Window
1713 @section The Size of a Window
1715 @cindex size of window
1717 An Emacs window is rectangular, and its size information consists of
1718 the height (the number of lines) and the width (the number of character
1719 positions in each line). The mode line is included in the height. But
1720 the width does not count the scroll bar or the column of @samp{|}
1721 characters that separates side-by-side windows.
1723 The following three functions return size information about a window:
1725 @defun window-height &optional window
1726 This function returns the number of lines in @var{window}, including
1727 its mode line and header line, if any. If @var{window} fills its
1728 entire frame except for the echo area, this is typically one less than
1729 the value of @code{frame-height} on that frame.
1731 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1739 (split-window-vertically)
1740 @result{} #<window 4 on windows.texi>
1749 @tindex window-body-height
1750 @defun window-body-height &optional window
1751 Like @code{window-height} but the value does not include the
1752 mode line (if any) or the header line (if any).
1755 @defun window-width &optional window
1756 This function returns the number of columns in @var{window}. If
1757 @var{window} fills its entire frame, this is the same as the value of
1758 @code{frame-width} on that frame. The width does not include the
1759 window's scroll bar or the column of @samp{|} characters that separates
1760 side-by-side windows.
1762 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the function uses the selected window.
1772 @defun window-edges &optional window
1773 This function returns a list of the edge coordinates of @var{window}.
1774 If @var{window} is @code{nil}, the selected window is used.
1776 The order of the list is @code{(@var{left} @var{top} @var{right}
1777 @var{bottom})}, all elements relative to 0, 0 at the top left corner of
1778 the frame. The element @var{right} of the value is one more than the
1779 rightmost column used by @var{window}, and @var{bottom} is one more than
1780 the bottommost row used by @var{window} and its mode-line.
1782 If a window has a scroll bar, the right edge value includes the width of
1783 the scroll bar. Otherwise, if the window has a neighbor on the right,
1784 its right edge value includes the width of the separator line between
1785 the window and that neighbor. Since the width of the window does not
1786 include this separator, the width does not usually equal the difference
1787 between the right and left edges.
1790 @defun window-inside-edges window
1791 This is similar to @code{window-edges}, but the edge values
1792 it returns include only the text area of the window. They
1793 do not include the header line, mode line, scroll bar or
1794 vertical separator, fringes, or display margins.
1797 Here are the results obtained on a typical 24-line terminal with just
1798 one window, with menu bar enabled:
1802 (window-edges (selected-window))
1803 @result{} (0 1 80 23)
1806 (window-inside-edges (selected-window))
1807 @result{} (0 1 80 22)
1812 The bottom edge is at line 23 because the last line is the echo area.
1813 The bottom inside edge is at line 22, which is the window's mode line.
1815 If @var{window} is at the upper left corner of its frame, and there is
1816 no menu bar, then @var{bottom} returned by @code{window-edges} is the
1817 same as the value of @code{(window-height)}, @var{right} is almost the
1818 same as the value of @code{(window-width)}, and @var{top} and
1819 @var{left} are zero. For example, the edges of the following window
1820 are @w{@samp{0 0 8 5}}. Assuming that the frame has more than 8
1821 columns, the last column of the window (column 7) holds a border
1822 rather than text. The last row (row 4) holds the mode line, shown
1823 here with @samp{xxxxxxxxx}.
1839 In the following example, let's suppose that the frame is 7
1840 columns wide. Then the edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 4 3}}
1841 and the edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 3}}.
1842 The inside edges of the left window are @w{@samp{0 0 3 2}},
1843 and the inside edges of the right window are @w{@samp{4 0 7 2}},
1856 @defun window-pixel-edges window
1857 This function is like @code{window-edges} except that, on a graphical
1858 display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of in
1859 character lines and columns.
1862 @defun window-inside-pixel-edges window
1863 This function is like @code{window-inside-edges} except that, on a
1864 graphical display, the edge values are measured in pixels instead of
1865 in character lines and columns.
1868 @node Resizing Windows
1869 @section Changing the Size of a Window
1870 @cindex window resizing
1871 @cindex changing window size
1872 @cindex window size, changing
1874 The window size functions fall into two classes: high-level commands
1875 that change the size of windows and low-level functions that access
1876 window size. Emacs does not permit overlapping windows or gaps between
1877 windows, so resizing one window affects other windows.
1879 @deffn Command enlarge-window size &optional horizontal
1880 This function makes the selected window @var{size} lines taller,
1881 stealing lines from neighboring windows. It takes the lines from one
1882 window at a time until that window is used up, then takes from another.
1883 If a window from which lines are stolen shrinks below
1884 @code{window-min-height} lines, that window disappears.
1886 If @var{horizontal} is non-@code{nil}, this function makes
1887 @var{window} wider by @var{size} columns, stealing columns instead of
1888 lines. If a window from which columns are stolen shrinks below
1889 @code{window-min-width} columns, that window disappears.
1891 If the requested size would exceed that of the window's frame, then the
1892 function makes the window occupy the entire height (or width) of the
1895 If there are various other windows from which lines or columns can be
1896 stolen, and some of them specify fixed size (using
1897 @code{window-size-fixed}, see below), they are left untouched while
1898 other windows are ``robbed.'' If it would be necessary to alter the
1899 size of a fixed-size window, @code{enlarge-window} gets an error
1902 If @var{size} is negative, this function shrinks the window by
1903 @minus{}@var{size} lines or columns. If that makes the window smaller
1904 than the minimum size (@code{window-min-height} and
1905 @code{window-min-width}), @code{enlarge-window} deletes the window.
1907 @code{enlarge-window} returns @code{nil}.
1910 @deffn Command enlarge-window-horizontally columns
1911 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} wider.
1912 It could be defined as follows:
1916 (defun enlarge-window-horizontally (columns)
1917 (enlarge-window columns t))
1922 @deffn Command shrink-window size &optional horizontal
1923 This function is like @code{enlarge-window} but negates the argument
1924 @var{size}, making the selected window smaller by giving lines (or
1925 columns) to the other windows. If the window shrinks below
1926 @code{window-min-height} or @code{window-min-width}, then it disappears.
1928 If @var{size} is negative, the window is enlarged by @minus{}@var{size}
1932 @deffn Command shrink-window-horizontally columns
1933 This function makes the selected window @var{columns} narrower.
1934 It could be defined as follows:
1938 (defun shrink-window-horizontally (columns)
1939 (shrink-window columns t))
1944 @deffn Command shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer &optional window
1945 This command shrinks @var{window} to be as small as possible while still
1946 showing the full contents of its buffer---but not less than
1947 @code{window-min-height} lines. If @var{window} is not given,
1948 it defaults to the selected window.
1950 However, the command does nothing if the window is already too small to
1951 display the whole text of the buffer, or if part of the contents are
1952 currently scrolled off screen, or if the window is not the full width of
1953 its frame, or if the window is the only window in its frame.
1956 @tindex window-size-fixed
1957 @defvar window-size-fixed
1958 If this variable is non-@code{nil}, in any given buffer,
1959 then the size of any window displaying the buffer remains fixed
1960 unless you explicitly change it or Emacs has no other choice.
1961 (This feature is new in Emacs 21.)
1963 If the value is @code{height}, then only the window's height is fixed;
1964 if the value is @code{width}, then only the window's width is fixed.
1965 Any other non-@code{nil} value fixes both the width and the height.
1967 The usual way to use this variable is to give it a buffer-local value in
1968 a particular buffer. That way, the windows (but usually there is only
1969 one) displaying that buffer have fixed size.
1971 Explicit size-change functions such as @code{enlarge-window}
1972 get an error if they would have to change a window size which is fixed.
1973 Therefore, when you want to change the size of such a window,
1974 you should bind @code{window-size-fixed} to @code{nil}, like this:
1977 (let ((window-size-fixed nil))
1978 (enlarge-window 10))
1981 Note that changing the frame size will change the size of a
1982 fixed-size window, if there is no other alternative.
1985 @cindex minimum window size
1986 The following two variables constrain the window-structure-changing
1987 functions to a minimum height and width.
1989 @defopt window-min-height
1990 The value of this variable determines how short a window may become
1991 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
1992 @code{window-min-height} automatically deletes it, and no window may
1993 be created shorter than this. The default value is 4.
1995 The absolute minimum window height is one; actions that change window
1996 sizes reset this variable to one if it is less than one.
1999 @defopt window-min-width
2000 The value of this variable determines how narrow a window may become
2001 before it is automatically deleted. Making a window smaller than
2002 @code{window-min-width} automatically deletes it, and no window may be
2003 created narrower than this. The default value is 10.
2005 The absolute minimum window width is two; actions that change window
2006 sizes reset this variable to two if it is less than two.
2009 @node Coordinates and Windows
2010 @section Coordinates and Windows
2012 This section describes how to relate screen coordinates to windows.
2014 @defun window-at x y &optional frame
2015 This function returns the window containing the specified cursor
2016 position in the frame @var{frame}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y}
2017 are measured in characters and count from the top left corner of the
2018 frame. If they are out of range, @code{window-at} returns @code{nil}.
2020 If you omit @var{frame}, the selected frame is used.
2023 @defun coordinates-in-window-p coordinates window
2024 This function checks whether a particular frame position falls within
2025 the window @var{window}.
2027 The argument @var{coordinates} is a cons cell of the form @code{(@var{x}
2028 . @var{y})}. The coordinates @var{x} and @var{y} are measured in
2029 characters, and count from the top left corner of the screen or frame.
2031 The value returned by @code{coordinates-in-window-p} is non-@code{nil}
2032 if the coordinates are inside @var{window}. The value also indicates
2033 what part of the window the position is in, as follows:
2036 @item (@var{relx} . @var{rely})
2037 The coordinates are inside @var{window}. The numbers @var{relx} and
2038 @var{rely} are the equivalent window-relative coordinates for the
2039 specified position, counting from 0 at the top left corner of the
2043 The coordinates are in the mode line of @var{window}.
2046 The coordinates are in the header line of @var{window}.
2049 The coordinates are in the vertical line between @var{window} and its
2050 neighbor to the right. This value occurs only if the window doesn't
2051 have a scroll bar; positions in a scroll bar are considered outside the
2052 window for these purposes.
2056 The coordinates are in the left or right fringe of the window.
2060 The coordinates are in the left or right margin of the window.
2063 The coordinates are not in any part of @var{window}.
2066 The function @code{coordinates-in-window-p} does not require a frame as
2067 argument because it always uses the frame that @var{window} is on.
2070 @node Window Configurations
2071 @section Window Configurations
2072 @cindex window configurations
2073 @cindex saving window information
2075 A @dfn{window configuration} records the entire layout of one
2076 frame---all windows, their sizes, which buffers they contain, what
2077 part of each buffer is displayed, and the values of point and the
2078 mark; also their fringes, margins, and scroll bar settings. It also
2079 includes the values of @code{window-min-height},
2080 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}. An
2081 exception is made for point in the selected window for the current
2082 buffer; its value is not saved in the window configuration.
2084 You can bring back an entire previous layout by restoring a window
2085 configuration previously saved. If you want to record all frames
2086 instead of just one, use a frame configuration instead of a window
2087 configuration. @xref{Frame Configurations}.
2089 @defun current-window-configuration &optional frame
2090 This function returns a new object representing @var{frame}'s current
2091 window configuration. If @var{frame} is omitted, the selected frame
2095 @defun set-window-configuration configuration
2096 This function restores the configuration of windows and buffers as
2097 specified by @var{configuration}, for the frame that @var{configuration}
2100 The argument @var{configuration} must be a value that was previously
2101 returned by @code{current-window-configuration}. This configuration is
2102 restored in the frame from which @var{configuration} was made, whether
2103 that frame is selected or not. This always counts as a window size
2104 change and triggers execution of the @code{window-size-change-functions}
2105 (@pxref{Window Hooks}), because @code{set-window-configuration} doesn't
2106 know how to tell whether the new configuration actually differs from the
2109 If the frame which @var{configuration} was saved from is dead, all this
2110 function does is restore the three variables @code{window-min-height},
2111 @code{window-min-width} and @code{minibuffer-scroll-window}.
2113 Here is a way of using this function to get the same effect
2114 as @code{save-window-excursion}:
2118 (let ((config (current-window-configuration)))
2120 (progn (split-window-vertically nil)
2122 (set-window-configuration config)))
2127 @defspec save-window-excursion forms@dots{}
2128 This special form records the window configuration, executes @var{forms}
2129 in sequence, then restores the earlier window configuration. The window
2130 configuration includes the value of point and the portion of the buffer
2131 that is visible. It also includes the choice of selected window.
2132 However, it does not include the value of point in the current buffer;
2133 use @code{save-excursion} also, if you wish to preserve that.
2135 Don't use this construct when @code{save-selected-window} is sufficient.
2137 Exit from @code{save-window-excursion} always triggers execution of the
2138 @code{window-size-change-functions}. (It doesn't know how to tell
2139 whether the restored configuration actually differs from the one in
2140 effect at the end of the @var{forms}.)
2142 The return value is the value of the final form in @var{forms}.
2148 @result{} #<window 25 on control.texi>
2151 (setq w (selected-window))
2152 @result{} #<window 19 on control.texi>
2155 (save-window-excursion
2156 (delete-other-windows w)
2157 (switch-to-buffer "foo")
2159 @result{} do-something
2160 ;; @r{The screen is now split again.}
2165 @defun window-configuration-p object
2166 This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a window configuration.
2169 @defun compare-window-configurations config1 config2
2170 This function compares two window configurations as regards the
2171 structure of windows, but ignores the values of point and mark and the
2172 saved scrolling positions---it can return @code{t} even if those
2175 The function @code{equal} can also compare two window configurations; it
2176 regards configurations as unequal if they differ in any respect, even a
2177 saved point or mark.
2180 @defun window-configuration-frame config
2181 This function returns the frame for which the window configuration
2182 @var{config} was made.
2185 Other primitives to look inside of window configurations would make
2186 sense, but are not implemented because we did not need them. See the
2187 file @file{winner.el} for some more operations on windows
2191 @section Hooks for Window Scrolling and Changes
2193 This section describes how a Lisp program can take action whenever a
2194 window displays a different part of its buffer or a different buffer.
2195 There are three actions that can change this: scrolling the window,
2196 switching buffers in the window, and changing the size of the window.
2197 The first two actions run @code{window-scroll-functions}; the last runs
2198 @code{window-size-change-functions}. The paradigmatic use of these
2199 hooks is in the implementation of Lazy Lock mode; see @file{lazy-lock.el}.
2201 @defvar window-scroll-functions
2202 This variable holds a list of functions that Emacs should call before
2203 redisplaying a window with scrolling. It is not a normal hook, because
2204 each function is called with two arguments: the window, and its new
2205 display-start position.
2207 Displaying a different buffer in the window also runs these functions.
2209 These functions must be careful in using @code{window-end}
2210 (@pxref{Window Start}); if you need an up-to-date value, you must use
2211 the @var{update} argument to ensure you get it.
2214 @defvar window-size-change-functions
2215 This variable holds a list of functions to be called if the size of any
2216 window changes for any reason. The functions are called just once per
2217 redisplay, and just once for each frame on which size changes have
2220 Each function receives the frame as its sole argument. There is no
2221 direct way to find out which windows on that frame have changed size, or
2222 precisely how. However, if a size-change function records, at each
2223 call, the existing windows and their sizes, it can also compare the
2224 present sizes and the previous sizes.
2226 Creating or deleting windows counts as a size change, and therefore
2227 causes these functions to be called. Changing the frame size also
2228 counts, because it changes the sizes of the existing windows.
2230 It is not a good idea to use @code{save-window-excursion} (@pxref{Window
2231 Configurations}) in these functions, because that always counts as a
2232 size change, and it would cause these functions to be called over and
2233 over. In most cases, @code{save-selected-window} (@pxref{Selecting
2234 Windows}) is what you need here.
2237 @defvar redisplay-end-trigger-functions
2238 This abnormal hook is run whenever redisplay in a window uses text that
2239 extends past a specified end trigger position. You set the end trigger
2240 position with the function @code{set-window-redisplay-end-trigger}. The
2241 functions are called with two arguments: the window, and the end trigger
2242 position. Storing @code{nil} for the end trigger position turns off the
2243 feature, and the trigger value is automatically reset to @code{nil} just
2244 after the hook is run.
2247 @defun set-window-redisplay-end-trigger window position
2248 This function sets @var{window}'s end trigger position at
2252 @defun window-redisplay-end-trigger &optional window
2253 This function returns @var{window}'s current end trigger position.
2256 @defvar window-configuration-change-hook
2257 A normal hook that is run every time you change the window configuration
2258 of an existing frame. This includes splitting or deleting windows,
2259 changing the sizes of windows, or displaying a different buffer in a
2260 window. The frame whose window configuration has changed is the
2261 selected frame when this hook runs.
2265 arch-tag: 3f6c36e8-df49-4986-b757-417feed88be3