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Calling functions with optional arguments from the mini-buffer

Surely one of the first things VIers want to know as do the rest of us is how to move forward N characters (or backward or whatever) from the mini-buffer in EMACS. Here is how it is done, using the universal argument. So to move forward 100 chars:

C:u 100, C:f

ADDENDUM:01/13/13

Thanks FUCO for providing a better solution:

There’s also a faster way. Just hold down control key (or meta key, by default the binding is on both) and type the number, then execute the command or invoke minibuffer with M-x

So, C-2 C-0 C-f will move you 20 characters. It’s neat because you don’t have to release control, you just hit the rest of the keys in sequence.

This was written by Grant. Posted on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 3:51 pm. Filed under Article. Tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. Follow comments here with the RSS feed. Post a comment or leave a trackback.

2 Comments

  1. Fuco wrote:

    There’s also a faster way. Just hold down control key (or meta key, by default the binding is on both) and type the number, then execute the command or invoke minibuffer with M-x

    So, C-2 C-0 C-f will move you 20 characters. It’s neat because you don’t have to release control, you just hit the rest of the keys in sequence.

    Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 5:55 am | Permalink
  2. Grant wrote:

    FUCO:

    Thanks!

    Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 8:29 am | Permalink

One Trackback/Pingback

  1. The Universal Argument | Irreal on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 3:19 am

    [...] at Wisdom and Wonder, Grant tells us how to move forward several spaces in the minibuffer. That’s just 【Ctrl+u 1 0 0 Ctrl+f】, of course but Fuco (who wowed us by doing the last [...]

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