Advanced Emacs Motions

Invoked with C-u.

Invoked by itself C-u does the same as if you had typed C-u 4

The universal-argument is multiplicative, not additive. C-u C-u is like C-u 16.

Lets you pass a numeric constant to a command

Because these are so useful they are bound to a multitude of keys. One
can use either the Control key + the numbers or the Meta Keys + the
numbers.

M-0 through to M-9

To move 10 characters forward, type M-1,M-0,C-f

C-0 through to C-9

C-M-0 through to C-M-9

C-u num (for double digit numbers)

Useful for modifying text you have just TYPED!

Let's say I am typing a word

Bound to M–; C–; and C-M–.

Emacs does support the navigation keys (arrow keys and pg up/down and so
on) but it's better to learn the real Emacs keys.

C-n C-p C-f C-b

If you customize this variable C-n will also create new lines if at the
end of the buffer, obviating the need for you to hit to create a new
line.

(setq next-line-add-newlines t)

To move to the beginning of a line, type C-a; to move to the end, type
C-e

M-f M-b

Note: What we consider a word to be is NB. A word in prose differs from
a word in code.

M-e M-a

;; Defining a sentence in Emacs
(setq sentence-end-double-space nil)
(setq sentence-end "[.\".,;!?*:'\"] ")
(global-set-key (kbd "S-<f12>") 'mark-end-of-sentence)

The paragraph keys are bound to the less-than-helpful C-down/up navigation keys.

C-v to scroll down one screen, and M-v to scroll up one screen.

The command C-M-v scrolls the other window. To scroll backwards with this command use the
negative argument.

I prefer to use C-v and M-v to jump to headings. My custom commands follow:

;; Go to markdown headings

(defun my-markdown-mode-hook ()
  (define-key markdown-mode-map (kbd "C-v") 'markdown-next-visible-heading)
  (define-key markdown-mode-map (kbd "M-v") 'markdown-previous-visible-heading))

(add-hook 'markdown-mode-hook 'my-markdown-mode-hook)

;; Go to org headings

(defun my-org-mode-hook ()
  (define-key org-mode-map (kbd "C-v") 'org-next-visible-heading)
  (define-key org-mode-map (kbd "M-v") 'org-previous-visible-heading))

(add-hook 'org-mode-hook 'my-org-mode-hook)

M-< M->

The buffer jump commands are useful for they leave the mark at the
originating position, meaning you can jump back to where you came from
with C-u C-SPC.

This gives you the ability to move by balanced expression (or pairs)

Common examples are quotes (' ', ” “) and brackets ([ ], ( ), { }, < >).

Movement by s-expression is similar to movement by character and word,
only the prefix is C-M-.

So move forward is C-M-f and backward is C-M-b.

The movements pertain only in programming modes.

(defun my-refresh-and-find-new-packages ()
  (interactive)
  (package-refresh-contents)
  (my-update-package-list)
  (my-find-new-packages))

(defalias 'fnp 'my-refresh-and-find-new-packages)

Especially useful for LISP.

Two more functional navigational aids are C-M-n and C-M-p.

Useful for moving through nested lists.

To move into (down) a list type C-M-d; to move out (up) a list type
C-M-u.

M-} Move forward to end of paragraph

M-{ Move backward to start of paragraph

C-s C-r

C-M-s C-M-r

C-s C-w - Allows you to select a word for searching; equivalent to Vim's
Shift-*

C-s M-y - Searches for text copied to clipboard; M-y yanks the copied
text into isearch

C-s M-c + search term Provides for a case sensitive search

C-s combined with other movement keys is very powerful

Combine C-s with other navigational keys such as M-f M-b C-a etc.

Think about the best ways to move before you move

M-s w searches for whole words

While M-s w can be used in any context, its features make it especially
suited for searching code.

C-s C-s repeats the last search query

Test

M-m

C-x r SPC + [any letter] to store point in a register and C-x r j + [the
letter] to jump back to it

C-x C-x toggles between the point and the mark in the buffer

C-u C-SPC cycles mark ring

(setq set-mark-command-repeat-pop t)

M-r

Moves the point between the top, center and bottom (by default) of the
visible window but without actually scrolling up or down.

Controls the vertical trajectory of the cursor

C-x C-n

This is line 1
This is line 2 Short
This is line 4

(C-u C-x C-n to disable)

Move in a considered fashion through an Emacs document by marking signs along the journey.

Use the new page character, represented by the Form Feed character.

C-q C-l inserts the form feed Character ^L

After doing this, you will see a character that looks like ^L in your buffer, representing the Form Feed.

By inserting it into one's document one can be intentional about navigation.

To navigate in Emacs from one ^L to another invoke:

C-s C-q C-l and thereafter only C-s.

To go backwards use C-r instead.

One can also use C-x ] and C-x [ but then ^L must be at the start of a new line, as in

https://www.masteringemacs.org/article/effective-editing-movement

finis

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