[comp.emacs] problem with emacs' M-x

ellis@ultra.dec.com (David Ellis) (10/13/87)

John Knutson (auscso!johnk) asks:
 
> I was trying to figure out what things are available through M-x by typing ?
> and emacs said "Making completions list".  it split the window and had a
> buffer called *Completions* so i pressed return at the M-x prompt to change
> to that buffer.  but, when i did that it killed the buffer.  i also tried
> typing switch-to-buffer at the M-x prompt and that didn't work either.  can
> someone tell me how i can look at other than the first 8 lines of the
> completions list????  

When the *Completions** buffer appears, the cursor is still in the 
mini-buffer (bottom line of the screen) awaiting a command.  You can at this
point get into the *Completions** buffer by typing C-x o (which runs the 
other-window command) twice.  Now you are free to scroll around.  But note
that the mini-buffer is still awaiting your previous command!  You will 
eventually need to get back to that buffer and then either finish the command 
or issue C-g to abort.

In some circumstances, Emacs will allow you to stack other minibuffer-using
commands on top of the one you moved away from.  However, you can easily 
get confused if you do this, so I would recommend it only when you become 
more comfortable with Emacs.

----
David Ellis
Digital Equipment Corporation -- LTN2-2/C08 
305 Foster Street, Littleton MA 01460 -- (617)486-6784 
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