Is there an easy way to see what modes are currently operating in a buffer? And have a list of their names?
1 Answer
Almost every mode puts some kind of text in the mode line, which is the line of text at the bottom of every buffer. You can also type C-h m (or M-x describe-mode)to get long-form documentation about every mode that is currently active. This includes their names as well as all of their keybindings.
- 1C-h m? Ctrl + h and then m?interstar– interstar2020-06-26 18:03:55 +00:00Commented Jun 26, 2020 at 18:03
- I can do ctrl-c ctrl-h to get into a help screen. But then I'm in a help buffer. I want to see the modes enabled in the buffer I'm currently working in. (And to get a list of their names, not just see the mode line ... I'm trying to understand what the mode line is actually telling me)interstar– interstar2020-06-26 18:08:32 +00:00Commented Jun 26, 2020 at 18:08
- Yes, Ctrl+h and then m. This calls the command
describe-modefor whatever buffer you are currently in. The result is a new buffer that lists all the enabled modes and describes each one.glucas– glucas2020-06-26 18:14:31 +00:00Commented Jun 26, 2020 at 18:14 - That's not working for me. Ctrl+h just takes me to the top of the buffer :-(interstar– interstar2020-06-26 18:32:50 +00:00Commented Jun 26, 2020 at 18:32
- 2Start from
emacs -Q. Something in your init file is making Emacs use different key bindings, so you and those commenting here are not communicating. Otherwise, useM-x describe-modeto get past the communication blockage.Drew– Drew2020-06-26 18:58:41 +00:00Commented Jun 26, 2020 at 18:58