(axe.info)Editing

---

Next: Selection Prev: Window Up: Introduction

---

Enter node , (file) or (file)node

Basic editing
=============

Traversing the text in the editing buffer and making changes to it can
either be carried out from the keyboard or by using the mouse. The
current position, or insertion point, in the text is denoted by a caret
(^). It lies between characters and is initially right at the top of
the file before the first character.

In order to edit using the keyboard, the mouse pointer - the symbol
that moves around the screen as the mouse is moved - must lie somewhere
within the editing buffer area. Note that the pointer symbol changes
depending on which part of the screen it is over. When it is in an
editable text area, i.e. the editing buffer or the minibuffer it will
have the appearance of the letter I.

With the pointer in the editing buffer area, typing on the keyboard
will cause the characters typed to be inserted at the insertion point.
The character immediately to the left of the insertion point can be
erased by using the Delete key. The insertion point can be moved one
line or one character at a time by using the cursor (arrow) keys.

An easier way to move the insertion point, especially if you want it to
be some way away from the current position, is to move the mouse until
the vertical bar of the pointer lies over the character which is to be
to the right of the insertion point. With this done, quickly press and
release the left hand button on the mouse (note that the information
line is updated to show the line number of the chosen line). Slightly
moving the mouse while the button is pressed down may result in one or
more characters becoming highlighted. If this happens, you can either
try again or simply ignore it for the time being.