Emacs Keybinding Syntax Examples

Emacs Keybinding Syntax Examples

Here are sample code you need to place in your emacs init file for defining various key press combinations.

In the following, the beep is a example command. Replace it with the command name you want.

Single Modifier Key

(global-set-key (kbd "M-a") 'beep) ; Meta+a
(global-set-key (kbd "C-a") 'beep) ; Ctrl+a

Function keys and Special keys

(global-set-key (kbd "<f2>")   'beep)   ; F2 key
(global-set-key (kbd "<kp-2>") 'beep)   ; the “2” key on the number keypad

(global-set-key (kbd "<insert>") 'beep) ; the Ins key
(global-set-key (kbd "<delete>") 'beep) ; the Del key

(global-set-key (kbd "<home>") 'beep)
(global-set-key (kbd "<end>") 'beep)

(global-set-key (kbd "<next>") 'beep)   ; page down key
(global-set-key (kbd "<prior>") 'beep)  ; page up key 

(global-set-key (kbd "<left>") 'beep)   ; ←
(global-set-key (kbd "<right>") 'beep)  ; →
(global-set-key (kbd "<up>") 'beep)     ; ↑
(global-set-key (kbd "<down>") 'beep)   ; ↓

(global-set-key (kbd "RET") 'beep) ; the Enter/Return key
(global-set-key (kbd "SPC") 'beep) ; the Space bar key

(info "(elisp) Function Keys")

Modifier + Special Key

(global-set-key (kbd "M-<f2>") 'beep) ; Meta+F2
(global-set-key (kbd "C-<f2>") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+F2
(global-set-key (kbd "S-<f2>") 'beep)  ; Shift+F2

(global-set-key (kbd "M-<up>") 'beep)  ; Meta+↑
(global-set-key (kbd "C-<up>") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+↑
(global-set-key (kbd "S-<up>") 'beep)  ; Shift+↑

Two Modifier Keys

2 modifier keys pressed simultaneously, plus a letter key:

(global-set-key (kbd "M-A") 'beep) ; Meta+Shift+a
(global-set-key (kbd "C-A") 'beep) ; Ctrl+Shift+a
(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-a") 'beep) ; Ctrl+Meta+a

Example of 2 modifier keys with a digit key:

(global-set-key (kbd "M-@") 'beep)       ; Meta+Shift+2 or Meta+@
(global-set-key (kbd "C-@") 'beep)       ; Ctrl+Shift+2 or Ctrl+@
(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-2") 'beep)     ; Ctrl+Meta+2

(global-set-key (kbd "C-S-<kp-2>") 'beep); Ctrl+Shift+“numberic pad 2”

Three Modifier Keys

3 modifier keys pressed simultaneously:

(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-S-a") 'beep)   ; Ctrl+Meta+Shift+a
(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-!") 'beep)     ; Ctrl+Meta+Shift+1 or Ctrl+Meta+!
(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-\"") 'beep)    ; Ctrl+Meta+Shift+' or Ctrl+Meta+"
(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-S-<up>") 'beep); Ctrl+Meta+Shift+↑

Key Sequence

Example of sequence of key combinations:

(global-set-key (kbd "C-c a") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+c a
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c SPC") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+c Space
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c <f2>") 'beep) ; Ctrl+c f2
(global-set-key (kbd "C-c <up>") 'beep) ; Ctrl+c ↑

(global-set-key (kbd "C-c C-c <up>") 'beep); Ctrl+c Ctrl+c ↑
 

A shortcut can be created without any modifier keys.

(global-set-key (kbd "2") 'beep)
(global-set-key (kbd "a") 'beep)
(global-set-key (kbd "é") 'beep)
(global-set-key (kbd "α") 'beep)
(global-set-key (kbd "π") 'beep)
(global-set-key (kbd "(") 'beep)
(global-set-key (kbd "你") 'beep)

推荐：

1. Emacs: How to Define Keyboard Shortcuts ：FAQ Style with Examples

2. Emacs's Key Notations Explained (/r, ^M, C-m, RET, <return>, M-, meta)