The commands of Forms mode belong to the C-c prefix, with one exception: TAB, which moves to the next field. Forms mode uses different key maps for normal mode and read-only mode. In read-only Forms mode, you can access most of the commands without the C-c prefix, but you must type ordinary letters instead of control characters; for example, type n instead of C-c C-n.
If your Emacs has been built with X-toolkit support, Forms mode will provide its own menu with a number of Forms mode commands.
Show the next record (forms-next-record
). With a numeric
argument n, show the nth next record.
Show the previous record (forms-prev-record
). With a numeric
argument n, show the nth previous record.
Jump to a record by number (forms-jump-record
). Specify
the record number with a numeric argument.
Jump to the first record (forms-first-record
).
Jump to the last record (forms-last-record
). This command also
recalculates the number of records in the data file.
Jump to the next field in the current record (forms-next-field
).
With a numeric argument n, jump forward n fields. If this command
would move past the last field, it wraps around to the first field.
Toggles read-only mode (forms-toggle-read-only
). In read-only
Forms mode, you cannot edit the fields; most Forms mode commands can be
accessed without the prefix C-c if you use the normal letter
instead (for example, type n instead of C-c C-n). In edit
mode, you can edit the fields and thus change the contents of the data
base; you must begin Forms mode commands with C-c
. Switching
to edit mode is allowed only if you have write access to the data file.
Create a new record and insert it before the current record
(forms-insert-record
). It starts out with empty (or default)
contents for its fields; you can then edit the fields. With a numeric
argument, the new record is created after the current one.
See also forms-modified-record-filter
in Modifying The Forms Contents.
Delete the current record (forms-delete-record
). You are
prompted for confirmation before the record is deleted unless a numeric
argument has been provided.
Search forward for regexp in all records following this one
(forms-search-forward
). If found, this record is shown.
If you give an empty argument, the previous regexp is used again.
Search backward for regexp in all records following this one
(forms-search-backward
). If found, this record is shown.
If you give an empty argument, the previous regexp is used again.
Similar to forms-next-field
but moves backwards.
Forms mode replacement for save-buffer
. When executed in the
forms buffer it will save the contents of the (modified) data buffer
instead. In Forms mode this function will be bound to C-x C-s.
This command can be used to make a formatted print of the contents of the data file.
In addition the command M-x revert-buffer is useful in Forms mode just as in other modes.
The following function key definitions are set up in Forms mode (whether read-only or not):