Move and Edit Text
Continue in notes.txt from the previous chapter. You will copy one line and
undo the insertion.
Move to a line
Use the arrow keys to move through the text. C-a moves to the beginning of
the current visual row; C-e moves to its end. Long source lines wrap at word
boundaries to fit the pane. Up/Down and C-n/C-p follow those visible rows.
Move to the beginning of Pack the notebook. with Up and C-a.
In a narrow pane, one longer source line can look like this:
1 │ Pack the notebook and
│ bring a pencil.
The blank number cell marks a continuation, not another source line. Wrapping
adds no newline to the file. C-k kills to the visual row's end through the
ordinary kill ring; C-y yanks the killed text and C-x u undoes the edit.
Line numbers and M-x goto-line still refer to source lines.
Select and copy
Press C-SPC to set the mark, then C-e to select the line's text.
The region between the mark and cursor is highlighted.
Press M-w to copy it. Move to the end of the second line and press Enter,
then C-y to insert the copied text. The buffer now contains:
Pack the notebook.
Bring a pencil.
Pack the notebook.
The copied text stays in rev's internal kill ring. It does not use the system
clipboard. To move a selected region instead of copying it, use C-w, then
C-y at its destination.
Undo a change
Press C-x u. The inserted copy disappears; the new line you created before
it remains. Each accepted paste is one undo step.
Save with C-x C-s. You can also select text by dragging with the primary
mouse button, or paste text through your terminal.
The binding reference lists word, page and whole-buffer movement. Rectangles describes column-based selection when you need it.
Next: Use Buffers and Panes.