3.6.3 Selecting buffers from a list

There are two ways to select emacs-w3m buffers from a list. The first one is a minibuffer-based interface, called with C-c C-a. You can choose the buffer you want to display using the M-p and M-n keys (or the "up" and "down" arrow keys), they will make you cycle through the list. You can also edit the prompt and type the title of an existing web page, using TAB for completion. For example, if you have a "Google Search" page opened, you can type "Goo" then hit TAB and the page title will be completed. After the page name, the buffer name is given (between brackets). Then use RET to switch to the buffer you have chosen.

The second and more sophisticated interface is called the emacs-w3m buffer list, it is invoked with C-c C-s. It shows you the list of all opened buffers in a separate window (either a vertical or a horizontal window---C-c C-s toggles between the two modes) and allows you to view the buffers in real-time: when you move the point in the buffer list, the buffer under point is displayed in the main window, which allows you to have direct visual feedback of the buffer you're switching to.

To move in the buffer list, you can use the p and n keys (or the arrow keys). In the buffer list, DEL and SPC allow you to scroll the buffer displayed in the main window, which is handy if you want to check that you're seeing the right buffer. To select the buffer under point, you can use the RET key, in which case the buffer list will be buried, or the w key, in which case the buffer list will remain visible and the focus given to the main window.

You can also close and create buffers from this menu, using the same bindings as the one used in regular buffers (see section 3.6.1 Creating and killing buffers).

Finally, the ? key shows a short help, g refreshes the list and the q key exits the buffer list, not changing the active buffer.

C-c C-a

Prompt for a buffer name in the minibuffer. M-p and M-n cycle through the list of existing buffers and TAB completes (w3m-switch-buffer).

C-c C-s

Show the buffer list in a separate window (w3m-select-buffer). In this window, C-c C-s toggles between horizontal and vertical modes, RET selects the buffer under point and buries the buffer list, w selects the buffer under point and gives it the focus, n, p and the arrow keys can be used to move down or up.