20 Minibuffers

A minibuffer is a special buffer that Emacs commands use to read arguments more complicated than the single numeric prefix argument. These arguments include file names, buffer names, and command names (as in M-x). The minibuffer is displayed on the bottom line of the frame, in the same place as the echo area (see The Echo Area), but only while it is in use for reading an argument.

• Intro to Minibuffers		Basic information about minibuffers.
• Text from Minibuffer		How to read a straight text string.
• Object from Minibuffer		How to read a Lisp object or expression.
• Minibuffer History		Recording previous minibuffer inputs so the user can reuse them.
• Initial Input		Specifying initial contents for the minibuffer.
• Completion		How to invoke and customize completion.
• Yes-or-No Queries		Asking a question with a simple answer.
• Multiple Queries		Asking complex questions.
• Reading a Password		Reading a password from the terminal.
• Minibuffer Commands		Commands used as key bindings in minibuffers.
• Minibuffer Windows		Operating on the special minibuffer windows.
• Minibuffer Contents		How such commands access the minibuffer text.
• Recursive Mini		Whether recursive entry to minibuffer is allowed.
• Minibuffer Misc		Various customization hooks and variables.