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F.2.1 Modifier keys

The following variables control the behavior of the actual modifier keys:

ns-alternate-modifier​

ns-right-alternate-modifier​

The left and right Option or Alt keys.

ns-command-modifier​

ns-right-command-modifier​

The left and right Command keys.

ns-control-modifier​

ns-right-control-modifier​

The left and right Control keys.

ns-function-modifier​

The Function (fn) key.

The value of each variable is either a symbol, describing the key for any purpose, or a list of the form (:ordinary symbol :function symbol :mouse symbol), which describes the modifier when used with ordinary keys, function keys (that do not produce a character, such as arrow keys), and mouse clicks.

If the symbol is one of control, meta, alt, super or hyper, this describes the Emacs modifier it represents. If symbol is none, Emacs does not use the key, which retains its standard behavior. For instance, the Option key in macOS is then used for composing additional characters.

The variables for right-hand keys, like ns-right-alternate-modifier, may also be set to left, which means to use the same behavior as the corresponding left-hand key.