General prefix rules

Since there are many keyboard shortcuts, it is important to have some ways of classifying them in several categories, in order to make it easier to memorize them. As a general rule, keyboard shortcuts which fall in the same category are identified by a common prefix. The main such common prefixes are:

C-x

Control key based shortcuts are used for frequently used editing commands. They depend very much on the “look and feel” in Edit→Preferences. For instance, if you use an Emacs-compatible look and feel, then the shortcuts of the form C-x correspond to Emacs commands, like C-y for pasting text.

A-x

The alternate key is used for commands which depend on the mode that you are in. For instance, A-s produces strong text in text mode and a square root sqrt () in math mode. Notice that escape escape is equivalent to A-.

M-x

The meta key is used for general purpose TeXmacs commands, which can be used in all modes. For instance, M-! produces a label. It is also used for additional editing commands, like A-w for copying text if you use the Emacs look and feel. Notice that escape is equivalent to M-.

H-x

The user keyboard modifier key is used for producing special symbols like Greek characters in math mode. You may configure your keyboard so as to let caps-lock play the rôle of the hyper key. The F5 is equivalent to H-.

We recall that the particular modifier keys which are used in order to obtain the M- and H- prefixes can be configured in Edit→Preferences.