Emacs Keybinding Syntax Examples

Here are sample code you need to place in your emacs init file for defining various key press combinations.

In the following, the beep is a example command. Replace it with the command name you want.

Single Modifier Key

(global-set-key (kbd "M-a") 'beep) ; Meta+a(global-set-key (kbd "C-a") 'beep) ; Ctrl+a

Function keys and Special keys

(global-set-key (kbd "<f2>")   'beep)   ; F2 key(global-set-key (kbd "<kp-2>") 'beep)   ; the “2” key on the number keypad(global-set-key (kbd "<insert>") 'beep) ; the Ins key(global-set-key (kbd "<delete>") 'beep) ; the Del key(global-set-key (kbd "<home>") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "<end>") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "<next>") 'beep)   ; page down key(global-set-key (kbd "<prior>") 'beep)  ; page up key (global-set-key (kbd "<left>") 'beep)   ; ←(global-set-key (kbd "<right>") 'beep)  ; →(global-set-key (kbd "<up>") 'beep)     ; ↑(global-set-key (kbd "<down>") 'beep)   ; ↓(global-set-key (kbd "RET") 'beep) ; the Enter/Return key(global-set-key (kbd "SPC") 'beep) ; the Space bar key

(info "(elisp) Function Keys")

Modifier + Special Key

(global-set-key (kbd "M-<f2>") 'beep) ; Meta+F2(global-set-key (kbd "C-<f2>") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+F2(global-set-key (kbd "S-<f2>") 'beep)  ; Shift+F2(global-set-key (kbd "M-<up>") 'beep)  ; Meta+↑(global-set-key (kbd "C-<up>") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+↑(global-set-key (kbd "S-<up>") 'beep)  ; Shift+↑

Two Modifier Keys

2 modifier keys pressed simultaneously, plus a letter key:

(global-set-key (kbd "M-A") 'beep) ; Meta+Shift+a(global-set-key (kbd "C-A") 'beep) ; Ctrl+Shift+a(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-a") 'beep) ; Ctrl+Meta+a

Example of 2 modifier keys with a digit key:

(global-set-key (kbd "M-@") 'beep)       ; Meta+Shift+2 or Meta+@(global-set-key (kbd "C-@") 'beep)       ; Ctrl+Shift+2 or Ctrl+@(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-2") 'beep)     ; Ctrl+Meta+2(global-set-key (kbd "C-S-<kp-2>") 'beep); Ctrl+Shift+“numberic pad 2”

Three Modifier Keys

3 modifier keys pressed simultaneously:

(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-S-a") 'beep)   ; Ctrl+Meta+Shift+a(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-!") 'beep)     ; Ctrl+Meta+Shift+1 or Ctrl+Meta+!(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-\"") 'beep)    ; Ctrl+Meta+Shift+' or Ctrl+Meta+"(global-set-key (kbd "C-M-S-<up>") 'beep); Ctrl+Meta+Shift+↑

Key Sequence

Example of sequence of key combinations:

(global-set-key (kbd "C-c a") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+c a(global-set-key (kbd "C-c SPC") 'beep)  ; Ctrl+c Space(global-set-key (kbd "C-c <f2>") 'beep) ; Ctrl+c f2(global-set-key (kbd "C-c <up>") 'beep) ; Ctrl+c ↑(global-set-key (kbd "C-c C-c <up>") 'beep); Ctrl+c Ctrl+c ↑ 

A shortcut can be created without any modifier keys.

(global-set-key (kbd "2") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "a") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "é") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "α") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "π") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "(") 'beep)(global-set-key (kbd "你") 'beep)

推荐：

1. Emacs: How to Define Keyboard Shortcuts ：FAQ Style with Examples

2. Emacs's Key Notations Explained (/r, ^M, C-m, RET, <return>, M-, meta)