Mode Line Format

Each Emacs window (aside from minibuffer windows) typically has a mode line at the bottom, which displays status information about the buffer displayed in the window. The mode line contains information about the buffer, such as its name, associated file, depth of recursive editing, and major and minor modes. A window can also have a header line and a tab line, which are much like the mode line but they appear at the top of the window.

This section describes how to control the contents of the mode line, header line, and tab line. We include it in this chapter because much of the information displayed in the mode line relates to the enabled major and minor modes.

• Mode Line Basics
• The Data Structure of the Mode Line
• The Top Level of Mode Line Control
• Variables Used in the Mode Line
• %-Constructs in the Mode Line
• Properties in the Mode Line
• Window Header Lines
• Window Tab Lines
• Emulating Mode Line Formatting