# FAQ(28) - Key modifier which acts as the ESC key; what is it ?

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## QUESTION (28)

Key modifier which acts as the ESC key; what is it ?

What is the modifier key which acts as the ESC key ? Having to type ESCAPE and then f to move one word forward is very boring.

With Gnu Emacs (on Unix systems), there is a "meta" modifier key which is a shortcut for pressing ESCAPE followed by the command key. The "meta" key should be the "Alt" key.

## ANSWER

The "meta" key is the "Alt" key. But 'F' is the Main menu hot-key for the 'File' sub-menu so by default 'A-f' will open the File sub-menu. This can be disabled by clearing bit 0x2000 in the $system variable. This option can now be set using user-setup (Alt -> Main Menu).

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(c) Copyright JASSPA 2009
Last Modified: 2009/08/29
Generated On: 2009/10/12

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