Terminal / Emulation / Emacs

This category only appears if VanDyke Software's SecureCRT® 5.0 (or newer) is also installed.

The Emulation/Emacs category of the Session Options dialog allows you to configure your session to use the `ALT` key as the meta key. This may be helpful if you commonly use Emacs.

Use ALT as meta key

Check this option to enable Emacs compatibility and use the `ALT` key as the meta key.

WARNING: The `Use ALT as meta key` option will affect your ability to use ALT key combinations to access application menus. You will still be able to access the application menus by pressing and releasing the ALT key and then pressing the menu hot key. For example, to access the File menu when Use ALT as meta key is enabled, press and release the ALT key and then press the `F` key. However, holding down the ALT key and pressing `F` will be interpreted by Emacs and will not bring up the File menu. The pattern shown in this example applies to all ALT key combinations.

Preserve ALTGR international key

Many international keyboards have an `ALTGR` key that uses the same keyboard code as CTRL+ALT to create an alternate shift state for accessing additional characters on certain keys. To enable the use of this key and prevent Emacs from interpreting it as a CTRL+ALT sequence, select the Preserve ALTGR international key option. With this option enabled, Emacs mode is ignored for all `ALTGR` combinations.

Use 8th bit for meta key (requires termcap support)

Select this option to use the eighth bit for meta key combinations instead of sending the `ESC` key character. This option requires termcap support. By default, the `ESC` character is sent for meta key combinations when Emacs compatibility is enabled.

Send escape for meta key

Select this option to have SecureCRT send an `ESC` character for meta key combinations. By default, the `ESC` character is sent for meta key combinations when Emacs compatibility is enabled.