Re: how to browse data with many many columns

[Andreas Politz]

patiobarbecue wrote:
> Dear there,
>
> I have data file with many columns. The first line has field names as usual.
> I am reading column 35 for example, CTRL+v will turn the page BUT focus on
> column 1, and I have to locate column 35 again -:) Is there a convenient
> way? 

Indeed.

,----[ C-h f set-goal-column RET ]
| set-goal-column is an interactive compiled Lisp function in `simple.el'.
| It is bound to C-x C-n.
| (set-goal-column ARG)
|
| Set the current horizontal position as a goal for C-n and C-p.
| Those commands will move to this position in the line moved to
| rather than trying to keep the same horizontal position.
| With a non-nil argument, clears out the goal column
| so that C-n and C-p resume vertical motion.
| The goal column is stored in the variable `goal-column'.
|
`----


> Also is it possible to keep the first line (table field names) visible while
> browse line 200?

(setq header-line-format
      (buffer-substring 1 (line-end-position (goto-char 1))))


You need to eval this the buffers context (e.g. with M-:).


-ap
> Thanks for your reply in advance.
>
> Michael