如何使用elisp在Emacs中格式化数据表？

Question

I want to format a table of data automatically in Emacs using elisp with the awesome table-insert command. My idea is to do something like this, but it doesn't work:

(defun make-table ()
  (interactive)
  (table-insert 2 1) ; Table with 2 columns and 1 row
  (insert "first cell contents")
  (table-forward-cell)
  (insert "second cell contents")
  (table-release)
  )

Instead of inserting the "first cell contents" in the table, it inserts the text just before the first cell, so the text doesn't go into the table at all. Then it crashes on the (table-forward-cell) call.

When I do this interactively, it works fine--how is the elisp code above different from doing it manually with my keyboard?

Answer 1

Reason is that the insert "destroys" the table, as it moves the | character. Then (table-forward-cell) fails because it cannot "parse" the table in the buffer.

My advice would be to take a look to org-mode and the table relate functionality it provides. Then, you will figure out which one suits your needs better, table or org-mode