2

I'm using after-string overlays as in this question to put text on the right hand side of the buffer, like this:

(let ((overlay (make-overlay (point-max) (point-max) (current-buffer))))
  (overlay-put overlay 'intangible t)
  (overlay-put overlay 'before-string
               (concat
                (propertize " " 'display `(space :align-to (- right-fringe ,(1+ (length text)))))
                text))
  overlay))

This works well, but if I position the cursor at the end of the buffer at insert characters, I insert past the overlay.

I'm inserting past the overlay. Oh no!

In the image, the check mark is my overlay, and the x after it is something I inserted by typing an x after the word Type, which was previously the last word in the buffer.

How can I stop this from happening? I'd like the overlay to permanently sit past all the actual text in the buffer.

Improve this question
0

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

The simplest way is probably to use:

(let ((overlay (make-overlay (point-max) (point-max) nil t t)))
  ...)

The additional t t arguments will mark the overlays's boundaries as being "insert-before" rather than "insert-after".

Improve this answer
2
  • This is almost perfect. One downside—I use a bar cursor, and even though insertions are insert-before, the cursor appears after the overlay. I tried the cursor property but that didn't work. Any ideas?
    – pavpanchekha
    Aug 27, 2015 at 19:19
  • I think you need to try the cursor property again. It's a tricky property to use, and I've often had to play with it for a while until it worked.
    – Stefan
    Aug 28, 2015 at 2:58
1

I have found that setting 'cursor t as an overlay property has no effect when used in conjunction with an 'after-string property. However, it works if the STRING is propertized; e.g., 'after-string (propertize STRING 'cursor t).

WORKS:

(save-excursion
  (end-of-line)
  (let ((eol-floating-column (+ (current-column) 10))
        (ov (make-overlay (point) (point) nil t t)))
    (overlay-put ov
                 'after-string
                 (concat
                   (propertize (char-to-string ?\uE001)
                                'display
                                `((space :align-to ,eol-floating-column)
                                  (space :width 0))
                                'cursor t)
                   (propertize (char-to-string ?\u00B6)
                              'face '(:background "gray50" :foreground "black"))))))

BROKEN:

(save-excursion
  (end-of-line)
  (let ((eol-floating-column (+ (current-column) 10))
        (ov (make-overlay (point) (point) nil t t)))
    (overlay-put ov
                 'after-string
                 (concat
                   (propertize (char-to-string ?\uE001)
                                'display
                                `((space :align-to ,eol-floating-column)
                                  (space :width 0)))
                   (propertize (char-to-string ?\u00B6)
                              'face '(:background "gray50" :foreground "black"))))
    (overlay-put ov 'cursor t)))
Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.