Emacs: Set tab indent for just one file on the fly

Question

I work on an open source project where the creator sets his tab-indents to 2 spaces.

I'd like to just enable it on the fly for the one file I work on and not other files of the same type. There must be something like M-x set-tab-indent. It is a JavaScript file ending in .js.

I know I can use:

(setq-default tab-width int) 

inside my .emacs file, but I rather just call an M-x command to set it and forget it during my duration of working on this file. I tried M-x apropos and Google but couldn't find the specific command.

Thanks.

Answer 1

You can make the variable js-indent-level local to the buffer using:

M-x make-variable-buffer-local <RET> js-indent-level <RET>

Then you can set that variable in the buffer using:

M-x set-variable <RET> js-indent-level <RET> 2

Answer 2

The easiest way to do this for a single buffer is to use M-x set-variable.

1. Type M-x set-variable and press enter
2. When prompted for the variable to set, set tab-width then press enter
3. You'll be prompted with the line Set tab-width (buffer-local) to value:. Put the value you want, then hit enter

The buffer should instantly be updated with the new value.