I have emerald 183 and i can't figure out how to use the buttonhole feature. it keeps sewing just one side. also where exactly do i put the button?

You can perform all the steps of a buttonhole without the buttonhole option (ask how sewists used to do it before sewing machines offered the buttonhole option). You'll just need a machine that can zig-zag.

How to sew buttonhole with an old machine

Making Buttonholes Without Special Feet

There are a lot of web sites and tutorial videos available.

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try adjusting the size, see if it changes the result and go from there, you might also want to ask other experts, sewing machines are not my speciality.

I don't know that machine, but generally on older machines, you put a buttonhole foot on the machine, set one of the buttons in the back-end of the slot so that it adjusts the size needed automatically. Then you set the machine stitch setting on 1 and set the width to make a satin stitch (a close zig-zag) down one side of buttonhole. You sew until the buttonhole foot makes the button hit near the foot; it will stop you, basically. Then you change stitch dial to 2 to make the bottom of the buttonhole, then 3 to make the other side, then 4 to make the top side. Then you remove the fabric and cut open the buttonhole (I use FrayCheck fist) Try some buttonholes on scrap fabric first, you will figure it out by trial and error.
If your machine is newer, they automatically can sew a buttonhole, but each one does it differently, Sorry.

does the machine have a buttonhole lever on the right hand side of the
needle that has to be pulled down before starting the buttonhole?

Try an Even Feed Walking Foot for more control on thick and quilted type layers

The switch in the back will lower the feed dogs.

If you need a manual - I found a PDF download by googling: viking emerald 183 manual

I just figured out how to use the buttonhole feature today. Make sure where you insert the button is towards the back of the machine. Pull down the button hole lever and make sure it's between to two plastic notches. The buttonhole lever will actually be pressed against notch B as described in the instructions. Insert your material and let the bottonhole foot down. You will to play with the stitch width and length to get the right size opening. I hope this helps!

2 things must do:
You have to use the buttonhole foot.
You have to pull down the lever to the lowest position (just left of needle bar/ presser bar up in machine.)
Set to buttonhole. After each buttonhole, be sure to change off the buttonhole then reset to buttonhole to reset the buttonhole to the beginning

I'd forgotten to pull the little lever down that abuts onto the buttonhole foot! Simple!

Here ya go! For 1 Step Automatic Buttonholes: 1. Place button into the buttonhole attachment. 2. Push slider to hold button securely in the slot. The button goes to the back! 3. Put button foot onto needle bar--just attach it securely. 4. Place needle thread and bobbin thread UNDER buttonhole attachment and let 4"-5" of thread trail behind it. 5. There's a lever called a Button Stop to the left of the needle bar. Give it a gentle tug and pull it down. Pull forward. Hear a click? Now the machine knows what length to STOP sewing! 6. Put foot on pedal and machine will sew barrack closest to you first. It will continue all around until it makes complete rotation of each side. 7. You must do these steps for each of your buttonholes! IMPORTANT: Make sure you set your dial for making buttonhole pattern because that "tells" machine to zig zag, and use appropriate size needle for the particular weight of your fabric. A new needle before you begin is recommended. Turn screw on needlebar to loosen screw. Hold it so it does not slip down into the feed dog area! New needle is inserted flat shank toward back of needlebar as far as it will go. Tighten screw. Did this help? Hope so!
Jimmy