How do I access the alternate file register?
"# register
The # register contains the name of the alternate file — the previously edited file in the current window.
Category: registers
How do I copy the contents of one register to another?
:let @b = @a
The :let @b = @a command copies the contents of register a into register b.
How do I delete a word and save it to a specific register?
"adiw
The "adiw command deletes the inner word under the cursor and stores it in register a.
How do I copy and paste to the system clipboard?
"+y and "+p
The "+ register is linked to the system clipboard.
How do I access and reuse the last search pattern?
"/ register
The / register contains the most recent search pattern.
How do I access previous deletions from the numbered registers?
"1p through "9p
Registers 1-9 contain the last 9 deletions or changes that are at least one line long.
How do I access the text from my last insert session?
".
The .
How do I access the last Ex command I ran?
":
The : register contains the last Ex command that was executed.
How do I use the expression register for calculations?
"=2+3<CR>p
The expression register = evaluates a Vimscript expression and stores the result.
How do I clear the contents of a register?
:let @a = ""
The :let @{register} = "" command empties a register.
How do I edit a recorded macro?
"ap, edit, "add
Since macros are stored in registers, you can paste the register content into the buffer, edit it, and yank it back.
How do I yank and paste a vertical block of text using blockwise registers?
<C-v>jj"ay then "ap
How it works Vim registers remember not just the text content but also the type of selection that was used to yank it: characterwise, linewise, or blockwise.
How do I programmatically manipulate register contents using setreg and getreg?
:call setreg('a', @a . 'text', 'l')
How it works Vim provides two functions for advanced register manipulation: setreg() and getreg().
How do I use a register value as the replacement string in a substitution?
:%s/pattern/\=@a/g
How it works In Vim's substitute command, the replacement string can be a Vimscript expression when prefixed with \=.
How do I execute the contents of a register as an Ex command?
:@a
How it works The command :@a executes the contents of register a as an Ex command.
What is the difference between the star register and the plus register?
"*p vs "+p
How it works Vim has two system clipboard registers that interact with the operating system: " -- the selection register (PRIMARY selection on Linux/X11, clipbo
How do I search for text I just yanked using the register?
/<C-r>0
How it works After yanking text, you can use it directly as a search pattern by inserting the yank register contents into the search prompt.
How do I insert register contents into the command line?
:<C-r>a
How it works While typing an Ex command on the command line (after pressing :), you can insert the contents of any register by pressing Ctrl-R followed by the r
How do I delete text and save it to a specific named register?
"add
How it works When you delete text in Vim with commands like dd, dw, or x, the deleted text goes into the unnamed register and the numbered registers (1-9).
How do I store different pieces of text in separate registers for later pasting?
"ayy "byy "cyy
How it works Vim provides 26 named registers (a through z) that you can use as independent clipboards.