How do I match text only when it is followed by a specific pattern using zero-width lookahead?
\(pattern\)\@=
Vim's regex engine supports zero-width positive lookahead via the \@= operator.
Category: search
How do I write a Vim regex that matches any character including newlines for multi-line pattern matching?
\_.
In Vim's regular expressions, .
How do I zero-pad or reformat numbers during a substitution using printf in Vim?
:%s/\d\+/\=printf('%03d', submatch(0))/g
Combining Vim's \= expression substitution with the printf() function lets you apply arbitrary formatting to matched text.
How do I highlight a custom pattern persistently in a window without changing the search register?
matchadd()
The matchadd() function adds a persistent highlight for a pattern in the current window without touching your search register or interfering with n/N navigation
How do I convert text to title case in Vim using a substitution command?
:%s/\v(\w+)/\u\L\1/g
Vim's substitution engine supports case-modifier sequences in the replacement string, making it possible to convert text to title case in a single command.
search #search #substitution #regex #editing #case #formatting
How do I restrict a substitution to the range between two named marks?
:'a,'bs/old/new/g
Named marks can serve as range endpoints for any Ex command, including :substitute.
How do I force a case-insensitive substitution without changing the global ignorecase setting?
:%s/pattern/replacement/ig
The :s substitute command accepts /i and /I flags that override your global ignorecase and smartcase settings for that single substitution, letting you choose c
How do I rearrange or transform captured groups in a substitution using Vimscript?
:s/\(\w\+\) \(\w\+\)/\=submatch(2) . ' ' . submatch(1)/
The submatch(N) function lets you access individual capture groups inside a \= (expression replacement) in a substitution.
Why doesn't \n insert a newline in a :s replacement, and what should I use instead?
:%s/,/,\r/g
In Vim substitutions, \n and \r behave differently depending on whether they appear in the search pattern or the replacement string — a common gotcha that sur
How do I match text only when it is preceded by a specific pattern in Vim regex?
:%s/\(prefix\)\@<=target/replacement/g
Vim's \@<= is a zero-width look-behind assertion.
How do I write a search pattern that requires two conditions to match at the same position in Vim?
\&
Vim's \& operator is the AND combinator in a search pattern.
How do I use \zs and \ze to define the exact boundaries of a regex match in Vim?
\zs and \ze in a pattern
Vim's \zs ("match start") and \ze ("match end") atoms let you narrow the actual match region within a broader pattern context.
How do I force a search to be case-sensitive even when ignorecase is enabled?
\C in search pattern
Adding \C anywhere in a search pattern forces case-sensitive matching for that search, overriding the global ignorecase setting.
How do I browse and edit my backward search history in a full Vim buffer?
q?
Vim provides three command-line history windows accessible from normal mode: q: for Ex commands, q/ for forward searches, and q? for backward searches.
How do I group part of a Vim regex pattern without creating a numbered capture group?
\%(...\)
Vim's standard grouping syntax \(.
What is the difference between \n and \r in Vim search patterns versus substitution replacements?
\n in search, \r in replacement
Vim uses \n and \r differently depending on whether they appear in a search pattern or a replacement string, and mixing them up is a common source of confusion.
How do I get the current search match index and total count programmatically in Vim?
searchcount()
The searchcount() function returns a dictionary containing the current search state: which match the cursor is on, how many total matches exist, and whether the
How do I highlight multiple different patterns simultaneously using Vim's built-in match commands?
:2match Todo /FIXME/
Vim provides three independent match slots — :match, :2match, and :3match — each of which highlights a pattern using a specified highlight group.
How do I make a single search case-insensitive without changing my global ignorecase setting?
/pattern\c
Vim's \c and \C atoms let you override the global ignorecase and smartcase settings on a per-search basis.
How do I use case modifiers like \u and \U in a substitution replacement to change capitalization?
:%s/\v(\w+)/\u\1/g
Vim's substitute command supports case-modifier escapes in the replacement string: \u uppercases the next character, \U uppercases all text until \E or end of r