How do I run the last executed macro across an existing visual line range?

Explanation

When you already have a useful macro but need to apply it to a specific block of lines, :'<,'>normal @@ is a high-leverage pattern. It replays the most recently executed macro over the current visual range, so you do not need to restate the register name or re-record anything. This is especially useful during structured cleanup where the target region changes but the macro logic stays the same.

How it works

• '<,'> is the range captured from the last visual selection
• :normal executes normal-mode keystrokes on each line in the range
• @@ replays the last executed macro register

The practical advantage is workflow speed: execute a macro once where it works, visually select a region, then apply the same behavior everywhere in that region with one Ex command.

Example

Suppose you already executed a macro that normalizes log prefixes on a single line. You then visually select a block of related lines and run:

:'<,'>normal @@

Vim applies the same macro to each selected line, preserving the exact sequence that just worked.

Before: mixed formatting across selected lines
After:  consistent formatting using your last macro

Tips

• If mappings interfere, use :normal! and call a specific register instead (@q).
• Re-execute one line with @@ first to validate behavior before range-wide application.