How do I copy a specific line by number to after the current line?

Explanation

The :t ex command (also spelled :copy) copies a range of lines to a target address without touching any register. :5t. copies line 5 to just after the current line (.). Unlike yank-and-put, this operation leaves the unnamed register and your clipboard completely intact — an essential property when you are mid-edit and cannot afford to lose a yanked selection.

How it works

• :{source}t{dest} — copy line(s) at {source} to after {dest}
• :5t. — copy line 5 to after the current line
• The destination . always means the current line; 0 means before line 1 (the very top); $ means after the last line
• Both source and destination support all Ex address forms: absolute line numbers, ., $, marks ('a), and relative offsets

Example

You're editing line 42 and want to duplicate the boilerplate function signature from line 8 without disturbing your yank register:

:8t.

Line 8 is now copied just below line 42. Your cursor stays at the copy, your registers are untouched.

Tips

• :-5t. — copy the line 5 rows above to here (relative addressing)
• :'a,'bt$ — copy the range from mark a to mark b to the end of the file
• :t. (no source address) — duplicate the current line in-place, equivalent to yyp but register-safe
• :5,10t25 — copy lines 5–10 to after line 25
• :m is the move equivalent: it deletes the source and pastes it at the destination