How do I paste the result of a calculation or expression in normal mode?

Q: How do I paste the result of a calculation or expression in normal mode?

`"=expression p` The expression register (`"=`) lets you evaluate any Vimscript expression and paste the result directly into your buffer from normal mode. Press `"=`, type an expression, hit ` `, then `p` or `P` to paste the result. This turns Vim into a calculator, date inserter, or dynamic text generator without leaving your editor. ## How it works - `"=` tells Vim you want to use the expression register - Vim opens a prompt at the bottom of the screen where you type any valid Vimscript expression - Press ` ` to evaluate the expression — the result is now stored in the `=` register - Press `p` to paste after the cursor or `P` to paste before it ## Example Calculate a value and paste it: ```vim "=128*1024 p ``` This inserts `131072` at the cursor position. Paste the current date: ```vim "=strftime('%Y-%m-%d') p ``` Inserts something like `2025-01-15` at the cursor. Generate a string: ```vim "=repeat('-', 40) p ``` Inserts a line of 40 dashes: `----------------------------------------` ## Tips - Use `"=system('whoami') p` to paste the output of any shell command - Access Vim variables: `"=&tabstop p` pastes your current tabstop setting - Use `"=line('.') p` to paste the current line number - Use `"=expand('%:t') p` to paste the current filename without the path - The expression register works with `P` (paste before), `"=expr P` - Combine with ranges: in visual mode, select text and use `c =expression ` to replace the selection with a computed value - After evaluating once, `"=` remembers the last expression — press `"= p` (empty expression) to re-evaluate and paste it again

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`"=expressionp` The expression register (`"=`) lets you evaluate any Vimscript expression and paste the result directly into your buffer from normal mode. Press `"=`, type an expression, hit ``, then `p` or `P` to paste the result. This turns Vim into a calculator, date inserter, or dynamic text generator without leaving your editor. ## How it works - `"=` tells Vim you want to use the expression register - Vim opens a prompt at the bottom of the screen where you type any valid Vimscript expression - Press `` to evaluate the expression — the result is now stored in the `=` register - Press `p` to paste after the cursor or `P` to paste before it ## Example Calculate a value and paste it: ```vim "=128*1024p ``` This inserts `131072` at the cursor position. Paste the current date: ```vim "=strftime('%Y-%m-%d')p ``` Inserts something like `2025-01-15` at the cursor. Generate a string: ```vim "=repeat('-', 40)p ``` Inserts a line of 40 dashes: `----------------------------------------` ## Tips - Use `"=system('whoami')p` to paste the output of any shell command - Access Vim variables: `"=&tabstopp` pastes your current tabstop setting - Use `"=line('.')p` to paste the current line number - Use `"=expand('%:t')p` to paste the current filename without the path - The expression register works with `P` (paste before), `"=exprP` - Combine with ranges: in visual mode, select text and use `c=expression` to replace the selection with a computed value - After evaluating once, `"=` remembers the last expression — press `"=p` (empty expression) to re-evaluate and paste it again

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