How do I run a macro or command on every entry in the location list?

Explanation

:ldo runs an Ex command on each entry in the location list — the buffer-local cousin of the quickfix list. It is the location-list equivalent of :cdo (which targets the quickfix list). Combined with execute 'normal @q', you can replay a macro against every location-list entry: a grep match, a compiler warning, or a language-server diagnostic.

How it works

• :ldo {cmd} opens each location-list entry in turn and runs {cmd}
• :cdo {cmd} does the same for the quickfix list
• execute 'normal @q' replays macro register q as Normal mode keystrokes
• After processing all entries, use :wall or append | update to save modified files
• :lfdo runs once per file (skipping duplicate files), while :ldo runs once per entry

Example

1. Run a language-server or :lvimgrep to populate the location list:

   :lvimgrep /TODO/ **/*.py
   :lopen
   

2. Record a macro that handles each TODO line:

   qq0f:wdwq
   

3. Apply to all location-list entries:

   :ldo execute 'normal @q' | update
   

Tips

• The location list is window-local — each window can have its own, making :ldo ideal for LSP workflows where diagnostics are per-window
• :cdo / :ldo both accept ranges: :1,5ldo execute 'normal @q' applies to only the first five entries
• Prefer :lfdo over :ldo when your macro changes the file structure and visiting the same file multiple times would cause errors
• Combine with silent! to suppress per-entry errors: :ldo silent! execute 'normal @q' | update