How do I apply a normal mode command to every line in a range at once?

Explanation

:normal (abbreviated :norm) executes a sequence of normal-mode keystrokes on each line of an address range. It's one of Vim's most powerful batch-editing tools, letting you drive arbitrary normal-mode operations — including motions, operators, and macros — across a selection of lines without recording a dedicated macro.

How it works

:norm takes the form :[range]norm[al] {commands}, where {commands} is the same sequence of keys you'd type in normal mode:

:%norm A;          " append a semicolon to every line in the file
:5,15norm >>       " indent lines 5–15 two levels
:'<,'>norm 0dt:    " on each selected line, go to col 1 and delete to first ':'
:%norm @q          " replay macro q on every line (like :g but simpler)

• Ranges work just like any other Ex command: % for all lines, '<,'> for visual, 1,10 for a line span
• To include literal <Esc>, <CR>, or other special keys, type them with <C-v>{key} when entering the command
• Each line starts with the cursor at the beginning of that line

Example

Given a list of bare CSS properties:

color: red
font-size: 14px
margin: 0

Running :%norm A; appends a semicolon to every line:

color: red;
font-size: 14px;
margin: 0;

Tips

• :norm! uses the default key mappings, bypassing any remaps — useful in plugins or scripts
• Combining :g/pattern/norm {cmd} lets you target specific lines: :g/TODO/norm A // FIXME
• The command is idempotent when paired with idempotent normal-mode actions