How do I repeat the last substitute command quickly?

Explanation

The & command in normal mode repeats the last :s substitution on the current line. For repeating across the entire file with the same flags, use g&. This saves you from retyping or recalling complex substitute commands.

How it works

• & repeats the last :s command on the current line, but without the original flags
• g& repeats the last substitution across the entire file with the original flags — it is equivalent to :%s//~/&
• :&& repeats the last substitution on the current line with the original flags (like g and c)
• :'<,'>& repeats it over a visual selection

Example

Given the text:

foo bar foo
foo baz foo
foo qux foo

Run :s/foo/CHANGED/g on line 1:

CHANGED bar CHANGED
foo baz foo
foo qux foo

Now move to line 2 and press & — it replaces only the first foo (no g flag). Use :&& instead to keep the g flag and replace all occurrences on that line.

Or simply press g& from anywhere to apply the substitution to every line in the file at once.

Tips

• g& is the fastest way to "I should have used % in that substitute" — it retroactively applies to the whole file
• :&& preserves flags, & does not — this distinction catches many people off guard
• In visual mode, select lines and type :&& to repeat the substitution only within the selection
• Combine with @: to repeat the full last ex command including range and flags