How do I run a recorded macro across multiple files at once?

Explanation

Combining :argdo with :norm @a lets you apply a recorded macro to every file in Vim's argument list — a powerful pattern for bulk refactoring across a project without leaving the editor.

How it works

1. Load target files into the argument list:

   :args **/*.txt
   

2. Record your macro into register a:

   qa{your edits}q
   

3. Apply the macro to every file and save each one:

   :argdo norm @a | update
   

• :argdo runs the following command on each file in the argument list, visiting each in sequence
• norm @a replays macro a on the current buffer
• | update writes the file only if it was modified (safer than | w)

Example

Suppose you want to append a semicolon to the first line of every .js file in your project:

" Record: go to line 1, end of line, insert semicolon
qa1G$a;<Esc>q

" Apply to all .js files:
:args **/*.js
:argdo norm @a | update

Tips

• Use :args alone to inspect the current file list before running
• Combine with silent! to skip files where the macro fails: :argdo silent! norm @a | update
• After :argdo, all modified files are in the buffer list — use :wa to save any unsaved
• For patterns across files, :vimgrep /pat/ ** | cdo norm @a | update targets only matching lines