How do I run a normal mode command on every line in a range?

Explanation

The :normal command executes normal mode keystrokes from the command line. Combined with a range, it runs those keystrokes on every line in the range. This is like a mini macro that you do not need to record first.

How it works

• :{range}normal {commands} executes {commands} in normal mode on each line in {range}
• :%normal A; appends a semicolon to every line in the file
• :10,20normal dd deletes lines 10 through 20 (one at a time)
• :'<,'>normal @a runs macro a on each line in the visual selection

Example

Given these lines (selected visually):

let x = 1
let y = 2
let z = 3

Running :'<,'>normal A; produces:

let x = 1;
let y = 2;
let z = 3;

Tips

• Use :normal! (with bang) to ignore user mappings and use default Vim commands
• Combine with :g for conditional execution: :g/TODO/normal dd
• You can chain multiple keystrokes: :%normal I// comments out every line
• For complex sequences, use exe with special keys: :exe "normal! i\<C-r>0"