How do I open the previous file I was editing in a split window?
:split #
In Vim, # is a special filename that always refers to the alternate file — the most recently active buffer before the current one.
Search: :b#
261 results for ":b#"
How do I search for yanked text literally in Vim without escaping regex characters?
/\V<C-r><C-r>"
When your yanked text includes regex symbols like .
How do I run a substitution without displacing my marks?
:keepmarks %s/pattern/replacement/g
The :keepmarks modifier prevents Vim from adjusting mark positions when a buffer-modifying command runs.
How do I open another file without saving the current modified buffer first?
:hide edit {file}<CR>
Normally, trying to :edit another file from a modified buffer triggers a warning and blocks the switch unless you save or force the command.
buffers-windows #buffers #windows #workflow #command-line #editing
How do I create or edit a Vim macro as a plain string without re-recording it?
:let @q = "dd"
Macros are just strings stored in named registers.
How do I jump to a specific byte offset position in a file?
{count}go
The go command moves the cursor to a specific byte offset from the start of the buffer.
How do I instantly erase everything I have typed on the command line and start the command over?
<C-u> (command line)
When you are typing a long Ex command on the : prompt and realise you've made a mistake, pressing erases everything from the cursor back to the beginning of the
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #editing #insert-mode
How do I autocomplete macro-defined identifiers from header files while in insert mode?
<C-x><C-d>
in insert mode triggers defined identifier completion — it searches for identifiers that match the partial word before the cursor by scanning #define statemen
How do I programmatically set a register's content or pre-load a macro using setreg()?
:call setreg('q', 'dd')
The setreg() VimScript function lets you populate any register with arbitrary content directly from the command line or a script — no recording required.
How do I enable a popup menu for command-line tab completion in Neovim?
:set wildoptions=pum
Setting wildoptions=pum tells Neovim to use its popup menu for command-line tab completion instead of the traditional horizontal wildmenu bar.
How do I enable tab completion inside custom command-line mappings?
:set wildcharm=<Tab>
The wildcharm option designates a key that, when it appears inside a mapping, triggers wildmenu completion on the command line — just as if you had pressed in
How do I change which characters Vim treats as part of a word for motions and text objects?
:set iskeyword+={char}
iskeyword defines which characters are considered word characters in Vim.
How do I write a search pattern that requires two conditions to match at the same position in Vim?
\&
Vim's \& operator is the AND combinator in a search pattern.
How do I search a project but keep results window-local using the location list instead of quickfix?
:lvimgrep /TODO/j **/* | lopen\<CR>
When you are working in multiple windows, quickfix can become noisy because it is shared globally across the editor session.
How do I search and replace only whole word matches, not partial matches?
:%s/\<old\>/new/g
Wrapping your search pattern in \ word boundary anchors ensures that Vim only matches the exact whole word, preventing accidental replacements inside longer wor
How do I align text around a delimiter character using vim-lion?
gl{motion}{char}
vim-lion (by Tom McDonald) adds gl and gL as alignment operators.
How do I highlight a custom pattern with a priority so it wins over other overlapping highlights?
matchadd('Group', 'pattern', priority)
matchadd() accepts an optional third argument: a priority integer that controls which match wins when two patterns cover the same text.
How do I copy a specific line by number to after the current line?
:5t.
The :t ex command (also spelled :copy) copies a range of lines to a target address without touching any register.
How do I programmatically read and write Vim register contents including their type from Vimscript?
setreg()
The setreg(reg, value, type) and getreg(reg, 1, 1) functions give you full programmatic control over registers, including their type (characterwise, linewise, o
How do I use search patterns to define the start and end of an Ex command range?
:/pattern1/,/pattern2/
Ex command ranges in Vim are not limited to line numbers and marks — you can use /pattern/ as a range boundary to select lines between any two matching patter