How do I append keystrokes to an existing macro without re-recording it?
:let @q .= "A;\<Esc>"
If a recorded macro is almost correct but missing a final step, re-recording from scratch is slow and error-prone.
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How do I prepend a value to the front of a comma-separated Vim option like path or runtimepath?
:set path^=./src
Vim's :set command supports three operators for modifying list-style options: += appends, -= removes, and ^= prepends.
How do I paste text before the cursor while leaving the cursor positioned after the pasted content?
gP
The gP command works like P (paste before the cursor) but leaves your cursor after the pasted text rather than at its beginning.
How do I remove Windows carriage returns (^M) from a file opened in Vim?
:%s/\r//g
When a file created on Windows is opened in Vim on a Unix system, lines may retain \r (carriage return) characters, displayed as ^M at the end of each line.
How do I quickly re-insert the text I just typed without leaving insert mode?
<C-a> (in insert mode)
While in insert mode, pressing re-inserts whatever text you typed during your previous insert session.
How do I search for a pattern that spans multiple lines?
/foo\_.*bar
Vim's default .
How do I inspect what key sequences are stored in a macro register?
:echo strtrans(@q)
When a macro behaves unexpectedly, :echo strtrans(@q) reveals exactly what is stored in register q—including invisible control characters—as human-readable
How do I jump to the middle of a line in Vim?
gM
The gM command moves the cursor to the horizontal middle of the current line, regardless of how long the line is.
How do I join all lines in a file into one, or use a custom separator when joining?
:%s/\n/ /g
Using \n in the pattern of :substitute matches the newline character at the end of each line, letting you join lines with any separator you choose — something
How do I force a case-sensitive or case-insensitive search for just one pattern without changing my settings?
\C
Vim's \C and \c atoms let you override ignorecase and smartcase on a per-pattern basis.
How do I convert a file from Windows CRLF to Unix LF line endings in Vim?
:set fileformat=unix
When you open a Windows file in Vim on a Unix system, you may see ^M at the end of every line — that's the carriage return (\r) from CRLF line endings.
How do I run a macro only on lines that match a specific pattern?
:g/pattern/normal @a
The :g (global) command combined with :normal @a lets you execute a recorded macro only on lines matching a pattern.
macros #macros #ex-commands #global-command #editing #automation
How do I jump to a specific percentage through a file, like the middle or three-quarters of the way?
50%
Prefixing the % command with a count jumps the cursor to that percentage through the file.
How do I make Vim spell check CamelCase and mixedCase identifiers as individual words?
:set spelloptions=camel
By default, Vim treats camelCase as a single word and flags it as a spelling error even when both camel and case are correctly spelled.
How do I use the expression register inside a macro for dynamic values?
qa<C-r>=expression<CR>q
How it works The expression register (=) lets you evaluate Vimscript expressions and insert the result.
How do I programmatically extend or modify a recorded macro without re-recording it?
:let @a = @a . "\<CR>extra"
Vim stores macros as plain text in registers — the same registers used for yanked text.
How do I integrate a custom build tool like cargo or pytest with Vim's :make and quickfix workflow?
:set makeprg=
The makeprg option defines the command that :make runs.
How do I record a macro that processes one line and moves to the next?
qa0f:dwj0q
How it works When recording a macro that you plan to repeat across multiple lines, the key technique is to end the macro positioned on the next line, ready for
How do I search for text that simultaneously matches two different patterns using Vim's AND operator?
/pattern1\&pattern2
Vim's \& operator lets you intersect two patterns so the match must satisfy both simultaneously.
How do I add a per-window title bar in Neovim that shows context like the current filename?
:set winbar=%f
Neovim 0.