How do I reformat text to fit textwidth without moving the cursor from its current position?
gw{motion}
The gw operator reformats text just like gq, but leaves the cursor exactly where it started.
Search: = motion
216 results for "= motion"
How do I create custom folds to collapse specific sections of code?
zf{motion}
Vim supports several fold methods, but manual folding with zf gives you precise control over exactly which lines to collapse.
How do I pipe selected text through an external command and replace it?
!{motion}command
The ! operator in normal mode pipes text through an external shell command and replaces it with the output.
How do I switch between visual mode and select mode in Vim?
v{motion}<C-g>
Vim has a lesser-known select mode that behaves like selection in typical GUI editors: any typed character replaces the selection.
How do I toggle the case of a rectangular column region across multiple lines?
<C-v>{motion}~
Visual block mode () selects a rectangular column region, and pressing ~ at the end toggles the case of every character in that exact column range across all se
How do I move the cursor in insert mode without creating an undo break point?
<C-g>U{motion}
By default, moving the cursor with arrow keys while in insert mode creates an undo break — meaning a subsequent u will undo only back to when you last moved,
How do I apply ROT13 encoding to the current line in Vim without using a motion or visual selection?
g??
Vim has a built-in ROT13 operator g? that encodes text by rotating each letter 13 positions in the alphabet.
How do I append yanked text to an existing register without overwriting it in Vim?
"Ay{motion}
Using an uppercase register letter with any operator appends to the register instead of replacing it.
How do I append text to the end of multiple lines with different lengths in visual block mode?
<C-v>{motion}$A
In visual block mode, pressing $ makes the right edge of the selection "ragged" — it extends to the real end of each line regardless of length.
How do I insert the same text at the start (or end) of multiple lines simultaneously?
<C-v>{motion}I{text}<Esc>
Visual block mode () lets you select a rectangular region across multiple lines.
How do I uppercase only the current search match using gn as a motion?
*NgUgn
gn is often treated as a visual selection command, but it is more powerful when used as a motion target for operators.
How do I swap two text regions without using a temporary register in Vim?
cx{motion}
The vim-exchange plugin by Tom McDonald provides the cx operator to swap two arbitrary text regions.
plugins #plugins #exchange #editing #text-objects #refactoring
How do I create a custom Vim operator that works with any motion or text object?
:set opfunc and g@
Vim's operatorfunc option lets you define your own operators — just like the built-in d, y, or c — that accept any motion or text object.
How do I yank text into a specific named register for later use?
"{register}y{motion}
Vim has 26 named registers (a-z) that act as independent clipboards.
registers #registers #editing #normal-mode #yank #productivity
How do I repeat the last f/t/F/T motion in the opposite direction?
,
After using f, t, F, or T for single-character motion on a line, Vim lets you repeat that character search without retyping the target.
How do I execute a motion or command without adding an entry to the jump list?
:keepjumps {command}
The :keepjumps modifier lets you run any movement or command without recording a new entry in the jump list.
navigation #navigation #ex-commands #jump-list #normal-mode #vimscript
How do I use a named mark as a motion target for operators like delete, yank, or indent in Vim?
d'a
Named marks are not just jump destinations — they serve as motion targets for any operator.
navigation #navigation #marks #editing #motions #normal-mode
How do I comment out an entire paragraph or code block with a single motion using vim-commentary?
gcip
The vim-commentary plugin exposes gc as a comment operator, which means it composes with any Vim motion or text object.
plugins #plugins #editing #commenting #text-objects #normal-mode
How do I reformat a paragraph or motion to fit within the text width without moving my cursor?
gw
The gw operator reformats text to fit within textwidth, just like gq — but with one key difference: gw leaves the cursor in its original position after format
How do I jump to the first non-blank character of the next or previous line in a single motion?
+ and -
The + and - motions jump to the first non-blank character of the next or previous line respectively — combining vertical movement and ^ into a single, count-a