How do I copy or transfer text between Vim registers?
:let @+ = @"
Vim's :let @{reg} syntax lets you read from one register and write to another.
Search: registers
197 results for "registers"
How do I access text from small deletes like dw or x?
"-p
The small delete register ("-) captures text from delete operations that are less than one line — like dw, x, dt.
How do I see what keystrokes a macro contains?
:reg a
The :reg a command shows the contents of register a, which reveals the keystrokes stored in the macro.
How do I delete a word and save it to a specific register?
"adiw
The "adiw command deletes the inner word under the cursor and stores it in register a.
How do I insert the current filename into the buffer or use it in commands?
"%p
Vim has several read-only registers that hold special values.
How do I access my delete history beyond the last delete?
"1p ... "2p ... "9p
Vim maintains a numbered register history from "1 through "9 that stores your last 9 deletes and changes.
How do I programmatically combine or modify the contents of Vim registers?
:let @a = @a . @b
You can manipulate register contents directly using the :let command with the @{reg} syntax.
How do I yank text inside delimiters into a specific named register?
"ayi(
Combining named registers with text object motions lets you precisely yank structured content — like function arguments, quoted strings, or bracketed expressi
How do I add more commands to a macro I already recorded?
qA
If you finish recording a macro and realize you forgot a step, you don't need to re-record the whole thing.
macros #macros #registers #normal-mode #editing #productivity
How do I save and restore macros across Vim sessions?
:wviminfo / :rviminfo
Vim can persist register contents (including macros) across sessions using viminfo (Vim) or shada (Neovim).
How do I clear the contents of a register?
:let @a = ""
The :let @{register} = "" command empties a register.
How do I delete text without overwriting my yank register?
"_d
The "d command deletes text using the black hole register ("), which discards the deleted content instead of storing it.
How do I define or modify a macro without recording keystrokes?
:let @q =
Instead of recording a macro with q, you can assign any string directly to a named register using :let @{register} = 'keys'.
How do I paste my last Ex command into the command line or a buffer?
<C-r>:
Vim stores your last executed Ex command in the read-only : register.
How do you set the search register programmatically?
:let @/ = 'pattern'
Use :let @/ = 'pattern' to set the search register directly.
How do you insert the current filename from a register?
<C-r>%
In insert mode, % inserts the current filename.
How do you paste a register's contents multiple times?
5"ap
Prefix the paste command with a count.
How do you use the alternate file register?
<C-r>#
The # register holds the alternate (previously edited) filename.
How do I copy a line to another location without yanking?
:t {line-number}
The :t (copy/transfer) command duplicates the current line and places it after the specified line number.
How do I record a macro in Vim?
q{a-z}...q
Recording a macro captures a sequence of keystrokes into a register, which you can replay later.