How do I search and replace across multiple files using the quickfix list?
:cdo s/old/new/g
The :cdo command executes a command on every entry in the quickfix list.
Search: g* g#
795 results for "g* g#"
How do I change the case of matched text in a substitute?
:%s/\(\w\+\)/\u\1/g
Vim provides case-conversion atoms in substitute replacements: \u uppercases the next character, \l lowercases it, \U uppercases until \e, and \L lowercases unt
How do I run a global command only on lines within a visual selection?
:'<,'>g/pattern/command
How it works The :g (global) command is one of Vim's most powerful features.
How do I join every line matching a pattern with the line that follows it?
:g/pattern/join
The :g/pattern/join command combines the :global command with :join to merge every line matching a pattern with the line immediately following it.
command-line #ex-commands #editing #command-line #search #normal-mode
How do I duplicate every non-blank line in a buffer with one Ex command?
:g/./t.\<CR>
The :global command can apply an Ex action to every line that matches a pattern.
How do I avoid backslash-escaping slashes in a substitution when replacing file paths or URLs?
:s#pattern#replacement#g
Vim's substitution command accepts any non-alphanumeric, non-whitespace character as the delimiter — not just /.
How do I jump to the previous change and reveal it clearly in Vim?
g;zvzz
Jumping through the changelist with g; is useful, but in real files the destination can land inside a closed fold or off-center on screen, which slows review.
How do I navigate undo branches to recover changes that were overwritten by a new edit?
g- / g+
Vim doesn't have a simple linear undo stack — it maintains a full undo tree with branches.
editing #editing #undo-redo #normal-mode #advanced #productivity
How do I replace text with a newline in a substitute command?
:%s/pattern/\r/g
In the replacement part of :s, \r inserts a newline.
How do I toggle the case of an entire word in Vim?
g~iw
The g~iw command toggles the case of every character in the word under the cursor — uppercase letters become lowercase and vice versa.
How do I change the case of text during a search and replace?
:%s/\<word\>/\u&/g
Vim's substitute command supports case conversion modifiers in the replacement string.
How do I restrict a search to the current function body?
:[{,]}s/old/new/g
By using the range [{,]}, you can limit a substitute command to the lines between the enclosing braces — effectively the current function or block.
How do I toggle, uppercase, or lowercase text using motion commands in Vim?
g~~
Vim has three case-change operators that work like any other operator — you can combine them with motions, text objects, or double them to act on the whole li
visual-mode #editing #visual-mode #normal-mode #text-objects
How do I duplicate every line in a buffer so each line appears twice in place?
:g/^/t.
The command :g/^/t.
How do I increment or add to all numbers in a file using Vim substitution?
:%s/\d\+/\=submatch(0)+1/g
Vim's expression replacement (\=) in substitutions lets you perform arithmetic on matched text.
How do I display the full absolute path of the current file without leaving normal mode?
2<C-g>
Pressing prints the current filename, buffer status, and cursor position in the status line.
How do I perform a substitute only within a visual block column?
:'<,'>s/\%Vpattern/replacement/g
Using \%V in a substitute pattern restricts matching to within the visual block area only, rather than the full lines.
How do I do a case-preserving search and replace in Vim?
:%s/\v(old)/\=toupper(submatch(0)[0]).tolower(submatch(0)[1:])/g
Standard substitutions don't preserve the original case of matched text.
How do I replace text using a custom Vimscript function in a substitution?
:%s/pattern/\=MyFunc(submatch(0))/g
The \= prefix in Vim's substitute replacement invokes the expression register, which can call any Vimscript function.
How do I invert the case of an entire paragraph with one operator command?
g~ap
g~ap is a fast way to invert letter case across a full paragraph without entering Visual mode.
editing #editing #operators #text-objects #case #normal-mode