How do I append the same text to the end of several lines?
V select then :norm A text
Selecting lines and running :norm A text appends the same text to the end of every selected line.
Search: i' a'
2125 results for "i' a'"
How do I copy the contents of one register to another?
:let @b = @a
The :let @b = @a command copies the contents of register a into register b.
How do I save only a range of lines to a file?
:{range}w filename
The :w command with a range and filename saves only the specified lines to a new file.
How do I create a macro that converts lines to a numbered list?
qa I1. <Esc>j q
This simple macro inserts a list number prefix at the beginning of each line.
How do I edit a macro in-place using Vimscript without re-recording it?
:let @a = substitute(@a, "old", "new", "g")
When a recorded macro has a typo or wrong command buried inside it, you don't have to re-record the entire thing.
How do I extend a visual selection to a search match?
v/pattern<CR>
Starting a search while in visual mode extends the selection to the search match.
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 open the current buffer in a new tab so I can view it independently?
:tab split
:tab split opens the current buffer in a brand new tab page, giving you a second independent view of the same file.
How do I append a semicolon to every line in a file using :norm?
:%norm A;
The :%norm command runs normal mode commands on every line in the file (or a range).
How do I set marks that work across files?
m{A-Z}
Uppercase marks (A-Z) are global marks that remember both the file and the cursor position.
How do I insert text at the beginning of a line?
I
The I (uppercase) command moves the cursor to the first non-blank character of the current line and enters insert mode.
How do I restore a file to its state at a specific time?
:earlier 10m
The :earlier command restores the buffer to its state at a specific time in the past.
How do I convert a register's type between characterwise and linewise?
:call setreg('a', @a, 'l')
Registers in Vim have a type — characterwise, linewise, or blockwise — that affects how their contents are pasted.
How do I run a macro on only the lines I've visually selected?
:'<,'>norm @q
When you visually select lines and then type a : command, Vim automatically inserts ' (the visual range marks) into the command line.
How do I expand or shrink a visual selection to the next text object boundary?
v + repeated iw/aw/i(/a(/ip/ap
Once you enter visual mode, you can progressively expand your selection by typing increasingly larger text objects.
visual-mode #visual-mode #text-objects #editing #selection #productivity
How do I open a tag definition in a new split window?
<C-w>]
The ] command opens the definition of the tag under the cursor in a new horizontal split.
How do I make the tilde key work as a case-toggle operator so I can use motions like ~w or ~ip?
:set tildeop
By default, ~ toggles the case of a single character and advances the cursor.
How do I open a file in read-only mode so I cannot accidentally modify it?
:view {file}
:view opens a file with the readonly option set, preventing accidental writes.
How do I open a file explorer in a vertical split without any plugins?
:Vexplore
Vim ships with netrw, a built-in file explorer that requires no plugins.
How do I decrement a number under the cursor?
<C-x>
The command decrements the number under or after the cursor by 1.