How do I resize Vim windows to exact dimensions?
:resize N / :vertical resize N
The :resize and :vertical resize commands set a window to an exact number of lines or columns.
Search: :w
366 results for ":w"
How do I split the window vertically in Vim?
:vsplit
The :vsplit command (or :vs for short) splits the current window vertically, creating a new window side-by-side with the current one.
How do I jump to any visible word or character on screen instantly in Vim?
<Leader><Leader>w
The vim-easymotion plugin replaces Vim's default motion commands with a visual overlay system that lets you jump to any visible position on screen in just two o
How do I set the leader key for custom mappings?
let mapleader = " "
The leader key is a prefix for custom mappings.
How do I allow split windows to collapse completely to just their status line?
:set winminheight=0
By default, Vim enforces a minimum window height of 1 line, which means you can never fully collapse a split.
buffers-windows #buffers-windows #windows #splits #navigation
How do I use capture groups in a Vim search and replace?
:%s/\(group\)/\1/g
Capture groups in Vim substitute let you match parts of a pattern and reuse them in the replacement.
How do I append a range of lines from the current buffer to another file in Vim?
:[range]write >> filename
The >> modifier on :write appends lines to a file instead of overwriting it.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #file-handling #editing
How do I run normal mode commands in a script or macro without user mappings interfering?
:normal!
The :normal! command (with !) executes normal mode keystrokes exactly as Vim defines them, ignoring any user-defined mappings.
How do I incrementally grow or shrink a split window by a specific number of lines or columns?
:resize +N / :resize -N
:resize adjusts the height of the current window by a relative or absolute amount.
How do I paste or reuse my last search pattern?
<C-r>/
Vim stores your last search pattern in the / register.
How do I compare two files side by side using diff mode?
:diffthis in both windows
The :diffthis command enables diff mode for the current buffer.
How do I save a file only if it has unsaved changes, without touching the file timestamp if nothing changed?
:update
The :update command (abbreviated :up) writes the buffer to disk only if it has been modified since the last save.
How do I run a normal mode command from the ex command line without triggering my custom key mappings?
:norm! {command}
:normal {command} runs a sequence of Normal mode keystrokes from the command line (or a range of lines with :%normal), but it applies your custom key mappings.
command-line #ex-commands #macros #normal-mode #command-line
How do you set a custom leader key in Vim?
let mapleader = ' '
Set mapleader to space (or any key) to use as a prefix for custom mappings.
How do I open a file for reference in a dedicated preview window without disturbing my split layout?
:pedit
Vim has a built-in preview window — a special window distinct from regular splits.
How do I paste the last Ex command I ran into my buffer?
":p
The : register holds the most recently executed Ex command.
registers #registers #ex-commands #normal-mode #productivity
How do I create shortcuts for long Ex commands I type frequently?
:cabbrev
:cabbrev (command-line abbreviation) lets you define short aliases for longer Ex commands.
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.
What is the difference between :map and :noremap, and why should I use non-recursive mappings?
:nnoremap / :inoremap / :vnoremap
Vim has two types of key mappings: recursive (:map, :nmap, :imap) and non-recursive (:noremap, :nnoremap, :inoremap).
How do I save the current buffer to a different filename and continue editing under the new name?
:saveas {newname}
:saveas saves the buffer to a new file and redirects all future :w commands to write to that new filename — making it the true "Save As" command in Vim.