How do I execute a recorded macro a specific number of times?
5@q
Prefix the @ macro-execution command with a count to run the macro that many times in a row.
Tag: editing
How do I make % jump between HTML tags and block-level keywords like if/end?
:packadd matchit
The matchit plugin ships with Vim and Neovim but is not enabled by default.
How do I move the cursor to the other corner of a visual block selection?
o and O
In visual-block mode (), pressing o moves the cursor to the diagonally opposite corner of the selection, and O moves it to the other end of the same row (flippi
How do I use search patterns to define the start and end of an Ex command range?
:/pattern1/,/pattern2/
Ex command ranges in Vim are not limited to line numbers and marks — you can use /pattern/ as a range boundary to select lines between any two matching patter
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 run a substitution across multiple files using Vim's argument list?
:argdo %s/old/new/g | w
:argdo {cmd} executes an Ex command against every file in the argument list—the set of files you opened Vim with or set explicitly with :args.
How do I insert the same text at the start of multiple lines using visual block mode?
<C-v>jjI
Visual block mode () lets you select a rectangular region across lines.
How do I recover text from older deletions using Vim's numbered registers?
"1p
Vim automatically stores your deletion history in numbered registers "1 through "9.
How do I run a macro a specific number of times without using a recursive macro?
{N}@q
Prefix a macro invocation with a count to execute it up to N times in a single command.
How do I use a Vim expression as the replacement string in a :s substitution?
:s/pattern/\=expr/g
Vim's :s command normally replaces matches with a literal string.
command-line #search #editing #ex-commands #command-line #registers
How do I edit the contents of a macro register without re-recording it?
:let @q = substitute(@q, 'old', 'new', 'g')
When a recorded macro has a typo or needs a small tweak, re-recording the entire thing is error-prone.
How do I switch between charwise, linewise, and blockwise visual mode without losing my selection?
<C-v> (in visual mode)
Once you are in any visual mode, pressing v, V, or switches to charwise, linewise, or blockwise visual mode respectively — without cancelling the current sele
How do I selectively replace occurrences one at a time, choosing to apply or skip each match?
n.
The n.
How do I copy one character at a time from the line above or below while typing in insert mode?
<C-e> / <C-y> (insert mode)
In insert mode, copies the character directly below the cursor (from the next line) and copies the character directly above (from the previous line).
How do I pipe the entire buffer through an external shell command like sort, jq, or a formatter?
:%!command
:%!{command} replaces the entire buffer contents with the output of piping them through a shell command.
How do I create a macro that repeats itself automatically until there is nothing left to process?
qq{commands}@qq
A recursive macro calls itself at the end of its own definition, causing it to run repeatedly until Vim hits an error — such as reaching the end of the file o
How do I pipe a visual selection through an external shell command and replace it with the output?
:'<,'>!{cmd}
After making a visual selection and entering the command line with :, Vim automatically inserts the range ' for the selection.
How do I reformat text to fit the line width without moving the cursor?
gwip
The gw operator reformats text just like gq, but leaves the cursor in its original position after reformatting.
How do I insert text at the beginning of multiple lines at once using visual block mode?
<C-v>I
Visual block mode's I command lets you type once and have the text inserted at the cursor column across all selected lines simultaneously.
How do I browse and restore previously deleted text using Vim's numbered registers?
"1p then u. to cycle through delete history
Vim silently maintains a rolling history of your last 9 deletions in numbered registers "1 through "9.