How do I programmatically create a blockwise register with setreg()?
:call setreg('a', "foo\nbar", 'b')
Most register examples focus on interactive yanks, but setreg() lets you construct registers programmatically, including their type.
Tag: editing
How do I zero-pad issue numbers without changing the # prefix?
:%s/#\zs\d\+/\=printf('%04d', submatch(0))/g
For log files, changelogs, or issue references, you sometimes need fixed-width numeric IDs without touching surrounding syntax.
editing #editing #ex-commands #substitute #regex #text-processing
How do I run a command between two patterns but exclude the end marker line?
:/BEGIN/,/END/-1s/\s\+$//
When you need to clean or refactor block-like regions, Ex ranges can target lines between two search patterns without selecting text manually.
command-line #command-line #ex-commands #ranges #search #editing
How do I reindent the previous visual selection and keep it selected?
gv=gv
When you are iterating on indentation, repeating selection steps is wasted motion.
visual-mode #visual-mode #indentation #editing #formatting #workflow
How do I temporarily disable the matchparen plugin in Vim?
:NoMatchParen
Vim's built-in matchparen plugin highlights matching delimiters as your cursor moves.
plugins #plugins #performance #editing #autocommands #delimiters
How do I copy the most recent yank into a named register without yanking again?
:let @a = getreg('0')
When you want to preserve a valuable yank before doing destructive edits, copying register 0 into a named register is safer than re-yanking text.
registers #registers #yanking #editing #command-line #refactoring
How do I align key=value pairs on one line using a substitute expression in Vim?
:s/\v(\S+)\s*=\s*(.*)/\=printf('%-20s = %s', submatch(1), submatch(2))/
When a line contains uneven key = value spacing, quick manual fixes are easy to get wrong.
How do I record one edit and replay it on the next two lines with a macro?
qqgUiwjq2@q
Macros are strongest when the edit pattern is stable but too awkward for a one-liner substitute.
How do I preserve the last full-line deletion before register 1 is overwritten?
:let @a=@1
When you delete full lines repeatedly, Vim rotates those deletions through numbered registers.
How do I target a substitution at the cursor position using \%#?
:s/\%#\k\+/REPL/
Most substitutions operate on broad ranges, but sometimes you want a precise edit anchored to where your cursor is right now.
How do I decrement a visual block of numbers as a sequence?
g<C-x>
Most people know decrements one number under the cursor, but g in Visual mode performs a sequential decrement across the selection.
How do I append text with :normal without creating an extra undo step?
:undojoin | normal! A;<CR>
When you automate edits from Ex commands, Vim usually creates a separate undo entry for each change.
How do I paste the current Git commit hash directly from Vim using the expression register?
"=system('git rev-parse --short HEAD')->trim()<CR>p
If you frequently write commit references in notes, code comments, or release docs, you can avoid shell context switches and paste the hash straight from Vim.
How do I zero-pad every number in a buffer using one substitute expression?
:%s/\d\+/\=printf('%04d', submatch(0))/g
When you need fixed-width numeric fields, manually editing each number is slow and error-prone.
How do I zero-pad every number in a line using a Vim substitute expression?
:s/\v\d+/\=printf('%04d', submatch(0))/g
Substitution expressions let Vim compute each replacement dynamically, which is ideal when plain capture groups are too limited.
How do I append the current line to a register from command line without using yank?
:let @a .= getline('.') . "\n"
Named registers are usually filled with yanks and deletes, but they are also plain variables you can edit with Vimscript.
How do I uppercase only the characters inside a visual selection with :substitute?
:'<,'>s/\%V./\U&/g
When you need to transform text in-place without touching surrounding content, \%V is one of Vim's most precise tools.
How do I reuse my last search pattern literally in :substitute without re-escaping it?
:%s/\V<C-r>//gc
When your last search pattern contains punctuation, slashes, or regex atoms, retyping it inside :substitute is error-prone.
How do I prepend ascending numbers only to the lines in my visual selection?
:'<,'>s/^/\=line('.')-line("'<")+1 . '. '/
When you need quick numbered steps, logs, or checklist entries, this pattern adds numbers only to the lines you selected, not the whole buffer.
How do I uppercase just the current paragraph without visual selection?
gUip
gUip is a compact operator-plus-text-object pattern that uppercases exactly the paragraph your cursor is in.