How do I run a normal mode command that bypasses all user-defined key mappings?
:norm!
The :normal! command (abbreviated :norm!) executes a sequence of Normal mode keystrokes while completely ignoring user-defined mappings and abbreviations.
Tag: normal-mode
How do I write a search pattern that requires two conditions to match at the same position in Vim?
\&
Vim's \& operator is the AND combinator in a search pattern.
How do I control which number formats Vim uses when incrementing and decrementing with Ctrl-A and Ctrl-X?
:set nrformats
The nrformats option tells Vim how to interpret numbers when you press (increment) or (decrement).
How do I force a search to be case-sensitive even when ignorecase is enabled?
\C in search pattern
Adding \C anywhere in a search pattern forces case-sensitive matching for that search, overriding the global ignorecase setting.
How do I jump to the first non-blank character of the next or previous line in a single motion?
+ and -
The + and - motions jump to the first non-blank character of the next or previous line respectively — combining vertical movement and ^ into a single, count-a
How do I replace a character while preserving screen column alignment when tabs are involved?
gr{char}
The gr{char} command is Vim's virtual replace variant of r{char}.
How do I jump to the first macro or #define definition of the word under the cursor?
[<C-d>
Vim's [ command jumps to the first definition of the macro or identifier under the cursor, searching from the beginning of the current file and through any file
How do I make Ctrl-A and Ctrl-X increment and decrement alphabetical characters in Vim?
set nrformats+=alpha
By default, Vim's and commands only increment and decrement numbers (decimal, hex, binary).
How do I jump between unmatched #if, #else, and #endif preprocessor directives in Vim?
]# and [#
Vim provides the ]# and [# motions specifically for navigating C preprocessor conditionals.
How do I prevent Vim from treating leading-zero numbers as octal when incrementing with Ctrl-A?
set nrformats-=octal
By default, Vim treats numbers prefixed with a leading zero (like 007) as octal when you use or to increment or decrement them.
How do I programmatically exit insert mode from an autocommand or Vimscript function?
:stopinsert
:stopinsert is an Ex command that immediately exits insert (or replace) mode and returns to normal mode.
command-line #insert-mode #ex-commands #autocommands #normal-mode
How do I apply a macro to every non-blank line in the file while skipping empty lines?
:g/./norm @q
Combining the :global command with :normal lets you run a macro on every non-blank line in one shot.
How do I define or edit a macro's content programmatically without re-recording it?
:let @q = 'keystrokes'
You can assign a string directly to any register using :let, turning it into a macro instantly.
How do I run a macro on every line in the file silently, ignoring errors on lines where the macro fails?
:silent! %normal @q
Combining :silent!, the % range, and :normal @q gives you a powerful pattern for applying a macro across an entire file while gracefully skipping lines that don
How do I paste register contents at the beginning of a file without moving the cursor there first?
:0put
The :put Ex command inserts register contents as a new line below the specified line number.
How do I use a count prefix in a custom Vim mapping where no count defaults to 1?
v:count1
The v:count1 variable holds the count typed before a command, defaulting to 1 if no count was given.
How do I make Vim display partial key sequences and selected character counts in real time?
:set showcmd
The showcmd option makes Vim display the currently-typed command in the bottom-right corner of the screen, giving you live feedback as you build up key sequence
How do I pipe the contents of my current buffer as input to a shell command in Vim?
:w !cmd
The :w !cmd command sends the buffer's contents as standard input to an external command without modifying the buffer.
How do I quickly append text to the end of a word under the cursor in Vim?
ea
The ea compound shortcut moves to the last character of the current word with e, then enters insert mode after the cursor with a.
How do I pull a diff change from another window into the current buffer in Vim?
do
The do command (diff obtain) is shorthand for :diffget.