How do I programmatically extend or modify a recorded macro without re-recording it?
:let @a = @a . "\<CR>extra"
Vim stores macros as plain text in registers — the same registers used for yanked text.
Tag: registers
How do I insert today's date into a Vim buffer using the expression register?
<C-r>=strftime('%Y-%m-%d')<CR>
The expression register ("=) lets you evaluate any Vimscript expression and insert its result inline.
registers #registers #insert-mode #expression-register #dates
How do I append more commands to an existing macro without re-recording it from scratch?
qQ
Recording a macro with an uppercase register letter appends to the existing macro in the corresponding lowercase register instead of overwriting it.
How do I combine two recorded macros into one without re-recording them from scratch?
:let @q = @a . @b
Macros in Vim are stored as plain text in named registers.
How do I detect whether a macro is currently being recorded or executed in Vimscript?
reg_recording() and reg_executing()
Vim exposes two built-in functions for querying the current macro state: regrecording() and regexecuting().
How do I programmatically set a register's content or pre-load a macro using setreg()?
:call setreg('q', 'dd')
The setreg() VimScript function lets you populate any register with arbitrary content directly from the command line or a script — no recording required.
How do I paste a blockwise register without padding lines with trailing spaces in Neovim?
zp
Pastes a blockwise register like p, but skips padding lines shorter than the block's right edge with trailing spaces.
How do I build a macro programmatically using Vimscript instead of recording it?
:call setreg('q', keys, 'c')
The setreg() function writes any string directly into a named register, letting you construct macro keystrokes from Vimscript expressions rather than live recor
How do I copy the contents of one register into another register?
:let @a = @"
Vim's :let command lets you read and write register contents as strings, making it possible to copy, combine, or modify register values without ever leaving the
How do I create a macro that repeats itself automatically until it can no longer proceed?
qq{actions}@qq
A recursive macro ends by calling itself, so it loops automatically without you pressing @q repeatedly.
How do I paste back a small deletion (like a deleted character) while in insert mode?
<C-r>-
In insert mode, - pastes the contents of the small delete register ("-).
How do I create a self-repeating macro that runs until there is nothing left to process?
@q (inside macro recording)
A recursive macro calls itself as its last action, causing it to repeat indefinitely until it hits an error (like reaching end of file or failing a search).
How do I paste over a visual selection and automatically save the replaced text to a register?
{visual}p
When you visually select text and press p, Vim replaces the selection with the contents of the default register and saves the replaced text into the unnamed reg
How do I create a macro that repeats itself until it hits an error or end of file?
qq{cmds}@qq
A recursive macro is one that calls itself at the end of its own body.
How do I insert the result of a Vimscript expression as a new line?
:put ={expr}
The :put ={expr} command evaluates a Vimscript expression and inserts the result as a new line below the cursor.
How do I copy the current file's path into the system clipboard from Vim?
:let @+=@%
The % register always holds the name of the current file (as a relative path).
How do I write a Vim macro that automatically repeats until it fails?
qa{actions}@aq
A recursive macro is one that calls itself as its final action, causing it to repeat indefinitely until any command in the body fails (e.
How do I insert a register's content literally in insert mode, without triggering auto-indent or mappings?
<C-r><C-r>{reg}
When you insert a register with {reg} in insert mode, Vim processes the content as if you had typed it — this means autoindent, autoformat, and insert-mode ma
How do I save my last Ex command into a register so I can replay it as a macro?
:let @q = @:
The : register always holds the last Ex command you ran.
How do I clear a macro register to start fresh without using Vimscript?
qqq
Pressing qqq in normal mode is the quickest way to empty a macro register.