1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665
666
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691
692
693
694
695
696
697
698
699
700
701
702
703
704
705
706
707
708
709
710
711
712
713
714
715
716
717
718
719
720
721
722
723
724
725
726
727
728
729
730
731
732
733
734
735
736
737
738
739
740
741
742
743
744
745
746
747
748
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849
850
851
852
853
854
855
856
857
858
859
860
861
862
863
864
865
866
867
868
869
870
871
872
873
874
875
876
877
878
879
880
881
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906
907
908
909
910
911
912
913
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
923
924
925
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
933
934
935
936
937
938
939
940
941
942
943
944
945
946
947
948
949
950
951
952
953
954
955
956
957
958
959
960
961
962
963
964
965
966
967
968
969
970
971
972
973
974
975
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
984
985
986
987
988
989
990
991
992
993
994
995
996
997
998
|
*cmdline.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2004 Dec 20
VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
*Cmdline-mode* *Command-line-mode*
Command-line mode *Cmdline* *Command-line* *mode-cmdline* *:*
Command-line mode is used to enter Ex commands (":"), search patterns
("/" and "?"), and filter commands ("!").
Basic command line editing is explained in chapter 20 of the user manual
|usr_20.txt|.
1. Command-line editing |cmdline-editing|
2. Command-line completion |cmdline-completion|
3. Ex command-lines |cmdline-lines|
4. Ex command-line ranges |cmdline-ranges|
5. Ex special characters |cmdline-special|
6. Command-line window |cmdline-window|
==============================================================================
1. Command-line editing *cmdline-editing*
Normally characters are inserted in front of the cursor position. You can
move around in the command-line with the left and right cursor keys. With the
<Insert> key, you can toggle between inserting and overstriking characters.
{Vi: can only alter the last character in the line}
Note that if your keyboard does not have working cursor keys or any of the
other special keys, you can use ":cnoremap" to define another key for them.
For example, to define tcsh style editing keys: *tcsh-style* >
:cnoremap <C-A> <Home>
:cnoremap <C-F> <Right>
:cnoremap <C-B> <Left>
:cnoremap <Esc>b <S-Left>
:cnoremap <Esc>f <S-Right>
(<> notation |<>|; type all this literally)
*cmdline-too-long*
When the command line is getting longer than what fits on the screen, only the
part that fits will be shown. The cursor can only move in this visible part,
thus you cannot edit beyond that.
*cmdline-history* *history*
The command-lines that you enter are remembered in a history table. You can
recall them with the up and down cursor keys. There are actually five
history tables:
- one for ':' commands
- one for search strings
- one for expressions
- one for input lines, typed for the |input()| function.
- one for debug mode commands
These are completely separate. Each history can only be accessed when
entering the same type of line.
Use the 'history' option to set the number of lines that are remembered
(default: 20).
Notes:
- When you enter a command-line that is exactly the same as an older one, the
old one is removed (to avoid repeated commands moving older commands out of
the history).
- Only commands that are typed are remembered. Ones that completely come from
mappings are not put in the history
- All searches are put in the search history, including the ones that come
from commands like "*" and "#". But for a mapping, only the last search is
remembered (to avoid that long mappings trash the history).
{Vi: no history}
{not available when compiled without the |+cmdline_hist| feature}
There is an automatic completion of names on the command-line; see
|cmdline-completion|.
*c_CTRL-V*
CTRL-V Insert next non-digit literally. Up to three digits form the
decimal value of a single byte. The non-digit and the three
digits are not considered for mapping. This works the same
way as in Insert mode (see above, |i_CTRL-V|).
Note: Under Windows CTRL-V is often mapped to paste text.
Use CTRL-Q instead then.
*c_CTRL-Q*
CTRL-Q Same as CTRL-V. But with some terminals it is used for
control flow, it doesn't work then.
*c_<Left>*
<Left> cursor left
*c_<Right>*
<Right> cursor right
*c_<S-Left>*
<S-Left> or <C-Left> *c_<C-Left>*
cursor one WORD left
*c_<S-Right>*
<S-Right> or <C-Right> *c_<C-Right>*
cursor one WORD right
CTRL-B or <Home> *c_CTRL-B* *c_<Home>*
cursor to beginning of command-line
CTRL-E or <End> *c_CTRL-E* *c_<End>*
cursor to end of command-line
*c_<LeftMouse>*
<LeftMouse> cursor to position of mouse click.
CTRL-H *c_<BS>* *c_CTRL-H*
<BS> delete the character in front of the cursor (see |:fixdel| if
your <BS> key does not do what you want).
*c_<Del>*
<Del> delete the character under the cursor (at end of line:
character before the cursor) (see |:fixdel| if your <Del>
key does not do what you want).
*c_CTRL-W*
CTRL-W delete the word before the cursor
*c_CTRL-U*
CTRL-U remove all characters between the cursor position and
the beginning of the line. Previous versions of vim
deleted all characters on the line. If that is the
preferred behavior, add the following to your .vimrc: >
:cnoremap <C-U> <C-E><C-U>
<
Note: if the command-line becomes empty with one of the
delete commands, Command-line mode is quit.
*c_<Insert>*
<Insert> Toggle between insert and overstrike. {not in Vi}
{char1} <BS> {char2} or *c_digraph*
CTRL-K {char1} {char2} *c_CTRL-K*
enter digraph (see |digraphs|). When {char1} is a special
key, the code for that key is inserted in <> form. {not in Vi}
CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#:-=.} *c_CTRL-R* *c_<C-R>*
Insert the contents of a numbered or named register. Between
typing CTRL-R and the second character '"' will be displayed
to indicate that you are expected to enter the name of a
register.
The text is inserted as if you typed it, but mappings and
abbreviations are not used. Command-line completion through
'wildchar' is not triggered though. And characters that end
the command line are inserted literally (<Esc>, <CR>, <NL>,
<C-C>). A <BS> or CTRL-W could still end the command line
though, and remaining characters will then be interpreted in
another mode, which might not be what you intended.
Special registers:
'"' the unnamed register, containing the text of
the last delete or yank
'%' the current file name
'#' the alternate file name
'*' the clipboard contents (X11: primary selection)
'+' the clipboard contents
'/' the last search pattern
':' the last command-line
'-' the last small (less than a line) delete
'.' the last inserted text
*c_CTRL-R_=*
'=' the expression register: you are prompted to
enter an expression (see |expression|)
See |registers| about registers. {not in Vi}
CTRL-R CTRL-F *c_CTRL-R_CTRL-F* *c_<C-R>_<C-F>*
CTRL-R CTRL-P *c_CTRL-R_CTRL-P* *c_<C-R>_<C-P>*
CTRL-R CTRL-W *c_CTRL-R_CTRL-W* *c_<C-R>_<C-W>*
CTRL-R CTRL-A *c_CTRL-R_CTRL-A* *c_<C-R>_<C-A>*
Insert the object under the cursor:
CTRL-F the Filename under the cursor
CTRL-P the Filename under the cursor, expanded with
'path' as in |gf|
CTRL-W the Word under the cursor
CTRL-A the WORD under the cursor; see |WORD|
When 'incsearch' is set the cursor position of the currently
displayed match is used.
{not in Vi}
CTRL-F and CTRL-P: {only when +file_in_path feature is
included}
*c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R* *c_<C-R>_<C-R>*
*c_CTRL-R_CTRL-O* *c_<C-R>_<C-O>*
CTRL-R CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#:-=. CTRL-F CTRL-P CTRL-W CTRL-A}
CTRL-R CTRL-O {0-9a-z"%#:-=. CTRL-F CTRL-P CTRL-W CTRL-A}
Insert register or object under the cursor. Works like
|c_CTRL-R| but inserts the text literally. For example, if
register a contains "xy^Hz" (where ^H is a backspace),
"CTRL-R a" will insert "xz" while "CTRL-R CTRL-R a" will
insert "xy^Hz".
CTRL-\ e {expr} *c_CTRL-\_e*
Evaluate {expr} and replace the whole command line with the
result. You will be prompted for the expression, type <Enter>
to finish it. It's most useful in mappings though. See
|expression|.
See |c_CTRL-R_=| for inserting the result of an expression.
Useful functions are |getcmdline()| and |getcmdpos()|.
The cursor position is unchanged, except when the cursor was
at the end of the line, then it stays at the end.
|setcmdpos()| can be used to set the cursor position.
Example: >
:cmap <F7> <C-\>eAppendSome()<CR>
:func AppendSome()
:let cmd = getcmdline() . " Some()"
:" place the cursor on the )
:call setcmdpos(strlen(cmd))
:return cmd
:endfunc
<
*c_CTRL-Y*
CTRL-Y When there is a modeless selection, copy the selection into
the clipboard. |modeless-selection|
If there is no selection CTRL-Y is inserted as a character.
CTRL-J *c_CTRL-J* *c_<NL>* *c_<CR>*
<CR> or <NL> start entered command
*c_<Esc>*
<Esc> When typed and 'x' not present in 'cpoptions', quit
Command-line mode without executing. In macros or when 'x'
present in 'cpoptions', start entered command.
*c_CTRL-C*
CTRL-C quit command-line without executing
*c_<Up>*
<Up> recall older command-line from history, whose beginning
matches the current command-line (see below).
{not available when compiled without the |+cmdline_hist|
feature}
*c_<Down>*
<Down> recall more recent command-line from history, whose beginning
matches the current command-line (see below).
{not available when compiled without the |+cmdline_hist|
feature}
*c_<S-Up>* *c_<PageUp>*
<S-Up> or <PageUp>
recall older command-line from history
{not available when compiled without the |+cmdline_hist|
feature}
*c_<S-Down>* *c_<PageDown>*
<S-Down> or <PageDown>
recall more recent command-line from history
{not available when compiled without the |+cmdline_hist|
feature}
CTRL-D command-line completion (see |cmdline-completion|)
'wildchar' option
command-line completion (see |cmdline-completion|)
CTRL-N command-line completion (see |cmdline-completion|)
CTRL-P command-line completion (see |cmdline-completion|)
CTRL-A command-line completion (see |cmdline-completion|)
CTRL-L command-line completion (see |cmdline-completion|)
*c_CTRL-_*
CTRL-_ a - switch between Hebrew and English keyboard mode, which is
private to the command-line and not related to hkmap.
This is useful when Hebrew text entry is required in the
command-line, searches, abbreviations, etc. Applies only if
Vim is compiled with the |+rightleft| feature and the
'allowrevins' option is set.
See |rileft.txt|.
b - switch between Farsi and English keyboard mode, which is
private to the command-line and not related to fkmap. In
Farsi keyboard mode the characters are inserted in reverse
insert manner. This is useful when Farsi text entry is
required in the command-line, searches, abbreviations, etc.
Applies only if Vim is compiled with the |+farsi| feature.
See |farsi.txt|.
*c_CTRL-^*
CTRL-^ Toggle the use of language |:lmap| mappings and/or Input
Method.
When typing a pattern for a search command and 'imsearch' is
not -1, VAL is the value of 'imsearch', otherwise VAL is the
value of 'iminsert'.
When language mappings are defined:
- If VAL is 1 (langmap mappings used) it becomes 0 (no langmap
mappings used).
- If VAL was not 1 it becomes 1, thus langmap mappings are
enabled.
When no language mappings are defined:
- If VAL is 2 (Input Method is used) it becomes 0 (no input
method used)
- If VAL has another value it becomes 2, thus the Input Method
is enabled.
These language mappings are normally used to type characters
that are different from what the keyboard produces. The
'keymap' option can be used to install a whole number of them.
When entering a command line, langmap mappings are switched
off, since you are expected to type a command. After
switching it on with CTRL-^, the new state is not used again
for the next command or Search pattern.
{not in Vi}
For Emacs-style editing on the command-line see |emacs-keys|.
The <Up> and <Down> keys take the current command-line as a search string.
The beginning of the next/previous command-lines are compared with this
string. The first line that matches is the new command-line. When typing
these two keys repeatedly, the same string is used again. For example, this
can be used to find the previous substitute command: Type ":s" and then <Up>.
The same could be done by typing <S-Up> a number of times until the desired
command-line is shown. (Note: the shifted arrow keys do not work on all
terminals)
*his* *:history*
:his[tory] Print the history of last entered commands.
{not in Vi}
{not available when compiled without the |+cmdline_hist|
feature}
:his[tory] [{name}] [{first}][, [{last}]]
List the contents of history {name} which can be:
c[md] or : command-line history
s[earch] or / search string history
e[xpr] or = expression register history
i[nput] or @ input line history
d[ebug] or > debug command history
a[ll] all of the above
{not in Vi}
If the numbers {first} and/or {last} are given, the respective
range of entries from a history is listed. These numbers can
be specified in the following form:
*:history-indexing*
A positive number represents the absolute index of an entry
as it is given in the first column of a :history listing.
This number remains fixed even if other entries are deleted.
A negative number means the relative position of an entry,
counted from the newest entry (which has index -1) backwards.
Examples:
List entries 6 to 12 from the search history: >
:history / 6,12
<
List the recent five entries from all histories: >
:history all -5,
==============================================================================
2. Command-line completion *cmdline-completion*
When editing the command-line, a few commands can be used to complete the
word before the cursor. This is available for:
- Command names: At the start of the command-line.
- Tags: Only after the ":tag" command.
- File names: Only after a command that accepts a file name or a setting for
an option that can be set to a file name. This is called file name
completion.
- Options: Only after the ":set" command.
- Mappings: Only after a ":map" or similar command.
- Variable and function names: Only after a ":if", ":call" or similar command.
When Vim was compiled with the |+cmdline_compl| feature disabled, only file
names, directories and help items can be completed.
These are the commands that can be used:
*c_CTRL-D*
CTRL-D List names that match the pattern in front of the cursor.
When showing file names, directories are highlighted (see
'highlight' option). Names where 'suffixes' matches are moved
to the end.
The 'wildoptions' option can be set to "tagfile" to list the
file of matching tags.
*c_CTRL-I* *c_wildchar* *c_<Tab>*
'wildchar' option
A match is done on the pattern in front of the cursor. The
match (if there are several, the first match) is inserted
in place of the pattern. (Note: does not work inside a
macro, because <Tab> or <Esc> are mostly used as 'wildchar',
and these have a special meaning in some macros.) When typed
again and there were multiple matches, the next
match is inserted. After the last match, the first is used
again (wrap around).
The behavior can be changed with the 'wildmode' option.
*c_CTRL-N*
CTRL-N After using 'wildchar' which got multiple matches, go to next
match. Otherwise recall more recent command-line from history.
<S-Tab> *c_CTRL-P* *c_<S-Tab>*
CTRL-P After using 'wildchar' which got multiple matches, go to
previous match. Otherwise recall older command-line from
history. <S-Tab> only works with the GUI, on the Amiga and
with MS-DOS.
*c_CTRL-A*
CTRL-A All names that match the pattern in front of the cursor are
inserted.
*c_CTRL-L*
CTRL-L A match is done on the pattern in front of the cursor. If
there is one match, it is inserted in place of the pattern.
If there are multiple matches the longest common part is
inserted in place of the pattern. If the result is shorter
than the pattern, no completion is done.
The 'wildchar' option defaults to <Tab> (CTRL-E when in Vi compatible mode; in
a previous version <Esc> was used). In the pattern standard wildcards '*' and
'?' are accepted. '*' matches any string, '?' matches exactly one character.
If you like tcsh's autolist completion, you can use this mapping:
:cnoremap X <C-L><C-D>
(Where X is the command key to use, <C-L> is CTRL-L and <C-D> is CTRL-D)
This will find the longest match and then list all matching files.
If you like tcsh's autolist completion, you can use the 'wildmode' option to
emulate it. For example, this mimics autolist=ambiguous:
:set wildmode=longest,list
This will find the longest match with the first 'wildchar', then list all
matching files with the next.
*suffixes*
For file name completion you can use the 'suffixes' option to set a priority
between files with almost the same name. If there are multiple matches,
those files with an extension that is in the 'suffixes' option are ignored.
The default is ".bak,~,.o,.h,.info,.swp,.obj", which means that files ending
in ".bak", "~", ".o", ".h", ".info", ".swp" and ".obj" are sometimes ignored.
It is impossible to ignore suffixes with two dots. Examples:
pattern: files: match: ~
test* test.c test.h test.o test.c
test* test.h test.o test.h and test.o
test* test.i test.h test.c test.i and test.c
If there is more than one matching file (after ignoring the ones matching
the 'suffixes' option) the first file name is inserted. You can see that
there is only one match when you type 'wildchar' twice and the completed
match stays the same. You can get to the other matches by entering
'wildchar', CTRL-N or CTRL-P. All files are included, also the ones with
extensions matching the 'suffixes' option.
To completely ignore files with some extension use 'wildignore'.
The old value of an option can be obtained by hitting 'wildchar' just after
the '='. For example, typing 'wildchar' after ":set dir=" will insert the
current value of 'dir'. This overrules file name completion for the options
that take a file name.
If you would like using <S-Tab> for CTRL-P in an xterm, put this command in
your .cshrc: >
xmodmap -e "keysym Tab = Tab Find"
And this in your .vimrc: >
:cmap <Esc>[1~ <C-P>
==============================================================================
3. Ex command-lines *cmdline-lines*
The Ex commands have a few specialties:
*:quote*
'"' at the start of a line causes the whole line to be ignored. '"'
after a command causes the rest of the line to be ignored. This can be used
to add comments. Example: >
:set ai "set 'autoindent' option
It is not possible to add a comment to a shell command ":!cmd" or to the
":map" command and friends, because they see the '"' as part of their
argument.
*:bar* *:\bar*
'|' can be used to separate commands, so you can give multiple commands in one
line. If you want to use '|' in an argument, precede it with '\'.
These commands see the '|' as their argument, and can therefore not be
followed by another command:
:argdo
:autocmd
:bufdo
:command
:cscope
:debug
:folddoopen
:folddoclosed
:function
:global
:help
:helpfind
:make
:normal
:perl
:perldo
:promptfind
:promptrepl
:pyfile
:python
:registers
:read !
:scscope
:tcl
:tcldo
:tclfile
:vglobal
:windo
:write !
:[range]!
a user defined command without the "-bar" argument |:command|
Note that this is confusing (inherited from Vi): With ":g" the '|' is included
in the command, with ":s" it is not.
To be able to use another command anyway, use the ":execute" command.
Example (append the output of "ls" and jump to the first line): >
:execute 'r !ls' | '[
There is one exception: When the 'b' flag is present in 'cpoptions', with the
":map" and ":abbr" commands and friends CTRL-V needs to be used instead of
'\'. You can also use "<Bar>" instead. See also |map_bar|.
Examples: >
:!ls | wc view the output of two commands
:r !ls | wc insert the same output in the text
:%g/foo/p|> moves all matching lines one shiftwidth
:%s/foo/bar/|> moves one line one shiftwidth
:map q 10^V| map "q" to "10|"
:map q 10\| map \ l map "q" to "10\" and map "\" to "l"
(when 'b' is present in 'cpoptions')
You can also use <NL> to separate commands in the same way as with '|'. To
insert a <NL> use CTRL-V CTRL-J. "^@" will be shown. Using '|' is the
preferred method. But for external commands a <NL> must be used, because a
'|' is included in the external command. To avoid the special meaning of <NL>
it must be preceded with a backslash. Example: >
:r !date<NL>-join
This reads the current date into the file and joins it with the previous line.
Note that when the command before the '|' generates an error, the following
commands will not be executed.
Because of Vi compatibility the following strange commands are supported: >
:| print current line (like ":p")
:3| print line 3 (like ":3p")
:3 goto line 3
A colon is allowed between the range and the command name. It is ignored
(this is Vi compatible). For example: >
:1,$:s/pat/string
When the character '%' or '#' is used where a file name is expected, they are
expanded to the current and alternate file name (see the chapter "editing
files" |:_%| |:_#|).
Embedded spaces in file names are allowed on the Amiga if one file name is
expected as argument. Trailing spaces will be ignored, unless escaped with a
backslash or CTRL-V. Note that the ":next" command uses spaces to separate
file names. Escape the spaces to include them in a file name. Example: >
:next foo\ bar goes\ to school\
starts editing the three files "foo bar", "goes to" and "school ".
When you want to use the special characters '"' or '|' in a command, or want
to use '%' or '#' in a file name, precede them with a backslash. The
backslash is not required in a range and in the ":substitute" command.
*:_!*
The '!' (bang) character after an Ex command makes the command behave in a
different way. The '!' should be placed immediately after the command, without
any blanks in between. If you insert blanks the '!' will be seen as an
argument for the command, which has a different meaning. For example:
:w! name write the current buffer to file "name", overwriting
any existing file
:w !name send the current buffer as standard input to command
"name"
==============================================================================
4. Ex command-line ranges *cmdline-ranges* *[range]* *E16* *E493*
Some Ex commands accept a line range in front of them. This is noted as
[range]. It consists of one or more line specifiers, separated with ',' or
';'.
The basics are explained in section |10.3| of the user manual.
*:,* *:;*
When separated with ';' the cursor position will be set to that line
before interpreting the next line specifier. This doesn't happen for ','.
Examples: >
4,/this line/
< from line 4 till match with "this line" after the cursor line. >
5;/that line/
< from line 5 till match with "that line" after line 5.
The default line specifier for most commands is the cursor position, but the
commands ":write" and ":global" have the whole file (1,$) as default.
If more line specifiers are given than required for the command, the first
one(s) will be ignored.
Line numbers may be specified with: *:range* *E14* *{address}*
{number} an absolute line number
. the current line *:.*
$ the last line in the file *:$*
% equal to 1,$ (the entire file) *:%*
't position of mark t (lowercase) *:'*
'T position of mark T (uppercase); when the mark is in
another file it cannot be used in a range
/{pattern}[/] the next line where {pattern} matches *:/*
?{pattern}[?] the previous line where {pattern} matches *:?*
\/ the next line where the previously used search
pattern matches
\? the previous line where the previously used search
pattern matches
\& the next line where the previously used substitute
pattern matches
Each may be followed (several times) by '+' or '-' and an optional number.
This number is added or subtracted from the preceding line number. If the
number is omitted, 1 is used.
The "/" and "?" after {pattern} are required to separate the pattern from
anything that follows.
The "/" and "?" may be preceded with another address. The search starts from
there. The difference from using ';' is that the cursor isn't moved.
Examples: >
/pat1//pat2/ Find line containing "pat2" after line containing
"pat1", without moving the cursor.
7;/pat2/ Find line containing "pat2", after line 7, leaving
the cursor in line 7.
The {number} must be between 0 and the number of lines in the file. When
using a 0 (zero) this is interpreted as a 1 by most commands. Commands that
use it as a count do use it as a zero (|:tag|, |:pop|, etc). Some commands
interpret the zero as "before the first line" (|:read|, search pattern, etc).
Examples: >
.+3 three lines below the cursor
/that/+1 the line below the next line containing "that"
.,$ from current line until end of file
0;/that the first line containing "that", also matches in the
first line.
1;/that the first line after line 1 containing "that"
Some commands allow for a count after the command. This count is used as the
number of lines to be used, starting with the line given in the last line
specifier (the default is the cursor line). The commands that accept a count
are the ones that use a range but do not have a file name argument (because
a file name can also be a number).
Examples: >
:s/x/X/g 5 substitute 'x' by 'X' in the current line and four
following lines
:23d 4 delete lines 23, 24, 25 and 26
Folds and Range
When folds are active the line numbers are rounded off to include the whole
closed fold. See |fold-behavior|.
Reverse Range
A range should have the lower line number first. If this is not the case, Vim
will ask you if it should swap the line numbers. This is not done within the
global command ":g".
Count and Range *N:*
When giving a count before entering ":", this is translated into:
:.,.+(count - 1)
In words: The 'count' lines at and after the cursor. Example: To delete
three lines: >
3:d<CR> is translated into: .,.+2d<CR>
<
Visual Mode and Range *v_:*
{Visual}: Starts a command-line with the Visual selected lines as a
range. The code ":'<,'>" is used for this range, which makes
it possible to select a similar line from the command-line
history for repeating a command on different Visually selected
lines.
==============================================================================
5. Ex special characters *cmdline-special*
In Ex commands, at places where a file name can be used, the following
characters have a special meaning. These can also be used in the expression
function expand() |expand()|.
% is replaced with the current file name *:_%*
# is replaced with the alternate file name *:_#*
#n (where n is a number) is replaced with the file name of
buffer n. "#0" is the same as "#"
## is replaced with all names in the argument list *:_##*
concatenated, separated by spaces. Each space in a name
is preceded with a backslash.
Note that these give the file name as it was typed. If an absolute path is
needed (when using the file name from a different directory), you need to add
":p". See |filename-modifiers|.
Note that backslashes are inserted before spaces, so that the command will
correctly interpret the file name. But this doesn't happen for shell
commands. For those you probably have to use quotes: >
:!ls "%"
:r !spell "%"
To avoid the special meaning of '%' and '#' insert a backslash before it.
Detail: The special meaning is always escaped when there is a backslash before
it, no matter how many backslashes.
you type: result ~
# alternate.file
\# #
\\# \#
*:<cword>* *:<cWORD>* *:<cfile>* *<cfile>*
*:<sfile>* *<sfile>* *:<afile>* *<afile>*
*:<abuf>* *<abuf>* *:<amatch>* *<amatch>*
*E495* *E496* *E497* *E498* *E499* *E500*
Note: these are typed literally, they are not special keys!
<cword> is replaced with the word under the cursor (like |star|)
<cWORD> is replaced with the WORD under the cursor (see |WORD|)
<cfile> is replaced with the path name under the cursor (like what
|gf| uses)
<afile> when executing autocommands, is replaced with the file name
for a file read or write
<abuf> when executing autocommands, is replaced with the currently
effective buffer number (for ":r file" it is the current
buffer, the file being read is not in a buffer).
<amatch> when executing autocommands, is replaced with the match for
which this autocommand was executed. It differs form
<afile> only when the file name isn't used to match with
(for FileType and Syntax events).
<sfile> when executing a ":source" command, is replaced with the
file name of the sourced file;
when executing a function, is replaced with
"function {function-name}"; function call nesting is
indicated like this:
"function {function-name1}..{function-name2}". Note that
filename-modifiers are useless when <sfile> is used inside
a function.
*filename-modifiers*
*:_%:* *::8* *::p* *::.* *::~* *::h* *::t* *::r* *::e* *::s* *::gs*
The file name modifiers can be used after "%", "#", "#n", "<cfile>", "<sfile>",
"<afile>" or "<abuf>". They are also used with the |fnamemodify()| function.
These are not available when Vim has been compiled without the |+modify_fname|
feature.
These modifiers can be given, in this order:
:p Make file name a full path. Must be the first modifier. Also
changes "~/" (and "~user/" for Unix and VMS) to the path for
the home directory. If the name is a directory a path
separator is added at the end. For a file name that does not
exist and does not have an absolute path the result is
unpredictable.
:8 Converts the path to 8.3 short format (currently only on
win32). Will act on as much of a path that is an existing
path.
:~ Reduce file name to be relative to the home directory, if
possible. File name is unmodified if it is not below the home
directory.
:. Reduce file name to be relative to current directory, if
possible. File name is unmodified if it is not below the
current directory.
For maximum shortness, use ":~:.".
:h Head of the file name (the last component and any separators
removed). Cannot be used with :e, :r or :t.
Can be repeated to remove several components at the end.
When the file name ends in a path separator, only the path
separator is removed. Thus ":p:h" on a directory name results
on the directory name itself (without trailing slash).
When the file name is an absolute path (starts with "/" for
Unix; "x:\" for MS-DOS, WIN32, OS/2; "drive:" for Amiga), that
part is not removed. When there is no head (path is relative
to current directory) the result is empty.
:t Tail of the file name (last component of the name). Must
precede any :r or :e.
:r Root of the file name (the last extension removed). When
there is only an extension (file name that starts with '.',
e.g., ".vimrc"), it is not removed. Can be repeated to remove
several extensions (last one first).
:e Extension of the file name. Only makes sense when used alone.
When there is no extension the result is empty.
When there is only an extension (file name that starts with
'.'), the result is empty. Can be repeated to include more
extensions. If there are not enough extensions (but at least
one) as much as possible are included.
:s?pat?sub?
Substitute the first occurrence of "pat" with "sub". This
works like the |:s| command. "pat" is a regular expression.
Any character can be used for '?', but it must not occur in
"pat" or "sub".
After this, the previous modifiers can be used again. For
example ":p", to make a full path after the substitution.
:gs?pat?sub?
Substitute all occurrences of "path" with "sub". Otherwise
this works like ":s".
Examples, when the file name is "src/version.c", current dir
"/home/mool/vim": >
:p /home/mool/vim/src/version.c
:p:. src/version.c
:p:~ ~/vim/src/version.c
:h src
:p:h /home/mool/vim/src
:p:h:h /home/mool/vim
:t version.c
:p:t version.c
:r src/version
:p:r /home/mool/vim/src/version
:t:r version
:e c
:s?version?main? src/main.c
:s?version?main?:p /home/mool/vim/src/main.c
:p:gs?/?\\? \home\mool\vim\src\version.c
Examples, when the file name is "src/version.c.gz": >
:p /home/mool/vim/src/version.c.gz
:e gz
:e:e c.gz
:e:e:e c.gz
:e:e:r c
:r src/version.c
:r:e c
:r:r src/version
:r:r:r src/version
<
*extension-removal* *:_%<*
If a "<" is appended to "%", "#", "#n" or "CTRL-V p" the extension of the file
name is removed (everything after and including the last '.' in the file
name). This is included for backwards compatibility with version 3.0, the
":r" form is preferred. Examples: >
% current file name
%< current file name without extension
# alternate file name for current window
#< idem, without extension
#31 alternate file number 31
#31< idem, without extension
<cword> word under the cursor
<cWORD> WORD under the cursor (see |WORD|)
<cfile> path name under the cursor
<cfile>< idem, without extension
Note: Where a file name is expected wildcards expansion is done. On Unix the
shell is used for this, unless it can be done internally (for speed).
Backticks also work, like in >
:n `echo *.c`
(backtick expansion is not possible in |restricted-mode|)
But expansion is only done if there are any wildcards before expanding the
'%', '#', etc.. This avoids expanding wildcards inside a file name. If you
want to expand the result of <cfile>, add a wildcard character to it.
Examples: (alternate file name is "?readme?")
command expands to ~
:e # :e ?readme?
:e `ls #` :e {files matching "?readme?"}
:e #.* :e {files matching "?readme?.*"}
:cd <cfile> :cd {file name under cursor}
:cd <cfile>* :cd {file name under cursor plus "*" and then expanded}
When the expanded argument contains a "!" and it is used for a shell command
(":!cmd", ":r !cmd" or ":w !cmd"), it is escaped with a backslash to avoid it
being expanded into a previously used command. When the 'shell' option
contains "sh", this is done twice, to avoid the shell trying to expand the
"!".
*filename-backslash*
For filesystems that use a backslash as directory separator (MS-DOS, Windows,
OS/2), it's a bit difficult to recognize a backslash that is used to escape
the special meaning of the next character. The general rule is: If the
backslash is followed by a normal file name character, it does not have a
special meaning. Therefore "\file\foo" is a valid file name, you don't have
to type the backslash twice.
An exception is the '$' sign. It is a valid character in a file name. But
to avoid a file name like "$home" to be interpreted as an environment variable,
it needs to be preceded by a backslash. Therefore you need to use "/\$home"
for the file "$home" in the root directory. A few examples:
FILE NAME INTERPRETED AS ~
$home expanded to value of environment var $home
\$home file "$home" in current directory
/\$home file "$home" in root directory
\\$home file "\\", followed by expanded $home
==============================================================================
6. Command-line window *cmdline-window* *cmdwin*
In the command-line window the command line can be edited just like editing
text in any window. It is a special kind of window, because you cannot leave
it in a normal way.
{not available when compiled without the |+cmdline_hist| or |+vertsplit|
feature}
OPEN
There are two ways to open the command-line window:
1. From Command-line mode, use the key specified with the 'cedit' option.
The default is CTRL-F when 'compatible' is not set.
2. From Normal mode, use the "q:", "q/" or "q?" command. *q:* *q/* *q?*
This starts editing an Ex command-line ("q:") or search string ("q/" or
"q?"). Note that this is not possible while recording is in progress (the
"q" stops recording then).
When the window opens it is filled with the command-line history. The last
line contains the command as typed so far. The left column will show a
character that indicates the type of command-line being edited, see
|cmdwin-char|.
Vim will be in Normal mode when the editor is opened, except when 'insertmode'
is set.
The height of the window is specified with 'cmdwinheight' (or smaller if there
is no room). The window is always full width and is positioned just above the
command-line.
EDIT
You can now use commands to move around and edit the text in the window. Both
in Normal mode and Insert mode.
It is possible to use ":", "/" and other commands that use the command-line,
but it's not possible to open another command-line window then. There is no
nesting.
*E11*
The command-line window is not a normal window. It is not possible to move to
another window or edit another buffer. All commands that would do this are
disabled in the command-line window. Of course it _is_ possible to execute
any command that you entered in the command-line window.
CLOSE *E199*
There are several ways to leave the command-line window:
<CR> Execute the command-line under the cursor. Works both in
Insert and in Normal mode.
CTRL-C Continue in Command-line mode. The command-line under the
cursor is used as the command-line. Works both in Insert and
in Normal mode. ":close" also works. There is no redraw,
thus the window will remain visible.
:quit Discard the command line and go back to Normal mode.
":exit", ":xit" and CTRL-\ CTRL-N also work.
:qall Quit Vim, unless there are changes in some buffer.
:qall! Quit Vim, discarding changes to any buffer.
Once the command-line window is closed the old window sizes are restored. The
executed command applies to the window and buffer where the command-line was
started from. This works as if the command-line window was not there, except
that there will be an extra screen redraw.
The buffer used for the command-line window is deleted. Any changes to lines
other than the one that is executed with <CR> are lost.
VARIOUS
The command-line window cannot be used:
- when there already is a command-line window (no nesting)
- for entering a encryption key or when using inputsecret()
- when Vim was not compiled with the +vertsplit feature
Some options are set when the command-line window is opened:
'filetype' "vim", when editing an Ex command-line; this starts Vim syntax
highlighting if it was enabled
'rightleft' off
'modifiable' on
'buftype' "nofile"
'swapfile' off
It is allowed to write the buffer contents to a file. This is an easy way to
save the command-line history and read it back later.
If the 'wildchar' option is set to <Tab>, and the command-line window is used
for an Ex command, then two mappings will be added to use <Tab> for completion
in the command-line window, like this: >
:imap <buffer> <Tab> <C-X><C-V>
:nmap <buffer> <Tab> a<C-X><C-V>
Note that hitting <Tab> in Normal mode will do completion on the next
character. That way it works at the end of the line.
If you don't want these mappings, disable them with: >
au CmdwinEnter [:>] iunmap <Tab>
au CmdwinEnter [:>] nunmap <Tab>
You could put these lines in your vimrc file.
While in the command-line window you cannot use the mouse to put the cursor in
another window, or drag statuslines of other windows. You can drag the
statusline of the command-line window itself and the statusline above it.
Thus you can resize the command-line window, but not others.
AUTOCOMMANDS
Two autocommand events are used: |CmdwinEnter| and |CmdwinLeave|. Since this
window is of a special type, the WinEnter, WinLeave, BufEnter and BufLeave
events are not triggered. You can use the Cmdwin events to do settings
specifically for the command-line window. Be careful not to cause side
effects!
Example: >
:au CmdwinEnter : let b:cpt_save = &cpt | set cpt=v
:au CmdwinLeave : let &cpt = b:cpt_save
This sets 'complete' to use command-line completion in Insert mode for CTRL-N.
Another example: >
:au CmdwinEnter [/?] startinsert
This will make Vim start in Insert mode in the command-line window.
*cmdwin-char*
The character used for the pattern indicates the type of command-line:
: normal Ex command
> debug mode command |debug-mode|
/ forward search string
? backward search string
= expression for "= |expr-register|
@ string for |input()|
- text for |:insert| or |:append|
vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl:
|