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
999
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018
1019
1020
1021
1022
1023
1024
1025
1026
1027
1028
1029
1030
1031
1032
1033
1034
1035
1036
1037
1038
1039
1040
1041
1042
1043
1044
1045
1046
1047
1048
1049
1050
1051
1052
1053
1054
1055
1056
1057
1058
1059
1060
1061
1062
1063
1064
1065
1066
1067
1068
1069
1070
1071
1072
1073
1074
1075
1076
1077
1078
1079
1080
1081
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088
1089
1090
1091
1092
1093
1094
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106
1107
1108
1109
1110
1111
1112
1113
1114
1115
1116
1117
1118
1119
1120
1121
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128
1129
1130
1131
1132
1133
1134
1135
1136
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142
1143
1144
1145
1146
1147
1148
1149
1150
1151
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159
1160
1161
1162
1163
1164
1165
1166
1167
1168
1169
1170
1171
1172
1173
1174
1175
1176
1177
1178
1179
1180
1181
1182
1183
1184
1185
1186
1187
1188
1189
1190
1191
1192
1193
1194
1195
1196
1197
1198
1199
1200
1201
1202
1203
1204
1205
1206
1207
1208
1209
1210
1211
1212
1213
1214
1215
1216
1217
1218
1219
1220
1221
1222
1223
1224
1225
1226
1227
1228
1229
1230
1231
1232
1233
1234
1235
1236
1237
1238
1239
1240
1241
1242
1243
1244
1245
1246
1247
1248
1249
1250
1251
1252
1253
1254
1255
1256
1257
1258
1259
1260
1261
1262
1263
1264
1265
1266
1267
1268
1269
1270
1271
1272
1273
1274
1275
1276
1277
1278
1279
1280
1281
1282
1283
1284
1285
1286
1287
1288
1289
1290
1291
1292
1293
1294
1295
1296
1297
1298
1299
1300
1301
1302
1303
1304
1305
1306
1307
1308
1309
1310
1311
1312
1313
1314
1315
1316
1317
1318
1319
1320
1321
1322
1323
1324
1325
1326
1327
1328
1329
1330
1331
1332
1333
1334
1335
1336
1337
1338
1339
1340
1341
1342
1343
1344
1345
1346
1347
1348
1349
1350
1351
1352
1353
1354
1355
1356
1357
1358
1359
1360
1361
1362
1363
1364
1365
1366
1367
1368
1369
1370
1371
1372
1373
1374
1375
1376
1377
1378
1379
1380
1381
1382
1383
1384
1385
1386
1387
1388
1389
1390
1391
1392
1393
1394
1395
1396
1397
1398
1399
1400
1401
1402
1403
1404
1405
1406
1407
1408
1409
1410
1411
1412
1413
1414
1415
1416
1417
1418
1419
1420
|
*map.txt* For Vim version 7.3a. Last change: 2009 Nov 04
VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Key mapping, abbreviations and user-defined commands.
This subject is introduced in sections |05.3|, |24.7| and |40.1| of the user
manual.
1. Key mapping |key-mapping|
1.1 MAP COMMANDS |:map-commands|
1.2 Special arguments |:map-arguments|
1.3 Mapping and modes |:map-modes|
1.4 Listing mappings |map-listing|
1.5 Mapping special keys |:map-special-keys|
1.6 Special characters |:map-special-chars|
1.7 What keys to map |map-which-keys|
1.8 Examples |map-examples|
1.9 Using mappings |map-typing|
1.10 Mapping alt-keys |:map-alt-keys|
1.11 Mapping an operator |:map-operator|
2. Abbreviations |abbreviations|
3. Local mappings and functions |script-local|
4. User-defined commands |user-commands|
==============================================================================
1. Key mapping *key-mapping* *mapping* *macro*
Key mapping is used to change the meaning of typed keys. The most common use
is to define a sequence commands for a function key. Example: >
:map <F2> a<C-R>=strftime("%c")<CR><Esc>
This appends the current date and time after the cursor (in <> notation |<>|).
1.1 MAP COMMANDS *:map-commands*
There are commands to enter new mappings, remove mappings and list mappings.
See |map-overview| for the various forms of "map" and their relationships with
modes.
{lhs} means left-hand-side *{lhs}*
{rhs} means right-hand-side *{rhs}*
:map {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map*
:nm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nm* *:nmap*
:vm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vm* *:vmap*
:xm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xm* *:xmap*
:smap {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap*
:om[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:om* *:omap*
:map! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map!*
:im[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:im* *:imap*
:lm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:lm* *:lmap*
:cm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cm* *:cmap*
Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
where the map command applies. The result, including
{rhs}, is then further scanned for mappings. This
allows for nested and recursive use of mappings.
:no[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:no* *:noremap*
:nn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nn* *:nnoremap*
:vn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vn* *:vnoremap*
:xn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xn* *:xnoremap*
:snor[emap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:snor* *:snoremap*
:ono[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:ono* *:onoremap*
:no[remap]! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:no!* *:noremap!*
:ino[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:ino* *:inoremap*
:ln[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:ln* *:lnoremap*
:cno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cno* *:cnoremap*
Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
where the map command applies. Disallow mapping of
{rhs}, to avoid nested and recursive mappings. Often
used to redefine a command. {not in Vi}
:unm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:unm* *:unmap*
:nun[map] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nun* *:nunmap*
:vu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vu* *:vunmap*
:xu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xu* *:xunmap*
:sunm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:sunm* *:sunmap*
:ou[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:ou* *:ounmap*
:unm[ap]! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:unm!* *:unmap!*
:iu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:iu* *:iunmap*
:lu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lu* *:lunmap*
:cu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cu* *:cunmap*
Remove the mapping of {lhs} for the modes where the
map command applies. The mapping may remain defined
for other modes where it applies.
Note: Trailing spaces are included in the {lhs}. This
unmap does NOT work: >
:map @@ foo
:unmap @@ | print
:mapc[lear] |mapmode-nvo| *:mapc* *:mapclear*
:nmapc[lear] |mapmode-n| *:nmapc* *:nmapclear*
:vmapc[lear] |mapmode-v| *:vmapc* *:vmapclear*
:xmapc[lear] |mapmode-x| *:xmapc* *:xmapclear*
:smapc[lear] |mapmode-s| *:smapc* *:smapclear*
:omapc[lear] |mapmode-o| *:omapc* *:omapclear*
:mapc[lear]! |mapmode-ic| *:mapc!* *:mapclear!*
:imapc[lear] |mapmode-i| *:imapc* *:imapclear*
:lmapc[lear] |mapmode-l| *:lmapc* *:lmapclear*
:cmapc[lear] |mapmode-c| *:cmapc* *:cmapclear*
Remove ALL mappings for the modes where the map
command applies. {not in Vi}
Warning: This also removes the default mappings.
:map |mapmode-nvo|
:nm[ap] |mapmode-n|
:vm[ap] |mapmode-v|
:xm[ap] |mapmode-x|
:sm[ap] |mapmode-s|
:om[ap] |mapmode-o|
:map! |mapmode-ic|
:im[ap] |mapmode-i|
:lm[ap] |mapmode-l|
:cm[ap] |mapmode-c|
List all key mappings for the modes where the map
command applies. Note that ":map" and ":map!" are
used most often, because they include the other modes.
:map {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map_l*
:nm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nmap_l*
:vm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vmap_l*
:xm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xmap_l*
:sm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap_l*
:om[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:omap_l*
:map! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map_l!*
:im[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:imap_l*
:lm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lmap_l*
:cm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cmap_l*
List the key mappings for the key sequences starting
with {lhs} in the modes where the map command applies.
{not in Vi}
These commands are used to map a key or key sequence to a string of
characters. You can use this to put command sequences under function keys,
translate one key into another, etc. See |:mkexrc| for how to save and
restore the current mappings.
*map-ambiguous*
When two mappings start with the same sequence of characters, they are
ambiguous. Example: >
:imap aa foo
:imap aaa bar
When Vim has read "aa", it will need to get another character to be able to
decide if "aa" or "aaa" should be mapped. This means that after typing "aa"
that mapping won't get expanded yet, Vim is waiting for another character.
If you type a space, then "foo" will get inserted, plus the space. If you
type "a", then "bar" will get inserted.
{Vi does not allow ambiguous mappings}
1.2 SPECIAL ARGUMENTS *:map-arguments*
"<buffer>", "<silent>", "<special>", "<script>", "<expr>" and "<unique>" can
be used in any order. They must appear right after the command, before any
other arguments.
*:map-local* *:map-<buffer>* *E224* *E225*
If the first argument to one of these commands is "<buffer>" the mapping will
be effective in the current buffer only. Example: >
:map <buffer> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
Then you can map ",w" to something else in another buffer: >
:map <buffer> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
The local buffer mappings are used before the global ones.
The "<buffer>" argument can also be used to clear mappings: >
:unmap <buffer> ,w
:mapclear <buffer>
Local mappings are also cleared when a buffer is deleted, but not when it is
unloaded. Just like local option values.
*:map-<silent>* *:map-silent*
To define a mapping which will not be echoed on the command line, add
"<silent>" as the first argument. Example: >
:map <silent> ,h /Header<CR>
The search string will not be echoed when using this mapping. Messages from
the executed command are still given though. To shut them up too, add a
":silent" in the executed command: >
:map <silent> ,h :exe ":silent normal /Header\r"<CR>
Prompts will still be given, e.g., for inputdialog().
Using "<silent>" for an abbreviation is possible, but will cause redrawing of
the command line to fail.
*:map-<special>* *:map-special*
Define a mapping with <> notation for special keys, even though the "<" flag
may appear in 'cpoptions'. This is useful if the side effect of setting
'cpoptions' is not desired. Example: >
:map <special> <F12> /Header<CR>
<
*:map-<script>* *:map-script*
If the first argument to one of these commands is "<script>" and it is used to
define a new mapping or abbreviation, the mapping will only remap characters
in the {rhs} using mappings that were defined local to a script, starting with
"<SID>". This can be used to avoid that mappings from outside a script
interfere (e.g., when CTRL-V is remapped in mswin.vim), but do use other
mappings defined in the script.
Note: ":map <script>" and ":noremap <script>" do the same thing. The
"<script>" overrules the command name. Using ":noremap <script>" is
preferred, because it's clearer that remapping is (mostly) disabled.
*:map-<unique>* *E226* *E227*
If the first argument to one of these commands is "<unique>" and it is used to
define a new mapping or abbreviation, the command will fail if the mapping or
abbreviation already exists. Example: >
:map <unique> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
When defining a local mapping, there will also be a check if a global map
already exists which is equal.
Example of what will fail: >
:map ,w /[#&!]<CR>
:map <buffer> <unique> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
If you want to map a key and then have it do what it was originally mapped to,
have a look at |maparg()|.
*:map-<expr>* *:map-expression*
If the first argument to one of these commands is "<expr>" and it is used to
define a new mapping or abbreviation, the argument is an expression. The
expression is evaluated to obtain the {rhs} that is used. Example: >
:inoremap <expr> . InsertDot()
The result of the InsertDot() function will be inserted. It could check the
text before the cursor and start omni completion when some condition is met.
For abbreviations |v:char| is set to the character that was typed to trigger
the abbreviation. You can use this to decide how to expand the {lhs}. You
can't change v:char and you should not insert it.
Be very careful about side effects! The expression is evaluated while
obtaining characters, you may very well make the command dysfunctional.
For this reason the following is blocked:
- Changing the buffer text |textlock|.
- Editing another buffer.
- The |:normal| command.
- Moving the cursor is allowed, but it is restored afterwards.
- You can use getchar(), but the existing typeahead isn't seen and new
typeahead is discarded.
If you want the mapping to do any of these let the returned characters do
that.
Here is an example that inserts a list number that increases: >
let counter = 0
inoremap <expr> <C-L> ListItem()
inoremap <expr> <C-R> ListReset()
func ListItem()
let g:counter += 1
return g:counter . '. '
endfunc
func ListReset()
let g:counter = 0
return ''
endfunc
CTRL-L inserts the next number, CTRL-R resets the count. CTRL-R returns an
empty string, so that nothing is inserted.
Note that there are some tricks to make special keys work and escape CSI bytes
in the text. The |:map| command also does this, thus you must avoid that it
is done twice. This does not work: >
:imap <expr> <F3> "<Char-0x611B>"
Because the <Char- sequence is escaped for being a |:imap| argument and then
again for using <expr>. This does work: >
:imap <expr> <F3> "\u611B"
Using 0x80 as a single byte before other text does not work, it will be seen
as a special key.
1.3 MAPPING AND MODES *:map-modes*
*mapmode-nvo* *mapmode-n* *mapmode-v* *mapmode-o*
There are six sets of mappings
- For Normal mode: When typing commands.
- For Visual mode: When typing commands while the Visual area is highlighted.
- For Select mode: like Visual mode but typing text replaces the selection.
- For Operator-pending mode: When an operator is pending (after "d", "y", "c",
etc.). See below: |omap-info|.
- For Insert mode. These are also used in Replace mode.
- For Command-line mode: When entering a ":" or "/" command.
Special case: While typing a count for a command in Normal mode, mapping zero
is disabled. This makes it possible to map zero without making it impossible
to type a count with a zero.
*map-overview* *map-modes*
Overview of which map command works in which mode:
commands: modes: ~
Normal Visual+Select Operator-pending ~
:map :noremap :unmap :mapclear yes yes yes
:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap :nmapclear yes - -
:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear - yes -
:omap :onoremap :ounmap :omapclear - - yes
:nunmap can also be used outside of a monastery.
*mapmode-x* *mapmode-s*
Some commands work both in Visual and Select mode, some in only one. Note
that quite often "Visual" is mentioned where both Visual and Select mode
apply. |Select-mode-mapping|
NOTE: Mapping a printable character in Select mode may confuse the user. It's
better to explicitly use :xmap and :smap for printable characters. Or use
:sunmap after defining the mapping.
commands: modes: ~
Visual Select ~
:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear yes yes
:xmap :xnoremap :xunmap :xmapclear yes -
:smap :snoremap :sunmap :smapclear - yes
*mapmode-ic* *mapmode-i* *mapmode-c* *mapmode-l*
Some commands work both in Insert mode and Command-line mode, some not:
commands: modes: ~
Insert Command-line Lang-Arg ~
:map! :noremap! :unmap! :mapclear! yes yes -
:imap :inoremap :iunmap :imapclear yes - -
:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap :cmapclear - yes -
:lmap :lnoremap :lunmap :lmapclear yes* yes* yes*
The original Vi did not have separate mappings for
Normal/Visual/Operator-pending mode and for Insert/Command-line mode.
Therefore the ":map" and ":map!" commands enter and display mappings for
several modes. In Vim you can use the ":nmap", ":vmap", ":omap", ":cmap" and
":imap" commands to enter mappings for each mode separately.
*omap-info*
Operator-pending mappings can be used to define a movement command that can be
used with any operator. Simple example: ":omap { w" makes "y{" work like "yw"
and "d{" like "dw".
To ignore the starting cursor position and select different text, you can have
the omap start Visual mode to select the text to be operated upon. Example
that operates on a function name in the current line: >
onoremap <silent> F :<C-U>normal! 0f(hviw<CR>
The CTRL-U (<C-U>) is used to remove the range that Vim may insert. The
Normal mode commands find the first '(' character and select the first word
before it. That usually is the function name.
To enter a mapping for Normal and Visual mode, but not Operator-pending mode,
first define it for all three modes, then unmap it for Operator-pending mode:
:map xx something-difficult
:ounmap xx
Likewise for a mapping for Visual and Operator-pending mode or Normal and
Operator-pending mode.
*language-mapping*
":lmap" defines a mapping that applies to:
- Insert mode
- Command-line mode
- when entering a search pattern
- the argument of the commands that accept a text character, such as "r" and
"f"
- for the input() line
Generally: Whenever a character is to be typed that is part of the text in the
buffer, not a Vim command character. "Lang-Arg" isn't really another mode,
it's just used here for this situation.
The simplest way to load a set of related language mappings is by using the
'keymap' option. See |45.5|.
In Insert mode and in Command-line mode the mappings can be disabled with
the CTRL-^ command |i_CTRL-^| |c_CTRL-^|. When starting to enter a normal
command line (not a search pattern) the mappings are disabled until a CTRL-^
is typed. The state last used is remembered for Insert mode and Search
patterns separately. The state for Insert mode is also used when typing a
character as an argument to command like "f" or "t".
Language mappings will never be applied to already mapped characters. They
are only used for typed characters. This assumes that the language mapping
was already done when typing the mapping.
1.4 LISTING MAPPINGS *map-listing*
When listing mappings the characters in the first two columns are:
CHAR MODE ~
<Space> Normal, Visual, Select and Operator-pending
n Normal
v Visual and Select
s Select
x Visual
o Operator-pending
! Insert and Command-line
i Insert
l ":lmap" mappings for Insert, Command-line and Lang-Arg
c Command-line
Just before the {rhs} a special character can appear:
* indicates that it is not remappable
& indicates that only script-local mappings are remappable
@ indicates a buffer-local mapping
Everything from the first non-blank after {lhs} up to the end of the line
(or '|') is considered to be part of {rhs}. This allows the {rhs} to end
with a space.
Note: When using mappings for Visual mode, you can use the "'<" mark, which
is the start of the last selected Visual area in the current buffer |'<|.
*:map-verbose*
When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a key map will also display where it was
last defined. Example: >
:verbose map <C-W>*
n <C-W>* * <C-W><C-S>*
Last set from /home/abcd/.vimrc
See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
1.5 MAPPING SPECIAL KEYS *:map-special-keys*
There are three ways to map a special key:
1. The Vi-compatible method: Map the key code. Often this is a sequence that
starts with <Esc>. To enter a mapping like this you type ":map " and then
you have to type CTRL-V before hitting the function key. Note that when
the key code for the key is in the termcap (the t_ options), it will
automatically be translated into the internal code and become the second
way of mapping (unless the 'k' flag is included in 'cpoptions').
2. The second method is to use the internal code for the function key. To
enter such a mapping type CTRL-K and then hit the function key, or use
the form "#1", "#2", .. "#9", "#0", "<Up>", "<S-Down>", "<S-F7>", etc.
(see table of keys |key-notation|, all keys from <Up> can be used). The
first ten function keys can be defined in two ways: Just the number, like
"#2", and with "<F>", like "<F2>". Both stand for function key 2. "#0"
refers to function key 10, defined with option 't_f10', which may be
function key zero on some keyboards. The <> form cannot be used when
'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag.
3. Use the termcap entry, with the form <t_xx>, where "xx" is the name of the
termcap entry. Any string entry can be used. For example: >
:map <t_F3> G
< Maps function key 13 to "G". This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes
the '<' flag.
The advantage of the second and third method is that the mapping will work on
different terminals without modification (the function key will be
translated into the same internal code or the actual key code, no matter what
terminal you are using. The termcap must be correct for this to work, and you
must use the same mappings).
DETAIL: Vim first checks if a sequence from the keyboard is mapped. If it
isn't the terminal key codes are tried (see |terminal-options|). If a
terminal code is found it is replaced with the internal code. Then the check
for a mapping is done again (so you can map an internal code to something
else). What is written into the script file depends on what is recognized.
If the terminal key code was recognized as a mapping the key code itself is
written to the script file. If it was recognized as a terminal code the
internal code is written to the script file.
1.6 SPECIAL CHARACTERS *:map-special-chars*
*map_backslash*
Note that only CTRL-V is mentioned here as a special character for mappings
and abbreviations. When 'cpoptions' does not contain 'B', a backslash can
also be used like CTRL-V. The <> notation can be fully used then |<>|. But
you cannot use "<C-V>" like CTRL-V to escape the special meaning of what
follows.
To map a backslash, or use a backslash literally in the {rhs}, the special
sequence "<Bslash>" can be used. This avoids the need to double backslashes
when using nested mappings.
*map_CTRL-C*
Using CTRL-C in the {lhs} is possible, but it will only work when Vim is
waiting for a key, not when Vim is busy with something. When Vim is busy
CTRL-C interrupts/breaks the command.
When using the GUI version on MS-Windows CTRL-C can be mapped to allow a Copy
command to the clipboard. Use CTRL-Break to interrupt Vim.
*map_space_in_lhs*
To include a space in {lhs} precede it with a CTRL-V (type two CTRL-Vs for
each space).
*map_space_in_rhs*
If you want a {rhs} that starts with a space, use "<Space>". To be fully Vi
compatible (but unreadable) don't use the |<>| notation, precede {rhs} with a
single CTRL-V (you have to type CTRL-V two times).
*map_empty_rhs*
You can create an empty {rhs} by typing nothing after a single CTRL-V (you
have to type CTRL-V two times). Unfortunately, you cannot do this in a vimrc
file.
*<Nop>*
A easier way to get a mapping that doesn't produce anything, is to use "<Nop>"
for the {rhs}. This only works when the |<>| notation is enabled. For
example, to make sure that function key 8 does nothing at all: >
:map <F8> <Nop>
:map! <F8> <Nop>
<
*map-multibyte*
It is possible to map multibyte characters, but only the whole character. You
cannot map the first byte only. This was done to prevent problems in this
scenario: >
:set encoding=latin1
:imap <M-C> foo
:set encoding=utf-8
The mapping for <M-C> is defined with the latin1 encoding, resulting in a 0xc3
byte. If you type the character á (0xe1 <M-a>) in UTF-8 encoding this is the
two bytes 0xc3 0xa1. You don't want the 0xc3 byte to be mapped then,
otherwise it would be impossible to type the á character.
*<Leader>* *mapleader*
To define a mapping which uses the "mapleader" variable, the special string
"<Leader>" can be used. It is replaced with the string value of "mapleader".
If "mapleader" is not set or empty, a backslash is used instead. Example: >
:map <Leader>A oanother line<Esc>
Works like: >
:map \A oanother line<Esc>
But after: >
:let mapleader = ","
It works like: >
:map ,A oanother line<Esc>
Note that the value of "mapleader" is used at the moment the mapping is
defined. Changing "mapleader" after that has no effect for already defined
mappings.
*<LocalLeader>* *maplocalleader*
<LocalLeader> is just like <Leader>, except that it uses "maplocalleader"
instead of "mapleader". <LocalLeader> is to be used for mappings which are
local to a buffer. Example: >
:map <LocalLeader>q \DoItNow
<
In a global plugin <Leader> should be used and in a filetype plugin
<LocalLeader>. "mapleader" and "maplocalleader" can be equal. Although, if
you make them different, there is a smaller chance of mappings from global
plugins to clash with mappings for filetype plugins. For example, you could
keep "mapleader" at the default backslash, and set "maplocalleader" to an
underscore.
*map-<SID>*
In a script the special key name "<SID>" can be used to define a mapping
that's local to the script. See |<SID>| for details.
*<Plug>*
The special key name "<Plug>" can be used for an internal mapping, which is
not to be matched with any key sequence. This is useful in plugins
|using-<Plug>|.
*<Char>* *<Char->*
To map a character by its decimal, octal or hexadecimal number the <Char>
construct can be used:
<Char-123> character 123
<Char-033> character 27
<Char-0x7f> character 127
This is useful to specify a (multi-byte) character in a 'keymap' file.
Upper and lowercase differences are ignored.
*map-comments*
It is not possible to put a comment after these commands, because the '"'
character is considered to be part of the {lhs} or {rhs}.
*map_bar*
Since the '|' character is used to separate a map command from the next
command, you will have to do something special to include a '|' in {rhs}.
There are three methods:
use works when example ~
<Bar> '<' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls <Bar> more^M
\| 'b' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls \| more^M
^V| always, in Vim and Vi :map _l :!ls ^V| more^M
(here ^V stands for CTRL-V; to get one CTRL-V you have to type it twice; you
cannot use the <> notation "<C-V>" here).
All three work when you use the default setting for 'cpoptions'.
When 'b' is present in 'cpoptions', "\|" will be recognized as a mapping
ending in a '\' and then another command. This is Vi compatible, but
illogical when compared to other commands.
*map_return*
When you have a mapping that contains an Ex command, you need to put a line
terminator after it to have it executed. The use of <CR> is recommended for
this (see |<>|). Example: >
:map _ls :!ls -l %<CR>:echo "the end"<CR>
To avoid mapping of the characters you type in insert or Command-line mode,
type a CTRL-V first. The mapping in Insert mode is disabled if the 'paste'
option is on.
Note that when an error is encountered (that causes an error message or beep)
the rest of the mapping is not executed. This is Vi-compatible.
Note that the second character (argument) of the commands @zZtTfF[]rm'`"v
and CTRL-X is not mapped. This was done to be able to use all the named
registers and marks, even when the command with the same name has been
mapped.
1.7 WHAT KEYS TO MAP *map-which-keys*
If you are going to map something, you will need to choose which key(s) to use
for the {lhs}. You will have to avoid keys that are used for Vim commands,
otherwise you would not be able to use those commands anymore. Here are a few
suggestions:
- Function keys <F2>, <F3>, etc.. Also the shifted function keys <S-F1>,
<S-F2>, etc. Note that <F1> is already used for the help command.
- Meta-keys (with the ALT key pressed). Depending on your keyboard accented
characters may be used as well. |:map-alt-keys|
- Use the '_' or ',' character and then any other character. The "_" and ","
commands do exist in Vim (see |_| and |,|), but you probably never use them.
- Use a key that is a synonym for another command. For example: CTRL-P and
CTRL-N. Use an extra character to allow more mappings.
- The key defined by <Leader> and one or more other keys. This is especially
useful in scripts. |mapleader|
See the file "index" for keys that are not used and thus can be mapped without
losing any builtin function. You can also use ":help {key}^D" to find out if
a key is used for some command. ({key} is the specific key you want to find
out about, ^D is CTRL-D).
1.8 EXAMPLES *map-examples*
A few examples (given as you type them, for "<CR>" you type four characters;
the '<' flag must not be present in 'cpoptions' for this to work). >
:map <F3> o#include
:map <M-g> /foo<CR>cwbar<Esc>
:map _x d/END/e<CR>
:map! qq quadrillion questions
Multiplying a count
When you type a count before triggering a mapping, it's like the count was
typed before the {lhs}. For example, with this mapping: >
:map <F4> 3w
Typing 2<F4> will result in "23w". Thus not moving 2 * 3 words but 23 words.
If you want to multiply counts use the expression register: >
:map <F4> @='3w'<CR>
The part between quotes is the expression being executed. |@=|
1.9 USING MAPPINGS *map-typing*
Vim will compare what you type with the start of a mapped sequence. If there
is an incomplete match, it will get more characters until there either is a
complete match or until there is no match at all. Example: If you map! "qq",
the first 'q' will not appear on the screen until you type another
character. This is because Vim cannot know if the next character will be a
'q' or not. If the 'timeout' option is on (which is the default) Vim will
only wait for one second (or as long as specified with the 'timeoutlen'
option). After that it assumes that the 'q' is to be interpreted as such. If
you type slowly, or your system is slow, reset the 'timeout' option. Then you
might want to set the 'ttimeout' option.
*map-keys-fails*
There are situations where key codes might not be recognized:
- Vim can only read part of the key code. Mostly this is only the first
character. This happens on some Unix versions in an xterm.
- The key code is after character(s) that are mapped. E.g., "<F1><F1>" or
"g<F1>".
The result is that the key code is not recognized in this situation, and the
mapping fails. There are two actions needed to avoid this problem:
- Remove the 'K' flag from 'cpoptions'. This will make Vim wait for the rest
of the characters of the function key.
- When using <F1> to <F4> the actual key code generated may correspond to
<xF1> to <xF4>. There are mappings from <xF1> to <F1>, <xF2> to <F2>, etc.,
but these are not recognized after another half a mapping. Make sure the
key codes for <F1> to <F4> are correct: >
:set <F1>=<type CTRL-V><type F1>
< Type the <F1> as four characters. The part after the "=" must be done with
the actual keys, not the literal text.
Another solution is to use the actual key code in the mapping for the second
special key: >
:map <F1><Esc>OP :echo "yes"<CR>
Don't type a real <Esc>, Vim will recognize the key code and replace it with
<F1> anyway.
Another problem may be that when keeping ALT or Meta pressed the terminal
prepends ESC instead of setting the 8th bit. See |:map-alt-keys|.
*recursive_mapping*
If you include the {lhs} in the {rhs} you have a recursive mapping. When
{lhs} is typed, it will be replaced with {rhs}. When the {lhs} which is
included in {rhs} is encountered it will be replaced with {rhs}, and so on.
This makes it possible to repeat a command an infinite number of times. The
only problem is that the only way to stop this is by causing an error. The
macros to solve a maze uses this, look there for an example. There is one
exception: If the {rhs} starts with {lhs}, the first character is not mapped
again (this is Vi compatible).
For example: >
:map ab abcd
will execute the "a" command and insert "bcd" in the text. The "ab" in the
{rhs} will not be mapped again.
If you want to exchange the meaning of two keys you should use the :noremap
command. For example: >
:noremap k j
:noremap j k
This will exchange the cursor up and down commands.
With the normal :map command, when the 'remap' option is on, mapping takes
place until the text is found not to be a part of a {lhs}. For example, if
you use: >
:map x y
:map y x
Vim will replace x with y, and then y with x, etc. When this has happened
'maxmapdepth' times (default 1000), Vim will give the error message
"recursive mapping".
*:map-undo*
If you include an undo command inside a mapped sequence, this will bring the
text back in the state before executing the macro. This is compatible with
the original Vi, as long as there is only one undo command in the mapped
sequence (having two undo commands in a mapped sequence did not make sense
in the original Vi, you would get back the text before the first undo).
1.10 MAPPING ALT-KEYS *:map-alt-keys*
In the GUI Vim handles the Alt key itself, thus mapping keys with ALT should
always work. But in a terminal Vim gets a sequence of bytes and has to figure
out whether ALT was pressed or not.
By default Vim assumes that pressing the ALT key sets the 8th bit of a typed
character. Most decent terminals can work that way, such as xterm, aterm and
rxvt. If your <A-k> mappings don't work it might be that the terminal is
prefixing the character with an ESC character. But you can just as well type
ESC before a character, thus Vim doesn't know what happened (except for
checking the delay between characters, which is not reliable).
As of this writing, some mainstream terminals like gnome-terminal and konsole
use the ESC prefix. There doesn't appear a way to have them use the 8th bit
instead. Xterm should work well by default. Aterm and rxvt should work well
when started with the "--meta8" argument. You can also tweak resources like
"metaSendsEscape", "eightBitInput" and "eightBitOutput".
On the Linux console, this behavior can be toggled with the "setmetamode"
command. Bear in mind that not using an ESC prefix could get you in trouble
with other programs. You should make sure that bash has the "convert-meta"
option set to "on" in order for your Meta keybindings to still work on it
(it's the default readline behavior, unless changed by specific system
configuration). For that, you can add the line: >
set convert-meta on
to your ~/.inputrc file. If you're creating the file, you might want to use: >
$include /etc/inputrc
as the first line, if that file exists on your system, to keep global options.
This may cause a problem for entering special characters, such as the umlaut.
Then you should use CTRL-V before that character.
Bear in mind that convert-meta has been reported to have troubles when used in
UTF-8 locales. On terminals like xterm, the "metaSendsEscape" resource can be
toggled on the fly through the "Main Options" menu, by pressing Ctrl-LeftClick
on the terminal; that's a good last resource in case you want to send ESC when
using other applications but not when inside VIM.
1.11 MAPPING AN OPERATOR *:map-operator*
An operator is used before a {motion} command. To define your own operator
you must create mapping that first sets the 'operatorfunc' option and then
invoke the |g@| operator. After the user types the {motion} command the
specified function will be called.
*g@* *E774* *E775*
g@{motion} Call the function set by the 'operatorfunc' option.
The '[ mark is positioned at the start of the text
moved over by {motion}, the '] mark on the last
character of the text.
The function is called with one String argument:
"line" {motion} was |linewise|
"char" {motion} was |characterwise|
"block" {motion} was |blockwise-visual|
Although "block" would rarely appear, since it can
only result from Visual mode where "g@" is not useful.
{not available when compiled without the +eval
feature}
Here is an example that counts the number of spaces with <F4>: >
nmap <silent> <F4> :set opfunc=CountSpaces<CR>g@
vmap <silent> <F4> :<C-U>call CountSpaces(visualmode(), 1)<CR>
function! CountSpaces(type, ...)
let sel_save = &selection
let &selection = "inclusive"
let reg_save = @@
if a:0 " Invoked from Visual mode, use '< and '> marks.
silent exe "normal! `<" . a:type . "`>y"
elseif a:type == 'line'
silent exe "normal! '[V']y"
elseif a:type == 'block'
silent exe "normal! `[\<C-V>`]y"
else
silent exe "normal! `[v`]y"
endif
echomsg strlen(substitute(@@, '[^ ]', '', 'g'))
let &selection = sel_save
let @@ = reg_save
endfunction
Note that the 'selection' option is temporarily set to "inclusive" to be able
to yank exactly the right text by using Visual mode from the '[ to the ']
mark.
Also note that there is a separate mapping for Visual mode. It removes the
"'<,'>" range that ":" inserts in Visual mode and invokes the function with
visualmode() and an extra argument.
==============================================================================
2. Abbreviations *abbreviations* *Abbreviations*
Abbreviations are used in Insert mode, Replace mode and Command-line mode.
If you enter a word that is an abbreviation, it is replaced with the word it
stands for. This can be used to save typing for often used long words. And
you can use it to automatically correct obvious spelling errors.
Examples:
:iab ms Microsoft
:iab tihs this
There are three types of abbreviations:
full-id The "full-id" type consists entirely of keyword characters (letters
and characters from 'iskeyword' option). This is the most common
abbreviation.
Examples: "foo", "g3", "-1"
end-id The "end-id" type ends in a keyword character, but all the other
characters are not keyword characters.
Examples: "#i", "..f", "$/7"
non-id The "non-id" type ends in a non-keyword character, the other
characters may be of any type, excluding space and tab. {this type
is not supported by Vi}
Examples: "def#", "4/7$"
Examples of strings that cannot be abbreviations: "a.b", "#def", "a b", "_$r"
An abbreviation is only recognized when you type a non-keyword character.
This can also be the <Esc> that ends insert mode or the <CR> that ends a
command. The non-keyword character which ends the abbreviation is inserted
after the expanded abbreviation. An exception to this is the character <C-]>,
which is used to expand an abbreviation without inserting any extra
characters.
Example: >
:ab hh hello
< "hh<Space>" is expanded to "hello<Space>"
"hh<C-]>" is expanded to "hello"
The characters before the cursor must match the abbreviation. Each type has
an additional rule:
full-id In front of the match is a non-keyword character, or this is where
the line or insertion starts. Exception: When the abbreviation is
only one character, it is not recognized if there is a non-keyword
character in front of it, other than a space or a tab.
end-id In front of the match is a keyword character, or a space or a tab,
or this is where the line or insertion starts.
non-id In front of the match is a space, tab or the start of the line or
the insertion.
Examples: ({CURSOR} is where you type a non-keyword character) >
:ab foo four old otters
< " foo{CURSOR}" is expanded to " four old otters"
" foobar{CURSOR}" is not expanded
"barfoo{CURSOR}" is not expanded
>
:ab #i #include
< "#i{CURSOR}" is expanded to "#include"
">#i{CURSOR}" is not expanded
>
:ab ;; <endofline>
< "test;;" is not expanded
"test ;;" is expanded to "test <endofline>"
To avoid the abbreviation in insert mode: Type part of the abbreviation, exit
insert mode with <Esc>, re-enter insert mode with "a" and type the rest. Or
type CTRL-V before the character after the abbreviation.
To avoid the abbreviation in Command-line mode: Type CTRL-V twice somewhere in
the abbreviation to avoid it to be replaced. A CTRL-V in front of a normal
character is mostly ignored otherwise.
It is possible to move the cursor after an abbreviation: >
:iab if if ()<Left>
This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag. |<>|
You can even do more complicated things. For example, to consume the space
typed after an abbreviation: >
func Eatchar(pat)
let c = nr2char(getchar(0))
return (c =~ a:pat) ? '' : c
endfunc
iabbr <silent> if if ()<Left><C-R>=Eatchar('\s')<CR>
There are no default abbreviations.
Abbreviations are never recursive. You can use ":ab f f-o-o" without any
problem. But abbreviations can be mapped. {some versions of Vi support
recursive abbreviations, for no apparent reason}
Abbreviations are disabled if the 'paste' option is on.
*:abbreviate-local* *:abbreviate-<buffer>*
Just like mappings, abbreviations can be local to a buffer. This is mostly
used in a |filetype-plugin| file. Example for a C plugin file: >
:abb <buffer> FF for (i = 0; i < ; ++i)
<
*:ab* *:abbreviate*
:ab[breviate] list all abbreviations. The character in the first
column indicates the mode where the abbreviation is
used: 'i' for insert mode, 'c' for Command-line
mode, '!' for both. These are the same as for
mappings, see |map-listing|.
*:abbreviate-verbose*
When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an abbreviation will also display where it
was last defined. Example: >
:verbose abbreviate
! teh the
Last set from /home/abcd/vim/abbr.vim
See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
:ab[breviate] {lhs} list the abbreviations that start with {lhs}
You may need to insert a CTRL-V (type it twice) to
avoid that a typed {lhs} is expanded, since
command-line abbreviations apply here.
:ab[breviate] [<expr>] {lhs} {rhs}
add abbreviation for {lhs} to {rhs}. If {lhs} already
existed it is replaced with the new {rhs}. {rhs} may
contain spaces.
See |:map-<expr>| for the optional <expr> argument.
*:una* *:unabbreviate*
:una[bbreviate] {lhs} Remove abbreviation for {lhs} from the list. If none
is found, remove abbreviations in which {lhs} matches
with the {rhs}. This is done so that you can even
remove abbreviations after expansion. To avoid
expansion insert a CTRL-V (type it twice).
*:norea* *:noreabbrev*
:norea[bbrev] [<expr>] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but no remapping for this {rhs} {not
in Vi}
*:ca* *:cabbrev*
:ca[bbrev] [<expr>] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only. {not
in Vi}
*:cuna* *:cunabbrev*
:cuna[bbrev] {lhs} same as ":una", but for Command-line mode only. {not
in Vi}
*:cnorea* *:cnoreabbrev*
:cnorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only and no
remapping for this {rhs} {not in Vi}
*:ia* *:iabbrev*
:ia[bbrev] [<expr>] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only. {not in Vi}
*:iuna* *:iunabbrev*
:iuna[bbrev] {lhs} same as ":una", but for insert mode only. {not in
Vi}
*:inorea* *:inoreabbrev*
:inorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only and no
remapping for this {rhs} {not in Vi}
*:abc* *:abclear*
:abc[lear] Remove all abbreviations. {not in Vi}
*:iabc* *:iabclear*
:iabc[lear] Remove all abbreviations for Insert mode. {not in Vi}
*:cabc* *:cabclear*
:cabc[lear] Remove all abbreviations for Command-line mode. {not
in Vi}
*using_CTRL-V*
It is possible to use special characters in the rhs of an abbreviation.
CTRL-V has to be used to avoid the special meaning of most non printable
characters. How many CTRL-Vs need to be typed depends on how you enter the
abbreviation. This also applies to mappings. Let's use an example here.
Suppose you want to abbreviate "esc" to enter an <Esc> character. When you
type the ":ab" command in Vim, you have to enter this: (here ^V is a CTRL-V
and ^[ is <Esc>)
You type: ab esc ^V^V^V^V^V^[
All keyboard input is subjected to ^V quote interpretation, so
the first, third, and fifth ^V characters simply allow the second,
and fourth ^Vs, and the ^[, to be entered into the command-line.
You see: ab esc ^V^V^[
The command-line contains two actual ^Vs before the ^[. This is
how it should appear in your .exrc file, if you choose to go that
route. The first ^V is there to quote the second ^V; the :ab
command uses ^V as its own quote character, so you can include quoted
whitespace or the | character in the abbreviation. The :ab command
doesn't do anything special with the ^[ character, so it doesn't need
to be quoted. (Although quoting isn't harmful; that's why typing 7
[but not 8!] ^Vs works.)
Stored as: esc ^V^[
After parsing, the abbreviation's short form ("esc") and long form
(the two characters "^V^[") are stored in the abbreviation table.
If you give the :ab command with no arguments, this is how the
abbreviation will be displayed.
Later, when the abbreviation is expanded because the user typed in
the word "esc", the long form is subjected to the same type of
^V interpretation as keyboard input. So the ^V protects the ^[
character from being interpreted as the "exit Insert mode" character.
Instead, the ^[ is inserted into the text.
Expands to: ^[
[example given by Steve Kirkendall]
==============================================================================
3. Local mappings and functions *script-local*
When using several Vim script files, there is the danger that mappings and
functions used in one script use the same name as in other scripts. To avoid
this, they can be made local to the script.
*<SID>* *<SNR>* *E81*
The string "<SID>" can be used in a mapping or menu. This requires that the
'<' flag is not present in 'cpoptions'.
When executing the map command, Vim will replace "<SID>" with the special
key code <SNR>, followed by a number that's unique for the script, and an
underscore. Example: >
:map <SID>Add
could define a mapping "<SNR>23_Add".
When defining a function in a script, "s:" can be prepended to the name to
make it local to the script. But when a mapping is executed from outside of
the script, it doesn't know in which script the function was defined. To
avoid this problem, use "<SID>" instead of "s:". The same translation is done
as for mappings. This makes it possible to define a call to the function in
a mapping.
When a local function is executed, it runs in the context of the script it was
defined in. This means that new functions and mappings it defines can also
use "s:" or "<SID>" and it will use the same unique number as when the
function itself was defined. Also, the "s:var" local script variables can be
used.
When executing an autocommand or a user command, it will run in the context of
the script it was defined in. This makes it possible that the command calls a
local function or uses a local mapping.
Otherwise, using "<SID>" outside of a script context is an error.
If you need to get the script number to use in a complicated script, you can
use this function: >
function s:SID()
return matchstr(expand('<sfile>'), '<SNR>\zs\d\+\ze_SID$')
endfun
The "<SNR>" will be shown when listing functions and mappings. This is useful
to find out what they are defined to.
The |:scriptnames| command can be used to see which scripts have been sourced
and what their <SNR> number is.
This is all {not in Vi} and {not available when compiled without the +eval
feature}.
==============================================================================
4. User-defined commands *user-commands*
It is possible to define your own Ex commands. A user-defined command can act
just like a built-in command (it can have a range or arguments, arguments can
be completed as filenames or buffer names, etc), except that when the command
is executed, it is transformed into a normal Ex command and then executed.
For starters: See section |40.2| in the user manual.
*E183* *user-cmd-ambiguous*
All user defined commands must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid
confusion with builtin commands. (There are a few builtin commands, notably
:Next, :Print and :X, which do start with an uppercase letter. The builtin
will always take precedence in these cases). The other characters of the user
command can be uppercase letters, lowercase letters or digits. When using
digits, note that other commands that take a numeric argument may become
ambiguous. For example, the command ":Cc2" could be the user command ":Cc2"
without an argument, or the command ":Cc" with argument "2". It is advised to
put a space between the command name and the argument to avoid these problems.
When using a user-defined command, the command can be abbreviated. However, if
an abbreviation is not unique, an error will be issued. Furthermore, a
built-in command will always take precedence.
Example: >
:command Rename ...
:command Renumber ...
:Rena " Means "Rename"
:Renu " Means "Renumber"
:Ren " Error - ambiguous
:command Paste ...
:P " The built-in :Print
It is recommended that full names for user-defined commands are used in
scripts.
:com[mand] *:com* *:command*
List all user-defined commands. When listing commands,
the characters in the first two columns are
! Command has the -bang attribute
" Command has the -register attribute
b Command is local to current buffer
(see below for details on attributes)
:com[mand] {cmd} List the user-defined commands that start with {cmd}
*:command-verbose*
When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a command will also display where it was
last defined. Example: >
:verbose command TOhtml
< Name Args Range Complete Definition ~
TOhtml 0 % :call Convert2HTML(<line1>, <line2>) ~
Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/tohtml.vim ~
See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
*E174* *E182*
:com[mand][!] [{attr}...] {cmd} {rep}
Define a user command. The name of the command is
{cmd} and its replacement text is {rep}. The command's
attributes (see below) are {attr}. If the command
already exists, an error is reported, unless a ! is
specified, in which case the command is redefined.
:delc[ommand] {cmd} *:delc* *:delcommand* *E184*
Delete the user-defined command {cmd}.
:comc[lear] *:comc* *:comclear*
Delete all user-defined commands.
Command attributes
User-defined commands are treated by Vim just like any other Ex commands. They
can have arguments, or have a range specified. Arguments are subject to
completion as filenames, buffers, etc. Exactly how this works depends upon the
command's attributes, which are specified when the command is defined.
There are a number of attributes, split into four categories: argument
handling, completion behavior, range handling, and special cases. The
attributes are described below, by category.
Argument handling *E175* *E176* *:command-nargs*
By default, a user defined command will take no arguments (and an error is
reported if any are supplied). However, it is possible to specify that the
command can take arguments, using the -nargs attribute. Valid cases are:
-nargs=0 No arguments are allowed (the default)
-nargs=1 Exactly one argument is required
-nargs=* Any number of arguments are allowed (0, 1, or many)
-nargs=? 0 or 1 arguments are allowed
-nargs=+ Arguments must be supplied, but any number are allowed
Arguments are considered to be separated by (unescaped) spaces or tabs in this
context.
Note that arguments are used as text, not as expressions. Specifically,
"s:var" will use the script-local variable in the script where the command was
defined, not where it is invoked! Example:
script1.vim: >
:let s:error = "None"
:command -nargs=1 Error echoerr <args>
< script2.vim: >
:source script1.vim
:let s:error = "Wrong!"
:Error s:error
Executing script2.vim will result in "None" being echoed. Not what you
intended! Calling a function may be an alternative.
Completion behavior *:command-completion* *E179*
*E180* *E181* *:command-complete*
By default, the arguments of user defined commands do not undergo completion.
However, by specifying one or the other of the following attributes, argument
completion can be enabled:
-complete=augroup autocmd groups
-complete=buffer buffer names
-complete=command Ex command (and arguments)
-complete=dir directory names
-complete=environment environment variable names
-complete=event autocommand events
-complete=expression Vim expression
-complete=file file and directory names
-complete=shellcmd Shell command
-complete=function function name
-complete=help help subjects
-complete=highlight highlight groups
-complete=mapping mapping name
-complete=menu menus
-complete=option options
-complete=tag tags
-complete=tag_listfiles tags, file names are shown when CTRL-D is hit
-complete=var user variables
-complete=custom,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
-complete=customlist,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
Custom completion *:command-completion-custom*
*:command-completion-customlist*
*E467* *E468*
It is possible to define customized completion schemes via the "custom,{func}"
or the "customlist,{func}" completion argument. The {func} part should be a
function with the following signature: >
:function {func}(ArgLead, CmdLine, CursorPos)
The function need not use all these arguments. The function should provide the
completion candidates as the return value.
For the "custom" argument, the function should return the completion
candidates one per line in a newline separated string.
For the "customlist" argument, the function should return the completion
candidates as a Vim List. Non-string items in the list are ignored.
The function arguments are:
ArgLead the leading portion of the argument currently being
completed on
CmdLine the entire command line
CursorPos the cursor position in it (byte index)
The function may use these for determining context. For the "custom"
argument, it is not necessary to filter candidates against the (implicit
pattern in) ArgLead. Vim will filter the candidates with its regexp engine
after function return, and this is probably more efficient in most cases. For
the "customlist" argument, Vim will not filter the returned completion
candidates and the user supplied function should filter the candidates.
The following example lists user names to a Finger command >
:com -complete=custom,ListUsers -nargs=1 Finger !finger <args>
:fun ListUsers(A,L,P)
: return system("cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd")
:endfun
The following example completes filenames from the directories specified in
the 'path' option: >
:com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=customlist,EditFileComplete
\ EditFile edit<bang> <args>
:fun EditFileComplete(A,L,P)
: return split(globpath(&path, a:A), "\n")
:endfun
<
Range handling *E177* *E178* *:command-range*
*:command-count*
By default, user-defined commands do not accept a line number range. However,
it is possible to specify that the command does take a range (the -range
attribute), or that it takes an arbitrary count value, either in the line
number position (-range=N, like the |:split| command) or as a "count"
argument (-count=N, like the |:Next| command). The count will then be
available in the argument with |<count>|.
Possible attributes are:
-range Range allowed, default is current line
-range=% Range allowed, default is whole file (1,$)
-range=N A count (default N) which is specified in the line
number position (like |:split|)
-count=N A count (default N) which is specified either in the line
number position, or as an initial argument (like |:Next|).
Specifying -count (without a default) acts like -count=0
Note that -range=N and -count=N are mutually exclusive - only one should be
specified.
Special cases *:command-bang* *:command-bar*
*:command-register* *:command-buffer*
There are some special cases as well:
-bang The command can take a ! modifier (like :q or :w)
-bar The command can be followed by a "|" and another command.
A "|" inside the command argument is not allowed then.
Also checks for a " to start a comment.
-register The first argument to the command can be an optional
register name (like :del, :put, :yank).
-buffer The command will only be available in the current buffer.
In the cases of the -count and -register attributes, if the optional argument
is supplied, it is removed from the argument list and is available to the
replacement text separately.
Replacement text
The replacement text for a user defined command is scanned for special escape
sequences, using <...> notation. Escape sequences are replaced with values
from the entered command line, and all other text is copied unchanged. The
resulting string is executed as an Ex command. To avoid the replacement use
<lt> in place of the initial <. Thus to include "<bang>" literally use
"<lt>bang>".
The valid escape sequences are
*<line1>*
<line1> The starting line of the command range.
*<line2>*
<line2> The final line of the command range.
*<count>*
<count> Any count supplied (as described for the '-range'
and '-count' attributes).
*<bang>*
<bang> (See the '-bang' attribute) Expands to a ! if the
command was executed with a ! modifier, otherwise
expands to nothing.
*<reg>* *<register>*
<reg> (See the '-register' attribute) The optional register,
if specified. Otherwise, expands to nothing. <register>
is a synonym for this.
*<args>*
<args> The command arguments, exactly as supplied (but as
noted above, any count or register can consume some
of the arguments, which are then not part of <args>).
<lt> A single '<' (Less-Than) character. This is needed if you
want to get a literal copy of one of these escape sequences
into the expansion - for example, to get <bang>, use
<lt>bang>.
*<q-args>*
If the first two characters of an escape sequence are "q-" (for example,
<q-args>) then the value is quoted in such a way as to make it a valid value
for use in an expression. This uses the argument as one single value.
When there is no argument <q-args> is an empty string.
*<f-args>*
To allow commands to pass their arguments on to a user-defined function, there
is a special form <f-args> ("function args"). This splits the command
arguments at spaces and tabs, quotes each argument individually, and the
<f-args> sequence is replaced by the comma-separated list of quoted arguments.
See the Mycmd example below. If no arguments are given <f-args> is removed.
To embed whitespace into an argument of <f-args>, prepend a backslash.
<f-args> replaces every pair of backslashes (\\) with one backslash. A
backslash followed by a character other than white space or a backslash
remains unmodified. Overview:
command <f-args> ~
XX ab 'ab'
XX a\b 'a\b'
XX a\ b 'a b'
XX a\ b 'a ', 'b'
XX a\\b 'a\b'
XX a\\ b 'a\', 'b'
XX a\\\b 'a\\b'
XX a\\\ b 'a\ b'
XX a\\\\b 'a\\b'
XX a\\\\ b 'a\\', 'b'
Examples >
" Delete everything after here to the end
:com Ddel +,$d
" Rename the current buffer
:com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=file Ren f <args>|w<bang>
" Replace a range with the contents of a file
" (Enter this all as one line)
:com -range -nargs=1 -complete=file
Replace <line1>-pu_|<line1>,<line2>d|r <args>|<line1>d
" Count the number of lines in the range
:com! -range -nargs=0 Lines echo <line2> - <line1> + 1 "lines"
" Call a user function (example of <f-args>)
:com -nargs=* Mycmd call Myfunc(<f-args>)
When executed as: >
:Mycmd arg1 arg2
This will invoke: >
:call Myfunc("arg1","arg2")
:" A more substantial example
:function Allargs(command)
: let i = 0
: while i < argc()
: if filereadable(argv(i))
: execute "e " . argv(i)
: execute a:command
: endif
: let i = i + 1
: endwhile
:endfunction
:command -nargs=+ -complete=command Allargs call Allargs(<q-args>)
The command Allargs takes any Vim command(s) as argument and executes it on all
files in the argument list. Usage example (note use of the "e" flag to ignore
errors and the "update" command to write modified buffers): >
:Allargs %s/foo/bar/ge|update
This will invoke: >
:call Allargs("%s/foo/bar/ge|update")
<
When defining a user command in a script, it will be able to call functions
local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the user
invokes the user command, it will run in the context of the script it was
defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl:
|