Download Vim Quick Reference Guide

VIM QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
By Bram Moolenaar
Left-right motions ........................................................ 1
Up-down motions ......................................................... 1
Text object motions ...................................................... 2
Pattern searches ........................................................... 2
Marks and motions ....................................................... 3
Various motions............................................................ 3
Using tags ...................................................................... 4
Scrolling......................................................................... 4
Inserting text................................................................. 4
Insert mode keys .......................................................... 5
Special keys in Insert mode ......................................... 5
Digraphs ........................................................................ 5
Special inserts ............................................................... 5
Deleting text .................................................................. 5
Copying and moving text ............................................. 6
Changing text ................................................................ 6
Complex changes .......................................................... 7
Visual mode................................................................... 7
Text objects (only in Visual mode or after an operator) . 7
Repeating commands ................................................... 7
Key mapping .................................................................. 8
Abbreviations ................................................................ 8
Options ........................................................................... 8
Undo/Redo commands ............................................... 14
External commands .................................................... 14
Quickfix commands ..................................................... 14
Various commands...................................................... 15
Command-line editing ................................................ 15
Ex ranges...................................................................... 16
Special Ex characters .................................................. 16
Starting VIM ................................................................. 16
Editing a file ................................................................. 17
Using the argument list............................................... 17
Writing and quitting ................................................... 18
Automatic Commands................................................. 18
Multi-window commands........................................... 18
Buffer list commands .................................................. 19
Syntax Highlighting ..................................................... 19
GUI commands ............................................................ 20
Folding ......................................................................... 20
Left-right motions
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
h
l
0
^
$
g0
g^
g$
gm
|
f{char}
F{char}
t{char}
T{char}
;
,
left (also: CTRL-H, <BS>, or <Left> key)
right (also: <Space> or <Right> key)
to first character in the line (also: <Home> key)
to first non-blank character in the line
to the last character in the line (N-1 lines lower) (also: <End> key)
to first character in screen line (differs from "0" when lines wrap)
to first non-blank character in screen line (differs from "^" when lines wrap)
to last character in screen line (differs from "$" when lines wrap)
to middle of the screen line
to column N (default: 1)
to the Nth occurrence of {char} to the right
to the Nth occurrence of {char} to the left
till before the Nth occurrence of {char} to the right
till before the Nth occurrence of {char} to the left
repeat the last "f", "F", "t", or "T" N times
repeat the last "f", "F", "t", or "T" N times in opposite direction
Up-down motions
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
k
j
+
_
G
gg
up N
down
up N
down
down
goto
goto
lines (also: CTRL-P and <Up>)
N lines (also: CTRL-J, CTRL-N, <NL>, and <Down>)
lines, on the first non-blank character
N lines, on the first non-blank character (also: CTRL-M and <CR>)
N-1 lines, on the first non-blank character
line N (default: last line), on the first non-blank character
line N (default: first line), on the first non-blank character
The Vim user manual and reference manual are Copyright (c) 1988-2003 by Bram Moolenaar. This material may be distributed only subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Open Publication License, v1.0 or later. The latest version is presently available at http://www.opencontent.org/openpub/. This document
was prepared from http://vimdoc.sourceforge.net/htmldoc/quickref.html with typesetting and minor modifications by Alexander J. Quinn, July 11, 2010 8:44 PM.
Text object motions
N
%
N
N
gk
gj
goto line N percentage down in the file. N must be given, otherwise it is the
|%| command.
up N screen lines (differs from "k" when line wraps)
down N screen lines (differs from "j" when line wraps)
Text object motions
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
w
W
e
E
b
B
ge
gE
N words forward
N blank-separated |WORD|s forward
forward to the end of the Nth word
forward to the end of the Nth blank-separated |WORD|
N words backward
N blank-separated |WORD|s backward
backward to the end of the Nth word
backward to the end of the Nth blank-separated |WORD|
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
)
(
}
{
]]
[[
][
[]
[(
[{
[m
[M
])
]}
]m
]M
[#
]#
[*
]*
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
sentences forward
sentences backward
paragraphs forward
paragraphs backward
sections forward, at start of section
sections backward, at start of section
sections forward, at end of section
sections backward, at end of section
times back to unclosed '('
times back to unclosed '{'
times back to start of method (for Java)
times back to end of method (for Java)
times forward to unclosed ')'
times forward to unclosed '}'
times forward to start of method (for Java)
times forward to end of method (for Java)
times back to unclosed "#if" or "#else"
times forward to unclosed "#else" or "#endif"
times back to start of comment "/*"
times forward to end of comment "*/"
Pattern searches
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
/{pattern}[/[offset]]<CR> search forward for the Nth occurrence of {pattern}
?{pattern}[?[offset]]<CR> search backward for the Nth occurrence of {pattern}
/<CR> repeat last search, in the forward direction
?<CR> repeat last search, in the backward direction
n
repeat last search
N
repeat last search, in opposite direction
*
search forward for the identifier under the cursor
#
search backward for the identifier under the cursor
g*
like "*", but also find partial matches
g#
like "#", but also find partial matches
gd
goto local declaration of identifier under the cursor
gD
goto global declaration of identifier under the cursor
Special characters in search patterns
meaning
matches any single character
matches start of line
matches <EOL>
matches start of word
matches end of word
matches a single char from the range
matches a single char not in the range
matches an identifier char
magic
nomagic
.
\.
^
^
$
$
\<
\<
\>
\>
[a-z]
\[a-z]
[^a-z] \[^a-z]
\i
\i
2
Marks and motions
3
idem but excluding digits
matches a keyword character
idem but excluding digits
matches a file name character
idem but excluding digits
matches a printable character
idem but excluding digits
matches a white space character
matches a non-white space character
\I
\k
\K
\f
\F
\p
\P
\s
\S
\I
\k
\K
\f
\F
\p
\P
\s
\S
matches <Esc>
matches <Tab>
matches <CR>
matches <BS>
\e
\t
\r
\b
\e
\t
\r
\b
*
\+
\=
\{2,5}
\|
\(\)
\*
\+
\=
\{2,5}
\|
\(\)
matches 0 or
matches 1 or
matches 0
matches 2
more of the preceding atom
more of the preceding atom
or 1 of the preceding atom
to 5 of the preceding atom
separates two alternatives
group a pattern into an atom
offset
Offsets allowed after search command
[num]
[num] lines downwards, in column 1
+[num]
[num] lines downwards, in column 1
-[num]
[num] lines upwards, in column 1
e[+num]
[num] characters to the right of the end of the match
e[-num]
[num] characters to the left of the end of the match
s[+num]
[num] characters to the right of the start of the match
s[-num]
[num] characters to the left of the start of the match
b[+num]
[num] identical to s[+num] above (mnemonic: begin)
b[-num]
[num] identical to s[-num] above (mnemonic: begin)
;{search-command}
execute {search-command} next
Marks and motions
m{a-zA-Z}
mark current position with mark {a-zA-Z}
`{a-z}
go to mark {a-z} within current file
`{A-Z}
go to mark {A-Z} in any file
`{0-9}
go to the position where Vim was previously exited
``
go to the position before the last jump
`"
go to the position when last editing this file
`[
go to the start of the previously operated or put text
`]
go to the end of the previously operated or put text
`<
go to the start of the (previous) Visual area
`>
go to the end of the (previous) Visual area
`.
go to the position of the last change in this file
'{a-zA-Z0-9[]'"'<>.}
same as `, but on the first non-blank in the line
:marks
print the active marks
N CTRL-O
go to Nth older position in jump list
N CTRL-I
go to Nth newer position in jump list
:ju[mps]
print the jump list
Various motions
%
N
N
H
M
L
find the next brace, bracket, comment, or "#if"/ "#else"/"#endif" in this
line and go to its match
go to the Nth line in the window, on the first non-blank
go to the middle line in the window, on the first non-blank
go to the Nth line from the bottom, on the first non-blank
Using tags
N go
:[range]go[to] [off]
go to Nth byte in the buffer
go to [off] byte in the buffer
Using tags
:ta[g][!] {tag}
:[count]ta[g][!]
CTRL-]
:ts[elect][!] [tag]
:tj[ump][!] [tag]
:lt[ag][!] [tag]
Jump to tag {tag}
Jump to [count]'th newer tag in tag list
Jump to the tag under cursor, unless changes have been made
List matching tags and select one to jump to
Jump to tag [tag] or select from list when there are multiple
matches
Jump to tag [tag] and add matching tags to the location list.
:tags
Print tag list
N CTRL-T
Jump back from Nth older tag in tag list
:[count]po[p][!]
Jump back from [count]'th older tag in tag list
:[count]tn[ext][!]
Jump to [count]'th next matching tag
:[count]tp[revious][!]
Jump to [count]'th previous matching tag
:[count]tr[ewind][!] Jump to [count]'th matching tag
:tl[ast][!]
Jump to last matching tag
:pt[ag] {tag}
CTRL-W }
:pts[elect]
:ptj[ump]
:pc[lose]
CTRL-W z
open a preview window to show tag {tag}
like CTRL-] but show tag in preview window
like ":tselect" but show tag in preview window
like ":tjump" but show tag in preview window
close tag preview window
close tag preview window
Scrolling
N
N
N
N
N
N
CTRL-E
CTRL-D
CTRL-F
CTRL-Y
CTRL-U
CTRL-B
z<CR> or zt
z.
or zz
zor zb
window N lines downwards (default: 1)
window N lines Downwards (default: 1/2 window)
window N pages Forwards (downwards)
window N lines upwards (default: 1)
window N lines Upwards (default: 1/2 window)
window N pages Backwards (upwards)
redraw, current line at top of window
redraw, current line at center of window
redraw, current line at bottom of window
These only work when 'wrap' is off:
N zh
scroll screen N characters to the right
N zl
scroll screen N characters to the left
N zH
scroll screen half a screenwidth to the right
N zL
scroll screen half a screenwidth to the left
Inserting text
N a
append text after the cursor (N times)
N A
append text at the end of the line (N times)
N i
insert text before the cursor (N times) (also: <Insert>)
N I
insert text before the first non-blank in the line (N times)
N gI
insert text in column 1 (N times)
N o
open a new line below the current line, append text (N times)
N O
open a new line above the current line, append text (N times)
:star[tinsert][!]
start Insert mode, append when [!] used
:startr[eplace][!] start Replace mode, at EOL when [!] used
In Visual block mode:
I
insert the same text in front of all the selected lines
A
append the same text after all the selected lines
4
Insert mode keys
Insert mode keys
Leaving Insert mode:
<Esc>
CTRL-C
CTRL-O {command}
end Insert mode, back to Normal mode
like <Esc>, but do not use an abbreviation
execute {command} and return to Insert mode
Moving around:
cursor keys
shift-left/right
shift-up/down
<End>
<Home>
move cursor left/right/up/down
one word left/right
one screenful backward/forward
cursor after last character in the line
cursor to first character in the line
Special keys in Insert mode
CTRL-V {char}..
insert character literally, or enter decimal byte value
<NL> or <CR> or CTRL-M or CTRL-J
begin new line
CTRL-E
insert the character from below the cursor
CTRL-Y
insert the character from above the cursor
CTRL-A
insert previously inserted text
CTRL-@
insert previously inserted text and stop Insert mode
CTRL-R {0-9a-z%#:.-="}
insert the contents of a register
CTRL-N
CTRL-P
CTRL-X ...
insert next match of identifier before the cursor
insert previous match of identifier before the cursor
complete the word before the cursor in various ways
<BS> or CTRL-H
<Del>
CTRL-W
CTRL-U
CTRL-T
CTRL-D
0 CTRL-D
^ CTRL-D
delete
delete
delete
delete
insert
delete
delete
delete
the character before the cursor
the character under the cursor
word before the cursor
all entered characters in the current line
one shiftwidth of indent in front of the current line
one shiftwidth of indent in front of the current line
all indent in the current line
all indent in the current line, restore indent in next line
Digraphs
:dig[raphs]
show current list of digraphs
:dig[raphs] {char1}{char2} {number} ... add digraph(s) to the list
In Insert or Command-line mode:
CTRL-K {char1} {char2} enter digraph
{char1} <BS> {char2}
enter digraph if 'digraph' option set
Special inserts
:r [file]
:r! {command}
insert the contents of [file] below the cursor
insert the standard output of {command} below the cursor
Deleting text
N x
N <Del>
N X
N d{motion}
{visual}d
N dd
N D
delete
delete
delete
delete
delete
delete
delete
N characters under and after the cursor
N characters under and after the cursor
N characters before the cursor
the text that is moved over with {motion}
the highlighted text
N lines
to the end of the line (and N-1 more lines)
5
Copying and moving text
N J
{visual}J
N gJ
{visual}gJ
:[range]d [x]
join N-1 lines (delete <EOL>s)
join the highlighted lines
like "J", but without inserting spaces
like "{visual}J", but without inserting spaces
delete [range] lines [into register x]
Copying and moving text
"{char}
:reg
:reg {arg}
N y{motion}
{visual}y
N yy
N Y
N p
N P
N ]p
N [p
N gp
N gP
use register {char} for the next delete, yank, or put
show the contents of all registers
show the contents of registers mentioned in {arg}
yank the text moved over with {motion} into a register
yank the highlighted text into a register
yank N lines into a register
yank N lines into a register
put a register after the cursor position (N times)
put a register before the cursor position (N times)
like p, but adjust indent to current line
like P, but adjust indent to current line
like p, but leave cursor after the new text
like P, but leave cursor after the new text
Changing text
N r{char}
replace N characters with {char}
N gr{char}
replace N characters without affecting layout
N R
enter Replace mode (repeat the entered text N times)
N gR
enter virtual Replace mode: Like Replace mode but without affecting layout
{visual}r{char} in Visual block mode: Replace each char of the selected text with {char}
Note: “change” means to delete text and enter Insert mode
N c{motion} change the text that is moved over with {motion}
{visual}c
change the highlighted text
N cc
change N lines
N S
change N lines
N C
change to the end of the line (and N-1 more lines)
N s
change N characters
{visual}c
in Visual block mode: Change each line with entered text
{visual}C
in Visual block mode: Change each line until end-of-line with entered text
N ~
{visual}~
{visual}u
{visual}U
g~{motion}
gu{motion}
gU{motion}
{visual}g?
g?{motion}
switch case for N characters and advance cursor
switch case for highlighted text
make highlighted text lowercase
make highlighted text uppercase
switch case for the text that is moved over with {motion}
make the text that is moved over with {motion} lowercase
make the text that is moved over with {motion} uppercase
perform rot13 encoding on highlighted text
perform rot13 encoding on the text that is moved over with {motion}
N
N
add N to the number at or after the cursor
subtract N from the number at or after the cursor
CTRL-A
CTRL-X
N <{motion} move the lines that are moved over with {motion} one shiftwidth left
N <<
move N lines one shiftwidth left
N >{motion} move the lines that are moved over with {motion} one shiftwidth right
N >>
move N lines one shiftwidth right
N gq{motion} format the lines that are moved over with {motion} to 'textwidth' length
:[range]ce[nter] [width]
center the lines in [range]
:[range]le[ft] [indent]
left-align the lines in [range] (with [indent])
:[range]ri[ght] [width]
right-align the lines in [range]
6
Complex changes
Complex changes
N !{motion}{command}<CR>
filter the lines that are moved over through {command}
N !!{command}<CR>
filter N lines through {command}
{visual}!{command}<CR> filter the highlighted lines through {command}
:[range]! {command}<CR> filter [range] lines through {command}
N ={motion}
filter the lines that are moved over through 'equalprg'
N ==
filter N lines through 'equalprg'
{visual}=
filter the highlighted lines through 'equalprg'
:[range]s[ubstitute]/{pattern}/{string}/[g][c]
substitute {pattern} by {string} in
[range] lines;
with [g], replace all occurrences of {pattern};
with [c], confirm each replacement
:[range]s[ubstitute] [g][c]
repeat previous ":s" with new range and options
&
Repeat previous ":s" on current line without options
:[range]ret[ab][!] [tabstop]
set 'tabstop' to new value and adjust white space
accordingly
Visual mode
v
V
CTRL-V
o
gv
v
V
CTRL-V
start highlighting characters } move cursor and use
start highlighting linewise
} operator to affect
start highlighting blockwise
} highlighted text
exchange cursor position with start of highlighting
start highlighting on previous visual area
highlight characters or stop highlighting
highlight linewise or stop highlighting
highlight blockwise or stop highlighting
Text objects (only in Visual mode or after an operator)
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
aw
iw
aW
iW
as
is
ap
ip
ab
ib
aB
iB
a>
i>
at
it
a'
i'
a"
i"
a`
i`
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
Select
"a word"
"inner word"
"a |WORD|"
"inner |WORD|"
"a sentence"
"inner sentence"
"a paragraph"
"inner paragraph"
"a block" (from "[(" to "])")
"inner block" (from "[(" to "])")
"a Block" (from "[{" to "]}")
"inner Block" (from "[{" to "]}")
"a <> block"
"inner <> block"
"a tag block" (from <aaa> to </aaa>)
"inner tag block" (from <aaa> to </aaa>)
"a single quoted string"
"inner single quoted string"
"a double quoted string"
"inner double quoted string"
"a backward quoted string"
"inner backward quoted string"
Repeating commands
N .
q{a-z}
q{A-Z}
q
N @{a-z}
repeat last change (with count replaced with N)
record typed characters into register {a-z}
record typed characters, appended to register {a-z}
stop recording
execute the contents of register {a-z} (N times)
7
Key mapping
N @@
repeat previous @{a-z} (N times)
:@{a-z}
execute the contents of register {a-z} as an Ex command
:@@
repeat previous :@{a-z}
:[range]g[lobal]/{pattern}/[cmd]
Execute Ex command [cmd] (default: ":p") on the lines
within [range] where {pattern} matches.
:[range]g[lobal]!/{pattern}/[cmd] Execute Ex command [cmd] (default: ":p") on the lines
within [range] where {pattern} does NOT match.
:so[urce] {file}
Read Ex commands from {file}.
:so[urce]! {file}
Read Vim commands from {file}.
:sl[eep] [sec]
Don't do anything for [sec] seconds
N gs
Goto Sleep for N seconds
Key mapping
:ma[p] {lhs} {rhs}
:ma[p]! {lhs} {rhs}
:no[remap][!] {lhs}
:unm[ap] {lhs}
:unm[ap]! {lhs}
:ma[p] [lhs]
:ma[p]! [lhs]
:c[un|nore]map
:i[un|nore]map
:n[un|nore]map
:v[un|nore]map
:o[un|nore]map
:mapc[lear]
:mapc[lear]!
:imapc[lear]
:vmapc[lear]
:omapc[lear]
:nmapc[lear]
:cmapc[lear]
:mk[exrc][!] [file]
Map {lhs} to {rhs} in Normal and Visual mode.
Map {lhs} to {rhs} in Insert and Command-line mode.
{rhs}
Same as ":map", no remapping for this {rhs}
Remove the mapping of {lhs} for Normal and Visual mode.
Remove the mapping of {lhs} for Insert and Command-line mode.
List mappings (starting with [lhs]) for Normal and Visual mode.
List mappings (starting with [lhs]) for Insert and Command-line mode.
like ":[un|nore]map!" but for Command-line mode only
like ":[un|nore]map!" but for Insert mode only
like ":[un|nore]map" but for Normal mode only
like ":[un|nore]map" but for Visual mode only
like ":[un|nore]map" but only when operator is pending
remove mappings for Normal and Visual mode
remove mappings for Insert and Cmdline mode
remove mappings for Insert mode
remove mappings for Visual mode
remove mappings for Operator-pending mode
remove mappings for Normal mode
remove mappings for Cmdline mode
write current mappings, abbreviations, and settings to [file]
(default: ".exrc"; use ! to overwrite)
:mkv[imrc][!] [file]
same as ":mkexrc", but with default ".vimrc"
:mks[ession][!] [file] like ":mkvimrc", but store current files, windows, etc. too, to
be able to continue this session later.
Abbreviations
:ab[breviate] {lhs} {rhs}
:ab[breviate] {lhs}
:ab[breviate]
:una[bbreviate] {lhs}
:norea[bbrev] [lhs] [rhs]
:iab/:iunab/:inoreab
:cab/:cunab/:cnoreab
:abc[lear]
:cabc[lear]
:iabc[lear]
add abbreviation for {lhs} to {rhs}
show abbr's that start with {lhs}
show all abbreviations
remove abbreviation for {lhs}
like ":ab", but don't remap [rhs]
like ":ab", but only for Insert mode
like ":ab", but only for Command-line mode
remove all abbreviations
remove all abbr's for Cmdline mode
remove all abbr's for Insert mode
Options
:se[t]
:se[t]
:se[t]
:se[t]
:se[t]
:se[t]
:se[t]
:se[t]
all
termcap
{option}
no{option}
inv{option}
{option}={value}
{option}+={value}
Show all modified options.
Show all non-termcap options.
Show all termcap options.
Set boolean option (switch on), show string or number option.
Reset boolean option (switch it off).
invert boolean option.
Set string/number option to {value}.
append {value} to string option, add {value} to number option
8
Options
:se[t] {option}-={value}
:se[t] {option}?
:se[t] {option}&
remove {value} from string option, subtract {value} from number
option
Show value of {option}.
Reset {option} to its default value.
:setl[ocal]
:setg[lobal]
like ":set" but set the local value for options that have one
like ":set" but set the global value of a local option
:fix[del]
:opt[ions]
Set value of 't_kD' according to value of 't_kb'.
Open a new window to view and set options, grouped by
functionality, a one line explanation and links to the help.
Short explanation of each option:
'aleph'
'al'
'allowrevins'
'ari'
'altkeymap'
'akm'
'ambiwidth'
'ambw'
'antialias'
'anti'
'autochdir'
'acd'
'arabic'
'arab'
'arabicshape'
'arshape'
'autoindent'
'ai'
'autoread'
'ar'
'autowrite'
'aw'
'autowriteall'
'awa'
'background'
'bg'
'backspace'
'bs'
'backup'
'bk'
'backupcopy'
'bkc'
'backupdir'
'bdir'
'backupext'
'bex'
'backupskip'
'bsk'
'balloondelay'
'bdlay'
'ballooneval'
'beval'
'balloonexpr'
'bexpr'
'binary'
'bin'
'bioskey'
'biosk'
'bomb'
'breakat'
'brk'
'browsedir'
'bsdir'
'bufhidden'
'bh'
'buflisted'
'bl'
'buftype'
'bt'
'casemap'
'cmp'
'cdpath'
'cd'
'cedit'
'charconvert'
'ccv'
'cindent'
'cin'
'cinkeys'
'cink'
'cinoptions'
'cino'
'cinwords'
'cinw'
'clipboard'
'cb'
'cmdheight'
'ch'
'cmdwinheight'
'cwh'
'columns'
'co'
'comments'
'com'
'commentstring'
'cms'
'compatible'
'cp'
'complete'
'cpt'
'completefunc'
'cfu'
'completeopt'
'cot'
'confirm'
'cf'
'conskey'
'consk'
ASCII code of the letter Aleph (Hebrew)
allow CTRL-_ in Insert and Command-line mode
for default second language (Farsi/Hebrew)
what to do with Unicode chars of ambiguous width
Mac OS X: use smooth, antialiased fonts
change directory to the file in the current window
for Arabic as a default second language
do shaping for Arabic characters
take indent for new line from previous line
autom. read file when changed outside of Vim
automatically write file if changed
as 'autowrite', but works with more commands
"dark" or "light", used for highlight colors
how backspace works at start of line
keep backup file after overwriting a file
make backup as a copy, don't rename the file
list of directories for the backup file
extension used for the backup file
no backup for files that match these patterns
delay in mS before a balloon may pop up
switch on balloon evaluation
expression to show in balloon
read/write/edit file in binary mode
MS-DOS: use bios calls for input characters
prepend a Byte Order Mark to the file
characters that may cause a line break
which directory to start browsing in
what to do when buffer is no longer in window
whether the buffer shows up in the buffer list
special type of buffer
specifies how case of letters is changed
list of directories searched with ":cd"
key used to open the command-line window
expression for character encoding conversion
do C program indenting
keys that trigger indent when 'cindent' is set
how to do indenting when 'cindent' is set
words where 'si' and 'cin' add an indent
use the clipboard as the unnamed register
number of lines to use for the command-line
height of the command-line window
number of columns in the display
patterns that can start a comment line
template for comments; used for fold marker
behave Vi-compatible as much as possible
specify how Insert mode completion works
function to be used for Insert mode completion
options for Insert mode completion
ask what to do about unsaved/read-only files
get keys directly from console (MS-DOS only)
9
Options
'copyindent'
'cpoptions'
'cscopepathcomp'
'cscopeprg'
'cscopequickfix'
'cscopetag'
'cscopetagorder'
'cscopeverbose'
'cursorcolumn'
'cursorline'
'debug'
'define'
'delcombine'
'dictionary'
'diff'
'diffexpr'
'diffopt'
'digraph'
'directory'
'display'
'eadirection'
'edcompatible'
'encoding'
'endofline'
'equalalways'
'equalprg'
'errorbells'
'errorfile'
'errorformat'
'esckeys'
'eventignore'
'expandtab'
'exrc'
'fileencoding'
'fileencodings'
'fileformat'
'fileformats'
'filetype'
'fillchars'
'fkmap'
'foldclose'
'foldcolumn'
'foldenable'
'foldexpr'
'foldignore'
'foldlevel'
'foldlevelstart'
'foldmarker'
'foldmethod'
'foldminlines'
'foldnestmax'
'foldopen'
'foldtext'
'formatlistpat'
'formatoptions'
'formatprg'
'formatexpr'
'fsync'
'gdefault'
'grepformat'
'grepprg'
'guicursor'
'guifont'
'ci'
'cpo'
'cspc'
'csprg'
'csqf'
'cst'
'csto'
'csverb'
'cuc'
'cul'
'def'
'deco'
'dict'
'dex'
'dip'
'dg'
'dir'
'dy'
'ead'
'ed'
'enc'
'eol'
'ea'
'ep'
'eb'
'ef'
'efm'
'ek'
'ei'
'et'
'ex'
'fenc'
'fencs'
'ff'
'ffs'
'ft'
'fcs'
'fk'
'fcl'
'fdc'
'fen'
'fde'
'fdi'
'fdl'
'fdls'
'fmr'
'fdm'
'fml'
'fdn'
'fdo'
'fdt'
'flp'
'fo'
'fp'
'fex'
'fs'
'gd'
'gfm'
'gp'
'gcr'
'gfn'
make 'autoindent' use existing indent structure
flags for Vi-compatible behavior
how many components of the path to show
command to execute cscope
use quickfix window for cscope results
use cscope for tag commands
determines ":cstag" search order
give messages when adding a cscope database
highlight the screen column of the cursor
highlight the screen line of the cursor
set to "msg" to see all error messages
pattern to be used to find a macro definition
delete combining characters on their own
list of file names used for keyword completion
use diff mode for the current window
expression used to obtain a diff file
options for using diff mode
enable the entering of digraphs in Insert mode
list of directory names for the swap file
list of flags for how to display text
in which direction 'equalalways' works
toggle flags of ":substitute" command
encoding used internally
write <EOL> for last line in file
windows are automatically made the same size
external program to use for "=" command
ring the bell for error messages
name of the errorfile for the QuickFix mode
description of the lines in the error file
recognize function keys in Insert mode
autocommand events that are ignored
use spaces when <Tab> is inserted
read .vimrc and .exrc in the current directory
file encoding for multi-byte text
automatically detected character encodings
file format used for file I/O
automatically detected values for 'fileformat'
type of file, used for autocommands
characters to use for displaying special items
Farsi keyboard mapping
close a fold when the cursor leaves it
width of the column used to indicate folds
set to display all folds open
expression used when 'foldmethod' is "expr"
ignore lines when 'foldmethod' is "indent"
close folds with a level higher than this
'foldlevel' when starting to edit a file
markers used when 'foldmethod' is "marker"
folding type
minimum number of lines for a fold to be closed
maximum fold depth
for which commands a fold will be opened
expression used to display for a closed fold
pattern used to recognize a list header
how automatic formatting is to be done
name of external program used with "gq" command
expression used with "gq" command
whether to invoke fsync() after file write
the ":substitute" flag 'g' is default on
format of 'grepprg' output
program to use for ":grep"
GUI: settings for cursor shape and blinking
GUI: Name(s) of font(s) to be used
10
Options
'guifontset'
'guifontwide'
'guiheadroom'
'guioptions'
'guipty'
'guitablabel'
'guitabtooltip'
'helpfile'
'helpheight'
'helplang'
'hidden'
'highlight'
'hlsearch'
'history'
'hkmap'
'hkmapp'
'icon'
'iconstring'
'ignorecase'
'imactivatekey'
'imcmdline'
'imdisable'
'iminsert'
'imsearch'
'include'
'includeexpr'
'incsearch'
'indentexpr'
'indentkeys'
'infercase'
'insertmode'
'isfname'
'isident'
'iskeyword'
'isprint'
'joinspaces'
'key'
'keymap'
'keymodel'
'keywordprg'
'langmap'
'langmenu'
'laststatus'
'lazyredraw'
'linebreak'
'lines'
'linespace'
'lisp'
'lispwords'
'list'
'listchars'
'loadplugins'
'macatsui'
'magic'
'makeef'
'makeprg'
'matchpairs'
'matchtime'
'maxcombine'
'maxfuncdepth'
'maxmapdepth'
'maxmem'
'maxmempattern'
'gfs'
'gfw'
'ghr'
'go'
'gtl'
'gtt'
'hf'
'hh'
'hlg'
'hid'
'hl'
'hls'
'hi'
'hk'
'hkp'
'ic'
'imak'
'imc'
'imd'
'imi'
'ims'
'inc'
'inex'
'is'
'inde'
'indk'
'inf'
'im'
'isf'
'isi'
'isk'
'isp'
'js'
'kmp'
'km'
'kp'
'lmap'
'lm'
'ls'
'lz'
'lbr'
'lsp'
'lw'
'lcs'
'lpl'
'mef'
'mp'
'mps'
'mat'
'mco'
'mfd'
'mmd'
'mm'
'mmp'
GUI: Names of multi-byte fonts to be used
list of font names for double-wide characters
GUI: pixels room for window decorations
GUI: Which components and options are used
GUI: try to use a pseudo-tty for ":!" commands
GUI: custom label for a tab page
GUI: custom tooltip for a tab page
full path name of the main help file
minimum height of a new help window
preferred help languages
don't unload buffer when it is YXXYabandon|ed
sets highlighting mode for various occasions
highlight matches with last search pattern
number of command-lines that are remembered
Hebrew keyboard mapping
phonetic Hebrew keyboard mapping
let Vim set the text of the window icon
string to use for the Vim icon text
ignore case in search patterns
key that activates the X input method
use IM when starting to edit a command line
do not use the IM in any mode
use :lmap or IM in Insert mode
use :lmap or IM when typing a search pattern
pattern to be used to find an include file
expression used to process an include line
highlight match while typing search pattern
expression used to obtain the indent of a line
keys that trigger indenting with 'indentexpr'
adjust case of match for keyword completion
start the edit of a file in Insert mode
characters included in file names and pathnames
characters included in identifiers
characters included in keywords
printable characters
two spaces after a period with a join command
encryption key
name of a keyboard mapping
enable starting/stopping selection with keys
program to use for the "K" command
alphabetic characters for other language mode
language to be used for the menus
tells when last window has status lines
don't redraw while executing macros
wrap long lines at a blank
number of lines in the display
number of pixel lines to use between characters
automatic indenting for Lisp
words that change how lisp indenting works
show <Tab> and <EOL>
characters for displaying in list mode
load plugin scripts when starting up
Mac GUI: use ATSUI text drawing
changes special characters in search patterns
name of the errorfile for ":make"
program to use for the ":make" command
pairs of characters that "%" can match
tenths of a second to show matching paren
maximum nr of combining characters displayed
maximum recursive depth for user functions
maximum recursive depth for mapping
maximum memory (in Kbyte) used for one buffer
maximum memory (in Kbyte) used for pattern search
11
Options
'maxmemtot'
'menuitems'
'mkspellmem'
'modeline'
'modelines'
'modifiable'
'modified'
'more'
'mouse'
'mousefocus'
'mousehide'
'mousemodel'
'mouseshape'
'mousetime'
'mzquantum'
'nrformats'
'number'
'numberwidth'
'omnifunc'
'opendevice'
'operatorfunc'
'osfiletype'
'paragraphs'
'paste'
'pastetoggle'
'patchexpr'
'patchmode'
'path'
'preserveindent'
'previewheight'
'previewwindow'
'printdevice'
'printencoding'
'printexpr'
'printfont'
'printheader'
'printmbcharset'
'printmbfont'
'printoptions'
'pumheight'
'quoteescape'
'readonly'
'redrawtime'
'remap'
'report'
'restorescreen'
'revins'
'rightleft'
'rightleftcmd'
'ruler'
'rulerformat'
'runtimepath'
'scroll'
'scrollbind'
'scrolljump'
'scrolloff'
'scrollopt'
'sections'
'secure'
'selection'
'selectmode'
'sessionoptions'
'shell'
'mmt'
'mis'
'msm'
'ml'
'mls'
'ma'
'mod'
maximum memory (in Kbyte) used for all buffers
maximum number of items in a menu
memory used before |:mkspell| compresses the tree
recognize modelines at start or end of file
number of lines checked for modelines
changes to the text are not possible
buffer has been modified
pause listings when the whole screen is filled
enable the use of mouse clicks
'mousef' keyboard focus follows the mouse
'mh'
hide mouse pointer while typing
'mousem' changes meaning of mouse buttons
'mouses' shape of the mouse pointer in different modes
'mouset' max time between mouse double-click
'mzq'
the interval between polls for MzScheme threads
'nf'
number formats recognized for CTRL-A command
'nu'
print the line number in front of each line
'nuw'
number of columns used for the line number
'ofu'
function for filetype-specific completion
'odev'
allow reading/writing devices on MS-Windows
'opfunc' function to be called for |g@| operator
'oft'
operating system-specific filetype information
'para'
nroff macros that separate paragraphs
allow pasting text
'pt'
key code that causes 'paste' to toggle
'pex'
expression used to patch a file
'pm'
keep the oldest version of a file
'pa'
list of directories searched with "gf" et.al.
'pi'
preserve the indent structure when reindenting
'pvh'
height of the preview window
'pvw'
identifies the preview window
'pdev'
name of the printer to be used for :hardcopy
'penc'
encoding to be used for printing
'pexpr'
expression used to print PostScript for :hardcopy
'pfn'
name of the font to be used for :hardcopy
'pheader' format of the header used for :hardcopy
'pmbcs'
CJK character set to be used for :hardcopy
'pmbfn'
font names to be used for CJK output of :hardcopy
'popt'
controls the format of :hardcopy output
'ph'
maximum height of the popup menu
'qe'
escape characters used in a string
'ro'
disallow writing the buffer
'rdt'
timeout for 'hlsearch' and |:match| highlighting
allow mappings to work recursively
threshold for reporting nr. of lines changed
'rs'
Win32: restore screen when exiting
'ri'
inserting characters will work backwards
'rl'
window is right-to-left oriented
'rlc'
commands for which editing works right-to-left
'ru'
show cursor line and column in the status line
'ruf'
custom format for the ruler
'rtp'
list of directories used for runtime files
'scr'
lines to scroll with CTRL-U and CTRL-D
'scb'
scroll in window as other windows scroll
'sj'
minimum number of lines to scroll
'so'
minimum nr. of lines above and below cursor
'sbo'
how 'scrollbind' should behave
'sect'
nroff macros that separate sections
secure mode for reading .vimrc in current dir
'sel'
what type of selection to use
'slm'
when to use Select mode instead of Visual mode
'ssop'
options for |:mksession|
'sh'
name of shell to use for external commands
12
Options
'shellcmdflag'
'shellpipe'
'shellquote'
'shellredir'
'shellslash'
'shelltemp'
'shelltype'
'shellxquote'
'shiftround'
'shiftwidth'
'shortmess'
'shortname'
'showbreak'
'showcmd'
'showfulltag'
'showmatch'
'showmode'
'showtabline'
'sidescroll'
'sidescrolloff'
'smartcase'
'smartindent'
'smarttab'
'softtabstop'
'spell'
'spellcapcheck'
'spellfile'
'spelllang'
'spellsuggest'
'splitbelow'
'splitright'
'startofline'
'statusline'
'suffixes'
'suffixesadd'
'swapfile'
'swapsync'
'switchbuf'
'synmaxcol'
'syntax'
'tabstop'
'tabline'
'tabpagemax'
'tagbsearch'
'taglength'
'tagrelative'
'tags'
'tagstack'
'term'
'termbidi'
'termencoding'
'terse'
'textauto'
'textmode'
'textwidth'
'thesaurus'
'tildeop'
'timeout'
'timeoutlen'
'title'
'titlelen'
'titleold'
'titlestring'
'shcf'
'sp'
'shq'
'srr'
'ssl'
'stmp'
'st'
'sxq'
'sr'
'sw'
'shm'
'sn'
'sbr'
'sc'
'sft'
'sm'
'smd'
'stal'
'ss'
'siso'
'scs'
'si'
'sta'
'sts'
'spc'
'spf'
'spl'
'sps'
'sb'
'spr'
'sol'
'stl'
'su'
'sua'
'swf'
'sws'
'swb'
'smc'
'syn'
'ts'
'tal'
'tpm'
'tbs'
'tl'
'tr'
'tag'
'tgst'
'tbidi'
'tenc'
'ta'
'tx'
'tw'
'tsr'
'top'
'to'
'tm'
flag to shell to execute one command
string to put output of ":make" in error file
quote character(s) for around shell command
string to put output of filter in a temp file
use forward slash for shell file names
whether to use a temp file for shell commands
Amiga: influences how to use a shell
like 'shellquote', but include redirection
round indent to multiple of shiftwidth
number of spaces to use for (auto)indent step
list of flags, reduce length of messages
non-MS-DOS: Filenames assumed to be 8.3 chars
string to use at the start of wrapped lines
show (partial) command in status line
show full tag pattern when completing tag
briefly jump to matching bracket if insert one
message on status line to show current mode
tells when the tab pages line is displayed
minimum number of columns to scroll horizontal
min. nr. of columns to left and right of cursor
no ignore case when pattern has uppercase
smart autoindenting for C programs
use 'shiftwidth' when inserting <Tab>
number of spaces that <Tab> uses while editing
enable spell checking
pattern to locate end of a sentence
files where |zg| and |zw| store words
language(s) to do spell checking for
method(s) used to suggest spelling corrections
new window from split is below the current one
new window is put right of the current one
commands move cursor to first non-blank in line
custom format for the status line
suffixes that are ignored with multiple match
suffixes added when searching for a file
whether to use a swapfile for a buffer
how to sync the swap file
sets behavior when switching to another buffer
maximum column to find syntax items
syntax to be loaded for current buffer
number of spaces that <Tab> in file uses
custom format for the console tab pages line
maximum number of tab pages for |-p| and "tab all"
use binary searching in tags files
number of significant characters for a tag
file names in tag file are relative
list of file names used by the tag command
push tags onto the tag stack
name of the terminal
terminal takes care of bi-directionality
character encoding used by the terminal
shorten some messages
obsolete, use 'fileformats'
obsolete, use 'fileformat'
maximum width of text that is being inserted
list of thesaurus files for keyword completion
tilde command "~" behaves like an operator
time out on mappings and key codes
time out time in milliseconds
let Vim set the title of the window
percentage of 'columns' used for window title
old title, restored when exiting
string to use for the Vim window title
13
Undo/Redo commands
'toolbar'
'toolbariconsize'
'ttimeout'
'ttimeoutlen'
'ttybuiltin'
'ttyfast'
'ttymouse'
'ttyscroll'
'ttytype'
'undolevels'
'updatecount'
'updatetime'
'verbose'
'verbosefile'
'viewdir'
'viewoptions'
'viminfo'
'virtualedit'
'visualbell'
'warn'
'weirdinvert'
'whichwrap'
'wildchar'
'wildcharm'
'wildignore'
'wildmenu'
'wildmode'
'wildoptions'
'winaltkeys'
'winheight'
'winfixheight'
'winfixwidth'
'winminheight'
'winminwidth'
'winwidth'
'wrap'
'wrapmargin'
'wrapscan'
'write'
'writeany'
'writebackup'
'writedelay'
'tb'
'tbis'
'ttm'
'tbi'
'tf'
'ttym'
'tsl'
'tty'
'ul'
'uc'
'ut'
'vbs'
'vfile'
'vdir'
'vop'
'vi'
've'
'vb'
'wi'
'ww'
'wc'
'wcm'
'wig'
'wmnu'
'wim'
'wop'
'wak'
'wh'
'wfh'
'wfw'
'wmh'
'wmw'
'wiw'
'wm'
'ws'
'wa'
'wb'
'wd'
14
GUI: which items to show in the toolbar
size of the toolbar icons (for GTK 2 only)
time out on mappings
time out time for key codes in milliseconds
use built-in termcap before external termcap
indicates a fast terminal connection
type of mouse codes generated
maximum number of lines for a scroll
alias for 'term'
maximum number of changes that can be undone
after this many characters flush swap file
after this many milliseconds flush swap file
give informative messages
file to write messages in
directory where to store files with :mkview
specifies what to save for :mkview
use .viminfo file upon startup and exiting
when to use virtual editing
use visual bell instead of beeping
warn for shell command when buffer was changed
for terminals that have weird inversion method
allow specified keys to cross line boundaries
command-line character for wildcard expansion
like 'wildchar' but also works when mapped
files matching these patterns are not completed
use menu for command line completion
mode for 'wildchar' command-line expansion
specifies how command line completion is done.
when the windows system handles ALT keys
minimum number of lines for the current window
keep window height when opening/closing windows
keep window width when opening/closing windows
minimum number of lines for any window
minimal number of columns for any window
minimal number of columns for current window
long lines wrap and continue on the next line
chars from the right where wrapping starts
searches wrap around the end of the file
writing to a file is allowed
write to file with no need for "!" override
make a backup before overwriting a file
delay this many msec for each char (for debug)
Undo/Redo commands
N
N
U
u
CTRL-R
undo last N changes
redo last N undone changes
restore last changed line
External commands
:sh[ell]
:!{command}
K
start a shell
execute {command} with a shell
lookup keyword under the cursor with 'keywordprg' program (default: "man")
Quickfix commands
:cc [nr]
:cn
:cp
:cl
:cf
display error [nr] (default is the same again)
display the next error
display the previous error
list all errors
read errors from the file 'errorfile'
Various commands
:cgetb
:cg
:cgete
:caddf
:cad
:cb
:cex
:cq
:make [args]
:gr[ep] [args]
15
like :cbuffer but don't jump to the first error
like :cfile but don't jump to the first error
like :cexpr but don't jump to the first error
add errors from the error file to the current quickfix list
add errors from an expression to the current quickfix list
read errors from text in a buffer
read errors from an expression
quit without writing and return error code (to the compiler)
start make, read errors, and jump to first error
execute 'grepprg' to find matches and jump to the first one.
Various commands
CTRL-L
CTRL-G
ga
g8
g CTRL-G
CTRL-C
CTRL-Break
<Del>
:ve[rsion]
:mode N
:norm[al][!]
Q
Clear and redraw the screen.
show current file name (with path) and cursor position
show ascii value of character under cursor in decimal, hex, and octal
for utf-8 encoding: show byte sequence for character under cursor in hex.
show cursor column, line, and character position
during searches: Interrupt the search
MS-DOS: during searches: Interrupt the search
while entering a count: delete last character
show version information
MS-DOS: set screen mode to N (number, C80, C4350, etc.)
{commands} Execute Normal mode commands.
switch to "Ex" mode
:redir >{file}
:silent[!] {command}
:confirm {command}
:browse {command}
redirect messages to {file}
execute {command} silently
quit, write, etc., asking about unsaved changes or read-only files.
open/read/write file, using a file selection dialog
Command-line editing
<Esc>
CTRL-V
CTRL-V
CTRL-K
CTRL-R
abandon command-line (if 'wildchar' is <Esc>, type it twice)
{char}
insert {char} literally
{number}
enter decimal value of character (up to three digits)
{char1} {char2} enter digraph (See |Q_di|)
{0-9a-z"%#:-=} insert the contents of a register
<Left>/<Right>
cursor left/right
<S-Left>/<S-Right> cursor one word left/right
CTRL-B/CTRL-E
cursor to beginning/end of command-line
<BS>
<Del>
CTRL-W
CTRL-U
delete
delete
delete
remove
the
the
the
all
character in front of the cursor
character under the cursor
word in front of the cursor
characters
<Up>/<Down>
<S-Up>/<S-Down>
:his[tory]
recall older/newer command-line that starts with current command
recall older/newer command-line from history
show older command-lines
Context-sensitive completion on the command-line:
'wildchar'
(default: <Tab>) do completion on the pattern in front of the cursor.
there are multiple matches, beep and show the first one; further
'wildchar' will show the next ones.
CTRL-D
list all names that match the pattern in front of the cursor
CTRL-A
insert all names that match pattern in front of cursor
CTRL-L
insert longest common part of names that match pattern
CTRL-N
after 'wildchar' with multiple matches: go to next match
CTRL-P
after 'wildchar' with multiple matches: go to previous match
If
Ex ranges
16
Ex ranges
,
;
separates two line numbers
idem, set cursor to first line number before interpreting second one
{number}
.
$
%
*
't
/{pattern}[/]
?{pattern}[?]
an absolute line number
the current line
the last line in the file
equal to 1,$ (the entire file)
equal to '<,'> (visual area)
position of mark t
the next line where {pattern} matches
the previous line where {pattern} matches
+[num]
-[num]
add [num] to the preceding line number (default: 1)
subtract [num] from the preceding line number (default: 1)
Special Ex characters
|
"
%
#[num]
separates two commands (not for ":global" and ":!")
begins comment
current file name (only where a file name is expected)
alternate file name [num] (only where a file name is expected)
Note: The next five are typed literally; these are not special keys!
<cword> word under the cursor (only where a file name is expected)
<cWORD> WORD under the cursor (only where a file name is expected) (see |WORD|)
<cfile> file name under the cursor (only where a file name is expected)
<afile> file name for autocommand (only where a file name is expected)
<sfile> file name of a ":source"d file, within that file (where a file name is expected)
After "%", "#", "<cfile>", "<sfile>" or "<afile>"
:p
full path
:h
head (file name removed)
:t
tail (file name only)
:r
root (extension removed)
:e
extension
:s/{pat}/{repl}/
substitute {pat} with {repl}
Starting VIM
vim
vim
vim
vim
vim
[options]
[options]
[options]
[options]
[options]
{file} ..
-t {tag}
-q [fname]
start editing with an empty buffer
start editing one or more files
read file from stdin
edit the file associated with {tag}
start editing in QuickFix mode, display the first error
Most useful Vim arguments (for full list see |startup-options|)
-g
start GUI (also allows other options)
+[num]
put the cursor at line [num] (default: last line)
+{command}
execute {command} after loading the file
+/{pat} {file} ..
put the cursor at the first occurrence of {pat}
-v
Vi mode, start ex in Normal mode
-e
Ex mode, start vim in Ex mode
-R
Read-only mode, implies -n
-m
modifications not allowed (resets 'write' option)
-d
diff mode |diff|
-b
binary mode
-l
lisp mode
-A
Arabic mode ('arabic' is set)
-F
Farsi mode ('fkmap' and 'rightleft' are set)
-H
Hebrew mode ('hkmap' and 'rightleft' are set)
Editing a file
-V
-C
-N
-r
-r {file} ..
-n
-o [num]
-f
-s {scriptin}
-w {scriptout}
-W {scriptout}
-T {terminal}
-d {device}
-u {vimrc}
-U {gvimrc}
-i {viminfo}
---help
--version
-
17
Verbose, give informative messages
Compatible, set the 'compatible' option
Nocompatible, reset the 'compatible' option
give list of swap files
recover aborted edit session
do not create a swap file
open [num] windows (default: one for each file)
GUI: foreground process, don't fork
first read commands from the file {scriptin}
write typed chars to file {scriptout} (append)
write typed chars to file {scriptout} (overwrite)
set terminal name
Amiga: open {device} to be used as a console
read inits from {vimrc} instead of other inits
idem, for when starting the GUI
read info from {viminfo} instead of other files
end of options, other arguments are file names
show list of arguments and exit
show version info and exit
Read file from stdin.
Editing a file
Without !: Fail if changes has been made to the current buffer.
With !: Discard any changes to the current buffer.
:e[dit][!] {file}
Edit {file}.
:e[dit][!]
Reload the current file.
:ene[w][!]
Edit a new, unnamed buffer.
:fin[d][!] {file}
Find {file} in 'path' and edit it.
N
CTRL-^
gf or ]f
:pwd
:cd [path]
:cd :f[ile]
:f[ile] {name}
:files
Edit alternate file N (equivalent to ":e #N").
Edit the file whose name is under the cursor
Print the current directory name.
Change the current directory to [path].
Back to previous current directory.
Print the current file name and the cursor position.
Set the current file name to {name}.
Show alternate file names.
Using the argument list
:ar[gs]
:all or :sall
:wn[ext][!]
:wn[ext][!] {file}
:wN[ext][!] [file]
Print the argument list, with the current file in "[]".
Open a window for every file in the arg list.
Write file and edit next file.
Write to {file} and edit next file, unless {file} exists.
overwrite existing file.
Write file and edit previous file.
:argu[ment] N
:n[ext]
:n[ext] {arglist}
:N[ext]
:fir[st]
:la[st]
in current window
:sar[gument] N
:sn[ext]
:sn[ext] {arglist}
:sN[ext]
:sfir[st]
:sla[st]
With !,
in new window
Edit file N
Edit next file
define new arg list and edit first file
Edit previous file
Edit first file
Edit last file
Writing and quitting
18
Writing and quitting
:[range]w[rite][!]
:[range]w[rite] {file}
:[range]w[rite]! {file}
:[range]w[rite][!] >>
:[range]w[rite][!] >> {file}
:[range]w[rite] !{cmd}
:[range]up[date][!]
:wa[ll][!]
:q[uit]
:q[uit]!
:qa[ll]
:qa[ll]!
:cq
Write to the current file.
Write to {file}, unless it already exists.
Write to {file}. Overwrite an existing file.
Append to the current file.
Append to {file}.
Execute {cmd} with [range] lines as standard input.
write to current file if modified
write all changed buffers
Quit current buffer, unless changes have been made. Exit Vim when
there are no other non-help buffers
Quit current buffer always, discard any changes. Exit Vim when
there are no other non-help buffers
Exit Vim, unless changes have been made.
Exit Vim always, discard any changes.
Quit without writing and return error code.
:wq[!]
Write the current file and exit.
:wq[!] {file}
Write to {file} and exit.
:x[it][!] [file]
Like ":wq" but write only when changes have been made
ZZ
Same as ":x".
ZQ
Same as ":q!".
:xa[ll][!] or :wqall[!]
Write all changed buffers and exit
:st[op][!]
CTRL-Z
Suspend VIM or start new shell.
given write the buffer.
Same as ":stop"
If 'aw' option is set and [!] not
Automatic Commands
Read registers, marks, history at startup, save when exiting.
:rv[iminfo] [file]
Read info from viminfo file [file]
:rv[iminfo]! [file]
idem, overwrite existing info
:wv[iminfo] [file]
Add info to viminfo file [file]
:wv[iminfo]! [file]
Write info to viminfo file [file]
Automatic option setting when editing a file
vim:{set-arg}: ..
In the first and last lines of the file (see 'ml' option), {setarg} is given as an argument to ":set"
Automatic execution of commands on certain events.
:au
List all autocommands
:au {event}
List all autocommands for {event}
:au {event} {pat}
List all autocommands for {event} with {pat}
:au {event} {pat} {cmd} Enter new autocommands for {event} with {pat}
:au!
Remove all autocommands
:au! {event}
Remove all autocommands for {event}
:au! * {pat}
Remove all autocommands for {pat}
:au! {event} {pat}
Remove all autocommands for {event} with {pat}
:au! {event} {pat} {cmd} Remove all autocommands for {event} with {pat} and enter new one
Multi-window commands
CTRL-W s or :split
:split {file}
:vsplit {file}
:vertical {cmd}
Split window into two parts
Split window and edit {file} in one of them
Same, but split vertically
Make {cmd} split vertically
Buffer list commands
:sf[ind] {file}
CTRL-W ]
CTRL-W f
CTRL-W ^
CTRL-W n or :new
CTRL-W q or :q[uit]
CTRL-W c or :cl[ose]
CTRL-W o or :on[ly]
Split window, find {file} in 'path' and edit it.
Split window and jump to tag under cursor
Split window and edit file name under the cursor
Split window and edit alternate file
Create new empty window
Quit editing and close window
Make buffer hidden and close window
Make current window only one on the screen
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
Move
Move
Move
Move
Move
Move
Move
j
k
CTRL-W
W
t
b
p
cursor
cursor
cursor
cursor
cursor
cursor
cursor
to
to
to
to
to
to
to
window below
window above
window below (wrap)
window above (wrap)
top window
bottom window
previous active window
CTRL-W r
CTRL-W R
CTRL-W x
Rotate windows downwards
Rotate windows upwards
Exchange current window with next one
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
CTRL-W
Make all windows equal height
Decrease current window height
Increase current window height
Set current window height (default: very high)
=
+
_
19
Buffer list commands
:buffers
or
:files
list all known buffer and file names
:ball
:unhide
or
or
:sball
:sunhide
edit all args/buffers
edit all loaded buffers
:badd {fname}
:bunload[!] [N]
:bdelete[!] [N]
add file name {fname} to the list
unload buffer [N] from memory
unload buffer [N] and delete it from the buffer list in current
window
:[N]buffer [N]
:[N]bnext [N]
:[N]bNext [N]
:[N]bprevious [N]
:bfirst
:blast
in new window
:[N]sbuffer [N]
:[N]sbnext [N]
:[N]sbNext [N]
:[N]sbprevious [N]
:sbfirst
:sblast
to
to
to
to
to
to
:[N]bmod [N]
:[N]sbmod [N]
to Nth modified buf
arg/buf N
Nth next arg/buf
Nth previous arg/buf
Nth previous arg/buf
first arg/buf
last arg/buf
Syntax Highlighting
:syntax on
:syntax off
:syntax
:syntax
:syntax
:syntax
:syntax
:syntax
start using syntax highlighting
stop using syntax highlighting
keyword {group-name} {keyword} ..
match {group-name} {pattern} ...
region {group-name} {pattern} ...
sync [ccomment | lines {N} | ...]
[list]
list current syntax items
clear
clear all syntax info
add a syntax keyword item
add syntax match item
add syntax region item
tell syntax how to sync
:highlight clear
clear all highlight info
:highlight {group-name} {key}={arg} .. set highlighting for {group-name}
:filetype on
switch on file type detection, without syntax highlighting
:filetype plugin indent on turn on file type detection, with auto indenting and settings
GUI commands
GUI commands
:gui
:gui {fname} ..
UNIX: start the GUI
idem, and edit {fname} ..
:menu
list all menus
:menu {mpath}
list menus starting with {mpath}
:menu {mpath} {rhs}
add menu {mpath}, giving {lhs}
:menu {pri} {mpath} {rhs} idem, with priorities {pri}
:menu ToolBar.{name} {rhs} add toolbar item, giving {lhs}
:tmenu {mpath} {text}
add tooltip to menu {mpath}
:unmenu {mpath}
remove menu {mpath}
Folding
set
set
set
set
set
foldmethod=manual
foldmethod=indent
foldmethod=expr
foldmethod=syntax
foldmethod=marker
manual folding
folding by indent
folding by 'foldexpr'
folding by syntax regions
folding by 'foldmarkers'
zf{motion}
:{range}fold
zd
zD
operator: Define a fold manually
define a fold for {range} lines
delete one fold under the cursor
delete all folds under the cursor
zo
zO
zc
zC
open one fold under the cursor
open all folds under the cursor
close one fold under the cursor
close all folds under the cursor
zm
zM
zr
zR
fold more: decrease 'foldlevel'
close all folds: make 'foldlevel' zero
reduce folding: increase 'foldlevel'
open all folds: make 'foldlevel' max.
zn
zN
zi
fold none: reset 'foldenable'
fold normal set 'foldenable'
invert 'foldenable'
20