CHANGE
*change.txt* For IdeaVIM version 0.12.0. Last change: 2006 Dec 01
IdeaVIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Rick Maddy
This file describes commands that delete or change text. In this context,
changing text means deleting the text and replacing it with other text using
one command. You can undo all of these commands. You can repeat the non-Ex
commands with the "." command.
1. Deleting text |deleting|
2. Delete and insert |delete-insert|
3. Simple changes |simple-change| *changing*
4. Complex changes |complex-change|
5. Copying and moving text |copy-move|
6. Formatting text |formatting|
For inserting text see |insert.txt|.
1. Deleting text *deleting* *E470*
["x]<Del> or *<Del>* *x* *dl*
["x]x Delete [count] characters under and after the cursor
[into register x] (not linewise). Does the same as
"dl".
The <Del> key does not take a [count]. Instead, it
deletes the last character of the count.
*X* *dh*
["x]X Delete [count] characters before the cursor [into
register x] (not linewise). Does the same as "dh".
*d*
["x]d{motion} Delete text that {motion} moves over [into register
x]. See below for exceptions.
*dd*
["x]dd Delete [count] lines [into register x] (linewise).
*D*
["x]D Delete the characters under the cursor until the end
of the line and [count]-1 more lines [into register
x]; synonym for "d$".
(not linewise)
{Visual}["x]x or *v_x* *v_d* *v_<Del>*
{Visual}["x]d or
{Visual}["x]<Del> Delete the highlighted text [into register x] (for
{Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
{Visual}["x]X or *v_X* *v_D* *v_b_D*
{Visual}["x]D Delete the highlighted lines [into register x] (for
{Visual} see |Visual-mode|). In Visual block mode,
"D" deletes the highlighted text plus all text until
the end of the line.
*:d* *:de* *:del* *:delete*
:[range]d[elete] [x] Delete [range] lines (default: current line) [into
register x].
:[range]d[elete] [x] {count}
Delete {count} lines, starting with [range]
(default: current line) [into register x].
These commands delete text. You can repeat them with the "." command
(except ":d") and undo them. Use Visual mode to delete blocks of text. See
|registers| for an explanation of registers.
An exception for the d{motion} command: If the motion is not linewise, the
start and end of the motion are not in the same line, and there are only
blanks before the start and after the end of the motion, the delete becomes
linewise. This means that the delete also removes the line of blanks that you
might expect to remain.
*J*
J Join [count] lines, with a minimum of two lines.
Remove the indent and insert up to two spaces (see
below).
*v_J*
{Visual}J Join the highlighted lines, with a minimum of two
lines. Remove the indent and insert up to two spaces
(see below).
*gJ*
gJ Join [count] lines, with a minimum of two lines.
Don't insert or remove any spaces.
*v_gJ*
{Visual}gJ Join the highlighted lines, with a minimum of two
lines. Don't insert or remove any spaces.
*:j* *:join*
:[range]j[oin][!] Join [range] lines. Same as "J", except with [!]
the join does not insert or delete any spaces.
If a [range] has equal start and end values, this
command does nothing. The default behavior is to
join the current line with the line below it.
:[range]j[oin][!] {count}
Join {count} lines, starting with [range] (default:
current line). Same as "J", except
with [!] the join does not insert or delete any
spaces.
These commands delete the <EOL> between lines. This has the effect of joining
multiple lines into one line. You can repeat these commands (except ":j") and
undo them.
These commands, except "gJ", insert one space in place of the <EOL> unless
there is trailing white space or the next line starts with a ')'. These
commands, except "gJ", delete any leading white space on the next line. If
the 'joinspaces' option is on, these commands insert two spaces after a '.',
'!' or '?' (but if 'cpoptions' includes the 'j' flag, they insert two spaces
only after a '.').
2. Delete and insert *delete-insert* *replacing*
*R*
R Enter Replace mode: Each character you type replaces
an existing character, starting with the character
under the cursor. Repeat the entered text [count]-1
times. See |Replace-mode| for more details.
*c*
["x]c{motion} Delete {motion} text [into register x] and start
insert. When 'cpoptions' includes the 'E' flag and
there is no text to delete (e.g., with "cTx" when the
cursor is just after an 'x'), an error occurs and
insert mode does not start (this is Vi compatible).
*cc*
["x]cc Delete [count] lines [into register x] and start
insert (linewise). If 'autoindent' is on, preserve
the indent of the first line.
*C*
["x]C Delete from the cursor position to the end of the
line and [count]-1 more lines [into register x], and
start insert. Synonym for c$ (not linewise).
*s*
["x]s Delete [count] characters [into register x] and start
insert (s stands for Substitute). Synonym for "cl"
(not linewise).
*S*
["x]S Delete [count] lines [into register x] and start
insert. Synonym for "cc" (linewise).
{Visual}["x]c or *v_c* *v_s*
{Visual}["x]s Delete the highlighted text [into register x] and
start insert (for {Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
*v_r*
{Visual}["x]r{char} Replace all selected characters by {char}.
*v_C*
{Visual}["x]C Delete the highlighted lines [into register x] and
start insert. In Visual block mode it works
differently |v_b_C|.
*v_S*
{Visual}["x]S Delete the highlighted lines [into register x] and
start insert (for {Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
*v_R*
{Visual}["x]R Currently just like {Visual}["x]S. In a next version
it might work differently.
Notes:
- You can end Insert and Replace mode with <Esc>.
- See the section "Insert and Replace mode" |mode-ins-repl| for the other
special characters in these modes.
- The effect of [count] takes place after Vim exits Insert or Replace mode.
See |registers| for an explanation of registers.
Replace mode is just like Insert mode, except that every character you enter
deletes one character. If you reach the end of a line, Vim appends any
further characters (just like Insert mode). In Replace mode, the backspace
key restores the original text (if there was any). (See section "Insert and
Replace mode" |mode-ins-repl|).
*cw* *cW*
Special case: "cw" and "cW" work the same as "ce" and "cE" if the cursor is
on a non-blank. This is because Vim interprets "cw" as change-word, and a
word does not include the following white space.
*:c* *:ch* *:change*
:{range}c[hange] Replace lines of text with some different text.
Type a line containing only "." to stop replacing.
Without {range}, this command changes only the current
line.
3. Simple changes *simple-change*
*r*
r{char} Replace the character under the cursor with {char}.
If {char} is a <CR> or <NL>, a line break replaces the
character. To replace with a real <CR>, use CTRL-V
<CR>. CTRL-V <NL> replaces with a <Nul>.
{Vi: CTRL-V <CR> still replaces with a line break,
cannot replace something with a <CR>}
If you give a [count], Vim replaces [count] characters
with [count] {char}s. When {char} is a <CR> or <NL>,
however, Vim inserts only one <CR>: "5r<CR>" replaces
five characters with a single line break.
When {char} is a <CR> or <NL>, Vim performs
autoindenting. This works just like deleting the
characters that are replaced and then doing
"i<CR><Esc>".
{char} can be entered as a digraph |digraph-arg|.
*digraph-arg*
The argument for Normal mode commands like |r| and |t| is a single character.
When 'cpo' doesn't contain the 'D' flag, this character can also be entered
like |digraphs|. First type CTRL-K and then the two digraph characters.
*case*
The following commands change the case of letters.
*~*
~ Switch case of the character
under the cursor and move the cursor to the right.
If a [count] is given, do that many characters.
*g~*
g~{motion} Switch case of {motion} text.
*v_~*
{Visual}~ Switch case of highlighted text (for {Visual} see
|Visual-mode|).
*v_U*
{Visual}U Make highlighted text uppercase (for {Visual} see
|Visual-mode|).
*gU* *uppercase*
gU{motion} Make {motion} text uppercase.
*v_u*
{Visual}u Make highlighted text lowercase (for {Visual} see
|Visual-mode|).
*gu* *lowercase*
gu{motion} Make {motion} text lowercase.
Adding and subtracting
*CTRL-A*
CTRL-A Add [count] to the number or alphabetic character at
or after the cursor.
*CTRL-X*
CTRL-X Subtract [count] from the number or alphabetic
character at or after the cursor.
The CTRL-A and CTRL-X commands work for (signed) decimal numbers, unsigned
octal and hexadecimal numbers and alphabetic characters. This depends on the
'nrformats' option.
- When 'nrformats' includes "alpha", Vim will change the alphabetic character
under or after the cursor. This is useful to make lists with an alphabetic
index.
- When 'nrformats' includes "hex", Vim assumes numbers starting with '0x' or
'0X' are hexadecimal. The case of the rightmost letter in the number
determines the case of the resulting hexadecimal number. If there is no
letter in the current number, Vim uses the previously detected case.
- When 'nrformats' includes "octal", Vim considers numbers starting with a '0'
to be octal. Other numbers are decimal and may have a preceding minus sign.
If the cursor is on a number, the commands apply to that number; otherwise
Vim uses the number to the right of the cursor.
For numbers with leading zeros (including all octal and hexadecimal numbers),
Vim preserves the number of characters in the number when possible. CTRL-A on
"0077" results in "0100", CTRL-X on "0x100" results in "0x0ff". Note that
when 'nrformats' includes "octal", decimal numbers with leading zeros are
impossible because they are indistinguishable from octal numbers.
The CTRL-A command is very useful in a macro. Example: Use the following
steps to make a numbered list.
1. Create the first list entry, make sure it starts with a number.
2. qa - start recording into buffer 'a'
3. Y - yank the entry
4. p - put a copy of the entry below the first one
5. CTRL-A - increment the number
6. q - stop recording
7. <count>@a - repeat the yank, put and increment <count> times
SHIFTING LINES LEFT OR RIGHT *shift-left-right*
*<*
<{motion} Shift {motion} lines one 'shiftwidth' leftwards.
*<<*
<< Shift [count] lines one 'shiftwidth' leftwards.
*v_<*
{Visual}[count]< Shift the highlighted lines [count] 'shiftwidth'
leftwards (for {Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
*>*
>{motion} Shift {motion} lines one 'shiftwidth' rightwards.
*>>*
>> Shift [count] lines one 'shiftwidth' rightwards.
*v_>*
{Visual}[count]> Shift the highlighted lines [count] 'shiftwidth'
rightwards (for {Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
*:<*
:[range]< Shift [range] lines one 'shiftwidth' left. Repeat '<'
for shifting multiple 'shiftwidth's.
:[range]< {count} Shift {count} lines one 'shiftwidth' left, starting
with [range] (default current line).
Repeat '<' for shifting multiple 'shiftwidth's.
*:>*
:[range]> Shift {count} [range] lines one 'shiftwidth' right.
Repeat '>' for shifting multiple 'shiftwidth's.
:[range]> {count} Shift {count} lines one 'shiftwidth' right, starting
with [range] (default current line).
Repeat '>' for shifting multiple 'shiftwidth's.
The ">" and "<" commands are handy for changing the indentation within
programs. Use the 'shiftwidth' option to set the size of the white space
which these commands insert or delete. Normally the 'shiftwidth' option is 8,
but you can set it to, say, 3 to make smaller indents. The shift leftwards
stops when there is no indent. The shift right does not affect empty lines.
If the 'shiftround' option is on, the indent is rounded to a multiple of
'shiftwidth'.
4. Complex changes *complex-change*
*!* *filter*
!{motion}{filter} Filter {motion} text lines through the external
program {filter}.
*!!*
!!{filter} Filter [count] lines through the external program
{filter}.
*v_!*
{Visual}!{filter} Filter the highlighted lines through the external
program {filter} (for {Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
:{range}![!]{filter} [!][arg] *:range!*
Filter {range} lines through the external program
{filter}. Vim replaces the optional bangs with the
latest given command and appends the optional [arg].
Vim saves the output of the filter command in a
temporary file and then reads the file into the
buffer. Vim uses the 'shellredir' option to redirect
the filter output to the temporary file.
*==*
== Filter [count] lines like with ={motion}.
*v_=*
{Visual}= Filter the highlighted lines like with ={motion}.
A filter is a program that accepts text at standard input, changes it in some
way, and sends it to standard output. You can use the commands above to send
some text through a filter. Examples of filters are "sort", which sorts lines
alphabetically, and "indent", which formats C program files (you need a
version of indent that works like a filter; not all versions do). The 'shell'
option specifies the shell Vim uses to execute the filter command (See also
the 'shelltype' option). You can repeat filter commands with ".". Vim does
not recognize a comment (starting with '"') after the ":!" command.
*:s* *:su* *:substitute*
:[range]s[ubstitute]/{pattern}/{string}/[&][c][e][g][p][r][i][I] [count]
For each line in [range] replace a match of {pattern}
with {string}.
For the {pattern} see |pattern|.
{string} can be a literal string, or something
special; see |sub-replace-special|.
When [range] and [count] are omitted, replace in the
current line only.
When [count] is given, replace in [count] lines,
starting with the last line in [range]. When [range]
is omitted start in the current line.
See |:s_flags| for the flags.
:[range]s[ubstitute] [c][e][g][p][r][i][I] [count]
:[range]&[&][c][e][g][p][r][i][I] [count] *:&*
Repeat last :substitute with same search pattern and
substitute string, but without the same flags. You
may add extra flags (see |:s_flags|).
Note that after ":substitute" the '&' flag can't be
used, it's recognized as a pattern separator.
The space between ":substitute" and the 'c', 'g' and
'r' flags isn't required, but in scripts it's a good
idea to keep it to avoid confusion.
:[range]~[&][c][e][g][p][r][i][I] [count] *:~*
Repeat last substitute with same substitute string
but with last used search pattern. This is like
":&r". See |:s_flags| for the flags.
*&*
& Synonym for ":s//~/" (repeat last substitute). Note
that the flags are not remembered, thus it might
actually work differently. You can use ":&&" to keep
the flags.
*g&*
g& Synonym for ":%s//~/&" (repeat last substitute on all
lines with the same flags).
Mnemonic: global substitute.
*:s_flags*
The flags that you can use for the substitute commands:
[&] Must be the first one: Keep the flags from the previous substitute
command. Examples:
:&&
:s/this/that/&
Note that ":s" and ":&" don't keep the flags.
[c] Confirm each substitution. Vim highlights the matching string.
You can type: *:s_c*
'y' to substitute this match
'l' to substitute this match and then quit ("last")
'n' to skip this match
<Esc> to quit substituting
'a' to substitute this and all remaining matches
'q' to quit substituting
CTRL-E to scroll the screen up
CTRL-Y to scroll the screen down
If the 'edcompatible' option is on, Vim remembers the [c] flag and
toggles it each time you use it, but resets it when you give a new
search pattern.
[g] Replace all occurrences in the line. Without this argument,
replacement occurs only for the first occurrence in each line. If
the 'edcompatible' option is on, Vim remembers this flag and toggles
it each time you use it, but resets it when you give a new search
pattern. If the 'gdefault' option is on, this flag is on by default
and the [g] argument switches it off.
[i] Ignore case for the pattern. The 'ignorecase' and 'smartcase' options
are not used.
[I] Don't ignore case for the pattern. The 'ignorecase' and 'smartcase'
options are not used.
[r] Only useful in combination with ":&" or ":s" without arguments. ":&r"
works the same way as ":~": When the search pattern is empty, use the
previously used search pattern instead of the search pattern from the
last substitute or ":global". If the last command that did a search
was a substitute or ":global", there is no effect. If the last
command was a search command such as "/", use the pattern from that
command.
For ":s" with an argument this already happens:
:s/blue/red/
/green
:s//red/ or :~ or :&r
< The last commands will replace "green" with "red".
:s/blue/red/
/green
:&
The last command will replace "blue" with "red".
Note that there is no flag to change the "magicness" of the pattern. A
different command is used instead. The reason is that the flags can only be
found by skipping the pattern, and in order to skip the pattern the
"magicness" must be known. Catch 22!
If the {pattern} for the substitute command is empty, the command uses the
pattern from the last substitute or ":global" command. With the [r] flag, the
command uses the pattern from the last substitute, ":global", or search
command.
*E146*
Instead of the '/' which surrounds the pattern and replacement string, you
can use any other character, but not an alphanumeric character, '\', '"' or
'|'. This is useful if you want to include a '/' in the search pattern or
replacement string. Example:
:s+/+//+
{string} starts with "\=" it is evaluated as an expression. The
special meaning for characters as mentioned below does not apply then, except
"<CR>", "\<CR>" and "\\". Thus in the result of the expression you need to
use two backslashes get one, put a backslash before a <CR> you want to insert
and use a <CR> without a backslash where you want to break the line.
The whole matched text can be accessed with "submatch(0)". The text
matched with the first pair of () with "submatch(1)". Likewise for further
sub-matches in ().
Be careful: The separation character must not appear in the expression!
Consider using a character like "@" or ":". There is no problem if the result
of the expression contains the separation character.
Example:
:s@\n@\="\r" . expand("$HOME") . "\r"@
This replaces an end-of-line with a new line containing the value of $HOME.
Some characters in {string} have a special meaning:
magic nomagic action
& \& replaced with the whole matched pattern *s/\&*
\& & replaced with &
\0 replaced with the whole matched pattern *\0* *s/\0*
\1 replaced with the matched pattern in the first
pair of () *s/\1*
\2 replaced with the matched pattern in the first
pair of () *s/\2*
.. .. *s/\3*
\9 replaced with the matched pattern in the ninth
pair of () *s/\9*
~ \~ replaced with the {string} of the previous
substitute *s~*
\~ ~ replaced with ~ *s/\~*
\u next character made uppercase *s/\u*
\U following characters made uppercase, until \E *s/\U*
\l next character made lowercase *s/\l*
\L following characters made lowercase, until \E *s/\L*
\e end of \u, \U, \l and \L (NOTE: not <Esc>!) *s/\e*
\E end of \u, \U, \l and \L *s/\E*
<CR> split line in two at this point
(Type the <CR> as CTRL-V <Enter>) *s<CR>*
\r idem *s/\r*
\<CR> insert a carriage-return (CTRL-M)
(Type the <CR> as CTRL-V <Enter>) *s/\<CR>*
\n insert a <NL> (<NUL> in the file)
(does NOT break the line) *s/\n*
\b insert a <BS> *s/\b*
\t insert a <Tab> *s/\t*
\\ insert a single backslash *s/\\*
\x where x is any character not mentioned above:
Reserved for future expansion
Examples:
:s/a\|b/xxx\0xxx/g modifies "a b" to "xxxaxxx xxxbxxx"
:s/\([abc]\)\([efg]\)/\2\1/g modifies "af fa bg" to "fa fa gb"
:s/abcde/abc^Mde/ modifies "abcde" to "abc", "de" (two lines)
:s/$/\^M/ modifies "abcde" to "abcde^M"
Note: In previous versions CTRL-V was handled in a special way. Since this is
not Vi compatible, this was removed. Use a backslash instead.
command text result
:s/aa/a^Ma/ aa a<line-break>a
:s/aa/a\^Ma/ aa a^Ma
:s/aa/a\\^Ma/ aa a\<line-break>a
(you need to type CTRL-V <CR> to get a ^M here)
The numbering of "\1", "\2" etc. is done based on which "\(" comes first in
the pattern (going left to right). When a parentheses group matches several
times, the last one will be used for "\1", "\2", etc. Example:
:s/\(\(a[a-d] \)*\)/\2/ modifies "aa ab x" to "ab x"
', like in \([ab]\)\|\([cd]\),
either the first or second pattern in parentheses did not match, so either
\1 or \2 is empty. Example:
:s/\([ab]\)\|\([cd]\)/\1x/g modifies "a b c d" to "ax bx x x"
*:pro* *:promptfind*
:promptf[ind] [string]
Display IDEA's search dialog.
*:promptr* *:promptrepl*
:promptr[epl] [string]
Display IDEA's search and replace dialog.
5. Copying and moving text *copy-move*
*quote*
"{a-zA-Z0-9.%#:-"} Use register {a-zA-Z0-9.%#:-"} for next delete, yank
or put (use uppercase character to append with
delete and yank) ({.%#:} only work with put).
*:reg* *:registers*
:reg[isters] Display the contents of all numbered and named
registers.
:reg[isters] {arg} Display the contents of the numbered and named
registers that are mentioned in {arg}. For example:
:dis 1a
to display registers '1' and 'a'. Spaces are allowed
in {arg}.
*:di* *:display*
:di[splay] [arg] Same as :registers.
*y* *yank*
["x]y{motion} Yank {motion} text [into register x]. When no
characters are to be yanked (e.g., "y0" in column 1),
this is an error when 'cpoptions' includes the 'E'
flag.
*yy*
["x]yy Yank [count] lines [into register x] (linewise).
*Y*
["x]Y yank [count] lines [into register x] (synonym for
yy, linewise). If you like "Y" to work from the
cursor to the end of line (which is more logical,
but not Vi-compatible) use ":map Y y$".
*v_y*
{Visual}["x]y Yank the highlighted text [into register x] (for
{Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
*v_Y*
{Visual}["x]Y Yank the highlighted lines [into register x] (for
{Visual} see |Visual-mode|).
*:y* *:yank*
:[range]y[ank] [x] Yank [range] lines [into register x].
:[range]y[ank] [x] {count}
Yank {count} lines, starting with last line number
in [range] (default: current line), [into register x].
*p* *put* *E353*
["x]p Put the text [from register x] after the cursor
[count] times.
*P*
["x]P Put the text [from register x] before the cursor
[count] times.
*gp*
["x]gp Just like "p", but leave the cursor just after the new
text.
*gP*
["x]gP Just like "P", but leave the cursor just after the new
text.
*:pu* *:put*
:[line]pu[t] [x] Put the text [from register x] after [line] (default
current line). This always works linewise, thus this
command can be used to put a yanked block as new
lines.
The register can also be '=' followed by an optional
expression. The expression continues until the end of
the command. You need to escape the '|' and '"'
characters to prevent them from terminating the
command. Example:
:put ='path' . \",/test\"
If there is no expression after '=', Vim uses the
previous expression. You can see it with ":dis =".
:[line]pu[t]! [x] Put the text [from register x] before [line] (default
current line).
["x]]p or *]p* *]<MiddleMouse>*
["x]]<MiddleMouse> Like "p", but adjust the indent to the current line.
Using the mouse only works when 'mouse' contains 'n'
or 'a'.
["x][P or *[P*
["x]]P or *]P*
["x][p or *[p* *[<MiddleMouse>*
["x][<MiddleMouse> Like "P", but adjust the indent to the current line.
Using the mouse only works when 'mouse' contains 'n'
or 'a'.
You can use these commands to copy text from one place to another. Do this
by first getting the text into a register with a yank, delete or change
command, then inserting the register contents with a put command. You can
also use these commands to move text from one file to another, because Vim
preserves all registers when changing buffers (the CTRL-^ command is a quick
way to toggle between two files).
*linewise-register* *characterwise-register*
You can repeat the put commands with "." (except for :put) and undo them. If
the command that was used to get the text into the register was linewise, Vim
inserts the text below ("p") or above ("P") the line where the cursor is.
Otherwise Vim inserts the text after ("p") or before ("P") the cursor. With
the ":put" command, Vim always inserts the text in the next line. You can
exchange two characters with the command sequence "xp". You can exchange two
lines with the command sequence "ddp". You can exchange two words with the
command sequence "deep" (start with the cursor in the blank space before the
first word). You can use the "']" or "`]" command after the put command to
move the cursor to the end of the inserted text, or use "'[" or "`[" to move
the cursor to the start.
*put-Visual-mode* *v_p* *v_P*
When using a put command like |p| or |P| in Visual mode, Vim will try to
replace the selected text with the contents of the register. Whether this
works well depends on the type of selection and the type of the text in the
register. With blockwise selection it also depends on the size of the block
and whether the corners are on an existing character. (implementation detail:
it actually works by first putting the register after the selection and then
deleting the selection).
*blockwise-register*
If you use a blockwise Visual mode command to get the text into the register,
the block of text will be inserted before ("P") or after ("p") the cursor
column in the current and next lines. Vim makes the whole block of text start
in the same column. Thus the inserted text looks the same as when it was
yanked or deleted. Vim may replace some <Tab> characters with spaces to make
this happen. However, if the width of the block is not a multiple of a <Tab>
width and the text after the inserted block contains <Tab>s, that text may be
misaligned.
Note that after a yank command, Vim leaves the cursor on the first yanked
character that is closest to the start of the buffer. This means that "yl"
doesn't move the cursor, but "yh" moves the cursor one character left.
Rationale: In Vi the "y" command followed by a backwards motion would
sometimes not move the cursor to the first yanked character,
because redisplaying was skipped. In Vim it always moves to
the first character, as specified by Posix.
There are nine types of registers: *registers* *E354*
1. The unnamed register ""
2. 10 numbered registers "0 to "9
3. The small delete register "-
4. 26 named registers "a to "z or "A to "Z
5. four read-only registers ":, "., "% and "#
6. the expression register "=
7. The selection and drop registers "*, "+ and "
8. The black hole register "_
9. Last search pattern register "/
1. Unnamed register "" *quote_quote* *quotequote*
Vim fills this register with text deleted with the "d", "c", "s", "x" commands
or copied with the yank "y" command, regardless of whether or not a specific
register was used (e.g. "xdd). An exception is the '_' register: "_dd does
not store the deleted text in any register. Vim uses the contents of this
register for any put command (p or P) which does not specify a register.
Additionally you can access it with the name '"'. This means you have to type
two double quotes. Writing to the "" register writes to register "0.
{Vi: register contents are lost when changing files, no '"'}
2. Numbered registers "0 to "9 *quote_number* *quote0* *quote1*
*quote2* *quote3* *quote4* *quote9*
Vim fills these registers with text from yank and delete commands.
Numbered register 0 contains the text from the most recent yank command,
unless the command specified another register with ["x].
Numbered register 1 contains the text deleted by the most recent delete or
change command, unless the command specified another register or the text is
less than one line (the small delete register is used then). An exception is
made for these commands: |%|, |`|, |/|, |?|, |n|, |N|, |{| and |}|.
Register "1 is always used then (this is Vi compatible). The "- register is
used as well if the delete is within a line.
With each successive deletion or change, Vim shifts the previous contents
of register 1 into register 2, 2 into 3, and so forth, losing the previous
contents of register 9.
{Vi: numbered register contents are lost when changing files; register 0 does
not exist}
3. Small delete register "- *quote_-* *quote-*
This register contains text from commands that delete less than one line,
except when the command specifies a register with ["x].
4. Named registers "a to "z or "A to "Z *quote_alpha* *quotea*
Vim fills these registers only when you say so. Specify them as lowercase
letters to replace their previous contents or as uppercase letters to append
to their previous contents.
5. Read-only registers ":, "., "% and "#
These are '%', '#', ':' and '.'. You can use them only with the "p", "P",
and ":put" commands and with CTRL-R.
*quote_.* *quote.* *E29*
". Contains the last inserted text (the same as what is inserted
with the insert mode commands CTRL-A and CTRL-@). Note: this
doesn't work with CTRL-R on the command-line. It works a bit
differently, like inserting the text instead of putting it
('textwidth' and other options affect what is inserted).
*quote_%* *quote%*
"% Contains the name of the current file.
*quote_#* *quote#*
"# Contains the name of the alternate file.
*quote_:* *quote:* *E30*
": Contains the most recent executed command-line. Example: Use
"@:" to repeat the previous command-line command.
The command-line is only stored in this register when at least
one character of it was typed. Thus it remains unchanged if
the command was completely from a mapping.
6. Expression register "= *quote_=* *quote=*
This is not supported by IdeaVIM
7. Selection and drop registers "*, "+ and "
Use these register for storing and retrieving the selected text for the GUI.
See |quotestar| and |quoteplus|. When the clipboard is not available or not
working, the unnamed register is used instead.
Note that there is only a distinction between "* and "+ for X11 systems. For
an explanation of the difference, see |x11-selection|. Under MS-Windows, use
of "* and "+ is actually synonymous and refers to the |gui-clipboard|.
*quote_~* *quote~* *<Drop>*
The read-only "~ register stores the dropped text from the last drag'n'drop
operation. When something has been dropped onto Vim, the "~ register is
filled in and the <Drop> pseudo key is sent for notification. You can remap
this key if you want; the default action (for all modes) is to insert the
contents of the "~ register at the cursor position.
Note: The "~ register is only used when dropping plain text onto Vim.
Drag'n'drop of URI lists is handled internally.
8. Black hole register "_ *quote_*
When writing to this register, nothing happens. This can be used to delete
text without affecting the normal registers. When reading from this register,
nothing is returned.
9. Last search pattern register "/ *quote_/* *quote/*
Contains the most recent search-pattern. This is used for "n" and 'hlsearch'.
It is writable with ":let", you can change it to have 'hlsearch' highlight
other matches without actually searching. You can't yank or delete into this
register.
If you use a put command without specifying a register, Vim uses the register
that was last filled (this is also the contents of the unnamed register). If
you are confused, use the ":dis" command to find out what Vim will put (this
command displays all named and numbered registers; the unnamed register is
labelled '"').
The next three commands always work on whole lines.
:[range]co[py] {address} *:co* *:copy*
Copy the lines given by [range] to below the line
given by {address}.
*:t*
:t Synonym for copy.
:[range]m[ove] {address} *:m* *:mo* *:move* *E134*
Move the lines given by [range] to below the line
given by {address}.
6. Formatting text *formatting*
*v_gq*
{Visual}gq Format the highlighted text. (for {Visual} see
|Visual-mode|).