quickref.txt For Vim version 9.1. Last change: 2024 Nov 02 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar Quick reference guide quickref Contents tag subject tag subject Q_ct list of help files Q_re Repeating commands Q_lr motion: Left-right Q_km Key mapping Q_ud motion: Up-down Q_ab Abbreviations Q_tm motion: Text object Q_op Options Q_pa motion: Pattern searches Q_ur Undo/Redo commands Q_ma motion: Marks Q_et External commands Q_vm motion: Various Q_qf Quickfix commands Q_ta motion: Using tags Q_vc Various commands Q_sc Scrolling Q_ce Ex: Command-line editing Q_in insert: Inserting text Q_ra Ex: Ranges Q_ai insert: Keys Q_ex Ex: Special characters Q_ss insert: Special keys Q_st Starting Vim Q_di insert: Digraphs Q_ed Editing a file Q_si insert: Special inserts Q_fl Using the argument list Q_de change: Deleting text Q_wq Writing and quitting Q_cm change: Copying and moving Q_ac Automatic commands Q_ch change: Changing text Q_wi Multi-window commands Q_co change: Complex Q_bu Buffer list commands Q_vi Visual mode Q_sy Syntax highlighting Q_to Text objects Q_gu GUI commands Q_fo Folding ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ N is used to indicate an optional count that can be given before the command. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_lr Left-right motions h N h left (also: CTRL-H, <BS>, or <Left> key) l N l right (also: <Space> or <Right> key) 0 0 to first character in the line (also: <Home> key) ^ ^ to first non-blank character in the line $ N $ to the last character in the line (N-1 lines lower) (also: <End> key) g0 g0 to first character in screen line (differs from "0" when lines wrap) g^ g^ to first non-blank character in screen line (differs from "^" when lines wrap) g$ N g$ to last character in screen line (differs from "$" when lines wrap) gm gm to middle of the screen line gM gM to middle of the line bar N | to column N (default: 1) f N f{char} to the Nth occurrence of {char} to the right F N F{char} to the Nth occurrence of {char} to the left t N t{char} till before the Nth occurrence of {char} to the right T N T{char} till before the Nth occurrence of {char} to the left ; N ; repeat the last "f", "F", "t", or "T" N times , N , repeat the last "f", "F", "t", or "T" N times in opposite direction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ud Up-down motions k N k up N lines (also: CTRL-P and <Up>) j N j down N lines (also: CTRL-J, CTRL-N, <NL>, and <Down>) - N - up N lines, on the first non-blank character + N + down N lines, on the first non-blank character (also: CTRL-M and <CR>) _ N _ down N-1 lines, on the first non-blank character G N G goto line N (default: last line), on the first non-blank character gg N gg goto line N (default: first line), on the first non-blank character N% N % goto line N percentage down in the file; N must be given, otherwise it is the % command gk N gk up N screen lines (differs from "k" when line wraps) gj N gj down N screen lines (differs from "j" when line wraps) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_tm Text object motions w N w N words forward W N W N blank-separated WORDs forward e N e forward to the end of the Nth word E N E forward to the end of the Nth blank-separated WORD b N b N words backward B N B N blank-separated WORDs backward ge N ge backward to the end of the Nth word gE N gE backward to the end of the Nth blank-separated WORD ) N ) N sentences forward ( N ( N sentences backward } N } N paragraphs forward { N { N paragraphs backward ]] N ]] N sections forward, at start of section [[ N [[ N sections backward, at start of section ][ N ][ N sections forward, at end of section [] N [] N sections backward, at end of section [( N [( N times back to unclosed '(' [{ N [{ N times back to unclosed '{' [m N [m N times back to start of method (for Java) [M N [M N times back to end of method (for Java) ]) N ]) N times forward to unclosed ')' ]} N ]} N times forward to unclosed '}' ]m N ]m N times forward to start of method (for Java) ]M N ]M N times forward to end of method (for Java) [# N [# N times back to unclosed "#if" or "#else" ]# N ]# N times forward to unclosed "#else" or "#endif" [star N [* N times back to start of comment "/*" ]star N ]* N times forward to end of comment "*/" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_pa Pattern searches / N /{pattern}[/[offset]]<CR> search forward for the Nth occurrence of {pattern} ? N ?{pattern}[?[offset]]<CR> search backward for the Nth occurrence of {pattern} /<CR> N /<CR> repeat last search, in the forward direction ?<CR> N ?<CR> repeat last search, in the backward direction n N n repeat last search N N N repeat last search, in opposite direction star N * search forward for the identifier under the cursor # N # search backward for the identifier under the cursor gstar N g* like "*", but also find partial matches g# N g# like "#", but also find partial matches gd gd goto local declaration of identifier under the cursor gD gD goto global declaration of identifier under the cursor pattern Special characters in search patterns meaning magic nomagic 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 [a-z] \[a-z] matches a single char not in the range [^a-z] \[^a-z] matches an identifier char \i \i idem but excluding digits \I \I matches a keyword character \k \k idem but excluding digits \K \K matches a file name character \f \f idem but excluding digits \F \F matches a printable character \p \p idem but excluding digits \P \P matches a white space character \s \s matches a non-white space character \S \S matches <Esc> \e \e matches <Tab> \t \t matches <CR> \r \r matches <BS> \b \b matches 0 or more of the preceding atom * \* matches 1 or more of the preceding atom \+ \+ matches 0 or 1 of the preceding atom \= \= matches 2 to 5 of the preceding atom \{2,5} \{2,5} separates two alternatives \| \| group a pattern into an atom \(\) \(\) search-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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ma Marks and motions m m{a-zA-Z} mark current position with mark {a-zA-Z} `a `{a-z} go to mark {a-z} within current file `A `{A-Z} go to mark {A-Z} in any file `0 `{0-9} go to the position where Vim was previously exited `` `` go to the position before the last jump `quote `" 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 :marks print the active marks CTRL-O N CTRL-O go to Nth older position in jump list CTRL-I N CTRL-I go to Nth newer position in jump list :ju :ju[mps] print the jump list ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_vm Various motions % % find the next brace, bracket, comment, or "#if"/ "#else"/"#endif" in this line and go to its match H N H go to the Nth line in the window, on the first non-blank M M go to the middle line in the window, on the first non-blank L N L go to the Nth line from the bottom, on the first non-blank go N go go to Nth byte in the buffer :go :[range]go[to] [off] go to [off] byte in the buffer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ta Using tags :ta :ta[g][!] {tag} jump to tag {tag} :ta :[count]ta[g][!] jump to [count]'th newer tag in tag list CTRL-] CTRL-] jump to the tag under cursor, unless changes have been made :ts :ts[elect][!] [tag] list matching tags and select one to jump to :tjump :tj[ump][!] [tag] jump to tag [tag] or select from list when there are multiple matches :ltag :lt[ag][!] [tag] jump to tag [tag] and add matching tags to the location list :tags :tags print tag list CTRL-T N CTRL-T jump back from Nth older tag in tag list :po :[count]po[p][!] jump back from [count]'th older tag in tag list :tnext :[count]tn[ext][!] jump to [count]'th next matching tag :tp :[count]tp[revious][!] jump to [count]'th previous matching tag :tr :[count]tr[ewind][!] jump to [count]'th matching tag :tl :tl[ast][!] jump to last matching tag :ptag :pt[ag] {tag} open a preview window to show tag {tag} CTRL-W_} CTRL-W } like CTRL-] but show tag in preview window :pts :pts[elect] like ":tselect" but show tag in preview window :ptjump :ptj[ump] like ":tjump" but show tag in preview window :pclose :pc[lose] close tag preview window CTRL-W_z CTRL-W z close tag preview window ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_sc Scrolling CTRL-E N CTRL-E window N lines downwards (default: 1) CTRL-D N CTRL-D window N lines Downwards (default: 1/2 window) CTRL-F N CTRL-F window N pages Forwards (downwards) CTRL-Y N CTRL-Y window N lines upwards (default: 1) CTRL-U N CTRL-U window N lines Upwards (default: 1/2 window) CTRL-B N CTRL-B window N pages Backwards (upwards) z<CR> z<CR> or zt redraw, current line at top of window z. z. or zz redraw, current line at center of window z- z- or zb redraw, current line at bottom of window These only work when 'wrap' is off: zh N zh scroll screen N characters to the right zl N zl scroll screen N characters to the left zH N zH scroll screen half a screenwidth to the right zL N zL scroll screen half a screenwidth to the left ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_in Inserting text a N a append text after the cursor (N times) A N A append text at the end of the line (N times) i N i insert text before the cursor (N times) (also: <Insert>) I N I insert text before the first non-blank in the line (N times) gI N gI insert text in column 1 (N times) o N o open a new line below the current line, append text (N times) O N O open a new line above the current line, append text (N times) :startinsert :star[tinsert][!] start Insert mode, append when [!] used :startreplace :startr[eplace][!] start Replace mode, at EOL when [!] used in Visual block mode: v_b_I I insert the same text in front of all the selected lines v_b_A A append the same text after all the selected lines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ai Insert mode keys insert-index alphabetical index of Insert mode commands leaving Insert mode: i_<Esc> <Esc> end Insert mode, back to Normal mode i_CTRL-C CTRL-C like <Esc>, but do not use an abbreviation i_CTRL-O CTRL-O {command} execute {command} and return to Insert mode moving around: i_<Up> cursor keys move cursor left/right/up/down i_<S-Left> shift-left/right one word left/right i_<S-Up> shift-up/down one screenful backward/forward i_<End> <End> cursor after last character in the line i_<Home> <Home> cursor to first character in the line ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ss Special keys in Insert mode i_CTRL-V CTRL-V {char}.. insert character literally, or enter decimal byte value i_<NL> <NL> or <CR> or CTRL-M or CTRL-J begin new line i_CTRL-E CTRL-E insert the character from below the cursor i_CTRL-Y CTRL-Y insert the character from above the cursor i_CTRL-A CTRL-A insert previously inserted text i_CTRL-@ CTRL-@ insert previously inserted text and stop Insert mode i_CTRL-R CTRL-R {register} insert the contents of a register i_CTRL-N CTRL-N insert next match of identifier before the cursor i_CTRL-P CTRL-P insert previous match of identifier before the cursor i_CTRL-X CTRL-X ... complete the word before the cursor in various ways i_<BS> <BS> or CTRL-H delete the character before the cursor i_<Del> <Del> delete the character under the cursor i_CTRL-W CTRL-W delete word before the cursor i_CTRL-U CTRL-U delete all entered characters in the current line i_CTRL-T CTRL-T insert one shiftwidth of indent in front of the current line i_CTRL-D CTRL-D delete one shiftwidth of indent in front of the current line i_0_CTRL-D 0 CTRL-D delete all indent in the current line i_^_CTRL-D ^ CTRL-D delete all indent in the current line, restore indent in next line ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_di Digraphs :dig :dig[raphs] show current list of digraphs :dig :dig[raphs] {char1}{char2} {number} ... add digraph(s) to the list In Insert or Command-line mode: i_CTRL-K CTRL-K {char1} {char2} enter digraph i_digraph {char1} <BS> {char2} enter digraph if 'digraph' option set ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_si Special inserts :r :r [file] insert the contents of [file] below the cursor :r! :r! {command} insert the standard output of {command} below the cursor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_de Deleting text x N x delete N characters under and after the cursor <Del> N <Del> delete N characters under and after the cursor X N X delete N characters before the cursor d N d{motion} delete the text that is moved over with {motion} v_d {visual}d delete the highlighted text dd N dd delete N lines D N D delete to the end of the line (and N-1 more lines) J N J join N-1 lines (delete <EOL>s) v_J {visual}J join the highlighted lines gJ N gJ like "J", but without inserting spaces v_gJ {visual}gJ like "{visual}J", but without inserting spaces :d :[range]d [x] delete [range] lines [into register x] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_cm Copying and moving text quote "{char} use register {char} for the next delete, yank, or put :reg :reg show the contents of all registers :reg :reg {arg} show the contents of registers mentioned in {arg} y N y{motion} yank the text moved over with {motion} into a register v_y {visual}y yank the highlighted text into a register yy N yy yank N lines into a register Y N Y yank N lines into a register p N p put a register after the cursor position (N times) P N P put a register before the cursor position (N times) ]p N ]p like p, but adjust indent to current line [p N [p like P, but adjust indent to current line gp N gp like p, but leave cursor after the new text gP N gP like P, but leave cursor after the new text ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ch Changing text r N r{char} replace N characters with {char} gr N gr{char} replace N characters without affecting layout R N R enter Replace mode (repeat the entered text N times) gR N gR enter virtual Replace mode: Like Replace mode but without affecting layout v_b_r {visual}r{char} in Visual block mode: Replace each char of the selected text with {char} (change = delete text and enter Insert mode) c N c{motion} change the text that is moved over with {motion} v_c {visual}c change the highlighted text cc N cc change N lines S N S change N lines C N C change to the end of the line (and N-1 more lines) s N s change N characters v_b_c {visual}c in Visual block mode: Change each of the selected lines with the entered text v_b_C {visual}C in Visual block mode: Change each of the selected lines until end-of-line with the entered text ~ N ~ switch case for N characters and advance cursor v_~ {visual}~ switch case for highlighted text v_u {visual}u make highlighted text lowercase v_U {visual}U make highlighted text uppercase g~ g~{motion} switch case for the text that is moved over with {motion} gu gu{motion} make the text that is moved over with {motion} lowercase gU gU{motion} make the text that is moved over with {motion} uppercase v_g? {visual}g? perform rot13 encoding on highlighted text g? g?{motion} perform rot13 encoding on the text that is moved over with {motion} CTRL-A N CTRL-A add N to the number at or after the cursor CTRL-X N CTRL-X subtract N from the number at or after the cursor < 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 gq N gq{motion} format the lines that are moved over with {motion} to 'textwidth' length :ce :[range]ce[nter] [width] center the lines in [range] :le :[range]le[ft] [indent] left-align the lines in [range] (with [indent]) :ri :[range]ri[ght] [width] right-align the lines in [range] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_co Complex changes ! N !{motion}{command}<CR> filter the lines that are moved over through {command} !! N !!{command}<CR> filter N lines through {command} v_! {visual}!{command}<CR> filter the highlighted lines through {command} :range! :[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' v_= {visual}= filter the highlighted lines through 'equalprg' :s :[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 :s :[range]s[ubstitute] [g][c] repeat previous ":s" with new range and options & & Repeat previous ":s" on current line without options :ret :[range]ret[ab][!] [tabstop] set 'tabstop' to new value and adjust white space accordingly ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_vi Visual mode visual-index list of Visual mode commands. v v start highlighting characters } move cursor and use V V start highlighting linewise } operator to affect CTRL-V CTRL-V start highlighting blockwise } highlighted text v_o o exchange cursor position with start of highlighting gv gv start highlighting on previous visual area v_v v highlight characters or stop highlighting v_V V highlight linewise or stop highlighting v_CTRL-V CTRL-V highlight blockwise or stop highlighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_to Text objects (only in Visual mode or after an operator) v_aw N aw Select "a word" v_iw N iw Select "inner word" v_aW N aW Select "a WORD" v_iW N iW Select "inner WORD" v_as N as Select "a sentence" v_is N is Select "inner sentence" v_ap N ap Select "a paragraph" v_ip N ip Select "inner paragraph" v_ab N ab Select "a block" (from "[(" to "])") v_ib N ib Select "inner block" (from "[(" to "])") v_aB N aB Select "a Block" (from "[{" to "]}") v_iB N iB Select "inner Block" (from "[{" to "]}") v_a> N a> Select "a <> block" v_i> N i> Select "inner <> block" v_at N at Select "a tag block" (from <aaa> to </aaa>) v_it N it Select "inner tag block" (from <aaa> to </aaa>) v_a' N a' Select "a single quoted string" v_i' N i' Select "inner single quoted string" v_aquote N a" Select "a double quoted string" v_iquote N i" Select "inner double quoted string" v_a` N a` Select "a backward quoted string" v_i` N i` Select "inner backward quoted string" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_re Repeating commands . N . repeat last change (with count replaced with N) q q{a-z} record typed characters into register {a-z} q q{A-Z} record typed characters, appended to register {a-z} q q stop recording @ N @{a-z} execute the contents of register {a-z} (N times) @@ N @@ repeat previous @{a-z} (N times) :@ :@{a-z} execute the contents of register {a-z} as an Ex command :@@ :@@ repeat previous :@{a-z} :g :[range]g[lobal]/{pattern}/[cmd] execute Ex command [cmd] (default: ":p") on the lines within [range] where {pattern} matches :g :[range]g[lobal]!/{pattern}/[cmd] execute Ex command [cmd] (default: ":p") on the lines within [range] where {pattern} does NOT match :so :so[urce] {file} read Ex commands from {file} :so :so[urce]! {file} read Vim commands from {file} :sl :sl[eep] [sec] don't do anything for [sec] seconds gs N gs goto Sleep for N seconds ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_km Key mapping :map :ma[p] {lhs} {rhs} map {lhs} to {rhs} in Normal and Visual mode :map! :ma[p]! {lhs} {rhs} map {lhs} to {rhs} in Insert and Command-line mode :noremap :no[remap][!] {lhs} {rhs} same as ":map", no remapping for this {rhs} :unmap :unm[ap] {lhs} remove the mapping of {lhs} for Normal and Visual mode :unmap! :unm[ap]! {lhs} remove the mapping of {lhs} for Insert and Command-line mode :map_l :ma[p] [lhs] list mappings (starting with [lhs]) for Normal and Visual mode :map_l! :ma[p]! [lhs] list mappings (starting with [lhs]) for Insert and Command-line mode :cmap :cmap/:cunmap/:cnoremap like ":map!"/":unmap!"/":noremap!" but for Command-line mode only :imap :imap/:iunmap/:inoremap like ":map!"/":unmap!"/":noremap!" but for Insert mode only :nmap :nmap/:nunmap/:nnoremap like ":map"/":unmap"/":noremap" but for Normal mode only :vmap :vmap/:vunmap/:vnoremap like ":map"/":unmap"/":noremap" but for Visual mode only :omap :omap/:ounmap/:onoremap like ":map"/":unmap"/":noremap" but only for when an operator is pending :mapc :mapc[lear] remove mappings for Normal and Visual mode :mapc :mapc[lear]! remove mappings for Insert and Cmdline mode :imapc :imapc[lear] remove mappings for Insert mode :vmapc :vmapc[lear] remove mappings for Visual mode :omapc :omapc[lear] remove mappings for Operator-pending mode :nmapc :nmapc[lear] remove mappings for Normal mode :cmapc :cmapc[lear] remove mappings for Cmdline mode :mkexrc :mk[exrc][!] [file] write current mappings, abbreviations, and settings to [file] (default: ".exrc"; use ! to overwrite) :mkvimrc :mkv[imrc][!] [file] same as ":mkexrc", but with default ".vimrc" :mksession :mks[ession][!] [file] like ":mkvimrc", but store current files, windows, etc. too, to be able to continue this session later ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ab Abbreviations :abbreviate :ab[breviate] {lhs} {rhs} add abbreviation for {lhs} to {rhs} :abbreviate :ab[breviate] {lhs} show abbr's that start with {lhs} :abbreviate :ab[breviate] show all abbreviations :unabbreviate :una[bbreviate] {lhs} remove abbreviation for {lhs} :noreabbrev :norea[bbrev] [lhs] [rhs] like ":ab", but don't remap [rhs] :iabbrev :iab/:iunab/:inoreab like ":ab", but only for Insert mode :cabbrev :cab/:cunab/:cnoreab like ":ab", but only for Command-line mode :abclear :abc[lear] remove all abbreviations :cabclear :cabc[lear] remove all abbr's for Cmdline mode :iabclear :iabc[lear] remove all abbr's for Insert mode ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_op Options :set :se[t] show all modified options :set :se[t] all show all non-termcap options :set :se[t] termcap show all termcap options :set :se[t] {option} set boolean option (switch it on), show string or number option :set :se[t] no{option} reset boolean option (switch it off) :set :se[t] inv{option} invert boolean option :set :se[t] {option}={value} set string/number option to {value} :set :se[t] {option}+={value} append {value} to string option, add {value} to number option :set :se[t] {option}-={value} remove {value} to string option, subtract {value} from number option :set :se[t] {option}? show value of {option} :set :se[t] {option}& reset {option} to its default value :setlocal :setl[ocal] like ":set" but set the local value for options that have one :setglobal :setg[lobal] like ":set" but set the global value of a local option :fix :fix[del] set value of 't_kD' according to value of 't_kb' :options :opt[ions] 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: option-list 'aleph' 'al' ASCII code of the letter Aleph (Hebrew) 'allowrevins' 'ari' allow CTRL-_ in Insert and Command-line mode 'altkeymap' 'akm' obsolete option for Farsi 'ambiwidth' 'ambw' what to do with Unicode chars of ambiguous width 'antialias' 'anti' Mac OS X: use smooth, antialiased fonts 'arabic' 'arab' for Arabic as a default second language 'arabicshape' 'arshape' do shaping for Arabic characters 'autochdir' 'acd' change directory to the file in the current window 'autoindent' 'ai' take indent for new line from previous line 'autoread' 'ar' autom. read file when changed outside of Vim 'autoshelldir' 'asd' change directory to the shell's current directory 'autowrite' 'aw' automatically write file if changed 'autowriteall' 'awa' as 'autowrite', but works with more commands 'background' 'bg' "dark" or "light", used for highlight colors 'backspace' 'bs' how backspace works at start of line 'backup' 'bk' keep backup file after overwriting a file 'backupcopy' 'bkc' make backup as a copy, don't rename the file 'backupdir' 'bdir' list of directories for the backup file 'backupext' 'bex' extension used for the backup file 'backupskip' 'bsk' no backup for files that match these patterns 'balloondelay' 'bdlay' delay in mS before a balloon may pop up 'ballooneval' 'beval' switch on balloon evaluation in the GUI 'balloonevalterm' 'bevalterm' switch on balloon evaluation in the terminal 'balloonexpr' 'bexpr' expression to show in balloon 'belloff' 'bo' do not ring the bell for these reasons 'binary' 'bin' read/write/edit file in binary mode 'bioskey' 'biosk' MS-DOS: use bios calls for input characters 'bomb' prepend a Byte Order Mark to the file 'breakat' 'brk' characters that may cause a line break 'breakindent' 'bri' wrapped line repeats indent 'breakindentopt' 'briopt' settings for 'breakindent' 'browsedir' 'bsdir' which directory to start browsing in 'bufhidden' 'bh' what to do when buffer is no longer in window 'buflisted' 'bl' whether the buffer shows up in the buffer list 'buftype' 'bt' special type of buffer 'casemap' 'cmp' specifies how case of letters is changed 'cdhome' 'cdh' change directory to the home directory by ":cd" 'cdpath' 'cd' list of directories searched with ":cd" 'cedit' key used to open the command-line window 'charconvert' 'ccv' expression for character encoding conversion 'cindent' 'cin' do C program indenting 'cinkeys' 'cink' keys that trigger indent when 'cindent' is set 'cinoptions' 'cino' how to do indenting when 'cindent' is set 'cinscopedecls' 'cinsd' words that are recognized by 'cino-g' 'cinwords' 'cinw' words where 'si' and 'cin' add an indent 'clipboard' 'cb' use the clipboard as the unnamed register 'cmdheight' 'ch' number of lines to use for the command-line 'cmdwinheight' 'cwh' height of the command-line window 'colorcolumn' 'cc' columns to highlight 'columns' 'co' number of columns in the display 'comments' 'com' patterns that can start a comment line 'commentstring' 'cms' template for comments; used for fold marker 'compatible' 'cp' behave Vi-compatible as much as possible 'complete' 'cpt' specify how Insert mode completion works 'completefunc' 'cfu' function to be used for Insert mode completion 'completeopt' 'cot' options for Insert mode completion 'completepopup' 'cpp' options for the Insert mode completion info popup 'completeslash' 'csl' like 'shellslash' for completion 'concealcursor' 'cocu' whether concealable text is hidden in cursor line 'conceallevel' 'cole' whether concealable text is shown or hidden 'confirm' 'cf' ask what to do about unsaved/read-only files 'conskey' 'consk' get keys directly from console (MS-DOS only) 'copyindent' 'ci' make 'autoindent' use existing indent structure 'cpoptions' 'cpo' flags for Vi-compatible behavior 'cryptmethod' 'cm' type of encryption to use for file writing 'cscopepathcomp' 'cspc' how many components of the path to show 'cscopeprg' 'csprg' command to execute cscope 'cscopequickfix' 'csqf' use quickfix window for cscope results 'cscoperelative' 'csre' Use cscope.out path basename as prefix 'cscopetag' 'cst' use cscope for tag commands 'cscopetagorder' 'csto' determines ":cstag" search order 'cscopeverbose' 'csverb' give messages when adding a cscope database 'cursorbind' 'crb' move cursor in window as it moves in other windows 'cursorcolumn' 'cuc' highlight the screen column of the cursor 'cursorline' 'cul' highlight the screen line of the cursor 'cursorlineopt' 'culopt' settings for 'cursorline' 'debug' set to "msg" to see all error messages 'define' 'def' pattern to be used to find a macro definition 'delcombine' 'deco' delete combining characters on their own 'dictionary' 'dict' list of file names used for keyword completion 'diff' use diff mode for the current window 'diffexpr' 'dex' expression used to obtain a diff file 'diffopt' 'dip' options for using diff mode 'digraph' 'dg' enable the entering of digraphs in Insert mode 'directory' 'dir' list of directory names for the swap file 'display' 'dy' list of flags for how to display text 'eadirection' 'ead' in which direction 'equalalways' works 'edcompatible' 'ed' toggle flags of ":substitute" command 'emoji' 'emo' emoji characters are considered full width 'encoding' 'enc' encoding used internally 'endoffile' 'eof' write CTRL-Z at end of the file 'endofline' 'eol' write <EOL> for last line in file 'equalalways' 'ea' windows are automatically made the same size 'equalprg' 'ep' external program to use for "=" command 'errorbells' 'eb' ring the bell for error messages 'errorfile' 'ef' name of the errorfile for the QuickFix mode 'errorformat' 'efm' description of the lines in the error file 'esckeys' 'ek' recognize function keys in Insert mode 'eventignore' 'ei' autocommand events that are ignored 'expandtab' 'et' use spaces when <Tab> is inserted 'exrc' 'ex' read .vimrc and .exrc in the current directory 'fileencoding' 'fenc' file encoding for multibyte text 'fileencodings' 'fencs' automatically detected character encodings 'fileformat' 'ff' file format used for file I/O 'fileformats' 'ffs' automatically detected values for 'fileformat' 'fileignorecase' 'fic' ignore case when using file names 'filetype' 'ft' type of file, used for autocommands 'fillchars' 'fcs' characters to use for displaying special items 'findfunc' 'ffu' function to be called for the :find command 'fixendofline' 'fixeol' make sure last line in file has <EOL> 'fkmap' 'fk' obsolete option for Farsi 'foldclose' 'fcl' close a fold when the cursor leaves it 'foldcolumn' 'fdc' width of the column used to indicate folds 'foldenable' 'fen' set to display all folds open 'foldexpr' 'fde' expression used when 'foldmethod' is "expr" 'foldignore' 'fdi' ignore lines when 'foldmethod' is "indent" 'foldlevel' 'fdl' close folds with a level higher than this 'foldlevelstart' 'fdls' 'foldlevel' when starting to edit a file 'foldmarker' 'fmr' markers used when 'foldmethod' is "marker" 'foldmethod' 'fdm' folding type 'foldminlines' 'fml' minimum number of lines for a fold to be closed 'foldnestmax' 'fdn' maximum fold depth 'foldopen' 'fdo' for which commands a fold will be opened 'foldtext' 'fdt' expression used to display for a closed fold 'formatexpr' 'fex' expression used with "gq" command 'formatlistpat' 'flp' pattern used to recognize a list header 'formatoptions' 'fo' how automatic formatting is to be done 'formatprg' 'fp' name of external program used with "gq" command 'fsync' 'fs' whether to invoke fsync() after file write 'gdefault' 'gd' the ":substitute" flag 'g' is default on 'grepformat' 'gfm' format of 'grepprg' output 'grepprg' 'gp' program to use for ":grep" 'guicursor' 'gcr' GUI: settings for cursor shape and blinking 'guifont' 'gfn' GUI: Name(s) of font(s) to be used 'guifontset' 'gfs' GUI: Names of multibyte fonts to be used 'guifontwide' 'gfw' list of font names for double-wide characters 'guiheadroom' 'ghr' GUI: pixels room for window decorations 'guiligatures' 'gli' GTK GUI: ASCII characters that can form shapes 'guioptions' 'go' GUI: Which components and options are used 'guipty' GUI: try to use a pseudo-tty for ":!" commands 'guitablabel' 'gtl' GUI: custom label for a tab page 'guitabtooltip' 'gtt' GUI: custom tooltip for a tab page 'helpfile' 'hf' full path name of the main help file 'helpheight' 'hh' minimum height of a new help window 'helplang' 'hlg' preferred help languages 'hidden' 'hid' don't unload buffer when it is abandoned 'highlight' 'hl' sets highlighting mode for various occasions 'history' 'hi' number of command-lines that are remembered 'hkmap' 'hk' Hebrew keyboard mapping 'hkmapp' 'hkp' phonetic Hebrew keyboard mapping 'hlsearch' 'hls' highlight matches with last search pattern 'icon' let Vim set the text of the window icon 'iconstring' string to use for the Vim icon text 'ignorecase' 'ic' ignore case in search patterns 'imactivatefunc' 'imaf' function to enable/disable the X input method 'imactivatekey' 'imak' key that activates the X input method 'imcmdline' 'imc' use IM when starting to edit a command line 'imdisable' 'imd' do not use the IM in any mode 'iminsert' 'imi' use :lmap or IM in Insert mode 'imsearch' 'ims' use :lmap or IM when typing a search pattern 'imstatusfunc' 'imsf' function to obtain X input method status 'imstyle' 'imst' specifies the input style of the input method 'include' 'inc' pattern to be used to find an include file 'includeexpr' 'inex' expression used to process an include line 'incsearch' 'is' highlight match while typing search pattern 'indentexpr' 'inde' expression used to obtain the indent of a line 'indentkeys' 'indk' keys that trigger indenting with 'indentexpr' 'infercase' 'inf' adjust case of match for keyword completion 'insertmode' 'im' start the edit of a file in Insert mode 'isfname' 'isf' characters included in file names and pathnames 'isident' 'isi' characters included in identifiers 'iskeyword' 'isk' characters included in keywords 'isprint' 'isp' printable characters 'joinspaces' 'js' two spaces after a period with a join command 'jumpoptions' 'jop' specifies how jumping is done 'key' encryption key 'keymap' 'kmp' name of a keyboard mapping 'keymodel' 'km' enable starting/stopping selection with keys 'keyprotocol' 'kpc' what keyboard protocol to use for what terminal 'keywordprg' 'kp' program to use for the "K" command 'langmap' 'lmap' alphabetic characters for other language mode 'langmenu' 'lm' language to be used for the menus 'langnoremap' 'lnr' do not apply 'langmap' to mapped characters 'langremap' 'lrm' do apply 'langmap' to mapped characters 'laststatus' 'ls' tells when last window has status lines 'lazyredraw' 'lz' don't redraw while executing macros 'linebreak' 'lbr' wrap long lines at a blank 'lines' number of lines in the display 'linespace' 'lsp' number of pixel lines to use between characters 'lisp' automatic indenting for Lisp 'lispoptions' 'lop' changes how Lisp indenting is done 'lispwords' 'lw' words that change how lisp indenting works 'list' show <Tab> and <EOL> 'listchars' 'lcs' characters for displaying in list mode 'loadplugins' 'lpl' load plugin scripts when starting up 'luadll' name of the Lua dynamic library 'macatsui' Mac GUI: use ATSUI text drawing 'magic' changes special characters in search patterns 'makeef' 'mef' name of the errorfile for ":make" 'makeencoding' 'menc' encoding of external make/grep commands 'makeprg' 'mp' program to use for the ":make" command 'matchpairs' 'mps' pairs of characters that "%" can match 'matchtime' 'mat' tenths of a second to show matching paren 'maxcombine' 'mco' maximum nr of combining characters displayed 'maxfuncdepth' 'mfd' maximum recursive depth for user functions 'maxmapdepth' 'mmd' maximum recursive depth for mapping 'maxmem' 'mm' maximum memory (in Kbyte) used for one buffer 'maxmempattern' 'mmp' maximum memory (in Kbyte) used for pattern search 'maxmemtot' 'mmt' maximum memory (in Kbyte) used for all buffers 'menuitems' 'mis' maximum number of items in a menu 'mkspellmem' 'msm' memory used before :mkspell compresses the tree 'modeline' 'ml' recognize modelines at start or end of file 'modelineexpr' 'mle' allow setting expression options from a modeline 'modelines' 'mls' number of lines checked for modelines 'modifiable' 'ma' changes to the text are not possible 'modified' 'mod' buffer has been modified 'more' pause listings when the whole screen is filled 'mouse' enable the use of mouse clicks 'mousefocus' 'mousef' keyboard focus follows the mouse 'mousehide' 'mh' hide mouse pointer while typing 'mousemodel' 'mousem' changes meaning of mouse buttons 'mousemoveevent' 'mousemev' report mouse moves with <MouseMove> 'mouseshape' 'mouses' shape of the mouse pointer in different modes 'mousetime' 'mouset' max time between mouse double-click 'mzquantum' 'mzq' the interval between polls for MzScheme threads 'mzschemedll' name of the MzScheme dynamic library 'mzschemegcdll' name of the MzScheme dynamic library for GC 'nrformats' 'nf' number formats recognized for CTRL-A command 'number' 'nu' print the line number in front of each line 'numberwidth' 'nuw' number of columns used for the line number 'omnifunc' 'ofu' function for filetype-specific completion 'opendevice' 'odev' allow reading/writing devices on MS-Windows 'operatorfunc' 'opfunc' function to be called for g@ operator 'osfiletype' 'oft' no longer supported 'packpath' 'pp' list of directories used for packages 'paragraphs' 'para' nroff macros that separate paragraphs 'paste' allow pasting text 'pastetoggle' 'pt' key code that causes 'paste' to toggle 'patchexpr' 'pex' expression used to patch a file 'patchmode' 'pm' keep the oldest version of a file 'path' 'pa' list of directories searched with "gf" et.al. 'perldll' name of the Perl dynamic library 'preserveindent' 'pi' preserve the indent structure when reindenting 'previewheight' 'pvh' height of the preview window 'previewpopup' 'pvp' use popup window for preview 'previewwindow' 'pvw' identifies the preview window 'printdevice' 'pdev' name of the printer to be used for :hardcopy 'printencoding' 'penc' encoding to be used for printing 'printexpr' 'pexpr' expression used to print PostScript for :hardcopy 'printfont' 'pfn' name of the font to be used for :hardcopy 'printheader' 'pheader' format of the header used for :hardcopy 'printmbcharset' 'pmbcs' CJK character set to be used for :hardcopy 'printmbfont' 'pmbfn' font names to be used for CJK output of :hardcopy 'printoptions' 'popt' controls the format of :hardcopy output 'prompt' 'prompt' enable prompt in Ex mode 'pumheight' 'ph' maximum height of the popup menu 'pumwidth' 'pw' minimum width of the popup menu 'pythondll' name of the Python 2 dynamic library 'pythonhome' name of the Python 2 home directory 'pythonthreedll' name of the Python 3 dynamic library 'pythonthreehome' name of the Python 3 home directory 'pyxversion' 'pyx' Python version used for pyx* commands 'quickfixtextfunc' 'qftf' function for the text in the quickfix window 'quoteescape' 'qe' escape characters used in a string 'readonly' 'ro' disallow writing the buffer 'redrawtime' 'rdt' timeout for 'hlsearch' and :match highlighting 'regexpengine' 're' default regexp engine to use 'relativenumber' 'rnu' show relative line number in front of each line 'remap' allow mappings to work recursively 'renderoptions' 'rop' options for text rendering on Windows 'report' threshold for reporting nr. of lines changed 'restorescreen' 'rs' Win32: restore screen when exiting 'revins' 'ri' inserting characters will work backwards 'rightleft' 'rl' window is right-to-left oriented 'rightleftcmd' 'rlc' commands for which editing works right-to-left 'rubydll' name of the Ruby dynamic library 'ruler' 'ru' show cursor line and column in the status line 'rulerformat' 'ruf' custom format for the ruler 'runtimepath' 'rtp' list of directories used for runtime files 'scroll' 'scr' lines to scroll with CTRL-U and CTRL-D 'scrollbind' 'scb' scroll in window as other windows scroll 'scrollfocus' 'scf' scroll wheel applies to window under pointer 'scrolljump' 'sj' minimum number of lines to scroll 'scrolloff' 'so' minimum nr. of lines above and below cursor 'scrollopt' 'sbo' how 'scrollbind' should behave 'sections' 'sect' nroff macros that separate sections 'secure' secure mode for reading .vimrc in current dir 'selection' 'sel' what type of selection to use 'selectmode' 'slm' when to use Select mode instead of Visual mode 'sessionoptions' 'ssop' options for :mksession 'shell' 'sh' name of shell to use for external commands 'shellcmdflag' 'shcf' flag to shell to execute one command 'shellpipe' 'sp' string to put output of ":make" in error file 'shellquote' 'shq' quote character(s) for around shell command 'shellredir' 'srr' string to put output of filter in a temp file 'shellslash' 'ssl' use forward slash for shell file names 'shelltemp' 'stmp' whether to use a temp file for shell commands 'shelltype' 'st' Amiga: influences how to use a shell 'shellxescape' 'sxe' characters to escape when 'shellxquote' is ( 'shellxquote' 'sxq' like 'shellquote', but include redirection 'shiftround' 'sr' round indent to multiple of shiftwidth 'shiftwidth' 'sw' number of spaces to use for (auto)indent step 'shortmess' 'shm' list of flags, reduce length of messages 'shortname' 'sn' Filenames assumed to be 8.3 chars 'showbreak' 'sbr' string to use at the start of wrapped lines 'showcmd' 'sc' show (partial) command somewhere 'showcmdloc' 'sloc' where to show (partial) command 'showfulltag' 'sft' show full tag pattern when completing tag 'showmatch' 'sm' briefly jump to matching bracket if insert one 'showmode' 'smd' message on status line to show current mode 'showtabline' 'stal' tells when the tab pages line is displayed 'sidescroll' 'ss' minimum number of columns to scroll horizontal 'sidescrolloff' 'siso' min. nr. of columns to left and right of cursor 'signcolumn' 'scl' when to display the sign column 'smartcase' 'scs' no ignore case when pattern has uppercase 'smartindent' 'si' smart autoindenting for C programs 'smarttab' 'sta' use 'shiftwidth' when inserting <Tab> 'smoothscroll' 'sms' scroll by screen lines when 'wrap' is set 'softtabstop' 'sts' number of spaces that <Tab> uses while editing 'spell' enable spell checking 'spellcapcheck' 'spc' pattern to locate end of a sentence 'spellfile' 'spf' files where zg and zw store words 'spelllang' 'spl' language(s) to do spell checking for 'spelloptions' 'spo' options for spell checking 'spellsuggest' 'sps' method(s) used to suggest spelling corrections 'splitbelow' 'sb' new window from split is below the current one 'splitkeep' 'spk' determines scroll behavior for split windows 'splitright' 'spr' new window is put right of the current one 'startofline' 'sol' commands move cursor to first non-blank in line 'statusline' 'stl' custom format for the status line 'suffixes' 'su' suffixes that are ignored with multiple match 'suffixesadd' 'sua' suffixes added when searching for a file 'swapfile' 'swf' whether to use a swapfile for a buffer 'swapsync' 'sws' how to sync the swap file 'switchbuf' 'swb' sets behavior when switching to another buffer 'synmaxcol' 'smc' maximum column to find syntax items 'syntax' 'syn' syntax to be loaded for current buffer 'tabclose' 'tcl' which tab page to focus when closing a tab 'tabline' 'tal' custom format for the console tab pages line 'tabpagemax' 'tpm' maximum number of tab pages for -p and "tab all" 'tabstop' 'ts' number of spaces that <Tab> in file uses 'tagbsearch' 'tbs' use binary searching in tags files 'tagcase' 'tc' how to handle case when searching in tags files 'tagfunc' 'tfu' function to get list of tag matches 'taglength' 'tl' number of significant characters for a tag 'tagrelative' 'tr' file names in tag file are relative 'tags' 'tag' list of file names used by the tag command 'tagstack' 'tgst' push tags onto the tag stack 'tcldll' name of the Tcl dynamic library 'term' name of the terminal 'termbidi' 'tbidi' terminal takes care of bi-directionality 'termencoding' 'tenc' character encoding used by the terminal 'termguicolors' 'tgc' use GUI colors for the terminal 'termwinkey' 'twk' key that precedes a Vim command in a terminal 'termwinscroll' 'twsl' max number of scrollback lines in a terminal window 'termwinsize' 'tws' size of a terminal window 'termwintype' 'twt' MS-Windows: type of pty to use for terminal window 'terse' shorten some messages 'textauto' 'ta' obsolete, use 'fileformats' 'textmode' 'tx' obsolete, use 'fileformat' 'textwidth' 'tw' maximum width of text that is being inserted 'thesaurus' 'tsr' list of thesaurus files for keyword completion 'thesaurusfunc' 'tsrfu' function to be used for thesaurus completion 'tildeop' 'top' tilde command "~" behaves like an operator 'timeout' 'to' time out on mappings and key codes 'timeoutlen' 'tm' time out time in milliseconds 'title' let Vim set the title of the window 'titlelen' percentage of 'columns' used for window title 'titleold' old title, restored when exiting 'titlestring' string to use for the Vim window title 'toolbar' 'tb' GUI: which items to show in the toolbar 'toolbariconsize' 'tbis' size of the toolbar icons (for GTK 2 only) 'ttimeout' time out on mappings 'ttimeoutlen' 'ttm' time out time for key codes in milliseconds 'ttybuiltin' 'tbi' use built-in termcap before external termcap 'ttyfast' 'tf' indicates a fast terminal connection 'ttymouse' 'ttym' type of mouse codes generated 'ttyscroll' 'tsl' maximum number of lines for a scroll 'ttytype' 'tty' alias for 'term' 'undodir' 'udir' where to store undo files 'undofile' 'udf' save undo information in a file 'undolevels' 'ul' maximum number of changes that can be undone 'undoreload' 'ur' max nr of lines to save for undo on a buffer reload 'updatecount' 'uc' after this many characters flush swap file 'updatetime' 'ut' after this many milliseconds flush swap file 'varsofttabstop' 'vsts' a list of number of spaces when typing <Tab> 'vartabstop' 'vts' a list of number of spaces for <Tab>s 'verbose' 'vbs' give informative messages 'verbosefile' 'vfile' file to write messages in 'viewdir' 'vdir' directory where to store files with :mkview 'viewoptions' 'vop' specifies what to save for :mkview 'viminfo' 'vi' use .viminfo file upon startup and exiting 'viminfofile' 'vif' file name used for the viminfo file 'virtualedit' 've' when to use virtual editing 'visualbell' 'vb' use visual bell instead of beeping 'warn' warn for shell command when buffer was changed 'weirdinvert' 'wiv' for terminals that have weird inversion method 'whichwrap' 'ww' allow specified keys to cross line boundaries 'wildchar' 'wc' command-line character for wildcard expansion 'wildcharm' 'wcm' like 'wildchar' but also works when mapped 'wildignore' 'wig' files matching these patterns are not completed 'wildignorecase' 'wic' ignore case when completing file names 'wildmenu' 'wmnu' use menu for command line completion 'wildmode' 'wim' mode for 'wildchar' command-line expansion 'wildoptions' 'wop' specifies how command line completion is done 'winaltkeys' 'wak' when the windows system handles ALT keys 'wincolor' 'wcr' window-local highlighting 'window' 'wi' nr of lines to scroll for CTRL-F and CTRL-B 'winfixbuf' 'wfb' keep window focused on a single buffer 'winfixheight' 'wfh' keep window height when opening/closing windows 'winfixwidth' 'wfw' keep window width when opening/closing windows 'winheight' 'wh' minimum number of lines for the current window 'winminheight' 'wmh' minimum number of lines for any window 'winminwidth' 'wmw' minimal number of columns for any window 'winptydll' name of the winpty dynamic library 'winwidth' 'wiw' minimal number of columns for current window 'wrap' long lines wrap and continue on the next line 'wrapmargin' 'wm' chars from the right where wrapping starts 'wrapscan' 'ws' searches wrap around the end of the file 'write' writing to a file is allowed 'writeany' 'wa' write to file with no need for "!" override 'writebackup' 'wb' make a backup before overwriting a file 'writedelay' 'wd' delay this many msec for each char (for debug) 'xtermcodes' request terminal codes from an xterm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ur Undo/Redo commands u N u undo last N changes CTRL-R N CTRL-R redo last N undone changes U U restore last changed line ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_et External commands :shell :sh[ell] start a shell :! :!{command} execute {command} with a shell K K lookup keyword under the cursor with 'keywordprg' program (default: "man") ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_qf Quickfix commands :cc :cc [nr] display error [nr] (default is the same again) :cnext :cn display the next error :cprevious :cp display the previous error :clist :cl list all errors :cfile :cf read errors from the file 'errorfile' :cgetbuffer :cgetb like :cbuffer but don't jump to the first error :cgetfile :cg like :cfile but don't jump to the first error :cgetexpr :cgete like :cexpr but don't jump to the first error :caddfile :caddf add errors from the error file to the current quickfix list :caddexpr :cad add errors from an expression to the current quickfix list :cbuffer :cb read errors from text in a buffer :cexpr :cex read errors from an expression :cquit :cq quit without writing and return error code (to the compiler) :make :make [args] start make, read errors, and jump to first error :grep :gr[ep] [args] execute 'grepprg' to find matches and jump to the first one ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_vc Various commands CTRL-L CTRL-L clear and redraw the screen CTRL-G CTRL-G show current file name (with path) and cursor position ga ga show ascii value of character under cursor in decimal, hex, and octal g8 g8 for utf-8 encoding: show byte sequence for character under cursor in hex g_CTRL-G g CTRL-G show cursor column, line, and character position CTRL-C CTRL-C during searches: Interrupt the search dos-CTRL-Break CTRL-Break MS-Windows: during searches: Interrupt the search <Del> <Del> while entering a count: delete last character :version :ve[rsion] show version information :mode :mode N set screen mode to N (obsolete) :normal :norm[al][!] {commands} execute Normal mode commands Q Q switch to "Ex" mode :redir :redir >{file} redirect messages to {file} :silent :silent[!] {command} execute {command} silently :confirm :confirm {command} quit, write, etc., asking about unsaved changes or read-only files :browse :browse {command} open/read/write file, using a file selection dialog ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ce Command-line editing c_<Esc> <Esc> abandon command-line (if 'wildchar' is <Esc>, type it twice) c_CTRL-V CTRL-V {char} insert {char} literally c_CTRL-V CTRL-V {number} enter decimal value of character (up to three digits) c_CTRL-K CTRL-K {char1} {char2} enter digraph (See Q_di) c_CTRL-R CTRL-R {register} insert the contents of a register c_<Left> <Left>/<Right> cursor left/right c_<S-Left> <S-Left>/<S-Right> cursor one word left/right c_CTRL-B CTRL-B/CTRL-E cursor to beginning/end of command-line c_<BS> <BS> delete the character in front of the cursor c_<Del> <Del> delete the character under the cursor c_CTRL-W CTRL-W delete the word in front of the cursor c_CTRL-U CTRL-U remove all characters c_<Up> <Up>/<Down> recall older/newer command-line that starts with current command c_<S-Up> <S-Up>/<S-Down> recall older/newer command-line from history c_CTRL-G CTRL-G next match when 'incsearch' is active c_CTRL-T CTRL-T previous match when 'incsearch' is active :history :his[tory] show older command-lines Context-sensitive completion on the command-line: c_wildchar 'wildchar' (default: <Tab>) do completion on the pattern in front of the cursor; if there are multiple matches, beep and show the first one; further 'wildchar' will show the next ones c_CTRL-D CTRL-D list all names that match the pattern in front of the cursor c_CTRL-A CTRL-A insert all names that match pattern in front of cursor c_CTRL-L CTRL-L insert longest common part of names that match pattern c_CTRL-N CTRL-N after 'wildchar' with multiple matches: go to next match c_CTRL-P CTRL-P after 'wildchar' with multiple matches: go to previous match ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ra Ex ranges :range , separates two line numbers :range ; idem, set cursor to the first line number before interpreting the second one :range {number} an absolute line number :range . the current line :range $ the last line in the file :range % equal to 1,$ (the entire file) :range * equal to '<,'> (visual area) :range 't position of mark t :range /{pattern}[/] the next line where {pattern} matches :range ?{pattern}[?] the previous line where {pattern} matches :range +[num] add [num] to the preceding line number (default: 1) :range -[num] subtract [num] from the preceding line number (default: 1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ex Special Ex characters :bar | separates two commands (not for ":global" and ":!") :quote " begins comment :_% % current file name (only where a file name is expected) :_# #[num] alternate file name [num] (only where a file name is expected) Note: The next seven are typed literally; these are not special keys! :<abuf> <abuf> buffer number, for use in an autocommand (only where a file name is expected) :<afile> <afile> file name, for use in an autocommand (only where a file name is expected) :<amatch> <amatch> what matched with the pattern, for use in an autocommand (only where a file name is expected) :<cword> <cword> word under the cursor (only where a file name is expected) :<cWORD> <cWORD> WORD under the cursor (only where a file name is expected) (see WORD) :<cfile> <cfile> file name under the cursor (only where a file name is expected) :<sfile> <sfile> file name of a ":source"d file, within that file (only where a file name is expected) After "%", "#", "<cfile>", "<sfile>" or "<afile>" ::p :p full path ::h :h head (file name removed) ::t :t tail (file name only) ::r :r root (extension removed) ::e :e extension ::s :s/{pat}/{repl}/ substitute {pat} with {repl} ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_st Starting Vim -vim vim [options] start editing with an empty buffer -file vim [options] {file} .. start editing one or more files -- vim [options] - read file from stdin -tag vim [options] -t {tag} edit the file associated with {tag} -qf vim [options] -q [fname] start editing in QuickFix mode, display the first error Most useful Vim arguments (for full list see startup-options) -gui -g start GUI (also allows other options) -+ +[num] put the cursor at line [num] (default: last line) -+c +{command} execute {command} after loading the file -+/ +/{pat} {file} .. put the cursor at the first occurrence of {pat} -v -v Vi mode, start ex in Normal mode -e -e Ex mode, start vim in Ex mode -R -R Read-only mode, implies -n -m -m modifications not allowed (resets 'write' option) -d -d diff mode diff -b -b binary mode -l -l lisp mode -A -A Arabic mode ('arabic' is set) -F -F Farsi mode ('fkmap' and 'rightleft' are set) -H -H Hebrew mode ('hkmap' and 'rightleft' are set) -V -V Verbose, give informative messages -C -C Compatible, set the 'compatible' option -N -N Nocompatible, reset the 'compatible' option -r -r give list of swap files -r -r {file} .. recover aborted edit session -n -n do not create a swap file -o -o [num] open [num] windows (default: one for each file) -f -f GUI: foreground process, don't fork Amiga: do not restart Vim to open a window (for e.g., mail) -s -s {scriptin} first read commands from the file {scriptin} -w -w {scriptout} write typed chars to file {scriptout} (append) -W -W {scriptout} write typed chars to file {scriptout} (overwrite) -T -T {terminal} set terminal name -d -d {device} Amiga: open {device} to be used as a console -u -u {vimrc} read inits from {vimrc} instead of other inits -U -U {gvimrc} idem, for when starting the GUI -i -i {viminfo} read info from {viminfo} instead of other files --- -- end of options, other arguments are file names --help --help show list of arguments and exit --version --version show version info and exit -- - read file from stdin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ed Editing a file Without !: Fail if changes have been made to the current buffer. With !: Discard any changes to the current buffer. :edit_f :e[dit][!] {file} edit {file} :edit :e[dit][!] reload the current file :enew :ene[w][!] edit a new, unnamed buffer :find :fin[d][!] {file} find {file} in 'path' and edit it CTRL-^ N CTRL-^ edit alternate file N (equivalent to ":e #N") gf gf or ]f edit the file whose name is under the cursor :pwd :pwd print the current directory name :cd :cd [path] change the current directory to [path] :cd- :cd - back to previous current directory :file :f[ile] print the current file name and the cursor position :file :f[ile] {name} set the current file name to {name} :files :files show alternate file names ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_fl Using the argument list argument-list :args :ar[gs] print the argument list, with the current file in "[]" :all :all or :sall open a window for every file in the arg list :wn :wn[ext][!] write file and edit next file :wn :wn[ext][!] {file} write to {file} and edit next file, unless {file} exists; With !, overwrite existing file :wN :wN[ext][!] [file] write file and edit previous file in current window in new window :argument :argu[ment] N :sar[gument] N edit file N :next :n[ext] :sn[ext] edit next file :next_f :n[ext] {arglist} :sn[ext] {arglist} define new arg list and edit first file :Next :N[ext] :sN[ext] edit previous file :first :fir[st] :sfir[st] edit first file :last :la[st] :sla[st] edit last file ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_wq Writing and quitting :w :[range]w[rite][!] write to the current file :w_f :[range]w[rite] {file} write to {file}, unless it already exists :w_f :[range]w[rite]! {file} write to {file}. Overwrite an existing file :w_a :[range]w[rite][!] >> append to the current file :w_a :[range]w[rite][!] >> {file} append to {file} :w_c :[range]w[rite] !{cmd} execute {cmd} with [range] lines as standard input :up :[range]up[date][!] write to current file if modified :wall :wa[ll][!] write all changed buffers :q :q[uit] quit current buffer, unless changes have been made; Exit Vim when there are no other non-help buffers :q :q[uit]! quit current buffer always, discard any changes. Exit Vim when there are no other non-help buffers :qa :qa[ll] exit Vim, unless changes have been made :qa :qa[ll]! exit Vim always, discard any changes :cq :cq quit without writing and return error code :wq :wq[!] write the current file and exit :wq :wq[!] {file} write to {file} and exit :xit :x[it][!] [file] like ":wq" but write only when changes have been made ZZ ZZ same as ":x" ZQ ZQ same as ":q!" :xall :xa[ll][!] or :wqall[!] write all changed buffers and exit :stop :st[op][!] suspend Vim or start new shell; if 'aw' option is set and [!] not given write the buffer CTRL-Z CTRL-Z same as ":stop" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_ac Automatic Commands viminfo-file read registers, marks, history at startup, save when exiting. :rviminfo :rv[iminfo] [file] read info from viminfo file [file] :rviminfo :rv[iminfo]! [file] idem, overwrite existing info :wviminfo :wv[iminfo] [file] add info to viminfo file [file] :wviminfo :wv[iminfo]! [file] write info to viminfo file [file] modeline Automatic option setting when editing a file modeline vim:{set-arg}: .. In the first and last lines of the file (see 'ml' option), {set-arg} is given as an argument to ":set" autocommand Automatic execution of commands on certain events. :autocmd :au list all autocommands :autocmd :au {event} list all autocommands for {event} :autocmd :au {event} {pat} list all autocommands for {event} with {pat} :autocmd :au {event} {pat} {cmd} enter new autocommands for {event} with {pat} :autocmd :au! remove all autocommands :autocmd :au! {event} remove all autocommands for {event} :autocmd :au! * {pat} remove all autocommands for {pat} :autocmd :au! {event} {pat} remove all autocommands for {event} with {pat} :autocmd :au! {event} {pat} {cmd} remove all autocommands for {event} with {pat} and enter new one ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_wi Multi-window commands CTRL-W_s CTRL-W s or :split split window into two parts :split_f :split {file} split window and edit {file} in one of them :vsplit :vsplit {file} same, but split vertically :vertical :vertical {cmd} make {cmd} split vertically :sfind :sf[ind] {file} split window, find {file} in 'path' and edit it :terminal :terminal {cmd} open a terminal window CTRL-W_] CTRL-W ] split window and jump to tag under cursor CTRL-W_f CTRL-W f split window and edit file name under the cursor CTRL-W_^ CTRL-W ^ split window and edit alternate file CTRL-W_n CTRL-W n or :new create new empty window CTRL-W_q CTRL-W q or :q[uit] quit editing and close window CTRL-W_c CTRL-W c or :clo[se] make buffer hidden and close window CTRL-W_o CTRL-W o or :on[ly] make current window only one on the screen CTRL-W_j CTRL-W j move cursor to window below CTRL-W_k CTRL-W k move cursor to window above CTRL-W_CTRL-W CTRL-W CTRL-W move cursor to window below (wrap) CTRL-W_W CTRL-W W move cursor to window above (wrap) CTRL-W_t CTRL-W t move cursor to top window CTRL-W_b CTRL-W b move cursor to bottom window CTRL-W_p CTRL-W p move cursor to previous active window CTRL-W_r CTRL-W r rotate windows downwards CTRL-W_R CTRL-W R rotate windows upwards CTRL-W_x CTRL-W x exchange current window with next one CTRL-W_= CTRL-W = make all windows equal height & width CTRL-W_- CTRL-W - decrease current window height CTRL-W_+ CTRL-W + increase current window height CTRL-W__ CTRL-W _ set current window height (default: very high) CTRL-W_< CTRL-W < decrease current window width CTRL-W_> CTRL-W > increase current window width CTRL-W_bar CTRL-W | set current window width (default: widest possible) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_bu Buffer list commands :buffers :buffers or :files list all known buffer and file names :ball :ball or :sball edit all args/buffers :unhide :unhide or :sunhide edit all loaded buffers :badd :badd {fname} add file name {fname} to the list :bunload :bunload[!] [N] unload buffer [N] from memory :bdelete :bdelete[!] [N] unload buffer [N] and delete it from the buffer list in current window in new window :buffer :[N]buffer [N] :[N]sbuffer [N] to arg/buf N :bnext :[N]bnext [N] :[N]sbnext [N] to Nth next arg/buf :bNext :[N]bNext [N] :[N]sbNext [N] to Nth previous arg/buf :bprevious :[N]bprevious [N] :[N]sbprevious [N] to Nth previous arg/buf :bfirst :bfirst :sbfirst to first arg/buf :blast :blast :sblast to last arg/buf :bmodified :[N]bmod [N] :[N]sbmod [N] to Nth modified buf ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_sy Syntax Highlighting :syn-on :syntax on start using syntax highlighting :syn-off :syntax off stop using syntax highlighting :syn-keyword :syntax keyword {group-name} {keyword} .. add a syntax keyword item :syn-match :syntax match {group-name} {pattern} ... add syntax match item :syn-region :syntax region {group-name} {pattern} ... add syntax region item :syn-sync :syntax sync [ccomment | lines {N} | ...] tell syntax how to sync :syntax :syntax [list] list current syntax items :syn-clear :syntax clear clear all syntax info :highlight :highlight clear clear all highlight info :highlight :highlight {group-name} {key}={arg} .. set highlighting for {group-name} :filetype :filetype on switch on file type detection, without syntax highlighting :filetype :filetype plugin indent on switch on file type detection, with automatic indenting and settings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_gu GUI commands :gui :gui UNIX: start the GUI :gui :gui {fname} .. idem, and edit {fname} .. :menu :menu list all menus :menu :menu {mpath} list menus starting with {mpath} :menu :menu {mpath} {rhs} add menu {mpath}, giving {rhs} :menu :menu {pri} {mpath} {rhs} idem, with priorities {pri} :menu :menu ToolBar.{name} {rhs} add toolbar item, giving {rhs} :tmenu :tmenu {mpath} {text} add tooltip to menu {mpath} :unmenu :unmenu {mpath} remove menu {mpath} ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q_fo Folding 'foldmethod' set foldmethod=manual manual folding set foldmethod=indent folding by indent set foldmethod=expr folding by 'foldexpr' set foldmethod=syntax folding by syntax regions set foldmethod=marker folding by 'foldmarker' zf zf{motion} operator: Define a fold manually :fold :{range}fold define a fold for {range} lines zd zd delete one fold under the cursor zD zD delete all folds under the cursor zo zo open one fold under the cursor zO zO open all folds under the cursor zc zc close one fold under the cursor zC zC close all folds under the cursor zm zm fold more: decrease 'foldlevel' zM zM close all folds: make 'foldlevel' zero zr zr reduce folding: increase 'foldlevel' zR zR open all folds: make 'foldlevel' max. zn zn fold none: reset 'foldenable' zN zN fold normal set 'foldenable' zi zi invert 'foldenable' vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl: