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Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001*insert.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2006 Mar 04
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7 *Insert* *Insert-mode*
8Inserting and replacing text *mode-ins-repl*
9
10Most of this file is about Insert and Replace mode. At the end are a few
11commands for inserting text in other ways.
12
13An overview of the most often used commands can be found in chapter 24 of the
14user manual |usr_24.txt|.
15
161. Special keys |ins-special-keys|
172. Special special keys |ins-special-special|
183. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options |ins-textwidth|
194. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options |ins-expandtab|
205. Replace mode |Replace-mode|
216. Virtual Replace mode |Virtual-Replace-mode|
227. Insert mode completion |ins-completion|
238. Insert mode commands |inserting|
249. Ex insert commands |inserting-ex|
2510. Inserting a file |inserting-file|
26
27Also see 'virtualedit', for moving the cursor to positions where there is no
28character. Useful for editing a table.
29
30==============================================================================
311. Special keys *ins-special-keys*
32
33In Insert and Replace mode, the following characters have a special meaning;
34other characters are inserted directly. To insert one of these special
35characters into the buffer, precede it with CTRL-V. To insert a <Nul>
36character use "CTRL-V CTRL-@" or "CTRL-V 000". On some systems, you have to
37use "CTRL-V 003" to insert a CTRL-C. Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can
38often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
39
40If you are working in a special language mode when inserting text, see the
41'langmap' option, |'langmap'|, on how to avoid switching this mode on and off
42all the time.
43
44If you have 'insertmode' set, <Esc> and a few other keys get another meaning.
45See |'insertmode'|.
46
47char action ~
48-----------------------------------------------------------------------
49 *i_CTRL-[* *i_<Esc>*
50<Esc> or CTRL-[ End insert or Replace mode, go back to Normal mode. Finish
51 abbreviation.
52 Note: If your <Esc> key is hard to hit on your keyboard, train
53 yourself to use CTRL-[.
54 *i_CTRL-C*
55CTRL-C Quit insert mode, go back to Normal mode. Do not check for
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +000056 abbreviations. Does not trigger the |InsertLeave| autocommand
57 event.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000058
59 *i_CTRL-@*
60CTRL-@ Insert previously inserted text and stop insert. {Vi: only
61 when typed as first char, only up to 128 chars}
62 *i_CTRL-A*
63CTRL-A Insert previously inserted text. {not in Vi}
64
65 *i_CTRL-H* *i_<BS>* *i_BS*
66<BS> or CTRL-H Delete the character before the cursor (see |i_backspacing|
67 about joining lines).
68 See |:fixdel| if your <BS> key does not do what you want.
69 {Vi: does not delete autoindents}
70 *i_<Del>* *i_DEL*
71<Del> Delete the character under the cursor. If the cursor is at
72 the end of the line, and the 'backspace' option includes
73 "eol", delete the <EOL>; the next line is appended after the
74 current one.
75 See |:fixdel| if your <Del> key does not do what you want.
76 {not in Vi}
77 *i_CTRL-W*
78CTRL-W Delete the word before the cursor (see |i_backspacing| about
79 joining lines). See the section "word motions",
80 |word-motions|, for the definition of a word.
81 *i_CTRL-U*
82CTRL-U Delete all entered characters in the current line (see
83 |i_backspacing| about joining lines).
84
85 *i_CTRL-I* *i_<Tab>* *i_Tab*
86<Tab> or CTRL-I Insert a tab. If the 'expandtab' option is on, the
87 equivalent number of spaces is inserted (use CTRL-V <Tab> to
88 avoid the expansion; use CTRL-Q <Tab> if CTRL-V is mapped
89 |i_CTRL-Q|). See also the 'smarttab' option and
90 |ins-expandtab|.
91 *i_CTRL-J* *i_<NL>*
92<NL> or CTRL-J Begin new line.
93 *i_CTRL-M* *i_<CR>*
94<CR> or CTRL-M Begin new line.
95 *i_CTRL-K*
96CTRL-K {char1} [char2]
97 Enter digraph (see |digraphs|). When {char1} is a special
98 key, the code for that key is inserted in <> form. For
99 example, the string "<S-Space>" can be entered by typing
100 <C-K><S-Space> (two keys). Neither char is considered for
101 mapping. {not in Vi}
102
103CTRL-N Find next keyword (see |i_CTRL-N|). {not in Vi}
104CTRL-P Find previous keyword (see |i_CTRL-P|). {not in Vi}
105
106CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+:.-=} *i_CTRL-R*
107 Insert the contents of a register. Between typing CTRL-R and
108 the second character, '"' will be displayed to indicate that
109 you are expected to enter the name of a register.
110 The text is inserted as if you typed it, but mappings and
111 abbreviations are not used. If you have options like
112 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', or 'autoindent' set, this will
113 influence what will be inserted. This is different from what
114 happens with the "p" command and pasting with the mouse.
115 Special registers:
116 '"' the unnamed register, containing the text of
117 the last delete or yank
118 '%' the current file name
119 '#' the alternate file name
120 '*' the clipboard contents (X11: primary selection)
121 '+' the clipboard contents
122 '/' the last search pattern
123 ':' the last command-line
124 '.' the last inserted text
125 '-' the last small (less than a line) delete
126 '=' the expression register: you are prompted to
127 enter an expression (see |expression|)
Bram Moolenaar293ee4d2004-12-09 21:34:53 +0000128 Note that 0x80 (128 decimal) is used for
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000129 special keys. E.g., you can use this to move
130 the cursor up:
131 CTRL-R ="\<Up>"
132 Use CTRL-R CTRL-R to insert text literally.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000133 See |registers| about registers. {not in Vi}
134
135CTRL-R CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-R*
136 Insert the contents of a register. Works like using a single
137 CTRL-R, but the text is inserted literally, not as if typed.
138 This differs when the register contains characters like <BS>.
139 Example, where register a contains "ab^Hc": >
140 CTRL-R a results in "ac".
141 CTRL-R CTRL-R a results in "ab^Hc".
142< Options 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', etc. still apply. If
143 you also want to avoid these, use "<C-R><C-O>r", see below.
144 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
145 typed. {not in Vi}
146
147CTRL-R CTRL-O {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-O*
148 Insert the contents of a register literally and don't
149 auto-indent. Does the same as pasting with the mouse
150 |<MiddleMouse>|.
151 Does not replace characters!
152 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
153 typed. {not in Vi}
154
155CTRL-R CTRL-P {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-P*
156 Insert the contents of a register literally and fix the
157 indent, like |[<MiddleMouse>|.
158 Does not replace characters!
159 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
160 typed. {not in Vi}
161
162 *i_CTRL-T*
163CTRL-T Insert one shiftwidth of indent at the start of the current
164 line. The indent is always rounded to a 'shiftwidth' (this is
165 vi compatible). {Vi: only when in indent}
166 *i_CTRL-D*
167CTRL-D Delete one shiftwidth of indent at the start of the current
168 line. The indent is always rounded to a 'shiftwidth' (this is
169 vi compatible). {Vi: CTRL-D works only when used after
170 autoindent}
171 *i_0_CTRL-D*
1720 CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. {Vi: CTRL-D works
173 only when used after autoindent}
174 *i_^_CTRL-D*
175^ CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. The indent is
176 restored in the next line. This is useful when inserting a
177 label. {Vi: CTRL-D works only when used after autoindent}
178
179 *i_CTRL-V*
180CTRL-V Insert next non-digit literally. For special keys, the
181 terminal code is inserted. It's also possible to enter the
182 decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character
183 |i_CTRL-V_digit|.
184 The characters typed right after CTRL-V are not considered for
185 mapping. {Vi: no decimal byte entry}
186 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped (e.g., to paste text) you can
187 often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
188
189 *i_CTRL-Q*
190CTRL-Q Same as CTRL-V.
191 Note: Some terminal connections may eat CTRL-Q, it doesn't
192 work then. It does work in the GUI.
193
194CTRL-X Enter CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode where commands can
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000195 be given to complete words or scroll the window. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000196 |i_CTRL-X| and |ins-completion|. {not in Vi}
197
198 *i_CTRL-E*
199CTRL-E Insert the character which is below the cursor. {not in Vi}
200 *i_CTRL-Y*
201CTRL-Y Insert the character which is above the cursor. {not in Vi}
202 Note that for CTRL-E and CTRL-Y 'textwidth' is not used, to be
203 able to copy characters from a long line.
204
205 *i_CTRL-_*
206CTRL-_ Switch between languages, as follows:
207 - When in a rightleft window, revins and nohkmap are toggled,
208 since English will likely be inserted in this case.
209 - When in a norightleft window, revins and hkmap are toggled,
210 since Hebrew will likely be inserted in this case.
211
212 CTRL-_ moves the cursor to the end of the typed text.
213
214 This command is only available when the 'allowrevins' option
215 is set.
216 Please refer to |rileft.txt| for more information about
217 right-to-left mode.
218 {not in Vi}
219 Only if compiled with the |+rightleft| feature (which is not
220 the default).
221 *i_CTRL-^*
222CTRL-^ Toggle the use of typing language characters.
223 When language |:lmap| mappings are defined:
224 - If 'iminsert' is 1 (langmap mappings used) it becomes 0 (no
225 langmap mappings used).
226 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 1, thus langmap
227 mappings are enabled.
228 When no language mappings are defined:
229 - If 'iminsert' is 2 (Input Method used) it becomes 0 (no
230 Input Method used).
231 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 2, thus the Input
232 Method is enabled.
233 When set to 1, the value of the "b:keymap_name" variable, the
234 'keymap' option or "<lang>" appears in the status line.
235 The language mappings are normally used to type characters
236 that are different from what the keyboard produces. The
237 'keymap' option can be used to install a whole number of them.
238 {not in Vi}
239
240 *i_CTRL-]*
241CTRL-] Trigger abbreviation, without inserting a character. {not in
242 Vi}
243
244 *i_<Insert>*
245<Insert> Toggle between Insert and Replace mode. {not in Vi}
246-----------------------------------------------------------------------
247
248 *i_backspacing*
249The effect of the <BS>, CTRL-W, and CTRL-U depend on the 'backspace' option
250(unless 'revins' is set). This is a comma separated list of items:
251
252item action ~
253indent allow backspacing over autoindent
254eol allow backspacing over end-of-line (join lines)
255start allow backspacing over the start position of insert; CTRL-W and
256 CTRL-U stop once at the start position
257
258When 'backspace' is empty, Vi compatible backspacing is used. You cannot
259backspace over autoindent, before column 1 or before where insert started.
260
261For backwards compatibility the values "0", "1" and "2" are also allowed, see
262|'backspace'|.
263
264If the 'backspace' option does contain "eol" and the cursor is in column 1
265when one of the three keys is used, the current line is joined with the
266previous line. This effectively deletes the <EOL> in front of the cursor.
267{Vi: does not cross lines, does not delete past start position of insert}
268
269 *i_CTRL-V_digit*
270With CTRL-V the decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character can be
271entered directly. This way you can enter any character, except a line break
272(<NL>, value 10). There are five ways to enter the character value:
273
274first char mode max nr of chars max value ~
275(none) decimal 3 255
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000276o or O octal 3 377 (255)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000277x or X hexadecimal 2 ff (255)
278u hexadecimal 4 ffff (65535)
279U hexadecimal 8 7fffffff (2147483647)
280
281Normally you would type the maximum number of characters. Thus to enter a
282space (value 32) you would type <C-V>032. You can omit the leading zero, in
283which case the character typed after the number must be a non-digit. This
284happens for the other modes as well: As soon as you type a character that is
285invalid for the mode, the value before it will be used and the "invalid"
286character is dealt with in the normal way.
287
288If you enter a value of 10, it will end up in the file as a 0. The 10 is a
289<NL>, which is used internally to represent the <Nul> character. When writing
290the buffer to a file, the <NL> character is translated into <Nul>. The <NL>
291character is written at the end of each line. Thus if you want to insert a
292<NL> character in a file you will have to make a line break.
293
294 *i_CTRL-X* *insert_expand*
295CTRL-X enters a sub-mode where several commands can be used. Most of these
296commands do keyword completion; see |ins-completion|. These are not available
297when Vim was compiled without the |+insert_expand| feature.
298
299Two commands can be used to scroll the window up or down, without exiting
300insert mode:
301
302 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-E*
303CTRL-X CTRL-E scroll window one line up.
304
305 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-Y*
306CTRL-X CTRL-Y scroll window one line down.
307
308After CTRL-X is pressed, each CTRL-E (CTRL-Y) scrolls the window up (down) by
309one line unless that would cause the cursor to move from its current position
310in the file. As soon as another key is pressed, CTRL-X mode is exited and
311that key is interpreted as in Insert mode.
312
313
314==============================================================================
3152. Special special keys *ins-special-special*
316
317The following keys are special. They stop the current insert, do something,
318and then restart insertion. This means you can do something without getting
319out of Insert mode. This is very handy if you prefer to use the Insert mode
320all the time, just like editors that don't have a separate Normal mode. You
321may also want to set the 'backspace' option to "indent,eol,start" and set the
322'insertmode' option. You can use CTRL-O if you want to map a function key to
323a command.
324
325The changes (inserted or deleted characters) before and after these keys can
326be undone separately. Only the last change can be redone and always behaves
327like an "i" command.
328
329char action ~
330-----------------------------------------------------------------------
331<Up> cursor one line up *i_<Up>*
332<Down> cursor one line down *i_<Down>*
333CTRL-G <Up> cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Up>*
334CTRL-G k cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_k*
335CTRL-G CTRL-K cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-K*
336CTRL-G <Down> cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Down>*
337CTRL-G j cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_j*
338CTRL-G CTRL-J cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-J*
339<Left> cursor one character left *i_<Left>*
340<Right> cursor one character right *i_<Right>*
341<S-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<S-Left>*
342<C-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<C-Left>*
343<S-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<S-Right>*
344<C-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<C-Right>*
345<Home> cursor to first char in the line *i_<Home>*
346<End> cursor to after last char in the line *i_<End>*
347<C-Home> cursor to first char in the file *i_<C-Home>*
348<C-End> cursor to after last char in the file *i_<C-End>*
349<LeftMouse> cursor to position of mouse click *i_<LeftMouse>*
350<S-Up> move window one page up *i_<S-Up>*
351<PageUp> move window one page up *i_<PageUp>*
352<S-Down> move window one page down *i_<S-Down>*
353<PageDown> move window one page down *i_<PageDown>*
354<MouseDown> scroll three lines down *i_<MouseDown>*
355<S-MouseDown> scroll a full page down *i_<S-MouseDown>*
356<MouseUp> scroll three lines up *i_<MouseUp>*
357<S-MouseUp> scroll a full page up *i_<S-MouseUp>*
358CTRL-O execute one command, return to Insert mode *i_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000359CTRL-\ CTRL-O like CTRL-O but don't move the cursor *i_CTRL-\_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000360CTRL-L when 'insertmode' is set: go to Normal mode *i_CTRL-L*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000361CTRL-G u break undo sequence, start new change *i_CTRL-G_u*
362-----------------------------------------------------------------------
363
364Note: If the cursor keys take you out of Insert mode, check the 'noesckeys'
365option.
366
367The CTRL-O command sometimes has a side effect: If the cursor was beyond the
368end of the line, it will be put on the last character in the line. In
369mappings it's often better to use <Esc> (first put an "x" in the text, <Esc>
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000370will then always put the cursor on it). Or use CTRL-\ CTRL-O, but then
371beware of the cursor possibly being beyond the end of the line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000372
373The shifted cursor keys are not available on all terminals.
374
375Another side effect is that a count specified before the "i" or "a" command is
376ignored. That is because repeating the effect of the command after CTRL-O is
377too complicated.
378
379An example for using CTRL-G u: >
380
381 :inoremap <C-H> <C-G>u<C-H>
382
383This redefines the backspace key to start a new undo sequence. You can now
384undo the effect of the backspace key, without changing what you typed before
385that, with CTRL-O u.
386
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000387Using CTRL-O splits undo: the text typed before and after it is undone
388separately. If you want to avoid this (e.g., in a mapping) you might be able
389to use CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. E.g., to call a function: >
390 :imap <F2> <C-R>=MyFunc()<CR>
391
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000392When the 'whichwrap' option is set appropriately, the <Left> and <Right>
393keys on the first/last character in the line make the cursor wrap to the
394previous/next line.
395
396The CTRL-G j and CTRL-G k commands can be used to insert text in front of a
397column. Example: >
398 int i;
399 int j;
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000400Position the cursor on the first "int", type "istatic <C-G>j ". The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000401result is: >
402 static int i;
403 int j;
404When inserting the same text in front of the column in every line, use the
405Visual blockwise command "I" |v_b_I|.
406
407==============================================================================
4083. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options *ins-textwidth*
409
410The 'textwidth' option can be used to automatically break a line before it
411gets too long. Set the 'textwidth' option to the desired maximum line
412length. If you then type more characters (not spaces or tabs), the
413last word will be put on a new line (unless it is the only word on the
414line). If you set 'textwidth' to 0, this feature is disabled.
415
416The 'wrapmargin' option does almost the same. The difference is that
417'textwidth' has a fixed width while 'wrapmargin' depends on the width of the
418screen. When using 'wrapmargin' this is equal to using 'textwidth' with a
419value equal to (columns - 'wrapmargin'), where columns is the width of the
420screen.
421
422When 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' are both set, 'textwidth' is used.
423
424If you don't really want to break the line, but view the line wrapped at a
425convenient place, see the 'linebreak' option.
426
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000427The line is only broken automatically when using Insert mode, or when
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000428appending to a line. When in replace mode and the line length is not
429changed, the line will not be broken.
430
431Long lines are broken if you enter a non-white character after the margin.
432The situations where a line will be broken can be restricted by adding
433characters to the 'formatoptions' option:
434"l" Only break a line if it was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
435 started.
436"v" Only break at a white character that has been entered during the
437 current insert command. This is mostly Vi-compatible.
438"lv" Only break if the line was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
439 started and only at a white character that has been entered during the
440 current insert command. Only differs from "l" when entering non-white
441 characters while crossing the 'textwidth' boundary.
442
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000443Normally an internal function will be used to decide where to break the line.
444If you want to do it in a different way set the 'formatexpr' option to an
445expression that will take care of the line break.
446
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000447If you want to format a block of text, you can use the "gq" operator. Type
448"gq" and a movement command to move the cursor to the end of the block. In
449many cases, the command "gq}" will do what you want (format until the end of
450paragraph). Alternatively, you can use "gqap", which will format the whole
451paragraph, no matter where the cursor currently is. Or you can use Visual
452mode: hit "v", move to the end of the block, and type "gq". See also |gq|.
453
454==============================================================================
4554. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options *ins-expandtab*
456
457If the 'expandtab' option is on, spaces will be used to fill the amount of
458whitespace of the tab. If you want to enter a real <Tab>, type CTRL-V first
459(use CTRL-Q when CTRL-V is mapped |i_CTRL-Q|).
460The 'expandtab' option is off by default. Note that in Replace mode, a single
461character is replaced with several spaces. The result of this is that the
462number of characters in the line increases. Backspacing will delete one
463space at a time. The original character will be put back for only one space
464that you backspace over (the last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab'
465option}
466
467 *ins-smarttab*
468When the 'smarttab' option is on, a <Tab> inserts 'shiftwidth' positions at
469the beginning of a line and 'tabstop' positions in other places. This means
470that often spaces instead of a <Tab> character are inserted. When 'smarttab
471is off, a <Tab> always inserts 'tabstop' positions, and 'shiftwidth' is only
472used for ">>" and the like. {not in Vi}
473
474 *ins-softtabstop*
475When the 'softtabstop' option is non-zero, a <Tab> inserts 'softtabstop'
476positions, and a <BS> used to delete white space, will delete 'softtabstop'
477positions. This feels like 'tabstop' was set to 'softtabstop', but a real
478<Tab> character still takes 'tabstop' positions, so your file will still look
479correct when used by other applications.
480
481If 'softtabstop' is non-zero, a <BS> will try to delete as much white space to
482move to the previous 'softtabstop' position, except when the previously
483inserted character is a space, then it will only delete the character before
484the cursor. Otherwise you cannot always delete a single character before the
485cursor. You will have to delete 'softtabstop' characters first, and then type
486extra spaces to get where you want to be.
487
488==============================================================================
4895. Replace mode *Replace* *Replace-mode* *mode-replace*
490
491Enter Replace mode with the "R" command in normal mode.
492
493In Replace mode, one character in the line is deleted for every character you
494type. If there is no character to delete (at the end of the line), the
495typed character is appended (as in Insert mode). Thus the number of
496characters in a line stays the same until you get to the end of the line.
497If a <NL> is typed, a line break is inserted and no character is deleted.
498
499Be careful with <Tab> characters. If you type a normal printing character in
500its place, the number of characters is still the same, but the number of
501columns will become smaller.
502
503If you delete characters in Replace mode (with <BS>, CTRL-W, or CTRL-U), what
504happens is that you delete the changes. The characters that were replaced
505are restored. If you had typed past the existing text, the characters you
506added are deleted. This is effectively a character-at-a-time undo.
507
508If the 'expandtab' option is on, a <Tab> will replace one character with
509several spaces. The result of this is that the number of characters in the
510line increases. Backspacing will delete one space at a time. The original
511character will be put back for only one space that you backspace over (the
512last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab' option}
513
514==============================================================================
5156. Virtual Replace mode *vreplace-mode* *Virtual-Replace-mode*
516
517Enter Virtual Replace mode with the "gR" command in normal mode.
518{not available when compiled without the +vreplace feature}
519{Vi does not have Virtual Replace mode}
520
521Virtual Replace mode is similar to Replace mode, but instead of replacing
522actual characters in the file, you are replacing screen real estate, so that
523characters further on in the file never appear to move.
524
525So if you type a <Tab> it may replace several normal characters, and if you
526type a letter on top of a <Tab> it may not replace anything at all, since the
527<Tab> will still line up to the same place as before.
528
529Typing a <NL> still doesn't cause characters later in the file to appear to
530move. The rest of the current line will be replaced by the <NL> (that is,
531they are deleted), and replacing continues on the next line. A new line is
532NOT inserted unless you go past the end of the file.
533
534Interesting effects are seen when using CTRL-T and CTRL-D. The characters
535before the cursor are shifted sideways as normal, but characters later in the
536line still remain still. CTRL-T will hide some of the old line under the
537shifted characters, but CTRL-D will reveal them again.
538
539As with Replace mode, using <BS> etc will bring back the characters that were
540replaced. This still works in conjunction with 'smartindent', CTRL-T and
541CTRL-D, 'expandtab', 'smarttab', 'softtabstop', etc.
542
543In 'list' mode, Virtual Replace mode acts as if it was not in 'list' mode,
544unless "L" is in 'cpoptions'.
545
546Note that the only times characters beyond the cursor should appear to move
547are in 'list' mode, and occasionally when 'wrap' is set (and the line changes
548length to become shorter or wider than the width of the screen), or
549momentarily when typing over a CTRL character. A CTRL character takes up two
550screen spaces. When replacing it with two normal characters, the first will
551be inserted and the second will replace the CTRL character.
552
553This mode is very useful for editing <Tab> separated columns in tables, for
554entering new data while keeping all the columns aligned.
555
556==============================================================================
5577. Insert mode completion *ins-completion*
558
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000559In Insert and Replace mode, there are several commands to complete part of a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000560keyword or line that has been typed. This is useful if you are using
561complicated keywords (e.g., function names with capitals and underscores).
562
563These commands are not available when the |+insert_expand| feature was
564disabled at compile time.
565
566Completion can be done for:
567
5681. Whole lines |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L|
5692. keywords in the current file |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N|
5703. keywords in 'dictionary' |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K|
5714. keywords in 'thesaurus', thesaurus-style |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T|
5725. keywords in the current and included files |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I|
5736. tags |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]|
5747. file names |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F|
5758. definitions or macros |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D|
5769. Vim command-line |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V|
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +000057710. User defined completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U|
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +000057811. omni completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O|
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +000057912. Spelling suggestions |i_CTRL-X_s|
58013. keywords in 'complete' |i_CTRL-N|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000581
582All these (except 2) are done in CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode of Insert
583and Replace modes. You enter CTRL-X mode by typing CTRL-X and one of the
584CTRL-X commands. You exit CTRL-X mode by typing a key that is not a valid
585CTRL-X mode command. Valid keys are the CTRL-X command itself, CTRL-N (next),
586and CTRL-P (previous).
587
588Also see the 'infercase' option if you want to adjust the case of the match.
589
590Note: The keys that are valid in CTRL-X mode are not mapped. This allows for
591":map ^F ^X^F" to work (where ^F is CTRL-F and ^X is CTRL-X). The key that
592ends CTRL-X mode (any key that is not a valid CTRL-X mode command) is mapped.
593Also, when doing completion with 'complete' mappings apply as usual.
594
595The following mappings are suggested to make typing the completion commands
596a bit easier (although they will hide other commands): >
597 :inoremap ^] ^X^]
598 :inoremap ^F ^X^F
599 :inoremap ^D ^X^D
600 :inoremap ^L ^X^L
601
602As a special case, typing CTRL-R to perform register insertion (see
603|i_CTRL-R|) will not exit CTRL-X mode. This is primarily to allow the use of
604the '=' register to call some function to determine the next operation. If
605the contents of the register (or result of the '=' register evaluation) are
606not valid CTRL-X mode keys, then CTRL-X mode will be exited as if those keys
607had been typed.
608
609For example, the following will map <Tab> to either actually insert a <Tab> if
610the current line is currently only whitespace, or start/continue a CTRL-N
611completion operation: >
612
613 function! CleverTab()
614 if strpart( getline('.'), 0, col('.')-1 ) =~ '^\s*$'
615 return "\<Tab>"
616 else
617 return "\<C-N>"
618 endfunction
619 inoremap <Tab> <C-R>=CleverTab()<CR>
620
621
622
623Completing whole lines *compl-whole-line*
624
625 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L*
626CTRL-X CTRL-L Search backwards for a line that starts with the
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000627 same characters as those in the current line before
628 the cursor. Indent is ignored. The matching line is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000629 inserted in front of the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000630 The 'complete' option is used to decide which buffers
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000631 are searched for a match. Both loaded and unloaded
632 buffers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000633 CTRL-L or
634 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching line. This line
635 replaces the previous matching line.
636
637 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching line. This line
638 replaces the previous matching line.
639
640 CTRL-X CTRL-L After expanding a line you can additionally get the
641 line next to it by typing CTRL-X CTRL-L again, unless
642 a double CTRL-X is used.
643
644Completing keywords in current file *compl-current*
645
646 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-P*
647 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N*
648CTRL-X CTRL-N Search forwards for words that start with the keyword
649 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
650 in front of the cursor.
651
652CTRL-X CTRL-P Search backwards for words that start with the keyword
653 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
654 in front of the cursor.
655
656 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
657 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
658
659 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
660 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
661
662 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
663 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
664 copy the words following the previous expansion in
665 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
666
667If there is a keyword in front of the cursor (a name made out of alphabetic
668characters and characters in 'iskeyword'), it is used as the search pattern,
669with "\<" prepended (meaning: start of a word). Otherwise "\<\k\k" is used
670as search pattern (start of any keyword of at least two characters).
671
672In Replace mode, the number of characters that are replaced depends on the
673length of the matched string. This works like typing the characters of the
674matched string in Replace mode.
675
676If there is not a valid keyword character before the cursor, any keyword of
677at least two characters is matched.
678 e.g., to get:
679 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], vector[1], vector[2]);
680 just type:
681 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], ^P[1], ^P[2]);
682
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000683The search wraps around the end of the file, the value of 'wrapscan' is not
684used here.
685
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000686Multiple repeats of the same completion are skipped; thus a different match
687will be inserted at each CTRL-N and CTRL-P (unless there is only one
688matching keyword).
689
690Single character matches are never included, as they usually just get in
691the way of what you were really after.
692 e.g., to get:
693 printf("name = %s\n", name);
694 just type:
695 printf("name = %s\n", n^P);
696 or even:
697 printf("name = %s\n", ^P);
698The 'n' in '\n' is skipped.
699
700After expanding a word, you can use CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N to get the
701word following the expansion in other contexts. These sequences search for
702the text just expanded and further expand by getting an extra word. This is
703useful if you need to repeat a sequence of complicated words. Although CTRL-P
704and CTRL-N look just for strings of at least two characters, CTRL-X CTRL-P and
705CTRL-X CTRL-N can be used to expand words of just one character.
706 e.g., to get:
707 M&eacute;xico
708 you can type:
709 M^N^P^X^P^X^P
710CTRL-N starts the expansion and then CTRL-P takes back the single character
711"M", the next two CTRL-X CTRL-P's get the words "&eacute" and ";xico".
712
713If the previous expansion was split, because it got longer than 'textwidth',
714then just the text in the current line will be used.
715
716If the match found is at the end of a line, then the first word in the next
717line will be inserted and the message "word from next line" displayed, if
718this word is accepted the next CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N will search
719for those lines starting with this word.
720
721
722Completing keywords in 'dictionary' *compl-dictionary*
723
724 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K*
725CTRL-X CTRL-K Search the files given with the 'dictionary' option
726 for words that start with the keyword in front of the
727 cursor. This is like CTRL-N, but only the dictionary
728 files are searched, not the current file. The found
729 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor. This
730 could potentially be pretty slow, since all matches
731 are found before the first match is used. By default,
732 the 'dictionary' option is empty.
733 For suggestions where to find a list of words, see the
734 'dictionary' option.
735
736 CTRL-K or
737 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
738 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
739
740 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
741 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
742
743 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000744CTRL-X CTRL-T Works as CTRL-X CTRL-K, but in a special way. It uses
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000745 the 'thesaurus' option instead of 'dictionary'. If a
746 match is found in the thesaurus file, all the
747 remaining words on the same line are included as
748 matches, even though they don't complete the word.
749 Thus a word can be completely replaced.
750
751 For an example, imagine the 'thesaurus' file has a
752 line like this: >
753 angry furious mad enraged
754< Placing the cursor after the letters "ang" and typing
755 CTRL-X CTRL-T would complete the word "angry";
756 subsequent presses would change the word to "furious",
757 "mad" etc.
758 Other uses include translation between two languages,
759 or grouping API functions by keyword.
760
761 CTRL-T or
762 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
763 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
764
765 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
766 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
767
768
769Completing keywords in the current and included files *compl-keyword*
770
771The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
772name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
773
774 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I*
775CTRL-X CTRL-I Search for the first keyword in the current and
776 included files that starts with the same characters
777 as those before the cursor. The matched keyword is
778 inserted in front of the cursor.
779
780 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching keyword. This
781 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
782 Note: CTRL-I is the same as <Tab>, which is likely to
783 be typed after a successful completion, therefore
784 CTRL-I is not used for searching for the next match.
785
786 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching keyword. This
787 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
788
789 CTRL-X CTRL-I Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-I will copy the words
790 following the previous expansion in other contexts
791 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
792
793Completing tags *compl-tag*
794 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]*
795CTRL-X CTRL-] Search for the first tag that starts with the same
796 characters as before the cursor. The matching tag is
797 inserted in front of the cursor. Alphabetic
798 characters and characters in 'iskeyword' are used
799 to decide which characters are included in the tag
800 name (same as for a keyword). See also |CTRL-]|.
801 The 'showfulltag' option can be used to add context
802 from around the tag definition.
803 CTRL-] or
804 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching tag. This tag
805 replaces the previous matching tag.
806
807 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching tag. This tag
808 replaces the previous matching tag.
809
810
811Completing file names *compl-filename*
812 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F*
813CTRL-X CTRL-F Search for the first file name that starts with the
814 same characters as before the cursor. The matching
815 file name is inserted in front of the cursor.
816 Alphabetic characters and characters in 'isfname'
817 are used to decide which characters are included in
818 the file name. Note: the 'path' option is not used
819 here (yet).
820 CTRL-F or
821 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching file name. This
822 file name replaces the previous matching file name.
823
824 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching file name.
825 This file name replaces the previous matching file
826 name.
827
828
829Completing definitions or macros *compl-define*
830
831The 'define' option is used to specify a line that contains a definition.
832The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
833name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
834
835 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D*
836CTRL-X CTRL-D Search in the current and included files for the
837 first definition (or macro) name that starts with
838 the same characters as before the cursor. The found
839 definition name is inserted in front of the cursor.
840 CTRL-D or
841 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching macro name. This
842 macro name replaces the previous matching macro
843 name.
844
845 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching macro name.
846 This macro name replaces the previous matching macro
847 name.
848
849 CTRL-X CTRL-D Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-D will copy the words
850 following the previous expansion in other contexts
851 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
852
853
854Completing Vim commands *compl-vim*
855
856Completion is context-sensitive. It works like on the Command-line. It
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000857completes an Ex command as well as its arguments. This is useful when writing
858a Vim script.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000859
860 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V*
861CTRL-X CTRL-V Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
862 find the first match for it.
863 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can often use CTRL-Q
864 instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
865 CTRL-V or
866 CTRL-N Search forwards for next match. This match replaces
867 the previous one.
868
869 CTRL-P Search backward for previous match. This match
870 replaces the previous one.
871
872 CTRL-X CTRL-V Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-V will do the same as
873 CTRL-V. This allows mapping a key to do Vim command
874 completion, for example: >
875 :imap <Tab> <C-X><C-V>
876
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000877User defined completion *compl-function*
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000878
879Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000880'completefunc' option. See below for how the function is called and an
881example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000882
883 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U*
884CTRL-X CTRL-U Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
885 find the first match for it.
886 CTRL-U or
887 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
888 one.
889
890 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
891 previous one.
892
893
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000894Omni completion *compl-omni*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000895
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000896Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000897'omnifunc' option. This is to be used for filetype-specific completion.
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000898
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000899See below for how the function is called and an example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000900For remarks about specific filetypes see |compl-omni-filetypes|.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000901
902 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O*
903CTRL-X CTRL-O Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
904 find the first match for it.
905 CTRL-O or
906 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
907 one.
908
909 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
910 previous one.
911
912
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000913Spelling suggestions *compl-spelling*
914
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +0000915A word before or at the cursor is located and correctly spelled words are
916suggested to replace it. If there is a badly spelled word in the line, before
917or under the cursor, the cursor is moved to after it. Otherwise the word just
918before the cursor is used for suggestions, even though it isn't badly spelled.
919
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000920NOTE: CTRL-S suspends display in many Unix terminals. Use 's' instead. Type
921CTRL-Q to resume displaying.
922
923 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-S* *i_CTRL-X_s*
924CTRL-X CTRL-S or
925CTRL-X s Locate the word in front of the cursor and find the
926 first spell suggestion for it.
927 CTRL-S or
928 CTRL-N Use the next suggestion. This replaces the previous
929 one. Note that you can't use 's' here.
930
931 CTRL-P Use the previous suggestion. This replaces the
932 previous one.
933
934
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000935Completing keywords from different sources *compl-generic*
936
937 *i_CTRL-N*
938CTRL-N Find next match for words that start with the
939 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
940 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
941 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
942
943 *i_CTRL-P*
944CTRL-P Find previous match for words that start with the
945 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
946 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
947 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
948
949 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
950 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
951
952 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
953 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
954
955 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
956 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
957 copy the words following the previous expansion in
958 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
959
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +0000960
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000961FUNCTIONS FOR FINDING COMPLETIONS *complete-functions*
962
963This applies to 'completefunc' and 'omnifunc'.
964
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +0000965The function is called in two different ways:
966- First the function is called to find the start of the text to be completed.
967- Later the function is called to actually find the matches.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000968
969On the first invocation the arguments are:
970 a:findstart 1
971 a:base empty
972
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +0000973The function must return the column where the completion starts. It must be a
974number between zero and the cursor column "col('.')". This involves looking
975at the characters just before the cursor and including those characters that
976could be part of the completed item. The text between this column and the
977cursor column will be replaced with the matches. Return -1 if no completion
978can be done.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000979
980On the second invocation the arguments are:
981 a:findstart 0
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +0000982 a:base the text with which matches should match; the text that was
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000983 located in the first call (can be empty)
984
985The function must return a List with the matching words. These matches
986usually include the "a:base" text. When there are no matches return an empty
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +0000987List.
988
989Each list item can either be a string or a Dictionary. When it is a string it
990is used as the completion. When it is a Dictionary it can contain these
991items:
992 word the completion, mandatory
993 menu extra text for the popup menu
994 info more information about the item
995 kind single letter indicating the type of completion
Bram Moolenaard1f56e62006-02-22 21:25:37 +0000996 icase when not zero case is to be ignored; when omitted
997 the 'ignorecase' option is used
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +0000998
Bram Moolenaard1f56e62006-02-22 21:25:37 +0000999All of these except 'icase' must be a string. If an item does not meet these
1000requirements then an error message is given and further items in the list are
1001not used. You can mix string and Dictionary items in the returned list.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001002
1003The "menu" item is used in the popup menu and may be truncated, thus it should
1004be relatively short. The "info" item can be longer, it may be displayed in a
1005balloon.
1006
1007The "kind" item uses a single letter to indicate the kind of completion. This
1008may be used to show the completion differently (different color or icon).
1009Currently these types can be used:
1010 v variable
1011 f function or method
1012 c composite (struct, object)
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001013
1014When searching for matches takes some time call |complete_add()| to add each
1015match to the total list. These matches should then not appear in the returned
1016list! Call |complete_check()| now and then to allow the user to press a key
1017while still searching for matches. Stop searching when it returns non-zero.
1018
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001019The function is allowed to move the cursor, it is restored afterwards. This
1020option cannot be set from a |modeline| or in the |sandbox|, for security
1021reasons.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001022
1023An example that completes the names of the months: >
1024 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1025 if a:findstart
1026 " locate the start of the word
1027 let line = getline('.')
1028 let start = col('.') - 1
1029 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1030 let start -= 1
1031 endwhile
1032 return start
1033 else
1034 " find months matching with "a:base"
1035 let res = []
1036 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1037 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1038 call add(res, m)
1039 endif
1040 endfor
1041 return res
1042 endif
1043 endfun
1044 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1045<
1046The same, but now pretending searching for matches is slow: >
1047 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1048 if a:findstart
1049 " locate the start of the word
1050 let line = getline('.')
1051 let start = col('.') - 1
1052 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1053 let start -= 1
1054 endwhile
1055 return start
1056 else
1057 " find months matching with "a:base"
1058 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1059 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1060 call complete_add(m)
1061 endif
1062 sleep 300m " simulate searching for next match
1063 if complete_check()
1064 break
1065 endif
1066 endfor
1067 return []
1068 endif
1069 endfun
1070 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1071<
1072
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001073INSERT COMPLETION POPUP MENU *ins-completion-menu*
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00001074 *popupmenu-completion*
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001075Vim can display the matches in a simplistic popup menu.
1076
1077The menu is used when:
1078- The 'completeopt' option contains "menu".
1079- The terminal supports at least 8 colors.
1080- There are at least two matches.
1081
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001082There are two states:
10831. A complete match has been inserted.
10842. Only part of a match has been inserted.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001085
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001086You normally start in the first state, with the first match being inserted.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001087When "longest" is in 'completeopt' and there is more than one match you start
1088in the second state.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001089
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001090If you select another match, e.g., with CTRL-N or CTRL-P, you go from the
1091second to the first state. This doesn't change the list of matches.
1092
1093
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001094In the first state these keys have a special meaning:
1095<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the word before
1096 the cursor. This reduces the list of matches, often to one
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001097 entry, and switches to the second state.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001098
1099In the second state these keys have a special meaning:
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001100<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the shorter word
1101 before the cursor. This may find more matches.
1102CTRL-L Add one character from the current match, may reduce the
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001103 number of matches.
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001104any printable, non-white character:
1105 Add this character and reduce the number of matches.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001106
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001107In both states these can be used:
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001108<CR> and <Enter> Accept the currently selected match and stop completion.
1109<PageUp> Select a match several entries back, but don't insert it.
1110<PageDown> Select a match several entries further, but don't insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001111<Up> Select the previous match, as if CTRL-P was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001112 insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001113<Down> Select the next match, as if CTRL-N was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001114 insert it.
1115Any other character:
1116 Stop completion without changing the match and insert the
1117 typed character. Note that typing a space or <Tab> will
1118 work in both states.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001119
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001120
1121The colors of the menu can be changed with these highlight groups:
1122Pmenu normal item |hl-Pmenu|
1123PmenuSel selected item |hl-PmenuSel|
1124PmenuSbar scrollbar |hl-PmenuSbar|
1125PmenuThumb thumb of the scrollbar |hl-PmenuThumb|
1126
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001127There are no special mappings for when the popup menu is visible. However,
1128you can use an Insert mode mapping that checks the |pumvisible()| function to
1129do something different. Example: >
1130 :inoremap <Down> <C-R>=pumvisible() ? "\<lt>C-N>" : "\<lt>Down>"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001131
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001132
1133FILETYPE-SPECIFIC REMARKS FOR OMNI COMPLETION *compl-omni-filetypes*
1134
1135The file used for {filetype} should be autoload/{filetype}complete.vim
1136in 'runtimepath'. Thus for "java" it is autoload/javacomplete.vim.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001137
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001138
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001139C *ft-c-omni*
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001140
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001141Completion of C code requires a tags file. You should use Exuberant ctags,
1142because it adds extra information that is needed for completion. You can find
1143it here: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/
1144For version 5.5.4 you should add a patch that adds the "typename:" field:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001145 ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/unstable/patches/ctags-5.5.4.patch
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001146A compiled .exe for MS-Windows can be found at:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001147 http://georgevreilly.com/vim/ctags.html
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001148
1149If you want to complete system functions you can do something like this. Use
1150ctags to generate a tags file for all the system header files: >
1151 % ctags -R -f ~/.vim/systags /usr/include /usr/local/include
1152In your vimrc file add this tags file to the 'tags' option: >
1153 set tags+=~/.vim/systags
1154
1155When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after a name without any "." or "->" it is completed
1156from the tags file directly. This works for any identifier, also function
1157names. If you want to complete a local variable name, which does not appear
1158in the tags file, use CTRL-P instead.
1159
1160When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after something that has "." or "->" Vim will attempt
1161to recognize the type of the variable and figure out what members it has.
1162This means only members valid for the variable will be listed.
1163
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001164When a member name already was complete, CTRL-X CTRL-O will add a "." or
1165"->" for composite types.
1166
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001167Vim doesn't include a C compiler, only the most obviously formatted
1168declarations are recognized. Preprocessor stuff may cause confusion.
1169When the same structure name appears in multiple places all possible members
1170are included.
1171
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001172
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001173CSS *ft-css-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001174
1175Complete properties and their appropriate values according to CSS 2.1
1176specification.
1177
1178
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001179HTML and XHTML *ft-html-omni*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001180 *ft-xhtml-omni*
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001181
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001182CTRL-X CTRL-O provides completion of various elements of (X)HTML files. It is
1183designed to support writing of XHTML 1.0 Strict files but will also works for
1184other versions of HTML. Features:
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001185
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001186- after "<" complete tag name depending on context (no div suggestion inside
1187 of an a tag); '/>' indicates empty tags
1188- inside of tag complete proper attributes (no width attribute for an a tag);
1189 show also type of attribute; '*' indicates required attributes
1190- when attribute has limited number of possible values help to complete them
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001191- complete names of entities
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001192- complete values of "class" and "id" attributes with data obtained from
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001193 <style> tag and included CSS files
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001194- when completing value of "style" attribute or working inside of "style" tag
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001195 switch to |ft-css-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001196- when completing values of events attributes or working inside of "script"
1197 tag switch to |ft-javascript-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001198- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001199
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001200Note: When used first time completion menu will be shown with little delay
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001201- this is time needed for loading of data file.
1202Note: Completion may fail in badly formatted documents. In such case try to
1203run |:make| command to detect formatting problems.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001204
1205
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001206JAVASCRIPT *ft-javascript-omni*
1207
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001208Completion of most elements of JavaScript language and DOM elements.
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001209
1210Complete:
1211
1212- variables
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001213- function name; show function arguments
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001214- function arguments
1215- properties of variables trying to detect type of variable
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001216- complete DOM objects and properties depending on context
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001217- keywords of language
1218
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001219Completion works in separate JavaScript files (&ft==javascript), inside of
1220<script> tag of (X)HTML and in values of event attributes (including scanning
1221of external files.
1222
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001223DOM compatibility
1224
1225At the moment (beginning of 2006) there are two main browsers - MS Internet
1226Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. These two applications are covering over 90% of
1227market. Theoretically standards are created by W3C organisation
1228(http://www.w3c.org) but they are not always followed/implemented.
1229
1230 IE FF W3C Omni completion ~
1231 +/- +/- + + ~
1232 + + - + ~
1233 + - - - ~
1234 - + - - ~
1235
1236Regardless from state of implementation in browsers but if element is defined
1237in standards, completion plugin will place element in suggestion list. When
1238both major engines implemented element, even if this is not in standards it
1239will be suggested. All other elements are not placed in suggestion list.
1240
1241
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001242SYNTAX *ft-syntax-omni*
1243
1244This uses the current syntax highlighting for completion. It can be used for
1245any filetype and provides a minimal language-sensitive completion.
1246
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001247To enable syntax code completion you can run: >
1248 setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001249
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001250You can automate this by placing the following in your vimrc (after any
1251":filetype" command): >
1252 if has("autocmd") && exists("+omnifunc")
1253 autocmd Filetype *
1254 \ if &omnifunc == "" |
1255 \ setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete |
1256 \ endif
1257 endif
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001258
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001259The above will set completion to this script only if a specific plugin does
1260not already exist for that filetype.
1261
1262Each filetype can have a wide range of syntax items. The plugin allows you to
1263customize which syntax groups to include or exclude from the list. Let's have
1264a look at the PHP filetype to see how this works.
1265
1266If you edit a file called, index.php, run the following command: >
1267 :syntax list
1268
1269First thing you will notice is there are many different syntax groups. The
1270PHP language can include elements from different languages like HTML,
1271JavaScript and many more. The syntax plugin will only include syntax groups
1272that begin with the filetype, "php", in this case. For example these syntax
1273groups are included by default with the PHP: phpEnvVar, phpIntVar,
1274phpFunctions.
1275
1276The PHP language has an enormous number of items which it knows how to syntax
1277highlight. This means these items will be available within the omni
1278completion list. Some people may find this list unwieldy or are only
1279interested in certain items.
1280
1281There are two ways to prune this list (if necessary). If you find certain
1282syntax groups you do not wish displayed you can add the following to your
1283vimrc: >
1284 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_php = 'phpCoreConstant,phpConstant'
1285
1286Add as many syntax groups to this list by comma separating them. The basic
1287form of this variable is: >
1288 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_{filetype} = 'comma,separated,list'
1289
1290For completeness the opposite is also true. Creating this variable in your
1291vimrc will only include the items in the phpFunctions and phpMethods syntax
1292groups: >
1293 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_php = 'phpFunctions,phpMethods'
1294
1295You can create as many of these variables as you need, varying only the
1296filetype at the end of the variable name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001297
1298
1299XML *ft-xml-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001300
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001301Vim 7 provides mechanism to context aware completion of XML files. It depends
1302on special |xml-omni-datafile| and two commands: |:XMLns| and |:XMLent|.
1303Features are:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001304
1305- after "<" complete tag name depending on context (no div suggest
1306 inside of an a tag)
1307- inside of tag complete proper attributes (no width attribute for an
1308 a tag)
1309- when attribute has limited number of possible values help to complete
1310 them
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001311- complete names of entities (defined in |xml-omni-datafile| and in current file
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001312 with "<!ENTITY" declarations
1313- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
1314
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001315Format of XML data file *xml-omni-datafile*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001316
1317Vim distribution provides two data files as examples (xhtml10s.vim, xsl.vim)
1318
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001319XML data files are stored in "autoload/xml" directory in 'runtimepath'. They
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001320have meaningful name which will be used in commands. It should be unique name
1321which will not create conflicts in future. For example name xhtml10s.vim means
1322it is data file for XHTML 1.0 Strict.
1323
1324File contains one variable with fixed name: g:xmldata_xhtml10s . It is
1325compound from two parts:
1326
13271. "g:xmldata_" general prefix
13282. "xhtml10s" name of file and name of described XML dialect
1329
1330Part two must be exactly the same as name of file.
1331
1332Variable is data structure in form of |Dictionary|. Keys are tag names and
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001333values are two element |List|. First element of List is also List with names
1334of possible children, second element is |Dictionary| with names of attributes
1335as keys and possible values of attributes as values. Example: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001336
1337 let g:xmldata_crippledhtml = {
1338 \ "html":
1339 \ [ ["body", "head"], {"id": [], "xmlns": ["http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"],
1340 \ "lang": [], "xml:lang": [], "dir": ["ltr", "rtl"]}],
1341 \ "script":
1342 \ [ [], {"id": [], "charset": [], "type": ["text/javascript"], "src": [],
1343 \ "defer": ["BOOL"], "xml:space": ["preserve"]}],
1344 \ "meta":
1345 \ [ [], {"id": [], "http-equiv": [], "name": [], "content": [], "scheme":
1346 \ [], "lang": [], "xml:lang": [], "dir": ["ltr", "rtl"]}]
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001347 \ "vimxmlentities": ["amp", "lt", "gt", "apos", "quot"]},
1348 \ "vimxmltaginfo": {
1349 \ 'meta': ['/>', '']},
1350 \ "vimxmlattrinfo": {
1351 \ 'http-equiv': ['ContentType', '']}
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001352
1353This example should be put in "autoload/xml/crippledhtml.vim" file.
1354
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001355In example are visible four special elements:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001356
13571. "vimxmlentities" - special key with List containing entities of this XML
1358 dialect.
13592. "BOOL" - value of attribute key showing if attribute should be inserted
1360 bare ("defer" vs. 'defer="'). It can be the only element of List of
1361 attribute values.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +000013623. "vimxmltaginfo" - special key with dictionary containing as key tag names,
1363 as value two element List for additional menu info and long description.
13644. "vimxmlattrinfo" - special key with dictionary containing as key attribute
1365 names, as value two element List for additional menu info and long
1366 description.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001367
1368Note: Tag names in data file MUST not contain namespace description. Check
1369xsl.vim for example.
1370
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001371
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001372Commands
1373
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001374:XMLns {name} [{namespace}] *:XMLns*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001375
1376Vim has to know which data file should be used and with which namespace. For
1377loading of data file and connecting data with prope namespace use |:XMLns|
1378command. First (obligatory) argument is name of data (xhtml10s, xsl). Second
1379argument is code of namespace (h, xsl). When used without second argument
1380dialect will be used as default - without namespace declaration. For example
1381to use XML completion in .xsl files: >
1382
1383 :XMLns xhtml10s
1384 :XMLns xsl xsl
1385
1386
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001387:XMLent {name} *:XMLent*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001388
1389By default entities will be completed from data file of default
1390namespace. XMLent command should be used in case when there is no
1391default namespace: >
1392
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001393 :XMLent xhtml10s
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001394
1395Usage
1396
1397While used in situation (after declarations from previous part, | is
1398cursor position): >
1399
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001400 <|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001401
1402Will complete to appropriate XHTML tag, and in this situation: >
1403
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001404 <xsl:|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001405
1406Will complete to appropriate XSL tag.
1407
1408File xmlcomplete.vim provides through |autoload| mechanism
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001409GetLastOpenTag function which can be used in XML files to get name of
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001410last open tag with (b:unaryTagsStack has to be defined): >
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001411
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001412 :echo xmlcomplete#GetLastOpenTag("b:unaryTagsStack")
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001413
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001414
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001415
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001416
1417
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001418==============================================================================
14198. Insert mode commands *inserting*
1420
1421The following commands can be used to insert new text into the buffer. They
1422can all be undone and repeated with the "." command.
1423
1424 *a*
1425a Append text after the cursor [count] times. If the
1426 cursor is in the first column of an empty line Insert
1427 starts there. But not when 'virtualedit' is set!
1428
1429 *A*
1430A Append text at the end of the line [count] times.
1431
1432<insert> or *i* *insert* *<Insert>*
1433i Insert text before the cursor [count] times.
1434 When using CTRL-O in Insert mode |i_CTRL-O| the count
1435 is not supported.
1436
1437 *I*
1438I Insert text before the first non-blank in the line
1439 [count] times.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001440 When the 'H' flag is present in 'cpoptions' and the
1441 line only contains blanks, insert start just before
1442 the last blank.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001443
1444 *gI*
1445gI Insert text in column 1 [count] times. {not in Vi}
1446
1447 *gi*
1448gi Insert text in the same position as where Insert mode
1449 was stopped last time in the current buffer.
1450 This uses the |'^| mark. It's different from "`^i"
1451 when the mark is past the end of the line.
1452 The position is corrected for inserted/deleted lines,
1453 but NOT for inserted/deleted characters.
1454 When the |:keepjumps| command modifier is used the |'^|
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001455 mark won't be changed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001456 {not in Vi}
1457
1458 *o*
1459o Begin a new line below the cursor and insert text,
1460 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1461 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001462 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1463 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001464
1465 *O*
1466O Begin a new line above the cursor and insert text,
1467 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1468 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001469 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1470 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001471
1472These commands are used to start inserting text. You can end insert mode with
1473<Esc>. See |mode-ins-repl| for the other special characters in Insert mode.
1474The effect of [count] takes place after Insert mode is exited.
1475
1476When 'autoindent' is on, the indent for a new line is obtained from the
1477previous line. When 'smartindent' or 'cindent' is on, the indent for a line
1478is automatically adjusted for C programs.
1479
1480'textwidth' can be set to the maximum width for a line. When a line becomes
1481too long when appending characters a line break is automatically inserted.
1482
1483
1484==============================================================================
14859. Ex insert commands *inserting-ex*
1486
1487 *:a* *:append*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001488:{range}a[ppend][!] Insert several lines of text below the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001489 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1490 inserted after the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001491 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1492 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001493
1494 *:i* *:in* *:insert*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001495:{range}i[nsert][!] Insert several lines of text above the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001496 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1497 inserted before the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001498 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1499 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001500
1501These two commands will keep on asking for lines, until you type a line
1502containing only a ".". Watch out for lines starting with a backslash, see
1503|line-continuation|.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001504When these commands are used with |:global| or |:vglobal| then the lines are
1505obtained from the text following the command. Separate lines with a NL
1506escaped with a backslash: >
1507 :global/abc/insert\
1508 one line\
1509 another line
1510The final "." is not needed then.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001511NOTE: ":append" and ":insert" don't work properly in between ":if" and
Bram Moolenaar06fb4352005-01-05 22:10:30 +00001512":endif", ":for" and ":endfor", ":while" and ":endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001513
1514 *:start* *:startinsert*
1515:star[tinsert][!] Start Insert mode just after executing this command.
1516 Works like typing "i" in Normal mode. When the ! is
1517 included it works like "A", append to the line.
1518 Otherwise insertion starts at the cursor position.
1519 Note that when using this command in a function or
1520 script, the insertion only starts after the function
1521 or script is finished.
Bram Moolenaar87e25fd2005-07-27 21:13:01 +00001522 This command does not work from |:normal|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001523 {not in Vi}
1524 {not available when compiled without the +ex_extra
1525 feature}
1526
1527 *:stopi* *:stopinsert*
1528:stopi[nsert] Stop Insert mode as soon as possible. Works like
1529 typing <Esc> in Insert mode.
1530 Can be used in an autocommand, example: >
1531 :au BufEnter scratch stopinsert
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00001532<
1533 *replacing-ex* *:startreplace*
1534:startr[eplace][!] Start Replace mode just after executing this command.
1535 Works just like typing "R" in Normal mode. When the
1536 ! is included it acts just like "$R" had been typed
1537 (ie. begin replace mode at the end-of-line). Other-
1538 wise replacement begins at the cursor position.
1539 Note that when using this command in a function or
1540 script that the replacement will only start after
1541 the function or script is finished.
1542 {not in Vi}
1543 {not available when compiled without the +ex_extra
1544 feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001545
Bram Moolenaar61da4982005-12-14 22:02:18 +00001546 *:startgreplace*
1547:startg[replace][!] Just like |:startreplace|, but use Virtual Replace
1548 mode, like with |gR|.
1549 {not in Vi}
1550 {not available when compiled without the +ex_extra
1551 feature}
1552
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553==============================================================================
155410. Inserting a file *inserting-file*
1555
1556 *:r* *:re* *:read*
1557:r[ead] [name] Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
1558 the cursor.
1559
1560:{range}r[ead] [name] Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
1561 the specified line.
1562
1563 *:r!* *:read!*
1564:r[ead] !{cmd} Execute {cmd} and insert its standard output below
1565 the cursor. A temporary file is used to store the
1566 output of the command which is then read into the
1567 buffer. 'shellredir' is used to save the output of
1568 the command, which can be set to include stderr or
1569 not. {cmd} is executed like with ":!{cmd}", any '!'
1570 is replaced with the previous command |:!|.
1571
1572These commands insert the contents of a file, or the output of a command,
1573into the buffer. They can be undone. They cannot be repeated with the "."
1574command. They work on a line basis, insertion starts below the line in which
1575the cursor is, or below the specified line. To insert text above the first
1576line use the command ":0r {name}".
1577
1578After the ":read" command, the cursor is left on the first non-blank in the
1579first new line. Unless in Ex mode, then the cursor is left on the last new
1580line (sorry, this is Vi compatible).
1581
1582If a file name is given with ":r", it becomes the alternate file. This can be
1583used, for example, when you want to edit that file instead: ":e! #". This can
1584be switched off by removing the 'a' flag from the 'cpoptions' option.
1585
1586 *file-read*
1587The 'fileformat' option sets the <EOL> style for a file:
1588'fileformat' characters name ~
1589 "dos" <CR><NL> or <NL> DOS format
1590 "unix" <NL> Unix format
1591 "mac" <CR> Mac format
1592Previously 'textmode' was used. It is obsolete now.
1593
1594If 'fileformat' is "dos", a <CR> in front of an <NL> is ignored and a CTRL-Z
1595at the end of the file is ignored.
1596
1597If 'fileformat' is "mac", a <NL> in the file is internally represented by a
1598<CR>. This is to avoid confusion with a <NL> which is used to represent a
1599<NUL>. See |CR-used-for-NL|.
1600
1601If the 'fileformats' option is not empty Vim tries to recognize the type of
1602<EOL> (see |file-formats|). However, the 'fileformat' option will not be
1603changed, the detected format is only used while reading the file.
1604A similar thing happens with 'fileencodings'.
1605
1606On non-MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 systems the message "[dos format]" is shown if
1607a file is read in DOS format, to remind you that something unusual is done.
1608On Macintosh, MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 the message "[unix format]" is shown if
1609a file is read in Unix format.
1610On non-Macintosh systems, the message "[Mac format]" is shown if a file is
1611read in Mac format.
1612
1613An example on how to use ":r !": >
1614 :r !uuencode binfile binfile
1615This command reads "binfile", uuencodes it and reads it into the current
1616buffer. Useful when you are editing e-mail and want to include a binary
1617file.
1618
1619 *read-messages*
1620When reading a file Vim will display a message with information about the read
1621file. In the table is an explanation for some of the items. The others are
1622self explanatory. Using the long or the short version depends on the
1623'shortmess' option.
1624
1625 long short meaning ~
1626 [readonly] {RO} the file is write protected
1627 [fifo/socket] using a stream
1628 [fifo] using a fifo stream
1629 [socket] using a socket stream
1630 [CR missing] reading with "dos" 'fileformat' and a
1631 NL without a preceding CR was found.
1632 [NL found] reading with "mac" 'fileformat' and a
1633 NL was found (could be "unix" format)
1634 [long lines split] at least one line was split in two
1635 [NOT converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
1636 'encoding' was desired but not
1637 possible
1638 [converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
1639 'encoding' done
1640 [crypted] file was decrypted
1641 [READ ERRORS] not all of the file could be read
1642
1643
1644 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: