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Bram Moolenaard799daa2022-06-20 11:17:32 +01001*map.txt* For Vim version 8.2. Last change: 2022 Jun 18
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Key mapping, abbreviations and user-defined commands.
8
Bram Moolenaar2f0936c2022-01-08 21:51:59 +00009This subject is introduced in sections |05.4|, |24.7| and |40.1| of the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000010manual.
11
121. Key mapping |key-mapping|
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +000013 1.1 MAP COMMANDS |:map-commands|
14 1.2 Special arguments |:map-arguments|
15 1.3 Mapping and modes |:map-modes|
16 1.4 Listing mappings |map-listing|
17 1.5 Mapping special keys |:map-special-keys|
18 1.6 Special characters |:map-special-chars|
19 1.7 What keys to map |map-which-keys|
20 1.8 Examples |map-examples|
21 1.9 Using mappings |map-typing|
22 1.10 Mapping alt-keys |:map-alt-keys|
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +020023 1.11 Mapping in modifyOtherKeys mode |modifyOtherKeys|
24 1.12 Mapping an operator |:map-operator|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000252. Abbreviations |abbreviations|
263. Local mappings and functions |script-local|
274. User-defined commands |user-commands|
28
29==============================================================================
301. Key mapping *key-mapping* *mapping* *macro*
31
32Key mapping is used to change the meaning of typed keys. The most common use
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +020033is to define a sequence of commands for a function key. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000034
35 :map <F2> a<C-R>=strftime("%c")<CR><Esc>
36
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +000037This appends the current date and time after the cursor (in <> notation |<>|).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000038
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +000039
401.1 MAP COMMANDS *:map-commands*
41
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000042There are commands to enter new mappings, remove mappings and list mappings.
43See |map-overview| for the various forms of "map" and their relationships with
44modes.
45
46{lhs} means left-hand-side *{lhs}*
47{rhs} means right-hand-side *{rhs}*
48
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000049:map {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map*
50:nm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nm* *:nmap*
51:vm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vm* *:vmap*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +000052:xm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xm* *:xmap*
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +020053:smap {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000054:om[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:om* *:omap*
55:map! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map!*
56:im[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:im* *:imap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020057:lm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:lm* *:lma* *:lmap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000058:cm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cm* *:cmap*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +020059:tma[p] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-t| *:tma* *:tmap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060 Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
61 where the map command applies. The result, including
62 {rhs}, is then further scanned for mappings. This
63 allows for nested and recursive use of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar519cc552021-11-16 19:18:26 +000064 Note: Trailing spaces are included in the {rhs},
65 because space is a valid Normal mode command.
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +010066 See |map-trailing-white|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000067
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020068 *:nore* *:norem*
69:no[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:no* *:noremap* *:nor*
70:nn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nn* *:nnoremap*
71:vn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vn* *:vnoremap*
72:xn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xn* *:xnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020073:snor[emap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:snor* *:snore* *:snoremap*
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020074:ono[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:ono* *:onoremap*
75:no[remap]! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:no!* *:noremap!*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020076:ino[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:ino* *:inor* *:inoremap*
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020077:ln[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:ln* *:lnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020078:cno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cno* *:cnor* *:cnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +020079:tno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-t| *:tno* *:tnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000080 Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
81 where the map command applies. Disallow mapping of
82 {rhs}, to avoid nested and recursive mappings. Often
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +020083 used to redefine a command.
Bram Moolenaar1fc34222022-03-03 13:56:24 +000084 Note: When <Plug> appears in the {rhs} this part is
85 always applied even if remapping is disallowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000086
87
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000088:unm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:unm* *:unmap*
89:nun[map] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nun* *:nunmap*
90:vu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vu* *:vunmap*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +000091:xu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xu* *:xunmap*
92:sunm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:sunm* *:sunmap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000093:ou[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:ou* *:ounmap*
94:unm[ap]! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:unm!* *:unmap!*
95:iu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:iu* *:iunmap*
96:lu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lu* *:lunmap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020097:cu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cu* *:cun* *:cunmap*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +020098:tunma[p] {lhs} |mapmode-t| *:tunma* *:tunmap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000099 Remove the mapping of {lhs} for the modes where the
100 map command applies. The mapping may remain defined
101 for other modes where it applies.
Bram Moolenaar88a42052021-11-21 21:13:36 +0000102 It also works when {lhs} matches the {rhs} of a
Bram Moolenaar2f0936c2022-01-08 21:51:59 +0000103 mapping. This is for when an abbreviation applied.
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100104 Note: Trailing spaces are included in the {lhs}.
105 See |map-trailing-white|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000106
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000107:mapc[lear] |mapmode-nvo| *:mapc* *:mapclear*
108:nmapc[lear] |mapmode-n| *:nmapc* *:nmapclear*
109:vmapc[lear] |mapmode-v| *:vmapc* *:vmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000110:xmapc[lear] |mapmode-x| *:xmapc* *:xmapclear*
111:smapc[lear] |mapmode-s| *:smapc* *:smapclear*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000112:omapc[lear] |mapmode-o| *:omapc* *:omapclear*
113:mapc[lear]! |mapmode-ic| *:mapc!* *:mapclear!*
114:imapc[lear] |mapmode-i| *:imapc* *:imapclear*
115:lmapc[lear] |mapmode-l| *:lmapc* *:lmapclear*
116:cmapc[lear] |mapmode-c| *:cmapc* *:cmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200117:tmapc[lear] |mapmode-t| *:tmapc* *:tmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000118 Remove ALL mappings for the modes where the map
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +0200119 command applies.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200120 Use the <buffer> argument to remove buffer-local
121 mappings |:map-<buffer>|
Bram Moolenaar921bde82022-05-09 19:50:35 +0100122 Warning: This also removes the |mac-standard-mappings|
123 and the |dos-standard-mappings|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000124
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000125:map |mapmode-nvo|
126:nm[ap] |mapmode-n|
127:vm[ap] |mapmode-v|
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000128:xm[ap] |mapmode-x|
129:sm[ap] |mapmode-s|
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000130:om[ap] |mapmode-o|
131:map! |mapmode-ic|
132:im[ap] |mapmode-i|
133:lm[ap] |mapmode-l|
134:cm[ap] |mapmode-c|
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200135:tma[p] |mapmode-t|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000136 List all key mappings for the modes where the map
137 command applies. Note that ":map" and ":map!" are
138 used most often, because they include the other modes.
139
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000140:map {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map_l*
141:nm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nmap_l*
142:vm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000143:xm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xmap_l*
144:sm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap_l*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000145:om[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:omap_l*
146:map! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map_l!*
147:im[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:imap_l*
148:lm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lmap_l*
149:cm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200150:tma[p] {lhs} |mapmode-t| *:tmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000151 List the key mappings for the key sequences starting
152 with {lhs} in the modes where the map command applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000153
154These commands are used to map a key or key sequence to a string of
155characters. You can use this to put command sequences under function keys,
156translate one key into another, etc. See |:mkexrc| for how to save and
157restore the current mappings.
158
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000159 *map-ambiguous*
160When two mappings start with the same sequence of characters, they are
161ambiguous. Example: >
162 :imap aa foo
163 :imap aaa bar
164When Vim has read "aa", it will need to get another character to be able to
165decide if "aa" or "aaa" should be mapped. This means that after typing "aa"
166that mapping won't get expanded yet, Vim is waiting for another character.
167If you type a space, then "foo" will get inserted, plus the space. If you
168type "a", then "bar" will get inserted.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000169
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100170Trailing white space ~
171 *map-trailing-white*
172This unmap command does NOT work: >
173 :map @@ foo
174 :unmap @@ | print
175
176Because it tries to unmap "@@ ", including the white space before the command
177separator "|". Other examples with trailing white space: >
178 unmap @@
179 unmap @@ # Vim9 script comment
180 unmap @@ " legacy comment
181
182An error will be issued, which is very hard to identify, because the ending
183whitespace character in `unmap @@ ` is not visible.
184
185A generic solution is to put the command separator "|" right after the mapped
186keys. After that white space and a comment may follow: >
187
188 unmap @@| # Vim9 scriptcomment
189 unmap @@| " legacy scriptcomment
190
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000191
1921.2 SPECIAL ARGUMENTS *:map-arguments*
193
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200194"<buffer>", "<nowait>", "<silent>", "<special>", "<script>", "<expr>" and
195"<unique>" can be used in any order. They must appear right after the
196command, before any other arguments.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000197
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +0000198 *:map-local* *:map-<buffer>* *:map-buffer* *E224* *E225*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000199If the first argument to one of these commands is "<buffer>" the mapping will
200be effective in the current buffer only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000201 :map <buffer> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
202Then you can map ",w" to something else in another buffer: >
203 :map <buffer> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200204The local buffer mappings are used before the global ones. See <nowait> below
205to make a short local mapping not taking effect when a longer global one
206exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000207The "<buffer>" argument can also be used to clear mappings: >
208 :unmap <buffer> ,w
209 :mapclear <buffer>
210Local mappings are also cleared when a buffer is deleted, but not when it is
211unloaded. Just like local option values.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200212Also see |map-precedence|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000213
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200214 *:map-<nowait>* *:map-nowait*
215When defining a buffer-local mapping for "," there may be a global mapping
216that starts with ",". Then you need to type another character for Vim to know
217whether to use the "," mapping or the longer one. To avoid this add the
218<nowait> argument. Then the mapping will be used when it matches, Vim does
219not wait for more characters to be typed. However, if the characters were
Bram Moolenaar6aa8cea2017-06-05 14:44:35 +0200220already typed they are used.
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200221Note that this works when the <nowait> mapping fully matches and is found
222before any partial matches. This works when:
223- There is only one matching buffer-local mapping, since these are always
224 found before global mappings.
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +0200225- There is another buffer-local mapping that partly matches, but it is
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200226 defined earlier (last defined mapping is found first).
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200227
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000228 *:map-<silent>* *:map-silent*
229To define a mapping which will not be echoed on the command line, add
230"<silent>" as the first argument. Example: >
231 :map <silent> ,h /Header<CR>
232The search string will not be echoed when using this mapping. Messages from
233the executed command are still given though. To shut them up too, add a
234":silent" in the executed command: >
235 :map <silent> ,h :exe ":silent normal /Header\r"<CR>
236Prompts will still be given, e.g., for inputdialog().
237Using "<silent>" for an abbreviation is possible, but will cause redrawing of
238the command line to fail.
239
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +0000240 *:map-<special>* *:map-special*
241Define a mapping with <> notation for special keys, even though the "<" flag
242may appear in 'cpoptions'. This is useful if the side effect of setting
243'cpoptions' is not desired. Example: >
244 :map <special> <F12> /Header<CR>
245<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000246 *:map-<script>* *:map-script*
247If the first argument to one of these commands is "<script>" and it is used to
248define a new mapping or abbreviation, the mapping will only remap characters
249in the {rhs} using mappings that were defined local to a script, starting with
250"<SID>". This can be used to avoid that mappings from outside a script
251interfere (e.g., when CTRL-V is remapped in mswin.vim), but do use other
252mappings defined in the script.
253Note: ":map <script>" and ":noremap <script>" do the same thing. The
254"<script>" overrules the command name. Using ":noremap <script>" is
255preferred, because it's clearer that remapping is (mostly) disabled.
256
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +0000257 *:map-<unique>* *:map-unique* *E226* *E227*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000258If the first argument to one of these commands is "<unique>" and it is used to
259define a new mapping or abbreviation, the command will fail if the mapping or
260abbreviation already exists. Example: >
261 :map <unique> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
262When defining a local mapping, there will also be a check if a global map
263already exists which is equal.
264Example of what will fail: >
265 :map ,w /[#&!]<CR>
266 :map <buffer> <unique> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +0000267If you want to map a key and then have it do what it was originally mapped to,
268have a look at |maparg()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000269
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000270 *:map-<expr>* *:map-expression*
271If the first argument to one of these commands is "<expr>" and it is used to
272define a new mapping or abbreviation, the argument is an expression. The
273expression is evaluated to obtain the {rhs} that is used. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200274 :inoremap <expr> . <SID>InsertDot()
275The result of the s:InsertDot() function will be inserted. It could check the
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000276text before the cursor and start omni completion when some condition is met.
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200277Using a script-local function is preferred, to avoid polluting the global
278namespace. Use <SID> in the RHS so that the script that the mapping was
279defined in can be found.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000280
Bram Moolenaarda9591e2009-09-30 13:17:02 +0000281For abbreviations |v:char| is set to the character that was typed to trigger
282the abbreviation. You can use this to decide how to expand the {lhs}. You
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200283should not either insert or change the v:char.
Bram Moolenaarda9591e2009-09-30 13:17:02 +0000284
Bram Moolenaar4f4d51a2020-10-11 13:57:40 +0200285In case you want the mapping to not do anything, you can have the expression
286evaluate to an empty string. If something changed that requires Vim to
287go through the main loop (e.g. to update the display), return "\<Ignore>".
288This is similar to "nothing" but makes Vim return from the loop that waits for
289input. Example: >
290 func s:OpenPopup()
291 call popup_create(... arguments ...)
292 return "\<Ignore>"
293 endfunc
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200294 nnoremap <expr> <F3> <SID>OpenPopup()
Bram Moolenaar4f4d51a2020-10-11 13:57:40 +0200295
Bram Moolenaarfd31be22022-01-16 14:46:06 +0000296Keep in mind that the expression may be evaluated when looking for
Bram Moolenaar18b7d862021-03-17 13:28:05 +0100297typeahead, before the previous command has been executed. For example: >
298 func StoreColumn()
299 let g:column = col('.')
300 return 'x'
301 endfunc
302 nnoremap <expr> x StoreColumn()
303 nmap ! f!x
Bram Moolenaardad44732021-03-31 20:07:33 +0200304You will notice that g:column has the value from before executing "f!",
305because "x" is evaluated before "f!" is executed.
Bram Moolenaar18b7d862021-03-17 13:28:05 +0100306This can be solved by inserting <Ignore> before the character that is
307expression-mapped: >
308 nmap ! f!<Ignore>x
309
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000310When defining a mapping in a |Vim9| script, the expression will be evaluated
311in the context of that script. This means that script-local items can be
312accessed in the expression.
313
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000314Be very careful about side effects! The expression is evaluated while
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000315obtaining characters, you may very well make the command dysfunctional.
316For this reason the following is blocked:
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000317- Changing the buffer text |textlock|.
318- Editing another buffer.
319- The |:normal| command.
320- Moving the cursor is allowed, but it is restored afterwards.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000321If you want the mapping to do any of these let the returned characters do
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100322that, or use a |<Cmd>| mapping instead.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000323
Bram Moolenaar15146672011-10-20 22:22:38 +0200324You can use getchar(), it consumes typeahead if there is any. E.g., if you
325have these mappings: >
326 inoremap <expr> <C-L> nr2char(getchar())
327 inoremap <expr> <C-L>x "foo"
328If you now type CTRL-L nothing happens yet, Vim needs the next character to
329decide what mapping to use. If you type 'x' the second mapping is used and
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +0100330"foo" is inserted. If you type any other key the first mapping is used,
331getchar() gets the typed key and returns it.
Bram Moolenaar15146672011-10-20 22:22:38 +0200332
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000333Here is an example that inserts a list number that increases: >
334 let counter = 0
335 inoremap <expr> <C-L> ListItem()
336 inoremap <expr> <C-R> ListReset()
337
338 func ListItem()
339 let g:counter += 1
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +0000340 return g:counter .. '. '
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000341 endfunc
342
343 func ListReset()
344 let g:counter = 0
345 return ''
346 endfunc
347
Bram Moolenaard9967712006-03-11 21:18:15 +0000348CTRL-L inserts the next number, CTRL-R resets the count. CTRL-R returns an
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000349empty string, so that nothing is inserted.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000350
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +0200351Note that using 0x80 as a single byte before other text does not work, it will
352be seen as a special key.
Bram Moolenaar8424a622006-04-19 21:23:36 +0000353
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100354 *<Cmd>* *:map-cmd*
355The special text <Cmd> begins a "command mapping", it executes the command
356directly without changing modes. Where you might use ":...<CR>" in the
357{rhs} of a mapping, you can instead use "<Cmd>...<CR>".
358Example: >
359 noremap x <Cmd>echo mode(1)<CR>
360<
361This is more flexible than `:<C-U>` in Visual and Operator-pending mode, or
362`<C-O>:` in Insert mode, because the commands are executed directly in the
363current mode, instead of always going to Normal mode. Visual mode is
364preserved, so tricks with |gv| are not needed. Commands can be invoked
365directly in Command-line mode (which would otherwise require timer hacks).
366Example of using <Cmd> halfway Insert mode: >
367 nnoremap <F3> aText <Cmd>echo mode(1)<CR> Added<Esc>
368
369Unlike <expr> mappings, there are no special restrictions on the <Cmd>
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100370command: it is executed as if an (unrestricted) |autocommand| was invoked.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100371
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000372 *<ScriptCmd>*
373<ScriptCmd> is like <Cmd> but sets the context to the script the mapping was
374defined in, for the duration of the command execution. This is especially
375useful for |Vim9| script. It also works to access an import, which is useful
376in a plugin using an autoload script: >
377 vim9script
378 import autoload 'implementation.vim' as impl
Bram Moolenaarfd31be22022-01-16 14:46:06 +0000379 nnoremap <F4> <ScriptCmd>impl.DoTheWork()<CR>
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000380
381No matter where <F4> is typed, the "impl" import will be found in the script
382context of where the mapping was defined. And since it's an autoload import,
383the "implementation.vim" script will only be loaded once <F4> is typed, not
384when the mapping is defined.
385
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100386Note:
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000387- Because <Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> avoid mode-changes it does not trigger
388 |CmdlineEnter| and |CmdlineLeave| events, because no user interaction is
389 expected.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100390- For the same reason, |keycodes| like <C-R><C-W> are interpreted as plain,
391 unmapped keys.
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100392- The command is not echo'ed, no need for <silent>.
Bram Moolenaar88a42052021-11-21 21:13:36 +0000393- The {rhs} is not subject to abbreviations nor to other mappings, even if the
394 mapping is recursive.
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100395- In Visual mode you can use `line('v')` and `col('v')` to get one end of the
396 Visual area, the cursor is at the other end.
Bram Moolenaard799daa2022-06-20 11:17:32 +0100397
Bram Moolenaara4d131d2021-12-27 21:33:07 +0000398 *E1255* *E1136*
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000399<Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> commands must terminate, that is, they must be followed
400by <CR> in the {rhs} of the mapping definition. |Command-line| mode is never
401entered.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100402
403 *E1137*
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000404<Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> commands can have only normal characters and cannot
405contain special characters like function keys.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100406
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000407
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00004081.3 MAPPING AND MODES *:map-modes*
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000409 *mapmode-nvo* *mapmode-n* *mapmode-v* *mapmode-o*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000410
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +0000411There are seven sets of mappings
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000412- For Normal mode: When typing commands.
413- For Visual mode: When typing commands while the Visual area is highlighted.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100414- For Select mode: like Visual mode but typing text replaces the selection.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000415- For Operator-pending mode: When an operator is pending (after "d", "y", "c",
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000416 etc.). See below: |omap-info|.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000417- For Insert mode. These are also used in Replace mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000418- For Command-line mode: When entering a ":" or "/" command.
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +0000419- For Terminal mode: When typing in a |:terminal| buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000420
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000421Special case: While typing a count for a command in Normal mode, mapping zero
422is disabled. This makes it possible to map zero without making it impossible
423to type a count with a zero.
424
425 *map-overview* *map-modes*
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200426Overview of which map command works in which mode. More details below.
427 COMMANDS MODES ~
428:map :noremap :unmap Normal, Visual, Select, Operator-pending
429:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap Normal
430:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap Visual and Select
431:smap :snoremap :sunmap Select
432:xmap :xnoremap :xunmap Visual
433:omap :onoremap :ounmap Operator-pending
434:map! :noremap! :unmap! Insert and Command-line
435:imap :inoremap :iunmap Insert
436:lmap :lnoremap :lunmap Insert, Command-line, Lang-Arg
437:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap Command-line
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200438:tmap :tnoremap :tunmap Terminal-Job
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000439
Bram Moolenaar3ec32172021-05-16 12:39:47 +0200440Same information in a table:
441 *map-table*
442 Mode | Norm | Ins | Cmd | Vis | Sel | Opr | Term | Lang | ~
443Command +------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+ ~
444[nore]map | yes | - | - | yes | yes | yes | - | - |
445n[nore]map | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
446[nore]map! | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - |
447i[nore]map | - | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
448c[nore]map | - | - | yes | - | - | - | - | - |
449v[nore]map | - | - | - | yes | yes | - | - | - |
450x[nore]map | - | - | - | yes | - | - | - | - |
451s[nore]map | - | - | - | - | yes | - | - | - |
452o[nore]map | - | - | - | - | - | yes | - | - |
453t[nore]map | - | - | - | - | - | - | yes | - |
454l[nore]map | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | yes |
455
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200456
457 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000458 Normal Visual+Select Operator-pending ~
459:map :noremap :unmap :mapclear yes yes yes
460:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap :nmapclear yes - -
461:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear - yes -
462:omap :onoremap :ounmap :omapclear - - yes
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000463
Bram Moolenaar4c3f5362006-04-11 21:38:50 +0000464:nunmap can also be used outside of a monastery.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000465 *mapmode-x* *mapmode-s*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000466Some commands work both in Visual and Select mode, some in only one. Note
467that quite often "Visual" is mentioned where both Visual and Select mode
468apply. |Select-mode-mapping|
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100469NOTE: Mapping a printable character in Select mode may confuse the user. It's
470better to explicitly use :xmap and :smap for printable characters. Or use
471:sunmap after defining the mapping.
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000472
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200473 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000474 Visual Select ~
475:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear yes yes
476:xmap :xnoremap :xunmap :xmapclear yes -
477:smap :snoremap :sunmap :smapclear - yes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000478
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000479 *mapmode-ic* *mapmode-i* *mapmode-c* *mapmode-l*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000480Some commands work both in Insert mode and Command-line mode, some not:
481
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200482 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000483 Insert Command-line Lang-Arg ~
484:map! :noremap! :unmap! :mapclear! yes yes -
485:imap :inoremap :iunmap :imapclear yes - -
486:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap :cmapclear - yes -
487:lmap :lnoremap :lunmap :lmapclear yes* yes* yes*
488
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +0100489* If 'iminsert' is 1, see |language-mapping| below.
490
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000491The original Vi did not have separate mappings for
492Normal/Visual/Operator-pending mode and for Insert/Command-line mode.
493Therefore the ":map" and ":map!" commands enter and display mappings for
494several modes. In Vim you can use the ":nmap", ":vmap", ":omap", ":cmap" and
495":imap" commands to enter mappings for each mode separately.
496
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200497 *mapmode-t*
498The terminal mappings are used in a terminal window, when typing keys for the
499job running in the terminal. See |terminal-typing|.
500
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000501 *omap-info*
502Operator-pending mappings can be used to define a movement command that can be
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200503used with any operator. Simple example: >
504 :omap { w
505makes "y{" work like "yw" and "d{" like "dw".
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000506
507To ignore the starting cursor position and select different text, you can have
508the omap start Visual mode to select the text to be operated upon. Example
509that operates on a function name in the current line: >
510 onoremap <silent> F :<C-U>normal! 0f(hviw<CR>
511The CTRL-U (<C-U>) is used to remove the range that Vim may insert. The
512Normal mode commands find the first '(' character and select the first word
513before it. That usually is the function name.
514
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000515To enter a mapping for Normal and Visual mode, but not Operator-pending mode,
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200516first define it for all three modes, then unmap it for
517Operator-pending mode: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000518 :map xx something-difficult
519 :ounmap xx
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200520
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000521Likewise for a mapping for Visual and Operator-pending mode or Normal and
522Operator-pending mode.
523
524 *language-mapping*
525":lmap" defines a mapping that applies to:
526- Insert mode
527- Command-line mode
528- when entering a search pattern
529- the argument of the commands that accept a text character, such as "r" and
530 "f"
531- for the input() line
532Generally: Whenever a character is to be typed that is part of the text in the
533buffer, not a Vim command character. "Lang-Arg" isn't really another mode,
534it's just used here for this situation.
535 The simplest way to load a set of related language mappings is by using the
536'keymap' option. See |45.5|.
537 In Insert mode and in Command-line mode the mappings can be disabled with
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +0200538the CTRL-^ command |i_CTRL-^| |c_CTRL-^|. These commands change the value of
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200539the 'iminsert' option. When starting to enter a normal command line (not a
540search pattern) the mappings are disabled until a CTRL-^ is typed. The state
541last used is remembered for Insert mode and Search patterns separately. The
542state for Insert mode is also used when typing a character as an argument to
543command like "f" or "t".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000544 Language mappings will never be applied to already mapped characters. They
545are only used for typed characters. This assumes that the language mapping
546was already done when typing the mapping.
547
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000548
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00005491.4 LISTING MAPPINGS *map-listing*
550
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000551When listing mappings the characters in the first two columns are:
552
553 CHAR MODE ~
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000554 <Space> Normal, Visual, Select and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000555 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000556 v Visual and Select
557 s Select
558 x Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000559 o Operator-pending
560 ! Insert and Command-line
561 i Insert
562 l ":lmap" mappings for Insert, Command-line and Lang-Arg
563 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar63c4e8a2017-09-17 20:32:20 +0200564 t Terminal-Job
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000565
566Just before the {rhs} a special character can appear:
567 * indicates that it is not remappable
568 & indicates that only script-local mappings are remappable
569 @ indicates a buffer-local mapping
570
571Everything from the first non-blank after {lhs} up to the end of the line
572(or '|') is considered to be part of {rhs}. This allows the {rhs} to end
573with a space.
574
575Note: When using mappings for Visual mode, you can use the "'<" mark, which
576is the start of the last selected Visual area in the current buffer |'<|.
577
Bram Moolenaar818078d2016-08-27 21:58:42 +0200578The |:filter| command can be used to select what mappings to list. The
579pattern is matched against the {lhs} and {rhs} in the raw form.
580
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000581 *:map-verbose*
582When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a key map will also display where it was
583last defined. Example: >
584
585 :verbose map <C-W>*
586 n <C-W>* * <C-W><C-S>*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000587 Last set from /home/abcd/.vimrc
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000588
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +0000589See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000590
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000591
5921.5 MAPPING SPECIAL KEYS *:map-special-keys*
593
594There are three ways to map a special key:
5951. The Vi-compatible method: Map the key code. Often this is a sequence that
596 starts with <Esc>. To enter a mapping like this you type ":map " and then
597 you have to type CTRL-V before hitting the function key. Note that when
598 the key code for the key is in the termcap (the t_ options), it will
599 automatically be translated into the internal code and become the second
600 way of mapping (unless the 'k' flag is included in 'cpoptions').
6012. The second method is to use the internal code for the function key. To
602 enter such a mapping type CTRL-K and then hit the function key, or use
603 the form "#1", "#2", .. "#9", "#0", "<Up>", "<S-Down>", "<S-F7>", etc.
604 (see table of keys |key-notation|, all keys from <Up> can be used). The
605 first ten function keys can be defined in two ways: Just the number, like
606 "#2", and with "<F>", like "<F2>". Both stand for function key 2. "#0"
607 refers to function key 10, defined with option 't_f10', which may be
608 function key zero on some keyboards. The <> form cannot be used when
609 'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag.
6103. Use the termcap entry, with the form <t_xx>, where "xx" is the name of the
611 termcap entry. Any string entry can be used. For example: >
612 :map <t_F3> G
613< Maps function key 13 to "G". This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes
614 the '<' flag.
615
616The advantage of the second and third method is that the mapping will work on
617different terminals without modification (the function key will be
618translated into the same internal code or the actual key code, no matter what
619terminal you are using. The termcap must be correct for this to work, and you
620must use the same mappings).
621
622DETAIL: Vim first checks if a sequence from the keyboard is mapped. If it
623isn't the terminal key codes are tried (see |terminal-options|). If a
624terminal code is found it is replaced with the internal code. Then the check
625for a mapping is done again (so you can map an internal code to something
626else). What is written into the script file depends on what is recognized.
627If the terminal key code was recognized as a mapping the key code itself is
628written to the script file. If it was recognized as a terminal code the
629internal code is written to the script file.
630
631
6321.6 SPECIAL CHARACTERS *:map-special-chars*
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100633 *map_backslash* *map-backslash*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000634Note that only CTRL-V is mentioned here as a special character for mappings
635and abbreviations. When 'cpoptions' does not contain 'B', a backslash can
636also be used like CTRL-V. The <> notation can be fully used then |<>|. But
637you cannot use "<C-V>" like CTRL-V to escape the special meaning of what
638follows.
639
640To map a backslash, or use a backslash literally in the {rhs}, the special
641sequence "<Bslash>" can be used. This avoids the need to double backslashes
642when using nested mappings.
643
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100644 *map_CTRL-C* *map-CTRL-C*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +0000645Using CTRL-C in the {lhs} is possible, but it will only work when Vim is
646waiting for a key, not when Vim is busy with something. When Vim is busy
647CTRL-C interrupts/breaks the command.
648When using the GUI version on MS-Windows CTRL-C can be mapped to allow a Copy
649command to the clipboard. Use CTRL-Break to interrupt Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000650
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100651 *map_space_in_lhs* *map-space_in_lhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000652To include a space in {lhs} precede it with a CTRL-V (type two CTRL-Vs for
653each space).
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100654 *map_space_in_rhs* *map-space_in_rhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000655If you want a {rhs} that starts with a space, use "<Space>". To be fully Vi
656compatible (but unreadable) don't use the |<>| notation, precede {rhs} with a
657single CTRL-V (you have to type CTRL-V two times).
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100658 *map_empty_rhs* *map-empty-rhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000659You can create an empty {rhs} by typing nothing after a single CTRL-V (you
660have to type CTRL-V two times). Unfortunately, you cannot do this in a vimrc
661file.
662 *<Nop>*
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +0200663An easier way to get a mapping that doesn't produce anything, is to use
664"<Nop>" for the {rhs}. This only works when the |<>| notation is enabled.
665For example, to make sure that function key 8 does nothing at all: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000666 :map <F8> <Nop>
667 :map! <F8> <Nop>
668<
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000669 *map-multibyte*
670It is possible to map multibyte characters, but only the whole character. You
671cannot map the first byte only. This was done to prevent problems in this
672scenario: >
673 :set encoding=latin1
674 :imap <M-C> foo
675 :set encoding=utf-8
676The mapping for <M-C> is defined with the latin1 encoding, resulting in a 0xc3
Bram Moolenaar85eee132018-05-06 17:57:30 +0200677byte. If you type the character á (0xe1 <M-a>) in UTF-8 encoding this is the
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +0200678two bytes 0xc3 0xa1. You don't want the 0xc3 byte to be mapped then or
Bram Moolenaar85eee132018-05-06 17:57:30 +0200679otherwise it would be impossible to type the á character.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000680
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000681 *<Leader>* *mapleader*
682To define a mapping which uses the "mapleader" variable, the special string
683"<Leader>" can be used. It is replaced with the string value of "mapleader".
684If "mapleader" is not set or empty, a backslash is used instead. Example: >
685 :map <Leader>A oanother line<Esc>
686Works like: >
687 :map \A oanother line<Esc>
688But after: >
689 :let mapleader = ","
690It works like: >
691 :map ,A oanother line<Esc>
692
693Note that the value of "mapleader" is used at the moment the mapping is
694defined. Changing "mapleader" after that has no effect for already defined
695mappings.
696
697 *<LocalLeader>* *maplocalleader*
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000698<LocalLeader> is just like <Leader>, except that it uses "maplocalleader"
699instead of "mapleader". <LocalLeader> is to be used for mappings which are
700local to a buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +0100701 :map <buffer> <LocalLeader>A oanother line<Esc>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000702<
703In a global plugin <Leader> should be used and in a filetype plugin
704<LocalLeader>. "mapleader" and "maplocalleader" can be equal. Although, if
705you make them different, there is a smaller chance of mappings from global
706plugins to clash with mappings for filetype plugins. For example, you could
707keep "mapleader" at the default backslash, and set "maplocalleader" to an
708underscore.
709
710 *map-<SID>*
711In a script the special key name "<SID>" can be used to define a mapping
712that's local to the script. See |<SID>| for details.
713
714 *<Plug>*
715The special key name "<Plug>" can be used for an internal mapping, which is
716not to be matched with any key sequence. This is useful in plugins
717|using-<Plug>|.
718
Bram Moolenaarcbaff5e2022-04-08 17:45:08 +0100719 *<MouseMove>*
720The special key name "<MouseMove>" can be used to handle mouse movement. It
721needs to be enabled with 'mousemoveevent'. Currently only works in the GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2d8ed022022-05-21 13:08:16 +0100722The |getmousepos()| function can be used to obtain the mouse position.
Bram Moolenaarcbaff5e2022-04-08 17:45:08 +0100723
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000724 *<Char>* *<Char->*
725To map a character by its decimal, octal or hexadecimal number the <Char>
726construct can be used:
727 <Char-123> character 123
728 <Char-033> character 27
729 <Char-0x7f> character 127
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200730 <S-Char-114> character 114 ('r') shifted ('R')
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200731This is useful to specify a (multibyte) character in a 'keymap' file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000732Upper and lowercase differences are ignored.
733
734 *map-comments*
735It is not possible to put a comment after these commands, because the '"'
Bram Moolenaar036986f2017-03-16 17:41:02 +0100736character is considered to be part of the {lhs} or {rhs}. However, one can
737use |", since this starts a new, empty command with a comment.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000738
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100739 *map_bar* *map-bar*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000740Since the '|' character is used to separate a map command from the next
741command, you will have to do something special to include a '|' in {rhs}.
742There are three methods:
743 use works when example ~
744 <Bar> '<' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls <Bar> more^M
745 \| 'b' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls \| more^M
746 ^V| always, in Vim and Vi :map _l :!ls ^V| more^M
747
748(here ^V stands for CTRL-V; to get one CTRL-V you have to type it twice; you
749cannot use the <> notation "<C-V>" here).
750
751All three work when you use the default setting for 'cpoptions'.
752
753When 'b' is present in 'cpoptions', "\|" will be recognized as a mapping
754ending in a '\' and then another command. This is Vi compatible, but
755illogical when compared to other commands.
756
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100757 *map_return* *map-return*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000758When you have a mapping that contains an Ex command, you need to put a line
759terminator after it to have it executed. The use of <CR> is recommended for
760this (see |<>|). Example: >
Bram Moolenaar251835e2014-02-24 02:51:51 +0100761 :map _ls :!ls -l %:S<CR>:echo "the end"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000762
763To avoid mapping of the characters you type in insert or Command-line mode,
764type a CTRL-V first. The mapping in Insert mode is disabled if the 'paste'
765option is on.
Bram Moolenaare2db6952013-07-24 19:53:36 +0200766 *map-error*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000767Note that when an error is encountered (that causes an error message or beep)
768the rest of the mapping is not executed. This is Vi-compatible.
769
770Note that the second character (argument) of the commands @zZtTfF[]rm'`"v
771and CTRL-X is not mapped. This was done to be able to use all the named
772registers and marks, even when the command with the same name has been
773mapped.
774
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000775
7761.7 WHAT KEYS TO MAP *map-which-keys*
777
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000778If you are going to map something, you will need to choose which key(s) to use
779for the {lhs}. You will have to avoid keys that are used for Vim commands,
780otherwise you would not be able to use those commands anymore. Here are a few
781suggestions:
782- Function keys <F2>, <F3>, etc.. Also the shifted function keys <S-F1>,
783 <S-F2>, etc. Note that <F1> is already used for the help command.
Bram Moolenaarf91787c2010-07-17 12:47:16 +0200784- Meta-keys (with the ALT key pressed). Depending on your keyboard accented
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100785 characters may be used as well. |:map-alt-keys|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000786- Use the '_' or ',' character and then any other character. The "_" and ","
787 commands do exist in Vim (see |_| and |,|), but you probably never use them.
788- Use a key that is a synonym for another command. For example: CTRL-P and
789 CTRL-N. Use an extra character to allow more mappings.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100790- The key defined by <Leader> and one or more other keys. This is especially
791 useful in scripts. |mapleader|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000792
793See the file "index" for keys that are not used and thus can be mapped without
794losing any builtin function. You can also use ":help {key}^D" to find out if
795a key is used for some command. ({key} is the specific key you want to find
796out about, ^D is CTRL-D).
797
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000798
7991.8 EXAMPLES *map-examples*
800
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000801A few examples (given as you type them, for "<CR>" you type four characters;
802the '<' flag must not be present in 'cpoptions' for this to work). >
803
804 :map <F3> o#include
805 :map <M-g> /foo<CR>cwbar<Esc>
806 :map _x d/END/e<CR>
807 :map! qq quadrillion questions
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000808
809
810Multiplying a count
811
812When you type a count before triggering a mapping, it's like the count was
813typed before the {lhs}. For example, with this mapping: >
814 :map <F4> 3w
815Typing 2<F4> will result in "23w". Thus not moving 2 * 3 words but 23 words.
816If you want to multiply counts use the expression register: >
817 :map <F4> @='3w'<CR>
818The part between quotes is the expression being executed. |@=|
819
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000820
8211.9 USING MAPPINGS *map-typing*
822
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000823Vim will compare what you type with the start of a mapped sequence. If there
824is an incomplete match, it will get more characters until there either is a
825complete match or until there is no match at all. Example: If you map! "qq",
826the first 'q' will not appear on the screen until you type another
827character. This is because Vim cannot know if the next character will be a
828'q' or not. If the 'timeout' option is on (which is the default) Vim will
829only wait for one second (or as long as specified with the 'timeoutlen'
830option). After that it assumes that the 'q' is to be interpreted as such. If
831you type slowly, or your system is slow, reset the 'timeout' option. Then you
832might want to set the 'ttimeout' option.
833
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200834 *map-precedence*
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200835Buffer-local mappings (defined using |:map-<buffer>|) take precedence over
836global mappings. When a buffer-local mapping is the same as a global mapping,
837Vim will use the buffer-local mapping. In addition, Vim will use a complete
Bram Moolenaar14b69452013-06-29 23:05:20 +0200838mapping immediately if it was defined with <nowait>, even if a longer mapping
839has the same prefix. For example, given the following two mappings: >
840 :map <buffer> <nowait> \a :echo "Local \a"<CR>
841 :map \abc :echo "Global \abc"<CR>
842When typing \a the buffer-local mapping will be used immediately. Vim will
843not wait for more characters to see if the user might be typing \abc.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200844
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000845 *map-keys-fails*
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000846There are situations where key codes might not be recognized:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000847- Vim can only read part of the key code. Mostly this is only the first
848 character. This happens on some Unix versions in an xterm.
849- The key code is after character(s) that are mapped. E.g., "<F1><F1>" or
850 "g<F1>".
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000851
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000852The result is that the key code is not recognized in this situation, and the
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000853mapping fails. There are two actions needed to avoid this problem:
854
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000855- Remove the 'K' flag from 'cpoptions'. This will make Vim wait for the rest
856 of the characters of the function key.
857- When using <F1> to <F4> the actual key code generated may correspond to
858 <xF1> to <xF4>. There are mappings from <xF1> to <F1>, <xF2> to <F2>, etc.,
859 but these are not recognized after another half a mapping. Make sure the
860 key codes for <F1> to <F4> are correct: >
861 :set <F1>=<type CTRL-V><type F1>
862< Type the <F1> as four characters. The part after the "=" must be done with
863 the actual keys, not the literal text.
864Another solution is to use the actual key code in the mapping for the second
865special key: >
866 :map <F1><Esc>OP :echo "yes"<CR>
867Don't type a real <Esc>, Vim will recognize the key code and replace it with
868<F1> anyway.
869
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000870Another problem may be that when keeping ALT or Meta pressed the terminal
871prepends ESC instead of setting the 8th bit. See |:map-alt-keys|.
872
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000873 *recursive_mapping*
874If you include the {lhs} in the {rhs} you have a recursive mapping. When
875{lhs} is typed, it will be replaced with {rhs}. When the {lhs} which is
876included in {rhs} is encountered it will be replaced with {rhs}, and so on.
877This makes it possible to repeat a command an infinite number of times. The
878only problem is that the only way to stop this is by causing an error. The
879macros to solve a maze uses this, look there for an example. There is one
880exception: If the {rhs} starts with {lhs}, the first character is not mapped
881again (this is Vi compatible).
882For example: >
883 :map ab abcd
884will execute the "a" command and insert "bcd" in the text. The "ab" in the
885{rhs} will not be mapped again.
886
887If you want to exchange the meaning of two keys you should use the :noremap
888command. For example: >
889 :noremap k j
890 :noremap j k
891This will exchange the cursor up and down commands.
892
893With the normal :map command, when the 'remap' option is on, mapping takes
894place until the text is found not to be a part of a {lhs}. For example, if
895you use: >
896 :map x y
897 :map y x
898Vim will replace x with y, and then y with x, etc. When this has happened
899'maxmapdepth' times (default 1000), Vim will give the error message
900"recursive mapping".
901
902 *:map-undo*
903If you include an undo command inside a mapped sequence, this will bring the
904text back in the state before executing the macro. This is compatible with
905the original Vi, as long as there is only one undo command in the mapped
906sequence (having two undo commands in a mapped sequence did not make sense
907in the original Vi, you would get back the text before the first undo).
908
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000909
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00009101.10 MAPPING ALT-KEYS *:map-alt-keys*
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000911
912In the GUI Vim handles the Alt key itself, thus mapping keys with ALT should
913always work. But in a terminal Vim gets a sequence of bytes and has to figure
914out whether ALT was pressed or not.
915
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200916If the terminal supports the modifyOtherKeys mode and it has been enabled,
917then Vim can recognize more key combinations, see |modifyOtherKeys| below.
918
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000919By default Vim assumes that pressing the ALT key sets the 8th bit of a typed
Bram Moolenaar97d29a12005-12-17 22:02:57 +0000920character. Most decent terminals can work that way, such as xterm, aterm and
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000921rxvt. If your <A-k> mappings don't work it might be that the terminal is
922prefixing the character with an ESC character. But you can just as well type
923ESC before a character, thus Vim doesn't know what happened (except for
924checking the delay between characters, which is not reliable).
925
926As of this writing, some mainstream terminals like gnome-terminal and konsole
927use the ESC prefix. There doesn't appear a way to have them use the 8th bit
Bram Moolenaar97d29a12005-12-17 22:02:57 +0000928instead. Xterm should work well by default. Aterm and rxvt should work well
929when started with the "--meta8" argument. You can also tweak resources like
930"metaSendsEscape", "eightBitInput" and "eightBitOutput".
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000931
932On the Linux console, this behavior can be toggled with the "setmetamode"
933command. Bear in mind that not using an ESC prefix could get you in trouble
934with other programs. You should make sure that bash has the "convert-meta"
935option set to "on" in order for your Meta keybindings to still work on it
936(it's the default readline behavior, unless changed by specific system
937configuration). For that, you can add the line: >
938
939 set convert-meta on
940
941to your ~/.inputrc file. If you're creating the file, you might want to use: >
942
943 $include /etc/inputrc
944
945as the first line, if that file exists on your system, to keep global options.
946This may cause a problem for entering special characters, such as the umlaut.
947Then you should use CTRL-V before that character.
948
949Bear in mind that convert-meta has been reported to have troubles when used in
950UTF-8 locales. On terminals like xterm, the "metaSendsEscape" resource can be
951toggled on the fly through the "Main Options" menu, by pressing Ctrl-LeftClick
952on the terminal; that's a good last resource in case you want to send ESC when
Bram Moolenaar6aa8cea2017-06-05 14:44:35 +0200953using other applications but not when inside Vim.
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000954
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000955
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02009561.11 MAPPING IN modifyOtherKeys mode *modifyOtherKeys*
957
958Xterm and a few other terminals can be put in a mode where keys with modifiers
959are sent with a special escape code. Vim recognizes these codes and can then
960make a difference between CTRL-H and Backspace, even when Backspace sends the
961character 8. And many more special keys.
962
963For xterm modifyOtherKeys is enabled in the builtin termcap entry. If this is
964not used you can enable modifyOtherKeys with these lines in your vimrc: >
965 let &t_TI = "\<Esc>[>4;2m"
966 let &t_TE = "\<Esc>[>4;m"
967
968In case the modifyOtherKeys mode causes problems you can disable it: >
969 let &t_TI = ""
970 let &t_TE = ""
971It does not take effect immediately. To have this work without restarting Vim
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +0100972execute a shell command, e.g.: `!ls` Or put the lines in your |vimrc|.
973
974When modifyOtherKeys is enabled you can map <C-[> and <C-S-{>: >
975 imap <C-[> [[[
Bram Moolenaar9a033d72020-10-07 17:29:48 +0200976 imap <C-{> {{{
977Without modifyOtherKeys <C-[> and <C-{> are indistinguishable from Esc.
978Note that <C-{> is used and not <C-S-[> or <C-S-{>. This works on most
979keyboards. Similarly, <C-}> is used instead of <C-S-]> or <C-S-}> and
980<C-|> instead of <C-S-\> or <C-S-|>. Note that '|' has a special meaning in a
981mapping, see |map-bar|.
982
983WARNING: if you map <C-[> you may very well break any key codes that start
984with Esc. Make sure it comes AFTER other mappings.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200985
Bram Moolenaar2547aa92020-07-26 17:00:44 +0200986A known side effect is that in Insert mode the raw escape sequence is inserted
987after the CTRL-V key. This can be used to check whether modifyOtherKeys is
988enabled: In Insert mode type CTRL-SHIFT-V CTRL-V, if you get one byte then
989modifyOtherKeys is off, if you get <1b>27;5;118~ then it is on.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200990
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +0100991When the 'esckeys' option is off, then modifyOtherKeys will be disabled in
992Insert mode to avoid every key with a modifier causing Insert mode to end.
993
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200994
9951.12 MAPPING AN OPERATOR *:map-operator*
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000996
997An operator is used before a {motion} command. To define your own operator
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +0100998you must create a mapping that first sets the 'operatorfunc' option and then
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000999invoke the |g@| operator. After the user types the {motion} command the
1000specified function will be called.
1001
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00001002 *g@* *E774* *E775*
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001003g@{motion} Call the function set by the 'operatorfunc' option.
1004 The '[ mark is positioned at the start of the text
1005 moved over by {motion}, the '] mark on the last
1006 character of the text.
1007 The function is called with one String argument:
1008 "line" {motion} was |linewise|
1009 "char" {motion} was |characterwise|
Bram Moolenaarf91787c2010-07-17 12:47:16 +02001010 "block" {motion} was |blockwise-visual|
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001011 The type can be forced, see |forced-motion|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001012 {not available when compiled without the |+eval|
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001013 feature}
1014
1015Here is an example that counts the number of spaces with <F4>: >
1016
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001017 nnoremap <expr> <F4> CountSpaces()
1018 xnoremap <expr> <F4> CountSpaces()
1019 " doubling <F4> works on a line
1020 nnoremap <expr> <F4><F4> CountSpaces() .. '_'
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001021
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001022 function CountSpaces(context = {}, type = '') abort
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001023 if a:type == ''
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001024 let context = #{
1025 \ dot_command: v:false,
1026 \ extend_block: '',
1027 \ virtualedit: [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit],
1028 \ }
1029 let &operatorfunc = function('CountSpaces', [context])
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001030 set virtualedit=block
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001031 return 'g@'
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001032 endif
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001033
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001034 let save = #{
1035 \ clipboard: &clipboard,
1036 \ selection: &selection,
1037 \ virtualedit: [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit],
1038 \ register: getreginfo('"'),
1039 \ visual_marks: [getpos("'<"), getpos("'>")],
1040 \ }
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001041
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001042 try
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001043 set clipboard= selection=inclusive virtualedit=
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001044 let commands = #{
1045 \ line: "'[V']",
1046 \ char: "`[v`]",
1047 \ block: "`[\<C-V>`]",
1048 \ }[a:type]
1049 let [_, _, col, off] = getpos("']")
1050 if off != 0
1051 let vcol = getline("'[")->strpart(0, col + off)->strdisplaywidth()
1052 if vcol >= [line("'["), '$']->virtcol() - 1
1053 let a:context.extend_block = '$'
1054 else
1055 let a:context.extend_block = vcol .. '|'
1056 endif
1057 endif
1058 if a:context.extend_block != ''
1059 let commands ..= 'oO' .. a:context.extend_block
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001060 endif
1061 let commands ..= 'y'
1062 execute 'silent noautocmd keepjumps normal! ' .. commands
1063 echomsg getreg('"')->count(' ')
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001064 finally
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001065 call setreg('"', save.register)
1066 call setpos("'<", save.visual_marks[0])
1067 call setpos("'>", save.visual_marks[1])
1068 let &clipboard = save.clipboard
1069 let &selection = save.selection
1070 let [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit] = get(a:context.dot_command ? save : a:context, 'virtualedit')
1071 let a:context.dot_command = v:true
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001072 endtry
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001073 endfunction
1074
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001075An <expr> mapping is used to be able to fetch any prefixed count and register.
1076This also avoids using a command line, which would trigger CmdlineEnter and
1077CmdlineLeave autocommands.
1078
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001079Note that the 'selection' option is temporarily set to "inclusive" to be able
1080to yank exactly the right text by using Visual mode from the '[ to the ']
1081mark.
1082
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001083Also note that the 'clipboard' option is temporarily emptied to avoid
1084clobbering the `"*` or `"+` registers, if its value contains the item `unnamed`
1085or `unnamedplus`.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001086
Bram Moolenaar079ba762021-10-23 12:08:41 +01001087The `mode()` function will return the state as it will be after applying the
1088operator.
1089
Yegappan Lakshmanan777175b2021-11-18 22:08:57 +00001090Here is an example for using a lambda function to create a normal-mode
1091operator to add quotes around text in the current line: >
1092
1093 nnoremap <F4> <Cmd>let &opfunc='{t ->
1094 \ getline(".")
1095 \ ->split("\\zs")
1096 \ ->insert("\"", col("'']"))
1097 \ ->insert("\"", col("''[") - 1)
1098 \ ->join("")
1099 \ ->setline(".")}'<CR>g@
1100
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001101==============================================================================
11022. Abbreviations *abbreviations* *Abbreviations*
1103
1104Abbreviations are used in Insert mode, Replace mode and Command-line mode.
1105If you enter a word that is an abbreviation, it is replaced with the word it
1106stands for. This can be used to save typing for often used long words. And
1107you can use it to automatically correct obvious spelling errors.
1108Examples:
1109
Bram Moolenaarc1762cc2007-05-10 16:56:30 +00001110 :iab ms Microsoft
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001111 :iab tihs this
1112
1113There are three types of abbreviations:
1114
1115full-id The "full-id" type consists entirely of keyword characters (letters
1116 and characters from 'iskeyword' option). This is the most common
1117 abbreviation.
1118
1119 Examples: "foo", "g3", "-1"
1120
1121end-id The "end-id" type ends in a keyword character, but all the other
1122 characters are not keyword characters.
1123
1124 Examples: "#i", "..f", "$/7"
1125
1126non-id The "non-id" type ends in a non-keyword character, the other
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001127 characters may be of any type, excluding space and tab. {this type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001128 is not supported by Vi}
1129
1130 Examples: "def#", "4/7$"
1131
1132Examples of strings that cannot be abbreviations: "a.b", "#def", "a b", "_$r"
1133
1134An abbreviation is only recognized when you type a non-keyword character.
1135This can also be the <Esc> that ends insert mode or the <CR> that ends a
1136command. The non-keyword character which ends the abbreviation is inserted
1137after the expanded abbreviation. An exception to this is the character <C-]>,
1138which is used to expand an abbreviation without inserting any extra
1139characters.
1140
1141Example: >
1142 :ab hh hello
1143< "hh<Space>" is expanded to "hello<Space>"
1144 "hh<C-]>" is expanded to "hello"
1145
1146The characters before the cursor must match the abbreviation. Each type has
1147an additional rule:
1148
1149full-id In front of the match is a non-keyword character, or this is where
1150 the line or insertion starts. Exception: When the abbreviation is
1151 only one character, it is not recognized if there is a non-keyword
Bram Moolenaareb3dc872018-05-13 22:34:24 +02001152 character in front of it, other than a space or a tab. However, for
1153 the command line "'<,'>" (or any other marks) is ignored, as if the
1154 command line starts after it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001155
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001156end-id In front of the match is a keyword character, or a space or a tab,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001157 or this is where the line or insertion starts.
1158
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001159non-id In front of the match is a space, tab or the start of the line or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001160 the insertion.
1161
1162Examples: ({CURSOR} is where you type a non-keyword character) >
1163 :ab foo four old otters
1164< " foo{CURSOR}" is expanded to " four old otters"
1165 " foobar{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1166 "barfoo{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1167>
1168 :ab #i #include
1169< "#i{CURSOR}" is expanded to "#include"
1170 ">#i{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1171>
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001172 :ab ;; <endofline>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001173< "test;;" is not expanded
1174 "test ;;" is expanded to "test <endofline>"
1175
Bram Moolenaar7d76c802014-10-15 22:51:52 +02001176To avoid the abbreviation in Insert mode: Type CTRL-V before the character
1177that would trigger the abbreviation. E.g. CTRL-V <Space>. Or type part of
1178the abbreviation, exit insert mode with <Esc>, re-enter insert mode with "a"
1179and type the rest.
1180
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001181To avoid the abbreviation in Command-line mode: Type CTRL-V twice somewhere in
1182the abbreviation to avoid it to be replaced. A CTRL-V in front of a normal
1183character is mostly ignored otherwise.
1184
1185It is possible to move the cursor after an abbreviation: >
1186 :iab if if ()<Left>
1187This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag. |<>|
1188
1189You can even do more complicated things. For example, to consume the space
1190typed after an abbreviation: >
1191 func Eatchar(pat)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001192 let c = nr2char(getchar(0))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001193 return (c =~ a:pat) ? '' : c
1194 endfunc
1195 iabbr <silent> if if ()<Left><C-R>=Eatchar('\s')<CR>
1196
1197There are no default abbreviations.
1198
1199Abbreviations are never recursive. You can use ":ab f f-o-o" without any
1200problem. But abbreviations can be mapped. {some versions of Vi support
1201recursive abbreviations, for no apparent reason}
1202
1203Abbreviations are disabled if the 'paste' option is on.
1204
1205 *:abbreviate-local* *:abbreviate-<buffer>*
1206Just like mappings, abbreviations can be local to a buffer. This is mostly
1207used in a |filetype-plugin| file. Example for a C plugin file: >
1208 :abb <buffer> FF for (i = 0; i < ; ++i)
1209<
1210 *:ab* *:abbreviate*
1211:ab[breviate] list all abbreviations. The character in the first
1212 column indicates the mode where the abbreviation is
1213 used: 'i' for insert mode, 'c' for Command-line
1214 mode, '!' for both. These are the same as for
1215 mappings, see |map-listing|.
1216
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00001217 *:abbreviate-verbose*
1218When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an abbreviation will also display where it
1219was last defined. Example: >
1220
1221 :verbose abbreviate
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001222 ! teh the
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00001223 Last set from /home/abcd/vim/abbr.vim
1224
1225See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
1226
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001227:ab[breviate] {lhs} list the abbreviations that start with {lhs}
1228 You may need to insert a CTRL-V (type it twice) to
1229 avoid that a typed {lhs} is expanded, since
1230 command-line abbreviations apply here.
1231
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001232:ab[breviate] [<expr>] [<buffer>] {lhs} {rhs}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001233 add abbreviation for {lhs} to {rhs}. If {lhs} already
1234 existed it is replaced with the new {rhs}. {rhs} may
1235 contain spaces.
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001236 See |:map-<expr>| for the optional <expr> argument.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001237 See |:map-<buffer>| for the optional <buffer> argument.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001238
1239 *:una* *:unabbreviate*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001240:una[bbreviate] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1241 Remove abbreviation for {lhs} from the list. If none
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001242 is found, remove abbreviations in which {lhs} matches
1243 with the {rhs}. This is done so that you can even
1244 remove abbreviations after expansion. To avoid
1245 expansion insert a CTRL-V (type it twice).
1246
1247 *:norea* *:noreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001248:norea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001249 Same as ":ab", but no remapping for this {rhs}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001250
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +02001251 *:ca* *:cab* *:cabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001252:ca[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001253 Same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001254
1255 *:cuna* *:cunabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001256:cuna[bbrev] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1257 Same as ":una", but for Command-line mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001258
1259 *:cnorea* *:cnoreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001260:cnorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001261 same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only and no
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001262 remapping for this {rhs}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001263
1264 *:ia* *:iabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001265:ia[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001266 Same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001267
1268 *:iuna* *:iunabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001269:iuna[bbrev] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1270 Same as ":una", but for insert mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001271
1272 *:inorea* *:inoreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001273:inorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001274 Same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only and no
1275 remapping for this {rhs}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001276
1277 *:abc* *:abclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001278:abc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001279
1280 *:iabc* *:iabclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001281:iabc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations for Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001282
1283 *:cabc* *:cabclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001284:cabc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations for Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001285
1286 *using_CTRL-V*
1287It is possible to use special characters in the rhs of an abbreviation.
1288CTRL-V has to be used to avoid the special meaning of most non printable
1289characters. How many CTRL-Vs need to be typed depends on how you enter the
1290abbreviation. This also applies to mappings. Let's use an example here.
1291
1292Suppose you want to abbreviate "esc" to enter an <Esc> character. When you
1293type the ":ab" command in Vim, you have to enter this: (here ^V is a CTRL-V
1294and ^[ is <Esc>)
1295
1296You type: ab esc ^V^V^V^V^V^[
1297
1298 All keyboard input is subjected to ^V quote interpretation, so
1299 the first, third, and fifth ^V characters simply allow the second,
1300 and fourth ^Vs, and the ^[, to be entered into the command-line.
1301
1302You see: ab esc ^V^V^[
1303
1304 The command-line contains two actual ^Vs before the ^[. This is
1305 how it should appear in your .exrc file, if you choose to go that
1306 route. The first ^V is there to quote the second ^V; the :ab
1307 command uses ^V as its own quote character, so you can include quoted
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001308 whitespace or the | character in the abbreviation. The :ab command
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001309 doesn't do anything special with the ^[ character, so it doesn't need
1310 to be quoted. (Although quoting isn't harmful; that's why typing 7
1311 [but not 8!] ^Vs works.)
1312
1313Stored as: esc ^V^[
1314
1315 After parsing, the abbreviation's short form ("esc") and long form
1316 (the two characters "^V^[") are stored in the abbreviation table.
1317 If you give the :ab command with no arguments, this is how the
1318 abbreviation will be displayed.
1319
1320 Later, when the abbreviation is expanded because the user typed in
1321 the word "esc", the long form is subjected to the same type of
1322 ^V interpretation as keyboard input. So the ^V protects the ^[
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001323 character from being interpreted as the "exit Insert mode" character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001324 Instead, the ^[ is inserted into the text.
1325
1326Expands to: ^[
1327
1328[example given by Steve Kirkendall]
1329
1330==============================================================================
13313. Local mappings and functions *script-local*
1332
1333When using several Vim script files, there is the danger that mappings and
1334functions used in one script use the same name as in other scripts. To avoid
1335this, they can be made local to the script.
1336
1337 *<SID>* *<SNR>* *E81*
1338The string "<SID>" can be used in a mapping or menu. This requires that the
1339'<' flag is not present in 'cpoptions'.
1340 When executing the map command, Vim will replace "<SID>" with the special
1341key code <SNR>, followed by a number that's unique for the script, and an
1342underscore. Example: >
1343 :map <SID>Add
1344could define a mapping "<SNR>23_Add".
1345
1346When defining a function in a script, "s:" can be prepended to the name to
Bram Moolenaar75ab5902022-04-18 15:36:40 +01001347make it local to the script (in |Vim9| script functions without a prefix are
1348local to the script). But when a mapping is executed from outside of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001349the script, it doesn't know in which script the function was defined. To
1350avoid this problem, use "<SID>" instead of "s:". The same translation is done
1351as for mappings. This makes it possible to define a call to the function in
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001352a mapping.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353
1354When a local function is executed, it runs in the context of the script it was
1355defined in. This means that new functions and mappings it defines can also
1356use "s:" or "<SID>" and it will use the same unique number as when the
1357function itself was defined. Also, the "s:var" local script variables can be
1358used.
1359
1360When executing an autocommand or a user command, it will run in the context of
1361the script it was defined in. This makes it possible that the command calls a
1362local function or uses a local mapping.
1363
Bram Moolenaar90944302020-08-01 20:45:11 +02001364In case the value is used in a context where <SID> cannot be correctly
1365expanded, use the expand() function: >
1366 let &includexpr = expand('<SID>') .. 'My_includeexpr()'
1367
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001368Otherwise, using "<SID>" outside of a script context is an error.
1369
1370If you need to get the script number to use in a complicated script, you can
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001371use this function: >
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +01001372 func s:ScriptNumber()
1373 return matchstr(expand('<SID>'), '<SNR>\zs\d\+\ze_')
1374 endfunc
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001375
1376The "<SNR>" will be shown when listing functions and mappings. This is useful
1377to find out what they are defined to.
1378
1379The |:scriptnames| command can be used to see which scripts have been sourced
1380and what their <SNR> number is.
1381
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001382This is all {not available when compiled without the |+eval| feature}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001383
1384==============================================================================
13854. User-defined commands *user-commands*
1386
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001387It is possible to define your own Ex commands. A user-defined command can act
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001388just like a built-in command (it can have a range or arguments, arguments can
1389be completed as filenames or buffer names, etc), except that when the command
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001390is executed, it is transformed into a normal Ex command and then executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001391
1392For starters: See section |40.2| in the user manual.
1393
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001394 *E183* *E841* *user-cmd-ambiguous*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001395All user defined commands must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001396confusion with builtin commands. Exceptions are these builtin commands:
1397 :Next
1398 :X
1399They cannot be used for a user defined command. ":Print" is also an existing
1400command, but it is deprecated and can be overruled.
1401
1402The other characters of the user command can be uppercase letters, lowercase
1403letters or digits. When using digits, note that other commands that take a
1404numeric argument may become ambiguous. For example, the command ":Cc2" could
1405be the user command ":Cc2" without an argument, or the command ":Cc" with
1406argument "2". It is advised to put a space between the command name and the
1407argument to avoid these problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001408
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001409When using a user-defined command, the command can be abbreviated. However, if
1410an abbreviation is not unique, an error will be issued. Furthermore, a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001411built-in command will always take precedence.
1412
1413Example: >
1414 :command Rename ...
1415 :command Renumber ...
1416 :Rena " Means "Rename"
1417 :Renu " Means "Renumber"
1418 :Ren " Error - ambiguous
1419 :command Paste ...
1420 :P " The built-in :Print
1421
1422It is recommended that full names for user-defined commands are used in
1423scripts.
1424
1425:com[mand] *:com* *:command*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001426 List all user-defined commands. When listing commands,
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001427 the characters in the first columns are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001428 ! Command has the -bang attribute
1429 " Command has the -register attribute
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001430 | Command has the -bar attribute
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001431 b Command is local to current buffer
1432 (see below for details on attributes)
Bram Moolenaar818078d2016-08-27 21:58:42 +02001433 The list can be filtered on command name with
1434 |:filter|, e.g., to list all commands with "Pyth" in
1435 the name: >
1436 filter Pyth command
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001437
1438:com[mand] {cmd} List the user-defined commands that start with {cmd}
1439
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001440 *:command-verbose*
1441When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a command will also display where it was
Bram Moolenaar6f4754b2022-01-23 12:07:04 +00001442last defined and any completion argument. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001443
1444 :verbose command TOhtml
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001445< Name Args Range Complete Definition ~
1446 TOhtml 0 % :call Convert2HTML(<line1>, <line2>) ~
1447 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/tohtml.vim ~
1448
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +00001449See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001450
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001451 *E174* *E182*
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001452:com[mand][!] [{attr}...] {cmd} {repl}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001453 Define a user command. The name of the command is
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001454 {cmd} and its replacement text is {repl}. The
1455 command's attributes (see below) are {attr}. If the
1456 command already exists, an error is reported, unless a
1457 ! is specified, in which case the command is
1458 redefined. There is one exception: When sourcing a
1459 script again, a command that was previously defined in
1460 that script will be silently replaced.
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001461
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001462
1463:delc[ommand] {cmd} *:delc* *:delcommand* *E184*
1464 Delete the user-defined command {cmd}.
1465
Bram Moolenaarbdcba242021-09-12 20:58:02 +02001466:delc[ommand] -buffer {cmd} *E1237*
1467 Delete the user-defined command {cmd} that was defined
1468 for the current buffer.
1469
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001470:comc[lear] *:comc* *:comclear*
1471 Delete all user-defined commands.
1472
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001473
1474Command attributes ~
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +00001475 *command-attributes*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001476User-defined commands are treated by Vim just like any other Ex commands. They
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001477can have arguments, or have a range specified. Arguments are subject to
1478completion as filenames, buffers, etc. Exactly how this works depends upon the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001479command's attributes, which are specified when the command is defined.
1480
1481There are a number of attributes, split into four categories: argument
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001482handling, completion behavior, range handling, and special cases. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001483attributes are described below, by category.
1484
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001485
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001486Argument handling ~
1487 *E175* *E176* *:command-nargs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001488By default, a user defined command will take no arguments (and an error is
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001489reported if any are supplied). However, it is possible to specify that the
1490command can take arguments, using the -nargs attribute. Valid cases are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001491
1492 -nargs=0 No arguments are allowed (the default)
Bram Moolenaar9d87a372018-12-18 21:41:50 +01001493 -nargs=1 Exactly one argument is required, it includes spaces
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02001494 -nargs=* Any number of arguments are allowed (0, 1, or many),
1495 separated by white space
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001496 -nargs=? 0 or 1 arguments are allowed
1497 -nargs=+ Arguments must be supplied, but any number are allowed
1498
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001499Arguments are considered to be separated by (unescaped) spaces or tabs in this
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02001500context, except when there is one argument, then the white space is part of
1501the argument.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001502
1503Note that arguments are used as text, not as expressions. Specifically,
1504"s:var" will use the script-local variable in the script where the command was
1505defined, not where it is invoked! Example:
1506 script1.vim: >
1507 :let s:error = "None"
1508 :command -nargs=1 Error echoerr <args>
1509< script2.vim: >
1510 :source script1.vim
1511 :let s:error = "Wrong!"
1512 :Error s:error
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001513Executing script2.vim will result in "None" being echoed. Not what you
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001514intended! Calling a function may be an alternative.
1515
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001516
1517Completion behavior ~
Bram Moolenaar9d87a372018-12-18 21:41:50 +01001518 *:command-completion* *E179* *E180* *E181*
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001519 *:command-complete*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520By default, the arguments of user defined commands do not undergo completion.
1521However, by specifying one or the other of the following attributes, argument
1522completion can be enabled:
1523
Bram Moolenaarcd43eff2018-03-29 15:55:38 +02001524 -complete=arglist file names in argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001525 -complete=augroup autocmd groups
1526 -complete=buffer buffer names
Bram Moolenaar5ae636b2012-04-30 18:48:53 +02001527 -complete=behave :behave suboptions
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001528 -complete=color color schemes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001529 -complete=command Ex command (and arguments)
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001530 -complete=compiler compilers
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001531 -complete=cscope |:cscope| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001532 -complete=dir directory names
1533 -complete=environment environment variable names
1534 -complete=event autocommand events
1535 -complete=expression Vim expression
1536 -complete=file file and directory names
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001537 -complete=file_in_path file and directory names in |'path'|
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001538 -complete=filetype filetype names |'filetype'|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001539 -complete=function function name
1540 -complete=help help subjects
1541 -complete=highlight highlight groups
Bram Moolenaar5ae636b2012-04-30 18:48:53 +02001542 -complete=history :history suboptions
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001543 -complete=locale locale names (as output of locale -a)
Bram Moolenaarcae92dc2017-08-06 15:22:15 +02001544 -complete=mapclear buffer argument
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001545 -complete=mapping mapping name
1546 -complete=menu menus
Bram Moolenaar9e507ca2016-10-15 15:39:39 +02001547 -complete=messages |:messages| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001548 -complete=option options
Bram Moolenaar063b9d12016-07-09 20:21:48 +02001549 -complete=packadd optional package |pack-add| names
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001550 -complete=shellcmd Shell command
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001551 -complete=sign |:sign| suboptions
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001552 -complete=syntax syntax file names |'syntax'|
Bram Moolenaarcd9c4622013-06-08 15:24:48 +02001553 -complete=syntime |:syntime| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001554 -complete=tag tags
1555 -complete=tag_listfiles tags, file names are shown when CTRL-D is hit
Bram Moolenaar24305862012-08-15 14:05:05 +02001556 -complete=user user names
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557 -complete=var user variables
1558 -complete=custom,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001559 -complete=customlist,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001560
Bram Moolenaar6f4754b2022-01-23 12:07:04 +00001561If you specify completion while there is nothing to complete (-nargs=0, the
1562default) then you get error *E1208* .
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +02001563Note: That some completion methods might expand environment variables.
1564
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001565
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001566Custom completion ~
1567 *:command-completion-custom*
1568 *:command-completion-customlist* *E467* *E468*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001569It is possible to define customized completion schemes via the "custom,{func}"
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001570or the "customlist,{func}" completion argument. The {func} part should be a
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001571function with the following signature: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001572
1573 :function {func}(ArgLead, CmdLine, CursorPos)
1574
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001575The function need not use all these arguments. The function should provide the
1576completion candidates as the return value.
1577
1578For the "custom" argument, the function should return the completion
1579candidates one per line in a newline separated string.
1580
1581For the "customlist" argument, the function should return the completion
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001582candidates as a Vim List. Non-string items in the list are ignored.
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001583
1584The function arguments are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001585 ArgLead the leading portion of the argument currently being
1586 completed on
1587 CmdLine the entire command line
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001588 CursorPos the cursor position in it (byte index)
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001589The function may use these for determining context. For the "custom"
1590argument, it is not necessary to filter candidates against the (implicit
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001591pattern in) ArgLead. Vim will filter the candidates with its regexp engine
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +00001592after function return, and this is probably more efficient in most cases. If
1593'wildoptions' contains "fuzzy", then the candidates will be filtered using
1594|fuzzy-matching|. For the "customlist" argument, Vim will not
1595filter the returned completion candidates and the user supplied function
1596should filter the candidates.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001597
1598The following example lists user names to a Finger command >
1599 :com -complete=custom,ListUsers -nargs=1 Finger !finger <args>
1600 :fun ListUsers(A,L,P)
1601 : return system("cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd")
1602 :endfun
1603
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001604The following example completes filenames from the directories specified in
1605the 'path' option: >
1606 :com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=customlist,EditFileComplete
1607 \ EditFile edit<bang> <args>
1608 :fun EditFileComplete(A,L,P)
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001609 : return split(globpath(&path, a:A), "\n")
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001610 :endfun
1611<
Bram Moolenaar5ac3b1a2010-07-27 22:50:36 +02001612This example does not work for file names with spaces!
1613
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001614
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001615Range handling ~
1616 *E177* *E178* *:command-range* *:command-count*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001617By default, user-defined commands do not accept a line number range. However,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001618it is possible to specify that the command does take a range (the -range
1619attribute), or that it takes an arbitrary count value, either in the line
1620number position (-range=N, like the |:split| command) or as a "count"
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +00001621argument (-count=N, like the |:Next| command). The count will then be
1622available in the argument with |<count>|.
1623
1624Possible attributes are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001625
1626 -range Range allowed, default is current line
1627 -range=% Range allowed, default is whole file (1,$)
1628 -range=N A count (default N) which is specified in the line
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +02001629 number position (like |:split|); allows for zero line
1630 number.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001631 -count=N A count (default N) which is specified either in the line
Bram Moolenaar32e7b2d2005-02-27 22:36:47 +00001632 number position, or as an initial argument (like |:Next|).
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001633 -count acts like -count=0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634
1635Note that -range=N and -count=N are mutually exclusive - only one should be
1636specified.
1637
Bram Moolenaaraa3b15d2016-04-21 08:53:19 +02001638 *:command-addr*
Bram Moolenaarf1d6ccf2014-12-08 04:16:44 +01001639It is possible that the special characters in the range like ., $ or % which
1640by default correspond to the current line, last line and the whole buffer,
1641relate to arguments, (loaded) buffers, windows or tab pages.
1642
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001643Possible values are (second column is the short name used in listing):
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001644 -addr=lines Range of lines (this is the default for -range)
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001645 -addr=arguments arg Range for arguments
1646 -addr=buffers buf Range for buffers (also not loaded buffers)
1647 -addr=loaded_buffers load Range for loaded buffers
1648 -addr=windows win Range for windows
1649 -addr=tabs tab Range for tab pages
1650 -addr=quickfix qf Range for quickfix entries
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001651 -addr=other ? other kind of range; can use ".", "$" and "%"
1652 as with "lines" (this is the default for
1653 -count)
Bram Moolenaarf1d6ccf2014-12-08 04:16:44 +01001654
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001655
1656Special cases ~
1657 *:command-bang* *:command-bar*
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +00001658 *:command-register* *:command-buffer*
Bram Moolenaar519cc552021-11-16 19:18:26 +00001659 *:command-keepscript*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001660There are some special cases as well:
1661
1662 -bang The command can take a ! modifier (like :q or :w)
1663 -bar The command can be followed by a "|" and another command.
1664 A "|" inside the command argument is not allowed then.
1665 Also checks for a " to start a comment.
1666 -register The first argument to the command can be an optional
1667 register name (like :del, :put, :yank).
1668 -buffer The command will only be available in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar58ef8a32021-11-12 11:25:11 +00001669 -keepscript Do not use the location of where the user command was
1670 defined for verbose messages, use the location of where
1671 the user command was invoked.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001672
1673In the cases of the -count and -register attributes, if the optional argument
1674is supplied, it is removed from the argument list and is available to the
1675replacement text separately.
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +02001676Note that these arguments can be abbreviated, but that is a deprecated
1677feature. Use the full name for new scripts.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001678
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001679
1680Replacement text ~
Bram Moolenaar73b8b0a2021-08-01 14:52:32 +02001681 *:command-repl*
Bram Moolenaar5d7c2df2021-07-27 21:17:32 +02001682The {repl} argument is normally one long string, possibly with "|" separated
1683commands. A special case is when the argument is "{", then the following
1684lines, up to a line starting with "}" are used and |Vim9| syntax applies.
1685Example: >
1686 :command MyCommand {
1687 echo 'hello'
1688 g:calledMyCommand = true
1689 }
Bram Moolenaar63b91732021-08-05 20:40:03 +02001690< *E1231*
1691There must be white space before the "{". No nesting is supported, inline
1692functions cannot be used. Commands where a "|" may appear in the argument,
1693such as commands with an expression argument, cannot be followed by a "|" and
1694another command.
Bram Moolenaar5d7c2df2021-07-27 21:17:32 +02001695
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001696The replacement text {repl} for a user defined command is scanned for special
1697escape sequences, using <...> notation. Escape sequences are replaced with
1698values from the entered command line, and all other text is copied unchanged.
1699The resulting string is executed as an Ex command. To avoid the replacement
1700use <lt> in place of the initial <. Thus to include "<bang>" literally use
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +00001701"<lt>bang>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001702
1703The valid escape sequences are
1704
1705 *<line1>*
1706 <line1> The starting line of the command range.
1707 *<line2>*
1708 <line2> The final line of the command range.
Bram Moolenaarc168bd42017-09-10 17:34:35 +02001709 *<range>*
1710 <range> The number of items in the command range: 0, 1 or 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001711 *<count>*
1712 <count> Any count supplied (as described for the '-range'
1713 and '-count' attributes).
1714 *<bang>*
1715 <bang> (See the '-bang' attribute) Expands to a ! if the
1716 command was executed with a ! modifier, otherwise
1717 expands to nothing.
Bram Moolenaar1d59aa12020-09-19 18:50:13 +02001718 *<mods>* *<q-mods>* *:command-modifiers*
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001719 <mods> The command modifiers, if specified. Otherwise, expands to
Bram Moolenaarc95a3022016-06-12 23:01:46 +02001720 nothing. Supported modifiers are |:aboveleft|, |:belowright|,
1721 |:botright|, |:browse|, |:confirm|, |:hide|, |:keepalt|,
Bram Moolenaarbc8801c2016-08-02 21:04:33 +02001722 |:keepjumps|, |:keepmarks|, |:keeppatterns|, |:leftabove|,
1723 |:lockmarks|, |:noswapfile| |:rightbelow|, |:silent|, |:tab|,
1724 |:topleft|, |:verbose|, and |:vertical|.
1725 Note that these are not yet supported: |:noautocmd|,
1726 |:sandbox| and |:unsilent|.
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001727 Examples: >
1728 command! -nargs=+ -complete=file MyEdit
1729 \ for f in expand(<q-args>, 0, 1) |
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001730 \ exe '<mods> split ' .. f |
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001731 \ endfor
1732
1733 function! SpecialEdit(files, mods)
1734 for f in expand(a:files, 0, 1)
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001735 exe a:mods .. ' split ' .. f
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001736 endfor
1737 endfunction
1738 command! -nargs=+ -complete=file Sedit
1739 \ call SpecialEdit(<q-args>, <q-mods>)
1740<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001741 *<reg>* *<register>*
1742 <reg> (See the '-register' attribute) The optional register,
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001743 if specified. Otherwise, expands to nothing. <register>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001744 is a synonym for this.
1745 *<args>*
1746 <args> The command arguments, exactly as supplied (but as
1747 noted above, any count or register can consume some
1748 of the arguments, which are then not part of <args>).
1749 <lt> A single '<' (Less-Than) character. This is needed if you
1750 want to get a literal copy of one of these escape sequences
1751 into the expansion - for example, to get <bang>, use
1752 <lt>bang>.
1753
1754 *<q-args>*
1755If the first two characters of an escape sequence are "q-" (for example,
1756<q-args>) then the value is quoted in such a way as to make it a valid value
1757for use in an expression. This uses the argument as one single value.
Bram Moolenaar51485f02005-06-04 21:55:20 +00001758When there is no argument <q-args> is an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar552f8a12007-03-08 17:12:08 +00001759 *<f-args>*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001760To allow commands to pass their arguments on to a user-defined function, there
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001761is a special form <f-args> ("function args"). This splits the command
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001762arguments at spaces and tabs, quotes each argument individually, and the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001763<f-args> sequence is replaced by the comma-separated list of quoted arguments.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001764See the Mycmd example below. If no arguments are given <f-args> is removed.
Bram Moolenaar552f8a12007-03-08 17:12:08 +00001765 To embed whitespace into an argument of <f-args>, prepend a backslash.
1766<f-args> replaces every pair of backslashes (\\) with one backslash. A
1767backslash followed by a character other than white space or a backslash
1768remains unmodified. Overview:
1769
1770 command <f-args> ~
1771 XX ab 'ab'
1772 XX a\b 'a\b'
1773 XX a\ b 'a b'
1774 XX a\ b 'a ', 'b'
1775 XX a\\b 'a\b'
1776 XX a\\ b 'a\', 'b'
1777 XX a\\\b 'a\\b'
1778 XX a\\\ b 'a\ b'
1779 XX a\\\\b 'a\\b'
1780 XX a\\\\ b 'a\\', 'b'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001781
1782Examples >
1783
1784 " Delete everything after here to the end
1785 :com Ddel +,$d
1786
1787 " Rename the current buffer
1788 :com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=file Ren f <args>|w<bang>
1789
1790 " Replace a range with the contents of a file
1791 " (Enter this all as one line)
1792 :com -range -nargs=1 -complete=file
1793 Replace <line1>-pu_|<line1>,<line2>d|r <args>|<line1>d
1794
1795 " Count the number of lines in the range
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001796 :com! -range -nargs=0 Lines echo <line2> - <line1> + 1 "lines"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001797
1798 " Call a user function (example of <f-args>)
1799 :com -nargs=* Mycmd call Myfunc(<f-args>)
1800
1801When executed as: >
1802 :Mycmd arg1 arg2
1803This will invoke: >
1804 :call Myfunc("arg1","arg2")
1805
1806 :" A more substantial example
1807 :function Allargs(command)
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001808 : let i = 0
1809 : while i < argc()
1810 : if filereadable(argv(i))
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001811 : execute "e " .. argv(i)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001812 : execute a:command
1813 : endif
1814 : let i = i + 1
1815 : endwhile
1816 :endfunction
1817 :command -nargs=+ -complete=command Allargs call Allargs(<q-args>)
1818
1819The command Allargs takes any Vim command(s) as argument and executes it on all
1820files in the argument list. Usage example (note use of the "e" flag to ignore
1821errors and the "update" command to write modified buffers): >
1822 :Allargs %s/foo/bar/ge|update
1823This will invoke: >
1824 :call Allargs("%s/foo/bar/ge|update")
1825<
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001826If the command is defined in Vim9 script (a script that starts with
1827`:vim9script` and in a `:def` function) then {repl} will be executed as in Vim9
1828script. Thus this depends on where the command is defined, not where it is
1829used.
1830
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001831When defining a user command in a script, it will be able to call functions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001832local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the user
1833invokes the user command, it will run in the context of the script it was
1834defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
1835
Bram Moolenaar91f84f62018-07-29 15:07:52 +02001836 vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl: