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Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001*insert.txt* For Vim version 7.2. Last change: 2009 Jul 14
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7 *Insert* *Insert-mode*
8Inserting and replacing text *mode-ins-repl*
9
10Most of this file is about Insert and Replace mode. At the end are a few
11commands for inserting text in other ways.
12
13An overview of the most often used commands can be found in chapter 24 of the
14user manual |usr_24.txt|.
15
161. Special keys |ins-special-keys|
172. Special special keys |ins-special-special|
183. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options |ins-textwidth|
194. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options |ins-expandtab|
205. Replace mode |Replace-mode|
216. Virtual Replace mode |Virtual-Replace-mode|
227. Insert mode completion |ins-completion|
238. Insert mode commands |inserting|
249. Ex insert commands |inserting-ex|
2510. Inserting a file |inserting-file|
26
27Also see 'virtualedit', for moving the cursor to positions where there is no
28character. Useful for editing a table.
29
30==============================================================================
311. Special keys *ins-special-keys*
32
33In Insert and Replace mode, the following characters have a special meaning;
34other characters are inserted directly. To insert one of these special
35characters into the buffer, precede it with CTRL-V. To insert a <Nul>
36character use "CTRL-V CTRL-@" or "CTRL-V 000". On some systems, you have to
37use "CTRL-V 003" to insert a CTRL-C. Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can
38often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
39
40If you are working in a special language mode when inserting text, see the
41'langmap' option, |'langmap'|, on how to avoid switching this mode on and off
42all the time.
43
44If you have 'insertmode' set, <Esc> and a few other keys get another meaning.
45See |'insertmode'|.
46
47char action ~
48-----------------------------------------------------------------------
49 *i_CTRL-[* *i_<Esc>*
50<Esc> or CTRL-[ End insert or Replace mode, go back to Normal mode. Finish
51 abbreviation.
52 Note: If your <Esc> key is hard to hit on your keyboard, train
53 yourself to use CTRL-[.
54 *i_CTRL-C*
55CTRL-C Quit insert mode, go back to Normal mode. Do not check for
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +000056 abbreviations. Does not trigger the |InsertLeave| autocommand
57 event.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000058
59 *i_CTRL-@*
60CTRL-@ Insert previously inserted text and stop insert. {Vi: only
61 when typed as first char, only up to 128 chars}
62 *i_CTRL-A*
63CTRL-A Insert previously inserted text. {not in Vi}
64
65 *i_CTRL-H* *i_<BS>* *i_BS*
66<BS> or CTRL-H Delete the character before the cursor (see |i_backspacing|
67 about joining lines).
68 See |:fixdel| if your <BS> key does not do what you want.
69 {Vi: does not delete autoindents}
70 *i_<Del>* *i_DEL*
71<Del> Delete the character under the cursor. If the cursor is at
72 the end of the line, and the 'backspace' option includes
73 "eol", delete the <EOL>; the next line is appended after the
74 current one.
75 See |:fixdel| if your <Del> key does not do what you want.
76 {not in Vi}
77 *i_CTRL-W*
78CTRL-W Delete the word before the cursor (see |i_backspacing| about
79 joining lines). See the section "word motions",
80 |word-motions|, for the definition of a word.
81 *i_CTRL-U*
82CTRL-U Delete all entered characters in the current line (see
83 |i_backspacing| about joining lines).
84
85 *i_CTRL-I* *i_<Tab>* *i_Tab*
86<Tab> or CTRL-I Insert a tab. If the 'expandtab' option is on, the
87 equivalent number of spaces is inserted (use CTRL-V <Tab> to
88 avoid the expansion; use CTRL-Q <Tab> if CTRL-V is mapped
89 |i_CTRL-Q|). See also the 'smarttab' option and
90 |ins-expandtab|.
91 *i_CTRL-J* *i_<NL>*
92<NL> or CTRL-J Begin new line.
93 *i_CTRL-M* *i_<CR>*
94<CR> or CTRL-M Begin new line.
95 *i_CTRL-K*
96CTRL-K {char1} [char2]
97 Enter digraph (see |digraphs|). When {char1} is a special
98 key, the code for that key is inserted in <> form. For
99 example, the string "<S-Space>" can be entered by typing
100 <C-K><S-Space> (two keys). Neither char is considered for
101 mapping. {not in Vi}
102
103CTRL-N Find next keyword (see |i_CTRL-N|). {not in Vi}
104CTRL-P Find previous keyword (see |i_CTRL-P|). {not in Vi}
105
106CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+:.-=} *i_CTRL-R*
107 Insert the contents of a register. Between typing CTRL-R and
108 the second character, '"' will be displayed to indicate that
109 you are expected to enter the name of a register.
110 The text is inserted as if you typed it, but mappings and
111 abbreviations are not used. If you have options like
112 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', or 'autoindent' set, this will
113 influence what will be inserted. This is different from what
114 happens with the "p" command and pasting with the mouse.
115 Special registers:
116 '"' the unnamed register, containing the text of
117 the last delete or yank
118 '%' the current file name
119 '#' the alternate file name
120 '*' the clipboard contents (X11: primary selection)
121 '+' the clipboard contents
122 '/' the last search pattern
123 ':' the last command-line
124 '.' the last inserted text
125 '-' the last small (less than a line) delete
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100126 *i_CTRL-R_=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000127 '=' the expression register: you are prompted to
128 enter an expression (see |expression|)
Bram Moolenaar293ee4d2004-12-09 21:34:53 +0000129 Note that 0x80 (128 decimal) is used for
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000130 special keys. E.g., you can use this to move
131 the cursor up:
132 CTRL-R ="\<Up>"
133 Use CTRL-R CTRL-R to insert text literally.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +0000134 When the result is a |List| the items are used
135 as lines. They can have line breaks inside
136 too.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100137 When the result is a Float it's automatically
138 converted to a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000139 See |registers| about registers. {not in Vi}
140
141CTRL-R CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-R*
142 Insert the contents of a register. Works like using a single
143 CTRL-R, but the text is inserted literally, not as if typed.
144 This differs when the register contains characters like <BS>.
145 Example, where register a contains "ab^Hc": >
146 CTRL-R a results in "ac".
147 CTRL-R CTRL-R a results in "ab^Hc".
148< Options 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', etc. still apply. If
149 you also want to avoid these, use "<C-R><C-O>r", see below.
150 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
151 typed. {not in Vi}
152
153CTRL-R CTRL-O {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-O*
154 Insert the contents of a register literally and don't
155 auto-indent. Does the same as pasting with the mouse
156 |<MiddleMouse>|.
157 Does not replace characters!
158 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
159 typed. {not in Vi}
160
161CTRL-R CTRL-P {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-P*
162 Insert the contents of a register literally and fix the
163 indent, like |[<MiddleMouse>|.
164 Does not replace characters!
165 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
166 typed. {not in Vi}
167
168 *i_CTRL-T*
169CTRL-T Insert one shiftwidth of indent at the start of the current
170 line. The indent is always rounded to a 'shiftwidth' (this is
171 vi compatible). {Vi: only when in indent}
172 *i_CTRL-D*
173CTRL-D Delete one shiftwidth of indent at the start of the current
174 line. The indent is always rounded to a 'shiftwidth' (this is
175 vi compatible). {Vi: CTRL-D works only when used after
176 autoindent}
177 *i_0_CTRL-D*
1780 CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. {Vi: CTRL-D works
179 only when used after autoindent}
180 *i_^_CTRL-D*
181^ CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. The indent is
182 restored in the next line. This is useful when inserting a
183 label. {Vi: CTRL-D works only when used after autoindent}
184
185 *i_CTRL-V*
186CTRL-V Insert next non-digit literally. For special keys, the
187 terminal code is inserted. It's also possible to enter the
188 decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character
189 |i_CTRL-V_digit|.
190 The characters typed right after CTRL-V are not considered for
191 mapping. {Vi: no decimal byte entry}
192 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped (e.g., to paste text) you can
193 often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
194
195 *i_CTRL-Q*
196CTRL-Q Same as CTRL-V.
197 Note: Some terminal connections may eat CTRL-Q, it doesn't
198 work then. It does work in the GUI.
199
200CTRL-X Enter CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode where commands can
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000201 be given to complete words or scroll the window. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000202 |i_CTRL-X| and |ins-completion|. {not in Vi}
203
204 *i_CTRL-E*
205CTRL-E Insert the character which is below the cursor. {not in Vi}
206 *i_CTRL-Y*
207CTRL-Y Insert the character which is above the cursor. {not in Vi}
208 Note that for CTRL-E and CTRL-Y 'textwidth' is not used, to be
209 able to copy characters from a long line.
210
211 *i_CTRL-_*
212CTRL-_ Switch between languages, as follows:
213 - When in a rightleft window, revins and nohkmap are toggled,
214 since English will likely be inserted in this case.
215 - When in a norightleft window, revins and hkmap are toggled,
216 since Hebrew will likely be inserted in this case.
217
218 CTRL-_ moves the cursor to the end of the typed text.
219
220 This command is only available when the 'allowrevins' option
221 is set.
222 Please refer to |rileft.txt| for more information about
223 right-to-left mode.
224 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +0000225 Only if compiled with the |+rightleft| feature.
226
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000227 *i_CTRL-^*
228CTRL-^ Toggle the use of typing language characters.
229 When language |:lmap| mappings are defined:
230 - If 'iminsert' is 1 (langmap mappings used) it becomes 0 (no
231 langmap mappings used).
232 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 1, thus langmap
233 mappings are enabled.
234 When no language mappings are defined:
235 - If 'iminsert' is 2 (Input Method used) it becomes 0 (no
236 Input Method used).
237 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 2, thus the Input
238 Method is enabled.
239 When set to 1, the value of the "b:keymap_name" variable, the
240 'keymap' option or "<lang>" appears in the status line.
241 The language mappings are normally used to type characters
242 that are different from what the keyboard produces. The
243 'keymap' option can be used to install a whole number of them.
244 {not in Vi}
245
246 *i_CTRL-]*
247CTRL-] Trigger abbreviation, without inserting a character. {not in
248 Vi}
249
250 *i_<Insert>*
251<Insert> Toggle between Insert and Replace mode. {not in Vi}
252-----------------------------------------------------------------------
253
254 *i_backspacing*
255The effect of the <BS>, CTRL-W, and CTRL-U depend on the 'backspace' option
256(unless 'revins' is set). This is a comma separated list of items:
257
258item action ~
259indent allow backspacing over autoindent
260eol allow backspacing over end-of-line (join lines)
261start allow backspacing over the start position of insert; CTRL-W and
262 CTRL-U stop once at the start position
263
264When 'backspace' is empty, Vi compatible backspacing is used. You cannot
265backspace over autoindent, before column 1 or before where insert started.
266
267For backwards compatibility the values "0", "1" and "2" are also allowed, see
268|'backspace'|.
269
270If the 'backspace' option does contain "eol" and the cursor is in column 1
271when one of the three keys is used, the current line is joined with the
272previous line. This effectively deletes the <EOL> in front of the cursor.
273{Vi: does not cross lines, does not delete past start position of insert}
274
275 *i_CTRL-V_digit*
276With CTRL-V the decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character can be
277entered directly. This way you can enter any character, except a line break
278(<NL>, value 10). There are five ways to enter the character value:
279
280first char mode max nr of chars max value ~
281(none) decimal 3 255
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000282o or O octal 3 377 (255)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000283x or X hexadecimal 2 ff (255)
284u hexadecimal 4 ffff (65535)
285U hexadecimal 8 7fffffff (2147483647)
286
287Normally you would type the maximum number of characters. Thus to enter a
288space (value 32) you would type <C-V>032. You can omit the leading zero, in
289which case the character typed after the number must be a non-digit. This
290happens for the other modes as well: As soon as you type a character that is
291invalid for the mode, the value before it will be used and the "invalid"
292character is dealt with in the normal way.
293
294If you enter a value of 10, it will end up in the file as a 0. The 10 is a
295<NL>, which is used internally to represent the <Nul> character. When writing
296the buffer to a file, the <NL> character is translated into <Nul>. The <NL>
297character is written at the end of each line. Thus if you want to insert a
298<NL> character in a file you will have to make a line break.
299
300 *i_CTRL-X* *insert_expand*
301CTRL-X enters a sub-mode where several commands can be used. Most of these
302commands do keyword completion; see |ins-completion|. These are not available
303when Vim was compiled without the |+insert_expand| feature.
304
305Two commands can be used to scroll the window up or down, without exiting
306insert mode:
307
308 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-E*
309CTRL-X CTRL-E scroll window one line up.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000310 When doing completion look here: |complete_CTRL-E|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000311
312 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-Y*
313CTRL-X CTRL-Y scroll window one line down.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000314 When doing completion look here: |complete_CTRL-Y|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000315
316After CTRL-X is pressed, each CTRL-E (CTRL-Y) scrolls the window up (down) by
317one line unless that would cause the cursor to move from its current position
318in the file. As soon as another key is pressed, CTRL-X mode is exited and
319that key is interpreted as in Insert mode.
320
321
322==============================================================================
3232. Special special keys *ins-special-special*
324
325The following keys are special. They stop the current insert, do something,
326and then restart insertion. This means you can do something without getting
327out of Insert mode. This is very handy if you prefer to use the Insert mode
328all the time, just like editors that don't have a separate Normal mode. You
329may also want to set the 'backspace' option to "indent,eol,start" and set the
330'insertmode' option. You can use CTRL-O if you want to map a function key to
331a command.
332
333The changes (inserted or deleted characters) before and after these keys can
334be undone separately. Only the last change can be redone and always behaves
335like an "i" command.
336
337char action ~
338-----------------------------------------------------------------------
339<Up> cursor one line up *i_<Up>*
340<Down> cursor one line down *i_<Down>*
341CTRL-G <Up> cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Up>*
342CTRL-G k cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_k*
343CTRL-G CTRL-K cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-K*
344CTRL-G <Down> cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Down>*
345CTRL-G j cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_j*
346CTRL-G CTRL-J cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-J*
347<Left> cursor one character left *i_<Left>*
348<Right> cursor one character right *i_<Right>*
349<S-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<S-Left>*
350<C-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<C-Left>*
351<S-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<S-Right>*
352<C-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<C-Right>*
353<Home> cursor to first char in the line *i_<Home>*
354<End> cursor to after last char in the line *i_<End>*
355<C-Home> cursor to first char in the file *i_<C-Home>*
356<C-End> cursor to after last char in the file *i_<C-End>*
357<LeftMouse> cursor to position of mouse click *i_<LeftMouse>*
358<S-Up> move window one page up *i_<S-Up>*
359<PageUp> move window one page up *i_<PageUp>*
360<S-Down> move window one page down *i_<S-Down>*
361<PageDown> move window one page down *i_<PageDown>*
362<MouseDown> scroll three lines down *i_<MouseDown>*
363<S-MouseDown> scroll a full page down *i_<S-MouseDown>*
364<MouseUp> scroll three lines up *i_<MouseUp>*
365<S-MouseUp> scroll a full page up *i_<S-MouseUp>*
366CTRL-O execute one command, return to Insert mode *i_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000367CTRL-\ CTRL-O like CTRL-O but don't move the cursor *i_CTRL-\_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000368CTRL-L when 'insertmode' is set: go to Normal mode *i_CTRL-L*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000369CTRL-G u break undo sequence, start new change *i_CTRL-G_u*
370-----------------------------------------------------------------------
371
372Note: If the cursor keys take you out of Insert mode, check the 'noesckeys'
373option.
374
375The CTRL-O command sometimes has a side effect: If the cursor was beyond the
376end of the line, it will be put on the last character in the line. In
377mappings it's often better to use <Esc> (first put an "x" in the text, <Esc>
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000378will then always put the cursor on it). Or use CTRL-\ CTRL-O, but then
379beware of the cursor possibly being beyond the end of the line.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000380
381The shifted cursor keys are not available on all terminals.
382
383Another side effect is that a count specified before the "i" or "a" command is
384ignored. That is because repeating the effect of the command after CTRL-O is
385too complicated.
386
387An example for using CTRL-G u: >
388
389 :inoremap <C-H> <C-G>u<C-H>
390
391This redefines the backspace key to start a new undo sequence. You can now
392undo the effect of the backspace key, without changing what you typed before
393that, with CTRL-O u.
394
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000395Using CTRL-O splits undo: the text typed before and after it is undone
396separately. If you want to avoid this (e.g., in a mapping) you might be able
397to use CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. E.g., to call a function: >
398 :imap <F2> <C-R>=MyFunc()<CR>
399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000400When the 'whichwrap' option is set appropriately, the <Left> and <Right>
401keys on the first/last character in the line make the cursor wrap to the
402previous/next line.
403
404The CTRL-G j and CTRL-G k commands can be used to insert text in front of a
405column. Example: >
406 int i;
407 int j;
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000408Position the cursor on the first "int", type "istatic <C-G>j ". The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000409result is: >
410 static int i;
411 int j;
412When inserting the same text in front of the column in every line, use the
413Visual blockwise command "I" |v_b_I|.
414
415==============================================================================
4163. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options *ins-textwidth*
417
418The 'textwidth' option can be used to automatically break a line before it
419gets too long. Set the 'textwidth' option to the desired maximum line
420length. If you then type more characters (not spaces or tabs), the
421last word will be put on a new line (unless it is the only word on the
422line). If you set 'textwidth' to 0, this feature is disabled.
423
424The 'wrapmargin' option does almost the same. The difference is that
425'textwidth' has a fixed width while 'wrapmargin' depends on the width of the
426screen. When using 'wrapmargin' this is equal to using 'textwidth' with a
427value equal to (columns - 'wrapmargin'), where columns is the width of the
428screen.
429
430When 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' are both set, 'textwidth' is used.
431
432If you don't really want to break the line, but view the line wrapped at a
433convenient place, see the 'linebreak' option.
434
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000435The line is only broken automatically when using Insert mode, or when
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000436appending to a line. When in replace mode and the line length is not
437changed, the line will not be broken.
438
439Long lines are broken if you enter a non-white character after the margin.
440The situations where a line will be broken can be restricted by adding
441characters to the 'formatoptions' option:
442"l" Only break a line if it was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
443 started.
444"v" Only break at a white character that has been entered during the
445 current insert command. This is mostly Vi-compatible.
446"lv" Only break if the line was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
447 started and only at a white character that has been entered during the
448 current insert command. Only differs from "l" when entering non-white
449 characters while crossing the 'textwidth' boundary.
450
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000451Normally an internal function will be used to decide where to break the line.
452If you want to do it in a different way set the 'formatexpr' option to an
453expression that will take care of the line break.
454
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000455If you want to format a block of text, you can use the "gq" operator. Type
456"gq" and a movement command to move the cursor to the end of the block. In
457many cases, the command "gq}" will do what you want (format until the end of
458paragraph). Alternatively, you can use "gqap", which will format the whole
459paragraph, no matter where the cursor currently is. Or you can use Visual
460mode: hit "v", move to the end of the block, and type "gq". See also |gq|.
461
462==============================================================================
4634. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options *ins-expandtab*
464
465If the 'expandtab' option is on, spaces will be used to fill the amount of
466whitespace of the tab. If you want to enter a real <Tab>, type CTRL-V first
467(use CTRL-Q when CTRL-V is mapped |i_CTRL-Q|).
468The 'expandtab' option is off by default. Note that in Replace mode, a single
469character is replaced with several spaces. The result of this is that the
470number of characters in the line increases. Backspacing will delete one
471space at a time. The original character will be put back for only one space
472that you backspace over (the last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab'
473option}
474
475 *ins-smarttab*
476When the 'smarttab' option is on, a <Tab> inserts 'shiftwidth' positions at
477the beginning of a line and 'tabstop' positions in other places. This means
478that often spaces instead of a <Tab> character are inserted. When 'smarttab
479is off, a <Tab> always inserts 'tabstop' positions, and 'shiftwidth' is only
480used for ">>" and the like. {not in Vi}
481
482 *ins-softtabstop*
483When the 'softtabstop' option is non-zero, a <Tab> inserts 'softtabstop'
484positions, and a <BS> used to delete white space, will delete 'softtabstop'
485positions. This feels like 'tabstop' was set to 'softtabstop', but a real
486<Tab> character still takes 'tabstop' positions, so your file will still look
487correct when used by other applications.
488
489If 'softtabstop' is non-zero, a <BS> will try to delete as much white space to
490move to the previous 'softtabstop' position, except when the previously
491inserted character is a space, then it will only delete the character before
492the cursor. Otherwise you cannot always delete a single character before the
493cursor. You will have to delete 'softtabstop' characters first, and then type
494extra spaces to get where you want to be.
495
496==============================================================================
4975. Replace mode *Replace* *Replace-mode* *mode-replace*
498
499Enter Replace mode with the "R" command in normal mode.
500
501In Replace mode, one character in the line is deleted for every character you
502type. If there is no character to delete (at the end of the line), the
503typed character is appended (as in Insert mode). Thus the number of
504characters in a line stays the same until you get to the end of the line.
505If a <NL> is typed, a line break is inserted and no character is deleted.
506
507Be careful with <Tab> characters. If you type a normal printing character in
508its place, the number of characters is still the same, but the number of
509columns will become smaller.
510
511If you delete characters in Replace mode (with <BS>, CTRL-W, or CTRL-U), what
512happens is that you delete the changes. The characters that were replaced
513are restored. If you had typed past the existing text, the characters you
514added are deleted. This is effectively a character-at-a-time undo.
515
516If the 'expandtab' option is on, a <Tab> will replace one character with
517several spaces. The result of this is that the number of characters in the
518line increases. Backspacing will delete one space at a time. The original
519character will be put back for only one space that you backspace over (the
520last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab' option}
521
522==============================================================================
5236. Virtual Replace mode *vreplace-mode* *Virtual-Replace-mode*
524
525Enter Virtual Replace mode with the "gR" command in normal mode.
526{not available when compiled without the +vreplace feature}
527{Vi does not have Virtual Replace mode}
528
529Virtual Replace mode is similar to Replace mode, but instead of replacing
530actual characters in the file, you are replacing screen real estate, so that
531characters further on in the file never appear to move.
532
533So if you type a <Tab> it may replace several normal characters, and if you
534type a letter on top of a <Tab> it may not replace anything at all, since the
535<Tab> will still line up to the same place as before.
536
537Typing a <NL> still doesn't cause characters later in the file to appear to
538move. The rest of the current line will be replaced by the <NL> (that is,
539they are deleted), and replacing continues on the next line. A new line is
540NOT inserted unless you go past the end of the file.
541
542Interesting effects are seen when using CTRL-T and CTRL-D. The characters
543before the cursor are shifted sideways as normal, but characters later in the
544line still remain still. CTRL-T will hide some of the old line under the
545shifted characters, but CTRL-D will reveal them again.
546
547As with Replace mode, using <BS> etc will bring back the characters that were
548replaced. This still works in conjunction with 'smartindent', CTRL-T and
549CTRL-D, 'expandtab', 'smarttab', 'softtabstop', etc.
550
551In 'list' mode, Virtual Replace mode acts as if it was not in 'list' mode,
552unless "L" is in 'cpoptions'.
553
554Note that the only times characters beyond the cursor should appear to move
555are in 'list' mode, and occasionally when 'wrap' is set (and the line changes
556length to become shorter or wider than the width of the screen), or
557momentarily when typing over a CTRL character. A CTRL character takes up two
558screen spaces. When replacing it with two normal characters, the first will
559be inserted and the second will replace the CTRL character.
560
561This mode is very useful for editing <Tab> separated columns in tables, for
562entering new data while keeping all the columns aligned.
563
564==============================================================================
5657. Insert mode completion *ins-completion*
566
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000567In Insert and Replace mode, there are several commands to complete part of a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000568keyword or line that has been typed. This is useful if you are using
569complicated keywords (e.g., function names with capitals and underscores).
570
571These commands are not available when the |+insert_expand| feature was
572disabled at compile time.
573
574Completion can be done for:
575
5761. Whole lines |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L|
5772. keywords in the current file |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N|
5783. keywords in 'dictionary' |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K|
5794. keywords in 'thesaurus', thesaurus-style |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T|
5805. keywords in the current and included files |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I|
5816. tags |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]|
5827. file names |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F|
5838. definitions or macros |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D|
5849. Vim command-line |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V|
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +000058510. User defined completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U|
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +000058611. omni completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O|
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +000058712. Spelling suggestions |i_CTRL-X_s|
58813. keywords in 'complete' |i_CTRL-N|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000589
590All these (except 2) are done in CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode of Insert
591and Replace modes. You enter CTRL-X mode by typing CTRL-X and one of the
592CTRL-X commands. You exit CTRL-X mode by typing a key that is not a valid
593CTRL-X mode command. Valid keys are the CTRL-X command itself, CTRL-N (next),
594and CTRL-P (previous).
595
596Also see the 'infercase' option if you want to adjust the case of the match.
597
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000598 *complete_CTRL-E*
599When completion is active you can use CTRL-E to stop it and go back to the
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000600originally typed text. The CTRL-E will not be inserted.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000601
602 *complete_CTRL-Y*
603When the popup menu is displayed you can use CTRL-Y to stop completion and
604accept the currently selected entry. The CTRL-Y is not inserted. Typing a
605space, Enter, or some other unprintable character will leave completion mode
606and insert that typed character.
607
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000608When the popup menu is displayed there are a few more special keys, see
609|popupmenu-keys|.
610
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000611Note: The keys that are valid in CTRL-X mode are not mapped. This allows for
612":map ^F ^X^F" to work (where ^F is CTRL-F and ^X is CTRL-X). The key that
613ends CTRL-X mode (any key that is not a valid CTRL-X mode command) is mapped.
614Also, when doing completion with 'complete' mappings apply as usual.
615
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +0000616Note: While completion is active Insert mode can't be used recursively.
617Mappings that somehow invoke ":normal i.." will generate an E523 error.
618
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000619The following mappings are suggested to make typing the completion commands
620a bit easier (although they will hide other commands): >
621 :inoremap ^] ^X^]
622 :inoremap ^F ^X^F
623 :inoremap ^D ^X^D
624 :inoremap ^L ^X^L
625
626As a special case, typing CTRL-R to perform register insertion (see
627|i_CTRL-R|) will not exit CTRL-X mode. This is primarily to allow the use of
628the '=' register to call some function to determine the next operation. If
629the contents of the register (or result of the '=' register evaluation) are
630not valid CTRL-X mode keys, then CTRL-X mode will be exited as if those keys
631had been typed.
632
633For example, the following will map <Tab> to either actually insert a <Tab> if
634the current line is currently only whitespace, or start/continue a CTRL-N
635completion operation: >
636
637 function! CleverTab()
638 if strpart( getline('.'), 0, col('.')-1 ) =~ '^\s*$'
639 return "\<Tab>"
640 else
641 return "\<C-N>"
642 endfunction
643 inoremap <Tab> <C-R>=CleverTab()<CR>
644
645
646
647Completing whole lines *compl-whole-line*
648
649 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L*
650CTRL-X CTRL-L Search backwards for a line that starts with the
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000651 same characters as those in the current line before
652 the cursor. Indent is ignored. The matching line is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000653 inserted in front of the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000654 The 'complete' option is used to decide which buffers
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000655 are searched for a match. Both loaded and unloaded
656 buffers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000657 CTRL-L or
658 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching line. This line
659 replaces the previous matching line.
660
661 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching line. This line
662 replaces the previous matching line.
663
664 CTRL-X CTRL-L After expanding a line you can additionally get the
665 line next to it by typing CTRL-X CTRL-L again, unless
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100666 a double CTRL-X is used. Only works for loaded
667 buffers.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000668
669Completing keywords in current file *compl-current*
670
671 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-P*
672 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N*
673CTRL-X CTRL-N Search forwards for words that start with the keyword
674 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
675 in front of the cursor.
676
677CTRL-X CTRL-P Search backwards for words that start with the keyword
678 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
679 in front of the cursor.
680
681 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
682 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
683
684 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
685 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
686
687 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
688 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
689 copy the words following the previous expansion in
690 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
691
692If there is a keyword in front of the cursor (a name made out of alphabetic
693characters and characters in 'iskeyword'), it is used as the search pattern,
694with "\<" prepended (meaning: start of a word). Otherwise "\<\k\k" is used
695as search pattern (start of any keyword of at least two characters).
696
697In Replace mode, the number of characters that are replaced depends on the
698length of the matched string. This works like typing the characters of the
699matched string in Replace mode.
700
701If there is not a valid keyword character before the cursor, any keyword of
702at least two characters is matched.
703 e.g., to get:
704 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], vector[1], vector[2]);
705 just type:
706 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], ^P[1], ^P[2]);
707
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000708The search wraps around the end of the file, the value of 'wrapscan' is not
709used here.
710
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000711Multiple repeats of the same completion are skipped; thus a different match
712will be inserted at each CTRL-N and CTRL-P (unless there is only one
713matching keyword).
714
715Single character matches are never included, as they usually just get in
716the way of what you were really after.
717 e.g., to get:
718 printf("name = %s\n", name);
719 just type:
720 printf("name = %s\n", n^P);
721 or even:
722 printf("name = %s\n", ^P);
723The 'n' in '\n' is skipped.
724
725After expanding a word, you can use CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N to get the
726word following the expansion in other contexts. These sequences search for
727the text just expanded and further expand by getting an extra word. This is
728useful if you need to repeat a sequence of complicated words. Although CTRL-P
729and CTRL-N look just for strings of at least two characters, CTRL-X CTRL-P and
730CTRL-X CTRL-N can be used to expand words of just one character.
731 e.g., to get:
732 M&eacute;xico
733 you can type:
734 M^N^P^X^P^X^P
735CTRL-N starts the expansion and then CTRL-P takes back the single character
736"M", the next two CTRL-X CTRL-P's get the words "&eacute" and ";xico".
737
738If the previous expansion was split, because it got longer than 'textwidth',
739then just the text in the current line will be used.
740
741If the match found is at the end of a line, then the first word in the next
742line will be inserted and the message "word from next line" displayed, if
743this word is accepted the next CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N will search
744for those lines starting with this word.
745
746
747Completing keywords in 'dictionary' *compl-dictionary*
748
749 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K*
750CTRL-X CTRL-K Search the files given with the 'dictionary' option
751 for words that start with the keyword in front of the
752 cursor. This is like CTRL-N, but only the dictionary
753 files are searched, not the current file. The found
754 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor. This
755 could potentially be pretty slow, since all matches
756 are found before the first match is used. By default,
757 the 'dictionary' option is empty.
758 For suggestions where to find a list of words, see the
759 'dictionary' option.
760
761 CTRL-K or
762 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
763 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
764
765 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
766 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
767
768 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000769CTRL-X CTRL-T Works as CTRL-X CTRL-K, but in a special way. It uses
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000770 the 'thesaurus' option instead of 'dictionary'. If a
771 match is found in the thesaurus file, all the
772 remaining words on the same line are included as
773 matches, even though they don't complete the word.
774 Thus a word can be completely replaced.
775
776 For an example, imagine the 'thesaurus' file has a
777 line like this: >
778 angry furious mad enraged
779< Placing the cursor after the letters "ang" and typing
780 CTRL-X CTRL-T would complete the word "angry";
781 subsequent presses would change the word to "furious",
782 "mad" etc.
783 Other uses include translation between two languages,
784 or grouping API functions by keyword.
785
786 CTRL-T or
787 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
788 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
789
790 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
791 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
792
793
794Completing keywords in the current and included files *compl-keyword*
795
796The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
797name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
798
799 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I*
800CTRL-X CTRL-I Search for the first keyword in the current and
801 included files that starts with the same characters
802 as those before the cursor. The matched keyword is
803 inserted in front of the cursor.
804
805 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching keyword. This
806 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
807 Note: CTRL-I is the same as <Tab>, which is likely to
808 be typed after a successful completion, therefore
809 CTRL-I is not used for searching for the next match.
810
811 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching keyword. This
812 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
813
814 CTRL-X CTRL-I Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-I will copy the words
815 following the previous expansion in other contexts
816 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
817
818Completing tags *compl-tag*
819 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]*
820CTRL-X CTRL-] Search for the first tag that starts with the same
821 characters as before the cursor. The matching tag is
822 inserted in front of the cursor. Alphabetic
823 characters and characters in 'iskeyword' are used
824 to decide which characters are included in the tag
825 name (same as for a keyword). See also |CTRL-]|.
826 The 'showfulltag' option can be used to add context
827 from around the tag definition.
828 CTRL-] or
829 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching tag. This tag
830 replaces the previous matching tag.
831
832 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching tag. This tag
833 replaces the previous matching tag.
834
835
836Completing file names *compl-filename*
837 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F*
838CTRL-X CTRL-F Search for the first file name that starts with the
839 same characters as before the cursor. The matching
840 file name is inserted in front of the cursor.
841 Alphabetic characters and characters in 'isfname'
842 are used to decide which characters are included in
843 the file name. Note: the 'path' option is not used
844 here (yet).
845 CTRL-F or
846 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching file name. This
847 file name replaces the previous matching file name.
848
849 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching file name.
850 This file name replaces the previous matching file
851 name.
852
853
854Completing definitions or macros *compl-define*
855
856The 'define' option is used to specify a line that contains a definition.
857The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
858name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
859
860 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D*
861CTRL-X CTRL-D Search in the current and included files for the
862 first definition (or macro) name that starts with
863 the same characters as before the cursor. The found
864 definition name is inserted in front of the cursor.
865 CTRL-D or
866 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching macro name. This
867 macro name replaces the previous matching macro
868 name.
869
870 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching macro name.
871 This macro name replaces the previous matching macro
872 name.
873
874 CTRL-X CTRL-D Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-D will copy the words
875 following the previous expansion in other contexts
876 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
877
878
879Completing Vim commands *compl-vim*
880
881Completion is context-sensitive. It works like on the Command-line. It
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000882completes an Ex command as well as its arguments. This is useful when writing
883a Vim script.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000884
885 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V*
886CTRL-X CTRL-V Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
887 find the first match for it.
888 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can often use CTRL-Q
Bram Moolenaar3577c6f2008-06-24 21:16:56 +0000889 instead of |i_CTRL-Q|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000890 CTRL-V or
891 CTRL-N Search forwards for next match. This match replaces
892 the previous one.
893
Bram Moolenaar3577c6f2008-06-24 21:16:56 +0000894 CTRL-P Search backwards for previous match. This match
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000895 replaces the previous one.
896
897 CTRL-X CTRL-V Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-V will do the same as
898 CTRL-V. This allows mapping a key to do Vim command
899 completion, for example: >
900 :imap <Tab> <C-X><C-V>
901
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000902User defined completion *compl-function*
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000903
904Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000905'completefunc' option. See below for how the function is called and an
906example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000907
908 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U*
909CTRL-X CTRL-U Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
910 find the first match for it.
911 CTRL-U or
912 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
913 one.
914
915 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
916 previous one.
917
918
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000919Omni completion *compl-omni*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000920
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000921Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000922'omnifunc' option. This is to be used for filetype-specific completion.
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000923
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000924See below for how the function is called and an example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000925For remarks about specific filetypes see |compl-omni-filetypes|.
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +0000926More completion scripts will appear, check www.vim.org. Currently there is a
927first version for C++.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000928
929 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O*
930CTRL-X CTRL-O Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
931 find the first match for it.
932 CTRL-O or
933 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
934 one.
935
936 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
937 previous one.
938
939
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000940Spelling suggestions *compl-spelling*
941
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +0000942A word before or at the cursor is located and correctly spelled words are
943suggested to replace it. If there is a badly spelled word in the line, before
944or under the cursor, the cursor is moved to after it. Otherwise the word just
945before the cursor is used for suggestions, even though it isn't badly spelled.
946
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000947NOTE: CTRL-S suspends display in many Unix terminals. Use 's' instead. Type
948CTRL-Q to resume displaying.
949
950 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-S* *i_CTRL-X_s*
951CTRL-X CTRL-S or
952CTRL-X s Locate the word in front of the cursor and find the
953 first spell suggestion for it.
954 CTRL-S or
955 CTRL-N Use the next suggestion. This replaces the previous
956 one. Note that you can't use 's' here.
957
958 CTRL-P Use the previous suggestion. This replaces the
959 previous one.
960
961
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000962Completing keywords from different sources *compl-generic*
963
964 *i_CTRL-N*
965CTRL-N Find next match for words that start with the
966 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
967 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
968 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
969
970 *i_CTRL-P*
971CTRL-P Find previous match for words that start with the
972 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
973 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
974 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
975
976 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
977 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
978
979 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
980 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
981
982 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
983 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
984 copy the words following the previous expansion in
985 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
986
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +0000987
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000988FUNCTIONS FOR FINDING COMPLETIONS *complete-functions*
989
990This applies to 'completefunc' and 'omnifunc'.
991
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +0000992The function is called in two different ways:
993- First the function is called to find the start of the text to be completed.
994- Later the function is called to actually find the matches.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000995
996On the first invocation the arguments are:
997 a:findstart 1
998 a:base empty
999
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001000The function must return the column where the completion starts. It must be a
1001number between zero and the cursor column "col('.')". This involves looking
1002at the characters just before the cursor and including those characters that
1003could be part of the completed item. The text between this column and the
1004cursor column will be replaced with the matches. Return -1 if no completion
1005can be done.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001006
1007On the second invocation the arguments are:
1008 a:findstart 0
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001009 a:base the text with which matches should match; the text that was
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001010 located in the first call (can be empty)
1011
1012The function must return a List with the matching words. These matches
1013usually include the "a:base" text. When there are no matches return an empty
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001014List.
Bram Moolenaar5c4bab02006-03-10 21:37:46 +00001015 *complete-items*
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001016Each list item can either be a string or a Dictionary. When it is a string it
1017is used as the completion. When it is a Dictionary it can contain these
1018items:
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001019 word the text that will be inserted, mandatory
1020 abbr abbreviation of "word"; when not empty it is used in
1021 the menu instead of "word"
Bram Moolenaar8dff8182006-04-06 20:18:50 +00001022 menu extra text for the popup menu, displayed after "word"
1023 or "abbr"
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001024 info more information about the item, can be displayed in a
1025 preview window
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001026 kind single letter indicating the type of completion
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00001027 icase when non-zero case is to be ignored when comparing
1028 items to be equal; when omitted zero is used, thus
1029 items that only differ in case are added
Bram Moolenaar4a85b412006-04-23 22:40:29 +00001030 dup when non-zero this match will be added even when an
1031 item with the same word is already present.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001032
Bram Moolenaard1f56e62006-02-22 21:25:37 +00001033All of these except 'icase' must be a string. If an item does not meet these
1034requirements then an error message is given and further items in the list are
1035not used. You can mix string and Dictionary items in the returned list.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001036
1037The "menu" item is used in the popup menu and may be truncated, thus it should
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001038be relatively short. The "info" item can be longer, it will be displayed in
1039the preview window when "preview" appears in 'completeopt'. The "info" item
1040will also remain displayed after the popup menu has been removed. This is
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001041useful for function arguments. Use a single space for "info" to remove
1042existing text in the preview window.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001043
1044The "kind" item uses a single letter to indicate the kind of completion. This
1045may be used to show the completion differently (different color or icon).
1046Currently these types can be used:
1047 v variable
1048 f function or method
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001049 m member of a struct or class
1050 t typedef
1051 d #define or macro
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001052
1053When searching for matches takes some time call |complete_add()| to add each
1054match to the total list. These matches should then not appear in the returned
1055list! Call |complete_check()| now and then to allow the user to press a key
1056while still searching for matches. Stop searching when it returns non-zero.
1057
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001058The function is allowed to move the cursor, it is restored afterwards. This
1059option cannot be set from a |modeline| or in the |sandbox|, for security
1060reasons.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001061
1062An example that completes the names of the months: >
1063 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1064 if a:findstart
1065 " locate the start of the word
1066 let line = getline('.')
1067 let start = col('.') - 1
1068 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1069 let start -= 1
1070 endwhile
1071 return start
1072 else
1073 " find months matching with "a:base"
1074 let res = []
1075 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1076 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1077 call add(res, m)
1078 endif
1079 endfor
1080 return res
1081 endif
1082 endfun
1083 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1084<
1085The same, but now pretending searching for matches is slow: >
1086 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1087 if a:findstart
1088 " locate the start of the word
1089 let line = getline('.')
1090 let start = col('.') - 1
1091 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1092 let start -= 1
1093 endwhile
1094 return start
1095 else
1096 " find months matching with "a:base"
1097 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1098 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1099 call complete_add(m)
1100 endif
1101 sleep 300m " simulate searching for next match
1102 if complete_check()
1103 break
1104 endif
1105 endfor
1106 return []
1107 endif
1108 endfun
1109 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1110<
1111
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001112INSERT COMPLETION POPUP MENU *ins-completion-menu*
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00001113 *popupmenu-completion*
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001114Vim can display the matches in a simplistic popup menu.
1115
1116The menu is used when:
Bram Moolenaara2031822006-03-07 22:29:51 +00001117- The 'completeopt' option contains "menu" or "menuone".
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001118- The terminal supports at least 8 colors.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00001119- There are at least two matches. One if "menuone" is used.
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001120
Bram Moolenaar56718732006-03-15 22:53:57 +00001121The 'pumheight' option can be used to set a maximum height. The default is to
1122use all space available.
1123
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001124There are three states:
11251. A complete match has been inserted, e.g., after using CTRL-N or CTRL-P.
11262. A cursor key has been used to select another match. The match was not
1127 inserted then, only the entry in the popup menu is highlighted.
11283. Only part of a match has been inserted and characters were typed or the
1129 backspace key was used. The list of matches was then adjusted for what is
1130 in front of the cursor.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001131
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001132You normally start in the first state, with the first match being inserted.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001133When "longest" is in 'completeopt' and there is more than one match you start
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001134in the third state.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001135
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001136If you select another match, e.g., with CTRL-N or CTRL-P, you go to the first
1137state. This doesn't change the list of matches.
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001138
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001139When you are back at the original text then you are in the third state. To
Bram Moolenaara2031822006-03-07 22:29:51 +00001140get there right away you can use a mapping that uses CTRL-P right after
1141starting the completion: >
1142 :imap <F7> <C-N><C-P>
Bram Moolenaar76916e62006-03-21 21:23:25 +00001143<
1144 *popupmenu-keys*
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001145In the first state these keys have a special meaning:
1146<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the word before
1147 the cursor. This reduces the list of matches, often to one
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001148 entry, and switches to the second state.
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001149Any non-special character:
1150 Stop completion without changing the match and insert the
1151 typed character.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001152
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001153In the second and third state these keys have a special meaning:
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001154<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the shorter word
1155 before the cursor. This may find more matches.
1156CTRL-L Add one character from the current match, may reduce the
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001157 number of matches.
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001158any printable, non-white character:
1159 Add this character and reduce the number of matches.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001160
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001161In all three states these can be used:
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +00001162CTRL-Y Yes: Accept the currently selected match and stop completion.
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001163CTRL-E End completion, go back to what was there before selecting a
1164 match (what was typed or longest common string).
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001165<PageUp> Select a match several entries back, but don't insert it.
1166<PageDown> Select a match several entries further, but don't insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001167<Up> Select the previous match, as if CTRL-P was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001168 insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001169<Down> Select the next match, as if CTRL-N was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001170 insert it.
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001171<Space> or <Tab> Stop completion without changing the match and insert the
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001172 typed character.
1173
Bram Moolenaar044b68f2007-05-10 17:39:52 +00001174The behavior of the <Enter> key depends on the state you are in:
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001175first state: Use the text as it is and insert a line break.
1176second state: Insert the currently selected match.
1177third state: Use the text as it is and insert a line break.
1178
1179In other words: If you used the cursor keys to select another entry in the
Bram Moolenaar044b68f2007-05-10 17:39:52 +00001180list of matches then the <Enter> key inserts that match. If you typed
1181something else then <Enter> inserts a line break.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001182
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001183
1184The colors of the menu can be changed with these highlight groups:
1185Pmenu normal item |hl-Pmenu|
1186PmenuSel selected item |hl-PmenuSel|
1187PmenuSbar scrollbar |hl-PmenuSbar|
1188PmenuThumb thumb of the scrollbar |hl-PmenuThumb|
1189
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001190There are no special mappings for when the popup menu is visible. However,
1191you can use an Insert mode mapping that checks the |pumvisible()| function to
1192do something different. Example: >
1193 :inoremap <Down> <C-R>=pumvisible() ? "\<lt>C-N>" : "\<lt>Down>"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001194
Bram Moolenaar5c4bab02006-03-10 21:37:46 +00001195You can use of <expr> in mapping to have the popup menu used when typing a
1196character and some condition is met. For example, for typing a dot: >
1197 inoremap <expr> . MayComplete()
1198 func MayComplete()
1199 if (can complete)
1200 return ".\<C-X>\<C-O>"
1201 endif
1202 return '.'
1203 endfunc
1204
1205See |:map-<expr>| for more info.
1206
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001207
1208FILETYPE-SPECIFIC REMARKS FOR OMNI COMPLETION *compl-omni-filetypes*
1209
1210The file used for {filetype} should be autoload/{filetype}complete.vim
1211in 'runtimepath'. Thus for "java" it is autoload/javacomplete.vim.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001212
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001213
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001214C *ft-c-omni*
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001215
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001216Completion of C code requires a tags file. You should use Exuberant ctags,
1217because it adds extra information that is needed for completion. You can find
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001218it here: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/ Version 5.6 or later is recommended.
1219
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001220For version 5.5.4 you should add a patch that adds the "typename:" field:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001221 ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/unstable/patches/ctags-5.5.4.patch
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001222A compiled .exe for MS-Windows can be found at:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001223 http://georgevreilly.com/vim/ctags.html
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001224
1225If you want to complete system functions you can do something like this. Use
1226ctags to generate a tags file for all the system header files: >
1227 % ctags -R -f ~/.vim/systags /usr/include /usr/local/include
1228In your vimrc file add this tags file to the 'tags' option: >
1229 set tags+=~/.vim/systags
1230
1231When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after a name without any "." or "->" it is completed
1232from the tags file directly. This works for any identifier, also function
1233names. If you want to complete a local variable name, which does not appear
1234in the tags file, use CTRL-P instead.
1235
1236When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after something that has "." or "->" Vim will attempt
1237to recognize the type of the variable and figure out what members it has.
1238This means only members valid for the variable will be listed.
1239
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001240When a member name already was complete, CTRL-X CTRL-O will add a "." or
1241"->" for composite types.
1242
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001243Vim doesn't include a C compiler, only the most obviously formatted
1244declarations are recognized. Preprocessor stuff may cause confusion.
1245When the same structure name appears in multiple places all possible members
1246are included.
1247
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001248
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001249CSS *ft-css-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001250
1251Complete properties and their appropriate values according to CSS 2.1
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001252specification.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001253
1254
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001255HTML *ft-html-omni*
1256XHTML *ft-xhtml-omni*
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001257
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001258CTRL-X CTRL-O provides completion of various elements of (X)HTML files. It is
1259designed to support writing of XHTML 1.0 Strict files but will also works for
1260other versions of HTML. Features:
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001261
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001262- after "<" complete tag name depending on context (no div suggestion inside
1263 of an a tag); '/>' indicates empty tags
1264- inside of tag complete proper attributes (no width attribute for an a tag);
1265 show also type of attribute; '*' indicates required attributes
1266- when attribute has limited number of possible values help to complete them
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001267- complete names of entities
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001268- complete values of "class" and "id" attributes with data obtained from
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001269 <style> tag and included CSS files
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001270- when completing value of "style" attribute or working inside of "style" tag
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001271 switch to |ft-css-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001272- when completing values of events attributes or working inside of "script"
1273 tag switch to |ft-javascript-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001274- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001275
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001276Note: When used first time completion menu will be shown with little delay
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001277- this is time needed for loading of data file.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001278Note: Completion may fail in badly formatted documents. In such case try to
1279run |:make| command to detect formatting problems.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001280
1281
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001282HTML flavor *html-flavor*
1283
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001284The default HTML completion depends on the filetype. For HTML files it is
1285HTML 4.01 Transitional ('filetype' is "html"), for XHTML it is XHTML 1.0
1286Strict ('filetype' is "xhtml").
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001287
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001288When doing completion outside of any other tag you will have possibility to
1289choose DOCTYPE and the appropriate data file will be loaded and used for all
1290next completions.
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001291
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001292More about format of data file in |xml-omni-datafile|. Some of the data files
1293may be found on the Vim website (|www|).
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001294
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001295Note that b:html_omni_flavor may point to a file with any XML data. This
1296makes possible to mix PHP (|ft-php-omni|) completion with any XML dialect
1297(assuming you have data file for it). Without setting that variable XHTML 1.0
1298Strict will be used.
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001299
1300
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001301JAVASCRIPT *ft-javascript-omni*
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001302
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001303Completion of most elements of JavaScript language and DOM elements.
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001304
1305Complete:
1306
1307- variables
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001308- function name; show function arguments
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001309- function arguments
1310- properties of variables trying to detect type of variable
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001311- complete DOM objects and properties depending on context
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001312- keywords of language
1313
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001314Completion works in separate JavaScript files (&ft==javascript), inside of
1315<script> tag of (X)HTML and in values of event attributes (including scanning
1316of external files.
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001317
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001318DOM compatibility
1319
1320At the moment (beginning of 2006) there are two main browsers - MS Internet
1321Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. These two applications are covering over 90% of
1322market. Theoretically standards are created by W3C organisation
1323(http://www.w3c.org) but they are not always followed/implemented.
1324
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001325 IE FF W3C Omni completion ~
1326 +/- +/- + + ~
1327 + + - + ~
1328 + - - - ~
1329 - + - - ~
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001330
1331Regardless from state of implementation in browsers but if element is defined
1332in standards, completion plugin will place element in suggestion list. When
1333both major engines implemented element, even if this is not in standards it
1334will be suggested. All other elements are not placed in suggestion list.
1335
1336
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001337PHP *ft-php-omni*
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001338
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001339Completion of PHP code requires a tags file for completion of data from
1340external files and for class aware completion. You should use Exuberant ctags
1341version 5.5.4 or newer. You can find it here: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001342
1343Script completes:
1344
1345- after $ variables name
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001346 - if variable was declared as object add "->", if tags file is available show
1347 name of class
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001348 - after "->" complete only function and variable names specific for given
1349 class. To find class location and contents tags file is required. Because
1350 PHP isn't strongly typed language user can use @var tag to declare class: >
1351
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001352 /* @var $myVar myClass */
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001353 $myVar->
1354<
1355 Still, to find myClass contents tags file is required.
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001356
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001357- function names with additional info:
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001358 - in case of built-in functions list of possible arguments and after | type
1359 data returned by function
1360 - in case of user function arguments and name of file were function was
1361 defined (if it is not current file)
1362
1363- constants names
1364- class names after "new" declaration
1365
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001366
1367Note: when doing completion first time Vim will load all necessary data into
1368memory. It may take several seconds. After next use of completion delay
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001369should not be noticeable.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001370
1371Script detects if cursor is inside <?php ?> tags. If it is outside it will
1372automatically switch to HTML/CSS/JavaScript completion. Note: contrary to
1373original HTML files completion of tags (and only tags) isn't context aware.
1374
1375
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001376RUBY *ft-ruby-omni*
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001377
1378Completion of Ruby code requires that vim be built with |+ruby|.
1379
1380Ruby completion will parse your buffer on demand in order to provide a list of
1381completions. These completions will be drawn from modules loaded by 'require'
1382and modules defined in the current buffer.
1383
1384The completions provided by CTRL-X CTRL-O are sensitive to the context:
1385
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001386 CONTEXT COMPLETIONS PROVIDED ~
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001387
1388 1. Not inside a class definition Classes, constants and globals
1389
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001390 2. Inside a class definition Methods or constants defined in the class
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001391
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001392 3. After '.', '::' or ':' Methods applicable to the object being
1393 dereferenced
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001394
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001395 4. After ':' or ':foo' Symbol name (beginning with 'foo')
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001396
1397Notes:
1398 - Vim will load/evaluate code in order to provide completions. This may
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001399 cause some code execution, which may be a concern. This is no longer
1400 enabled by default, to enable this feature add >
1401 let g:rubycomplete_buffer_loading = 1
1402<- In context 1 above, Vim can parse the entire buffer to add a list of
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001403 classes to the completion results. This feature is turned off by default,
1404 to enable it add >
1405 let g:rubycomplete_classes_in_global = 1
1406< to your vimrc
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001407 - In context 2 above, anonymous classes are not supported.
1408 - In context 3 above, Vim will attempt to determine the methods supported by
1409 the object.
1410 - Vim can detect and load the Rails environment for files within a rails
1411 project. The feature is disabled by default, to enable it add >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001412 let g:rubycomplete_rails = 1
1413< to your vimrc
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001414
1415
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001416SYNTAX *ft-syntax-omni*
1417
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001418Vim has the ability to color syntax highlight nearly 500 languages. Part of
1419this highlighting includes knowing what keywords are part of a language. Many
1420filetypes already have custom completion scripts written for them, the
1421syntaxcomplete plugin provides basic completion for all other filetypes. It
1422does this by populating the omni completion list with the text Vim already
1423knows how to color highlight. It can be used for any filetype and provides a
1424minimal language-sensitive completion.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001425
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001426To enable syntax code completion you can run: >
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001427 setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001428
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001429You can automate this by placing the following in your vimrc (after any
1430":filetype" command): >
1431 if has("autocmd") && exists("+omnifunc")
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001432 autocmd Filetype *
1433 \ if &omnifunc == "" |
1434 \ setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete |
1435 \ endif
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001436 endif
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001437
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001438The above will set completion to this script only if a specific plugin does
1439not already exist for that filetype.
1440
1441Each filetype can have a wide range of syntax items. The plugin allows you to
1442customize which syntax groups to include or exclude from the list. Let's have
1443a look at the PHP filetype to see how this works.
1444
1445If you edit a file called, index.php, run the following command: >
1446 :syntax list
1447
1448First thing you will notice is there are many different syntax groups. The
1449PHP language can include elements from different languages like HTML,
1450JavaScript and many more. The syntax plugin will only include syntax groups
1451that begin with the filetype, "php", in this case. For example these syntax
1452groups are included by default with the PHP: phpEnvVar, phpIntVar,
1453phpFunctions.
1454
1455The PHP language has an enormous number of items which it knows how to syntax
1456highlight. This means these items will be available within the omni
1457completion list. Some people may find this list unwieldy or are only
1458interested in certain items.
1459
1460There are two ways to prune this list (if necessary). If you find certain
1461syntax groups you do not wish displayed you can add the following to your
1462vimrc: >
1463 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_php = 'phpCoreConstant,phpConstant'
1464
1465Add as many syntax groups to this list by comma separating them. The basic
1466form of this variable is: >
1467 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_{filetype} = 'comma,separated,list'
1468
1469For completeness the opposite is also true. Creating this variable in your
1470vimrc will only include the items in the phpFunctions and phpMethods syntax
1471groups: >
1472 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_php = 'phpFunctions,phpMethods'
1473
1474You can create as many of these variables as you need, varying only the
1475filetype at the end of the variable name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001476
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001477The plugin uses the isKeyword option to determine where word boundaries are
1478for the syntax items. For example, in the Scheme language completion should
1479include the "-", call-with-output-file. Depending on your filetype, this may
1480not provide the words you are expecting. Setting the
1481g:omni_syntax_use_iskeyword option to 0 will force the syntax plugin to break
1482on word characters. This can be controlled adding the following to your
1483vimrc: >
1484 let g:omni_syntax_use_iskeyword = 0
1485
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001486
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001487SQL *ft-sql-omni*
1488
1489Completion for the SQL language includes statements, functions, keywords.
1490It will also dynamically complete tables, procedures, views and column lists
1491with data pulled directly from within a database. For detailed instructions
1492and a tutorial see |omni-sql-completion|.
1493
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001494The SQL completion plugin can be used in conjunction with other completion
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001495plugins. For example, the PHP filetype has its own completion plugin.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001496Since PHP is often used to generate dynamic website by accessing a database,
1497the SQL completion plugin can also be enabled. This allows you to complete
1498PHP code and SQL code at the same time.
1499
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001500
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001501XML *ft-xml-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001502
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001503Vim 7 provides a mechanism for context aware completion of XML files. It
1504depends on a special |xml-omni-datafile| and two commands: |:XMLns| and
1505|:XMLent|. Features are:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001506
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001507- after "<" complete the tag name, depending on context
1508- inside of a tag complete proper attributes
1509- when an attribute has a limited number of possible values help to complete
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001510 them
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001511- complete names of entities (defined in |xml-omni-datafile| and in the
1512 current file with "<!ENTITY" declarations)
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001513- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
1514
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001515Format of XML data file *xml-omni-datafile*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001516
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001517XML data files are stored in the "autoload/xml" directory in 'runtimepath'.
1518Vim distribution provides examples of data files in the
1519"$VIMRUNTIME/autoload/xml" directory. They have a meaningful name which will
1520be used in commands. It should be a unique name which will not create
1521conflicts. For example, the name xhtml10s.vim means it is the data file for
1522XHTML 1.0 Strict.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001523
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001524Each file contains a variable with a name like g:xmldata_xhtml10s . It is
1525a compound from two parts:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001526
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +000015271. "g:xmldata_" general prefix, constant for all data files
15282. "xhtml10s" the name of the file and the name of the described XML
1529 dialect; it will be used as an argument for the |:XMLns|
1530 command
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001531
1532Part two must be exactly the same as name of file.
1533
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001534The variable is a |Dictionary|. Keys are tag names and each value is a two
1535element |List|. The first element of the List is also a List with the names
1536of possible children. The second element is a |Dictionary| with the names of
1537attributes as keys and the possible values of attributes as values. Example: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001538
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001539 let g:xmldata_crippled = {
1540 \ "vimxmlentities": ["amp", "lt", "gt", "apos", "quot"],
1541 \ 'vimxmlroot': ['tag1'],
1542 \ 'tag1':
1543 \ [ ['childoftag1a', 'childoftag1b'], {'attroftag1a': [],
1544 \ 'attroftag1b': ['valueofattr1', 'valueofattr2']}],
1545 \ 'childoftag1a':
1546 \ [ [], {'attrofchild': ['attrofchild']}],
1547 \ 'childoftag1b':
1548 \ [ ['childoftag1a'], {'attrofchild': []}],
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001549 \ "vimxmltaginfo": {
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001550 \ 'tag1': ['Menu info', 'Long information visible in preview window']},
1551 \ 'vimxmlattrinfo': {
1552 \ 'attrofchild': ['Menu info', 'Long information visible in preview window']}}
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001553
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001554This example would be put in the "autoload/xml/crippled.vim" file and could
1555help to write this file: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001556
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001557 <tag1 attroftag1b="valueofattr1">
1558 <childoftag1a attrofchild>
1559 &amp; &lt;
1560 </childoftag1a>
1561 <childoftag1b attrofchild="5">
1562 <childoftag1a>
1563 &gt; &apos; &quot;
1564 </childoftag1a>
1565 </childoftag1b>
1566 </tag1>
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001567
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001568In the example four special elements are visible:
1569
15701. "vimxmlentities" - a special key with List containing entities of this XML
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001571 dialect.
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +000015722. If the list containing possible values of attributes has one element and
1573 this element is equal to the name of the attribute this attribute will be
1574 treated as boolean and inserted as 'attrname' and not as 'attrname="'
15753. "vimxmltaginfo" - a special key with a Dictionary containing tag
1576 names as keys and two element List as values, for additional menu info and
1577 the long description.
15784. "vimxmlattrinfo" - special key with Dictionary containing attribute names
1579 as keys and two element List as values, for additional menu info and long
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001580 description.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001581
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001582Note: Tag names in the data file MUST not contain a namespace description.
1583Check xsl.vim for an example.
1584Note: All data and functions are publicly available as global
1585variables/functions and can be used for personal editing functions.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001586
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001587
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001588DTD -> Vim *dtd2vim*
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001589
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001590On |www| is the script |dtd2vim| which parses DTD and creates an XML data file
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001591for Vim XML omni completion.
1592
1593 dtd2vim: http://www.vim.org/scripts/script.php?script_id=1462
1594
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001595Check the beginning of that file for usage details.
1596The script requires perl and:
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001597
1598 perlSGML: http://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/perlsgml
1599
1600
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001601Commands
1602
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001603:XMLns {name} [{namespace}] *:XMLns*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001604
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001605Vim has to know which data file should be used and with which namespace. For
1606loading of the data file and connecting data with the proper namespace use
1607|:XMLns| command. The first (obligatory) argument is the name of the data
1608(xhtml10s, xsl). The second argument is the code of namespace (h, xsl). When
1609used without a second argument the dialect will be used as default - without
1610namespace declaration. For example to use XML completion in .xsl files: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001611
1612 :XMLns xhtml10s
1613 :XMLns xsl xsl
1614
1615
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001616:XMLent {name} *:XMLent*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001617
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001618By default entities will be completed from the data file of the default
1619namespace. The XMLent command should be used in case when there is no default
1620namespace: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001621
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001622 :XMLent xhtml10s
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001623
1624Usage
1625
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001626While used in this situation (after declarations from previous part, | is
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001627cursor position): >
1628
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001629 <|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001630
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001631Will complete to an appropriate XHTML tag, and in this situation: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001632
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001633 <xsl:|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001634
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001635Will complete to an appropriate XSL tag.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001636
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001637
1638The script xmlcomplete.vim, provided through the |autoload| mechanism,
1639has the xmlcomplete#GetLastOpenTag() function which can be used in XML files
1640to get the name of the last open tag (b:unaryTagsStack has to be defined): >
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001641
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001642 :echo xmlcomplete#GetLastOpenTag("b:unaryTagsStack")
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001643
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001644
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001645
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001646==============================================================================
16478. Insert mode commands *inserting*
1648
1649The following commands can be used to insert new text into the buffer. They
1650can all be undone and repeated with the "." command.
1651
1652 *a*
1653a Append text after the cursor [count] times. If the
1654 cursor is in the first column of an empty line Insert
1655 starts there. But not when 'virtualedit' is set!
1656
1657 *A*
1658A Append text at the end of the line [count] times.
1659
1660<insert> or *i* *insert* *<Insert>*
1661i Insert text before the cursor [count] times.
1662 When using CTRL-O in Insert mode |i_CTRL-O| the count
1663 is not supported.
1664
1665 *I*
1666I Insert text before the first non-blank in the line
1667 [count] times.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001668 When the 'H' flag is present in 'cpoptions' and the
1669 line only contains blanks, insert start just before
1670 the last blank.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001671
1672 *gI*
1673gI Insert text in column 1 [count] times. {not in Vi}
1674
1675 *gi*
1676gi Insert text in the same position as where Insert mode
1677 was stopped last time in the current buffer.
1678 This uses the |'^| mark. It's different from "`^i"
1679 when the mark is past the end of the line.
1680 The position is corrected for inserted/deleted lines,
1681 but NOT for inserted/deleted characters.
1682 When the |:keepjumps| command modifier is used the |'^|
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001683 mark won't be changed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001684 {not in Vi}
1685
1686 *o*
1687o Begin a new line below the cursor and insert text,
1688 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1689 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001690 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1691 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001692
1693 *O*
1694O Begin a new line above the cursor and insert text,
1695 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1696 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001697 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1698 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001699
1700These commands are used to start inserting text. You can end insert mode with
1701<Esc>. See |mode-ins-repl| for the other special characters in Insert mode.
1702The effect of [count] takes place after Insert mode is exited.
1703
1704When 'autoindent' is on, the indent for a new line is obtained from the
1705previous line. When 'smartindent' or 'cindent' is on, the indent for a line
1706is automatically adjusted for C programs.
1707
1708'textwidth' can be set to the maximum width for a line. When a line becomes
1709too long when appending characters a line break is automatically inserted.
1710
1711
1712==============================================================================
17139. Ex insert commands *inserting-ex*
1714
1715 *:a* *:append*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001716:{range}a[ppend][!] Insert several lines of text below the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001717 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1718 inserted after the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001719 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1720 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001721
1722 *:i* *:in* *:insert*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001723:{range}i[nsert][!] Insert several lines of text above the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001724 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1725 inserted before the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001726 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1727 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001728
1729These two commands will keep on asking for lines, until you type a line
1730containing only a ".". Watch out for lines starting with a backslash, see
1731|line-continuation|.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001732
1733NOTE: These commands cannot be used with |:global| or |:vglobal|.
1734":append" and ":insert" don't work properly in between ":if" and
Bram Moolenaar06fb4352005-01-05 22:10:30 +00001735":endif", ":for" and ":endfor", ":while" and ":endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001736
1737 *:start* *:startinsert*
1738:star[tinsert][!] Start Insert mode just after executing this command.
1739 Works like typing "i" in Normal mode. When the ! is
1740 included it works like "A", append to the line.
1741 Otherwise insertion starts at the cursor position.
1742 Note that when using this command in a function or
1743 script, the insertion only starts after the function
1744 or script is finished.
Bram Moolenaar87e25fd2005-07-27 21:13:01 +00001745 This command does not work from |:normal|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001746 {not in Vi}
1747 {not available when compiled without the +ex_extra
1748 feature}
1749
1750 *:stopi* *:stopinsert*
1751:stopi[nsert] Stop Insert mode as soon as possible. Works like
1752 typing <Esc> in Insert mode.
1753 Can be used in an autocommand, example: >
1754 :au BufEnter scratch stopinsert
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00001755<
1756 *replacing-ex* *:startreplace*
1757:startr[eplace][!] Start Replace mode just after executing this command.
1758 Works just like typing "R" in Normal mode. When the
1759 ! is included it acts just like "$R" had been typed
1760 (ie. begin replace mode at the end-of-line). Other-
1761 wise replacement begins at the cursor position.
1762 Note that when using this command in a function or
1763 script that the replacement will only start after
1764 the function or script is finished.
1765 {not in Vi}
1766 {not available when compiled without the +ex_extra
1767 feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001768
Bram Moolenaar61da4982005-12-14 22:02:18 +00001769 *:startgreplace*
1770:startg[replace][!] Just like |:startreplace|, but use Virtual Replace
1771 mode, like with |gR|.
1772 {not in Vi}
1773 {not available when compiled without the +ex_extra
1774 feature}
1775
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001776==============================================================================
177710. Inserting a file *inserting-file*
1778
1779 *:r* *:re* *:read*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001780:r[ead] [++opt] [name]
1781 Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001782 the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001783 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001784
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001785:{range}r[ead] [++opt] [name]
1786 Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001787 the specified line.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001788 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001789
1790 *:r!* *:read!*
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001791:[range]r[ead] !{cmd} Execute {cmd} and insert its standard output below
1792 the cursor or the specified line. A temporary file is
1793 used to store the output of the command which is then
1794 read into the buffer. 'shellredir' is used to save
1795 the output of the command, which can be set to include
1796 stderr or not. {cmd} is executed like with ":!{cmd}",
1797 any '!' is replaced with the previous command |:!|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001798
1799These commands insert the contents of a file, or the output of a command,
1800into the buffer. They can be undone. They cannot be repeated with the "."
1801command. They work on a line basis, insertion starts below the line in which
1802the cursor is, or below the specified line. To insert text above the first
1803line use the command ":0r {name}".
1804
1805After the ":read" command, the cursor is left on the first non-blank in the
1806first new line. Unless in Ex mode, then the cursor is left on the last new
1807line (sorry, this is Vi compatible).
1808
1809If a file name is given with ":r", it becomes the alternate file. This can be
1810used, for example, when you want to edit that file instead: ":e! #". This can
1811be switched off by removing the 'a' flag from the 'cpoptions' option.
1812
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001813Of the [++opt] arguments one is specifically for ":read", the ++edit argument.
1814This is useful when the ":read" command is actually used to read a file into
1815the buffer as if editing that file. Use this command in an empty buffer: >
1816 :read ++edit filename
1817The effect is that the 'fileformat', 'fileencoding', 'bomb', etc. options are
1818set to what has been detected for "filename". Note that a single empty line
1819remains, you may want to delete it.
1820
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001821 *file-read*
1822The 'fileformat' option sets the <EOL> style for a file:
1823'fileformat' characters name ~
1824 "dos" <CR><NL> or <NL> DOS format
1825 "unix" <NL> Unix format
1826 "mac" <CR> Mac format
1827Previously 'textmode' was used. It is obsolete now.
1828
1829If 'fileformat' is "dos", a <CR> in front of an <NL> is ignored and a CTRL-Z
1830at the end of the file is ignored.
1831
1832If 'fileformat' is "mac", a <NL> in the file is internally represented by a
1833<CR>. This is to avoid confusion with a <NL> which is used to represent a
1834<NUL>. See |CR-used-for-NL|.
1835
1836If the 'fileformats' option is not empty Vim tries to recognize the type of
1837<EOL> (see |file-formats|). However, the 'fileformat' option will not be
1838changed, the detected format is only used while reading the file.
1839A similar thing happens with 'fileencodings'.
1840
1841On non-MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 systems the message "[dos format]" is shown if
1842a file is read in DOS format, to remind you that something unusual is done.
1843On Macintosh, MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 the message "[unix format]" is shown if
1844a file is read in Unix format.
1845On non-Macintosh systems, the message "[Mac format]" is shown if a file is
1846read in Mac format.
1847
1848An example on how to use ":r !": >
1849 :r !uuencode binfile binfile
1850This command reads "binfile", uuencodes it and reads it into the current
1851buffer. Useful when you are editing e-mail and want to include a binary
1852file.
1853
1854 *read-messages*
1855When reading a file Vim will display a message with information about the read
1856file. In the table is an explanation for some of the items. The others are
1857self explanatory. Using the long or the short version depends on the
1858'shortmess' option.
1859
1860 long short meaning ~
1861 [readonly] {RO} the file is write protected
1862 [fifo/socket] using a stream
1863 [fifo] using a fifo stream
1864 [socket] using a socket stream
1865 [CR missing] reading with "dos" 'fileformat' and a
1866 NL without a preceding CR was found.
1867 [NL found] reading with "mac" 'fileformat' and a
1868 NL was found (could be "unix" format)
1869 [long lines split] at least one line was split in two
1870 [NOT converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
1871 'encoding' was desired but not
1872 possible
1873 [converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
1874 'encoding' done
1875 [crypted] file was decrypted
1876 [READ ERRORS] not all of the file could be read
1877
1878
1879 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: