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Bram Moolenaareb490412022-06-28 13:44:46 +01001*map.txt* For Vim version 9.0. Last change: 2022 Jun 18
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Key mapping, abbreviations and user-defined commands.
8
Bram Moolenaar2f0936c2022-01-08 21:51:59 +00009This subject is introduced in sections |05.4|, |24.7| and |40.1| of the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000010manual.
11
121. Key mapping |key-mapping|
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +000013 1.1 MAP COMMANDS |:map-commands|
14 1.2 Special arguments |:map-arguments|
15 1.3 Mapping and modes |:map-modes|
16 1.4 Listing mappings |map-listing|
17 1.5 Mapping special keys |:map-special-keys|
18 1.6 Special characters |:map-special-chars|
19 1.7 What keys to map |map-which-keys|
20 1.8 Examples |map-examples|
21 1.9 Using mappings |map-typing|
22 1.10 Mapping alt-keys |:map-alt-keys|
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +020023 1.11 Mapping in modifyOtherKeys mode |modifyOtherKeys|
24 1.12 Mapping an operator |:map-operator|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000252. Abbreviations |abbreviations|
263. Local mappings and functions |script-local|
274. User-defined commands |user-commands|
28
29==============================================================================
301. Key mapping *key-mapping* *mapping* *macro*
31
32Key mapping is used to change the meaning of typed keys. The most common use
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +020033is to define a sequence of commands for a function key. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000034
35 :map <F2> a<C-R>=strftime("%c")<CR><Esc>
36
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +000037This appends the current date and time after the cursor (in <> notation |<>|).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000038
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +000039
401.1 MAP COMMANDS *:map-commands*
41
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000042There are commands to enter new mappings, remove mappings and list mappings.
43See |map-overview| for the various forms of "map" and their relationships with
44modes.
45
46{lhs} means left-hand-side *{lhs}*
47{rhs} means right-hand-side *{rhs}*
48
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000049:map {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map*
50:nm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nm* *:nmap*
51:vm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vm* *:vmap*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +000052:xm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xm* *:xmap*
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +020053:smap {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000054:om[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:om* *:omap*
55:map! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map!*
56:im[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:im* *:imap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020057:lm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:lm* *:lma* *:lmap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000058:cm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cm* *:cmap*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +020059:tma[p] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-t| *:tma* *:tmap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060 Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
61 where the map command applies. The result, including
62 {rhs}, is then further scanned for mappings. This
63 allows for nested and recursive use of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar519cc552021-11-16 19:18:26 +000064 Note: Trailing spaces are included in the {rhs},
65 because space is a valid Normal mode command.
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +010066 See |map-trailing-white|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000067
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020068 *:nore* *:norem*
69:no[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:no* *:noremap* *:nor*
70:nn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nn* *:nnoremap*
71:vn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vn* *:vnoremap*
72:xn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xn* *:xnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020073:snor[emap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:snor* *:snore* *:snoremap*
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020074:ono[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:ono* *:onoremap*
75:no[remap]! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:no!* *:noremap!*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020076:ino[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:ino* *:inor* *:inoremap*
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020077:ln[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:ln* *:lnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020078:cno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cno* *:cnor* *:cnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +020079:tno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-t| *:tno* *:tnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000080 Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
81 where the map command applies. Disallow mapping of
82 {rhs}, to avoid nested and recursive mappings. Often
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +020083 used to redefine a command.
Bram Moolenaar1fc34222022-03-03 13:56:24 +000084 Note: When <Plug> appears in the {rhs} this part is
85 always applied even if remapping is disallowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000086
87
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000088:unm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:unm* *:unmap*
89:nun[map] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nun* *:nunmap*
90:vu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vu* *:vunmap*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +000091:xu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xu* *:xunmap*
92:sunm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:sunm* *:sunmap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000093:ou[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:ou* *:ounmap*
94:unm[ap]! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:unm!* *:unmap!*
95:iu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:iu* *:iunmap*
96:lu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lu* *:lunmap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020097:cu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cu* *:cun* *:cunmap*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +020098:tunma[p] {lhs} |mapmode-t| *:tunma* *:tunmap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000099 Remove the mapping of {lhs} for the modes where the
100 map command applies. The mapping may remain defined
101 for other modes where it applies.
Bram Moolenaar88a42052021-11-21 21:13:36 +0000102 It also works when {lhs} matches the {rhs} of a
Bram Moolenaar2f0936c2022-01-08 21:51:59 +0000103 mapping. This is for when an abbreviation applied.
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100104 Note: Trailing spaces are included in the {lhs}.
105 See |map-trailing-white|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000106
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000107:mapc[lear] |mapmode-nvo| *:mapc* *:mapclear*
108:nmapc[lear] |mapmode-n| *:nmapc* *:nmapclear*
109:vmapc[lear] |mapmode-v| *:vmapc* *:vmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000110:xmapc[lear] |mapmode-x| *:xmapc* *:xmapclear*
111:smapc[lear] |mapmode-s| *:smapc* *:smapclear*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000112:omapc[lear] |mapmode-o| *:omapc* *:omapclear*
113:mapc[lear]! |mapmode-ic| *:mapc!* *:mapclear!*
114:imapc[lear] |mapmode-i| *:imapc* *:imapclear*
115:lmapc[lear] |mapmode-l| *:lmapc* *:lmapclear*
116:cmapc[lear] |mapmode-c| *:cmapc* *:cmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200117:tmapc[lear] |mapmode-t| *:tmapc* *:tmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000118 Remove ALL mappings for the modes where the map
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +0200119 command applies.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200120 Use the <buffer> argument to remove buffer-local
121 mappings |:map-<buffer>|
Bram Moolenaar921bde82022-05-09 19:50:35 +0100122 Warning: This also removes the |mac-standard-mappings|
123 and the |dos-standard-mappings|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000124
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000125:map |mapmode-nvo|
126:nm[ap] |mapmode-n|
127:vm[ap] |mapmode-v|
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000128:xm[ap] |mapmode-x|
129:sm[ap] |mapmode-s|
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000130:om[ap] |mapmode-o|
131:map! |mapmode-ic|
132:im[ap] |mapmode-i|
133:lm[ap] |mapmode-l|
134:cm[ap] |mapmode-c|
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200135:tma[p] |mapmode-t|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000136 List all key mappings for the modes where the map
137 command applies. Note that ":map" and ":map!" are
138 used most often, because they include the other modes.
139
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000140:map {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map_l*
141:nm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nmap_l*
142:vm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000143:xm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xmap_l*
144:sm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap_l*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000145:om[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:omap_l*
146:map! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map_l!*
147:im[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:imap_l*
148:lm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lmap_l*
149:cm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200150:tma[p] {lhs} |mapmode-t| *:tmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000151 List the key mappings for the key sequences starting
152 with {lhs} in the modes where the map command applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000153
154These commands are used to map a key or key sequence to a string of
155characters. You can use this to put command sequences under function keys,
156translate one key into another, etc. See |:mkexrc| for how to save and
157restore the current mappings.
158
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000159 *map-ambiguous*
160When two mappings start with the same sequence of characters, they are
161ambiguous. Example: >
162 :imap aa foo
163 :imap aaa bar
164When Vim has read "aa", it will need to get another character to be able to
165decide if "aa" or "aaa" should be mapped. This means that after typing "aa"
166that mapping won't get expanded yet, Vim is waiting for another character.
167If you type a space, then "foo" will get inserted, plus the space. If you
168type "a", then "bar" will get inserted.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000169
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100170Trailing white space ~
171 *map-trailing-white*
172This unmap command does NOT work: >
173 :map @@ foo
174 :unmap @@ | print
175
176Because it tries to unmap "@@ ", including the white space before the command
177separator "|". Other examples with trailing white space: >
178 unmap @@
179 unmap @@ # Vim9 script comment
Bram Moolenaar8a3b8052022-06-26 12:21:15 +0100180 unmap @@ " legacy script comment
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100181
182An error will be issued, which is very hard to identify, because the ending
183whitespace character in `unmap @@ ` is not visible.
184
185A generic solution is to put the command separator "|" right after the mapped
186keys. After that white space and a comment may follow: >
187
Bram Moolenaar8a3b8052022-06-26 12:21:15 +0100188 unmap @@| # Vim9 script comment
189 unmap @@| " legacy script comment
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100190
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000191
1921.2 SPECIAL ARGUMENTS *:map-arguments*
193
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200194"<buffer>", "<nowait>", "<silent>", "<special>", "<script>", "<expr>" and
195"<unique>" can be used in any order. They must appear right after the
196command, before any other arguments.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000197
Bram Moolenaar8a3b8052022-06-26 12:21:15 +0100198 *:map-local* *:map-<buffer>* *:map-buffer*
199 *E224* *E225*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000200If the first argument to one of these commands is "<buffer>" the mapping will
201be effective in the current buffer only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000202 :map <buffer> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
203Then you can map ",w" to something else in another buffer: >
204 :map <buffer> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200205The local buffer mappings are used before the global ones. See <nowait> below
206to make a short local mapping not taking effect when a longer global one
207exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000208The "<buffer>" argument can also be used to clear mappings: >
209 :unmap <buffer> ,w
210 :mapclear <buffer>
211Local mappings are also cleared when a buffer is deleted, but not when it is
212unloaded. Just like local option values.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200213Also see |map-precedence|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000214
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200215 *:map-<nowait>* *:map-nowait*
216When defining a buffer-local mapping for "," there may be a global mapping
217that starts with ",". Then you need to type another character for Vim to know
218whether to use the "," mapping or the longer one. To avoid this add the
219<nowait> argument. Then the mapping will be used when it matches, Vim does
220not wait for more characters to be typed. However, if the characters were
Bram Moolenaar6aa8cea2017-06-05 14:44:35 +0200221already typed they are used.
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200222Note that this works when the <nowait> mapping fully matches and is found
223before any partial matches. This works when:
224- There is only one matching buffer-local mapping, since these are always
225 found before global mappings.
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +0200226- There is another buffer-local mapping that partly matches, but it is
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200227 defined earlier (last defined mapping is found first).
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200228
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000229 *:map-<silent>* *:map-silent*
230To define a mapping which will not be echoed on the command line, add
231"<silent>" as the first argument. Example: >
232 :map <silent> ,h /Header<CR>
233The search string will not be echoed when using this mapping. Messages from
234the executed command are still given though. To shut them up too, add a
235":silent" in the executed command: >
236 :map <silent> ,h :exe ":silent normal /Header\r"<CR>
237Prompts will still be given, e.g., for inputdialog().
238Using "<silent>" for an abbreviation is possible, but will cause redrawing of
239the command line to fail.
240
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +0000241 *:map-<special>* *:map-special*
242Define a mapping with <> notation for special keys, even though the "<" flag
243may appear in 'cpoptions'. This is useful if the side effect of setting
244'cpoptions' is not desired. Example: >
245 :map <special> <F12> /Header<CR>
246<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000247 *:map-<script>* *:map-script*
248If the first argument to one of these commands is "<script>" and it is used to
249define a new mapping or abbreviation, the mapping will only remap characters
250in the {rhs} using mappings that were defined local to a script, starting with
251"<SID>". This can be used to avoid that mappings from outside a script
252interfere (e.g., when CTRL-V is remapped in mswin.vim), but do use other
253mappings defined in the script.
254Note: ":map <script>" and ":noremap <script>" do the same thing. The
255"<script>" overrules the command name. Using ":noremap <script>" is
256preferred, because it's clearer that remapping is (mostly) disabled.
257
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +0000258 *:map-<unique>* *:map-unique* *E226* *E227*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000259If the first argument to one of these commands is "<unique>" and it is used to
260define a new mapping or abbreviation, the command will fail if the mapping or
261abbreviation already exists. Example: >
262 :map <unique> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
263When defining a local mapping, there will also be a check if a global map
264already exists which is equal.
265Example of what will fail: >
266 :map ,w /[#&!]<CR>
267 :map <buffer> <unique> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +0000268If you want to map a key and then have it do what it was originally mapped to,
269have a look at |maparg()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000270
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000271 *:map-<expr>* *:map-expression*
272If the first argument to one of these commands is "<expr>" and it is used to
273define a new mapping or abbreviation, the argument is an expression. The
274expression is evaluated to obtain the {rhs} that is used. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200275 :inoremap <expr> . <SID>InsertDot()
276The result of the s:InsertDot() function will be inserted. It could check the
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000277text before the cursor and start omni completion when some condition is met.
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200278Using a script-local function is preferred, to avoid polluting the global
279namespace. Use <SID> in the RHS so that the script that the mapping was
280defined in can be found.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000281
Bram Moolenaarda9591e2009-09-30 13:17:02 +0000282For abbreviations |v:char| is set to the character that was typed to trigger
283the abbreviation. You can use this to decide how to expand the {lhs}. You
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200284should not either insert or change the v:char.
Bram Moolenaarda9591e2009-09-30 13:17:02 +0000285
Bram Moolenaar4f4d51a2020-10-11 13:57:40 +0200286In case you want the mapping to not do anything, you can have the expression
287evaluate to an empty string. If something changed that requires Vim to
288go through the main loop (e.g. to update the display), return "\<Ignore>".
289This is similar to "nothing" but makes Vim return from the loop that waits for
290input. Example: >
291 func s:OpenPopup()
292 call popup_create(... arguments ...)
293 return "\<Ignore>"
294 endfunc
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200295 nnoremap <expr> <F3> <SID>OpenPopup()
Bram Moolenaar4f4d51a2020-10-11 13:57:40 +0200296
Bram Moolenaarfd31be22022-01-16 14:46:06 +0000297Keep in mind that the expression may be evaluated when looking for
Bram Moolenaar18b7d862021-03-17 13:28:05 +0100298typeahead, before the previous command has been executed. For example: >
299 func StoreColumn()
300 let g:column = col('.')
301 return 'x'
302 endfunc
303 nnoremap <expr> x StoreColumn()
304 nmap ! f!x
Bram Moolenaardad44732021-03-31 20:07:33 +0200305You will notice that g:column has the value from before executing "f!",
306because "x" is evaluated before "f!" is executed.
Bram Moolenaar18b7d862021-03-17 13:28:05 +0100307This can be solved by inserting <Ignore> before the character that is
308expression-mapped: >
309 nmap ! f!<Ignore>x
310
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000311When defining a mapping in a |Vim9| script, the expression will be evaluated
312in the context of that script. This means that script-local items can be
313accessed in the expression.
314
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000315Be very careful about side effects! The expression is evaluated while
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000316obtaining characters, you may very well make the command dysfunctional.
317For this reason the following is blocked:
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000318- Changing the buffer text |textlock|.
319- Editing another buffer.
320- The |:normal| command.
321- Moving the cursor is allowed, but it is restored afterwards.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000322If you want the mapping to do any of these let the returned characters do
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100323that, or use a |<Cmd>| mapping instead.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000324
Bram Moolenaar15146672011-10-20 22:22:38 +0200325You can use getchar(), it consumes typeahead if there is any. E.g., if you
326have these mappings: >
327 inoremap <expr> <C-L> nr2char(getchar())
328 inoremap <expr> <C-L>x "foo"
329If you now type CTRL-L nothing happens yet, Vim needs the next character to
330decide what mapping to use. If you type 'x' the second mapping is used and
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +0100331"foo" is inserted. If you type any other key the first mapping is used,
332getchar() gets the typed key and returns it.
Bram Moolenaar15146672011-10-20 22:22:38 +0200333
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000334Here is an example that inserts a list number that increases: >
335 let counter = 0
336 inoremap <expr> <C-L> ListItem()
337 inoremap <expr> <C-R> ListReset()
338
339 func ListItem()
340 let g:counter += 1
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +0000341 return g:counter .. '. '
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000342 endfunc
343
344 func ListReset()
345 let g:counter = 0
346 return ''
347 endfunc
348
Bram Moolenaard9967712006-03-11 21:18:15 +0000349CTRL-L inserts the next number, CTRL-R resets the count. CTRL-R returns an
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000350empty string, so that nothing is inserted.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000351
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +0200352Note that using 0x80 as a single byte before other text does not work, it will
353be seen as a special key.
Bram Moolenaar8424a622006-04-19 21:23:36 +0000354
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100355 *<Cmd>* *:map-cmd*
356The special text <Cmd> begins a "command mapping", it executes the command
357directly without changing modes. Where you might use ":...<CR>" in the
358{rhs} of a mapping, you can instead use "<Cmd>...<CR>".
359Example: >
360 noremap x <Cmd>echo mode(1)<CR>
361<
362This is more flexible than `:<C-U>` in Visual and Operator-pending mode, or
363`<C-O>:` in Insert mode, because the commands are executed directly in the
364current mode, instead of always going to Normal mode. Visual mode is
365preserved, so tricks with |gv| are not needed. Commands can be invoked
366directly in Command-line mode (which would otherwise require timer hacks).
367Example of using <Cmd> halfway Insert mode: >
368 nnoremap <F3> aText <Cmd>echo mode(1)<CR> Added<Esc>
369
370Unlike <expr> mappings, there are no special restrictions on the <Cmd>
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100371command: it is executed as if an (unrestricted) |autocommand| was invoked.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100372
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000373 *<ScriptCmd>*
374<ScriptCmd> is like <Cmd> but sets the context to the script the mapping was
375defined in, for the duration of the command execution. This is especially
376useful for |Vim9| script. It also works to access an import, which is useful
Bram Moolenaar5ed11532022-07-06 13:18:11 +0100377in a plugin using a, possibly autoloaded, script: >
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000378 vim9script
379 import autoload 'implementation.vim' as impl
Bram Moolenaarfd31be22022-01-16 14:46:06 +0000380 nnoremap <F4> <ScriptCmd>impl.DoTheWork()<CR>
Bram Moolenaar5ed11532022-07-06 13:18:11 +0100381<
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000382No matter where <F4> is typed, the "impl" import will be found in the script
Bram Moolenaar5ed11532022-07-06 13:18:11 +0100383context of where the mapping was defined. When it's an autoload import, as in
384the example, the "implementation.vim" script will only be loaded once <F4> is
385typed, not when the mapping is defined.
386
387Without <ScriptCmd> using "s:impl" would result in "E121: Undefined variable".
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000388
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100389Note:
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000390- Because <Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> avoid mode-changes it does not trigger
391 |CmdlineEnter| and |CmdlineLeave| events, because no user interaction is
392 expected.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100393- For the same reason, |keycodes| like <C-R><C-W> are interpreted as plain,
394 unmapped keys.
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100395- The command is not echo'ed, no need for <silent>.
Bram Moolenaar88a42052021-11-21 21:13:36 +0000396- The {rhs} is not subject to abbreviations nor to other mappings, even if the
397 mapping is recursive.
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100398- In Visual mode you can use `line('v')` and `col('v')` to get one end of the
399 Visual area, the cursor is at the other end.
Bram Moolenaard799daa2022-06-20 11:17:32 +0100400
Bram Moolenaara4d131d2021-12-27 21:33:07 +0000401 *E1255* *E1136*
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000402<Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> commands must terminate, that is, they must be followed
403by <CR> in the {rhs} of the mapping definition. |Command-line| mode is never
404entered.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100405
406 *E1137*
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000407<Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> commands can have only normal characters and cannot
408contain special characters like function keys.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100409
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000410
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00004111.3 MAPPING AND MODES *:map-modes*
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000412 *mapmode-nvo* *mapmode-n* *mapmode-v* *mapmode-o*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000413
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +0000414There are seven sets of mappings
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000415- For Normal mode: When typing commands.
416- For Visual mode: When typing commands while the Visual area is highlighted.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100417- For Select mode: like Visual mode but typing text replaces the selection.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000418- For Operator-pending mode: When an operator is pending (after "d", "y", "c",
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000419 etc.). See below: |omap-info|.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000420- For Insert mode. These are also used in Replace mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000421- For Command-line mode: When entering a ":" or "/" command.
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +0000422- For Terminal mode: When typing in a |:terminal| buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000423
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000424Special case: While typing a count for a command in Normal mode, mapping zero
425is disabled. This makes it possible to map zero without making it impossible
426to type a count with a zero.
427
428 *map-overview* *map-modes*
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200429Overview of which map command works in which mode. More details below.
430 COMMANDS MODES ~
431:map :noremap :unmap Normal, Visual, Select, Operator-pending
432:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap Normal
433:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap Visual and Select
434:smap :snoremap :sunmap Select
435:xmap :xnoremap :xunmap Visual
436:omap :onoremap :ounmap Operator-pending
437:map! :noremap! :unmap! Insert and Command-line
438:imap :inoremap :iunmap Insert
439:lmap :lnoremap :lunmap Insert, Command-line, Lang-Arg
440:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap Command-line
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200441:tmap :tnoremap :tunmap Terminal-Job
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000442
Bram Moolenaar3ec32172021-05-16 12:39:47 +0200443Same information in a table:
444 *map-table*
445 Mode | Norm | Ins | Cmd | Vis | Sel | Opr | Term | Lang | ~
446Command +------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+ ~
447[nore]map | yes | - | - | yes | yes | yes | - | - |
448n[nore]map | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
449[nore]map! | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - |
450i[nore]map | - | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
451c[nore]map | - | - | yes | - | - | - | - | - |
452v[nore]map | - | - | - | yes | yes | - | - | - |
453x[nore]map | - | - | - | yes | - | - | - | - |
454s[nore]map | - | - | - | - | yes | - | - | - |
455o[nore]map | - | - | - | - | - | yes | - | - |
456t[nore]map | - | - | - | - | - | - | yes | - |
457l[nore]map | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | yes |
458
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200459
460 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000461 Normal Visual+Select Operator-pending ~
462:map :noremap :unmap :mapclear yes yes yes
463:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap :nmapclear yes - -
464:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear - yes -
465:omap :onoremap :ounmap :omapclear - - yes
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000466
Bram Moolenaar4c3f5362006-04-11 21:38:50 +0000467:nunmap can also be used outside of a monastery.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000468 *mapmode-x* *mapmode-s*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000469Some commands work both in Visual and Select mode, some in only one. Note
470that quite often "Visual" is mentioned where both Visual and Select mode
471apply. |Select-mode-mapping|
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100472NOTE: Mapping a printable character in Select mode may confuse the user. It's
473better to explicitly use :xmap and :smap for printable characters. Or use
474:sunmap after defining the mapping.
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000475
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200476 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000477 Visual Select ~
478:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear yes yes
479:xmap :xnoremap :xunmap :xmapclear yes -
480:smap :snoremap :sunmap :smapclear - yes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000481
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000482 *mapmode-ic* *mapmode-i* *mapmode-c* *mapmode-l*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000483Some commands work both in Insert mode and Command-line mode, some not:
484
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200485 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000486 Insert Command-line Lang-Arg ~
487:map! :noremap! :unmap! :mapclear! yes yes -
488:imap :inoremap :iunmap :imapclear yes - -
489:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap :cmapclear - yes -
490:lmap :lnoremap :lunmap :lmapclear yes* yes* yes*
491
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +0100492* If 'iminsert' is 1, see |language-mapping| below.
493
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000494The original Vi did not have separate mappings for
495Normal/Visual/Operator-pending mode and for Insert/Command-line mode.
496Therefore the ":map" and ":map!" commands enter and display mappings for
497several modes. In Vim you can use the ":nmap", ":vmap", ":omap", ":cmap" and
498":imap" commands to enter mappings for each mode separately.
499
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200500 *mapmode-t*
501The terminal mappings are used in a terminal window, when typing keys for the
502job running in the terminal. See |terminal-typing|.
503
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000504 *omap-info*
505Operator-pending mappings can be used to define a movement command that can be
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200506used with any operator. Simple example: >
507 :omap { w
508makes "y{" work like "yw" and "d{" like "dw".
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000509
510To ignore the starting cursor position and select different text, you can have
511the omap start Visual mode to select the text to be operated upon. Example
512that operates on a function name in the current line: >
513 onoremap <silent> F :<C-U>normal! 0f(hviw<CR>
514The CTRL-U (<C-U>) is used to remove the range that Vim may insert. The
515Normal mode commands find the first '(' character and select the first word
516before it. That usually is the function name.
517
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000518To enter a mapping for Normal and Visual mode, but not Operator-pending mode,
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200519first define it for all three modes, then unmap it for
520Operator-pending mode: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000521 :map xx something-difficult
522 :ounmap xx
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200523
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000524Likewise for a mapping for Visual and Operator-pending mode or Normal and
525Operator-pending mode.
526
527 *language-mapping*
528":lmap" defines a mapping that applies to:
529- Insert mode
530- Command-line mode
531- when entering a search pattern
532- the argument of the commands that accept a text character, such as "r" and
533 "f"
534- for the input() line
535Generally: Whenever a character is to be typed that is part of the text in the
536buffer, not a Vim command character. "Lang-Arg" isn't really another mode,
537it's just used here for this situation.
538 The simplest way to load a set of related language mappings is by using the
539'keymap' option. See |45.5|.
540 In Insert mode and in Command-line mode the mappings can be disabled with
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +0200541the CTRL-^ command |i_CTRL-^| |c_CTRL-^|. These commands change the value of
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200542the 'iminsert' option. When starting to enter a normal command line (not a
543search pattern) the mappings are disabled until a CTRL-^ is typed. The state
544last used is remembered for Insert mode and Search patterns separately. The
545state for Insert mode is also used when typing a character as an argument to
546command like "f" or "t".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000547 Language mappings will never be applied to already mapped characters. They
548are only used for typed characters. This assumes that the language mapping
549was already done when typing the mapping.
550
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000551
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00005521.4 LISTING MAPPINGS *map-listing*
553
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000554When listing mappings the characters in the first two columns are:
555
556 CHAR MODE ~
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000557 <Space> Normal, Visual, Select and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000558 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000559 v Visual and Select
560 s Select
561 x Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000562 o Operator-pending
563 ! Insert and Command-line
564 i Insert
565 l ":lmap" mappings for Insert, Command-line and Lang-Arg
566 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar63c4e8a2017-09-17 20:32:20 +0200567 t Terminal-Job
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000568
569Just before the {rhs} a special character can appear:
570 * indicates that it is not remappable
571 & indicates that only script-local mappings are remappable
572 @ indicates a buffer-local mapping
573
574Everything from the first non-blank after {lhs} up to the end of the line
575(or '|') is considered to be part of {rhs}. This allows the {rhs} to end
576with a space.
577
578Note: When using mappings for Visual mode, you can use the "'<" mark, which
579is the start of the last selected Visual area in the current buffer |'<|.
580
Bram Moolenaar818078d2016-08-27 21:58:42 +0200581The |:filter| command can be used to select what mappings to list. The
582pattern is matched against the {lhs} and {rhs} in the raw form.
583
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000584 *:map-verbose*
585When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a key map will also display where it was
586last defined. Example: >
587
588 :verbose map <C-W>*
589 n <C-W>* * <C-W><C-S>*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000590 Last set from /home/abcd/.vimrc
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000591
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +0000592See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000593
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000594
5951.5 MAPPING SPECIAL KEYS *:map-special-keys*
596
597There are three ways to map a special key:
5981. The Vi-compatible method: Map the key code. Often this is a sequence that
599 starts with <Esc>. To enter a mapping like this you type ":map " and then
600 you have to type CTRL-V before hitting the function key. Note that when
601 the key code for the key is in the termcap (the t_ options), it will
602 automatically be translated into the internal code and become the second
603 way of mapping (unless the 'k' flag is included in 'cpoptions').
6042. The second method is to use the internal code for the function key. To
605 enter such a mapping type CTRL-K and then hit the function key, or use
606 the form "#1", "#2", .. "#9", "#0", "<Up>", "<S-Down>", "<S-F7>", etc.
607 (see table of keys |key-notation|, all keys from <Up> can be used). The
608 first ten function keys can be defined in two ways: Just the number, like
609 "#2", and with "<F>", like "<F2>". Both stand for function key 2. "#0"
610 refers to function key 10, defined with option 't_f10', which may be
611 function key zero on some keyboards. The <> form cannot be used when
612 'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag.
6133. Use the termcap entry, with the form <t_xx>, where "xx" is the name of the
614 termcap entry. Any string entry can be used. For example: >
615 :map <t_F3> G
616< Maps function key 13 to "G". This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes
617 the '<' flag.
618
619The advantage of the second and third method is that the mapping will work on
620different terminals without modification (the function key will be
621translated into the same internal code or the actual key code, no matter what
622terminal you are using. The termcap must be correct for this to work, and you
623must use the same mappings).
624
625DETAIL: Vim first checks if a sequence from the keyboard is mapped. If it
626isn't the terminal key codes are tried (see |terminal-options|). If a
627terminal code is found it is replaced with the internal code. Then the check
628for a mapping is done again (so you can map an internal code to something
629else). What is written into the script file depends on what is recognized.
630If the terminal key code was recognized as a mapping the key code itself is
631written to the script file. If it was recognized as a terminal code the
632internal code is written to the script file.
633
634
6351.6 SPECIAL CHARACTERS *:map-special-chars*
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100636 *map_backslash* *map-backslash*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000637Note that only CTRL-V is mentioned here as a special character for mappings
638and abbreviations. When 'cpoptions' does not contain 'B', a backslash can
639also be used like CTRL-V. The <> notation can be fully used then |<>|. But
640you cannot use "<C-V>" like CTRL-V to escape the special meaning of what
641follows.
642
643To map a backslash, or use a backslash literally in the {rhs}, the special
644sequence "<Bslash>" can be used. This avoids the need to double backslashes
645when using nested mappings.
646
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100647 *map_CTRL-C* *map-CTRL-C*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +0000648Using CTRL-C in the {lhs} is possible, but it will only work when Vim is
649waiting for a key, not when Vim is busy with something. When Vim is busy
650CTRL-C interrupts/breaks the command.
651When using the GUI version on MS-Windows CTRL-C can be mapped to allow a Copy
652command to the clipboard. Use CTRL-Break to interrupt Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000653
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100654 *map_space_in_lhs* *map-space_in_lhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000655To include a space in {lhs} precede it with a CTRL-V (type two CTRL-Vs for
656each space).
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100657 *map_space_in_rhs* *map-space_in_rhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000658If you want a {rhs} that starts with a space, use "<Space>". To be fully Vi
659compatible (but unreadable) don't use the |<>| notation, precede {rhs} with a
660single CTRL-V (you have to type CTRL-V two times).
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100661 *map_empty_rhs* *map-empty-rhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000662You can create an empty {rhs} by typing nothing after a single CTRL-V (you
663have to type CTRL-V two times). Unfortunately, you cannot do this in a vimrc
664file.
665 *<Nop>*
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +0200666An easier way to get a mapping that doesn't produce anything, is to use
667"<Nop>" for the {rhs}. This only works when the |<>| notation is enabled.
668For example, to make sure that function key 8 does nothing at all: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000669 :map <F8> <Nop>
670 :map! <F8> <Nop>
671<
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000672 *map-multibyte*
673It is possible to map multibyte characters, but only the whole character. You
674cannot map the first byte only. This was done to prevent problems in this
675scenario: >
676 :set encoding=latin1
677 :imap <M-C> foo
678 :set encoding=utf-8
679The mapping for <M-C> is defined with the latin1 encoding, resulting in a 0xc3
Bram Moolenaar85eee132018-05-06 17:57:30 +0200680byte. If you type the character á (0xe1 <M-a>) in UTF-8 encoding this is the
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +0200681two bytes 0xc3 0xa1. You don't want the 0xc3 byte to be mapped then or
Bram Moolenaar85eee132018-05-06 17:57:30 +0200682otherwise it would be impossible to type the á character.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000683
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000684 *<Leader>* *mapleader*
685To define a mapping which uses the "mapleader" variable, the special string
686"<Leader>" can be used. It is replaced with the string value of "mapleader".
687If "mapleader" is not set or empty, a backslash is used instead. Example: >
688 :map <Leader>A oanother line<Esc>
689Works like: >
690 :map \A oanother line<Esc>
691But after: >
692 :let mapleader = ","
693It works like: >
694 :map ,A oanother line<Esc>
695
696Note that the value of "mapleader" is used at the moment the mapping is
697defined. Changing "mapleader" after that has no effect for already defined
698mappings.
699
700 *<LocalLeader>* *maplocalleader*
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000701<LocalLeader> is just like <Leader>, except that it uses "maplocalleader"
702instead of "mapleader". <LocalLeader> is to be used for mappings which are
703local to a buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +0100704 :map <buffer> <LocalLeader>A oanother line<Esc>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000705<
706In a global plugin <Leader> should be used and in a filetype plugin
707<LocalLeader>. "mapleader" and "maplocalleader" can be equal. Although, if
708you make them different, there is a smaller chance of mappings from global
709plugins to clash with mappings for filetype plugins. For example, you could
710keep "mapleader" at the default backslash, and set "maplocalleader" to an
711underscore.
712
713 *map-<SID>*
714In a script the special key name "<SID>" can be used to define a mapping
715that's local to the script. See |<SID>| for details.
716
717 *<Plug>*
718The special key name "<Plug>" can be used for an internal mapping, which is
719not to be matched with any key sequence. This is useful in plugins
720|using-<Plug>|.
721
Bram Moolenaarcbaff5e2022-04-08 17:45:08 +0100722 *<MouseMove>*
723The special key name "<MouseMove>" can be used to handle mouse movement. It
724needs to be enabled with 'mousemoveevent'. Currently only works in the GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2d8ed022022-05-21 13:08:16 +0100725The |getmousepos()| function can be used to obtain the mouse position.
Bram Moolenaarcbaff5e2022-04-08 17:45:08 +0100726
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000727 *<Char>* *<Char->*
728To map a character by its decimal, octal or hexadecimal number the <Char>
729construct can be used:
730 <Char-123> character 123
731 <Char-033> character 27
732 <Char-0x7f> character 127
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200733 <S-Char-114> character 114 ('r') shifted ('R')
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200734This is useful to specify a (multibyte) character in a 'keymap' file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000735Upper and lowercase differences are ignored.
736
737 *map-comments*
738It is not possible to put a comment after these commands, because the '"'
Bram Moolenaar036986f2017-03-16 17:41:02 +0100739character is considered to be part of the {lhs} or {rhs}. However, one can
740use |", since this starts a new, empty command with a comment.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000741
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100742 *map_bar* *map-bar*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000743Since the '|' character is used to separate a map command from the next
744command, you will have to do something special to include a '|' in {rhs}.
745There are three methods:
746 use works when example ~
747 <Bar> '<' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls <Bar> more^M
748 \| 'b' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls \| more^M
749 ^V| always, in Vim and Vi :map _l :!ls ^V| more^M
750
751(here ^V stands for CTRL-V; to get one CTRL-V you have to type it twice; you
752cannot use the <> notation "<C-V>" here).
753
754All three work when you use the default setting for 'cpoptions'.
755
756When 'b' is present in 'cpoptions', "\|" will be recognized as a mapping
757ending in a '\' and then another command. This is Vi compatible, but
758illogical when compared to other commands.
759
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100760 *map_return* *map-return*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000761When you have a mapping that contains an Ex command, you need to put a line
762terminator after it to have it executed. The use of <CR> is recommended for
763this (see |<>|). Example: >
Bram Moolenaar251835e2014-02-24 02:51:51 +0100764 :map _ls :!ls -l %:S<CR>:echo "the end"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000765
766To avoid mapping of the characters you type in insert or Command-line mode,
767type a CTRL-V first. The mapping in Insert mode is disabled if the 'paste'
768option is on.
Bram Moolenaare2db6952013-07-24 19:53:36 +0200769 *map-error*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000770Note that when an error is encountered (that causes an error message or beep)
771the rest of the mapping is not executed. This is Vi-compatible.
772
773Note that the second character (argument) of the commands @zZtTfF[]rm'`"v
774and CTRL-X is not mapped. This was done to be able to use all the named
775registers and marks, even when the command with the same name has been
776mapped.
777
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000778
7791.7 WHAT KEYS TO MAP *map-which-keys*
780
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000781If you are going to map something, you will need to choose which key(s) to use
782for the {lhs}. You will have to avoid keys that are used for Vim commands,
783otherwise you would not be able to use those commands anymore. Here are a few
784suggestions:
785- Function keys <F2>, <F3>, etc.. Also the shifted function keys <S-F1>,
786 <S-F2>, etc. Note that <F1> is already used for the help command.
Bram Moolenaarf91787c2010-07-17 12:47:16 +0200787- Meta-keys (with the ALT key pressed). Depending on your keyboard accented
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100788 characters may be used as well. |:map-alt-keys|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000789- Use the '_' or ',' character and then any other character. The "_" and ","
790 commands do exist in Vim (see |_| and |,|), but you probably never use them.
791- Use a key that is a synonym for another command. For example: CTRL-P and
792 CTRL-N. Use an extra character to allow more mappings.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100793- The key defined by <Leader> and one or more other keys. This is especially
794 useful in scripts. |mapleader|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000795
796See the file "index" for keys that are not used and thus can be mapped without
797losing any builtin function. You can also use ":help {key}^D" to find out if
798a key is used for some command. ({key} is the specific key you want to find
799out about, ^D is CTRL-D).
800
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000801
8021.8 EXAMPLES *map-examples*
803
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000804A few examples (given as you type them, for "<CR>" you type four characters;
805the '<' flag must not be present in 'cpoptions' for this to work). >
806
807 :map <F3> o#include
808 :map <M-g> /foo<CR>cwbar<Esc>
809 :map _x d/END/e<CR>
810 :map! qq quadrillion questions
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000811
812
813Multiplying a count
814
815When you type a count before triggering a mapping, it's like the count was
816typed before the {lhs}. For example, with this mapping: >
817 :map <F4> 3w
818Typing 2<F4> will result in "23w". Thus not moving 2 * 3 words but 23 words.
819If you want to multiply counts use the expression register: >
820 :map <F4> @='3w'<CR>
821The part between quotes is the expression being executed. |@=|
822
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000823
8241.9 USING MAPPINGS *map-typing*
825
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000826Vim will compare what you type with the start of a mapped sequence. If there
827is an incomplete match, it will get more characters until there either is a
828complete match or until there is no match at all. Example: If you map! "qq",
829the first 'q' will not appear on the screen until you type another
830character. This is because Vim cannot know if the next character will be a
831'q' or not. If the 'timeout' option is on (which is the default) Vim will
832only wait for one second (or as long as specified with the 'timeoutlen'
833option). After that it assumes that the 'q' is to be interpreted as such. If
834you type slowly, or your system is slow, reset the 'timeout' option. Then you
835might want to set the 'ttimeout' option.
836
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200837 *map-precedence*
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200838Buffer-local mappings (defined using |:map-<buffer>|) take precedence over
839global mappings. When a buffer-local mapping is the same as a global mapping,
840Vim will use the buffer-local mapping. In addition, Vim will use a complete
Bram Moolenaar14b69452013-06-29 23:05:20 +0200841mapping immediately if it was defined with <nowait>, even if a longer mapping
842has the same prefix. For example, given the following two mappings: >
843 :map <buffer> <nowait> \a :echo "Local \a"<CR>
844 :map \abc :echo "Global \abc"<CR>
845When typing \a the buffer-local mapping will be used immediately. Vim will
846not wait for more characters to see if the user might be typing \abc.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200847
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000848 *map-keys-fails*
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000849There are situations where key codes might not be recognized:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000850- Vim can only read part of the key code. Mostly this is only the first
851 character. This happens on some Unix versions in an xterm.
852- The key code is after character(s) that are mapped. E.g., "<F1><F1>" or
853 "g<F1>".
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000854
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000855The result is that the key code is not recognized in this situation, and the
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000856mapping fails. There are two actions needed to avoid this problem:
857
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000858- Remove the 'K' flag from 'cpoptions'. This will make Vim wait for the rest
859 of the characters of the function key.
860- When using <F1> to <F4> the actual key code generated may correspond to
861 <xF1> to <xF4>. There are mappings from <xF1> to <F1>, <xF2> to <F2>, etc.,
862 but these are not recognized after another half a mapping. Make sure the
863 key codes for <F1> to <F4> are correct: >
864 :set <F1>=<type CTRL-V><type F1>
865< Type the <F1> as four characters. The part after the "=" must be done with
866 the actual keys, not the literal text.
867Another solution is to use the actual key code in the mapping for the second
868special key: >
869 :map <F1><Esc>OP :echo "yes"<CR>
870Don't type a real <Esc>, Vim will recognize the key code and replace it with
871<F1> anyway.
872
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000873Another problem may be that when keeping ALT or Meta pressed the terminal
874prepends ESC instead of setting the 8th bit. See |:map-alt-keys|.
875
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000876 *recursive_mapping*
877If you include the {lhs} in the {rhs} you have a recursive mapping. When
878{lhs} is typed, it will be replaced with {rhs}. When the {lhs} which is
879included in {rhs} is encountered it will be replaced with {rhs}, and so on.
880This makes it possible to repeat a command an infinite number of times. The
881only problem is that the only way to stop this is by causing an error. The
882macros to solve a maze uses this, look there for an example. There is one
883exception: If the {rhs} starts with {lhs}, the first character is not mapped
884again (this is Vi compatible).
885For example: >
886 :map ab abcd
887will execute the "a" command and insert "bcd" in the text. The "ab" in the
888{rhs} will not be mapped again.
889
890If you want to exchange the meaning of two keys you should use the :noremap
891command. For example: >
892 :noremap k j
893 :noremap j k
894This will exchange the cursor up and down commands.
895
896With the normal :map command, when the 'remap' option is on, mapping takes
897place until the text is found not to be a part of a {lhs}. For example, if
898you use: >
899 :map x y
900 :map y x
901Vim will replace x with y, and then y with x, etc. When this has happened
902'maxmapdepth' times (default 1000), Vim will give the error message
903"recursive mapping".
904
905 *:map-undo*
906If you include an undo command inside a mapped sequence, this will bring the
907text back in the state before executing the macro. This is compatible with
908the original Vi, as long as there is only one undo command in the mapped
909sequence (having two undo commands in a mapped sequence did not make sense
910in the original Vi, you would get back the text before the first undo).
911
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000912
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00009131.10 MAPPING ALT-KEYS *:map-alt-keys*
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000914
915In the GUI Vim handles the Alt key itself, thus mapping keys with ALT should
916always work. But in a terminal Vim gets a sequence of bytes and has to figure
917out whether ALT was pressed or not.
918
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200919If the terminal supports the modifyOtherKeys mode and it has been enabled,
920then Vim can recognize more key combinations, see |modifyOtherKeys| below.
921
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000922By default Vim assumes that pressing the ALT key sets the 8th bit of a typed
Bram Moolenaar97d29a12005-12-17 22:02:57 +0000923character. Most decent terminals can work that way, such as xterm, aterm and
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000924rxvt. If your <A-k> mappings don't work it might be that the terminal is
925prefixing the character with an ESC character. But you can just as well type
926ESC before a character, thus Vim doesn't know what happened (except for
927checking the delay between characters, which is not reliable).
928
929As of this writing, some mainstream terminals like gnome-terminal and konsole
930use the ESC prefix. There doesn't appear a way to have them use the 8th bit
Bram Moolenaar97d29a12005-12-17 22:02:57 +0000931instead. Xterm should work well by default. Aterm and rxvt should work well
932when started with the "--meta8" argument. You can also tweak resources like
933"metaSendsEscape", "eightBitInput" and "eightBitOutput".
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000934
935On the Linux console, this behavior can be toggled with the "setmetamode"
936command. Bear in mind that not using an ESC prefix could get you in trouble
937with other programs. You should make sure that bash has the "convert-meta"
938option set to "on" in order for your Meta keybindings to still work on it
939(it's the default readline behavior, unless changed by specific system
940configuration). For that, you can add the line: >
941
942 set convert-meta on
943
944to your ~/.inputrc file. If you're creating the file, you might want to use: >
945
946 $include /etc/inputrc
947
948as the first line, if that file exists on your system, to keep global options.
949This may cause a problem for entering special characters, such as the umlaut.
950Then you should use CTRL-V before that character.
951
952Bear in mind that convert-meta has been reported to have troubles when used in
953UTF-8 locales. On terminals like xterm, the "metaSendsEscape" resource can be
954toggled on the fly through the "Main Options" menu, by pressing Ctrl-LeftClick
955on the terminal; that's a good last resource in case you want to send ESC when
Bram Moolenaar6aa8cea2017-06-05 14:44:35 +0200956using other applications but not when inside Vim.
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000957
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000958
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02009591.11 MAPPING IN modifyOtherKeys mode *modifyOtherKeys*
960
961Xterm and a few other terminals can be put in a mode where keys with modifiers
962are sent with a special escape code. Vim recognizes these codes and can then
963make a difference between CTRL-H and Backspace, even when Backspace sends the
964character 8. And many more special keys.
965
966For xterm modifyOtherKeys is enabled in the builtin termcap entry. If this is
967not used you can enable modifyOtherKeys with these lines in your vimrc: >
968 let &t_TI = "\<Esc>[>4;2m"
969 let &t_TE = "\<Esc>[>4;m"
970
971In case the modifyOtherKeys mode causes problems you can disable it: >
972 let &t_TI = ""
973 let &t_TE = ""
974It does not take effect immediately. To have this work without restarting Vim
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +0100975execute a shell command, e.g.: `!ls` Or put the lines in your |vimrc|.
976
977When modifyOtherKeys is enabled you can map <C-[> and <C-S-{>: >
978 imap <C-[> [[[
Bram Moolenaar9a033d72020-10-07 17:29:48 +0200979 imap <C-{> {{{
980Without modifyOtherKeys <C-[> and <C-{> are indistinguishable from Esc.
981Note that <C-{> is used and not <C-S-[> or <C-S-{>. This works on most
982keyboards. Similarly, <C-}> is used instead of <C-S-]> or <C-S-}> and
983<C-|> instead of <C-S-\> or <C-S-|>. Note that '|' has a special meaning in a
984mapping, see |map-bar|.
985
986WARNING: if you map <C-[> you may very well break any key codes that start
987with Esc. Make sure it comes AFTER other mappings.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200988
Bram Moolenaar2547aa92020-07-26 17:00:44 +0200989A known side effect is that in Insert mode the raw escape sequence is inserted
990after the CTRL-V key. This can be used to check whether modifyOtherKeys is
991enabled: In Insert mode type CTRL-SHIFT-V CTRL-V, if you get one byte then
992modifyOtherKeys is off, if you get <1b>27;5;118~ then it is on.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200993
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +0100994When the 'esckeys' option is off, then modifyOtherKeys will be disabled in
995Insert mode to avoid every key with a modifier causing Insert mode to end.
996
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200997
9981.12 MAPPING AN OPERATOR *:map-operator*
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000999
1000An operator is used before a {motion} command. To define your own operator
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001001you must create a mapping that first sets the 'operatorfunc' option and then
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001002invoke the |g@| operator. After the user types the {motion} command the
1003specified function will be called.
1004
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00001005 *g@* *E774* *E775*
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001006g@{motion} Call the function set by the 'operatorfunc' option.
1007 The '[ mark is positioned at the start of the text
1008 moved over by {motion}, the '] mark on the last
1009 character of the text.
1010 The function is called with one String argument:
1011 "line" {motion} was |linewise|
1012 "char" {motion} was |characterwise|
Bram Moolenaarf91787c2010-07-17 12:47:16 +02001013 "block" {motion} was |blockwise-visual|
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001014 The type can be forced, see |forced-motion|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001015 {not available when compiled without the |+eval|
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001016 feature}
1017
1018Here is an example that counts the number of spaces with <F4>: >
1019
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001020 nnoremap <expr> <F4> CountSpaces()
1021 xnoremap <expr> <F4> CountSpaces()
1022 " doubling <F4> works on a line
1023 nnoremap <expr> <F4><F4> CountSpaces() .. '_'
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001024
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001025 function CountSpaces(context = {}, type = '') abort
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001026 if a:type == ''
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001027 let context = #{
1028 \ dot_command: v:false,
1029 \ extend_block: '',
1030 \ virtualedit: [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit],
1031 \ }
1032 let &operatorfunc = function('CountSpaces', [context])
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001033 set virtualedit=block
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001034 return 'g@'
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001035 endif
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001036
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001037 let save = #{
1038 \ clipboard: &clipboard,
1039 \ selection: &selection,
1040 \ virtualedit: [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit],
1041 \ register: getreginfo('"'),
1042 \ visual_marks: [getpos("'<"), getpos("'>")],
1043 \ }
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001044
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001045 try
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001046 set clipboard= selection=inclusive virtualedit=
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001047 let commands = #{
1048 \ line: "'[V']",
1049 \ char: "`[v`]",
1050 \ block: "`[\<C-V>`]",
1051 \ }[a:type]
1052 let [_, _, col, off] = getpos("']")
1053 if off != 0
1054 let vcol = getline("'[")->strpart(0, col + off)->strdisplaywidth()
1055 if vcol >= [line("'["), '$']->virtcol() - 1
1056 let a:context.extend_block = '$'
1057 else
1058 let a:context.extend_block = vcol .. '|'
1059 endif
1060 endif
1061 if a:context.extend_block != ''
1062 let commands ..= 'oO' .. a:context.extend_block
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001063 endif
1064 let commands ..= 'y'
1065 execute 'silent noautocmd keepjumps normal! ' .. commands
1066 echomsg getreg('"')->count(' ')
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001067 finally
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001068 call setreg('"', save.register)
1069 call setpos("'<", save.visual_marks[0])
1070 call setpos("'>", save.visual_marks[1])
1071 let &clipboard = save.clipboard
1072 let &selection = save.selection
1073 let [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit] = get(a:context.dot_command ? save : a:context, 'virtualedit')
1074 let a:context.dot_command = v:true
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001075 endtry
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001076 endfunction
1077
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001078An <expr> mapping is used to be able to fetch any prefixed count and register.
1079This also avoids using a command line, which would trigger CmdlineEnter and
1080CmdlineLeave autocommands.
1081
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001082Note that the 'selection' option is temporarily set to "inclusive" to be able
1083to yank exactly the right text by using Visual mode from the '[ to the ']
1084mark.
1085
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001086Also note that the 'clipboard' option is temporarily emptied to avoid
1087clobbering the `"*` or `"+` registers, if its value contains the item `unnamed`
1088or `unnamedplus`.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001089
Bram Moolenaar079ba762021-10-23 12:08:41 +01001090The `mode()` function will return the state as it will be after applying the
1091operator.
1092
Yegappan Lakshmanan777175b2021-11-18 22:08:57 +00001093Here is an example for using a lambda function to create a normal-mode
1094operator to add quotes around text in the current line: >
1095
1096 nnoremap <F4> <Cmd>let &opfunc='{t ->
1097 \ getline(".")
1098 \ ->split("\\zs")
1099 \ ->insert("\"", col("'']"))
1100 \ ->insert("\"", col("''[") - 1)
1101 \ ->join("")
1102 \ ->setline(".")}'<CR>g@
1103
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001104==============================================================================
11052. Abbreviations *abbreviations* *Abbreviations*
1106
1107Abbreviations are used in Insert mode, Replace mode and Command-line mode.
1108If you enter a word that is an abbreviation, it is replaced with the word it
1109stands for. This can be used to save typing for often used long words. And
1110you can use it to automatically correct obvious spelling errors.
1111Examples:
1112
Bram Moolenaarc1762cc2007-05-10 16:56:30 +00001113 :iab ms Microsoft
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001114 :iab tihs this
1115
1116There are three types of abbreviations:
1117
1118full-id The "full-id" type consists entirely of keyword characters (letters
1119 and characters from 'iskeyword' option). This is the most common
1120 abbreviation.
1121
1122 Examples: "foo", "g3", "-1"
1123
1124end-id The "end-id" type ends in a keyword character, but all the other
1125 characters are not keyword characters.
1126
1127 Examples: "#i", "..f", "$/7"
1128
1129non-id The "non-id" type ends in a non-keyword character, the other
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001130 characters may be of any type, excluding space and tab. {this type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001131 is not supported by Vi}
1132
1133 Examples: "def#", "4/7$"
1134
1135Examples of strings that cannot be abbreviations: "a.b", "#def", "a b", "_$r"
1136
1137An abbreviation is only recognized when you type a non-keyword character.
1138This can also be the <Esc> that ends insert mode or the <CR> that ends a
1139command. The non-keyword character which ends the abbreviation is inserted
1140after the expanded abbreviation. An exception to this is the character <C-]>,
1141which is used to expand an abbreviation without inserting any extra
1142characters.
1143
1144Example: >
1145 :ab hh hello
1146< "hh<Space>" is expanded to "hello<Space>"
1147 "hh<C-]>" is expanded to "hello"
1148
1149The characters before the cursor must match the abbreviation. Each type has
1150an additional rule:
1151
1152full-id In front of the match is a non-keyword character, or this is where
1153 the line or insertion starts. Exception: When the abbreviation is
1154 only one character, it is not recognized if there is a non-keyword
Bram Moolenaareb3dc872018-05-13 22:34:24 +02001155 character in front of it, other than a space or a tab. However, for
1156 the command line "'<,'>" (or any other marks) is ignored, as if the
1157 command line starts after it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001158
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001159end-id In front of the match is a keyword character, or a space or a tab,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001160 or this is where the line or insertion starts.
1161
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001162non-id In front of the match is a space, tab or the start of the line or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001163 the insertion.
1164
1165Examples: ({CURSOR} is where you type a non-keyword character) >
1166 :ab foo four old otters
1167< " foo{CURSOR}" is expanded to " four old otters"
1168 " foobar{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1169 "barfoo{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1170>
1171 :ab #i #include
1172< "#i{CURSOR}" is expanded to "#include"
1173 ">#i{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1174>
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001175 :ab ;; <endofline>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001176< "test;;" is not expanded
1177 "test ;;" is expanded to "test <endofline>"
1178
Bram Moolenaar7d76c802014-10-15 22:51:52 +02001179To avoid the abbreviation in Insert mode: Type CTRL-V before the character
1180that would trigger the abbreviation. E.g. CTRL-V <Space>. Or type part of
1181the abbreviation, exit insert mode with <Esc>, re-enter insert mode with "a"
1182and type the rest.
1183
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001184To avoid the abbreviation in Command-line mode: Type CTRL-V twice somewhere in
1185the abbreviation to avoid it to be replaced. A CTRL-V in front of a normal
1186character is mostly ignored otherwise.
1187
1188It is possible to move the cursor after an abbreviation: >
1189 :iab if if ()<Left>
1190This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag. |<>|
1191
1192You can even do more complicated things. For example, to consume the space
1193typed after an abbreviation: >
1194 func Eatchar(pat)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001195 let c = nr2char(getchar(0))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001196 return (c =~ a:pat) ? '' : c
1197 endfunc
1198 iabbr <silent> if if ()<Left><C-R>=Eatchar('\s')<CR>
1199
1200There are no default abbreviations.
1201
1202Abbreviations are never recursive. You can use ":ab f f-o-o" without any
1203problem. But abbreviations can be mapped. {some versions of Vi support
1204recursive abbreviations, for no apparent reason}
1205
1206Abbreviations are disabled if the 'paste' option is on.
1207
1208 *:abbreviate-local* *:abbreviate-<buffer>*
1209Just like mappings, abbreviations can be local to a buffer. This is mostly
1210used in a |filetype-plugin| file. Example for a C plugin file: >
1211 :abb <buffer> FF for (i = 0; i < ; ++i)
1212<
1213 *:ab* *:abbreviate*
1214:ab[breviate] list all abbreviations. The character in the first
1215 column indicates the mode where the abbreviation is
1216 used: 'i' for insert mode, 'c' for Command-line
1217 mode, '!' for both. These are the same as for
1218 mappings, see |map-listing|.
1219
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00001220 *:abbreviate-verbose*
1221When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an abbreviation will also display where it
1222was last defined. Example: >
1223
1224 :verbose abbreviate
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001225 ! teh the
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00001226 Last set from /home/abcd/vim/abbr.vim
1227
1228See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
1229
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001230:ab[breviate] {lhs} list the abbreviations that start with {lhs}
1231 You may need to insert a CTRL-V (type it twice) to
1232 avoid that a typed {lhs} is expanded, since
1233 command-line abbreviations apply here.
1234
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001235:ab[breviate] [<expr>] [<buffer>] {lhs} {rhs}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001236 add abbreviation for {lhs} to {rhs}. If {lhs} already
1237 existed it is replaced with the new {rhs}. {rhs} may
1238 contain spaces.
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001239 See |:map-<expr>| for the optional <expr> argument.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001240 See |:map-<buffer>| for the optional <buffer> argument.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001241
1242 *:una* *:unabbreviate*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001243:una[bbreviate] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1244 Remove abbreviation for {lhs} from the list. If none
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001245 is found, remove abbreviations in which {lhs} matches
1246 with the {rhs}. This is done so that you can even
1247 remove abbreviations after expansion. To avoid
1248 expansion insert a CTRL-V (type it twice).
1249
1250 *:norea* *:noreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001251:norea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001252 Same as ":ab", but no remapping for this {rhs}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001253
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +02001254 *:ca* *:cab* *:cabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001255:ca[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001256 Same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001257
1258 *:cuna* *:cunabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001259:cuna[bbrev] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1260 Same as ":una", but for Command-line mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001261
1262 *:cnorea* *:cnoreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001263:cnorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001264 same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only and no
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001265 remapping for this {rhs}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001266
1267 *:ia* *:iabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001268:ia[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001269 Same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001270
1271 *:iuna* *:iunabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001272:iuna[bbrev] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1273 Same as ":una", but for insert mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001274
1275 *:inorea* *:inoreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001276:inorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001277 Same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only and no
1278 remapping for this {rhs}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001279
1280 *:abc* *:abclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001281:abc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001282
1283 *:iabc* *:iabclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001284:iabc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations for Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001285
1286 *:cabc* *:cabclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001287:cabc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations for Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001288
1289 *using_CTRL-V*
1290It is possible to use special characters in the rhs of an abbreviation.
1291CTRL-V has to be used to avoid the special meaning of most non printable
1292characters. How many CTRL-Vs need to be typed depends on how you enter the
1293abbreviation. This also applies to mappings. Let's use an example here.
1294
1295Suppose you want to abbreviate "esc" to enter an <Esc> character. When you
1296type the ":ab" command in Vim, you have to enter this: (here ^V is a CTRL-V
1297and ^[ is <Esc>)
1298
1299You type: ab esc ^V^V^V^V^V^[
1300
1301 All keyboard input is subjected to ^V quote interpretation, so
1302 the first, third, and fifth ^V characters simply allow the second,
1303 and fourth ^Vs, and the ^[, to be entered into the command-line.
1304
1305You see: ab esc ^V^V^[
1306
1307 The command-line contains two actual ^Vs before the ^[. This is
1308 how it should appear in your .exrc file, if you choose to go that
1309 route. The first ^V is there to quote the second ^V; the :ab
1310 command uses ^V as its own quote character, so you can include quoted
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001311 whitespace or the | character in the abbreviation. The :ab command
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001312 doesn't do anything special with the ^[ character, so it doesn't need
1313 to be quoted. (Although quoting isn't harmful; that's why typing 7
1314 [but not 8!] ^Vs works.)
1315
1316Stored as: esc ^V^[
1317
1318 After parsing, the abbreviation's short form ("esc") and long form
1319 (the two characters "^V^[") are stored in the abbreviation table.
1320 If you give the :ab command with no arguments, this is how the
1321 abbreviation will be displayed.
1322
1323 Later, when the abbreviation is expanded because the user typed in
1324 the word "esc", the long form is subjected to the same type of
1325 ^V interpretation as keyboard input. So the ^V protects the ^[
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001326 character from being interpreted as the "exit Insert mode" character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001327 Instead, the ^[ is inserted into the text.
1328
1329Expands to: ^[
1330
1331[example given by Steve Kirkendall]
1332
1333==============================================================================
13343. Local mappings and functions *script-local*
1335
1336When using several Vim script files, there is the danger that mappings and
1337functions used in one script use the same name as in other scripts. To avoid
1338this, they can be made local to the script.
1339
1340 *<SID>* *<SNR>* *E81*
1341The string "<SID>" can be used in a mapping or menu. This requires that the
1342'<' flag is not present in 'cpoptions'.
1343 When executing the map command, Vim will replace "<SID>" with the special
1344key code <SNR>, followed by a number that's unique for the script, and an
1345underscore. Example: >
1346 :map <SID>Add
1347could define a mapping "<SNR>23_Add".
1348
1349When defining a function in a script, "s:" can be prepended to the name to
Bram Moolenaar75ab5902022-04-18 15:36:40 +01001350make it local to the script (in |Vim9| script functions without a prefix are
1351local to the script). But when a mapping is executed from outside of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352the script, it doesn't know in which script the function was defined. To
1353avoid this problem, use "<SID>" instead of "s:". The same translation is done
1354as for mappings. This makes it possible to define a call to the function in
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001355a mapping.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001356
1357When a local function is executed, it runs in the context of the script it was
1358defined in. This means that new functions and mappings it defines can also
1359use "s:" or "<SID>" and it will use the same unique number as when the
1360function itself was defined. Also, the "s:var" local script variables can be
1361used.
1362
1363When executing an autocommand or a user command, it will run in the context of
1364the script it was defined in. This makes it possible that the command calls a
1365local function or uses a local mapping.
1366
Bram Moolenaar90944302020-08-01 20:45:11 +02001367In case the value is used in a context where <SID> cannot be correctly
1368expanded, use the expand() function: >
1369 let &includexpr = expand('<SID>') .. 'My_includeexpr()'
1370
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001371Otherwise, using "<SID>" outside of a script context is an error.
1372
1373If you need to get the script number to use in a complicated script, you can
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001374use this function: >
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +01001375 func s:ScriptNumber()
1376 return matchstr(expand('<SID>'), '<SNR>\zs\d\+\ze_')
1377 endfunc
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001378
1379The "<SNR>" will be shown when listing functions and mappings. This is useful
1380to find out what they are defined to.
1381
1382The |:scriptnames| command can be used to see which scripts have been sourced
1383and what their <SNR> number is.
1384
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001385This is all {not available when compiled without the |+eval| feature}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001386
1387==============================================================================
13884. User-defined commands *user-commands*
1389
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001390It is possible to define your own Ex commands. A user-defined command can act
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001391just like a built-in command (it can have a range or arguments, arguments can
1392be completed as filenames or buffer names, etc), except that when the command
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001393is executed, it is transformed into a normal Ex command and then executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001394
1395For starters: See section |40.2| in the user manual.
1396
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001397 *E183* *E841* *user-cmd-ambiguous*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001398All user defined commands must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001399confusion with builtin commands. Exceptions are these builtin commands:
1400 :Next
1401 :X
1402They cannot be used for a user defined command. ":Print" is also an existing
1403command, but it is deprecated and can be overruled.
1404
1405The other characters of the user command can be uppercase letters, lowercase
1406letters or digits. When using digits, note that other commands that take a
1407numeric argument may become ambiguous. For example, the command ":Cc2" could
1408be the user command ":Cc2" without an argument, or the command ":Cc" with
1409argument "2". It is advised to put a space between the command name and the
1410argument to avoid these problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001411
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001412When using a user-defined command, the command can be abbreviated. However, if
1413an abbreviation is not unique, an error will be issued. Furthermore, a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001414built-in command will always take precedence.
1415
1416Example: >
1417 :command Rename ...
1418 :command Renumber ...
1419 :Rena " Means "Rename"
1420 :Renu " Means "Renumber"
1421 :Ren " Error - ambiguous
1422 :command Paste ...
1423 :P " The built-in :Print
1424
1425It is recommended that full names for user-defined commands are used in
1426scripts.
1427
1428:com[mand] *:com* *:command*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001429 List all user-defined commands. When listing commands,
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001430 the characters in the first columns are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001431 ! Command has the -bang attribute
1432 " Command has the -register attribute
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001433 | Command has the -bar attribute
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001434 b Command is local to current buffer
1435 (see below for details on attributes)
Bram Moolenaar818078d2016-08-27 21:58:42 +02001436 The list can be filtered on command name with
1437 |:filter|, e.g., to list all commands with "Pyth" in
1438 the name: >
1439 filter Pyth command
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001440
1441:com[mand] {cmd} List the user-defined commands that start with {cmd}
1442
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001443 *:command-verbose*
1444When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a command will also display where it was
Bram Moolenaar6f4754b2022-01-23 12:07:04 +00001445last defined and any completion argument. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001446
1447 :verbose command TOhtml
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001448< Name Args Range Complete Definition ~
1449 TOhtml 0 % :call Convert2HTML(<line1>, <line2>) ~
1450 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/tohtml.vim ~
1451
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +00001452See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001453
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001454 *E174* *E182*
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001455:com[mand][!] [{attr}...] {cmd} {repl}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001456 Define a user command. The name of the command is
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001457 {cmd} and its replacement text is {repl}. The
1458 command's attributes (see below) are {attr}. If the
1459 command already exists, an error is reported, unless a
1460 ! is specified, in which case the command is
1461 redefined. There is one exception: When sourcing a
1462 script again, a command that was previously defined in
1463 that script will be silently replaced.
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001464
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001465
1466:delc[ommand] {cmd} *:delc* *:delcommand* *E184*
1467 Delete the user-defined command {cmd}.
1468
Bram Moolenaarbdcba242021-09-12 20:58:02 +02001469:delc[ommand] -buffer {cmd} *E1237*
1470 Delete the user-defined command {cmd} that was defined
1471 for the current buffer.
1472
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001473:comc[lear] *:comc* *:comclear*
1474 Delete all user-defined commands.
1475
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001476
1477Command attributes ~
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +00001478 *command-attributes*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001479User-defined commands are treated by Vim just like any other Ex commands. They
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001480can have arguments, or have a range specified. Arguments are subject to
1481completion as filenames, buffers, etc. Exactly how this works depends upon the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001482command's attributes, which are specified when the command is defined.
1483
1484There are a number of attributes, split into four categories: argument
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001485handling, completion behavior, range handling, and special cases. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001486attributes are described below, by category.
1487
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001488
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001489Argument handling ~
1490 *E175* *E176* *:command-nargs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001491By default, a user defined command will take no arguments (and an error is
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001492reported if any are supplied). However, it is possible to specify that the
1493command can take arguments, using the -nargs attribute. Valid cases are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001494
1495 -nargs=0 No arguments are allowed (the default)
Bram Moolenaar9d87a372018-12-18 21:41:50 +01001496 -nargs=1 Exactly one argument is required, it includes spaces
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02001497 -nargs=* Any number of arguments are allowed (0, 1, or many),
1498 separated by white space
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001499 -nargs=? 0 or 1 arguments are allowed
1500 -nargs=+ Arguments must be supplied, but any number are allowed
1501
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001502Arguments are considered to be separated by (unescaped) spaces or tabs in this
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02001503context, except when there is one argument, then the white space is part of
1504the argument.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001505
1506Note that arguments are used as text, not as expressions. Specifically,
1507"s:var" will use the script-local variable in the script where the command was
1508defined, not where it is invoked! Example:
1509 script1.vim: >
1510 :let s:error = "None"
1511 :command -nargs=1 Error echoerr <args>
1512< script2.vim: >
1513 :source script1.vim
1514 :let s:error = "Wrong!"
1515 :Error s:error
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001516Executing script2.vim will result in "None" being echoed. Not what you
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001517intended! Calling a function may be an alternative.
1518
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001519
1520Completion behavior ~
Bram Moolenaar9d87a372018-12-18 21:41:50 +01001521 *:command-completion* *E179* *E180* *E181*
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001522 *:command-complete*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001523By default, the arguments of user defined commands do not undergo completion.
1524However, by specifying one or the other of the following attributes, argument
1525completion can be enabled:
1526
Bram Moolenaarcd43eff2018-03-29 15:55:38 +02001527 -complete=arglist file names in argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001528 -complete=augroup autocmd groups
1529 -complete=buffer buffer names
Bram Moolenaar5ae636b2012-04-30 18:48:53 +02001530 -complete=behave :behave suboptions
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001531 -complete=color color schemes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001532 -complete=command Ex command (and arguments)
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001533 -complete=compiler compilers
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001534 -complete=cscope |:cscope| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001535 -complete=dir directory names
1536 -complete=environment environment variable names
1537 -complete=event autocommand events
1538 -complete=expression Vim expression
1539 -complete=file file and directory names
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001540 -complete=file_in_path file and directory names in |'path'|
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001541 -complete=filetype filetype names |'filetype'|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001542 -complete=function function name
1543 -complete=help help subjects
1544 -complete=highlight highlight groups
Bram Moolenaar5ae636b2012-04-30 18:48:53 +02001545 -complete=history :history suboptions
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001546 -complete=locale locale names (as output of locale -a)
Bram Moolenaarcae92dc2017-08-06 15:22:15 +02001547 -complete=mapclear buffer argument
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001548 -complete=mapping mapping name
1549 -complete=menu menus
Bram Moolenaar9e507ca2016-10-15 15:39:39 +02001550 -complete=messages |:messages| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001551 -complete=option options
Bram Moolenaar063b9d12016-07-09 20:21:48 +02001552 -complete=packadd optional package |pack-add| names
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001553 -complete=shellcmd Shell command
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001554 -complete=sign |:sign| suboptions
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001555 -complete=syntax syntax file names |'syntax'|
Bram Moolenaarcd9c4622013-06-08 15:24:48 +02001556 -complete=syntime |:syntime| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557 -complete=tag tags
1558 -complete=tag_listfiles tags, file names are shown when CTRL-D is hit
Bram Moolenaar24305862012-08-15 14:05:05 +02001559 -complete=user user names
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001560 -complete=var user variables
1561 -complete=custom,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001562 -complete=customlist,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001563
Bram Moolenaar6f4754b2022-01-23 12:07:04 +00001564If you specify completion while there is nothing to complete (-nargs=0, the
1565default) then you get error *E1208* .
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +02001566Note: That some completion methods might expand environment variables.
1567
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001568
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001569Custom completion ~
1570 *:command-completion-custom*
1571 *:command-completion-customlist* *E467* *E468*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001572It is possible to define customized completion schemes via the "custom,{func}"
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001573or the "customlist,{func}" completion argument. The {func} part should be a
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001574function with the following signature: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001575
1576 :function {func}(ArgLead, CmdLine, CursorPos)
1577
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001578The function need not use all these arguments. The function should provide the
1579completion candidates as the return value.
1580
1581For the "custom" argument, the function should return the completion
1582candidates one per line in a newline separated string.
1583
1584For the "customlist" argument, the function should return the completion
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001585candidates as a Vim List. Non-string items in the list are ignored.
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001586
1587The function arguments are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001588 ArgLead the leading portion of the argument currently being
1589 completed on
1590 CmdLine the entire command line
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001591 CursorPos the cursor position in it (byte index)
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001592The function may use these for determining context. For the "custom"
1593argument, it is not necessary to filter candidates against the (implicit
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001594pattern in) ArgLead. Vim will filter the candidates with its regexp engine
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +00001595after function return, and this is probably more efficient in most cases. If
1596'wildoptions' contains "fuzzy", then the candidates will be filtered using
1597|fuzzy-matching|. For the "customlist" argument, Vim will not
1598filter the returned completion candidates and the user supplied function
1599should filter the candidates.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001600
1601The following example lists user names to a Finger command >
1602 :com -complete=custom,ListUsers -nargs=1 Finger !finger <args>
1603 :fun ListUsers(A,L,P)
1604 : return system("cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd")
1605 :endfun
1606
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001607The following example completes filenames from the directories specified in
1608the 'path' option: >
1609 :com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=customlist,EditFileComplete
1610 \ EditFile edit<bang> <args>
1611 :fun EditFileComplete(A,L,P)
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001612 : return split(globpath(&path, a:A), "\n")
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001613 :endfun
1614<
Bram Moolenaar5ac3b1a2010-07-27 22:50:36 +02001615This example does not work for file names with spaces!
1616
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001617
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001618Range handling ~
1619 *E177* *E178* *:command-range* *:command-count*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001620By default, user-defined commands do not accept a line number range. However,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001621it is possible to specify that the command does take a range (the -range
1622attribute), or that it takes an arbitrary count value, either in the line
1623number position (-range=N, like the |:split| command) or as a "count"
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +00001624argument (-count=N, like the |:Next| command). The count will then be
1625available in the argument with |<count>|.
1626
1627Possible attributes are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001628
1629 -range Range allowed, default is current line
1630 -range=% Range allowed, default is whole file (1,$)
1631 -range=N A count (default N) which is specified in the line
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +02001632 number position (like |:split|); allows for zero line
1633 number.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634 -count=N A count (default N) which is specified either in the line
Bram Moolenaar32e7b2d2005-02-27 22:36:47 +00001635 number position, or as an initial argument (like |:Next|).
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001636 -count acts like -count=0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001637
1638Note that -range=N and -count=N are mutually exclusive - only one should be
1639specified.
1640
Bram Moolenaaraa3b15d2016-04-21 08:53:19 +02001641 *:command-addr*
Bram Moolenaarf1d6ccf2014-12-08 04:16:44 +01001642It is possible that the special characters in the range like ., $ or % which
1643by default correspond to the current line, last line and the whole buffer,
1644relate to arguments, (loaded) buffers, windows or tab pages.
1645
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001646Possible values are (second column is the short name used in listing):
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001647 -addr=lines Range of lines (this is the default for -range)
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001648 -addr=arguments arg Range for arguments
1649 -addr=buffers buf Range for buffers (also not loaded buffers)
1650 -addr=loaded_buffers load Range for loaded buffers
1651 -addr=windows win Range for windows
1652 -addr=tabs tab Range for tab pages
1653 -addr=quickfix qf Range for quickfix entries
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001654 -addr=other ? other kind of range; can use ".", "$" and "%"
1655 as with "lines" (this is the default for
1656 -count)
Bram Moolenaarf1d6ccf2014-12-08 04:16:44 +01001657
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001658
1659Special cases ~
1660 *:command-bang* *:command-bar*
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +00001661 *:command-register* *:command-buffer*
Bram Moolenaar519cc552021-11-16 19:18:26 +00001662 *:command-keepscript*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001663There are some special cases as well:
1664
1665 -bang The command can take a ! modifier (like :q or :w)
1666 -bar The command can be followed by a "|" and another command.
1667 A "|" inside the command argument is not allowed then.
1668 Also checks for a " to start a comment.
1669 -register The first argument to the command can be an optional
1670 register name (like :del, :put, :yank).
1671 -buffer The command will only be available in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar58ef8a32021-11-12 11:25:11 +00001672 -keepscript Do not use the location of where the user command was
1673 defined for verbose messages, use the location of where
1674 the user command was invoked.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001675
1676In the cases of the -count and -register attributes, if the optional argument
1677is supplied, it is removed from the argument list and is available to the
1678replacement text separately.
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +02001679Note that these arguments can be abbreviated, but that is a deprecated
1680feature. Use the full name for new scripts.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001681
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001682
1683Replacement text ~
Bram Moolenaar73b8b0a2021-08-01 14:52:32 +02001684 *:command-repl*
Bram Moolenaar5d7c2df2021-07-27 21:17:32 +02001685The {repl} argument is normally one long string, possibly with "|" separated
1686commands. A special case is when the argument is "{", then the following
1687lines, up to a line starting with "}" are used and |Vim9| syntax applies.
1688Example: >
1689 :command MyCommand {
1690 echo 'hello'
1691 g:calledMyCommand = true
1692 }
Bram Moolenaar63b91732021-08-05 20:40:03 +02001693< *E1231*
1694There must be white space before the "{". No nesting is supported, inline
1695functions cannot be used. Commands where a "|" may appear in the argument,
1696such as commands with an expression argument, cannot be followed by a "|" and
1697another command.
Bram Moolenaar5d7c2df2021-07-27 21:17:32 +02001698
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001699The replacement text {repl} for a user defined command is scanned for special
1700escape sequences, using <...> notation. Escape sequences are replaced with
1701values from the entered command line, and all other text is copied unchanged.
1702The resulting string is executed as an Ex command. To avoid the replacement
1703use <lt> in place of the initial <. Thus to include "<bang>" literally use
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +00001704"<lt>bang>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001705
1706The valid escape sequences are
1707
1708 *<line1>*
1709 <line1> The starting line of the command range.
1710 *<line2>*
1711 <line2> The final line of the command range.
Bram Moolenaarc168bd42017-09-10 17:34:35 +02001712 *<range>*
1713 <range> The number of items in the command range: 0, 1 or 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001714 *<count>*
1715 <count> Any count supplied (as described for the '-range'
1716 and '-count' attributes).
1717 *<bang>*
1718 <bang> (See the '-bang' attribute) Expands to a ! if the
1719 command was executed with a ! modifier, otherwise
1720 expands to nothing.
Bram Moolenaar1d59aa12020-09-19 18:50:13 +02001721 *<mods>* *<q-mods>* *:command-modifiers*
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001722 <mods> The command modifiers, if specified. Otherwise, expands to
Bram Moolenaarc95a3022016-06-12 23:01:46 +02001723 nothing. Supported modifiers are |:aboveleft|, |:belowright|,
1724 |:botright|, |:browse|, |:confirm|, |:hide|, |:keepalt|,
Bram Moolenaarbc8801c2016-08-02 21:04:33 +02001725 |:keepjumps|, |:keepmarks|, |:keeppatterns|, |:leftabove|,
zeertzjq9359e8a2022-07-03 13:16:09 +01001726 |:lockmarks|, |:noautocmd|, |:noswapfile| |:rightbelow|,
1727 |:sandbox|, |:silent|, |:tab|, |:topleft|, |:unsilent|,
1728 |:verbose|, and |:vertical|.
1729 Note that |:filter| is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001730 Examples: >
1731 command! -nargs=+ -complete=file MyEdit
1732 \ for f in expand(<q-args>, 0, 1) |
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001733 \ exe '<mods> split ' .. f |
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001734 \ endfor
1735
1736 function! SpecialEdit(files, mods)
1737 for f in expand(a:files, 0, 1)
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001738 exe a:mods .. ' split ' .. f
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001739 endfor
1740 endfunction
1741 command! -nargs=+ -complete=file Sedit
1742 \ call SpecialEdit(<q-args>, <q-mods>)
1743<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001744 *<reg>* *<register>*
1745 <reg> (See the '-register' attribute) The optional register,
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001746 if specified. Otherwise, expands to nothing. <register>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001747 is a synonym for this.
1748 *<args>*
1749 <args> The command arguments, exactly as supplied (but as
1750 noted above, any count or register can consume some
1751 of the arguments, which are then not part of <args>).
1752 <lt> A single '<' (Less-Than) character. This is needed if you
1753 want to get a literal copy of one of these escape sequences
1754 into the expansion - for example, to get <bang>, use
1755 <lt>bang>.
1756
1757 *<q-args>*
1758If the first two characters of an escape sequence are "q-" (for example,
1759<q-args>) then the value is quoted in such a way as to make it a valid value
1760for use in an expression. This uses the argument as one single value.
Bram Moolenaar51485f02005-06-04 21:55:20 +00001761When there is no argument <q-args> is an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar552f8a12007-03-08 17:12:08 +00001762 *<f-args>*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001763To allow commands to pass their arguments on to a user-defined function, there
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001764is a special form <f-args> ("function args"). This splits the command
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001765arguments at spaces and tabs, quotes each argument individually, and the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001766<f-args> sequence is replaced by the comma-separated list of quoted arguments.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001767See the Mycmd example below. If no arguments are given <f-args> is removed.
Bram Moolenaar552f8a12007-03-08 17:12:08 +00001768 To embed whitespace into an argument of <f-args>, prepend a backslash.
1769<f-args> replaces every pair of backslashes (\\) with one backslash. A
1770backslash followed by a character other than white space or a backslash
1771remains unmodified. Overview:
1772
1773 command <f-args> ~
1774 XX ab 'ab'
1775 XX a\b 'a\b'
1776 XX a\ b 'a b'
1777 XX a\ b 'a ', 'b'
1778 XX a\\b 'a\b'
1779 XX a\\ b 'a\', 'b'
1780 XX a\\\b 'a\\b'
1781 XX a\\\ b 'a\ b'
1782 XX a\\\\b 'a\\b'
1783 XX a\\\\ b 'a\\', 'b'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001784
1785Examples >
1786
1787 " Delete everything after here to the end
1788 :com Ddel +,$d
1789
1790 " Rename the current buffer
1791 :com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=file Ren f <args>|w<bang>
1792
1793 " Replace a range with the contents of a file
1794 " (Enter this all as one line)
1795 :com -range -nargs=1 -complete=file
1796 Replace <line1>-pu_|<line1>,<line2>d|r <args>|<line1>d
1797
1798 " Count the number of lines in the range
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001799 :com! -range -nargs=0 Lines echo <line2> - <line1> + 1 "lines"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001800
1801 " Call a user function (example of <f-args>)
1802 :com -nargs=* Mycmd call Myfunc(<f-args>)
1803
1804When executed as: >
1805 :Mycmd arg1 arg2
1806This will invoke: >
1807 :call Myfunc("arg1","arg2")
1808
1809 :" A more substantial example
1810 :function Allargs(command)
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001811 : let i = 0
1812 : while i < argc()
1813 : if filereadable(argv(i))
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001814 : execute "e " .. argv(i)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001815 : execute a:command
1816 : endif
1817 : let i = i + 1
1818 : endwhile
1819 :endfunction
1820 :command -nargs=+ -complete=command Allargs call Allargs(<q-args>)
1821
1822The command Allargs takes any Vim command(s) as argument and executes it on all
1823files in the argument list. Usage example (note use of the "e" flag to ignore
1824errors and the "update" command to write modified buffers): >
1825 :Allargs %s/foo/bar/ge|update
1826This will invoke: >
1827 :call Allargs("%s/foo/bar/ge|update")
1828<
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001829If the command is defined in Vim9 script (a script that starts with
1830`:vim9script` and in a `:def` function) then {repl} will be executed as in Vim9
1831script. Thus this depends on where the command is defined, not where it is
1832used.
1833
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001834When defining a user command in a script, it will be able to call functions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001835local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the user
1836invokes the user command, it will run in the context of the script it was
1837defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
1838
Bram Moolenaar91f84f62018-07-29 15:07:52 +02001839 vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl: