blob: 6fd08b895744c85d70fd7eeb3f6da8307eba6bdc [file] [log] [blame]
Bram Moolenaar12969c02015-09-08 23:36:10 +02001*insert.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2015 Sep 01
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7 *Insert* *Insert-mode*
8Inserting and replacing text *mode-ins-repl*
9
10Most of this file is about Insert and Replace mode. At the end are a few
11commands for inserting text in other ways.
12
13An overview of the most often used commands can be found in chapter 24 of the
14user manual |usr_24.txt|.
15
161. Special keys |ins-special-keys|
172. Special special keys |ins-special-special|
183. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options |ins-textwidth|
194. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options |ins-expandtab|
205. Replace mode |Replace-mode|
216. Virtual Replace mode |Virtual-Replace-mode|
227. Insert mode completion |ins-completion|
238. Insert mode commands |inserting|
249. Ex insert commands |inserting-ex|
2510. Inserting a file |inserting-file|
26
27Also see 'virtualedit', for moving the cursor to positions where there is no
28character. Useful for editing a table.
29
30==============================================================================
311. Special keys *ins-special-keys*
32
33In Insert and Replace mode, the following characters have a special meaning;
34other characters are inserted directly. To insert one of these special
35characters into the buffer, precede it with CTRL-V. To insert a <Nul>
36character use "CTRL-V CTRL-@" or "CTRL-V 000". On some systems, you have to
37use "CTRL-V 003" to insert a CTRL-C. Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can
38often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
39
40If you are working in a special language mode when inserting text, see the
41'langmap' option, |'langmap'|, on how to avoid switching this mode on and off
42all the time.
43
44If you have 'insertmode' set, <Esc> and a few other keys get another meaning.
45See |'insertmode'|.
46
47char action ~
48-----------------------------------------------------------------------
49 *i_CTRL-[* *i_<Esc>*
50<Esc> or CTRL-[ End insert or Replace mode, go back to Normal mode. Finish
51 abbreviation.
52 Note: If your <Esc> key is hard to hit on your keyboard, train
53 yourself to use CTRL-[.
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +020054 If Esc doesn't work and you are using a Mac, try CTRL-Esc.
55 Or disable Listening under Accessibility preferences.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000056 *i_CTRL-C*
57CTRL-C Quit insert mode, go back to Normal mode. Do not check for
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +000058 abbreviations. Does not trigger the |InsertLeave| autocommand
59 event.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61 *i_CTRL-@*
62CTRL-@ Insert previously inserted text and stop insert. {Vi: only
63 when typed as first char, only up to 128 chars}
64 *i_CTRL-A*
65CTRL-A Insert previously inserted text. {not in Vi}
66
67 *i_CTRL-H* *i_<BS>* *i_BS*
68<BS> or CTRL-H Delete the character before the cursor (see |i_backspacing|
69 about joining lines).
70 See |:fixdel| if your <BS> key does not do what you want.
71 {Vi: does not delete autoindents}
72 *i_<Del>* *i_DEL*
73<Del> Delete the character under the cursor. If the cursor is at
74 the end of the line, and the 'backspace' option includes
75 "eol", delete the <EOL>; the next line is appended after the
76 current one.
77 See |:fixdel| if your <Del> key does not do what you want.
78 {not in Vi}
79 *i_CTRL-W*
80CTRL-W Delete the word before the cursor (see |i_backspacing| about
81 joining lines). See the section "word motions",
82 |word-motions|, for the definition of a word.
83 *i_CTRL-U*
Bram Moolenaarf2571c62015-06-09 19:44:55 +020084CTRL-U Delete all entered characters before the cursor in the current
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +020085 line. If there are no newly entered characters and
86 'backspace' is not empty, delete all characters before the
Bram Moolenaarf2571c62015-06-09 19:44:55 +020087 cursor in the current line.
88 See |i_backspacing| about joining lines.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000089 *i_CTRL-I* *i_<Tab>* *i_Tab*
90<Tab> or CTRL-I Insert a tab. If the 'expandtab' option is on, the
91 equivalent number of spaces is inserted (use CTRL-V <Tab> to
92 avoid the expansion; use CTRL-Q <Tab> if CTRL-V is mapped
93 |i_CTRL-Q|). See also the 'smarttab' option and
94 |ins-expandtab|.
95 *i_CTRL-J* *i_<NL>*
96<NL> or CTRL-J Begin new line.
97 *i_CTRL-M* *i_<CR>*
98<CR> or CTRL-M Begin new line.
99 *i_CTRL-K*
100CTRL-K {char1} [char2]
101 Enter digraph (see |digraphs|). When {char1} is a special
102 key, the code for that key is inserted in <> form. For
103 example, the string "<S-Space>" can be entered by typing
104 <C-K><S-Space> (two keys). Neither char is considered for
105 mapping. {not in Vi}
106
107CTRL-N Find next keyword (see |i_CTRL-N|). {not in Vi}
108CTRL-P Find previous keyword (see |i_CTRL-P|). {not in Vi}
109
110CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+:.-=} *i_CTRL-R*
111 Insert the contents of a register. Between typing CTRL-R and
112 the second character, '"' will be displayed to indicate that
113 you are expected to enter the name of a register.
114 The text is inserted as if you typed it, but mappings and
115 abbreviations are not used. If you have options like
116 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', or 'autoindent' set, this will
117 influence what will be inserted. This is different from what
118 happens with the "p" command and pasting with the mouse.
119 Special registers:
120 '"' the unnamed register, containing the text of
121 the last delete or yank
122 '%' the current file name
123 '#' the alternate file name
124 '*' the clipboard contents (X11: primary selection)
125 '+' the clipboard contents
126 '/' the last search pattern
127 ':' the last command-line
128 '.' the last inserted text
129 '-' the last small (less than a line) delete
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100130 *i_CTRL-R_=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000131 '=' the expression register: you are prompted to
132 enter an expression (see |expression|)
Bram Moolenaar293ee4d2004-12-09 21:34:53 +0000133 Note that 0x80 (128 decimal) is used for
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000134 special keys. E.g., you can use this to move
135 the cursor up:
136 CTRL-R ="\<Up>"
137 Use CTRL-R CTRL-R to insert text literally.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +0000138 When the result is a |List| the items are used
139 as lines. They can have line breaks inside
140 too.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100141 When the result is a Float it's automatically
142 converted to a String.
Bram Moolenaar94f76b72013-07-04 22:50:40 +0200143 When append() or setline() is invoked the undo
144 sequence will be broken.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000145 See |registers| about registers. {not in Vi}
146
147CTRL-R CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-R*
148 Insert the contents of a register. Works like using a single
149 CTRL-R, but the text is inserted literally, not as if typed.
150 This differs when the register contains characters like <BS>.
151 Example, where register a contains "ab^Hc": >
152 CTRL-R a results in "ac".
153 CTRL-R CTRL-R a results in "ab^Hc".
154< Options 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', etc. still apply. If
155 you also want to avoid these, use "<C-R><C-O>r", see below.
156 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
157 typed. {not in Vi}
158
159CTRL-R CTRL-O {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-O*
160 Insert the contents of a register literally and don't
161 auto-indent. Does the same as pasting with the mouse
162 |<MiddleMouse>|.
163 Does not replace characters!
164 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
165 typed. {not in Vi}
166
167CTRL-R CTRL-P {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-P*
168 Insert the contents of a register literally and fix the
169 indent, like |[<MiddleMouse>|.
170 Does not replace characters!
171 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
172 typed. {not in Vi}
173
174 *i_CTRL-T*
175CTRL-T Insert one shiftwidth of indent at the start of the current
176 line. The indent is always rounded to a 'shiftwidth' (this is
177 vi compatible). {Vi: only when in indent}
178 *i_CTRL-D*
179CTRL-D Delete one shiftwidth of indent at the start of the current
180 line. The indent is always rounded to a 'shiftwidth' (this is
181 vi compatible). {Vi: CTRL-D works only when used after
182 autoindent}
183 *i_0_CTRL-D*
1840 CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. {Vi: CTRL-D works
185 only when used after autoindent}
186 *i_^_CTRL-D*
187^ CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. The indent is
188 restored in the next line. This is useful when inserting a
189 label. {Vi: CTRL-D works only when used after autoindent}
190
191 *i_CTRL-V*
192CTRL-V Insert next non-digit literally. For special keys, the
193 terminal code is inserted. It's also possible to enter the
194 decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character
195 |i_CTRL-V_digit|.
196 The characters typed right after CTRL-V are not considered for
197 mapping. {Vi: no decimal byte entry}
198 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped (e.g., to paste text) you can
199 often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
200
201 *i_CTRL-Q*
202CTRL-Q Same as CTRL-V.
203 Note: Some terminal connections may eat CTRL-Q, it doesn't
204 work then. It does work in the GUI.
205
206CTRL-X Enter CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode where commands can
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000207 be given to complete words or scroll the window. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000208 |i_CTRL-X| and |ins-completion|. {not in Vi}
209
210 *i_CTRL-E*
211CTRL-E Insert the character which is below the cursor. {not in Vi}
212 *i_CTRL-Y*
213CTRL-Y Insert the character which is above the cursor. {not in Vi}
214 Note that for CTRL-E and CTRL-Y 'textwidth' is not used, to be
215 able to copy characters from a long line.
216
217 *i_CTRL-_*
218CTRL-_ Switch between languages, as follows:
219 - When in a rightleft window, revins and nohkmap are toggled,
220 since English will likely be inserted in this case.
221 - When in a norightleft window, revins and hkmap are toggled,
222 since Hebrew will likely be inserted in this case.
223
224 CTRL-_ moves the cursor to the end of the typed text.
225
226 This command is only available when the 'allowrevins' option
227 is set.
228 Please refer to |rileft.txt| for more information about
229 right-to-left mode.
230 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +0000231 Only if compiled with the |+rightleft| feature.
232
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000233 *i_CTRL-^*
234CTRL-^ Toggle the use of typing language characters.
235 When language |:lmap| mappings are defined:
236 - If 'iminsert' is 1 (langmap mappings used) it becomes 0 (no
237 langmap mappings used).
238 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 1, thus langmap
239 mappings are enabled.
240 When no language mappings are defined:
241 - If 'iminsert' is 2 (Input Method used) it becomes 0 (no
242 Input Method used).
243 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 2, thus the Input
244 Method is enabled.
245 When set to 1, the value of the "b:keymap_name" variable, the
246 'keymap' option or "<lang>" appears in the status line.
247 The language mappings are normally used to type characters
248 that are different from what the keyboard produces. The
249 'keymap' option can be used to install a whole number of them.
250 {not in Vi}
251
252 *i_CTRL-]*
253CTRL-] Trigger abbreviation, without inserting a character. {not in
254 Vi}
255
256 *i_<Insert>*
257<Insert> Toggle between Insert and Replace mode. {not in Vi}
258-----------------------------------------------------------------------
259
260 *i_backspacing*
261The effect of the <BS>, CTRL-W, and CTRL-U depend on the 'backspace' option
262(unless 'revins' is set). This is a comma separated list of items:
263
264item action ~
265indent allow backspacing over autoindent
266eol allow backspacing over end-of-line (join lines)
267start allow backspacing over the start position of insert; CTRL-W and
268 CTRL-U stop once at the start position
269
270When 'backspace' is empty, Vi compatible backspacing is used. You cannot
271backspace over autoindent, before column 1 or before where insert started.
272
273For backwards compatibility the values "0", "1" and "2" are also allowed, see
274|'backspace'|.
275
276If the 'backspace' option does contain "eol" and the cursor is in column 1
277when one of the three keys is used, the current line is joined with the
278previous line. This effectively deletes the <EOL> in front of the cursor.
279{Vi: does not cross lines, does not delete past start position of insert}
280
281 *i_CTRL-V_digit*
282With CTRL-V the decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character can be
283entered directly. This way you can enter any character, except a line break
284(<NL>, value 10). There are five ways to enter the character value:
285
286first char mode max nr of chars max value ~
287(none) decimal 3 255
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000288o or O octal 3 377 (255)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000289x or X hexadecimal 2 ff (255)
290u hexadecimal 4 ffff (65535)
291U hexadecimal 8 7fffffff (2147483647)
292
293Normally you would type the maximum number of characters. Thus to enter a
294space (value 32) you would type <C-V>032. You can omit the leading zero, in
295which case the character typed after the number must be a non-digit. This
296happens for the other modes as well: As soon as you type a character that is
297invalid for the mode, the value before it will be used and the "invalid"
298character is dealt with in the normal way.
299
300If you enter a value of 10, it will end up in the file as a 0. The 10 is a
301<NL>, which is used internally to represent the <Nul> character. When writing
302the buffer to a file, the <NL> character is translated into <Nul>. The <NL>
303character is written at the end of each line. Thus if you want to insert a
304<NL> character in a file you will have to make a line break.
305
306 *i_CTRL-X* *insert_expand*
307CTRL-X enters a sub-mode where several commands can be used. Most of these
308commands do keyword completion; see |ins-completion|. These are not available
309when Vim was compiled without the |+insert_expand| feature.
310
311Two commands can be used to scroll the window up or down, without exiting
312insert mode:
313
314 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-E*
315CTRL-X CTRL-E scroll window one line up.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000316 When doing completion look here: |complete_CTRL-E|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000317
318 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-Y*
319CTRL-X CTRL-Y scroll window one line down.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000320 When doing completion look here: |complete_CTRL-Y|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000321
322After CTRL-X is pressed, each CTRL-E (CTRL-Y) scrolls the window up (down) by
323one line unless that would cause the cursor to move from its current position
324in the file. As soon as another key is pressed, CTRL-X mode is exited and
325that key is interpreted as in Insert mode.
326
327
328==============================================================================
3292. Special special keys *ins-special-special*
330
331The following keys are special. They stop the current insert, do something,
332and then restart insertion. This means you can do something without getting
333out of Insert mode. This is very handy if you prefer to use the Insert mode
334all the time, just like editors that don't have a separate Normal mode. You
335may also want to set the 'backspace' option to "indent,eol,start" and set the
336'insertmode' option. You can use CTRL-O if you want to map a function key to
337a command.
338
339The changes (inserted or deleted characters) before and after these keys can
340be undone separately. Only the last change can be redone and always behaves
341like an "i" command.
342
343char action ~
344-----------------------------------------------------------------------
345<Up> cursor one line up *i_<Up>*
346<Down> cursor one line down *i_<Down>*
347CTRL-G <Up> cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Up>*
348CTRL-G k cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_k*
349CTRL-G CTRL-K cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-K*
350CTRL-G <Down> cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Down>*
351CTRL-G j cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_j*
352CTRL-G CTRL-J cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-J*
353<Left> cursor one character left *i_<Left>*
354<Right> cursor one character right *i_<Right>*
355<S-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<S-Left>*
356<C-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<C-Left>*
357<S-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<S-Right>*
358<C-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<C-Right>*
359<Home> cursor to first char in the line *i_<Home>*
360<End> cursor to after last char in the line *i_<End>*
361<C-Home> cursor to first char in the file *i_<C-Home>*
362<C-End> cursor to after last char in the file *i_<C-End>*
363<LeftMouse> cursor to position of mouse click *i_<LeftMouse>*
364<S-Up> move window one page up *i_<S-Up>*
365<PageUp> move window one page up *i_<PageUp>*
366<S-Down> move window one page down *i_<S-Down>*
367<PageDown> move window one page down *i_<PageDown>*
Bram Moolenaar8d9b40e2010-07-25 15:49:07 +0200368<ScrollWheelDown> move window three lines down *i_<ScrollWheelDown>*
369<S-ScrollWheelDown> move window one page down *i_<S-ScrollWheelDown>*
370<ScrollWheelUp> move window three lines up *i_<ScrollWheelUp>*
371<S-ScrollWheelUp> move window one page up *i_<S-ScrollWheelUp>*
372<ScrollWheelLeft> move window six columns left *i_<ScrollWheelLeft>*
373<S-ScrollWheelLeft> move window one page left *i_<S-ScrollWheelLeft>*
374<ScrollWheelRight> move window six columns right *i_<ScrollWheelRight>*
375<S-ScrollWheelRight> move window one page right *i_<S-ScrollWheelRight>*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000376CTRL-O execute one command, return to Insert mode *i_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000377CTRL-\ CTRL-O like CTRL-O but don't move the cursor *i_CTRL-\_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000378CTRL-L when 'insertmode' is set: go to Normal mode *i_CTRL-L*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000379CTRL-G u break undo sequence, start new change *i_CTRL-G_u*
Bram Moolenaar8b5f65a2015-09-01 19:26:12 +0200380CTRL-G U don't break undo with next left/right cursor *i_CTRL-G_U*
381 movement (but only if the cursor stays
382 within same the line)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000383-----------------------------------------------------------------------
384
385Note: If the cursor keys take you out of Insert mode, check the 'noesckeys'
386option.
387
388The CTRL-O command sometimes has a side effect: If the cursor was beyond the
389end of the line, it will be put on the last character in the line. In
390mappings it's often better to use <Esc> (first put an "x" in the text, <Esc>
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000391will then always put the cursor on it). Or use CTRL-\ CTRL-O, but then
Bram Moolenaara3e6bc92013-01-30 14:18:00 +0100392beware of the cursor possibly being beyond the end of the line. Note that the
393command following CTRL-\ CTRL-O can still move the cursor, it is not restored
394to its original position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000395
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +0200396The CTRL-O command takes you to Normal mode. If you then use a command enter
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +0200397Insert mode again it normally doesn't nest. Thus when typing "a<C-O>a" and
398then <Esc> takes you back to Normal mode, you do not need to type <Esc> twice.
399An exception is when not typing the command, e.g. when executing a mapping or
400sourcing a script. This makes mappings work that briefly switch to Insert
401mode.
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +0200402
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000403The shifted cursor keys are not available on all terminals.
404
405Another side effect is that a count specified before the "i" or "a" command is
406ignored. That is because repeating the effect of the command after CTRL-O is
407too complicated.
408
409An example for using CTRL-G u: >
410
411 :inoremap <C-H> <C-G>u<C-H>
412
413This redefines the backspace key to start a new undo sequence. You can now
414undo the effect of the backspace key, without changing what you typed before
Bram Moolenaar5b435d62012-04-05 17:33:26 +0200415that, with CTRL-O u. Another example: >
416
417 :inoremap <CR> <C-]><C-G>u<CR>
418
419This breaks undo at each line break. It also expands abbreviations before
420this.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000421
Bram Moolenaar8b5f65a2015-09-01 19:26:12 +0200422An example for using CTRL-G U: >
423
424 inoremap <Left> <C-G>U<Left>
425 inoremap <Right> <C-G>U<Right>
426 inoremap <expr> <Home> col('.') == match(getline('.'), '\S') + 1 ?
427 \ repeat('<C-G>U<Left>', col('.') - 1) :
428 \ (col('.') < match(getline('.'), '\S') ?
429 \ repeat('<C-G>U<Right>', match(getline('.'), '\S') + 0) :
430 \ repeat('<C-G>U<Left>', col('.') - 1 - match(getline('.'), '\S')))
431 inoremap <expr> <End> repeat('<C-G>U<Right>', col('$') - col('.'))
432 inoremap ( ()<C-G>U<Left>
433
434This makes it possible to use the cursor keys in Insert mode, without breaking
435the undo sequence and therefore using |.| (redo) will work as expected.
436Also entering a text like (with the "(" mapping from above): >
437
438 Lorem ipsum (dolor
439
440will be repeatable by the |.|to the expected
441
442 Lorem ipsum (dolor)
443
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000444Using CTRL-O splits undo: the text typed before and after it is undone
445separately. If you want to avoid this (e.g., in a mapping) you might be able
446to use CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. E.g., to call a function: >
447 :imap <F2> <C-R>=MyFunc()<CR>
448
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000449When the 'whichwrap' option is set appropriately, the <Left> and <Right>
450keys on the first/last character in the line make the cursor wrap to the
451previous/next line.
452
453The CTRL-G j and CTRL-G k commands can be used to insert text in front of a
454column. Example: >
455 int i;
456 int j;
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000457Position the cursor on the first "int", type "istatic <C-G>j ". The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000458result is: >
459 static int i;
460 int j;
461When inserting the same text in front of the column in every line, use the
462Visual blockwise command "I" |v_b_I|.
463
464==============================================================================
4653. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options *ins-textwidth*
466
467The 'textwidth' option can be used to automatically break a line before it
468gets too long. Set the 'textwidth' option to the desired maximum line
469length. If you then type more characters (not spaces or tabs), the
470last word will be put on a new line (unless it is the only word on the
471line). If you set 'textwidth' to 0, this feature is disabled.
472
473The 'wrapmargin' option does almost the same. The difference is that
474'textwidth' has a fixed width while 'wrapmargin' depends on the width of the
475screen. When using 'wrapmargin' this is equal to using 'textwidth' with a
476value equal to (columns - 'wrapmargin'), where columns is the width of the
477screen.
478
479When 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' are both set, 'textwidth' is used.
480
481If you don't really want to break the line, but view the line wrapped at a
482convenient place, see the 'linebreak' option.
483
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000484The line is only broken automatically when using Insert mode, or when
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000485appending to a line. When in replace mode and the line length is not
486changed, the line will not be broken.
487
488Long lines are broken if you enter a non-white character after the margin.
489The situations where a line will be broken can be restricted by adding
490characters to the 'formatoptions' option:
491"l" Only break a line if it was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
492 started.
493"v" Only break at a white character that has been entered during the
494 current insert command. This is mostly Vi-compatible.
495"lv" Only break if the line was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
496 started and only at a white character that has been entered during the
497 current insert command. Only differs from "l" when entering non-white
498 characters while crossing the 'textwidth' boundary.
499
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000500Normally an internal function will be used to decide where to break the line.
501If you want to do it in a different way set the 'formatexpr' option to an
502expression that will take care of the line break.
503
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000504If you want to format a block of text, you can use the "gq" operator. Type
505"gq" and a movement command to move the cursor to the end of the block. In
506many cases, the command "gq}" will do what you want (format until the end of
507paragraph). Alternatively, you can use "gqap", which will format the whole
508paragraph, no matter where the cursor currently is. Or you can use Visual
509mode: hit "v", move to the end of the block, and type "gq". See also |gq|.
510
511==============================================================================
5124. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options *ins-expandtab*
513
514If the 'expandtab' option is on, spaces will be used to fill the amount of
515whitespace of the tab. If you want to enter a real <Tab>, type CTRL-V first
516(use CTRL-Q when CTRL-V is mapped |i_CTRL-Q|).
517The 'expandtab' option is off by default. Note that in Replace mode, a single
518character is replaced with several spaces. The result of this is that the
519number of characters in the line increases. Backspacing will delete one
520space at a time. The original character will be put back for only one space
521that you backspace over (the last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab'
522option}
523
524 *ins-smarttab*
525When the 'smarttab' option is on, a <Tab> inserts 'shiftwidth' positions at
526the beginning of a line and 'tabstop' positions in other places. This means
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200527that often spaces instead of a <Tab> character are inserted. When 'smarttab'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000528is off, a <Tab> always inserts 'tabstop' positions, and 'shiftwidth' is only
529used for ">>" and the like. {not in Vi}
530
531 *ins-softtabstop*
532When the 'softtabstop' option is non-zero, a <Tab> inserts 'softtabstop'
533positions, and a <BS> used to delete white space, will delete 'softtabstop'
534positions. This feels like 'tabstop' was set to 'softtabstop', but a real
535<Tab> character still takes 'tabstop' positions, so your file will still look
536correct when used by other applications.
537
538If 'softtabstop' is non-zero, a <BS> will try to delete as much white space to
539move to the previous 'softtabstop' position, except when the previously
540inserted character is a space, then it will only delete the character before
541the cursor. Otherwise you cannot always delete a single character before the
542cursor. You will have to delete 'softtabstop' characters first, and then type
543extra spaces to get where you want to be.
544
545==============================================================================
5465. Replace mode *Replace* *Replace-mode* *mode-replace*
547
548Enter Replace mode with the "R" command in normal mode.
549
550In Replace mode, one character in the line is deleted for every character you
551type. If there is no character to delete (at the end of the line), the
552typed character is appended (as in Insert mode). Thus the number of
553characters in a line stays the same until you get to the end of the line.
554If a <NL> is typed, a line break is inserted and no character is deleted.
555
556Be careful with <Tab> characters. If you type a normal printing character in
557its place, the number of characters is still the same, but the number of
558columns will become smaller.
559
560If you delete characters in Replace mode (with <BS>, CTRL-W, or CTRL-U), what
561happens is that you delete the changes. The characters that were replaced
562are restored. If you had typed past the existing text, the characters you
563added are deleted. This is effectively a character-at-a-time undo.
564
565If the 'expandtab' option is on, a <Tab> will replace one character with
566several spaces. The result of this is that the number of characters in the
567line increases. Backspacing will delete one space at a time. The original
568character will be put back for only one space that you backspace over (the
569last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab' option}
570
571==============================================================================
5726. Virtual Replace mode *vreplace-mode* *Virtual-Replace-mode*
573
574Enter Virtual Replace mode with the "gR" command in normal mode.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +0200575{not available when compiled without the |+vreplace| feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000576{Vi does not have Virtual Replace mode}
577
578Virtual Replace mode is similar to Replace mode, but instead of replacing
579actual characters in the file, you are replacing screen real estate, so that
580characters further on in the file never appear to move.
581
582So if you type a <Tab> it may replace several normal characters, and if you
583type a letter on top of a <Tab> it may not replace anything at all, since the
584<Tab> will still line up to the same place as before.
585
586Typing a <NL> still doesn't cause characters later in the file to appear to
587move. The rest of the current line will be replaced by the <NL> (that is,
588they are deleted), and replacing continues on the next line. A new line is
589NOT inserted unless you go past the end of the file.
590
591Interesting effects are seen when using CTRL-T and CTRL-D. The characters
592before the cursor are shifted sideways as normal, but characters later in the
593line still remain still. CTRL-T will hide some of the old line under the
594shifted characters, but CTRL-D will reveal them again.
595
596As with Replace mode, using <BS> etc will bring back the characters that were
597replaced. This still works in conjunction with 'smartindent', CTRL-T and
598CTRL-D, 'expandtab', 'smarttab', 'softtabstop', etc.
599
600In 'list' mode, Virtual Replace mode acts as if it was not in 'list' mode,
601unless "L" is in 'cpoptions'.
602
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +0200603Note that the only situations for which characters beyond the cursor should
604appear to move are in List mode |'list'|, and occasionally when 'wrap' is set
605(and the line changes length to become shorter or wider than the width of the
606screen). In other cases spaces may be inserted to avoid following characters
607to move.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000608
609This mode is very useful for editing <Tab> separated columns in tables, for
610entering new data while keeping all the columns aligned.
611
612==============================================================================
6137. Insert mode completion *ins-completion*
614
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000615In Insert and Replace mode, there are several commands to complete part of a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000616keyword or line that has been typed. This is useful if you are using
617complicated keywords (e.g., function names with capitals and underscores).
618
619These commands are not available when the |+insert_expand| feature was
620disabled at compile time.
621
622Completion can be done for:
623
6241. Whole lines |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L|
6252. keywords in the current file |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N|
6263. keywords in 'dictionary' |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K|
6274. keywords in 'thesaurus', thesaurus-style |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T|
6285. keywords in the current and included files |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I|
6296. tags |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]|
6307. file names |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F|
6318. definitions or macros |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D|
6329. Vim command-line |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V|
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +000063310. User defined completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U|
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +000063411. omni completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O|
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +000063512. Spelling suggestions |i_CTRL-X_s|
63613. keywords in 'complete' |i_CTRL-N|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000637
638All these (except 2) are done in CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode of Insert
639and Replace modes. You enter CTRL-X mode by typing CTRL-X and one of the
640CTRL-X commands. You exit CTRL-X mode by typing a key that is not a valid
641CTRL-X mode command. Valid keys are the CTRL-X command itself, CTRL-N (next),
642and CTRL-P (previous).
643
644Also see the 'infercase' option if you want to adjust the case of the match.
645
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000646 *complete_CTRL-E*
647When completion is active you can use CTRL-E to stop it and go back to the
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000648originally typed text. The CTRL-E will not be inserted.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000649
650 *complete_CTRL-Y*
651When the popup menu is displayed you can use CTRL-Y to stop completion and
652accept the currently selected entry. The CTRL-Y is not inserted. Typing a
653space, Enter, or some other unprintable character will leave completion mode
654and insert that typed character.
655
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000656When the popup menu is displayed there are a few more special keys, see
657|popupmenu-keys|.
658
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000659Note: The keys that are valid in CTRL-X mode are not mapped. This allows for
660":map ^F ^X^F" to work (where ^F is CTRL-F and ^X is CTRL-X). The key that
661ends CTRL-X mode (any key that is not a valid CTRL-X mode command) is mapped.
662Also, when doing completion with 'complete' mappings apply as usual.
663
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +0000664Note: While completion is active Insert mode can't be used recursively.
665Mappings that somehow invoke ":normal i.." will generate an E523 error.
666
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000667The following mappings are suggested to make typing the completion commands
668a bit easier (although they will hide other commands): >
669 :inoremap ^] ^X^]
670 :inoremap ^F ^X^F
671 :inoremap ^D ^X^D
672 :inoremap ^L ^X^L
673
674As a special case, typing CTRL-R to perform register insertion (see
675|i_CTRL-R|) will not exit CTRL-X mode. This is primarily to allow the use of
676the '=' register to call some function to determine the next operation. If
677the contents of the register (or result of the '=' register evaluation) are
678not valid CTRL-X mode keys, then CTRL-X mode will be exited as if those keys
679had been typed.
680
681For example, the following will map <Tab> to either actually insert a <Tab> if
682the current line is currently only whitespace, or start/continue a CTRL-N
683completion operation: >
684
685 function! CleverTab()
686 if strpart( getline('.'), 0, col('.')-1 ) =~ '^\s*$'
687 return "\<Tab>"
688 else
689 return "\<C-N>"
Bram Moolenaarb52073a2010-03-17 20:02:06 +0100690 endif
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000691 endfunction
692 inoremap <Tab> <C-R>=CleverTab()<CR>
693
694
695
696Completing whole lines *compl-whole-line*
697
698 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L*
699CTRL-X CTRL-L Search backwards for a line that starts with the
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000700 same characters as those in the current line before
701 the cursor. Indent is ignored. The matching line is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000702 inserted in front of the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000703 The 'complete' option is used to decide which buffers
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000704 are searched for a match. Both loaded and unloaded
705 buffers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000706 CTRL-L or
707 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching line. This line
708 replaces the previous matching line.
709
710 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching line. This line
711 replaces the previous matching line.
712
713 CTRL-X CTRL-L After expanding a line you can additionally get the
714 line next to it by typing CTRL-X CTRL-L again, unless
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100715 a double CTRL-X is used. Only works for loaded
716 buffers.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000717
718Completing keywords in current file *compl-current*
719
720 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-P*
721 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N*
722CTRL-X CTRL-N Search forwards for words that start with the keyword
723 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
724 in front of the cursor.
725
726CTRL-X CTRL-P Search backwards for words that start with the keyword
727 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
728 in front of the cursor.
729
730 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
731 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
732
733 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
734 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
735
736 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
737 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
738 copy the words following the previous expansion in
739 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
740
741If there is a keyword in front of the cursor (a name made out of alphabetic
742characters and characters in 'iskeyword'), it is used as the search pattern,
743with "\<" prepended (meaning: start of a word). Otherwise "\<\k\k" is used
744as search pattern (start of any keyword of at least two characters).
745
746In Replace mode, the number of characters that are replaced depends on the
747length of the matched string. This works like typing the characters of the
748matched string in Replace mode.
749
750If there is not a valid keyword character before the cursor, any keyword of
751at least two characters is matched.
752 e.g., to get:
753 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], vector[1], vector[2]);
754 just type:
755 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], ^P[1], ^P[2]);
756
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000757The search wraps around the end of the file, the value of 'wrapscan' is not
758used here.
759
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000760Multiple repeats of the same completion are skipped; thus a different match
761will be inserted at each CTRL-N and CTRL-P (unless there is only one
762matching keyword).
763
764Single character matches are never included, as they usually just get in
765the way of what you were really after.
766 e.g., to get:
767 printf("name = %s\n", name);
768 just type:
769 printf("name = %s\n", n^P);
770 or even:
771 printf("name = %s\n", ^P);
772The 'n' in '\n' is skipped.
773
774After expanding a word, you can use CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N to get the
775word following the expansion in other contexts. These sequences search for
776the text just expanded and further expand by getting an extra word. This is
777useful if you need to repeat a sequence of complicated words. Although CTRL-P
778and CTRL-N look just for strings of at least two characters, CTRL-X CTRL-P and
779CTRL-X CTRL-N can be used to expand words of just one character.
780 e.g., to get:
781 M&eacute;xico
782 you can type:
783 M^N^P^X^P^X^P
784CTRL-N starts the expansion and then CTRL-P takes back the single character
785"M", the next two CTRL-X CTRL-P's get the words "&eacute" and ";xico".
786
787If the previous expansion was split, because it got longer than 'textwidth',
788then just the text in the current line will be used.
789
790If the match found is at the end of a line, then the first word in the next
791line will be inserted and the message "word from next line" displayed, if
792this word is accepted the next CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N will search
793for those lines starting with this word.
794
795
796Completing keywords in 'dictionary' *compl-dictionary*
797
798 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K*
799CTRL-X CTRL-K Search the files given with the 'dictionary' option
800 for words that start with the keyword in front of the
801 cursor. This is like CTRL-N, but only the dictionary
802 files are searched, not the current file. The found
803 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor. This
804 could potentially be pretty slow, since all matches
805 are found before the first match is used. By default,
806 the 'dictionary' option is empty.
807 For suggestions where to find a list of words, see the
808 'dictionary' option.
809
810 CTRL-K or
811 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
812 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
813
814 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
815 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
816
817 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000818CTRL-X CTRL-T Works as CTRL-X CTRL-K, but in a special way. It uses
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000819 the 'thesaurus' option instead of 'dictionary'. If a
820 match is found in the thesaurus file, all the
821 remaining words on the same line are included as
822 matches, even though they don't complete the word.
823 Thus a word can be completely replaced.
824
825 For an example, imagine the 'thesaurus' file has a
826 line like this: >
827 angry furious mad enraged
828< Placing the cursor after the letters "ang" and typing
829 CTRL-X CTRL-T would complete the word "angry";
830 subsequent presses would change the word to "furious",
831 "mad" etc.
832 Other uses include translation between two languages,
833 or grouping API functions by keyword.
834
835 CTRL-T or
836 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
837 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
838
839 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
840 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
841
842
843Completing keywords in the current and included files *compl-keyword*
844
845The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
846name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
847
848 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I*
849CTRL-X CTRL-I Search for the first keyword in the current and
850 included files that starts with the same characters
851 as those before the cursor. The matched keyword is
852 inserted in front of the cursor.
853
854 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching keyword. This
855 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
856 Note: CTRL-I is the same as <Tab>, which is likely to
857 be typed after a successful completion, therefore
858 CTRL-I is not used for searching for the next match.
859
860 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching keyword. This
861 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
862
863 CTRL-X CTRL-I Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-I will copy the words
864 following the previous expansion in other contexts
865 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
866
867Completing tags *compl-tag*
868 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]*
869CTRL-X CTRL-] Search for the first tag that starts with the same
870 characters as before the cursor. The matching tag is
871 inserted in front of the cursor. Alphabetic
872 characters and characters in 'iskeyword' are used
873 to decide which characters are included in the tag
874 name (same as for a keyword). See also |CTRL-]|.
875 The 'showfulltag' option can be used to add context
876 from around the tag definition.
877 CTRL-] or
878 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching tag. This tag
879 replaces the previous matching tag.
880
881 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching tag. This tag
882 replaces the previous matching tag.
883
884
885Completing file names *compl-filename*
886 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F*
887CTRL-X CTRL-F Search for the first file name that starts with the
888 same characters as before the cursor. The matching
889 file name is inserted in front of the cursor.
890 Alphabetic characters and characters in 'isfname'
891 are used to decide which characters are included in
892 the file name. Note: the 'path' option is not used
893 here (yet).
894 CTRL-F or
895 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching file name. This
896 file name replaces the previous matching file name.
897
898 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching file name.
899 This file name replaces the previous matching file
900 name.
901
902
903Completing definitions or macros *compl-define*
904
905The 'define' option is used to specify a line that contains a definition.
906The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
907name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
908
909 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D*
910CTRL-X CTRL-D Search in the current and included files for the
911 first definition (or macro) name that starts with
912 the same characters as before the cursor. The found
913 definition name is inserted in front of the cursor.
914 CTRL-D or
915 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching macro name. This
916 macro name replaces the previous matching macro
917 name.
918
919 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching macro name.
920 This macro name replaces the previous matching macro
921 name.
922
923 CTRL-X CTRL-D Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-D will copy the words
924 following the previous expansion in other contexts
925 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
926
927
928Completing Vim commands *compl-vim*
929
930Completion is context-sensitive. It works like on the Command-line. It
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000931completes an Ex command as well as its arguments. This is useful when writing
932a Vim script.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000933
934 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V*
935CTRL-X CTRL-V Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
936 find the first match for it.
937 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can often use CTRL-Q
Bram Moolenaar3577c6f2008-06-24 21:16:56 +0000938 instead of |i_CTRL-Q|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000939 CTRL-V or
940 CTRL-N Search forwards for next match. This match replaces
941 the previous one.
942
Bram Moolenaar3577c6f2008-06-24 21:16:56 +0000943 CTRL-P Search backwards for previous match. This match
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000944 replaces the previous one.
945
946 CTRL-X CTRL-V Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-V will do the same as
947 CTRL-V. This allows mapping a key to do Vim command
948 completion, for example: >
949 :imap <Tab> <C-X><C-V>
950
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000951User defined completion *compl-function*
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000952
953Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000954'completefunc' option. See below for how the function is called and an
955example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000956
957 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U*
958CTRL-X CTRL-U Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
959 find the first match for it.
960 CTRL-U or
961 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
962 one.
963
964 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
965 previous one.
966
967
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000968Omni completion *compl-omni*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000969
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000970Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000971'omnifunc' option. This is to be used for filetype-specific completion.
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000972
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000973See below for how the function is called and an example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000974For remarks about specific filetypes see |compl-omni-filetypes|.
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +0000975More completion scripts will appear, check www.vim.org. Currently there is a
976first version for C++.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000977
978 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O*
979CTRL-X CTRL-O Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
980 find the first match for it.
981 CTRL-O or
982 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
983 one.
984
985 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
986 previous one.
987
988
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000989Spelling suggestions *compl-spelling*
990
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +0000991A word before or at the cursor is located and correctly spelled words are
992suggested to replace it. If there is a badly spelled word in the line, before
993or under the cursor, the cursor is moved to after it. Otherwise the word just
994before the cursor is used for suggestions, even though it isn't badly spelled.
995
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000996NOTE: CTRL-S suspends display in many Unix terminals. Use 's' instead. Type
997CTRL-Q to resume displaying.
998
999 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-S* *i_CTRL-X_s*
1000CTRL-X CTRL-S or
1001CTRL-X s Locate the word in front of the cursor and find the
1002 first spell suggestion for it.
1003 CTRL-S or
1004 CTRL-N Use the next suggestion. This replaces the previous
1005 one. Note that you can't use 's' here.
1006
1007 CTRL-P Use the previous suggestion. This replaces the
1008 previous one.
1009
1010
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001011Completing keywords from different sources *compl-generic*
1012
1013 *i_CTRL-N*
1014CTRL-N Find next match for words that start with the
1015 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
1016 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
1017 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
1018
1019 *i_CTRL-P*
1020CTRL-P Find previous match for words that start with the
1021 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
1022 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
1023 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
1024
1025 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
1026 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
1027
1028 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
1029 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
1030
1031 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
1032 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
1033 copy the words following the previous expansion in
1034 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
1035
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001036
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001037FUNCTIONS FOR FINDING COMPLETIONS *complete-functions*
1038
1039This applies to 'completefunc' and 'omnifunc'.
1040
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001041The function is called in two different ways:
1042- First the function is called to find the start of the text to be completed.
1043- Later the function is called to actually find the matches.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001044
1045On the first invocation the arguments are:
1046 a:findstart 1
1047 a:base empty
1048
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001049The function must return the column where the completion starts. It must be a
1050number between zero and the cursor column "col('.')". This involves looking
1051at the characters just before the cursor and including those characters that
1052could be part of the completed item. The text between this column and the
Bram Moolenaar8e52a592012-05-18 21:49:28 +02001053cursor column will be replaced with the matches.
1054
1055Special return values:
1056 -1 If no completion can be done, the completion will be cancelled with an
1057 error message.
1058 -2 To cancel silently and stay in completion mode.
1059 -3 To cancel silently and leave completion mode.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001060
1061On the second invocation the arguments are:
1062 a:findstart 0
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001063 a:base the text with which matches should match; the text that was
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001064 located in the first call (can be empty)
1065
1066The function must return a List with the matching words. These matches
1067usually include the "a:base" text. When there are no matches return an empty
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001068List.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +02001069
1070In order to return more information than the matching words, return a Dict
1071that contains the List. The Dict can have these items:
1072 words The List of matching words (mandatory).
1073 refresh A string to control re-invocation of the function
1074 (optional).
1075 The only value currently recognized is "always", the
1076 effect is that the function is called whenever the
1077 leading text is changed.
1078Other items are ignored.
1079
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02001080For acting upon end of completion, see the |CompleteDone| autocommand event.
1081
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +02001082For example, the function can contain this: >
1083 let matches = ... list of words ...
1084 return {'words': matches, 'refresh': 'always'}
1085<
Bram Moolenaar5c4bab02006-03-10 21:37:46 +00001086 *complete-items*
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001087Each list item can either be a string or a Dictionary. When it is a string it
1088is used as the completion. When it is a Dictionary it can contain these
1089items:
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001090 word the text that will be inserted, mandatory
1091 abbr abbreviation of "word"; when not empty it is used in
1092 the menu instead of "word"
Bram Moolenaar8dff8182006-04-06 20:18:50 +00001093 menu extra text for the popup menu, displayed after "word"
1094 or "abbr"
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001095 info more information about the item, can be displayed in a
1096 preview window
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001097 kind single letter indicating the type of completion
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00001098 icase when non-zero case is to be ignored when comparing
1099 items to be equal; when omitted zero is used, thus
1100 items that only differ in case are added
Bram Moolenaar4a85b412006-04-23 22:40:29 +00001101 dup when non-zero this match will be added even when an
1102 item with the same word is already present.
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001103 empty when non-zero this match will be added even when it is
1104 an empty string
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001105
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +02001106All of these except 'icase', 'dup' and 'empty' must be a string. If an item
1107does not meet these requirements then an error message is given and further
1108items in the list are not used. You can mix string and Dictionary items in
1109the returned list.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001110
1111The "menu" item is used in the popup menu and may be truncated, thus it should
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001112be relatively short. The "info" item can be longer, it will be displayed in
1113the preview window when "preview" appears in 'completeopt'. The "info" item
1114will also remain displayed after the popup menu has been removed. This is
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001115useful for function arguments. Use a single space for "info" to remove
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02001116existing text in the preview window. The size of the preview window is three
1117lines, but 'previewheight' is used when it has a value of 1 or 2.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001118
1119The "kind" item uses a single letter to indicate the kind of completion. This
1120may be used to show the completion differently (different color or icon).
1121Currently these types can be used:
1122 v variable
1123 f function or method
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001124 m member of a struct or class
1125 t typedef
1126 d #define or macro
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001127
1128When searching for matches takes some time call |complete_add()| to add each
1129match to the total list. These matches should then not appear in the returned
1130list! Call |complete_check()| now and then to allow the user to press a key
1131while still searching for matches. Stop searching when it returns non-zero.
1132
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001133 *E839* *E840*
1134The function is allowed to move the cursor, it is restored afterwards.
1135The function is not allowed to move to another window or delete text.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001136
1137An example that completes the names of the months: >
1138 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1139 if a:findstart
1140 " locate the start of the word
1141 let line = getline('.')
1142 let start = col('.') - 1
1143 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1144 let start -= 1
1145 endwhile
1146 return start
1147 else
1148 " find months matching with "a:base"
1149 let res = []
1150 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1151 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1152 call add(res, m)
1153 endif
1154 endfor
1155 return res
1156 endif
1157 endfun
1158 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1159<
1160The same, but now pretending searching for matches is slow: >
1161 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1162 if a:findstart
1163 " locate the start of the word
1164 let line = getline('.')
1165 let start = col('.') - 1
1166 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1167 let start -= 1
1168 endwhile
1169 return start
1170 else
1171 " find months matching with "a:base"
1172 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1173 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1174 call complete_add(m)
1175 endif
1176 sleep 300m " simulate searching for next match
1177 if complete_check()
1178 break
1179 endif
1180 endfor
1181 return []
1182 endif
1183 endfun
1184 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1185<
1186
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001187INSERT COMPLETION POPUP MENU *ins-completion-menu*
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00001188 *popupmenu-completion*
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001189Vim can display the matches in a simplistic popup menu.
1190
1191The menu is used when:
Bram Moolenaara2031822006-03-07 22:29:51 +00001192- The 'completeopt' option contains "menu" or "menuone".
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001193- The terminal supports at least 8 colors.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00001194- There are at least two matches. One if "menuone" is used.
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001195
Bram Moolenaar56718732006-03-15 22:53:57 +00001196The 'pumheight' option can be used to set a maximum height. The default is to
1197use all space available.
1198
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001199There are three states:
12001. A complete match has been inserted, e.g., after using CTRL-N or CTRL-P.
12012. A cursor key has been used to select another match. The match was not
1202 inserted then, only the entry in the popup menu is highlighted.
12033. Only part of a match has been inserted and characters were typed or the
1204 backspace key was used. The list of matches was then adjusted for what is
1205 in front of the cursor.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001206
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001207You normally start in the first state, with the first match being inserted.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001208When "longest" is in 'completeopt' and there is more than one match you start
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001209in the third state.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001210
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001211If you select another match, e.g., with CTRL-N or CTRL-P, you go to the first
1212state. This doesn't change the list of matches.
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001213
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001214When you are back at the original text then you are in the third state. To
Bram Moolenaara2031822006-03-07 22:29:51 +00001215get there right away you can use a mapping that uses CTRL-P right after
1216starting the completion: >
1217 :imap <F7> <C-N><C-P>
Bram Moolenaar76916e62006-03-21 21:23:25 +00001218<
1219 *popupmenu-keys*
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001220In the first state these keys have a special meaning:
1221<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the word before
1222 the cursor. This reduces the list of matches, often to one
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001223 entry, and switches to the second state.
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001224Any non-special character:
1225 Stop completion without changing the match and insert the
1226 typed character.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001227
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001228In the second and third state these keys have a special meaning:
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001229<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the shorter word
1230 before the cursor. This may find more matches.
1231CTRL-L Add one character from the current match, may reduce the
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001232 number of matches.
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001233any printable, non-white character:
1234 Add this character and reduce the number of matches.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001235
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001236In all three states these can be used:
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +00001237CTRL-Y Yes: Accept the currently selected match and stop completion.
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001238CTRL-E End completion, go back to what was there before selecting a
1239 match (what was typed or longest common string).
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001240<PageUp> Select a match several entries back, but don't insert it.
1241<PageDown> Select a match several entries further, but don't insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001242<Up> Select the previous match, as if CTRL-P was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001243 insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001244<Down> Select the next match, as if CTRL-N was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001245 insert it.
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001246<Space> or <Tab> Stop completion without changing the match and insert the
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001247 typed character.
1248
Bram Moolenaar044b68f2007-05-10 17:39:52 +00001249The behavior of the <Enter> key depends on the state you are in:
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001250first state: Use the text as it is and insert a line break.
1251second state: Insert the currently selected match.
1252third state: Use the text as it is and insert a line break.
1253
1254In other words: If you used the cursor keys to select another entry in the
Bram Moolenaar044b68f2007-05-10 17:39:52 +00001255list of matches then the <Enter> key inserts that match. If you typed
1256something else then <Enter> inserts a line break.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001257
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001258
1259The colors of the menu can be changed with these highlight groups:
1260Pmenu normal item |hl-Pmenu|
1261PmenuSel selected item |hl-PmenuSel|
1262PmenuSbar scrollbar |hl-PmenuSbar|
1263PmenuThumb thumb of the scrollbar |hl-PmenuThumb|
1264
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001265There are no special mappings for when the popup menu is visible. However,
1266you can use an Insert mode mapping that checks the |pumvisible()| function to
1267do something different. Example: >
1268 :inoremap <Down> <C-R>=pumvisible() ? "\<lt>C-N>" : "\<lt>Down>"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001269
Bram Moolenaar5c4bab02006-03-10 21:37:46 +00001270You can use of <expr> in mapping to have the popup menu used when typing a
1271character and some condition is met. For example, for typing a dot: >
1272 inoremap <expr> . MayComplete()
1273 func MayComplete()
1274 if (can complete)
1275 return ".\<C-X>\<C-O>"
1276 endif
1277 return '.'
1278 endfunc
1279
1280See |:map-<expr>| for more info.
1281
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001282
1283FILETYPE-SPECIFIC REMARKS FOR OMNI COMPLETION *compl-omni-filetypes*
1284
1285The file used for {filetype} should be autoload/{filetype}complete.vim
1286in 'runtimepath'. Thus for "java" it is autoload/javacomplete.vim.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001287
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001288
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001289C *ft-c-omni*
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001290
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001291Completion of C code requires a tags file. You should use Exuberant ctags,
1292because it adds extra information that is needed for completion. You can find
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001293it here: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/ Version 5.6 or later is recommended.
1294
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001295For version 5.5.4 you should add a patch that adds the "typename:" field:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001296 ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/unstable/patches/ctags-5.5.4.patch
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001297A compiled .exe for MS-Windows can be found at:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001298 http://georgevreilly.com/vim/ctags.html
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001299
1300If you want to complete system functions you can do something like this. Use
1301ctags to generate a tags file for all the system header files: >
1302 % ctags -R -f ~/.vim/systags /usr/include /usr/local/include
1303In your vimrc file add this tags file to the 'tags' option: >
1304 set tags+=~/.vim/systags
1305
1306When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after a name without any "." or "->" it is completed
1307from the tags file directly. This works for any identifier, also function
1308names. If you want to complete a local variable name, which does not appear
1309in the tags file, use CTRL-P instead.
1310
1311When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after something that has "." or "->" Vim will attempt
1312to recognize the type of the variable and figure out what members it has.
1313This means only members valid for the variable will be listed.
1314
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001315When a member name already was complete, CTRL-X CTRL-O will add a "." or
1316"->" for composite types.
1317
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001318Vim doesn't include a C compiler, only the most obviously formatted
1319declarations are recognized. Preprocessor stuff may cause confusion.
1320When the same structure name appears in multiple places all possible members
1321are included.
1322
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001323
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001324CSS *ft-css-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001325
1326Complete properties and their appropriate values according to CSS 2.1
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001327specification.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001328
1329
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001330HTML *ft-html-omni*
1331XHTML *ft-xhtml-omni*
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001332
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001333CTRL-X CTRL-O provides completion of various elements of (X)HTML files. It is
Bram Moolenaardb6ea062014-07-10 22:01:47 +02001334designed to support writing of XHTML 1.0 Strict files but will also work for
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001335other versions of HTML. Features:
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001336
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001337- after "<" complete tag name depending on context (no div suggestion inside
1338 of an a tag); '/>' indicates empty tags
1339- inside of tag complete proper attributes (no width attribute for an a tag);
1340 show also type of attribute; '*' indicates required attributes
1341- when attribute has limited number of possible values help to complete them
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001342- complete names of entities
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001343- complete values of "class" and "id" attributes with data obtained from
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001344 <style> tag and included CSS files
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001345- when completing value of "style" attribute or working inside of "style" tag
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001346 switch to |ft-css-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001347- when completing values of events attributes or working inside of "script"
1348 tag switch to |ft-javascript-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001349- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001350
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001351Note: When used first time completion menu will be shown with little delay
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001352- this is time needed for loading of data file.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001353Note: Completion may fail in badly formatted documents. In such case try to
1354run |:make| command to detect formatting problems.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001355
1356
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001357HTML flavor *html-flavor*
1358
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001359The default HTML completion depends on the filetype. For HTML files it is
1360HTML 4.01 Transitional ('filetype' is "html"), for XHTML it is XHTML 1.0
1361Strict ('filetype' is "xhtml").
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001362
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001363When doing completion outside of any other tag you will have possibility to
1364choose DOCTYPE and the appropriate data file will be loaded and used for all
1365next completions.
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001366
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001367More about format of data file in |xml-omni-datafile|. Some of the data files
1368may be found on the Vim website (|www|).
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001369
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001370Note that b:html_omni_flavor may point to a file with any XML data. This
1371makes possible to mix PHP (|ft-php-omni|) completion with any XML dialect
1372(assuming you have data file for it). Without setting that variable XHTML 1.0
1373Strict will be used.
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001374
1375
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001376JAVASCRIPT *ft-javascript-omni*
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001377
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001378Completion of most elements of JavaScript language and DOM elements.
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001379
1380Complete:
1381
1382- variables
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001383- function name; show function arguments
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001384- function arguments
1385- properties of variables trying to detect type of variable
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001386- complete DOM objects and properties depending on context
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001387- keywords of language
1388
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001389Completion works in separate JavaScript files (&ft==javascript), inside of
1390<script> tag of (X)HTML and in values of event attributes (including scanning
Bram Moolenaar9ba7e172013-07-17 22:37:26 +02001391of external files).
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001392
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001393DOM compatibility
1394
1395At the moment (beginning of 2006) there are two main browsers - MS Internet
1396Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. These two applications are covering over 90% of
1397market. Theoretically standards are created by W3C organisation
1398(http://www.w3c.org) but they are not always followed/implemented.
1399
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001400 IE FF W3C Omni completion ~
1401 +/- +/- + + ~
1402 + + - + ~
1403 + - - - ~
1404 - + - - ~
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001405
1406Regardless from state of implementation in browsers but if element is defined
1407in standards, completion plugin will place element in suggestion list. When
1408both major engines implemented element, even if this is not in standards it
1409will be suggested. All other elements are not placed in suggestion list.
1410
1411
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001412PHP *ft-php-omni*
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001413
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001414Completion of PHP code requires a tags file for completion of data from
1415external files and for class aware completion. You should use Exuberant ctags
1416version 5.5.4 or newer. You can find it here: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001417
1418Script completes:
1419
1420- after $ variables name
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001421 - if variable was declared as object add "->", if tags file is available show
1422 name of class
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001423 - after "->" complete only function and variable names specific for given
1424 class. To find class location and contents tags file is required. Because
1425 PHP isn't strongly typed language user can use @var tag to declare class: >
1426
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001427 /* @var $myVar myClass */
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001428 $myVar->
1429<
1430 Still, to find myClass contents tags file is required.
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001431
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001432- function names with additional info:
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001433 - in case of built-in functions list of possible arguments and after | type
1434 data returned by function
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001435 - in case of user function arguments and name of file where function was
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001436 defined (if it is not current file)
1437
1438- constants names
1439- class names after "new" declaration
1440
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001441
1442Note: when doing completion first time Vim will load all necessary data into
1443memory. It may take several seconds. After next use of completion delay
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001444should not be noticeable.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001445
1446Script detects if cursor is inside <?php ?> tags. If it is outside it will
1447automatically switch to HTML/CSS/JavaScript completion. Note: contrary to
1448original HTML files completion of tags (and only tags) isn't context aware.
1449
1450
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001451RUBY *ft-ruby-omni*
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001452
1453Completion of Ruby code requires that vim be built with |+ruby|.
1454
1455Ruby completion will parse your buffer on demand in order to provide a list of
1456completions. These completions will be drawn from modules loaded by 'require'
1457and modules defined in the current buffer.
1458
1459The completions provided by CTRL-X CTRL-O are sensitive to the context:
1460
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001461 CONTEXT COMPLETIONS PROVIDED ~
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001462
1463 1. Not inside a class definition Classes, constants and globals
1464
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001465 2. Inside a class definition Methods or constants defined in the class
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001466
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001467 3. After '.', '::' or ':' Methods applicable to the object being
1468 dereferenced
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001469
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001470 4. After ':' or ':foo' Symbol name (beginning with 'foo')
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001471
1472Notes:
1473 - Vim will load/evaluate code in order to provide completions. This may
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001474 cause some code execution, which may be a concern. This is no longer
1475 enabled by default, to enable this feature add >
1476 let g:rubycomplete_buffer_loading = 1
1477<- In context 1 above, Vim can parse the entire buffer to add a list of
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001478 classes to the completion results. This feature is turned off by default,
1479 to enable it add >
1480 let g:rubycomplete_classes_in_global = 1
1481< to your vimrc
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001482 - In context 2 above, anonymous classes are not supported.
1483 - In context 3 above, Vim will attempt to determine the methods supported by
1484 the object.
1485 - Vim can detect and load the Rails environment for files within a rails
1486 project. The feature is disabled by default, to enable it add >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001487 let g:rubycomplete_rails = 1
1488< to your vimrc
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001489
1490
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001491SYNTAX *ft-syntax-omni*
1492
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001493Vim has the ability to color syntax highlight nearly 500 languages. Part of
1494this highlighting includes knowing what keywords are part of a language. Many
1495filetypes already have custom completion scripts written for them, the
1496syntaxcomplete plugin provides basic completion for all other filetypes. It
1497does this by populating the omni completion list with the text Vim already
1498knows how to color highlight. It can be used for any filetype and provides a
1499minimal language-sensitive completion.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001500
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001501To enable syntax code completion you can run: >
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001502 setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001503
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001504You can automate this by placing the following in your |.vimrc| (after any
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001505":filetype" command): >
1506 if has("autocmd") && exists("+omnifunc")
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001507 autocmd Filetype *
1508 \ if &omnifunc == "" |
1509 \ setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete |
1510 \ endif
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001511 endif
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001512
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001513The above will set completion to this script only if a specific plugin does
1514not already exist for that filetype.
1515
1516Each filetype can have a wide range of syntax items. The plugin allows you to
1517customize which syntax groups to include or exclude from the list. Let's have
1518a look at the PHP filetype to see how this works.
1519
1520If you edit a file called, index.php, run the following command: >
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001521 syntax list
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001522
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001523The first thing you will notice is that there are many different syntax groups.
1524The PHP language can include elements from different languages like HTML,
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001525JavaScript and many more. The syntax plugin will only include syntax groups
1526that begin with the filetype, "php", in this case. For example these syntax
1527groups are included by default with the PHP: phpEnvVar, phpIntVar,
1528phpFunctions.
1529
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001530If you wish non-filetype syntax items to also be included, you can use a
1531regular expression syntax (added in version 13.0 of autoload\syntaxcomplete.vim)
1532to add items. Looking at the output from ":syntax list" while editing a PHP file
1533I can see some of these entries: >
1534 htmlArg,htmlTag,htmlTagName,javaScriptStatement,javaScriptGlobalObjects
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001535
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001536To pick up any JavaScript and HTML keyword syntax groups while editing a PHP
1537file, you can use 3 different regexs, one for each language. Or you can
1538simply restrict the include groups to a particular value, without using
1539a regex string: >
1540 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_php = 'php\w\+,javaScript\w\+,html\w\+'
1541 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_php = 'phpFunctions,phpMethods'
1542<
1543The basic form of this variable is: >
1544 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_{filetype} = 'regex,comma,separated'
1545
1546The PHP language has an enormous number of items which it knows how to syntax
Bram Moolenaar9ba7e172013-07-17 22:37:26 +02001547highlight. These items will be available within the omni completion list.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001548
1549Some people may find this list unwieldy or are only interested in certain
1550items. There are two ways to prune this list (if necessary). If you find
1551certain syntax groups you do not wish displayed you can use two different
1552methods to identify these groups. The first specifically lists the syntax
1553groups by name. The second uses a regular expression to identify both
1554syntax groups. Simply add one the following to your vimrc: >
1555 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_php = 'phpCoreConstant,phpConstant'
1556 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_php = 'php\w*Constant'
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001557
1558Add as many syntax groups to this list by comma separating them. The basic
1559form of this variable is: >
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001560 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_{filetype} = 'regex,comma,separated'
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001561
1562You can create as many of these variables as you need, varying only the
1563filetype at the end of the variable name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001564
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001565The plugin uses the isKeyword option to determine where word boundaries are
1566for the syntax items. For example, in the Scheme language completion should
1567include the "-", call-with-output-file. Depending on your filetype, this may
1568not provide the words you are expecting. Setting the
1569g:omni_syntax_use_iskeyword option to 0 will force the syntax plugin to break
1570on word characters. This can be controlled adding the following to your
1571vimrc: >
1572 let g:omni_syntax_use_iskeyword = 0
1573
Bram Moolenaar8b682772010-07-30 21:49:40 +02001574For plugin developers, the plugin exposes a public function OmniSyntaxList.
1575This function can be used to request a List of syntax items. When editing a
1576SQL file (:e syntax.sql) you can use the ":syntax list" command to see the
1577various groups and syntax items. For example: >
1578 syntax list
1579
1580Yields data similar to this: >
1581 sqlOperator xxx some prior all like and any escape exists in is not
1582 or intersect minus between distinct
1583 links to Operator
1584 sqlType xxx varbit varchar nvarchar bigint int uniqueidentifier
1585 date money long tinyint unsigned xml text smalldate
1586 double datetime nchar smallint numeric time bit char
1587 varbinary binary smallmoney
1588 image float integer timestamp real decimal
1589
1590There are two syntax groups listed here: sqlOperator and sqlType. To retrieve
1591a List of syntax items you can call OmniSyntaxList a number of different
1592ways. To retrieve all syntax items regardless of syntax group: >
1593 echo OmniSyntaxList( [] )
1594
1595To retrieve only the syntax items for the sqlOperator syntax group: >
1596 echo OmniSyntaxList( ['sqlOperator'] )
1597
1598To retrieve all syntax items for both the sqlOperator and sqlType groups: >
1599 echo OmniSyntaxList( ['sqlOperator', 'sqlType'] )
1600
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001601A regular expression can also be used: >
1602 echo OmniSyntaxList( ['sql\w\+'] )
1603
Bram Moolenaar8b682772010-07-30 21:49:40 +02001604From within a plugin, you would typically assign the output to a List: >
1605 let myKeywords = []
1606 let myKeywords = OmniSyntaxList( ['sqlKeyword'] )
1607
1608
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001609
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001610SQL *ft-sql-omni*
1611
1612Completion for the SQL language includes statements, functions, keywords.
1613It will also dynamically complete tables, procedures, views and column lists
1614with data pulled directly from within a database. For detailed instructions
1615and a tutorial see |omni-sql-completion|.
1616
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001617The SQL completion plugin can be used in conjunction with other completion
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001618plugins. For example, the PHP filetype has its own completion plugin.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001619Since PHP is often used to generate dynamic website by accessing a database,
1620the SQL completion plugin can also be enabled. This allows you to complete
1621PHP code and SQL code at the same time.
1622
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001623
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001624XML *ft-xml-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001625
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001626Vim 7 provides a mechanism for context aware completion of XML files. It
1627depends on a special |xml-omni-datafile| and two commands: |:XMLns| and
1628|:XMLent|. Features are:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001629
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001630- after "<" complete the tag name, depending on context
1631- inside of a tag complete proper attributes
1632- when an attribute has a limited number of possible values help to complete
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001633 them
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001634- complete names of entities (defined in |xml-omni-datafile| and in the
1635 current file with "<!ENTITY" declarations)
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001636- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
1637
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001638Format of XML data file *xml-omni-datafile*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001639
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001640XML data files are stored in the "autoload/xml" directory in 'runtimepath'.
1641Vim distribution provides examples of data files in the
1642"$VIMRUNTIME/autoload/xml" directory. They have a meaningful name which will
1643be used in commands. It should be a unique name which will not create
1644conflicts. For example, the name xhtml10s.vim means it is the data file for
1645XHTML 1.0 Strict.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001646
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001647Each file contains a variable with a name like g:xmldata_xhtml10s . It is
1648a compound from two parts:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001649
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +000016501. "g:xmldata_" general prefix, constant for all data files
16512. "xhtml10s" the name of the file and the name of the described XML
1652 dialect; it will be used as an argument for the |:XMLns|
1653 command
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001654
1655Part two must be exactly the same as name of file.
1656
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001657The variable is a |Dictionary|. Keys are tag names and each value is a two
1658element |List|. The first element of the List is also a List with the names
1659of possible children. The second element is a |Dictionary| with the names of
1660attributes as keys and the possible values of attributes as values. Example: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001661
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001662 let g:xmldata_crippled = {
1663 \ "vimxmlentities": ["amp", "lt", "gt", "apos", "quot"],
1664 \ 'vimxmlroot': ['tag1'],
1665 \ 'tag1':
1666 \ [ ['childoftag1a', 'childoftag1b'], {'attroftag1a': [],
1667 \ 'attroftag1b': ['valueofattr1', 'valueofattr2']}],
1668 \ 'childoftag1a':
1669 \ [ [], {'attrofchild': ['attrofchild']}],
1670 \ 'childoftag1b':
1671 \ [ ['childoftag1a'], {'attrofchild': []}],
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001672 \ "vimxmltaginfo": {
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001673 \ 'tag1': ['Menu info', 'Long information visible in preview window']},
1674 \ 'vimxmlattrinfo': {
1675 \ 'attrofchild': ['Menu info', 'Long information visible in preview window']}}
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001676
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001677This example would be put in the "autoload/xml/crippled.vim" file and could
1678help to write this file: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001679
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001680 <tag1 attroftag1b="valueofattr1">
1681 <childoftag1a attrofchild>
1682 &amp; &lt;
1683 </childoftag1a>
1684 <childoftag1b attrofchild="5">
1685 <childoftag1a>
1686 &gt; &apos; &quot;
1687 </childoftag1a>
1688 </childoftag1b>
1689 </tag1>
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001690
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001691In the example four special elements are visible:
1692
16931. "vimxmlentities" - a special key with List containing entities of this XML
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001694 dialect.
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +000016952. If the list containing possible values of attributes has one element and
1696 this element is equal to the name of the attribute this attribute will be
1697 treated as boolean and inserted as 'attrname' and not as 'attrname="'
16983. "vimxmltaginfo" - a special key with a Dictionary containing tag
1699 names as keys and two element List as values, for additional menu info and
1700 the long description.
17014. "vimxmlattrinfo" - special key with Dictionary containing attribute names
1702 as keys and two element List as values, for additional menu info and long
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001703 description.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001704
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001705Note: Tag names in the data file MUST not contain a namespace description.
1706Check xsl.vim for an example.
1707Note: All data and functions are publicly available as global
1708variables/functions and can be used for personal editing functions.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001709
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001710
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001711DTD -> Vim *dtd2vim*
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001712
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001713On |www| is the script |dtd2vim| which parses DTD and creates an XML data file
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001714for Vim XML omni completion.
1715
1716 dtd2vim: http://www.vim.org/scripts/script.php?script_id=1462
1717
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001718Check the beginning of that file for usage details.
1719The script requires perl and:
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001720
1721 perlSGML: http://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/perlsgml
1722
1723
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001724Commands
1725
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001726:XMLns {name} [{namespace}] *:XMLns*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001727
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001728Vim has to know which data file should be used and with which namespace. For
1729loading of the data file and connecting data with the proper namespace use
1730|:XMLns| command. The first (obligatory) argument is the name of the data
1731(xhtml10s, xsl). The second argument is the code of namespace (h, xsl). When
1732used without a second argument the dialect will be used as default - without
1733namespace declaration. For example to use XML completion in .xsl files: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001734
1735 :XMLns xhtml10s
1736 :XMLns xsl xsl
1737
1738
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001739:XMLent {name} *:XMLent*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001740
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001741By default entities will be completed from the data file of the default
1742namespace. The XMLent command should be used in case when there is no default
1743namespace: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001744
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001745 :XMLent xhtml10s
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001746
1747Usage
1748
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001749While used in this situation (after declarations from previous part, | is
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001750cursor position): >
1751
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001752 <|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001753
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001754Will complete to an appropriate XHTML tag, and in this situation: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001755
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001756 <xsl:|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001757
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001758Will complete to an appropriate XSL tag.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001759
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001760
1761The script xmlcomplete.vim, provided through the |autoload| mechanism,
1762has the xmlcomplete#GetLastOpenTag() function which can be used in XML files
1763to get the name of the last open tag (b:unaryTagsStack has to be defined): >
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001764
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001765 :echo xmlcomplete#GetLastOpenTag("b:unaryTagsStack")
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001766
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001767
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001768
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001769==============================================================================
17708. Insert mode commands *inserting*
1771
1772The following commands can be used to insert new text into the buffer. They
1773can all be undone and repeated with the "." command.
1774
1775 *a*
1776a Append text after the cursor [count] times. If the
1777 cursor is in the first column of an empty line Insert
1778 starts there. But not when 'virtualedit' is set!
1779
1780 *A*
1781A Append text at the end of the line [count] times.
1782
1783<insert> or *i* *insert* *<Insert>*
1784i Insert text before the cursor [count] times.
1785 When using CTRL-O in Insert mode |i_CTRL-O| the count
1786 is not supported.
1787
1788 *I*
1789I Insert text before the first non-blank in the line
1790 [count] times.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001791 When the 'H' flag is present in 'cpoptions' and the
1792 line only contains blanks, insert start just before
1793 the last blank.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001794
1795 *gI*
1796gI Insert text in column 1 [count] times. {not in Vi}
1797
1798 *gi*
1799gi Insert text in the same position as where Insert mode
1800 was stopped last time in the current buffer.
1801 This uses the |'^| mark. It's different from "`^i"
1802 when the mark is past the end of the line.
1803 The position is corrected for inserted/deleted lines,
1804 but NOT for inserted/deleted characters.
1805 When the |:keepjumps| command modifier is used the |'^|
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001806 mark won't be changed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001807 {not in Vi}
1808
1809 *o*
1810o Begin a new line below the cursor and insert text,
1811 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1812 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001813 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1814 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001815
1816 *O*
1817O Begin a new line above the cursor and insert text,
1818 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1819 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001820 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1821 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001822
1823These commands are used to start inserting text. You can end insert mode with
1824<Esc>. See |mode-ins-repl| for the other special characters in Insert mode.
1825The effect of [count] takes place after Insert mode is exited.
1826
1827When 'autoindent' is on, the indent for a new line is obtained from the
1828previous line. When 'smartindent' or 'cindent' is on, the indent for a line
1829is automatically adjusted for C programs.
1830
1831'textwidth' can be set to the maximum width for a line. When a line becomes
1832too long when appending characters a line break is automatically inserted.
1833
1834
1835==============================================================================
18369. Ex insert commands *inserting-ex*
1837
1838 *:a* *:append*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001839:{range}a[ppend][!] Insert several lines of text below the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001840 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1841 inserted after the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001842 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1843 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001844
1845 *:i* *:in* *:insert*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001846:{range}i[nsert][!] Insert several lines of text above the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001847 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1848 inserted before the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001849 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1850 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001851
1852These two commands will keep on asking for lines, until you type a line
1853containing only a ".". Watch out for lines starting with a backslash, see
1854|line-continuation|.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001855
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001856When in Ex mode (see |-e|) a backslash at the end of the line can be used to
1857insert a NUL character. To be able to have a line ending in a backslash use
1858two backslashes. This means that the number of backslashes is halved, but
1859only at the end of the line.
1860
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001861NOTE: These commands cannot be used with |:global| or |:vglobal|.
1862":append" and ":insert" don't work properly in between ":if" and
Bram Moolenaar06fb4352005-01-05 22:10:30 +00001863":endif", ":for" and ":endfor", ":while" and ":endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001864
1865 *:start* *:startinsert*
1866:star[tinsert][!] Start Insert mode just after executing this command.
1867 Works like typing "i" in Normal mode. When the ! is
1868 included it works like "A", append to the line.
1869 Otherwise insertion starts at the cursor position.
1870 Note that when using this command in a function or
1871 script, the insertion only starts after the function
1872 or script is finished.
Bram Moolenaar87e25fd2005-07-27 21:13:01 +00001873 This command does not work from |:normal|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001874 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001875 {not available when compiled without the |+ex_extra|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001876 feature}
1877
1878 *:stopi* *:stopinsert*
1879:stopi[nsert] Stop Insert mode as soon as possible. Works like
1880 typing <Esc> in Insert mode.
1881 Can be used in an autocommand, example: >
1882 :au BufEnter scratch stopinsert
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00001883<
1884 *replacing-ex* *:startreplace*
1885:startr[eplace][!] Start Replace mode just after executing this command.
1886 Works just like typing "R" in Normal mode. When the
1887 ! is included it acts just like "$R" had been typed
1888 (ie. begin replace mode at the end-of-line). Other-
1889 wise replacement begins at the cursor position.
1890 Note that when using this command in a function or
1891 script that the replacement will only start after
1892 the function or script is finished.
1893 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001894 {not available when compiled without the |+ex_extra|
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00001895 feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001896
Bram Moolenaar61da4982005-12-14 22:02:18 +00001897 *:startgreplace*
1898:startg[replace][!] Just like |:startreplace|, but use Virtual Replace
1899 mode, like with |gR|.
1900 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001901 {not available when compiled without the |+ex_extra|
Bram Moolenaar61da4982005-12-14 22:02:18 +00001902 feature}
1903
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001904==============================================================================
190510. Inserting a file *inserting-file*
1906
1907 *:r* *:re* *:read*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001908:r[ead] [++opt] [name]
1909 Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001910 the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001911 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001912
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001913:{range}r[ead] [++opt] [name]
1914 Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001915 the specified line.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001916 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001917
1918 *:r!* *:read!*
Bram Moolenaar0187ca02013-04-12 15:09:51 +02001919:[range]r[ead] [++opt] !{cmd}
1920 Execute {cmd} and insert its standard output below
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001921 the cursor or the specified line. A temporary file is
1922 used to store the output of the command which is then
1923 read into the buffer. 'shellredir' is used to save
1924 the output of the command, which can be set to include
1925 stderr or not. {cmd} is executed like with ":!{cmd}",
1926 any '!' is replaced with the previous command |:!|.
Bram Moolenaar0187ca02013-04-12 15:09:51 +02001927 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001928
1929These commands insert the contents of a file, or the output of a command,
1930into the buffer. They can be undone. They cannot be repeated with the "."
1931command. They work on a line basis, insertion starts below the line in which
1932the cursor is, or below the specified line. To insert text above the first
1933line use the command ":0r {name}".
1934
1935After the ":read" command, the cursor is left on the first non-blank in the
1936first new line. Unless in Ex mode, then the cursor is left on the last new
1937line (sorry, this is Vi compatible).
1938
1939If a file name is given with ":r", it becomes the alternate file. This can be
1940used, for example, when you want to edit that file instead: ":e! #". This can
1941be switched off by removing the 'a' flag from the 'cpoptions' option.
1942
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001943Of the [++opt] arguments one is specifically for ":read", the ++edit argument.
1944This is useful when the ":read" command is actually used to read a file into
1945the buffer as if editing that file. Use this command in an empty buffer: >
1946 :read ++edit filename
1947The effect is that the 'fileformat', 'fileencoding', 'bomb', etc. options are
1948set to what has been detected for "filename". Note that a single empty line
1949remains, you may want to delete it.
1950
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001951 *file-read*
1952The 'fileformat' option sets the <EOL> style for a file:
1953'fileformat' characters name ~
1954 "dos" <CR><NL> or <NL> DOS format
1955 "unix" <NL> Unix format
1956 "mac" <CR> Mac format
1957Previously 'textmode' was used. It is obsolete now.
1958
1959If 'fileformat' is "dos", a <CR> in front of an <NL> is ignored and a CTRL-Z
1960at the end of the file is ignored.
1961
1962If 'fileformat' is "mac", a <NL> in the file is internally represented by a
1963<CR>. This is to avoid confusion with a <NL> which is used to represent a
1964<NUL>. See |CR-used-for-NL|.
1965
1966If the 'fileformats' option is not empty Vim tries to recognize the type of
1967<EOL> (see |file-formats|). However, the 'fileformat' option will not be
1968changed, the detected format is only used while reading the file.
1969A similar thing happens with 'fileencodings'.
1970
1971On non-MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 systems the message "[dos format]" is shown if
1972a file is read in DOS format, to remind you that something unusual is done.
1973On Macintosh, MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 the message "[unix format]" is shown if
1974a file is read in Unix format.
1975On non-Macintosh systems, the message "[Mac format]" is shown if a file is
1976read in Mac format.
1977
1978An example on how to use ":r !": >
1979 :r !uuencode binfile binfile
1980This command reads "binfile", uuencodes it and reads it into the current
1981buffer. Useful when you are editing e-mail and want to include a binary
1982file.
1983
1984 *read-messages*
1985When reading a file Vim will display a message with information about the read
1986file. In the table is an explanation for some of the items. The others are
1987self explanatory. Using the long or the short version depends on the
1988'shortmess' option.
1989
1990 long short meaning ~
1991 [readonly] {RO} the file is write protected
1992 [fifo/socket] using a stream
1993 [fifo] using a fifo stream
1994 [socket] using a socket stream
1995 [CR missing] reading with "dos" 'fileformat' and a
1996 NL without a preceding CR was found.
1997 [NL found] reading with "mac" 'fileformat' and a
1998 NL was found (could be "unix" format)
1999 [long lines split] at least one line was split in two
2000 [NOT converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
2001 'encoding' was desired but not
2002 possible
2003 [converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
2004 'encoding' done
2005 [crypted] file was decrypted
2006 [READ ERRORS] not all of the file could be read
2007
2008
2009 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: