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Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +02001*insert.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2013 Jul 12
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7 *Insert* *Insert-mode*
8Inserting and replacing text *mode-ins-repl*
9
10Most of this file is about Insert and Replace mode. At the end are a few
11commands for inserting text in other ways.
12
13An overview of the most often used commands can be found in chapter 24 of the
14user manual |usr_24.txt|.
15
161. Special keys |ins-special-keys|
172. Special special keys |ins-special-special|
183. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options |ins-textwidth|
194. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options |ins-expandtab|
205. Replace mode |Replace-mode|
216. Virtual Replace mode |Virtual-Replace-mode|
227. Insert mode completion |ins-completion|
238. Insert mode commands |inserting|
249. Ex insert commands |inserting-ex|
2510. Inserting a file |inserting-file|
26
27Also see 'virtualedit', for moving the cursor to positions where there is no
28character. Useful for editing a table.
29
30==============================================================================
311. Special keys *ins-special-keys*
32
33In Insert and Replace mode, the following characters have a special meaning;
34other characters are inserted directly. To insert one of these special
35characters into the buffer, precede it with CTRL-V. To insert a <Nul>
36character use "CTRL-V CTRL-@" or "CTRL-V 000". On some systems, you have to
37use "CTRL-V 003" to insert a CTRL-C. Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can
38often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
39
40If you are working in a special language mode when inserting text, see the
41'langmap' option, |'langmap'|, on how to avoid switching this mode on and off
42all the time.
43
44If you have 'insertmode' set, <Esc> and a few other keys get another meaning.
45See |'insertmode'|.
46
47char action ~
48-----------------------------------------------------------------------
49 *i_CTRL-[* *i_<Esc>*
50<Esc> or CTRL-[ End insert or Replace mode, go back to Normal mode. Finish
51 abbreviation.
52 Note: If your <Esc> key is hard to hit on your keyboard, train
53 yourself to use CTRL-[.
54 *i_CTRL-C*
55CTRL-C Quit insert mode, go back to Normal mode. Do not check for
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +000056 abbreviations. Does not trigger the |InsertLeave| autocommand
57 event.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000058
59 *i_CTRL-@*
60CTRL-@ Insert previously inserted text and stop insert. {Vi: only
61 when typed as first char, only up to 128 chars}
62 *i_CTRL-A*
63CTRL-A Insert previously inserted text. {not in Vi}
64
65 *i_CTRL-H* *i_<BS>* *i_BS*
66<BS> or CTRL-H Delete the character before the cursor (see |i_backspacing|
67 about joining lines).
68 See |:fixdel| if your <BS> key does not do what you want.
69 {Vi: does not delete autoindents}
70 *i_<Del>* *i_DEL*
71<Del> Delete the character under the cursor. If the cursor is at
72 the end of the line, and the 'backspace' option includes
73 "eol", delete the <EOL>; the next line is appended after the
74 current one.
75 See |:fixdel| if your <Del> key does not do what you want.
76 {not in Vi}
77 *i_CTRL-W*
78CTRL-W Delete the word before the cursor (see |i_backspacing| about
79 joining lines). See the section "word motions",
80 |word-motions|, for the definition of a word.
81 *i_CTRL-U*
82CTRL-U Delete all entered characters in the current line (see
83 |i_backspacing| about joining lines).
84
85 *i_CTRL-I* *i_<Tab>* *i_Tab*
86<Tab> or CTRL-I Insert a tab. If the 'expandtab' option is on, the
87 equivalent number of spaces is inserted (use CTRL-V <Tab> to
88 avoid the expansion; use CTRL-Q <Tab> if CTRL-V is mapped
89 |i_CTRL-Q|). See also the 'smarttab' option and
90 |ins-expandtab|.
91 *i_CTRL-J* *i_<NL>*
92<NL> or CTRL-J Begin new line.
93 *i_CTRL-M* *i_<CR>*
94<CR> or CTRL-M Begin new line.
95 *i_CTRL-K*
96CTRL-K {char1} [char2]
97 Enter digraph (see |digraphs|). When {char1} is a special
98 key, the code for that key is inserted in <> form. For
99 example, the string "<S-Space>" can be entered by typing
100 <C-K><S-Space> (two keys). Neither char is considered for
101 mapping. {not in Vi}
102
103CTRL-N Find next keyword (see |i_CTRL-N|). {not in Vi}
104CTRL-P Find previous keyword (see |i_CTRL-P|). {not in Vi}
105
106CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+:.-=} *i_CTRL-R*
107 Insert the contents of a register. Between typing CTRL-R and
108 the second character, '"' will be displayed to indicate that
109 you are expected to enter the name of a register.
110 The text is inserted as if you typed it, but mappings and
111 abbreviations are not used. If you have options like
112 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', or 'autoindent' set, this will
113 influence what will be inserted. This is different from what
114 happens with the "p" command and pasting with the mouse.
115 Special registers:
116 '"' the unnamed register, containing the text of
117 the last delete or yank
118 '%' the current file name
119 '#' the alternate file name
120 '*' the clipboard contents (X11: primary selection)
121 '+' the clipboard contents
122 '/' the last search pattern
123 ':' the last command-line
124 '.' the last inserted text
125 '-' the last small (less than a line) delete
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100126 *i_CTRL-R_=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000127 '=' the expression register: you are prompted to
128 enter an expression (see |expression|)
Bram Moolenaar293ee4d2004-12-09 21:34:53 +0000129 Note that 0x80 (128 decimal) is used for
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000130 special keys. E.g., you can use this to move
131 the cursor up:
132 CTRL-R ="\<Up>"
133 Use CTRL-R CTRL-R to insert text literally.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +0000134 When the result is a |List| the items are used
135 as lines. They can have line breaks inside
136 too.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100137 When the result is a Float it's automatically
138 converted to a String.
Bram Moolenaar94f76b72013-07-04 22:50:40 +0200139 When append() or setline() is invoked the undo
140 sequence will be broken.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000141 See |registers| about registers. {not in Vi}
142
143CTRL-R CTRL-R {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-R*
144 Insert the contents of a register. Works like using a single
145 CTRL-R, but the text is inserted literally, not as if typed.
146 This differs when the register contains characters like <BS>.
147 Example, where register a contains "ab^Hc": >
148 CTRL-R a results in "ac".
149 CTRL-R CTRL-R a results in "ab^Hc".
150< Options 'textwidth', 'formatoptions', etc. still apply. If
151 you also want to avoid these, use "<C-R><C-O>r", see below.
152 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
153 typed. {not in Vi}
154
155CTRL-R CTRL-O {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-O*
156 Insert the contents of a register literally and don't
157 auto-indent. Does the same as pasting with the mouse
158 |<MiddleMouse>|.
159 Does not replace characters!
160 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
161 typed. {not in Vi}
162
163CTRL-R CTRL-P {0-9a-z"%#*+/:.-=} *i_CTRL-R_CTRL-P*
164 Insert the contents of a register literally and fix the
165 indent, like |[<MiddleMouse>|.
166 Does not replace characters!
167 The '.' register (last inserted text) is still inserted as
168 typed. {not in Vi}
169
170 *i_CTRL-T*
171CTRL-T Insert one shiftwidth of indent at the start of the current
172 line. The indent is always rounded to a 'shiftwidth' (this is
173 vi compatible). {Vi: only when in indent}
174 *i_CTRL-D*
175CTRL-D Delete 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: CTRL-D works only when used after
178 autoindent}
179 *i_0_CTRL-D*
1800 CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. {Vi: CTRL-D works
181 only when used after autoindent}
182 *i_^_CTRL-D*
183^ CTRL-D Delete all indent in the current line. The indent is
184 restored in the next line. This is useful when inserting a
185 label. {Vi: CTRL-D works only when used after autoindent}
186
187 *i_CTRL-V*
188CTRL-V Insert next non-digit literally. For special keys, the
189 terminal code is inserted. It's also possible to enter the
190 decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character
191 |i_CTRL-V_digit|.
192 The characters typed right after CTRL-V are not considered for
193 mapping. {Vi: no decimal byte entry}
194 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped (e.g., to paste text) you can
195 often use CTRL-Q instead |i_CTRL-Q|.
196
197 *i_CTRL-Q*
198CTRL-Q Same as CTRL-V.
199 Note: Some terminal connections may eat CTRL-Q, it doesn't
200 work then. It does work in the GUI.
201
202CTRL-X Enter CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode where commands can
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000203 be given to complete words or scroll the window. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000204 |i_CTRL-X| and |ins-completion|. {not in Vi}
205
206 *i_CTRL-E*
207CTRL-E Insert the character which is below the cursor. {not in Vi}
208 *i_CTRL-Y*
209CTRL-Y Insert the character which is above the cursor. {not in Vi}
210 Note that for CTRL-E and CTRL-Y 'textwidth' is not used, to be
211 able to copy characters from a long line.
212
213 *i_CTRL-_*
214CTRL-_ Switch between languages, as follows:
215 - When in a rightleft window, revins and nohkmap are toggled,
216 since English will likely be inserted in this case.
217 - When in a norightleft window, revins and hkmap are toggled,
218 since Hebrew will likely be inserted in this case.
219
220 CTRL-_ moves the cursor to the end of the typed text.
221
222 This command is only available when the 'allowrevins' option
223 is set.
224 Please refer to |rileft.txt| for more information about
225 right-to-left mode.
226 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +0000227 Only if compiled with the |+rightleft| feature.
228
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000229 *i_CTRL-^*
230CTRL-^ Toggle the use of typing language characters.
231 When language |:lmap| mappings are defined:
232 - If 'iminsert' is 1 (langmap mappings used) it becomes 0 (no
233 langmap mappings used).
234 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 1, thus langmap
235 mappings are enabled.
236 When no language mappings are defined:
237 - If 'iminsert' is 2 (Input Method used) it becomes 0 (no
238 Input Method used).
239 - If 'iminsert' has another value it becomes 2, thus the Input
240 Method is enabled.
241 When set to 1, the value of the "b:keymap_name" variable, the
242 'keymap' option or "<lang>" appears in the status line.
243 The language mappings are normally used to type characters
244 that are different from what the keyboard produces. The
245 'keymap' option can be used to install a whole number of them.
246 {not in Vi}
247
248 *i_CTRL-]*
249CTRL-] Trigger abbreviation, without inserting a character. {not in
250 Vi}
251
252 *i_<Insert>*
253<Insert> Toggle between Insert and Replace mode. {not in Vi}
254-----------------------------------------------------------------------
255
256 *i_backspacing*
257The effect of the <BS>, CTRL-W, and CTRL-U depend on the 'backspace' option
258(unless 'revins' is set). This is a comma separated list of items:
259
260item action ~
261indent allow backspacing over autoindent
262eol allow backspacing over end-of-line (join lines)
263start allow backspacing over the start position of insert; CTRL-W and
264 CTRL-U stop once at the start position
265
266When 'backspace' is empty, Vi compatible backspacing is used. You cannot
267backspace over autoindent, before column 1 or before where insert started.
268
269For backwards compatibility the values "0", "1" and "2" are also allowed, see
270|'backspace'|.
271
272If the 'backspace' option does contain "eol" and the cursor is in column 1
273when one of the three keys is used, the current line is joined with the
274previous line. This effectively deletes the <EOL> in front of the cursor.
275{Vi: does not cross lines, does not delete past start position of insert}
276
277 *i_CTRL-V_digit*
278With CTRL-V the decimal, octal or hexadecimal value of a character can be
279entered directly. This way you can enter any character, except a line break
280(<NL>, value 10). There are five ways to enter the character value:
281
282first char mode max nr of chars max value ~
283(none) decimal 3 255
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000284o or O octal 3 377 (255)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000285x or X hexadecimal 2 ff (255)
286u hexadecimal 4 ffff (65535)
287U hexadecimal 8 7fffffff (2147483647)
288
289Normally you would type the maximum number of characters. Thus to enter a
290space (value 32) you would type <C-V>032. You can omit the leading zero, in
291which case the character typed after the number must be a non-digit. This
292happens for the other modes as well: As soon as you type a character that is
293invalid for the mode, the value before it will be used and the "invalid"
294character is dealt with in the normal way.
295
296If you enter a value of 10, it will end up in the file as a 0. The 10 is a
297<NL>, which is used internally to represent the <Nul> character. When writing
298the buffer to a file, the <NL> character is translated into <Nul>. The <NL>
299character is written at the end of each line. Thus if you want to insert a
300<NL> character in a file you will have to make a line break.
301
302 *i_CTRL-X* *insert_expand*
303CTRL-X enters a sub-mode where several commands can be used. Most of these
304commands do keyword completion; see |ins-completion|. These are not available
305when Vim was compiled without the |+insert_expand| feature.
306
307Two commands can be used to scroll the window up or down, without exiting
308insert mode:
309
310 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-E*
311CTRL-X CTRL-E scroll window one line up.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000312 When doing completion look here: |complete_CTRL-E|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000313
314 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-Y*
315CTRL-X CTRL-Y scroll window one line down.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000316 When doing completion look here: |complete_CTRL-Y|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000317
318After CTRL-X is pressed, each CTRL-E (CTRL-Y) scrolls the window up (down) by
319one line unless that would cause the cursor to move from its current position
320in the file. As soon as another key is pressed, CTRL-X mode is exited and
321that key is interpreted as in Insert mode.
322
323
324==============================================================================
3252. Special special keys *ins-special-special*
326
327The following keys are special. They stop the current insert, do something,
328and then restart insertion. This means you can do something without getting
329out of Insert mode. This is very handy if you prefer to use the Insert mode
330all the time, just like editors that don't have a separate Normal mode. You
331may also want to set the 'backspace' option to "indent,eol,start" and set the
332'insertmode' option. You can use CTRL-O if you want to map a function key to
333a command.
334
335The changes (inserted or deleted characters) before and after these keys can
336be undone separately. Only the last change can be redone and always behaves
337like an "i" command.
338
339char action ~
340-----------------------------------------------------------------------
341<Up> cursor one line up *i_<Up>*
342<Down> cursor one line down *i_<Down>*
343CTRL-G <Up> cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Up>*
344CTRL-G k cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_k*
345CTRL-G CTRL-K cursor one line up, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-K*
346CTRL-G <Down> cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_<Down>*
347CTRL-G j cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_j*
348CTRL-G CTRL-J cursor one line down, insert start column *i_CTRL-G_CTRL-J*
349<Left> cursor one character left *i_<Left>*
350<Right> cursor one character right *i_<Right>*
351<S-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<S-Left>*
352<C-Left> cursor one word back (like "b" command) *i_<C-Left>*
353<S-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<S-Right>*
354<C-Right> cursor one word forward (like "w" command) *i_<C-Right>*
355<Home> cursor to first char in the line *i_<Home>*
356<End> cursor to after last char in the line *i_<End>*
357<C-Home> cursor to first char in the file *i_<C-Home>*
358<C-End> cursor to after last char in the file *i_<C-End>*
359<LeftMouse> cursor to position of mouse click *i_<LeftMouse>*
360<S-Up> move window one page up *i_<S-Up>*
361<PageUp> move window one page up *i_<PageUp>*
362<S-Down> move window one page down *i_<S-Down>*
363<PageDown> move window one page down *i_<PageDown>*
Bram Moolenaar8d9b40e2010-07-25 15:49:07 +0200364<ScrollWheelDown> move window three lines down *i_<ScrollWheelDown>*
365<S-ScrollWheelDown> move window one page down *i_<S-ScrollWheelDown>*
366<ScrollWheelUp> move window three lines up *i_<ScrollWheelUp>*
367<S-ScrollWheelUp> move window one page up *i_<S-ScrollWheelUp>*
368<ScrollWheelLeft> move window six columns left *i_<ScrollWheelLeft>*
369<S-ScrollWheelLeft> move window one page left *i_<S-ScrollWheelLeft>*
370<ScrollWheelRight> move window six columns right *i_<ScrollWheelRight>*
371<S-ScrollWheelRight> move window one page right *i_<S-ScrollWheelRight>*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000372CTRL-O execute one command, return to Insert mode *i_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +0000373CTRL-\ CTRL-O like CTRL-O but don't move the cursor *i_CTRL-\_CTRL-O*
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000374CTRL-L when 'insertmode' is set: go to Normal mode *i_CTRL-L*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000375CTRL-G u break undo sequence, start new change *i_CTRL-G_u*
376-----------------------------------------------------------------------
377
378Note: If the cursor keys take you out of Insert mode, check the 'noesckeys'
379option.
380
381The CTRL-O command sometimes has a side effect: If the cursor was beyond the
382end of the line, it will be put on the last character in the line. In
383mappings it's often better to use <Esc> (first put an "x" in the text, <Esc>
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000384will then always put the cursor on it). Or use CTRL-\ CTRL-O, but then
Bram Moolenaara3e6bc92013-01-30 14:18:00 +0100385beware of the cursor possibly being beyond the end of the line. Note that the
386command following CTRL-\ CTRL-O can still move the cursor, it is not restored
387to its original position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000388
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +0200389The CTRL-O command takes you to Normal mode. If you then use a command enter
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +0200390Insert mode again it normally doesn't nest. Thus when typing "a<C-O>a" and
391then <Esc> takes you back to Normal mode, you do not need to type <Esc> twice.
392An exception is when not typing the command, e.g. when executing a mapping or
393sourcing a script. This makes mappings work that briefly switch to Insert
394mode.
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +0200395
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000396The shifted cursor keys are not available on all terminals.
397
398Another side effect is that a count specified before the "i" or "a" command is
399ignored. That is because repeating the effect of the command after CTRL-O is
400too complicated.
401
402An example for using CTRL-G u: >
403
404 :inoremap <C-H> <C-G>u<C-H>
405
406This redefines the backspace key to start a new undo sequence. You can now
407undo the effect of the backspace key, without changing what you typed before
Bram Moolenaar5b435d62012-04-05 17:33:26 +0200408that, with CTRL-O u. Another example: >
409
410 :inoremap <CR> <C-]><C-G>u<CR>
411
412This breaks undo at each line break. It also expands abbreviations before
413this.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000414
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000415Using CTRL-O splits undo: the text typed before and after it is undone
416separately. If you want to avoid this (e.g., in a mapping) you might be able
417to use CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. E.g., to call a function: >
418 :imap <F2> <C-R>=MyFunc()<CR>
419
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000420When the 'whichwrap' option is set appropriately, the <Left> and <Right>
421keys on the first/last character in the line make the cursor wrap to the
422previous/next line.
423
424The CTRL-G j and CTRL-G k commands can be used to insert text in front of a
425column. Example: >
426 int i;
427 int j;
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000428Position the cursor on the first "int", type "istatic <C-G>j ". The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000429result is: >
430 static int i;
431 int j;
432When inserting the same text in front of the column in every line, use the
433Visual blockwise command "I" |v_b_I|.
434
435==============================================================================
4363. 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' options *ins-textwidth*
437
438The 'textwidth' option can be used to automatically break a line before it
439gets too long. Set the 'textwidth' option to the desired maximum line
440length. If you then type more characters (not spaces or tabs), the
441last word will be put on a new line (unless it is the only word on the
442line). If you set 'textwidth' to 0, this feature is disabled.
443
444The 'wrapmargin' option does almost the same. The difference is that
445'textwidth' has a fixed width while 'wrapmargin' depends on the width of the
446screen. When using 'wrapmargin' this is equal to using 'textwidth' with a
447value equal to (columns - 'wrapmargin'), where columns is the width of the
448screen.
449
450When 'textwidth' and 'wrapmargin' are both set, 'textwidth' is used.
451
452If you don't really want to break the line, but view the line wrapped at a
453convenient place, see the 'linebreak' option.
454
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000455The line is only broken automatically when using Insert mode, or when
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000456appending to a line. When in replace mode and the line length is not
457changed, the line will not be broken.
458
459Long lines are broken if you enter a non-white character after the margin.
460The situations where a line will be broken can be restricted by adding
461characters to the 'formatoptions' option:
462"l" Only break a line if it was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
463 started.
464"v" Only break at a white character that has been entered during the
465 current insert command. This is mostly Vi-compatible.
466"lv" Only break if the line was not longer than 'textwidth' when the insert
467 started and only at a white character that has been entered during the
468 current insert command. Only differs from "l" when entering non-white
469 characters while crossing the 'textwidth' boundary.
470
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000471Normally an internal function will be used to decide where to break the line.
472If you want to do it in a different way set the 'formatexpr' option to an
473expression that will take care of the line break.
474
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000475If you want to format a block of text, you can use the "gq" operator. Type
476"gq" and a movement command to move the cursor to the end of the block. In
477many cases, the command "gq}" will do what you want (format until the end of
478paragraph). Alternatively, you can use "gqap", which will format the whole
479paragraph, no matter where the cursor currently is. Or you can use Visual
480mode: hit "v", move to the end of the block, and type "gq". See also |gq|.
481
482==============================================================================
4834. 'expandtab', 'smarttab' and 'softtabstop' options *ins-expandtab*
484
485If the 'expandtab' option is on, spaces will be used to fill the amount of
486whitespace of the tab. If you want to enter a real <Tab>, type CTRL-V first
487(use CTRL-Q when CTRL-V is mapped |i_CTRL-Q|).
488The 'expandtab' option is off by default. Note that in Replace mode, a single
489character is replaced with several spaces. The result of this is that the
490number of characters in the line increases. Backspacing will delete one
491space at a time. The original character will be put back for only one space
492that you backspace over (the last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab'
493option}
494
495 *ins-smarttab*
496When the 'smarttab' option is on, a <Tab> inserts 'shiftwidth' positions at
497the beginning of a line and 'tabstop' positions in other places. This means
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +0200498that often spaces instead of a <Tab> character are inserted. When 'smarttab'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000499is off, a <Tab> always inserts 'tabstop' positions, and 'shiftwidth' is only
500used for ">>" and the like. {not in Vi}
501
502 *ins-softtabstop*
503When the 'softtabstop' option is non-zero, a <Tab> inserts 'softtabstop'
504positions, and a <BS> used to delete white space, will delete 'softtabstop'
505positions. This feels like 'tabstop' was set to 'softtabstop', but a real
506<Tab> character still takes 'tabstop' positions, so your file will still look
507correct when used by other applications.
508
509If 'softtabstop' is non-zero, a <BS> will try to delete as much white space to
510move to the previous 'softtabstop' position, except when the previously
511inserted character is a space, then it will only delete the character before
512the cursor. Otherwise you cannot always delete a single character before the
513cursor. You will have to delete 'softtabstop' characters first, and then type
514extra spaces to get where you want to be.
515
516==============================================================================
5175. Replace mode *Replace* *Replace-mode* *mode-replace*
518
519Enter Replace mode with the "R" command in normal mode.
520
521In Replace mode, one character in the line is deleted for every character you
522type. If there is no character to delete (at the end of the line), the
523typed character is appended (as in Insert mode). Thus the number of
524characters in a line stays the same until you get to the end of the line.
525If a <NL> is typed, a line break is inserted and no character is deleted.
526
527Be careful with <Tab> characters. If you type a normal printing character in
528its place, the number of characters is still the same, but the number of
529columns will become smaller.
530
531If you delete characters in Replace mode (with <BS>, CTRL-W, or CTRL-U), what
532happens is that you delete the changes. The characters that were replaced
533are restored. If you had typed past the existing text, the characters you
534added are deleted. This is effectively a character-at-a-time undo.
535
536If the 'expandtab' option is on, a <Tab> will replace one character with
537several spaces. The result of this is that the number of characters in the
538line increases. Backspacing will delete one space at a time. The original
539character will be put back for only one space that you backspace over (the
540last one). {Vi does not have the 'expandtab' option}
541
542==============================================================================
5436. Virtual Replace mode *vreplace-mode* *Virtual-Replace-mode*
544
545Enter Virtual Replace mode with the "gR" command in normal mode.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +0200546{not available when compiled without the |+vreplace| feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000547{Vi does not have Virtual Replace mode}
548
549Virtual Replace mode is similar to Replace mode, but instead of replacing
550actual characters in the file, you are replacing screen real estate, so that
551characters further on in the file never appear to move.
552
553So if you type a <Tab> it may replace several normal characters, and if you
554type a letter on top of a <Tab> it may not replace anything at all, since the
555<Tab> will still line up to the same place as before.
556
557Typing a <NL> still doesn't cause characters later in the file to appear to
558move. The rest of the current line will be replaced by the <NL> (that is,
559they are deleted), and replacing continues on the next line. A new line is
560NOT inserted unless you go past the end of the file.
561
562Interesting effects are seen when using CTRL-T and CTRL-D. The characters
563before the cursor are shifted sideways as normal, but characters later in the
564line still remain still. CTRL-T will hide some of the old line under the
565shifted characters, but CTRL-D will reveal them again.
566
567As with Replace mode, using <BS> etc will bring back the characters that were
568replaced. This still works in conjunction with 'smartindent', CTRL-T and
569CTRL-D, 'expandtab', 'smarttab', 'softtabstop', etc.
570
571In 'list' mode, Virtual Replace mode acts as if it was not in 'list' mode,
572unless "L" is in 'cpoptions'.
573
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +0200574Note that the only situations for which characters beyond the cursor should
575appear to move are in List mode |'list'|, and occasionally when 'wrap' is set
576(and the line changes length to become shorter or wider than the width of the
577screen). In other cases spaces may be inserted to avoid following characters
578to move.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000579
580This mode is very useful for editing <Tab> separated columns in tables, for
581entering new data while keeping all the columns aligned.
582
583==============================================================================
5847. Insert mode completion *ins-completion*
585
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000586In Insert and Replace mode, there are several commands to complete part of a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000587keyword or line that has been typed. This is useful if you are using
588complicated keywords (e.g., function names with capitals and underscores).
589
590These commands are not available when the |+insert_expand| feature was
591disabled at compile time.
592
593Completion can be done for:
594
5951. Whole lines |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L|
5962. keywords in the current file |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N|
5973. keywords in 'dictionary' |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K|
5984. keywords in 'thesaurus', thesaurus-style |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T|
5995. keywords in the current and included files |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I|
6006. tags |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]|
6017. file names |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F|
6028. definitions or macros |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D|
6039. Vim command-line |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V|
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +000060410. User defined completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U|
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +000060511. omni completion |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O|
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +000060612. Spelling suggestions |i_CTRL-X_s|
60713. keywords in 'complete' |i_CTRL-N|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000608
609All these (except 2) are done in CTRL-X mode. This is a sub-mode of Insert
610and Replace modes. You enter CTRL-X mode by typing CTRL-X and one of the
611CTRL-X commands. You exit CTRL-X mode by typing a key that is not a valid
612CTRL-X mode command. Valid keys are the CTRL-X command itself, CTRL-N (next),
613and CTRL-P (previous).
614
615Also see the 'infercase' option if you want to adjust the case of the match.
616
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000617 *complete_CTRL-E*
618When completion is active you can use CTRL-E to stop it and go back to the
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +0000619originally typed text. The CTRL-E will not be inserted.
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +0000620
621 *complete_CTRL-Y*
622When the popup menu is displayed you can use CTRL-Y to stop completion and
623accept the currently selected entry. The CTRL-Y is not inserted. Typing a
624space, Enter, or some other unprintable character will leave completion mode
625and insert that typed character.
626
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000627When the popup menu is displayed there are a few more special keys, see
628|popupmenu-keys|.
629
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000630Note: The keys that are valid in CTRL-X mode are not mapped. This allows for
631":map ^F ^X^F" to work (where ^F is CTRL-F and ^X is CTRL-X). The key that
632ends CTRL-X mode (any key that is not a valid CTRL-X mode command) is mapped.
633Also, when doing completion with 'complete' mappings apply as usual.
634
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +0000635Note: While completion is active Insert mode can't be used recursively.
636Mappings that somehow invoke ":normal i.." will generate an E523 error.
637
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000638The following mappings are suggested to make typing the completion commands
639a bit easier (although they will hide other commands): >
640 :inoremap ^] ^X^]
641 :inoremap ^F ^X^F
642 :inoremap ^D ^X^D
643 :inoremap ^L ^X^L
644
645As a special case, typing CTRL-R to perform register insertion (see
646|i_CTRL-R|) will not exit CTRL-X mode. This is primarily to allow the use of
647the '=' register to call some function to determine the next operation. If
648the contents of the register (or result of the '=' register evaluation) are
649not valid CTRL-X mode keys, then CTRL-X mode will be exited as if those keys
650had been typed.
651
652For example, the following will map <Tab> to either actually insert a <Tab> if
653the current line is currently only whitespace, or start/continue a CTRL-N
654completion operation: >
655
656 function! CleverTab()
657 if strpart( getline('.'), 0, col('.')-1 ) =~ '^\s*$'
658 return "\<Tab>"
659 else
660 return "\<C-N>"
Bram Moolenaarb52073a2010-03-17 20:02:06 +0100661 endif
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000662 endfunction
663 inoremap <Tab> <C-R>=CleverTab()<CR>
664
665
666
667Completing whole lines *compl-whole-line*
668
669 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L*
670CTRL-X CTRL-L Search backwards for a line that starts with the
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000671 same characters as those in the current line before
672 the cursor. Indent is ignored. The matching line is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000673 inserted in front of the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +0000674 The 'complete' option is used to decide which buffers
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +0000675 are searched for a match. Both loaded and unloaded
676 buffers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000677 CTRL-L or
678 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching line. This line
679 replaces the previous matching line.
680
681 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching line. This line
682 replaces the previous matching line.
683
684 CTRL-X CTRL-L After expanding a line you can additionally get the
685 line next to it by typing CTRL-X CTRL-L again, unless
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100686 a double CTRL-X is used. Only works for loaded
687 buffers.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000688
689Completing keywords in current file *compl-current*
690
691 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-P*
692 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N*
693CTRL-X CTRL-N Search forwards for words that start with the keyword
694 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
695 in front of the cursor.
696
697CTRL-X CTRL-P Search backwards for words that start with the keyword
698 in front of the cursor. The found keyword is inserted
699 in front of the cursor.
700
701 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
702 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
703
704 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
705 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
706
707 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
708 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
709 copy the words following the previous expansion in
710 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
711
712If there is a keyword in front of the cursor (a name made out of alphabetic
713characters and characters in 'iskeyword'), it is used as the search pattern,
714with "\<" prepended (meaning: start of a word). Otherwise "\<\k\k" is used
715as search pattern (start of any keyword of at least two characters).
716
717In Replace mode, the number of characters that are replaced depends on the
718length of the matched string. This works like typing the characters of the
719matched string in Replace mode.
720
721If there is not a valid keyword character before the cursor, any keyword of
722at least two characters is matched.
723 e.g., to get:
724 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], vector[1], vector[2]);
725 just type:
726 printf("(%g, %g, %g)", vector[0], ^P[1], ^P[2]);
727
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000728The search wraps around the end of the file, the value of 'wrapscan' is not
729used here.
730
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000731Multiple repeats of the same completion are skipped; thus a different match
732will be inserted at each CTRL-N and CTRL-P (unless there is only one
733matching keyword).
734
735Single character matches are never included, as they usually just get in
736the way of what you were really after.
737 e.g., to get:
738 printf("name = %s\n", name);
739 just type:
740 printf("name = %s\n", n^P);
741 or even:
742 printf("name = %s\n", ^P);
743The 'n' in '\n' is skipped.
744
745After expanding a word, you can use CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N to get the
746word following the expansion in other contexts. These sequences search for
747the text just expanded and further expand by getting an extra word. This is
748useful if you need to repeat a sequence of complicated words. Although CTRL-P
749and CTRL-N look just for strings of at least two characters, CTRL-X CTRL-P and
750CTRL-X CTRL-N can be used to expand words of just one character.
751 e.g., to get:
752 M&eacute;xico
753 you can type:
754 M^N^P^X^P^X^P
755CTRL-N starts the expansion and then CTRL-P takes back the single character
756"M", the next two CTRL-X CTRL-P's get the words "&eacute" and ";xico".
757
758If the previous expansion was split, because it got longer than 'textwidth',
759then just the text in the current line will be used.
760
761If the match found is at the end of a line, then the first word in the next
762line will be inserted and the message "word from next line" displayed, if
763this word is accepted the next CTRL-X CTRL-P or CTRL-X CTRL-N will search
764for those lines starting with this word.
765
766
767Completing keywords in 'dictionary' *compl-dictionary*
768
769 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K*
770CTRL-X CTRL-K Search the files given with the 'dictionary' option
771 for words that start with the keyword in front of the
772 cursor. This is like CTRL-N, but only the dictionary
773 files are searched, not the current file. The found
774 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor. This
775 could potentially be pretty slow, since all matches
776 are found before the first match is used. By default,
777 the 'dictionary' option is empty.
778 For suggestions where to find a list of words, see the
779 'dictionary' option.
780
781 CTRL-K or
782 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
783 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
784
785 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
786 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
787
788 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000789CTRL-X CTRL-T Works as CTRL-X CTRL-K, but in a special way. It uses
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000790 the 'thesaurus' option instead of 'dictionary'. If a
791 match is found in the thesaurus file, all the
792 remaining words on the same line are included as
793 matches, even though they don't complete the word.
794 Thus a word can be completely replaced.
795
796 For an example, imagine the 'thesaurus' file has a
797 line like this: >
798 angry furious mad enraged
799< Placing the cursor after the letters "ang" and typing
800 CTRL-X CTRL-T would complete the word "angry";
801 subsequent presses would change the word to "furious",
802 "mad" etc.
803 Other uses include translation between two languages,
804 or grouping API functions by keyword.
805
806 CTRL-T or
807 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
808 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
809
810 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
811 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
812
813
814Completing keywords in the current and included files *compl-keyword*
815
816The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
817name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
818
819 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I*
820CTRL-X CTRL-I Search for the first keyword in the current and
821 included files that starts with the same characters
822 as those before the cursor. The matched keyword is
823 inserted in front of the cursor.
824
825 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching keyword. This
826 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
827 Note: CTRL-I is the same as <Tab>, which is likely to
828 be typed after a successful completion, therefore
829 CTRL-I is not used for searching for the next match.
830
831 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching keyword. This
832 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
833
834 CTRL-X CTRL-I Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-I will copy the words
835 following the previous expansion in other contexts
836 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
837
838Completing tags *compl-tag*
839 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]*
840CTRL-X CTRL-] Search for the first tag that starts with the same
841 characters as before the cursor. The matching tag is
842 inserted in front of the cursor. Alphabetic
843 characters and characters in 'iskeyword' are used
844 to decide which characters are included in the tag
845 name (same as for a keyword). See also |CTRL-]|.
846 The 'showfulltag' option can be used to add context
847 from around the tag definition.
848 CTRL-] or
849 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching tag. This tag
850 replaces the previous matching tag.
851
852 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching tag. This tag
853 replaces the previous matching tag.
854
855
856Completing file names *compl-filename*
857 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F*
858CTRL-X CTRL-F Search for the first file name that starts with the
859 same characters as before the cursor. The matching
860 file name is inserted in front of the cursor.
861 Alphabetic characters and characters in 'isfname'
862 are used to decide which characters are included in
863 the file name. Note: the 'path' option is not used
864 here (yet).
865 CTRL-F or
866 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching file name. This
867 file name replaces the previous matching file name.
868
869 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching file name.
870 This file name replaces the previous matching file
871 name.
872
873
874Completing definitions or macros *compl-define*
875
876The 'define' option is used to specify a line that contains a definition.
877The 'include' option is used to specify a line that contains an include file
878name. The 'path' option is used to search for include files.
879
880 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D*
881CTRL-X CTRL-D Search in the current and included files for the
882 first definition (or macro) name that starts with
883 the same characters as before the cursor. The found
884 definition name is inserted in front of the cursor.
885 CTRL-D or
886 CTRL-N Search forwards for next matching macro name. This
887 macro name replaces the previous matching macro
888 name.
889
890 CTRL-P Search backward for previous matching macro name.
891 This macro name replaces the previous matching macro
892 name.
893
894 CTRL-X CTRL-D Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-D will copy the words
895 following the previous expansion in other contexts
896 unless a double CTRL-X is used.
897
898
899Completing Vim commands *compl-vim*
900
901Completion is context-sensitive. It works like on the Command-line. It
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000902completes an Ex command as well as its arguments. This is useful when writing
903a Vim script.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000904
905 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V*
906CTRL-X CTRL-V Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
907 find the first match for it.
908 Note: When CTRL-V is mapped you can often use CTRL-Q
Bram Moolenaar3577c6f2008-06-24 21:16:56 +0000909 instead of |i_CTRL-Q|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000910 CTRL-V or
911 CTRL-N Search forwards for next match. This match replaces
912 the previous one.
913
Bram Moolenaar3577c6f2008-06-24 21:16:56 +0000914 CTRL-P Search backwards for previous match. This match
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000915 replaces the previous one.
916
917 CTRL-X CTRL-V Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-V will do the same as
918 CTRL-V. This allows mapping a key to do Vim command
919 completion, for example: >
920 :imap <Tab> <C-X><C-V>
921
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000922User defined completion *compl-function*
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000923
924Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000925'completefunc' option. See below for how the function is called and an
926example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +0000927
928 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U*
929CTRL-X CTRL-U Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
930 find the first match for it.
931 CTRL-U or
932 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
933 one.
934
935 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
936 previous one.
937
938
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000939Omni completion *compl-omni*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000940
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000941Completion is done by a function that can be defined by the user with the
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000942'omnifunc' option. This is to be used for filetype-specific completion.
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +0000943
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +0000944See below for how the function is called and an example |complete-functions|.
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +0000945For remarks about specific filetypes see |compl-omni-filetypes|.
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +0000946More completion scripts will appear, check www.vim.org. Currently there is a
947first version for C++.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +0000948
949 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O*
950CTRL-X CTRL-O Guess what kind of item is in front of the cursor and
951 find the first match for it.
952 CTRL-O or
953 CTRL-N Use the next match. This match replaces the previous
954 one.
955
956 CTRL-P Use the previous match. This match replaces the
957 previous one.
958
959
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000960Spelling suggestions *compl-spelling*
961
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +0000962A word before or at the cursor is located and correctly spelled words are
963suggested to replace it. If there is a badly spelled word in the line, before
964or under the cursor, the cursor is moved to after it. Otherwise the word just
965before the cursor is used for suggestions, even though it isn't badly spelled.
966
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +0000967NOTE: CTRL-S suspends display in many Unix terminals. Use 's' instead. Type
968CTRL-Q to resume displaying.
969
970 *i_CTRL-X_CTRL-S* *i_CTRL-X_s*
971CTRL-X CTRL-S or
972CTRL-X s Locate the word in front of the cursor and find the
973 first spell suggestion for it.
974 CTRL-S or
975 CTRL-N Use the next suggestion. This replaces the previous
976 one. Note that you can't use 's' here.
977
978 CTRL-P Use the previous suggestion. This replaces the
979 previous one.
980
981
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000982Completing keywords from different sources *compl-generic*
983
984 *i_CTRL-N*
985CTRL-N Find next match for words that start with the
986 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
987 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
988 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
989
990 *i_CTRL-P*
991CTRL-P Find previous match for words that start with the
992 keyword in front of the cursor, looking in places
993 specified with the 'complete' option. The found
994 keyword is inserted in front of the cursor.
995
996 CTRL-N Search forward for next matching keyword. This
997 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
998
999 CTRL-P Search backwards for next matching keyword. This
1000 keyword replaces the previous matching keyword.
1001
1002 CTRL-X CTRL-N or
1003 CTRL-X CTRL-P Further use of CTRL-X CTRL-N or CTRL-X CTRL-P will
1004 copy the words following the previous expansion in
1005 other contexts unless a double CTRL-X is used.
1006
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001007
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001008FUNCTIONS FOR FINDING COMPLETIONS *complete-functions*
1009
1010This applies to 'completefunc' and 'omnifunc'.
1011
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001012The function is called in two different ways:
1013- First the function is called to find the start of the text to be completed.
1014- Later the function is called to actually find the matches.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001015
1016On the first invocation the arguments are:
1017 a:findstart 1
1018 a:base empty
1019
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001020The function must return the column where the completion starts. It must be a
1021number between zero and the cursor column "col('.')". This involves looking
1022at the characters just before the cursor and including those characters that
1023could be part of the completed item. The text between this column and the
Bram Moolenaar8e52a592012-05-18 21:49:28 +02001024cursor column will be replaced with the matches.
1025
1026Special return values:
1027 -1 If no completion can be done, the completion will be cancelled with an
1028 error message.
1029 -2 To cancel silently and stay in completion mode.
1030 -3 To cancel silently and leave completion mode.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001031
1032On the second invocation the arguments are:
1033 a:findstart 0
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001034 a:base the text with which matches should match; the text that was
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001035 located in the first call (can be empty)
1036
1037The function must return a List with the matching words. These matches
1038usually include the "a:base" text. When there are no matches return an empty
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001039List.
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +02001040
1041In order to return more information than the matching words, return a Dict
1042that contains the List. The Dict can have these items:
1043 words The List of matching words (mandatory).
1044 refresh A string to control re-invocation of the function
1045 (optional).
1046 The only value currently recognized is "always", the
1047 effect is that the function is called whenever the
1048 leading text is changed.
1049Other items are ignored.
1050
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02001051For acting upon end of completion, see the |CompleteDone| autocommand event.
1052
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +02001053For example, the function can contain this: >
1054 let matches = ... list of words ...
1055 return {'words': matches, 'refresh': 'always'}
1056<
Bram Moolenaar5c4bab02006-03-10 21:37:46 +00001057 *complete-items*
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001058Each list item can either be a string or a Dictionary. When it is a string it
1059is used as the completion. When it is a Dictionary it can contain these
1060items:
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001061 word the text that will be inserted, mandatory
1062 abbr abbreviation of "word"; when not empty it is used in
1063 the menu instead of "word"
Bram Moolenaar8dff8182006-04-06 20:18:50 +00001064 menu extra text for the popup menu, displayed after "word"
1065 or "abbr"
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001066 info more information about the item, can be displayed in a
1067 preview window
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001068 kind single letter indicating the type of completion
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00001069 icase when non-zero case is to be ignored when comparing
1070 items to be equal; when omitted zero is used, thus
1071 items that only differ in case are added
Bram Moolenaar4a85b412006-04-23 22:40:29 +00001072 dup when non-zero this match will be added even when an
1073 item with the same word is already present.
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001074 empty when non-zero this match will be added even when it is
1075 an empty string
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001076
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +02001077All of these except 'icase', 'dup' and 'empty' must be a string. If an item
1078does not meet these requirements then an error message is given and further
1079items in the list are not used. You can mix string and Dictionary items in
1080the returned list.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001081
1082The "menu" item is used in the popup menu and may be truncated, thus it should
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001083be relatively short. The "info" item can be longer, it will be displayed in
1084the preview window when "preview" appears in 'completeopt'. The "info" item
1085will also remain displayed after the popup menu has been removed. This is
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001086useful for function arguments. Use a single space for "info" to remove
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02001087existing text in the preview window. The size of the preview window is three
1088lines, but 'previewheight' is used when it has a value of 1 or 2.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001089
1090The "kind" item uses a single letter to indicate the kind of completion. This
1091may be used to show the completion differently (different color or icon).
1092Currently these types can be used:
1093 v variable
1094 f function or method
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001095 m member of a struct or class
1096 t typedef
1097 d #define or macro
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001098
1099When searching for matches takes some time call |complete_add()| to add each
1100match to the total list. These matches should then not appear in the returned
1101list! Call |complete_check()| now and then to allow the user to press a key
1102while still searching for matches. Stop searching when it returns non-zero.
1103
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001104 *E839* *E840*
1105The function is allowed to move the cursor, it is restored afterwards.
1106The function is not allowed to move to another window or delete text.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00001107
1108An example that completes the names of the months: >
1109 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1110 if a:findstart
1111 " locate the start of the word
1112 let line = getline('.')
1113 let start = col('.') - 1
1114 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1115 let start -= 1
1116 endwhile
1117 return start
1118 else
1119 " find months matching with "a:base"
1120 let res = []
1121 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1122 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1123 call add(res, m)
1124 endif
1125 endfor
1126 return res
1127 endif
1128 endfun
1129 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1130<
1131The same, but now pretending searching for matches is slow: >
1132 fun! CompleteMonths(findstart, base)
1133 if a:findstart
1134 " locate the start of the word
1135 let line = getline('.')
1136 let start = col('.') - 1
1137 while start > 0 && line[start - 1] =~ '\a'
1138 let start -= 1
1139 endwhile
1140 return start
1141 else
1142 " find months matching with "a:base"
1143 for m in split("Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec")
1144 if m =~ '^' . a:base
1145 call complete_add(m)
1146 endif
1147 sleep 300m " simulate searching for next match
1148 if complete_check()
1149 break
1150 endif
1151 endfor
1152 return []
1153 endif
1154 endfun
1155 set completefunc=CompleteMonths
1156<
1157
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001158INSERT COMPLETION POPUP MENU *ins-completion-menu*
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00001159 *popupmenu-completion*
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001160Vim can display the matches in a simplistic popup menu.
1161
1162The menu is used when:
Bram Moolenaara2031822006-03-07 22:29:51 +00001163- The 'completeopt' option contains "menu" or "menuone".
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001164- The terminal supports at least 8 colors.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00001165- There are at least two matches. One if "menuone" is used.
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001166
Bram Moolenaar56718732006-03-15 22:53:57 +00001167The 'pumheight' option can be used to set a maximum height. The default is to
1168use all space available.
1169
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001170There are three states:
11711. A complete match has been inserted, e.g., after using CTRL-N or CTRL-P.
11722. A cursor key has been used to select another match. The match was not
1173 inserted then, only the entry in the popup menu is highlighted.
11743. Only part of a match has been inserted and characters were typed or the
1175 backspace key was used. The list of matches was then adjusted for what is
1176 in front of the cursor.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001177
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001178You normally start in the first state, with the first match being inserted.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001179When "longest" is in 'completeopt' and there is more than one match you start
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001180in the third state.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001181
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001182If you select another match, e.g., with CTRL-N or CTRL-P, you go to the first
1183state. This doesn't change the list of matches.
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001184
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001185When you are back at the original text then you are in the third state. To
Bram Moolenaara2031822006-03-07 22:29:51 +00001186get there right away you can use a mapping that uses CTRL-P right after
1187starting the completion: >
1188 :imap <F7> <C-N><C-P>
Bram Moolenaar76916e62006-03-21 21:23:25 +00001189<
1190 *popupmenu-keys*
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001191In the first state these keys have a special meaning:
1192<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the word before
1193 the cursor. This reduces the list of matches, often to one
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001194 entry, and switches to the second state.
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001195Any non-special character:
1196 Stop completion without changing the match and insert the
1197 typed character.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001198
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001199In the second and third state these keys have a special meaning:
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001200<BS> and CTRL-H Delete one character, find the matches for the shorter word
1201 before the cursor. This may find more matches.
1202CTRL-L Add one character from the current match, may reduce the
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001203 number of matches.
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001204any printable, non-white character:
1205 Add this character and reduce the number of matches.
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00001206
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001207In all three states these can be used:
Bram Moolenaard2cec5b2006-03-28 21:08:56 +00001208CTRL-Y Yes: Accept the currently selected match and stop completion.
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001209CTRL-E End completion, go back to what was there before selecting a
1210 match (what was typed or longest common string).
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001211<PageUp> Select a match several entries back, but don't insert it.
1212<PageDown> Select a match several entries further, but don't insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001213<Up> Select the previous match, as if CTRL-P was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001214 insert it.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001215<Down> Select the next match, as if CTRL-N was used, but don't
Bram Moolenaar80a94a52006-02-23 21:26:58 +00001216 insert it.
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001217<Space> or <Tab> Stop completion without changing the match and insert the
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001218 typed character.
1219
Bram Moolenaar044b68f2007-05-10 17:39:52 +00001220The behavior of the <Enter> key depends on the state you are in:
Bram Moolenaar779b74b2006-04-10 14:55:34 +00001221first state: Use the text as it is and insert a line break.
1222second state: Insert the currently selected match.
1223third state: Use the text as it is and insert a line break.
1224
1225In other words: If you used the cursor keys to select another entry in the
Bram Moolenaar044b68f2007-05-10 17:39:52 +00001226list of matches then the <Enter> key inserts that match. If you typed
1227something else then <Enter> inserts a line break.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001228
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001229
1230The colors of the menu can be changed with these highlight groups:
1231Pmenu normal item |hl-Pmenu|
1232PmenuSel selected item |hl-PmenuSel|
1233PmenuSbar scrollbar |hl-PmenuSbar|
1234PmenuThumb thumb of the scrollbar |hl-PmenuThumb|
1235
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001236There are no special mappings for when the popup menu is visible. However,
1237you can use an Insert mode mapping that checks the |pumvisible()| function to
1238do something different. Example: >
1239 :inoremap <Down> <C-R>=pumvisible() ? "\<lt>C-N>" : "\<lt>Down>"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001240
Bram Moolenaar5c4bab02006-03-10 21:37:46 +00001241You can use of <expr> in mapping to have the popup menu used when typing a
1242character and some condition is met. For example, for typing a dot: >
1243 inoremap <expr> . MayComplete()
1244 func MayComplete()
1245 if (can complete)
1246 return ".\<C-X>\<C-O>"
1247 endif
1248 return '.'
1249 endfunc
1250
1251See |:map-<expr>| for more info.
1252
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001253
1254FILETYPE-SPECIFIC REMARKS FOR OMNI COMPLETION *compl-omni-filetypes*
1255
1256The file used for {filetype} should be autoload/{filetype}complete.vim
1257in 'runtimepath'. Thus for "java" it is autoload/javacomplete.vim.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001258
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001259
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001260C *ft-c-omni*
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001261
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001262Completion of C code requires a tags file. You should use Exuberant ctags,
1263because it adds extra information that is needed for completion. You can find
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001264it here: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/ Version 5.6 or later is recommended.
1265
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001266For version 5.5.4 you should add a patch that adds the "typename:" field:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001267 ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/unstable/patches/ctags-5.5.4.patch
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001268A compiled .exe for MS-Windows can be found at:
Bram Moolenaar36fc5352006-03-04 21:49:37 +00001269 http://georgevreilly.com/vim/ctags.html
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001270
1271If you want to complete system functions you can do something like this. Use
1272ctags to generate a tags file for all the system header files: >
1273 % ctags -R -f ~/.vim/systags /usr/include /usr/local/include
1274In your vimrc file add this tags file to the 'tags' option: >
1275 set tags+=~/.vim/systags
1276
1277When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after a name without any "." or "->" it is completed
1278from the tags file directly. This works for any identifier, also function
1279names. If you want to complete a local variable name, which does not appear
1280in the tags file, use CTRL-P instead.
1281
1282When using CTRL-X CTRL-O after something that has "." or "->" Vim will attempt
1283to recognize the type of the variable and figure out what members it has.
1284This means only members valid for the variable will be listed.
1285
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001286When a member name already was complete, CTRL-X CTRL-O will add a "." or
1287"->" for composite types.
1288
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00001289Vim doesn't include a C compiler, only the most obviously formatted
1290declarations are recognized. Preprocessor stuff may cause confusion.
1291When the same structure name appears in multiple places all possible members
1292are included.
1293
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001294
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001295CSS *ft-css-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001296
1297Complete properties and their appropriate values according to CSS 2.1
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001298specification.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001299
1300
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001301HTML *ft-html-omni*
1302XHTML *ft-xhtml-omni*
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001303
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001304CTRL-X CTRL-O provides completion of various elements of (X)HTML files. It is
1305designed to support writing of XHTML 1.0 Strict files but will also works for
1306other versions of HTML. Features:
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001307
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001308- after "<" complete tag name depending on context (no div suggestion inside
1309 of an a tag); '/>' indicates empty tags
1310- inside of tag complete proper attributes (no width attribute for an a tag);
1311 show also type of attribute; '*' indicates required attributes
1312- when attribute has limited number of possible values help to complete them
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001313- complete names of entities
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001314- complete values of "class" and "id" attributes with data obtained from
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001315 <style> tag and included CSS files
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001316- when completing value of "style" attribute or working inside of "style" tag
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001317 switch to |ft-css-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001318- when completing values of events attributes or working inside of "script"
1319 tag switch to |ft-javascript-omni| completion
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001320- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001321
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001322Note: When used first time completion menu will be shown with little delay
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001323- this is time needed for loading of data file.
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001324Note: Completion may fail in badly formatted documents. In such case try to
1325run |:make| command to detect formatting problems.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001326
1327
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001328HTML flavor *html-flavor*
1329
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001330The default HTML completion depends on the filetype. For HTML files it is
1331HTML 4.01 Transitional ('filetype' is "html"), for XHTML it is XHTML 1.0
1332Strict ('filetype' is "xhtml").
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001333
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001334When doing completion outside of any other tag you will have possibility to
1335choose DOCTYPE and the appropriate data file will be loaded and used for all
1336next completions.
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001337
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001338More about format of data file in |xml-omni-datafile|. Some of the data files
1339may be found on the Vim website (|www|).
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001340
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001341Note that b:html_omni_flavor may point to a file with any XML data. This
1342makes possible to mix PHP (|ft-php-omni|) completion with any XML dialect
1343(assuming you have data file for it). Without setting that variable XHTML 1.0
1344Strict will be used.
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001345
1346
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001347JAVASCRIPT *ft-javascript-omni*
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001348
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001349Completion of most elements of JavaScript language and DOM elements.
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001350
1351Complete:
1352
1353- variables
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001354- function name; show function arguments
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001355- function arguments
1356- properties of variables trying to detect type of variable
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001357- complete DOM objects and properties depending on context
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001358- keywords of language
1359
Bram Moolenaar8b6144b2006-02-08 09:20:24 +00001360Completion works in separate JavaScript files (&ft==javascript), inside of
1361<script> tag of (X)HTML and in values of event attributes (including scanning
Bram Moolenaar9ba7e172013-07-17 22:37:26 +02001362of external files).
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001363
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001364DOM compatibility
1365
1366At the moment (beginning of 2006) there are two main browsers - MS Internet
1367Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. These two applications are covering over 90% of
1368market. Theoretically standards are created by W3C organisation
1369(http://www.w3c.org) but they are not always followed/implemented.
1370
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001371 IE FF W3C Omni completion ~
1372 +/- +/- + + ~
1373 + + - + ~
1374 + - - - ~
1375 - + - - ~
Bram Moolenaarb8a7b562006-02-01 21:47:16 +00001376
1377Regardless from state of implementation in browsers but if element is defined
1378in standards, completion plugin will place element in suggestion list. When
1379both major engines implemented element, even if this is not in standards it
1380will be suggested. All other elements are not placed in suggestion list.
1381
1382
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001383PHP *ft-php-omni*
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001384
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001385Completion of PHP code requires a tags file for completion of data from
1386external files and for class aware completion. You should use Exuberant ctags
1387version 5.5.4 or newer. You can find it here: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001388
1389Script completes:
1390
1391- after $ variables name
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001392 - if variable was declared as object add "->", if tags file is available show
1393 name of class
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001394 - after "->" complete only function and variable names specific for given
1395 class. To find class location and contents tags file is required. Because
1396 PHP isn't strongly typed language user can use @var tag to declare class: >
1397
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001398 /* @var $myVar myClass */
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001399 $myVar->
1400<
1401 Still, to find myClass contents tags file is required.
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001402
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001403- function names with additional info:
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001404 - in case of built-in functions list of possible arguments and after | type
1405 data returned by function
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001406 - in case of user function arguments and name of file where function was
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001407 defined (if it is not current file)
1408
1409- constants names
1410- class names after "new" declaration
1411
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001412
1413Note: when doing completion first time Vim will load all necessary data into
1414memory. It may take several seconds. After next use of completion delay
Bram Moolenaar0b598c22006-03-11 21:22:53 +00001415should not be noticeable.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00001416
1417Script detects if cursor is inside <?php ?> tags. If it is outside it will
1418automatically switch to HTML/CSS/JavaScript completion. Note: contrary to
1419original HTML files completion of tags (and only tags) isn't context aware.
1420
1421
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001422RUBY *ft-ruby-omni*
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001423
1424Completion of Ruby code requires that vim be built with |+ruby|.
1425
1426Ruby completion will parse your buffer on demand in order to provide a list of
1427completions. These completions will be drawn from modules loaded by 'require'
1428and modules defined in the current buffer.
1429
1430The completions provided by CTRL-X CTRL-O are sensitive to the context:
1431
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001432 CONTEXT COMPLETIONS PROVIDED ~
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001433
1434 1. Not inside a class definition Classes, constants and globals
1435
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001436 2. Inside a class definition Methods or constants defined in the class
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001437
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001438 3. After '.', '::' or ':' Methods applicable to the object being
1439 dereferenced
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001440
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001441 4. After ':' or ':foo' Symbol name (beginning with 'foo')
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001442
1443Notes:
1444 - Vim will load/evaluate code in order to provide completions. This may
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001445 cause some code execution, which may be a concern. This is no longer
1446 enabled by default, to enable this feature add >
1447 let g:rubycomplete_buffer_loading = 1
1448<- In context 1 above, Vim can parse the entire buffer to add a list of
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001449 classes to the completion results. This feature is turned off by default,
1450 to enable it add >
1451 let g:rubycomplete_classes_in_global = 1
1452< to your vimrc
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001453 - In context 2 above, anonymous classes are not supported.
1454 - In context 3 above, Vim will attempt to determine the methods supported by
1455 the object.
1456 - Vim can detect and load the Rails environment for files within a rails
1457 project. The feature is disabled by default, to enable it add >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00001458 let g:rubycomplete_rails = 1
1459< to your vimrc
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001460
1461
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001462SYNTAX *ft-syntax-omni*
1463
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001464Vim has the ability to color syntax highlight nearly 500 languages. Part of
1465this highlighting includes knowing what keywords are part of a language. Many
1466filetypes already have custom completion scripts written for them, the
1467syntaxcomplete plugin provides basic completion for all other filetypes. It
1468does this by populating the omni completion list with the text Vim already
1469knows how to color highlight. It can be used for any filetype and provides a
1470minimal language-sensitive completion.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001471
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001472To enable syntax code completion you can run: >
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001473 setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001474
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001475You can automate this by placing the following in your |.vimrc| (after any
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001476":filetype" command): >
1477 if has("autocmd") && exists("+omnifunc")
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001478 autocmd Filetype *
1479 \ if &omnifunc == "" |
1480 \ setlocal omnifunc=syntaxcomplete#Complete |
1481 \ endif
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001482 endif
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001483
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001484The above will set completion to this script only if a specific plugin does
1485not already exist for that filetype.
1486
1487Each filetype can have a wide range of syntax items. The plugin allows you to
1488customize which syntax groups to include or exclude from the list. Let's have
1489a look at the PHP filetype to see how this works.
1490
1491If you edit a file called, index.php, run the following command: >
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001492 syntax list
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001493
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001494The first thing you will notice is that there are many different syntax groups.
1495The PHP language can include elements from different languages like HTML,
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001496JavaScript and many more. The syntax plugin will only include syntax groups
1497that begin with the filetype, "php", in this case. For example these syntax
1498groups are included by default with the PHP: phpEnvVar, phpIntVar,
1499phpFunctions.
1500
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001501If you wish non-filetype syntax items to also be included, you can use a
1502regular expression syntax (added in version 13.0 of autoload\syntaxcomplete.vim)
1503to add items. Looking at the output from ":syntax list" while editing a PHP file
1504I can see some of these entries: >
1505 htmlArg,htmlTag,htmlTagName,javaScriptStatement,javaScriptGlobalObjects
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001506
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001507To pick up any JavaScript and HTML keyword syntax groups while editing a PHP
1508file, you can use 3 different regexs, one for each language. Or you can
1509simply restrict the include groups to a particular value, without using
1510a regex string: >
1511 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_php = 'php\w\+,javaScript\w\+,html\w\+'
1512 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_php = 'phpFunctions,phpMethods'
1513<
1514The basic form of this variable is: >
1515 let g:omni_syntax_group_include_{filetype} = 'regex,comma,separated'
1516
1517The PHP language has an enormous number of items which it knows how to syntax
Bram Moolenaar9ba7e172013-07-17 22:37:26 +02001518highlight. These items will be available within the omni completion list.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001519
1520Some people may find this list unwieldy or are only interested in certain
1521items. There are two ways to prune this list (if necessary). If you find
1522certain syntax groups you do not wish displayed you can use two different
1523methods to identify these groups. The first specifically lists the syntax
1524groups by name. The second uses a regular expression to identify both
1525syntax groups. Simply add one the following to your vimrc: >
1526 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_php = 'phpCoreConstant,phpConstant'
1527 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_php = 'php\w*Constant'
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001528
1529Add as many syntax groups to this list by comma separating them. The basic
1530form of this variable is: >
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001531 let g:omni_syntax_group_exclude_{filetype} = 'regex,comma,separated'
Bram Moolenaarc06ac342006-03-02 22:43:39 +00001532
1533You can create as many of these variables as you need, varying only the
1534filetype at the end of the variable name.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001535
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001536The plugin uses the isKeyword option to determine where word boundaries are
1537for the syntax items. For example, in the Scheme language completion should
1538include the "-", call-with-output-file. Depending on your filetype, this may
1539not provide the words you are expecting. Setting the
1540g:omni_syntax_use_iskeyword option to 0 will force the syntax plugin to break
1541on word characters. This can be controlled adding the following to your
1542vimrc: >
1543 let g:omni_syntax_use_iskeyword = 0
1544
Bram Moolenaar8b682772010-07-30 21:49:40 +02001545For plugin developers, the plugin exposes a public function OmniSyntaxList.
1546This function can be used to request a List of syntax items. When editing a
1547SQL file (:e syntax.sql) you can use the ":syntax list" command to see the
1548various groups and syntax items. For example: >
1549 syntax list
1550
1551Yields data similar to this: >
1552 sqlOperator xxx some prior all like and any escape exists in is not
1553 or intersect minus between distinct
1554 links to Operator
1555 sqlType xxx varbit varchar nvarchar bigint int uniqueidentifier
1556 date money long tinyint unsigned xml text smalldate
1557 double datetime nchar smallint numeric time bit char
1558 varbinary binary smallmoney
1559 image float integer timestamp real decimal
1560
1561There are two syntax groups listed here: sqlOperator and sqlType. To retrieve
1562a List of syntax items you can call OmniSyntaxList a number of different
1563ways. To retrieve all syntax items regardless of syntax group: >
1564 echo OmniSyntaxList( [] )
1565
1566To retrieve only the syntax items for the sqlOperator syntax group: >
1567 echo OmniSyntaxList( ['sqlOperator'] )
1568
1569To retrieve all syntax items for both the sqlOperator and sqlType groups: >
1570 echo OmniSyntaxList( ['sqlOperator', 'sqlType'] )
1571
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02001572A regular expression can also be used: >
1573 echo OmniSyntaxList( ['sql\w\+'] )
1574
Bram Moolenaar8b682772010-07-30 21:49:40 +02001575From within a plugin, you would typically assign the output to a List: >
1576 let myKeywords = []
1577 let myKeywords = OmniSyntaxList( ['sqlKeyword'] )
1578
1579
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001580
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001581SQL *ft-sql-omni*
1582
1583Completion for the SQL language includes statements, functions, keywords.
1584It will also dynamically complete tables, procedures, views and column lists
1585with data pulled directly from within a database. For detailed instructions
1586and a tutorial see |omni-sql-completion|.
1587
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001588The SQL completion plugin can be used in conjunction with other completion
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001589plugins. For example, the PHP filetype has its own completion plugin.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001590Since PHP is often used to generate dynamic website by accessing a database,
1591the SQL completion plugin can also be enabled. This allows you to complete
1592PHP code and SQL code at the same time.
1593
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001594
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001595XML *ft-xml-omni*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001596
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001597Vim 7 provides a mechanism for context aware completion of XML files. It
1598depends on a special |xml-omni-datafile| and two commands: |:XMLns| and
1599|:XMLent|. Features are:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001600
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001601- after "<" complete the tag name, depending on context
1602- inside of a tag complete proper attributes
1603- when an attribute has a limited number of possible values help to complete
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001604 them
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001605- complete names of entities (defined in |xml-omni-datafile| and in the
1606 current file with "<!ENTITY" declarations)
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001607- when used after "</" CTRL-X CTRL-O will close the last opened tag
1608
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001609Format of XML data file *xml-omni-datafile*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001610
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001611XML data files are stored in the "autoload/xml" directory in 'runtimepath'.
1612Vim distribution provides examples of data files in the
1613"$VIMRUNTIME/autoload/xml" directory. They have a meaningful name which will
1614be used in commands. It should be a unique name which will not create
1615conflicts. For example, the name xhtml10s.vim means it is the data file for
1616XHTML 1.0 Strict.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001617
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001618Each file contains a variable with a name like g:xmldata_xhtml10s . It is
1619a compound from two parts:
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001620
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +000016211. "g:xmldata_" general prefix, constant for all data files
16222. "xhtml10s" the name of the file and the name of the described XML
1623 dialect; it will be used as an argument for the |:XMLns|
1624 command
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001625
1626Part two must be exactly the same as name of file.
1627
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001628The variable is a |Dictionary|. Keys are tag names and each value is a two
1629element |List|. The first element of the List is also a List with the names
1630of possible children. The second element is a |Dictionary| with the names of
1631attributes as keys and the possible values of attributes as values. Example: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001632
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001633 let g:xmldata_crippled = {
1634 \ "vimxmlentities": ["amp", "lt", "gt", "apos", "quot"],
1635 \ 'vimxmlroot': ['tag1'],
1636 \ 'tag1':
1637 \ [ ['childoftag1a', 'childoftag1b'], {'attroftag1a': [],
1638 \ 'attroftag1b': ['valueofattr1', 'valueofattr2']}],
1639 \ 'childoftag1a':
1640 \ [ [], {'attrofchild': ['attrofchild']}],
1641 \ 'childoftag1b':
1642 \ [ ['childoftag1a'], {'attrofchild': []}],
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001643 \ "vimxmltaginfo": {
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001644 \ 'tag1': ['Menu info', 'Long information visible in preview window']},
1645 \ 'vimxmlattrinfo': {
1646 \ 'attrofchild': ['Menu info', 'Long information visible in preview window']}}
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001647
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001648This example would be put in the "autoload/xml/crippled.vim" file and could
1649help to write this file: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001650
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001651 <tag1 attroftag1b="valueofattr1">
1652 <childoftag1a attrofchild>
1653 &amp; &lt;
1654 </childoftag1a>
1655 <childoftag1b attrofchild="5">
1656 <childoftag1a>
1657 &gt; &apos; &quot;
1658 </childoftag1a>
1659 </childoftag1b>
1660 </tag1>
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001661
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001662In the example four special elements are visible:
1663
16641. "vimxmlentities" - a special key with List containing entities of this XML
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001665 dialect.
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +000016662. If the list containing possible values of attributes has one element and
1667 this element is equal to the name of the attribute this attribute will be
1668 treated as boolean and inserted as 'attrname' and not as 'attrname="'
16693. "vimxmltaginfo" - a special key with a Dictionary containing tag
1670 names as keys and two element List as values, for additional menu info and
1671 the long description.
16724. "vimxmlattrinfo" - special key with Dictionary containing attribute names
1673 as keys and two element List as values, for additional menu info and long
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001674 description.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001675
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001676Note: Tag names in the data file MUST not contain a namespace description.
1677Check xsl.vim for an example.
1678Note: All data and functions are publicly available as global
1679variables/functions and can be used for personal editing functions.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001680
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001681
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001682DTD -> Vim *dtd2vim*
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001683
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001684On |www| is the script |dtd2vim| which parses DTD and creates an XML data file
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001685for Vim XML omni completion.
1686
1687 dtd2vim: http://www.vim.org/scripts/script.php?script_id=1462
1688
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001689Check the beginning of that file for usage details.
1690The script requires perl and:
Bram Moolenaarc1e37902006-04-18 21:55:01 +00001691
1692 perlSGML: http://savannah.nongnu.org/projects/perlsgml
1693
1694
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001695Commands
1696
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001697:XMLns {name} [{namespace}] *:XMLns*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001698
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001699Vim has to know which data file should be used and with which namespace. For
1700loading of the data file and connecting data with the proper namespace use
1701|:XMLns| command. The first (obligatory) argument is the name of the data
1702(xhtml10s, xsl). The second argument is the code of namespace (h, xsl). When
1703used without a second argument the dialect will be used as default - without
1704namespace declaration. For example to use XML completion in .xsl files: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001705
1706 :XMLns xhtml10s
1707 :XMLns xsl xsl
1708
1709
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001710:XMLent {name} *:XMLent*
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001711
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001712By default entities will be completed from the data file of the default
1713namespace. The XMLent command should be used in case when there is no default
1714namespace: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001715
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001716 :XMLent xhtml10s
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001717
1718Usage
1719
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001720While used in this situation (after declarations from previous part, | is
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001721cursor position): >
1722
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001723 <|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001724
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001725Will complete to an appropriate XHTML tag, and in this situation: >
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001726
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001727 <xsl:|
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001728
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001729Will complete to an appropriate XSL tag.
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001730
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00001731
1732The script xmlcomplete.vim, provided through the |autoload| mechanism,
1733has the xmlcomplete#GetLastOpenTag() function which can be used in XML files
1734to get the name of the last open tag (b:unaryTagsStack has to be defined): >
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001735
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001736 :echo xmlcomplete#GetLastOpenTag("b:unaryTagsStack")
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001737
Bram Moolenaar6b730e12005-09-16 21:47:57 +00001738
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00001739
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001740==============================================================================
17418. Insert mode commands *inserting*
1742
1743The following commands can be used to insert new text into the buffer. They
1744can all be undone and repeated with the "." command.
1745
1746 *a*
1747a Append text after the cursor [count] times. If the
1748 cursor is in the first column of an empty line Insert
1749 starts there. But not when 'virtualedit' is set!
1750
1751 *A*
1752A Append text at the end of the line [count] times.
1753
1754<insert> or *i* *insert* *<Insert>*
1755i Insert text before the cursor [count] times.
1756 When using CTRL-O in Insert mode |i_CTRL-O| the count
1757 is not supported.
1758
1759 *I*
1760I Insert text before the first non-blank in the line
1761 [count] times.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001762 When the 'H' flag is present in 'cpoptions' and the
1763 line only contains blanks, insert start just before
1764 the last blank.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001765
1766 *gI*
1767gI Insert text in column 1 [count] times. {not in Vi}
1768
1769 *gi*
1770gi Insert text in the same position as where Insert mode
1771 was stopped last time in the current buffer.
1772 This uses the |'^| mark. It's different from "`^i"
1773 when the mark is past the end of the line.
1774 The position is corrected for inserted/deleted lines,
1775 but NOT for inserted/deleted characters.
1776 When the |:keepjumps| command modifier is used the |'^|
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001777 mark won't be changed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001778 {not in Vi}
1779
1780 *o*
1781o Begin a new line below the cursor and insert text,
1782 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1783 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001784 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1785 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001786
1787 *O*
1788O Begin a new line above the cursor and insert text,
1789 repeat [count] times. {Vi: blank [count] screen
1790 lines}
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001791 When the '#' flag is in 'cpoptions' the count is
1792 ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001793
1794These commands are used to start inserting text. You can end insert mode with
1795<Esc>. See |mode-ins-repl| for the other special characters in Insert mode.
1796The effect of [count] takes place after Insert mode is exited.
1797
1798When 'autoindent' is on, the indent for a new line is obtained from the
1799previous line. When 'smartindent' or 'cindent' is on, the indent for a line
1800is automatically adjusted for C programs.
1801
1802'textwidth' can be set to the maximum width for a line. When a line becomes
1803too long when appending characters a line break is automatically inserted.
1804
1805
1806==============================================================================
18079. Ex insert commands *inserting-ex*
1808
1809 *:a* *:append*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001810:{range}a[ppend][!] Insert several lines of text below the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001811 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1812 inserted after the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001813 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1814 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001815
1816 *:i* *:in* *:insert*
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001817:{range}i[nsert][!] Insert several lines of text above the specified
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001818 line. If the {range} is missing, the text will be
1819 inserted before the current line.
Bram Moolenaardf177f62005-02-22 08:39:57 +00001820 Adding [!] toggles 'autoindent' for the time this
1821 command is executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001822
1823These two commands will keep on asking for lines, until you type a line
1824containing only a ".". Watch out for lines starting with a backslash, see
1825|line-continuation|.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001826
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001827When in Ex mode (see |-e|) a backslash at the end of the line can be used to
1828insert a NUL character. To be able to have a line ending in a backslash use
1829two backslashes. This means that the number of backslashes is halved, but
1830only at the end of the line.
1831
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001832NOTE: These commands cannot be used with |:global| or |:vglobal|.
1833":append" and ":insert" don't work properly in between ":if" and
Bram Moolenaar06fb4352005-01-05 22:10:30 +00001834":endif", ":for" and ":endfor", ":while" and ":endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001835
1836 *:start* *:startinsert*
1837:star[tinsert][!] Start Insert mode just after executing this command.
1838 Works like typing "i" in Normal mode. When the ! is
1839 included it works like "A", append to the line.
1840 Otherwise insertion starts at the cursor position.
1841 Note that when using this command in a function or
1842 script, the insertion only starts after the function
1843 or script is finished.
Bram Moolenaar87e25fd2005-07-27 21:13:01 +00001844 This command does not work from |:normal|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001845 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001846 {not available when compiled without the |+ex_extra|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001847 feature}
1848
1849 *:stopi* *:stopinsert*
1850:stopi[nsert] Stop Insert mode as soon as possible. Works like
1851 typing <Esc> in Insert mode.
1852 Can be used in an autocommand, example: >
1853 :au BufEnter scratch stopinsert
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00001854<
1855 *replacing-ex* *:startreplace*
1856:startr[eplace][!] Start Replace mode just after executing this command.
1857 Works just like typing "R" in Normal mode. When the
1858 ! is included it acts just like "$R" had been typed
1859 (ie. begin replace mode at the end-of-line). Other-
1860 wise replacement begins at the cursor position.
1861 Note that when using this command in a function or
1862 script that the replacement will only start after
1863 the function or script is finished.
1864 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001865 {not available when compiled without the |+ex_extra|
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00001866 feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001867
Bram Moolenaar61da4982005-12-14 22:02:18 +00001868 *:startgreplace*
1869:startg[replace][!] Just like |:startreplace|, but use Virtual Replace
1870 mode, like with |gR|.
1871 {not in Vi}
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001872 {not available when compiled without the |+ex_extra|
Bram Moolenaar61da4982005-12-14 22:02:18 +00001873 feature}
1874
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001875==============================================================================
187610. Inserting a file *inserting-file*
1877
1878 *:r* *:re* *:read*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001879:r[ead] [++opt] [name]
1880 Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001881 the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001882 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001883
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001884:{range}r[ead] [++opt] [name]
1885 Insert the file [name] (default: current file) below
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001886 the specified line.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001887 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001888
1889 *:r!* *:read!*
Bram Moolenaar0187ca02013-04-12 15:09:51 +02001890:[range]r[ead] [++opt] !{cmd}
1891 Execute {cmd} and insert its standard output below
Bram Moolenaar9964e462007-05-05 17:54:07 +00001892 the cursor or the specified line. A temporary file is
1893 used to store the output of the command which is then
1894 read into the buffer. 'shellredir' is used to save
1895 the output of the command, which can be set to include
1896 stderr or not. {cmd} is executed like with ":!{cmd}",
1897 any '!' is replaced with the previous command |:!|.
Bram Moolenaar0187ca02013-04-12 15:09:51 +02001898 See |++opt| for the possible values of [++opt].
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001899
1900These commands insert the contents of a file, or the output of a command,
1901into the buffer. They can be undone. They cannot be repeated with the "."
1902command. They work on a line basis, insertion starts below the line in which
1903the cursor is, or below the specified line. To insert text above the first
1904line use the command ":0r {name}".
1905
1906After the ":read" command, the cursor is left on the first non-blank in the
1907first new line. Unless in Ex mode, then the cursor is left on the last new
1908line (sorry, this is Vi compatible).
1909
1910If a file name is given with ":r", it becomes the alternate file. This can be
1911used, for example, when you want to edit that file instead: ":e! #". This can
1912be switched off by removing the 'a' flag from the 'cpoptions' option.
1913
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001914Of the [++opt] arguments one is specifically for ":read", the ++edit argument.
1915This is useful when the ":read" command is actually used to read a file into
1916the buffer as if editing that file. Use this command in an empty buffer: >
1917 :read ++edit filename
1918The effect is that the 'fileformat', 'fileencoding', 'bomb', etc. options are
1919set to what has been detected for "filename". Note that a single empty line
1920remains, you may want to delete it.
1921
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001922 *file-read*
1923The 'fileformat' option sets the <EOL> style for a file:
1924'fileformat' characters name ~
1925 "dos" <CR><NL> or <NL> DOS format
1926 "unix" <NL> Unix format
1927 "mac" <CR> Mac format
1928Previously 'textmode' was used. It is obsolete now.
1929
1930If 'fileformat' is "dos", a <CR> in front of an <NL> is ignored and a CTRL-Z
1931at the end of the file is ignored.
1932
1933If 'fileformat' is "mac", a <NL> in the file is internally represented by a
1934<CR>. This is to avoid confusion with a <NL> which is used to represent a
1935<NUL>. See |CR-used-for-NL|.
1936
1937If the 'fileformats' option is not empty Vim tries to recognize the type of
1938<EOL> (see |file-formats|). However, the 'fileformat' option will not be
1939changed, the detected format is only used while reading the file.
1940A similar thing happens with 'fileencodings'.
1941
1942On non-MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 systems the message "[dos format]" is shown if
1943a file is read in DOS format, to remind you that something unusual is done.
1944On Macintosh, MS-DOS, Win32, and OS/2 the message "[unix format]" is shown if
1945a file is read in Unix format.
1946On non-Macintosh systems, the message "[Mac format]" is shown if a file is
1947read in Mac format.
1948
1949An example on how to use ":r !": >
1950 :r !uuencode binfile binfile
1951This command reads "binfile", uuencodes it and reads it into the current
1952buffer. Useful when you are editing e-mail and want to include a binary
1953file.
1954
1955 *read-messages*
1956When reading a file Vim will display a message with information about the read
1957file. In the table is an explanation for some of the items. The others are
1958self explanatory. Using the long or the short version depends on the
1959'shortmess' option.
1960
1961 long short meaning ~
1962 [readonly] {RO} the file is write protected
1963 [fifo/socket] using a stream
1964 [fifo] using a fifo stream
1965 [socket] using a socket stream
1966 [CR missing] reading with "dos" 'fileformat' and a
1967 NL without a preceding CR was found.
1968 [NL found] reading with "mac" 'fileformat' and a
1969 NL was found (could be "unix" format)
1970 [long lines split] at least one line was split in two
1971 [NOT converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
1972 'encoding' was desired but not
1973 possible
1974 [converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to
1975 'encoding' done
1976 [crypted] file was decrypted
1977 [READ ERRORS] not all of the file could be read
1978
1979
1980 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: