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Ruslan Russkikh0407d622024-10-08 22:21:05 +02001*map.txt* For Vim version 9.1. Last change: 2024 Oct 08
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Key mapping, abbreviations and user-defined commands.
8
Bram Moolenaar2f0936c2022-01-08 21:51:59 +00009This subject is introduced in sections |05.4|, |24.7| and |40.1| of the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000010manual.
11
121. Key mapping |key-mapping|
Bram Moolenaar63a2e362022-11-23 20:20:18 +000013 1.1 MAP COMMANDS |:map-commands|
14 1.2 Special arguments |:map-arguments|
15 1.3 Mapping and modes |:map-modes|
16 1.4 Listing mappings |map-listing|
17 1.5 Mapping special keys |:map-special-keys|
18 1.6 Special characters |:map-special-chars|
19 1.7 What keys to map |map-which-keys|
20 1.8 Examples |map-examples|
21 1.9 Using mappings |map-typing|
22 1.10 Mapping alt-keys |:map-alt-keys|
Bram Moolenaar4be18e72023-02-03 12:28:07 +000023 1.11 Mapping meta-keys |:map-meta-keys|
Casey Tucker92e90a12024-01-25 22:44:00 +010024 1.12 Mapping super-keys or command keys |:map-super-keys|
25 1.13 Mapping in modifyOtherKeys mode |modifyOtherKeys|
26 1.14 Mapping with Kitty keyboard protocol |kitty-keyboard-protocol|
27 1.15 Mapping an operator |:map-operator|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000282. Abbreviations |abbreviations|
293. Local mappings and functions |script-local|
304. User-defined commands |user-commands|
31
32==============================================================================
331. Key mapping *key-mapping* *mapping* *macro*
34
35Key mapping is used to change the meaning of typed keys. The most common use
Bram Moolenaar24a98a02017-09-27 22:23:55 +020036is to define a sequence of commands for a function key. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000037
38 :map <F2> a<C-R>=strftime("%c")<CR><Esc>
39
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +000040This appends the current date and time after the cursor (in <> notation |<>|).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +000042
431.1 MAP COMMANDS *:map-commands*
44
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000045There are commands to enter new mappings, remove mappings and list mappings.
46See |map-overview| for the various forms of "map" and their relationships with
47modes.
48
49{lhs} means left-hand-side *{lhs}*
50{rhs} means right-hand-side *{rhs}*
51
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000052:map {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map*
53:nm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nm* *:nmap*
54:vm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vm* *:vmap*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +000055:xm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xm* *:xmap*
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +020056:smap {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000057:om[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:om* *:omap*
58:map! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map!*
59:im[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:im* *:imap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020060:lm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:lm* *:lma* *:lmap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000061:cm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cm* *:cmap*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +020062:tma[p] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-t| *:tma* *:tmap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000063 Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
64 where the map command applies. The result, including
65 {rhs}, is then further scanned for mappings. This
66 allows for nested and recursive use of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar519cc552021-11-16 19:18:26 +000067 Note: Trailing spaces are included in the {rhs},
68 because space is a valid Normal mode command.
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +010069 See |map-trailing-white|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000070
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020071 *:nore* *:norem*
72:no[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:no* *:noremap* *:nor*
73:nn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-n| *:nn* *:nnoremap*
74:vn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-v| *:vn* *:vnoremap*
75:xn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-x| *:xn* *:xnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020076:snor[emap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-s| *:snor* *:snore* *:snoremap*
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020077:ono[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-o| *:ono* *:onoremap*
78:no[remap]! {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-ic| *:no!* *:noremap!*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020079:ino[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-i| *:ino* *:inor* *:inoremap*
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +020080:ln[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-l| *:ln* *:lnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +020081:cno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-c| *:cno* *:cnor* *:cnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +020082:tno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} |mapmode-t| *:tno* *:tnoremap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000083 Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
84 where the map command applies. Disallow mapping of
85 {rhs}, to avoid nested and recursive mappings. Often
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +020086 used to redefine a command.
zeertzjq5df3cb22024-10-07 21:05:06 +020087 Note: Keys in {rhs} also won't trigger abbreviation,
88 with the exception of |i_CTRL-]| and |c_CTRL-]|.
Bram Moolenaar1fc34222022-03-03 13:56:24 +000089 Note: When <Plug> appears in the {rhs} this part is
90 always applied even if remapping is disallowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000091
92
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000093:unm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:unm* *:unmap*
94:nun[map] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nun* *:nunmap*
95:vu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vu* *:vunmap*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +000096:xu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xu* *:xunmap*
97:sunm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:sunm* *:sunmap*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +000098:ou[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:ou* *:ounmap*
99:unm[ap]! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:unm!* *:unmap!*
100:iu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:iu* *:iunmap*
101:lu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lu* *:lunmap*
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +0200102:cu[nmap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cu* *:cun* *:cunmap*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200103:tunma[p] {lhs} |mapmode-t| *:tunma* *:tunmap*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000104 Remove the mapping of {lhs} for the modes where the
105 map command applies. The mapping may remain defined
106 for other modes where it applies.
Bram Moolenaar88a42052021-11-21 21:13:36 +0000107 It also works when {lhs} matches the {rhs} of a
Bram Moolenaar2f0936c2022-01-08 21:51:59 +0000108 mapping. This is for when an abbreviation applied.
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100109 Note: Trailing spaces are included in the {lhs}.
110 See |map-trailing-white|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000111
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000112:mapc[lear] |mapmode-nvo| *:mapc* *:mapclear*
113:nmapc[lear] |mapmode-n| *:nmapc* *:nmapclear*
114:vmapc[lear] |mapmode-v| *:vmapc* *:vmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000115:xmapc[lear] |mapmode-x| *:xmapc* *:xmapclear*
116:smapc[lear] |mapmode-s| *:smapc* *:smapclear*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000117:omapc[lear] |mapmode-o| *:omapc* *:omapclear*
118:mapc[lear]! |mapmode-ic| *:mapc!* *:mapclear!*
119:imapc[lear] |mapmode-i| *:imapc* *:imapclear*
120:lmapc[lear] |mapmode-l| *:lmapc* *:lmapclear*
121:cmapc[lear] |mapmode-c| *:cmapc* *:cmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200122:tmapc[lear] |mapmode-t| *:tmapc* *:tmapclear*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000123 Remove ALL mappings for the modes where the map
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +0200124 command applies.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200125 Use the <buffer> argument to remove buffer-local
126 mappings |:map-<buffer>|
Bram Moolenaar921bde82022-05-09 19:50:35 +0100127 Warning: This also removes the |mac-standard-mappings|
128 and the |dos-standard-mappings|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000129
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000130:map |mapmode-nvo|
131:nm[ap] |mapmode-n|
132:vm[ap] |mapmode-v|
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000133:xm[ap] |mapmode-x|
134:sm[ap] |mapmode-s|
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000135:om[ap] |mapmode-o|
136:map! |mapmode-ic|
137:im[ap] |mapmode-i|
138:lm[ap] |mapmode-l|
139:cm[ap] |mapmode-c|
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200140:tma[p] |mapmode-t|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000141 List all key mappings for the modes where the map
142 command applies. Note that ":map" and ":map!" are
143 used most often, because they include the other modes.
144
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000145:map {lhs} |mapmode-nvo| *:map_l*
146:nm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-n| *:nmap_l*
147:vm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-v| *:vmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000148:xm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-x| *:xmap_l*
149:sm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-s| *:smap_l*
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000150:om[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-o| *:omap_l*
151:map! {lhs} |mapmode-ic| *:map_l!*
152:im[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-i| *:imap_l*
153:lm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-l| *:lmap_l*
154:cm[ap] {lhs} |mapmode-c| *:cmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar37c64c72017-09-19 22:06:03 +0200155:tma[p] {lhs} |mapmode-t| *:tmap_l*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000156 List the key mappings for the key sequences starting
157 with {lhs} in the modes where the map command applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000158
159These commands are used to map a key or key sequence to a string of
160characters. You can use this to put command sequences under function keys,
161translate one key into another, etc. See |:mkexrc| for how to save and
162restore the current mappings.
163
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000164 *map-ambiguous*
165When two mappings start with the same sequence of characters, they are
166ambiguous. Example: >
167 :imap aa foo
168 :imap aaa bar
169When Vim has read "aa", it will need to get another character to be able to
170decide if "aa" or "aaa" should be mapped. This means that after typing "aa"
171that mapping won't get expanded yet, Vim is waiting for another character.
172If you type a space, then "foo" will get inserted, plus the space. If you
173type "a", then "bar" will get inserted.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000174
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100175Trailing white space ~
176 *map-trailing-white*
177This unmap command does NOT work: >
178 :map @@ foo
179 :unmap @@ | print
180
181Because it tries to unmap "@@ ", including the white space before the command
182separator "|". Other examples with trailing white space: >
183 unmap @@
184 unmap @@ # Vim9 script comment
Bram Moolenaar8a3b8052022-06-26 12:21:15 +0100185 unmap @@ " legacy script comment
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100186
187An error will be issued, which is very hard to identify, because the ending
188whitespace character in `unmap @@ ` is not visible.
189
190A generic solution is to put the command separator "|" right after the mapped
191keys. After that white space and a comment may follow: >
192
Bram Moolenaar8a3b8052022-06-26 12:21:15 +0100193 unmap @@| # Vim9 script comment
194 unmap @@| " legacy script comment
Bram Moolenaarcfa8f9a2022-06-03 21:59:47 +0100195
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000196
1971.2 SPECIAL ARGUMENTS *:map-arguments*
198
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200199"<buffer>", "<nowait>", "<silent>", "<special>", "<script>", "<expr>" and
200"<unique>" can be used in any order. They must appear right after the
201command, before any other arguments.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000202
Bram Moolenaar8a3b8052022-06-26 12:21:15 +0100203 *:map-local* *:map-<buffer>* *:map-buffer*
204 *E224* *E225*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +0000205If the first argument to one of these commands is "<buffer>" the mapping will
206be effective in the current buffer only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000207 :map <buffer> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
208Then you can map ",w" to something else in another buffer: >
209 :map <buffer> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200210The local buffer mappings are used before the global ones. See <nowait> below
211to make a short local mapping not taking effect when a longer global one
212exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000213The "<buffer>" argument can also be used to clear mappings: >
214 :unmap <buffer> ,w
215 :mapclear <buffer>
216Local mappings are also cleared when a buffer is deleted, but not when it is
217unloaded. Just like local option values.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200218Also see |map-precedence|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000219
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200220 *:map-<nowait>* *:map-nowait*
221When defining a buffer-local mapping for "," there may be a global mapping
222that starts with ",". Then you need to type another character for Vim to know
223whether to use the "," mapping or the longer one. To avoid this add the
224<nowait> argument. Then the mapping will be used when it matches, Vim does
225not wait for more characters to be typed. However, if the characters were
Bram Moolenaar6aa8cea2017-06-05 14:44:35 +0200226already typed they are used.
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200227Note that this works when the <nowait> mapping fully matches and is found
228before any partial matches. This works when:
229- There is only one matching buffer-local mapping, since these are always
230 found before global mappings.
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +0200231- There is another buffer-local mapping that partly matches, but it is
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200232 defined earlier (last defined mapping is found first).
Bram Moolenaar72179e12013-06-29 13:58:31 +0200233
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000234 *:map-<silent>* *:map-silent*
235To define a mapping which will not be echoed on the command line, add
236"<silent>" as the first argument. Example: >
237 :map <silent> ,h /Header<CR>
238The search string will not be echoed when using this mapping. Messages from
239the executed command are still given though. To shut them up too, add a
240":silent" in the executed command: >
241 :map <silent> ,h :exe ":silent normal /Header\r"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar698a00f2022-11-14 22:07:45 +0000242Note that the effect of a command might also be silenced, e.g., when the
243mapping selects another entry for command line completion it won't be
244displayed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000245Prompts will still be given, e.g., for inputdialog().
246Using "<silent>" for an abbreviation is possible, but will cause redrawing of
247the command line to fail.
248
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +0000249 *:map-<special>* *:map-special*
250Define a mapping with <> notation for special keys, even though the "<" flag
251may appear in 'cpoptions'. This is useful if the side effect of setting
252'cpoptions' is not desired. Example: >
253 :map <special> <F12> /Header<CR>
254<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000255 *:map-<script>* *:map-script*
256If the first argument to one of these commands is "<script>" and it is used to
257define a new mapping or abbreviation, the mapping will only remap characters
258in the {rhs} using mappings that were defined local to a script, starting with
259"<SID>". This can be used to avoid that mappings from outside a script
260interfere (e.g., when CTRL-V is remapped in mswin.vim), but do use other
261mappings defined in the script.
262Note: ":map <script>" and ":noremap <script>" do the same thing. The
263"<script>" overrules the command name. Using ":noremap <script>" is
264preferred, because it's clearer that remapping is (mostly) disabled.
265
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +0000266 *:map-<unique>* *:map-unique* *E226* *E227*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000267If the first argument to one of these commands is "<unique>" and it is used to
268define a new mapping or abbreviation, the command will fail if the mapping or
269abbreviation already exists. Example: >
270 :map <unique> ,w /[#&!]<CR>
271When defining a local mapping, there will also be a check if a global map
272already exists which is equal.
273Example of what will fail: >
274 :map ,w /[#&!]<CR>
275 :map <buffer> <unique> ,w /[.,;]<CR>
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +0000276If you want to map a key and then have it do what it was originally mapped to,
277have a look at |maparg()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000278
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000279 *:map-<expr>* *:map-expression*
280If the first argument to one of these commands is "<expr>" and it is used to
281define a new mapping or abbreviation, the argument is an expression. The
282expression is evaluated to obtain the {rhs} that is used. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200283 :inoremap <expr> . <SID>InsertDot()
284The result of the s:InsertDot() function will be inserted. It could check the
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000285text before the cursor and start omni completion when some condition is met.
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200286Using a script-local function is preferred, to avoid polluting the global
287namespace. Use <SID> in the RHS so that the script that the mapping was
288defined in can be found.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000289
Bram Moolenaarda9591e2009-09-30 13:17:02 +0000290For abbreviations |v:char| is set to the character that was typed to trigger
291the abbreviation. You can use this to decide how to expand the {lhs}. You
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200292should not either insert or change the v:char.
Bram Moolenaarda9591e2009-09-30 13:17:02 +0000293
Bram Moolenaar4f4d51a2020-10-11 13:57:40 +0200294In case you want the mapping to not do anything, you can have the expression
295evaluate to an empty string. If something changed that requires Vim to
296go through the main loop (e.g. to update the display), return "\<Ignore>".
297This is similar to "nothing" but makes Vim return from the loop that waits for
298input. Example: >
299 func s:OpenPopup()
300 call popup_create(... arguments ...)
301 return "\<Ignore>"
302 endfunc
Bram Moolenaar4c295022021-05-02 17:19:11 +0200303 nnoremap <expr> <F3> <SID>OpenPopup()
Bram Moolenaar4f4d51a2020-10-11 13:57:40 +0200304
Bram Moolenaarfd31be22022-01-16 14:46:06 +0000305Keep in mind that the expression may be evaluated when looking for
Bram Moolenaar18b7d862021-03-17 13:28:05 +0100306typeahead, before the previous command has been executed. For example: >
307 func StoreColumn()
308 let g:column = col('.')
309 return 'x'
310 endfunc
311 nnoremap <expr> x StoreColumn()
312 nmap ! f!x
Bram Moolenaardad44732021-03-31 20:07:33 +0200313You will notice that g:column has the value from before executing "f!",
314because "x" is evaluated before "f!" is executed.
Bram Moolenaar18b7d862021-03-17 13:28:05 +0100315This can be solved by inserting <Ignore> before the character that is
316expression-mapped: >
317 nmap ! f!<Ignore>x
318
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000319When defining a mapping in a |Vim9| script, the expression will be evaluated
320in the context of that script. This means that script-local items can be
321accessed in the expression.
322
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000323Be very careful about side effects! The expression is evaluated while
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000324obtaining characters, you may very well make the command dysfunctional.
325For this reason the following is blocked:
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000326- Changing the buffer text |textlock|.
327- Editing another buffer.
328- The |:normal| command.
329- Moving the cursor is allowed, but it is restored afterwards.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000330If you want the mapping to do any of these let the returned characters do
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100331that, or use a |<Cmd>| mapping instead.
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000332
Bram Moolenaar15146672011-10-20 22:22:38 +0200333You can use getchar(), it consumes typeahead if there is any. E.g., if you
334have these mappings: >
335 inoremap <expr> <C-L> nr2char(getchar())
336 inoremap <expr> <C-L>x "foo"
337If you now type CTRL-L nothing happens yet, Vim needs the next character to
338decide what mapping to use. If you type 'x' the second mapping is used and
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +0100339"foo" is inserted. If you type any other key the first mapping is used,
340getchar() gets the typed key and returns it.
Bram Moolenaar15146672011-10-20 22:22:38 +0200341
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000342Here is an example that inserts a list number that increases: >
343 let counter = 0
344 inoremap <expr> <C-L> ListItem()
345 inoremap <expr> <C-R> ListReset()
346
347 func ListItem()
348 let g:counter += 1
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +0000349 return g:counter .. '. '
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000350 endfunc
351
352 func ListReset()
353 let g:counter = 0
354 return ''
355 endfunc
356
Bram Moolenaard9967712006-03-11 21:18:15 +0000357CTRL-L inserts the next number, CTRL-R resets the count. CTRL-R returns an
Bram Moolenaar4e427192006-03-10 21:34:27 +0000358empty string, so that nothing is inserted.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000359
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +0200360Note that using 0x80 as a single byte before other text does not work, it will
361be seen as a special key.
Bram Moolenaar8424a622006-04-19 21:23:36 +0000362
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100363 *<Cmd>* *:map-cmd*
364The special text <Cmd> begins a "command mapping", it executes the command
365directly without changing modes. Where you might use ":...<CR>" in the
366{rhs} of a mapping, you can instead use "<Cmd>...<CR>".
367Example: >
368 noremap x <Cmd>echo mode(1)<CR>
369<
370This is more flexible than `:<C-U>` in Visual and Operator-pending mode, or
371`<C-O>:` in Insert mode, because the commands are executed directly in the
372current mode, instead of always going to Normal mode. Visual mode is
373preserved, so tricks with |gv| are not needed. Commands can be invoked
374directly in Command-line mode (which would otherwise require timer hacks).
375Example of using <Cmd> halfway Insert mode: >
376 nnoremap <F3> aText <Cmd>echo mode(1)<CR> Added<Esc>
377
378Unlike <expr> mappings, there are no special restrictions on the <Cmd>
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100379command: it is executed as if an (unrestricted) |autocommand| was invoked.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100380
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000381 *<ScriptCmd>*
382<ScriptCmd> is like <Cmd> but sets the context to the script the mapping was
383defined in, for the duration of the command execution. This is especially
384useful for |Vim9| script. It also works to access an import, which is useful
Bram Moolenaar5ed11532022-07-06 13:18:11 +0100385in a plugin using a, possibly autoloaded, script: >
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000386 vim9script
387 import autoload 'implementation.vim' as impl
Bram Moolenaarfd31be22022-01-16 14:46:06 +0000388 nnoremap <F4> <ScriptCmd>impl.DoTheWork()<CR>
Bram Moolenaar5ed11532022-07-06 13:18:11 +0100389<
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000390No matter where <F4> is typed, the "impl" import will be found in the script
Bram Moolenaar5ed11532022-07-06 13:18:11 +0100391context of where the mapping was defined. When it's an autoload import, as in
392the example, the "implementation.vim" script will only be loaded once <F4> is
393typed, not when the mapping is defined.
394
395Without <ScriptCmd> using "s:impl" would result in "E121: Undefined variable".
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000396
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100397Note:
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000398- Because <Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> avoid mode-changes it does not trigger
399 |CmdlineEnter| and |CmdlineLeave| events, because no user interaction is
400 expected.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100401- For the same reason, |keycodes| like <C-R><C-W> are interpreted as plain,
402 unmapped keys.
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100403- The command is not echo'ed, no need for <silent>.
Bram Moolenaar88a42052021-11-21 21:13:36 +0000404- The {rhs} is not subject to abbreviations nor to other mappings, even if the
405 mapping is recursive.
Bram Moolenaar10e8ff92023-06-10 21:40:39 +0100406- In Visual mode you can use `line('v')` and `col('v')` to get one end of the
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +0100407 Visual area, the cursor is at the other end.
Bram Moolenaard799daa2022-06-20 11:17:32 +0100408
Bram Moolenaara4d131d2021-12-27 21:33:07 +0000409 *E1255* *E1136*
Bram Moolenaare32c3c42022-01-15 18:26:04 +0000410<Cmd> and <ScriptCmd> commands must terminate, that is, they must be followed
411by <CR> in the {rhs} of the mapping definition. |Command-line| mode is never
Yegappan Lakshmanan49cdd622023-12-24 11:01:23 +0100412entered. To use a literal <CR> in the {rhs}, use |<lt>|.
Bram Moolenaar957cf672020-11-12 14:21:06 +0100413
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000414
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00004151.3 MAPPING AND MODES *:map-modes*
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000416 *mapmode-nvo* *mapmode-n* *mapmode-v* *mapmode-o*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000417
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +0000418There are seven sets of mappings
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000419- For Normal mode: When typing commands.
420- For Visual mode: When typing commands while the Visual area is highlighted.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100421- For Select mode: like Visual mode but typing text replaces the selection.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000422- For Operator-pending mode: When an operator is pending (after "d", "y", "c",
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000423 etc.). See below: |omap-info|.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +0000424- For Insert mode. These are also used in Replace mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000425- For Command-line mode: When entering a ":" or "/" command.
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +0000426- For Terminal mode: When typing in a |:terminal| buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000427
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000428Special case: While typing a count for a command in Normal mode, mapping zero
429is disabled. This makes it possible to map zero without making it impossible
430to type a count with a zero.
431
432 *map-overview* *map-modes*
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200433Overview of which map command works in which mode. More details below.
434 COMMANDS MODES ~
435:map :noremap :unmap Normal, Visual, Select, Operator-pending
436:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap Normal
437:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap Visual and Select
438:smap :snoremap :sunmap Select
439:xmap :xnoremap :xunmap Visual
440:omap :onoremap :ounmap Operator-pending
441:map! :noremap! :unmap! Insert and Command-line
442:imap :inoremap :iunmap Insert
443:lmap :lnoremap :lunmap Insert, Command-line, Lang-Arg
444:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap Command-line
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200445:tmap :tnoremap :tunmap Terminal-Job
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000446
Bram Moolenaar3ec32172021-05-16 12:39:47 +0200447Same information in a table:
448 *map-table*
449 Mode | Norm | Ins | Cmd | Vis | Sel | Opr | Term | Lang | ~
450Command +------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+ ~
451[nore]map | yes | - | - | yes | yes | yes | - | - |
452n[nore]map | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
453[nore]map! | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | - |
454i[nore]map | - | yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
455c[nore]map | - | - | yes | - | - | - | - | - |
456v[nore]map | - | - | - | yes | yes | - | - | - |
457x[nore]map | - | - | - | yes | - | - | - | - |
458s[nore]map | - | - | - | - | yes | - | - | - |
459o[nore]map | - | - | - | - | - | yes | - | - |
460t[nore]map | - | - | - | - | - | - | yes | - |
461l[nore]map | - | yes | yes | - | - | - | - | yes |
462
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200463
464 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000465 Normal Visual+Select Operator-pending ~
466:map :noremap :unmap :mapclear yes yes yes
467:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap :nmapclear yes - -
468:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear - yes -
469:omap :onoremap :ounmap :omapclear - - yes
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000470
Bram Moolenaar4c3f5362006-04-11 21:38:50 +0000471:nunmap can also be used outside of a monastery.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000472 *mapmode-x* *mapmode-s*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000473Some commands work both in Visual and Select mode, some in only one. Note
474that quite often "Visual" is mentioned where both Visual and Select mode
475apply. |Select-mode-mapping|
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100476NOTE: Mapping a printable character in Select mode may confuse the user. It's
477better to explicitly use :xmap and :smap for printable characters. Or use
478:sunmap after defining the mapping.
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000479
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200480 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000481 Visual Select ~
482:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear yes yes
483:xmap :xnoremap :xunmap :xmapclear yes -
484:smap :snoremap :sunmap :smapclear - yes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000485
Bram Moolenaar06b5db92006-02-10 23:11:56 +0000486 *mapmode-ic* *mapmode-i* *mapmode-c* *mapmode-l*
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +0000487Some commands work both in Insert mode and Command-line mode, some not:
488
Bram Moolenaare968e362014-05-13 20:23:24 +0200489 COMMANDS MODES ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000490 Insert Command-line Lang-Arg ~
491:map! :noremap! :unmap! :mapclear! yes yes -
492:imap :inoremap :iunmap :imapclear yes - -
493:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap :cmapclear - yes -
494:lmap :lnoremap :lunmap :lmapclear yes* yes* yes*
495
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +0100496* If 'iminsert' is 1, see |language-mapping| below.
497
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000498The original Vi did not have separate mappings for
499Normal/Visual/Operator-pending mode and for Insert/Command-line mode.
500Therefore the ":map" and ":map!" commands enter and display mappings for
501several modes. In Vim you can use the ":nmap", ":vmap", ":omap", ":cmap" and
502":imap" commands to enter mappings for each mode separately.
503
Bram Moolenaar69fbc9e2017-09-14 20:37:57 +0200504 *mapmode-t*
505The terminal mappings are used in a terminal window, when typing keys for the
506job running in the terminal. See |terminal-typing|.
507
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000508 *omap-info*
509Operator-pending mappings can be used to define a movement command that can be
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200510used with any operator. Simple example: >
511 :omap { w
512makes "y{" work like "yw" and "d{" like "dw".
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000513
514To ignore the starting cursor position and select different text, you can have
515the omap start Visual mode to select the text to be operated upon. Example
516that operates on a function name in the current line: >
517 onoremap <silent> F :<C-U>normal! 0f(hviw<CR>
518The CTRL-U (<C-U>) is used to remove the range that Vim may insert. The
519Normal mode commands find the first '(' character and select the first word
520before it. That usually is the function name.
521
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000522To enter a mapping for Normal and Visual mode, but not Operator-pending mode,
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200523first define it for all three modes, then unmap it for
524Operator-pending mode: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000525 :map xx something-difficult
526 :ounmap xx
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200527
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000528Likewise for a mapping for Visual and Operator-pending mode or Normal and
529Operator-pending mode.
530
531 *language-mapping*
532":lmap" defines a mapping that applies to:
533- Insert mode
534- Command-line mode
535- when entering a search pattern
536- the argument of the commands that accept a text character, such as "r" and
537 "f"
538- for the input() line
539Generally: Whenever a character is to be typed that is part of the text in the
540buffer, not a Vim command character. "Lang-Arg" isn't really another mode,
541it's just used here for this situation.
542 The simplest way to load a set of related language mappings is by using the
543'keymap' option. See |45.5|.
544 In Insert mode and in Command-line mode the mappings can be disabled with
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +0200545the CTRL-^ command |i_CTRL-^| |c_CTRL-^|. These commands change the value of
Bram Moolenaar3b1db362013-08-10 15:00:24 +0200546the 'iminsert' option. When starting to enter a normal command line (not a
547search pattern) the mappings are disabled until a CTRL-^ is typed. The state
548last used is remembered for Insert mode and Search patterns separately. The
549state for Insert mode is also used when typing a character as an argument to
550command like "f" or "t".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000551 Language mappings will never be applied to already mapped characters. They
552are only used for typed characters. This assumes that the language mapping
553was already done when typing the mapping.
554
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000555
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00005561.4 LISTING MAPPINGS *map-listing*
557
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000558When listing mappings the characters in the first two columns are:
559
560 CHAR MODE ~
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000561 <Space> Normal, Visual, Select and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000562 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000563 v Visual and Select
564 s Select
565 x Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000566 o Operator-pending
567 ! Insert and Command-line
568 i Insert
569 l ":lmap" mappings for Insert, Command-line and Lang-Arg
570 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar63c4e8a2017-09-17 20:32:20 +0200571 t Terminal-Job
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000572
573Just before the {rhs} a special character can appear:
574 * indicates that it is not remappable
575 & indicates that only script-local mappings are remappable
576 @ indicates a buffer-local mapping
577
578Everything from the first non-blank after {lhs} up to the end of the line
579(or '|') is considered to be part of {rhs}. This allows the {rhs} to end
580with a space.
581
582Note: When using mappings for Visual mode, you can use the "'<" mark, which
583is the start of the last selected Visual area in the current buffer |'<|.
584
Bram Moolenaar818078d2016-08-27 21:58:42 +0200585The |:filter| command can be used to select what mappings to list. The
586pattern is matched against the {lhs} and {rhs} in the raw form.
587
Bram Moolenaard13166e2022-11-18 21:49:57 +0000588While mappings are being listed, it is not possible to add or clear mappings,
589e.g. from a timer callback. *E1309*
590
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000591 *:map-verbose*
Christian Brabandt0ede5e32024-01-01 18:56:52 +0100592When 'verbose' is non-zero, the detected and used 'keyprotocol' value will be
593displayed in the first line. Also a key map will also display where it was
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000594last defined. Example: >
595
596 :verbose map <C-W>*
zeertzjqd086b8f2024-02-25 15:42:52 +0800597 Kitty keyboard protocol: Cleared
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000598 n <C-W>* * <C-W><C-S>*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000599 Last set from /home/abcd/.vimrc
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000600
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +0000601See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaarae5bce12005-08-15 21:41:48 +0000602
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000603
6041.5 MAPPING SPECIAL KEYS *:map-special-keys*
605
606There are three ways to map a special key:
6071. The Vi-compatible method: Map the key code. Often this is a sequence that
608 starts with <Esc>. To enter a mapping like this you type ":map " and then
609 you have to type CTRL-V before hitting the function key. Note that when
610 the key code for the key is in the termcap (the t_ options), it will
611 automatically be translated into the internal code and become the second
612 way of mapping (unless the 'k' flag is included in 'cpoptions').
6132. The second method is to use the internal code for the function key. To
614 enter such a mapping type CTRL-K and then hit the function key, or use
615 the form "#1", "#2", .. "#9", "#0", "<Up>", "<S-Down>", "<S-F7>", etc.
616 (see table of keys |key-notation|, all keys from <Up> can be used). The
617 first ten function keys can be defined in two ways: Just the number, like
618 "#2", and with "<F>", like "<F2>". Both stand for function key 2. "#0"
619 refers to function key 10, defined with option 't_f10', which may be
620 function key zero on some keyboards. The <> form cannot be used when
621 'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag.
6223. Use the termcap entry, with the form <t_xx>, where "xx" is the name of the
623 termcap entry. Any string entry can be used. For example: >
624 :map <t_F3> G
625< Maps function key 13 to "G". This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes
626 the '<' flag.
627
628The advantage of the second and third method is that the mapping will work on
629different terminals without modification (the function key will be
630translated into the same internal code or the actual key code, no matter what
631terminal you are using. The termcap must be correct for this to work, and you
632must use the same mappings).
633
634DETAIL: Vim first checks if a sequence from the keyboard is mapped. If it
635isn't the terminal key codes are tried (see |terminal-options|). If a
636terminal code is found it is replaced with the internal code. Then the check
637for a mapping is done again (so you can map an internal code to something
638else). What is written into the script file depends on what is recognized.
639If the terminal key code was recognized as a mapping the key code itself is
640written to the script file. If it was recognized as a terminal code the
641internal code is written to the script file.
642
643
6441.6 SPECIAL CHARACTERS *:map-special-chars*
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100645 *map_backslash* *map-backslash*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000646Note that only CTRL-V is mentioned here as a special character for mappings
647and abbreviations. When 'cpoptions' does not contain 'B', a backslash can
648also be used like CTRL-V. The <> notation can be fully used then |<>|. But
649you cannot use "<C-V>" like CTRL-V to escape the special meaning of what
650follows.
651
652To map a backslash, or use a backslash literally in the {rhs}, the special
653sequence "<Bslash>" can be used. This avoids the need to double backslashes
654when using nested mappings.
655
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100656 *map_CTRL-C* *map-CTRL-C*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +0000657Using CTRL-C in the {lhs} is possible, but it will only work when Vim is
658waiting for a key, not when Vim is busy with something. When Vim is busy
659CTRL-C interrupts/breaks the command.
660When using the GUI version on MS-Windows CTRL-C can be mapped to allow a Copy
661command to the clipboard. Use CTRL-Break to interrupt Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000662
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100663 *map_space_in_lhs* *map-space_in_lhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000664To include a space in {lhs} precede it with a CTRL-V (type two CTRL-Vs for
665each space).
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100666 *map_space_in_rhs* *map-space_in_rhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000667If you want a {rhs} that starts with a space, use "<Space>". To be fully Vi
668compatible (but unreadable) don't use the |<>| notation, precede {rhs} with a
669single CTRL-V (you have to type CTRL-V two times).
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100670 *map_empty_rhs* *map-empty-rhs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000671You can create an empty {rhs} by typing nothing after a single CTRL-V (you
672have to type CTRL-V two times). Unfortunately, you cannot do this in a vimrc
673file.
674 *<Nop>*
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +0200675An easier way to get a mapping that doesn't produce anything, is to use
676"<Nop>" for the {rhs}. This only works when the |<>| notation is enabled.
677For example, to make sure that function key 8 does nothing at all: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000678 :map <F8> <Nop>
679 :map! <F8> <Nop>
680<
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000681 *map-multibyte*
682It is possible to map multibyte characters, but only the whole character. You
683cannot map the first byte only. This was done to prevent problems in this
684scenario: >
685 :set encoding=latin1
686 :imap <M-C> foo
687 :set encoding=utf-8
688The mapping for <M-C> is defined with the latin1 encoding, resulting in a 0xc3
Bram Moolenaar85eee132018-05-06 17:57:30 +0200689byte. If you type the character á (0xe1 <M-a>) in UTF-8 encoding this is the
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +0200690two bytes 0xc3 0xa1. You don't want the 0xc3 byte to be mapped then or
Bram Moolenaar85eee132018-05-06 17:57:30 +0200691otherwise it would be impossible to type the á character.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000692
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000693 *<Leader>* *mapleader*
Bram Moolenaarb529cfb2022-07-25 15:42:07 +0100694To define a mapping which uses the "g:mapleader" variable, the special string
695"<Leader>" can be used. It is replaced with the string value of
696"g:mapleader". If "g:mapleader" is not set or empty, a backslash is used
697instead. Example: >
698 map <Leader>A oanother line<Esc>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000699Works like: >
Bram Moolenaarb529cfb2022-07-25 15:42:07 +0100700 map \A oanother line<Esc>
701But after (legacy script): >
702 let mapleader = ","
703Or (Vim9 script): >
704 g:mapleader = ","
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000705It works like: >
Bram Moolenaarb529cfb2022-07-25 15:42:07 +0100706 map ,A oanother line<Esc>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000707
Bram Moolenaarb529cfb2022-07-25 15:42:07 +0100708Note that the value of "g:mapleader" is used at the moment the mapping is
709defined. Changing "g:mapleader" after that has no effect for already defined
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000710mappings.
711
712 *<LocalLeader>* *maplocalleader*
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +0000713<LocalLeader> is just like <Leader>, except that it uses "maplocalleader"
714instead of "mapleader". <LocalLeader> is to be used for mappings which are
715local to a buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +0100716 :map <buffer> <LocalLeader>A oanother line<Esc>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000717<
718In a global plugin <Leader> should be used and in a filetype plugin
719<LocalLeader>. "mapleader" and "maplocalleader" can be equal. Although, if
720you make them different, there is a smaller chance of mappings from global
721plugins to clash with mappings for filetype plugins. For example, you could
722keep "mapleader" at the default backslash, and set "maplocalleader" to an
723underscore.
724
725 *map-<SID>*
726In a script the special key name "<SID>" can be used to define a mapping
727that's local to the script. See |<SID>| for details.
728
729 *<Plug>*
730The special key name "<Plug>" can be used for an internal mapping, which is
731not to be matched with any key sequence. This is useful in plugins
732|using-<Plug>|.
733
Bram Moolenaarcbaff5e2022-04-08 17:45:08 +0100734 *<MouseMove>*
735The special key name "<MouseMove>" can be used to handle mouse movement. It
736needs to be enabled with 'mousemoveevent'. Currently only works in the GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2d8ed022022-05-21 13:08:16 +0100737The |getmousepos()| function can be used to obtain the mouse position.
Bram Moolenaarcbaff5e2022-04-08 17:45:08 +0100738
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000739 *<Char>* *<Char->*
740To map a character by its decimal, octal or hexadecimal number the <Char>
741construct can be used:
742 <Char-123> character 123
743 <Char-033> character 27
744 <Char-0x7f> character 127
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +0200745 <S-Char-114> character 114 ('r') shifted ('R')
Bram Moolenaar207f0092020-08-30 17:20:20 +0200746This is useful to specify a (multibyte) character in a 'keymap' file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000747Upper and lowercase differences are ignored.
748
749 *map-comments*
750It is not possible to put a comment after these commands, because the '"'
Bram Moolenaar036986f2017-03-16 17:41:02 +0100751character is considered to be part of the {lhs} or {rhs}. However, one can
752use |", since this starts a new, empty command with a comment.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000753
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100754 *map_bar* *map-bar*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000755Since the '|' character is used to separate a map command from the next
756command, you will have to do something special to include a '|' in {rhs}.
757There are three methods:
758 use works when example ~
759 <Bar> '<' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls <Bar> more^M
760 \| 'b' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls \| more^M
761 ^V| always, in Vim and Vi :map _l :!ls ^V| more^M
762
763(here ^V stands for CTRL-V; to get one CTRL-V you have to type it twice; you
764cannot use the <> notation "<C-V>" here).
765
766All three work when you use the default setting for 'cpoptions'.
767
768When 'b' is present in 'cpoptions', "\|" will be recognized as a mapping
769ending in a '\' and then another command. This is Vi compatible, but
770illogical when compared to other commands.
771
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +0100772 *map_return* *map-return*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000773When you have a mapping that contains an Ex command, you need to put a line
774terminator after it to have it executed. The use of <CR> is recommended for
775this (see |<>|). Example: >
Bram Moolenaar251835e2014-02-24 02:51:51 +0100776 :map _ls :!ls -l %:S<CR>:echo "the end"<CR>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000777
778To avoid mapping of the characters you type in insert or Command-line mode,
779type a CTRL-V first. The mapping in Insert mode is disabled if the 'paste'
780option is on.
Bram Moolenaare2db6952013-07-24 19:53:36 +0200781 *map-error*
Bram Moolenaar1b5f03e2023-01-09 20:12:45 +0000782Note that when an error is encountered (that causes an error message or might
783cause a beep) the rest of the mapping is not executed. This is Vi-compatible.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000784
785Note that the second character (argument) of the commands @zZtTfF[]rm'`"v
786and CTRL-X is not mapped. This was done to be able to use all the named
787registers and marks, even when the command with the same name has been
788mapped.
789
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000790
7911.7 WHAT KEYS TO MAP *map-which-keys*
792
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000793If you are going to map something, you will need to choose which key(s) to use
794for the {lhs}. You will have to avoid keys that are used for Vim commands,
795otherwise you would not be able to use those commands anymore. Here are a few
796suggestions:
797- Function keys <F2>, <F3>, etc.. Also the shifted function keys <S-F1>,
798 <S-F2>, etc. Note that <F1> is already used for the help command.
Bram Moolenaar4be18e72023-02-03 12:28:07 +0000799- Any key with the Alt or Meta key pressed. Depending on your keyboard
800 accented characters may be used as well. |:map-alt-keys|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000801- Use the '_' or ',' character and then any other character. The "_" and ","
802 commands do exist in Vim (see |_| and |,|), but you probably never use them.
803- Use a key that is a synonym for another command. For example: CTRL-P and
804 CTRL-N. Use an extra character to allow more mappings.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100805- The key defined by <Leader> and one or more other keys. This is especially
806 useful in scripts. |mapleader|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000807
808See the file "index" for keys that are not used and thus can be mapped without
809losing any builtin function. You can also use ":help {key}^D" to find out if
810a key is used for some command. ({key} is the specific key you want to find
811out about, ^D is CTRL-D).
812
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000813
8141.8 EXAMPLES *map-examples*
815
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000816A few examples (given as you type them, for "<CR>" you type four characters;
817the '<' flag must not be present in 'cpoptions' for this to work). >
818
819 :map <F3> o#include
820 :map <M-g> /foo<CR>cwbar<Esc>
821 :map _x d/END/e<CR>
822 :map! qq quadrillion questions
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +0000823
824
825Multiplying a count
826
827When you type a count before triggering a mapping, it's like the count was
828typed before the {lhs}. For example, with this mapping: >
829 :map <F4> 3w
830Typing 2<F4> will result in "23w". Thus not moving 2 * 3 words but 23 words.
831If you want to multiply counts use the expression register: >
832 :map <F4> @='3w'<CR>
833The part between quotes is the expression being executed. |@=|
834
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000835
8361.9 USING MAPPINGS *map-typing*
837
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000838Vim will compare what you type with the start of a mapped sequence. If there
839is an incomplete match, it will get more characters until there either is a
840complete match or until there is no match at all. Example: If you map! "qq",
841the first 'q' will not appear on the screen until you type another
842character. This is because Vim cannot know if the next character will be a
843'q' or not. If the 'timeout' option is on (which is the default) Vim will
844only wait for one second (or as long as specified with the 'timeoutlen'
845option). After that it assumes that the 'q' is to be interpreted as such. If
846you type slowly, or your system is slow, reset the 'timeout' option. Then you
847might want to set the 'ttimeout' option.
848
Bram Moolenaar938ae282023-02-20 20:44:55 +0000849 *map-precedence*
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200850Buffer-local mappings (defined using |:map-<buffer>|) take precedence over
851global mappings. When a buffer-local mapping is the same as a global mapping,
852Vim will use the buffer-local mapping. In addition, Vim will use a complete
Bram Moolenaar14b69452013-06-29 23:05:20 +0200853mapping immediately if it was defined with <nowait>, even if a longer mapping
854has the same prefix. For example, given the following two mappings: >
855 :map <buffer> <nowait> \a :echo "Local \a"<CR>
856 :map \abc :echo "Global \abc"<CR>
857When typing \a the buffer-local mapping will be used immediately. Vim will
858not wait for more characters to see if the user might be typing \abc.
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +0200859
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000860 *map-keys-fails*
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000861There are situations where key codes might not be recognized:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862- Vim can only read part of the key code. Mostly this is only the first
863 character. This happens on some Unix versions in an xterm.
864- The key code is after character(s) that are mapped. E.g., "<F1><F1>" or
865 "g<F1>".
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000866
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000867The result is that the key code is not recognized in this situation, and the
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000868mapping fails. There are two actions needed to avoid this problem:
869
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000870- Remove the 'K' flag from 'cpoptions'. This will make Vim wait for the rest
871 of the characters of the function key.
872- When using <F1> to <F4> the actual key code generated may correspond to
873 <xF1> to <xF4>. There are mappings from <xF1> to <F1>, <xF2> to <F2>, etc.,
874 but these are not recognized after another half a mapping. Make sure the
875 key codes for <F1> to <F4> are correct: >
876 :set <F1>=<type CTRL-V><type F1>
877< Type the <F1> as four characters. The part after the "=" must be done with
878 the actual keys, not the literal text.
879Another solution is to use the actual key code in the mapping for the second
880special key: >
881 :map <F1><Esc>OP :echo "yes"<CR>
882Don't type a real <Esc>, Vim will recognize the key code and replace it with
883<F1> anyway.
884
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000885Another problem may be that when keeping ALT or Meta pressed the terminal
886prepends ESC instead of setting the 8th bit. See |:map-alt-keys|.
887
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000888 *recursive_mapping*
889If you include the {lhs} in the {rhs} you have a recursive mapping. When
890{lhs} is typed, it will be replaced with {rhs}. When the {lhs} which is
891included in {rhs} is encountered it will be replaced with {rhs}, and so on.
892This makes it possible to repeat a command an infinite number of times. The
893only problem is that the only way to stop this is by causing an error. The
894macros to solve a maze uses this, look there for an example. There is one
895exception: If the {rhs} starts with {lhs}, the first character is not mapped
896again (this is Vi compatible).
897For example: >
898 :map ab abcd
899will execute the "a" command and insert "bcd" in the text. The "ab" in the
900{rhs} will not be mapped again.
901
902If you want to exchange the meaning of two keys you should use the :noremap
903command. For example: >
904 :noremap k j
905 :noremap j k
906This will exchange the cursor up and down commands.
907
908With the normal :map command, when the 'remap' option is on, mapping takes
909place until the text is found not to be a part of a {lhs}. For example, if
910you use: >
911 :map x y
912 :map y x
913Vim will replace x with y, and then y with x, etc. When this has happened
914'maxmapdepth' times (default 1000), Vim will give the error message
915"recursive mapping".
916
917 *:map-undo*
918If you include an undo command inside a mapped sequence, this will bring the
919text back in the state before executing the macro. This is compatible with
920the original Vi, as long as there is only one undo command in the mapped
921sequence (having two undo commands in a mapped sequence did not make sense
922in the original Vi, you would get back the text before the first undo).
923
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000924
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00009251.10 MAPPING ALT-KEYS *:map-alt-keys*
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000926
Bram Moolenaar938ae282023-02-20 20:44:55 +0000927For a readable mapping command the <A-k> form can be used. Note that <A-k>
928and <A-K> are different, the latter will use an upper case letter. Actually,
929<A-K> and <A-S-K> are the same. Instead of "A" you can use "M". If you have
930an actual Meta modifier key, please see |:map-meta-keys|.
931
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000932In the GUI Vim handles the Alt key itself, thus mapping keys with ALT should
933always work. But in a terminal Vim gets a sequence of bytes and has to figure
934out whether ALT was pressed or not.
935
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200936If the terminal supports the modifyOtherKeys mode and it has been enabled,
937then Vim can recognize more key combinations, see |modifyOtherKeys| below.
Bram Moolenaar4be18e72023-02-03 12:28:07 +0000938The Kitty keyboard protocol works in a similar way, see
939|kitty-keyboard-protocol|.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +0200940
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000941By default Vim assumes that pressing the ALT key sets the 8th bit of a typed
Bram Moolenaar97d29a12005-12-17 22:02:57 +0000942character. Most decent terminals can work that way, such as xterm, aterm and
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000943rxvt. If your <A-k> mappings don't work it might be that the terminal is
944prefixing the character with an ESC character. But you can just as well type
945ESC before a character, thus Vim doesn't know what happened (except for
946checking the delay between characters, which is not reliable).
947
948As of this writing, some mainstream terminals like gnome-terminal and konsole
949use the ESC prefix. There doesn't appear a way to have them use the 8th bit
Bram Moolenaar97d29a12005-12-17 22:02:57 +0000950instead. Xterm should work well by default. Aterm and rxvt should work well
951when started with the "--meta8" argument. You can also tweak resources like
952"metaSendsEscape", "eightBitInput" and "eightBitOutput".
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000953
954On the Linux console, this behavior can be toggled with the "setmetamode"
955command. Bear in mind that not using an ESC prefix could get you in trouble
956with other programs. You should make sure that bash has the "convert-meta"
957option set to "on" in order for your Meta keybindings to still work on it
958(it's the default readline behavior, unless changed by specific system
959configuration). For that, you can add the line: >
960
961 set convert-meta on
962
963to your ~/.inputrc file. If you're creating the file, you might want to use: >
964
965 $include /etc/inputrc
966
967as the first line, if that file exists on your system, to keep global options.
968This may cause a problem for entering special characters, such as the umlaut.
969Then you should use CTRL-V before that character.
970
971Bear in mind that convert-meta has been reported to have troubles when used in
972UTF-8 locales. On terminals like xterm, the "metaSendsEscape" resource can be
973toggled on the fly through the "Main Options" menu, by pressing Ctrl-LeftClick
974on the terminal; that's a good last resource in case you want to send ESC when
Bram Moolenaar6aa8cea2017-06-05 14:44:35 +0200975using other applications but not when inside Vim.
Bram Moolenaarcdbac1e2005-12-11 21:27:22 +0000976
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +0000977
Bram Moolenaar4be18e72023-02-03 12:28:07 +00009781.11 MAPPING META-KEYS *:map-meta-keys*
979
980Mapping keys with the Meta modifier works very similar to using the Alt key.
981What key on your keyboard produces the Meta modifier depends on your keyboard
982and configuration.
983
984Note that mapping <M-a> actually is for using the Alt key. That can be
985confusing! It cannot be changed, it would not be backwards compatible.
986
987For the Meta modifier the "T" character is used. For example, to map Meta-b
988in Insert mode: >
989 :imap <T-b> terrible
990
h-east53753f62024-05-05 18:42:31 +02009911.12 MAPPING SUPER-KEYS or COMMAND-KEYS *:map-super-keys* *:map-cmd-key*
Bram Moolenaar4be18e72023-02-03 12:28:07 +0000992
h-east53753f62024-05-05 18:42:31 +0200993The Super modifier is available in GUI mode (when |gui_running| is 1) for gVim
994on Linux and MacVim on Mac OS. If you're on a Mac, this represents the Command
995key, on Linux with the GTK GUI it represents the Super key.
Casey Tucker92e90a12024-01-25 22:44:00 +0100996The character "D" is used for the Super / Command modifier.
997
998For example, to map Command-b in Insert mode: >
999 :imap <D-b> barritone
1000
10011.13 MAPPING IN modifyOtherKeys mode *modifyOtherKeys*
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02001002
1003Xterm and a few other terminals can be put in a mode where keys with modifiers
1004are sent with a special escape code. Vim recognizes these codes and can then
1005make a difference between CTRL-H and Backspace, even when Backspace sends the
Bram Moolenaar47f1fdc2022-11-24 13:27:36 +00001006character 8. And many more special keys, such as Tab and CTRL-I, which cannot
1007be mapped separately otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02001008
1009For xterm modifyOtherKeys is enabled in the builtin termcap entry. If this is
1010not used you can enable modifyOtherKeys with these lines in your vimrc: >
1011 let &t_TI = "\<Esc>[>4;2m"
1012 let &t_TE = "\<Esc>[>4;m"
1013
Bram Moolenaar47f1fdc2022-11-24 13:27:36 +00001014This sets modifyOtherKeys to level 2. Note that modifyOtherKeys level 1 does
1015not work. Some terminals do not support level 2 and then send key codes that
1016Vim will not be able to correctly recognize.
1017
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02001018In case the modifyOtherKeys mode causes problems you can disable it: >
1019 let &t_TI = ""
1020 let &t_TE = ""
1021It does not take effect immediately. To have this work without restarting Vim
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +01001022execute a shell command, e.g.: `!ls` Or put the lines in your |vimrc|.
1023
1024When modifyOtherKeys is enabled you can map <C-[> and <C-S-{>: >
1025 imap <C-[> [[[
Bram Moolenaar9a033d72020-10-07 17:29:48 +02001026 imap <C-{> {{{
1027Without modifyOtherKeys <C-[> and <C-{> are indistinguishable from Esc.
1028Note that <C-{> is used and not <C-S-[> or <C-S-{>. This works on most
1029keyboards. Similarly, <C-}> is used instead of <C-S-]> or <C-S-}> and
1030<C-|> instead of <C-S-\> or <C-S-|>. Note that '|' has a special meaning in a
1031mapping, see |map-bar|.
1032
1033WARNING: if you map <C-[> you may very well break any key codes that start
1034with Esc. Make sure it comes AFTER other mappings.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02001035
Bram Moolenaar733a69b2022-12-01 12:03:47 +00001036Starting with xterm version 377 Vim can detect the modifyOtherKeys state by
1037requesting it. For this the 't_RK' termcap entry is used. When the response
1038is found then Vim will know whether modifyOtherKeys level 2 is enabled, and
1039handle mappings accordingly.
1040
1041Before version 377 Vim automatically detects if the modifyOtherKeys mode was
1042enabled when it spots an escape sequence that must have been created by it.
1043To see if Vim detected such an escape sequence use `:verbose map`, the first
1044line will then show "Seen modifyOtherKeys: true" (possibly translated).
Bram Moolenaar9f62ea02022-10-19 13:07:03 +01001045
Bram Moolenaar938ae282023-02-20 20:44:55 +00001046This automatic detection depends on receiving an escape code starting with
Bram Moolenaar47f1fdc2022-11-24 13:27:36 +00001047"<1b>[27;". This is the normal way xterm sends these key codes. However, if
1048the *formatOtherKeys* resource is set another form is used that is not
1049recognized, therefore you must not set formatOtherKeys.
1050
Bram Moolenaar2547aa92020-07-26 17:00:44 +02001051A known side effect is that in Insert mode the raw escape sequence is inserted
1052after the CTRL-V key. This can be used to check whether modifyOtherKeys is
1053enabled: In Insert mode type CTRL-SHIFT-V CTRL-V, if you get one byte then
Bram Moolenaar47f1fdc2022-11-24 13:27:36 +00001054modifyOtherKeys is off, if you get <1b>[27;5;118~ then it is on.
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02001055
Bram Moolenaar733a69b2022-12-01 12:03:47 +00001056Note that xterm up to version 376 has a bug that makes Shift-Esc send a
1057regular Esc code, the Shift modifier is dropped.
1058
Bram Moolenaar5ef1c6a2019-11-10 22:09:11 +01001059When the 'esckeys' option is off, then modifyOtherKeys will be disabled in
1060Insert mode to avoid every key with a modifier causing Insert mode to end.
1061
Bram Moolenaar4b570182019-10-20 19:53:22 +02001062
Casey Tucker92e90a12024-01-25 22:44:00 +010010631.14 MAPPING WITH KITTY KEYBOARD PROTOCOL *kitty-keyboard-protocol*
Bram Moolenaar63a2e362022-11-23 20:20:18 +00001064
1065If the value of 'term' contains "kitty" then Vim will send out an escape
1066sequence to enable the Kitty keyboard protocol. This can be changed with the
1067'keyprotocol' option.
1068
1069Like modifyOtherKeys, this will make it possible to distinguish between more
1070keys with modifiers. Also, this protocol sends an escape sequence for the Esc
1071key, so that Vim does not need to use a timeout to know whether receiving an
1072Esc character means the Esc key was pressed or it's the start of an escape
1073sequence.
1074
1075Vim automatically detects if the Kitty keyboard protocol was enabled when it
1076spots the response to the status request (this should be part of the |t_TI|
1077termcap entry). To see if Vim detected such an escape sequence use: >
1078 :verbose map
1079The first line will then show "Kitty keyboard protocol: {value}" (possibly
1080translated). The meaning of {value}:
1081 Unknown no status received yet
1082 Off protocol is not used
1083 On protocol is used
1084 Disabled protocol was used but expected to have been disabled
1085 by 't_TE'
Bram Moolenaardd60c362023-02-27 15:49:53 +00001086 Cleared protocol expected to have been disabled by 't_TE',
Bram Moolenaar938ae282023-02-20 20:44:55 +00001087 previous state is unknown
Bram Moolenaar63a2e362022-11-23 20:20:18 +00001088
1089
Casey Tucker92e90a12024-01-25 22:44:00 +010010901.15 MAPPING AN OPERATOR *:map-operator*
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001091
1092An operator is used before a {motion} command. To define your own operator
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001093you must create a mapping that first sets the 'operatorfunc' option and then
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001094invoke the |g@| operator. After the user types the {motion} command the
1095specified function will be called.
1096
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00001097 *g@* *E774* *E775*
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001098g@{motion} Call the function set by the 'operatorfunc' option.
1099 The '[ mark is positioned at the start of the text
1100 moved over by {motion}, the '] mark on the last
1101 character of the text.
1102 The function is called with one String argument:
1103 "line" {motion} was |linewise|
1104 "char" {motion} was |characterwise|
Bram Moolenaarf91787c2010-07-17 12:47:16 +02001105 "block" {motion} was |blockwise-visual|
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001106 The type can be forced, see |forced-motion|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001107 {not available when compiled without the |+eval|
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001108 feature}
1109
1110Here is an example that counts the number of spaces with <F4>: >
1111
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001112 nnoremap <expr> <F4> CountSpaces()
1113 xnoremap <expr> <F4> CountSpaces()
1114 " doubling <F4> works on a line
1115 nnoremap <expr> <F4><F4> CountSpaces() .. '_'
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001116
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001117 function CountSpaces(context = {}, type = '') abort
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001118 if a:type == ''
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001119 let context = #{
1120 \ dot_command: v:false,
1121 \ extend_block: '',
1122 \ virtualedit: [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit],
1123 \ }
1124 let &operatorfunc = function('CountSpaces', [context])
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001125 set virtualedit=block
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001126 return 'g@'
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001127 endif
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001128
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001129 let save = #{
1130 \ clipboard: &clipboard,
1131 \ selection: &selection,
1132 \ virtualedit: [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit],
1133 \ register: getreginfo('"'),
1134 \ visual_marks: [getpos("'<"), getpos("'>")],
1135 \ }
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001136
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001137 try
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001138 set clipboard= selection=inclusive virtualedit=
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001139 let commands = #{
1140 \ line: "'[V']",
1141 \ char: "`[v`]",
1142 \ block: "`[\<C-V>`]",
1143 \ }[a:type]
1144 let [_, _, col, off] = getpos("']")
1145 if off != 0
1146 let vcol = getline("'[")->strpart(0, col + off)->strdisplaywidth()
1147 if vcol >= [line("'["), '$']->virtcol() - 1
1148 let a:context.extend_block = '$'
1149 else
1150 let a:context.extend_block = vcol .. '|'
1151 endif
1152 endif
1153 if a:context.extend_block != ''
1154 let commands ..= 'oO' .. a:context.extend_block
Bram Moolenaar0e6adf82021-12-16 14:41:10 +00001155 endif
1156 let commands ..= 'y'
1157 execute 'silent noautocmd keepjumps normal! ' .. commands
1158 echomsg getreg('"')->count(' ')
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001159 finally
Bram Moolenaarfa3b7232021-12-24 13:18:38 +00001160 call setreg('"', save.register)
1161 call setpos("'<", save.visual_marks[0])
1162 call setpos("'>", save.visual_marks[1])
1163 let &clipboard = save.clipboard
1164 let &selection = save.selection
1165 let [&l:virtualedit, &g:virtualedit] = get(a:context.dot_command ? save : a:context, 'virtualedit')
1166 let a:context.dot_command = v:true
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001167 endtry
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001168 endfunction
1169
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001170An <expr> mapping is used to be able to fetch any prefixed count and register.
1171This also avoids using a command line, which would trigger CmdlineEnter and
1172CmdlineLeave autocommands.
1173
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001174Note that the 'selection' option is temporarily set to "inclusive" to be able
1175to yank exactly the right text by using Visual mode from the '[ to the ']
1176mark.
1177
Bram Moolenaar1c6737b2020-09-07 22:18:52 +02001178Also note that the 'clipboard' option is temporarily emptied to avoid
1179clobbering the `"*` or `"+` registers, if its value contains the item `unnamed`
1180or `unnamedplus`.
Bram Moolenaar5b962cf2005-12-12 21:58:40 +00001181
Bram Moolenaar079ba762021-10-23 12:08:41 +01001182The `mode()` function will return the state as it will be after applying the
1183operator.
1184
Yegappan Lakshmanan777175b2021-11-18 22:08:57 +00001185Here is an example for using a lambda function to create a normal-mode
1186operator to add quotes around text in the current line: >
1187
1188 nnoremap <F4> <Cmd>let &opfunc='{t ->
1189 \ getline(".")
1190 \ ->split("\\zs")
1191 \ ->insert("\"", col("'']"))
1192 \ ->insert("\"", col("''[") - 1)
1193 \ ->join("")
1194 \ ->setline(".")}'<CR>g@
1195
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001196==============================================================================
11972. Abbreviations *abbreviations* *Abbreviations*
1198
1199Abbreviations are used in Insert mode, Replace mode and Command-line mode.
1200If you enter a word that is an abbreviation, it is replaced with the word it
1201stands for. This can be used to save typing for often used long words. And
1202you can use it to automatically correct obvious spelling errors.
1203Examples:
1204
Bram Moolenaarc1762cc2007-05-10 16:56:30 +00001205 :iab ms Microsoft
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001206 :iab tihs this
1207
1208There are three types of abbreviations:
1209
1210full-id The "full-id" type consists entirely of keyword characters (letters
1211 and characters from 'iskeyword' option). This is the most common
1212 abbreviation.
1213
1214 Examples: "foo", "g3", "-1"
1215
1216end-id The "end-id" type ends in a keyword character, but all the other
1217 characters are not keyword characters.
1218
1219 Examples: "#i", "..f", "$/7"
1220
1221non-id The "non-id" type ends in a non-keyword character, the other
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001222 characters may be of any type, excluding space and tab. {this type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001223 is not supported by Vi}
1224
1225 Examples: "def#", "4/7$"
1226
1227Examples of strings that cannot be abbreviations: "a.b", "#def", "a b", "_$r"
1228
1229An abbreviation is only recognized when you type a non-keyword character.
Bram Moolenaar938ae282023-02-20 20:44:55 +00001230This can also be the <Esc> that ends Insert mode or the <CR> that ends a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001231command. The non-keyword character which ends the abbreviation is inserted
1232after the expanded abbreviation. An exception to this is the character <C-]>,
1233which is used to expand an abbreviation without inserting any extra
1234characters.
1235
1236Example: >
1237 :ab hh hello
1238< "hh<Space>" is expanded to "hello<Space>"
1239 "hh<C-]>" is expanded to "hello"
1240
1241The characters before the cursor must match the abbreviation. Each type has
1242an additional rule:
1243
1244full-id In front of the match is a non-keyword character, or this is where
1245 the line or insertion starts. Exception: When the abbreviation is
1246 only one character, it is not recognized if there is a non-keyword
Bram Moolenaareb3dc872018-05-13 22:34:24 +02001247 character in front of it, other than a space or a tab. However, for
1248 the command line "'<,'>" (or any other marks) is ignored, as if the
1249 command line starts after it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001250
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001251end-id In front of the match is a keyword character, or a space or a tab,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001252 or this is where the line or insertion starts.
1253
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001254non-id In front of the match is a space, tab or the start of the line or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001255 the insertion.
1256
1257Examples: ({CURSOR} is where you type a non-keyword character) >
1258 :ab foo four old otters
1259< " foo{CURSOR}" is expanded to " four old otters"
1260 " foobar{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1261 "barfoo{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1262>
1263 :ab #i #include
1264< "#i{CURSOR}" is expanded to "#include"
1265 ">#i{CURSOR}" is not expanded
1266>
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001267 :ab ;; <endofline>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001268< "test;;" is not expanded
1269 "test ;;" is expanded to "test <endofline>"
1270
Bram Moolenaar7d76c802014-10-15 22:51:52 +02001271To avoid the abbreviation in Insert mode: Type CTRL-V before the character
1272that would trigger the abbreviation. E.g. CTRL-V <Space>. Or type part of
1273the abbreviation, exit insert mode with <Esc>, re-enter insert mode with "a"
1274and type the rest.
1275
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001276To avoid the abbreviation in Command-line mode: Type CTRL-V twice somewhere in
1277the abbreviation to avoid it to be replaced. A CTRL-V in front of a normal
1278character is mostly ignored otherwise.
1279
1280It is possible to move the cursor after an abbreviation: >
1281 :iab if if ()<Left>
1282This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag. |<>|
1283
1284You can even do more complicated things. For example, to consume the space
1285typed after an abbreviation: >
1286 func Eatchar(pat)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001287 let c = nr2char(getchar(0))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001288 return (c =~ a:pat) ? '' : c
1289 endfunc
1290 iabbr <silent> if if ()<Left><C-R>=Eatchar('\s')<CR>
1291
1292There are no default abbreviations.
1293
1294Abbreviations are never recursive. You can use ":ab f f-o-o" without any
1295problem. But abbreviations can be mapped. {some versions of Vi support
1296recursive abbreviations, for no apparent reason}
1297
1298Abbreviations are disabled if the 'paste' option is on.
1299
1300 *:abbreviate-local* *:abbreviate-<buffer>*
1301Just like mappings, abbreviations can be local to a buffer. This is mostly
1302used in a |filetype-plugin| file. Example for a C plugin file: >
1303 :abb <buffer> FF for (i = 0; i < ; ++i)
1304<
1305 *:ab* *:abbreviate*
1306:ab[breviate] list all abbreviations. The character in the first
1307 column indicates the mode where the abbreviation is
1308 used: 'i' for insert mode, 'c' for Command-line
1309 mode, '!' for both. These are the same as for
1310 mappings, see |map-listing|.
1311
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00001312 *:abbreviate-verbose*
1313When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing an abbreviation will also display where it
1314was last defined. Example: >
1315
1316 :verbose abbreviate
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001317 ! teh the
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00001318 Last set from /home/abcd/vim/abbr.vim
1319
1320See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
1321
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001322:ab[breviate] {lhs} list the abbreviations that start with {lhs}
1323 You may need to insert a CTRL-V (type it twice) to
1324 avoid that a typed {lhs} is expanded, since
1325 command-line abbreviations apply here.
1326
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001327:ab[breviate] [<expr>] [<buffer>] {lhs} {rhs}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001328 add abbreviation for {lhs} to {rhs}. If {lhs} already
1329 existed it is replaced with the new {rhs}. {rhs} may
1330 contain spaces.
Bram Moolenaarfc1421e2006-04-20 22:17:20 +00001331 See |:map-<expr>| for the optional <expr> argument.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001332 See |:map-<buffer>| for the optional <buffer> argument.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001333
1334 *:una* *:unabbreviate*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001335:una[bbreviate] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1336 Remove abbreviation for {lhs} from the list. If none
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001337 is found, remove abbreviations in which {lhs} matches
1338 with the {rhs}. This is done so that you can even
1339 remove abbreviations after expansion. To avoid
1340 expansion insert a CTRL-V (type it twice).
1341
1342 *:norea* *:noreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001343:norea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001344 Same as ":ab", but no remapping for this {rhs}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001345
Bram Moolenaar61da1bf2019-06-06 12:14:49 +02001346 *:ca* *:cab* *:cabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001347:ca[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001348 Same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001349
1350 *:cuna* *:cunabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001351:cuna[bbrev] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1352 Same as ":una", but for Command-line mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353
1354 *:cnorea* *:cnoreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001355:cnorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001356 same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only and no
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001357 remapping for this {rhs}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001358
1359 *:ia* *:iabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001360:ia[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001361 Same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001362
1363 *:iuna* *:iunabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar95a9dd12019-12-19 22:12:03 +01001364:iuna[bbrev] [<buffer>] {lhs}
1365 Same as ":una", but for insert mode only.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001366
1367 *:inorea* *:inoreabbrev*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02001368:inorea[bbrev] [<expr>] [<buffer>] [lhs] [rhs]
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001369 Same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only and no
1370 remapping for this {rhs}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001371
1372 *:abc* *:abclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001373:abc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001374
1375 *:iabc* *:iabclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001376:iabc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations for Insert mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001377
1378 *:cabc* *:cabclear*
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001379:cabc[lear] [<buffer>] Remove all abbreviations for Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001380
1381 *using_CTRL-V*
1382It is possible to use special characters in the rhs of an abbreviation.
1383CTRL-V has to be used to avoid the special meaning of most non printable
1384characters. How many CTRL-Vs need to be typed depends on how you enter the
1385abbreviation. This also applies to mappings. Let's use an example here.
1386
1387Suppose you want to abbreviate "esc" to enter an <Esc> character. When you
1388type the ":ab" command in Vim, you have to enter this: (here ^V is a CTRL-V
1389and ^[ is <Esc>)
1390
1391You type: ab esc ^V^V^V^V^V^[
1392
1393 All keyboard input is subjected to ^V quote interpretation, so
1394 the first, third, and fifth ^V characters simply allow the second,
1395 and fourth ^Vs, and the ^[, to be entered into the command-line.
1396
1397You see: ab esc ^V^V^[
1398
1399 The command-line contains two actual ^Vs before the ^[. This is
1400 how it should appear in your .exrc file, if you choose to go that
1401 route. The first ^V is there to quote the second ^V; the :ab
1402 command uses ^V as its own quote character, so you can include quoted
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001403 whitespace or the | character in the abbreviation. The :ab command
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001404 doesn't do anything special with the ^[ character, so it doesn't need
1405 to be quoted. (Although quoting isn't harmful; that's why typing 7
1406 [but not 8!] ^Vs works.)
1407
1408Stored as: esc ^V^[
1409
1410 After parsing, the abbreviation's short form ("esc") and long form
1411 (the two characters "^V^[") are stored in the abbreviation table.
1412 If you give the :ab command with no arguments, this is how the
1413 abbreviation will be displayed.
1414
1415 Later, when the abbreviation is expanded because the user typed in
1416 the word "esc", the long form is subjected to the same type of
1417 ^V interpretation as keyboard input. So the ^V protects the ^[
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001418 character from being interpreted as the "exit Insert mode" character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001419 Instead, the ^[ is inserted into the text.
1420
1421Expands to: ^[
1422
1423[example given by Steve Kirkendall]
1424
1425==============================================================================
14263. Local mappings and functions *script-local*
1427
1428When using several Vim script files, there is the danger that mappings and
1429functions used in one script use the same name as in other scripts. To avoid
1430this, they can be made local to the script.
1431
1432 *<SID>* *<SNR>* *E81*
1433The string "<SID>" can be used in a mapping or menu. This requires that the
Bram Moolenaardd60c362023-02-27 15:49:53 +00001434'<' flag is not present in 'cpoptions'. This is useful if you have a
1435script-local function that you want to call from a mapping in the same script.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001436 When executing the map command, Vim will replace "<SID>" with the special
1437key code <SNR>, followed by a number that's unique for the script, and an
1438underscore. Example: >
1439 :map <SID>Add
Bram Moolenaardd60c362023-02-27 15:49:53 +00001440would define a mapping "<SNR>23_Add".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001441
1442When defining a function in a script, "s:" can be prepended to the name to
Bram Moolenaar75ab5902022-04-18 15:36:40 +01001443make it local to the script (in |Vim9| script functions without a prefix are
1444local to the script). But when a mapping is executed from outside of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001445the script, it doesn't know in which script the function was defined. To
1446avoid this problem, use "<SID>" instead of "s:". The same translation is done
1447as for mappings. This makes it possible to define a call to the function in
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001448a mapping.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001449
1450When a local function is executed, it runs in the context of the script it was
1451defined in. This means that new functions and mappings it defines can also
1452use "s:" or "<SID>" and it will use the same unique number as when the
1453function itself was defined. Also, the "s:var" local script variables can be
1454used.
1455
1456When executing an autocommand or a user command, it will run in the context of
1457the script it was defined in. This makes it possible that the command calls a
1458local function or uses a local mapping.
1459
Bram Moolenaar90944302020-08-01 20:45:11 +02001460In case the value is used in a context where <SID> cannot be correctly
1461expanded, use the expand() function: >
1462 let &includexpr = expand('<SID>') .. 'My_includeexpr()'
1463
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001464Otherwise, using "<SID>" outside of a script context is an error.
1465
1466If you need to get the script number to use in a complicated script, you can
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001467use this function: >
Bram Moolenaar4466ad62020-11-21 13:16:30 +01001468 func s:ScriptNumber()
1469 return matchstr(expand('<SID>'), '<SNR>\zs\d\+\ze_')
1470 endfunc
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001471
1472The "<SNR>" will be shown when listing functions and mappings. This is useful
1473to find out what they are defined to.
1474
1475The |:scriptnames| command can be used to see which scripts have been sourced
1476and what their <SNR> number is.
1477
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001478This is all {not available when compiled without the |+eval| feature}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001479
1480==============================================================================
14814. User-defined commands *user-commands*
1482
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001483It is possible to define your own Ex commands. A user-defined command can act
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001484just like a built-in command (it can have a range or arguments, arguments can
1485be completed as filenames or buffer names, etc), except that when the command
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001486is executed, it is transformed into a normal Ex command and then executed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001487
1488For starters: See section |40.2| in the user manual.
1489
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001490 *E183* *E841* *user-cmd-ambiguous*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001491All user defined commands must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01001492confusion with builtin commands. Exceptions are these builtin commands:
1493 :Next
1494 :X
1495They cannot be used for a user defined command. ":Print" is also an existing
1496command, but it is deprecated and can be overruled.
1497
1498The other characters of the user command can be uppercase letters, lowercase
1499letters or digits. When using digits, note that other commands that take a
1500numeric argument may become ambiguous. For example, the command ":Cc2" could
1501be the user command ":Cc2" without an argument, or the command ":Cc" with
1502argument "2". It is advised to put a space between the command name and the
1503argument to avoid these problems.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001504
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001505When using a user-defined command, the command can be abbreviated. However, if
1506an abbreviation is not unique, an error will be issued. Furthermore, a
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001507built-in command will always take precedence.
1508
1509Example: >
1510 :command Rename ...
1511 :command Renumber ...
1512 :Rena " Means "Rename"
1513 :Renu " Means "Renumber"
1514 :Ren " Error - ambiguous
1515 :command Paste ...
1516 :P " The built-in :Print
1517
1518It is recommended that full names for user-defined commands are used in
1519scripts.
1520
1521:com[mand] *:com* *:command*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001522 List all user-defined commands. When listing commands,
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001523 the characters in the first columns are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001524 ! Command has the -bang attribute
1525 " Command has the -register attribute
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001526 | Command has the -bar attribute
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001527 b Command is local to current buffer
1528 (see below for details on attributes)
Bram Moolenaar818078d2016-08-27 21:58:42 +02001529 The list can be filtered on command name with
1530 |:filter|, e.g., to list all commands with "Pyth" in
1531 the name: >
1532 filter Pyth command
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533
1534:com[mand] {cmd} List the user-defined commands that start with {cmd}
1535
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001536 *:command-verbose*
1537When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a command will also display where it was
Bram Moolenaar6f4754b2022-01-23 12:07:04 +00001538last defined and any completion argument. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001539
1540 :verbose command TOhtml
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001541< Name Args Range Complete Definition ~
1542 TOhtml 0 % :call Convert2HTML(<line1>, <line2>) ~
1543 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/plugin/tohtml.vim ~
1544
Bram Moolenaar5195e452005-08-19 20:32:47 +00001545See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00001546
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547 *E174* *E182*
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001548:com[mand][!] [{attr}...] {cmd} {repl}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001549 Define a user command. The name of the command is
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001550 {cmd} and its replacement text is {repl}. The
1551 command's attributes (see below) are {attr}. If the
1552 command already exists, an error is reported, unless a
1553 ! is specified, in which case the command is
1554 redefined. There is one exception: When sourcing a
1555 script again, a command that was previously defined in
1556 that script will be silently replaced.
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001557
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001558
1559:delc[ommand] {cmd} *:delc* *:delcommand* *E184*
1560 Delete the user-defined command {cmd}.
Bram Moolenaard13166e2022-11-18 21:49:57 +00001561 This is not allowed while listing commands, e.g. from
1562 a timer. *E1311*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001563
Bram Moolenaarbdcba242021-09-12 20:58:02 +02001564:delc[ommand] -buffer {cmd} *E1237*
1565 Delete the user-defined command {cmd} that was defined
1566 for the current buffer.
1567
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001568:comc[lear] *:comc* *:comclear*
1569 Delete all user-defined commands.
1570
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001571
1572Command attributes ~
Bram Moolenaar6ebe4f92022-10-28 20:47:54 +01001573 *command-attributes*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001574User-defined commands are treated by Vim just like any other Ex commands. They
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001575can have arguments, or have a range specified. Arguments are subject to
1576completion as filenames, buffers, etc. Exactly how this works depends upon the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001577command's attributes, which are specified when the command is defined.
1578
Bram Moolenaar71badf92023-04-22 22:40:14 +01001579When defining a user command in a script, it will be able to call functions
1580local to the script and use mappings local to the script. When the user
1581invokes the user command, it will run in the context of the script it was
1582defined in. This matters if |<SID>| is used in a command.
1583
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001584There are a number of attributes, split into four categories: argument
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001585handling, completion behavior, range handling, and special cases. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001586attributes are described below, by category.
1587
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001588
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001589Argument handling ~
1590 *E175* *E176* *:command-nargs*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001591By default, a user defined command will take no arguments (and an error is
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001592reported if any are supplied). However, it is possible to specify that the
1593command can take arguments, using the -nargs attribute. Valid cases are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001594
1595 -nargs=0 No arguments are allowed (the default)
Bram Moolenaar9d87a372018-12-18 21:41:50 +01001596 -nargs=1 Exactly one argument is required, it includes spaces
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02001597 -nargs=* Any number of arguments are allowed (0, 1, or many),
1598 separated by white space
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001599 -nargs=? 0 or 1 arguments are allowed
1600 -nargs=+ Arguments must be supplied, but any number are allowed
1601
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001602Arguments are considered to be separated by (unescaped) spaces or tabs in this
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02001603context, except when there is one argument, then the white space is part of
1604the argument.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001605
1606Note that arguments are used as text, not as expressions. Specifically,
1607"s:var" will use the script-local variable in the script where the command was
1608defined, not where it is invoked! Example:
1609 script1.vim: >
1610 :let s:error = "None"
1611 :command -nargs=1 Error echoerr <args>
1612< script2.vim: >
1613 :source script1.vim
1614 :let s:error = "Wrong!"
1615 :Error s:error
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001616Executing script2.vim will result in "None" being echoed. Not what you
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001617intended! Calling a function may be an alternative.
1618
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001619
1620Completion behavior ~
Bram Moolenaar9d87a372018-12-18 21:41:50 +01001621 *:command-completion* *E179* *E180* *E181*
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001622 *:command-complete*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001623By default, the arguments of user defined commands do not undergo completion.
1624However, by specifying one or the other of the following attributes, argument
1625completion can be enabled:
1626
Bram Moolenaarcd43eff2018-03-29 15:55:38 +02001627 -complete=arglist file names in argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001628 -complete=augroup autocmd groups
Doug Kearnse2c4e072024-08-31 16:44:14 +02001629 -complete=behave |:behave| suboptions
1630 -complete=breakpoint |:breakadd| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001631 -complete=buffer buffer names
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001632 -complete=color color schemes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001633 -complete=command Ex command (and arguments)
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001634 -complete=compiler compilers
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001635 -complete=cscope |:cscope| suboptions
Doug Kearnse2c4e072024-08-31 16:44:14 +02001636 -complete=diff_buffer diff buffer names
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001637 -complete=dir directory names
LemonBoya20bf692024-07-11 22:35:53 +02001638 -complete=dir_in_path directory names in |'cdpath'|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639 -complete=environment environment variable names
1640 -complete=event autocommand events
1641 -complete=expression Vim expression
1642 -complete=file file and directory names
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001643 -complete=file_in_path file and directory names in |'path'|
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001644 -complete=filetype filetype names |'filetype'|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001645 -complete=function function name
1646 -complete=help help subjects
1647 -complete=highlight highlight groups
Doug Kearnse2c4e072024-08-31 16:44:14 +02001648 -complete=history |:history| suboptions
Doug Kearns81642d92024-01-04 22:37:44 +01001649 -complete=keymap keyboard mappings
Bram Moolenaare9edd7f2011-07-20 16:37:24 +02001650 -complete=locale locale names (as output of locale -a)
Bram Moolenaarcae92dc2017-08-06 15:22:15 +02001651 -complete=mapclear buffer argument
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001652 -complete=mapping mapping name
1653 -complete=menu menus
Bram Moolenaar9e507ca2016-10-15 15:39:39 +02001654 -complete=messages |:messages| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001655 -complete=option options
Bram Moolenaar063b9d12016-07-09 20:21:48 +02001656 -complete=packadd optional package |pack-add| names
Doug Kearnse2c4e072024-08-31 16:44:14 +02001657 -complete=runtime file and directory names in |'runtimepath'|
1658 -complete=scriptnames sourced script names
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001659 -complete=shellcmd Shell command
Ruslan Russkikh0407d622024-10-08 22:21:05 +02001660 -complete=shellcmdline First is a shell command and subsequent ones
1661 are filenames. The same behavior as |:!cmd|
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02001662 -complete=sign |:sign| suboptions
Bram Moolenaara26559b2010-07-31 14:59:19 +02001663 -complete=syntax syntax file names |'syntax'|
Bram Moolenaarcd9c4622013-06-08 15:24:48 +02001664 -complete=syntime |:syntime| suboptions
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001665 -complete=tag tags
1666 -complete=tag_listfiles tags, file names are shown when CTRL-D is hit
Bram Moolenaar24305862012-08-15 14:05:05 +02001667 -complete=user user names
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001668 -complete=var user variables
1669 -complete=custom,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001670 -complete=customlist,{func} custom completion, defined via {func}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001671
Bram Moolenaar6f4754b2022-01-23 12:07:04 +00001672If you specify completion while there is nothing to complete (-nargs=0, the
1673default) then you get error *E1208* .
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +02001674Note: That some completion methods might expand environment variables.
1675
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001676
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001677Custom completion ~
1678 *:command-completion-custom*
1679 *:command-completion-customlist* *E467* *E468*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001680It is possible to define customized completion schemes via the "custom,{func}"
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001681or the "customlist,{func}" completion argument. The {func} part should be a
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001682function with the following signature: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001683
1684 :function {func}(ArgLead, CmdLine, CursorPos)
1685
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001686The function need not use all these arguments. The function should provide the
1687completion candidates as the return value.
1688
1689For the "custom" argument, the function should return the completion
1690candidates one per line in a newline separated string.
Bram Moolenaar9712ff12022-09-18 13:04:22 +01001691 *E1303*
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001692For the "customlist" argument, the function should return the completion
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001693candidates as a Vim List. Non-string items in the list are ignored.
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001694
1695The function arguments are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001696 ArgLead the leading portion of the argument currently being
1697 completed on
1698 CmdLine the entire command line
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001699 CursorPos the cursor position in it (byte index)
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001700The function may use these for determining context. For the "custom"
1701argument, it is not necessary to filter candidates against the (implicit
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001702pattern in) ArgLead. Vim will filter the candidates with its regexp engine
Bram Moolenaar1588bc82022-03-08 21:35:07 +00001703after function return, and this is probably more efficient in most cases. If
1704'wildoptions' contains "fuzzy", then the candidates will be filtered using
1705|fuzzy-matching|. For the "customlist" argument, Vim will not
1706filter the returned completion candidates and the user supplied function
1707should filter the candidates.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001708
1709The following example lists user names to a Finger command >
1710 :com -complete=custom,ListUsers -nargs=1 Finger !finger <args>
1711 :fun ListUsers(A,L,P)
1712 : return system("cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd")
1713 :endfun
1714
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001715The following example completes filenames from the directories specified in
1716the 'path' option: >
1717 :com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=customlist,EditFileComplete
1718 \ EditFile edit<bang> <args>
1719 :fun EditFileComplete(A,L,P)
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001720 : return split(globpath(&path, a:A), "\n")
Bram Moolenaara466c992005-07-09 21:03:22 +00001721 :endfun
1722<
Bram Moolenaar5ac3b1a2010-07-27 22:50:36 +02001723This example does not work for file names with spaces!
1724
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001725
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001726Range handling ~
1727 *E177* *E178* *:command-range* *:command-count*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001728By default, user-defined commands do not accept a line number range. However,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001729it is possible to specify that the command does take a range (the -range
1730attribute), or that it takes an arbitrary count value, either in the line
1731number position (-range=N, like the |:split| command) or as a "count"
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +00001732argument (-count=N, like the |:Next| command). The count will then be
1733available in the argument with |<count>|.
1734
1735Possible attributes are:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001736
1737 -range Range allowed, default is current line
1738 -range=% Range allowed, default is whole file (1,$)
1739 -range=N A count (default N) which is specified in the line
Bram Moolenaar8e5af3e2011-04-28 19:02:44 +02001740 number position (like |:split|); allows for zero line
1741 number.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001742 -count=N A count (default N) which is specified either in the line
Bram Moolenaar32e7b2d2005-02-27 22:36:47 +00001743 number position, or as an initial argument (like |:Next|).
Bram Moolenaar86b48162022-12-06 18:20:10 +00001744 -count Acts like -count=0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745
1746Note that -range=N and -count=N are mutually exclusive - only one should be
1747specified.
1748
Bram Moolenaaraa3b15d2016-04-21 08:53:19 +02001749 *:command-addr*
Bram Moolenaarf1d6ccf2014-12-08 04:16:44 +01001750It is possible that the special characters in the range like ., $ or % which
1751by default correspond to the current line, last line and the whole buffer,
1752relate to arguments, (loaded) buffers, windows or tab pages.
1753
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001754Possible values are (second column is the short name used in listing):
Bram Moolenaar938ae282023-02-20 20:44:55 +00001755 -addr=lines Range of lines (this is the default for -range)
Bram Moolenaara561a412019-04-25 21:27:58 +02001756 -addr=arguments arg Range for arguments
1757 -addr=buffers buf Range for buffers (also not loaded buffers)
1758 -addr=loaded_buffers load Range for loaded buffers
1759 -addr=windows win Range for windows
1760 -addr=tabs tab Range for tab pages
1761 -addr=quickfix qf Range for quickfix entries
Bram Moolenaar86b48162022-12-06 18:20:10 +00001762 -addr=other ? Other kind of range; can use ".", "$" and "%"
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +02001763 as with "lines" (this is the default for
1764 -count)
Bram Moolenaarf1d6ccf2014-12-08 04:16:44 +01001765
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001766
1767Special cases ~
1768 *:command-bang* *:command-bar*
Bram Moolenaar5c5b0942007-05-06 12:07:59 +00001769 *:command-register* *:command-buffer*
Bram Moolenaar519cc552021-11-16 19:18:26 +00001770 *:command-keepscript*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001771There are some special cases as well:
1772
1773 -bang The command can take a ! modifier (like :q or :w)
1774 -bar The command can be followed by a "|" and another command.
1775 A "|" inside the command argument is not allowed then.
1776 Also checks for a " to start a comment.
1777 -register The first argument to the command can be an optional
1778 register name (like :del, :put, :yank).
1779 -buffer The command will only be available in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar58ef8a32021-11-12 11:25:11 +00001780 -keepscript Do not use the location of where the user command was
1781 defined for verbose messages, use the location of where
1782 the user command was invoked.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001783
1784In the cases of the -count and -register attributes, if the optional argument
1785is supplied, it is removed from the argument list and is available to the
1786replacement text separately.
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +02001787Note that these arguments can be abbreviated, but that is a deprecated
1788feature. Use the full name for new scripts.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001789
Bram Moolenaar55d46912018-12-08 16:03:28 +01001790
1791Replacement text ~
Bram Moolenaar73b8b0a2021-08-01 14:52:32 +02001792 *:command-repl*
Bram Moolenaar5d7c2df2021-07-27 21:17:32 +02001793The {repl} argument is normally one long string, possibly with "|" separated
1794commands. A special case is when the argument is "{", then the following
1795lines, up to a line starting with "}" are used and |Vim9| syntax applies.
1796Example: >
1797 :command MyCommand {
1798 echo 'hello'
1799 g:calledMyCommand = true
1800 }
Bram Moolenaar63b91732021-08-05 20:40:03 +02001801< *E1231*
1802There must be white space before the "{". No nesting is supported, inline
1803functions cannot be used. Commands where a "|" may appear in the argument,
1804such as commands with an expression argument, cannot be followed by a "|" and
1805another command.
Bram Moolenaar5d7c2df2021-07-27 21:17:32 +02001806
Bram Moolenaar71badf92023-04-22 22:40:14 +01001807If the command is defined in Vim9 script (a script that starts with
1808`:vim9script` and in a `:def` function) then {repl} will be executed as in Vim9
1809script. Thus this depends on where the command is defined, not where it is
1810used.
1811
Bram Moolenaar1b884a02020-12-10 21:11:27 +01001812The replacement text {repl} for a user defined command is scanned for special
1813escape sequences, using <...> notation. Escape sequences are replaced with
1814values from the entered command line, and all other text is copied unchanged.
1815The resulting string is executed as an Ex command. To avoid the replacement
1816use <lt> in place of the initial <. Thus to include "<bang>" literally use
Bram Moolenaar371d5402006-03-20 21:47:49 +00001817"<lt>bang>".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001818
1819The valid escape sequences are
1820
1821 *<line1>*
1822 <line1> The starting line of the command range.
1823 *<line2>*
1824 <line2> The final line of the command range.
Bram Moolenaarc168bd42017-09-10 17:34:35 +02001825 *<range>*
1826 <range> The number of items in the command range: 0, 1 or 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001827 *<count>*
1828 <count> Any count supplied (as described for the '-range'
1829 and '-count' attributes).
1830 *<bang>*
1831 <bang> (See the '-bang' attribute) Expands to a ! if the
1832 command was executed with a ! modifier, otherwise
1833 expands to nothing.
Bram Moolenaar1d59aa12020-09-19 18:50:13 +02001834 *<mods>* *<q-mods>* *:command-modifiers*
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001835 <mods> The command modifiers, if specified. Otherwise, expands to
Bram Moolenaarc95a3022016-06-12 23:01:46 +02001836 nothing. Supported modifiers are |:aboveleft|, |:belowright|,
zeertzjqd3de1782022-09-01 12:58:52 +01001837 |:botright|, |:browse|, |:confirm|, |:hide|, |:horizontal|,
1838 |:keepalt|, |:keepjumps|, |:keepmarks|, |:keeppatterns|,
Doug Kearns2c41dad2024-09-26 16:05:02 +02001839 |:leftabove|, |:lockmarks|, |:noautocmd|, |:noswapfile|,
zeertzjqd3de1782022-09-01 12:58:52 +01001840 |:rightbelow|, |:sandbox|, |:silent|, |:tab|, |:topleft|,
1841 |:unsilent|, |:verbose|, and |:vertical|.
zeertzjq9359e8a2022-07-03 13:16:09 +01001842 Note that |:filter| is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001843 Examples: >
1844 command! -nargs=+ -complete=file MyEdit
1845 \ for f in expand(<q-args>, 0, 1) |
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001846 \ exe '<mods> split ' .. f |
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001847 \ endfor
1848
1849 function! SpecialEdit(files, mods)
1850 for f in expand(a:files, 0, 1)
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001851 exe a:mods .. ' split ' .. f
Bram Moolenaar63a60de2016-06-04 22:08:55 +02001852 endfor
1853 endfunction
1854 command! -nargs=+ -complete=file Sedit
1855 \ call SpecialEdit(<q-args>, <q-mods>)
1856<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001857 *<reg>* *<register>*
1858 <reg> (See the '-register' attribute) The optional register,
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001859 if specified. Otherwise, expands to nothing. <register>
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001860 is a synonym for this.
1861 *<args>*
1862 <args> The command arguments, exactly as supplied (but as
1863 noted above, any count or register can consume some
1864 of the arguments, which are then not part of <args>).
1865 <lt> A single '<' (Less-Than) character. This is needed if you
1866 want to get a literal copy of one of these escape sequences
1867 into the expansion - for example, to get <bang>, use
1868 <lt>bang>.
1869
1870 *<q-args>*
1871If the first two characters of an escape sequence are "q-" (for example,
1872<q-args>) then the value is quoted in such a way as to make it a valid value
1873for use in an expression. This uses the argument as one single value.
Bram Moolenaar9fbdbb82022-09-27 17:30:34 +01001874When there is no argument <q-args> is an empty string. See the
1875|q-args-example| below.
Bram Moolenaar552f8a12007-03-08 17:12:08 +00001876 *<f-args>*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001877To allow commands to pass their arguments on to a user-defined function, there
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001878is a special form <f-args> ("function args"). This splits the command
Bram Moolenaar34162142007-05-12 13:12:19 +00001879arguments at spaces and tabs, quotes each argument individually, and the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001880<f-args> sequence is replaced by the comma-separated list of quoted arguments.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001881See the Mycmd example below. If no arguments are given <f-args> is removed.
Bram Moolenaar552f8a12007-03-08 17:12:08 +00001882 To embed whitespace into an argument of <f-args>, prepend a backslash.
1883<f-args> replaces every pair of backslashes (\\) with one backslash. A
1884backslash followed by a character other than white space or a backslash
Bram Moolenaar9fbdbb82022-09-27 17:30:34 +01001885remains unmodified. Also see |f-args-example| below. Overview:
Bram Moolenaar552f8a12007-03-08 17:12:08 +00001886
1887 command <f-args> ~
1888 XX ab 'ab'
1889 XX a\b 'a\b'
1890 XX a\ b 'a b'
1891 XX a\ b 'a ', 'b'
1892 XX a\\b 'a\b'
1893 XX a\\ b 'a\', 'b'
1894 XX a\\\b 'a\\b'
1895 XX a\\\ b 'a\ b'
1896 XX a\\\\b 'a\\b'
1897 XX a\\\\ b 'a\\', 'b'
Bram Moolenaarb7398fe2023-05-14 18:50:25 +01001898 XX [nothing]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001899
Bram Moolenaar9fbdbb82022-09-27 17:30:34 +01001900
Bram Moolenaarb7398fe2023-05-14 18:50:25 +01001901Note that if the "no arguments" situation is to be handled, you have to make
1902sure that the function can be called without arguments. For a compiled
1903function you might want to use variable arguments, see
1904|vim9-variable-arguments|.
1905
Bram Moolenaar9fbdbb82022-09-27 17:30:34 +01001906Examples for user commands: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001907
1908 " Delete everything after here to the end
1909 :com Ddel +,$d
1910
1911 " Rename the current buffer
1912 :com -nargs=1 -bang -complete=file Ren f <args>|w<bang>
1913
1914 " Replace a range with the contents of a file
1915 " (Enter this all as one line)
1916 :com -range -nargs=1 -complete=file
1917 Replace <line1>-pu_|<line1>,<line2>d|r <args>|<line1>d
1918
1919 " Count the number of lines in the range
Bram Moolenaar81695252004-12-29 20:58:21 +00001920 :com! -range -nargs=0 Lines echo <line2> - <line1> + 1 "lines"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001921
Bram Moolenaar9fbdbb82022-09-27 17:30:34 +01001922< *f-args-example*
1923Call a user function (example of <f-args>) >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001924 :com -nargs=* Mycmd call Myfunc(<f-args>)
1925
1926When executed as: >
1927 :Mycmd arg1 arg2
1928This will invoke: >
1929 :call Myfunc("arg1","arg2")
1930
Bram Moolenaarb59ae592022-11-23 23:46:31 +00001931< *q-args-example*
Bram Moolenaar9fbdbb82022-09-27 17:30:34 +01001932A more substantial example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001933 :function Allargs(command)
Bram Moolenaara7241f52008-06-24 20:39:31 +00001934 : let i = 0
1935 : while i < argc()
1936 : if filereadable(argv(i))
Bram Moolenaarc51cf032022-02-26 12:25:45 +00001937 : execute "e " .. argv(i)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001938 : execute a:command
1939 : endif
1940 : let i = i + 1
1941 : endwhile
1942 :endfunction
1943 :command -nargs=+ -complete=command Allargs call Allargs(<q-args>)
1944
1945The command Allargs takes any Vim command(s) as argument and executes it on all
1946files in the argument list. Usage example (note use of the "e" flag to ignore
1947errors and the "update" command to write modified buffers): >
1948 :Allargs %s/foo/bar/ge|update
1949This will invoke: >
1950 :call Allargs("%s/foo/bar/ge|update")
1951<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001952
Bram Moolenaar91f84f62018-07-29 15:07:52 +02001953 vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl: