The ABC's of Vim

abcs_of_vim.txt

The abc's of Vim

a - Append
Changes from normal mode to insert mode appending after the character under the cursor


This is a useful thing to have when you wish to add to a word.

b - beginning of word (motion)
Moves the cursor to the beginning of a word.

c - change
deletes and places into insert mode
requires a motion describing what to change. ce changes to end of word, cw changes up to next word, c$ changes to the end of line.

d - delete
deletes characters
requires a motion describing what to delete. de deletes to end of word. dw deletes up to next word, d$ deletes to end of line.

e - end of word (motion)
moves to end of word

f - find
Moves the character to the first occurrence of character after cursor position on the same line.

g - extra commands
gg - go to top of file
gf - open file described by text under cursor

h - character left (motion)
moves the cursor left.

i - Insert mode
changes from normal mode to insert mode

j - line down (motion)
moves the cursor downward

k - line up (motion)
moves the cursor upwards

l - character right (motion)
moves the cursor to the right

m - sets a mark
sets a mark for later navigation - requires a a-z character to name which mark to use.

n - next (motion)
repeats previous find

o - open
Changes from normal mode to insert mode with a new blank line below the current cursor position.

p - paste
paste copied text after the cursor position if register contains only character(s), after line in register is line(s)

q - record macro
begins recording of keystrokes to be played back

r - replace
replaces character at cursor with next character typed.

s - substitute
replaces character at cursor position and changes to insert mode

t - till
Moves the cursor to the position before the first occurrence of the character typed on the same line from the current cursor position.

u - undo
undo last command

v - visual mode
switches to visual mode - allows selection of text not easily described by motions

w - word (motion)
Moves the cursor to the start of the next word

x - delete character
Deletes the character under the cursor position.

y - yank
yanks text into a register.

z - special commands
zt scroll to top of screen. (cursor stays on same line, but moves up)
zb scroll cursor to bottom
zz scroll cursor to center