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*map.txt* For Vim version 5.0f. Last modification: 1997 Apr 1
VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Key mapping and abbreviations.
1. Key mapping |key_mapping|
2. Abbreviations |abbreviations|
==============================================================================
1. Key mapping *key_mapping*
There are commands to enter new mappings, remove mappings and list mappings:
:map {lhs} {rhs} *:map*
:nm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} *:nm* *:nmap*
:vm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} *:vm* *:vmap*
:map! {lhs} {rhs} *:map!*
:im[ap] {lhs} {rhs} *:im* *:imap*
:cm[ap] {lhs} {rhs} *:cm* *:cmap*
Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
where the map command applies.
:no[remap] {lhs} {rhs} *:no* *:noremap*
:nn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} *:nn* *:nnoremap*
:vn[oremap] {lhs} {rhs} *:vn* *:vnoremap*
:no[remap]! {lhs} {rhs} *:no!* *:noremap!*
:ino[remap] {lhs} {rhs} *:ino* *:inoremap*
:cno[remap] {lhs} {rhs} *:cno* *:cnoremap*
Map the key sequence {lhs} to {rhs} for the modes
where the map command applies. Disallow mapping of
{rhs}. {not in Vi}
:unm[ap] {lhs} *:unm* *:unmap*
:nun[map] {lhs} *:nun* *:nunmap*
:vu[nmap] {lhs} *:vu* *:vunmap*
:unm[ap]! {lhs} *:unm!* *:unmap!*
:iu[nmap] {lhs} *:iu* *:iunmap*
:cu[nmap] {lhs} *:cu* *:cunmap*
Remove the mapping of {lhs} for the modes where the
map command applies.
:mapc[lear] *:mapc* *:mapclear*
:nmapc[lear] *:nmapc* *:nmapclear*
:vmapc[lear] *:vmapc* *:vmapclear*
:mapc[lear]! *:mapc!* *:mapclear!*
:imapc[lear] *:imapc* *:imapclear*
:cmapc[lear] *:cmapc* *:cmapclear*
Remove all mappings for the modes where the map
command applies. {not in Vi}
:map
:nm[ap]
:vm[ap]
:map!
:im[ap]
:cm[ap]
List all key mappings for the modes where the map
command applies.
:map {lhs} *:map_l*
:nm[ap] {lhs} *:nmap_l*
:vm[ap] {lhs} *:vmap_l*
:map! {lhs} *:map_l!*
:im[ap] {lhs} *:imap_l*
:cm[ap] {lhs} *:cmap_l*
List the key mappings for the key sequences starting
with {lhs} in the modes where the map command applies.
{not in Vi}
These commands are used to map a key or key sequence to a string of
characters. You can use this to put command sequences under function keys,
translate one key into another, etc. See the "Options" chapter below for how
to save and restore the current mapping |options|.
There are four sets of mappings
- For Insert mode. These are also used in Replace mode.
- For Command-line mode: When entering a ":" or "/" command.
- For Normal mode: When typing commands.
- For Visual mode: When typing commands while the Visual area is highlighted.
Overview of which map command works in which mode:
commands: modes:
Normal Visual Insert Command-line
:map :noremap :unmap :mapclear X X . .
:nmap :nnoremap :nunmap :nmapclear X . . .
:vmap :vnoremap :vunmap :vmapclear . X . .
:map! :noremap! :unmap! :mapclear! . . X X
:imap :inoremap :iunmap :imapclear . . X .
:cmap :cnoremap :cunmap :cmapclear . . . X
The original Vi did not have separate mappings for Normal/Visual mode and
Insert/Command-line mode. Therefore the ":map" and ":map!" commands enter
and display mappings for both. In Vim you can use the ":nmap", "vmap",
":cmap" and ":imap" commands to enter mappings for each mode separately.
When listing mappings the character in column 1 is
CHAR MODE
<Space> Normal and Visual
n Normal
v Visual
! Insert and Command-line
i Insert
c Command-line
A "*" just before the {rhs} indicates that it is non-remappable.
Note: When using mappings for Visual mode, you can use the "'<" mark, which
is the start of the last selected Visual area |'<|.
Everything from the first non-blank after {lhs} up to the end of the line
(or '|') is considered to be part of {rhs}. This allows the {rhs} to end
with a space.
*map_backslash*
Note that only CTRL-V is mentioned here as a special character for mappings
and abbreviations. When 'cpoptions' does not contain 'B', a backslash can
also be used like CTRL-V. The <> notation can be fully used then |<>|. But
you cannot use "<C-V>" like CTRL-V to escape the special meaning of what
follows.
*map_CTRL_C*
It's not possible to use a CTRL-C in the {lhs}. You just can't map CTRL-C.
The reason is that CTRL-C must always be available to break a running command.
*map_space_in_lhs*
To include a space in {lhs} precede it with a CTRL-V (type two CTRL-Vs for
each space).
*map_space_in_rhs*
If you want a {rhs} that starts with a space, precede {rhs} with a single
CTRL-V (you have to type CTRL-V two times).
*map_empty_rhs*
You can create an empty {rhs} by typing nothing after a single CTRL-V (you
have to type CTRL-V two times). Unfortunately, you cannot do this in a vimrc
file.
It is not possible to put a comment after this command, because the '"'
character is considered to be part of the {rhs}.
*map_bar*
Since the '|' character is used to separate a map command from the next
command, you will have to do something special to include a '|' in {rhs}.
There are three methods:
use works when example
<Bar> '<' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls <Bar> more^M
\| 'b' is not in 'cpoptions' :map _l :!ls \| more^M
^V| always, in Vim and Vi :map _l :!ls ^V| more^M
(here ^V stands for CTRL-V; to get one CTRL-V you have to type it twice; you
cannot use the <> notation "<C-V>" here).
All three work when you use the default setting for 'cpoptions'.
When 'b' is present in 'cpoptions', "\|" will be recognized as a mapping
ending in a '\' and then another command. This is Vi compatible, but
unlogical when compared to other commands.
To avoid mapping of the characters you type in insert or Command-line mode,
type a CTRL-V first. The mapping in Insert mode is disabled if the 'paste'
option is on.
Note that when an error is enountered (that causes an error message) the rest
of the mapping is not executed. This is Vi-compatible.
Note that the second character (argument) of the commands @zZtTfF[]rm'`"v
and CTRL-X is not mapped. This was done to be able to use all the named
registers and marks, even when the command with the same name has been
mapped.
*map-which-keys*
If you are going to map something, you will need to choose which key(s) to use
for the {lhs}. You will have to avoid keys that are used for Vim commands,
otherwise you would not be able to use those commands anymore. Here are a few
suggestions:
- Function keys <F2>, <F3>, etc.. Also the shifted function keys. Note that
<F1> is already used for the help command.
- Meta-keys (with the ALT key pressed).
- Use the "_" character and then any other character. The "_" command does
exist in Vim (see |_|), but you probably never use it.
*map-examples*
A few examples (given as you type them, for "<CR>" you type four characters;
the '<' flag must not be present in 'cpoptions' for this to work).
:map <F3> o#include
:map <M-g> /foo<CR>cwbar<Esc>
:map _x d/END/e<CR>
:map! qq quadrillion questions
*map-typing*
Vim will compare what you type with the start of a mapped sequence. If there
is an incomplete match, it will get more characters until there either is a
complete match or until there is no match at all. Example: If you map! "qq",
the first 'q' will not appear on the screen until you type another
character. This is because Vim cannot know if the next character will be a
'q' or not. If the 'timeout' option is on (which is the default) Vim will
only wait for one second (or as long as specified with the 'timeoutlen'
option). After that it assumes that the 'q' is to be interpreted as such. If
type slowly, or your system is slow, reset the 'timeout' option. Then you
might want to set the 'ttimeout' option. See the "Options" chapter |options|.
*recursive_mapping*
If you include the {lhs} in the {rhs} you have a recursive mapping. When
{lhs} is typed, it will be replaced with {rhs}. When the {lhs} which is
included in {rhs} is encountered it will be replaced with {rhs}, and so on.
This makes it possible to repeat a command an infinite number of times. The
only problem is that the only way to stop this is by causing an error. The
macros to solve a maze uses this, look there for an example. There is one
exception: If the {rhs} starts with {lhs}, the first character is not mapped
again (this is Vi compatible).
For example:
:map ab abcd
will execute the "a" command and insert "bcd" in the text. The "ab" in the
{rhs} will not be mapped again.
If you want to exchange the meaning of two keys you should use the :noremap
command. For example:
:noremap k j
:noremap j k
This will exchange the cursor up and down commands.
With the normal :map command, when the 'remap' option is on, mapping takes
place until the text is found not to be a part of a {lhs}. For example, if
you use:
:map x y
:map y x
Vim will replace x with y, and then y with x, etc. When this has happened
'maxmapdepth' times (default 1000), Vim will give the error message
"recursive mapping".
See the file "index" for keys that are not used and thus can be mapped
without losing any builtin function. I suggest you use function keys,
and meta-keys. If you are prepared to lose a command that you hardly ever use
you can make mappings that start with '_' or '-'. You can also use
":help <key>^D" to find out if a key is used for some command. (<key> is the
specific key you want to find out about, ^D is CTRL-D).
If you include an undo command inside a mapped sequence, this will bring the
text back in the state before executing the macro. This is compatible with
the original Vi, as long as there is only one undo command in the mapped
sequence (having two undo commands in a mapped sequence did not make sense
in the original Vi, you would get back the text before the first undo).
There are three ways to map a special key:
1. The Vi-compatible method: Map the key code. Often this is a sequence that
starts with <Esc>. To enter a mapping like this you type ":map " and then
you have to type CTRL-V before hitting the function key. Note that when
the key code for the key is in the termcap (the t_ options), it will
automatically be translated into the internal code and become the second
way of mapping (unless the 'k' flag is included in 'cpoptions').
2. The second method is to use the internal code for the function key. To
enter such a mapping type CTRL-K and then hit the function key, or use
the form "#1", "#2", .. "#9", "#0", "<Up>", "<S-Down>", "<S-F7>", etc.
(see table of keys |key_notation|, all keys from <Up> can be used). The
first ten function keys can be defined in two ways: Just the number, like
"#2", and with "<F>", like "<F2>". Both stand for function key 2. "#0"
refers to function key 10, defined with option 't_f10', which may be
function key zero on some keyboards. The <> form cannot be used when
'cpoptions' includes the '<' flag.
3. Use the termcap entry, with the form <t_xx>, where "xx" is the name of the
termcap entry. Any string entry can be used. For example:
:map <t_F3> G
Maps function key 13 to "G". This does not work if 'cpoptions' includes
the '<' flag.
The advantage of the second and third method is that the mapping will work on
different terminals without modification (the function key will be
translated into the same internal code or the actual key code, no matter what
terminal you are using. The termcap must be correct for this to work, and you
must use the same mappings).
DETAIL: Vim first checks if a sequence from the keyboard is mapped. If it
isn't the terminal key codes are tried (see section 20.2
|terminal_options|). If a terminal code is found it is replaced with the
internal code. Then the check for a mapping is done again (so you can map an
internal code to something else). What is written into the script file
depends on what is recognized. If the terminal key code was recognized as a
mapping the key code itself is written to the script file. If it was
recognized as a terminal code the internal code is written to the script
file.
==============================================================================
2. Abbreviations *abbreviations*
Abbreviations are used in insert mode, Replace mode and Command-line mode.
If you enter a word that is an abbreviation, it is replaced with the word it
stands for. This can be used to save typing for often used long words.
There are three types of abbreviations:
full-id The "full-id" type consists entirely of keyword characters (letters
and characters from 'iskeyword' option). This is the most common
abbreviation.
Examples: "foo", "g3", "-1"
end-id The "end-id" type ends in a keyword character, but all the other
characters are not keyword characters.
Examples: "#i", "..f", "$/7"
non-id The "non-id" type ends in a non-keyword character, the other
characters may be of any type, excluding space and Tab. {this type
is not supported by Vi}
Examples: "def#", "4/7$"
Examples of strings that cannot be abbreviations: "a.b", "#def", "a b", "_$r"
An abbreviation is only recognized when you type a non-keyword character.
This can also be the <Esc> that ends insert mode or the <CR> that ends a
command. The characters before the cursor must match the abbreviation. Each
type has an additional rule:
full-id In front of the match is a non-keyword character, or this is where
the line or insertion starts. Exception: When the abbreviation is
only one character, it is not recognized if there is a non-keyword
character in front of it, other than a space or a <Tab>.
end-id In front of the match is a keyword character, or a space or a <Tab>,
or this is where the line or insertion starts.
non-id In front of the match is a space, <Tab> or the start of the line or
the insertion.
Examples: (<CURSOR> is where you type a non-keyword character)
":ab foo four old otters" (Note that spaces in the <rhs> are allowed
and included in the replacement string.)
" foo<CURSOR>" is expanded to " four old otters"
" foobar<CURSOR>" is not expanded
"barfoo<CURSOR>" is not expanded
":ab #i #include"
"#i<CURSOR>" is expanded to "#include"
">#i<CURSOR>" is not expanded
":ab ;; <endofline>"
"test;;" is not expanded
"test ;;" is expanded to "test <endofline>"
To avoid the abbreviation in insert mode: Type part of the abbreviation, exit
insert mode with <Esc>, re-enter insert mode with "a" and type the rest. Or
type CTRL-V before the character after the abbreviation.
To avoid the abbreviation in Command-line mode: Type CTRL-V twice somewhere in
the abbreviation to avoid it to be replaced. A CTRL-V in front of a normal
character is mostly ignored otherwise.
There are no default abbreviations.
Abbreviations are never recursive. You can use ":ab f f-o-o" without any
problem. But abbreviations can be mapped. {some versions of Vi support
recursive abbreviations, for no apparent reason}
Abbreviations are disabled if the 'paste' option is on.
*:ab* *:abbreviate*
:ab[breviate] list all abbreviations. The character in the first
column indicates the mode where the abbreviation is
used: 'i' for insert mode, 'c' for Command-line
mode, '!' for both.
:ab[breviate] <lhs> list the abbreviations that start with <lhs>
:ab[breviate] <lhs> <rhs>
add abbreviation for <lhs> to <rhs>. If <lhs> already
existed it is replaced with the new <rhs>. <rhs> may
contain spaces.
*:una* *:unabbreviate*
:una[bbreviate] <lhs> remove abbreviation for <lhs> from the list
*:norea* *:noreabbrev*
:norea[bbrev] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but no remapping for this <rhs> {not
in Vi}
*:ca* *:cabbrev*
:ca[bbrev] [lhs] [rhs] same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only. {not
in Vi}
*:cuna* *:cunabbrev*
:cuna[bbrev] <lhs> same as ":una", but for Command-line mode only. {not
in Vi}
*:cnorea* *:cnoreabbrev*
:cnorea[bbrev] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but for Command-line mode only and no
remapping for this <rhs> {not in Vi}
*:ia* *:iabbrev*
:ia[bbrev] [lhs] [rhs] same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only. {not in Vi}
*:iuna* *:iunabbrev*
:iuna[bbrev] <lhs> same as ":una", but for insert mode only. {not in
Vi}
*:inorea* *:inoreabbrev*
:inorea[bbrev] [lhs] [rhs]
same as ":ab", but for Insert mode only and no
remapping for this <rhs> {not in Vi}
*:abc* *:abclear*
:abc[lear] Remove all abbreviations. {not in Vi}
*:iabc* *:iabclear*
:iabc[lear] Remove all abbreviations for Insert mode. {not in Vi}
*:cabc* *:cabclear*
:cabc[lear] Remove all abbreviations for Command-line mode. {not
in Vi}
*using_CTRL-V*
It is possible to use special characters in the rhs of an abbreviation.
CTRL-V has to be used to avoid the special meaning of most non printable
characters. How many CTRL-Vs need to be typed depends on how you enter the
abbreviation. This also applies to mappings. Let's use an example here.
Suppose you want to abbreviate "esc" to enter an <Esc> character. When you
type the ":ab" command in Vim, you have to enter this: (here ^V is a CTRL-V
and ^[ is <Esc>)
You type: ab esc ^V^V^V^V^V^[
All keyboard input is subjected to ^V quote interpretation, so
the first, third, and fifth ^V characters simply allow the second,
and fourth ^Vs, and the ^[, to be entered into the command line.
You see: ab esc ^V^V^[
The command line contains two actual ^Vs before the ^[. This is
how it should appear in your .exrc file, if you choose to go that
route. The first ^V is there to quote the second ^V; the :ab
command uses ^V as its own quote character, so you can include quoted
whitespace or the | character in the abbreviation. The :ab command
doesn't do anything special with the ^[ character, so it doesn't need
to be quoted. (Although quoting isn't harmful; that's why typing 7
[but not 8!] ^Vs works.)
Stored as: esc ^V^[
After parsing, the abbreviation's short form ("esc") and long form
(the two characters "^V^[") are stored in the abbreviation table.
If you give the :ab command with no arguments, this is how the
abbreviation will be displayed.
Later, when the abbreviation is expanded because the user typed in
the word "esc", the long form is subjected to the same type of
^V interpretation as keyboard input. So the ^V protects the ^[
character from being interpreted as the "exit input-mode" character.
Instead, the ^[ is inserted into the text.
Expands to: ^[
[example given by Steve Kirkendall]
vim:tw=78:ts=8:sw=8:
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