version 1.

1
April 1st, 06

Esc vi / vim graphical cheat sheet

normal
mode

~ toggle
case ! @· #
external
filter $
play
macro % prev
ident^ & *
eol
( )
goto
match
"soft"
bol
repeat
:s
next
ident
begin
sentence
end
sentence _"soft" bol
down + next
line

`·
goto
mark 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 "hard"
bol - prev
line = auto 3
format

Q ex
modeW E WORDR
next
T· end
WORD Y U I
replace
mode O P
back
'till
yank
line
undo
line
insert
at bol
open
above
paste
before { begin
parag. } end
parag.

q· w
record
macro e r·
next
word t· end
wordy 1,3
u i
replace
char o p'till yank undo
insert
mode
open
below
paste
after
1
[· misc
]· misc

A S
append
at eol D F·
subst
line G H
delete
to eol J K"back"
L
find ch : eof/
goto ln
screen
top
join
lines
help screen
bottom
ex cmd
line "· reg. 1
spec | goto
bol/
col

a s
append
d
1,3
f·
subst
char g· 6 hdelete j kfind
char l ; extra
cmds
repeat
t/T/f/F '· goto
mk. bol \· used!
not

Z· ?·
4 3 3
Xquit
C 1,3 V back-
space B Nchange
M
to eol < >
visual
lines
prev
WORD
prev
(find)
screen
mid'l
un-
indent indent
find
(rev.)

z· 5
xextra
cmds c v
delete
char b nchangem· , .
visual
mode
prev
word
next
(find)
set
mark
reverse
t/T/f/F
repeat
cmd /· find

moves the cursor, or defines Main command line commands ('ex'): Notes:
motion the range for an operator :w (save), :q (quit), :q! (quit w/o saving) (1) use "x before a yank/paste/del command
:e f (open file f), to use that register ('clipboard') (x=a..z,*)
command direct action command, :%s/x/y/g (replace 'x' by 'y' filewide), (e.g.: "ay$ to copy rest of line to reg 'a')
if red, it enters insert mode
:h (help in vim), :new (new file in vim),
requires a motion afterwards, (2) type in a number before any action
operator operates between cursor & to repeat it that number of times
Other important commands:
destination CTRL-R: redo (vim), (e.g.: 2p, d2w, 5i, d4j)
special functions, CTRL-F/-B: page up/down, (3) duplicate operator to act on current line
extra requires extra input CTRL-E/-Y: scroll line up/down, (dd = delete line, >> = indent line)
q· commands with a dot need
a char argument afterwards
CTRL-V: block-visual mode (vim only)
Visual mode:
(4) ZZ to save & quit, ZQ to quit w/o saving
bol = beginning of line, eol = end of line, Move around and type operator to act (5) zt: scroll cursor to top,
mk = mark, yank = copy on selected region (vim only) zb: bottom, zz: center
words: quux(foo, bar, baz); (6) gg: top of file (vim only),
gf: open file under cursor (vim only)
WORDs: quux(foo, bar, baz);

For a graphical vi/vim tutorial & more tips, go to www.viemu.com - home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio
version 1.1 moves the cursor, or defines
motion
April 1st, 06
vi/vim lesson 1 - basic editing the range for an operator
command direct action command,
if red , it enters insert mode

Esc
normal
mode

$ eol
^ "soft"
bol

0 "hard"
bol

W next
WORD E end
WORD R replace
mode

w next
word e end
word u undo
i insert
mode

A append
at eol : ex cmd
line

h j k l
X back-
space B prev
WORD

x delete
char b prev
word

Basics: Extras:
h j k l are vi/vim cursor keys – use them as they are much u to undo the last action – traditional vi has a single level, while vim
closer than regular cursor keys! supports unlimited undo (CTRL - R to redo)
Use i to enter insert mode, cursor turns from a block into a vertical 0
jumps directly to the beginning of the line, $ to the end,
line, and you can type in text. Use Esc to return to normal mode. and ^ to the first non-blank
Use x to delete the current character, or X to delete the one to Use w b e to move along ‘words’. A ‘word’ is a sequence of all
the left alphanumeric or punctuation signs: quux(foo, bar, baz);
Use A to go insert text at the end of the line (wherever you are Use W B E to move along WORDs. A 'WORD' is a sequence of
in the line!) any non-blank characters: quux(foo, bar, baz);
(Note: insert mode is actually very similar to a regular editor, you can use
Use R to enter insert mode with an overstrike cursor, which
cursor/navigation keys, backspace, delete…)
types over existing characters.
: w and press enter to save, : q and enter to quit.

For the rest of the tutorial & a full cheat sheet, go to www.viemu.com - home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio
version 1.1 Learned
learned learned in previous
April 1st, 06
vi/vim lesson
vi / vim 2 - operators
II - operators && repetition
repetition motion
lessons
moves the cursor, or defines
the range for an operator
command direct action command,
if red , it enters insert mode

Esc operator requires a motion afterwards,

operates between cursor &
destination
normal
mode

$ eol
^ "soft"
bol

1 2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 "hard"
bol

W next
WORD E end
WORD R replace
mode T· back
'till

w next
word e end
word t· 'till u undo
i insert
mode

A
append
at eol F· "back"
find
fwdch : ex cmd
line

d delete
f· find
fwd
tochar
char h j k l
X back-
space V visual
lines B prev
WORD

x delete
char c change v visual
mode b prev
word . repeat
cmd

Basics: Extras:
f , followed by another key, moves the cursor to the next instance Prepend a count to any command/motion to repeat it that number
of that character on the current line, F does the same backwards. of times:
d 2 w to delete up to the second word.
t and T do the same, but they stop right before the character.
d 2 t 2, to delete up to but not including the second comma.
d (delete), followed, by any motion deletes the text between the 2 i repeats the text after you press (Esc) to finish the input session.
cursor and that motion’s destination d w t , d f - …).
Repeat operator ( c c or d d ) to operate on the current line.
c (change) does the same, but leaves you in insert mode.
Only in vim, v enters visual mode. Move around with motions, the
Some motions, such as j and k , are linewise – deletion includes text will be highlighted. Press an operator to operate on that selection.
the full start/end lines.
V enters visual-lines mode – like v , but selecting whole lines.
. repeats the last editing action: text input, delete or change, etc…
motion is recalculated at the new place. CTRL - v selects rectangular blocks.

For the rest of the tutorial & a full cheat sheet, go to www.viemu.com - home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio
 Learned
learned learned in previous
version 1.1
April 1st, 06 vi/vim lesson 3 - yank & paste lessons
motion moves the cursor, or defines
the range for an operator
command direct action command,
if red , it enters insert mode

Esc operator requires a motion afterwards,

extra
operates between cursor &
destination
special functions,
normal requires extra input
mode

$ eol
^ "soft"
bol

1 2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 "hard"
bol

W next
WORD E end
WORD R replace
mode T· back
'till O open
above P paste
before

w next
word e end
word t· 'till y yank u undo
i insert
mode o open
below p paste
after

A
append
at eol F· "back"
find ch : ex cmd
line "· reg.
spec

f· j k
1,3
d delete find
char h l
X back-
space V visual
lines B prev
WORD

x c 1,3 v
delete
char change
visual
mode b prev
word . repeat
cmd

Basics Extras
Use y followed by any motion to ‘yank’ (copy). 2
(“)
" and an a2
" - z" character before any yank/delete/paste command
2
chooses a register.
Use p
v to paste after (if charwise, to the right, if linewise, below).
An A2 2
" - Z
" register before yank/delete means “append-copy”.
v to paste before.
Use P
2
" 2
"* or 2 2 select the system clipboard.
" +
y y copies the current line.
y also works in visual mode.
v enters insert mode in a new empty line below the current one.
0
Text deleted with d , c , x
v … is also copied!
v does the same above the current line.
O

For the rest of the tutorial & a full cheat sheet, go to www.viemu.com - home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio
 learned in previous
version 1.1 Learned
learned
April 1st, 06 vi/vim lesson 4 - searching lessons
motion moves the cursor, or defines
the range for an operator
command direct action command,
if red , it enters insert mode

Esc operator requires a motion afterwards,

operates between cursor &
destination
special functions,
normal extra
requires extra input
mode

# prev
ident $ eol
^ "soft"
bol * next
ident

1 2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 "hard"
bol

W E next
WORD
end
WORD R replace
mode T· back
'till O open
above P paste
before

w e next
word
end
word t· 'till y yank u undo
i insert
mode o open
below p paste 1
after

A
append
at eol F· "back"
find ch : ex cmd
line "· reg. 1
spec

f· j k
1,3
d delete find
char h l
X back-
space V visual
lines B prev
WORD N prev
(find) ?· find
(rev.)

x c 1,3 v
delete
char change
visual
mode b prev
word n next
(find) . repeat
cmd /· find

Basics: Extras:
/ is the basic search motion – type the text you are searching for
k The following very useful motions work only in vim:
after the slash, and then press return. Being a motion, you can use k
* searches forward for the next instance of the identifier under
this after an operator, or in visual mode. the cursor.
? does the same, backwards.
k k does the same backwards.
#

k repeats the last search in the same direction, N

n k repeats it in
the reverse direction
Be careful, because the search target is interpreted as a regular
expression: a*b means zero or more ‘a’s followed by a ‘b’, ^abc
means ‘abc’ at the beginning of a line, [0-9] looks for the next
digit, etc…

For the rest of the tutorial & a full cheat sheet, go to www.viemu.com - home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio
 Learned
learned learned in previous
version 1.1 lessons
April 1st, 06
vi/vim lesson 5 - marks & macros motion moves the cursor, or defines
the range for an operator
command direct action command,
if red , it enters insert mode
requires a motion afterwards,

Esc
operator
operates between cursor &
destination
extra special functions,
normal requires extra input
mode

@· # play
macro
prev
ident $ eol
^ "soft"
bol * next
ident

`· 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
goto "hard"
mark bol

W E next
WORD
end
WORD R replace
mode T· back
'till O open
above P paste
before

q· w
record
macro e next
word
end
word t· 'till y yank u undo
i insert
mode o open
below p paste1
after

Aappend
at eol F· "back"
find ch : ex cmd
line "· reg. 1
spec

f· j k '·
1,3
d delete find
char h l goto
mk. bol

X back-
space V visual
lines B prev
WORD N prev
(find) ?· find
(rev.)

x c 1,3 v
delete
char change
visual
mode b prev
word n next
(find) m· set
mark . repeat
cmd /· find

Marks: Macros:
v followed by an a
Use m v - z
v character to set a mark. Use q v - z
v followed by an a v character to start recording.
Use v
v̀ followed by a character to go to that mark. Use qv afterwards to stop recording.
Use v' and a character to go to the first non-blank in that line. @
v followed by a character replays that macro.
v - Z
A v marks are global, a
v - z
v per-buffer. @
v @
v to repeat the last macro played.
v̀ . refers to the position of the last modification.
v

For the rest of the tutorial & a full cheat sheet, go to www.viemu.com - home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio
 learned in previous
version 1.1 Learned
learned
April 1st, 06 vi/vim lesson 6 – various motions lessons
motion moves the cursor, or defines
the range for an operator
command direct action command,
if red , it enters insert mode

Esc operator requires a motion afterwards,

operates between cursor &
destination
special functions,
normal extra
requires extra input
mode

@· # play
macro
prev
ident % $ ^ eol
* goto
match
"soft"
bol
next
ident ( )
begin
sentence
end
sentence+ next
line

`·
goto
mark 1 2 2 3 5 4 6 7 8 9 0 - "hard"
bol
prev
line

W E next
WORD
end
WORD T·R replace
mode
back
'till O P
open
above { }
paste
before
begin
parag.
end
parag.

q· w
record
macro e next
word
end
word t· y u i 'till yank undo
insert
mode o p
open
below
1
[· ]·
paste
after
misc misc

Aappend
at eol F· G H "back"
find ch K eof/
goto ln
screen
top
help
L :
screen
bottom "· 1ex cmd
line
reg.
spec

f· j k '·
1,3
d delete
h find
char l goto
mk. bol

X back-
space V B N Mvisual
lines
prev
WORD
prev
(find)
screen
mid'l ?· find
(rev.)

x c 1,3
delete
char v b
change n m·
visual
mode
prev
word
next
(find)
set
mark . /·
repeat
cmd
find

% jumps between matching pairs of ‘(‘ ‘)’, ‘[‘, ‘]’, etc… ( and ) jump to the beginning/end of the current sentence.

H M L jump directly to the top/middle/bottom of the screen. { and } jump to the previous/next empty line.

G jumps to the end of the file, or to the line # typed before it. [ [ jumps to the previous '{' in column 0.

- / + jump to the previous/next line.

G ] ] jumps to the next '{' in column 0.

K , not technically a motion, jumps to the help for the word under
the cursor: vim help, man page under unix, etc...

For the rest of the tutorial & a full cheat sheet, go to www.viemu.com - home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio
 learned in previous
version 1.1 Learned
learned
April 1st, 06 vi/vim lesson 7 - various commands lessons
motion moves the cursor, or defines
the range for an operator
command direct action command,
if red , it enters insert mode

Esc operator requires a motion afterwards,

extra
operates between cursor &
destination
special functions,
normal requires extra input
mode

~ toggle
case @· # play
macro$ %
prev
ident ^ eol
* ( goto
match ) "soft"
bol
next
ident
begin
sentence
end
sentence + next
line

`·
goto
mark 1 2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 "hard"
bol - prev
line = auto
format

W E WORDR
next
T·
end
WORD Y replace
mode O back
P
'till
yank
line
open
above
paste
before { begin
parag. } end
parag.

q· w
record
macro e next
word r· t·
end
word y u i
replace
char o p
'till yank undo
insert
mode
open
below
paste1
after [· misc
]· misc

A S
append
at eol D subst
lineF· G H
delete
to eol J K
"back"
find ch L :
eof/
goto ln
screen
top
join
lines
help screen
bottom
ex cmd
line "· reg. 1
spec

s f· j k '·
1,3
d subst
char h
delete find
char l goto
mk. bol

X C V
back-
space B N
change
to eol M <
visual
lines > prev
WORD
prev
(find)
screen
mid'l
un-
indent indent
?· find
(rev.)

x c 1,3 vdelete
char b n
change m· visual
mode . prev
word
next
(find)
set
mark
repeat
cmd /· find

Basics: Extras:
v joins the current line with the next one, or all the lines in the
J v and a motion to indent one or more lines.
>
current visual selection.
v and a motion to unindent.
<
vr followed by any character replaces the current character with
that one. v and a motion to reformat a range of text.
=

v is shorthand for c
C v $
v , changes to end of line. v >
All of them work in visual mode, or can be repeated ( > v , etc… )
to operate on the current line.
v is shorthand for d
D v , deletes to end of line.
v $
~
v toggles the case of the character under the cursor.
v is shorthand for v
Y y , yanks the whole line.
y v
v
s deletes the character under the cursor and enters insert mode. Now go grab the full cheat sheet and learn the rest.
v clears the current line and enters insert mode.
S Start with v a v, and v; . Piece of cake!
I v

For the rest of the tutorial & a full cheat sheet, go to www.viemu.com home of ViEmu, vi/vim emulation for Microsoft Visual Studio