created 2002 · complexity basic · author zzapper · version 6.0
Here are some examples of Vim's filtering commands, showing how to get text into or out of a file.
Redirection to clipboard register + (or use any other register a-z):
:redir @+ :history :g/fred/ " any other commands :redir END
Redirection to a file:
:redir >> out.txt :registers " any other commands :redir END
Store glob results in register a (must use A to append):
" Append all lines containing 'fred' to register a. :g/fred/y A " Append to a file (must use >>). :'a,'b g/^Error/ . w >> errors.txt
Get output from external commands:
:r!ls " read in output of ls (run 'ls' on Unix) :0r!ls " insert at start of buffer :-r!ls " insert before current line :r!dir " use 'dir' on Windows
Filter current file using an external command (these examples use sort, but note that Vim has a built-in :help :sort command which should be used to sort lines):
:%!sort -u " use an external program to sort all lines :'a,'b!sort -u " same, for lines from mark a to mark b inclusive
The term "filter" means to replace lines with the result from running a program. The original lines are sent as stdin to the program, and are replaced with stdout from the program. You can also filter using motion commands or visual selection:
!}sort " sort from cursor to end of paragraph 3!}sort " same, 3 paragraphs 3!!sort " sort 3 lines V " start visual selection of lines (move cursor) " select some lines !sort " sort the visually selected lines
Simple filter example
Following is a Python program to sort the words on each line of standard input (each line is separately sorted).
# File sortwords.py
from sys import stdin
for line in stdin:
print ' '.join(sorted(line.split()))
A file you are editing in Vim may include the following text:
this is a line with some words words on each line will be sorted fried banana and cream
Use this procedure to filter the text:
- Press V on the first line, then jj to select three lines.
- Type !python sortwords.py and press Enter.
The lines are replaced with the result from running the program:
a is line some this with words be each line on sorted will words and banana cream fried