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created 2003 · complexity basic · author Igor Keselman · version 5.7


Sometimes I need to use the name of the file that I'm editing in another application (compiler, e-mail attachment, reference in a document, etc).

These mappings are useful for copying the file name to the clipboard.

" Convert slashes to backslashes for Windows.
if has('win32')
  nmap ,cs :let @*=substitute(expand("%"), "/", "\\", "g")<CR>
  nmap ,cl :let @*=substitute(expand("%:p"), "/", "\\", "g")<CR>

  " This will copy the path in 8.3 short format, for DOS and Windows 9x
  nmap ,c8 :let @*=substitute(expand("%:p:8"), "/", "\\", "g")<CR>
else
  nmap ,cs :let @*=expand("%")<CR>
  nmap ,cl :let @*=expand("%:p")<CR>
endif

This maps the following keys:

  • ,cs copies just the filename.
  • ,cl copies the filename including its full path.
  • ,c8 copies the filename in 8.3 format for DOS and Windows 9x

You can then simply paste the name into another document using the regular paste command.

Copying to the Gnome Clipboard[]

Under linux, the script above will copy the file path or filename to X Server clipboard (accessed by pressing the middle mouse button). To copy text to the Gnome Clipboard instead replace the following lines:

  nmap ,cs :let @*=expand("%")<CR>
  nmap ,cl :let @*=expand("%:p")<CR>


with

  nmap ,cs :let @+=expand("%")<CR>
  nmap ,cl :let @+=expand("%:p")<CR>


This uses the + register instead of the * register.


Note: this may work with KDE and XCFE as well, I simply haven't tested (yet).

References[]

Comments[]

I find it useful to have mappings both for copying the (full) path of the current file to the system clipboard and to the Vim unnamed register, as well as to copy the short name to the unnamed register:

  nnor ,cf :let @*=expand("%:p")<CR>    " Mnemonic: Copy File path
  nnor ,yf :let @"=expand("%:p")<CR>    " Mnemonic: Yank File path
  nnor ,fn :let @"=expand("%")<CR>      " Mnemonic: yank File Name

I've never felt the need to copy the short file name to the clipboard, since in most cases the full path will work the same or better.

The short file name (without the path) needs :t expand("%:t")

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