Tip 97: Meet the Global Command

Return to the top: <<Practical Vim>>

Format of :global:

:[range] global[!] /{pattern}/ [cmd]

References:

# If you open the file in vim,
# then you can \"ayy@a the next line to execute the vim command: 
:h :g

• The default range for the :global command is the entire file (%).
  • Most other Ex commands (:delete/:substitute/:normal): the current line (.) by default.
• The {pattern} field integrates with search history → we can leave it blank and Vim will automatically use the current search pattern.
• The [cmd] could be any Ex command except for another :global command.
  • If we don't specify a [cmd], then Vim will use :print by default.
• :global!/:vglobal: invert the behavior of the :global command.