CODEWITHSUNDEEP
vim
Just a learner
Just a learner

Reputation: 28562

How to switch modes when operating on multiple selected lines

I have created a line selection in Vim by Shift+V and followed by jjjj.

I can do something against all lines separately like :normal ^i//, which moves the cursor to the beginning of each line and enter insert mode, then insert two /.

Is it possible to switch back to normal mode after this?

The example in the question is just to demonstrate the problem and I only want to discuss the Vim usage skills.

I tried :normal ^i//<Esc>A// in the hope of adding two / to the end of each line, but it didn't work.

Is this possible?

Upvotes: 0

Views: 66

Answers (1)

yolenoyer
yolenoyer

Reputation: 9445

The :normal command does not interpret special characters. In your last try, all the chars after i would be interpreted as normal text then inserted at the beginning of each selected line: //<Esc>A//.

The Esc character is a special char (actually the ASCII code 27), so you have to ask Vim to insert this char in a different way (because hitting Esc would escape the command line).

In order to do this (either in Command mode or Insert mode), press Ctrl + V then the wanted key, e.g. Esc. This will insert the real <esc> character in you flow, then perform the desired behaviour.

To summarize:

  • Press Shift + V followed by jjjj...
  • Type :normal ^i//Ctrl + VEscA//
  • Hit Return to validate the command

Upvotes: 4

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