In Vim, how do I apply a macro to a set of lines?

vim vim-macros
Jordan Parmer picture Jordan Parmer · Dec 23, 2008 · Viewed 51.9k times · Source

I have a file with a bunch of lines. I have recorded a macro that performs an operation on a single line. I want to repeat that macro on all of the remaining lines in the file. Is there a quick way to do this?

I tried Ctrl+Q, highlighted a set of lines, and pressed @@, but that didn't seem to do the trick.

Answer

Judge Maygarden picture Judge Maygarden · Dec 23, 2008

Use the normal command in Ex mode to execute the macro on multiple/all lines:

Execute the macro stored in register a on lines 5 through 10.

:5,10norm! @a

Execute the macro stored in register a on lines 5 through the end of the file.

:5,$norm! @a

Execute the macro stored in register a on all lines.

:%norm! @a

Execute the macro store in register a on all lines matching pattern.

:g/pattern/norm! @a

To execute the macro on visually selected lines, press V and the j or k until the desired region is selected. Then type :norm! @a and observe the that following input line is shown.

:'<,'>norm! @a

Enter :help normal in vim to read more.

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