Vim Macros — Recording, Playing, and Editing Macros

Recording and Playing Macros

Macros let you record a sequence of keystrokes and replay them:

Basic Macro Workflow

1. q{a-z} — Start recording into register {a-z}
2. Perform your edits
3. q — Stop recording
4. @{a-z} — Play the macro

Playback Commands

Command	Action
@{a-z}	Play macro from register
@@	Replay the last executed macro
{n}@{a-z}	Play macro n times
:'<,'>normal @{a-z}	Run macro on each line in selection

Macro Design Tips

Make macros robust by starting from a known position:

1. Begin with 0 or ^ (go to start of line)
2. Use w, f, / for relative movement (not l)
3. End with j (move to next line) so the macro works on consecutive lines

Example: Add Semicolons to Multiple Lines

1. qa — Start recording to register a
2. A; — Append semicolon at end of line
3. Esc — Return to Normal mode
4. j — Move to next line
5. q — Stop recording
6. 99@a — Run on next 99 lines (stops at end of file)

Editing Macros

Since macros are stored in registers, you can edit them:

1. :let @a=' and type the key sequence
2. Or paste the register content into a buffer:
   • "ap — Paste register a
   • Edit the text
   • "ayy — Yank back into register a

Recursive Macros

A macro can call itself to process lines until an error stops it:

1. qaq — Clear register a
2. qa — Start recording
3. Perform edits + j to move to next line
4. @a — Call itself (recursive)
5. q — Stop recording
6. @a — Start the recursive macro