How do I use vim registers?

Question

I only know of one instance using registers is via CtrlR* whereby I paste text from a clipboard.

What are other uses of registers?

Answer 1

One overlooked register is the '.' dot register which contains the last inserted text no matter how it was inserted eg ct] (change till ]). Then you realise you need to insert it elsewhere but can't use the dot repeat method.

 :reg .
 :%s/fred/<C-R>./

Answer 2

My favorite register is the ':' register. Running @: in Normal mode allows me to repeat the previously ran ex command.

Answer 3

My favorite feature is the ability to append into registers by using capital letters. For example, say you want to move a subset of imports from buffer X to buffer Y.

1. Go to line x1 in buffer X.
2. Type "ayy to replace register a with the content of line x1.
3. Go to line x5.
4. Type "Ayy (capital A) to append line x5 at the end of register a.
5. Go to buffer Y and type "ap to paste

<content of line x1>
<content of line x5>

Answer 4

• q5 records edits into register 5 (next q stops recording)
• :reg show all registers and any contents in them
• @5 execute register 5 macro (recorded edits)

Answer 5

Use registers in commands with @. E.g.:

echo @a
echo @0
echo @+

Set them in command:

let @a = 'abc'

Now "ap will paste abc.

Answer 6

If you ever want to paste the contents of the register in an ex-mode command, hit <C-r><registerletter>.

Why would you use this? I wanted to do a search and replace for a longish string, so I selected it in visual mode, started typing out the search/replace expression :%s/[PASTE YANKED PHRASE]//g and went on my day.

If you only want to paste a single word in ex mode, can make sure the cursor is on it before entering ex mode, and then hit <C-r><C-w> when in ex mode to paste the word.