Global (`:g`) and Vglobal (`:v`)

"Run a command on every line that matches."

Keys: :g, :v

:g/pattern/cmd runs cmd on every line matching pattern. :v inverts (every NON-matching line). Combine with :d to delete-by-pattern, with :s to substitute-by-pattern, with :norm to do anything.

Global and Vglobal

:g/pattern/cmd is read as: for every line matching pattern, run cmd. It's how you do bulk operations gated by a search.

Command	Effect
:g/TODO/p	Print every line containing TODO
:g/TODO/d	Delete every line containing TODO
:v/TODO/d	Delete every line NOT containing TODO
:g/^$/d	Delete all blank lines
:g/^/m0	Reverse the file (move every line to top)
:g/foo/s//bar/g	Substitute on matching lines
:g/^class /norm o pass	On every class declaration, open new line + insert `pass`

Worked example — :g/TODO/d

Run an Ex command on every matching line.

ex.global — Step 1 ·

All TODO lines deleted. — Step 2 · :g/TODO/d Enter · All TODO lines deleted.

▶ Try this in the simulator

Watch

📺 #0423 :set number (not yet published)
📺 #0425 :set hlsearch (not yet published)

See also: Substitute ({key::s}), Normal ({key::norm})