How to search in the Vim mapping listing?

Question

Using :map provides a list of all mappings in Vim. But, I am unable to search through the list. I am surprised to see it being opened in a different type of window

Answer 1

Here's a robust function to create a searchable vertical split with the sorted output of :maps

function! s:ShowMaps()
  let old_reg = getreg("a")          " save the current content of register a
  let old_reg_type = getregtype("a") " save the type of the register as well
try
  redir @a                           " redirect output to register a
  " Get the list of all key mappings silently, satisfy "Press ENTER to continue"
  silent map | call feedkeys("\")    
  redir END                          " end output redirection
  vnew                               " new buffer in vertical window
  put a                              " put content of register
  " Sort on 4th character column which is the key(s)
  %!sort -k1.4,1.4
finally                              " Execute even if exception is raised
  call setreg("a", old_reg, old_reg_type) " restore register a
endtry
endfunction
com! ShowMaps call s:ShowMaps()      " Enable :ShowMaps to call the function

nnoremap \m :ShowMaps            " Map keys to call the function

The last line maps the two keys \m to call the function, change this as you wish.