Vim multiline editing like in sublimetext?

Question

I started to use gvim, and I can\'t quite understand how the multiline edit works in gvim.

For example:

Original text:

asd asd asd asd asd;
asd a         


        

Answer 1

My solution is to use these 2 mappings:

map n 0qq
map m q:'<,'>-1normal!@q

---

How to use them:

1. Select your lines. If I want to select the next 12 lines I just press V12j
2. Press n
3. Make your changes to the line
4. Make sure you're in normal mode and then press m

To make another edit you don't need to make the selection again. Just press n, make your edit and press m to apply.

---

How this works:

• 0qq Exit the visual selection, go to the beginning of the line and start recording a macro.

• q Stop recording the macro.

• :'<,'>-1normal!@q From the start of the visual selection to the line before the end, play the macro on each line.

• Go back down to the last line.

---

You can also just map the same key but for different modes:

vmap m 0qq
nmap m q:'<,'>-1normal!@q

Although this messes up your ability to make another edit. You'll have to re-select your lines.