How to break a line in vim in normal mode?
VimMacvimVim Problem Overview
I would like to break a line (at the location of the cursor) in to two lines without leaving normal mode (entering insert or command-line mode). Is this possible?
I currently get to the location I want and hit 'i' to enter insert mode, 'enter' to break the line in two, then 'esc' to return to normal mode.
I am not trying to set a maximum line length or do any syntax or anything like that. I just want to break one line into two lines without leaving normal mode. 'J' joins the line the cursor is on to the line below it, which is handy. I want the opposite -- to break one line into two with a single command.
Vim Solutions
Solution 1 - Vim
Try this:
:nnoremap <NL> i<CR><ESC>
then just press Ctrl-J whenever you want to split a line.
Solution 2 - Vim
I don't know of a single key command, but a lot of times I do "r" then "Enter" to break a line.
"r" replaces the current character under the cursor without going into insert mode. This may not be what you want if you don't want to replace a character...
Solution 3 - Vim
put cursor in position and...
r<Enter>
Solution 4 - Vim
Similar to other answers but doesn't replace the current character.
R<enter>
No remaps required.
Solution 5 - Vim
As far as I know this isn't possible without entering insert mode. You can however macro it with something like (replace Z with whatever key you want to use)
nmap Z i<cr><esc>k$
basically this maps the key 'Z' to enter insert mode 'i', insert a carriage return '<cr>', leave insert mode '<esc>', go up a line 'k' and finally go to the end of the line '$'
Solution 6 - Vim
Per this duplicate question: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/237383/how-do-i-insert-a-linebreak-where-the-cursor-is-without-entering-into-insert-mode
From within vim, type:
:map g i[Ctrl+V][Enter][Ctrl+V][Esc][Enter]
This maps the G key to macro I [Enter] [Escape]
Solution 7 - Vim
You can use recording.
- Place your cursor where you would like to insert a line break.
- Type
qato start recording into registera(you can use another register other thanaif you want.) - Then type
i(switch to insert mode), Return (insert newline), escape (exit insert mode),q(ends recording.)
Now you can invoke this sequence of keys by typing @a (where a is the register number you used when you started the recording), just keep moving the cursor where you want to insert a newline and type @a.
Solution 8 - Vim
In normal mode, Press the character 'O' then 'Esc'. No mapping needed.