How can I insert a real tab character in Vim?
Solution 1:
While in insert mode or command mode (the : prompt at the bottom of the editor), type CTRL + V then TAB.
Using CTRL + V signals Vim that it should take the next character literally. Even in insert mode.
UPDATE:
As noted by Herbert Sitz, if gVim is in Windows mode (default), you must use CRTL + Q in place of CTRL + V.
Solution 2:
@Samnang: I have a similar setup as you; unfortunately, Jason's answer did not work, for me.
This is a workaround:
- Substitute some character (e.g. a backtick: `) or characters (e.g. a unique alphanumeric string: zzz) where you want your tab(s)
-
Select the text (Visual mode) and do a search/replace,
:'s/`/\t/g
Updated answer, inspired by @Cyryl1972 's comment.
Insert tab at beginning of all lines (note also: no need to select lines, for any of the following code, as that's included in the line matching part of the expression):
:1,$s/^/\t\1/
Inert tab after first 10 characters in all lines:
:1,$s/^\(.\{10}\)/\1\t/
Explanation - first part:
:1,$ Match from line 1 to end of file
^(.{10} Collect (preserve) all text from beginning of line to position 10
(you need to escape the parentheses, \( and \), as well the FIRST
(left) curly brace, only: \{ -- as it, { , appears to have special
meaning in regex when used for this purpose
Explanation - second part:
/1 Add back the preserved text
\t Insert a tab
... and the rest of the line is automatically restored, as well.
Current line, only:
:s/^/\t\1/
Example: insert tab at position 10 (0-indexed) at lines 2-4:
1234567890abcdefghij
1234567890abcdefghij
1234567890abcdefghij
1234567890abcdefghij
1234567890abcdefghij
:2,4s/^\(.\{10}\)/\1\t/
1234567890abcdefghij
1234567890 abcdefghij
1234567890 abcdefghij
1234567890 abcdefghij
1234567890abcdefghij
References (StackOverflow):
- Replace character in specific position with another character using regular expression, Vim
- How do I add a character at a specific postion in a string?
References (other):
- Regex Cheat Sheet