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I was wondering if it is possible to combine the gq operation with other commands, as one might do with the | operator. For example, it would be nice to be able to write a command like :'<,'>left4 |gq. However, vim says that gq in this context is not an editor command, because it is interpreting it as :gq. Is there any workaround?

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1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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You can run normal mode commands from the command-line with the :normal command.

In this instance, we want to first reselect the visual selection, and then run the gq command:

:'<,'>left4 | norm! gvgq

See :help :normal and :help gv for more details.

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  • Is there a way to do this with a global search & replace so you reindent as you go?
    – Steve
    May 2, 2018 at 7:08
  • @Steve You mean something like this? :%s/foo/bar/g | norm! gggqG
    – Rich
    May 2, 2018 at 8:51
  • Doh of course I forgot the go to beginning bit. Thanks
    – Steve
    May 3, 2018 at 2:28

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