How can I add a specific range of numbers into to each line at a particular location?

Question

For example, we have:

1    this is line. please go to file example.txt for more information.
2    this is line. please go to file demo.txt for more information.
3    this is line. please go to file new.txt for more information.

Result:

1    this is line 6555. please go to file example.txt for more information.
2    this is line 6556. please go to file demo.txt for more information.
3    this is line 6557. please go to file new.txt for more information.

Please notice, the number doesn't start from 0 or 1. One needs to specify a range like (11123,11200) or (11023,11201) case by case, where the file lines are actually different.

Answer 1

The example in :help v_g_Ctrl-A illustrates how to use Visual mode and g Ctrl-A to have a sequence of running numbers on each line. We modify that example slightly and use a general starting number:

• Place your cursor on the first .
• Press Ctrl-V and move down until all lines are selected
• Insert the starting number, for example 11123, with I<space>11123<Esc>.
• Move down a line, and place your character on the second 11123.
• Press Ctrl-V and move down until all the numbers are selected (except the first line)
• Hit g Ctrl-A

Answer 2

Short answer

• Use g<c-a> in visual-block mode to create an incrementing list from selected numbers.

This can be done in a few steps in normal mode.

• Place your cursor where you want your number on the first line
• Start visual-block selection with <c-v>
• Select desired lines
• Insert the base number, minus one, with I
• Reselect your numbers with gve for example (gv selects the last selection again)
• Create the incrementing sequence with g<c-a>

Help topics:

• :h v_g_ctrl-a
• :h v_gv