What Is The Fastest Way To Select All In Vim For Coding Novels?

2025-07-09 02:55:00 94

3 Answers

Nathan
Nathan
2025-07-15 16:56:22
I've been using Vim for years to edit everything from code to novels, and the fastest way to select all is simple. Just hit 'gg' to go to the top of the file, then 'VG' to enter visual mode and select everything down to the last line. This works like a charm for large files, especially when you need to format or replace text across the entire document. For a quicker alternative, ':%y' yanks everything into the buffer without visual mode, which is handy if you just want to copy the content fast. I often use these combos when drafting or revising my writing because they save so much time compared to manual selection.
Dominic
Dominic
2025-07-10 19:25:08
As someone who juggles coding and creative writing in Vim daily, I rely on a mix of commands for efficiency. The classic 'ggVG' is my go-to for visual selection, but if I need to manipulate the entire text programmatically, I prefer ':%normal' with a command—like ':%normal >>' to indent all lines. For novels, where formatting matters, I might use ':%s/\\s\\+$//g' to clean trailing spaces after selecting all.
Another trick is combining macros with selection. Recording a macro (like 'qaGG$vggy') lets me reuse complex selections across files. If I'm working on a split screen, I'll use 'Ctrl-w' navigation followed by 'ggVG' to apply changes to one buffer without switching. These methods are lifesavers when editing lengthy chapters or scripts, and they keep my workflow smooth.
Dylan
Dylan
2025-07-12 14:53:26
When I'm deep into editing a novel in Vim, I prioritize speed and precision. 'ggyG' is my favorite for yanking the entire text—it's faster than visual mode since it skips the highlighting step. For repetitive tasks, like adding quotes to dialogue lines, I'll select all with 'ggVG' then run ':%s/^/> /' to prepend each line. It's a game-changer for revising drafts.
I also use marks to navigate large files. Setting a mark (like 'mA' at the top) lets me jump back quickly after edits. Pairing this with 'VG' ensures I never lose my place. If I need to paste the entire novel elsewhere, ':%y+' copies it to the system clipboard directly. These techniques make Vim feel tailor-made for writers who code, blending efficiency with creative flow.
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Related Questions

How To Select All In Vim And Paste Elsewhere?

3 Answers2025-07-14 01:30:10
I remember when I first started using Vim, selecting and pasting text felt like a puzzle. To select everything in Vim, you can use 'ggVG'—this moves the cursor to the start of the file ('gg'), enters visual line mode ('V'), and selects all lines down to the end ('G'). Once everything is highlighted, press 'y' to yank (copy) it. Then, navigate to where you want to paste, switch to insert mode with 'i', and press 'Ctrl+r' followed by '\\"' to paste the copied content. It's a bit different from regular editors, but once you get the hang of it, it's super efficient. If you're working with large files, you might prefer using ':%y' to yank everything without visual mode. For pasting outside Vim, you can copy the yanked text to the system clipboard by adding '+ before the yank command, like '"+y'. This way, you can paste it anywhere else on your system.

What Are The Alternatives To Select All In Vim For Novels?

3 Answers2025-07-15 18:58:00
I've been using Vim for years to edit everything from code to novels, and I love how versatile it is. When it comes to selecting all text in a novel, the simplest method is the command `ggVG`. Here's why: `gg` moves the cursor to the first line, `V` enters visual line mode, and `G` jumps to the last line, selecting everything in between. Another handy alternative is `:%y`, which yanks all lines into the buffer without needing visual mode. For larger files, I sometimes use `:1,$d` to cut all text or `:1,$y` to copy it. These commands are lightning-fast and avoid the hassle of manual selection.

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As someone who spends a lot of time translating manga, I've found 'select all' in Vim to be a lifesaver when dealing with large blocks of text. The best time to use it is when you need to apply the same edit across the entire script, like changing a character's name consistently or fixing a recurring typo. It's also useful for formatting—like removing extra spaces or line breaks—before you start fine-tuning translations. I avoid using it for nuanced edits since manga dialogue often requires context-specific adjustments, but for bulk operations, it's unbeatable. Just make sure to save your work before hitting that command, because there's no undo for 'select all' changes if you mess up.

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