To search a file, type /
(search forwards) or ?
(search backwards) and enter the word.
Normally, Vim will check for upper and lower letters. But you can set two different options in your configuration file (~/.vimrc
or similar):
set ignorecase
or
set smartcase
Examples:
pattern 'ignorecase' 'smartcase' matches ~
foo off - foo
foo on - foo Foo FOO
Foo on off foo Foo FOO
Foo on on Foo
\cfoo - - foo Foo FOO
foo\C - - foo
Other options:
:set incsearch - show match as search proceeds
:set hlsearch - search highlighting
Vim will jump to the first match. Hit Enter
if you’re finished with typing. Then you can circle through all matches with n
(forwards) or N
(backwards).
You can also search for the current word. Press *
and Vim will search forwards. With #
Vim will search backwards.
Both commands will do an exact search. If your cursor is on the word for
, it won’t match forwards
. You can fuzzy search with g*
or g#
.
Hit /
or ?
and arrow keys for your search history.
Further Reading
- Vim Tips And Tricks: Searching
- Vim Search Commands by Alvin Alexander
- Mastering Vim Quickly by Jovica Ilic