Vvars

Predefined variables

Some variables can be set by the user, but the type cannot be changed.

v:argv argv-variable v:argv The command line arguments Vim was invoked with. This is a list of strings. The first item is the Vim command. See v:progpath for the command with full path.

v:char char-variable v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr' and used for the typed character when using <expr> in an abbreviation :map-<expr>. It is also used by the InsertCharPre and InsertEnter events.

v:charconvert_from charconvert_from-variable v:charconvert_from The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted. Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.

v:charconvert_to charconvert_to-variable v:charconvert_to The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion. Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.

v:cmdarg cmdarg-variable v:cmdarg The extra arguments ("++p", "++enc=", "++ff=") given to a file read/write command. This is set before an autocommand event for a file read/write command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it possible to append this variable directly after the read/write command. Note: "+cmd" isn't included here, because it will be executed anyway.

v:cmdbang cmdbang-variable v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!" was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this can only be used in autocommands. For user commands <bang> can be used.

v:collate collate-variable v:collate The current locale setting for collation order of the runtime environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of LC_COLLATE. When not using a locale the value is "C". This variable can not be set directly, use the :language command. See multi-lang.

v:completed_item completed_item-variable v:completed_item Dictionary containing the complete-items for the most recently completed word after CompleteDone. Empty if the completion failed, or after leaving and re-entering insert mode. Note: Plugins can modify the value to emulate the builtin CompleteDone event behavior.

v:count count-variable v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example:

:map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " .. v:count<CR>

Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you get when typing ':' after a count. When there are two counts, as in "3d2w", they are multiplied, just like what happens in the command, "d6w" for the example. Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.

v:count1 count1-variable v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is used.

v:ctype ctype-variable v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C". This variable can not be set directly, use the :language command. See multi-lang.

v:dying dying-variable v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases. Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't terminate normally. Example:

:au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif

Note: if another deadly signal is caught when v:dying is one, VimLeave autocommands will not be executed.

v:echospace echospace-variable v:echospace Number of screen cells that can be used for an :echo message in the last screen line before causing the hit-enter-prompt. Depends on 'showcmd', 'ruler' and 'columns'. You need to check 'cmdheight' for whether there are full-width lines available above the last line.

v:errmsg errmsg-variable v:errmsg Last given error message. Modifiable (can be set). Example:

let v:errmsg = ""
silent! next
if v:errmsg != ""
  " ... handle error

v:errors errors-variable assert-return v:errors Errors found by assert functions, such as assert_true(). This is a list of strings. The assert functions append an item when an assert fails. The return value indicates this: a one is returned if an item was added to v:errors, otherwise zero is returned. To remove old results make it empty:

let v:errors = []

If v:errors is set to anything but a list it is made an empty list by the assert function.

v:event event-variable v:event Dictionary of event data for the current autocommand. Valid only during the event lifetime; storing or passing v:event is invalid! Copy it instead:

au TextYankPost * let g:foo = deepcopy(v:event)

Keys vary by event; see the documentation for the specific event, e.g. DirChanged or TextYankPost. abort Whether the event triggered during an aborting condition (e.g. c_Esc or c_CTRL-C for CmdlineLeave). chan channel-id cmdlevel Level of cmdline. cmdtype Type of cmdline, cmdline-char. cwd Current working directory. inclusive Motion is inclusive, else exclusive. scope Event-specific scope name. operator Current operator. Also set for Ex commands (unlike v:operator). For example if TextYankPost is triggered by the :yank Ex command then v:event.operator is "y". regcontents Text stored in the register as a readfile()-style list of lines. regname Requested register (e.g "x" for "xyy) or the empty string for an unnamed operation. regtype Type of register as returned by getregtype(). visual Selection is visual (as opposed to, e.g., via motion). completed_item Current selected complete item on CompleteChanged, Is {} when no complete item selected. height Height of popup menu on CompleteChanged width Width of popup menu on CompleteChanged row Row count of popup menu on CompleteChanged, relative to screen. col Col count of popup menu on CompleteChanged, relative to screen. size Total number of completion items on CompleteChanged. scrollbar Is v:true if popup menu have scrollbar, or v:false if not. changed_window Is v:true if the event fired while changing window (or tab) on DirChanged. status Job status or exit code, -1 means "unknown". TermClose reason Reason for completion being done. CompleteDone

v:exception exception-variable v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not finished. See also v:throwpoint and throw-variables. Example:

try
  throw "oops"
catch /.*/
  echo "caught " .. v:exception
endtry

Output: "caught oops".

v:exiting exiting-variable v:exiting Exit code, or v:null before invoking the VimLeavePre and VimLeave autocmds. See :q, :x and :cquit. Example:

:au VimLeave * echo "Exit value is " .. v:exiting

v:false false-variable v:false Special value used to put "false" in JSON and msgpack. See json_encode(). This value is converted to "v:false" when used as a String (e.g. in expr5 with string concatenation operator) and to zero when used as a Number (e.g. in expr5 or expr7 when used with numeric operators). Read-only.

v:fcs_choice fcs_choice-variable v:fcs_choice What should happen after a FileChangedShell event was triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to do with the affected buffer: reload Reload the buffer (does not work if the file was deleted). edit Reload the buffer and detect the values for options such as 'fileformat', 'fileencoding', 'binary' (does not work if the file was deleted). ask Ask the user what to do, as if there was no autocommand. Except that when only the timestamp changed nothing will happen. <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do everything that needs to be done. The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.

v:fcs_reason fcs_reason-variable v:fcs_reason The reason why the FileChangedShell event was triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values: deleted file no longer exists conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was changed and buffer is modified changed file contents has changed mode mode of file changed time only file timestamp changed

v:fname fname-variable v:fname When evaluating 'includeexpr': the file name that was detected. Empty otherwise.

v:fname_diff fname_diff-variable v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while evaluating 'patchexpr'.

v:fname_in fname_in-variable v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating: 'charconvert' file to be converted 'diffexpr' original file 'patchexpr' original file And set to the swap file name for SwapExists.

v:fname_new fname_new-variable v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while evaluating 'diffexpr'.

v:fname_out fname_out-variable v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while evaluating: 'charconvert' resulting converted file [1] 'diffexpr' output of diff 'patchexpr' resulting patched file [1] When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary file and different from v:fname_in.

v:folddashes folddashes-variable v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed fold. Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext

v:foldend foldend-variable v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold. Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext

v:foldlevel foldlevel-variable v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold. Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext

v:foldstart foldstart-variable v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold. Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext

v:hlsearch hlsearch-variable v:hlsearch Variable that indicates whether search highlighting is on. Setting it makes sense only if 'hlsearch' is enabled. Setting this variable to zero acts like the :nohlsearch command, setting it to one acts like

let &hlsearch = &hlsearch

Note that the value is restored when returning from a function. function-search-undo.

v:insertmode insertmode-variable v:insertmode Used for the InsertEnter and InsertChange autocommand events. Values: i Insert mode r Replace mode v Virtual Replace mode

v:key key-variable v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while evaluating the expression used with map() and filter(). Read-only.

v:lang lang-variable v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES. The value is system dependent. This variable can not be set directly, use the :language command. It can be different from v:ctype when messages are desired in a different language than what is used for character encoding. See multi-lang.

v:lc_time lc_time-variable v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME. This variable can not be set directly, use the :language command. See multi-lang.

v:lnum lnum-variable v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' fold-expr, 'formatexpr', 'indentexpr' and 'statuscolumn' expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is being evaluated. Read-only when in the sandbox.

v:lua lua-variable v:lua Prefix for calling Lua functions from expressions. See v:lua-call for more information.

v:maxcol maxcol-variable v:maxcol Maximum line length. Depending on where it is used it can be screen columns, characters or bytes. The value currently is 2147483647 on all systems.

v:mouse_col mouse_col-variable v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with getchar(). This is the screen column number, like with virtcol(). The value is zero when there was no mouse button click.

v:mouse_lnum mouse_lnum-variable v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with getchar(). This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The value is zero when there was no mouse button click.

v:mouse_win mouse_win-variable v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with getchar(). First window has number 1, like with winnr(). The value is zero when there was no mouse button click.

v:mouse_winid mouse_winid-variable v:mouse_winid window-ID for a mouse click obtained with getchar(). The value is zero when there was no mouse button click.

v:msgpack_types msgpack_types-variable v:msgpack_types Dictionary containing msgpack types used by msgpackparse() and msgpackdump(). All types inside dictionary are fixed (not editable) empty lists. To check whether some list is one of msgpack types, use is operator.

v:null null-variable v:null Special value used to put "null" in JSON and NIL in msgpack. See json_encode(). This value is converted to "v:null" when used as a String (e.g. in expr5 with string concatenation operator) and to zero when used as a Number (e.g. in expr5 or expr7 when used with numeric operators). Read-only. In some places v:null can be used for a List, Dict, etc. that is not set. That is slightly different than an empty List, Dict, etc.

v:numbermax numbermax-variable v:numbermax Maximum value of a number.

v:numbermin numbermin-variable v:numbermin Minimum value of a number (negative).

v:numbersize numbersize-variable v:numbersize Number of bits in a Number. This is normally 64, but on some systems it may be 32.

v:oldfiles oldfiles-variable v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the shada file on startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for. The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the 'shada' option (default is 100). When the shada file is not used the List is empty. Also see :oldfiles and c_#<. The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is stored in the shada file later. If you use values other than String this will cause trouble.

v:operator operator-variable v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>, in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside v:prevcount and v:register. Useful if you want to cancel Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.:

:omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>

The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus don't expect it to be empty. v:operator is not set for :delete, :yank or other Ex commands. Read-only.

v:option_command option_command-variable v:option_command Command used to set the option. Valid while executing an OptionSet autocommand. "setlocal" :setlocal or :let l:xxx "setglobal" :setglobal or :let g:xxx "set" :set or :let "modeline" modeline

v:option_new option_new-variable v:option_new New value of the option. Valid while executing an OptionSet autocommand.

v:option_old option_old-variable v:option_old Old value of the option. Valid while executing an OptionSet autocommand. Depending on the command used for setting and the kind of option this is either the local old value or the global old value.

v:option_oldglobal option_oldglobal-variable v:option_oldglobal Old global value of the option. Valid while executing an OptionSet autocommand.

v:option_oldlocal option_oldlocal-variable v:option_oldlocal Old local value of the option. Valid while executing an OptionSet autocommand.

v:option_type option_type-variable v:option_type Scope of the set command. Valid while executing an OptionSet autocommand. Can be either "global" or "local"

v:prevcount prevcount-variable v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command. This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then use the count, e.g.:

:vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>

Read-only.

v:profiling profiling-variable v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start". See profiling.

v:progname progname-variable v:progname The name by which Nvim was invoked (with path removed). Read-only.

v:progpath progpath-variable v:progpath Absolute path to the current running Nvim. Read-only.

v:register register-variable v:register The name of the register in effect for the current normal mode command (regardless of whether that command actually used a register). Or for the currently executing normal mode mapping (use this in custom commands that take a register). If none is supplied it is the default register '"', unless 'clipboard' contains "unnamed" or "unnamedplus", then it is "*" or '+'. Also see getreg() and setreg()

v:relnum relnum-variable v:relnum Relative line number for the 'statuscolumn' expression. Read-only.

v:scrollstart scrollstart-variable v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a typed command. This can be used to find out why your script causes the hit-enter prompt.

v:searchforward searchforward-variable v:searchforward Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting the last search pattern, see quote/. Note that the value is restored when returning from a function. function-search-undo. Read-write.

v:servername servername-variable v:servername Primary listen-address of Nvim, the first item returned by serverlist(). Usually this is the named pipe created by Nvim at startup or given by --listen (or the deprecated $NVIM_LISTEN_ADDRESS env var).

See also serverstart() serverstop(). Read-only.

$NVIM $NVIM is set by terminal and jobstart(), and is thus a hint that the current environment is a subprocess of Nvim. Example:

if $NVIM
  echo nvim_get_chan_info(v:parent)
endif

Note the contents of $NVIM may change in the future.

v:shell_error shell_error-variable v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem. This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim. The value -1 is often used when the command could not be executed. Read-only. Example:

!mv foo bar
if v:shell_error
  echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
endif

v:statusmsg statusmsg-variable v:statusmsg Last given status message. Modifiable (can be set).

v:stderr stderr-variable v:stderr channel-id corresponding to stderr. The value is always 2; use this variable to make your code more descriptive. Unlike stdin and stdout (see stdioopen()), stderr is always open for writing. Example:

:call chansend(v:stderr, "error: toaster empty\n")

v:swapchoice swapchoice-variable v:swapchoice SwapExists autocommands can set this to the selected choice for handling an existing swapfile: 'o' Open read-only 'e' Edit anyway 'r' Recover 'd' Delete swapfile 'q' Quit 'a' Abort The value should be a single-character string. An empty value results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.

v:swapcommand swapcommand-variable v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been opened. Can be used for a SwapExists autocommand to have another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r". For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".

v:swapname swapname-variable v:swapname Name of the swapfile found. Only valid during SwapExists event. Read-only.

v:t_blob t_blob-variable v:t_TYPE v:t_blob Value of Blob type. Read-only. See: type()

v:t_bool t_bool-variable v:t_bool Value of Boolean type. Read-only. See: type()

v:t_dict t_dict-variable v:t_dict Value of Dictionary type. Read-only. See: type()

v:t_float t_float-variable v:t_float Value of Float type. Read-only. See: type()

v:t_func t_func-variable v:t_func Value of Funcref type. Read-only. See: type()

v:t_list t_list-variable v:t_list Value of List type. Read-only. See: type()

v:t_number t_number-variable v:t_number Value of Number type. Read-only. See: type()

v:t_string t_string-variable v:t_string Value of String type. Read-only. See: type()

v:termrequest termrequest-variable v:termrequest The value of the most recent OSC or DCS control sequence sent from a process running in the embedded terminal. This can be read in a TermRequest event handler to respond to queries from embedded applications.

v:termresponse termresponse-variable v:termresponse The value of the most recent OSC or DCS control sequence received by Nvim from the terminal. This can be read in a TermResponse event handler after querying the terminal using another escape sequence.

v:testing testing-variable v:testing Must be set before using test_garbagecollect_now().

v:this_session this_session-variable v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. Empty when no session file has been saved. See :mksession. Modifiable (can be set).

v:throwpoint throwpoint-variable v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See also v:exception and throw-variables. Example:

try
  throw "oops"
catch /.*/
  echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
endtry

Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"

v:true true-variable v:true Special value used to put "true" in JSON and msgpack. See json_encode(). This value is converted to "v:true" when used as a String (e.g. in expr5 with string concatenation operator) and to one when used as a Number (e.g. in expr5 or expr7 when used with numeric operators). Read-only.

v:val val-variable v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid while evaluating the expression used with map() and filter(). Read-only.

v:version version-variable v:version Vim version number: major version times 100 plus minor version. Vim 5.0 is 500, Vim 5.1 is 501. Read-only. Use has() to check the Nvim (not Vim) version:

:if has("nvim-0.2.1")

v:vim_did_enter vim_did_enter-variable v:vim_did_enter 0 during startup, 1 just before VimEnter. Read-only.

v:virtnum virtnum-variable v:virtnum Virtual line number for the 'statuscolumn' expression. Negative when drawing the status column for virtual lines, zero when drawing an actual buffer line, and positive when drawing the wrapped part of a buffer line. Read-only.

v:warningmsg warningmsg-variable v:warningmsg Last given warning message. Modifiable (can be set).

v:windowid windowid-variable v:windowid Application-specific window "handle" which may be set by any attached UI. Defaults to zero. Note: For Nvim windows use winnr() or win_getid(), see window-ID.