~ / insert / replace-modelesson 3/7

Type over text: r and R

Swap one character with r, or overwrite a run of text in Replace mode.

?how it works

Sometimes text is the right length and just has the wrong characters: a time, a version number, a colour code. Instead of deleting and retyping, type over it.

r{char} replaces the character under the cursor and stays in Normal mode. With a count, 4r* replaces four characters. r<CR> swaps a character for a line break.
R enters Replace mode: each key you type overwrites the character under the cursor. Past the end of the line it simply appends. <Esc> when you're done.

The neat part of Replace mode is <BS>: it doesn't delete, it undoes your last overwrite and puts the original character back. <C-w> and <C-u> do the same for a word or the whole run.

r never needs an <Esc>, which makes it the cheapest fix for a single wrong character.

⌨keys

`r{char}`	replace the character under the cursor
`{count}r{char}`	replace count characters with {char}
`r<CR>`	replace the character with a line break
`R`	Replace mode: type over existing text
`<BS>`	in Replace mode: restore the character you typed over

4 drills

One wrong character: One character is wrong. Jump to it and fix it with r, without entering Insert mode.
Mask it with a count: Replace the whole run of characters with the same symbol. Put a count in front of r.
Split a line with r<CR>: Break the line in two at the space after the first statement, by replacing that space with a line break.
Overwrite a value with R: Type the new value over the old one with R. It's the same length, so nothing needs deleting.

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