Extract line number as a variable to re-insert it

Question

In insert-mode, I would like to extract the current line number I'm editing in a "variable"/memory/buffer, and to be able to paste it through a remapping.

I know that :echo line(".") gives me the line number. I have found how to insert the line number at the beginning of each line, using :s/^/\=line("."). But I would like to have a remapping like :

:inoremap \l <Esc>:echo line(".") > buffer<CR> p

that would extract the line number and paste it at my current cursor position.

(Sources of previous searches : How to add permanent line numbers to a file?)

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 12 '16 at 09:57

4

You can save it in a register with let :

inoremap \l <Esc>:let @l = line(".")<CR>

If you want to immediately paste it, you can do so with:

inoremap \p <Esc>:let @l = line(".")<CR>"lp

answered Apr 12 '16 at 09:57

nobe4

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score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 12 '16 at 09:57

4

This is a perfect use case for the expression register:

inoremap <key> <C-r>=line(".")<CR>

or:

inoremap <expr> <key> line(".")

See :help \=, :help i_ctrl-r, and :help <expr>.

answered Apr 12 '16 at 09:57

romainl

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1

Is there a way to save this (without having to use let) ? – nobe4 Apr 12 '16 at 10:01
2

No. :let it is. But you can save it into a variable (:let foo = ...) or into a register (:let @a = ...). – romainl Apr 12 '16 at 10:03

Extract line number as a variable to re-insert it

2 Answers2