Vim Search Patterns

Vim searches from the current cursor position using patterns. Begin in Normal mode, enter a forward or backward search, and then repeat matches without retyping the pattern.

Searching Forward

In Normal mode, type /, enter a pattern, and press Enter. Vim moves to the next match after the cursor:

/pretty

Searches use Vim's regular-expression syntax, so characters such as ., *, [, and \ can have special meaning. Use \V at the start when the rest of a pattern should be treated as very nomagic, or escape special characters deliberately.

Searching Backward

Type ?, enter a pattern, and press Enter to move to the preceding match before the cursor:

?pretty

This does not inherently mean “the final match in the file.” The result depends on the current cursor position. With Vim's default wrapscan setting, a search can wrap at the beginning or end; :set nowrapscan disables that wrapping.

Repeating a Search

After either kind of search:

• Press n to repeat in the original search direction.
• Press N to repeat in the opposite direction.

Therefore, after /pretty, n moves forward and N backward. After ?pretty, n moves backward and N forward.

Searching for the Word under the Cursor

In Normal mode, place the cursor on a word and use:

• * to search forward for that whole word.
• # to search backward for that whole word.

These commands set the latest search pattern, so n and N can continue from it.

Controlling Case and Highlighting

Vim options can change case behavior:

• :set ignorecase makes searches ignore case.
• :set smartcase makes an uppercase character restore case sensitivity when ignorecase is also set.
• \c inside a pattern forces that search to ignore case.
• \C forces that search to respect case.

For example, /\cerror matches error, Error, and ERROR regardless of the current case options.

When search highlighting is enabled, :nohlsearch clears the current visual highlights without deleting the search pattern. The next search or repeat can highlight matches again.

To practice Vim navigation and search in a controlled file, try this hands-on lab:

1. Edit Text Files in Linux with Vim and Nano - Practice creating, editing, saving, and navigating text files with Vim and Nano.

Summary

You can now search a Vim buffer and move between matches predictably.

1. Start forward searches with / and backward searches with ?.
2. Repeat in the same direction with n or the opposite direction with N.
3. Search for the whole word under the cursor with * or #.
4. Control case behavior for one pattern or through options.
5. Clear highlights without losing the current search pattern.