1 *fold.txt* For Vim version 7.2. Last change: 2007 May 11
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
7 Folding *Folding* *folding*
9 You can find an introduction on folding in chapter 28 of the user manual.
12 1. Fold methods |fold-methods|
13 2. Fold commands |fold-commands|
14 3. Fold options |fold-options|
15 4. Behavior of folds |fold-behavior|
18 {not available when compiled without the +folding feature}
20 ==============================================================================
21 1. Fold methods *fold-methods*
23 The folding method can be set with the 'foldmethod' option.
25 When setting 'foldmethod' to a value other than "manual", all folds are
26 deleted and new ones created. Switching to the "manual" method doesn't remove
27 the existing folds. This can be used to first define the folds automatically
28 and then change them manually.
30 There are six methods to select folds:
31 manual manually define folds
32 indent more indent means a higher fold level
33 expr specify an expression to define folds
34 syntax folds defined by syntax highlighting
35 diff folds for unchanged text
36 marker folds defined by markers in the text
41 Use commands to manually define the fold regions. This can also be used by a
42 script that parses text to find folds.
44 The level of a fold is only defined by its nesting. To increase the fold
45 level of a fold for a range of lines, define a fold inside it that has the
48 The manual folds are lost when you abandon the file. To save the folds use
49 the |:mkview| command. The view can be restored later with |:loadview|.
54 The folds are automatically defined by the indent of the lines.
56 The foldlevel is computed from the indent of the line, divided by the
57 'shiftwidth' (rounded down). A sequence of lines with the same or higher fold
58 level form a fold, with the lines with a higher level forming a nested fold.
60 The nesting of folds is limited with 'foldnestmax'.
62 Some lines are ignored and get the fold level of the line above or below it,
63 whatever is the lowest. These are empty or white lines and lines starting
64 with a character in 'foldignore'. White space is skipped before checking for
65 characters in 'foldignore'. For C use "#" to ignore preprocessor lines.
67 When you want to ignore lines in another way, use the 'expr' method. The
68 |indent()| function can be used in 'foldexpr' to get the indent of a line.
73 The folds are automatically defined by their foldlevel, like with the "indent"
74 method. The value of the 'foldexpr' option is evaluated to get the foldlevel
76 This will create a fold for all consecutive lines that start with a tab: >
77 :set foldexpr=getline(v:lnum)[0]==\"\\t\"
78 This will call a function to compute the fold level: >
79 :set foldexpr=MyFoldLevel(v:lnum)
80 This will make a fold out of paragraphs separated by blank lines: >
81 :set foldexpr=getline(v:lnum)=~'^\\s*$'&&getline(v:lnum+1)=~'\\S'?'<1':1
83 :set foldexpr=getline(v:lnum-1)=~'^\\s*$'&&getline(v:lnum)=~'\\S'?'>1':1
85 Note that backslashes must be used to escape characters that ":set" handles
86 differently (space, backslash, double quote, etc., see |option-backslash|).
88 These are the conditions with which the expression is evaluated:
89 - The current buffer and window are set for the line.
90 - The variable "v:lnum" is set to the line number.
91 - The result is used for the fold level in this way:
93 0 the line is not in a fold
94 1, 2, .. the line is in a fold with this level
95 -1 the fold level is undefined, use the fold level of a
96 line before or after this line, whichever is the
98 "=" use fold level from the previous line
99 "a1", "a2", .. add one, two, .. to the fold level of the previous
101 "s1", "s2", .. subtract one, two, .. from the fold level of the
103 "<1", "<2", .. a fold with this level ends at this line
104 ">1", ">2", .. a fold with this level starts at this line
106 It is not required to mark the start (end) of a fold with ">1" ("<1"), a fold
107 will also start (end) when the fold level is higher (lower) than the fold
108 level of the previous line.
110 There must be no side effects from the expression. The text in the buffer,
111 cursor position, the search patterns, options etc. must not be changed.
112 You can change and restore them if you are careful.
114 If there is some error in the expression, or the resulting value isn't
115 recognized, there is no error message and the fold level will be zero.
116 For debugging the 'debug' option can be set to "msg", the error messages will
119 Note: Since the expression has to be evaluated for every line, this fold
120 method can be very slow!
122 Try to avoid the "=", "a" and "s" return values, since Vim often has to search
123 backwards for a line for which the fold level is defined. This can be slow.
125 |foldlevel()| can be useful to compute a fold level relative to a previous
126 fold level. But note that foldlevel() may return -1 if the level is not known
127 yet. And it returns the level at the start of the line, while a fold might
133 A fold is defined by syntax items that have the "fold" argument. |:syn-fold|
135 The fold level is defined by nesting folds. The nesting of folds is limited
138 Be careful to specify proper syntax syncing. If this is not done right, folds
139 may differ from the displayed highlighting. This is especially relevant when
140 using patterns that match more than one line. In case of doubt, try using
141 brute-force syncing: >
147 The folds are automatically defined for text that is not part of a change or
150 This method only works properly when the 'diff' option is set for the current
151 window and changes are being displayed. Otherwise the whole buffer will be
154 The 'diffopt' option can be used to specify the context. That is, the number
155 of lines between the fold and a change that are not included in the fold. For
156 example, to use a context of 8 lines: >
157 :set diffopt=filler,context:8
158 The default context is six lines.
160 When 'scrollbind' is also set, Vim will attempt to keep the same folds open in
161 other diff windows, so that the same text is visible.
166 Markers in the text tell where folds start and end. This allows you to
167 precisely specify the folds. This will allow deleting and putting a fold,
168 without the risk of including the wrong lines. The 'foldtext' option is
169 normally set such that the text before the marker shows up in the folded line.
170 This makes it possible to give a name to the fold.
172 Markers can have a level included, or can use matching pairs. Including a
173 level is easier, you don't have to add end markers and avoid problems with
174 non-matching marker pairs. Example: >
175 /* global variables {{{1 */
185 A fold starts at a "{{{" marker. The following number specifies the fold
186 level. What happens depends on the difference between the current fold level
187 and the level given by the marker:
188 1. If a marker with the same fold level is encountered, the previous fold
189 ends and another fold with the same level starts.
190 2. If a marker with a higher fold level is found, a nested fold is started.
191 3. if a marker with a lower fold level is found, all folds up to and including
192 this level end and a fold with the specified level starts.
194 The number indicates the fold level. A zero cannot be used (a marker with
195 level zero is ignored). You can use "}}}" with a digit to indicate the level
196 of the fold that ends. The fold level of the following line will be one less
197 than the indicated level. Note that Vim doesn't look back to the level of the
198 matching marker (that would take too much time). Example: >
207 You can also use matching pairs of "{{{" and "}}}" markers to define folds.
208 Each "{{{" increases the fold level by one, each "}}}" decreases the fold
209 level by one. Be careful to keep the markers matching! Example: >
218 You can mix using markers with a number and without a number. A useful way of
219 doing this is to use numbered markers for large folds, and unnumbered markers
220 locally in a function. For example use level one folds for the sections of
221 your file like "structure definitions", "local variables" and "functions".
222 Use level 2 markers for each definition and function, Use unnumbered markers
223 inside functions. When you make changes in a function to split up folds, you
224 don't have to renumber the markers.
226 The markers can be set with the 'foldmarker' option. It is recommended to
227 keep this at the default value of "{{{,}}}", so that files can be exchanged
228 between Vim users. Only change it when it is required for the file (e.g., it
229 contains markers from another folding editor, or the default markers cause
230 trouble for the language of the file).
233 "zf" can be used to create a fold defined by markers. Vim will insert the
234 markers for you. Vim will append the start and end marker, as specified with
235 'foldmarker'. The markers are appended to the end of the line.
236 'commentstring' is used if it isn't empty.
237 This does not work properly when:
238 - The line already contains a marker with a level number. Vim then doesn't
240 - Folds nearby use a level number in their marker which gets in the way.
241 - The line is inside a comment, 'commentstring' isn't empty and nested
242 comments don't work. For example with C: adding /* {{{ */ inside a comment
243 will truncate the existing comment. Either put the marker before or after
244 the comment, or add the marker manually.
245 Generally it's not a good idea to let Vim create markers when you already have
246 markers with a level number.
249 "zd" can be used to delete a fold defined by markers. Vim will delete the
250 markers for you. Vim will search for the start and end markers, as specified
251 with 'foldmarker', at the start and end of the fold. When the text around the
252 marker matches with 'commentstring', that text is deleted as well.
253 This does not work properly when:
254 - A line contains more than one marker and one of them specifies a level.
255 Only the first one is removed, without checking if this will have the
256 desired effect of deleting the fold.
257 - The marker contains a level number and is used to start or end several folds
260 ==============================================================================
261 2. Fold commands *fold-commands* *E490*
263 All folding commands start with "z". Hint: the "z" looks like a folded piece
264 of paper, if you look at it from the side.
267 CREATING AND DELETING FOLDS ~
270 {Visual}zf Operator to create a fold.
271 This only works when 'foldmethod' is "manual" or "marker".
272 The new fold will be closed for the "manual" method.
273 'foldenable' will be set.
274 Also see |fold-create-marker|.
277 zF Create a fold for N lines. Works like "zf".
279 :{range}fo[ld] *:fold* *:fo*
280 Create a fold for the lines in {range}. Works like "zf".
283 zd Delete one fold at the cursor. When the cursor is on a folded
284 line, that fold is deleted. Nested folds are moved one level
285 up. In Visual mode all folds (partially) in the selected area
286 are deleted. Careful: This easily deletes more folds than you
287 expect and there is no undo.
288 This only works when 'foldmethod' is "manual" or "marker".
289 Also see |fold-delete-marker|.
292 zD Delete folds recursively at the cursor. In Visual mode all
293 folds (partially) in the selected area and all nested folds in
295 This only works when 'foldmethod' is "manual" or "marker".
296 Also see |fold-delete-marker|.
299 zE Eliminate all folds in the window.
300 This only works when 'foldmethod' is "manual" or "marker".
301 Also see |fold-delete-marker|.
304 OPENING AND CLOSING FOLDS ~
306 A fold smaller than 'foldminlines' will always be displayed like it was open.
307 Therefore the commands below may work differently on small folds.
310 zo Open one fold under the cursor. When a count is given, that
311 many folds deep will be opened. In Visual mode one level of
312 folds is opened for all lines in the selected area.
315 zO Open all folds under the cursor recursively. Folds that don't
316 contain the cursor line are unchanged.
317 In Visual mode it opens all folds that are in the selected
318 area, also those that are only partly selected.
321 zc Close one fold under the cursor. When a count is given, that
322 many folds deep are closed. In Visual mode one level of folds
323 is closed for all lines in the selected area.
324 'foldenable' will be set.
327 zC Close all folds under the cursor recursively. Folds that
328 don't contain the cursor line are unchanged.
329 In Visual mode it closes all folds that are in the selected
330 area, also those that are only partly selected.
331 'foldenable' will be set.
334 za When on a closed fold: open it. When folds are nested, you
335 may have to use "za" several times. When a count is given,
336 that many closed folds are opened.
337 When on an open fold: close it and set 'foldenable'. This
338 will only close one level, since using "za" again will open
339 the fold. When a count is given that many folds will be
340 closed (that's not the same as repeating "za" that many
344 zA When on a closed fold: open it recursively.
345 When on an open fold: close it recursively and set
349 zv View cursor line: Open just enough folds to make the line in
350 which the cursor is located not folded.
353 zx Update folds: Undo manually opened and closed folds: re-apply
354 'foldlevel', then do "zv": View cursor line.
357 zX Undo manually opened and closed folds: re-apply 'foldlevel'.
360 zm Fold more: Subtract one from 'foldlevel'. If 'foldlevel' was
361 already zero nothing happens.
362 'foldenable' will be set.
365 zM Close all folds: set 'foldlevel' to 0.
366 'foldenable' will be set.
369 zr Reduce folding: Add one to 'foldlevel'.
372 zR Open all folds. This sets 'foldlevel' to highest fold level.
375 :{range}foldo[pen][!]
376 Open folds in {range}. When [!] is added all folds are
377 opened. Useful to see all the text in {range}. Without [!]
378 one level of folds is opened.
380 *:foldc* *:foldclose*
381 :{range}foldc[lose][!]
382 Close folds in {range}. When [!] is added all folds are
383 closed. Useful to hide all the text in {range}. Without [!]
384 one level of folds is closed.
387 zn Fold none: reset 'foldenable'. All folds will be open.
390 zN Fold normal: set 'foldenable'. All folds will be as they
394 zi Invert 'foldenable'.
399 [z Move to the start of the current open fold. If already at the
400 start, move to the start of the fold that contains it. If
401 there is no containing fold, the command fails.
402 When a count is used, repeats the command N times.
405 ]z Move to the end of the current open fold. If already at the
406 end, move to the end of the fold that contains it. If there
407 is no containing fold, the command fails.
408 When a count is used, repeats the command N times.
411 zj Move downwards to the start of the next fold. A closed fold
412 is counted as one fold.
413 When a count is used, repeats the command N times.
414 This command can be used after an |operator|.
417 zk Move upwards to the end of the previous fold. A closed fold
418 is counted as one fold.
419 When a count is used, repeats the command N times.
420 This command can be used after an |operator|.
423 EXECUTING COMMANDS ON FOLDS ~
425 :[range]foldd[oopen] {cmd} *:foldd* *:folddoopen*
426 Execute {cmd} on all lines that are not in a closed fold.
427 When [range] is given, only these lines are used.
428 Each time {cmd} is executed the cursor is positioned on the
429 line it is executed for.
430 This works like the ":global" command: First all lines that
431 are not in a closed fold are marked. Then the {cmd} is
432 executed for all marked lines. Thus when {cmd} changes the
433 folds, this has no influence on where it is executed (except
434 when lines are deleted, of course).
436 :folddoopen s/end/loop_end/ge
437 < Note the use of the "e" flag to avoid getting an error message
438 where "end" doesn't match.
440 :[range]folddoc[losed] {cmd} *:folddoc* *:folddoclosed*
441 Execute {cmd} on all lines that are in a closed fold.
442 Otherwise like ":folddoopen".
444 ==============================================================================
445 3. Fold options *fold-options*
449 The colors of a closed fold are set with the Folded group |hl-Folded|. The
450 colors of the fold column are set with the FoldColumn group |hl-FoldColumn|.
451 Example to set the colors: >
453 :highlight Folded guibg=grey guifg=blue
454 :highlight FoldColumn guibg=darkgrey guifg=white
457 FOLDLEVEL *fold-foldlevel*
459 'foldlevel' is a number option: The higher the more folded regions are open.
460 When 'foldlevel' is 0, all folds are closed.
461 When 'foldlevel' is positive, some folds are closed.
462 When 'foldlevel' is very high, all folds are open.
463 'foldlevel' is applied when it is changed. After that manually folds can be
465 When increased, folds above the new level are opened. No manually opened
466 folds will be closed.
467 When decreased, folds above the new level are closed. No manually closed
468 folds will be opened.
471 FOLDTEXT *fold-foldtext*
473 'foldtext' is a string option that specifies an expression. This expression
474 is evaluated to obtain the text displayed for a closed fold. Example: >
476 :set foldtext=v:folddashes.substitute(getline(v:foldstart),'/\\*\\\|\\*/\\\|{{{\\d\\=','','g')
478 This shows the first line of the fold, with "/*", "*/" and "{{{" removed.
479 Note the use of backslashes to avoid some characters to be interpreted by the
480 ":set" command. It's simpler to define a function and call that: >
482 :set foldtext=MyFoldText()
483 :function MyFoldText()
484 : let line = getline(v:foldstart)
485 : let sub = substitute(line, '/\*\|\*/\|{{{\d\=', '', 'g')
486 : return v:folddashes . sub
489 Evaluating 'foldtext' is done in the |sandbox|. The current window is set to
490 the window that displays the line. Errors are ignored.
492 The default value is |foldtext()|. This returns a reasonable text for most
493 types of folding. If you don't like it, you can specify your own 'foldtext'
494 expression. It can use these special Vim variables:
495 v:foldstart line number of first line in the fold
496 v:foldend line number of last line in the fold
497 v:folddashes a string that contains dashes to represent the
499 v:foldlevel the foldlevel of the fold
501 In the result a TAB is replaced with a space and unprintable characters are
502 made into printable characters.
504 The resulting line is truncated to fit in the window, it never wraps.
505 When there is room after the text, it is filled with the character specified
508 Note that backslashes need to be used for characters that the ":set" command
509 handles differently: Space, backslash and double-quote. |option-backslash|
512 FOLDCOLUMN *fold-foldcolumn*
514 'foldcolumn' is a number, which sets the width for a column on the side of the
515 window to indicate folds. When it is zero, there is no foldcolumn. A normal
516 value is 4 or 5. The minimal useful value is 2, although 1 still provides
517 some information. The maximum is 12.
519 An open fold is indicated with a column that has a '-' at the top and '|'
520 characters below it. This column stops where the open fold stops. When folds
521 nest, the nested fold is one character right of the fold it's contained in.
523 A closed fold is indicated with a '+'.
525 Where the fold column is too narrow to display all nested folds, digits are
526 shown to indicate the nesting level.
528 The mouse can also be used to open and close folds by clicking in the
530 - Click on a '+' to open the closed fold at this row.
531 - Click on any other non-blank character to close the open fold at this row.
536 'foldenable' 'fen': Open all folds while not set.
537 'foldexpr' 'fde': Expression used for "expr" folding.
538 'foldignore' 'fdi': Characters used for "indent" folding.
539 'foldmarker' 'fmr': Defined markers used for "marker" folding.
540 'foldmethod' 'fdm': Name of the current folding method.
541 'foldminlines' 'fml': Minimum number of screen lines for a fold to be
543 'foldnestmax' 'fdn': Maximum nesting for "indent" and "syntax" folding.
544 'foldopen' 'fdo': Which kinds of commands open closed folds.
545 'foldclose' 'fcl': When the folds not under the cursor are closed.
547 ==============================================================================
548 4. Behavior of folds *fold-behavior*
550 When moving the cursor upwards or downwards and when scrolling, the cursor
551 will move to the first line of a sequence of folded lines. When the cursor is
552 already on a folded line, it moves to the next unfolded line or the next
555 While the cursor is on folded lines, the cursor is always displayed in the
556 first column. The ruler does show the actual cursor position, but since the
557 line is folded, it cannot be displayed there.
559 Many movement commands handle a sequence of folded lines like an empty line.
560 For example, the "w" command stops once in the first column.
562 When in Insert mode, the cursor line is never folded. That allows you to see
565 When using an operator, a closed fold is included as a whole. Thus "dl"
566 deletes the whole closed fold under the cursor.
568 For Ex commands the range is adjusted to always start at the first line of a
569 closed fold and end at the last line of a closed fold. Thus this command: >
571 when used with the cursor on a closed fold, will replace "foo" with "bar" in
572 all lines of the fold.
573 This does not happen for |:folddoopen| and |:folddoclosed|.
575 When editing a buffer that has been edited before, the last used folding
576 settings are used again. For manual folding the defined folds are restored.
577 For all folding methods the manually opened and closed folds are restored.
578 If this buffer has been edited in this window, the values from back then are
579 used. Otherwise the values from the window where the buffer was edited last
582 ==============================================================================
583 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: