Excel Vim Keys

Too cool to use Excel, too amateur to escape it

Excel shortcuts can be used in conjunction w/ Vim keys
Nearly all Excel {CTRL} & {SHIFT} shortcuts are unaffected
Excel {ALT} shortcuts are unaffected

Movements to leftmost & rightmost populated cells in a row is most enjoyable advantage

Quick Setup

1. Download vim_keys.xlam
2. Skip to step 4 below in DIY Setup

DIY Setup

1. If Excel Developer tab isn't enabled yet, enable it in Excel Options
2. In a new Excel file, from Developer tab, in Visual Basic editor, create 2 modules vim_emulation & vim_shortcuts and paste in corresponding contents of sub procedures from vim_emulation.bas & vim_shortcuts.bas
3. Save-As the Excel file as Excel Add-in (*.xlam)
   • Default location on Windows is ~\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\AddIns\<file-name>.xlam
4. In an Excel file, from Developer tab, in Excel Add-ins, browse for & add the Excel Add-in
5. In Excel Options File > Options, in dialog box section Quick Access Toolbar, Choose commands from Macros, add setup_shortcuts & teardown_shortcuts
   • Modify names & icons to preferrence; I use vim_mode with checkmark icon & stop_vim with cancel icon

Excel's cut is fake

Keys

Normal Mode

key	action
h	move left
j	move down
k	move up
l	move right
{BKSP}	move left
{SPACE}	move right
i	edit cell
a	edit cell
A	edit cell right of rightmost value in row
I	edit cell left of leftmost value in row
o	insert row below
O	insert row above
x	delete
D	clear row's cell contents from selected to right
r	replace cell contents
R	replace cell contents
b	move contiguous left
w	move contiguous right
e	move contiguous right
H	move top of viewport
{CTRL}+u	move page-up
L	move bottom of viewport
{CTRL}+d	move page-down
$	move to rightmost value in row
0	move to column A in row
_	move to leftmost value in row
^	move to leftmost value in row
v	start visual mode
V	start visual mode
p	paste
P	paste values
u	undo
{CTRL}+r	redo
/	search
n	next search result
N	previous search result

Visual Mode

key	action
h	move left
j	move down
k	move up
l	move right
{BKSP}	move left
{SPACE}	move right
b	move contiguous left
w	move contiguous right
e	move contiguous right
$	move to rightmost value in row
0	move to column A in row
_	move to leftmost value in row
^	move to leftmost value in row
x	delete
d	delete
y	copy
p	paste
P	paste values
{CTRL}+u	move page-up
{CTRL}+d	move page-down
v	exit visual mode to normal mode
{ESC}	exit visual mode to normal mode

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Reference Projects

• ExcelLikeVim
• xlpro.tips
• vim_ahk
• vibre_office

VBA API Docs

• Application.OnKey
• Application.SendKeys