Find and Replace Highlighting

[Patrock404]

Does anyone know how to specify a color to use for the current word of a find and replace command?

For example, if I'm finding and replacing 'local' with 'test' in this file and confirming each one, how can I highlight the current 'local' that is waiting for confirmation?

[mmirus]

TLDR: try configuring the IncSearch highlight group.

---

👋 I did a little testing and I think this is what I'm seeing:

If you're doing a search

Example: /local

• While you're typing the search, the IncSearch highlight group controls the appearance of the next match
• Search controls the remaining matches while typing, and all matches after you press enter

If you're doing a substitute without confirm enabled

Example: %s/local/test/

• Substitute controls the appearance of both matches (while typing that part) and substitutions (while/after typing that part)

If you're doing a substitute with confirm enabled

Example: :s/local/test/gc or :%s/local/test/c

• Substitute applies as above while you're typing the command
• After you hit Enter, IncSearch controls the appearance of the match that is currently pending confirmation, and Search controls the appearance of the remaining matches

It was a little tricky to suss this out, but I think that's accurate.

[Patrock404]

You were right! After some fiddling around with colors, I got it to behave like I wanted.

I just had to set the background and foregroud for the IncSearch highlight group.

Thank you for your help!