Select first word from each line in multiple lines with Vim

Question

I would like to copy the first words of multiple lines.

Example of code :

apiKey := fmt.Sprintf("&apiKey=%s", args.ApiKey)
maxCount := fmt.Sprintf("&maxCount=%d", args.MaxCount)
id := fmt.Sprintf("&id=%s", args.Id)
userid := fmt.Sprintf("&userid=%s", args.Userid)
requestFields := fmt.Sprintf("&requestFields=%s", args.RequestFields)

I would like to have this in my clipboard :

apiKey
maxCount
id
userid
requestFields

I tried with ctrl-v and after e, but it copies like on the image :

Answer 1

You could append every first word to an empty register (let's say q) using

:'<,'>norm! "Qyiw

That is, in every line of the visual selection, execute the "Qyiw sequence of normal commands to append (the first) "inner word" to the q register.

You need to have > in cpoptions for the newline to be added in between yanks (:set cpoptions+=>), otherwise the words will be concatenated on a single line.

If you want to quickly empty a register you can use qqq in normal mode (or qaq to empty register a).

Note: the unnamed register ("") will also contain what you want at the end of the operation, so you don't need to "qp to paste it, p will do.