Replace mode: is identical to Insert mode, except that it overwrites existing text in the document.

R

From Normal mode, we can engage Replace mode with R, just overwrite the character under the cursor position.

Overwrite Tab Characters with Virtual Replace Mode

gR

goto Virtual Replace Mode and treat the tab character as though it consisted of spaces.

r{char}, gr{char}

overwrite a single character in Replace mode and Virtual Replace mode.

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