It is possible to simulate arrays in Vim, without recourse to third party scripts or libraries. This can be done by dynamically constructing variable names, and then referencing their data. For example, implementing a 1 dimensional array : :let interests_0="Running" :let interests_1="Swimming" :let interests_2="Inline Skating" :let interests_3="Cycling" :let j = 0 :while j < 4 : let entry = 'interests_' . j : echo entry . ':' : echo {entry} : let j = j + 1 :endwhile This can be extended to 2 or more dimensional arrays : Or arrays of records :