Question: To yank 7 lines downward without moving the cursor, I can `7yy`. Is it possible to do the same upwards, not using macros or remapping?

Answer: 
You can use the `:yank` command with a range to accomplish this effect.

```
:.-6,.yank

```

The range explanation:

* `.` or the dot means current line
* `.-6` means current line minus 6
* `.-6,.` is current line minus 6 to the current line
* This can be abbreviated `.-6` to just `-6` giving us `-6,.yank`
* the current line is also assumed in the end of the range so `-6,yank`
* the yank command can be shortened to just `:y` giving us `-6,y`

Final command:

```
:-6,y

```

For more help:

```
:h :yank
:h [range]

```
You could do the following:

```
6yk6j

```

This is will yank the 6 preceding lines and the current one) but the courser will move. `6j` jumps back to the previous position.