diff --git a/salt/states/file.py b/salt/states/file.py
index 5e18cdf12d..84167da578 100644
--- a/salt/states/file.py
+++ b/salt/states/file.py
@@ -4501,6 +4501,22 @@ def replace(name,
        When using YAML multiline string syntax in ``pattern:``, make sure to
        also use that syntax in the ``repl:`` part, or you might loose line
        feeds.
+
+    When regex capture groups are used in ``pattern:``, their captured value is
+    available for reuse in the ``repl:`` part as a backreference (ex. ``\1``).
+
+    .. code-block:: yaml
+
+        add_login_group_to_winbind_ssh_access_list:
+          file.replace:
+            - name: '/etc/security/pam_winbind.conf'
+            - pattern: '^(require_membership_of = )(.*)$'
+            - repl: '\1\2,append-new-group-to-line'
+
+    .. note::
+
+       The ``file.replace`` state uses Python's ``re`` module.
+       For more advanced options, see https://docs.python.org/2/library/re.html
     '''
     name = os.path.expanduser(name)