Starting vi
You may use vi to open an already existing file by typing
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
vi filename
[/sourcecode]
where “filename” is the name of the existing file. Also create a new file by typing
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
vi newname
[/sourcecode]
where “newname” is the name you wish to give the new file.
To open a new file called “testvi,” enter
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
vi testvi
[/sourcecode]
At this point you can either exit out of the file or save it (see below for more commands on this).
vi’s two modes:
- command mode
- insert mode
In command mode, the letters of the keyboard perform editing functions (like moving the cursor, deleting text, etc.). To enter command mode, press the escape key.
In insert mode, the letters you type form words and sentences. Unlike many word processors, vi starts up in command mode.
Entering Text
In order to begin entering text in this empty file, you must change from command mode to insert mode. To do this, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
i
[/sourcecode]
Nothing appears to change, but you are now in insert mode and can begin typing text.
Basic Editing
Editing commands require that you be command mode. Many of the editing commands have a different function depending on whether they are typed as upper- or lowercase. Often, editing commands can be preceded by a number to indicate a repetition of the command.
Deleting Characters
To delete a character from a file, move the cursor until it is on the incorrect letter, then type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
x
[/sourcecode]
The character under the cursor disappears. To remove four characters (the one under the cursor and the next three) type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
4x
[/sourcecode]
To delete the character before the cursor, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
X
[/sourcecode]
Deleting Words
To delete a word, move the cursor to the first letter of the word, and type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
dw
[/sourcecode]
This command deletes the word and the space following it.
To delete three words type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
3dw
[/sourcecode]
Deleting Lines
To delete a whole line, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
dd
[/sourcecode]
The cursor does not have to be at the beginning of the line. Typing dd deletes the entire line containing the cursor and places the cursor at the start of the next line. To delete two lines, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
2dd
[/sourcecode]
To delete from the cursor position to the end of the line, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
D
[/sourcecode]
Replacing Characters
To replace one character with another:
Move the cursor to the character to be replaced.
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
r
[/sourcecode]
Type the replacement character.
The new character will appear, and you will still be in command mode.
Replacing Words
To replace one word with another, move to the start of the incorrect word and type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
cw
[/sourcecode]
The last letter of the word to be replaced will turn into a $. You are now in insert mode and may type the replacement. The new text does not need to be the same length as the original. Press to get back to command mode. To replace three words, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
3cw
[/sourcecode]
Replacing Lines
To change text from the cursor position to the end of the line:
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
C
[/sourcecode]
Type the replacement text.
Press .
Inserting Text
To insert text in a line:
Position the cursor where the new text should go.
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
i
[/sourcecode]
Enter the new text.
Undoing
To undo your most recent edit, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
u
[/sourcecode]
To undo all the edits on a single line, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
U
[/sourcecode]
Undoing all edits on a single line only works as long as the cursor stays on that line. Once you move the cursor off a line, you cannot use U to restore the line.
Moving Around in a File
There are shortcuts to move more quickly though a file. All these work in command mode.
Key Movement
— ——–
w forward word by word
b backward word by word
$ to end of line
0 (zero) to beginning of line
H to top line of screen
M to middle line of screen
L to last line of screen
G to last line of file
1G to first line of file
f scroll forward one screen
b scroll backward one screen
d scroll down one-half screen
u scroll up one-half screen
Moving by Searching
To move quickly by searching for text, while in command mode:
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
/
[/sourcecode]
Enter the text to search for.
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
.
[/sourcecode]
The cursor moves to the first occurrence of that text.
To repeat the search in a forward direction, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
n
[/sourcecode]
To repeat the search in a backward direction, type
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
N
[/sourcecode]
Closing and Saving a File
With vi, you edit a copy of the file, rather than the original file. Changes are made to the original only when you save your edits.
:w
To quit vi, and discard any changes your have made since last saving:
[sourcecode language=”bash”]
:q!
[/sourcecode]
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