How to Use vi Editor in Linux
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Starting vi
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You may use vi to open an
already existing file by typing
vi filename
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vi Modes
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vi has 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 <Esc> key.
In insert mode, the letters you type form
words and sentences. Unlike many
word processors, vi starts up in
command mode.
ñ Entering
Text
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in VI Editor
In order to begin entering text in this empty file, you must change from
command mode to insert mode. To do
this, type
I
ñ Deleting
Words
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To
delete a word, move the cursor to the first letter of the word, and type
dw
This
command deletes the word and the space following it.
To
delete three words type
3dw
ñ Deleting
Lines
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To delete a whole line, type
dd
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
2dd
To
delete from the cursor position to the end of the line, type
D (uppercase)
ñ Replacing
Characters
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To replace one character with another:
1. Move the cursor to the character to be
replaced.
2. Type r
3. Type the replacement character.
The new character will appear, and you will
still be in command mode.
ñ Replacing
Words
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To replace one word with another,
move to the start of the incorrect word and
type
cw
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 <Esc> to get back to
command mode. To replace three
words, type
3cw
ñ Replacing
Lines
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To
change text from the cursor position to the end of the line:
1. Type C
(uppercase).
2. Type the replacement text.
3. Press <Esc>.
Moving around in a file
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
ñ Moving
by Searching
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To
move quickly by searching for text, while in command mode:
1. Type / (slash).
2. Enter the text to search for.
3.
Press <Return>.
The cursor moves to the
first occurrence of that text.
To repeat the search in a forward direction,
type
n
To repeat the search in a
backward direction, type
N
To save the edits you have made,
but leave vi running and your file open:
1. Press <Esc>.
2. Type :w
3. Press <Return>.
To quit vi, and discard any
changes your have made since last saving:
1. Press <Esc>.
2. Type :q!
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