VI Reference Sheet
Entering the editor: vi
All "C" programs should end with the ".c" extension.
All FORTRAN programs should end with the ".f" extension.
All Pascal programs should end with the ".p" extension.
Leaving the editor: ZZ
This exits and saves your work. Case matters.
See line editor commands to exit and not save.
Creating Text
a Append at right of cursor.
A Append at end of current line.
i Insert at left of cursor.
I Insert at beginning of current line.
o Create text on newline after current line.
O Create text on newline above current line.
ESC EXIT INPUT OR APPEND MODE.
Positioning in the Window
$ Last character on the current line.
0 First character on the current line.
#- Move up # number lines.
#+ Move down # number lines.
j Down arrow
k Up arrow
l Right arrow
h Left arrow
Arrow Keys The arrow keys work.
Do not hold them down or you'll be sorry.
Scrolling Text
ctrl-f Forward one window.
ctrl-b Backward one window.
G Go to last line of current file.
#G Go to the #th line of the current file.
ctrl-g Give the current line number and status.
Delete Commands
x Delete 1 character.
#x Delete # number of characters.
dw Delete 1 word.
#dw Delete # number of words.
dd Delete 1 line.
#dd Delete # number of lines.
D Delete from cursor to EOLN.
Replacing Text
r Replace 1 character.
R Replace only those characters typed over.
C Replace characters up to EOLN.
ESC EXIT REPLACE MODE.
Moving Text
yw Yank copy of current word into buffer.
Y Yank copy of current line into buffer.
#Y Yank copy of # number of lines into buffer.
p Place copy of buffer after cursor.
NOTE: All deleted text was placed in this same buffer.
Misc. vi Commands
% Match ('s or }'s.
Note: Place cursor over a ( or { and the % command
will automatically take you to the matching ( or }.
J Join lines.
ctrl-l Refresh the screen
u UNDO LAST CHANGE!
Line Editor Style Commands
:q! Quit the editor and discard all changes.
:w Write out contents of editor to that filename.
:set number Number lines.
:set nonumber Un-number lines.
:# Go to line #.
:/pattern Search forward for pattern.
:?pattern Search backward for pattern.
:/ Repeat last forward search.
:? Repeat last backward search.
:#,#s/old/new/ Substitute old pattern for new pattern on
lines # thru #.
Substitute Examples
:1,5s/wite/write/
This changes the first occurrence of "wite" to "write"
on lines 1 thru 5.
:1,5s/wite/write/g
This changes every occurrence of "wite" to "write" on
lines 1 thru 5. ( Global substitution )
:1,$s/wite/write/gc
This changes every occurrence of "wite" to "write" on
lines 1 thur EOF. The "c" option gives the user a
chance to confirm each change. ( y or n )
:10,15s/^/ /
This changes Beginning of line into four spaces on lines
10 thur 15. (i.e. indents those lines) The "^" is a
special character that matches beginning of line.
:.,12s/$/ ;/
This changes End of line into a space and a semi-colon
on the current line thur line 12. The "$" is a special
character that matches End of line. The "." is a
shorthand way say "current line".
