Vi, short for “visual editor,” is a powerful and ubiquitous text editor in the Linux ecosystem. Among its many features, one of the most useful is its capability to edit multiple files simultaneously. This ability streamlines the editing process, especially when dealing with projects that span multiple files. In this article, we’ll delve into the techniques and commands required to efficiently edit multiple files in Vi editor on Linux.

Understanding Vi’s Buffers:

Before diving into editing multiple files, it’s essential to understand Vi’s concept of buffers. A buffer in Vi is a temporary storage area where text is held during editing. Each file being edited occupies one buffer, and Vi can handle multiple buffers simultaneously.

Opening Multiple Files:

To open multiple files in Vi simultaneously, you can provide the filenames as arguments when invoking Vi from the command line.

For example:

vi example.txt example2.txt

editing multiple files in vi editor

This command will open both “example.txt” and “example2.txt” in separate buffers within the Vi editor.

Navigating Between Buffers:

Once you have multiple files open in Vi, navigating between buffers is crucial. Vi offers various commands for efficient buffer management:

• :n: Move to the next buffer.
• :N: Move to the previous buffer.
• :buffers or :ls: List all open buffers.
• :buffer <number> or :b <number>: Switch to a specific buffer by its number.
• Ctrl + ^: Toggle between the current and previous buffer.

Editing Multiple Files:

Editing multiple files simultaneously involves switching between buffers and making modifications as needed. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Open Vi with multiple files, as explained earlier.
• Use the buffer navigation commands to switch between files.
• Make modifications in each buffer as required using Vi’s editing commands.
• Save changes to each file individually by switching to its buffer and using the :w command followed by the filename, or save changes to all buffers using :wa.

Example:

Let’s consider a scenario where we have two files, “example.txt” and “example2.txt,” and we want to edit them simultaneously in Vi.

Open Vi with both files:

vi example.txt example2.txt

editing two files in vi editor

• Navigate to the buffer containing “example.txt” using :buffer 1 or Ctrl + ^ if it’s the second buffer.
• Make necessary edits in “example.txt” using Vi’s editing commands.
• Save changes in “example.txt” using :w.
• Switch to the buffer containing “example2.txt” using :buffer 2 or Ctrl + ^ if it’s the first buffer.
• Make edits in “example2.txt” and save changes similarly.

Edit Multiple Files in Vi Editor – FAQs

How do I open multiple files simultaneously in Vi?

To open multiple files at once in Vi, you can simply type vi followed by the names of the files you want to open.

For example: To open both file1.txt and file2.txt for editing.

vi file1.txt file2.txt

Is it possible to edit multiple files in separate tabs or buffers in Vi?

No, Vi doesn’t have built-in support for tabs or buffers like some modern text editors. However, you can switch between open files using commands like :n to move to the next file or :rew to return to the first file.

Can I switch between open files in Vi without closing them?

Yes, you can switch between open files without closing them in Vi. Use the :n command to move to the next file or :rew to return to the first file you opened.

How do I save changes made to multiple files in Vi simultaneously?

In Vi, you need to navigate to each file and save changes individually. After making changes in a file, press Esc to exit editing mode, then type :w to save the changes and :q to quit the file. You can repeat this process for each open file.

Are there any plugins or extensions available for Vi to enhance editing multiple files?

Yes, there are plugins available for Vi that provide additional features for editing multiple files more efficiently.

For example, plugins like ctrlp.vim or NERDTree offer file navigation and management capabilities, making it easier to work with multiple files. You can install these plugins to enhance your Vi editing experience.

Conclusion:

Mastering Vi’s capability to edit multiple files simultaneously is a valuable skill for Linux users, especially programmers and system administrators. By understanding Vi’s buffers and utilizing its buffer management commands effectively, users can streamline their editing workflows and boost productivity when working with multiple files. Practice and familiarity with Vi’s commands are key to becoming proficient in editing multiple files efficiently.