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- *vim_win.txt* For Vim version 4.6. Last modification: 1997 Feb 7
-
- Editing with multiple windows and buffers.
-
- The commands which have been added to use multiple windows and buffers are
- explained here. Additionally, there are explanations for commands that work
- differently when used in combination with more than one window.
-
-
- A window is a viewport onto a buffer. You can use multiple windows on one
- buffer, or several windows on different buffers.
-
- A buffer is a file loaded into memory for editing. The original file remains
- unchanged until you write the buffer to the file.
-
- A buffer can be in one of three states:
-
- *active_buffer*
- active: The buffer is displayed in a window. If there is a file for this
- buffer, it has been read into the buffer. The buffer may have been
- modified.
- *hidden_buffer*
- hidden: The buffer is not displayed. If there is a file for this buffer, it
- has been read into the buffer. The buffer may have been modified.
- *inactive_buffer*
- inactive: The buffer is not displayed and does not contain anything. Options
- for the buffer are remembered if the file was once loaded.
-
- In a table:
-
- state displayed loaded ":buffers"
- in window shows
- active yes yes ' '
- hidden no yes 'h'
- inactive no no '-'
-
-
- Starting Vim
- ------------
-
- By default, Vim starts with one window, just like Vi.
-
- The "-o" argument to Vim can be used to open a window for each file in the
- argument list: "Vim -o file1 file2 file3" will open three windows.
-
- "-oN", where N is a decimal number, opens N windows. If there are more
- filenames than windows, only N windows are opened and some files do not get a
- window. If there are more windows than filenames, the last few windows will
- be editing empty buffers.
-
- If there are many filenames, the windows will become very small. You might
- want to set the 'winheight' option to create a workable situation.
-
- Buf/Win Enter/Leave autocommands are not executed when opening the new windows
- and reading the files, that's only done when they are really entered.
-
- *status_line*
- A status line will be used to separate windows. The 'laststatus' option tells
- when the last window also has a status line:
- 'laststatus' = 0 never a status line
- 'laststatus' = 1 status line if there is more than one window
- 'laststatus' = 2 always a status line
- Normally, inversion is used to display the status line. This can be changed
- with the 's' character in the 'highlight' option. For example, "sb" sets it to
- bold characters. If no highlighting is used for the status line ("sn"), the
- '=' character is used. If the mouse is supported and enabled with the 'mouse'
- option, a status line can be dragged to resize windows.
-
- Note: If you expect your status line to be in reverse video and it isn't,
- check if the 'highlight' option contains "si". In version 3.0, this meant to
- invert the status line. Now it should be "sr", reverse the status line, as
- "si" now stands for italic! If italic is not available on your terminal, the
- status line is inverted anyway; you will only see this problem on terminals
- that have termcap codes for italics.
-
-
- Opening a new window
- --------------------
-
- CTRL-W s *CTRL-W_s*
- CTRL-W S *CTRL-W_S*
- CTRL-W CTRL-S *CTRL-W_CTRL-S*
- :[N]sp[lit] *:sp* *:split*
- Split current window in two. The result is two viewports on
- the same file. Make new window N high (default is to use half
- the height of the current window). Reduces the current window
- height to create room (and others, if the 'equalalways' option
- is set). (Note: CTRL-S does not work on all terminals).
-
- CTRL-W n *CTRL-W_n*
- CTRL-W CTRL_N *CTRL-W_CTRL-N*
- :[N]new *:new*
- Create a new window and start editing an empty file in it.
- Make new window N high (default is to use half the existing
- height). Reduces the current window height to create room (and
- others, if the 'equalalways' option is set).
-
- :[N]new [+command] {file}
- :[N]split [+command] {file} *:split_f*
- Create a new window and start editing file {file} in it. If
- [+command] is given, execute the command when the file has
- been loaded. Make new window N high (default is to use half
- the existing height). Reduces the current window height to
- create room (and others, if the 'equalalways' option is set).
-
- :[N]sv[iew] [+command] {file} *:sv* *:sview*
- Same as ":split", but set 'readonly' option for this buffer.
-
- CTRL-W CTRL-^ *CTRL-W_CTRL-^* *CTRL-W_^*
- CTRL-W ^ Does ":split #", split window in two and edit alternate file.
- When a count is given, it becomes ":split #N", split window
- and edit buffer N.
-
- Closing a window
- ----------------
-
- CTRL-W q *CTRL-W_q*
- CTRL-W CTRL-Q *CTRL-W_CTRL-Q*
- :quit Quit current window, unless the buffer was changed and there
- are no other windows for this buffer. When quitting the last
- window (not counting help windows), exit Vim. (Note: CTRL-Q
- does not work on all terminals)
-
- :quit! Quit current window. If this was the last window for a buffer,
- any changes to that buffer are lost. When quitting the last
- window (not counting help windows), exit Vim.
-
- CTRL-W CTRL-C *CTRL-W_CTRL-C*
- CTRL-W c *CTRL-W_c* *:clo* *:close*
- :clo[se] Quit current window, unless it is the last window on the
- screen. The buffer becomes hidden (unless there is another
- window editing it). (Note: CTRL-W CTRL-C does not work).
-
- CTRL-W o *CTRL-W_o*
- CTRL-W CTRL-O *CTRL-W_CTRL-O* *:on* *:only*
- :on[ly] Make the current window the only one on the screen. All other
- windows are closed. All buffers in the other windows become
- hidden.
-
-
- Moving the cursor to other windows
- ----------------------------------
-
- CTRL-W <Down> *CTRL-W_<Down>*
- CTRL-W CTRL-J *CTRL-W_CTRL-J* *CTRL-W_j*
- CTRL-W j move cursor to Nth window below current one.
-
- CTRL-W <Up> *CTRL-W_<Up>*
- CTRL-W CTRL-K *CTRL-W_CTRL-K* *CTRL-W_k*
- CTRL-W k move cursor to Nth window above current one.
-
- CTRL-W w *CTRL-W_w* *CTRL-W_CTRL-W*
- CTRL-W CTRL-W Without count: move cursor to window below current one. If
- there is no window below, go to top window.
- With count: go to Nth window.
-
- *CTRL-W_W*
- CTRL-W W Without count: move cursor to window above current one. If
- there is no window above, go to bottom window.
- With count: go to Nth window.
-
- CTRL-W t *CTRL-W_t* *CTRL-W_CTRL-T*
- CTRL-W CTRL-T move cursor to top window.
-
- CTRL-W b *CTRL-W_b* *CTRL-W_CTRL-B*
- CTRL-W CTRL-B move cursor to bottom window.
-
- CTRL-W p *CTRL-W_p* *CTRL-W_CTRL-P*
- CTRL-W CTRL-P go to previous (last accessed) window.
-
- If Visual mode is active and the new window is not for the same buffer, the
- Visual mode is ended.
-
-
- Moving windows around
- ---------------------
-
- CTRL-W r *CTRL-W_r* *CTRL-W_CTRL-R*
- CTRL-W CTRL-R Rotate windows downwards. The first window becomes the second
- one, the second one becomes the third one, etc. The last
- window becomes the first window. The cursor remains in the
- same window.
-
- *CTRL-W_R*
- CTRL-W R Rotate windows upwards. The second window becomes the first
- one, the third one becomes the second one, etc. The first
- window becomes the last window. The cursor remains in the
- same window.
-
- CTRL-W x *CTRL-W_x* *CTRL-W_CTRL-X*
- CTRL-W CTRL-X Without count: Exchange current window with next one. If there
- is no next window, exchange with previous window.
- With count: Exchange current window with Nth window (first
- window is 1). The cursor is put in the other window.
-
-
- Window resizing
- ---------------
-
- *CTRL-W_=*
- CTRL-W = make all windows (almost) equally high.
-
- :res[ize] -N *:res* *:resize* *CTRL-W_-*
- CTRL-W - decrease current window height by N
-
- :resize +N *CTRL-W_+*
- CTRL-W + increase current window height by N
-
- :resize [N]
- CTRL-W CTRL-_ *CTRL-W_CTRL-_* *CTRL-W__*
- CTRL-W _ set current window height to N (default: highest possible)
-
- z<nr><CR> set current window height to nr
-
- You can also resize the window by dragging a status line up or down with the
- mouse. This only works if the version of Vim that is being used supports the
- mouse and the 'mouse' option has been set to enable it.
-
- The option 'winheight' ('wh') is used to set the minimal window height of the
- current window. This option is used each time another window becomes the
- current window. If the option is '0', it is disabled. Set 'winheight' to a
- very large value, e.g., '9999', to make the current window always fill all
- available space. Set it to a reasonable value, e.g., '10', to make editing in
- the current window comfortable.
-
- When the option 'equalalways' ('ea') is set, all the windows are automatically
- made the same size after splitting or closing a window. If you don't set this
- option, splitting a window will reduce the size of the current window and
- leave the other windows the same. When closing a window, the extra lines are
- given to the window above it.
-
- The option 'commandheight' ('ch') is used to set the height of the command
- line. If you are annoyed by the "Hit RETURN to continue" questions for long
- messages, set this option to 2 or 3.
-
- If there is only one window, resizing that window will also change the command
- line height. If there are several windows, resizing the current window will
- also change the height of the window below it (and sometimes the window above
- it).
-
-
- Exiting Vim with multiple windows or buffers
- --------------------------------------------
-
- *:qa* *:qall*
- :qa[ll] Exit Vim, unless there are some buffers which have been
- changed. (Use ":bmod" to go to the next modified buffer).
-
- :qall! Exit Vim. Any changes to buffers are lost.
-
- :wqa[ll] *:wqa* *:wqall* *:xa* *:xall*
- :xa[ll] Write all changed buffers and exit Vim. If there are buffers
- without a file name, which are readonly or which cannot be
- written for another reason, Vim is not quit.
-
- :wqall!
- :xall! Write all changed buffers, even the ones that are readonly,
- and exit Vim. If there are buffers without a file name or
- which cannot be written for another reason, Vim is not quit.
-
-
- Writing with multiple buffers
- -----------------------------
-
- *:wa* *:wall*
- :wa[ll] Write all changed buffers. Buffers without a file name or
- which are readonly are not written.
-
- :wa[ll]! Write all changed buffers, even the ones that are readonly.
- Buffers without a file name are not written.
-
-
- Overview of argument and buffer list commands
- ---------------------------------------------
-
- args list buffer list meaning
- 1. :[N]argument [N] 11. :[N]buffer [N] to arg/buf N
- 2. :[N]next [file ..] 12. :[N]bnext [N] to Nth next arg/buf
- 3. :[N]Next [N] 13. :[N]bNext [N] to Nth previous arg/buf
- 4. :[N]previous [N] 14. :[N]bprevious [N] to Nth previous arg/buf
- 5. :rewind 15. :brewind to first arg/buf
- 6. :last 16. :blast to last arg/buf
- 7. :all 17. :ball edit all args/buffers
- 18. :unhide edit all loaded buffers
- 19. :[N]bmod [N] to Nth modified buf
-
- split & args list split & buffer list meaning
- 21. :[N]sargument [N] 31. :[N]sbuffer [N] split + to arg/buf N
- 22. :[N]snext [file ..] 32. :[N]sbnext [N] split + to Nth next arg/buf
- 23. :[N]sNext [N] 33. :[N]sbNext [N] split + to Nth previous arg/buf
- 24. :[N]sprevious [N] 34. :[N]sbprevious [N] split + to Nth previous arg/buf
- 25. :srewind 35. :sbrewind split + to first arg/buf
- 26. :slast 36. :sblast split + to last arg/buf
- 27. :sall 37: :sball edit all args/buffers
- 38. :sunhide edit all loaded buffers
- 39. :[N]sbmod [N] split + to Nth modified buf
-
- 40. :args list of arguments
- 41. :buffers list of buffers
-
- The meaning of [N] depends on the command:
- [N] is number of buffers to go forward/backward on ?2, ?3, and ?4
- [N] is an argument number, defaulting to current argument, for 1 and 21
- [N] is a buffer number, defaulting to current buffer, for 11 and 31
- [N] is a count for 19 and 39
-
- Note: ":next" is an exception, because it must accept a list of file names
- for compatibility with Vi.
-
-
- The argument list and multiple windows
- --------------------------------------
-
- The current position in the argument list can be different for each window.
- Remember that when doing ":e file", the position in the argument list stays
- the same, but you are not editing the file at that position. To indicate
- this, the file message (and the title, if you have one) shows
- "(file (N) of M)", where "(N)" is the current position in the file list, and
- "M" the number of files in the file list.
-
- All the entries in the argument list are added to the buffer list. Thus, you
- can also get to them with the buffer list commands, like ":bnext".
-
- :[N]al[l] [N] *:al* *:all* *:sal* *:sall*
- :[N]sal[l] [N] Rearrange the screen to open one window for each argument.
- All other windows are closed (buffers become hidden). When a
- count is given, this is the maximum number of windows to open.
- Buf/Win Enter/Leave autocommands are not executed for the new
- windows here, that's only done when they are really entered.
-
- :[N]sa[rgument][!] [N] *:sa* *:sargument*
- Short for ":split | argument [N]": split window and go to Nth
- argument. But when there is no such argument, the window is
- not split.
-
- :[N]sn[ext][!] [file ..] *:sn* *:snext*
- Short for ":split | [N]next": split window and go to Nth next
- argument. But when there is no next file, the window is not
- split.
-
- :[N]spr[evious][!] [N] *:spr* *:sprevious*
- :[N]sN[ext][!] [N] *:sN* *:sNext*
- Short for ":split | [N]Next": split window and go to Nth
- previous argument. But when there is no previous file, the
- window is not split.
-
- *:sr* *:srewind*
- :sr[ewind][!] Short for ":split | rewind": split window and go to first
- argument. But when there is no argument list, the window is
- not split.
-
- *:sla* *:slast*
- :sla[st][!] Short for ":split | last": split window and go to last
- argument. But when there is no argument list, the window is
- not split.
-
-
- Tag or file name under the cursor
- ---------------------------------
-
- *:sta* *:stag*
- :sta[g][!] [tagname]
- Does ":tag[!] [tagname]" and splits the window for the found
- tag. See also |:tag|.
-
- CTRL-W ] *CTRL-W_]* *CTRL-W_CTRL-]*
- CTRL-W CTRL-] split current window in two. Use identifier under cursor as a
- tag and jump to it in the new upper window. Make new window N
- high.
-
- CTRL-W f *CTRL-W_f* *CTRL-W_CTRL-F*
- CTRL-W CTRL-F split current window in two. Edit file name under cursor.
- Like ":split ]f", but window isn't split if the file does not
- exist. Uses the 'path' variable as a list of directory names
- where to look for the file. Also the path for current file is
- used to search for the file name. If the name is a hypertext
- link that looks like "type://machine/path", only "/path" is
- used.
-
-
- Using hidden buffers
- --------------------
-
- A hidden buffer is not displayed in a window, but is still loaded into memory.
- This makes it possible to jump from file to file, without the need to read or
- write the file every time and having to keep the file in a window.
-
- If the option 'hidden' ('hid') is set, abandoned buffers are kept for all
- commands that start editing another file: ":edit", ":next", ":tag", etc. The
- commands that move through the buffer list make the current buffer hidden
- although the 'hidden' option is not set (see below).
-
- You can make a hidden buffer not hidden by starting to edit it with any
- command. Or by deleting it with the ":bdelete" command.
-
- *hidden_quit*
- When you try to quit Vim while there is a hidden, modified buffer, you will
- get an error message and Vim will make that buffer the current buffer. You
- can then decide to write this buffer (":wq") or quit without writing (":q!").
- Be careful: there may be more hidden, modified buffers!
-
- :files *:files*
- :buffers *:buffers* *:ls*
- :ls Show all buffers. Example:
-
- 1 #h "/test/text" line 1
- 2 - "asdf" line 0
- 3 % + "version.c" line 1
-
- Each buffer has a unique number. That number will not change,
- so you can always go to a specific buffer with ":buffer N" or
- "N CTRL-^", where N is the buffer number.
-
- '-' indicates a buffer that is not loaded. 'h' indicates a
- hidden buffer: It is loaded, but currently not displayed in a
- window. '%' indicates the buffer in the current window. '#'
- indicates the alternate buffer for ":e #" or CTRL-^. '+'
- indicates a modified buffer.
-
- :[N]bd[elete] *:bd* *:bdel* *:bdelete*
- :bd[elete] [N]
- Unload buffer [N] (default: current buffer) and delete it from
- the buffer list. If the buffer was changed, this fails. The
- file remains unaffected. Any windows for this buffer are
- closed. If buffer [N] is the current buffer, the next buffer
- (displayed in a window) becomes the current buffer.
-
- :[N]bdelete!
- :bdelete! [N]
- Unload buffer [N] (default: current buffer) and delete it from
- the buffer list. If the buffer was changed the changes are
- lost. The file remains unaffected. Any windows for this
- buffer are closed. If buffer [N] is the current buffer, the
- next buffer (displayed in a window) becomes the current
- buffer.
-
- :bdelete[!] {bufname}
- Like ":bdelete[!] [N]", but buffer given by name. Note that a
- buffer whose name is a number cannot be referenced by that
- name; use the buffer number instead. Insert a backslash
- before a space in a buffer name.
-
- :N,Mbdelete[!] do ":bdelete[!]" for all buffers in the range N to M
- (inclusive).
-
- :bdelete[!] N1 N2 ...
- do ":bdelete[!]" for buffer N1, N2, etc. The arguments can be
- buffer numbers or buffer names (but not buffer names that are
- a number). Insert a backslash before a space in a buffer
- name.
-
- :[N]bun[load] *:bun* *:bunload*
- :bun[load] [N]
- Unload buffer [N] (default: current buffer). The memory
- allocated for this buffer will be freed. The buffer remains
- in the buffer list. If the buffer was changed, this fails.
- Any windows for this buffer are closed. If buffer [N] is the
- current buffer, the next buffer (displayed in a window)
- becomes the current buffer.
-
- :[N]bunload!
- :bunload! [N]
- Unload buffer [N] (default: current buffer). The memory
- allocated for this buffer will be freed. The buffer remains
- in the buffer list. If the buffer was changed, the changes
- are lost. Any windows for this buffer are closed. If buffer
- [N] is the current buffer, the next buffer (displayed in a
- window) becomes the current buffer.
-
- :bunload[!] {bufname}
- Like ":bunload[!] [N]", but buffer given by name. Note that a
- buffer whose name is a number cannot be referenced by that
- name; use the buffer number instead. Insert a backslash
- before a space in a buffer name.
-
- :N,Mbunload[!] do ":bunload[!]" for all buffers in the range N to M
- (inclusive).
-
- :bunload[!] N1 N2 ...
- do ":bunload[!]" for buffer N1, N2, etc. The arguments can be
- buffer numbers or buffer names (but not buffer names that are
- a number). Insert a backslash before a space in a buffer
- name.
-
- :[N]b[uffer] [N] *:b* *:buffer*
- Edit buffer [N] from the buffer list. If [N] is not given,
- the current buffer remains being edited.
-
- :[N]b[uffer] {filename}
- Edit buffer for {filename} from the buffer list.
-
- :[N]sb[uffer] [N] *:sb* *:sbuffer*
- Split window and edit buffer [N] from the buffer list. If [N]
- is not given, the current buffer is edited.
-
- :[N]sb[uffer] {filename}
- Split window and edit buffer for {filename} from the buffer
- list.
-
- *:bn* *:bnext*
- :[N]bn[ext] [N]
- Go to [N]th next buffer in buffer list. [N] defaults to one.
- Wraps around the end of the buffer list.
-
- *:sbn* *:sbnext*
- :[N]sbn[ext] [N]
- Split window and go to [N]th next buffer in buffer list.
- Wraps around the end of the buffer list.
-
- :[N]bN[ext] [N] *:bN* *:bNext* *:bp* *:bprevious*
- :[N]bp[revious] [N]
- Go to [N]th previous buffer in buffer list. [N] defaults to
- one. Wraps around the start of the buffer list.
-
- :[N]sbN[ext] [N] *:sbN* *:sbNext* *:sbp* *:sbprevious*
- :[N]sbp[revious] [N]
- Split window and go to [N]th previous buffer in buffer list.
- Wraps around the start of the buffer list.
-
- *:br* *:brewind*
- :br[ewind] Go to first buffer in buffer list.
-
- *:sbr* *:sbrewind*
- :sbr[ewind] Split window and go to first buffer in buffer list
-
- *:bl* *:blast*
- :bl[ast] Go to last buffer in buffer list.
-
- *:sbl* *:sblast*
- :sbl[ast] Split window and go to last buffer in buffer list.
-
- :[N]bm[odified] [N] *:bm* *:bmodified*
- Go to [N]th next modified buffer in buffer list.
-
- :[N]sbm[odified] [N] *:sbm* *:sbmodified*
- Split window and go to [N]th next modified buffer in buffer
- list.
-
- :[N]unh[ide] [N] *:unh* *:unhide* *:sun* *:sunhide*
- :[N]sun[hide] [N]
- Rearrange the screen to open one window for each loaded buffer
- in the buffer list. When a count is given, this is the
- maximum number of windows to open.
-
- :[N]ba[ll] [N] *:ba* *:ball* *:sba* *:sball*
- :[N]sba[ll] [N] Rearrange the screen to open one window for each buffer in
- the buffer list. When a count is given, this is the maximum
- number of windows to open. Buf/Win Enter/Leave autocommands
- are not executed for the new windows here, that's only done
- when they are really entered.
-
-
- Memory usage limits
- -------------------
-
- The option 'maxmem' ('mm') is used to set the maximum memory used for one
- buffer (in kilobytes). 'maxmemtot' is used to set the maximum memory used for
- all buffers (in kilobytes). The defaults depend on the system used. For the
- Amiga and MS-DOS, 'maxmemtot' is set depending on the amount of memory
- available. If you don't like Vim to swap to a file, set 'maxmem' and
- 'maxmemtot' to a very large value. The swapfile will then only be used for
- recovery. If you don't want a swapfile at all, set 'updatecount' to 0, or
- use the "-n" argument when starting Vim. Note that the 'maxmem' option is
- only used when a buffer is created. Changing this option does not affect
- buffers that have already been loaded. Thus you can set it to different
- values for different files. 'maxmemtot' works always.
-
- vim:ts=8:sw=8:js:tw=78:fo=tcq2:isk=!-~,^*,^\|,^\":
-