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*windows.txt* For Vim version 6.0. Last change: 2001 Sep 03 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar Editing with multiple windows and buffers. *windows* *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. The basics are explained in chapter 7 and 8 of the user manual |usr_07.txt| |usr_08.txt|. 1. Introduction |windows-intro| 2. Starting Vim |windows-starting| 3. Opening and closing a window |opening-window| 4. Moving cursor to other windows |window-move-cursor| 5. Moving windows around |window-moving| 6. Window resizing |window-resize| 7. argument and buffer list commands |buffer-list| 8. Do a command in all buffers or windows |list-repeat| 9. Tag or file name under the cursor |window-tag| 10. The preview window |preview-window| 11. Using hidden buffers |buffer-hidden| 12. Special kinds of buffers |special-buffers| {Vi does not have any of these commands} {not able to use multiple windows when the |+windows| feature was disabled at compile time} {not able to use vertically split windows when the |+vertsplit| feature was disabled at compile time} ============================================================================== 1. Introduction *windows-intro* 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 since then and thus be different from the file. *hidden-buffer* hidden: The buffer is not displayed. If there is a file for this buffer, it has been read into the buffer. Otherwise it's the same as an active buffer, you just can't see it. *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. It can contains marks from the |viminfo| file. But the buffer doesn't contain text. In a table: state displayed loaded ":buffers" ~ in window shows ~ active yes yes 'a' hidden no yes 'h' inactive no no ' ' Note: All CTRL-W commands can also be executed with |:wincmd|, for those places where a Normal mode command can't be used or is inconvenient. ============================================================================== 2. Starting Vim *windows-starting* By default, Vim starts with one window, just like Vi. The "-o" and "-O" arguments to Vim can be used to open a window for each file in the argument list. The "-o" argument will split the windows horizontally; the "-O" argument will split the windows vertically. If both "-o" and "-O" are given, the last one encountered will be used to determine the split orientation. For example, this will open three windows, split horizontally: > Vim -o file1 file2 file3 "-oN", where N is a decimal number, opens N windows split horizontally. If there are more file names than windows, only N windows are opened and some files do not get a window. If there are more windows than file names, the last few windows will be editing empty buffers. Similarly, "-ON" opens N windows split vertically, with the same restrictions. If there are many file names, the windows will become very small. You might want to set the 'winheight' and/or 'winwidth' options to create a workable situation. Buf/Win Enter/Leave |autocommand|s 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 You can change the contents of the status line with the 'statusline' option. 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 for the current window, and '=' for other windows. 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. ============================================================================== 3. Opening and closing a window *opening-window* *E36* CTRL-W s *CTRL-W_s* CTRL-W S *CTRL-W_S* CTRL-W CTRL-S *CTRL-W_CTRL-S* :[N]sp[lit] [++opt] [+cmd] *: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 and 'eadirection' isn't "hor"). Note: CTRL-S does not work on all terminals and might block further input, use CTRL-Q to get going again. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. CTRL-W CTRL-V *CTRL-W_CTRL-V* CTRL-W v *CTRL-W_v* :[N]vs[plit] [++opt] [+cmd] [file] *:vs* *:vsplit* Like |:split|, but split vertically. If 'equalalways' is set and 'eadirection' isn't "ver" the windows will be spread out horizontally, unless a width was specified. CTRL-W n *CTRL-W_n* CTRL-W CTRL_N *CTRL-W_CTRL-N* :[N]new [++opt] [+cmd] *: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 and 'eadirection' isn't "hor"). Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. If 'fileformats' is not empty, the first format given will be used for the new buffer. If 'fileformats' is empty, the 'fileformat' of the current buffer is used. This can be overridden with the |++opt| argument. Autocommands are executed in this order: 1. WinLeave for the current window 2. WinEnter for the new window 3. BufLeave for the current buffer 4. BufEnter for the new buffer This behaves like a ":split" first, and then a ":e" command. :[N]vne[w] [++opt] [+cmd] [file] *:vne* *:vnew* Like |:new|, but split vertically. If 'equalalways' is set and 'eadirection' isn't "ver" the windows will be spread out horizontally, unless a width was specified. :[N]new [++opt] [+cmd] {file} :[N]sp[lit] [++opt] [+cmd] {file} *:split_f* Create a new window and start editing file {file} in it. If [+cmd] is given, execute the command when the file has been loaded |+cmd|. Also see |++opt|. 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] [++opt] [+cmd] {file} *:sv* *:sview* *splitview* Same as ":split", but set 'readonly' option for this buffer. :[N]sf[ind] [++opt] [+cmd] {file} *:sf* *:sfind* *splitfind* Same as ":split", but search for {file} in 'path'. Doesn't split if {file} is not found. 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. Note that the 'splitbelow' and 'splitright' options influence where a new window will appear. *:vert* *:vertical* :vert[ical] {cmd} Execute {cmd}. If it contains a command that splits a window, it will be split vertically. :lefta[bove] {cmd} *:lefta* *leftabove* :abo[veleft] {cmd} *:abo* *:aboveleft* Execute {cmd}. If it contains a command that splits a window, it will be opened left (vertical split) or above (horizontal split) the current window. Overrules 'splitbelow' and 'splitright'. :rightb[elow] {cmd} *:rightb* *:rightbelow* :bel[owright] {cmd} *:bel* *:belowright* Execute {cmd}. If it contains a command that splits a window, it will be opened right (vertical split) or below (horizontal split) the current window. Overrules 'splitbelow' and 'splitright'. *:topleft* *E442* :to[pleft] {cmd} Execute {cmd}. If it contains a command that splits a window, it will appear at the top and occupy the full width of the Vim window. When the split is vertical the window appears at the far left and occupies the full height of the Vim window. *:botright* :bo[tright] {cmd} Execute {cmd}. If it contains a command that splits a window, it will appear at the bottom and occupy the full width of the Vim window. When the split is vertical the window appears at the far right and occupies the full height of the Vim window. These command modifers can be combined to make a vertically split window occupy the full height. Example: > :vertical topleft edit tags Opens a vertically split, full-height window on the "tags" file at the far left of the Vim window. Closing a window ---------------- CTRL-W q *CTRL-W_q* CTRL-W CTRL-Q *CTRL-W_CTRL-Q* :q[uit] Quit current window. When quitting the last window (not counting a help window), exit Vim. When 'hidden' is set, and there is only one window for the current buffer, it becomes hidden. When 'hidden' is not set, and there is only one window for the current buffer, and the buffer was changed, the command fails. (Note: CTRL-Q does not work on all terminals) :q[uit]! 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. The contents of the buffer are lost, even when 'hidden' is set. CTRL-W c *CTRL-W_c* *:clo* *:close* :clo[se][!] Close current window. When the 'hidden' option is set, or when the buffer was changed and the [!] is used, the buffer becomes hidden (unless there is another window editing it). This command fails when: *E444* - There is only one window on the screen. - When 'hidden' is not set, [!] is not used, the buffer has changes, and there is no other window on this buffer. Changes to the buffer are not written and won't get lost, so this is a "safe" command. CTRL-W CTRL-C *CTRL-W_CTRL-C* You might have expected that CTRL-W CTRL-C closes the current window, but that does not work, because the CTRL-C cancels the command. *:hide* :hid[e] Quit current window, unless it is the last window on the screen. The buffer becomes hidden (unless there is another window editing it or 'bufhidden' is "unload" or "delete"). The value of 'hidden' is irrelevant for this command. Changes to the buffer are not written and won't get lost, so this is a "safe" command. :hid[e] {cmd} Execute {cmd} with 'hidden' is set. The previous value of 'hidden' is restored after {cmd} has been executed. Example: > :hide edit Makefile < This will edit "Makefile", and hide the current buffer if it has any changes. CTRL-W o *CTRL-W_o* *E445* 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. When the 'hidden' option is set, all buffers in closed windows become hidden. When 'hidden' is not set, and the 'autowrite' option is set, modified buffers are written. Otherwise, windows that have buffers that are modified are not removed, unless the [!] is given, then they become hidden. But modified buffers are never abandoned, so changes cannot get lost. ============================================================================== 4. Moving cursor to other windows *window-move-cursor* 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. Uses the cursor position to select between alternatives. 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. Uses the cursor position to select between alternatives. CTRL-W <Left> *CTRL-W_<Left>* CTRL-W CTRL-H *CTRL-W_CTRL-H* CTRL-W <BS> *CTRL-W_<BS>* *CTRL-W_h* CTRL-W h Move cursor to Nth window left of current one. Uses the cursor position to select between alternatives. CTRL-W <Right> *CTRL-W_<Right>* CTRL-W CTRL-L *CTRL-W_CTRL-L* *CTRL-W_l* CTRL-W l Move cursor to Nth window right of current one. Uses the cursor position to select between alternatives. CTRL-W w *CTRL-W_w* *CTRL-W_CTRL-W* CTRL-W CTRL-W Without count: move cursor to window below/right of the current one. If there is no window below or right, go to top-left window. With count: go to Nth window (windows are numbered from top-left to bottom-right). *CTRL-W_W* CTRL-W W Without count: move cursor to window above/left of current one. If there is no window above or left, go to bottom-right window. With count: go to Nth window (windows are numbered from top-left to bottom-right). CTRL-W t *CTRL-W_t* *CTRL-W_CTRL-T* CTRL-W CTRL-T Move cursor to top-left window. CTRL-W b *CTRL-W_b* *CTRL-W_CTRL-B* CTRL-W CTRL-B Move cursor to bottom-right window. CTRL-W p *CTRL-W_p* *CTRL-W_CTRL-P* CTRL-W CTRL-P Go to previous (last accessed) window. *CTRL-W_P* *E441* CTRL-W P Go to preview window. When there is no preview window this is an error. {not available when compiled without the |+quickfix| feature} If Visual mode is active and the new window is not for the same buffer, the Visual mode is ended. If the window is on the same buffer, the cursor position is set to keep the same Visual area selected. *:winc* *:wincmd* These commands can also be executed with ":wincmd": :[count]winc[md] {arg} Like executing CTRL-W [count] {arg}. Example: > :wincmd j < Moves to the window below the current one. This command is useful when a Normal mode cannot be used (for the |CursorHold| autocommand event). Or when a Normal mode command is inconvenient. ============================================================================== 5. Moving windows around *window-moving* CTRL-W r *CTRL-W_r* *CTRL-W_CTRL-R* *E443* CTRL-W CTRL-R Rotate windows downwards/rightwards. 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. This only works within the row or column of windows that the current window is in. *CTRL-W_R* CTRL-W R Rotate windows upwards/leftwards. 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. This only works within the row or column of windows that the current window is in. 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. When vertical and horizontal window splits are mixed, the exchange is only done in the row or column of windows that the current window is in. The following commands can be used to change the window layout. For example, when there are two vertically split windows, CTRL-W K will change that in horizontally split windows. CTRL-W H does it the other way around. *CTRL-W_K* CTRL-W K Move the current window to be at the very top, using the full width of the screen. This works like closing the current window and then creating another one with ":topleft split", except that the current window contents is used for the new window. *CTRL-W_J* CTRL-W J Move the current window to be at the very bottom, using the full width of the screen. This works like closing the current window and then creating another one with ":botright split", except that the current window contents is used for the new window. *CTRL-W_H* CTRL-W H Move the current window to be at the far left, using the full height of the screen. This works like closing the current window and then creating another one with ":vert topleft split", except that the current window contents is used for the new window. {not available when compiled without the +vertsplit feature} *CTRL-W_L* CTRL-W L Move the current window to be at the far right, using the full height of the screen. This works like closing the current window and then creating another one with ":vert botright split", except that the current window contents is used for the new window. {not available when compiled without the +vertsplit feature} ============================================================================== 6. Window resizing *window-resize* *CTRL-W_=* CTRL-W = Make all windows (almost) equally high and wide, but use 'winheight' and 'winwidth' for the current window. :res[ize] -N *:res* *:resize* *CTRL-W_-* CTRL-W - Decrease current window height by N (default 1). If used after 'vertical': decrease width by N. :res[ize] +N *CTRL-W_+* CTRL-W + Increase current window height by N (default 1). If used after 'vertical': increase width by N. :res[ize] [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}. *CTRL-W_<* CTRL-W < Decrease current window width by N (default 1). *CTRL-W_>* CTRL-W > Increase current window width by N (default 1). :vertical res[ize] [N] *:vertical-resize* *CTRL-W_bar* CTRL-W | Set current window width to N (default: widest possible). You can also resize a window by dragging a status line up or down with the mouse. Or by dragging a vertical separator line left or right. 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. The equivalent 'winwidth' ('wiw') option is used to set the minimal width of the current window. 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 'eadirection' option limits the direction in which the 'equalalways' option is applied. The default "both" resizes in both directions. When the value is "ver" only the heights of windows are equalized. Use this when you have manually resized a vertically split window and want to keep this width. Likewise, "hor" causes only the widths of windows to be equalized. The option 'cmdheight' ('ch') is used to set the height of the command-line. If you are annoyed by the |hit-enter| prompt 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). The minimal height and width of a window is set with 'winminheight' and 'winminwidth'. These are hard values, a window will never become smaller. ============================================================================== 7. argument and buffer list commands *buffer-list* 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 / :first 15. :brewind / :bfirst 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 / :sfirst 35. :sbrewind / :sbfirst 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. When a count is given, this is the maximum number of windows to open. When the 'hidden' option is set, all buffers in closed windows become hidden. When 'hidden' is not set, and the 'autowrite' option is set, modified buffers are written. Otherwise, windows that have buffers that are modified are not removed, unless the [!] is given, then they become hidden. But modified buffers are never abandoned, so changes cannot get lost. 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][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [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. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. :[N]sn[ext][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [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. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. :[N]spr[evious][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [N] *:spr* *:sprevious* :[N]sN[ext][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [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. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. *:sr* *:srewind* :sr[ewind][!] [++opt] [+cmd] Short for ":split | rewind": split window and go to first argument. But when there is no argument list, the window is not split. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. *:sfir* *:sfirst* :sfir[st [++opt] [+cmd] Same as ":srewind". *:sla* *:slast* :sla[st][!] [++opt] [+cmd] Short for ":split | last": split window and go to last argument. But when there is no argument list, the window is not split. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. *:dr* *:drop* :dr[op] {file} .. Redefine the argument list to "{file} ..", similar to ":next". The first file is edited in the current window if possible. If the current buffer can't be |abandon|ed, the window is split first. The purpose of this command is that it can be used from a program that wants Vim to edit another file, e.g., a debugger. {only available when compiled with the +gui feature} ============================================================================== 8. Do a command in all buffers or windows *list-repeat* *:windo* :windo[!] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in each window. It works like doing this: > CTRL-W t :{cmd} CTRL-W w :{cmd} etc. < When an error is detected on one window, further windows will not be visited. The last window (or where an error occurred) becomes the current window. {cmd} can contain '|' to concatenate several commands. {cmd} must not open or close windows or reorder them. Note: While this command is executing, the Syntax autocommand event is disabled by adding it to 'eventignore'. {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the |+listcmds| feature} Also see |:argdo| and |:bufdo|. *:bufdo* :bufdo[!] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in each buffer in the buffer list. It works like doing this: > :bfirst :{cmd} :bnext :{cmd} etc. < When the current file can't be |abandon|ed and the [!] is not present, the command fails. When an error is detected on one buffer, further buffers will not be visited. Unlisted buffers are skipped. The last buffer (or where an error occurred) becomes the current buffer. {cmd} can contain '|' to concatenate several commands. {cmd} must not delete buffers or add buffers to the buffer list. Note: While this command is executing, the Syntax autocommand event is disabled by adding it to 'eventignore'. This considerably speeds up editing each buffer. {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the |+listcmds| feature} Also see |:argdo| and |:windo|. Examples: > :windo set nolist nofoldcolumn | normal zn This resets the 'list' option and disables folding in all windows. > :bufdo set fileencoding= | update This resets the 'fileencoding' in each buffer and writes it if this changed the buffer. The result is that all buffers will use the 'encoding' encoding (if conversion works properly). ============================================================================== 9. Tag or file name under the cursor *window-tag* *: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_g]* CTRL-W g ] Split current window in two. Use identifier under cursor as a tag and perform ":tselect" on it in the new upper window. Make new window N high. *CTRL-W_g_CTRL-]* CTRL-W g CTRL-] Split current window in two. Use identifier under cursor as a tag and perform ":tjump" on 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. If a count is given, the count'th matching file is edited. {not available when the |+file_in_path| feature was disabled at compile time} Also see |CTRL-W_CTRL-I|: open window for an included file that includes the keyword under the cursor. ============================================================================== 10. The preview window *preview-window* The preview window is a special window to show (preview) another file. It is normally a small window used to show an include file or definition of a function. {not available when compiled without the |+quickfix| feature} There can be only one preview window. It is created with one of the commands below. The 'previewheight' option can be set to specify the height of the preview window when it's opened. The 'previewwindow' option is set in the preview window to be able to recognize it. *:pta* *:ptag* :pta[g][!] [tagname] Does ":tag[!] [tagname]" and shows the found tag in a "Preview" window without changing the current buffer or cursor position. If a "Preview" window already exists, it is re-used (like a help window is). If a new one is opened, 'previewheight' is used for the height of the window. See also |:tag|. See below for an example. |CursorHold-example| CTRL-W z *CTRL-W_z* CTRL-W CTRL-Z *CTRL-W_CTRL-Z* *:pc* *:pclose* :pc[lose][!] Close any "Preview" window currently open. When the 'hidden' option is set, or when the buffer was changed and the [!] is used, the buffer becomes hidden (unless there is another window editing it). The command fails if any "Preview" buffer cannot be closed. See also |:close|. *:pp* *:ppop* :[count]pp[op][!] Does ":[count]pop[!]" in the preview window. See |:pop| and |:ptag|. {not in Vi} CTRL-W } *CTRL-W_}* Use identifier under cursor as a tag and perform a :ptag on it. Make the new Preview window (if required) N high. If N is not given, 'previewheight' is used. CTRL-W g } *CTRL-W_g}* Use identifier under cursor as a tag and perform a :ptjump on it. Make the new Preview window (if required) N high. If N is not given, 'previewheight' is used. *:ped* *:pedit* :ped[it][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {file} Edit {file} in the preview window. The preview window is opened like with |:ptag|. The current window and cursor position isn't changed. Useful example: > :pedit +/fputc /usr/include/stdio.h < *:ps* *:psearch* :[range]ps[earch][!] [count] [/]pattern[/] Works like |:ijump| but shows the found match in the preview window. The preview window is opened like with |:ptag|. The current window and cursor position isn't changed. Useful example: > :psearch popen < Like with the |:ptag| command, you can use this to automatically show information about the word under the cursor. This is less clever than using |:ptag|, but you don't need a tags file and it will also find matches in system include files. Example: > :au! CursorHold *.[ch] nested exe "silent! psearch " . expand("<cword>") < Warning: This can be slow. Example *CursorHold-example* > :au! CursorHold *.[ch] nested exe "silent! ptag " . expand("<cword>") This will cause a ":ptag" to be executed for the keyword under the cursor, when the cursor hasn't moved for the time set with 'updatetime'. The "nested" makes other autocommands be executed, so that syntax highlighting works in the preview window. The "silent!" avoids an error message when the tag could not be found. Also see |CursorHold|. To disable this again: > :au! CursorHold A nice addition is to highlight the found tag, avoid the ":ptag" when there is no word under the cursor, and a few other things: > :au! CursorHold *.[ch] nested call PreviewWord() :func PreviewWord() : if &previewwindow " don't do this in the preview window : return : endif : let w = expand("<cword>") " get the word under cursor : if w != "" " if there is one ":ptag" to it : : " Delete any existing highlight before showing another tag : silent! wincmd P " jump to preview window : if &previewwindow " if we really get there... : match none " delete existing highlight : wincmd p " back to old window : endif : : " Try displaying a matching tag for the word under the cursor : let v:errmsg = "" : exe "silent! ptag " . w : if v:errmsg =~ "tag not found" : return : endif : : silent! wincmd P " jump to preview window : if &previewwindow " if we really get there... : if has("folding") : silent! .foldopen " don't want a closed fold : endif : call search("$", "b") " to end of previous line : let w = substitute(w, '\\', '\\\\', "") : call search('\<\V' . w . '\>') " position cursor on match : " Add a match highlight to the word at this position : hi previewWord term=bold ctermbg=green guibg=green : exe 'match previewWord "\%' . line(".") . 'l\%' . col(".") . 'c\k*"' : wincmd p " back to old window : endif : endif :endfun ============================================================================== 11. Using hidden buffers *buffer-hidden* 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 you get another buffer in a window. {not available when compiled without the |+listcmds| feature} *:buffer-!* 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 sometimes make the current buffer hidden although the 'hidden' option is not set. This happens when a buffer is modified, but is forced (with '!') to be removed from a window, and 'autowrite' is off or the buffer can't be written. You can make a hidden buffer not hidden by starting to edit it with any command. Or by deleting it with the ":bdelete" command. The 'hidden' is global, it is used for all buffers. The 'bufhidden' option can be used to make an exception for a specific buffer. It can take these values: <empty> Use the value of 'hidden'. hide Hide this buffer, also when 'hidden' is not set. unload Don't hide but unload this buffer, also when 'hidden' is set. delete Delete the buffer. *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! A buffer can also be unlisted. This means it exists, but it is not in the list of buffers. |unlisted-buffer| :files[!] *:files* :buffers[!] *:buffers* *:ls* :ls[!] Show all buffers. Example: > 1 #h "/test/text" line 1 2u "asdf" line 0 3 %l+ "version.c" line 1 < When the [!] is included the list will show unlisted buffers (the term "unlisted" is a bit confusing then...). 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. Indicators (chars in the same column are mutually exclusive): u an unlisted buffer (only displayed when [!] is used) |unlisted-buffer| % the buffer in the current window # the alternate buffer for ":e #" and CTRL-^ a an active buffer: it is loaded and visible h a hidden buffer: It is loaded, but currently not displayed in a window |hidden-buffer| - a buffer with 'modifiable' off = a readonly buffer + a modified buffer *:bad* *:badd* :bad[d] [+lnum] {fname} Add file name {fname} to the buffer list, without loading it. If "lnum" is specified, the cursor will be positioned at that line when the buffer is first entered. Note that other commands after the + will be ignored. :[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, unless when [!] is specified, in which case changes are lost. The file remains unaffected. Any windows for this buffer are closed. If buffer [N] is the current buffer, another buffer will be displayed instead. This is the most recent entry in the jump list that points into a loaded buffer. Actually, the buffer isn't completely deleted, it is removed from the buffer list |unlisted-buffer|. Option values and local variables are cleared. :bdelete[!] {bufname} *E93* *E94* 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. :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,Mbdelete[!] Do ":bdelete[!]" for all buffers in the range N to M (inclusive). :[N]bw[ipeout][!] *:bw* *:bwipe* *:bwipeout* :bw[ipeout][!] {bufname} :N,Mbw[ipeout][!] :bw[ipeout][!] N1 N2 ... Like ":bdelete", but really delete the buffer. All marks in this buffer become invalid, option settings are lost, etc. Don't use this unless you know what you are doing. :[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, unless when [!] is specified, in which case the changes are lost. Any windows for this buffer are closed. If buffer [N] is the current buffer, another buffer will be displayed instead. This is the most recent entry in the jump list that points into a loaded 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* *:bu* *:buf* *:buffer* *E86* Edit buffer [N] from the buffer list. If [N] is not given, the current buffer remains being edited. See |:buffer-!| for [!]. This will also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer list, without setting the 'buflisted' flag. :[N]b[uffer][!] {filename} Edit buffer for {filename} from the buffer list. See |:buffer-!| for [!]. This will also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer list, without setting the 'buflisted' flag. :[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. Respects the "useopen" setting of 'switchbuf' when splitting. This will also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer list, without setting the 'buflisted' flag. :[N]sb[uffer] {filename} Split window and edit buffer for {filename} from the buffer list. This will also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer list, without setting the 'buflisted' flag. *:bn* *:bnext* *E87* :[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. See |:buffer-!| for [!]. If you are in a help buffer, this takes you to the next help buffer (if there is one). Similarly, if you are in a normal (non-help) buffer, this takes you to the next normal buffer. This is so that if you have invoked help, it doesn't get in the way when you're browsing code/text buffers. The next three commands also work like this. *: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. Uses 'switchbuf' :[N]bN[ext][!] [N] *:bN* *:bNext* *:bp* *:bprevious* *E88* :[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. See |:buffer-!| for [!] and 'switchbuf'. :[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. Uses 'switchbuf'. *:br* *:brewind* :br[ewind][!] Go to first buffer in buffer list. If the buffer list is empty, go to the first unlisted buffer. See |:buffer-!| for [!]. *:bf* *:bfirst* :bf[irst Same as ":brewind". *:sbr* *:sbrewind* :sbr[ewind] Split window and go to first buffer in buffer list. If the buffer list is empty, go to the first unlisted buffer. Respects the 'switchbuf' option. *:sbf* *:sbfirst* :sbf[irst] Same as ":sbrewind". *:bl* *:blast* :bl[ast][!] Go to last buffer in buffer list. If the buffer list is empty, go to the last unlisted buffer. See |:buffer-!| for [!]. *:sbl* *:sblast* :sbl[ast] Split window and go to last buffer in buffer list. If the buffer list is empty, go to the last unlisted buffer. Respects 'switchbuf' option. :[N]bm[odified][!] [N] *:bm* *:bmodified* *E84* Go to [N]th next modified buffer. Note: this command also finds unlisted buffers. If there is no modified buffer the command fails. :[N]sbm[odified] [N] *:sbm* *:sbmodified* Split window and go to [N]th next modified buffer. Respects 'switchbuf' option. Note: this command also finds buffers not in the 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. Note: All the commands above that start editing another buffer, keep the 'readonly' flag as it was. This differs from the ":edit" command, which sets the 'readonly' flag each time the file is read. ============================================================================== 12. Special kinds of buffers *special-buffers* Instead of containing the text of a file, buffers can also be used for other purposes. A few options can be set to change the behavior of a buffer: 'bufhidden' what happens when the buffer is no longer displayed in a window. 'buftype' what kind of a buffer this is 'swapfile' whether the buffer will have a swap file 'buflisted' buffer shows up in the buffer list A few useful kinds of a buffer: quickfix Used to contain the error list. See |:cwindow|. This command sets the 'buftype' option to "quickfix". You are not supposed to change this! 'swapfile' is off. help Contains a help file. Will only be created with the |:help| command. The flag that indicates a help buffer is internal and can't be changed. The 'buflisted' option will be reset for a help buffer. directory Displays directory contents. Used by the |file-explorer| plugin. The buffer is created with these settings: > :set buftype=nowrite :set bufhidden=delete :set noswapfile < The buffer name is the name of the directory and is adjusted when using the |:cd| command. scratch Contains text that can be discarded at any time. It is kept when closing the window, it must be deleted explicitly. Settings: > :set buftype=nofile :set bufhidden=hide :set noswapfile < The buffer name can be used to identify the buffer. *unlisted-buffer* unlisted The buffer is not in the buffer list. It is not used for normal editing, but to show a help file, remember a file name or marks. The ":bdelete" command will also set this option, thus it doesn't completely delete the buffer. Settings: > :set nobuflisted < vim:tw=78:fo=tcq2:isk=!-~,^*,^\|,^\":ts=8:ft=help:norl: