Save modifications in file in Vi or Vim Text Editor (Linux)


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The vi or vim is a text editor which has three modes: command mode, input mode, and ex mode. To create a new file open a Terminal and then type:

$ vi demo.txt

vi / vim always begins in command mode. You can press [Esc] key anytime to return to command mode. Press i to insert text. To save and exit from vi / vim, press [Esc] key and type ZZ (with Shift key):

ZZ

To see list of your saved file, enter:

$ ls
$ cat demo.txt

vi ex Mode File Saving Commands

To get into the ex mode, press [Esc] key and then : (the colon). For example, to exit from vi saving changes, press [Esc], : (colon) and type wq:

:wq

Save modifications in file in Vi or Vim Text Editor (Linux)

You can also quit, discard all changes by pressing [Esc], : (colon) and q!.

:q!

Common Vi / Vim File Savings Related Commands (ex mode)

You need to press [Esc] key followed by the colon (:) before typing the following commands:

CommandDescription
q Quit
q! Quit without saving changes i.e. discard changes
r fileName Read data from file called fileName
wq Write and quit (save and exit)
w fileName Write to file called fileName (save as)
w! fileName Overwrite to file called fileName (save as forcefully)