Saving and Exiting

Writing a file means overwriting the file with the current text.

Command

Action

ZZ

Quit vi, writing the file only if changes were made.

:x

Same as ZZ.

:wq

Write file and quit.

:w

Write file.

:w file

Save copy to file.

:n,mw file

Write lines n to m to new file.

:n,mw >> file

Append lines n to m to existing file.

:w!

Write file (overriding protection).

:w! file

Overwrite file with current text.

:w %.new

Write current buffer named file as file.new.

:q

Quit vi (fails if changes were made).

:q!

Quit vi (discarding edits).

Q

Quit vi and invoke ex.

:vi

Return to vi after Q command.

%

Replaced with current filename in editing commands.

#

Replaced with alternate filename in editing commands.

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