I‘m new to Linux or UNIX like operating system. I just wanted to create a file called demo.txt and save & close it using vi text editor. How do I save a file using vi?
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:
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
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:
| Command | Description |
| 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) |
See Vi editor command keys wiki page for more information.
20 comment
Thanks!!!
Needed a quick answer! This rocked!!!
thanks for ur info
You really nailed it! Thanks for the Clear instructions.
Really helpful.
Thanks, clear clarification given
VIM is a very gibberish text editor. You open a file and change many things, then you try to save and exit. But you see all the changes you have made have gone.
thanks for the clear basic understanding.
super,now only i have to learn how to save as new file in vi editor mode.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOW IT”S USE FULL VERY MUTCH
Liked the answer
I get the following when I do that:
E492: Not an editor command: zz
The Zs are capital, not lowercase. You typed zz, you should have typed ZZ
use shift+zz
How to just save file without closing it
It rocks! Tnx very kindly
:w
lets you write without exiting
thanks for suggestion……..!
Thanks… very helpful
iam not able to save the file in vi editor after pressing Esc :wq! enter.It i sasking to press enter or continue
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