vi editor commands in linux with examples

Visual Interface

Commands to Go into Insert mode

To open a file use vi <filename>

# vi test.txt

i - inserts the text at current cursor position

I - inserts the text at beginning of line

a - appends the text after current cursor position

A - appends the text at end of line

o - inserts a line below current cursor position

O - inserts a line above current cursor position

r - replace a single char at current cursor position

Commands at execute mode

:q - quit without saving

:q! - quit forcefully without saving

:w - save

:wq - save & quit

:wq! - save & quit forcefully

:x - save & quit

:sh - Provides temporary shell

:se nu - Setting line numbers

:se nonu - Removing line numbers

:84 - Press enter goes to line 84

To move the cursor, press the h,j,k,l keys as indicated.
^

k Hint: The h key is at the left and moves

left.

< h l > The l key is at the right and moves

right.

j The j key looks like a down arrow

v

w forward word to word

b back side word to word

Command's at command mode

dd - Deletes a line

2dd - Deletes 2 lines

yy - Copy a line

2yy - Copies 2 lines

p - put (deleted or copied text)

u - Undo (can undo 1000 times)

Ctrl+r - R edo

G - Moves cursor to last line of file

5G - Moves cursor to 5th line of file

Shift+ZZ - save & quit

/<findword> - locate word

To find and replace words

:1,$s/<findword>/<replaceword>/g

:1,$s/world/universe/gc

1-- To start the search at from 1st line 
$ -> End of File 
s -> substitute

c -> confirmation   

g -> global