Tip #412: Easy menu-style switch between files with a simple map

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Rating 70/28, Viewed by 1611

created:		January 29, 2003 9:15		complexity:		basic
author:		Raghavan Subramaniyan		as of Vim:		6.0

When there are several files opened in a vim session, it becomes difficult to keep track of the files and their respective buffer numbers. Switching to a different file is made easier using a simple map: :map <F5> :buffers<CR>:e # When F5 is pressed, a numbered list of file names is printed, and the user needs to type a single number based on the "menu". Another good thing is that the "menu" disappears after choosing the number and hitting enter. So it appears only when you need it.

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Additional Notes

[email protected], January 29, 2003 23:14

great tip! i've never memorized how to switch between my files, this is great.

Anonymous, January 29, 2003 23:33

- ':ls' is shorter than ':buffers' - there are some scripts in this script database here keeping track of open buffers via menu selection. e.g. mru.vim or FavMenu.vim. Thomas

[email protected], January 30, 2003 0:31

Just thought I'd throw out there what I use: " buffer navigation: " ":e <filename>" to make a buffer with that file in it (duh) " ",s" and ",f" for back and forth on the buffer list " ",d" for a list of what's in each buffer " ",1", ",2", .. ",9", ",0" to go straight to that numbered buffer (0 = 10) " ",g" to toggle between two buffers (my most used probably) map ,s :bN<CR> map ,d :buffers<CR> map ,f :bn<CR> map ,g :e#<CR> map ,1 :1b<CR> map ,2 :2b<CR> map ,3 :3b<CR> map ,4 :4b<CR> map ,5 :5b<CR> map ,6 :6b<CR> map ,7 :7b<CR> map ,8 :8b<CR> map ,9 :9b<CR> map ,0 :10b<CR>

Suresh Govindachar, January 30, 2003 8:08

Useful tip! Try also: :b <any substring from name of buffer> and :sb <any substring from name of buffer>

Raghavan Subramaniyan, January 30, 2003 8:34

A useful side effect: If you press <F5> and then hit return without entering any number, it goes to the previous file that was opened. Repeated <F5><CR> basically toggles between two files (which I use frequently enough to map to a single separate key)

Anonymous, January 30, 2003 19:42

Raghavan, try CTRL-^ for that. See :help CTRL-^

[email protected], January 31, 2003 4:33

Also :wn write current file goto next :wp write current file goto previous :last goto last :first goto first (:rew)

Anonymous, February 20, 2003 10:38

My version for the :ls-combined-with-:b mapping is: nmap <F5> :ls<cr>:b!<space> nmap <S-F5> :ls!<cr>:b!<space> :e or :b, I don't know what's better...but I like the "!" when the current buffer is modified. (modified "abandoned" buffers get a "+" in the buffer list, that's enough). With :b, you can press <esc> or <cr> if you want to stay in the buffer (if you just needed :ls or :ls!).

semovrs _at_ concord dot edu, May 31, 2005 13:56

This tip is awesome! Thanks a lot! Roumen Semov




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