This article provides some tips on how to use multiple windows in Vim.
Start Vim with n multiple windows
- n verticals windows.
vim -On filenames - n horizontal windows.
vim -on filenames
Note: n is the number of windows.
Close a window
- Close the current window.
Ctrl+W c - Close the current window. If it is the only window left, quit Vim.
Ctrl+W q
Split a window
- Split horizontally the current file.
Ctrl+W s - Split horizontally and open a file.
:sp filename - Split vertically the current file.
Ctrl+W v - Split vertically and open a file.
:vsp filename
Move the cursor between windows
- Move to the right window from the current windows.
Ctrl+W l - Move to the left window from the current windows.
Ctrl+W h - Move to the top window from the current windows.
Ctrl+W k - Move to the bottom window from the current windows.
Ctrl+W j - Move to the next window below the current one. If no below window exist, move to the top window.
Ctrl+W w
Rotate windows location
- Move the current window to the right.
Ctrl+W L - Move the current window to the left.
Ctrl+W H - Move the current window to the top.
Ctrl+W K - Move the current window to the bottom.
Ctrl+W J
Window resizing
Resizing windows can be made by using the mouse as well as the following commands.
- Make all windows equal in height.
Ctrl+W = - Increase height.
Ctrl+W + - Decrease height.
Ctrl+W -
Note: Thanks to Ferd T-H, resizing could also be done by using
Ctrl+W < or >Conclusion
I hope that these commands are enough for you to start using windows in Vim. However, if you know some good command(s) to please don’t hesitate to leave a comment.
Everything is fine here except for the term “window”. Those are tabs buddy. I did not know about Ctrl+W thingy. Thanks a lot.
Tabs are different thing. BTW, Vim support multiple windows as well as tabs.
note that :sp and :vsp are the same as Ctrl+W s and Ctrl+W v and that using Ctrl+W q is the same as :q.
You can also increase/decrease windows’ width with Ctrl+w .
@Ferd T-H: But, with “:sp filename” and “:vsp filename”, you can open a new window with other file, instead of opening the same file splits in a new window.
The comment system ate my characters!
“You can also increase/decrease windows’ width with Ctrl+w < and Ctrl+w >.”
@Ferd T-H: Thanks for the additions. I have edited the error.
Minor correction:
“4. Split horizontally and open a file.” should be “4. Split vertically and open a file.”
Thanks. Why did I overlooked that.
“Make all windows equal in height.
Ctrl+W s”
Does not work. This is the same command as split window horizontally. Ctrl+W = seems to make all windows the same height.
Thanks.
@petur: The correct command is Ctrl+W =. Thanks.
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