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Can Vim Replace Text Across All Open Buffers?

2025-07-15 15:56:30 148

3 Answers

Abigail

2025-07-17 12:36:10

I've been using Vim for years, and one of my favorite features is its ability to handle multiple buffers efficiently. To replace text across all open buffers, you can use the ':bufdo' command followed by the substitution command. For example, ':bufdo %s/oldtext/newtext/g | update' will replace 'oldtext' with 'newtext' in every open buffer and save the changes. It's a powerful way to make consistent edits across multiple files without leaving Vim. Just be cautious, as this modifies all buffers at once, so I always double-check my replacements beforehand to avoid unintended changes.

For those who prefer more control, you can also use ':argdo' if you've opened files with ':args'. This gives you flexibility depending on how you've loaded your files. Mastering these commands has saved me countless hours of manual editing.

Neil

2025-07-16 13:40:11

As someone who juggles multiple projects in Vim daily, I rely heavily on buffer-wide operations. The ':bufdo' command is a lifesaver when you need to make sweeping changes across all open files. Here's how I typically use it: ':bufdo %s/search/replace/gc' – the 'c' flag prompts for confirmation on each replacement, which adds a safety net.

Another approach I use involves the ':tabdo' command when working with tabbed buffers, combining it with substitutions for even more control. For instance, ':tabdo %s/foo/bar/g' updates every tab's buffers.

I also recommend pairing these with ':windo' if you're working with split windows, as it applies commands to each window's buffer. These techniques form a robust toolkit for large-scale editing. Remember to save your work before experimenting, as these commands are powerful and irreversible without proper backups.

For complex projects, I sometimes combine ':bufdo' with global commands like 'vimgrep' to first identify all occurrences. This workflow ensures I never miss an instance while maintaining precision across hundreds of files.

Xavier

2025-07-19 17:24:30

When I first discovered Vim's multi-buffer editing capabilities, it completely changed my workflow. The key is understanding how ':bufdo' interacts with Vim's buffer system. A practical example: if you need to update a variable name across an entire codebase, ':bufdo %s/oldVar/newVar/g' does the job instantly.

I often combine this with ':ls' to list all buffers first, ensuring I'm only working with the intended files. For more selective operations, you can chain commands like ':bufdo if expand('%') =~ '*.js' | %s/pattern/replacement/g | endif' to target specific file types.

One pro tip is to use ':cdo' with the quickfix list after a ':vimgrep' if you want to review changes before applying them. This multi-step approach adds safety while maintaining Vim's legendary efficiency for large-scale text manipulation.

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