How do I select all text in Vi/Vim?

Question

Using VI tool for editing config files.

How can I select all the text in a file (around 1000 lines), copy it, then paste into Google Docs?

Answer 1

The simplest and fastest way is to use: : % y + and then go over to Google Docs (or wherever) and paste. Explanation:

• % to refer the next command to work on all the lines
• y  to yank those lines
• +  to copy to the system clipboard

Another way is g g " + y G but you will likely admit that the above is faster and easier.

Answer 2

Many given replies also yank the selection, which I was not looking for.

I'm using gg0VG for this purpose (needs to be run on normal mode). This command only selects the whole text inside the document.

I've even remapped Ctrl+A for this purpose, since I don't really need to increment an integer with the shortcut (default Ctrl+A map).

Just add this into your .vimrc:

map <C-a> <esc>gg0VG<CR>

It has <esc> first, to make sure the user is in normal mode.

Answer 3

You can use cat file and then select output and copy and paste if you need to paste it into your browser.

For vi this is how you can select all text and write it into a new file:

shift v  -- visual mode
shift g -- jump to eof
"*y -- yank select text
:e my_new_file -- create a new file
"*p -- paste into a new file

In theory this should work on both Linux and Windows - I tried it on a Mac but it doesn't work.

Answer 4

USE ggVG. type "gg" to go at top of the test Then type VG.

Answer 5

I am using Vim 7.4 in CentOS-7 environment. Which worked me for selecting all the text is

:%y

Then just p in the next file where I want a full copy.

Or

You can use cat command.

cat copyfile > pastefile

This git repo has some other useful commands too.

Answer 6

gg"+yG

or

gg"*yG

depending on whether + or * is the system clipboard. (On many unixes, + is the mouse selection buffer for middle-mouse-clicking, and * is the system clipboard).

Answer 7

For a Mac, use pbcopy (pasteboard copy):

cat file.txt | pbcopy

The contents of file.txt are now on the clipboard for pasting into another application (e.g. browser).

You can also paste the contents of the clipboard into a file using pbpaste:

pbpaste > file.txt

While this doesn't involve vi specifically it does achieve the same goal on a Mac.

Answer 8

If you're using a linux desktop, you could load it into the clipboard using xclip or xsel. For something that size you might just want to use the upload feature in google docs.

Answer 9

Another way would be:

You press v key on your keyboard and turn VIM to VISUAL

Then select all text by scrolling down

^+ INSERT to copy

SHIFT +INSERT to paste the text wherever you want on Google Docs.

Answer 10

Without using vi, you can upload text to google docs using their API and cURL.

Answer 11

See http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Accessing_the_system_clipboard for options on how to do this. (if compiled in "* should refer to the system clipboard). There are also instructions there for how to use xsel with vim.

Answer 12

Use the following command.

cat <your file name>

It will echo the content of file. Now select, scroll, copy, paste.
Game Over

Ex.:

cat bobis.txt