Redoing Changes in Vi Editor

Redoing changes in Vi allows you to reapply previously undone changes, essentially moving forward through the editing history. Here’s a more detailed explanation of how redo works:

Single Redo:

To redo the most recently undone change in Vi, follow these steps:

• Ensure you’re in command mode by pressing the ‘Esc’ key if needed.
• Once in command mode, simultaneously press the ‘Ctrl’ and ‘r’ keys.

Multiple Redo:

Similar to undo, Vi allows you to redo multiple undone changes by repeatedly pressing ‘Ctrl’ and ‘r’ keys simultaneously. Each press of ‘Ctrl + r’ reapplies the previously undone change, allowing you to step forward through the editing history.

Example :

For instance, as shown in the screenshot below, pressing ‘Ctrl+r’ twice will reapply the removal of lines 3 and 6, effectively redoing those actions.

You can also expedite the redo process by specifying a number to redo multiple actions simultaneously. For instance, to redo the last three undone changes in one go, you can use the command ‘3Ctrl+r’. This means you press the number ‘3’ first and then quickly, in succession, press and hold the Control (Ctrl) key while pressing the ‘r’ key. This efficient approach allows you to swiftly redo a specific number of actions, enhancing your workflow.

Vi is a versatile text editor that’s available for Unix and Linux systems. It’s packed with powerful features, one of which is the ability to undo and redo changes you make to a file. This means if you accidentally delete something or make a mistake, you can easily go back and fix it. Understanding how to effectively use these undo and redo features can greatly improve your editing experience and save you time.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore not only how to undo and redo in Vi but also delve into the various options and shortcuts available to streamline your editing process. We’ll provide clear explanations and practical examples tailored specifically for beginners, making it easy for you to grasp these concepts and apply them to your own editing tasks. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel more confident in navigating Vi and utilizing its powerful features to enhance your productivity.