To clear a file I find myself doing something like:
- 1G
- 1000cc (or some large number)
Is there a simpler way to do this for clearing a file? On a normal text editor I normally would do Cmd-A and then start typing.
2 Answers
ggdG
gg: Move to the first line in the file
d: Delete
G: [until] last line in file
From help:
G Goto line [count], default last line, on the first
non-blank character linewise. If 'startofline' not
set, keep the same column.
G is one of the jump-motions.
...
gg Goto line [count], default first line, on the first
non-blank character |linewise|. If 'startofline' not
set, keep the same column.
Substitute d with c if you want to be in insert mode instantly.
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thanks for this. Is there a way to do this without copying the text into the buffer (I have stuff in the buffer I'd like to 'keep')– David542Apr 23, 2020 at 19:19
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@David542 What do you mean? How can you clear all contents of a file and keep some of the stuff in your buffer? Also, what do you mean by "copying the text into the buffer"?– filbranden ♦Apr 24, 2020 at 4:14
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2Ah I think you mean the register! The default register, right? So that if later you paste with
porPit will put the previously yanked text... Well, for that, usegg"_dG, which deletes it into the black hole register.– filbranden ♦Apr 24, 2020 at 4:17 -
1@filbranden yes exactly, thanks for the tip! And thanks again for all your helpful feedback/answers/etc on my questions.– David542Apr 24, 2020 at 4:18
Fastest is
:%delete
Which can be abbreviated to
:%d
The % is a range standing for “whole file.”
If you want to use a particular register (e.g., black hole):
:%d_
answered Apr 24, 2020 at 14:07
:%d