How to go back in ex mode from vi?

Question

I'm learning vi/vim. Recently, I've faced with some uncertain point. When I run:

ex somefile

The ex editor opens. Ok, good. After some play I run:

:vi

Now I'm in normal vi mode. Everything is clear here. But the question is: How can I go back to ex mode (the first time I run ex filename from bash)? I've tried [shift]+[q] (hence Q), but nothing happens.

are you in normal mode when you try `Q`? it should just work — the_velour_fog, Oct 19 '15 at 12:57
Running `:map Q` returns just `Q` symbol at the bottom line (I run it just after `vi somfile`) — Timur Fayzrakhmanov, Oct 19 '15 at 13:01
Following the manual `:ex` does the trick. I guess you are expect the existing output will disappear from screen (which seems not the case). Try `:help visual` — hek2mgl, Oct 19 '15 at 13:02
Yes I guess.. I've read it, but what's next? I found `:ex` is the same as `:edit` so it shouldn't go me back in "ex mode" I expect. — Timur Fayzrakhmanov, Oct 19 '15 at 13:09
@user4668401 yahhoo! `gQ` does what I need! `:help ex-mode` was very helpful! Post it as the answer - I accept it. — Timur Fayzrakhmanov, Oct 19 '15 at 13:12

the_velour_fog · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-19T13:22:09.073

3

You didn't say what version of vim you were using, but the help (:help ex-mode) does say this:

Note: In older versions of Vim "Q" formatted text,
that is now done with gq. But if you use the
vimrc_example.vim script "Q" works like "gq".

So you could try gq in normal mode or help also says

gQ Switch to "Ex" mode like with "Q", but really behave
like typing ":" commands after another.

In that case you could try gQ from normal mode.

edited Oct 19 '15 at 13:22

answered Oct 19 '15 at 13:13

the_velour_fog

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`gq` doesn't work as expected. So add a note to try `gQ` (hence [G],[shift]+[Q]) instead `gq`. – Timur Fayzrakhmanov Oct 19 '15 at 13:14
Do you know how come back to ex-mode by typing command after colon? Something like `:ex-mode` instead pressing keystrokes like `gq`. – Timur Fayzrakhmanov Oct 19 '15 at 13:18
If I type `:ex` vim tells me I need to specify a file. So I would try that, otherwise sorry I dont know – the_velour_fog Oct 19 '15 at 13:25
1

If I type `:ex ` then it works for me. out of interest what is it about `:ex` mode that makes you so keen to use it? – the_velour_fog Oct 19 '15 at 13:28
Sorry, I've only come back from study..So, nothing special about being keen on `ex`. I just want to learn a little about vi and ex)) – Timur Fayzrakhmanov Oct 19 '15 at 19:49

How to go back in ex mode from vi?

1 Answers1