Open a file in a tab in vim in readonly mode

Question

I'm aware of opening files in readonly mode from shell using vim -R, but how to open a file from inside vim in a separate tab (:tabe <filename>) in readonly mode?

Thanks for your time.

`vim -R` doesn't open in read-only mode? atleast for me. `vim -M` worked. — , Jul 04 '12 at 06:56
`vim -R` works as read-only mode. `vim -M` opens the file with modifiable set to off. — Dharmit, Jul 25 '12 at 04:03

score 89 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 11 '17 at 16:37

89

To open a file in read only mode in a new tab, use

tab sview /path/to/file

To open the file in the same pane, (without using a new window or tab), use

view /path/to/file

Note that tab view /path/to/file does not open a new tab.

edited Jan 11 '17 at 16:37

jpaugh

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answered Oct 28 '10 at 14:56

ZyX

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For anyone that isn't looking to use tabs, simply `:view /path/to/file` will open a new buffer with the file in read-only mode – Anthony DiSanti Jun 15 '12 at 20:59

score 45 · Answer 2 · edited Nov 25 '15 at 11:27

45

You can open a file in readonly mode from inside vim:

:view /path/to/file

or from command line:

$ vim -M /path/to/file

edited Nov 25 '15 at 11:27

sudo make install

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answered Aug 23 '13 at 05:58

user2015258

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This question is *specifically* about opening read-only **in a tab**. – Jonathon Reinhart Jan 09 '15 at 05:31

score 31 · Answer 3 · edited Oct 19 '16 at 12:39

31

vim -M filename opens the file in readonly mode.

edited Oct 19 '16 at 12:39

erikbstack

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answered Feb 22 '12 at 02:26

Mr Lou

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He specifically said "how to open a file from inside vim". – Saulo Silva Oct 03 '13 at 15:48
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Still useful for people coming in from Google. – user456584 Oct 17 '13 at 22:28
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@user456584 Only for those who are bad at using Google. This question is *specifically* about opening read-only **in a tab**. – Jonathon Reinhart Jan 09 '15 at 05:30
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It's still good you posted that, because I came here exactly for that! – erikbstack Oct 19 '16 at 12:39
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You can use `vim -R filename` for opening the file in read-only mode (file is modifiable, but not writable) and `vim -M filename` for opening the file with modifiable set to off (file is neither modifiable, nor writable). – shaahiin Dec 28 '18 at 06:51

score 23 · Answer 4 · edited Jan 09 '15 at 23:04

23

Just open your file by using :tabe <filename>, then enter :view. It will automatically switch to read-only mode.

edited Jan 09 '15 at 23:04

Jonathon Reinhart

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answered Sep 02 '14 at 04:47

Jeyamaran

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I like this alternative; fits my normal workflow for tabs, and easier to remember. – Aman Feb 03 '16 at 01:37

ghchoi · Answer 5 · 2018-06-07T03:20:11.970

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vim -R /path/to/file
vim -m /path/to/file

Read-only mode. Modification in text is allowed but you cannot write (no saving).

vim -M /path/to/file

Even modification in text is not allowed.

edited Jun 07 '18 at 03:20

answered Feb 01 '18 at 02:12

ghchoi

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score 5 · Answer 6 · answered Oct 28 '10 at 14:28

Try :tabedit +set\ noma|set\ ro FILE; this will open FILE in a new tab with modifiable off and readonly on, preventing you from modifying or writing the file. If you just want readonly, omit the noma set. Might be convenient to remap this to another command.

score 2 · Answer 7 · answered Sep 29 '16 at 09:54

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Something that works for me:

:vnew path/to/file

and once the file is opened, give the view command:

:view

answered Sep 29 '16 at 09:54

Vivek

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[user2015258's answer](http://stackoverflow.com/a/18395765/712526) does this in one step. – jpaugh Jan 11 '17 at 16:42

Open a file in a tab in vim in readonly mode

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