Remove chars from beginning of line using vi

Johnomal · 08-30-2009, 11:18 PM

Hi,

I would like to remove n characters from the beginning of all lines in a file using vi.

Can someone please let me know the command to do this?

Thanks,
John

Wim Sturkenboom · 08-30-2009, 11:40 PM

Not sure of your level of experience.

In command mode, press the colon; next enter the command below and press <enter>

Code:

1,$s/^.\{5}//

where 5 is the number of characters to remove

Johnomal · 08-31-2009, 01:05 AM

Brilliant.

Thanks, that worked perfectly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wim Sturkenboom

Not sure of your level of experience.

In command mode, press the colon; next enter the command below and press <enter>

Code:

1,$s/^.\{5}//

where 5 is the number of characters to remove

JulianTosh · 08-31-2009, 01:06 AM

many ways to skin a cat..

in command mode type in the number of characters you'd like to remove, then 'c' for change, then press the space key and then escape.

if you'd like to change the first word, you can use cw for "change word"

catkin · 08-31-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wim Sturkenboom

Not sure of your level of experience.

In command mode, press the colon; next enter the command below and press <enter>

Code:

1,$s/^.\{5}//

where 5 is the number of characters to remove

For a slightly shorter version of the same thing, use % as shorthand for 1,$