Vim for Windows - What do I type to save and exit from a file?

Question

Using Windows XP I accidentally typed git commit -a instead of git commit -am "My commit message", and now I'm viewing my CMD prompt filled with the file version of my commit message ("Please enter the commit message for your..."). I've added my message to the top, but now I can't figure out how to save and leave. I tried to press Ctrl + W + Q, but it doesn't do anything, but add ^ where the cursor is.

I also tried Esc first, and then Ctrl + W + Q, but it says No write since last change (add ! to override).

Oh, it's such a relief that I'm not the only one that got stuck at that. — Tomáš Zato - Reinstate Monica, Sep 14 '15 at 08:29
Possible duplicate of *[How to exit the Vim editor?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/11828270/how-to-exit-the-vim-editor)* — Peter Mortensen, Sep 17 '18 at 13:31

score 530 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 28 '19 at 14:23

530

Press ESC to make sure you are out of the edit mode and then type:

:wq

edited Jan 28 '19 at 14:23

orokusaki

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answered Jan 16 '11 at 22:54

nunopolonia

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@User789 for anything specific or in general? If you're looking for generic commands try this website: http://www.viemu.com/a_vi_vim_graphical_cheat_sheet_tutorial.html – nunopolonia Nov 07 '13 at 10:35
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They really could have added this as a comment so thousands of us weren't sent out of the terminal for three characters!! But I think nunopolonia is glad they didn't =) – Casey Murray Feb 27 '16 at 16:51
Keep in mind that if you have ***multiple keyboard layouts*** and you forget you are ***not on english keyboard layout***, you might get stuck and thinking this doesn't work. Hope I helped someone not waste time like I did. – Djuka Oct 07 '16 at 09:52
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Thank god I found this. Seriously, it wouldn't have hurt to just add that one piece of direction to the enter commit message screen?? – voidzero Oct 31 '16 at 18:00

score 52 · Answer 2 · edited Sep 12 '19 at 14:51

52

Instead of telling you how you could execute a certain command (Esc:wq), I can provide you two links that may help you with VIM:

http://bullium.com/support/vim.html provides an HTML quick reference card
http://tnerual.eriogerg.free.fr/vim.html provides a PDF quick reference card in several languages, optimized for print-out, fold and put on your desk drawer

However, the best way to learn Vim is not only using it for Git commits, but as a regular editor for your everyday work.

If you're not going to switch to Vim, it's nonsense to keep its commands in mind. In that case, go and set up your favourite editor to use with Git.

edited Sep 12 '19 at 14:51

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jan 18 '11 at 21:53

eckes

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+1 for this really helpfull answer. I prefer Emacs and thanks to your link I don't have to google for a solution. – Keks Dose Feb 07 '12 at 18:01
+1 for the explanation on VIM and how to set up my own editor – EdmundYeung99 Mar 21 '13 at 22:34
Teaching how to fish is better than giving him a fish to eat. Thanks. – matrix Apr 14 '15 at 12:10
Best way to answer the question that should have been asked. Thx – maaeab Sep 22 '15 at 23:29
HTML link is broken. – Naxos84 Feb 05 '18 at 13:30

score 35 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 16 '11 at 22:54

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Esc to make sure you exit insert mode, then :wq (colon w q) or ZZ (shift-Z shift-Z).

answered Jan 16 '11 at 22:54

ephemient

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Anyone else noticed how much easier this `Shift-Z` `Shift-Z` is than the other one? And by the way, does anything ever get less intuitive? Oh yes, I'm a citizen of Windows! – Ifedi Okonkwo Apr 22 '15 at 17:28

score 32 · Answer 4 · edited Sep 12 '19 at 14:53

32

Press i or a to get into insert mode, and type the message of choice
Press ESC several times to get out of insert mode, or any other mode you might have run into by accident
- to save, :wq, :x or ZZ
- to exit without saving, :q! or ZQ

To reload a file and undo all changes you have made...:

Press several times ESC and then enter :e!.

edited Sep 12 '19 at 14:53

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jan 09 '12 at 23:47

sjas

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score 10 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 17 '11 at 10:00

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A faster way to

Save
and quit

would be

:x

If you have opened multiple files you may need to do a

:xa

answered Jan 17 '11 at 10:00

Fabian Schuh

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Note that :x will only write files that have changed. – Simon Richter Jan 31 '11 at 12:46

score 5 · Answer 6 · answered Jan 16 '11 at 22:54

5

:q! will force an unconditional no-save exit

answered Jan 16 '11 at 22:54

Marc B

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This should be a comment. It's highly relevant but does not answer the question. On contrary it talks about a command that does the opposite of what is asked for. Relevant but not an answer – Rune FS Apr 03 '13 at 09:27

score 0 · Answer 7 · edited Sep 12 '19 at 14:53

0

Use:

:wq!

The exclamation mark is used for overriding read-only mode.

edited Sep 12 '19 at 14:53

Peter Mortensen

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answered Mar 26 '18 at 07:34

Hedego

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Vim for Windows - What do I type to save and exit from a file?

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