windows - Vim Documentation

windows.txt   For Vim version 9.1.  Last change: 2024 Dec 16


                  VIM REFERENCE MANUAL    by Bram Moolenaar


Editing with multiple windows and buffers.              windows buffers

The commands which have been added to use multiple windows and buffers are
explained here.  Additionally, there are explanations for commands that work
differently when used in combination with more than one window.

The basics are explained in chapter 7 and 8 of the user manual usr_07.txt
usr_08.txt.

1.  Introduction                                windows-intro
2.  Starting Vim                                windows-starting
3.  Opening and closing a window                opening-window
4.  Moving cursor to other windows              window-move-cursor
5.  Moving windows around                       window-moving
6.  Window resizing                             window-resize
7.  Argument and buffer list commands           buffer-list
8.  Do a command in all buffers or windows      list-repeat
9.  Tag or file name under the cursor           window-tag
10. The preview window                          preview-window
11. Using hidden buffers                        buffer-hidden
12. Special kinds of buffers                    special-buffers

{not able to use multiple windows when the +windows feature was disabled at
compile time}

==============================================================================
1. Introduction                                 windows-intro window

Summary:
   A buffer is the in-memory text of a file.
   A window is a viewport on a buffer.
   A tab page is a collection of windows.

A window is a viewport onto a buffer.  You can use multiple windows on one
buffer, or several windows on different buffers.

A buffer is a file loaded into memory for editing.  The original file remains
unchanged until you write the buffer to the file.

A buffer can be in one of three states:

                                                        active-buffer
active:   The buffer is displayed in a window.  If there is a file for this
          buffer, it has been read into the buffer.  The buffer may have been
          modified since then and thus be different from the file.
                                                        hidden-buffer
hidden:   The buffer is not displayed.  If there is a file for this buffer, it
          has been read into the buffer.  Otherwise it's the same as an active
          buffer, you just can't see it.
                                                        inactive-buffer
inactive: The buffer is not displayed and does not contain anything.  Options
          for the buffer are remembered if the file was once loaded.  It can
          contain marks from the viminfo file.  But the buffer doesn't
          contain text.

In a table:

state           displayed       loaded          ":buffers" 
                in window                       shows      
active            yes            yes              'a'
hidden            no             yes              'h'
inactive          no             no               ' '

                                                        buffer-reuse
Each buffer has a unique number and the number will not change within a Vim
session.  The bufnr() and bufname() functions can be used to convert
between a buffer name and the buffer number.  There is one exception: if a new
empty buffer is created and it is not modified, the buffer will be re-used
when loading another file into that buffer. This also means the buffer number
will not change.

The main Vim window can hold several split windows.  There are also tab pages
tab-page, each of which can hold multiple windows.

                                        window-ID winid windowid
Each window has a unique identifier called the window ID.  This identifier
will not change within a Vim session. The win_getid() and win_id2tabwin()
functions can be used to convert between the window/tab number and the
identifier.  There is also the window number, which may change whenever
windows are opened or closed, see winnr().
The window number is only valid in one specific tab.  The window ID is valid
across tabs.  For most functions that take a window ID or a window number, the
window number only applies to the current tab, while the window ID can refer
to a window in any tab.


==============================================================================
2. Starting Vim                                         windows-starting

By default, Vim starts with one window, just like Vi.

The "-o" and "-O" arguments to Vim can be used to open a window for each file
in the argument list.  The "-o" argument will split the windows horizontally;
the "-O" argument will split the windows vertically.  If both "-o" and "-O"
are given, the last one encountered will be used to determine the split
orientation.  For example, this will open three windows, split horizontally:

"-oN", where N is a decimal number, opens N windows split horizontally.  If
there are more file names than windows, only N windows are opened and some
files do not get a window.  If there are more windows than file names, the
last few windows will be editing empty buffers.  Similarly, "-ON" opens N
windows split vertically, with the same restrictions.

If there are many file names, the windows will become very small.  You might
want to set the 'winheight' and/or 'winwidth' options to create a workable
situation.

Buf/Win Enter/Leave autocommands are not executed when opening the new
windows and reading the files, that's only done when they are really entered.

                                                        status-line
A status line will be used to separate windows.  The 'laststatus' option tells
when the last window also has a status line:
        'laststatus' = 0        never a status line
        'laststatus' = 1        status line if there is more than one window
        'laststatus' = 2        always a status line

You can change the contents of the status line with the 'statusline' option.
This option can be local to the window, so that you can have a different
status line in each window.

Normally, inversion is used to display the status line.  This can be changed
with the 's' character in the 'highlight' option.  For example, "sb" sets it to
bold characters.  If no highlighting is used for the status line ("sn"), the
'^' character is used for the current window, and '=' for other windows.  If
the mouse is supported and enabled with the 'mouse' option, a status line can
be dragged to resize windows.

Note: If you expect your status line to be in reverse video and it isn't,
check if the 'highlight' option contains "si".  In version 3.0, this meant to
invert the status line.  Now it should be "sr", reverse the status line, as
"si" now stands for italic!  If italic is not available on your terminal, the
status line is inverted anyway; you will only see this problem on terminals
that have termcap codes for italics.

                                                        filler-lines
The lines after the last buffer line in a window are called filler lines.  By
default, these lines start with a tilde (~) character. The 'eob' item in the
'fillchars' option can be used to change this character. By default, these
characters are highlighted as NonText (hl-NonText). The EndOfBuffer
highlight group (hl-EndOfBuffer) can be used to change the highlighting of
the filler characters.

==============================================================================
3. Opening and closing a window                         opening-window

CTRL-W s                                                CTRL-W_s
CTRL-W S                                                CTRL-W_S
CTRL-W CTRL-S                                           CTRL-W_CTRL-S
:[N]sp[lit] [++opt] [+cmd] [file]                       :sp :split
                Split current window in two.  The result is two viewports on
                the same file.

                Make the new window N high (default is to use half the height
                of the current window).  Reduces the current window height to
                create room (and others, if the 'equalalways' option is set,
                'eadirection' isn't "hor", and one of them is higher than the
                current or the new window).

                If [file] is given it will be edited in the new window.  If it
                is not loaded in any buffer, it will be read.  Else the new
                window will use the already loaded buffer.

                Note: CTRL-S does not work on all terminals and might block
                further input, use CTRL-Q to get going again.
                Also see ++opt and +cmd.
                                                        E242 E1159
                Be careful when splitting a window in an autocommand, it may
                mess up the window layout if this happens while making other
                window layout changes.

CTRL-W CTRL-V                                           CTRL-W_CTRL-V
CTRL-W v                                                CTRL-W_v
:[N]vs[plit] [++opt] [+cmd] [file]                      :vs :vsplit
                Like :split, but split vertically.  The windows will be
                spread out horizontally if
                1. a width was not specified,
                2. 'equalalways' is set,
                3. 'eadirection' isn't "ver", and
                4. one of the other windows is wider than the current or new
                   window.
                If N was given make the new window N columns wide, if
                possible.
                Note: In other places CTRL-Q does the same as CTRL-V, but here
                it doesn't!

CTRL-W n                                                CTRL-W_n
CTRL-W CTRL-N                                           CTRL-W_CTRL-N
:[N]new [++opt] [+cmd]                                  :new
                Create a new window and start editing an empty file in it.
                Make new window N high (default is to use half the existing
                height).  Reduces the current window height to create room (and
                others, if the 'equalalways' option is set and 'eadirection'
                isn't "hor").
                Also see ++opt and +cmd.
                If 'fileformats' is not empty, the first format given will be
                used for the new buffer.  If 'fileformats' is empty, the
                'fileformat' of the current buffer is used.  This can be
                overridden with the ++opt argument.
                Autocommands are executed in this order:
                1. WinLeave for the current window
                2. WinEnter for the new window
                3. BufLeave for the current buffer
                4. BufEnter for the new buffer
                This behaves like a ":split" first, and then an ":enew"
                command.

:[N]new [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
:[N]sp[lit] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}                       :split_f
                Create a new window and start editing file {file} in it.  This
                behaves almost like a ":split" first, and then an ":edit"
                command, but the alternate file name in the original window is
                set to {file}.
                If [+cmd] is given, execute the command when the file has been
                loaded +cmd.
                Also see ++opt.
                Make new window N high (default is to use half the existing
                height).  Reduces the current window height to create room
                (and others, if the 'equalalways' option is set).

:[N]vne[w] [++opt] [+cmd] [file]                        :vne :vnew
                Like :new, but split vertically.  If 'equalalways' is set
                and 'eadirection' isn't "ver" the windows will be spread out
                horizontally, unless a width was specified.

:[N]sv[iew] [++opt] [+cmd] [file]               :sv :sview splitview
                Same as ":split", but set 'readonly' option for this buffer.

:[N]sf[ind] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}            :sf :sfi :sfind splitfind
                Same as ":split", but search for {file} in 'path' like in
                :find.  Doesn't split if {file} is not found.

CTRL-W CTRL-^                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-^ CTRL-W_^
CTRL-W ^        Split the current window in two and edit the alternate file.
                When a count N is given, split the current window and edit
                buffer N.  Similar to ":sp #" and ":sp #N", but it allows the
                other buffer to be unnamed.  This command matches the behavior
                of CTRL-^, except that it splits a window first.

                                                CTRL-W_:
CTRL-W :        Does the same as typing : - enter a command line.  Useful in a
                terminal window, where all Vim commands must be preceded with
                CTRL-W or 'termwinkey'.

Note that the 'splitbelow' and 'splitright' options influence where a new
window will appear.
                                                                E36
Creating a window will fail if there is not enough room.  Every window needs
at least one screen line and column, sometimes more.   Options 'winminheight'
and 'winminwidth' are relevant.

                                                :vert :vertical
:vert[ical] {cmd}
                Execute {cmd}.  If it contains a command that splits a window,
                it will be split vertically.  For vertical wincmd = windows
                will be equalized only vertically.
                Doesn't work for :execute and :normal.

                                                :hor :horizontal
:hor[izontal] {cmd}
                Execute {cmd}.  Currently only makes a difference for
                horizontal wincmd =, which will equalize windows only
                horizontally.

:lefta[bove] {cmd}                              :lefta :leftabove
:abo[veleft] {cmd}                              :abo :aboveleft
                Execute {cmd}.  If it contains a command that splits a window,
                it will be opened left (vertical split) or above (horizontal
                split) the current window.  Overrules 'splitbelow' and
                'splitright'.
                Doesn't work for :execute and :normal.

:rightb[elow] {cmd}                             :rightb :rightbelow
:bel[owright] {cmd}                             :bel :belowright
                Execute {cmd}.  If it contains a command that splits a window,
                it will be opened right (vertical split) or below (horizontal
                split) the current window.  Overrules 'splitbelow' and
                'splitright'.
                Doesn't work for :execute and :normal.

                                                :topleft E442
:to[pleft] {cmd}
                Execute {cmd}.  If it contains a command that splits a window,
                it will appear at the top and occupy the full width of the Vim
                window.  When the split is vertical the window appears at the
                far left and occupies the full height of the Vim window.
                Doesn't work for :execute and :normal.

                                                :bo :botright
:bo[tright] {cmd}
                Execute {cmd}.  If it contains a command that splits a window,
                it will appear at the bottom and occupy the full width of the
                Vim window.  When the split is vertical the window appears at
                the far right and occupies the full height of the Vim window.
                Doesn't work for :execute and :normal.

These command modifiers can be combined to make a vertically split window
occupy the full height.  Example:
Opens a vertically split, full-height window on the "tags" file at the far
left of the Vim window.


Closing a window
----------------

:q[uit]
:{count}q[uit]                                          :count_quit
CTRL-W q                                                CTRL-W_q
CTRL-W CTRL-Q                                           CTRL-W_CTRL-Q
                Without {count}: Quit the current window.  If {count} is
                given quit the {count} window.
                                                        edit-window
                When quitting the last edit window (not counting help or
                preview windows), exit Vim.

                When 'hidden' is set, and there is only one window for the
                current buffer, it becomes hidden.  When 'hidden' is not set,
                and there is only one window for the current buffer, and the
                buffer was changed, the command fails.

                (Note: CTRL-Q does not work on all terminals).

                If [count] is greater than the last window number the last
                window will be closed:

                When closing a help window, and this is not the only window,
                Vim will try to restore the previous window layout, see
                :helpclose.

:q[uit]!
:{count}q[uit]!
                Without {count}: Quit the current window.  If {count} is
                given quit the {count} window.

                If this was the last window for a buffer, any changes to that
                buffer are lost.  When quitting the last window (not counting
                help windows), exit Vim.  The contents of the buffer are lost,
                even when 'hidden' is set.

:clo[se][!]
:{count}clo[se][!]
CTRL-W c                                        CTRL-W_c :clo :close
                Without {count}: Close the current window.  If {count} is
                given close the {count} window.

                When the 'hidden' option is set, or when the buffer was
                changed and the [!] is used, the buffer becomes hidden (unless
                there is another window editing it).

                When there is only one edit-window in the current tab page
                and there is another tab page, this closes the current tab
                page.  tab-page.

                This command fails when:                        E444
                - There is only one window on the screen.
                - When 'hidden' is not set, [!] is not used, the buffer has
                  changes, and there is no other window on this buffer.
                Changes to the buffer are not written and won't get lost, so
                this is a "safe" command.

CTRL-W CTRL-C                                           CTRL-W_CTRL-C
                You might have expected that CTRL-W CTRL-C closes the current
                window, but that does not work, because the CTRL-C cancels the
                command.

                                                        :hide
:hid[e]
:{count}hid[e]
                Without {count}: Quit the current window, unless it is the
                last window on the screen.
                If {count} is given quit the {count} window.

                The buffer becomes hidden (unless there is another window
                editing it or 'bufhidden' is "unload", "delete" or "wipe").
                If the window is the last one in the current tab page the tab
                page is closed.  tab-page

                The value of 'hidden' is irrelevant for this command.  Changes
                to the buffer are not written and won't get lost, so this is a
                "safe" command.

:hid[e] {cmd}   Execute {cmd} with 'hidden' set.  The previous value of
                'hidden' is restored after {cmd} has been executed.
                Example:
                This will edit "Makefile", and hide the current buffer if it
                has any changes.

:on[ly][!]
:{count}on[ly][!]
CTRL-W o                                                CTRL-W_o E445
CTRL-W CTRL-O                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-O :on :only
                Make the current window the only one on the screen.  All other
                windows are closed.  For {count} see the :quit command
                above :count_quit.

                When the 'hidden' option is set, all buffers in closed windows
                become hidden.

                When 'hidden' is not set, and the 'autowrite' option is set,
                modified buffers are written.  Otherwise, windows that have
                buffers that are modified are not removed, unless the [!] is
                given, then they become hidden.  But modified buffers are
                never abandoned, so changes cannot get lost.

==============================================================================
4. Moving cursor to other windows                       window-move-cursor

CTRL-W <Down>                                   CTRL-W_<Down>
CTRL-W CTRL-J                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-J CTRL-W_j
CTRL-W j        Move cursor to Nth window below current one.  Uses the cursor
                position to select between alternatives.

CTRL-W <Up>                                     CTRL-W_<Up>
CTRL-W CTRL-K                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-K CTRL-W_k
CTRL-W k        Move cursor to Nth window above current one.  Uses the cursor
                position to select between alternatives.

CTRL-W <Left>                                   CTRL-W_<Left>
CTRL-W CTRL-H                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-H
CTRL-W <BS>                                     CTRL-W_<BS> CTRL-W_h
CTRL-W h        Move cursor to Nth window left of current one.  Uses the
                cursor position to select between alternatives.

CTRL-W <Right>                                  CTRL-W_<Right>
CTRL-W CTRL-L                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-L CTRL-W_l
CTRL-W l        Move cursor to Nth window right of current one.  Uses the
                cursor position to select between alternatives.

CTRL-W w                                        CTRL-W_w CTRL-W_CTRL-W
CTRL-W CTRL-W   Without count: move cursor to window below/right of the
                current one.  If there is no window below or right, go to
                top-left window.
                With count: go to Nth window (windows are numbered from
                top-left to bottom-right).  To obtain the window number see
                bufwinnr() and winnr().  When N is larger than the number
                of windows go to the last window.

                                                CTRL-W_W
CTRL-W W        Without count: move cursor to window above/left of current
                one.  If there is no window above or left, go to bottom-right
                window.  With count: go to Nth window, like with CTRL-W w.

CTRL-W t                                        CTRL-W_t CTRL-W_CTRL-T
CTRL-W CTRL-T   Move cursor to top-left window.

CTRL-W b                                        CTRL-W_b CTRL-W_CTRL-B
CTRL-W CTRL-B   Move cursor to bottom-right window.

CTRL-W p                                        CTRL-W_p CTRL-W_CTRL-P
CTRL-W CTRL-P   Go to previous (last accessed) window.

                                                CTRL-W_P E441
CTRL-W P        Go to preview window.  When there is no preview window this is
                an error.
                {not available when compiled without the +quickfix feature}

If Visual mode is active and the new window is not for the same buffer, the
Visual mode is ended.  If the window is on the same buffer, the cursor
position is set to keep the same Visual area selected.

                                                :winc :wincmd
These commands can also be executed with ":wincmd":

:[count]winc[md] {arg}
                Like executing CTRL-W [count] {arg}.  Example:
                Moves to the window below the current one.
                This command is useful when a Normal mode cannot be used (for
                the CursorHold autocommand event).  Or when a Normal mode
                command is inconvenient.
                The count can also be a window number.  Example:
                This goes to window "nr".

Note: All CTRL-W commands can also be executed with :wincmd, for those
places where a Normal mode command can't be used or is inconvenient (e.g.
in a browser-based terminal).

==============================================================================
5. Moving windows around                                window-moving

CTRL-W r                                CTRL-W_r CTRL-W_CTRL-R E443
CTRL-W CTRL-R   Rotate windows downwards/rightwards.  The first window becomes
                the second one, the second one becomes the third one, etc.
                The last window becomes the first window.  The cursor remains
                in the same window.
                This only works within the row or column of windows that the
                current window is in.

                                                CTRL-W_R
CTRL-W R        Rotate windows upwards/leftwards.  The second window becomes
                the first one, the third one becomes the second one, etc.  The
                first window becomes the last window.  The cursor remains in
                the same window.
                This only works within the row or column of windows that the
                current window is in.

CTRL-W x                                        CTRL-W_x CTRL-W_CTRL-X
CTRL-W CTRL-X   Without count: Exchange current window with next one.  If there
                is no next window, exchange with previous window.
                With count: Exchange current window with Nth window (first
                window is 1).  The cursor is put in the other window.
                When vertical and horizontal window splits are mixed, the
                exchange is only done in the row or column of windows that the
                current window is in.

The following commands can be used to change the window layout.  For example,
when there are two vertically split windows, CTRL-W K will change that in
horizontally split windows.  CTRL-W H does it the other way around.

                                                CTRL-W_K
CTRL-W K        Move the current window to be at the very top, using the full
                width of the screen.  This works like :topleft split, except
                it is applied to the current window and no new window is
                created.

                                                CTRL-W_J
CTRL-W J        Move the current window to be at the very bottom, using the
                full width of the screen.  This works like :botright split,
                except it is applied to the current window and no new window
                is created.

                                                CTRL-W_H
CTRL-W H        Move the current window to be at the far left, using the
                full height of the screen.  This works like
                :vert topleft split, except it is applied to the current
                window and no new window is created.

                                                CTRL-W_L
CTRL-W L        Move the current window to be at the far right, using the full
                height of the screen.  This works like :vert botright split,
                except it is applied to the current window and no new window
                is created.

                                                CTRL-W_T
CTRL-W T        Move the current window to a new tab page.  This fails if
                there is only one window in the current tab page.
                This works like :tab split, except the previous window is
                closed.
                When a count is specified the new tab page will be opened
                before the tab page with this index.  Otherwise it comes after
                the current tab page.

==============================================================================
6. Window resizing                                      window-resize

                                                CTRL-W_=
CTRL-W =        Make all windows (almost) equally high and wide, but use
                'winheight' and 'winwidth' for the current window.
                Windows with 'winfixheight' set keep their height and windows
                with 'winfixwidth' set keep their width.
                To equalize only vertically (make window equally high) use
                `vertical wincmd =`.
                To equalize only horizontally (make window equally wide) use
                `horizontal wincmd =`.

:res[ize] -N                                    :res :resize CTRL-W_-
CTRL-W -        Decrease current window height by N (default 1).
                If used after :vertical: decrease width by N.

:res[ize] +N                                    CTRL-W_+
CTRL-W +        Increase current window height by N (default 1).
                If used after :vertical: increase width by N.

:res[ize] [N]
CTRL-W CTRL-_                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-_ CTRL-W__
CTRL-W _        Set current window height to N (default: highest possible).

:{winnr}res[ize] [+-]N
                Like :resize above, but apply the size to window {winnr}
                instead of the current window.

z{nr}<CR>       Set current window height to {nr}.

                                                CTRL-W_<
CTRL-W <        Decrease current window width by N (default 1).

                                                CTRL-W_>
CTRL-W >        Increase current window width by N (default 1).

:vert[ical] res[ize] [N]                        :vertical-resize CTRL-W_bar
CTRL-W |        Set current window width to N (default: widest possible).

You can also resize a window by dragging a status line up or down with the
mouse.  Or by dragging a vertical separator line left or right.  This only
works if the version of Vim that is being used supports the mouse and the
'mouse' option has been set to enable it.

The option 'winheight' ('wh') is used to set the minimal window height of the
current window.  This option is used each time another window becomes the
current window.  If the option is '0', it is disabled.  Set 'winheight' to a
very large value, e.g., '9999', to make the current window always fill all
available space.  Set it to a reasonable value, e.g., '10', to make editing in
the current window comfortable.

The equivalent 'winwidth' ('wiw') option is used to set the minimal width of
the current window.

When the option 'equalalways' ('ea') is set, all the windows are automatically
made the same size after splitting or closing a window.  If you don't set this
option, splitting a window will reduce the size of the current window and
leave the other windows the same.  When closing a window, the extra lines are
given to the window above it.

The 'eadirection' option limits the direction in which the 'equalalways'
option is applied.  The default "both" resizes in both directions.  When the
value is "ver" only the heights of windows are equalized.  Use this when you
have manually resized a vertically split window and want to keep this width.
Likewise, "hor" causes only the widths of windows to be equalized.

The option 'cmdheight' ('ch') is used to set the height of the command-line.
If you are annoyed by the hit-enter prompt for long messages, set this
option to 2 or 3.

If there is only one window, resizing that window will also change the command
line height.  If there are several windows, resizing the current window will
also change the height of the window below it (and sometimes the window above
it).

The minimal height and width of a window is set with 'winminheight' and
'winminwidth'.  These are hard values, a window will never become smaller.


WinScrolled and WinResized autocommands
                                                win-scrolled-resized
If you want to get notified of changes in window sizes, the WinResized
autocommand event can be used.
If you want to get notified of text in windows scrolling vertically or
horizontally, the WinScrolled autocommand event can be used.  This will also
trigger in window size changes.
Exception: the events will not be triggered when the text scrolls for
'incsearch'.
                                                        WinResized-event
The WinResized event is triggered after updating the display, several
windows may have changed size then.  A list of the IDs of windows that changed
since last time is provided in the v:event.windows variable, for example:
        [1003, 1006]
                                                        WinScrolled-event
The WinScrolled event is triggered after WinResized, and also if a window
was scrolled.  That can be vertically (the text at the top of the window
changed) or horizontally (when 'wrap' is off or when the first displayed part
of the first line changes).  Note that WinScrolled will trigger many more
times than WinResized, it may slow down editing a bit.

The information provided by WinScrolled is a dictionary for each window that
has changes, using the window ID as the key, and a total count of the changes
with the key "all".  Example value for v:event (Vim9 syntax):
        {
           all: {width: 0, height: 2, leftcol: 0, skipcol: 0, topline: 1, topfill: 0},
           1003: {width: 0, height: -1, leftcol: 0, skipcol: 0, topline: 0, topfill: 0},
           1006: {width: 0, height: 1, leftcol: 0, skipcol: 0, topline: 1, topfill: 0},
        }

Note that the "all" entry has the absolute values of the individual windows
accumulated.

If you need more information about what changed, or you want to "debounce" the
events (not handle every event to avoid doing too much work), you may want to
use the winlayout() and getwininfo() functions.

WinScrolled and WinResized do not trigger when the first autocommand is
added, only after the first scroll or resize.  They may trigger when switching
to another tab page.

The commands executed are expected to not cause window size or scroll changes.
If this happens anyway, the event will trigger again very soon.  In other
words: Just before triggering the event, the current sizes and scroll
positions are stored and used to decide whether there was a change.
                                                                E1312
It is not allowed to change the window layout here (split, close or move
windows).

==============================================================================
7. Argument and buffer list commands                    buffer-list

      args list                buffer list         meaning
1. :[N]argument [N]     11. :[N]buffer [N]      to arg/buf N
2. :[N]next [file ..]   12. :[N]bnext [N]       to Nth next arg/buf
3. :[N]Next [N]         13. :[N]bNext [N]       to Nth previous arg/buf
4. :[N]previous [N]     14. :[N]bprevious [N]   to Nth previous arg/buf
5. :rewind / :first     15. :brewind / :bfirst  to first arg/buf
6. :last                16. :blast              to last arg/buf
7. :all                 17. :ball               edit all args/buffers
                        18. :unhide             edit all loaded buffers
                        19. :[N]bmod [N]        to Nth modified buf

  split & args list       split & buffer list      meaning
21. :[N]sargument [N]   31. :[N]sbuffer [N]     split + to arg/buf N
22. :[N]snext [file ..] 32. :[N]sbnext [N]      split + to Nth next arg/buf
23. :[N]sNext [N]       33. :[N]sbNext [N]      split + to Nth previous arg/buf
24. :[N]sprevious [N]   34. :[N]sbprevious [N]  split + to Nth previous arg/buf
25. :srewind / :sfirst  35. :sbrewind / :sbfirst split + to first arg/buf
26. :slast              36. :sblast             split + to last arg/buf
27. :sall               37. :sball              edit all args/buffers
                        38. :sunhide            edit all loaded buffers
                        39. :[N]sbmod [N]       split + to Nth modified buf

40. :args               list of arguments
41. :buffers            list of buffers

The meaning of [N] depends on the command:
 [N] is the number of buffers to go forward/backward on 2/12/22/32,
     3/13/23/33, and 4/14/24/34
 [N] is an argument number, defaulting to current argument, for 1 and 21
 [N] is a buffer number, defaulting to current buffer, for 11 and 31
 [N] is a count for 19 and 39

Note: ":next" is an exception, because it must accept a list of file names
for compatibility with Vi.


The argument list and multiple windows
--------------------------------------

The current position in the argument list can be different for each window.
Remember that when doing ":e file", the position in the argument list stays
the same, but you are not editing the file at that position.  To indicate
this, the file message (and the title, if you have one) shows
"(file (N) of M)", where "(N)" is the current position in the file list, and
"M" the number of files in the file list.

All the entries in the argument list are added to the buffer list.  Thus, you
can also get to them with the buffer list commands, like ":bnext".

:[N]al[l][!] [N]                                :al :all :sal :sall
:[N]sal[l][!] [N]
                Rearrange the screen to open one window for each argument.
                All other windows are closed.  When a count is given, this is
                the maximum number of windows to open.
                With the :tab modifier open a tab page for each argument.
                When there are more arguments than 'tabpagemax' further ones
                become split windows in the last tab page.
                When the 'hidden' option is set, all buffers in closed windows
                become hidden.
                When 'hidden' is not set, and the 'autowrite' option is set,
                modified buffers are written.  Otherwise, windows that have
                buffers that are modified are not removed, unless the [!] is
                given, then they become hidden.  But modified buffers are
                never abandoned, so changes cannot get lost.
                [N] is the maximum number of windows to open.  'winheight'
                also limits the number of windows opened ('winwidth' if
                :vertical was prepended).
                Buf/Win Enter/Leave autocommands are not executed for the new
                windows here, that's only done when they are really entered.
                If autocommands change the window layout while this command is
                busy an error will be given. E249

:[N]sa[rgument][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [N]                   :sa :sargument
                Short for ":split | argument [N]": split window and go to Nth
                argument.  But when there is no such argument, the window is
                not split.  Also see ++opt and +cmd.

:[N]sn[ext][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [file ..]                 :sn :snext
                Short for ":split | [N]next": split window and go to Nth next
                argument.  But when there is no next file, the window is not
                split.  Also see ++opt and +cmd.

:[N]spr[evious][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [N]                   :spr :sprevious
:[N]sN[ext][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [N]                       :sN :sNext
                Short for ":split | [N]Next": split window and go to Nth
                previous argument.  But when there is no previous file, the
                window is not split.  Also see ++opt and +cmd.

                                                :sre :srewind
:sre[wind][!] [++opt] [+cmd]
                Short for ":split | rewind": split window and go to first
                argument.  But when there is no argument list, the window is
                not split.  Also see ++opt and +cmd.

                                                :sfir :sfirst
:sfir[st] [++opt] [+cmd]
                Same as ":srewind".

                                                :sla :slast
:sla[st][!] [++opt] [+cmd]
                Short for ":split | last": split window and go to last
                argument.  But when there is no argument list, the window is
                not split.  Also see ++opt and +cmd.

                                                :dr :drop
:dr[op] [++opt] [+cmd] {file} ..
                Edit the first {file} in a window.
                - If the file is already open in a window change to that
                  window.
                - If the file is not open in a window edit the file in the
                  current window.  If the current buffer can't be abandoned,
                  the window is split first.
                - Windows that are not in the argument list or are not full
                  width will be closed if possible.
                The argument-list is set, like with the :next command.
                The purpose of this command is that it can be used from a
                program that wants Vim to edit another file, e.g., a debugger.
                When using the :tab modifier each argument is opened in a
                tab page.  The last window is used if it's empty.
                Also see ++opt and +cmd.

==============================================================================
8. Do a command in all buffers or windows                       list-repeat

                                                        :windo
:[range]windo {cmd}     Execute {cmd} in each window or if [range] is given
                        only in windows for which the window number lies in
                        the [range].  It works like doing this:
                        This only operates in the current tab page.
                        When an error is detected on one window, further
                        windows will not be visited.
                        The last window (or where an error occurred) becomes
                        the current window.
                        {cmd} can contain '|' to concatenate several commands.
                        {cmd} must not open or close windows or reorder them.

                        Also see :tabdo, :argdo, :bufdo, :cdo, :ldo,
                        :cfdo and :lfdo

                                                        :bufdo
:[range]bufdo[!] {cmd}  Execute {cmd} in each buffer in the buffer list or if
                        [range] is given only for buffers for which their
                        buffer number is in the [range].  It works like doing
                        this:
                        When the current file can't be abandoned and the [!]
                        is not present, the command fails.
                        When an error is detected on one buffer, further
                        buffers will not be visited.
                        Unlisted buffers are skipped.
                        The last buffer (or where an error occurred) becomes
                        the current buffer.
                        {cmd} can contain '|' to concatenate several commands.
                        {cmd} must not delete buffers or add buffers to the
                        buffer list.
                        Note: While this command is executing, the Syntax
                        autocommand event is disabled by adding it to
                        'eventignore'.  This considerably speeds up editing
                        each buffer.

                        Also see :tabdo, :argdo, :windo, :cdo, :ldo,
                        :cfdo and :lfdo

Examples:


This resets the 'list' option and disables folding in all windows.


This resets the 'fileencoding' in each buffer and writes it if this changed
the buffer.  The result is that all buffers will use the 'encoding' encoding
(if conversion succeeds).

==============================================================================
9. Tag or file name under the cursor                    window-tag

                                                        :sta :stag
:sta[g][!] [tagname]
                Does ":tag[!] [tagname]" and splits the window for the found
                tag.  See also :tag.

CTRL-W ]                                        CTRL-W_] CTRL-W_CTRL-]
CTRL-W CTRL-]   Split current window in two.  Use identifier under cursor as a
                tag and jump to it in the new upper window.
                In Visual mode uses the Visually selected text as a tag.
                Make new window N high.

                                                        CTRL-W_g]
CTRL-W g ]      Split current window in two.  Use identifier under cursor as a
                tag and perform ":tselect" on it in the new upper window.
                In Visual mode uses the Visually selected text as a tag.
                Make new window N high.

                                                        CTRL-W_g_CTRL-]
CTRL-W g CTRL-] Split current window in two.  Use identifier under cursor as a
                tag and perform ":tjump" on it in the new upper window.
                In Visual mode uses the Visually selected text as a tag.
                Make new window N high.

CTRL-W f                                        CTRL-W_f CTRL-W_CTRL-F
CTRL-W CTRL-F   Split current window in two.  Edit file name under cursor.
                Like ":split gf", but window isn't split if the file does not
                exist.
                Uses the 'path' variable as a list of directory names where to
                look for the file.  Also the path for current file is
                used to search for the file name.
                If the name is a hypertext link that looks like
                "type://machine/path", only "/path" is used.
                If a count is given, the count'th matching file is edited.

CTRL-W F                                                CTRL-W_F
                Split current window in two.  Edit file name under cursor and
                jump to the line number following the file name. See gF for
                details on how the line number is obtained.

CTRL-W gf                                               CTRL-W_gf
                Open a new tab page and edit the file name under the cursor.
                Like "tab split" and "gf", but the new tab page isn't created
                if the file does not exist.

CTRL-W gF                                               CTRL-W_gF
                Open a new tab page and edit the file name under the cursor
                and jump to the line number following the file name.  Like
                "tab split" and "gF", but the new tab page isn't created if
                the file does not exist.

CTRL-W gt                                               CTRL-W_gt
                Go to next tab page, same as gt.

CTRL-W gT                                               CTRL-W_gT
                Go to previous tab page, same as gT.

Also see CTRL-W_CTRL-I: open window for an included file that includes
the keyword under the cursor.

==============================================================================
10. The preview window                          preview-window

The preview window is a special window to show (preview) another file.  It is
normally a small window used to show an include file or definition of a
function.
{not available when compiled without the +quickfix feature}

There can be only one preview window (per tab page).  It is created with one
of the commands below.  The 'previewheight' option can be set to specify the
height of the preview window when it's opened.  The 'previewwindow' option is
set in the preview window to be able to recognize it.  The 'winfixheight'
option is set to have it keep the same height when opening/closing other
windows.
                                                preview-popup
Alternatively, a popup window can be used by setting the 'previewpopup'
option.  When set, it overrules the 'previewwindow' and 'previewheight'
settings.  The option is a comma-separated list of values:
        height          maximum height of the popup
        width           maximum width of the popup
        highlight       highlight group of the popup (default is Pmenu)
Example:

A few peculiarities:
- If the file is in a buffer already, it will be re-used.  This will allow for
  editing the file while it's visible in the popup window.
- No ATTENTION dialog will be used, since you can't edit the file in the popup
  window.  However, if you later open the same buffer in a normal window, you
  may not notice it's edited elsewhere.  And when then using ":edit" to
  trigger the ATTENTION and responding "A" for Abort, the preview window will
  become empty.

                                                :pta :ptag
:pta[g][!] [tagname]
                Does ":tag[!] [tagname]" and shows the found tag in a
                "Preview" window without changing the current buffer or cursor
                position.  If a "Preview" window already exists, it is re-used
                (like a help window is).  If a new one is opened,
                'previewheight' is used for the height of the window.   See
                also :tag.
                See below for an example. CursorHold-example
                Small difference from :tag: When [tagname] is equal to the
                already displayed tag, the position in the matching tag list
                is not reset.  This makes the CursorHold example work after a
                :ptnext.

CTRL-W z                                        CTRL-W_z
CTRL-W CTRL-Z                                   CTRL-W_CTRL-Z :pc :pclose
:pc[lose][!]    Close any "Preview" window currently open.  When the 'hidden'
                option is set, or when the buffer was changed and the [!] is
                used, the buffer becomes hidden (unless there is another
                window editing it).  The command fails if any "Preview" buffer
                cannot be closed.  See also :close.

                                                        :pp :ppop
:[count]pp[op][!]
                Does ":[count]pop[!]" in the preview window.  See :pop and
                :ptag.

CTRL-W }                                                CTRL-W_}
                Use identifier under cursor as a tag and perform a :ptag on
                it.  Make the new Preview window (if required) N high.  If N is
                not given, 'previewheight' is used.

CTRL-W g }                                              CTRL-W_g}
                Use identifier under cursor as a tag and perform a :ptjump on
                it.  Make the new Preview window (if required) N high.  If N is
                not given, 'previewheight' is used.

                                                        :pb :pbuffer
:[N]pb[uffer][!] [+cmd] [N]
                Edit buffer [N] from the buffer list in the preview window.
                If [N] is not given, the current buffer remains being edited.
                See :buffer-! for [!].  This will also edit a buffer that is
                not in the buffer list, without setting the 'buflisted' flag.
                The notation with single quotes does not work here, `:pbuffer
                12'345'` uses 12'345 as a buffer name.  Also see +cmd.

                                                        :ped :pedit
:ped[it][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
                Edit {file} in the preview window.  The preview window is
                opened like with :ptag.  The current window and cursor
                position isn't changed.  Useful example:

                Also see ++opt and +cmd.

                                                        :ps :psearch
:[range]ps[earch][!] [count] [/]pattern[/]
                Works like :ijump but shows the found match in the preview
                window.  The preview window is opened like with :ptag.  The
                current window and cursor position isn't changed.  Useful
                example:
                Like with the :ptag command, you can use this to
                automatically show information about the word under the
                cursor.  This is less clever than using :ptag, but you don't
                need a tags file and it will also find matches in system
                include files.  Example:
                Warning: This can be slow.

Example                                         CursorHold-example 


This will cause a ":ptag" to be executed for the keyword under the cursor,
when the cursor hasn't moved for the time set with 'updatetime'.  The "nested"
makes other autocommands be executed, so that syntax highlighting works in the
preview window.  The "silent!" avoids an error message when the tag could not
be found.  Also see CursorHold.  To disable this again:


A nice addition is to highlight the found tag, avoid the ":ptag" when there
is no word under the cursor, and a few other things:


==============================================================================
11. Using hidden buffers                                buffer-hidden

A hidden buffer is not displayed in a window, but is still loaded into memory.
This makes it possible to jump from file to file, without the need to read or
write the file every time you get another buffer in a window.

                                                        :buffer-!
If the option 'hidden' ('hid') is set, abandoned buffers are kept for all
commands that start editing another file: ":edit", ":next", ":tag", etc.  The
commands that move through the buffer list sometimes make the current buffer
hidden although the 'hidden' option is not set.  This happens when a buffer is
modified, but is forced (with '!') to be removed from a window, and
'autowrite' is off or the buffer can't be written.

You can make a hidden buffer not hidden by starting to edit it with any
command, or by deleting it with the ":bdelete" command.

The 'hidden' is global, it is used for all buffers.  The 'bufhidden' option
can be used to make an exception for a specific buffer.  It can take these
values:
        <empty>         Use the value of 'hidden'.
        hide            Hide this buffer, also when 'hidden' is not set.
        unload          Don't hide but unload this buffer, also when 'hidden'
                        is set.
        delete          Delete the buffer.

                                                        hidden-quit
When you try to quit Vim while there is a hidden, modified buffer, you will
get an error message and Vim will make that buffer the current buffer.  You
can then decide to write this buffer (":wq") or quit without writing (":q!").
Be careful: there may be more hidden, modified buffers!

A buffer can also be unlisted.  This means it exists, but it is not in the
list of buffers. unlisted-buffer


:files[!] [flags]                               :files
:buffers[!] [flags]                             :buffers :ls
:ls[!] [flags]
                Show all buffers.  Example:

                        1 #h   "/test/text"             line 1
                        2u     "asdf"                   line 0
                        3 %a + "version.c"              line 1

                When the [!] is included the list will show unlisted buffers
                (the term "unlisted" is a bit confusing then...).

                Each buffer has a unique number.  That number will not change,
                thus you can always go to a specific buffer with ":buffer N"
                or "N CTRL-^", where N is the buffer number.

                For the file name these special values are used:
                        [Prompt]        prompt-buffer
                        [Popup]         buffer of a popup-window
                        [Scratch]       'buftype' is "nofile"
                        [No Name]       no file name specified
                For a terminal-window buffer the status is used.

                Indicators (chars in the same column are mutually exclusive):
                u       an unlisted buffer (only displayed when [!] is used)
                           unlisted-buffer
                 %      the buffer in the current window
                 #      the alternate buffer for ":e #" and CTRL-^
                  a     an active buffer: it is loaded and visible
                  h     a hidden buffer: It is loaded, but currently not
                           displayed in a window hidden-buffer
                   -    a buffer with 'modifiable' off
                   =    a readonly buffer
                   R    a terminal buffer with a running job
                   F    a terminal buffer with a finished job
                   ?    a terminal buffer without a job: :terminal NONE
                    +   a modified buffer
                    x   a buffer with read errors

                [flags] can be a combination of the following characters,
                which restrict the buffers to be listed:
                     +   modified buffers
                     -   buffers with 'modifiable' off
                     =   readonly buffers
                     a   active buffers
                     u   unlisted buffers (overrides the "!")
                     h   hidden buffers
                     x   buffers with a read error
                     %   current buffer
                     #   alternate buffer
                     R   terminal buffers with a running job
                     F   terminal buffers with a finished job
                     ?   terminal buffers without a job: :terminal NONE
                     t   show time last used and sort buffers
                Combining flags means they are "and"ed together, e.g.:
                     h+   hidden buffers which are modified
                     a+   active buffers which are modified

                When using :filter the pattern is matched against the
                displayed buffer name, e.g.:

                                                :bad :badd
:bad[d] [+lnum] {fname}
                Add file name {fname} to the buffer list, without loading it,
                if it wasn't listed yet.  If the buffer was previously
                deleted, not wiped, it will be made listed again.
                If "lnum" is specified, the cursor will be positioned at that
                line when the buffer is first entered.  Note that other
                commands after the + will be ignored.

                                                 :balt
:balt [+lnum] {fname}
                Like :badd and also set the alternate file for the current
                window to {fname}.

:[N]bd[elete][!]                        :bd :bdel :bdelete E516
:bd[elete][!] [N]
                Unload buffer [N] (default: current buffer) and delete it from
                the buffer list.  If the buffer was changed, this fails,
                unless when [!] is specified, in which case changes are lost.
                The file remains unaffected.  Any windows for this buffer are
                closed.  If buffer [N] is the current buffer, another buffer
                will be displayed instead.  This is the most recent entry in
                the jump list that points into a loaded buffer.
                Actually, the buffer isn't completely deleted, it is removed
                from the buffer list unlisted-buffer and option values,
                variables and mappings/abbreviations for the buffer are
                cleared. Examples:


:bdelete[!] {bufname}                                           E93 E94
                Like ":bdelete[!] [N]", but buffer given by name, see
                {bufname}.

:bdelete[!] N1 N2 ...
                Do ":bdelete[!]" for buffer N1, N2, etc.  The arguments can be
                buffer numbers or buffer names (but not buffer names that are
                a number).  Insert a backslash before a space in a buffer
                name.

:N,Mbdelete[!]  Do ":bdelete[!]" for all buffers in the range N to M
                inclusive.

:[N]bw[ipeout][!]                       :bw :bwipe :bwipeout E517
:bw[ipeout][!] {bufname}
:N,Mbw[ipeout][!]
:bw[ipeout][!] N1 N2 ...
                Like :bdelete, but really delete the buffer.  Everything
                related to the buffer is lost.  All marks in this buffer
                become invalid, option settings are lost, the jumplist and
                tagstack data will be purged, etc.  Don't use this
                unless you know what you are doing. Examples:


:[N]bun[load][!]                                :bun :bunload E515
:bun[load][!] [N]
                Unload buffer [N] (default: current buffer).  The memory
                allocated for this buffer will be freed.  The buffer remains
                in the buffer list.
                If the buffer was changed, this fails, unless when [!] is
                specified, in which case the changes are lost.
                Any windows for this buffer are closed.  If buffer [N] is the
                current buffer, another buffer will be displayed instead.
                This is the most recent entry in the jump list that points
                into a loaded buffer.

:bunload[!] {bufname}
                Like ":bunload[!] [N]", but buffer given by name.
                Also see {bufname}.

:N,Mbunload[!]  Do ":bunload[!]" for all buffers in the range N to M
                inclusive.

:bunload[!] N1 N2 ...
                Do ":bunload[!]" for buffer N1, N2, etc.  The arguments can be
                buffer numbers or buffer names (but not buffer names that are
                a number).  Insert a backslash before a space in a buffer
                name.

:[N]b[uffer][!] [+cmd] [N]              :b :bu :buf :buffer E86
                Edit buffer [N] from the buffer list.  If [N] is not given,
                the current buffer remains being edited.  See :buffer-! for
                [!].  This will also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer
                list, without setting the 'buflisted' flag.
                The notation with single quotes does not work here,
                :buf 12'345' uses 12'345 as a buffer name.
                Also see +cmd.

:[N]b[uffer][!] [+cmd] {bufname}                                {bufname}
                Edit buffer for {bufname} from the buffer list.  A partial
                name also works, so long as it is unique in the list of
                buffers.
                Note that a buffer whose name is a number cannot be referenced
                by that name; use the buffer number instead.
                Insert a backslash before a space in a buffer name.
                See :buffer-! for [!].
                This will also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer list,
                without setting the 'buflisted' flag.
                Also see +cmd.

:[N]sb[uffer] [+cmd] [N]                                :sb :sbuffer
                Split window and edit buffer [N] from the buffer list.  If [N]
                is not given, the current buffer is edited.  Respects the
                "useopen" setting of 'switchbuf' when splitting.  This will
                also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer list, without
                setting the 'buflisted' flag.
                Also see +cmd.

:[N]sb[uffer] [+cmd] {bufname}
                Split window and edit buffer for {bufname} from the buffer
                list.  This will also edit a buffer that is not in the buffer
                list, without setting the 'buflisted' flag.
                Note: If what you want to do is split the buffer, make a copy
                under another name, you can do it this way:
                Also see +cmd.

:[N]bn[ext][!] [+cmd] [N]                               :bn :bnext E87
                Go to [N]th next buffer in buffer list.  [N] defaults to one.
                Wraps around the end of the buffer list.
                See :buffer-! for [!].
                Also see +cmd.
                If you are in a help buffer, this takes you to the next help
                buffer (if there is one).  Similarly, if you are in a normal
                (non-help) buffer, this takes you to the next normal buffer.
                This is so that if you have invoked help, it doesn't get in
                the way when you're browsing code/text buffers.  The next three
                commands also work like this.

                                                        :sbn :sbnext
:[N]sbn[ext] [+cmd] [N]
                Split window and go to [N]th next buffer in buffer list.
                Wraps around the end of the buffer list.  Uses 'switchbuf'
                Also see +cmd.

:[N]bN[ext][!] [+cmd] [N]               :bN :bNext :bp :bprevious E88
:[N]bp[revious][!] [+cmd] [N]
                Go to [N]th previous buffer in buffer list.  [N] defaults to
                one.  Wraps around the start of the buffer list.
                See :buffer-! for [!] and 'switchbuf'.
                Also see +cmd.

:[N]sbN[ext] [+cmd] [N]                 :sbN :sbNext :sbp :sbprevious
:[N]sbp[revious] [+cmd] [N]
                Split window and go to [N]th previous buffer in buffer list.
                Wraps around the start of the buffer list.
                Uses 'switchbuf'.
                Also see +cmd.

:br[ewind][!] [+cmd]                                    :br :bre :brewind
                Go to first buffer in buffer list.  If the buffer list is
                empty, go to the first unlisted buffer.
                See :buffer-! for [!].

:bf[irst] [+cmd]                                        :bf :bfirst
                Same as :brewind.
                Also see +cmd.

:sbr[ewind] [+cmd]                                      :sbr :sbrewind
                Split window and go to first buffer in buffer list.  If the
                buffer list is empty, go to the first unlisted buffer.
                Respects the 'switchbuf' option.
                Also see +cmd.

:sbf[irst] [+cmd]                                       :sbf :sbfirst
                Same as ":sbrewind".

:bl[ast][!] [+cmd]                                      :bl :blast
                Go to last buffer in buffer list.  If the buffer list is
                empty, go to the last unlisted buffer.
                See :buffer-! for [!].

:sbl[ast] [+cmd]                                        :sbl :sblast
                Split window and go to last buffer in buffer list.  If the
                buffer list is empty, go to the last unlisted buffer.
                Respects 'switchbuf' option.

:[N]bm[odified][!] [+cmd] [N]                   :bm :bmodified E84
                Go to [N]th next modified buffer.  Note: this command also
                finds unlisted buffers.  If there is no modified buffer the
                command fails.

:[N]sbm[odified] [+cmd] [N]                             :sbm :sbmodified
                Split window and go to [N]th next modified buffer.
                Respects 'switchbuf' option.
                Note: this command also finds buffers not in the buffer list.

:[N]unh[ide] [N]                        :unh :unhide :sun :sunhide
:[N]sun[hide] [N]
                Rearrange the screen to open one window for each loaded buffer
                in the buffer list.  When a count is given, this is the
                maximum number of windows to open.

:[N]ba[ll] [N]                                  :ba :ball :sba :sball
:[N]sba[ll] [N] Rearrange the screen to open one window for each buffer in
                the buffer list.  When a count is given, this is the maximum
                number of windows to open.  'winheight' also limits the number
                of windows opened ('winwidth' if :vertical was prepended).
                Buf/Win Enter/Leave autocommands are not executed for the new
                windows here, that's only done when they are really entered.
                When the :tab modifier is used new windows are opened in a
                new tab, up to 'tabpagemax'.

Note: All the commands above that start editing another buffer, keep the
'readonly' flag as it was.  This differs from the ":edit" command, which sets
the 'readonly' flag each time the file is read.

==============================================================================
12. Special kinds of buffers                    special-buffers

Instead of containing the text of a file, buffers can also be used for other
purposes.  A few options can be set to change the behavior of a buffer:
        'bufhidden'     what happens when the buffer is no longer displayed
                        in a window.
        'buftype'       what kind of a buffer this is
        'swapfile'      whether the buffer will have a swap file
        'buflisted'     buffer shows up in the buffer list

A few useful kinds of a buffer:

quickfix        Used to contain the error list or the location list.  See
                :cwindow and :lwindow.  This command sets the 'buftype'
                option to "quickfix".  You are not supposed to change this!
                'swapfile' is off.

help            Contains a help file.  Will only be created with the :help
                command.  The flag that indicates a help buffer is internal
                and can't be changed.  The 'buflisted' option will be reset
                for a help buffer.

terminal        A terminal window buffer, see terminal. The contents cannot
                be read or changed until the job ends.

directory       Displays directory contents.  Can be used by a file explorer
                plugin.  The buffer is created with these settings:
                The buffer name is the name of the directory and is adjusted
                when using the :cd command.

                                                scratch-buffer
scratch         Contains text that can be discarded at any time.  It is kept
                when closing the window, it must be deleted explicitly.
                Settings:
                The buffer name can be used to identify the buffer, if you
                give it a meaningful name.

                                                unlisted-buffer
unlisted        The buffer is not in the buffer list.  It is not used for
                normal editing, but to show a help file, remember a file name
                or marks.  The ":bdelete" command will also set this option,
                thus it doesn't completely delete the buffer.  Settings:


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