How to make Vim's file browser open a file in a new buffer?

Question

Sometimes I start Vim by pointing it at a directory, but I'm not certain yet which file I'll need to change, so I end up looking through several files.

Is there a way to make the file browser open a selected file into a new buffer so that the file browser is still available without having to reopen it with :e path/to/directory ?

Garaway

Answer 1

I'm not sure if you can have it open in a new buffer, but you can have it open in a new split using o or v for a horizontal or vertical split respectively.

You could also preview the file using p which runs :pedit <fname> where <fname> is the file under the cursor. This opens a new split window but doesn't change the cursor focus or position. You can close this window with :pclose or simply :pc.

See :help netrw-browse-maps for more information.

Catricecatrina

'O' doesn't open the file in new vertical browser instead 'v' does. – Asbestos

@Asbestos Hmm, I wonder if that has changed in the past 6 years or if I was wrong from the outset. Either way I'll update this answer. Thanks! – Catricecatrina

No prob. I'm new to using vim and was exploring vim tricks. I came across your answer for one of my doubts. :) – Asbestos

Answer 2

This is not strictly speaking what you are asking for, but I think it's equivalent:

If you open a file from the file browser you can use CTRL-^ (and/or CTRL-6 ?) to return to the browser. This results in the file open in one buffer and the file browser open at the directory you started in.

Hope it helps...

Wheatley

Oh my god. Life changing. – Java