Vim Replace Entire File Content with External File

05/01/2026

New vim shortcut that I learned. This is part of the process of thinking Vim.

Sometimes you need to quickly replace entire file content with content from another file. Instead of copy-pasting, Vim offers a one-command solution. :-)

when?

You have a file open in Vim and want to replace all its content with content from another file. Maybe you're copying a configuration template or restoring from backup.

Then do:

:%!cat /path/to/source/file

Short explanation:

  • :% = select all lines in current buffer
  • !cat = execute external cat command
  • The result overwrites current buffer content

Links

  • :help :! - Vim external command documentation