Sort and Reorder Lines
:sort with flags handles unique, numeric, reverse, and key-based sorting.
:sortsorts lines lexicographically. Flags switch on numeric, ignore-case, unique, and reverse modes./pattern/as a key sorts by the post-pattern portion of each line.
:sort sorts a range of lines in place. With no range, the whole file. Combine flags to get the exact ordering you want without leaving the editor.
Flags
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
:sort |
Sort the whole file lexicographically |
:sort u |
Unique — drop duplicate lines after sorting |
:sort i |
Ignore case |
:sort n |
Numeric (treat lines as numbers) |
:sort r |
Reverse |
:sort un |
Unique + numeric |
:'<,'>sort |
Sort the visual selection |
:10,20sort |
Sort lines 10–20 |
:sort /^\s*/ |
Sort by the part after leading whitespace |
:sort! r /,/ |
Reverse-sort by the comma-separated key |
See also: Shell Commands (:!), Global (:g) and Vglobal (:v)