Sort and Reorder Lines
:sort with flags handles unique, numeric, reverse, and key-based sorting.
:sort sorts 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 ({key::!}), Global ({key::g}) and Vglobal ({key::v})