How do you return from 'gf' in Vim

Question

I am using Vim for windows installed in Unix mode. Thanks to this site I now use the gf command to go to a file under the cursor.

I\'m looking for a com

Answer 1

When you open a new file (with gf or :n or another command) the old file remains in a buffer list. You can list open files with :ls

If you want to navigate easily between buffers in vim, you can create a mapping like this:

nmap <M-LEFT> :bN<cr>
nmap <M-RIGHT> :bn<cr>

Now you can switch between buffers with Alt + left arrow or Alt + right arrow.

The complete documentation on mappings is here:

:help map.txt

Answer 2

I haven't looked at your gf command but I imagine it uses the :e or :find command.
Assuming that this is correct, simply replace the :e or :find with :new (or :vnew for a vertical split) and the file will open in a new window instead of the same one.

e.g.

"Switch between header and cpp
nmap ,s :find %:t:r.cpp<CR>
nmap ,S :new %:t:r.cpp<CR>
nmap ,h :find %:t:r.h<CR>
nmap ,H :new %:t:r.h<CR>
nmap ,F :new =expand("<cfile>:t")<CR><CR>
nmap ,d :new =expand("<cfile>")<CR><CR> 

Answer 3

I got CTRL-W f to work.
It's quite depressing that I've spent so long perfecting maps for these commands only to discover that there are built-in versions.

Answer 4

Use gf to descend into a file and use :bf to get back

Answer 5

See :help alternate-file.