Open a file in a tab in vim in readonly mode

Question

I\'m aware of opening files in readonly mode from shell using vim -R, but how to open a file from inside vim in a separate tab (:tabe )

Answer 1

To open a file in read only mode in a new tab, use

tab sview /path/to/file

To open the file in the same pane, (without using a new window or tab), use

view /path/to/file

Note that tab view /path/to/file does not open a new tab.

Answer 2

You can open a file in readonly mode from inside vim:

:view /path/to/file

or from command line:

$ vim -M /path/to/file

Answer 3

vim -M filename opens the file in readonly mode.

Answer 4

Try :tabedit +set\ noma|set\ ro FILE; this will open FILE in a new tab with modifiable off and readonly on, preventing you from modifying or writing the file. If you just want readonly, omit the noma set. Might be convenient to remap this to another command.

Answer 5

Something that works for me:

:vnew path/to/file

and once the file is opened, give the view command:

:view

Answer 6

Just open your file by using :tabe <filename>, then enter :view. It will automatically switch to read-only mode.