How can I copy and paste code to an emtpy file in the vim editor?

Question

I want to replace a file with another file I have written in a text editor. I have cleared the current file in the vim editor, but when I try to paste my new code into the empty file, it does not let me do so. How can I paste into the vim editor?

Answer 1

It sounds like you're in the scratchpad of vim.. Make sure you get into the file first.

Starting from the command line:

vim path/to/my_file.txt
:set paste
i
<Paste your code here>
<Hit the escape key>
:w
:q

If vim is already open:

:e path/to/my_file.txt
:set paste
i
<Paste your code here>
<Hit the escape key>
:w
:q