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Using Command-Line Editing

This section provides information about the command-line editor.

Basic Editing

Here are a few basic command-line editing notes:

Case—Keywords are not case sensitive; that is, they can be entered in uppercase, lowercase, or a mix of both. Filenames may be case sensitive. Local filenames are case sensitive; remote filenames are case sensitive if the host system treats filenames as case sensitive. Passwords are case sensitive.
Abbreviating keywords—You may abbreviate keywords using as few characters as you want, as long as the characters provide a unique abbreviation.
Executing a command—Always use the <Enter> key.

Command-Line Editing Keys

You can use several keys to edit the command-line. Table 7 defines the keys for editing the command-line.




 Table 7:  Command-Line Editing Keys 

 Key(s)
 Function

 Delete or Backspace

 Removes characters to left of cursor


 Left Arrow¹

 Moves cursor one character to left


 Right Arrow^a

 Moves cursor one character to right


 Ctrl+a

 Moves cursor to beginning of command-line


 Ctrl+b

 Moves cursor back one character


 Ctrl+d

 Deletes character at cursor


 Ctrl+e

 Moves cursor to end of command-line


 Ctrl+f

 Moves cursor forward one character


 Ctrl+h

 Deletes character to left of cursor


 Ctrl+k

 Deletes all characters from cursor to end of command-line


 Ctrl+l

 Redisplays system prompt and command-line


 Ctrl+o

 Toggles overwrite/insert mode


 Ctrl+t

 Transposes character to left of cursor with character located at cursor


 Ctrl+u

 Deletes entire command-line


 Ctrl+v

 Allows the "?" character to be used as a character instead of as a request for help


 Ctrl+w

 Deletes the previous word


 Ctrl+x

 In all modes, reboots the system. This feature is useful if a command is taking a prolonged time to complete and hangs the console. The command has no effect if you access the system via Telnet.
 Set the boot option flag by using the service ctrl-x-reboot command from Global Configuration mode.


 Ctrl+y

 Recalls most recent entry from delete buffer; recalled characters overwrite or are inserted in current line depending on overwrite/insert toggle


 Ctrl+z

 In all modes, except User Exec mode, returns you to Privileged Exec mode


 Esc+b

 Moves cursor back one word


 Esc+Backspace

 Deletes previous word


 Esc+d

 Deletes current or next word



 
 
  Footnote: ¹
  Footnote: Arrow keys function only on ANSI-compatible terminals, such as VT100s.

Key(s)	Function
Delete or Backspace	Removes characters to left of cursor
Left Arrow¹	Moves cursor one character to left
Right Arrow^a	Moves cursor one character to right
Ctrl+a	Moves cursor to beginning of command-line
Ctrl+b	Moves cursor back one character
Ctrl+d	Deletes character at cursor
Ctrl+e	Moves cursor to end of command-line
Ctrl+f	Moves cursor forward one character
Ctrl+h	Deletes character to left of cursor
Ctrl+k	Deletes all characters from cursor to end of command-line
Ctrl+l	Redisplays system prompt and command-line
Ctrl+o	Toggles overwrite/insert mode
Ctrl+t	Transposes character to left of cursor with character located at cursor
Ctrl+u	Deletes entire command-line
Ctrl+v	Allows the "?" character to be used as a character instead of as a request for help
Ctrl+w	Deletes the previous word
Ctrl+x	In all modes, reboots the system. This feature is useful if a command is taking a prolonged time to complete and hangs the console. The command has no effect if you access the system via Telnet. Set the boot option flag by using the service ctrl-x-reboot command from Global Configuration mode.
Ctrl+y	Recalls most recent entry from delete buffer; recalled characters overwrite or are inserted in current line depending on overwrite/insert toggle
Ctrl+z	In all modes, except User Exec mode, returns you to Privileged Exec mode
Esc+b	Moves cursor back one word
Esc+Backspace	Deletes previous word
Esc+d	Deletes current or next word

Command History Keys

The CLI maintains two separate command histories. The first command history maintains only Exec mode commands. The second history maintains all commands entered in any of the configuration modes. The appropriate history will automatically be restored as you transition between Global Configuration mode and Exec mode.

Table 8 defines the keys related to command history.




 Table 8:  Command History Keys 

 Key
 Function

 Up Arrow¹ or Ctrl+p

 Recalls commands in history buffer, starting with most recent command. Repeat key sequence to recall successively older commands.


 Down Arrow^a or Ctrl+n

 Returns to more recent commands in history buffer after recalling commands with Up Arrow or Ctrl+p. Repeat key sequence to recall successively more recent commands.


 Ctrl+r

 Begin a reverse search for a previously entered string in the history buffer by providing a character string when prompted. Enter Ctrl+r to continue searching. Ctrl+h or Del deletes the last character in the string and starts a search on the new string.



 
 
  Footnote: ¹
  Footnote: Arrow keys function only on ANSI-compatible terminals, such as VT100s.

Key	Function
Up Arrow¹ or Ctrl+p	Recalls commands in history buffer, starting with most recent command. Repeat key sequence to recall successively older commands.
Down Arrow^a or Ctrl+n	Returns to more recent commands in history buffer after recalling commands with Up Arrow or Ctrl+p. Repeat key sequence to recall successively more recent commands.
Ctrl+r	Begin a reverse search for a previously entered string in the history buffer by providing a character string when prompted. Enter Ctrl+r to continue searching. Ctrl+h or Del deletes the last character in the string and starts a search on the new string.

Pagination Keys

If the system needs to display more text than you can fit on the screen, the output pauses and the --More-- prompt appears. Table 9 defines the pagination keys that you can use when the --More-- prompt appears. For more information, see The - - More - - Prompt.




 Table 9:  Pagination Keys  

 Key
 Function

 Enter

 Scrolls down one more line


 Space bar

 Displays one more screen


 +

 Displays all output lines that contain the text string


 -

 Displays all output lines that do not contain the text string


 / 

 Displays all output lines starting at the first line that contains the text string


 Any other key

 Aborts output and returns you to command prompt

Key	Function
Enter	Scrolls down one more line
Space bar	Displays one more screen
+	Displays all output lines that contain the text string
-	Displays all output lines that do not contain the text string
/	Displays all output lines starting at the first line that contains the text string
Any other key	Aborts output and returns you to command prompt

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