How can I change a file s encoding with vim

Question

I m used to using vim to modify a file s line endings     file file file  ASCII text  with CRLF line terminators   vim file  set ff mac  wq   file file file  ASCII text  with CR line terminators   Is it possible to use a similar process to change a file s unicode encoding   I m trying the following  which doesn t work     file file xml file xml  Unicode text  UTF-16  little-endian   vim file  set encoding utf-8  wq   file file xml file xml  Unicode text  UTF-16  little-endian   I saw someone say that he could  set fileencoding utf-8  then update and write the file  and it works   but I seem to be missing something  or else he was confused   I don t know what he meant by  then update

User · Answer

Notice that there is a difference between

set encoding

and

set fileencoding

In the first case, you'll change the output encoding that is shown in the terminal. In the second case, you'll change the output encoding of the file that is written.

User · Answer

While using vim to do it is perfectly possible  why don t you simply use iconv  I mean - loading text editor just to do encoding conversion seems like using too big hammer for too small nail   Just   iconv -f utf-16 -t utf-8 file xml  gt  file utf8 xml   And you re done

User · Answer

Just like your steps  setting fileencoding should work  However  I d like to add one  set bomb  to help editor consider the file as UTF8     vim file  set bomb  set fileencoding utf-8  wq

User · Answer

It could be useful to change the encoding just on the command line before the file is read   rem On MicroSoft Windows vim --cmd  set encoding utf-8  file ext   In  nix shell vim --cmd  set encoding utf-8  file ext   See starting  --cmd

User · Answer

From the doc       write   enc utf-8 russian txt   So you should be able to change the encoding as part of the write command

[vim] How can I change a file's encoding with vim?

Examples related to vim

Examples related to unicode