The following performs a search and replace in all buffers (all those listed with the :ls command): :bufdo %s/pattern/replace/ge | update The command above uses :update to save each buffer, if it was changed. That is necessary because, by default, Vim will not switch away from a buffer if it has been changed. One alternative is to set the 'autowriteall' option so changed buffers are automatically saved when required: :set autowriteall :bufdo %s/pattern/replace/ge :set hidden :bufdo %s/pattern/replace/ge :wa :bufdo! %s/pattern/replace/ge