:read filename

or its abbreviation:

:r filename

This command inserts the contents of filename starting on the line after the cursor position in the file. If you want to specify a line other than the one the cursor's on, simply type the line number (or other line address) you want before the read or r command.

Let's suppose you are editing the file practice and want to read in a file called data from another directory called /home/tim. Position the cursor one line above the line where you want the new data inserted, and enter:

:r /home/tim/data

The entire contents of /home/tim/data are read into practice, beginning below the line with the cursor.

To read in the same file and place it after line 185, you would enter:

:185r /home/tim/data

Here are other ways to read in a file:

:$r /home/tim/data

Place the read-in file at the end of the current file.

:0r /home/tim/data

Place the read-in file at the very beginning of the current file.

:/pattern/r /home/tim/data

Place the read-in file in the current file, after the line containing pattern.

5.3. Saving and Exiting Files		5.5. Editing Multiple Files