Vim get/set buffer name without entering buffer

Question

You can change the name of a buffer with the 'file' command, but you have to enter the buffer first. How can I use the getbufvar/setbufvar or a similar function to get/change the name of a buffer by just providing a buffer number, without entering it? Is there a way at all?

I know getbufinfo() gives you the buffer name in a variable called 'name', so I tried something like this: setbufvar(buffer_number, 'name', 'new_name_value'), but it just creates a b:name variable. Is there a specific way to address the buffer name? — J. Doe
– J. Doe, Commented Aug 24, 2018 at 12:40
not possible as far as i know with pure Vimscript. Might work using python Interface. — Christian Brabandt
– Christian Brabandt, Commented Aug 24, 2018 at 13:12

sidyll · Accepted Answer · 2018-08-24 19:59:14Z

1

I don't think there is a native way of changing a buffer name, but restoring the current buffer is not a complicated task:

function! Rename(buffer, name)
  let current = bufnr("%")
  execute a:buffer . 'bufdo file ' . fnameescape(a:name)
  execute 'buffer ' . current
endfunction

edited Aug 24, 2018 at 19:59

answered Aug 24, 2018 at 13:26

sidyll

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1 Comment

sidyll Over a year ago

@Maëlan well noticed. Thanks.

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