How to Edit Text Files Graphically on Linux With gedit

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Linux users normally edit configuration files with terminal-based tools like nano and vim . If you want to edit a file graphically—even a system file—the gedit text editor makes it painless and easy.

Files, Files Everywhere

An oft-repeated phrase concerning Linux and other Unix-based operating systems such as macOS is “everything is a file.”

While that’s not strictly accurate, text files are often used for system logs and configuration. You can read these files to learn more about the inner workings of your operating system, and you can edit them to change its behavior.

The default GNOME text editor is gedit, so you should find it on any system with a GNOME desktop environment. That includes Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, CentOS, and Red Hat. It’s a handy tool for editing files when all you need is just enough editor to get the job done—without the learning curve of some of the power-house editors like vim.

RELATED: What Does “Everything Is a File” Mean in Linux?

Launching gedit

To start gedit from the command line, type gedit and hit Enter.

gedit command in a terminal window

The gedit text editor will appear shortly.

gedit text editor with blank document on Linux

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Source : How to Edit Text Files Graphically on Linux With gedit