How to Scroll Up and Down in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal?


Scrolling usually comes in handy when there is a lot of output displayed at the Terminal. Scrolling makes it easier for the user to navigate in the Terminal to perform a certain action on the output. The most convenient way to navigate in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal for basic Linux users is by using a mouse but there might be situations when a mouse is not available or there is no GUI (Graphical User Interface)/ desktop environment.

Linux offers a powerful Terminal that is capable of performing all tasks such as file management, administrative tasks, etc. Intermediate and advanced Linux users prefer to use keyboard shortcuts to perform tasks more quickly and efficiently.

This article will demonstrate different ways of scrolling up and down in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal by exploring the following methods:

  • Scrolling up one line at a time.
  • Scrolling down one line at a time.
  • Scroll the entire page up.
  • Scroll the entire page down.
  • Return Cursor Position.
  • Scroll up and down via Mouse
  • Scroll up while using the “more” command
  • Scroll up while using the “less” commands

How to Scroll Up One Line at a Time in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via Keyboard Shortcuts?

In order to scroll up one line at a time in a Linux/Ubuntu terminal, use the keyboard key combination Ctrl+Shift along with the Up arrow key. Alternatively, users can use the Shift+Up arrow key:

How to Scroll Down One Line at a Time in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via Keyboard Shortcuts?

In order to scroll down one line at a time in a Linux/Ubuntu terminal, use the keyboard key combination Ctrl+Shift along with the Down arrow key or Shift+Down arrow key:

How to Scroll the Entire Page Up in the Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via Keyboard Shortcuts?

To scroll an entire page up in a Linux/Ubuntu terminal, use the keyboard key combination Ctrl+Shift along with PageUp or Shift+PageUp:

How to Scroll the Entire Page Down in the Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via Keyboard Shortcuts?

Use the keyboard key combination Ctrl+Shift along with PageDown or Shift+PageDown to scroll an entire page down in a Linux/Ubuntu terminal:

How to Return Cursor Position in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via Keyboard Shortcuts?

In order to return to the cursor position in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal, use the keyboard key combination Ctrl+End:

How to Scroll Up While Using “more” Command in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via Keyboard Shortcuts?

The more command is used to read text files in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal. It usually displays the contents of larger files one screen at a time. In order to scroll up while using the “more” command, use the button b:

How to Scroll Up While Using “less” Command in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via Keyboard Shortcuts?

The less command is used to read text files in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal. The less command usually displays the contents of larger files one screen at a time. In order to scroll up while using the “less” command, use the button b:

How to Scroll Up and Down in the Linux/Ubuntu Terminal via a Mouse?

To scroll up and down in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal via Mouse, simply scroll the wheel:

That’s all about scrolling up and down in the Linux terminal using keyboard shortcuts.

Conclusion

Navigation in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal, i.e., scrolling up and down can be conveniently performed via keyboard shortcuts as well as by a mouse. A user can quickly and efficiently scroll up and down line by line via keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+Shift+Up and Ctrl+Shift+Down respectively. Additionally, a user can scroll up and down an entire page at a time via Shift+Page Up and Shift+Page Dn respectively. Users can return to the cursor position via Ctrl+End. This article demonstrated different ways of scrolling up and down in Linux/Ubuntu Terminal.

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