Vim Scoops / Lessons / Insert mode
How to type text in Vim (insert mode)
Press i to start typing before the cursor and Esc when you're done. A types at the end of the line and o opens a new line below.
The keys
| Keys | What they do |
|---|---|
| i / a | Type before / after the cursor |
| I / A | Type at the start / end of the line |
| o / O | Open a new line below / above |
| Esc | Back to Normal mode |
Vim starts in Normal mode, where letters are commands, not text. That's why typing straight away does odd things. Insert mode is the one where keys type.
Get in, type, get out. Staying in Insert mode and moving around with the arrow keys works, but it misses everything Normal mode is good at.
Related
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