Insert-Mode.md

Insert Mode

Vim's insert mode contains many useful features.

Ways To Go To Insert Mode

There are many ways to get into insert mode from the normal mode. Here are some of them:

Key	Function
i	Insert text before the cursor.
I	Insert text before the first non-blank character of the line.
a	Append text after the cursor.
A	Append text at the end of line.
o	Starts a new line below the cursor and enter insert mode.
O	Starts a new line above the cursor and enter insert mode.
s	Delete the character under the cursor and enter insert mode.
S	Delete the current line and enter insert mode.
cw	Delete from the current cursor's position to the end of the current word and enter insert mode.
cc	Change line by deleting it and then entering insert mode.
gi	Insert text in same position where the last insert mode was stopped.
I	Insert text at the start of line (column 1).

Different Ways To Exit Insert Mode

There are a few different ways to return to the normal mode while in the insert mode:

Key	Function
<Esc>	Exits insert mode and go to normal mode.
Ctrl-[	Exits insert mode and go to normal mode.
Ctrl-C	Like Ctrl-[ and <Esc>, but does not check for abbreviation.

Repeating Insert Mode

You can insert text multiple times by passing a count parameter before entering insert mode.

For example: 10i

If you type "hello world!" and exit insert mode, Vim will repeat the text 10 times. This will work with any insert mode method (ex: 10I, 11a, 12o).

Another example, an underline of a header might consist of 30 -. With 30i- Esc, there's no need to press - 30 times.

Deleting Chunks In Insert Mode

When you make a typing mistake, it can be cumbersome to type repeatedly. It may make more sense to go to normal mode and delete your mistake. You can also delete several characters at a time while in insert mode.

Key	Function
Ctrl-H	Delete one character before the cursor.
Ctrl-W	Delete one word before the cursor.
Ctrl-U	Delete the entire line before the cursor..

Important Note

You can't undo these deletions. However, what you've typed is still in the . register.

Executing Normal Mode Command (Insert Normal Mode)

You can use CTRL-O to execute a one normal-mode command without leaving insert mode.

When you press Ctrl-o, you'll be in insert-normal sub-mode. If you look at mode indicator on bottom left, normally you will see -- INSERT --, but Ctrl-o will change it to -- (insert) --.

Example 1 : Navigating while remaining in insert mode

Let's say while typing, you wanted to add a word in the beginning of current line. Do Ctrl-o 0 to jump to the beginning of the line, add the word, then jump back with to the end with Ctrl-o $.

Example 2: Centering screen

If you're at the bottom of the screen. You can center your current position by doing Ctrl-o zz.

Example 3: Deleting faster

If you wanted to delete a block of text from your current position to an anchor, say a comma, you can just do Ctrl-o d t ,

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