Insert Mode in Vim (Linux)
Press i to start typing text before the cursor.
What it does
In Insert mode the keys type text, as in any other editor. This command starts it at the position in front of the cursor. Related commands start it elsewhere: after the cursor, at the start or the end of the line, or on a new line under or over the current one. Everything typed until you leave Insert mode counts as one change for undo and repeat.
The same shortcut on other platforms
| Platform | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Linuxthis page | i |
| macOS |
More Vim shortcuts: Modes
- Normal Mode
- Visual Mode
- Visual Line Mode
- Visual Block Mode
- Command Mode
All 30 Vim shortcuts for LinuxThe full list has a search and a printable PDF.
Questions
What is the Vim shortcut for Insert Mode on Linux?
i. Press it to start typing text before the cursor.
What is the shortcut for Insert Mode in Vim on macOS?
On macOS it is I.