Insert Mode

Insert mode is used to edit text (add and delete). When Insert mode is launched, the screen shows -- INSERT --.

Start Insert mode

The i key is the most commonly used but there are other keys that can be used to set a different initial cursor position to insert text.

i : insert before the cursor
I : insert at the beginning of the current line
a: append (insert) after the cursor
A : append (insert) at the end of the current line
o : open (add) a new line below the current line
O : open (add) a new line above the current line

Cursor movement

In Insert mode, you cannot use the cursor movement commands used in Normal mode as normal keyboard inputs are treated as text inputs. You need to use the arrow keys to move around the cursor in the text file.

Delete

You can use the delete key, which is disabled in Normal mode. You can also use backspace (delete + fn on Mac).

Back to Normal mode

To switch back to Normal mode, press the esc key.