How do I execute a single normal mode command without leaving insert mode?
<C-o>{cmd}
Pressing in insert mode lets you execute one normal mode command and then automatically returns you to insert mode.
Tag: insert-mode
How do I overwrite existing text character by character without deleting first?
R
Replace mode lets you type over existing text one character at a time, like the "Insert" key behavior in traditional editors.
How do I jump back to where I last inserted text and continue typing?
gi
The gi command moves the cursor to the position where you last exited insert mode and immediately enters insert mode again.
navigation #navigation #insert-mode #marks #normal-mode #productivity
What is the difference between :map and :noremap, and why should I use non-recursive mappings?
:nnoremap / :inoremap / :vnoremap
Vim has two types of key mappings: recursive (:map, :nmap, :imap) and non-recursive (:noremap, :nnoremap, :inoremap).
How do I paste the current filename into the buffer?
"%p
The % register in Vim always contains the name of the current file.
registers #registers #editing #insert-mode #productivity #filename
How do I paste the text I just typed in insert mode?
".p
The ".
registers #registers #editing #insert-mode #normal-mode #productivity
How do I insert special characters like ©, ±, or → without leaving Vim?
<C-k>{char1}{char2}
Vim has a built-in digraph system that lets you insert hundreds of special characters by typing two-character mnemonics.
editing #editing #insert-mode #special-characters #unicode #productivity
How do I paste from a register while staying in insert mode?
<C-r>{register}
Pressing followed by a register name in insert mode inserts the contents of that register at the cursor position without leaving insert mode.
How do I delete the word before the cursor without leaving insert mode?
<C-w>
Pressing in insert mode deletes the word before the cursor instantly, without requiring you to switch to normal mode.
How do I auto-complete words in insert mode without any plugins?
<C-n> / <C-p>
Vim has a powerful built-in completion system that requires zero plugins.
How do I autocomplete an entire line based on existing lines in the file?
<C-x><C-l>
The command triggers whole-line completion in insert mode.
How do I do math calculations without leaving insert mode?
<C-r>=
The expression register (=) lets you evaluate Vimscript expressions on the fly and insert the result directly into your text.
registers #editing #insert-mode #registers #productivity #math
How do I autocomplete file paths while typing in insert mode?
<C-x><C-f>
The command triggers filename completion in insert mode.
editing #editing #insert-mode #completion #file-management #productivity
How do I append text to the end of multiple lines at once using visual block mode?
<C-v>jj$A text<Esc>
Visual block mode combined with $A lets you append text to the end of multiple lines simultaneously, even when those lines have different lengths.
visual-mode #editing #visual-mode #block-mode #productivity #insert-mode
How do I set up auto-correct abbreviations in Vim to fix common typos?
:ab teh the
Vim's abbreviation system automatically expands short text sequences as you type, making it perfect for auto-correcting typos, inserting boilerplate snippets, o
config #editing #insert-mode #config #productivity #auto-correct
How do I paste text from outside Vim without messing up indentation?
:set paste
The :set paste command enables paste mode, which temporarily disables auto-indentation, smart tabs, and other insert-mode features that can mangle text pasted f
How do I insert the same text on multiple lines at once?
<C-v>jjjI
Visual block mode combined with I lets you insert the same text at the beginning of multiple lines simultaneously.
How do I open a new line above the cursor and start typing?
O
The O (uppercase) command opens a new blank line above the current line and places you in insert mode, ready to type.
How do I open a new line below the cursor and start typing?
o
The o command opens a new line below the current line and places you in insert mode, ready to type.
How do I insert text at the beginning of a line?
I
The I (uppercase) command moves the cursor to the first non-blank character of the current line and enters insert mode.