Adding Text

To get into input mode, type an input command letter. To begin, type any of the following letters:

• a: The add command. With this command, you can input text that starts to the right of the cursor

• A: The add at end command. With this command, you can input text starting at the end of the current line

• i: The insert command. With this command, you can input text that starts to the left of the cursor

• I: The insert at beginning command. With this command, you can input text that starts at the beginning of the current line.

• o: The open below command. This command opens a line below the current line and puts you in insert mode.

• O: The open above command. This command opens a line above the current line and puts you in insert mode.

When you are in insert mode (i:), -- INSERT -- appears at the bottom of the screen

When you are finished inputting text, press the Esc key (sometimes twice) to return to command mode.

Type a few words, and press Enter. Repeat that a few times until you have a few lines of text. When you’re finished typing, press Esc to return to command mode. Now that you have a file with some text in it, try moving around in your text with the keys or letters described in the next section...

Pro Tip: Remember the Esc key! Remember the Esc key! Remember the Esc key! Remember the Esc key! Remember the Esc key! Remember the Esc key!

It always places you back into command mode. Remember that sometimes you must press Esc twice. For example, if you type a colon (:) to go into ex mode, you must press Esc twice to return to command mode.