Linux in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

Insert Commands

Command	Action
a	Append after cursor.
A	Append to end of line.
c	Begin change operation.
C	Change to end of line.
gI	Insert at beginning of line. {vim}
i	Insert before cursor.
I	Insert at beginning of line.
o	Open a line below cursor.
O	Open a line above cursor.
R	Begin overwriting text.
s	Substitute a character.
S	Substitute entire line.
ESC	Terminate insert mode.

The following commands work in insert mode.

Command	Action
Backspace	Delete previous character.
Delete	Delete current character.
Tab	Insert a tab.
Ctrl-A	Repeat last insertion. {vim}
Ctrl-D	Shift line left to previous shift width. {vim}
Ctrl-E	Insert character found just below cursor. {vim}
Ctrl-H	Delete previous character (same as Backspace).
Ctrl-I	Insert a tab.
Ctrl-K	Begin insertion of multi-keystroke character.
Ctrl-N	Insert next completion of the pattern to the left of the cursor. {vim}
Ctrl-P	Insert previous completion of the pattern to the left of the cursor. {vim}
Ctrl-T	Shift line right to next shift width. {vim}
Ctrl-U	Delete current line.
Ctrl-V	Insert next character verbatim.
Ctrl-W	Delete previous word.
Ctrl-Y	Insert character found just above cursor. {vim}
Ctrl-[	(Escape) Terminate insert mode.

Some of the control characters listed in the previous table are set by stty. Your terminal settings may differ.