You can save and quit vi editor from command mode. Once you have done with your typing, press esc key to return to the command mode. Look at the above snapshot, after pressing i we have entered into insert mode. Although, there are other commands also to move to insert mode which we'll study in next page. At the end of the terminal window, directory name and file name are displayed. To start typing, you have to move to the insert mode. Look at the above snapshot, it is blank as it is a new file. If you'll start typing, nothing will appear as you are in command mode. This is what you'll see when you'll press enter after the above command. Look at the above snapshot, we are creating a new file file.txt (as this file doesn't exist) and have entered the full path for the directory Downloads. For example, p allows you to paste after the current line while P allows you to paste before the current line. In vi editor you can insert, edit or remove a word as cursor moves throughout the file.Ĭommands are specified for each function like to delete it's x or dd. The vi editor tool is an interactive tool as it displays changes made in the file on the screen while you edit the file. If you are not sure which mode you are in, press Esc key twice and you'll be in command mode. To exit from insert mode press Esc key, you'll be directed to command mode. Although, after typing i nothing will appear on the screen but you'll be in insert mode. To enter text, you have to be in insert mode, just type 'i' and you'll be in insert mode. The Esc key will take you to the command mode from insert mode.īy default, the vi editor starts in command mode.

Insert Mode: In insert mode, entered text will be inserted into the file.

To pass a command, you need to be in command mode. Here, the typed words will act as commands in vi editor.

Command Mode: In command mode, actions are taken on the file.

It is user-friendly and works same on different distros and platforms. In other words, it is available in all Linux distros. The vi editor is elaborated as visual editor.

Vi editor page down shortcut