| i | Insert at cursor (goes into insert mode) |
| a | Write after cursor (goes into insert mode) |
| A | Write at the end of line (goes into insert mode) |
| ESC | Terminate insert mode |
| u | Undo last change |
| U | Undo all changes to the entire line |
| o | Open a new line (goes into insert mode) |
| dd | Delete line |
| 3dd | Delete 3 lines. |
| D | Delete contents of line after the cursor |
| C | Delete contents of a line after the cursor and insert new text. Press ESC key to end insertion. |
| dw | Delete word |
| 4dw | Delete 4 words |
| cw | Change word |
| x | Delete character at the cursor |
| r | Replace character |
| R | Overwrite characters from cursor onward |
| s | Substitute one character under cursor continue to insert |
| S | Substitute entire line and begin to insert at the beginning of the line |
| ~ | Change case of individual character |
NOTE: You should be in the “command mode” to execute these commands.
VI editor is case-sensitive so make sure you type the commands in the right letter-case.
Make sure you press the right command otherwise you will end up making undesirable changes to the file.
You can also enter the insert mode by pressing a, A, o, as required.