Learn Vim / How to Insert a New Line in Vim

How to Insert a New Line in Vim

The answerPress o to open a new line below the cursor (or O for above) — both drop you into insert mode.

Try it on a real buffer

Step 2 is missing! With the cursor on line 1, press o to open a new line below, type exactly “Step 2: Whisk until smooth”, then Esc.

Step 1: Crack two eggs into a bowl
Step 3: Serve immediately

Canonical solution: o, type the step, Esc · par: 28 keystrokes (vimgolf rules — every keypress counts).

Why it works

o opens a new line below the cursor and puts you in insert mode. O (capital) opens a line above instead.

Variations

KeysWhat it does
onew line below, enter insert mode
Onew line above, enter insert mode

Reading about keystrokes doesn't build keystrokes. Try this in a real vim buffer right now — the “The missing step” mission takes about a minute.

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