Vi operates in one of three basic states. When you start the edit session, you are in "visual" state. The text insertion commands (i, a, c., etc...) use "insert" state. Searches and special commands are performed in "last line" state. "Visual" state lets you move around and look at the file. To put in new text or change old text you use "insert" state. To execute complicated commands (e.g. 1,.s/x/X/g) you type a colon to enter "Last line" state. In "last line" state you are typing to a prompt at the bottom of the screen. STATE SUMMARY: ------------- insert cmd.s ------------- | | ------------------> | | | VISUAL | | INSERT | | | <------------------ | | ------------- ESCape key ------------- | ^ '?' | | '/' | | RETURN or ':' | | ESCape | | V | ------------- | | | LAST LINE | | | -------------