Saving file from INSERT mode

Question

I would like to save files without exiting the INSERT mode. Is it possible? How?

Answer 1

Yes, just use the <C-O> keystroke to temporarily leave insert mode for a single command. You can then run :w<CR> to write the file and you'll be back to insert mode.

You can use that to create a mapping in insert mode and assign that to a key combination such as <F3> or <C-W>, using:

inoremap <F3> <C-O>:w<CR>

Avoid a keystroke such as <C-S> ("S" for "Save") since that specific keystroke can be a problem in many terminals or sometimes through remote connections... <C-S> is the code for XOFF, which historically has been used to pause a terminal and it's still a valid terminal command in most modern terminals.

If you use a key such as <F3>, you might want to also map it in normal mode (without the <C-O> in that case) and visual mode, etc. so that it works regardless of which mode you're currently on.