You could of course use any key-sequence for this. I use it with my code for () completion. It can be equally well used with templates and other abbreviations. " Completions using placeholders inoremap ( ()<++>F)i inoremap [ []<++>F]i inoremap { {}<++>F}i This doesn't care if the code is entered free or if it's inside a block of text. In which case I think it should not expand. But I find it helpful none the less. Unlike the scripts pointed to by the comments this tip is just what it advertises. Simple.