Quickest way to paste block of text into the vi editor from an external source

Or if you use the system register, you can paste without being in insert mode:

"*p

This will paste the system's clipboard at the point of the cursor. No insert mode needed.

One thing to bear in mind: Sometimes Vim auto-indents text. This is mostly fine, but sometimes it messes up text that you paste into a document.

If your indentations are awry, remove the pasted text, type :set paste, paste the text in again, and when you're done, type :set nopaste.

1. Enter insert mode (Type i)
2. Type: Ctrl + Shift + v

The real answer:

1. :set paste

2. Enter Insert Mode: hit i

3. Paste: Command + v or Control + v

4. ESC

5. :set nopaste