A mapping with a manual insert mode in the middle

[Zeke Blackwell]

Greetings!

I'd like to create a mapping in my .vimrc that does some manipulation, drops me into insert mode, then picks back up for more manipulation after I hit escape.

Is this possible? I guess I just don't know what to search for.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ben Fritz]

It *may* be possible to have your mapping set up an InsertLeave autocmd which would then fire to complete the desired actions, and delete itself.

[porphyry5]

Does it have to be in one mapping? Why not something like

nmap _i :Do_stuff<cr>i
imap _i <Esc>:Finish_off<cr>

The only difference would be that you press _i a second time, instead of the <Esc> key.