Simulate INSERT key in Mac OS X

Question

Long story short, I am using Citrix to remote into my PC at work, and several applications require the use of the INSERT key, which, as everyone knows, Apple chose to eliminate from their keyboards. I've tried everything I can think of, and never been able to find an easy way to send this keycode via Citrix. I'm sure there are other uses for this, and I've read quite a few people's questions on the subject, but no one seems to have offered a viable solution.

I have the Apple USB keyboard (full-size, with numeric keypad), and in the position where the INSERT key would normally exist, Apple placed the "fn" key. Now, I still need this key from time to time, but what I'd love to see is perhaps Control-fn or similar to send the keycode for INSERT. If anyone knows how to achieve this, preferably without installing 3rd-party software (adware?), I'm all ears.

Answer 1

For Midnight commander it seem to be ^/Ctrl+T=Insert. As suggested by jherran.

The more generic Insert function is supposed to be Fn+Return/Enter=Insert, see this other question for more discussion and details.

I have however had little success with Fn+Return working reliably in many applications.

Answer 2

fn + i worked for me and it enabled insert on my latest mac book pro terminal.

Answer 3

You can follow this post which suggesting to use Karabiner app to simulate Insert key with the following configuration of private.xml file (edit in Misc tab):

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root>
  <item>
    <name>Fn + Ctrl-Left to Insert</name>
    <identifier>private.fn_ctrl_to_insert</identifier>
    <autogen>
      __KeyToKey__KeyCode::CONTROL_L, ModifierFlag::FN,
      KeyCode::PC_INSERT
    </autogen>
  </item>
</root>

and then enable newly created item after reloading the file in Change Key tab.

To find out the right key code, use EventViewer in Misc tab.

---

For Karabiner Element 11.1+, they've changed the config file to karabiner.json, so the modifications would become:

{
    "profiles": [
        {
            "complex_modifications": {
                "rules": [
                    {
                        "description": "Fn + Ctrl-Left to Insert",
                        "manipulators": [
                            {
                                "from": {
                                    "key_code": "left_control",
                                    "modifiers": {
                                        "mandatory": [
                                            "fn"
                                        ]
                                    }
                                },
                                "to": [
                                    {
                                        "key_code": "insert"
                                    }
                                ],
                                "type": "basic"
                            }
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ]
}

See also the doc for the available keys and the semantic for the modifiers.

Answer 4

In iTerm2, you can remap any key under Preferences... -> Profiles -> Keys -> +. For the insert key, select as Action "Send Escape Sequence" and as value ESC + [2~.

On my keyboard, pressing the Insert key appears to trigger the "Help" action, so this is what I remap. This works for instance for Midnight Commander.

Alternatively, you can try to edit ~/Library/KeyBindings/DefaultKeyBinding.dict and insert a line like

"\UF727" = insertText:;

(See NSEvent.h for the left-hand side and this for the right-hand side of this setting.)

Answer 5

I use Citrix and I have the same issue, can't figure it out. only thing I found is if you have the external keypad, press clear to turn numlock off, then press 0 and it works as insert

Answer 6

The only combination I have found is Ctrl + A.

Edit: macOS Sierra

Answer 7

Get non-apple external keyboad.

Answer 8

I've been succesful with fn + tab key in some apps.

Give it a try and good luck!

Answer 9

Just in case somebody is looking for the answer for MacOS Sierra (with 2017 Macbook Pro), please try: Fn+Ctrl+Enter

Answer 10

For sublime text, you can use optioncmdo (oh, not zero).

Answer 11

1. If you are remoting to a PC using CITRIX (or anything else) as it is stated in the question.

   In "Start Menu" of the WIN10/11 one can search for "On Screen Keyboard" and launch the on screen keyboard. Then simply set the state of INSERT key there.

2. In addition - if one is using the full size Apple keyboard ( with num keypad ) on WIN machine or runing a virtual WIN machine on MAC OS X

   Switching numeric keypad off ( using "clear" button ) and then pressing "0" key. It does togle the state of the INSERT "key".

Answer 12

fn + tab works as the insert key in the Freeplane mind map software

Answer 13

You can do this by using the following keyboard shortcut:

fncontroloption→

Answer 14

try "fn+command+v", and let me know too :)

Answer 15

From an iMac running OS 10.8.5 with an extended usb keyboard using Microsoft Remote Desktop to control my PC (Win 7), I can use shift-control+0 (keypad) to send the enter key.