Selection in an Editor Pane

There are many ways to select text in an editor, described as follows. In all cases below, the left mouse button is to be used in the operations described.

Select text of any length (in an upward or downward direction):

  • Click and drag from start point to end point, releasing the mouse button when the end point is reached; or

  • Click to place the cursor at the start point, hold the Shift key, place the mouse at the desired end point, and click.

Select a single character:

  • Press and hold the Shift key down, and press the right or left arrow to select the next character to the right or left of the cursor, respectively. Successive arrow presses will select the next characters. Characters can be removed from the selection one at a time by pressing the opposite arrow key.

Select a single word:

  • Double-click on the word; or

  • Place the cursor at the start of the word, press the Ctrl and Shift keys, then press the right arrow key. Pressing the right arrow key again will select the next word, moving in a rightward direction. The operation will work in the reverse direction with the left arrow key.

Select a single line:

  • Click on the left margin of the line (which will also place the text cursor at the start of the line that follows); or

  • Triple-click the same spot within the line; or

  • Place the cursor at the start of the line, hold the Shift key down, then press the down arrow (to select in a downward direction; press the up arrow to select upward). Successive key presses will select the next lines in the direction of the arrow key.

Select all:

  • Point at the left margin of any line, press Ctrl, and click.

Select column:

  • Press the Alt key, then click and drag from the start to the finish point of the column; or

  • Click at the desired start point, press and hold the Alt + Shift keys, then click at the desired end point; or

  • Click at the desired start point, then press the Alt + Shift keys. Next use the left and right arrows to widen the selection or the up and down arrows to lengthen the selection.