IntelliJ Column Selection using Cursor Keys

Question

Is it possible to some how setup IntelliJ IDEA so that I can column select with the cursor keys similarly to how I might in Notepad++, Visual Studio, or FlashDevelop.

For instance when I'm typing code I almost always do my navigation solely through use of the keyboard. In the IDEs mentioned previously I can quickly select blocks of code by holding Shift + Alt then tapping ↑ to extend my cursor across the lines above. I can then hold Shift + Alt + Ctrl and tap ← or → to quickly jump across words and select the chunk of text I want.

In IntelliJ IDEA I have to constantly enable and disable Column Selection Mode using the Shift + Alt + Insert and even then it doesn't quite function as it does in the other IDEs or Text Editors.

Any ideas?

Iceboat

This blog post should be helpful. – Orms

Answer 1

You can do column editing using the Edit | Column Selection Mode.

The shortcut to turn it on/off is Alt+Shift+Insert. You navigate with Shift + arrow keys to select blocks of text.

Shutt

I was aware of this mode but it didn't quite provide what I wanted, but it looks like I won't get the desired behavior without writing a plugin myself. – Iceboat

On Mac the shortcut is Cmd+shift+* – Tobin

For some reason on my Mac, Cmd+Shift+8 did not work and I could not figure out why, I remapped that to Control+Option+Command+8 and it worked fine. I also could not find anything that would prevent that old keymap from working other than possibly a system mapping which overrode it. – Scag

This is the easiest. No need to try out weird combinations of keys – Mafalda

It's like you didn't even read the question. @JoshuaBarnett Gibolt's answer is what you want. – Rye

Seconding jv110 and his objection to JoshuaBarnett's answer. The poster is clearly aware already of the keyboard shortcut JoshuaBarnett mentions and is looking for a more lightweight way of entering column-editing mode, which is what @Gibolt's answer provides. – Emphasis

Answer 2

Multiline Caret (without mouse)

Windows/Linux: CTRL + CTRL(Hold) + ↑ / ↓

Mac: ⌘ + ⌘(Hold) + ↑ / ↓

ESC will end multiline mode.

Change Multi-caret Hotkey

To add a custom Keymap, CTRL+SHIFT+A, type keymap and click on the one with Settings as subtext. Search for Clone Caret Above and Clone Caret Below.

I mapped mine to ALT+SHIFT+↑ / ↓.

Bonus

Try holding combinations of CTRL, SHIFT, and arrows for improved selection power.

Enmesh

I believe this should be the correct answer. The accepted answer currently just restates some of the content of the question—but this answer provides true rectangular selection without using the mouse, a la Notepad++. – Dinadinah

On my Mac, the ALT key was mapped by default instead of ⌘. So it was: ALT + ALT (Hold) + ↑ / ↓ – Midtown

You can't just state Windows and macOS and ignore Linux! – Rye

@Rye true. It's ok to state just macOS but can't put 'doze in front of 'nix – Anaphase

Answer 3

It is also possible to select holding middle mouse key.

Farewell

Brilliant. That s cool :-) – Sphalerite

Answer 4

Most convenient way is to:

• MAC: Hold Option+Shift and click with mouse.
• Windows: Hold Alt and click with mouse.

Pony

As mentioned here(https://mcmap.net/q/156131/-intellij-column-selection-using-cursor-keys), ⇧⌘8 works for me – Deplore

Keep in mind, for Mac you only need to hold the Option key all the time – Reannareap

Answer 5

Go to the Settings | Keymap and set a shortcut for Clone Caret Above and for Clone Caret Below

Clare

Do you know if it's possible to have it function similar to that of text editors such as Notepad++ where you can only extend in one direction and the opposite of that direction shrinks it? – Iceboat

I do not think it is possible. I have not even seen a feature request for that. – Clare

Press Ctrl, then hold Ctrl, it's exactly like you described. – Rye

that was the only solution that works for me. thanks for sharing. – Sobriety

Answer 6

On a mac, to toggle block select on/off:

shift command 8

⇧⌘8

Danialdaniala

muscle memory: go to feature – Anaphase

Answer 7

For me on Mac:

Press once 'option' key, release it, and press and hold it again. Now navigate with cursor to select desired code. Press 'Esc' to exit column mode! :)

Tellurian

Answer 8

I think @Meo's answer is the most correct, but if your hand happens to be on the mouse, you can also accomplish this with Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left Mouse Button Click. Or look for the Add Rectangular Selection on Mouse Drag in the keymap settings.

Lixiviate

Or press Ctrl then hold Ctrl. – Rye

Answer 9

In Windows or Linux I press two times Ctrl

Quassia

Click Ctrl then quickly press and hold Ctrl a second time. Use arrow keys while holding Ctrl to add carets/select – Standifer

Answer 10

For Mac cmd+shift+* didn't work for me. I changed the keymap to something else and now it works seamlessly.

Lacedaemonian