Column selection

In computing and user interface engineering, a column selection is a text selection feature found in text editors which allows the user to select characters in a grid-like fashion. This is usually initiated by pressing the alt key instead of the shift key to select text when drag-and-dropping.

The feature is known by different names in different applications:

• block selection - LibreOffice Writer^[1]
• column selection - EditPlus^[2], vi, Emacs
• non-linear text selection - TextEdit^[3]
• rectangular selection - jEdit^[4]

References

1. ^ Writer/Selection Mode - LibreOffice Help
2. ^ FAQ - EditPlus Wiki
3. ^ 10.4: Use non-linear text selection in TextEdit
4. ^ Selecting Text - jEdit