Selecting columns in Visual Studio Code

Question

Does Visual Studio Code support selecting columns of text?

I have not yet found this feature, so I am wondering if it is hidden somewhere. I am familiar with holding down Alt while selecting text, but Visual Studio Code does not behave this way.

score 552 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 03 '20 at 20:47

552

In Visual Studio Code version 1.0, you can now select columns by holding down Shift+Alt, then click and drag with the mouse. This can also be done using just the keyboard by holding down Ctrl+Shift+Alt and then using the arrow keys.

On latest version of vscode - 1.45.1, you can achieve same by Shift+Alt itself ( verified in May 2020)

edited Jun 03 '20 at 20:47

whosecode

3

answered Jun 10 '16 at 15:48

tayopi

5,678

score 166 · Answer 2 · edited Dec 15 '22 at 15:58

166

On macOS: Shift+Option and mouse, or Shift+Option+Cmd and arrow keys

Screenshot:

edited Dec 15 '22 at 15:58

MarkHu

741

answered Jan 16 '17 at 18:28

DrStrangepork

1,855
1
13
12

score 48 · Answer 3 · edited Aug 12 '22 at 17:46

48

For the ones who have tried to use the Alt Key + Mouse Selection, and failed. Try to Click the menu selection as follows:

Menu bar > Selection > {Click} Switch to Ctrl+Click for Multi Cursor. This will change the multi selection the with Ctrl key and mouse as well as enable to selection column selection with the Alt Key + Mouse Selection.

VS Code - Selection Menu - Switch to

edited Aug 12 '22 at 17:46

Mr. Polywhirl

570

answered Jun 24 '20 at 14:22

Calibr3

589

score 18 · Answer 4 · answered Aug 01 '21 at 11:21

18

As none of the existing answers mention this:

The simplest way to achieve the desired result (as of April 2018 version 1.23) is to middle click and drag.

answered Aug 01 '21 at 11:21

Torantula

180

score 10 · Answer 5 · edited Dec 31 '20 at 22:45

10

I just published an extension for Visual Studio Code that converts a multi-line selection into a column selection. It mimics TextMate's Toggle Column Selection command and serves as an alternate approach to Visual Studio Code's commandoptionshift + arrow keys that I find more natural to work with.

edited Dec 31 '20 at 22:45

Peter Mortensen

12,326

answered Oct 29 '17 at 02:25

Erik P. Hansen

201

score 9 · Answer 6 · edited Dec 31 '20 at 22:47

9

As of Visual Studio Code 1.2, they have full column selection. See Column (box) selection

edited Dec 31 '20 at 22:47

Peter Mortensen

12,326

answered Dec 05 '18 at 20:22

Steve

537

score 9 · Answer 7 · answered Apr 14 '21 at 17:11

For all you visual learners, there is (as of version at least version 1.55) a graphical menu way to turn it on and a even faster way to turn it off. Go to Selection \ Column Selection Mode to toggle this feature on or off. If Column Selection Mode is enabled, there is a notice in the bottom VSCode status bar (circled in red in my illustration). A quick click on this notice will turn it off.

score 4 · Answer 8 · answered Dec 08 '18 at 19:20

4

On a Mac, to use only the keyboard, I just had to use Cmd+Shift+Opt and then arrow keys.

answered Dec 08 '18 at 19:20

kidbrax

141

score 1 · Answer 9 · answered Jun 05 '20 at 19:52

I have tested this on Windows 10 Pro 1909 and Linux Mint 19.3 VSCode 1.45.1 on both OS's. When I was holding Shift+Alt+Mouse Click it was dragging the Window around. What might be a better explanation is this:

HOLD down LEFT mouse button anywhere in the code then press and HOLD SHIFT+ALT. With all 3 Held down drag mouse in any direction with the mouse for column select.

score 0 · Answer 10 · answered Dec 16 '21 at 11:45

0

Click the somewhere at top line of the text. Select none or select some text. Hold the Shift key and click the somewhere in the following lines.

answered Dec 16 '21 at 11:45

edib

143

Katalina Viquez · Answer 11 · 2022-04-26T14:12:10.253

0

Sublime text has this shortcut to select columns: Ctrl + Alt + Up or Ctrl + Alt + Down

So with just adding this extension to VSCode: Sublime Text Keymap and Settings Importer.

You can use the shortcut and done!.

edited Apr 26 '22 at 14:12

answered Apr 26 '22 at 04:55

Katalina Viquez

1

Selecting columns in Visual Studio Code

11 Answers11