How to copy text from Console2?

Question

I just started using Console2 as an alternative to cmd.exe

I can't figure out how to copy text from the console to the clipboard -- dragging over it with the mouse won't mark anything, and there is no option in the right-click menu to "mark" as in cmd.exe

It must be terribly obvious but I guess I'm overlooking it... :(

Answer 1

Open Console2 menu Edit -> Settings, and in the Hotkeys / Mouse settings configure the selection and copy actions. The defaults are a bit wonky.

I use:

• Left mouse button = select
• Ctrl+C = copy
• Ctrl+V = paste
• ESC = clear selection

Make sure you press 'Assign' after each change you make otherwise it won't take effect.

Last note: Beware if you use ESC or Ctrl+V in vim, or in any other app.

Answer 2

Holding SHIFT and marking the text should do the trick (at least for me). After this just click Edit -> Copy

Answer 3

Console2's key and mouse assignment is a bit funky. Here's how to actually make left_click == select text:

1. Open the Edit->Settings->Hotkeys->Mouse submenu.
2. Select the "Select text" item. Then change the "Button:" line to be "Left" and un-check all three Modifiers boxes.
3. Then click "Assign" - without this step none of your changes will actually take effect.

Answer 4

You can also just configure Select Text: Left Mouse Button

and then enable "Copy on select" on the "Behavior" tab under settings.

Answer 5

Console2 is not a shell. It is a console window enhancement. You can configure Console2 to run any shell you want such as cmd.exe or bash.

By default I believe the copy-paste functionality within the Console2 window is:

Select Text: Shift + Left Mouse Button
Copy Text: Left Mouse Button
Paste Text: Middle Mouse Button

note: by default, the right mouse button brings up a menu that allows you to configure Console2

You must Select and Copy text (by clicking the Left Mouse Button after you're done selecting). Simply selecting text does not copy it automatically (like the default windows console quick edit settings does).

Answer 6

• Make sure Behaviour > Copy on select is unchecked
• In Hotkeys > Mouse set the following (note, press Assign after changing settings to save them)
  • Copy/clear selection : Right
  • Select text : Left
  • Paste text : Right
  • Drag window : Middle
  • Context menu : Right + Ctrl

With this setup:

• Dragging with Left mouse will select
• With text selected:
  • Right click on selected text will copy it
  • Left or Right click anywhere else will clear selection without copying
• Right click will paste unless there is text selected

This setup is the nearest I could get to the usual cmd Quick Edit mode operations so it doesn't confuse my muscle memory, but it has the advantage that you can dismiss selections without copying.

Answer 7

Yes, Console2 is just a front-end and I also use it with msys bash, powershell, and the basic cmd.exe. The shortcuts may be the same for more than one function (I have left mouse button for select and clear selection). However, the default in the "behavior" tab in the settings defines BOTH automatic copy on select AND clear selection on copy, so it will look like the selection is immediately being discarded (the text is still being properly copied though). Just uncheck the clear selection on copy and the selected text will stay highlighted.

Console2 is pretty great btw :)

Answer 8

The default settings are awkward. I like these:

Answer 9

Click + Hold Shift does the highlighting as you probably think.

Answer 10

I completed the settings above, and found that console2 select fails sometimes, i.e. on a particular console2 screen I can select some text but some text won't select.

The answer was a window sizing bug. If you start console2 then drag the window to be taller, you may find that anything below the original lower border of the screen is not selectable. If you drag the bottom edge of the console up and down a little, it seems to correct itself.