Sara Ford's Weblog

Hooray for the return of the Tip of the {timespan}!

You used to be able to start box selection (or column selection as it was called then) using a single keystroke, and you didn't have to use special selection extend keys to extend the selection, just the normal selection extend keys.  It was much easier to use then.  I've asked in Connect about why this was removed, and no one could come up with a reason why.

Any ideas?

https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=139752

But, I fail to see how the addition of pressing "Alt" for column selection make it that much harder to use.

I used it in Visual C++ 4.1, 4.2, 5.0, and 6.0.

If you're not used to the old method, it may not seem that bad, but after 8 years using the old method, I find it extremely difficult to have to use one set of keys for extending a current regular selection and a different set of keys for extending a current column selection.  This requires that you hold down *two* modifier keys at the same time (Alt and Shift), while moving the cursor with the arrows.  The old method didn't require any modifier keys at all.

I'm hoping that's the right link above, because I can't seem to log in to connect right now, it's not letting me past the "update your profile" page.

GregM: I've always used Shift-arrow to regular select, using Alt-Shift-arrow to column select isn't that different.  What keystrokes are you using?  Also, once you start selecting in one mode you've essentially toggled that mode.  E.g. Shift-arrow begins regular selection, pressing Alt as well after that continues regular selection (not column selection).  Alt-Shift-arrow begins column selection, unpressing Alt (i.e. continuing with just Shift-arrow) results in expanding the column selection.

In the Visual C++ 6.0 and earlier version, once you're in column select mode, you stay in column select until you explicitly exit, or do something like copy or paste.  When in this mode, you can just use the arrow keys (or any other cursor navigation functions) to move around and expand the selection.  You don't lose your selection if you accidentally let up on the shift key slightly and the keyboard thinks you released the key.

盒式选择（Box selection）允许你同时手动选择行和列。只需要按下Shift Alt 方向键，你就能知道盒式选择是怎么回事。

Знаете ли вы, что Visual Studio поддерживает две различные модели выделения текста – строковое и блочное.

Visual Studio には、ストリーム選択とボックス選択という 2 つの選択方法があることをご存知でしたか。 ストリーム選択とは、 Shift キーと方向キーを組み合わせたおなじみの選択方法です。

VisualStudio2008每日提示(tipofday)是2007年7月SaraFord在她的博客里推出了VS2008每日提示系列，里面收集了许多使用VS2008技巧和诀窍，截至...

VisualStudio2008每日提示(tipofday)是2007年7月SaraFord在她的博客里推出了VS2008每日提示系列，里面收集了许多使用VS2008技巧和诀窍，截至...

Video Repost of Original VSTip of the Day #0012 . Block or Column select has to do with selecting text for copy/paste/cut actions. You’re probably already aware of [SHIFT]+[Arrow] to select left or right, or up or down. You’ve even in fact

Here are a few non-trivial tips for .NET developers. The first ones are from the excellent blog of Sara

Tip #0 Know your Keybindings! General Development Settings Searching Tips Tip #1 How to behold the power