How can I do a column select across the entire file?

Question

Is there a way I can use the middle click or maybe (Ctrl+Alt+Up) to a particular column across all lines in a long file? Currently, I am middle-clicking and then dragging this to the end of the screen and waiting for it to select all lines.

Specifically, for long files, how would I select one particular column across the entire file?

Answer 1

This should do it:

1. Ctrl+A - select all.
2. Ctrl+Shift+L - split selection into lines.
3. Then move all cursors with left/right, select with Shift+left/right. Move all cursors to start of line with Home.

Answer 2

OS X

You can click the following and drag to create a selection of one or more columns of characters:

• Left mouse button + option
• Middle mouse button

To add to an existing selection, hold command while doing the above.

To subtract from an existing selection, hold command + shift while doing the above

Windows

You can click the following and drag to create a selection of one or more columns of characters:

• Right Mouse Button + shift
• Middle Mouse Button

To add to an existing selection, hold Ctrl while doing the above.

To subtract from an existing selection, hold Alt while doing the above.

Answer 3

In Mac OS X, replace Ctrl with CMD key. So it'll be,

CMD+A - select all. CMD+Shift+L - split selection into lines. Then move all cursors with left/right, select with Shift+left/right. Move all cursors to start of line with Home.