How to remove text from all lines between two columns?

Question

I would like to remove the content for all lines between two columns. How do I do this?

For example, I want this:

abcdefg
hijklmn
opqrstu

To become this if I remove text between columns 3 through 5:

abfg
himn
optu

Answer 1

Position your cursor in d, then press Ctrl-V, l, G and d.

• Ctrl-v enters visual block mode;
• l expands the visual selection one character to the right;
• G expands the selection to the last line;
• d deletes the selection.

Answer 2

Your question is very similar to this one.

To delete the columns 3 through 5 for all lines in the file:

:%normal 3|d6|

In order to delete an specific line interval (80 to 90), use this:

:80,90normal 3|d6|

If you're not familiar with the normal command nor with the | "motion" there goes a quick explanation:

1. The normal command execute the following commands in the normal mode;
2. The | "motion" moves the cursor to a specified column, so 3| moves the cursor to the 3rd column;
3. Then i deletes everything (d) until the 5th column (6|).