How to select multiple lines in codeblocks?

In Code::Blocks, you can select multiple lines using various methods, including keyboard and mouse combinations for both contiguous and non-contiguous selections, enhancing your code editing efficiency.

Non-Contiguous Line Selection (Separate Lines)

For selecting lines that are not adjacent to each other, Code::Blocks offers a straightforward method:

• Hold the Ctrl key: While pressing down the Ctrl key, use your left mouse button to click on the individual lines you wish to select. Each click will add or remove a line from your current selection. This allows you to pick and choose specific lines from different parts of your code.
• Clipboard Operations: Once you have made your non-contiguous selections, pressing Ctrl+C (copy) or Ctrl+X (cut) will copy or cut all selected text snippets. Importantly, these selections will be appended sequentially into your clipboard, meaning the content from all chosen lines will be combined. You can then paste the entire combined content at your desired cursor position using Ctrl+V.

Contiguous Line Selection (Adjacent Lines)

To select a block of consecutive lines, you can use standard text editor techniques:

• Mouse Drag: Click your left mouse button at the start of the desired selection, then drag the cursor down or up to the end of the block.
• Shift + Click: Place your cursor at the beginning of the desired selection. Then, hold down the Shift key and click your left mouse button at the end of the desired block. All text between the initial cursor position and your final click will be selected.
• Shift + Arrow Keys: Place your cursor at the start of your selection. Hold down the Shift key and use the Up or Down arrow keys to extend the selection line by line.

Column (Block) Selection

Code::Blocks also supports selecting a rectangular block of text, which is incredibly useful for editing columns of data or specific parts of code without affecting entire lines:

• Alt + Shift + Mouse Drag: Press and hold Alt and Shift keys. Then, use your left mouse button to click and drag to form a rectangular selection. This will select only the characters within that specific column-wise area across multiple lines.

Other Useful Selection Techniques

• Select Entire Line:
  • Place your cursor anywhere on the line and press Ctrl+L.
  • Triple-click the line with your left mouse button.
• Select All: To select all the code in the active editor tab, press Ctrl+A.

Summary of Selection Shortcuts

Action	Shortcut(s)	Description
Non-contiguous Selection	Ctrl + Left Mouse Click	Select individual, separate lines of code.
Contiguous Selection	Shift + Left Mouse Click	Select a block of adjacent lines.
	Shift + Arrow Keys	Extend selection line by line or character by character.
Column/Block Selection	Alt + Shift + Left Mouse Drag	Select a rectangular block of text across multiple lines.
Select Entire Line	Ctrl + L or Triple-Click	Select all text on the current line.
Select All Text	Ctrl + A	Select all content in the active editor.
Copy Selected Text	Ctrl + C	Copy selected text (including multiple non-contiguous sections).
Cut Selected Text	Ctrl + X	Cut selected text (including multiple non-contiguous sections).
Paste Text	Ctrl + V	Paste content from the clipboard.

Mastering these selection techniques will significantly speed up your editing workflow in Code::Blocks, allowing for precise and efficient manipulation of your code.