Slick V3.3 manual Editing a Block of Text Block Insert Mode, Block Insert Mode Example

Selections

Block selections, also known as column selections, are used to process columns of text. To select a block, use one of the following methods:

•Keyboard method - Position the cursor at the beginning of the text to be selected. Next, enter the se- lect_block command (Ctrl+B or Edit → Select → Block). Then, move the cursor to the end of the block to be selected by using the arrow keys (or by using the mouse).

•Mouse method - Right-click and drag the text to be selected.

Editing a Block of Text: Block Insert Mode

Block insert mode is useful when you need to edit a block of text instead of just copying or deleting it. Ad- ditionally, when in this mode, characters you type, as well as other edits (such as backspacing and delet- ing), apply to the entire block/column selection.

After a block selection is created, you can enter block insert mode by simply typing some characters to in- sert, or by entering the block_insert_mode command (Edit → Other → Block Insert Mode). If the block selection is more than one column wide, then the initial block selection will be deleted when you type the first character. This mode also supports use of the keys Tab, Shift+Tab, and Backspace.

To cancel out of block insert mode, press the Esc key.

The figure below shows an example of a block selection created by right-clicking and dragging to select a block. Notice the cursor position.

Figure 6.13. Block Insert Mode: Example 1

The figure below shows how the above example changes when you type "i" at the cursor while the block is selected.

Figure 6.14. Block Insert Mode: Example 2

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