Multi-line block select using the keyboard in IntelliJ IDEA on a Mac OS X
I've recently switched from Eclipse to IntelliJ IDEA 13. I use the VI keybindings.
One non-vi thing I am used to doing in Eclipse is using Shift + ↑ / Shift + ↓ to block a few lines of text. The behaviour of this text selection in Eclipse is the same as almost every other text input widget I've ever used. Typically I do one of two things after making the selection - delete this block or comment it out (⌘ + /).
I have no found equivalent keyboard-only multi-line selection function in IntelliJ IDEA 13.
Shift + ↑ does not start a block selection - it seems to page the cursor up and down the screen.
If I use the mouse to start making a selection, then the arrow keys do extend the selection. However, I'm unable to start a selection using the keyboard alone.
I'm aware of the ⌘ + W ever-outward-growing smart element selection - but if you then use the arrow keys, the selection is lost, not extended.
How can I start and then extend a selection region across multiple lines using the keyboard only on Mac OS X (that works with the VI keybindings enabled)?
Answer
Multi-line caret
For Mac, you can use ⌘+⌘(Hold)+↑ / ↓. For Windows, replace the ⌘ with CTRL.
ESC will end multi-line mode.
Change Multi-caret Hotkey
To add a custom Keymap, ⌘+SHIFT+A, type keymap and click on the one with Settings as subtext. Search for Clone Caret Above and Clone Caret Below.
I mapped mine to ALT+SHIFT+↑ / ↓.
Bonus
Try holding combinations of ⌘, SHIFT, and arrows for improved selection power.