IntelliJ Column Selection using Cursor Keys

Question

Is it possible to some how setup IntelliJ IDEA so that I can column select with the cursor keys similarly to how I might in Notepad++, Visual Studio, or FlashDevelop.

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Answer 1

For me on Mac:

Press once 'option' key, release it, and press and hold it again. Now navigate with cursor to select desired code. Press 'Esc' to exit column mode! :)

Answer 2

For Mac cmd+shift+* didn't work for me. I changed the keymap to something else and now it works seamlessly.

Answer 3

In Windows or Linux I press two times Ctrl

Answer 4

I think @Meo's answer is the most correct, but if your hand happens to be on the mouse, you can also accomplish this with Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left Mouse Button Click. Or look for the Add Rectangular Selection on Mouse Drag in the keymap settings.

Answer 5

It is also possible to select holding middle mouse key.

Answer 6

You can do column editing using the Edit | Column Selection Mode.

The shortcut to turn it on/off is Alt+Shift+Insert. You navigate with arrow keys to select blocks of text.