Hi there,
Taking a dummy example string like:
KIBRA C/T T/T C/C
Questions 1/ Using the keyboard, how do I make a zero-width column selection at the last position for each of the bottom three lines? The manual suggests that holding option-shift while moving (arrow) from the top to the bottom lines should do it, but this doesn't create the right selection for me, and when I push option, the selection is not converted to a zero-width column cursor (nothing happens).
2. Can I type at the end of each line (given that the lines end on different columns)?
_______________ ''The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or to publish their sentiments; and the freedom of the press, as one of the great bulwarks of liberty, shall be inviolable.''
James Madison Annals of Congress 434 (1789).
Hi,
Taking a dummy example string like:
KIBRA C/T T/T C/C
Questions 1/ Using the keyboard, how do I make a zero-width column selection at the last position for each of the bottom three lines? The manual suggests that holding option-shift while moving (arrow) from the top to the bottom lines should do it, but this doesn't create the right selection for me, and when I push option, the selection is not converted to a zero-width column cursor (nothing happens).
Select all lines, then press cmd-opt-a. Now hit backspace or start typing. This is not really a column selection, but I guess it's what you want.
- Can I type at the end of each line (given that the lines end on
different columns)?
Yes. See 1.
HTH, Nico
On Jan 18, 2007, at 5:51 AM, Timothy Bates wrote:
Hi there,
Taking a dummy example string like:
KIBRA C/T T/T C/C
Questions 1/ Using the keyboard, how do I make a zero-width column selection at the last position for each of the bottom three lines?
1. Place caret after the first T on line 2. 2. Hold the shift key and press the down arrow twice. The caret shoud now be after the second C on line for, but your selection will be goofy. 3. Tap the option key to switch the selection into column mode.
Hope that helps.
James Edward Gray II
how do I make a zero-width column selection
- Place caret in the first line.
- Hold the shift key and press the down arrow to the last line
in your desired selection 3. Tap the option key to switch the selection into column mode.
Thanks James: perfect. The help suggests using different the option modifier key at the same time (grows the selection down as far as it can), and when I tried it it did not work, but I think the timing for pressing and releasing the option key is quite essential.
Thanks again... No to be able to move a column selection to the start of some lines, or to the ragged ends of lines...
T
Hi,
Thanks again... No to be able to move a column selection to the start of some lines, or to the ragged ends of lines...
As I said before, to select the ragged ends of some lines, select the lines and hit cmd-opt-a. You can't see the selection visually, but when you start typing/backspacing, it works at all line ends at once.
Nico
On Jan 18, 2007, at 8:55 AM, Timothy Bates wrote:
Thanks James: perfect. The help suggests using different the option modifier key at the same time (grows the selection down as far as it can), and when I tried it it did not work, but I think the timing for pressing and releasing the option key is quite essential.
To be clear here:
Using option+up-arrow/down-arrow moves the cursor to the top/bottom of the column. So option arrow is for cursor movement.
Holding down shift while using option+up-arrow/down-arrow merely selects the text between where the cursor is when you first press shift and where it ends up after you move it with option arrow. So shift is for selection text, as expected.
Once you have a "normal" (stream) selection, tapping the option key converts it into a column selection. Tapping option again converts it back to the stream selection.
If this is confusing, you can always just select text with the mouse and you'll be doing a normal stream selection. If you hold down option while selecting with the mouse, you'll be doing a column selection.
BTW, you'll find the menu equivalent of tapping option under the Edit menu -> Change to Column Selection / Change to Stream Selection.
Thanks again... No to be able to move a column selection to the start of some lines, or to the ragged ends of lines...
To edit the endings of lines, you want Text -> Edit Each Line in Selection (command-option-a).
I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to do, but you might also find Edit -> Mode -> Freehanded Editing useful.
Good luck,
j.
-
James Edward Gray II -
Jay Soffian -
Nicolas Weber -
Timothy Bates