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Is it possible to have a block (as in "rectangular") selection in xterm?

If yes, is it assigned by default to a key/mouse binding or does it have to be assigned separately?

Thanks :) Sorin

Sorin Mocanu
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4 Answers4

3

I don't believe there's any such support in xterm, I'm afraid.

Brian Agnew
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No, this is not available in xterm.

You can use a terminal text editor such as Vim to make selections. First you have to save your text in a file, then edit it with a text editor. In Vim, press Control+V, then use Up and Down arrow keys.

vgoff
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Philip Ganchev
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  • Right, I for one am looking for xterm-native block select ability for IRC and themsuch. Doesn't seem to exist as of xterm-269. – lkraav Jul 04 '11 at 08:27
  • This is not about vim, it's about xterm. What if you want to copy the output of a shell command or a mysql session ? – Eric VB Nov 20 '17 at 10:51
  • Mysql has a batch mode, feed that output into vim -, then make the edit there. Or use vim from the mysql input prompt. More info on using vim and mysql here: https://askubuntu.com/questions/9506/vi-in-mysql-for-command-editing – Ed Neville Mar 13 '19 at 17:30
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xterm does not have block select

Some other common terminal applications do. For example: rxvt uses the Alt key. xfce4-terminal and gnome-terminal both do block select with the control key.

Some windows terminal apps use Alt as the key modifier. Examples MobaXterm and Putty.

TimRiker
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I'm using an xterm through putty - I find that block selection is possible . Just hold down ALT key while making your selection with mouse - it will select a rectangular portion as u wanted !

TCSGrad
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