Fastest way to edit multiple lines of code at the same time

Question

What is the best way to do the same action across multiple lines of code in the RStudio source editor?

Example 1

Let's say that I copy a list from a text file and paste it into R (like the list below). Then, I want to add quotation marks around each word and add a comma to each line, so that I can make a vector.

Krista Hicks
Miriam Cummings
Ralph Lamb
Jaylene Gilbert
Jordon Sparks
Kenna Melton

Expected Output

"Krista Hicks",
"Miriam Cummings",
"Ralph Lamb",
"Jaylene Gilbert",
"Jordon Sparks",
"Kenna Melton"

Example 2

How can I add missing parentheses on multiple lines. For example, if I have an if statement, then how can I add the missing opening parentheses for names on line 1 and line 4.

if (!is.null(names pattern))) {
  vec <- FALSE
  replacement <- unname(pattern)
  pattern[] <- names pattern)
}

Expected Output

if (!is.null(names(pattern))) {
  vec <- FALSE
  replacement <- unname(pattern)
  pattern[] <- names(pattern)
}

*Note: These names are just from a random name generator.

Answer 1

RStudio has support for multiple cursors, which allows you to write and edit multiple lines at the same time.

Example 1

You can simply click Alt on Windows/Linux (or option on Mac) and drag your mouse to make your selection, or you can use Alt+Shift to create a rectangular selection from the current location of the cursor to a clicked position.

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Example 2

Another multiple cursor option is for selecting all matching instances of a term. So, you can select names and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+M. Then, you can use the arrow keys to move the cursors to delete the space and add in the parentheses.