Highlight Keyboard Shortcut: Master Text Selection
Discover how to use the highlight keyboard shortcut across editors. This Shortcuts Lib guide covers common patterns, practical examples, and tips to speed up text selection.
What is a highlight keyboard shortcut?
A highlight keyboard shortcut is a sequence of keystrokes that selects text or UI elements without a mouse. In editors and apps, it enables you to move quickly from one character to a larger block of text while keeping your hands on the keyboard. According to Shortcuts Lib, an effective highlight shortcut is built from small, reusable motions that can be combined across tools. The goal is crisp, repeatable control over what gets selected, from a single character to an entire paragraph. As you learn, you’ll find that most tools share a few core patterns, making it easier to transfer skills between code editors, word processors, and terminal emulators.
{ "key": "shift+alt+right", "command": "editor.action.smartSelect.expand", "when": "textInputFocus" }This VS Code example shows a common strategy: start a selection with Shift and a directional key, then rely on the editor’s expand command to widen the highlight.
[ { "keys": ["shift+ctrl+right"], "command": "expand_selection", "args": {"to": "word"} } ]A Sublime Text-style binding demonstrates how a different editor can implement the same concept with similar keys. The overarching idea is the same: leverage a core motion (Shift+Arrow) and an expanding modifier to reach the desired scope.
- Parameters to consider: scope (character/word/line), direction, and editor behavior (expand vs. shrink).
- Accessibility considerations: frequent use can improve efficiency for keyboard-only users, but ensure your bindings do not conflict with system shortcuts.|