The Three Visual Modes
v, V, Ctrl-V — character, line, block.
Visual mode comes in three flavors: character (v), line (V), and block (Ctrl-V). They differ in what shape they select. Switching between modes mid-selection is a built-in feature.
Visual mode is Vim's select-then-act alternative to the operator-motion grammar. Three sub-modes pick the shape of the selection.
| Key | Mode | Selects |
|---|---|---|
| v | Character | From cursor to point — by character |
| V | Line | Whole lines |
| Ctrl-V | Block | Rectangular column-by-row region |
Watch
- 📺 #0431 v — Charwise (not yet published)
- 📺 #0433 Ctrl-V — Blockwise (not yet published)
See also: Character Visual Mode, Line and Block Visual, {key:gv} — Re-Select