title: Text Selection
description: Select text efficiently with gestures
category: Clipboard
difficulty: intermediate
related_spec: ../specs/clipboard/text-selection-spec.md
Text Selection
Select text efficiently using CleverKeys gestures, including selection-delete mode and trackpoint navigation.
Quick Summary
| What | Description |
|---|
| Purpose | Select text for copy/cut/delete |
| Methods | Selection-delete, trackpoint, shortcuts |
| Features | Word/line/all selection |
Selection Methods
Method 1: Selection-Delete Mode
Select text while preparing to delete:
- 1. Short swipe on backspace (any direction)
- 2. Hold (don't release)
- 3. Wait for haptic feedback
- 4. Move finger like joystick:
- Left/Right: Select characters
- Up/Down: Select lines
- 5. Release to delete selected text
See Selection Delete for details.
Method 2: TrackPoint Mode
For precise cursor positioning:
- 1. Long swipe from spacebar (any direction)
- 2. Hold to enter TrackPoint mode
- 3. Move finger to position cursor
- 4. Hold Shift while moving to select
- 5. Release to exit mode
See TrackPoint Mode for details.
Method 3: Keyboard Shortcuts
Use modifier keys:
| Shortcut | Action |
| Ctrl+A | Select all |
| Shift+Arrow | Extend selection |
| Ctrl+Shift+Arrow | Select word |
Quick Selection Actions
Select All
- 1. Open command palette (long-press settings)
- 2. Select Select All
- 3. Or use Ctrl+A shortcut
Select Word
- 1. Double-tap on a word (in the text field)
- 2. Word is selected
- 3. Or use Selection-Delete with minimal movement
Select Line
- 1. In Selection-Delete mode, swipe up or down
- 2. Entire line gets selected
- 3. Continue for multiple lines
Working with Selected Text
Once text is selected:
Copy Selection
| Method | How |
| Ctrl+C | If Ctrl key enabled |
| Command palette | Long-press settings > Copy |
| App menu | Use app's copy function |
Cut Selection
| Method | How |
| Ctrl+X | If Ctrl key enabled |
| Command palette | Long-press settings > Cut |
| App menu | Use app's cut function |
Delete Selection
| Method | How |
| Backspace | Press backspace key |
| Selection-Delete | Release finger |
| Type anything | Replace with new text |
Selection Visual Feedback
When text is selected:
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Text before [selected text] after │
│ ↑ Blue highlight │
│ │
│ ┌───────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Selection handles (○) │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
- • Selected text is highlighted
- • Selection handles appear at edges
- • Keyboard shows selection-aware actions
Tips and Tricks
- • Practice Selection-Delete: Most efficient method once learned
- • Modifier keys: Add Ctrl as extra key for shortcuts
- • Word selection: Double-tap in text is often faster
- • Line selection: Vertical swipe in Selection-Delete mode
[!TIP]
Selection-Delete mode selects AND deletes in one gesture - great for editing.
Selection Settings
| Setting | Location | Description |
| Selection Haptics | Haptics | Feedback during selection |
| Vertical Threshold | Gestures | Line selection sensitivity |
| Selection Speed | Gestures | Character selection speed |
Common Selection Patterns
Deleting a Word
- 1. Short swipe backspace, hold
- 2. Swipe right to select word
- 3. Release to delete
Copying a Paragraph
- 1. Enter TrackPoint mode
- 2. Position at paragraph start
- 3. Hold Shift, move to end
- 4. Open command palette, Copy
Replacing Text
- 1. Select text to replace
- 2. Start typing
- 3. Selection is replaced
Common Questions
Q: How do I select without deleting?
A: Use TrackPoint mode with Shift, or use the app's native selection.
Q: Why is selection slow/fast?
A: Adjust selection speed in Settings > Gestures.
Q: Can I select across multiple lines?
A: Yes, use vertical movement in Selection-Delete or TrackPoint mode.
Related Features
- • Selection Delete - Selection-delete gesture
- • TrackPoint Mode - Cursor navigation
- • Clipboard History - Manage copied text