VS Code Multiple Cursors Magic

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Master VS Code multiple cursors for lightning-fast editing. These keyboard shortcuts will transform how quickly you can make repetitive changes across multiple lines.

Essential Multiple Cursor Shortcuts

Ctrl + D

Select next occurrence of current word

Perfect for renaming variables one by one

Ctrl + Shift + L

Select all occurrences of current word

Rename ALL instances instantly

Alt + Click

Add cursor at clicked position

Place cursors anywhere you want

Ctrl + Alt + ↑/↓

Add cursor above/below

Great for column-like editing

Shift + Alt + I

Add cursor at end of each selected line

Perfect for adding semicolons to multiple lines

Shift + Alt + Drag

Column selection mode

Select rectangular blocks of text

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Renaming Variables

// Select 'userName' and press Ctrl + Shift + L
const userName = 'john';
console.log(userName);
return userName.toUpperCase();

// Now type 'userEmail' - all instances change!

Example 2: Adding Semicolons

// Select these lines and press Shift + Alt + I
const name = 'John'
const age = 30
const city = 'New York'

// Now type ';' - adds to all lines!

Example 3: Creating Arrays

// Use Alt + Click to place cursors before each name
John
Jane
Bob
Alice

// Type '"' then End key then '", - creates array items!

🎯 Pro Tips

Escape key exits multiple cursor mode
Ctrl + U undoes the last cursor operation
Home/End moves all cursors to line start/end
Use Ctrl + →/← to move cursors by words
Hold Shift while moving to select text

Advanced Techniques

🔍 Selection to Multiple Cursors

Select text with multiple lines
Press Shift + Alt + I
Each line gets a cursor at the end
Perfect for bulk edits!

⚡ Quick Pattern Matching

Place cursor on a word
Press Ctrl + D to select first occurrence
Keep pressing Ctrl + D to add more
Press Ctrl + K, Ctrl + D to skip current and go to next

// Common use case: Converting to camelCase
const user_name = 'john';
const user_age = 30;
const user_email = '[email protected]';

// Select 'user_' → Ctrl + Shift + L → Replace with 'user'