> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt).
> Markdown versions of each page are available by appending .md to any URL.

# Text selection

Use smart selection and rectangular (column) selection to quickly highlight text in Warp.

## Smart selection

**Smart selection** goes beyond the typical double-click selection, which only highlights a single word. Instead, it uses semantic rules to treat common patterns (like URLs or file paths) as one unit, even when separated by punctuation or whitespace.

![Using smart selection to select a file path by double clicking.](/_astro/smart-selection.D6-9NXc1_Ze9MX3.webp?dpl=dpl_9gV68dirrqKrRdyth6yAi1FwZf77)

Using smart selection to select a file path by double clicking.

Double-click on text in the input or block list. The following patterns are recognized:

1.  URLs
2.  File paths
3.  Email addresses
4.  IP addresses
5.  Floating point numbers, including scientific notation.

You can toggle smart selection on the **Settings** > **Features** > **Terminal** > **Double-click smart selection**. If disabled, you can instead manually select specific punctuation characters to be included within word boundaries.

## Rectangular selection

**Rectangular selection** lets you highlight text in a clean vertical block (also called *column* or *box* selection). This is especially useful for copying command output, logs, or prefixed text without grabbing unwanted characters.

![Using rectangular selection to select by columns in the block output.](/_astro/rectangular-selection.Cl11DsbL_saXwb.webp?dpl=dpl_9gV68dirrqKrRdyth6yAi1FwZf77)

Using rectangular selection to select by columns in the block output.

Hold the modifier keys while dragging your mouse:

-   macOS: `CMD-OPT`
-   Windows and Linux: `CTRL-ALT`