how to move a block or column of text

Question

I have the following text as a simple case:

...
abc xxx 123 456
wer xxx 345 678676
...

what I need to move a block of text xxx to another location:

...
abc 123 xxx 456
wer 345 xxx 678676
...

I think I use visual mode to block a column of text, what are the other commands to move the block to another location?

Answer 1

You should use blockwise visual mode (Ctrl+v). Then d to delete block, p or P to paste block.

Answer 2

1. In VIM, press Ctrl+V to go in Visual Block mode
2. Select the required columns with your arrow keys and press x to cut them in the buffer.
3. Move cursor to row 1 column 9 and press P (thats capital P) in command mode.
4. Press Ctrl+Shift+b to get in and out of it. (source)

Answer 3

Try the link below:

http://www.worldtimzone.com/res/vi.html

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Marking text (visual mode)
v - start visual mode, mark lines, then do command (such as y-yank)
V - start Linewise visual mode
o - move to other end of marked area
Ctrl+v - start visual block mode
O - move to Other corner of block
aw - mark a word
ab - a () block (with braces)
aB - a {} block (with brackets)
ib - inner () block
iB - inner {} block
Esc - exit visual mode
Visual commands
> - shift right
< - shift left
y - yank (copy) marked text
d - delete marked text
~ - switch case
Cut and Paste
yy - yank (copy) a line
2yy - yank 2 lines
yw - yank word
y$ - yank to end of line
p - put (paste) the clipboard after cursor
P - put (paste) before cursor
dd - delete (cut) a line
dw - delete (cut) the current word
x - delete (cut) current character