How do I switch between character, line, and block visual modes?

Explanation

How it works

Vim has three visual modes, and you can switch between them without losing your current selection:

• v - Characterwise visual mode (select individual characters)
• V - Linewise visual mode (select entire lines)
• Ctrl-V - Blockwise visual mode (select a rectangular block)

The key insight is that pressing any of these keys while already in a different visual mode will switch to that mode, keeping your selection anchor point. For example, if you start with v and select some characters, pressing V will switch to linewise selection covering the same lines.

Pressing the same key that you used to enter the current visual mode will exit visual mode entirely. So if you are in characterwise visual mode (v), pressing v again returns to normal mode.

This is especially useful when you start selecting in one mode and realize you need a different type of selection.

Example

Given this text:

foo bar baz
hello world
vim is great

1. Place cursor on bar, press v to start characterwise visual
2. Press j to extend selection down to the next line
3. Realize you want full lines -- press V to switch to linewise
4. Now both full lines are selected
5. Or press Ctrl-V to switch to block mode for a rectangular selection

Each switch preserves the start and end points of your selection, just changing how the region between them is interpreted. This makes it easy to adjust your selection strategy on the fly without starting over.