Tip: Multiple Selection in Containers

In many cases, you can select multiple objects by holding the left mouse button down and dragging a selection rectangle (also called a marquee) around the objects you want to select. Unfortunately, this doesn't work when the target objects are placed inside panels and other containers.

At least, that's how it appears. In fact, you can select multiple objects inside a container by dragging a selection rectangle if you press the Control key before pressing and holding the left mouse button. When you do this, the selection rectangle appears normally.

Remember that, unlike other visual environments, Delphi's selection rectangles select objects touched by the rectangle. In many other environments, such as Paradox for Windows, marqees only select the objects completely inside of the selection rectangle. This is a subtle, but important distinction; one that can trip you up if you commonly switch between visual design environments.