Add a Selection Pane

[rzippo]

• I agree to follow the Code of Conduct that this project adheres to.
• I have searched the issue tracker for a feature request that matches the one I want to file, without success.

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
I often make diagrams where there are rectangles inside other rectangles, respresenting systems or component hierarchy, like in the example below. Note that much taller hierarchies are possible.

The overlap between these shapes makes it hard to select and move them, and I have to carefully arrange them on the z axys for selection to even work.
If I forget about the z arrangement as I a put shapes in the figure, I have then to redo the entire sorting.

Describe the solution you'd like

In Powerpoint, this problem is addressed using the Selection Pane. It shows the items on the slide as list, and the list can be used to select them. Note that the list is sorted by descending z-axis, and the names can be changed.

Describe alternatives you've considered

Right now the most confortable workaround is to move away the container shapes, rearrange the contained ones, and then place back the containers. It is frustrating to place the containers twice, but at least it works and fast.

Additional context

I know there are layers, but they need manual setup like z-axis arrangement. Besides, you need to be able to select a shape before you can use "move selection to".

[alderg]

Try Alt+Click to cycle through the overlapping rectangles.

[rzippo]

Try Alt+Click to cycle through the overlapping rectangles.

I had no idea, thanks. Where is it documented?

An issue I still have is that I cannot use rectangle selection while working on contained shapes, since clicking drags the container instead. Is there a shortcut to make the rectangle selection work?

[alderg]

Help, Keyboard Shortcuts

Alt+Drag, but that will switch to intersection selection. If the container shape is not filled, try unchecking pointer events

[alderg]

Or Alt+Drag then release the Alt key before releasing the mouse button.

[rzippo]

Help, Keyboard Shortcuts

I see. Through Google I found this which has much less info.

Thanks for the options, I will try these.
But I would keep the suggestion to add the Selection Pane since it's easier and intuitive, it just removes the issue of overlap for selection.