Select Text

Before performing many tasks in Word, you identify the existing text on which you want to work by selecting it. For example, you select existing text to underline it, align it, change its font size, or apply color to it.

SELECT A BLOCK OF TEXT

1. Place the mouse pointer () to the left of the first character you want to select.

2. Click and drag to the right and down over the text you want to select.

   The selection appears highlighted in black.

   To cancel a selection, you can press , , , or , or click anywhere on-screen.

   

SELECT A WORD

1. Double-click the word you want to select.

   

   Word selects the word.

SELECT A SENTENCE

1. Press and hold .

2. Click anywhere in the sentence you want to select.

   

   Word selects the entire sentence.

SELECT THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT

1. Press and hold .

2. Press .

   Word selects the entire document.

   You also can click Edit and then click Select All to select the entire document.

   

Can I select text using the keyboard?

Yes. Press and hold while pressing , , , or . You also can press + to select, for example, several words in a row. If you press and hold + while pressing five times you select five consecutive words to the right of the insertion point.

Can I select noncontiguous text?

Yes. You select the first area using any of the techniques described in this section. Then, press and hold as you select the additional areas. Word selects all areas, even if text appears between them.