This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
Selecting Text and Other Objects
Like most applications, Word works using the selection/action system. First you select some text or other data, and then you act upon that selection by issuing a command. For example, first you select text to be copied, and then you issue the command to copy it.
There are many ways of selecting text and other objects in a Word document, and you can use any combination of methods. However, some methods are much more convenient and well-suited for certain situations.
The most basic way to select text with the mouse is to drag across the text (with the left mouse button down). The selected text becomes highlighted.
There are also shortcuts for selecting certain objects or amounts of text with the mouse and keyboard, as described in Tables 3.3 and 3.4, respectively. To use keyboard shortcuts, first position the insertion point at the starting point for the selection and then use the keys indicated to extend the selection.
Table 3.3. Mouse Shortcuts for Selecting
|
To select... |
Do This: |
|
From the insertion point to any other point |
Position the insertion point, then hold down Shift and click the end point for the selection. |
|
The entire document |
Triple-click in the left margin. |
|
A word |
Double-click the word. |
|
A sentence |
Ctrl+click the sentence. |
|
A paragraph |
Triple-click the paragraph or double-click in the left margin next to it. |
|
A line |
Click in the left margin next to it. |
|
A table |
Click in the table and then click the Table Selection box (looks like a four-headed arrow) in the top-left corner of the table grid. |
|
A table cell |
Click the left edge of the cell. |
|
A table row |
Point the mouse pointer to the left of the row, so the pointer turns into a white arrow, and then click. |
|
A table column |
Point the mouse pointer at the top gridline of the column, so the pointer turns into a black arrow, and then click. |
|
A graphic |
Click the graphic. |
|
A text box |
Click any outer edge of the text box. |
|
A rectangular block (unrelated to paragraph or column divisions) |
Hold down Alt and drag across the area to select. |
|
Multiple noncontiguous selections |
Make the first selection and then hold down Ctrl as you drag across additional selections. |
|
Multiple graphics or non-text objects |
Click the first object, and then hold down Ctrl as you click additional objects. |
Table 3.4. Keyboard Shortcuts for Selecting
|
To select... |
Press This: |
|
The entire document |
Ctrl+A |
|
The bottom of the window |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Page Down |
|
The top of the window |
Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Page Up |
|
The end of the paragraph |
Ctrl+Shift+down arrow |
|
The beginning of the paragraph |
Ctrl+Shift+up arrow |
|
The end of the document |
Ctrl+Shift+End |
|
The beginning of the document |
Ctrl+Shift+Home |
|
A rectangular block (unrelated to paragraph or column divisions) |
Ctrl+Shift+F8+arrow keys |
|
The beginning of the word |
Ctrl+Shift+left arrow. Press the left arrow key again, still holding Ctrl+Shift, to extend to subsequent words. |
|
The end of the word |
Ctrl+Shift+right arrow. Press the right arrow key again, still holding Ctrl+Shift, to extend to subsequent words. |
|
The entire line above |
Shift+up arrow |
|
The entire line below |
Shift+down arrow |
|
The end of the line |
Shift+End |
|
The beginning of the line |
Shift+Home |
|
One character, line, or table cell in any direction |
Shift+arrow keys |