Erratic behavior when clicking on words

Question

When clicking on words it highlights the word in blue. When using a form in an application drop-down box it highlights all boxes in blue even the ones not being filled out.

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Answer 1

Hello JOHN S OLECH,

Thank you for reaching out in Microsoft Q&A forum.

I understand you’re experiencing a problem where clicking on words highlights them in blue, and in forms, all drop-down boxes get highlighted even if they’re not being filled out.

Please follow these solutions to try to fix your problem:

A. Check for Accessibility or Selection Settings

1. Sticky Keys or Mouse Keys: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and ensure Sticky Keys or Mouse Keys are turned off.
2. Highlighting Feature: Check if any text selection or highlighting feature is enabled in your application or OS.

B. Test Input Devices

1. Mouse Issues: Try another mouse or touchpad to rule out hardware problems.
2. Keyboard Shortcuts: Ensure no keys are stuck (like Shift or Ctrl), as these can cause extended selection.

C. Application-Specific Behavior

1. Browser or App Settings: If this happens in a web form, clear cache or try another browser.
2. Update the App: Make sure the application is updated to the latest version.

D. System-Level Troubleshooting

1. Update Drivers: Update your mouse and keyboard drivers via Device Manager.
2. Run Troubleshooter: Use Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Keyboard, Mouse to detect issues

Let me know how it goes.

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Answer 2

It sounds like you are experiencing an issue with the focus indication and highlighting behavior in your application. The blue highlighting when clicking on words or interacting with drop-down boxes is likely related to the CSS styles applied to those elements. In some cases, CSS rules may not provide a clear visual indication of focus, which can lead to confusion when interacting with forms.

To address this, you can inspect the CSS styles applied to the elements in question using developer tools (like the Inspect tool in browsers). Look for CSS rules that might be setting properties such as outline: none, which can remove the default focus indication. Adjusting these styles can help improve the visibility of which elements are currently focused or selected.

If you are developing the application, consider implementing clearer focus styles to enhance user experience and accessibility.

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References:

• Analyze the lack of indication of keyboard focus