Cannot Select Objects using mouse cursor (Word 2010)

Question

Hi

I recently upgraded from Office 2007 Pro to 2010 Pro+. I inserted some shapes and when to select them - prior to grouping. I did the 'normal' thing: click the arrow shape on the ribbon, clicked Select Objects, brought my cursor on the page again and left-click and hold while I lasooed the objects. The lasooe part didn't happen. Nothing was captured by moving the cursor over the area where the objects were.

Can anyone suggest what's happening, and how it can be put right?

Thanks

Answer 1

Lasso selection works as long as the document is in Word 97-2003 format (in Compatibility Mode). When it's converted to Word 2010 format (or created new in Word 2010), dragging doesn't even show the lasso outline.

This is not true in Word 2007, which does lasso selection in both formats.

I assume this has something to do with the change in the graphics engine between 20007 and 2010, but it's a bug whether Microsoft classifies it that way or not. Ctrl+click is not a usable substitute when there are a large number of small pieces to be grouped.

As a sort-of-workaround, try using the Selection Pane (on the dropdown from the Select button). Unfortunately, that doesn't support Shift+click to select a lot of items in one click.

Answer 2

Niranjan

It's a wired mouse. Nothing has changed, except the upgrade from 2007 to 2010. The feature worked perfectly in 2007. I'm consierding uninstalling everything, however from what I have read things might get difficult (working in the registry if I have to carry out a manual uninstall). Any views on this idea would be welcome.

thank you

BK1316

Answer 3

Are you using a laptop touchpad or a wireless mouse?

If yes, then try to change your mouse (preferably wired one) and check if it works fine.

Answer 4

Thanks Doug. I'm aware of the Ctrl key and clicking function, just soometimes it's easier to capture them all, so that smaller graphic pieces aren't missed. I'd rather have all the functions working correctly.

BK1316

Answer 5

Works fine here as long as the shapes to be selected are wholly within the dotted rectangle created by dragging after click and hold the left mouse button.

As an alternative, hold down the Ctrl key while clicking on the individual objects.