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

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.

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Jay Freedman

MS Word MVP  FAQ: http://word.mvps.org

Hi,

I cant believe I haven't notices this before.

This is absolutely ridiculous on Microsoft's behalf.

I have just tried to lasso something in Word 10 and there is no lasso! and no selection

I saved the new document as 97-03 and presto the lasso begins to work!

WT?

this is an epic fail by MS, I am starting to reconsider the Apple fanboys (cringe)

I would not say that Apple is now producing products above and beyond MS,

Just the MS is begining to fall behind in the quality of its products, just like they did with Vista.

Have there been any resolutions to this problem since July 2010???

Please let me know

M0381U5

Answer 3

Here is how I fixed this in Office 2010: Create a new Drawing Canvas and start drawing in it. Object Selection works fine this way. However, I do not know how this would work with readily existing drawings that are not included in a canvas...worth a test anyway :)

Answer 4

This is just appalling.  Just installed Service Pack and it's still broken.

I try my best to support Microsoft Products but Office time and again shows what a heap of junk they can create.

Answer 5

I have also the same problem.  Do you know if the service pack will solve this?. This is really bad. The object selection works well in power point 2010 but not in office 2010. The only way to make it work as you said is to save the document as word 97 - 2003 but that means You lose some functions of 2010. anyways, I am just reporting the same here in Perú.

Let me know if you find a registry fix.

P.D: I have also found that everytime I select an exe file I loose the icon open of windows seven.