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

The Idea is that the Selection Cursor is found at Home tab tools so you have to follow the next steps to show it at quick access toolbar

1- At any Tab using Right Click choose Customize Quick Access toolbar

2-Click on Customize Option

3-at The Box of "Choose command From" select  "HOME Tab" then scroll down to Select objects then ADD it

4- Click Close

5- At the top of Your EXCEL Sheet you will find the Cursor of selection ,  Enjoy it , BYE , EGYPTIAN FARMER  , Thanks For Microsoft team work who changed the world

Answer 3

We don't know if Microsoft considers it a bug or a design choice. :-(  You'd have to make use of the workaround suggested earlier in this thread.

Answer 4

FYI: Its Jan.2012 and the selection rectangle in Word 2010 still does not work. I have a new laptop, with a brand new install, with a brand new document created in Word 2010 and the "Select Objects" options does nothing! I have used the selection rectangle for decades and now it gone.

Answer 5

No the Selection pane is of little use.  It just lists all the objects on the page. 

The Selection pane does allow you to reorder objects, or delete them. Of course, being able to use the lasso would be more flexible. Until the Word team fixes this bug, saving in *.doc format as mentioned previously would seem the easiest workaround.