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

I have drawn a nice curve for my student work when I found this "cannot select multiple object" problem, 

I have tried to save as Word 97-2003, but some text boxes are changing from vertical to horizontal.

then I tried this method and it works! Thank you! great help for me

Answer 3

I've cracked it!! Problem solved!!!!!

You just need to put your drawing objects in a Drawing Canvas (at the bottom of the Insert -> Shapes popup). Then magically the Select Objects rectangular selector / lasso can be used to select multiple objects again, regardless of the file format.

So Word now works again for drawing. Spread the word!