I cannot edit an MS Word docx.

Question

I am unable to click on a Word docx and drag the cursor to highlight the text I need to edit. This just started happening out of nowhere. I had not used anything but Word in Microsoft 365. I have discovered I have the same problem with TextEdit and Notes. I am on a MacBook Pro running the OS Tahoe 26.6.1 on an M2 chip. I have deleted and reinstalled Word. I have deleted and reinstalled Microsoft 365. 

Not Word-specific. Cannot edit Edit/Notes text

Tried the Preferences drag-and-drop setting

Renamed/removed Normal.dotm — no fix

Wiped com.microsoft.Word.plist files, Group Container, and Containers folder — no fix

A full standard uninstaller doesn't exist on my system, so I used manual removal process: deleting the Office apps, ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.*, ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office, ~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft, and the Preferences plists, plus clearing install receipts via Terminal (pkgutil --pkgs | grep -i com.microsoft → sudo pkgutil --forget)

Deleted Microsoft 365. Deleted old install pkg. Signed out. Reinstalled 365, but couldn’t access Word to test it without signing in.

Suggestions?

Answer 1

If non-Microsoft programs are affected it's a rather clear indication that the cause is not specific to any of the Microsoft products. I'm afraid everything you've done has been in vain.

Please see this existing Answer: Select Text.

If that doesn't provide the remedy the next most likely cause is an Add-in or background process which is affecting the system. Reply in detail if necessary.

You also may benefit from a related Answer describing a variety of other text Selection Techniques which are far more accurate & efficient than dragging even when dragging isn't working:

Answer 2

If you have similar problems in Word, TextEdit and Notes, then the problem is most likely with your operating system, not the programs. Here is a link to the Apple macOS Community, where you may be able to find help with the issue.