MS Word for Mac - Selecting objects behind grouped objects

Question

I'm running MS Word for Mac V.16.60 (Office 365). I'm trying to draw a complex graphic. I have the majority of the graphic created and grouped, and have then created additional objects in front of the grouped background. The grouped object has somehow taken over the selection priority, and I can't click on the additional objects. I've selected the grouped object and then selected "Send to Back," but despite this, I still can't select the individual objects that should be on top of the grouped object.

I've also tried ungrouping the background objects, but don't want to move them away from the new objects (I'll never get them back in place again). I've tried control and shift clicking the new objects to select them, but only the grouped background is selected.

I know that MS Word is not intended to be a drawing program, but I've already invested hours in this graphic, and don't want to lose my work. Does MS offer any drawing program similar enough to Word that I could move this project and not lose my time investment? Alternately, is there some work-around in Word that will let me proceed to completion with this graphic?

199922-draft-ps-pump.pdf

Answer 1

In Word, choose Layout>Selection Pane. The selection pane allows you to select objects even when hidden by others. You can also change the stacking order of objects by dragging the object name up and down the list. And you can hid or show selected graphics.

Answer 2

Hi @Glenn Young
This tag (openspecs-office) is dedicated to supporting open specifications. You can find open specifctions here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/openspecs/
Your inquiry is not related to open specifications. I have removed the openspec-office tag from your post.

Regards,
Obaid Farooqi - MSFT