You can't use the mouse to draw a selection rectangle around multiple AutoShape objects in Microsoft Word

Symptoms

If a Microsoft Word 2010 or later document contains multiple AutoShape objects that are near one another, you can't use the mouse to draw a selection rectangle around the objects.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Insert a drawing canvas before you insert any objects

If you always want the drawing canvas to appear when you insert AutoShape objects, follow these steps:

1. On the File Menu, select Options.
2. Select Advanced.
3. Under Editing options, select the Automatically create drawing canvas when inserting AutoShapes check box.
4. Select OK.

Method 2: Add a button to the Quick Access Toolbar

If you don't want the drawing canvas to be created automatically, you can add a button to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) to create the drawing canvas manually. To do so, follow these steps:

1. On the Quick Access Toolbar drop-down menu, select More Commands.
2. Select the drop-down menu under Choose commands from, and then select Commands Not in the Ribbon.
3. Scroll through the list, select Insert Drawing, then select Add.
4. Select OK.

The Insert Drawing command is now added to the Quick Access Toolbar.

Method 3: Use the Ctrl key together with the mouse to select multiple AutoShape objects

1. Select an AutoShape object.
2. Press the Ctrl key.
3. Select other AutoShape objects while you continue to press the Ctrl key.

Method 4: Use the Selection Pane

1. Select an AutoShape object in your document.
2. On the Drawing Tools menu, select Format.
3. On the Arrange group, select Selection Pane.

The Selection Pane appears. The Selection Pane lets you select multiple AutoShape objects by using the steps in Method 3.

Method 5: In Word 2016 and Word 2013, use Select Objects

1. On the Home tab, select Select > Select Objects.
2. Use the mouse to draw a selection rectangle around the shapes.