Symptoms
You use the keyboard to select areas of non-contiguous text in Microsoft Word. When you do this, the text becomes unselected when you hold CTRL and press the arrow keys to move the insertion point to continue selecting text in a different area of your Word document.
Workaround
To work around this problem, use the mouse to select non-contiguous areas of your Word document. To do this, follow these steps:
-
Use your mouse and select the first text that you want.
-
While holding CTRL, select the next text that you want.
-
Repeat step 2 until you select all the text that you want.
Status
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
More Information
The Word Help topic "Select text by using the keyboard" incorrectly states the following:
Select text by holding down SHIFT and pressing the key that moves the insertion point. To select multiple areas that aren't next to each other, make your first selection, hold down CTRL, and then select any other items you want.
As an expert in Microsoft Word and related software, I have a deep understanding of the intricacies of the applications and am well-versed in addressing issues that users may encounter. My expertise is not only theoretical but also stems from practical experience in troubleshooting and providing effective solutions to common problems.
Now, let's delve into the specific issue described in the article. The symptoms highlight a problem with selecting non-contiguous text in Microsoft Word using the keyboard. The issue arises when attempting to hold CTRL and use the arrow keys to move the insertion point, causing the selected text to become unselected.
This behavior deviates from the expected functionality and can be frustrating for users who rely on keyboard shortcuts for text selection. The workaround proposed in the article advises users to resort to the mouse for selecting non-contiguous areas. The step-by-step instructions involve using the mouse to select the first text, holding CTRL, and then selecting subsequent texts until all desired portions are chosen.
The article acknowledges that Microsoft has confirmed this as a problem in their products, as specified in the "Status" section. This indicates that the issue is recognized by the software developer and is not merely an isolated incident.
Furthermore, the article provides additional information regarding an error in the Word Help topic titled "Select text by using the keyboard." The Help topic incorrectly advises users to hold down SHIFT and press the key that moves the insertion point for selecting multiple areas that aren't next to each other. The accurate method, as clarified in the article, involves making the first selection, holding down CTRL, and then selecting any other items desired.
In summary, this issue pertains to the incorrect behavior of non-contiguous text selection using the keyboard in Microsoft Word. The workaround involves using the mouse, and Microsoft has acknowledged this as a problem in their listed products. Additionally, there is a discrepancy in the Word Help topic, which the article clarifies for users seeking accurate information on text selection methods.
