Surface pen no longer able to highlight the article

Spent hours trying to figure this out before finding this post so I just want to share my additional findings.

When using Google Docs/slides it is not possible to manipulate objects using the pen in Chrome as it only scrolls and pressing the button does nothing. However, in Edge it scrolls too but pressing the button on the pen, at least I'm able to manipulate objects. Figured it out when using a mouse on a laptop instead of using the pen but my Surface's USB port died so that workaround isn't any good to me.

Thanks, as previously mentioned I've already submitted it via the Feedback Hub but I will do so again.

Hi Swee,

I think what you are seeing are some Pen interaction improvements that were made in the Fall Creators update. 

**Scrolling with pen.**In the effort to create a more intuitive pen interaction on Windows, we are emphasizing natural and direct manipulation of content with pen. You don’t have to “hunt and peck” for scrollbars or frequently switch between pen and touch when navigating; now you can scroll content directly and fluently as you would with your finger.

**Selection with pen.**We also revised selection with pen by giving it more control over the selection process. Not only are we showing selection grippers whenever text is selected via pen, but also are allowing for a consistent and fast selection of content – text, objects, or ink—by dragging the pen while the barrel button is pressed.

For example, if you are in Edge or a Store app you can now select text by quickly double tapping a word and then dragging the selection grippers to adjust the words highlighted OR you can press and hold the pen's barrel button while you highlight the desired text.

Hope this helps,

Greg

Thank you. I raised this issue some time ago as I constantly used the pen to select text and the change meant that I was mostly unable to do so. Using the selection grippers was fiddly and trying to select a word or section of text doesn't always work, notably in Mail bot on various sites and apps too. 

Now that we know that people can select text as we could previously, albeit we now have to hold in the barrel button to do so, it helps a lot as I thought the "drag to select" functionality had gone for good. However I find it's fiddly to hold in the barrel button while using the pen. To make it easier the button needs to be located nearer the nib, or alternatively make it touch sensitive. 

Personally I would prefer the pen functionality to be switched back to what it was pre-Fall Update but I accept that's not likely to happen.