Cannot Select Objects using mouse cursor (Word 2010)

Anonymous
2010-07-09T08:11:42+00:00

Hi

I recently upgraded from Office 2007 Pro to 2010 Pro+. I inserted some shapes and when to select them - prior to grouping. I did the 'normal' thing: click the arrow shape on the ribbon, clicked Select Objects, brought my cursor on the page again and left-click and hold while I lasooed the objects. The lasooe part didn't happen. Nothing was captured by moving the cursor over the area where the objects were.

Can anyone suggest what's happening, and how it can be put right?

Thanks

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Jay Freedman 208.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2010-07-15T01:52:24+00:00

Lasso selection works as long as the document is in Word 97-2003 format (in Compatibility Mode). When it's converted to Word 2010 format (or created new in Word 2010), dragging doesn't even show the lasso outline.

This is not true in Word 2007, which does lasso selection in both formats.

I assume this has something to do with the change in the graphics engine between 20007 and 2010, but it's a bug whether Microsoft classifies it that way or not. Ctrl+click is not a usable substitute when there are a large number of small pieces to be grouped.

As a sort-of-workaround, try using the Selection Pane (on the dropdown from the Select button). Unfortunately, that doesn't support Shift+click to select a lot of items in one click.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-01-11T14:33:48+00:00

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  2. Stefan Blom 352.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2010-12-08T19:11:55+00:00

    I do see your point. For now, it's the only option, though, for anyone who wants to use the "lasso."

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-12-08T16:10:46+00:00

    We didn't spend all that money on Word 2010 just to revert back to using legacy formats though.

    Charlie

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  4. Stefan Blom 352.3K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2010-12-05T14:57:26+00:00

    It's definitely a bug. Whether Microsoft considers it to be a bug is a different question. :-(

    However, note that saving in Word 97-2003 format makes the "lasso" function work properly.

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