Can't delete text box in PowerPoint

Anonymous
2014-02-06T06:17:02+00:00

I've recently had a problem deleting text boxes in PowerPoint.  I'm able to select the box by clicking on the box perimeter (which changers the little circles and squares at the perimeter from open to solid, as it should).  But when I hit delete, it deletes the last text character within the box, rather than the box itself.  I also can't copy the box.   When I select the box and hit command-C, I hear a little whish, signifying (I suppose) an disallowed action.  The boxes in question are not part of a slide background.  This problem does not occur with pictures.

I've found a workaround which is to select the box differently, namely by dragging the cursor around the box with the mouse button held down.  Then I can (sometimes) delete or copy it.  Still looking for a real fix.

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2014-04-15T21:34:15+00:00

I stumbled on a fix today.  

Under system preferences, chose Keyboard, then chose Shortcuts, and then at the bottom under Full Keyboard Access, click the "All controls" radio button. 

Previously, the "Text boxes and lists only" radio button was selected.  I can recreate the problem by clicking this other radio button, i.e. the fix is fully reversible.  I don't think I ever touched either of these buttons before yesterday.

I believe this fix completely resolves for me the issues with selecting text boxes in PowerPoint. 

Note that it's very puzzling that a system tabbing option should have anything to do with selecting text boxes in PowerPoint.  I expect there is still an underlying bug.

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  1. Jim G 134.1K Reputation points MVP
    2014-02-16T15:55:18+00:00

    So let’s test to see if there’s a bad preference file.

    In Mac OS System preferences, make a new user account. Try the same presentation there. If the problem is gone, then we can trash your preferences in your regular user account. If the problem persists, it’s not a problem with a preference file.

    Test, and then please reply with the test results.

    Thanks.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-17T04:38:00+00:00

    Jim,

    I realize this thread is getting long, but in an earlier post I clarified that I have tried running PowerPoint as a new user, and the problem does go away when I do that.

    Thanks,

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  3. Jim G 134.1K Reputation points MVP
    2014-02-20T17:42:48+00:00

    Ah! That's good to know.  Then problem is almost certainly due to a bad PowerPoint preference file. Follow the instructions in Step 1 of this article to reset the preferences:

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975723/en-us

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  4. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 437.7K Reputation points
    2014-02-20T19:25:30+00:00

    Hey Jimmy -- That's one of the first steps taken...

    Bob Jones AKA: CyberTaz replied on

    MVP !\[\](http://answers.microsoft.com/static/images/contentcreator.png)

    OK, unless there is a problem at the system level I'm thinking that it may be a corrupt preferences file. Try this;

    1. Quit all Office apps
    2. Go to ~/UserName/Library/Preferences
    3. Locate & delete the file named com.microsoft.Powerpoint.plist
    4. Empty the Trash

    See if things are right when you next launch the program.

    [Note that if you're using OS X 10.7 or later Apple has chosen to Hide the Library folders for User Accounts. If you aren't familiar with accessing it see this Apple KB.]

    Please mark HELPFUL or ANSWERED as appropriate to keep list as clean as possible ☺

    Regards,

    Bob J.

    ![](http://answers.microsoft.com/static/images/defaultuser50.png)

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    RalphKeeling replied on

    Thanks Bob.  Unfortunately, the steps of deleting the com.microsoft.Powerpoint.plst file etc. didn't help.  The problem persists.  If it's relevant, I'm using OS 10.9.1

    Seriously, Jim, I'm getting a little concerned about you :-)

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