After the latest Office update PowerPoint get locked in ink mode

Anonymous
2016-02-20T01:24:06+00:00

after my recent office update, PowerPoint is locked in ink mode and I can't use my pen to do anything but to draw. It's so annoying I can't even select anything with my surface pen in order to re-size the text or change text color. and when I use my finger it only moves the cursor, it won't let me select. what should I do?

[Original Title: power point ink]

Microsoft 365 and Office | PowerPoint | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2016-02-28T01:54:03+00:00

UPDATE 4/8:

We have started to roll out the change that also adds the Select button to the Draw tab (#1 in my original email below), so if you want to continue to use your pen to ink by default you can do that, and now use that button to use the pen for selection temporarily.  Of course if you want to use the pen to select by default, the preference we added in the Options dialog and detailed below allows you to do that.

UPDATE 3/15:

I wanted to let everyone know that in the update to Office that started rolling out to Insiders today, you will find a new preference in the Options dialog to allow you to make the pen select instead of ink by default.  Enabling this preference will make the pen function exactly like it did before, plus you can use the options on the Draw tab if you do decide you want to ink.  If you are an Office Insider (which anyone can join), you should get this update within the next day or so.  If you are not an Office Insider, it may take another week or two to reach you.

This is a per-app preference, so you can enable selection by default in Excel for instance while leaving ink as the default in Word and PowerPoint, or you can switch all three.  To access this preference select File > Options, and then in the Options dialog select Advanced and check ‘Use pen to select and interact with content by default’ in the new Pen section.

We’ll be releasing the second piece (#1 below), which is the ability to toggle on pen selection via the Draw tab for those that only want to use the pen to select occasionally, with the next monthly update.

Thanks again to all of you for your feedback, and we hope this change addresses your concerns.

ORIGINAL:

I wanted to first thank all of you for your feedback both here, and on our UserVoice site.  We’ve heard you loud and clear, and as a result we are actively working on two changes:

  1. For people that want to use the pen as a precise pointer temporarily, we will introduce the ability to do that via a button on the Draw tab.  This will keep the new default of having the pen ink on the document canvas, but give the ability to use the pen to do selection when needed.
  2. For people that want or need to use the pen like a mouse by default, we will also add a new preference to the Options dialog that will allow you to restore the previous behavior.  If you want to ink, that will be easier than before because you’ll be able to just tap a pen on the Draw tab and start inking, but you will be able to set your default behavior to be that the pen selects, just like it was before the update.

We are actively working on making these changes so that we can get them out to you as soon as possible.  Note that you may see #2 (the preference in the Options dialog) appear first, because we are prioritizing getting that change to you based on your feedback.

I will keep this post updated with the latest status, or you can follow along at one (or all) of the three relevant UserVoice topics: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

In addition, if you’d like to get these changes even before they are officially released to everyone, please consider joining our Office Insidersprogram.  It’s a great way to preview the upcoming changes and help provide us with feedback early.

Thanks again,

Dan

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-02T19:27:31+00:00

    Ok, this post was really useful. I just needed to make sure to go back to update 16.0.6001.1043 (i.e., I selected a version where the third set of numbers (6001) was different from the version causing the ink problem (6366).

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-02T20:45:59+00:00

    THANK YOU!

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-03T06:20:51+00:00

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE change this ASAP to allow users to CHOOSE whether they wish to use their pen in "ink" or "mark up" mode vs. cursor mode.  I use a Wacom Intuous tablet and pen instead of a mouse due to severe tendonitis and carpal tunnel - I cannot use a mouse for "mousing" - but the Wacom and accompanying pen has been a God send.  Today, you took that away from me, and with it, my ability to work without excruciating pain.

    Please note that I do see the utility of being able to use the pen for electronic notes, mark-ups, signatures, etc.  In fact, I wondered how long it would take to be able to use my Wacom pen as an actual pen in this manner in Office and on PDFs.  So I do see this as a positive - IF it is IN ADDITION TO the ability to continue using the pen as a mouse.

    In addition to my desktop (where I use the Wacom tablet), I have a Surface Pro for when I work at home or while on business travel, and I think it is equally problematic to lose the ability to use the Surface Pro's pen to simply control the cursor.  For those of us that use file management systems or other software that require precise clicks, which are challenging due to the small font of the program, it is imperative to use the pen - even if the Surface Pro does have a touch screen.  If you accidentally touch the wrong text or selection, you have to redo it - I really value the precision of using the pen so I know I will not waste time.

    Please make a quick patch where there's a shortcut button to use the pen as cursor or ink/handwriting.  In the meantime, I will be in serious pain and cursing Microsoft often!

    Thank you.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-03-04T02:44:16+00:00

    Hi Has this update been done yet? how can I go back to using my pen like I used to be able to.. surface pro is not very useful without the pen functions..

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