unable to edit object in publisher

jim gibson 0 Reputation points
2026-07-08T23:28:38.7666667+00:00

unable to edit object in publisher. I cannot select object on page for editing

Microsoft 365 and Office | Publisher | For home
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jim gibson 0 Reputation points
2026-07-10T15:30:33.26+00:00

I resolved the issue myself. I had one object on the page that is forward of all the other objects which blocked the editing. From the Arrange menu & clicking on Send Backward there was a pulldown item Send to Back that resolved the issue. Send Backward did nothing but Send to Back allowed me to edit the other Objects on the page.

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  1. Xavier-D 13,210 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-07-09T03:21:15.61+00:00

    Hello jim gibson

    Thanks for reaching out, I can see that you are having trouble in Publisher.

    Here are what you can try to fix this issue:

    • In Publisher, go to Page Design > Layout > Align To, then temporarily clear Guides and Objects.
    • Try moving the Publisher window to your main display, then check if the object can be selected.
    • If the object is behind another object, press Tab to cycle through objects on the page.
    • If the cursor is not inside a text box, press Ctrl + A to select all objects on the page, then check whether the object becomes selectable. Microsoft’s Publisher keyboard shortcut guidance notes that Ctrl + A selects all objects on a page when the cursor is not in a text box.
    • Also try updating Office from any Office app under File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.

    If the issue continues, please share whether this happens in all Publisher files or only one file, and whether you are using multiple monitors.

    This will help me identify whether it is related to the document layout, display setup, or the Publisher app itself.

    Feel free reply back to this post and update me on this issue, I'll be happy to help.

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