Why can't I select my text to copy, paste, bold, etc?

Question

Why can't I select my text to copy, paste, bold, etc?

Erin Nesmith 20

Hello, For some reason Word on my Mac will no longer let me use my cursor to slide over text to highlight. It will only let me double click on a few words to highlight but when writing long papers that need to be formatted correctly, this is causing me a major issue. Please help!

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 437.7K

Don't jump through a bunch of hoops – This is a very common issue often resolved by simply restarting the Mac. If that doesn't correct it please see this existing Answer: Select Text

You also may be interested i some more efficient & more accurate methods than dragging: Selection Techniques

Erin Nesmith 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T02:47:26.9766667+00:00

I turned it off and back on and now it is highlighting! Thank you!
Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 437.7K Reputation points

2026-07-13T15:08:42.82+00:00

Contrary to what the manufacturers would have us believe, personal computers need to be restarted periodically [at least weekly, IMO] in order for the OS to do some "housekeeping". Just closing the lid on a laptop doesn't do it. Allowing the unit to run constantly for extended periods is an invitation for any number of gremlins to rear their ugly heads.

The exception is in some network environments where systems need to be kept running in order to receive back end maintenance but that's determined by the organization's IT folks.

1 additional answer

Your answer

Erin Nesmith 20 Reputation points

2026-07-12T02:47:26.9766667+00:00

I turned it off and back on and now it is highlighting! Thank you!
Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 437.7K Reputation points

2026-07-13T15:08:42.82+00:00

Contrary to what the manufacturers would have us believe, personal computers need to be restarted periodically [at least weekly, IMO] in order for the OS to do some "housekeeping". Just closing the lid on a laptop doesn't do it. Allowing the unit to run constantly for extended periods is an invitation for any number of gremlins to rear their ugly heads.

The exception is in some network environments where systems need to be kept running in order to receive back end maintenance but that's determined by the organization's IT folks.

Answer 1

Hello Erin Nesmith,

Thank you for your post.

I'd like to gather a little more information to better understand what may be causing this behavior.

Could you please let me know whether you're using the built-in trackpad on your Mac or an external mouse? I'd also like to understand exactly how you're attempting to drag-select the text. For example, are you clicking and holding the mouse button (or trackpad) and then dragging across the text, but nothing becomes highlighted?

Additionally, do you see the same behavior in other applications such as Notes, TextEdit, Safari, or elsewhere on macOS, or is this issue occurring only in Microsoft Word?

In the meantime, could you please try the following troubleshooting steps and let me know the results?

1. Make sure Word is up to date

Please make sure that Word is fully up to date.

Open Microsoft Word.
Select Help > Check for Updates.
Install any available updates through Microsoft AutoUpdate.
Restart Word and test the behavior again.

2. Reset Word Preferences

If Word is currently running, press Cmd + Q to completely quit Word.
Open Finder.
Select Go > Go to Folder.
Enter: ~/Library/Preferences
Locate the file: com.microsoft.office.plist
Move the file to the Trash.

Word will automatically create a new preferences file the next time it launches.

3. Clear the Word Cache Folder

Open Finder.
Press Command + Shift + G.
Enter: ~/Library/Containers
Move the Microsoft Word folder (on Big Sur) or com.microsoft.Word folder (on Catalina) to your Desktop.
Reopen Word.
Create a new blank document and check whether drag-selection works normally.

4. Test in Safe Mode

This can help determine whether another application or background service is interfering with Word.

Shut down your Mac.
Turn it on and immediately hold down the Shift key.
Release the Shift key when the login window appears.
Open Word and test whether you can click and drag to select text.

If the issue does not occur in Safe Mode, it may indicate that another application, utility, or background process is affecting Word during normal startup.

After trying the above steps, please let me know:

Whether you're using a trackpad or external mouse.
Whether other applications are affected.
Whether the issue occurs in all Word documents or only a specific document.
The results of the troubleshooting steps above.

With that information, I'll be in a much better position to help narrow down the cause.

Best regards,

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 437.7K Reputation points

2026-07-13T15:20:01.3766667+00:00

Just for the benefit of others, your point #1 is the only valid consideration.

Points #2 & #3 are irrelevant – Neither Preferences nor cache have anything to do with this issue.

As for #4, there is no need to start the Mac in Safe Mode, but even if it was necessary the method you suggested pertains only to Intel-based Macs. Safe Mode on Apple Silicon Macs requires a different method. It's often counterproductive to offer certain solutions without knowing what you're dealing with.