Use Shortcuts to Quickly Select Text in PowerPoint
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated January 15, 2026
Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 365 (Windows)
The following are 15 shortcuts you can use in PowerPoint to select text in shapes, text boxes, placeholders and in the Outline Pane. When you select text, it will typically be highlighted in grey.
Recommended article: How to Highlight Text in PowerPoint (5 Ways)
Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint? Check out our virtual classroom or in-person classroom PowerPoint courses >
Most of the following shortcuts will work in text objects in Normal View or in Outline View. To display the outline, click the View tab in the Ribbon and then click Outline in the Presentation Views group.
1. Select a block of text
Click in the text and then Shift-click in the text where you want to end the selection.
2. Select a word
Click in the text and then double-click a word.
3. Select a paragraph
Click in the text and them triple-click a paragraph.
4. Select all text in an object
Click in the text and then press Ctrl + A. If you want to select a text placeholder or text box, click its edge.
5. Select all text in the Outline Pane
Click in the Outline Pane and press Ctrl + A.
6. Select one line down
Click in a line of text and press Ctrl + down arrow.
7. Select one line up
Click in a line of text and press Ctrl + up arrow.
8. Select one paragraph down
Click in a line of text and press Ctrl + Shift + down arrow.
9. Select one paragraph up
Click in a line of text and press Ctrl + Shift + up arrow.
10. Select one character to the right
Click n the text and press Shift + right arrow.
11. Select one character to the left
Click in the text and press Shift + left arrow.
12. Select one word to the right
Click in the text and press Ctrl + Shift + right arrow.
13. Select one word to the left
Click in the text and press Ctrl + Shift + left arrow.
14. Select to the end of the text
Click in the text and press Ctrl + Shift + End. For some users, you may also need to press the Fn key.
15. Select to the beginning of the text
Click in the text and press Ctrl + Shift + Home. For some users, you may also need to press the Fn key.
If you are having difficulty selecting text in Normal View, the text may have been entered in Slide Master View. To go to Slide Master View, click the View tab in the Ribbon and select Slide Master in the Master Views group.
This article was first published on January 29, 2021 and has been updated for clarity and content.
Subscribe to get more articles like this one
Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, JOIN our email list.
More resources
How to Curve Text in PowerPoint
How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint Presentations (Step-by-Step)
How to Insert Video in PowerPoint (from a File on Your PC or a Shared Drive)
PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts to Play and Control Video During a Slide Show
How to Reduce the Size of PowerPoint Files (10 Ways to Compress Your PowerPoint Decks)
Related courses
Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers
Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp
Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced
Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.
Copyright 2025 Avantix® Learning
You may also like
How to Highlight Text in PowerPoint (5 Ways)
5 Different Strategies to Highlight Text in PowerPoint by Avantix Learning Team | Updated January 17, 2026 Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 365 (Windows) You can highlight text in PowerPoint in many different ways. If you have PowerPoint...
How to Curve Text in PowerPoint
Curve text in PowerPoint Using WordArt Transform Options by Avantix Learning Team | Updated January 15, 2026 Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2019, 2021, 2024 and 365 (Windows) You can curve text in PowerPoint using WordArt Transform options on the Shape tab in the...
How to Link to Another Slide in PowerPoint (3 Ways)
3 Ways to Link to Another Slide in the Same PowerPoint Presentation by Avantix Learning Team | Updated August 14, 2025 Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows) You can easily add a link or hyperlink to another slide in the same PowerPoint...
Image credit(s) / application screenshot(s): Microsoft
Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.
Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca
