Use Shortcuts to Quickly Select Text in PowerPoint

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated January 29, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2013, 2016, 2019 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.

Recommended article: How to Reduce the Size of PowerPoint Files (10 Ways to Compress Your PowerPoint Decks)

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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.

15. Select to the beginning of the text

Click in the text and press Ctrl + Shift + Home.

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

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More resources

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

A Beginner's Guide to Video Formats in PowerPoint

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Summary
15 PowerPoint Shortcuts to Select Text
Article Name
15 PowerPoint Shortcuts to Select Text
Description
Check out this list of 15 shortcuts you can use in PowerPoint to select text in shapes, text boxes, placeholders and in the Outline Pane.
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Avantix Learning

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