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
Related courses
Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers
Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp
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