10 Timesaving Shortcuts to Select Text in Word Using Only a Keyboard
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated March 21, 2024
Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or 365 (Windows)
You can use several shortcuts in Word to select text in your documents using only your keyboard. When you select text, it will typically be highlighted in grey. After you select text, you can cut, copy, or delete the selected text or apply character or paragraph formatting.
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To easily position your cursor, you can use the arrow keys on your keyboard.
Note: For shortcuts that include Home, End, PgUp or PgDn, you may need to press Num Lock or the Fn key on your keyboard in conjunction with the other keys.
1. Select an entire document
Position your cursor anywhere in your document and then press Ctrl + A to select the entire document.
2. Select one or more characters
To select one or more characters, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Shift + right arrow or Shift + left arrow. Repeat as required.
3. Select one or more words
To select a word from the position of the cursor, press Ctrl + Shift + right arrow to select a word to the right. Press Ctrl + Shift + left arrow to select a word to the left of the cursor. Repeat as required.
4. Select one or more lines of text
To select one or more lines, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Shift + down arrow or Shift + up arrow.
5. Select one or more paragraphs
To select one or more paragraphs, position the cursor at the beginning of a paragraph and then press Ctrl + Shift – down arrow. Repeat as required.
6. Select from the cursor to the end or beginning of a line
Press Shift + End to select from the cursor to the end of the line. If you press Shift + Home, Word will select from the cursor to the beginning of the line.
7. Select by screen
To select by screen, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Ctrl + Shift + PgUp or Ctrl + Shift + PgDn. Repeat as required.
8. Select from the cursor to the beginning of the document
To select from the cursor to the beginning of the document, press Ctrl + Shift + Home.
9. Select from the cursor to the end of the document
To select from the cursor to the beginning of the document, press Ctrl + Shift + End.
10. Select a table
To select an entire table, position the cursor in the first cell of the table. Press Alt + Shift + End to select to the end of the first row and then press Alt + Shift + PgDn to select to the last cell. You can also press Shift + down arrow repetitively instead of Alt + Shift + PgDn.
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More resources
How to Double Space in Word (4 Ways)
How to Clear Formatting in Word (with Shortcuts)
21 Microsoft Word Shortcuts for Faster Formatting
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