Quickly Select Text in Word Documents Using a Mouse or Keyboard Shortcuts

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated May 17, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 or 365 (Windows)

You can use several keyboard or mouse shortcuts in Microsoft Word to select characters, words, lines, paragraphs and blocks of text in your documents.

Recommended article: 10 Microsoft Word Tips, Tricks and Shortcuts for Selecting in Tables

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1. Select an entire document

Click in the document and then press Ctrl + A to select the entire document.

2. Select a word

To select a word, double-click the word.

3. Select a sentence

To select a sentence, Ctrl + click in the sentence.

4. Select a line using the invisible selection bar

To select a line using the invisible selection bar, move the pointer into the area to the left of the line and click (the pointer should turn into a right-pointing arrow).

5. Select a paragraph

To select a paragraph, triple-click in the paragraph.

6. Select a paragraph using the invisible selection bar

To select a paragraph using the invisible selection bar, move the pointer into the area to the left of the paragraph and double-click (the pointer should turn into a right-pointing arrow).

7. Select from the cursor to the end or beginning of the 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.

8. Select by word using arrow keys

To select by word, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Ctrl + Shift + right arrow or Ctrl + Shift + left arrow.

9. Select by line using arrow keys

To select by line, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Shift + down arrow or Shift + up arrow.

10. Select by paragraph using arrow keys

To select by paragraph, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Ctrl + Shift + down arrow or Ctrl + Shift + up arrow.

11. Select by character using arrow keys

To select by character, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then press Shift + right arrow or Shift + left arrow.

12. Select blocks of text by Shift-clicking

To select text blocks, position the cursor where you want to start the selection and then move or scroll to the location where you want to end the selection and Shift-click.

13. 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 + PgDown.

14. Select vertically

To select vertically in a document, press Alt and drag up or down.

You can save lots of time in Word using shortcuts for selecting text.

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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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Summary
14 Microsoft Word Shortcuts to Quickly Select Text (Words, Lines and Paragraphs)
Article Name
14 Microsoft Word Shortcuts to Quickly Select Text (Words, Lines and Paragraphs)
Description
You can use several keyboard or mouse shortcuts in Microsoft Word to select characters, words, lines, paragraphs and blocks of text in your documents.
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Avantix Learning

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