Select a shape or other object in Word

Note

This content applies to the desktop versions of Word. Some table features may not be available in Word for the web or mobile apps.

Select objects, shapes, pictures or text boxes, to change or move them. Sizing handles indicate that a shape or object has been selected.

Click or tap the object to select it. If that doesn't select it, go to Home > Select and do one of the following:

To select all of the text in the document, choose Select All.
To select objects that are hidden, stacked, or behind text, choose Select Objects. To select an object, click or tap when your pointer becomes a selection arrow as it moves over an object. To select multiple objects, press and hold Ctrl while you click or tap the objects that you want.
To select text with similar formatting, choose Select All Text with Similar Formatting.
To open the task pane where you can select, multi-select, show, hide, or change the order of objects, choose Selection Pane, and then select the options that you want.

Select options on Home menu

To do this	Do the following
Select multiple objects.	Press and hold Shift or Ctrl while you select the objects.
Select an object that is under other objects and cycle forward through the stack of objects.	Select the top object, and then press Tab.
Select an object that is under other objects and cycle backward through the stack of objects.	Select the top object, and then press Shift+Tab.
Select objects that are part of a group.	Select the group, and then do one of the following: To select one object, click or tap the object. To select multiple shapes in a group, press and hold Shift or Ctrl while you click or tap the shapes.
Cancel the selection of one object at a time.	Press and hold Shift or Ctrl while you click or tap each object.

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