Microsoft Word cannot select or highlight text using mouse

This article explores issues that may arise when the mouse is unable to select or highlight text in Microsoft Word, and how to resolve these issues.

Why can't I select text in Microsoft Word?

The inability to select text in MS Word may be affected by a variety of reasons, such as permission restrictions, document protection, mouse driver issues, or file corruption. Solutions to these problems are provided below.

Fix Microsoft Word cannot select or highlight text using mouse

If Microsoft Word is unable to select or highlight text using mouse, follow the solutions mentioned below:

Make sure your left mouse button is working

Check if you are eligible to change the file

Update mouse driver

Disable protected view

Try a different mouse and/or reinstall the mouse driver

Repair Word File

Let’s talk about it in detail.

1]Make sure your left mouse button is working

When using our mouse, we usually use left-click to select things, ensuring the order is accurate. Therefore, we need to make sure that the left button of the mouse is functioning properly. You can try clicking somewhere else outside the Word file, and if it works, you can continue. If the left mouse button is not working properly, you can refer to the guide to solve the problem.

2] Check if you are eligible to make changes in this file

If the sender sends a file with read-only permissions set, you will not be able to edit the file until you disable Edit Restrictions. If the document is shared, you need to contact the sender to request access permission.

3]Update your mouse driver

If your device uses an older version of the driver, it may cause compatibility issues and some features may not work properly. Therefore, make sure to update your touchpad and mouse drivers regularly to ensure smooth operation of your device. After updating, check if the issue is resolved.

4]Disable Protected View

Protected View in Microsoft Word allows you to open potentially suspicious files without risking your computer being infected by malware. However, this feature may sometimes block files that are actually safe. If you are sure that your Word document is legitimate, you can temporarily disable the Protected View feature to see if it solves the problem. Follow the steps mentioned below to perform the same.

First, start Microsoft Word and open the document that cannot be edited.

Then, click the file option in the upper left corner.

Now, navigate to these options.

Then you have to move to the Trust Center tab and click on Trust Center Settings.

Then uncheck the checkbox associated with the following options.

• Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet
• Enable Protected View for files located in potentially unsafe locations
• Enable Protected View for Outlook attachments

Click OK.

Finally, restart Word and check if the problem still exists.

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