Cannot select more than copied object at a time

[XP]

Using Office 2003 and Windows XP;

I did some basic drawing, using text boxes and lines in one document, then I
copied some of these objects into a new document and saved it. Now, I cannot
select a group of objects together;

I can select one at a time, but even though I click the arrow tool and drag
through several of the objects, it doesn't select anything, even though I am
careful to include the entire object area; this occurs at any zoom level. I
did notice however, that new objects added to the new document DO get
selected, just not copied ones.

Does anyone have a clue how to fix this? Any help appreciated.

 

[XP]

After much experimentation, it appears that in the copying process one canvas
has been copied over another, but both seem to be present.

The problem I'm having seems to be linked to the fact that the canvasses are
sandwiched making multiple items selectable based upon upon which canvas
happens to be on top.

I can actually delete one canvas, and all the items on the second are
available for multiple selection; but then all the objects drawn on the
deleted canvas disappear too. I can undo to retrieve the deleted canvas and
the lost drawings, but then I can't select the other items again.

How can I fix this? Please help...