Turn of automatic selection.

[CascadeHush]

How can I turn off the feature in Word that automatically selects a whole
word when you click and drag. When I make a mouse selection, I mean it...
So if I want to select parts of words that is what I want to do. If I want
to select a whole word I'll double click, and drag to select whole words,
but if I click part way through a word that is what I want, part of the word
selected.


<rant>This thing erks me no end, I've been using a mouse for decades, I know
how to make a selection, and I know what I want to select and select it. I
don't want software trying to interpret what I am trying to select and
modify it.</rant>

I know there is an option to turn this off in Word on windows, but I can't
find it on the Mac.

Pardon the aggravated tone, but this thing is like trying to ride a bike
with training wheels, they just get in the way when you know what you are
doing.

 

[Michel Bintener]

Don't worry, your frustration is quite understandable. In Word, go to
Word>Preferences, select the Edit submenu, and uncheck "When selecting,
automatically select entire word".

How can I turn off the feature in Word that automatically selects a whole
word when you click and drag. When I make a mouse selection, I mean it...
So if I want to select parts of words that is what I want to do. If I want
to select a whole word I'll double click, and drag to select whole words,
but if I click part way through a word that is what I want, part of the word
selected.


<rant>This thing erks me no end, I've been using a mouse for decades, I know
how to make a selection, and I know what I want to select and select it. I
don't want software trying to interpret what I am trying to select and
modify it.</rant>

I know there is an option to turn this off in Word on windows, but I can't
find it on the Mac.

Pardon the aggravated tone, but this thing is like trying to ride a bike
with training wheels, they just get in the way when you know what you are
doing.

--
Michel Bintener
Microsoft MVP
Office:Mac (Entourage & Word)

***Always reply to the newsgroup.***

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

I know there is an option to turn this off in Word on windows, but I can't
find it on the Mac.

Addendum to Michel's response, if you didn't already realize--the equivalent
of Tools | Options on windows is Word | Preferences on the mac. 90% of the
frustrations can be solved by that dialog, or by Tools | AutoCorrect.

This page *might* help:
http://word.mvps.org/Mac/StopAutoFormat.html

PS. assuming you are new-ish to the Mac, in just about *every* Mac program,
it's worth checking out the [Program] Preferences menu for simple
adjustments to keep you happy.

 

[CyberTaz]

How can I turn off the feature in Word that automatically selects a whole
word when you click and drag. When I make a mouse selection, I mean it...
So if I want to select parts of words that is what I want to do. If I
want
to select a whole word I'll double click, and drag to select whole words,
but if I click part way through a word that is what I want, part of the
word
selected.


<rant>This thing erks me no end, I've been using a mouse for decades, I
know
how to make a selection, and I know what I want to select and select it.
I
don't want software trying to interpret what I am trying to select and
modify it.</rant>

I know there is an option to turn this off in Word on windows, but I can't
find it on the Mac.

Pardon the aggravated tone, but this thing is like trying to ride a bike
with training wheels, they just get in the way when you know what you are
doing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi there -

Michel and Daiya have already provided the answers to your questions, but
just thought I'd offer a suggestion regarding;

Make it even easier on yourself - dbl-clk the first word then shift-click
the last word rather than dragging... especially useful if the text to be
selected is a rather large amount and/or extends outside your current
viewing area.

 

[Clive Huggan]

And if your self-confessed erking (we know the feeling) indicates
frustration with other "Lie down and let Word help* you" features, you might
find some others that are worth correcting ­ look under the heading "Modify
these settings to get Word to behave the way you want (well, partly)" on
page 33 of some notes on the way I use Word for the Mac, titled "Bend Word
to Your Will", which are available as a free download from the Word MVPs'
website (http://word.mvps.org/Mac/Bend/BendWordToYourWill.html).

[Note: "Bend Word to your will" is designed to be used electronically and
most subjects are self-contained dictionary-style entries. If you decide to
read more widely than the item I've referred to, it's important to read the
front end of the document -- especially pages 3 and 5 -- so you can select
some Word settings that will allow you to use the document effectively.]

You'll also find some of the main Mac/PC differences in "Bend Word to Your
Will" ­ do a Find command for "PC" and "Windows".

* For UK readers only: I would normally use the word "roger" here for my
Australian and UK friends, but that will get lost in translation, tied up as
it is in livestock naming practices by UK farmers over the generations ...

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
Canberra, Australia
(My time zone is 5-11 hours different from the US and Europe, so my
follow-on responses to those regions can be delayed)
============================================================

 

[CascadeHush]

Thanks all for the help, it's much better now.

I will check the word.mvps.org website.

I must say that option, which says "when selecting....entire word" is just
way too involved when you are looking for the option, as I did.

Anyway, much appreciated.