[Word 2007] Mouse Doesn't Work (i.e. Can't Highlight Text)

[Matt]

I have never seen this before, but for some reason, the mouse has stopped
working in Word 2007 when trying to select or edit text within the Document.
It works for selecting menu items, but when you try and drag it over text or
left/right click within the document, nothing happens. All other office 2007
programs (Excel, Access, Outlook, etc) function as normal. Also, it doesn't
work in the Word 2007 options menu...it won't select the different options
tabs on the left hand side of the options window. Is there some sort of
security feature in Word 2007 that disables the mouse?

-Matt

 

[Jay Freedman]

No, there's no such "security feature" (and I can't imagine how it would be
"secure" anyway). We've had some reports of the mouse wheel failing to
scroll the Word window, but not this sort of thing.

Try reinstalling the mouse driver, or see if there's an updated driver at
the manufacturer's web page. The path for the driver is Start > Settings >
Control Panel > Mouse > Hardware > Properties > Driver > Update Driver.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[skynetop]

No, there's no such "security feature" (and I can't imagine how it would be
"secure" anyway). We've had some reports of themousewheel failing to
scroll the Word window, but not this sort of thing.

Try reinstalling themousedriver, or see if there's an updated driver at
the manufacturer's web page. The path for the driver is Start > Settings >
Control Panel >Mouse> Hardware > Properties > Driver > Update Driver.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ:http://word.mvps.org
Emailcannotbe acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.





- Show quoted text -

I am having the same issue. I have an IBM T42 laptop. I can not
click or highlight text in Word or even with an external USB Mouse. I
have repaired and reinstalled Office 2007 and changed the mouse
drivers etc.

Is this a known issue? There are no updates for office for my
machine.

Mark

 

[Francis T.]

Same problem for me. Did you find an anwer ?

Thanks.

 

[Matt]

I still haven't found an answer unfortunately. But I am glad to see that it
isn't just me. Also, we are having the exact same issue with another
computer at work. So there is defenetly something weird going on. BTW, my
machine is running Vista while the other machine is running Windows XP, so it
doesn't appear to be OS related.

-Matt

 

[Matt]

Ok...found a solution, this really isn't so much a fix but a work-around
untill MS addresses the issue. My assumption that this problem is cuased by
a security features appears to have been correct. If you run Word with
administrator privileges (by either logging in as an Admin or by selecting
"Run As Administrator"), everything works as normal...you can highlight text,
use the scroll bar and select the different options tabs in the options menu.
So, the next step is to figure out why a user's access level restricts the
mouse abilites in Word. Does anyone know what the best way is to contact MS
and tell them about this?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Matt,

This problem has been seen as being caused by using certain add-ins with Word as well. Laser Fiche is one that isn't compatible.

What happens if you start Word in Office safe mode (hold ctrl key while starting Word)?

What profile restrictions were you using when not logged in as Administrator?

You can contact the MS folks through the links on http://support.microsoft.com

=================
Ok...found a solution, this really isn't so much a fix but a work-around
untill MS addresses the issue. My assumption that this problem is cuased by
a security features appears to have been correct. If you run Word with
administrator privileges (by either logging in as an Admin or by selecting
"Run As Administrator"), everything works as normal...you can highlight text,
use the scroll bar and select the different options tabs in the options menu.
So, the next step is to figure out why a user's access level restricts the
mouse abilites in Word. Does anyone know what the best way is to contact MS
and tell them about this?

Thanks,
Matt >>
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[Tim Anderson]

Hi Matt,

This problem has been seen as being caused by using certain add-ins with
Word as well. Laser Fiche is one that
isn't compatible.

I had this problem, and it turned out to be Flash Paper add-in and template
that was causing it.

More on my blog:

http://www.itwriting.com/blog/?p=140

Tim

 

[Matt]

Well...now that I am able to access the add-ins option (by running Word as
Administrator), I was able to locate the culprit...and indeed it WAS
Laserfiche. I had my suspicious but an least I can now confirm it. However,
it appears the many different types of add-ins are causing this problem...and
I have seen the same problem with both Word 07 and Word 03...so, I am not
really sure if this is a problem with Word or just a common problem sharded
by many different add-ins. I have several contacts with the development
teams at Laserfiche so i will contact them and see if we can at least find a
solution for their add-in...

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Shannon H]

That's interesting. I have Office 2007 installed on two computers in my
organiztion. Both are running Win XP, both have Laserfiche installed, and
Adobe Acrobat. Office is running just fine on one computer, but the other one
is having the same problems described here. I am going the admin user work
around. I will contact my VAR regarding Laserfiche and see what they can do

 

[WicstunTomo]

I am logged on as admin but still cannot use mouse on document part of word
2007 when on vista laptop - works fine on Office Xp machine

Sorry - not answer, just anothe rpiece in puzzle!!

I have now uninstalled 2007 on vista laptop - now everytime open office 2003
app it installs - I've contacted MS help and tried first suggestions to no
effect any one else had similar problems - even uninstalling Ofice 2003 does
not work!!