Selecting a Text Block

Summary: Everyone knows how to select text; especially if that text is sequential, such as a few words or a sentence. An often overlooked method of text selection is to select non-sequential text. You do this using the Ctrl+Shift+F8 shortcut, as described in this tip. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

When working with some forms of data in Word (particularly tabular columns of information), it is often helpful to select non-sequential text in a block. For instance, you might want to select the tenth through thirtieth characters on each of five lines, ignoring everything else. Word makes this easy to do, using either the keyboard or the mouse. If you want to select a block of text using the keyboard, follow these steps:

Position the insertion point at the position that defines the upper-left corner of the block.
Press Ctrl+Shift+F8. The letters COL appear on the status bar.
Use the cursor control keys to extend the block to include all the text desired.

If you would rather use the mouse to block the text, you can do so by simply holding down the Alt key as you make your selection.

Once your text block is selected, you can take any action desired. For instance, if you press the Del key, then the block of text is deleted.

Tip #6 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Selecting a Text Block