
Tips.Net > WordTips Home > Editing > Selecting Text > Selecting a Line of Text
Summary: Many word processing programs include commands that allow you to select a line of text. Word doesn’t, but you can use the mouse to select lines of text, and it is probably easier than you think. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007.)
If you are new to Word, coming from using a different type of word processor, you probably noticed that there is no command in Word to delete a line of text. You might view this as an oversight, but it really isn't. Once you learn a very simple technique, you'll find it very easy to delete a line (or more) of text.
Move the mouse pointer to the left of the line of text you want to select. Don't move the mouse pointer into the style area (if you have the style area displayed), but just to the left of the first character in the line. The mouse pointer turns into an arrow pointing up and right. Click once on the left mouse button, and the entire line of text is selected. If you want, you can hold down the mouse button while the mouse pointer is pointing up and to the right, and you can select multiple lines of text by dragging up or down.
Once you've selected the line (or lines), you are then able to do any other editing function on that selection, including deleting it (by pressing Del or Ctrl+X).
Tip #975 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 2000 2002 2003 2007
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