Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Selecting a Line of Text.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 10, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
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).
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (975) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Selecting a Line of Text.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
Want a really quick way to select text? Just combine the Shift key with a simple mouse click.
Discover MoreNeed to select an entire sentence? It's easy by making one small adjustment to how you click the mouse.
Discover MoreSelecting text is a critical skill to possess when you want to work with a Word document. This tip explains how you can ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Comments