When editing or formatting a table in Word, you often have to select a cell, column, row or perhaps even the whole table prior to performing a particular operation. Do you use the Select button on the Table Tools, Layout tab? Or are you a right-mouse clicker and use the options under Select? But did you know you can use a single-click, as long as your mouse is properly positioned?
Here’s how:
Select a single cell: point to the left edge of the cell and click the mouse button as soon as the mouse pointer appears as a small black arrow pointing diagonally upward and to the right.
Select a row: point to the immediate left of the row of the table and click as soon as the mouse pointer appears as a large white arrow pointing diagonally upward and to the right.
Select a column: point to the top border of the column of the table and click as soon as the mouse pointer appears as a small black arrow pointing downward.
Select the entire table: point anywhere in the table and click on the icon with four arrows that appears in the upper left corner of the table.
To select multiple rows or columns, simply select a row or column as described above, hold down the mouse button and drag the mouse up, down, right or left.
If this strikes a chord, you might want to check out Tip 50 for tricks and shortcuts for selecting blocks of text using your mouse, or Tip 51 if you prefer to use your keyboard.
* Unless stated otherwise, these tips were written for Microsoft Office 2010.
26 October 2015
Karen Roem offers software training and support through her company Roem Ltd. Contact her by email ( Karen@roem.co.uk) or visit her website at www.roem.co.uk
Please note: Cambridge Network's Learning Collaboration members have the opportunity to book places on Roem Ltd courses at a reduced rate.