To show a key combination that includes punctuation requiring use of the Shift key, such as the question mark, use Shift and the name or symbol of the shifted key. Using the name of the unshifted key, such as 4 rather than $, could be confusing or even wrong. For example, the? And / characters aren't shifted keys on every keyboard. Working with documents. Open a document: Press Ctrl + O to open an existing document.

The following sections contain information on how to highlight text on any computer, device or program. We've also included keyboard shortcuts, tips, and areas where you can practice highlighting text on this page.

Customize Keyboard Shortcuts - Word - Support.microsoft.com

These 45 keyboard shortcuts work in the Word program on PCs and Macs, though you'll need to swap out any instance of 'Ctrl' with 'Command' when on a Mac. Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference. Save time and be more productive with the best Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts for PC and Mac. 🎄 Tis the season of giving! 99 Word Shortcuts for PC and Mac.

How to highlight text on a desktop or laptop computer

Below are all of the different methods of highlighting text, icons, and other objects on your computer using a desktop mouse, touchpad, and keyboard.

How to highlight text using your mouse

To highlight text using your mouse, position your cursor at the beginning of the text you want to highlight. Press and hold your primary mouse button (commonly the left button). While holding the mouse button, drag the cursor to the end of the text and let go of the mouse button. Once completed, all text from the beginning to the end should be highlighted. Below is an example of how text can be highlighted.

There is no limit to how much text can be highlighted. You can move to the end of a paragraph to highlight the full paragraph or keep holding the mouse button down and select multiple paragraphs or pages of text.

You'll know that text can be highlighted when your mouse pointer changes to an I-beam cursor.

How to highlight using a touchpad on a laptop

To highlight text using a touchpad on a laptop, move the cursor to the beginning of the text you want to highlight. Press and hold down the primary mouse button below the touchpad. While continuing to hold down the button, move another finger (or one from your other hand) along the touchpad in the direction you want to highlight.

If the touchpad acts as a button, press down until you feel a 'click,' and then drag your finger in either direction to highlight text.

Select text with the mouse button

Double-clicking a word highlights the word and triple-clicking a word highlights the full line or paragraph of text.

How to highlight text using your keyboard

To highlight with the keyboard, move to the starting location using the arrow keys. Then, hold down the Shift key, and press the arrow key in the direction you want to highlight. Once everything you want is highlighted, let go of the Shift key.

If you want to highlight one word at a time, press Ctrl key while holding down Shift, and then press the left or right arrow key.

If you want to highlight a whole line of text, move your cursor to the start of the line, hold the Shift key, and then press the down arrow. You may also use the shortcut key combination Shift+End.

If you want to highlight all text, press the shortcut key Ctrl+A.

If you are not working with text that can be edited (e.g., this paragraph), you cannot highlight text using these methods. However, they work in word processor documents, text documents, and any text field.

Practice highlighting text

Below is a text field where you can practice highlighting text using the keyboard.

How to highlight text using your keyboard and mouse

To use the keyboard and mouse in combination, begin by moving the cursor to where you want to start highlighting. Then, hold down the Shift key and then click where you want to finish highlighting.

You can also practice this technique in the above text box.

Microsoft Word Mac Shortcut For Highlighting Shortcut

How to highlight an icon or another object

To highlight an object such as an icon in Windows, single-click the item. Once clicked, the icon or text should change to a different color indicating it is highlighted.

To highlight multiple icons or other objects, drag a box around all files you want to highlight.

If you want to individually highlight files, hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard and while still holding the Ctrl key, single-click each file you want to highlight.

How to highlight multiple e-mails, files, icons, or other objects

Users may highlight multiple objects at once by using the mouse or mouse and keyboard. In many programs, you can draw a marquee around the items you want to highlight. To draw a marquee, click-and-hold the left mouse button outside the area of the items, and then drag the marquee to the opposite diagonal corner. Once you release the mouse button, the items contained in the box are highlighted. In the animated picture, we are selecting nine picture files.

If a program doesn't support a marquee, highlight the first object in the series. Then, hold down the Shift, click the last item you want to selected, and then let go of the Shift key. For example, clicking 'Example' in the select field below, and then holding down Shift and clicking 'Items' highlights all four available options.

To select only certain items from the list, hold down Ctrl, and click each item you want to highlight. Repeat this action to deselect an item.

How to highlight text on an Android smartphone and tablet

Press and hold down on any text with your finger, drag your finger over the text you'd like to highlight, and then let go. Upon letting go, a menu should appear in the top-right corner of the screen (shown to the right) that allows you to cut or copy.

You may also press and hold on one word, the use the side bars to adjust the amount of highlighted text.

How to highlight text on an Apple iPhone and iPad

Press and hold down on any text with your finger, drag your finger over the text you'd like to highlight, and then let go. Upon letting go, a menu should appear. Press your finger on the Select option.

You may also press and hold on one word, the use the side bars to adjust the amount of highlighted text.

How to highlight text on a Chromebook

For Chromebooks that have no mouse buttons, you can copy and paste text by following the steps below.

Press down on the touchpad and keep your finger there. Then, while continuing to hold down on the touchpad, drag your finger in the direction you want to highlight text. When you're finished highlighting, lift your finger.

You can also use many of the mouse and keyboard tips mentioned in our desktop and laptop section on a Chromebook.

How to highlight text on a Kindle

Microsoft Word Shortcut For Highlight Mac

Press and hold down on the starting word with your finger. Once that word is highlighted, drag your finger over any additional text to select it as well. When you're finished highlighting, lift your finger.

Additional information

Create Shortcut For Microsoft Word

• See our highlight definitions for further information and related links.