WD: Can Only Select Contiguous Text or Text and Graphics

ID: Q189336

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.1, 5.1a, 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Word, you can select only contiguous text and graphics. That is, to select a block of text or a combination of text and graphics, the selected items must be directly above or below one another.

MORE INFORMATION

By design, you can only copy contiguous item in Microsoft Word. However, Microsoft Word provides a feature that allows you to copy non-contiguous Items. This feature is the Spike. To use the Spike, which is actually an AutoText (Glossary) entry, use the appropriate method for your operating system.

Windows

• To cut a selection to the Spike, press CTRL+F3.

  NOTE: This actually creates the AutoText entry called Spike.

• To paste the Spike contents into a document clearing the Spike AutoText entry, press CTRL+SHIFT+F3.
• To paste the Spike contents into a document without clearing the Spike AutoText entry, type the word SPIKE and then press F3.

Macintosh

• To cut a selection to the Spike, press COMMAND+F3.
• To paste the Spike contents into a document clearing the Spike AutoText entry, press COMMAND+SHIFT+F3.
• To paste the Spike contents into a document without clearing the Spike AutoText entry, use the appropriate method for your version of Word.

  Word 6.x: Click AutoText on the Edit menu. Click the AutoText entry of Spike and then click Insert.

Keywords          : kbdta kbautotext kbfield winword macword word6 winword2 word95 
Version           : MACINTOSH:5.0,5.1,5.1a,6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; WINNT:6.0
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbinfo

Last Reviewed: February 13, 1999