Selecting the Entire Document in Word for Windows

ID: Q52090

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

SUMMARY

To select the entire document in Word for Windows, use one of the following methods:

1. Press CTRL+Keypad 5, or from the Edit menu of Word for Windows

   versions 2.0 and later, choose Select All.

2. Press CTRL+HOME and then CTRL+SHIFT+END, using the HOME and END

   keys on the numeric keypad.

3. Press CTRL+END and then CTRL+SHIFT+HOME, using the HOME and END

   keys on the numeric keypad.

These methods do not work on computers without a numeric keypad (such as laptops).

4. Position the mouse pointer just to the left of the text in the

   Selection Bar (the mouse cursor should point to the right), then hold
   down the CTRL key and press the left mouse button.

5. Press the Extend Selection key (F8) repeatedly until the whole

   document is selected.

6. Add the EditSelectAll macro to a menu or a key. Use the Macro

   Assign to Key or Assign to Menu commands as described on pages 172
   and 195 of the "Microsoft Word for Windows User's Reference." This
   applies to Word for Windows version 1.x only. The Select All option
   is available from the Edit menu of Word for Windows version 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION

Selecting the entire document is necessary when a formatting change needs to be made to the entire document. For example, to change the font used throughout a document, the entire document needs to be selected prior to changing the font. Word for Windows works on a select and format principle (that is, formatting is applied to whatever text is selected).

KBCategory: kbusage KBSubcategory: Additional query words: 1.x 2.0 2.0a 2.0a-CD word6 winword 2.0b 2.0c 6.0 6.0a 6.0c winword2

Version           : 1.x 2.x 6.0 6.0a 6.0c
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: July 30, 1997