WD97: Can Only Select Contiguous Text or Text and Graphics (60887)

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 items in Microsoft Word for Windows. However, Microsoft Word provides a feature that allows you to copy non-contiguous information. This feature is called the Spike. To use the Spike, follow these steps:

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.

REFERENCES

For more information about selecting text, click the Office Assistant, type "how do I select text," click Search, and then click to view "select text and graphics."

For more information about the Spike, click the Office Assistant, type "spike," click Search, and then click to view "Use the Spike to move text and graphics from nonadjacent locations."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Microsoft Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

120802 Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office Program or Component