Table of Contents
- Why Selecting Text Is Important
- How Selection Works with Screen Reader
- Examples: Understanding Cursor and Selection Behavior
- Paragraph Selection – From Cursor to Start or End
- Line Selection – Avoiding Common Mistakes
- List of All Selection Commands in Word
- How to Unselect Text
- FAQs About Text Selection in Word
- Conclusion
- 📢 Want to Learn More?
Why Selecting Text Is Important
Text selection is needed for almost every editing task. For example, you may want to:
- Copy or cut content
- Change font or formatting
- Delete or replace text
- Apply bold, underline, or color
Moreover, for screen reader users, selection also gives spoken feedback about what is selected. As a result, it becomes easier to control the document.
How Selection Works with Screen Reader
Selection always starts from the current cursor position.
- If you select rightward, it selects the current item and moves right
- On the other hand, if you select leftward, it selects the item before the cursor
In addition, your screen reader will announce each selected part (e.g., “c selected”, “o selected”), helping you stay aware.
How to Select Text
Use Shift + navigation keys to select text.
| Action | Reading Key | Selection Key |
|---|---|---|
| Next character | Right Arrow | Shift + Right Arrow |
| Previous character | Left Arrow | Shift + Left Arrow |
| Next word | Ctrl + Right Arrow | Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow |
| Previous word | Ctrl + Left Arrow | Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow |
Examples: Understanding Cursor and Selection Behavior
Example 1: Selecting Characters
Sentence: We learn computer.
Cursor is on the letter c of computer:
- First, press Shift + Right Arrow → “c selected”, “o selected” and so on
- Alternatively, Shift + Left Arrow → “space selected”, “n selected” and so on
Example 2: Selecting Words
Cursor on learn:
- Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow → selects “learn” and space after
- Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow → selects “We”
Cursor on p in computer:
- Right → selects “puter”
- Left → selects “com”
Note: It also selects the space after a word.
Paragraph Selection – From Cursor to Start or End
- Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow → selects from cursor to end of paragraph
- Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow → selects from cursor to beginning of paragraph
Tip: To select the full paragraph, press CTRL + Shift + Up Arrow first. Then, apply formatting or delete if needed.
Line Selection – Avoiding Common Mistakes
Sometimes users forget to move the cursor to the start of the line. As a result, only part of the line gets selected.
Correct Line Selection
- First, use the Home key
- Then press Shift + Down Arrow to select full line(s)
To Select Only Current Line
- Shift + End – From cursor to end of line
- Shift + Home – From cursor to start of line
List of All Selection Commands in Word
Character Selection
- Shift + Right Arrow – select next character
- Shift + Left Arrow – select previous character
Word Selection
- Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow – next word
- Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow – previous word
Line Selection
- Shift + End – to end of line
- Shift + Home – to start of line
- Shift + Down Arrow – next line
- Shift + Up Arrow – previous line
Paragraph Selection
- Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow – to end of paragraph
- Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow – to beginning of paragraph
Document Selection
- Ctrl + Shift + End – to end of document
- Ctrl + Shift + Home – to top of document
- Ctrl + A – select entire document
How to Unselect Text
Unselect All
To unselect everything instantly, press any arrow key.
Unselect Step-by-Step
- Shift + Right or Left Arrow – unselect letter by letter
- Ctrl + Shift + Arrow – unselect words or paragraphs
Thus, you can undo any unwanted selection step-by-step.
FAQs About Text Selection in Word
Can I use these commands with NVDA?
Yes, these selection shortcuts work with NVDA, JAWS, and Windows Narrator.
Why is only part of the line selected?
It’s because your cursor is in the middle of the line. First, press Home to move to the beginning before selecting.
How can I select only the current paragraph?
Move to the start of the paragraph using Ctrl + Up Arrow, then use Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow.
Do these commands work in Word Online?
Some do, but for full keyboard support, it’s better to use the desktop version of Microsoft Word.
Conclusion: Practice Makes You Pro
Mastering text selection in Word using a screen reader helps you become faster, more confident, and productive.
If you know where your cursor is, and understand the direction you’re selecting in, then using the right shortcut becomes easy. Therefore, keep practicing!
Want to Learn More?
Join our free screen reader training program for blind users. Learn Word, Excel, navigation, and editing skills using JAWS, NVDA, and Narrator.
Visit assistive.pk or subscribe to our YouTube channel @PATFPK.