If you want to move or copy an item in a table, you must first Select it. Word highlights whatever is selected.
You can select items with the Mouse or with the Keyboard.
The table below shows how to select table items with the mouse.
Be careful, because if you move the mouse while you are pressing it the effect can sometimes be different to what you want as the pointer changes.
Also, note that there is a difference between selecting the text in a cell and selecting the cell itself.
Item to be selected | Mouse pointer | Mouse action |
Text in a cell | ![]() | Press and hold at beginning of text, drag to desired end, let go. |
Cell | ![]() | Press left edge of cell. |
Row | ![]() | Press to left of row. |
Column | ![]() | Press top edge of column. |
Multiple elements | Press as above and drag across the table as desired. |
The table below shows how to select table items with the keyboard.
Item to be selected | Key |
Text in the cell to the right | Tab |
Text in the cell to the left | Shift +Tab |
Multiple elements | Shift + Arrow keys (experiment!) |