Fix Cannot Move or Resize Objects in Word on Samsung DeX
Question details
Users are unable to select, move, or resize objects like pictures, shapes, or tables in Microsoft Word for Android when running in Samsung DeX mode with a mouse.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Android
- Device & OS
- Samsung Android (DeX Mode)
- Scenario
- Editing document layouts and attempting to manipulate images, shapes, or tables using a mouse connected to Samsung DeX.
- Observed behavior
- Object controls do not respond to mouse input, making it impossible to resize or move items, even though touch input may still work.
Ensure your Samsung device is securely connected to your external display and that both your Android OS and the Samsung DeX application are updated to the latest versions.
Use the Samsung Device Screen as a Touchpad
Since the issue primarily affects mouse input in DeX mode, using the phone's built-in screen as a touchpad bypasses the limitation.
Microsoft Word for Android is heavily optimized for touch interactions. When connected to DeX, the app sometimes fails to register click-and-drag mouse events. Utilizing your smartphone's screen as a trackpad allows you to use touch gestures to manipulate objects.
Connect your Samsung Galaxy phone to your external monitor and launch the DeX desktop environment.
Swipe down the notification shade on your phone's screen and tap the 'Use your phone as a touchpad' notification.
Open your Word document on the DeX screen. Use your phone's touch screen to tap, hold, and drag the corners of pictures or tables to successfully move and resize them.
Switch to Microsoft Word on the Web
Using the web version of Word in a desktop-class browser on DeX restores full mouse functionality for object formatting.
Edit Documents Seamlessly on Mobile and Desktop with WPS Office
If Microsoft Word for Android is limiting your productivity on Samsung DeX, WPS Office provides a more responsive, desktop-like experience. It offers excellent compatibility with Microsoft formats and robust mouse support for formatting images, tables, and shapes.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Search for and install WPS Office from the Google Play Store on your Samsung device.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office in Samsung DeX and open your existing .docx files directly without converting them.
- 3. Edit with Full Mouse Control: Click and drag images, tables, and shapes with your external mouse flawlessly, just like on a traditional desktop PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I resize pictures with my finger but not my mouse in Word for DeX?
Microsoft Word for Android is primarily optimized for touch interfaces. Its support for external mouse events, specifically click-and-drag actions required for resizing objects, is currently limited or bugged in desktop-emulation environments like Samsung DeX.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Word fix the DeX resizing issue?
No, reinstalling the Word application typically does not resolve this issue. The problem stems from how the Android version of the app handles mouse input protocols, rather than a corrupted installation file.
Does this mouse issue affect other Microsoft Office apps on Samsung DeX?
Yes, many users report similar external mouse input limitations when trying to select, move, or resize objects, shapes, and charts in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for Android while using DeX.
Is there a permanent fix for mouse support in Word on Android?
A permanent fix requires Microsoft to release an update for the Word for Android app that fully supports advanced external mouse events. Users are encouraged to submit feedback directly through the Help & Feedback section in the Word app.
