Document Editing Problems

How to Edit Lines Covered by Text Boxes in Microsoft Publisher

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to select and edit lines that are obscured or blocked by overlying text boxes in a Microsoft Publisher document.

How to Edit Lines Covered by Text Boxes in Publisher

Product: Microsoft Publisher
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing document layouts where objects are layered on top of each other, making underlying shapes unclickable.
Observed behavior: Lines cannot be selected or edited because text boxes are positioned above them in the document's object stacking order, intercepting mouse clicks.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Publisher document is fully loaded and check that the overlapping objects are not grouped together, as grouped objects must be ungrouped before selecting individual lines.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Stacking Order via the Right-Click Menu

The quickest way to access underlying lines is to send the blocking text box to the bottom of the object stack.

Microsoft Publisher uses a layering system for objects like text boxes, images, and lines. When an object with a solid background (or even a transparent fill that still captures clicks) is placed over a line, you cannot select the line directly. Reordering the stack solves this.

Select the blocking text box

Click directly on the text box that is currently covering the lines you want to edit.

Open the context menu

Right-click on the selected text box's outer border to reveal a drop-down menu.

Send the object to the back

Click on 'Send to Back' from the menu. This instantly moves the text box behind all other objects, exposing the lines so you can click and edit them.

Adjust Stacking Order via the Right-Click Menu

Selection Tip: Once you have edited the line, you can optionally send the line to the back again if the text box needs to remain the top visual element.

Solution 2

Use the Arrange or Layers Pane

Use the built-in Arrange pane for precise control over the stacking order of all objects on your document page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I click on a specific shape or line in my Publisher document?

Objects in Publisher follow a strict stacking order. If a transparent text box or a larger image is layered above the shape you are trying to click, it will intercept your mouse clicks. You must select the top object and use the 'Send to Back' command to interact with the underlying items.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to select hidden objects?

Yes. You can press the TAB key on your keyboard to cycle your selection through all the objects on the current page sequentially. Keep pressing TAB until the hidden line is selected, then you can format it or move it using the arrow keys.

Can I group the text box and the line together after adjusting them?

Yes. Once you have arranged the text box and the line into the correct positions, hold down the Shift or Ctrl key and click both objects to select them simultaneously. Then, right-click either object and choose 'Group'. This locks them together, allowing you to move or resize them as a single unit without losing their arrangement.

Document & File Issues