Document Editing Problems

How to Fix Mendeley Cite Preventing Typing After Inserting a Citation in Word

WPS Editor Oct 12, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user is unable to continue typing normally after inserting a citation using the Mendeley Cite add-in, as the cursor remains trapped inside the citation box.

Fix Mendeley Cite Preventing Typing After Inserting a Citation in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Inserting academic citations into a Word document using the Mendeley Cite tool.
Observed behavior: The text cursor gets stuck inside the citation content control box, blocking normal text input even when clicking elsewhere or closing the add-in panel.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, ensure that both Microsoft Word and the Mendeley Cite add-in are updated to their latest versions, and manually save your document to prevent any accidental data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Keyboard Navigation to Escape the Citation Box

Often the cursor is just trapped inside a Word Content Control box. Using keyboard arrow keys can force it out so you can resume typing.

Mendeley Cite inserts references using Microsoft Word's Content Control feature. If you click directly on the inserted text, Word bounds your cursor inside this invisible box, making it seem like you cannot type normally.

Position the cursor

Click near the very end of the inserted Mendeley citation in your document.

Use the Right Arrow key

Press the Right Arrow key on your keyboard once or twice. This will move the cursor outside the citation's bounding box.

Resume typing

Once the cursor is blinking outside the grey highlight area, begin typing your next sentence normally.

Use Keyboard Navigation to Escape the Citation Box

Quick Tip: You can also try pressing the 'End' key on your keyboard to instantly jump to the end of the current line, completely bypassing the citation box.

Solution 2

Consult Mendeley Official Guides and Support

Since Mendeley Cite is a third-party add-in developed by Elsevier, complex bugs or persistent freezing issues require official support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my cursor get stuck in Mendeley citations?

Mendeley inserts citations as Content Controls in Word. If you click directly on them, Word contains the cursor inside this control box. You must explicitly move outside the box using your keyboard's arrow keys to continue normal text entry.

Does closing the Mendeley add-in panel fix the locked cursor?

No, simply closing the Mendeley side panel does not release the cursor if it is currently locked inside the citation's text box in the document. The cursor must be manually moved out of the citation block.

Can I use Mendeley Cite with WPS Office?

Mendeley Cite is specifically designed as an add-in for Microsoft Word. While WPS Office does not natively support the Mendeley Cite add-in, you can export your finalized document from Word and continue writing, formatting, or printing your text in WPS Writer.

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