How to Highlight Text in WPS Writer When Word Selection Does Not Work
Question details
The user cannot select text with the mouse in a Word document and needs to highlight text. The goal is to determine whether the document is protected or whether the selection issue is document-specific, then restore normal selection and highlighting.
- Product
- WPS Office Writer
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user is editing a Word document and wants to highlight specific text, but mouse selection does not work.
- Observed behavior
- Mouse text selection fails in the affected Word document, so text cannot be highlighted normally. Keyboard selection may still work, which helps identify whether document protection is enabled.
Open the affected document in WPS Writer and check the status bar or Review > Restrict Editing to see whether editing restrictions are active. If keyboard selection works in another document, the problem is likely specific to that document.
Select Text with the Keyboard and Check Editing Restrictions in WPS Writer
Use this solution when mouse selection fails in a Word document. It helps you determine whether the issue is caused by document protection and restores the ability to highlight text.
If the mouse cannot select text but keyboard selection works, the document may have editing restrictions enabled. Testing another document helps separate a document-specific protection issue from a wider selection problem.
Open the affected document in WPS Writer. Click once at the beginning of the text you want to highlight, or use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the correct position.
Hold Shift and press the arrow keys to extend the selection. You can also hold Shift and click at the end of the desired text to select the full range.
Open a different document in WPS Writer and try selecting text. If selection works there, the problem is document-specific rather than an application-wide mouse issue.
In the affected document, go to Review > Restrict Editing. If protection is enabled, click Stop Protection and enter the password if prompted.
With the text selected, go to Home > Highlight Color and choose a highlight color, or use the Highlighter tool from the Home tab.
Highlight Text in WPS Writer When Word Selection Is Not Working
Open the affected Word document in WPS Writer, turn off editing restrictions if needed, and use keyboard selection or the built-in highlighter to mark text without losing Microsoft Word compatibility.
- 1. Download and install WPS Office Writer: Download WPS Office Free from the official website, install it, and open the affected Word document in Writer.
- 2. Check or stop editing restrictions: Click Review > Restrict Editing. If protection is on, click Stop Protection and enter the password to enable editing.
- 3. Select the text: Click at the beginning of the text, hold Shift, and press the arrow keys or use Shift+click to select the range you want to highlight.
- 4. Apply highlight: On the Home tab, click Highlight Color and choose a color to highlight the selected text.
- 5. Save as a Word document: Use Menu > Save As and choose the .docx format to keep the document compatible with Microsoft Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I select text in Word with my mouse?
Mouse selection can fail when the document has editing restrictions or when the issue is specific to that document. Test keyboard selection with Shift+arrow keys, then check Review > Restrict Editing in WPS Writer.
How do I know if a Word document is protected?
In WPS Writer, open the document and go to Review > Restrict Editing. If Stop Protection is available, document protection is enabled and may be preventing normal selection.
Can I highlight text without using the mouse?
Yes. Place the cursor at the start of the text, hold Shift, and press the arrow keys to select the range. Then go to Home > Highlight Color and choose a color.
What should I do if text selection fails only in one document?
The document may be protected or corrupted. First turn off protection via Review > Restrict Editing. If selection still fails, copy the content into a new WPS Writer document and try again.
Will WPS Writer keep my Word highlighting and .docx formatting?
Yes. WPS Writer opens and saves Microsoft Word DOC and DOCX files while preserving highlighting, text formatting, and document protection settings.
