Document Editing Problems

How to Select an Entire Word with Underscores in Word and Excel

Guest Writer Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to select complete text strings that contain underscores (such as file names or code variables) using a quick selection method like double-clicking.

How to Select an Entire Word Containing an Underscore in Word and Excel

Product: Microsoft Word and Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing documents or spreadsheets containing underscore characters and attempting to highlight the full string quickly without manually dragging the cursor.
Observed behavior: Double-clicking text with an underscore only selects the characters up to the underscore because the application treats underscores as word delimiters, and automatic selection options do not override this behavior.

Before you start

Understand that Microsoft Office has hardcoded underscores as word delimiters by design, meaning no built-in settings menu will allow you to change the default double-click selection boundary.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Shift-Click Method to Extend the Selection

Since double-clicking is limited by Microsoft's design rules, you can use a quick keyboard and mouse combination to efficiently select the rest of the underscore-delimited word.

This method is the most efficient built-in workaround for highlighting text strings separated by delimiters like underscores, hyphens, or periods without relying purely on a steady hand to drag the cursor.

Select the first portion

Double-click the first part of the word immediately before the underscore to highlight it.

Hold the Shift key

Press and hold the 'Shift' key on your keyboard.

Extend the text selection

While holding Shift, click at the very end of the text string. This forces the application to extend your highlight across the underscore to the end of the word.

Use the Shift-Click Method to Extend the Selection

Intended Application Behavior: Microsoft has confirmed this is intended behavior. Changing the 'Automatic word selection' setting under Advanced Options will not override these delimiter rules.

Solution 2

Manually Click and Drag to Highlight

If you prefer using just the mouse, standard dragging allows you to select the exact string without relying on the application's automatic word selection logic.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the delimiter settings in Microsoft Word or Excel?

No, Microsoft Word and Excel have hardcoded word delimiters, which include underscores, hyphens, and periods. There is no built-in interface setting or option to remove the underscore from the system's delimiter list.

Does turning off 'Select entire word automatically' fix this issue?

No. Disabling the 'When selecting, automatically select entire word' option in the Advanced Options menu only affects the click-and-drag behavior. It does not alter where the boundary stops when double-clicking a word.

Is there a macro to select underscore-separated words automatically?

Advanced users can write a VBA macro that expands the current cursor selection to include adjacent characters until a white space is found, and then assign this macro to a custom keyboard shortcut. However, this will still not change the default double-click mouse behavior.

Document & File Issues