Document Editing Problems

How to Stop Word from Selecting Drawings While Using the Pen Tool

Kushani Nimanthika Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to continue drawing or writing with the pen tool without accidentally selecting previously created drawings.

How to Prevent Word from Selecting Drawings When Using the Pen Tool

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Trying to add more handwriting or drawings to a document after moving between pages or taking a break.
Observed behavior: Word selects the existing drawing, displaying gray selection handles around it, instead of activating the pen tool to allow further writing.

Before you start

Ensure that your Microsoft Word application is up to date and that your stylus or mouse is functioning properly before troubleshooting the drawing tools.

Solution 1Recommended

Deselect the Drawing Object and Reactivate the Pen Tool

The most direct way to resolve this issue is to click away from the existing drawing to deselect it before selecting the Pen tool again.

Microsoft Word groups completed pen strokes into a single image object once you navigate away from the page or switch tools. If you click directly on an existing stroke, Word assumes you want to move or resize the object rather than continue drawing.

Identify the selection

Look for the gray selection handles (a square bounding box) around your previous drawing. If they are visible, the drawing is currently selected as an image object.

Deselect the drawing

Click anywhere in the empty white space of the document outside the bounding box of the selected drawing to deselect it.

Navigate to the Draw tab

Go to the 'Draw' tab located on the top ribbon of your Word application.

Select the Pen tool

Click directly on the Pen tool you wish to use from the Pens gallery.

Resume drawing

Begin drawing or writing in the empty space, making sure not to click directly on the previously drawn strokes.

Deselect the Drawing Object and Reactivate the Pen Tool

Understanding Word Drawings: Word saves your completed drawing sessions as static image objects. To edit individual strokes rather than selecting the whole block, you must use the specific drawing selection tools like the Lasso Select.

Smooth Drawing Experience

Use WPS Office for Seamless Document Annotations

WPS Office provides intuitive drawing and annotation tools that make it easy to sketch directly within your documents without the frustration of accidental object grouping and selection.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you wish to annotate.
2. Access the drawing tools: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab and click on 'Shapes' to use freeform scribbles, or use the dedicated drawing options.
3. Select your pen: Choose your preferred pen or brush tool from the available options.
4. Draw freely: Draw directly on the document page. Your strokes will be easily managed as independent objects without interfering with continuous writing.

Smooth and responsive pen tool for document annotationsFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsEasy management of drawing objects and text elementsLightweight, fast, and completely free to use

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word group my drawings into one object?

Word automatically groups continuous ink strokes into a single image object once you switch tools or change pages. This is designed to make it easier to move, resize, or delete the entire drawing block at once.

How can I edit an existing pen drawing in Word?

To edit specific ink strokes, go to the 'Draw' tab, choose the 'Lasso Select' tool, and draw a circle around the specific strokes you want to modify, rather than clicking the entire grouped image object with your standard mouse pointer.

Can I turn off the automatic grouping of drawings in Word?

No, Microsoft Word does not have a built-in setting to completely disable ink grouping. You must manually manage strokes by clicking away from the object and re-selecting the pen tool whenever you want to start a new, separate drawing.

Document & File Issues