How to Fix Text Highlighting and Move Table Columns in Word for Mac
Question details
Users are unable to highlight text or manually move table columns in Microsoft Word following a software or macOS update.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- macOS Ventura
- Scenario
- Attempting to edit document text and reorganize table structures after updating Word to version 16.69.1 or upgrading to macOS Ventura.
- Observed behavior
- The text cursor fails to select or highlight text, and table columns cannot be moved via standard drag-and-drop actions.
Make sure to save and close all active documents to prevent data loss before attempting application restarts or reinstallation.
Fix Text Selection by Restarting or Reinstalling Office
Resolve compatibility glitches between Microsoft Word and macOS Ventura causing text highlighting failures.
Sometimes, a simple system restart clears background service errors affecting Word. If the issue persists, your Office installation might predate your macOS upgrade, causing deeper compatibility issues that require a fresh install.
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select 'Restart', and wait a few minutes before opening Word to test text highlighting.
If restarting fails, open Finder, go to the Applications folder, and move Microsoft Word and other Office applications to the Trash.
Log into your Microsoft account on the official website, download the latest Office installer for Mac, and complete the installation process.
Move Table Columns Using Cut and Paste
Bypass Word for Mac's drag-and-drop limitations to successfully reorder table columns.
Experience Stable Document Editing with WPS Office for Mac
If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to suffer from selection bugs or frustrating table limitations after OS updates, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, robust, and free alternative with intuitive document editing capabilities that run seamlessly on macOS.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the Mac version, and install the application.
- 2. Open Your Word Documents: Launch WPS Writer and directly open your existing .docx files without losing any formatting.
- 3. Edit Tables Seamlessly: Select, highlight, and reorganize your document tables smoothly using WPS Office's optimized editing tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I highlight text in Word after updating my Mac?
This is often caused by a compatibility mismatch between an older installation of Microsoft Office and newer macOS versions like Ventura. Restarting the system or reinstalling Office with the latest version usually resolves this software conflict.
Can I drag and drop to move table columns in Word for Mac?
Dragging and dropping table columns is limited and often unsupported in Word for Mac. The most effective way to reorder columns is by selecting the column, cutting it, and pasting it into the new destination.
Will I lose my files if I reinstall Microsoft Word on my Mac?
No, uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Word only removes the application files. All your personal documents saved on your Mac's hard drive or in cloud storage like OneDrive will remain completely safe and accessible.
