Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Word for Mac Drag-to-Highlight Text Not Working

WPS Editor Oct 8, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to select or highlight text using the drag method in Microsoft Word for Mac.

Fix Word for Mac Drag-to-Highlight Text Not Working

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Editing or formatting documents where selecting text via mouse drag is required.
Observed behavior: Dragging the mouse over text fails to highlight or select it, disrupting normal document editing.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all open documents before checking for system or application updates, as a restart of the app or your Mac may be required.

Solution 1Recommended

Update macOS and Microsoft Word

Outdated system software, such as macOS, or an outdated version of Word can cause input glitches. Updating to the latest macOS (like Sonoma) often resolves drag-to-highlight bugs.

Compatibility issues between specific builds of Microsoft Office and macOS can lead to UI glitches, including malfunctioning text selection.

Update macOS

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, select 'System Settings' (or 'System Preferences'), go to 'General' > 'Software Update', and install any pending macOS updates.

Check for Word Updates

Open Microsoft Word, click 'Help' in the top menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates'.

Install Updates

Follow the on-screen prompts in the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool to install the latest version of Word for Mac.

Restart Your Mac

Restart your computer to ensure all background services are refreshed and test text selection in Word again.

Update Complete: Many users report that updating their system to macOS Sonoma fully resolves this text selection bug.

Solution 2

Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Text Selection

If updating does not immediately fix the issue, you can use keyboard shortcuts to select text reliably as a temporary workaround.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Flawless Text Editing with WPS Office for Mac

If Microsoft Word for Mac continues to have text selection glitches, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with smooth performance on macOS.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for Mac from the official website and install the application.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document directly.
3. Edit Without Glitches: Easily select, drag, and highlight your text using the fully optimized and bug-free interface for macOS.

Smooth and reliable text selection and formatting on macOS.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc) to ensure perfect layout rendering.Lightweight design ensuring fast startup and lag-free performance.Familiar user interface requiring no learning curve for migration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Word for Mac not letting me highlight text?

This issue is commonly caused by a glitch in older versions of macOS or Microsoft Word. Outdated software can create compatibility bugs that interfere with mouse inputs like clicking and dragging.

How do I highlight text without using the mouse?

You can highlight text using keyboard shortcuts. Place your cursor at the start of the text, press and hold the 'Shift' key, and use the arrow keys to expand your selection.

Will updating macOS delete my Word documents?

No, updating macOS only upgrades the operating system's software and will not delete your personal files or Word documents. However, it is always recommended to save open files before initiating a system update.

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