Word won't select text anymore by using mouse click and drag

This usually points to a Word editing/input issue rather than a problem with basic text selection itself. In Word, normal selection should work by clicking and dragging, and keyboard selection should still work with Shift + Arrow keys or Ctrl+A.

Try these checks in order:

1. Confirm Word editing is allowed
   • Open the document.
   • Go to File > Info > Protect Document and make sure editing is enabled.
   • In File Explorer, right-click the file, choose Properties, and clear Read-only if it is selected.
   • Test again in a new blank document. If it works there, the issue may be document-specific.
2. Check Word editing options
   • In Word, go to File > Options > Advanced.
   • Under Editing options, make sure Allow text to be dragged and dropped is enabled.
   • Also try toggling Use smart cut and paste and Enable click and type off and back on.
   • Restart Word and test selection again.
3. Start Word in Safe Mode
   • If click-drag selection works in Safe Mode, an add-in is likely interfering.
   • Then go to File > Options > Add-ins, manage COM Add-ins, and disable them one at a time to find the cause.
4. Reset the normal Word template
   • If Safe Mode helps, the global template can also be involved.
   • Close Word, rename Normal.dotm, then reopen Word so it creates a fresh template.
5. Check for a background app conflict
   • If selection works briefly and then stops, a startup app or background utility can be interfering.
   • A clean boot can help identify whether another process is causing the problem.
6. Check mouse behavior settings
   • If the cursor starts selecting unexpectedly or selection collapses immediately, Windows mouse settings such as ClickLock can affect selection behavior.
   • In Control Panel > Mouse > Buttons, make sure ClickLock is turned off.
7. Use keyboard selection as a temporary workaround
   • Shift + Arrow keys selects text.
   • Ctrl+A selects all text.

If the problem started recently after an update, the most likely causes in the available guidance are a Word option change, an add-in, a damaged Normal.dotm template, or a background app conflict.

• Select text
• Use a screen reader to insert and change text in Word
• Keyboard shortcuts in Word
• word cannot select text with the mouse - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to select text via click-drag in Word and Outlook (Windows 11) - Microsoft Q&A
• cursor moves by itself when I try to select a text - Microsoft Q&A