Cannot highlight text in Word using mousepad
I canot highlight text using my mousepad in word, I changed the preferences and nothing works
MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 15.7
Question marked as
First, a quick clarification: the built-in touch-sensitive surface below your MacBook's keyboard is called the trackpad.
A mousepad is the physical pad used with an external mouse if one is used.
Click: Press down on the trackpad until you feel a click.
- Tap to click: Lightly touch the trackpad without pressing down.
- Click and drag: Press down and hold while moving your finger across the text.
- Highlight text: Select text so that it appears shaded, usually in blue.
Step 1: Test the trackpad in another application
- Open Safari or Notes.
- Find some text.
- Press down on the trackpad and drag your finger across the text.
- Check whether the text highlights.
If it works in other applications but not in Word, the problem is likely related to Word. If it fails everywhere, the trackpad or macOS settings may be responsible.
Step 2: Check your trackpad settings
- Open Apple menu >> System Settings >> Trackpad.
- Select Point & Click.
- If Tap to click is enabled, temporarily turn it off.
- Open Word and try selecting text again by pressing down and dragging.
You can turn the setting back on after testing if you prefer tapping.
Apple's guide: Change Trackpad settings on Mac.
Step 3: Try selecting text with your keyboard
In Word, try these alternatives:
- Double-click a word to select it.
- Click at the beginning of a sentence, hold Shift, and click at the end.
- Click where you want to start selecting, then hold Shift and press the right-arrow key.
If keyboard selection works but trackpad dragging doesn't, that helps narrow down the problem.
Step 4: Test a new Word document
- Save your work and quit Word using Command + Q.
- Reopen Word and select File → New Document.
- Type a short sentence and try highlighting it.
If highlighting works in the new document, the original file may be involved. If it still fails, continue to the next step.
Step 5: Restart your MacBook
Save your work, click the Apple menu, and select Restart. Once your Mac starts again, open Word and test text selection.
Step 6: Check for macOS and Word updates
You are currently using macOS 15.7. A later update may help resolve system-related issues, so it's worth checking what's available for your Mac.
- Go to Apple menu >> System Settings >> General >> Software Update.
- Wait for your Mac to check for available updates.
- If an update is offered, back up important files, connect your MacBook to power, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Apple's instructions: How to update macOS.
To update Word, open the application and select Help >> Check for Updates, if available. Follow the Microsoft AutoUpdate instructions.
Step 7: Try three-finger dragging (optional)
If ordinary click-and-drag selection is difficult, you can try enabling three-finger dragging as an alternative:
- Open System Settings >> Accessibility >> Pointer Control.
- Select Trackpad Options.
- Enable Use trackpad for dragging.
- Choose Three Finger Drag from the dragging-style menu, if available.
- Click OK, then try dragging across text in Word.
The exact wording may vary by macOS version.
Apple's instructions: Turn on three-finger drag.
Let's narrow it down
If the problem continues, could you tell me two things?
1. Can you highlight text by dragging the trackpad in Safari or Notes?
2. Which description best matches what happens in Word?
A. The pointer moves, but the text won't highlight.
B. Clicking and dragging doesn't work properly.
C. I can select individual words, but not a whole sentence or paragraph.
D. Highlighting works in other applications but not in Word.
With those two answers, we can focus on the most likely cause and avoid changing settings unnecessarily.
