Word 2011 copy function not working

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Level 1

12 points

Word 2011 copy function not working

Here’s an extreme Word annoyance. When I am working in a Word document (Word for Mac 2011), very often the “copy” function is greyed out in the Edit menu, so that I cannot select text and copy it. And no, the keyboard command does not work either. The other commands in that menu are not affected. For instance, I can "cut and paste" — but not copy.

The only “cure” is quitting Word and relaunching, but that becomes exceedingly tiresome.

"Copy and paste" is such a central function that I'm getting a bit desperate to find a solution.

Checked on line but didn’t find anything helpful so far.

Using an iMac with OS Mavericks 10.9.4.

Word for Mac 2011 version is 10.4.3, which is the latest.

I'm posting in the Mavericks community because there did not seem to be a community for Word for Mac questions. If there is another option, please let me know. Thanks.

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Jul 31, 2014 5:49 PM

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Answer 1

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Jul 31, 2014 5:52 PM in response to RRH-CT

I'm sure you tried but just in case, if you select the text then right click and select Copy from the contextual menu is there any difference?

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jul 31, 2014 5:55 PM in response to RRH-CT

The Word for Mac community is at the Microsoft forums. This is where you should look for an answer.

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Answer 3

RRH-CT Author

Level 1

12 points

Jul 31, 2014 5:56 PM in response to Csound1

Actually, I had not tried that because I don't generally use my mouse for that function (I'm a keyboard shortcut kind of gal). But yes, the copy function is available in the contextual menu if I right click. So that helps. But I would still like to solve the menu issue if possible. Thanks!

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Answer 4

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Aug 1, 2014 1:02 AM in response to RRH-CT

Reboot into Safe Mode and test whether Copy works normally when in that mode, if it does not then

The first step will be to remove Office from your Mac (correctly, using these directions only) then reinstall it.

But if it does work post back and we'll try something else.

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Answer 5

RRH-CT Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 1, 2014 9:24 AM in response to Csound1

Thanks! I will try this, but probably not for several days, as I am in the middle of a major project and can, in the meantime, use the contextual menu as a workaround. Will post back.

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Answer 6

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Aug 1, 2014 9:58 AM in response to RRH-CT

Good luck with the project 🙂

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Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

684,027 points

Aug 1, 2014 10:32 AM in response to RRH-CT

Try setting up another admin user account to see if the same problem continues. If Back-to-My Mac is selected in System Preferences, the Guest account will not work. The intent is to see if it is specific to one account or a system wide problem. This account can be deleted later.

Isolating an issue by using another user account

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