I can't select and copy text in Pages

A summary of the issue to date:

Versions: Pages 6.3 (the third digit might also be useful). MacOS Sierra 10.12. (included in profile info, later confirmed)

Issue:

Cannot select and copy text in (some) Pages documents. (original question)

Details:

• works sometimes, doesn't work at other times (original question)
• works with a new (Pages) document (original question)
• works with a Word document opened in Pages (original question)
• no pattern to which document, new Pages document or existing Pages document or Word doc that I opened (later response)
• only in Pages, nowhere else. (response to question)

Method of selection:

• Selecting with anything, mouse or trackpad. (response to question)
• drag your cursor over the text so that it selects it. It won't allow that. The only selection it allows is Select All and double click one word to select only that one word. It will not allow selecting part of the text. (reponse to question)

From Peter's most recent post Anne's relevant information in upright text:

You still have not told me what version of Pages,

Partly true. 6.3.x x not yet specified (and may be significant)

in specific documents,

No specific docs noted and described. No recognized pattern to distinguish which docs work and which don't.

nor whether this happens in other Apps,

"only in Pages, nowhere else" (from Anne's most recent post).

all of which narrow down the problem, (me:) Which is Peter's reason for asking the questions he does.

And the reason for my gathering the available information into this one post. Brought together, it may

• be of use to Peter's analysis
• be of use to someone else reading it and attempting to solve the issue
• be of use to the OP (Anne) who may recognize gaps that can be filled

An aside: Anne, you mentioned you could do a double click to select a single word. Can you use any of these other methods:

• triple click to select a paragraph
• click or double-click to select the first word of the text you want, then shift-click where you want the selection to end
• select a single word, then extend the selection by pressing
  • shift-right arrow
  • option-shift-right arrow
  • shift-command-right arrow
  • same sets of modifier keys with the other arrows

Not a solution to the issue, but a set of options on ways to select text.

Regards,

Barry

Barry

Hard to tell, but it may be Word textboxes converted from Word into either locked or master page objects in whatever version of Pages Anne is using.

We never got that far. Like pulling hens teeth.

Peter

Anne

This is where you confuse me and make me wonder what you are seeing.

Pages 6.3 on iOS 10.12.6?

You mean macOS Sierra 10.12.6?

iOS is for iPhone and iPad.

What are you using to select with? A mouse, trackpad, your finger?

Is this just one document or all documents and do you have the problem in other Apps?

Peter

I asked four questions you answered one.

When that conflicts with what you said in your question ( iOS 10.12.6), we wonder what you say is accurate.

That we can not see what you are looking at is obvious, and therefore that you have to tell us is also obvious. Far more obvious than a tag which you may or may not have kept up to date.

The less you tell us the less we can test or work out what the possible problem is.

Apple's Term and Conditions forbid us to use our psychic powers (should we possess any).

Peter

You did not answer all of my questions and I get exhausted from having to ask.

You still have not told me what version of Pages, in specific documents, nor whether this happens in other Apps, all of which narrow down the problem.

What people put in their tags and leave there for decades frequently has nothing to do with what they are using, especially when they confuse iOS and macOS.

Obviously I can not see what you are doing if you don't tell me exactly.

A vague and inaccurate question is of no use to anyone else, let alone yourself.

Now I can help you if you help me, if not I'll let it go.

Peter

What do you mean by "highlight to select feature"?

And any hints as to what exactly you are referring to: Pages version, exact macOS etc?

Peter