To select multiple objects in Word, such as pictures, shapes, text boxes and icons, hold Ctrl (or Shift) and click each one. On a Mac, hold Command or Shift. Once they’re selected, you can move, align, resize or group them together. If clicking doesn’t work because the objects are set to In Line with Text, change their wrapping first, or use Home > Select > Select Objects to drag a box around them.
Below are all the ways to select several objects, what to do with them once selected, and fixes when Word won’t let you select more than one.
Method 1: Ctrl + click
- Click the first object.
- Hold Ctrl and click each additional object. Selection handles appear around every selected object.
- To deselect one, keep holding Ctrl and click it again.
Method 2: Drag a selection box
- Click Home > Select (in the Editing group) > Select Objects.
- Drag a rectangle around the objects you want. Every object completely inside the box is selected.
- Press Esc or click Select Objects again to turn the tool off and edit text normally.
Method 3: Use the Selection Pane
- Click Home > Select > Selection Pane.
- The pane lists every object on the page. Hold Ctrl and click names to select several.
- Click the eye icon to hide objects that are in the way, and drag names to change stacking order.
The Selection Pane is the easiest way to pick objects that are behind text or overlapping.
Select all objects of the same kind
In Home > Select, choose Select All Text With Similar Formatting for text. For shapes and pictures, use the Selection Pane and Ctrl-click each item, since Word doesn’t have a “select all shapes” command.
What you can do with multiple objects
| Action | Where |
|---|---|
| Group them | Shape Format or Picture Format > Group > Group |
| Align them | Shape Format > Align (Align Left, Align Center, Distribute Horizontally) |
| Resize together | Drag a corner handle, or enter Height and Width |
| Apply the same style | Shape Fill, Shape Outline or Picture Styles |
| Delete | Press Delete |
| Copy | Ctrl + C, then paste |
Grouping keeps objects together when you move them, which is useful for diagrams built from shapes and text boxes.
Why you can’t select multiple objects
- Pictures are “In Line with Text”: Inline pictures behave like text characters. Select each one, click Layout Options, and choose a wrapping style such as Square or In Front of Text.
- Objects are inside a drawing canvas: Click inside the canvas first, then Ctrl-click.
- Document is protected or in Compatibility Mode: Convert it with File > Info > Convert, or remove editing restrictions.
- Objects are behind text: Use the Selection Pane.
Related: sign a Word document electronically.
Related: create an organizational chart in Word.
Frequently asked questions
Can I select multiple objects in Word for the web?
Word for the web has limited support for selecting and grouping objects. Use the desktop app for complex layouts.
Can I group a picture with a text box?
Yes, if the picture isn’t In Line with Text. Change its wrapping, select both, and click Group.
How do I select text in different parts of a document?
Select the first piece of text, then hold Ctrl and select the next. This works for text as well as objects.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.