4 Effective Ways to Quickly Select and Group Multiple Objects in Your Word Document

Word Document Recovery, Word Solutions November 11, 2021

In the following text, there are 4 effective ways which enable you to quickly select and group multiple objects in your Word document.

It’s not unusual for some of you to create a Word document with plenty of shapes, text boxes, and pictures, etc. And there are also occasions when you have to select them to group so you can move them together instead of operating one by one.  Doubtlessly, the question lies at how to select numerous objects. So we will take the example of selecting several flowchart shapes to demonstrate you the 4 methods.

Method 1: Group Objects by Selecting them One by One

Obviously, you can select number of objects one by one.

  1. Firstly, suppose we have an example as below:Example of Several Flowchart Shapes to be Group

Press either “Ctrl” or “Shift”.

  1. Then left click shapes to be group one by one.
  2. Next right click.
  3. Click “Group” option on the list-menu.
  4. And again click “Group” on the extend list-menu.Press "Shift" and "Ctrl" ->Left Click Each Shape ->Right Click ->Choose "Group" ->Choose "Group" Again

Now you have succeeded in grouping these objects, and you can move them together as a whole.Effect of Grouping Shapes by Selecting them One by One

Method 2: Group Objects by Selecting them on “Selection Pane”

  1. This time click “Page Layout” tab first.
  2. Then click “Selection Pane” in “Arrange” group.Click "Page Layout" ->Click "Selection Pane"
  3. Next on the right side of the document, there will open the “Selection Pane” where you can see all the shapes on a certain page. Press “Ctrl” and hold on.
  4. And click the shape name on the pane one by one. You can see the shapes on the document page have been selected.Press "Ctrl" to Select All Shapes on the Pane
  5. Then repeat from step 3 to step 5 in method 1.

Method 3: Group Objects by Using “Select Objects” Option in Word 2010

Here is what you need to know that you are unable to use “Select Objects” option in Word 2010 directly but to insert a “New Drawing Canvas” into Word document first before you insert all the shapes.

  1. To begin with, click “Insert” tab.
  2. Then choose “Shapes” in “Illustrations” group.
  3. Next click “New Drawing Canvas”.Click "Insert" ->Click "Shapes" ->Click "New Drawing Canvas"
  4. Then insert shapes you need on the drawing canvas.
  5. Next, click “Home” tab.
  6. And go to click “Select” option in “Editing” group.
  7. Choose “Select Objects” on the list-menu.Click "Home" ->Click "Select" ->Click "Select Objects"
  8. Now you can see the indication on the left-down corner of the document page, such as below:Indications on the Left Down Corner of the Document

Just follow the lead, and click and drag to draw an area including all objects on the canvas so as to select them.Click and Drag to Select Objects on the Canvas

Effect of Selecting Objects on Canvas

  1. Again repeat from step 3 to step 5 in method 1.

Method 4: Group Objects by Using “Select Objects” Option in Other Word Versions

Actually, in all Word versions except Word 2010, you can use “Select Objects” option directly to select and group objects without inserting a canvas first. What you need to do is follow from step 5 to step 9 in method 3.

Also you can save the .docxs file as .doc file so you can select objects on document directly.

And if you try to group pictures, then you have to change the pictures’ “Text Wrapping” style into any one but “In line with text”.

Comparison

Methods Advantages Disadvantages
Method 1: Group Objects by Selecting them One by One 1.        It’s an easy and simple way.

2.        You can apply this method no matter what Word version you’re using.

 1.        You have to select objects one by one.

2.        You could miss some small objects since there are too many.
Method 2: Group Objects by Selecting them on “Selection Pane” 1.        It’s an easy and simple way.

2.        You won’t miss objects since they are listed on the pane.

3.        You can apply this method no matter what Word version you’re using.

 You have to select objects one by one.

 
Method 3: Group Objects by Using “Select Objects” Option in Word 2010

& Method 4: Group Objects by Using “Select Objects” Option in Other Word Versions

 1.        You can select multiple objects at one time.

2.        You’re less likely to miss some objects.

3.        If you are not using Word 2010, then you can select multiple objects directly by drawing an area to include them.

 1.        For Word 2010 users, you have to insert a drawing canvas before inserting shapes into documents so as to select them multiply.

2.        For Word 2010 users, you may need to save the .docx file as .doc file so as to select objects directly.

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Author Introduction:

Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including corrupted Excel file repair and pdf repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com

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