How to select all in word

If you’ve ever tried to highlight an entire Word document and ended up with just one paragraph, you know the frustration. That’s why understanding how to select all in Word matters more than it seems. One shortcut should do the job, but the result changes depending on where your cursor is sitting.

As of 2026, the core shortcuts remain identical across modern versions of Word, including Microsoft 365 and Word for the web. Ctrl+A works on Windows. Cmd+A works on Mac.

But they don’t always grab the whole document. Inside a table, a text box, or a header, Word switches to a more specific target. Let’s walk through exactly what happens, so you select the right thing the first time.

Quick Answer

Press Ctrl+A on Windows, or Cmd+A on Mac. That selects your main body. Inside a table, press it twice for the whole table.

In a text box, click first, then press Ctrl+A for that text.

What Does “Select All” Actually Do in Word?

Word treats your document as a collection of separate areas, technically called "stories." The main body is one story. Headers and footers are separate stories. So are text boxes, footnotes, and comments.

The Select All command only works inside the story where your cursor is active.

That means pressing Ctrl+A in the body text selects all the body content, including tables, images, and headings within that main story. It does not reach into headers, footers, or floating text boxes. To select those, you have to move your cursor into each one separately.

This is the root cause of most Select All confusion. People expect one shortcut to grab everything in the file. In reality, it grabs everything in the current context.

What Gets Selected and What Doesn’t

• Main body text: Fully selected, including headings and paragraphs.
• Tables in the body: Selected when your cursor is outside the table. Inside a table, the first press selects the cell contents.
• Images and objects: Selected as part of the body, but only if they are anchored in the main text flow.
• Headers and footers: Not selected from the body. You must open them first.
• Text boxes: Not selected from the body. You must click inside the text box.
• Footnotes and endnotes: Not selected from the body. You have to enter the notes area first.

How Versions Differ (Windows, Mac, Word for the Web)

The shortcut is the same on Windows and Mac, but the key names differ. Windows uses Ctrl. Mac uses Command.

Word for the web supports both shortcuts depending on your operating system.

Word for the web has one major difference. It does not let you edit headers and footers as freely as the desktop apps. So the Select All shortcut inside those areas behaves a little differently.

The core shortcuts, however, remain consistent across all three platforms.

Microsoft Support documents these shortcuts across all desktop versions of Word. You can verify the full list on support.microsoft.com.

The Quick Answer: Your Go-To Shortcuts by Platform

Here’s the practical breakdown. Bookmark this table if you need a fast reminder later.

Windows: Ctrl+A

Ctrl+A is the universal Select All shortcut in Windows. Use it in the body text, inside a text box, or within a header. It selects the entire story you are currently in.

Inside a table, the first press selects all the text in the current cell. Press Ctrl+A again and Word expands the selection to include the entire table, including all cells, rows, and columns.

Mac: Cmd+A

On Mac, the Command key replaces Ctrl for nearly every Word shortcut. Press Cmd+A to select all content in the active area. Inside a table, the same double-press rule applies.

If you use Word for Mac with a Windows keyboard, you can still use Ctrl+A. Word recognizes both keys on Mac.

Word for the Web: Same Shortcut, Slightly Different Rules

Word for the web behaves like the desktop version for most selection tasks. Ctrl+A on a Windows PC works exactly as expected. Cmd+A works on a Mac.

The difference shows up in headers and footers. The web app makes it harder to edit those areas. You can select the content, but the options are limited compared to the desktop version.

How to Select All in the Body of a Document

This is the most common scenario. You want to copy the entire document, change the font everywhere, or just delete everything. The shortcut is simple, but the alternative methods are also worth knowing.

The One-Shot Shortcut Method

Place your cursor anywhere in the main body text. Press Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac. Word highlights the entire main story, from the first character to the last.

This includes all paragraphs, headings, tables, lists, and inline images. It does not include headers, footers, footnotes, or text boxes.

For most people, this is all they need. One press. Done.

The Ribbon Route: Home > Select > Select All

If you prefer the mouse, Word gives you a ribbon path. Go to the Home tab. On the far right, find the Select button in the Editing group.

Click it, then choose Select All.

This performs the exact same action as Ctrl+A. It is slower, but it helps when you forget the shortcut or when you're using a touch screen without a physical keyboard.

Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Click anywhere in the body of your document.
2. Open the Home tab.
3. Locate the Select button in the Editing group.
4. Choose Select All from the drop-down menu.
5. The entire body content becomes highlighted.

This method works on Windows, Mac, and Word for the web. It is the most consistent cross-platform option.

How to Select All Inside a Table

Tables are where the Select All shortcut gets confusing. The behavior changes because Word is trying to be context-aware. It often feels like the opposite.

Why Ctrl+A Only Grabs the Cell First

When your cursor is inside a table cell, Word assumes you want to work with that cell. The first press of Ctrl+A selects only the text in the current cell, not the whole table.

This catches people off guard. You press Ctrl+A, see part of the table highlighted, and think something is broken. Nothing is broken.

Word is just being context-sensitive.

Pressing Ctrl+A Twice to Capture the Whole Table

The fix is simple. Press Ctrl+A again. The second press expands the selection from the current cell to the entire table.

This works in all desktop versions of Word and in Word for the web. The same double-press behavior applies on Windows and Mac.

Here’s the short version:

• First Ctrl+A = current cell.
• Second Ctrl+A = entire table.

If your cursor is not inside the table but you want the table selected, click anywhere in the table first. Then press Ctrl+A twice.

Selecting the Entire Table Without a Keyboard

Maybe you prefer the mouse. Word offers a few ways to do this without touching the keyboard.

Method 1: Table Move Handle

Hover your mouse over the table until a small four-sided arrow appears at the top-left corner. Click that handle, and Word selects the entire table instantly.

Method 2: Layout Tab

Click anywhere inside the table. Then go to the Table Layout tab that appears in the ribbon. Look for the Select button.

Click it and choose Select Table.

Both methods are easy and reliable. The move handle is faster, but the Layout tab sits right in front of you.

Selecting Rows and Columns Specifically

Sometimes you don't want the whole table. You want one column or one row. The Layout tab handles this too.

Follow these steps:

1. Click inside the row or column you want.
2. Go to the Table Layout tab.
3. Click the Select button.
4. Choose Select Row or Select Column.

Word highlights the entire row or column within the table. This is a targeted selection, so it doesn't affect the rest of your document.

For a faster mouse method, move your cursor to the left edge of a row until it becomes a right-pointing arrow. Then click once. For a column, move your cursor to the top border until it becomes a downward-pointing arrow.

Then click.

How to Select All in Text Boxes, Headers, and Footnotes

Text boxes, headers, footers, and footnotes live outside the main document story. That is why Ctrl+A from the body does nothing for them. You have to step into that separate area first.

Click First, Then Use the Shortcut

Click inside the text box, header, or footnote area. Then press Ctrl+A. Word now selects everything within that separate story.

For a text box, the selection stays inside the box. You can copy the text, reformat it, or delete it without touching the main document.

For headers and footers, click on the header or footer text to open the editing area. Then press Ctrl+A. This selects all content in that specific header or footer.

Repeat for other headers if your document has multiple sections.

When You Need to Select Across Multiple Text Boxes

Here is the annoying part. Ctrl+A only works inside one text box at a time. You cannot press Ctrl+A and expect Word to select every text box across the document.

To select multiple text boxes at once, hold down the Shift key on Windows or Command on Mac. Then click each text box in turn. Word selects them as objects, not as text.

Once they are selected, you can move them, resize them, or delete them together. You cannot copy their combined text with a single shortcut.

Deleting Headers and Footers After Selecting All

If you want to remove every header or footer, the quickest route is to open the header area, press Ctrl+A, then press Delete. Do the same for the footer.

For multi-section documents, each section may have its own header or footer. You will need to repeat the process for each section unless you use the Link to Previous option to tie them together.

Here’s a practical tip. Double-click in the header or footer area to activate it. Press Ctrl+A to highlight everything.

Press Delete. Then close the header and footer editing mode. This removes the content cleanly without disturbing the rest of the document.

Mouse Methods for Selecting the Whole Document

If you don't want to rely on keyboard shortcuts, the mouse gives you a few solid options. Each one works best in certain situations. Here's the full breakdown, sorted by speed and accuracy.

Using the Selection Bar

The selection bar is an invisible strip running down the left edge of your Word document. It sits between the page margin and your text. It's one of the most underused tools in Word.

Here's how to use it:

• Single-click: selects the entire line next to your mouse.
• Double-click: selects the whole paragraph.
• Triple-click: selects the entire body of the document.

Reach for this when you're already working with the mouse. It saves you from moving your hand back to the keyboard. It's also handy on touchscreen laptops where physical keys feel awkward.

Triple-Clicking in the Left Margin

Triple-clicking in the selection bar is the mouse equivalent of Ctrl+A. It highlights the entire main body, including all paragraphs, headings, and tables.

Here's the precise motion:

1. Position your cursor in the left margin, near the first line of text.
2. Watch the cursor change to a right-pointing arrow.
3. Triple-click rapidly without moving the mouse.
4. The whole document becomes selected.

This is best for one-off selections. It's also a reliable fallback if your keyboard suddenly stops responding.

The Drag-and-Select Tactic for Shorter Documents

For very short documents, you can simply click and drag from the start to the end. It works, but it's inefficient for long files. Our research shows many users still do this out of habit.

If you drag slowly, Word selects character by character. If you drag quickly, Word may select page by page. This isn't reliable for complete selections.

Use it only when you need a specific portion of the document, not the whole thing. For full selection, stick to the selection bar or Ctrl+A.

Keyboard Alternatives for Long Documents

If you need to select from a specific point onward, Ctrl+A doesn't cut it. You need targeted keyboard shortcuts. Here's the set that matters.

Shift+Ctrl+End: Select from Cursor to the End

Place your cursor where you want the selection to start. Press Shift+Ctrl+End on Windows. Press Shift+Cmd+End on Mac.

Word selects everything from that point to the very end of the document.

This includes any text, tables, and images below your cursor. It doesn't include headers, footers, or text boxes. Use it when you want to delete, copy, or reformat from a certain point forward.

Shift+Ctrl+Home: Select from Cursor to the Start

This shortcut does the opposite. Press Shift+Ctrl+Home, or Shift+Cmd+Home on Mac, to select everything from your cursor back to the beginning of the document.

This is a common move for writers who want to replace an entire intro section. Position your cursor at the start of the first paragraph you want to keep. Then use the shortcut.

Everything above becomes selected.

Using F8 for Extended Selections

The F8 key opens Word's extended selection mode. It's an older feature, but it's extremely powerful. Press F8 once to turn it on.

The "EXT" indicator appears in the status bar at the bottom.

Then press F8 again to select the current word. Press F8 a third time to select the current sentence. Press F8 a fourth time to select the current paragraph.

Press F8 a fifth time to select the entire document.

If you want to select a specific range without repeated presses, press F8 once, then use the arrow keys to extend the selection. Press Escape to turn off extended selection mode without removing the highlight.

Here's a practical tip: F8 helps when your mouse stops working and you need to select the whole document without Ctrl+A.

Selecting Paragraphs with Shift+Ctrl+Down

This shortcut is less known but highly useful. Place your cursor at the start of a paragraph. Press Shift+Ctrl+Down on Windows or Shift+Cmd+Down on Mac.

Word selects the current paragraph and the next one each time you press it again.

Combine it with Shift+Ctrl+Home or End for broader selections. It gives you more precision than a full Select All but more speed than dragging.

Use Cases: When You Really Need Select All

Everyone uses Select All for different reasons. Some format an entire thesis. Others just want to copy a contract.

Here's the practical breakdown of the most common use cases and the best method for each.

Formatting a Full Thesis or Report

When you need to change the font, line spacing, or paragraph style across an entire academic paper, Ctrl+A is your friend. Place your cursor in the body text, press Ctrl+A, then apply your formatting. The style change applies to the entire main story, including all headings and subheadings.

One warning: academic papers often contain tables and footnotes. The Select All shortcut doesn't reach footnotes. You will need to handle footnotes separately.

Copying an Entire Contract for Review

Legal professionals and reviewers often need to paste an entire contract into an email or another system. Use Ctrl+A to select the body. Then press Ctrl+C to copy.

Remember that headers, footers, and text boxes stay behind.

If you need the whole file, including headers and footers, use the File > Save As option to create a PDF or a copy of the document instead. That avoids the hassle of manual selection.

Clearing Out a Document to Start Fresh

If you want to delete all the content in a document, press Ctrl+A once, then press Delete. This leaves you with a blank page. It also preserves your margins, page size, and other layout settings.

If the document contains sections or headers, they remain intact. To clear those too, you need to delete them separately.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Despite how simple Select All sounds, users make the same set of mistakes again and again. Here's what goes wrong and how to sidestep each problem.

Accidentally Deleting Everything You Just Selected

The biggest risk is pressing Delete or Backspace right after selecting all. Most people do this once and never again. The Undo command, Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac, brings everything back, but only if you act immediately.

Our advice: save your document before doing major selections. Then a slip-up won't cost you hours of rework.

Thinking Ctrl+A Works Inside a Text Box

Text boxes behave like their own mini documents. Pressing Ctrl+A while your cursor is inside the text box selects only that text, not the main document. If you want to select everything inside a single text box, click inside it first and then press Ctrl+A.

To select multiple text boxes as objects, hold Shift and click each box.

Ignoring Headers and Footnotes

Select All doesn't touch headers, footers, footnotes, or endnotes. This leads to situations where people copy a document, paste it elsewhere, and find the headers didn't come along. To include headers and footers, you have to open them and select their content separately.

Copying a Whole Table and Losing the Format

When you press Ctrl+A inside a table, the first press selects only the current cell. If you press Ctrl+C at that point, you copy nothing useful. Press Ctrl+A twice to grab the entire table before copying.

Otherwise, you'll lose columns, borders, and other format details.

Forgetting to Press Escape After F8

F8 stays in extended selection mode until you cancel it. If you leave it on, your arrow keys will keep extending your selection. Press Escape when you're done.

Your highlight stays, but the mode turns off.

Expert Tips for Working with Selections

After years of watching users fight with Word, we've narrowed down the best practices. These tips save time, reduce mistakes, and make selection feel effortless.

Save Before You Select and Delete

This is the golden rule. Press Ctrl+S to save your document before any major selection operation. Then, if something goes wrong, you have a clean backup.

Microsoft's autosave in Office 365 covers you too, but its behavior varies by subscription type.

Use Undo (Ctrl+Z) as Your Safety Net

Undo is your second safety net. It works after most selection mistakes. If you accidentally delete content, press Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac to restore it.

Word keeps a long undo history, so even multiple steps back are possible.

Combine Select All with Find and Replace for Global Edits

Select All pairs beautifully with Find and Replace. First, press Ctrl+A to highlight the whole document. Then open Find and Replace with Ctrl+H.

Set your search and replacement terms. Word applies the change to the selected area only, which is the entire body.

This saves time when you need to change every occurrence of a word, fix a formatting inconsistency, or swap out a phrase across a long document.

Add Select All to Your Quick Access Toolbar

If you use a touch screen, the Quick Access Toolbar is your best friend. Click the small dropdown arrow at the top of the Word window. Choose More Commands.

Search for Select All. Click Add, then OK.

Now you have a one-click Select All button at the top of your screen. It works exactly like Ctrl+A.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ctrl+A work in Word for the Web?

Yes, it works like the desktop version. Press Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac. It selects the entire main body in one press.

Inside a table, press twice. The web app follows the same rules as Microsoft 365.

How do I select all in a text box without a mouse?

Click inside the text box first. Then press Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac. That selects all text inside that single text box.

To move or delete multiple text boxes, hold Shift and click each one.

Why does my table only select one cell when I press Ctrl+A?

Because Word assumes you want the current cell first. The first press selects the text inside that cell. The second press expands to the whole table.

This is by design. Press Ctrl+A twice and you'll see the full table highlight.

How do I select all under a heading in Word?

Place your cursor right after the heading. Then press Shift+Ctrl+End on Windows or Shift+Cmd+End on Mac. This selects everything from that point to the end of the document.

It includes all text, tables, and images below. It skips headers, footers, and footnotes.

Can I select all in a header or footer using a shortcut?

Yes. Double-click inside the header or footer to open the editing area. Then press Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac.

Word selects all content in that header or footer. Repeat per section if your document uses multiple headers.

Final Decision Guide: Which Method Should You Use?

By now you've seen every way to select content in Word. Here's the final breakdown to help you pick the right method without overthinking it.

Quick Comparison Table of Methods

Pick Your Method Based on What You’re Selecting

Here's the decision tree. It works every time.

• If you want the whole document body, press Ctrl+A once.
• If you're inside a table and want the whole table, press Ctrl+A twice.
• If you want from your cursor to the end, use Shift+Ctrl+End.
• If you want from your cursor to the start, use Shift+Ctrl+Home.
• If you're in a text box, click inside it, then press Ctrl+A.
• If you're in a header or footer, open it, then press Ctrl+A.
• If your keyboard is broken, triple-click in the selection bar.

Each choice leads to one clear outcome. That's the beauty of Word's selection system once you understand the logic.

Final Word of Advice

The most reliable habit is simple. Press Ctrl+A first. Check the screen.

If Word only grabbed part of what you wanted, press Ctrl+A again. Two presses solve most selection problems.

Beyond that, remember to save your document before major selections. Use Undo whenever something goes wrong. And if you're selecting a table, always double-check that the entire table is highlighted before you copy or delete.

Word's context-sensitive behavior is consistent. Once you know the pattern, you'll never fight it again.