While this is helpful, it is only part of the solution. Many were quick to respond with ways that told how to use the keyboard to select text, such as holding down the Shift key while using the arrow keys or using any number of other selection methods. The ambiguity around the word 'highlight' was evident when WordTips subscribers were asked how they can highlight text using the keyboard only, and not the mouse. It is analogous to a highlighter you use to mark text on a printed page.) In short, you first select text, and then you highlight the selected text by using the Highlight tool. (The Highlight tool is available on the Formatting toolbar.
Highlighting, on the other hand, is a formatting task accomplished by using the Highlight tool. You select text before you are going to do something with it, such as applying an editing or formatting command. In Word parlance, the two words have very specific meanings. He wondered if there was a way to highlight selected words using just the keyboard.īefore answering, there is something that needs to be clarified: There is some ambiguity when it comes to the word 'highlight.' For instance, if I say I am going to highlight a word, some people think that means I am going to double-click the word. He prefers to not use the mouse, preferring the keyboard instead. Frank noted that it seems the Highlight tool is only accessible by using the mouse.
