Mac OS X 10.4 Help
Selecting text to change it
When the pointer is placed over an area where you can type, it changes to an I-beam. Position the pointer where you want to type, then click. You will see a blinking line in the text or document called the "insertion point." The insertion point shows where text will be inserted as you type.
To change the name of a file or folder, write a letter, chat with a friend, or log in to your computer, you must first select some text.
In many applications, you can move, copy, or modify selected text. You can change the appearance of the selected text by choosing a different font, font size, or style. You may even be able to change the color of the text.
- Double-click a word to select the whole word.
- Drag across text to select a range of text.
- Click to place the insertion point at the beginning of your selection, then hold down the Shift key and click at the end of your selection.
- Triple-click to select a whole line, and click more times to select a paragraph or the entire document (in some applications).
- If you make a mistake while typing, press the Delete key to backspace and erase, or choose Edit > Undo to undo your last action.
- If you want to move or copy the selected text, choose Edit > Copy or Cut. Click where you want to place the text and then choose Edit > Paste.
Some applications may allow you to select multiple items or sections of text at once. You might also be able to select a nonlinear area of text. To find out about other ways to select text, choose Help in the application's Help menu.