When I want to make a word or phrase of text bold or in italics, you first have to use your mouse to "shade"" (highlight) the words you want to alter. But when I try to "shade" the words, then I have to release the mouse control, the "shading" (highlighting) of the text disappears. Then I cannot change text into bold or italics. What is proposed? I tried two different mouses with the same result.

Hmmmm. Try slowing the double click speed a tad, from the mouse settings.

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Graham Mayor - MS MVP (Word) (2002-2019)
Visit my web site for more programming tips and ready made processes www.gmayor.com

Not do the trick. I went to Settings and Devices and then to Mouse. Then to Additional Mouse Options. Then I altered on the Buttons option the double-click speed to slow. Is this right?

As a workaround, try using keyboard shortcuts to select your text (e.g., Shift+arrow or Shift+end) and then Ctrl+B for bold or Ctrl+I for italics.

Have you tried repairing the Office installation (via Windows Control Panel > Programs > Programs & Features > Microsoft Office (version) > Change > Repair)?

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

That seems to have corrected the error. Many thanks.

It worked for a few minutes. But the problem is back. I re-installed word 2013 but no difference.

Reinstalling Office rarely fixes problems that repairing doesn't. Try running Word in Safe Mode (i.e. hold down the Ctrl key while starting Word). If the problem goes away, you most likely have a rogue 3rd-party addin. If so, start Word again and disable all 3rd-party addins, re-enabling them one at a time until you identify the culprit. Then either uninstall or update that addin.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]