Both Word, in every version from 6 to 2000, and WordPerfect, versions 6.1 through 8, offer a number of ways to select blocks of text for formatting, and most people know how to do this using the mouse and keyboard. But an alternative method enables you to extend a selection without having to reach for the mouse. At any time while editing a document in either program, simply press <F8>. Next, to extend the selection, use the keys or key combinations shown. If you then want to select additional text, repeat any of the keystrokes as often as necessary.

Further, every time you press <F8>, Word (but not WordPerfect) will increase the size of the selection: twice will double it, three times will triple it, and so on. In Word, when you're finished extending the selection, press <Esc> to turn off the function. In WordPerfect, just click anywhere in the document to turn the function off.