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Selecting Objects

You can select one or more objects. Once you select an object you can edit it, for example, by cutting, copying or deleting it.

To select a single object:

When you select an object it is immediately surrounded by eight sizer blocks; one at each corner and one in the center of each side.

There are a few ways to select multiple objects. Each method is particularly useful under different circumstances.

Multiple Selection - Drawing a Selection Box

This method is useful if all the objects you want to select are near each other. The basic technique is to draw a box around all of the objects you want to select.

To draw a selection box around multiple objects:

1. Make sure that the Selection tool (the arrow cursor) is active.

If it is not active, choose the Selection tool from the Object Palette.

2. Press and hold the left mouse button above and to the left of the objects you want to select.

3. Drag down and to the right to draw a box that encloses the objects.

4. Release the left mouse button.

When you release the left mouse button the box disappears and the objects within the box are selected. (Each object is surrounded by eight small sizer blocks.)

Multiple Selection - Selecting Additional Objects One at a Time

This method is useful if the objects you want to select are not near each other and/or there are other objects nearby that you do not want to select.

To select objects one at a time:

1. Make sure that the Selection tool (the arrow cursor) is active.

If it is not active, choose the Selection tool button from the left side of the Object Palette.

2. Press and hold the Shift key and left click on each object you want to select.

Multiple Selection - Using the Object List

This method is useful if the objects you want to select are not near each other, there are other objects nearby that you do not want to select, and/or some objects you want to select are obscured by other objects. It is also helpful if you know which objects you want to select, by name, but not by appearance.

To select multiple objects from the Object List:

1. Press and hold the Ctrl key.

2. In the Object List, click on each object you want to add to the multiple selection.

Selection Hints

Finding Objects to Select

In some situations, you may want to work with a specific object but cannot readily identify the object on the page. This can happen, for example, if objects obscure other objects or if there are a large number of objects on the page. To easily select an object, click on the object in the Object List. When you select an object in the list, the object is automatically selected in the layout area.

Selecting All Objects on a Page

Use the Select All command in the Edit menu to select every object on the current page.

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