Selection Tool (Forms Design)

How Do I...

Use the Selection tool to choose one or more objects in the form so that you can perform a specific design task. This tool is also used to move form objects.

To select a single form object

Click the Selection tool if it's not already highlighted; click the desired form object in the design window with your mouse pointer.

When an object is selected, a blue outline and blue boxes or size handles appear around the border of the object.

To select multiple form objects

You can select multiple objects on the form to perform a common task. For example, you might want to copy a group of objects, move them, align them, change their font, or change their color.

Use the Selection tool and click the first object with your mouse pointer.
While holding down the Shift or Ctrl key, click a second object.

Each selected object displays a blue outline with blue boxes or size handles around it.
Continue holding down the Shift or Ctrl key and select as many objects as you want.
When finished selecting the objects you want, release the key.

Tip: You can also draw a boxed border (marquee) around a group of objects using the Selection tool. When you release the left mouse button, all the objects within your marquee border are selected.

To select all objects on the form

This can be useful if you want to change the font name, style, or color of all objects.

From the Edit menu, choose Select All.

Right-click in a blank space on the form and choose Select All from the pop-up menu.

To drag and drop form objects

Using the Selection tool, select the object(s) and hold down the left mouse button.
Move (drag with your mouse pointer) the selected objects. When you release the button, the object will stay in the spot where you positioned it.

To clone an object

You can clone or duplicate an object, which saves a step from a copy and paste.

Using the Selection tool, select the object you want to duplicate.
Hold down the Ctrl and Shift keys, and click the left mouse button.

When you drag the cloned object away, you'll see the original object beneath it. The cloned object is assigned the next available order number.

To resize form objects

Using the Selection tool, select the object you want to resize, then release the left mouse button.

Along the blue outline that surrounds the object are eight selection handles. When you position your mouse over one of these selection handles, the pointer changes to a double arrow (indicating the direction that the handle controls).
Click one of these handles with your mouse pointer and drag to resize the object. You can change an object's height, width, or both using this method.

Tip: To quickly resize a data object to the standard (default) height and width, select the object(s) in the form, right-click, and choose AutoSize from the pop-up menu. The dotted line border and selection handles will increase or decrease to match the standard data field height and width.

Selection Tool (Forms Design)

To select a single form object

To select multiple form objects

To select all objects on the form

To drag and drop form objects

To clone an object

To resize form objects

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