How do I stop unwanted "selection" as I compose a post?
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As I correct a missing letter in a word, the word is selected. then it vanishes if you back-space. Sometimes if I am not careful large amounts of my script select and are deleted involuntarily. I have tested and it is not happening ‘here’ so it is unique to the wordpress edit page.
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hi there. Which editor are you using? The new one (blue header) or the classic editor?
Also which browser and version? https://www.whatismybrowser.com/
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I use the ‘old’ editor with ‘firefox’ or ‘opera’ both of them update automatically, so I have the latest versions.
I have the same problem with both. I have to be extremely careful, sometimes parts of a post which has already risen out of sight can highlight and I can lose it all without noticing until I proof read.
The problem with Opera is the ten second delay, waiting for a word to appear on the screen as you type.
Thank you for your response. -
Just a follow-up question: are you having this problem on a PC/laptop, or on a mobile phone?
If you use a phone/tablet that might be the problem. I’ve noticed on my phone when I tap on a word to edit it, it sometimes selects the word instead. In that case the problem might be with the touch screen software itself, rather than the WordPress.com editor.
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It happens on my laptop, however it is only on WordPress, I have no problem if I compose on another system, so it does not appear to be the touch-pad. I was hoping to be able to turn off “select” altogether. I don’t know too many of the terms in English, I think it should be called “highlight” It all gets a bit confusing when you use Windows in French which uses different terms.
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I don’t think selecting text can be switched off, as it’s something that’s built into the operating system and browser themselves. But it shouldn’t be behaving the way you describe it.
I want you to try one last thing: try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. You can see the instructions for different browsers here: https://en.support.wordpress.com/browser-issues/
Meanwhile I’ll also tag this for staff to follow up in case something in the website’s programming might be causing this.
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I’m still experiencing the problem, you’re probably right, it is more likely to be my computer. I have a programme cleans out cookies etc, which makes no difference. I’ve restored the system sans echec the same thing. I have a programme which claims to resolve problems with windows, no good. Thank you very much for your trouble, perhaps now is a good time to buy another computer.
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The external programs that clean cookies don’t always delete them all. Try clearing it from within the browser settings itself.
Also please be patient for staff to answer. They usually take a little longer over weekends, but they will follow up on this.
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What program are you using that “resolve problems with Windows”? It it’s something you downloaded after seeing a pop-up or ad on a website that might be the problem, as many of those type of programs are actually adware or malware that can do more harm than good. If you give me the name of that program I can try to find out more for you.
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Hello again. It’s called Advanced System Care, I’ve had it for years and it has passed from one computer to another. It never seems to have caused any problems. I can’t remember from where I found it. I’m a member of the Free Software Foundation so it could well have come from them.
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OK I’ve got that, will do. I seem to have opened your mails out of order, but will do as you suggest.
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A quick Google search shows some people loving that program, and others claiming it completely messed up their computers, so it might be related. But as you say you’ve been using it for years and the problem is only in WordPress it might not be the cause. Let’s see what staff say when they respond.
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@enochered how long has this been happening, and if you use the blue editor does it happen there?
Also, I’d be curious as to whether you have the same trouble if you’re using a mouse instead of a trackpad. I don’t know whether you have a mouse that you could use for that test, but if you do, please try that and let us know the results. Thanks!
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Hello there. I dug out my mini mouse and attached it to my netbook and wrote a few phrases with built-in mistakes and tried to correct the problem with the mini mouse and instantly the letter to the left of the cursor selected as usual. When I back-spaced to delete the offending letter, the whole part of the word instantly selected and was instantly deleted. In past times, huge parts of posts have been instantly selected and deleted before I could stop the operation. I am not quite sure how long I have been having this problem, it could well pre-date the last update which introduced the easier method of composing, which I never use, simply because I am used to the old system and I am a little bit conservative, so I cannot say whether the same problems exist with it. However, with the mini-mouse, directly after the first attempt blued-up, I could not reproduce the same effect with the other built-in faults. So I am crossing my fingers and hoping that your excellent idea has solved the problem.
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Hello kokkieh, thank you for all your trouble, Velda suggested that I test the touch-pad with a another mouse. I am not sure what happened, maybe the touch-pad was magnetised, and after the first touch with the mouse which gave exactly the same result, the problem vanished, I hope!!!! Being a bit of a dunce, I may be in touch with you again in the future.
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@enochered
Thanks. I can actually see the replies by both of you, as it’s still in this same thread, so no need to explain to me :)I’m still following along and will do until we’ve helped you fix this.
Have you tried using the trackpad again after using the mouse? Is it now working with the trackpad as well? If it still happens with the trackpad but not with the mouse it might be a driver issue. In that case my advice would be to contact your netbook’s manufacturer to get an updated driver for the trackpad.
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I think you may be right because there is a distinct difference between the reaction with the mini-mouse and the touch-pad. With the touch-pad the space between the letters of a word is far more difficult to find, I don’t know if that is indicative of a problem of some sort, however everything seems to be better that it was before I attached the mini-mouse, this could of course be no more than my imagination. I will do as you suggest and update the touch-pad driver just in case. Thanks again.
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That’s great news! If it crops up again let us know, but hopefully it won’t.
Same to you :D
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