Cursor Keeps Jumping Around Only When I Do Graphics

[Emily Hanson]

I am using the drawing tools in Word for complex drawings at work. Even
though there are better programs for what I am doing (such as Visio), my
boss insists on using Word because he wants to be able to edit it anywhere
in the world on the fly. He travels a lot and sometimes Word is the only
thing available. I've suggested getting a zip drive and putting Windows on
it, and whatever application he needs, but he is very adamant on using Word
for something that really should be done in Visio or something else.

Anyway, almost every time I insert a line or text box or something, my
cursor automatically deslects it and my cursor jumps halfway across the page.
Is there any way at all to get my cursor to stay in the same spot? It is
incredibly annoying and as a result of the stupid cursor problem, it's
taking me over an hour to do something that should take less than an hour.

I'm not the only one who's had this issue. Everyone who's used the drawing
tools in Word to work on this project has had it happen also. No, I don't
have a microphone. I've tried playing around with image-wrapping and
positioning settings to no avail. I googled this problem but couldn't find
a solution.

Please, please someone just tell me how to make the cursor quit jumping
around so I can stay sane.

 

[CyberTaz]

There really isn't much in Word that would cause this behavior. In fact, I
can't even make it happen as you describe. When I create a shape my pointer
remains right there. This is regardless of Drawing Canvas on/off, default
text wrap setting, tool used, old doc, new doc, full doc, blue doc.

Have you folks recently started using Optical Mice, by any chance? The
behavior you describe is frequently caused if using them on rough, textured
or multi-colored surfaces because of the erratic reflection pattern. It only
takes a 'silly millimeter' to generate a totally different directional
pattern.

You might also check your Mouse Preference settings in the Windows Control
Panel regardless of Optical or Mechanical, and if mechanical make sure the
internal rollers are clean - dirty mechanical mice can behave in a similar
fashion.

Just to be sure, you *are* referring to the Mouse Pointer (I-beam/arrow),
not the blinking Insertion Point in the text?