This article shows you how to simultaneously select all selectable items within a folder, web page or displayed on a computer, smartphone or tablet screen. Although the number of items you can select varies depending on the content displayed on the screen and the type of device you are using (computer or smartphone), learning how to use the "Select All" command is a simple and intuitive process.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Windows
Step 1. Use the hotkey combination
It is possible to select all the elements that can be selected and displayed within any screen, window, program, web page of a computer simply by using two keys that must be pressed simultaneously:
- Activate the window relating to the contents you wish to select (simply click it with the mouse);
- Now press the key combination Ctrl + A.
Step 2. Use the "File Explorer" window
If you have opened the "Documents" or This PC using the "File Explorer" window, you can use the ribbon at the top left of the latter to select all the displayed items:
- Access the folder that contains the items to be selected using the tree menu located in the left sidebar of the window;
- Access the card Home located in the upper left corner of the "File Explorer" window;
- Push the button Select all located within the "Select" group of the ribbon located at the top of the window.
Step 3. Use the context menu
If you are using a mouse with two buttons, you can select text or the content of a web page to access its context menu and be able to choose the option Select all.
If you don't have a mouse with two buttons, you can access an item's context menu using your computer's trackpad by tapping it with two fingers at the same time
Method 2 of 4: Mac
Step 1. Use the hotkey combination
It is possible to select all the elements that can be selected and displayed within any screen, window, program, web page of a computer simply by using two keys that must be pressed simultaneously:
- Activate the window relating to the contents you wish to select;
- Now press the key combination ⌘ Command + A.
Step 2. Use the Edit menu
Access the page where the items you want to select are present, open the menu Edit at the top left of the screen and choose the option Select all from the drop-down menu that appeared.
If the function Select all it is disabled (ie it is displayed in gray), it means that it cannot be used within the currently active window.
Method 3 of 4: iPhone
Step 1. Launch an app where you can enter text
It is not possible to use the "Select All" function within the normal iPhone screens (for example within the Settings application or the Home screen), but it is possible to do so when using applications that allow input of content textuals such as Word or Notes.
This feature is also available within the Messages app
Step 2. Tap the place on the page where the text you want to select begins
In this way the cursor will be positioned in the indicated point.
Step 3. Press and hold your finger on a piece of text
After a few moments, a box will appear in which the text will appear enlarged.
Step 4. Lift your finger from the screen
As soon as the magnifying glass appears, you can lift your finger from the screen. At this point, a toolbar will appear at the top of the text cursor.
Step 5. Tap Select All
This is one of the options inside the bar that appeared. In this way all the text on the page will be selected automatically.
Method 4 of 4: Android
Step 1. Launch an application that allows text entry
The "Select All" function can only be used with text content created by the user.
For example, you could open a Word document
Step 2. Tap a text field
This will activate it and the text cursor will appear inside.
Step 3. Press and hold your finger on the content you want to select
After a few moments, a menu will appear at the top or bottom of the selected text.
Step 4. Choose the Select All option
It is located at the top of the screen. In this way all the text on the page will be automatically selected.
- In some cases the button Select all it is characterized by a square icon inside which there are four small squares.
- In other cases, the appearance of the button Select all varies from application to application.
