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Mouse cursor jumps out of navigation pane when trying to 'find'

Hi,

I'm using Office 2013 on a Windows 7 desktop machine. When I hit Ctrl-F, the Navigation Pane opens on the left side of my Word document. The cursor is initially in the white textbox/search of the Navigation Pane, but it jumps back into the actual document itself if you do not start typing immediately. Additionally, even if you do manage to get something typed, it very quickly disappears and your cursor goes back to the document. 

It is extremely frustrating and seems to only be a problem in Word (no other applications). I just tried using the instance of Word 2010 on my machine, and it seems to be experiencing the same issue.

I am using a USB mouse. I have seen other people with this problem online (e.g., http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/1/tech-helproom/4451435/word-2013--find-and-replace-broken/) but have not seen any solutions which apply to me (mainly, most solutions involved touchpads on laptops.

I have checked for updates to Office, and restarted the program. The problem persists.

Any advice as to how to keep this from happening would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Answer
Answer

Hello,

Thank you for posting on Microsoft Community.

As this issue happens only in Word 2013 and also experienced in Word 2010, let us check if the issue happens while working in the Safe Mode in Word 2013. Follow these steps to open Word 2013 in the Safe Mode.

Click on Start > Run OR Start > All Programs > Accessories > Run to open the Run box. In the Run box that opens type winword /safe (note there is a space between winword and /) and click on Ok.

This action will open Word 2013 in the Safe Mode. Check if it works normally when launching the Navigation Pane using Ctrl + F, and if the mouse cursor remains within the Navigation Pane box.

If the cursor stays in the Navigation Pane and works fine while in safe mode, disable the Add-Ins for the application and check the result.

  • Click the File tab.
  • Go to Options.
  • Click Add-ins.

  • Select COM Add-Ins under the Manage drop-down box.

  • Try disabling the Add-ins – clear all the options and click on OK to save the changes made.

  • In case you see some Add-ins getting checked again after applying OK it is still fine. Ignore and proceed further. 

After completing Com Add-Ins follow the same steps as above and check under Word Add-Ins to see if there are any Add-in there which needs to be disabled. If yes, proceed with the same steps as mentioned above.

Check if the above step helps you to resolve the issue and you are able to work with the Navigation Pane normally and if the mouse stays inside the Navigation Pane box.

Note: In case if it works briefly and the issue returns after a while then make sure to navigate back to Com Add-Ins and Word Add-Ins (following the steps as detailed above) and remove / un-install the Add-ins from the list.

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

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Question Info

Last updated February 9, 2025 Views 1,072 Applies to: