Selecting objects with the Selection tool

The Selection tool lets you select entire objects by clicking an object or dragging to enclose the object within a rectangular selection marquee.

Note: To select the Selection tool, you can also press the V key. To temporarily switch to the Selection tool when another tool is active, hold down the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Macintosh).

To select a stroke, fill, group, instance, or text block:

Select the Selection tool and click the object.

To select connected lines:

Select the Selection tool and double-click one of the lines.

To select a filled shape and its stroked outline:

Select the Selection tool and double-click the fill.

To select objects within a rectangular area:

Select the Selection tool and drag a marquee around the object or objects that you want to select. Instances, groups, and type blocks must be completely enclosed to be selected.