WD2002: Cannot Drag a Selection Between Two Documents (293188)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2002
This article was previously published under Q293188

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word, when you attempt to drag a selection from one document to a document that is minimized on the taskbar, the minimized document briefly flashes but it does not open. You cannot drop the selection onto it. When you release the mouse button over the minimized document, you receive the following incorrect error message
You cannot drag an item onto a button on the taskbar.

However, if you do this without releasing the mouse button, the window will open and you can then drag the item into the window.
and, therefore, you expect the document window to open when you drag a selection over it.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if both of the following conditions are true:
  • You drag information from one document to another document that has been minimized to the taskbar.

    -and-
  • Both documents are open in the same instance of Word.

WORKAROUND

Use one of the following methods to work around this issue.

Method 1: Use Copy and Paste

To copy and paste the information, follow these steps:
  1. Copy the information from the first document.
  2. Click the minimized button to open the second document.
  3. Paste the information into the second document.

Method 2: Use a Drag-and-Drop Operation

To drag a selection between open windows in Word, follow these steps:
  1. On the Window menu, click Arrange All.
  2. Drag the selection that you want between the open windows.

Method 3: Use Separate Instances of Word

To open each document in a separate instance of Word, follow these steps:
  1. Close one of the documents.
  2. Minimize Word.
  3. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Run dialog box, type winword.exe /, and then click OK.

    This starts another instance of Word.
  4. In the new instance of Word, open the document that you closed in step 1.
You can now drag selections from one document to the other document that is minimized on the taskbar.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

280590 XL2002: Unable to Drag Information Between Multiple Workbooks

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/6/2006
Keywords:kbbug kberrmsg kbnofix KB293188
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.