Highlighted text not appearing in add screen

I apologize if this is a nagging/repeat question. I did use the find feature before posting.

I am (obviously) new to IT and I'm having a problem. When I highlight text in either excel or edit script and press Alt+= that highlighted text does not show up in the add window, in fact that window is blank. In excel I discovered I can copy the text to a new cell and then it will appear but in ES is my real problem.

Any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong?