Copy and pasting issues with mouse connected

Is anyone else having problems with a mouse being connected to a laptop and not being able to copy and paste?
I can copy and paste but only in a text format. I can not copy the formats etc.
I have all of the funtions if the mouse is not connected - not ideal. I have tried this with different mouse's one trackball and none trackball.
When coping i dont get the 'flashing dotted lines' on the particular cells that I need to copy.
Can anyone help other than suggest not to have the external mouse connect? :-)

Many thanks

Bizarre! Have you rebooted lately?

yes - i turned it off and on. it is all ok when using the mouse pad but no external mouse connected. I have to reboot to be able to use the interal mouse pad after removing the external mouse.