I apologize: very elementary question, but ...

[ndy]

I just can't figure it out .....I've investigated and I just can't ask
the right questions in help file???

I have always stayed away from real word processing programs, used
MSWord and all that crap because I have never been able to figure our
how if I make a mistake and go back and correct it, as in adding a
letter to a misspelled word or try to add a missing word in a sentence,
the program automatically start deleting letters from the word next to.

all I want to do, is have the same behavior that this news reader does -
put the cursor somewhere, write something and not have it change
anything other than where the sentence moves to the next line.

I know this is next to asking how do you open a file and as a long time
UseNet guy I would shake my head on this one, but, I'm tired of
searching endless help files to ask the right 5 word question.

someone lend your experience .....

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

When you try to add a word in the middle of a sentence, it types over the
existing words? You are in overtype mode. (your post is just a little
unclear to me, but that's how I interpreted it)

Look at the status bar--there should be an OVR with a green dot next to it.
Click on it to de-activate. (Depending on the keyboard, this can be very
easy to turn on accidentally).

If that doesn't work, look for the help topic "Ways to type text", which
explains overtype mode and insert mode and how to switch between them. I'm
suggesting Help because without knowing your version of Word, it's pretty
difficult to know exactly what might be turning it on. Some keyboards have
an Insert button that turns overtype mode on.

 

[ndy]

When you try to add a word in the middle of a sentence, it types over the
existing words? You are in overtype mode. (your post is just a little
unclear to me, but that's how I interpreted it)

Look at the status bar--there should be an OVR with a green dot next to it.
Click on it to de-activate. (Depending on the keyboard, this can be very
easy to turn on accidentally).

ok, overtype(OVT), that's the word I needed to ask the right questions,
btw, Office Pro 2003, Word

thanks! now I can at least get started doing some elementary writing
without the frustration, finally. I am pretty computer literate but
never with a bona fide word processor - no less because of this weird
quark - so like I said, I never knew what to ask or I guess to recognize
the answer in the first place. although, with all my searching I don't
remember stumbling onto overtype. for a minute there I was still
frustrated as first searches had me pushing the insert key on the
keyboard, which worked, but to only put 1 letter in and it was - you
have to be kidding me? - I have to push insert for each letter. but then
another search and it clued me into what you were trying to tell me in
the first place about the OVT on the status bar at the bottom. double
click that, and all is as I would expect. again thanks!

 

[Clive Huggan]

On 18/1/06 1:32 AM, in article %d7zf.1627$Bn4.1080@trndny08, "ndy"

I am pretty computer literate but never with a bona fide word processor

<snip>

You might therefore find a few of Word's default settings ­ such as
"helping" you, when you drag across a few letters, by selecting the whole
word ­ could do with some changes. I run through them on pages 32-42 of some
notes on the way I use Word for the Mac, titled "Bend Word to Your Will",
which are available as a free download from the Word MVPs' website
(http://word.mvps.org/MacWordNew/Bend/BendWord.htm).

[Note if you read more widely than pages 32-42 of "Bend Word to your will":
This document is designed to be used electronically and most subjects are
self-contained dictionary-style entries. Be sure to read the front end so
you can use the document to best advantage and select the right settings for
reading it.]

Cheers,

Clive Huggan
Canberra, Australia
(My time zone is 5-11 hours different from the US and Europe, so my
follow-on responses to those regions can be delayed)
============================================================
* A SUGGESTION -- WAIT FOR CONSIDERED ADVICE: If you post a question, keep
re-visiting the newsgroup for several days after the first response comes
in. Sometimes it takes a few responses before the best or complete solution
is proposed; sometimes you'll be asked for further information so that a
better answer can be provided. Good tips about getting the best out of
posting are at http://word.mvps.org/FindHelp/Posting.htm (if you use Safari
you may see a blank page and have to hit the circular arrow icon -- "Reload
the current page" -- a few times).

============================================================

 

[ndy]

You might therefore find a few of Word's default settings ­ such as
"helping" you, when you drag across a few letters, by selecting the whole
word ­ could do with some changes. I run through them on pages 32-42 of some
notes on the way I use Word for the Mac, titled "Bend Word to Your Will",
which are available as a free download from the Word MVPs' website
(http://word.mvps.org/MacWordNew/Bend/BendWord.htm).

[Note if you read more widely than pages 32-42 of "Bend Word to your will":
This document is designed to be used electronically and most subjects are
self-contained dictionary-style entries. Be sure to read the front end so
you can use the document to best advantage and select the right settings for
reading it.]

looks promising, I'll give that a try. now that I can at least do the
fundamentals without frustration I guess its time to do some woodshed
work with the program. I visited the MS Office websight and I figure
those online courses are worth the time and started the first one but 30
minutes into it I still didn't have the OVT reference, not knowing that
was what I needed to hear, so I came here. But, I think maybe those
courses will be worth the time, when I get the time. for now, I needed
to be writing! thanks again!