typing over text

[Rebekah]

I am using Word 2002. Recently, when I select text and
attempt to type over it (without deleting the old text
first) the text is not deleted; instead, the new text is
placed in front of old text. Also, when I select text
and press the "backspace" button, the text is not
deleted. This problem appeared out of nowhere. I have
tried reinstalling the softward and resetting my user
settings to no avail. Any advice? Thanks!
Rebekah

 

[Jay Freedman]

Hi, Rebekah,

Just press the Insert key to toggle between "insert mode" and "overtype
mode". The indicator is the letters OVR on the status bar at the bottom of
the window -- if the letters are gray, you're in insert mode; if they're
black, you're in overtype mode. (You can also toggle the mode by
double-clicking the OVR letters.)

If you find that you often hit the Insert key by mistake, you can go to
Tools > Options > Edit and check the box labeled "Use the INS key for
paste". That will change the function of the key so that it pastes the
clipboard contents (if any). You can still toggle overtype by
double-clicking the OVR indicator.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Tools | Options | Edit: Check the box for "Typing replaces selection."

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.mvps.org/word
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