when typing, text disappears!

[Stephen Fox]

All of a sudden, when I start typing in an existing document, the text
AHEAD of where I'm typing disappears! I have absolutely NO CLUE. What
can I do to set things right; that is, text disappears when you backspace?

Steve

 

[CyberTaz]

You've accidentally pressed the Insert Key or clicked the worng spot &
gotten yourself into Overtype Mode. Press the key again to toggle it off or
click the (I think it's red) button on the Status Bar (at the bottom right
of the document window).

 

[Stephen Fox]

Taz,

I solved the problem with the "OVR" button in the status bar, as you
suggested. Actually, I think it had corrected itself when I shut down
the computer. In Word X it is not red, but goes to green when you
select to overwrite text.

I suspect I did hit the wrong key, but on my keyboard there is no key
labeled "Insert." It would be good for me to know which key it is and
how it is labeled. Thanks!

Steve

 

[CyberTaz]

If you're working on a laptop it's probably labeled INS, but it's there
somewhere

If you've no use for it & want to disable the keystroke altogther, go into
the Customize dialog, click the Keyboard button, then choose All Commands
from the list of Categories. Click anywhere in the right list of Commands,
type the letter O & scroll to locate & select the Overtype command. the
assigned keystroke will appear in the box labeled Current Keys - select it,
then click the Delete button.

 

[Stephen Fox]

Not using a laptop. Full keyboard. Maybe it's one of the "F" keys?

No idea about all the rest of your message. Wouldn't even know where to
find the "Customize dialog." Are you speaking of something on the Mac
or Word program?

Steve

 

[CyberTaz]

No, not a Function key, but not knowing what keyboard you have I can't say
exactly how it might be marked. In general, the Insert key on a full
keyboard is in the navigation group right above the del (forward delete) key
and just to the left of the Home key. It may also be labeled Help.

However, it's all academic now as I've remembered that Mac Word *doesn't*
use that assignment after all - it's just WinWord that does I wasn't at a
Mac when I replied before. I'm not sure about Office X, but in 2004 there
isn't a keystroke assigned to Overtype at all, so you must have accidentally
clicked the OVR button - perhaps while aiming at something in the Dock.

Clive has pointed you in the right direction for customizing keystrokes.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac