Insert key won't replace type in Word

[Doctordestiny]

On my Dell computer when I'm in Word and push the insert key to type and replace copy as I do so, it doesn't replace the characters. It works on websites. In fact, I just tried it here and typed letters to replace characters and it does work on this site, but not in Word. Is there something I can do to make the insert key work in Word? My Dell is a couple of years old and it has never worked in Word but I've just ignored the issue until now.

[HeartsOfFire]

Weird... does the INS/OVR tag at the bottom of the Word screen highlight when the key is active?

[Phaneuf3]

I know using overtype mode is disabled by default in word 2007. Insert key does nothing by default too.

For 2007: Click on that office icon thing in the top left. Go to 'word options'. It's down near the bottom of that menu. Go to Advanced. Check off 'Use insert key to control overtype mode'.

TADA!


There's probably similar instructions for other versions of word. If you don't have a version with the new ribbon interface, try Tools -> Options instead.

[Hanni]

If you click the Office Button – click on Word Options – then click on Advanced. Under the Section for Editing options. There is a place to select use the Insert key to control overwright mode.

edit: just beaten to it.

[onetwo_threefour]

If you're using older Word as we still are...

On the menu bar click Tools----> Options (very bottom of the Tools drop down menu) -----> On the Edit Tab the first selection needs to be checked, should be something like 'Typing replaces selection'

There must have been an update or something as two of my assistants had this problem yesterday and I had to fix it for them. It seems to happen every few months, the setting suddenly changes for no apparent reason.

Edit: Actually, this is a different issue than yours which has nothing to do with the INSERT key. My bad, sorry. In Word 2003 you should just be able to press INSERT to toggle overtype mode, unless NUMLOCK is on.

[Doctordestiny]

LOL. I did as Phaneuf and Hanni suggested and under Word Options/Advanced I clicked on Typing replaces selected text and now it is replacing text, but when I hit Insert key again I can't turn it off. Crap, I want to do both - replace text but also be able to type within text without replacing text.

What am I doing wrong?

[Hanni]

You should just be able to hit insert again and it will disable overtype.

[Doctordestiny]

Originally Posted by Hanni

You should just be able to hit insert again and it will disable overtype.

Nope. I hit Insert again and it changes nothing. If I go to Word options and change it as I did, when I hit Insert multiple times it changes nothing. It still replaces the type.

[onetwo_threefour]

Have you made aure that numlock is off?

[Doctordestiny]

It's off.