In Word, click on Tools | Options | Edit | check the "Typing
replaces selection" box | OK.

jasonz wrote:

i am using microsoft word, and when i highlight a particular text, i hit the
backspace button and nothing happens.

the only way i can delete text is to go to the word and point the arrow to
the end of the word and delete it that way.

i have never had problems with this before, but i would like to be able to
highlight the entire word, and then just hit the backspace button to delete
it.

any suggestions or ideas would be much appreciated