For some reason, I keep switching involuntarily into overtype mode (in Word
2002- SP2). It is possible I am accidentally hitting the INSERT key (I'm on a
new keyboard) but I don't think so. Even if I am, I would like to block
overtype - which I never use - without having to double click OVR on the
status bar or hit the INSERT key each time. Or is there some other arcane
shortcut key combinationa I'm hitting by mistake?

So, how can I block overtype mode, please?

Hello Clive-

I don't know of any way to permanently disable Overtype, but you can
reassign the Insert key in a couple ways.

One is in ToolsOptionsEdit and select the option for Use INS for Paste. Of
course, if you are hitting it accidentally you will paste whatever may be on
the clipboard. That may be more problematic than Overtype.

Another option is to record a macro that takes no actions and assign the
Insert key as it's keyboard shortcut & saved to AllDocuments (Normal.dot).
That effectively 'kills' the key altogether.

Good Luck |:)

"Clive Viegas Bennett" wrote:

For some reason, I keep switching involuntarily into overtype mode (in Word
2002- SP2). It is possible I am accidentally hitting the INSERT key (I'm on a
new keyboard) but I don't think so. Even if I am, I would like to block
overtype - which I never use - without having to double click OVR on the
status bar or hit the INSERT key each time. Or is there some other arcane
shortcut key combinationa I'm hitting by mistake?

So, how can I block overtype mode, please?

To disable the Insert key in Word, click on Tools | Customize |
Keyboard | Categories: All Commands | Commands: Overtype |
Current keys: Insert | Remove. If you are prompted to save
Normal.dot when you exit Word, say yes. You can still turn on
overtype mode when needed by double-clicking on the OVR indicator
on the Status Bar at the bottom of your Word window.

Clive Viegas Bennett wrote:
For some reason, I keep switching involuntarily into overtype mode (in Word
2002- SP2). It is possible I am accidentally hitting the INSERT key (I'm on a
new keyboard) but I don't think so. Even if I am, I would like to block
overtype - which I never use - without having to double click OVR on the
status bar or hit the INSERT key each time. Or is there some other arcane
shortcut key combinationa I'm hitting by mistake?

So, how can I block overtype mode, please?

"garfield-n-odie" wrote:

To disable the Insert key in Word, click on Tools | Customize |
Keyboard | Categories: All Commands | Commands: Overtype |
Current keys: Insert | Remove. If you are prompted to save
Normal.dot when you exit Word, say yes. You can still turn on
overtype mode when needed by double-clicking on the OVR indicator
on the Status Bar at the bottom of your Word window.


Thanks: I don't know if disabling the Insert key has worked but at least I now know the technical term is Overtype, rather than 'Why is it eating the **** text again?' and I know what the OVR button is for!

This has been annoying me off and on for years, so cheers!

Glad to help. :-)

johnnychips wrote:

This has been annoying me off and on for years, so cheers!

"garfield-n-odie" wrote:

To disable the Insert key in Word, click on Tools | Customize |
Keyboard | Categories: All Commands | Commands: Overtype |
Current keys: Insert | Remove. If you are prompted to save
Normal.dot when you exit Word, say yes. You can still turn on
overtype mode when needed by double-clicking on the OVR indicator
on the Status Bar at the bottom of your Word window.

[SS]

YESSSS! Hallelujah! This problem has been a thorn in my side for years, and
now I can FINALLY permanently disable it. YEA!

"garfield-n-odie" wrote:

To disable the Insert key in Word, click on Tools | Customize |
Keyboard | Categories: All Commands | Commands: Overtype |
Current keys: Insert | Remove. If you are prompted to save
Normal.dot when you exit Word, say yes. You can still turn on
overtype mode when needed by double-clicking on the OVR indicator
on the Status Bar at the bottom of your Word window.

Clive Viegas Bennett wrote:
For some reason, I keep switching involuntarily into overtype mode (in Word
2002- SP2). It is possible I am accidentally hitting the INSERT key (I'm on a
new keyboard) but I don't think so. Even if I am, I would like to block
overtype - which I never use - without having to double click OVR on the
status bar or hit the INSERT key each time. Or is there some other arcane
shortcut key combinationa I'm hitting by mistake?

So, how can I block overtype mode, please?

[Frustrated Outlook User]

I get the same thing that the original posting indicated. For some
mind-numbingly frustrating reason, in Outlook while using Word as my editor
whenever I mouse-click back into some text that I've already typed, the
editor seems to automatically switch into overtype mode. I'm not hitting the
INSERT key and in Outlook there's no way to double-click OVR in the status
bar. This only happens in Outlook.

Any ideas (other than choosing a different editor for email, which is my
next step)?

"Clive Viegas Bennett" wrote:

For some reason, I keep switching involuntarily into overtype mode (in Word
2002- SP2). It is possible I am accidentally hitting the INSERT key (I'm on a
new keyboard) but I don't think so. Even if I am, I would like to block
overtype - which I never use - without having to double click OVR on the
status bar or hit the INSERT key each time. Or is there some other arcane
shortcut key combinationa I'm hitting by mistake?

So, how can I block overtype mode, please?

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

The Insert key is a toggle. When you find yourself in Overtype mode in any
application, press Insert again to toggle back. It is dismayingly easy to
hit Insert by mistake when you're shooting for Backspace or Delete.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

"Frustrated Outlook User" Frustrated Outlook
wrote in message
...
I get the same thing that the original posting indicated. For some
mind-numbingly frustrating reason, in Outlook while using Word as my
editor
whenever I mouse-click back into some text that I've already typed, the
editor seems to automatically switch into overtype mode. I'm not hitting
the
INSERT key and in Outlook there's no way to double-click OVR in the status
bar. This only happens in Outlook.

Any ideas (other than choosing a different editor for email, which is my
next step)?

"Clive Viegas Bennett" wrote:

For some reason, I keep switching involuntarily into overtype mode (in
Word
2002- SP2). It is possible I am accidentally hitting the INSERT key (I'm
on a
new keyboard) but I don't think so. Even if I am, I would like to block
overtype - which I never use - without having to double click OVR on the
status bar or hit the INSERT key each time. Or is there some other
arcane
shortcut key combinationa I'm hitting by mistake?

So, how can I block overtype mode, please?

[Rich]

"johnnychips" wrote:



"garfield-n-odie" wrote:

To disable the Insert key in Word, click on Tools | Customize |
Keyboard | Categories: All Commands | Commands: Overtype |
Current keys: Insert | Remove. If you are prompted to save
Normal.dot when you exit Word, say yes. You can still turn on
overtype mode when needed by double-clicking on the OVR indicator
on the Status Bar at the bottom of your Word window.

-----------------
I tried that, but the "customize" option is dimmed out. Vos ist los?