Help Desk Geek – Help Desk Tips For IT Pros

By default, when you first install Word, the Insert key is used to turn the overtype mode on and off, which replaces text as you type over it. If you are used to working with other word processors or text editors that use the Insert key differently, this can be awkward.

In some word processors and text editors, the Insert key is used to place the text at the current cursor position, and not replace text that is already there. You can set the Insert key in Word to function the same as the Ctrl + V key combination used to paste text – it will insert the contents of the Clipboard at the current cursor position.

To change the way the Insert key behaves in Word 2007 and later versions, click Word Options on the Office menu.

On the Word Options dialog box, click Advanced in the list on the left.

In the Cut, copy, and paste section, select the Use the Insert key for paste check box so a check mark displays.

NOTE: Turning on the Use the Insert key for paste option in Word 2007 converts the Insert key so it pastes text at the current insertion point rather than turning on and off the overtype mode.

Therefore, if you want to use the overtype mode in Word 2007, you must open the Word Options dialog box, click Advanced in the list on the left, and select the Use overtype mode check box in the Editing options section. The Use the Insert key to control overtype mode check box above the Use overtype mode check box will turn off the Use the Insert key for paste check box and returns the Insert key to the default behavior of turning on and off overtype mode.

You cannot have the Use the Insert key for paste check box and the Use the Insert key to control overtype mode check box selected at the same time. Selecting one turns off the other.

Click OK to close the Word Options dialog box.

To change the way the Insert key behaves in Word 2003 and earlier versions, select Options from the Tools menu.

On the Options dialog box, click the Edit tab. Select the Use the INS key for paste check box in the Editing options section so a check mark displays.

NOTE: Just like in Word 2007, turning on the Use the INS key for paste option in Word 2003 converts the Insert key so it pastes text at the current insertion point rather than turning on and off the overtype mode. Therefore, if you want to use the overtype mode in Word 2003, you must open the Options dialog box, click the Edit tab and select the Overtype mode check box. You can also double-click on the OVR indicator on the status bar at the bottom of the Word window, as pictured in the following image.

Click OK to close the Options dialog box.

Now, you can press one key to paste text at the current cursor location. To go back to the default Insert key behavior, just turn off the Use the Insert key for paste option again.

by Lori Kaufman