Typing over previous text

M

Monique

I've been typing since I was 7 (so for 31 years!) and this is an incredibly easy question to answer (I would think) but I can't find an answer anywhere (ARGH!!). I have started typing reports using Microsoft Word and I want to simply type over a previous report, as there are several paragraphs that are the same. But what I thought would be the usual key (the insert/type-over) has no control over this. Please, please, for my sanity, how do I type over pre-existing text as I am typing? I've spent 60 minutes looking at all the help links and not one references this.
 
A

Anne Troy

Try Tools-Options, Edit tab. "Overtype mode" should be checked. However, you
can ALWAYS select that entire paragraph, and start typing, which will
replace the existing text.
<-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*->
Hope this helps!
Anne Troy (better known as Dreamboat)
Author: Dreamboat on Word
Email: Dreamboat*at*Piersontech.com
Web: www.TheOfficeExperts.com
<-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*-><-*->
Monique said:
I've been typing since I was 7 (so for 31 years!) and this is an
Click to expand...
incredibly easy question to answer (I would think) but I can't find an
answer anywhere (ARGH!!). I have started typing reports using Microsoft
Word and I want to simply type over a previous report, as there are several
paragraphs that are the same. But what I thought would be the usual key
(the insert/type-over) has no control over this. Please, please, for my
sanity, how do I type over pre-existing text as I am typing? I've spent 60
minutes looking at all the help links and not one references this.
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

There are two settings that control this. If you're really just typing over
existing text, then having OVR enabled should do it, but if you're trying to
select a block of text and then type over it, you must have "Typing replaces
selection" checked on the Edit tab of Tools | Options.



Monique said:
I've been typing since I was 7 (so for 31 years!) and this is an
Click to expand...
incredibly easy question to answer (I would think) but I can't find an
answer anywhere (ARGH!!). I have started typing reports using Microsoft
Word and I want to simply type over a previous report, as there are several
paragraphs that are the same. But what I thought would be the usual key
(the insert/type-over) has no control over this. Please, please, for my
sanity, how do I type over pre-existing text as I am typing? I've spent 60
minutes looking at all the help links and not one references this.
 
S

sf

I've been typing since I was 7 (so for 31 years!) and this is an incredibly easy question to answer (I would think) but I can't find an answer anywhere (ARGH!!). I have started typing reports using Microsoft Word and I want to simply type over a previous report, as there are several paragraphs that are the same. But what I thought would be the usual key (the insert/type-over) has no control over this. Please, please, for my sanity, how do I type over pre-existing text as I am typing? I've spent 60 minutes looking at all the help links and not one references this.
Click to expand...

Have you tried pressing the "insert" key next to your "back"
arrow?


Practice safe eating - always use condiments
 
S

sf

if you're trying to
select a block of text and then type over it, you must have "Typing replaces
selection" checked on the Edit tab of Tools | Options.
Click to expand...

You just brought up a topic that has me confused lately. In
the past, I've been able to highlight a block of text and
just type to replace it... but no more!

This isn't limited to one computer either, it's the case
with both my home Win98 and my work XP. I just checked out
"home" and "Typing replaces selection" is selected. I
suspect it is also the case on my work computer too. What
else should I look at?

TIA



Practice safe eating - always use condiments
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

That's a different issue. On the General tab of Tools | Options, clear the
check boxes for both items that refer to WordPerfect.
 
S

sf

That's a different issue. On the General tab of Tools | Options, clear the
check boxes for both items that refer to WordPerfect.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, but they were already unchecked... is
there any other place to look?


Practice safe eating - always use condiments
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

In your case, "Typing replaces selection" should be the relevant setting.
 
S

sf

In your case, "Typing replaces selection" should be the relevant setting.
Click to expand...

Isn't that the same as toggling "insert"? I've tried it and
it seems the same to me.

I'm beginning to think I dreamed up a situation where I
highlighted and overtyped, but didn't continue typing in the
insert mode.


Practice safe eating - always use condiments
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

No, it is not the same. Insert vs. overtype affects what happens when you
place the insertion point in existing text. "Typing replaces selection"
affects what happens when you select (highlight) text and start typing
(intending to replace the selected text).
 
C

Charles Kenyon

Nope, not the same, complementary. If you toggle the Insert function, your
typing replaces text that follows, not selected text.
 
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