How to Have Word Not Replace the Selected Text After Typing [Tutorial]
50How to Have Word Not Replace the Selected Text After Typing [Tutorial]
A computer has two different typing modes -- the insert mode and the overtype mode. The former is the default mode and works much as you'd expect, with what you type being inserted at the location of the text cursor, displacing existing text. The latter replaces text instead of displacing it, effectively "typing over it" as the name implies. You can toggle between these two modes by pressing a key; if you don't think you'll ever use the overtype mode, you can also permanently switch it off in Microsoft Word.
Issues addressed in this tutorial:
word not replacing text
word not replacing selected text
word automatically replace text
how to stop word replacing text
how to make text in word not editable
word not replace text by field
Editing a document in Word will create many situations where a word or paragraph is selected. Whether you need to change the formatting of a word, or you have been using the find and replace tool to fix incorrect or improperly used words, it is very likely that you will need to select some text.
The default setting in Word is for that selected text to be automatically replaced with whatever you type. This can cause you to lose a lot of information if you don’t notice it immediately, so you might prefer if Word stopped that behavior.
By default, in Word, when you select text and then type anything, the selected text is replaced with what you type. This can be frustrating if you’ve highlighted some text and then accidentally pressed a key and lost your work.
There is a setting for this behavior in Word that is on by default. To turn off this setting and avoid replacing selected text with what you type, click the “File” tab.
This tutorial will apply for Microsoft Word 2021, 2019, 2013, and 2010 for both Windows (such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Toshiba, Acer, Asus) and macOS (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook Mini) devices.