Replacing Text Selections

Summary: By default, Word uses what you type to replace anything you had selected when you started typing. If you don't like that approach to editing, you can change Word's behavior by making just one little change in the Options dialog box. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

By default, if you have selected some text and then press any key except a cursor control key, the selected text is replaced with what you type. This can be annoying, especially if this behavior does not match what you are familiar with in another word processor. To disable this aspect of Word, follow these steps:

Choose Options from the Tools menu. You will see the Options dialog box.
Make sure the Edit tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Click on Typing Replaces Selection. If the check box is selected, then what you type replaces what you have selected; if it is not selected then what you type is inserted before what you have selected.
Click on OK.

Tip #1162 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Replacing Text Selections