How do I switch off the overtype feature in Microsoft Word?

Q This may be a seemingly trivial question, but how do I stop Microsoft Word overwriting when I’m typing?

My computer started doing this for no apparent reason and I cannot figure out how to change the setting.
John Booker

A We’re very familiar with this annoying problem. It’s usually caused by an inadvertent press of the Insert key on the keyboard, as this toggles Word’s overtype mode on and off.

When overtype mode is on in Word 2003, you’ll see the letters ‘OVR’ highlighted in the status bar at the bottom of the Word application window; when it’s off, this abbreviation is greyed out.

So, either press the Insert key to switch it off or double-click the OVR legend.

(In Word 2007, you will need to click the Office button followed by Word Options. Now click Advanced in the left-hand pane and, under Editing options, click to remove the tick from the ‘Use overtype mode’ box.)

A few members of the Computeractive team have employed extreme measures to counter this annoyance, prising the Insert keys off the keyboards.