Snake eating its tail

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 9 Oct 2003 11:46 am

Sometimes, seemingly out of nowhere, when I'm typing an email in my Outlook Express or, just a moment ago when I was typing in the forum text box, when I go back to correct a typo, instead of inserting a new letter it will insert the letter and eat (replace) the next letter. And on and on. In other words when I insert a character it doesn't push any text ahead of it forward--it erases, replaces it.
And yet, although it was just doing this before, right now, in this post, it's ok.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? and does anyone know what's up with that?

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 9 Oct 2003 11:52 am

Press the Insert key to toggle this feature.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 9 Oct 2003 12:02 pm

Well I'll be....

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 9 Oct 2003 1:16 pm

I've had the same problem occasionally and couldn't find out what caused it! ....what (where)is the "insert" key?

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 9 Oct 2003 1:26 pm

Usually the <insert> key is in the same keygroup in the right hand side of the keyboard. Can be found near other keys marked Delete, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down.

If you're runnin' a laptop or abbreviated keyboard then ya gotta hunt for it.

Not to be confused with the "any" key which exists only in humor land.

"Insert" is a function that toggles between insert and overwrite behavior.

Regards...[This message was edited by Ray Minich on 09 October 2003 at 02:27 PM.][This message was edited by Ray Minich on 09 October 2003 at 02:27 PM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 9 Oct 2003 2:58 pm

Thanks Ray....sho nuff, it was right there with that group of keys that I never use.... hidden under the edge of my lap tray!

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 9 Oct 2003 3:52 pm

I didn't know that!
It happens to me on rare occasions, I never knew why.

Thanks for asking (and the answer).

David Cobb · Post by **David Cobb** » 9 Oct 2003 8:30 pm

This post made my night, having figured out a few months ago why my letters were being "eaten" by the insert function key.
So I'm not alone after all.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 10 Oct 2003 1:14 am

Assuming you're a WORD user -- The way to set the default (if yours happens to be doing this when you first get it) is to go to your tool panal bar . . .
click TOOLS
then OPTIONS
then EDITING OPTIONS

make sure the box next to "over-type" is NOT checked.
Another good option to check: "Typing replaces selection". This is for Highlighting a word (or portion of), then typing right over it. This is a good feature for changing addresses in lengthly web paths.

That INSERT key should just have a snake icon to identify it. It made me crazy about 4 years ago. I'm better now - at least my Shrink says I am.