Text disappears as I type

Applies To
Word for Microsoft 365 Word 2024 Word 2021 Word 2019 Word 2016

Symptoms

As you type in a document, text at the insertion point is deleted.

Cause

Overtype mode is turned on and the Insert key was pressed on the keyboard.

Resolution

Turn off overtype mode:

  1. Click File > Options.
  2. Click Advanced.
  3. Under Editing options, clear both the Use the Insert key to control overtype mode and the Use overtype mode check boxes.
    The Overtype options in Word