Word 2010 Video Lessons

Editing Text in Word 2010

As soon as you open a new blank document in Word 2010, you can start typing right away. Each word you enter appears directly after the last one, so the document simply grows as you write.

Editing Text That Is Already There

You don't have to stick to new text — you can also change content that already exists. Place the cursor just before a word and start typing; by default your new characters are inserted in front of that word, pushing it further along.

Deleting Characters

To remove a single letter, put the cursor before it and press Delete, or place the cursor after it and press Backspace. For example, Delete removes a letter that trails the cursor, while Backspace clears an unwanted space. Hold either key down and Word keeps deleting for as long as you press it.

Insert Mode vs. Overtype Mode

As mentioned above, typing with the cursor before a word inserts your characters ahead of it — that happens because insert mode is turned on. Press the Insert key on your keyboard to toggle insert mode off and on. When it is off, whatever you type replaces the existing words instead of pushing them forward, which is known as overtyping. Press Insert again to switch insert mode back on and return to normal typing.

If the Insert key appears to do nothing and your typing keeps overwriting text, check your Word settings. Open the File tab, choose Options, then go to the Advanced section. Find the setting labelled “Use the Insert key to control overtype mode.” If pressing Insert has no effect, that checkbox is likely unchecked — tick it and click OK.

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