Inserting New Text into Existing Text


When you want to insert text in the middle of a sentence or paragraph that you've already typed, Word assumes that you want the existing text to move out of the way to make room for the new text. Word calls this default behavior insert mode . To insert text, you simply move the insertion point to the place where you want the text to go and start typing. Any text to the right of the insertion point shifts over as you type. Note that when you insert text, you usually need to add a space either at the beginning or the end of the insertion.

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If you are revising text throughout your document and want to return to the previous editing location, press Shift+F5.


Typing over Existing Text

Once in a while, you might want the text that you insert to replace existing text. To do this, press the Insert key on the keyboard to switch to Overtype mode . When you're using Overtype mode, every character you type replaces the character immediately to the right of the insertion point. The Insert key is a toggle, so you press it again when you want to return to Insert mode.

Watch your screen carefully when you're using Overtype mode. If you forget that you're in Overtype mode and merrily type away, you'll probably replace not only the text you wanted to delete but a sizable chunk of text that you wanted to keep as well.

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The Insert key is right next to the Home, Delete, and End keys on the keyboard, so it's easy to press it accidentally when you mean to press another key. If you notice that your existing text is getting "gobbled up" as you type, it's a sure sign that you inadvertently switched to Overtype mode. Press the Insert key again to switch out of it, and then click the Undo button in the Standard toolbar one or more times to restore the deleted text.


You can also switch to Overtype mode by double-clicking the letters OVR in the right half of the status bar. The letters turn dark to indicate that you're in Overtype mode (see Figure 2.13). To return to Insert mode, double-click OVR again.

Figure 2.13. When you're in Overtype mode, the letters OVR in the status bar are dark.

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Double-Clicking to Move the Insertion Point Anywhere on the Page

Word's click-and-type features enable you to start typing in a blank area of your document by simply double-clicking at the desired location. For example, you can double-click in the middle of the page to center your text, double-click on the right margin to make the text flush right, or double-click several lines below your last line of text to create a large block of white space above the text. You don't have to first change your alignment, insert custom tabs, or press Enter repeatedly to create white space at the end of the document. (You will learn about alignment and custom tabs in Hour 7, "Formatting Paragraphs.") Word makes these changes for you when you double-click.

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Click-and-type works only in Print Layout view and Web Layout view. To make sure you're using Print Layout view, choose View, Print Layout (Web Layout view is useful only if you're using Word to design Web pages).


To practice using click-and-type, start a new document, and move your I-beam to the right margin of the page. After a moment, an icon appears next to the I-beam indicating that your text is right-aligned (see Figure 2.14). Double-click to move the insertion point to this spot. If you start typing, your text is flush against the right margin.

Figure 2.14. This click-and-type I-beam indicates right alignment.

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If double-clicking doesn't move the insertion point, make sure you are in Print Layout view (choose View, Print Layout) and then choose Tools, Options, click the Edit tab, make sure the Enable Click and Type check box is marked , and click OK.


Now position the I-beam about halfway across the page. The I-beam icon changes to indicate center alignment. Double-click to move the insertion point. Any text you type now is centered horizontally on the page.

Next, point to a location anywhere on the page but about one-half inch from the left margin, on the right margin, or in the center. (Pointing to one of these locations would display an I-beam icon that indicates, respectively, left alignment with the first line indented, right alignment, or center alignment.) The I-beam icon indicates left alignment. Double-click to move the insertion point. If you start typing now, your text is left-aligned at the location you double-clicked.

Now position your I-beam about one-half inch in from the left margin. The I-beam icon changes slightly to indicate that it will create a first-line indent for you when you double-click (see Figure 2.15). If you do this, the first line of your paragraph will be indented one-half inch.

Figure 2.15. This click-and-type I-beam indicates a first-line indent.

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Finally, move the I-beam several inches down from the top margin of the page, and double-click. Word moves the insertion point down to the line you double-clicked on. If you start typing now, you have several blank lines above your text.

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You don't have to use click-and-type if you don't want to. You can still move the insertion point into blank areas of the page by using the traditional formatting methods , which you'll learn about in Hour 7. If you'd like to disable click-and-type because the changing I-beam is distracting, choose Tools, Options, click the Edit tab, clear the Enable Click and Type check box, and click OK.




Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Word 2003 in 24 Hours
Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Word 2003 in 24 Hours
ISBN: 067232556X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 315
Authors: Heidi Steele

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