XL: INS Key Doesn't Turn on Overtype/Display OVR in Status Bar

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.x, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for Windows NT, version 5.0
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you press the INS key, overtype may not be turned on and the text OVR may not appear in the status bar.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs when the formula bar is not active: that is, you are not currently editing a cell. This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel. Overtype mode is used for typing new text over existing text. You can activate overtype mode in Microsoft Excel by pressing the INS key while editing the contents of a cell on your worksheet. When this key is activated, the status bar displays OVR (overtype) and the characters that you type replace the characters in the active cell instead of being added to the existing characters.

RESOLUTION

To edit the contents of a cell on your worksheet in order to use the INS key, use the appropriate method below.

All Versions Microsoft Excel

Select the cell on your worksheet that you want to edit, and click in the formula bar. You can now press INS to turn on overtype.

Microsoft Excel Version 5.0

In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, double-click the cell you want to edit. This also activates the formula bar, and you can now press INS to turn on overtype.

MORE INFORMATION

Note that after you finish editing a cell with overtype on, when you select another cell, overtype is turned off and OVR no longer appears on the status bar. To turn off overtype, you can also press the ESC key.