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Disable overtype mode Excel 2016

Anonymous
2017-04-18T22:43:30+00:00

How does one disable overtype mode Excel 2016? When I am editing a cell and click the minus sign, overtype mode automatically engages.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2017-05-02T09:33:26+00:00

Hi Justin,

You may inactivate Excel add-ins and check if you can use over type mode normally.

Here is the steps to inactivate Excel add-ins:

  1. Go to File>Options>Add-Ins.
  2. Choose Excel Add-ins in the Manage box and click Go.
  3. Clear the check box next to the add-in then click OK.

Note: Inactivating add-ins does not remove the add-ins from your computer. You can add them back.

If above don't help, we suggest you uninstall Office and reinstall Office from portal, then check the result.

Here is an article for your reference:

Uninstall Office from a PC.

Regards,

Tina

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-04-19T01:57:28+00:00

    Hi Justin,

    From the article: Save time with overtype mode in Office, we can see that when Overtype Mode is available, we can usually toggle it on or off using the Insert key depending on how you configure it. For Excel, it has been enabled by default. In Excel, Overtype mode is enabled as long as Allow editing directly in cells remains checked in the Advanced tab of Options. We need to double-click in the cell, otherwise the entire contents of the cell will be replaced when you begin typing. 

    Therefore, I would suggest you disable Allow editing directly in cells or press Insert key to turn it off and see if the issue can be fixed. 

    Regards,

    Shirley

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-25T01:18:53+00:00

    Hi Justin,

    Do you need further assistance? 

    Regards,

    Shirley

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-04-22T06:25:48+00:00

    Hi Justin,

    If it is convenient, could you change another keyboard to check if you run into the same issue? If so, the root cause is located in Office. If not, it is an issue on keyboard. 

    Regards,

    Shirley

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-04-21T22:11:40+00:00

    Hi Shirley,

    Thanks for the response. The problem actually occurs once I am already editing a cell. In other words, once I click "F2" and begin editing a cell, Overtype Mode is off, but it turns on once I press the "-" symbol.

    I need to be able to edit directly in cells, and this is a bit of a nuisance for me while editing formulas.

    Thank you for your help!

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