Why is existing text removed when I edit?

[Guest]

Often when I open a word document and want to edit it, the letters I am
typing replace the letters already in the document. As an example, if I want
to change the date, I highlight the date to edit, yet my inputting wipes out
the same number of letters following the highlighted section. What setting
do I have wrong?

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

Locate the Insert key on your keyboard. Press the Insert key once.

 

[Dan Freeman]

You're turning on Overtype mode.

The INS key toggles it on and off. Press it once to change it.

Dan