MS Word is being weird... what button did I press?

So it's finals week and I'm using MS Word pretty often to finish up papers and such, and at some point I'm guessing I just hit the wrong button and changed something, because:

1) When I select any amount of text by highlighting and then press backspace, it deletes the content and then immediately replaces it all again, as if I only wanted to put my cursor at the beginning of that text.

2) When I do the same thing except start typing in text instead of pressing backspace, it basically does the same thing. I can't get rid of text by highlighting it and pressing backspace or simply replacing it with something I'd rather say.

3) The delete key still works to do the job, but it's getting pretty old having to find a new way to perform tasks that have become second nature to me.

I'm just wondering what option I may have accidentally turned on or off in order to cause all this mischief? Or is the program itself acting up? I'm assuming this whole thing is my fault, but what can I do to fix it?

 

What version of Word are you using: XP, 2003, 2007? PC or Mac?

FJM

 

2002 SP3 on a PC with Windows XP on it.

 

I only have that version at home, where I am not right now. If no one else comes along before I get home tonight to look at my menus I will check it at home.

Based on my vague memory I would try hitting your "Insert" key and see if your delete function toggles back to the way it was working before. Other than that there is a drop down menu in the (I think) "Tools" menu item that is called "Options..." and there is likely a checkbox for behavior you describe. Sorry I can't be more help without this version in front of me.

 

Yeah I remember the old insert key of doom from my last computer, but this keyboard doesn't even have one, and the little "OVR" in the bottom of the screen is still grayed out. I'll check out those options you mentioned.

 

Hey! Sure enough it's under Tools>Options>Edit Tab. The very first check box is "Typing Replaces Selection," which, for whatever reason, was mysteriously unchecked. Thanks!