Insert mode is a mechanism that allows users to insert text without overwriting other text. This mode, if it’s supported, is entered and exited by pressing the Insert key on a keyboard.

Pressing a keyboard key delete letters

When insert mode is disabled, any key you press (e.g., spacebar) will overwrite the letter to the right of the text cursor. When insert mode is enabled, no text is overwritten and will be inserted before the text to the right of the cursor.

In Microsoft Word, this mode is called overtype mode.

Not all programs support the ability to enable and disable the insert mode. For example, most browsers do not support the ability to disable insert mode with the Insert key.

Software terms, Text mode

  • How to enable and disable the Insert key in Microsoft Word.