text: on mac: word- everytime i go to add something it erases the words after it. help!? i have a microsoft word on mac. and i've hit a key that activates this function to erase whatever i've written if i go back and try to insert something later. i don't know how to turn it off. please help i had this same problem for a while, too. you need to go to "preferences" in the "file" drop-down bar, and go to "edit." look on the checklist. you will notice the words "overtype mode." uncheck this preference, and you're home free!