Disabling the Insert Key

Summary: Tap the Insert key and you can start overwriting information already in a cell. If you don't want to do this, one way to avoid the problem is to disable the Insert key itself. Here's some ideas on how it can be done. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

Dave admits he is an inaccurate typist, and he often hits the Insert key when he doesn't mean to. He wonders if there is a way to disable the Insert key in Excel, short of using a screwdriver to pry it off.

There are a number of things you could try. If you don't need to use the Insert key in any program (not just Excel), you can disable the Insert key in Windows by editing the Registry. This page indicates how you can accomplish the task:

http://www.wikihow.com/Disable-the-Insert-Key-in-Windows

Another option, without the necessity of modifying the Registry, is to use a third-party program to change how each key on your system behaves. Here are two candidates you can check out. Both are free, and the first one is more full-featured.

http://inchwest.com/mapkeyboard.aspx
http://www.brainsystems.com/capsunlock/

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (5599) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Disabling the Insert Key