How to Stop Word from Deleting Selected Text as you Type?

By default, Microsoft Word documents replace the selected text when you start typing. However, if you need, you can stop or prevent deleting the selected text when you type. You can turn on or off this setting on MS Word using Word Options, Local Group Policy Editor, or Registry Editor.

Quick Note: Once you configure your Microsoft Word to prevent removing selected text when typing, you need to press the Backspace or Delete button after selecting the text to delete or remove it.

In this growupwindows article, we will guide you on enabling and disabling Word from deleting selected text as you type.

How to Prevent or Allow Microsoft Word from Deleting Selected Text as you Type in Word Options?

To make Microsoft Word stop removing selected text as you type in Word Options, use these steps:-

Step 1. First, launch the Microsoft Word document.

Step 2. Then, click the File menu.

Step 3. Next, choose Options in the left sidebar.

Step 4. When the Word Options panel appears on your computer, switch to the Advanced tab.

Step 5. After that, uncheck the option Typing replaces selected text under the “Editing options” section to block replacing selected text while typing.

Quick Note: You need to check the option Typing replaces selected text under the “Editing options” section if you want to ever the changes. This will allow replacing selected text while typing.

Step 6. Finally, click the OK button.

How to Block or Allow Microsoft Word from Deleting Selected Text as you Type using Local Group Policy Editor?

To stop Microsoft Word from removing selected text as you type using Windows 11/10 Local Group Policy Editor, do the following:-

Step 1. First, launch the Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Next, navigate or browse to the following path in the left sidebar of the Local Group Policy Editor window:-

User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Word 2016 > Word Options > Advanced

Step 3. Then, double-click on the policy name Typing replaces selected text on the right sidebar of the “Advanced” folder.

Step 4. Select Disabled option to block removing the selected text while typing in Word.

Quick Note: You need to select the Enabled option if you want to allow deleting the selected text while typing in Word.

Step 5. Click Apply.

Step 6. Click OK.

Step 7. Finally, reboot your computer to apply the changes.

How to Enable or Disable Deleting Selected Text when Typing in Word using Registry Editor?

To turn on or off removing selected text while typing in Word using Windows 11/10 Registry Editor, do these steps:-

Step 1. Firstly, open Registry Editor.

Step 2. Next, browse or navigate to the following key in the left sidebar of the Registry Editor window:-

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0

Step 3. Then, right-click on the 16.0 folder in the left side and choose New > Key.

Step 4. Name this newly created key as word.

Step 5. Now, right-click on the word folder and select New > Key.

Step 6. Name the newly created key as options.

Step 7. After that, right-click on the options folder and pick New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 8. Name the newly created REG_DWORD as autotextdelete.

Step 9. Now, double-click on the autotextdelete REG_DWORD and set its “Value data” to the following:-

• 0: Block removing the selected text while typing.
• 1: Allow deleting the selected text while typing.

Step 10. Click OK.

Step 11. Lastly, restart your computer to apply the changes.