https://bugs.documentfoundation.org/show_bug.cgi?id=155561
Bug ID: 155561
Summary: Option to Disable Overwrite Mode (Insert Key)
Product: LibreOffice
Version: 7.5.3.2 release
Hardware: All
OS: All
Status: UNCONFIRMED
Severity: enhancement
Priority: medium
Component: Writer
Assignee: libreoffice-bugs@lists.freedesktop.org
Reporter: tex2002ans+libreoff...@gmail.com
Description:
Pressing the 'Insert' key turns on Overwrite mode.
Most users turn this on by accident, begin deleting/overwriting their text,
then have no idea how to turn it off.
This leads to many user questions/complaints on forums + social media, looking
for a solution.
For some examples:
-
https://www.reddit.com/r/libreoffice/comments/x2smwp/librewriter_when_working_on_previous_saved/
- https://ask.libreoffice.org/t/overtype-mode-how-turn-it-off/62168
- https://ask.libreoffice.org/t/how-to-cancel-overwrite/35049
-
https://ask.libreoffice.org/t/how-do-i-turn-off-overwrite-in-libre-write/39306
-
https://ask.libreoffice.org/t/when-typing-it-overwrites-existing-text-will-not-insert/58143
SOLUTION
I think it would be a good idea to add an option to:
- Disable 'Insert' button + "Overwrite Mode" completely.
Might even be a good idea to have the options:
- ON by default.
- - -
COMPETITORS
In Microsoft Word, there is a 2 checkboxes to:
- Use the Insert key to control overtype mode
- Use overtype mode
These can be found in:
- File > Options
- Advanced
See their Help article:
- "Type over text in Word for Windows"
-
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/type-over-text-in-word-for-windows-62c15c48-0936-4902-affe-4cadd71b7038
Their mode is called "Overtype" (Word) vs. "Overwrite" (LibreOffice).
- - -
CURRENTLY
I'm betting:
- 99%+ of users clicking into this mode stumble upon it by complete accident.
- <1% of users may even know what this mode is AND deliberately want it on.
Disabling by default would instead flip it, so:
- 99% of users will never come across this issue.
- <1% who know what it is, can now go into the Options and ENABLE it.
I think this would drastically cut down on user support + forum/social media
complaints.
Steps to Reproduce:
1. Press the 'Insert' key.
Actual Results:
"Overwrite Mode" turns on/off.
Expected Results:
Nothing changes. LibreOffice stays in default "Insert" mode.
Reproducible: Always
User Profile Reset: No
Additional Info:
Back in 2019, there was this blog post as well:
- https://design.blog.documentfoundation.org/2019/01/31/overwrite-on-macos/
so a few more other shortcuts may need to be handled/disabled in other OSes.
- - -
Personally, I'd be on the side of:
- Insert Mode ON by default.
- Overwrite Mode DISABLED by default.
--- Those who want to turn it on can go out of their way to enable.
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