Is there an alternative to the 'insert' key?

Question

On my logitech keyboard the Insert key has been replaced by a doubly big delete button.

I don't mind, because I never use insert mode.

However, very occasionally I end up in insert mode. Of course, when this happens, I don't have an Insert key to get me back out. So I need a reboot

How can this happen?

Is there another shortcut that gets me into 'insert' mode?

Anand · Answer 1 · 2009-07-24T16:07:11.523

33

Remove num-lock and press 0 on the numpad.

edited Jul 24 '09 at 16:07

answered Jul 24 '09 at 13:52

Anand

1,795

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 24 '09 at 14:59

I just read somewhere that, for example on the Logitech LX-501 keyboard, the Insert is on one of the round blue buttons (next to the function keys). On some Microsoft keyboards one needs to hold down some Fn-key and press PrtScr.

So: are you sure there's no Insert key on your keyboard?

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 24 '09 at 14:21

5

trex279's answer is probably the best one you're going to find but I thought I'd throw out an alternative:

Open the On-Screen Keyboard (on WinXP: Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accesibility > On-Screen Keyboard) and click the ins key.

answered Jul 24 '09 at 14:21

Travis

2,165

score 4 · Answer 4 · edited Feb 24 '17 at 06:02

4

Press Shift + 0 on the number pad to go into Insert mode.

On a laptop you may have to use Fn to get to 0 on the num pad.

E.g. on my Dell Latitude I had to press Shift + Fn + M to turn off overtype mode.

edited Feb 24 '17 at 06:02

Danny Beckett

1,419

answered Aug 26 '13 at 06:52

Barry

41

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Jan 15 '17 at 16:58

My answer is very specific to one particular situation. It will not necessarily work in other situations. I have a Logitech k750-mac solar wireless keyboard. I am running on a MacBook Pro accessing a Windows 10 desktop remotely. In this situation, I use the Shift + number-pad-0 key. But it only works with some software! Furthermore, I suspect the answer to this question will be more or less a table of situations with solutions specific to those situations, rather than a general solution.

score 2 · Answer 6 · edited Aug 25 '17 at 06:05

2

On Logitech K811, hold fn while clicking the delete key to get insert.

edited Aug 25 '17 at 06:05

Kamil Maciorowski

81,893

answered Aug 25 '17 at 03:11

AWB

31
1

score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Oct 23 '19 at 09:45

1

On a small laptop, like the new HP G5, you have to activate the NumLock to access the numbers pad, then use shift + 0. It is not written, but it works to activate and deactivate this stupid feature.

answered Oct 23 '19 at 09:45

Daniel

11

score 1 · Answer 8 · answered Aug 30 '21 at 18:37

1

on a Microsoft All in one media keyboard (with no number pad), I found fn + \ works as the substitute for the Ins key

answered Aug 30 '21 at 18:37

gawkface

173

score 1 · Answer 9 · answered May 05 '23 at 21:21

This is now possible via Microsoft's Power Toys addon. Install Power Toys, then configure the "Keyboard Manager" element:

Enable keyboard manager
Click remap a shortcut
Pick an obscure shortcut combination you want to use to toggle insert on and off
Map it to "insert"

Whenever it goes awry, just use the key combo to put it right again.

Is there an alternative to the 'insert' key?

9 Answers9