If you've ever run a Mac as your host computer and used Remote Desktop, VNC or VMWare then chances are you've somehow gotten into Overwrite mode in a text editor by accident and couldn't figure out how to get out. There are quite a few documented cases out there: here and here. The problem is as Apple's documentation suggests this cannot be done with an Apple laptop keyboard. Well I have found the magic incantation! At least it works for me (some of the time):
Fn + Right Command + delete
This will put my cursor in and out of insert/overwrite mode. Hopefully it works for you. If it doesn't work for you and you have a better version please post a comment.
Update: Today I finally figured out the key combination that makes me enter into Overwrite mode: Fn. So if you press Fn again it brings you out of it. Apparently the scan code for the Fn key and the Insert key are quite similar in some cases but not all, very ood.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
No Insert Key on Mac Keyboard
17 comments:
Awesome! I've gotten stuck this way in VNC several times. Can't wait to try this the next time I mysteriously get into this mode.
FN+Enter toggles the mode for me on my Macbook Pro keyboard
:( not working on my iMac via Windows Remote Desktop :(.
Doesn't work on my MBP (Trying it via Remote Desktop to a Windows 7 pc).
wiki saves the day! To toggle the INS/overwrite mode using an Apple/Mac keyboard on a PC machine: FN+0 [ zero on the numeric keypad].
Works like a charm.
I just had this problem with Microsoft Word on a Mac - I pressed something by accident and all of a sudden I was overwriting existing letters!
On a Mac, this (annoying and normally pointless) function is called 'Overtype'. If you look to the bottom left of your Word window, you should see a button that says "OVR". Click this and your problems will be over, and you can go back to normal typing again!
FN + 0 worked for me on an NX session to an Ubuntu machine.
Does this work on Terminal when accessing a remote UNIX machine via Telnet or SSH? Specifically I need this when running the vi editor on the remote machine?
Years later this post saved my tail. fn + 0 (on the numeric keypad) worked great. Running Microsoft Remote Desktop from a Mac.
Hello.
I using imac with OS X and where do I find INSERT button om my apple keyboard?
I´m using Microsoft Remote Desktop.
Please help me with this problem.
I have test almost everything, fn + enter does not work.
Try combinations of "Fn + Right Command + delete" and "Fn" as I suggested in the blog post.
Hello.
I have tried "Fn + Right Command + Delete", don't work.
Also just "Fn", don't work.
I use iMac, OSX 10.9.5, via Microsoft Remote Desktop, and need to find the INSERT button.
Those things work for me and others. Maybe you could get a Windows keyboard?
I am using a Mac keyboard (with numeric keypad) on a windows laptop and this just happened to me. Holding down '0' (on the numeric keypad) then 'clear' seems to toggle in and out of insert/overwrite mode. Hope this helps others who may stumble on this problem.
I have recently got a Macbook. As a Windows user for a long time, It is quiet hard for me to get used to it but I think the Macbook is also really advanced and helpful for professional life. Feel free to visit applesupportnumber.net/blog/fix-iphone-error-4013
I'm working on a Mac accessing Windows remotely and none of the above options worked for me. However, fn + clear worked if anyone needs more ideas.
Great insight! Mac keyboards indeed lack an Insert key, but using shortcuts or external keyboards resolves this issue efficiently. Get the MacBook Rental Dubai in Affordable prices.
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