# What purpose does the insert key have **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 6, 2010, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219 "2010-10-06T05:01:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![j\_sum1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8baadc/32.png) [@j\_sum1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_sum1)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219/21 "2010-10-07T12:10:40Z")
I find it curious that so many functions have been added to keyboards over the years and never removed. I know why it has happened – to maintain backwards compatibility. New buttons keep getting added to support new functions but the old ones still remain. My current keyboard is typical in that it has crtl, alt, fn, the windows button, context sensitive menu button, a row of function keys (most of which are seldom used) and some special shortcut keys (of which I normally only use the volume control). When I first picked up a pc it had 86 keys. I wonder if there will ever be a return to a keyboard with fewer keys on it? ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219/22 "2010-10-07T15:46:02Z")
I still use the DOS Edit editor from time to time, it supports the Insert key to toggle insert or overwrite. EditPad Pro also does that. Overwrite can be handy for people that edit fixed-length data files. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219/23 "2010-10-07T16:23:50Z")
> [@j\_sum1](#): > > I wonder if there will ever be a return to a keyboard with fewer keys on it? If you count portable devices (cell phones, Kindles, etc.) there already has. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219/24 "2010-11-09T00:10:02Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > When you TYPE a .TXT file that’s too big to fit all on the screen at once, you use the Scroll Lock key so that the text doesn’t scroll past too fast for you to read it. Assuming you’re still using DOS. Not in any version of DOS I ever used. To do what you are talking about you’d generally type TYPE filename.txt | MORE ETA: Sorry, didn’t realize this thread was over a month since last reply, I had no intention of raising a zombie. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219/25 "2010-11-09T00:59:43Z")
I just wish they’d go back to altering the cursor in insert mode, and provide an option, either in the better programs or globally over the entire OS, to disable Insert. Or at least make it work like other keys like it–needing a modifier key to get the function. It sounds like the OP is only complaining because he accidentally hits it. ---
**Author:** ![Kiyoshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e19adc/32.png) [@Kiyoshi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiyoshi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219/26 "2010-11-09T09:11:01Z")
I don’t understand why anyone would want to use “overwrite” mode. Does anyone here actually use it? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-purpose-does-the-insert-key-have/556219.md?page=1)