MacBook Air - issue typing over highlighted text

[davids9317]

Hello, my new (2 months old) MacBook Air has developed an issue. When I highlight text to type over it, the first letter (or two) of the newly typed text is highlighted and so is typed over and dissapears.

If I haven't done a good job of describing it then this is what happens;

1) type the word APPLE
2) highlight the word APPLE
3) replace the word APPLE by typing the word MACINTOSH
4) APPLE disappears as I type (so far so good)
5) the computer erroneously highlights the letter M form MACINTOSH
6) M is replaced by the letter A shortening the word to ACINTOSH

Does anyone know what causes this?

I am running macOS Cataline 10.15.7

Thanks for your help,

Dave

 

[Raz0rEdge]

In what application are you seeing this behavior?

 

[davids9317]

In what application are you seeing this behavior?

I have only noticed it in Safari, however it is an intermittent problem so I'm not 100% sure it isn't happening in other applications.

 

[chscag]

Open your TextEdit application and try doing what you described above and then get back to us with the results.

 

[davids9317]

Open your TextEdit application and try doing what you described above and then get back to us with the results.

I can't get it to happen in the TextEdit, I did a bit more investigation;
- It does not happen highlighting using 1 finger + force touch.
- It does not happen using shif+arrow keys to highlight.
- It only happens highlighting with the three finger method.
- It does not happen using the three finger method if I touch the track pad after highlighting.
- Doesn't happen in 'Notes' either, I only notice this in Safari (like typing here or mostly the search field)

Thanks for your help,

ave

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Three fingers is not really highlighting, that's a lookup. You should be double-clicking to highlight or using the keyboard.

 

[davids9317]

Three fingers is not really highlighting, that's a lookup. You should be double-clicking to highlight or using the keyboard.

The 'Three Finger Drag' function can be used to highlight text, however I have just found the reason to this problem. There is a delay before it is turned off to allow for repositioning the fingers when moving windows around. See below.

https://www.reddit.com/r/osx/comments/394tkg
Thanks,

Dave