Is there a backspace key on the Mac?

Noels · Noels #1 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 09:47 AM

I find I'm using the delete key all the time to get rid of mistakes, etc., but I haven't found the PC equivalent of a backspace key. Is there one?

Thanks, Noel

D3v1L80Y · D3v1L80Y #2 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noels

I haven't found the PC equivalent of a backspace key.

Yes, you have

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noels

I find I'm using the delete key all the time to get rid of mistakes

knightlie · knightlie #3 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 11:06 AM

It'll be the one in exactly the same place as almost all other keyboards' backspace key....

cwa107 · cwa107 #4 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 11:12 AM

My guess is that you have a notebook and are surprised to find a key marked delete in the position one would ordinarily find a Backspace key (on a Windows machine).

Note that the delete key will work like a backspace. If you want to use it as a traditional delete key, simply use it in tandem with the function key.

Noels · Noels #5 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 11:22 AM

Thanks all, I'll work on using the function-delete combo

Noel

The Vindicat3d · The Vindicat3d #6 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 11:41 AM

Yep, just use delete. cmd+delete if you want to delete an entire line of text or delete a file. Option+delete to delete word by word, and fn+delete to delete forward.

technologist · technologist #7 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 02:19 PM

Of course there is...it's the left arrow key, which takes the insertion point back one space. Just like on Windows.

Of course, most PCs come with keyboards that have a key labeled "backspace" which deletes...just like the delete key...but it would make too much sense for them to call it that.

mab · mab #8 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 03:02 PM

This has been one of my biggest frustrations as a switcher. Sadly, I've been a Macbook owner for just about a year, and had never come across this tip. Thanks!

Noels · Noels #9 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 03:46 PM

mab,

Glad it helped you - it certainly has helped me in the the past 3 -4 hours or so! The arrangement makes sense, but separate keys would have been a nice touch

I've already gooten used to the difference. Thanks everyone for the help, especially cwa107 who mailed the answer for me...

Noel

hexonxonx · hexonxonx #10 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 04:18 PM

And for a few who may not know:

While in Safari, pressing the delete key will also go back to the previous web page you were viewing.

box-E · box-E #11 (**permalink**)

03-13-2008, 06:13 PM

Wow thanks hexonxonx what a great tip. Drew

SJTV1 · SJTV1 #12 (**permalink**)

03-14-2008, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hexonxonx

And for a few who may not know:

While in Safari, pressing the delete key will also go back to the previous web page you were viewing.

No, pressing backspace key will do that

eschur21 · eschur21 #13 (**permalink**)

03-14-2008, 07:32 AM

In any browser will do that.

technologist · technologist #14 (**permalink**)

03-14-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJTV1

No, pressing backspace key will do that

That ain't no backspace key.

MDCjr · MDCjr #15 (**permalink**)

03-14-2008, 01:14 PM

wow i didnt know that. Purty nifty.

cwa107 #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 20, 2006 Location: Middletown, Pennsylvania Posts: 25,920 Mac Specs: 15" MBP, Core i7/2GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB Crucial M4 SSD	03-13-2008, 11:12 AM My guess is that you have a notebook and are surprised to find a key marked delete in the position one would ordinarily find a Backspace key (on a Windows machine). Note that the delete key will work like a backspace. If you want to use it as a traditional delete key, simply use it in tandem with the function key. Liquid and computers don't mix. It might seem simple, but we see an incredible amount of people post here about spills. Keep drinks and other liquids away from your expensive electronics!
	QUOTE Thanks

hexonxonx #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 05, 2007 Posts: 226	03-13-2008, 04:18 PM And for a few who may not know: While in Safari, pressing the delete key will also go back to the previous web page you were viewing. 20" iMac aluminum 13" MBP 3 iPhones
	QUOTE Thanks

MDCjr #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 12, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 84 Mac Specs: MBP 2.2C2D 2gb 15.4	03-14-2008, 01:14 PM wow i didnt know that. Purty nifty. -If you're still bragging about what you did yesterday, then you haven't accomplished anything today!
	QUOTE Thanks

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Is there a backspace key on the Mac?

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Noels #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 03, 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 945 Mac Specs: Macbook, 2.2 GHz, 4GB RAM	03-13-2008, 09:47 AM I find I'm using the delete key all the time to get rid of mistakes, etc., but I haven't found the PC equivalent of a backspace key. Is there one? Thanks, Noel
	QUOTE Thanks

Noels #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 03, 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 945 Mac Specs: Macbook, 2.2 GHz, 4GB RAM	03-13-2008, 11:22 AM Thanks all, I'll work on using the function-delete combo Noel
	QUOTE Thanks

The Vindicat3d #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 05, 2007 Posts: 985 Mac Specs: Black MacBook- 2.2GHz, 1gb RAM, 160GB, Double-Layer Superdrive.	03-13-2008, 11:41 AM Yep, just use delete. cmd+delete if you want to delete an entire line of text or delete a file. Option+delete to delete word by word, and fn+delete to delete forward.
	QUOTE Thanks

technologist #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 30, 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,744 Mac Specs: 12" Apple PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz)	03-13-2008, 02:19 PM Of course there is...it's the left arrow key, which takes the insertion point back one space. Just like on Windows. Of course, most PCs come with keyboards that have a key labeled "backspace" which deletes...just like the delete key...but it would make too much sense for them to call it that.
	QUOTE Thanks

mab #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 12, 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 41 Mac Specs: Black Macbook, 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 120GB HD, OS 10.4.11	03-13-2008, 03:02 PM This has been one of my biggest frustrations as a switcher. Sadly, I've been a Macbook owner for just about a year, and had never come across this tip. Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

Noels #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 03, 2008 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 945 Mac Specs: Macbook, 2.2 GHz, 4GB RAM	03-13-2008, 03:46 PM mab, Glad it helped you - it certainly has helped me in the the past 3 -4 hours or so! The arrangement makes sense, but separate keys would have been a nice touch I've already gooten used to the difference. Thanks everyone for the help, especially cwa107 who mailed the answer for me... Noel
	QUOTE Thanks

box-E #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 19, 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 13 Mac Specs: Ibook G4 12" 1.2, 32 gig iPad	03-13-2008, 06:13 PM Wow thanks hexonxonx what a great tip. Drew
	QUOTE Thanks

eschur21 #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 09, 2008 Location: Petoskey, Michigan Posts: 37	03-14-2008, 07:32 AM In any browser will do that.
	QUOTE Thanks

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