Backspace and Delete Keys

Users complain about and share shortcuts for backspace and delete key behaviors in text inputs, especially on Macs with Fn+Backspace for forward delete and preferences for word-by-word deletion.

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#5962
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Keywords

CMD UX ASCII XP TIL BWK backspace delete key fn arrow awk cmd ctrl forward current

Sample Comments

skyyler Jan 3, 2020 View on HN

We've heard your complaints, and now those keys are backspace and forward delete.

C-x_C-f Apr 26, 2023 View on HN

It's unfortunate that holding down backspace does not keep deleting characters (or better yet delete word by word like Swiftkey does)

creshal Sep 7, 2016 View on HN

Psst, ctrl+backspace is a thing.

slim Jul 1, 2020 View on HN

do you use backspace to delete things ?

graywh Mar 8, 2011 View on HN

Why is the Delete "key" tied to Delete instead of Backspace?

nunull Nov 24, 2014 View on HN

I'd like to have CMD+Backspace do that.

robertoandred Feb 12, 2021 View on HN

It says "Backspace" instead of Delete. Heresy.

takeda Aug 9, 2016 View on HN

Backspace is totally useless. Not sure about Chrome, but in other browsers you can use alt+left arrow alt+right arrow, which is more intuitive and harder to do accidentally.

tajen May 8, 2017 View on HN

Fn + Backspace. Not as easy but that's the answer.

kencausey Nov 26, 2021 View on HN

Why didn't you just start with the arrow, backspace, and delete keys?