What is the Difference Between Backspace and Delete?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between the backspace and delete keys on a keyboard lies in the position of the characters they delete. Here are the key distinctions:
- Backspace Key: This key is used to erase any character or symbol before the cursor. It is usually located just above the Enter key and is often indicated by an arrow pointing left.
- Delete Key: This key removes anything after the cursor. It is used to delete text characters at, or to the right of, the screen cursor.
In summary, the backspace key deletes text to the left of the cursor, while the delete key deletes text to the right of the cursor. Additionally, only the delete key can delete icons, files, and folders, whereas pressing the backspace key when a file or other object is highlighted does nothing.
Comparative Table: Backspace vs Delete
Here is a table comparing the differences between the Backspace and Delete keys:
| Key | Description | Functionality |
|---|---|---|
| Backspace | Erases characters to the left of the insertion point | In Word and Excel, it deletes characters to the left of the cursor, but leaves the cell open for editing. In other words, it moves the cursor left and then deletes the character. It is not recommended for clearing contents of cells because it leaves the cell open for editing. |
| Delete | Erases characters to the right of the insertion point | In Word and Excel, it deletes characters to the right of the cursor. In other words, it moves the cursor right and then deletes the character. It is recommended for clearing contents of cells because it removes the contents immediately and doesn't require pressing Enter. |
In summary, the Backspace key deletes characters to the left of the cursor, while the Delete key deletes characters to the right of the cursor. The Delete key is generally recommended for clearing the contents of cells, as it is more efficient and doesn't require pressing Enter.
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