Q: Backspace functionality in Mac?

This may not be an appropriate location for this query but I'm sure many on here can help me and I apologise if I should not post request like this here.

Basically i am getting to grips with Mac from Windows and i'm getting on ok mostly but one thing i cant seem to find a replacement process for is the back arrow function. (mass delete)

For example (i'll use excel to demonstrate my issue)

I have data in a spreadsheet and I want to delete all in cells A1 to B10 but i dont wish to delete the Columns or rows as I need them.

In windows I highlight the cells and click the backspace key and it delets all from all highlighted cells.

On the mac if i do that it only deltes the data in the cell im located at and i have to delete all cells individually.

Can anyone please advise how i get the functionality of the mass highlighted backspace delete using the mac?

Thanks G

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Jun 4, 2012 4:28 PM

I have this question too

Q: Backspace functionality in Mac?

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by Kappy,Helpful

Kappy Jun 4, 2012 4:35 PM in response to gse520
Level 10 (271,691 points)

Desktops

Jun 4, 2012 4:35 PM in response to gse520

Switch 101- Windows vs. Mac navigation
Switch 101- On Windows, I used to...
Apple - Support - Switch 101

Startup key combinations for Intel-based Macs
Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts
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by gse520,

gse520 Jun 4, 2012 4:55 PM in response to Kappy
Level 1 (0 points)

Jun 4, 2012 4:55 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks Kappy, it all looks great and i'm sure it will all be useful in the future but i cant see the answer to this particular query in there.

The closest is for windows backspace use the Delete key but my kyboard on my imac does not have this key. If this is te same as the back arrow key then my query remains as this key only deltes one cell at a time and not the whole highlighted region. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Gary
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by Kappy,

Kappy Jun 4, 2012 5:00 PM in response to gse520
Level 10 (271,691 points)

Desktops

Jun 4, 2012 5:00 PM in response to gse520

On your keyboard that is the OPTION-Delete which deletes a word instead of a letter at a time. Furthermore, applications can set their own keyboard shortcuts. Try using Excel's Help.
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by captfred,

captfred Jun 4, 2012 5:07 PM in response to gse520
Level 7 (26,329 points)

iTunes

Jun 4, 2012 5:07 PM in response to gse520

Gary, hold the FN key and press delete. I believe that will perform the function you're looking for.
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by Ashka,

Ashka Jun 4, 2012 5:18 PM in response to gse520
Level 4 (3,866 points)

Notebooks

Jun 4, 2012 5:18 PM in response to gse520

Delete is the same as back space ... on a notebook keyboard fn delete is forward delete.
Other than that, in Numbers which is the nearest I have to excel, the cell contents in any selected area are deleted with either (back space) delete or forward delete.. no difference..

It must be something different with either with your spreadsheet or with excel.
You could try deleting cell contents on a new practice sheet..

A new post headed Excel problem or something similar would get users with excel to answer..
Best.
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by captfred,Helpful

captfred Jun 4, 2012 5:21 PM in response to Ashka
Level 7 (26,329 points)

iTunes

Jun 4, 2012 5:21 PM in response to Ashka

I tried it in Excel, FN delete works.
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by gse520,

gse520 Jun 4, 2012 5:31 PM in response to captfred
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Jun 4, 2012 5:31 PM in response to captfred

Thank you, as simple as that much appreciated its been bugging me for a while, but no more.
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by captfred,

captfred Jun 4, 2012 5:36 PM in response to gse520
Level 7 (26,329 points)

iTunes

Jun 4, 2012 5:36 PM in response to gse520

Glad to help.
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by 4B2D3C1L1W,

4B2D3C1L1W Feb 10, 2013 1:16 PM in response to captfred
Level 1 (0 points)

Feb 10, 2013 1:16 PM in response to captfred

Thank you for providing the answer to this. Great answer. (Really, it's the only answer!)
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Q: Backspace functionality in Mac?

All replies Helpful answers

by Kappy,★Helpful

by gse520,

by Kappy,

by captfred,

by Ashka,

by captfred,★Helpful

by gse520,

by captfred,

by 4B2D3C1L1W,

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Helpful answers

by Kappy,Helpful

by captfred,Helpful