How To Backspace on Mac

Did you buy a new Mac and wonder where the Backspace key is? Thankfully, it’s not as difficult to find and use as you might think.

To help make things easier, we have written an extensive guide on how to Backspace on Mac with easy-to-follow instructions. We will also discuss the missing Backspace key on Mac, with additional instructions to Backspace a paragraph or an entire page.

Missing Backspace Key on Mac

Mac and Windows computers are significantly different, which is why users of the latter might have trouble adjusting to the change. The missing Backspace key is one of these changes that can take a little time to adjust.

While Windows computers have designated Backspace and Delete keys, you only get the Delete key on Mac. However, this key behaves similarly to the Backspace key on a Windows keyboard and deletes the characters to the cursor’s left.

On the other hand, on a Windows keyboard, the Delete key removes the characters on the cursor’s right.

How To Backspace on Mac

If you don’t know how to Backspace on Mac, our step-by-step method will help you do this quickly.

1. Open any text editor or app that requires typing on your Mac.
2. Put your cursor next to a word or words you want to remove.
3. Press the Fn + Delete keys simultaneously on the keyboard, and the word or words will be erased.

Backspacing a Paragraph Using Word on Mac

If you use Microsoft Word for your projects on your Mac and want to Backspace a paragraph, follow these steps.

1. Enter the formatting view by pressing the Command + 8 keys on the Mac keyboard.
2. Select the paragraph you want to Backspace by dragging the cursor from the start of the highlighted paragraph break to where it ends.
3. Press the Delete key on the keyboard to Backspace the whole paragraph.
4. Press the Command + 8 keys again to exit the formatting view, and that’s about it.

Backspacing a Page Using Word on Mac

Do these steps to Backspace an entire page using Microsoft Word on your Mac.

1. Enter the formatting view by pressing the Command + 8 keys on the Mac keyboard.
2. Select the page you want to Backspace by dragging the cursor from the start of the highlighted page break to where it ends.
3. Press the Delete key on the keyboard to Backspace the entire page. 
4. Press the Command + 8 keys to exit the formatting view and finish your work.

Is the Backspace Key Not Working on Your Mac?

If you are facing issues backspacing on your Mac using the delete key, try the following workarounds to resolve them.

Method #1: Restarting Your Mac

If the Backspace shortcut keys on your Mac are not working correctly, restart your Mac in the following way to try and fix them.

1. Open the Apple menu.
2. Click “Restart”.
   
3. Wait for your system to turn on and check if the key has started working.

Method #2: Using the Virtual Keyboard

You can use the virtual keyboard available on every Mac in the following way to Backspace if the delete key is malfunctioning.

4. Open the Apple menu.
5. Click “System Preferences”.
6. Click “Accessibility”.
7. Click “Keyboard” and open the “Viewer” tab.
8. Check the “Enable Accessibility Keyboard” box to open up the virtual keyboard and use the Delete key as needed.

Method #3: Resetting NVRAM

To fix the malfunctioning Backspace key on your Mac, try to reset the Non-Volatile Random Access Memory using these steps.

1. Turn off your Mac. 
2. Turn it back on and immediately press and hold the Option + Command + P + R keys.
   
3. Wait for the system to restart twice before letting go of the keys and see if this fixes the issue.

Summary

In this guide, we have discussed how to Backspace on Mac. We have also discussed the missing Backspace key on Mac and backspacing a paragraph or an entire word page.

We also discussed troubleshooting methods if the Backspace (Delete) key is not working.

Hopefully, your question has been answered, and you can now remove words on a text editor using your Mac.