Delete Left Character in Excel
This shortcut allows you to delete the character immediately to the left of the cursor. It is useful for correcting typos or removing unwanted characters quickly.
Keyboard Shortcut
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Backspace | Backspace |
What Does This Shortcut Do?
Pressing Backspace removes one character to the left of the cursor in the active cell. If the cell is empty, nothing happens.
How to Use the Shortcut
- Select the cell you want to edit
- Press F2 to enter edit mode
- Place the cursor to the right of the character you want to delete
- Press Backspace
Tips & Best Practices
- Combine with Ctrl + Z (Windows) / Cmd + Z (Mac) to undo deletions
- Works in both text and numeric cells
- Useful for correcting small errors quickly without selecting the cell content
FAQ
- Q: Can I delete multiple characters at once?
- Yes, hold down Backspace to continuously delete characters to the left.
- Q: Does this work in formulas?
- Yes, it removes characters without affecting the rest of the formula unless you delete critical parts.