Keyboard Shortcut: Shift + Backspace 27
by Adam Marks Mon, 23 Aug 2010 1:56 pm EDT
Deleting a large amount of text (or even just a single word) can take its toll on the backspace key and can also take a bit of time. You can highlight the block of text to do a bulk delete, but that is also not always the quickest way either. Instead, try holding down the Shift key ( 
) and then pressing Backspace ( 
). Each time you press Backspace, you will delete an entire word instead of just a single character
Thanks to Sean Galloway for suggesting this tip
(27 votes)
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27 Comments
cool
Wow. I feel dumb for not knowing this before.
This would have come in handy if I knew about it before.
is there a shortcut for a "Tab"??
This is the best I can tell you.. http://www.precentral.net/tab-between-fields-using-keyboard
oh, I forgot about that too!
thanks
Unfortunately, there is a bug (I don't know if it's in specific text editors or if it's in a bug in the webOS text control itself) that can cause Shift+Backspace to delete more than the previous word.
For example, try typing:
Foo
Bar
Baz
Qux
Put the cursor at the end of "Bar", press Shift+Backspace twice--once to delete "Bar", a second time to try to delete "Foo". The second Shift+Backspace ends up deleting both "Foo" and "Baz".
This is really annoying and unpredictable, especially without any Undo capability.
this doesn't happen for me. the first one deletes bar, the second one deletes foo. hmm...
I re-created this example, and it happens all the time. Actually, when I put the cursor at the END of "Bar" it deleted both "Bar" and "Baz."
I have to be very cautious with shift+backspace, and make sure either
a) I know what's going to happen because I've done it before or
b) I have a backup in case something unexpected happens
what version of webOS are you on? 1.4.1.x or 1.4.5?
I'm using 1.4.5 on a Sprint Pre. But this bug has been there since 1.4.1.
Gotcha..I am also on 1.4.5 on Sprint, but can't replicate the issue..i was hoping it was a version issue. hmm...
Adam, just make sure you don't move the cursor before hitting the delete button the second time.
I love your subtle "foo bar" message. Yes, I strongly suggest that the main article should be updated to include this word of caution when using shift+backspace.
I think it must have something to do with the keyboard itself. It happens not only in every editable text field that I've encountered, but also in Classic, which suggest some kind of hardware/software interaction.
Actually, I know it happens in Classic, but this particular example doesn't happen in Classic. But at least in Classic, you usually have an UNDO!
I really hope webOS 2.0 gets simple edit/undo capability, another basic PalmOS feature that Palm strangely left behind.
This is news to me lol. Where have I been?
Thanks for another great tip - now to remember them all!
These tips are the best idea.
ahh, I love this function (guys the os I barely a year old, be happy we have this)
awhile back I posted how I thought it was hilarious that I forgot that crtl + backspace works with pc lol and my pre made me remeamber.... Now if I had a small pc with a gesture area....................hmmmm
how about deleting forward, like on a keyboard? I'd kill for that function.
I don't have that problem with my shift+backspace shortcut either...
Cool. Is there a back arrow / forward arrow key combination?
nope. this is the best i have for that. http://www.precentral.net/move-cursor-text-field
I don't get the error either. But then I don't have most of the other problems that I've read about. :)
Love the tips! Here's one to add (not sure where else to post it):
SCROLLING
In a web page or email, hold Shift, press Backspace once & swipe the screen up or down.
This quickly scrolls to the top or bottom of the page.
Try it!
love the tips. thank you. now if i can just remember them all :)
Yeah! I love to learn some new things about a system I use :)