The main difference between Cut and Delete is that Cut removes text or other content from the document and save it in the clipboard while Delete removes text or other content from the document without saving to the clipboard.

When working with computer applications such as Microsoft Word, it necessary to perform various activities such as creating files, opening files, editing, saving, etc. Cut and Delete are two functions users can perform while working with these applications. When the user cuts an item, it disappears from the screen, but it is kept in the clipboard so that he can use it with paste option. However, when the user deletes an item, it disappears from the screen, without saving to the clipboard. It disappears from the document completely.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Cut
     – Definition, Functionality, Methods
2. What is Delete
     – Definition, Functionality, Methods
3. Difference Between Cut and Delete
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Applications, Cut, Computer, Delete

What is Cut

Cut helps to remove a piece of content from the document. It can be text, image, graph, etc. When the user highlights a piece of text in Word, he can cut that section by clicking on the cut tool on the Home Tab of the ribbon. This icon is similar to a scissor. When the user presses that icon, that content is saved in the clipboard. Then that section disappears from the screen. Later, the user can paste that content in a different section in the same document or some other document if necessary.

Figure 1: Cut Icon

The second method is to highlight the content and then press Control (ctrl) and x key in the keyboard.

Figure 2: Keyboard Shortcut

The third method is to highlight content and to press the right mouse button. This will display a drop-down list. The user can select the Cut from that list as below.

Figure 3: Dropdown Menu

These are the main methods to perform Cut in Microsoft Word.

What is Delete

Delete also removes a specified section from the document. If the user wishes to delete some content from the document, he can highlight that section and press the delete button (delete or del) in the keyboard. It will remove that content from the document. That is the main use of Delete.

Figure 04: Delete Key

After deleting the content, the user can reverse the process by clicking Undo button in the ribbon.

Difference Between Cut and Delete

Definition

Cut is an option that helps to remove a piece of content and save it to the clipboard for paste option. On the other hand, Delete is an option to completely eliminate a piece of content from the document. 

Functionality

Cut removes text or other content from the document and save it in the clipboard. Delete removes text or other content from the document without saving to the clipboard.

Required Key Board Keys

The user can use Control key with the x key to perform Cut functionality. He can use delete or del key to perform Delete functionality.

Conclusion

The difference between Cut and Delete is that Cut removes text or other content from the document and save it in the clipboard while Delete removes text or other content completely from the document.

Reference:

1. “Copy, Cut, Delete, Move and Paste”. The ETI Introduction to Computers Tutorial, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “97875” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Delete key” by Ervins Strauhmanis (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

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