Document Editing Problems

How to Fix Cannot Delete or Backspace in Word (Track Changes Issue)

Partner Editor Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to delete or backspace text in a Word document, and pressing Enter creates a vertical mark instead of a standard paragraph break.

How to Fix Cannot Delete or Backspace in Word (Track Changes Issue)

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing a document where deletions and typing behave abnormally due to document review settings.
Observed behavior: Pressing Delete or Backspace does not remove text. Instead, deleted text is marked with strikethroughs or vertical lines, indicating that document changes are being recorded rather than executed.

Before you start

Ensure you have the right to accept or reject changes in the document, as turning off Track Changes and accepting revisions will permanently alter the document's review state.

Solution 1Recommended

Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking

Turn off the Track Changes feature and accept all previous edits to restore normal typing, deleting, and backspacing functions.

When Track Changes is active, Word records every keystroke as a suggested edit rather than a permanent change. To regain normal control over your keyboard, you must accept the existing revisions and disable the tracking feature.

Go to the Review Tab

Open your document and click on the 'Review' tab located in the top ribbon menu.

Accept All Changes

In the 'Changes' group, locate the 'Accept' button and click the drop-down arrow below it.

Stop Tracking

Select 'Accept All Changes and Stop Tracking' from the drop-down menu. Once applied, test your Delete and Backspace keys to confirm normal editing is restored.

Editing Restored: Your document should now process backspaces and deletions instantly without leaving markup lines.

Solution 2

Enable Typing Replaces Selection

Check your advanced editing options if you still have trouble replacing text after stopping Track Changes.

Edit Word Documents Easily

Easily Manage Track Changes with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a highly compatible and intuitive interface for editing Word documents. If you need to manage tracked changes, accept revisions, or simply edit text without interruptions, WPS Office provides all the professional tools you need.

1. Open Your Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx file from your local storage.
2. Access the Review Tab: Click on the 'Review' tab at the top of the screen to access document tracking tools.
3. Accept Changes: Click the 'Accept' drop-down button in the ribbon and choose 'Accept All Changes in Document'.
4. Turn Off Track Changes: Click the 'Track Changes' button in the Review tab to toggle it off, restoring your normal Delete and Backspace keyboard functions.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc), ensuring smooth document rendering.Easily accept, reject, and manage Track Changes with an intuitive Review tab.Free to download and use, offering a lightweight and fast document editing experience.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are there vertical lines appearing when I type in my Word document?

Vertical lines in the margin or strikethroughs through deleted text indicate that the Track Changes feature is turned on. It records every edit made to the document for review purposes instead of altering the text permanently.

Can I accept some changes but reject others?

Yes. On the Review tab, instead of selecting 'Accept All Changes', you can use the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons in the Changes group to review each edit individually, clicking either 'Accept' or 'Reject' one by one.

How do I hide track changes without permanently accepting them?

In the Review tab, look for the 'Display for Review' drop-down menu (often set to 'All Markup'). Change it to 'No Markup' to temporarily hide the revision marks and view the document as if all changes were accepted.

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