Outlook 365 delete key on keyboard deletes message rather than text when using Preview Pane feature

Anonymous
2020-07-16T16:45:09+00:00

Recently, when I am drafting an email from the preview pane, if I hit the delete key on my keyboard as I am typing, it will delete the entire message rather than the text I wish to delete. If you hit delete multiple times (as you would if you need to delete a few words) before you realize it the first delete button press deletes your current draft email, puts you back in your inbox. Each subsequent delete key press deletes emails from your inbox before you realize what is going on.

Only mitigation is to pop out the draft email and the delete keyboard function works as designed.

Is there a setting that was added recently for the above use case? This is horrible and pretty much negates the purpose of using the preview pane in Outlook as it was designed.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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Anonymous
2020-07-23T14:19:27+00:00

The Outlook Team had a bug with this issue previously.  It was fixed in version 16.0.13001.10000.  What version is your Outlook (File, Office Account, under About Outlook)?

If you have a version higher than above it should be fixed.  Its possible there is a new issue though if you are still seeing it.  In case you have the option to open a ticket click Help, Contact Support.  Not everyone has that but please check if you do.

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-11-25T21:26:12+00:00

    Read this entire thread and disappointed to see there is no fix. I've been using this version of Outlook for three months in my new organization and never experienced this until today.

    Same as everyone else, I reply to an email in Outlook within the email and hit "delete" to delete a characted and the email goes to my deleted folder. Unbelievably annoying.

    As mentioned by other posters, I suspect I hit a combination of hot keys that triggered this "feature".

    It's been over a year of reports on this...please fix it!

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  2. Anonymous
    2021-08-27T19:48:49+00:00

    I just started having this issue in the past two days. Had never experienced it before. We're subscribed to Office 365 so we should always have the latest and greatest.

    I tried a suggestion from a very long time ago, because it's not just the delete button, it's also suddenly not letting me Ctrl+C copy text from an email unless I'm editing a new email reply. The suggestion was Go to File > Options > Mail > Reading Pane... > turn off Single key reading using space bar. I don't know what "Single key reading using space bar" even means. Anyway, it didn't work.

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-09-24T15:18:06+00:00

    Hi Gabriel, I'm in the same situation at today, writing a Quick reply email if you click on delete it deletes the entire email instead of deleting a char or line.

    Office 365 Plus, Build 12527.21104 click-To-Run

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-08-19T16:00:10+00:00

    This issue has been on and off for me.  Usually it happens when I fat-finger some combination of keys and it appears to activate this bug.  I have no idea what the keys are.

    1. The issue only happens when replying in-line with the reading pane active and using the delete key to delete text.
    2. Text can either be highlighted, or in front of the cursor.
    3. Potential fixes:
      1. Restart Outlook
      2. Restart computer
      3. Go to File > Options > Mail > Outlook Panes > Reading Pane... > ensure "Single key reading using space bar" is unchecked.
      4. Close Outlook and re-open in Safe Mode by holding Ctr and opening the application
      5. Clear Outlook profile and build a new one
      6. Reinstall Office

    It would be great if this bug could be fixed completely.  If there is a shortcut that somehow activates this bug or 'feature' it should be well documented and either turned OFF or a notification pops up advising the user how to turn it off.  Issues for me seems to have been resolved with performing steps 1, 3, and 4 above.

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