Clear

Updated: 05/06/2024 by Computer Hope

Clear may refer to any of the following:

Chalk eraser in person's hand, erasing a chalkboard

1. Clear describes removing all text or images from a section of the screen. There are several ways in which users can clear information or windows. For example, when working with text, a user may use the backspace or delete key on their keyboard to clear it. Users trying to clear all the information on their screen at a command prompt may use the "cls" command in MS-DOS or "clear" command in Linux and Unix. Users who want to clear all of the currently open files and exit a program may use the keyboard shortcut Alt+F4.

2. With a button or key, the clear key is found on Apple computer keyboards with numeric pads. It clears current input or output in a field like the C button does on a calculator. Other keyboards may replace the delete or Del key with a clear button that performs the same functions as the Delete key.

3. Some users may use "clear" in place of "delete" when describing removing a file or another object from a device. In this context, it is better to use the word "delete" instead. For example, when removing files from a computer, you are deleting files, not clearing them. See our delete page for further information and links related to this term.

Clean, Clear formatting, Cleartext, CLR, CLS, Delete, Keyboard terms, Transparent