removing partial shapes/objects

Question

I have a template on the artboard and I am using basic shapes to fill the template with designs. Some shapes overlap the template. I want to remove the parts that go outside the template box. I have tried using pathfinders and then scissors. With scissors it deletes the edge of the box too and leaves an outline. With pathfinder it deletes everything except the part I don't want.

Any simple ideas of how to do this

Answer 1

I believe what you are looking for is a Clipping Mask.

Example artwork:

Place a rectangle the same size as your artboard above everything you wish to crop:

Making sure the rectangle is on top, select all artwork that you wish to have clipped:

Create a clipping mask:

Final result:

I hope that is what you were looking for?