How to Copy and Paste: The Ultimate Guide

Copying and pasting is a fundamental computer skill. “Copying” creates a duplicate of something (text, an image, a file), and “Pasting” places that duplicate in a new location. Here’s how to do it on all your devices.

On Desktop Computers (Windows and Mac)

The methods on desktop computers are very similar whether you are using a keyboard and mouse or a trackpad.

1. How to Select What You Want to Copy

• For Text: Click and hold your mouse button at the beginning of the text, drag your cursor to the end of the text you want, and then let go. The text will become highlighted.
• For a File or Image: Click on the file or image once to select it.

2. How to Copy 📋

• Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest Method):
  • On Windows: After selecting, press Ctrl + C.
  • On Mac: After selecting, press Cmd ⌘ + C.
• Mouse or Trackpad Method:
  • After selecting, right-click on the highlighted text or file. A menu will appear.
  • Choose “Copy” from the menu.

3. How to Paste 📥

• Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest Method):
  • Click your cursor where you want to paste the item.
  • On Windows: Press Ctrl + V.
  • On Mac: Press Cmd ⌘ + V.
• Mouse or Trackpad Method:
  • Move your cursor to where you want to paste the item and right-click.
  • Choose “Paste” from the menu that appears.

A Note on “Cut” ✂️ Cutting removes the item from its original spot to be pasted elsewhere (moving it, not duplicating it). The shortcut is Ctrl + X on Windows and Cmd ⌘ + X on Mac.

On Mobile Devices (Phones and Tablets – Android & iOS)

On touch-screen devices, the process relies on gestures instead of a mouse or keyboard shortcuts. The steps are nearly identical for iPhones, iPads, and Android phones/tablets.

1. How to Select Text

• Touch and hold your finger on a word you want to select. The word will become highlighted, and two small handles or sliders will appear at its beginning and end.
• Drag the handles to expand your selection to include all the text you want to copy.

2. How to Copy 📋

• Once your text is selected, a small menu will pop up directly above it.
• Tap the “Copy” button on this menu. The selected text is now copied to your device’s clipboard.

3. How to Paste 📥

• Go to the app or text field where you want to paste the text (like a new email, a message, or a notes app).
• Touch and hold your finger on the screen where you want to paste. A small menu will pop up.
• Tap the “Paste” button. The text you copied will appear.

A Note on “Cut” ✂️ The “Cut” option will also appear alongside “Copy” and “Paste” in the pop-up menu, but only when you have selected text in a place where you are allowed to edit it (like a document you are writing).