How to Copy and Paste
This wikiHow teaches you how to copy text, images, and files from one place and paste them into a different location on a Windows or Mac computer, as well as on an iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device. Select what you want to copy:
Method 1 of 4:
On Windows
- Select what you want to copy:
- Text: To select text, click and drag the cursor until the text you want to copy is highlighted, then release the click.
- Files: Select the file on your computer that you want to copy and paste, or you can select multiple files by holding down Ctrl to select a multiple files.
- Images: In most Windows applications, you can select the picture you want to copy by clicking on it once.
- Right-click on the mouse or trackpad. If using a trackpad, depending on your computer's settings you can perform a right-click by either using two fingers to click the trackpad or by tapping the far-right side of the trackpad with a single finger.
- Click Copy. The selected text, images or files will be copied to the Clipboard (a type of temporary storage) on your computer.
- Alternatively, press Ctrl+C. In many applications, you can also click Edit in the menu bar, then click Copy.
- Right-click in the document or field where you want to insert the text or image.
- Click Paste. The text or image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor.
- Alternatively, press Ctrl+V. In many applications, you can also click Edit in the menu bar, then click Paste.
Method 2 of 4:
On Mac
- Select what you want to copy:
- Text: To select text, click and drag the cursor until the text you want to copy and paste is highlighted, then release the click.
- Files: Select the file on your computer that you want to copy and paste, or you can select multiple files by holding down ⌘ to select a group of files.
- Images: In most Mac applications, you can select the picture you want to copy by clicking on it once.
- Click Edit in the menu bar.
- Click Copy. The selected text, images or files will be copied to the Clipboard (a type of temporary storage) on your computer.
- Alternatively, ⌘+C. You can also right-click on the mouse or trackpad. If you don't have a right-click function, press Control+click on Mac, then click Copy in the pop-up menu.
- Click in the document or field where you want to insert the text or image.
- Click Edit in the menu bar.
- Click Paste. The text or image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor.
- Alternatively, ⌘+V. You can also right-click on the mouse or trackpad. If you don't have a right-click function, press Control+click on Mac, then click Paste in the pop-up menu.
Method 3 of 4:
On iPhone or iPad
- Select what you want to copy:
- Text: To select text, tap in the text and drag a control point over the text you to copy, want until the text you want to copy and paste is highlighted, then release the click. You can also tap and release a single word to select it automatically.
- Pictures: Long tap the picture until a menu appears.
- Tap Copy. The text or image will be copied to the Clipboard (temporary storage) on your device.
- Long tap on a document or field where you want to insert the text or image.
- If it's in a different app from the one in which you're copying, open the other app.
- Tap Paste. The text or image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor.
Method 4 of 4:
On Android
- Select what you want to copy:
- Text: To select text, tap in the text and drag a control point over the text you to copy, want until the text you want to copy and paste is highlighted, then release the click. You can also tap and release a single word to select it automatically.
- Pictures: Long tap the picture until a menu appears.
- Tap Copy. The text or image will be copied to the Clipboard (temporary storage) on your device.
- Long tap on a document or field where you want to insert the text or image.
- If it's in a different app from the one in which you're copying, open the other app.
- Tap Paste. The text or image will be inserted into the document or field at the place where you put the cursor.
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