Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+V in Word: Copy, Cut, and Paste

Ctrl+C copies selected content, Ctrl+X removes it so you can move it, and Ctrl+V pastes the copied or cut content. These shortcuts work in Microsoft Word and many other Windows applications.

What Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+V do

• Ctrl+C (Copy): Select text, an image, or another object, then press Ctrl+C. Word places a copy on the Clipboard while leaving the original in place.
• Ctrl+X (Cut): Select content and press Ctrl+X to remove it from its current location and place it on the Clipboard. Move the cursor to the new location and press Ctrl+V.
• Ctrl+V (Paste): Position the cursor where the content should appear, then press Ctrl+V to insert the most recently copied or cut item.

Discover these useful keyboard shortcuts to master Word more easily.

How to use the shortcuts in Word

1. Select the text or object you want to copy or move.
2. Press Ctrl+C to copy it, or Ctrl+X to cut it.
3. Click where you want the content to appear.
4. Press Ctrl+V to paste it.

If you paste immediately after cutting, Word moves the selected content. If you copy first, the original remains unchanged.

Other useful Word shortcuts

• Ctrl+A: Select everything in the document.
• Ctrl+S: Save the current document.
• Ctrl+F: Find text.
• Ctrl+H: Find and replace text.
• Ctrl+Z: Undo the previous action.
• Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I, Ctrl+U: Apply or remove bold, italic, or underline formatting.
• Ctrl+P: Open the print window.
• Ctrl+W: Close the current document window.