Clipboard basics

Copy and paste basics

Copy and paste is the standard way to duplicate text, links, files, images, and other content from one place to another.

Select

Highlight the text or choose the file, image, link, or object you want to copy.

Use Ctrl C on Windows and Chromebook, or Command C on Mac.

Click where the content should go, then use Ctrl V or Command V.

Ctrl C

Copy on Windows, Chromebook, and Linux

Ctrl V

Paste on Windows, Chromebook, and Linux

Ctrl X

Cut on Windows, Chromebook, and Linux

Command C

Copy on Mac

Command V

Paste on Mac

Command X

Cut on Mac

Confirm that content is selected before copying.

Try the right-click menu instead of keyboard shortcuts.

Use a plain text editor to remove unwanted formatting.

Reload the page if a web app stops accepting pasted text.

Restart the app if clipboard behavior seems stuck.

Restart the device if copy and paste fails everywhere.

Copy keeps the original content in place and places a duplicate on the clipboard. Paste inserts that copied content somewhere else.

Copy duplicates selected content. Cut removes selected content from the original location and places it on the clipboard.

On Windows, Chromebook, and many Linux systems, use Ctrl C and Ctrl V. On Mac, use Command C and Command V.

Paste without formatting inserts plain text and removes styling such as font, color, size, links, and layout from the copied source.