This wikiHow article will teach you how to copy text, images, or files from one location and paste them to a different location on a Windows or Mac computer, as well as an iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: On Windows
Step 1. Select what you want to copy:
- Text: To select text, click and drag the cursor to select all the text you want to copy and release the button.
- Records- Select the file on your computer that you want to copy and paste, or select several by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking them.
- Images- In most Windows applications, you can select the image you want to copy by clicking it once.
Step 2. Right click with the mouse or trackpad
In case you use a trackpad, depending on the configuration of the computer you can perform the action of the right click using two fingers to click on the trackpad or touching its right end with a single finger.
Step 3. Click Copy
The text will be copied to the "Clipboard" of the computer (a kind of temporary storage).
- Alternatively, press Ctrl + C. In many applications, you can also click Edit in the menu bar and then in Copy.
Step 4. Click on the document or field where you want to insert the text or image
Step 5. Click Paste
The text or image will be inserted at the point in the document or field where you place the cursor.
- Alternatively, press Ctrl + V. In many applications you can also click Edit in the menu bar and select Paste.
Method 2 of 4: On Mac
Step 1. 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, and then release the button.
- Records: Select the file on the computer that you want to copy and paste, or select a group of files by holding down the ⌘ key and clicking.
- Images- In most Mac applications, you can select the image you want to copy by clicking it once.
Step 2. Click Edit on the menu bar
Step 3. Click Copy
The text will be copied to the "Clipboard" of the computer (a kind of temporary storage).
- Alternatively, press ⌘ + C. You can also right-click the mouse or trackpad. In case you don't have a right-click function, press Control and click Mac and then click Copy from the pop-up menu.
Step 4. Click on the document or field where you want to insert the text or image
Step 5. Click Edit on the menu bar
Step 6. Click Paste
The text or image will be inserted at the point in the document or field where you place the cursor.
- Alternatively, press ⌘ + V. You can also right-click the mouse or trackpad. In case you don't have a right-click function, press Control and click Mac and then click Paste from the pop-up menu.
Method 3 of 4: On iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Select what you want to copy:
- Text: To select text, touch the text and drag a control point over it until the text you want to copy and paste is highlighted, and then release the button. You can also touch and drop a single word to select it automatically.
- Images: Touch and hold the image until a menu appears.
Step 2. Tap Copy
The text will be copied to the device's "Clipboard" (a temporary storage).
Step 3. Touch and hold the document or field where you want to insert the text or image
In case it is in a different application than the one you are copying the image or text from, open the other application
Step 4. Tap Paste
The text or image will be inserted where you place your cursor in the document or field.
Method 4 of 4: On Android
Step 1. Select what you want to copy:
- Text: To select text, touch the text and drag a control point over it until the text you want to copy and paste is highlighted, and then release the button. You can also touch and drop a single word to select it automatically.
- Images: Touch and hold the image until a menu appears.
Step 2. Tap Copy
The text will be copied to the device's "Clipboard" (a temporary storage).
Step 3. Touch and hold the document or field where you want to insert the text or image
In case it is in a different application than the one you are copying the image or text from, open the other application
Step 4. Tap Paste
The text or image will be inserted where you place your cursor in the document or field.