How does copying, cutting and pasting texts actually work on the different devices?
Copy, cut and paste
Clipping means that a text (or file) is ‘clipped’ away from its current location. The selection is then ‘pasted’ in the new location. In other words: the selection is moved to that spot. Cutting and pasting a text is useful, for example, if it is in the wrong place in a document or email. You can also copy a text instead of cutting it. The original text will then remain where it is, and a copy can be placed elsewhere. This is useful if a text is located somewhere, but also needs to be placed elsewhere. For example, if you also want to send parts of an e-mail to someone else or if you want to put the address of a website in an app.
Windows computer
Cutting, copying and pasting texts on a Windows computer is most convenient with the keyboard.
- First select the text. Position the mouse pointer to the left of the text to be selected, hold down the mouse button, and drag the mouse pointer right and down to the end of the text you want to select. Then release the mouse button.
- Now you can copy or cut the text:
- Use the shortcut Ctrl+C to copy. (Press Ctrl, hold the key and press the C. Then release the keys.)
- Use the shortcut Ctrl+X to cut. (Press Ctrl, hold the key and press the X. Then release the keys.)
- Click with the mouse pointer where you want the text to appear.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V to paste the text. (Press Ctrl, hold the key and press the V. Then release the keys.)
mac
Cutting, copying and pasting texts on a Mac is most convenient with the keyboard.
- First select the text. Position the mouse pointer to the left of the text to be selected, hold down the mouse button, and drag the mouse pointer right and down to the end of the text you want to select. Then release the mouse button.
- Now you can copy or cut the text:
- Use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+C to copy. (Press Cmd, hold the key and press the C. Then release the keys.)
- Use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+X to cut. (Press Cmd, hold the key and press the X. Then release the keys.)
- Click with the mouse pointer where you want the text to appear.
- Use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+V to paste the text. (Press Cmd, hold the key and press the V. Then release the keys.)
iPad and iPhone
It is also sometimes useful to copy or move texts on tablets and telephones. Due to the smaller screen, this is a bit more difficult than with the mouse on the PC.
- Tap a word twice.
- The word is selected. Select less or more? Drag the dots surrounding the word to the left or right.
- Remove your finger from the screen.
- A bar with options to copy and paste will appear. Tap the option you want to run, for example copy.
- Open the app in which the text should appear.
- Tap once on an empty spot.
- The options bar reappears. Tap on paste.
android device
Words or phrases can also be selected via the touch screen on phones with Android:
- Tap a word twice in succession.
- Drops appear at the beginning and end of the text. Drag the drops to adjust the selection.
- Remove your finger from the screen.
- A bar will appear with several options, such as ‘Cut’, ‘Copy’ and ‘Select All’. Tap the option you want to run, for example To copy.
- Go to where the text should be.
- Press the screen until the option ‘Paste’ appears.
- Tap on To stick.