Copy and Paste on Mac? You’re Probably Doing It Wrong

Copy and paste on Mac is a bit different from Windows while using the same key combination. Copy and paste is a simple and quick process for sending our huge content to another location. We can use several methods to copy and paste the content, i.e., keyboard shortcuts, trackpad, menu bar, etc. All of these are built-in ways of applying the copy/paste process.

In our guide today, we will discuss some easy methods to make your copy/paste task reliable. You can use the methods for moving your important content, i.e., documents, images, screenshots, etc, from one location to another location on your device. We also discuss some methods of using the Copy/paste feature across Apple devices.

How to Copy and Paste on Mac

Here, some methods for applying the Copy/paste feature are discussed to make your work easier and reliable.

Method 1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Copy and Paste on Mac

The process of copy/paste using the keyboard on a Mac is different, as here you need to use Command and Option keys as a replacement of the Alt key on Windows. Before we go to following the given steps, we have quick look for Mac keyboard shortcuts;

• Copy: Command + C
• Cut: Command + X
• Paste: Options + Shift+ Command V

Let’s move to our main topic

• Select your required text by clicking and dragging the mouse pointer on the entire text.
• When the entire text is highlighted, press Command Cmd + C and copy your text to the clipboard.
• Now, you can paste this copied text into any text field or document.
• Press Command Cmd + V, and the copied text will be pasted.

Method 2: Copy and Paste on Mac without Formatting

When you have to copy a text with a different size or font style, you have to face a little irritation, as it is difficult to reformate it and time consuming also. Here we will guide you on how to use the copy/paste option without formatting. In the way, your copied text will be pasted as according to your document’s formatting. Follow the given steps;

• Select your required text by clicking and dragging the mouse pointer on the entire text.
• When the entire text is highlighted, press Command Cmd + C, and copy your text to the clipboard.
• Now, you need to press the Command + Option + Shift + V keys and paste your content without formatting.
• If the combination fails to respond, you can press Command + Shift + V, as Google Docs requires this combination for pasting the text without formatting.

Method 3: Use Menu Bar to Copy and Paste on Mac

• Select your required text by clicking and dragging the mouse pointer on the entire text.
• Open the drop-down menu by clicking on the Edit option from the top left menu bar on the screen.
• Select the Copy option from the drop-down menu and click it to copy your highlighted text to the clipboard.
• Open the location such as Page file or TextEdit document for pasting your text.
• Open the drop-down menu bar again by clicking on the Edit option from the top left menu bar on the screen.
• Now, select the Paste option from the drop-down menu, and the copied text will appear in the text field.

Method 4: Use Trackpad to Copy and Paste on Mac

If you are not satisfied with keyboard shortcuts or menu bar options, you have the choice of using the Trackpad. Follow the given steps;

• From the top-left corner, click on the Apple logo to select System Preferences.
• Open Trackpad using the System Preferences option, and click on Point & Click.
• Enable the ‘Click with two fingers’ option by ticking the box next to Secondary click.
•  Select your required text by clicking and dragging the mouse pointer on the entire text.
• Press the Trackpad using your two fingers while placing the mouse pointer on the highlighted text.
• A drop-down menu will appear on the screen; you need to select the Copy option from the menu.
• Open the document or text field where you want to paste the text; repeat the process to open the drop-down menu.
• This time, select the Paste option from the menu, and the copied text will be transferred to the text field or document.

How to Copy and Paste Files on Mac

• Click your required file to select, and select multiple files by clicking them one by one while holding the Command key down.
• Open the drop-down menu by clicking on the Edit option from the top left menu bar on the screen.
• Select the ” Copy option from the drop-down menu and click it to copy your highlighted text to the clipboard. you can use the keyboard shortcut Command + C for the same purpose.
• Use the Finder app to access the folder for pasting the files.
• Click the Paste option from the drop-down menu, and for multiple files, the option Paste (number) Items.
• You can change the location of saving the files by changing Paste (number) Items into Move Items Here option while holding the Command key down, and select the Edit drop-down menu.
• In this way, you can send the files to a new location while removing them from the original location.

How to Copy and Paste Across Apple Devices

Sierra 2016 is the version of macOS that offers the feature Universal Clipboard for copying/pasting images and text between Mac and iOS devices. You can use it by logging in to iCloud from both devices. Follow the given steps;

• Copy the selected image or text by pressing Command + C on the keyboard.
• Unlock your iPhone and go to the application where you want to paste it.
• Press the screen and select the paste option, or press Command + V for the purpose.
• You can similarly use the copy/paste option for moving text or images from iPhone to Mac.

How to Access the Clipboard on Mac OS

Commonly, we can’t have any access to our clipboard, but with some steps, you can access it.

• Unlock your Mac, click on magnifying glass from top right menu bar to open Spotlight, or press Command + Space bar to open Spotlight, and type Finder.
• Click Finder to open it, and click on the Edit option from the top menu.
• A drop-down menu will appear; select the Show Clipboard option.
• The clipboard will appear with the content you have recently copied on it.

Conclude

So, friend, we can say the copy/paste option on Mac is not a complicated task, but it is a little bit different from the Windows copy/paste option. This difference is the use of keys such as you need to use the Command key instead of the Alt key. We also try to explain all possible ways of copy/paste on Mac for your ease. You can try any of them that better with your requirements.

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