How to Cut, Copy & Paste on a Computer

When working on a computer, chances are you will need to move text or an image from one place to another. Windows gives you a few different ways to accomplish this task.

Cut and Paste removes (cuts) information and places it on the clipboard so it can be moved (pasted) somewhere else. Cutting deletes the data from its original location.

Copy and Paste copies information to the clipboard so that it can be moved (pasted) somewhere else. This leaves the data in its original location also. You won't see anything happen when you copy something.

Things You'll Need

• Computer

Instructions

1. Cut text. Select (highlight) the material to remove by holding down the left mouse button while you drag it over the material. Select "Edit" and "Cut" or press "Ctrl" and "X." Another option is to right-click the selection and choose "Cut."

2. Copy text. Select (highlight) the material to copy by holding down the left mouse button while you drag it over the material. Choose "Edit" and "Cut" or press "Ctrl" and "C." Another option is to right-click the selection and choose "Copy."

3. Paste text. Click your mouse (or move the cursor to) the location you want the data to appear. Choose "Edit" and "Paste" or press "Ctrl" and "V." Another option is to right-click and choose "Paste."

Tips & Warnings

• As you can see there are several different ways to accomplish the same thing. It doesn't matter which one you use, the results will be the same. Whether you use the menu, the shortcuts or the mouse entirely depends on which you are most comfortable with.