The internet is filled with millions, if not, billions of animated GIFs which mostly available to download for free. You might often randomly found an animated GIF while scrolling through social media or reading an article. These GIFs could be a good material to express yourself on chat, social media status, or even a professional presentation.
Just like any other image format, GIF can be saved to use for later. You may paste it to an app you need. In this guide, you will learn how to copy and paste an animated GIF on a computer.
Table of Contents
Where to find animated GIFs?
#1 Use Google Images
Basically not limited to Google, nearly all popular search engines offer some kind of an image searching service. Just head to Google Images, then type the query you want to search, followed by ‘GIF’. For example, “Iron Man GIF”. The service also made it easier to identify such images as they were labeled with ‘GIF’ at the bottom corner of the image.
#2 Use online GIF website
A few websites on the internet are dedicated to storing animated GIFs which available for the public to download. These websites only serve animated GIFs, not static ones. The best websites to download GIFs are:
How to copy GIF
To copy a GIF file, just right-click on it and select Copy image. Make sure you are not to be confused with ‘Copy image address’ and ‘Copy link address’. Those are for a different purpose.
#2 Copy GIF by downloading it
The best way to get a GIF is by downloading it to your computer so it can be used later (offline). To do that, right-click on the GIF, select Save image as… and then Save it to your device.
How to paste GIF
Let’s say I want to insert a GIF to a PowerPoint slide, then all I need to do is just copy the image and then right-click on a slide, and select Paste (or press Ctrl+V). The menu is also available via Home > Paste. The program will automatically download the picture and directly inserting it to the document.
But this is not always the case. Some programs do not support GIF. They are usually will just paste the image URL or do nothing at all. So, this is something you need to be aware of.
#2 Paste GIF by importing it
If the program doesn’t support a seamless copy-paste for GIF, then you probably have to insert it manually. This method of pasting requires GIF to be downloaded (see copy method #2 above).
As each program could have a different interface, I can’t provide a specific guide for it. However, most programs follow this rule: go to File > Import > and select the GIF file. You may also drag and drop the GIF onto the program.
Either way, that’s all I have for you today. I hope this you found this article to be helpful.
Troubleshooting GIF Issues: Why Some GIFs Don’t Animate After Pasting
Ever faced non-animated GIFs?
Sometimes, copying and pasting a GIF doesn’t work as expected. Instead of an animated image, you might end up with a static frame. This issue can occur due to clipboard limitations or compatibility issues with certain programs.
Common Reasons for GIF Animation Issues
- Clipboard Format Limitations
Many systems convert copied GIFs into static formats like PNG or Bitmap during the copy-paste process. This causes the animation to be lost. - Program Restrictions
Not all applications support animated GIFs. For example, some chat apps or document editors may paste only a still image. - Incorrect Copy Method
Right-clicking and selecting “Copy Image” often captures just the current frame of the GIF. To retain animation, downloading the file is usually more reliable.
How to Ensure Your GIF Stays Animated
- Download First: Always save the GIF to your device before using it. This ensures the full file, including animation frames, is preserved.
- Use Compatible Tools: Programs like PowerPoint and Slack handle animated GIFs well when imported directly.
- Drag and Drop: For some platforms, dragging the downloaded GIF into the application can bypass clipboard issues.
Recommended Tools for Creating or Editing GIFs
If you want to create or edit your own animated GIFs, tools like EZGIF and Imgflip are excellent options. They allow you to customize animations, adjust sizes, and even convert videos into GIFs.
FAQ
Why does my pasted GIF appear as a still image?
This happens because many systems convert copied GIFs into static image formats like PNG. To avoid this, download the file and insert it directly.
Can I paste animated GIFs into all programs?
No, not all programs support animated GIFs. Some may paste only a still frame or fail entirely. Check if your program supports animations before pasting.
Platforms like Twitter and Instagram work seamlessly with animated GIFs. Upload the file directly rather than copying and pasting.
How can I resize a GIF without losing quality?
Tools like EZGIF allow you to resize animated GIFs while maintaining their quality and frame rate.
By following these tips, you’ll never have to settle for static images when working with animated GIFs!
