Cutting, copying, and pasting text are essential skills for using a Mac computer efficiently. This guide will teach you the basics of these text manipulation features on a Mac using keyboard shortcuts or your mouse and trackpad.
Table of Contents
Selecting Text to Cut or Copy
Before you can cut or copy text, you need to select it first:
- To select a word, double click on the word
- To select a sentence or paragraph, click and drag from the beginning to the end of the text
- To select all text, press Command + A
You’ll see the selected text highlighted once you’ve made your selection.
Cutting Text
Cutting text removes it from its location but keeps it saved temporarily so you can paste it elsewhere:
- Command + X: Cut selected text
- Right click > Cut
- Edit menu > Cut
The cut text will remain available for pasting until you cut or copy something else.
Copying Text
Copying text lets you duplicate it without removing it from its original location:
- Command + C: Copy selected text
- Right click > Copy
- Edit menu > Copy
You can copy text multiple times and paste copies wherever needed. The original text stays put.
Pasting Text
Once you’ve cut or copied text, you can paste it:
- Command + V: Paste cut/copied text
- Right click > Paste
- Edit menu > Paste
The pasted text will appear at the location of your cursor or text insertion point.
Pasting Text Without Formatting
If you want to paste text without bringing over fonts, sizes, colors etc. from the copied section, use:
- Shift + Command + Option + V: Paste without formatting
Tips
- You can cut/copy from one app and paste into another
- You can paste the same copied text multiple times
- Cutting text removes the selected text from its original location
- Use your mouse or trackpad to select text if needed, but keyboard shortcuts are faster once you get the hang of them
Cutting, Copying and Pasting with the Mouse/Trackpad
If using keyboard shortcuts is difficult at first, rely on your mouse or trackpad:
- Select text by clicking and dragging
- Right click the selected text
- Choose Cut or Copy
- Place your cursor where you want to paste
- Right click and select Paste
This method may feel more intuitive, but keyboard shortcuts are much quicker once mastered.
Keyboard Shortcuts for Selecting Text
In addition to the basic cut, copy and paste shortcuts listed already, there are handy text selection shortcuts:
- Command + A: Select all text
- Shift + Right/Left Arrow: Select text to the right/left
- Shift + Up/Down Arrow: Select text above/below
- Shift + Command + Right/Left Arrow: Select all text to the right/left of cursor
Get used to using the Shift key along with directional arrows to quickly select text rather than dragging your mouse.
Why Learn Cut, Copy and Paste Shortcuts?
Keyboard shortcuts save you time once learned:
- Keep hands on keyboard instead of switching to mouse/trackpad
- Perform common tasks like cut, copy and paste quickly
- Easy to use shortcuts across different Mac apps
- Boost overall efficiency using your Mac
Make an effort to use these shortcuts whenever possible rather than menu clicks. They will quickly become second nature.
Conclusion
The ability to easily cut, copy and paste text is essential on any computer. Luckily Apple makes these text manipulation features easy on Mac using either keyboard shortcuts or the mouse/trackpad.
Focus on keyboard shortcuts for selecting text and cutting/copying/pasting to perform these common functions swiftly. The more you practice them, the quicker they’ll stick. These Mac skills will boost your productivity across many applications.
