In today’s digital age, copying and pasting are everyday tasks for computer users, especially to edit text, add or remove and replace images, arrange folders, and share links on a Mac, we must learn how to copy and paste on Mac. It’s a powerful tool that makes working and communicating easier. This guide will show you different techniques, tricks and tips to become a copy-paste expert on your Mac.
When we begin using macOS, one of the first skills we pick up is how to copy and paste on Mac. This knowledge is fundamental for tasks such as editing text, adding or removing images, organizing folders, and sharing links.
However, it’s not safe to assume that every Mac user has mastered copy-pasting completely. Surprisingly, there’s much more to learn beyond the familiar Command + C shortcut:
Can you copy and paste between different devices?
Can you copy two items simultaneously?
How can you copy using the MacBook trackpad?
Explore the answers to these questions and more about the art of copy and paste on Mac devices below.
Cut and paste and copy and paste on Mac
When it comes to performing copy and paste on Mac, the process boils down to these fundamental steps:
Begin by selecting the text, file, or item you wish to duplicate.
Employ either a keyboard shortcut or a menu command to store this selected item in your Mac’s clipboard.
Finally, simply paste the item from the clipboard to its intended destination.
It’s important to keep in mind that anything you copy or cut on Mac remains in the clipboard until it’s replaced by your next copying or cutting action. The key distinction between cutting and pasting versus copying and pasting on Mac lies in the outcome: cutting and pasting relocates the item exclusively to the new location while copying and pasting maintains the original item in its place and simultaneously generates a duplicate for use elsewhere.
Efficiently Copy and Paste on Mac: Mastering Shortcuts
Learning how to perform copy and paste on Mac becomes a breeze when you master these handy shortcuts using the Command key:
- To copy: Press Command + C
- To cut: Use Command + X
- To paste: Hit Command + V
Here’s an extra tip for those who work with text and want to elevate their skills for copy and paste on Mac devices:
If you desire to paste plain text that seamlessly matches your document’s existing size, font, and color, simply add Option and Shift to your regular pasting shortcut. This is done by pressing Option + Shift + Command + V. This shortcut pastes text without its original formatting.
In some applications, you can also enhance your workflow by adding an Option to the Command + C shortcut, allowing you to copy the style without copying the text itself. Later, you can apply this style to the text of your choice using Command + Option + V.
Mastering Copy and Paste on Mac Using Menus
For those who prefer a mouse-driven approach over keyboard shortcuts, mastering copy and paste on Mac through contextual menus is both easy and effective. Prior to diving in, make sure to activate the ‘Secondary click’ feature in your System Settings: Apple menu ➙ System Settings ➙ Trackpad ➙ Point & Click ➙ Secondary click.
Here’s the step-by-step process for executing copy and paste on your Mac using menus:
- Start by highlighting the text or selecting the file you intend to copy.
- Trigger the actions menu by tapping with two fingers anywhere on your trackpad, then opt for ‘Copy.’
- Navigate your cursor to the destination where you want to paste the copied content, perform a two-finger tap on your trackpad, and select ‘Paste.’
For an even more versatile menu experience, consider taking advantage of PopClip. With PopClip, simply highlighting a section of text prompts a menu with suggested actions to appear automatically. Beyond the basics of copy-pasting on Mac, PopClip offers access to advanced tools, including translation, spell-checking, word counting, formatting, and seamless web searches related to the selected text in sources like Google, Wikipedia, Google Maps, Amazon, eBay, YouTube, PubMed, Urban Dictionary, and many more.”
Effortlessly Copying Files and Folders to a Different Location
Knowing the ropes of copying files and folders on your MacBook is an invaluable skill for optimizing document management.
To replicate your items in a new location, follow these straightforward steps:
- Highlight the file or folder you intend to duplicate (utilize the Command key to select multiple items if required).
- Navigate to the Finder menu situated at the top of your screen, then go to ‘Edit’ ➙ ‘Copy,’ specifying the file’s name.
- Access the folder where you wish to place your copied item.
- Return to the Finder menu, select ‘Edit’ once more, and click on ‘Paste Item.’
If your aim is to transfer files to an alternate location while simultaneously removing them from their original source, execute the same sequence of steps. However, this time, hold down the Option key while pasting, and you’ll notice the transformation of “Paste Item” into “Move Item Here.” This facilitates a seamless relocation.”
How to Copy and Paste Multiple Items on Your Mac
The macOS clipboard, though an unobtrusive workhorse, does have a notable limitation – it permits the pasting of just one item at a time. But what if you need to juggle multiple pieces of text simultaneously? In such moments, alternative clipboard managers like Paste come to the rescue.
Paste equips you with the ability to copy multiple items in one go, presenting you with an expansive clipboard that can house everything you toss into it:
Handpick the item you wish to paste and effortlessly deposit it in your desired destination.
Paste from the clipboard in an instant, seamlessly converting content from HTML, code, and an array of other text formats into plain text.
Maintain a meticulous archive of everything you’ve copied, neatly store crucial items, and swiftly scour your clipboard history using an intelligent search-as-you-type feature.
Enjoy the flexibility of accessing your clipboard from any of your iCloud-linked devices, ensuring your data is always within reach.
Foster a culture of efficient collaboration by sharing your clipboard with your team or family members, facilitating streamlined information sharing and an upswing in overall productivity.”
How to Copy and Paste Images on Mac
Copying images on a Mac is a breeze, following the same steps as copying other items. Here’s a quick guide:
- Start by double-clicking on the image you want to copy.
- Employ the keyboard shortcut Command + C to add it to your clipboard.
- To paste the image into its new location, use Command + V.
Pro Tip: If you’re dealing with screenshots, hold down the Control key while capturing the screenshot (this automatically adds it to your clipboard), and then paste it using Command + V or through the contextual menu.
However, if you’re in search of a more versatile solution that allows you to capture multiple images at once, copy and paste pictures repeatedly, and swiftly retrieve anything you’ve previously copied, you might want to explore applications like Paste or Unclutter. These apps provide a user-friendly desktop drop area, perfect for effortlessly dragging and dropping text, links, or files between apps, copying images, creating lists of items for future reference, and syncing clipboard content across all your devices.
How to Copy and Paste Across Your Apple Devices
Apple introduced the Universal Clipboard in 2016, allowing you to effortlessly copy and paste various content, such as pictures, text, and video, between your connected Apple devices. This magic is made possible through a macOS feature known as Handoff. To get started with this convenient feature, follow these steps on both your Mac and iOS device:
On Your Mac:
- Click on the Apple menu.
- Go to System Settings.
- Select General.
- In the AirDrop & Handoff section, enable the option that says “Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices.”
On Your iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on General.
- Choose AirPlay & Handoff.
- Turn on Handoff.
Once Handoff is activated, make sure that both devices are:
- Close to each other.
- Connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- With Bluetooth turned on.
- Signed in using the same iCloud account.
Now, when you copy something on one of your Apple devices, it will automatically appear on the clipboard of your other device. Keep in mind that there might be a slight delay, and you should paste the content relatively quickly, as it remains available for about two minutes after you’ve copied it to the Universal Clipboard.
If you want a clipboard solution with more flexibility and no time constraints, you can explore the Paste app for iOS. This app offers an expansive clipboard that enables seamless copying and pasting across your Apple devices, making your workflow even more efficient.
