This article explains how to copy and paste a piece of text or a file using a Mac computer. Although the Mac menu bar is the most used method for copying and pasting content, you can do this using the trackpad or keyboard. Of computer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using the Menu Bar
Step 1. Navigate to the document or place where the text or content to be copied is
You have the option to copy any piece of text and then paste it into a document or field or you can copy one or more files to transfer them to another folder on the Mac.
Step 2. Select the text or element you want to copy
To select a portion of text, drag the mouse cursor from the starting point to the end point: the text under examination will appear highlighted. To select a file, simply click the corresponding icon once.
If you need to make a multiple selection, hold down the ⌘ Command key while clicking each of the items to include
Step 3. Enter the Edit menu
It is located on the left side of the menu bar at the top of the Mac screen. A list of options will appear.
Step 4. Choose the Copy item
It is one of the options in the drop-down menu Edit. This way the selected content will be copied to the Mac system clipboard.
- If you have selected a single file, its name will be displayed next to the option Copy in the "Edit" menu.
- At this point the copied element (a piece of text or a file) will not appear duplicated.
Step 5. Navigate to where you want to paste the content you copied
You can paste text into any field or document, while files can be pasted into most folders on your computer.
If you need to paste textual content into a specific text field, be sure to select it before continuing
Step 6. Enter the Edit menu again
It is visible within the menu bar. A list of options will be displayed.
Step 7. Choose the Paste item item
It is one of the options on the menu. The content you copied, a piece of text or a file (or a multiple selection of files), should appear at the selected point.
- If you have copied a multiple selection of files you will need to choose the option Paste elements.
- If you have copied a single file, you will need to select the option Paste [filename] (for instance Paste "Screenshot 1").
Method 2 of 2: Using the Trackpad
Step 1. Consider using keyboard shortcuts instead of the trackpad
To simulate right-clicking and to copy and paste content, you can use the Mac keyboard directly:
- Hold down the Control key while selecting the item to copy. The relevant context menu will be displayed which will offer you the possibility to use the options Copy And Paste.
- While the text or element to copy is selected, press the key combination ⌘ Command + C. It will be copied to the system clipboard.
- Press the key combination ⌘ Command + V after copying the desired content to paste it wherever you want.
Step 2. Enter the "Apple" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Apple logo and is located in the upper left corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 3. Choose the System Preferences… item
It is one of the options present in the drop-down menu that appeared. The "System Preferences" dialog box will appear.
Step 4. Click the Trackpad icon
It is displayed at the top of the "System Preferences" window. A pop-up window will appear.
Step 5. Go to the Point tab and click
It is located at the top of the newly appeared window.
Step 6. Select the "Secondary Click" checkbox
It is displayed on the left side of the "Trackpad" window. This will enable the functionality that allows you to use the Mac trackpad with two fingers.
Skip this step if the indicated check button is already selected
Step 7. Find the piece of text or element you want to copy
Open the document or navigate to the folder that contains the content or file to be copied.
Step 8. Select the portion of text to copy
You will need to drag the mouse cursor from the beginning to the end of the text you want to copy, in order to highlight it.
If you need to make a multiple selection of files, hold down the ⌘ Command key while clicking each of the items to include
Step 9. Click the selected item using the trackpad with two fingers
Place the mouse pointer over the item you selected in the previous step, then press the trackpad using two fingers at the same time. A context menu will be displayed.
If you have selected multiple items you will need to click on only one item included in the selection using the trackpad with two fingers
Step 10. Choose the Copy option
It is one of the items listed in the context menu that appeared. This way all the selected items will be copied to the Mac system clipboard.
- At this point, the copied element (a piece of text or a file) will not appear duplicated.
- If you have selected a single file, its name will be displayed next to the option Copy placed in the menu that appeared.
Step 11. Navigate to where you want to paste the content you copied
You can paste text into any field or document, while files can be pasted into most folders on your computer.
Step 12. Click where you want to paste the copied content using the trackpad with two fingers (for example a text field or an empty spot inside a folder)
A context menu will be displayed.
Step 13. Choose the Paste option
It is one of the items listed within the drop-down menu that appeared. The content you copied, a piece of text or a file (or a multiple selection of files), should appear at the selected point.
- If you have copied a multiple selection of files, you will need to choose the option Paste elements.
- If you have copied a single file, you will need to select the option Paste [filename] (for instance Paste "Screenshot 1").
Advice
- If you are using a Mac with a mouse (for example a regular iMac), pressing the right side of the pointing device will bring up a context menu containing the options Copy And Paste.
- You can also use the "Cut" feature if you need to delete a piece of text from a document to paste it elsewhere. The option Cut is listed in the menu Edit. Alternatively you can press the key combination Command + X.
Warnings
- By copying a second element (for example a piece of text or a file) before having had the possibility to paste the first, the latter will be overwritten in memory by the second and therefore will be lost. This error could have serious consequences if you are copying and pasting sensitive information between documents or folders.
- Some textual elements may not be displayed within certain contexts. For example, if you copy a text message that has emojis inside it from the Messages app on your Mac to paste it into a Facebook post (or similar application), the emoji icon may no longer display correctly.
