Whether you use your computer for work or at home, knowing how to cut and paste text and images is a valuable time-saving skill. The cut and paste operation allows you to transfer, reproduce and format data from one application to another. The term "cut and paste" derives from a technique of revising the text now out of use, which involved cutting out paragraphs with scissors and pasting them on another page. The modern version was first made available on Apple's Macintosh computers, and then spread and transformed. This article will show you how to cut and paste with the most popular techniques.
Steps
Step 1. On your computer, open or create a document that contains both text and images
Choose an easy-to-use program, such as Microsoft Word, or another writing program.
Step 2. Place the cursor at the top left of the text you want to select, then press the left mouse button
While holding the key, drag the cursor to the lower right corner of the text you want to select. It can also be said that you are highlighting the text, because it will be enclosed in a colored rectangle, usually blue or black, which will contrast with the page. Practice selecting a text until you are comfortable with it.
You can also select text without the aid of the mouse, using the touch pad (which may also have one or two buttons). Use your index or middle finger to position the cursor at the top left of the text to be cut, then press and hold the button on the pad. If there are two, press the left one. Use another finger to drag the slider to the right
Method 1 of 2: Cut the Text
Step 1. Move the cursor to the toolbar of the program you are using
The toolbar is a horizontal rectangle made up of words and icons, usually at the top of the page. Each word or icon corresponds to a menu or command. On the Home tab, click on the scissors icon, or on the word Cut.
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You can also cut text with the mouse, without using the toolbar. After selecting the text, press the right mouse button, with the cursor pointed at the text. A drop-down menu will allow you to choose the "Cut" option.
Cut and Paste Step 3Bullet1 - You can also cut text with the keyboard. There are special shortcuts, which are key combinations. The shortcut for Cut on windows is CTRL + X, meaning you have to press the Control key and the letter X at the same time.
- The shortcut for Cut on Macintosh (Mac) is Command Key + X.
Method 2 of 2: Paste the Text
Step 1. Place the cursor where you want to paste the text you cut
Click once and, if the cursor flashes in the right place, locate the icon with the two folders or the word Paste and click it. The text should appear in the position you have chosen.
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Using only the mouse, position the cursor, right click and select "Paste".
Cut and Paste Step 4Bullet1 - The key combination for Paste on Windows is CTRL + V.
- The key combination for Paste on Mac is Command Key + V.
Step 2. Select an image in the document by clicking it until it is highlighted in blue or black
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Now you can use the command in the toolbar, the right mouse button or the keyboard to paste the image.
Cut and Paste Step 5Bullet1 -
Choose where you want to place the image, then give the Paste command.
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The image should appear in the location you have chosen.
Cut and Paste Step 5Bullet3 -
Usually images are copied from one program and pasted into another. You can do this simply by following the steps just described, because the computer programs communicate with each other. If you use Word, you also find the option to insert an image in the toolbar.
Cut and Paste Step 5Bullet4
Advice
- You can select all text and images in a document by pressing the Control or Command key and the letter "A". This way you can cut and paste the entire document.
- You cannot cut text or images from a web page. You will need to use the Copy function from the toolbar, with the mouse, or with the key combination CTRL + C (on Windows) or Command + C (on Mac).
- Learn how to use the "Cancel" button. It is usually found at the top of the toolbar, or among the first options in the drop-down menu that appears when you right-click. The key combination for Undo on Windows is CTRL + Z, while on Mac it is Command + Z.
