The Basic Method: Select, Copy, Paste

Copying and pasting on a tablet works the same way it does on a phone or computer, but the touch screen makes it feel different. To copy text, press and hold your finger on the first word you want to copy until a menu appears. Drag the blue handles that appear at the start and end of your selection to highlight exactly what you need, then tap Copy from the menu that pops up.

Once you have copied something, move to where you want to paste it. Press and hold your finger in that spot until a menu appears, then tap Paste. The text will appear when ready. This works the same way whether you are pasting into an email, a document, a search box, or a text message.

The hardest part for most people is getting the selection handles to land exactly where they want them. If you overshoot, just tap somewhere else and try again—there is no penalty for starting over.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold on text until a menu appears, then drag the blue handles to select what you want to copy.
  • Tap Copy from the menu, then navigate to where you want to paste and tap Paste.
  • You can copy and paste between different apps—text you copy in a web browser can be pasted into an email or document.
  • If your selection is off, tap elsewhere and try again; there is no limit to how many times you can select.
  • Some tablets let you copy images and files the same way you copy text, though the menu options may differ slightly.

Copying Text from Web Pages and Articles

When you find text on a website that you want to copy, the process is identical to copying from anywhere else on your tablet. Press and hold on the first word, drag the handles to the end of what you want, and tap Copy. The text stays in your tablet's clipboard until you copy something else, so you can navigate away from the page and paste it later.

Some websites make text harder to select—they may have added code that prevents copying. If you press and hold and nothing happens, that website has turned off copying for that text. In that case, you will need to type it out by hand or find the same information elsewhere.

If you are copying a long passage, select it in chunks rather than trying to grab everything at once. Copy the first paragraph, paste it where you need it, then go back and copy the next one. This takes a few extra seconds but is much easier than fighting with a selection that spans multiple screens.

Copying and Pasting Between Apps

Your tablet's clipboard is shared across all your apps. Text you copy in your web browser stays copied when you switch to email, notes, or any other app. This means you can copy a web address from Safari or Chrome, switch to your email app, and paste it directly into a message without typing it out.

The same works in reverse: copy a phone number from an email, switch to your phone app, and paste it into the dial pad. Copy a product name from a shopping app, switch to your notes app, and paste it into a shopping list. This cross-app pasting saves time and prevents typos.

Keep in mind that once you copy something new, the old thing you copied is gone. Your tablet only holds one thing in the clipboard at a time. If you need to paste the same text multiple times, paste it once, then paste again when ready—it will still be there. But if you copy something else in between, the first thing is lost.

Copying Images and Files on Your Tablet

You can copy images the same way you copy text. Press and hold on an image until a menu appears. Instead of Copy, you may see Copy Image or just Copy—tap whichever option appears. Then navigate to where you want to paste it and tap Paste.

Pasting an image works best in apps designed to handle images, like email, messaging apps, notes apps, and photo editors. If you try to paste an image into a text-only app like a basic notes program, it may not work. Most modern tablets handle image pasting smoothly, but older devices or less common apps may have trouble.

Copying files (like PDFs or documents) works differently depending on your tablet and the app you are using. Some file manager apps let you press and hold a file and select Copy, then navigate to a folder and paste it. Others require you to use a Move or Duplicate button instead. Check your file manager's menu to see what options are available.

Fixing Common Copy-and-Paste Problems

If you tap Paste and nothing happens, the most common reason is that you have not actually copied anything yet. Go back to the text or image you want, press and hold, and make sure you see the Copy option before you tap it. Then try pasting again.

If the text you pasted looks wrong—different font, different size, or strange formatting—your app is pasting the text with its original formatting attached. Most apps have a Paste as Plain Text option that removes all the formatting and pastes just the words. Look for this option in the menu when you paste, or try pasting into a plain text app first, then copying it again from there.

If you cannot select text at all, the app or website may have disabled copying. Try a different app or website to confirm your tablet's copy-and-paste function still works. If it does, the problem is with that specific app or site, not your tablet.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Copy and Paste

If your tablet has a keyboard attached or paired via Bluetooth, you can use keyboard shortcuts instead of the touch menu. Select text by clicking and dragging with the trackpad or mouse, then press Ctrl+C (on Android) or Command+C (on iPad) to copy. Press Ctrl+V or Command+V to paste.

Keyboard shortcuts are faster once you get used to them, especially if you are copying and pasting many times in a row. They also work more reliably on some apps that have trouble with the touch menu. If your tablet supports a keyboard, it is worth learning these shortcuts.

Not all tablets support keyboard shortcuts, and not all apps respond to them even if your tablet does. The touch menu method always works, so use that as your backup if the keyboard shortcut does not do anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my pasted text look different from the original?

The app you are pasting into is keeping the original formatting—font, size, color, bold, italics, and so on. Look for a Paste as Plain Text option in the paste menu, or paste into a notes app first and then copy it again from there to remove the formatting.

Can I copy and paste between my tablet and my phone?

Not directly through the clipboard. You would need to use a third-party app or cloud service. Some tablets and phones from the same manufacturer (like two Apple devices) can share the clipboard if they are signed into the same account, but this is not standard across all devices.

What happens if I copy something and then turn off my tablet?

The clipboard clears when you turn off your tablet. If you need to save something you copied, paste it somewhere permanent like a notes app or email draft before shutting down.

Can I copy text from a PDF on my tablet?

Yes, if you open the PDF in an app that allows copying. Press and hold on the text, drag to select it, and tap Copy. Some PDF apps lock copying to prevent unauthorized use, in which case you will not see the Copy option.

How do I select text that spans multiple lines or paragraphs?

Press and hold on the first word, then drag the bottom handle down and to the right until you reach the end of what you want to copy. If the text is very long, you may need to scroll while dragging. Take your time and adjust the handles until the selection is exactly right.