The Basic Steps for Copy and Paste

Copy and paste on a tablet works the same way it does on a phone or computer, but the touch gestures are slightly different because you don't have a mouse or trackpad. To copy text, press and hold your finger on the word or phrase you want to copy until a menu appears. Then drag the blue handles that appear at the start and end of your selection to highlight exactly what you need, and tap Copy from the menu.

Once you've copied something, open the app or document where you want to paste it. Press and hold your finger in the spot where you want the text to go, and tap Paste from the menu that appears. The text will insert at that location. This works the same way on iPad, Android tablets, and most other tablet devices.

If you're copying a single word, you can often just double-tap it to select it automatically, which saves you from having to drag the selection handles. For longer passages, the drag method gives you more control over exactly what gets copied.

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.
  • Double-tapping a single word selects it automatically without needing to drag handles.
  • You can copy text between different apps on your tablet—copy from a web browser and paste into an email, for example.
  • If the Copy or Paste option doesn't appear, try pressing and holding for a full second or two.

Copying and Pasting Between Different Apps

Your tablet stores copied text in a temporary holding area called the clipboard. This means you can copy something in one app and paste it into a completely different app. For example, you can copy a web address from your browser and paste it into an email, or copy text from a document and paste it into a note-taking app.

The clipboard only holds one item at a time. When you copy something new, it replaces whatever you copied before. Some tablets and apps offer a clipboard history feature that lets you see and paste older items you've copied, but this isn't standard on all devices.

What to Do If Copy and Paste Isn't Working

If you press and hold but no menu appears, try holding your finger down for a full two seconds instead of just a quick tap. Some apps require a longer press to set up the menu. If that doesn't work, check whether the app itself supports copying—some read-only apps or certain web pages don't allow text selection for security reasons.

If you can select text but the Copy option is grayed out or missing, the app may not support copying from that particular content. Try selecting a different piece of text to see if the option reappears. If copy and paste stopped working after an update, restarting your tablet often fixes the issue.

On some tablets, you may need to use keyboard shortcuts instead of the menu. If your tablet has a keyboard case or external keyboard attached, you can select text and press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste (on Android) or Command+C and Command+V (on iPad).

Copying Images and Other Content

Copy and paste works for more than just text. You can copy images by pressing and holding on a photo in your browser, email, or photo app, then tapping Copy Image or Copy Photo from the menu. Navigate to where you want to paste it—usually a document, email, or messaging app—and tap Paste.

Some apps let you copy links, contact information, or other types of content the same way. Press and hold on the item, look for a Copy option in the menu, and then paste it where you need it. Not every app supports copying every type of content, so the menu options will vary depending on what you're trying to copy and which app you're in.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Faster Copying

If your tablet has a keyboard case or you've connected an external keyboard, you can use keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste much faster than using the touch menu. On iPad, select the text you want with your finger or trackpad, then press Command+C to copy. Move to where you want to paste and press Command+V.

On Android tablets, the shortcuts are Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste. These work the same way—select your text first, then use the keyboard shortcut. Many people find keyboard shortcuts faster once they get used to them, especially if they're copying and pasting frequently.

Selecting Large Amounts of Text Efficiently

If you need to copy a large block of text, dragging the selection handles can be tedious. Try this instead: tap at the beginning of the text you want, then scroll down to where you want the selection to end, and tap while holding Shift (if your tablet has a keyboard) or just tap and hold at the end point. Some tablets let you triple-tap to select an entire paragraph at once.

Another approach is to use the Select All option if you want to copy everything in a document or text field. Press and hold, or use Ctrl+A (Android) or Command+A (iPad) if you have a keyboard attached. This selects all the text at once, which you can then copy and paste elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Not directly through the clipboard—your tablet and computer have separate clipboard systems. However, you can use cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to share text and files between devices. Copy text on your tablet, paste it into a cloud document, and then open that document on your computer to access it.

What's the difference between copy and cut?

Copy leaves the original text where it is and puts a duplicate on your clipboard. Cut removes the text from its original location and puts it on your clipboard. When you paste, both work the same way—the content goes where you want it. Use cut when you want to move text from one place to another.

Why does my tablet sometimes paste old text instead of what I just copied?

This usually means the copy didn't register. Make sure you see the Copy option in the menu before you tap it. If you're copying from a web page, try selecting the text again and copying it a second time. Some apps also clear the clipboard when you switch between them, so paste when ready after copying if possible.

Can I copy text from a PDF on my tablet?

Yes, most PDF readers let you select and copy text the same way you would from any other app—press and hold, drag to select, and tap Copy. Some PDFs have copy protection that prevents this, in which case the Copy option won't appear. If that happens, you won't be able to copy text from that particular PDF.

Is there a way to paste without the menu appearing?

Not through the standard method, but if you have a keyboard attached, you can paste using Ctrl+V (Android) or Command+V (iPad) without opening the menu. This is faster if you're doing a lot of copying and pasting. Otherwise, the menu is the normal way to paste on a tablet.