The Basic Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac Copy and Paste

On an Apple computer, you copy text or images using Command+C and paste them using Command+V. The Command key is the one with the ⌘ symbol, located on either side of the spacebar. This works the same way across all Mac applications — web browsers, word processors, email, spreadsheets, and most other programs.

To copy something, first select it by clicking and dragging your mouse or trackpad over the text or image you want to copy. Once it is highlighted, press Command+C. The item is now stored in your clipboard. Then navigate to where you want to paste it, click to position your cursor, and press Command+V. The copied content appears at that location.

If you want to cut text instead of copying it — removing it from the original location and moving it elsewhere — use Command+X. This removes the selected text and stores it in your clipboard, ready to paste somewhere else.

Key Takeaways

  • Command+C copies selected text or images; Command+V pastes them into a new location.
  • Command+X cuts text, removing it from the original spot and storing it for pasting elsewhere.
  • You can copy and paste between different applications — text from a web browser into an email, for example.
  • If paste is not working, check that you actually copied something first and that the process you are pasting into accepts pasted content.
  • The clipboard holds only one item at a time, so copying something new replaces what was previously copied.

Using the Trackpad to Copy and Paste

If you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts, you can also copy and paste using your trackpad or mouse. Select the text or image you want to copy, then use two fingers on your trackpad to tap and hold, or right-click with a mouse. A menu appears with options including "Copy".

To paste, position your cursor where you want the content to go, then right-click or two-finger tap again and select "Paste" from the menu. This method takes more steps than the keyboard shortcut but works just as well if you find it easier to remember.

Copying and Pasting Between Different Applications

One of the strengths of Mac copy and paste is that it works across different programs. You can copy text from a web page in Safari, paste it into a Word document, copy a price from an email, and paste it into a spreadsheet — all using the same Command+C and Command+V shortcuts.

The clipboard remembers only the most recent item you copied. If you copy something new, it replaces what was previously in the clipboard. So if you copy text, then copy an image, the image is now what will paste when you press Command+V.

What to Do If Paste Is Not Working

If you press Command+V and nothing happens, the most common reason is that you have not actually copied anything yet. Go back to the original location, select the text or image again, and press Command+C to copy it. Then try pasting again.

Another reason paste might not work is that some applications do not allow pasting into certain fields. For example, some password fields or security forms block paste for safety reasons. If you are trying to paste into a field that appears to be locked, try typing the content manually instead.

If copy and paste have stopped working across your entire Mac, restart your computer. This usually fixes temporary glitches with the clipboard. If the problem continues after a restart, try updating your Mac to the latest version of macOS, as software updates sometimes fix clipboard issues.

Using Paste Special to Control Formatting

When you paste text from one process into another, sometimes the formatting comes along — bold text stays bold, colors stay the same, and so on. If you want to paste only the plain text without any formatting, use Command+Option+Shift+V instead of Command+V. This opens a "Paste Special" menu where you can choose to paste as plain text.

This is especially useful when copying text from a website into an email or document. Web pages often contain hidden formatting that can make pasted text look messy. Using Paste Special strips away that formatting and gives you clean, plain text to work with.

Undo and Redo After Pasting

If you paste something and when ready realize it was the wrong content, press Command+Z to undo the paste. This removes what you just pasted and restores the text that was there before. You can undo multiple times to go back several steps if needed.

If you undo something and then change your mind, press Command+Shift+Z to redo it. This restores the action you just undid. These shortcuts work in nearly all Mac applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy multiple items at once and paste them one by one?

The standard clipboard holds only one item at a time. However, some third-party applications like Paste or ClipboardManager let you store multiple copied items and choose which one to paste. These are separate programs you can read, but the built-in Mac clipboard works with only one item.

Why does my pasted text look different from the original?

When you paste text into a different process, it often adopts the formatting of that process. Text pasted into an email might be a different font or size than it was on the website you copied it from. Use Command+Option+Shift+V to paste as plain text if you want to avoid this.

Does copy and paste work the same way on iPad and iPhone?

The basic idea is the same — select, copy, navigate, and paste — but the gestures are different. On iPad and iPhone, you select text by tapping and holding, then choose "Copy" from the menu. To paste, tap and hold where you want it and choose "Paste". The keyboard shortcuts Command+C and Command+V do not work on iOS devices.

Can I copy something on my Mac and paste it on my iPhone?

Yes, if your devices are signed into the same iCloud account and have Handoff enabled. Copy something on your Mac, then switch to your iPhone and paste it. This feature is called Universal Clipboard and works automatically in the background without any setup on your part.