Painting, Cutting and Pasting
It is very common that we want to move text from one place to another. The most effective way to do this is to copy (or cut) and paste the text. Effective editing also benefits from the fact that you can select text by "painting" it.
Keyboard shortcuts
| `Ctrl+C` | Copy |
| `Ctrl+X` | Cut (like copy but also delete the original selection) |
| `Ctrl+V` | Paste |
| `Ctrl+A` | Select the whole document |
Mac: About keyboard shortcut
This page introduces some shortcuts, so now is a good time to learn how shortcuts work on a Mac computer.
Video: Selecting Text
Info: Painting
Painting, i.e. selecting an area for editing or moving, is done by pressing down the first mouse button where you want to edit from, and dragging the pointer until you reach the end of the part you want to edit. Only release the first mouse button at the end of the area to be edited. You'll notice that the area you've chosen is “painted” grey.
Video: Copy and Paste
Info: Copying and pasting
Copying and pasting comes in handy when you want to copy an already written or otherwise created part of your document and paste it to another location, or move it to another location away from its original position.
Cutting is like copying but it also deletes the original selection.
So you can either copy or cut a part of the text to another place using the cut and paste function.
- To copy or cut a part of text, first select the area you want to copy elsewhere.
- Right-click and select Copy or Cut. You can also use the shortcut
Ctrl+C(copy) orCtrl+X(cut). The use of shortcuts is recommended. - Then click with the mouse on the place where you want to paste the cut or copied part and paste it with the shortcut
Ctrl+V.
Copy and paste is a function that is useful when using Office applications. Note, however, that copy and paste is not limited to Office. You can also use these same functions in Windows, for example, on the desktop, in folders or in a web browser.
Task: Copy and paste your name
Are you now familiar with copying and pasting? We also hope that you have tried keyboard shortcuts. They are really handy.
Shall we move forward?