Copying and pasting is a basic computer skill that everyone should know. It’s a quick and easy way to move text, images, and other files from one place to another. But if you’re new to Chromebooks, you may be wondering how to copy and paste.
In this article, we’ll show you how to copy and paste on a Chromebook using both the keyboard and the touchpad. We’ll also show you how to paste without formatting, which can be useful if you’re copying text from a website or document with a lot of formatting.
Quick Answer
To copy and paste text on Chromebooks, highlight it and press Ctrl + C, or right-click/two-finger tap the text and select Copy. Ctrl + V where you want to paste the text or right-click/two-finger tap the area and select Paste.
How to Use a Keyboard to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook
This method of copying and pasting on a Chromebook is similar to what you’re probably used to doing on Windows devices. Simply use the keyboard shortcuts on your Chromebook.
- Select the text to be copied and pasted.
- Hold down the Ctrl key (usually in the bottom-left corner of the keyboard), then press the letter C.
- To paste, hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the letter V.
You can copy and paste text on Chromebooks using the above keyboard combinations while keeping the formatting intact. Follow the steps below to copy only text without links or other formatting elements.
- Select the text to be copied and pasted.
- Hold down the Ctrl key (usually in the bottom-left corner of the keyboard), then press the letter C.
- To paste, hold down Ctrl and Shift simultaneously, then press the letter V.
How to Use the Trackpad to Copy and Paste on Chromebook Devices
Those who dislike button combinations can copy and paste on Chromebook devices using trackpad shortcuts and gestures. It may be more intuitive and necessitates less memorization.
- Mark the text you want to copy.
- Tap the trackpad with two fingers to copy the text.
- Choose Copy.
- Place the cursor where you want the text to be pasted and tap the trackpad with two fingers.
- Choose Paste.
- If applicable, another option will appear that says Paste without formatting. As the name implies, this will remove formatting from the text you’ve copied to your clipboard, such as italics or links.
How to Use the Mouse to Copy and Paste on Chromebook Devices
Chrome OS fully supports standard computer mice, so you can copy and paste on Chromebooks in the traditional manner.
- Select the text to be copied and pasted.
- Move the mouse over the highlighted text.
- Make a right-click with your mouse.
- Choose Copy.
- Place the cursor where you want the text to be pasted and right-click with your mouse.
- Choose Paste.
- If applicable, another option will appear that says Paste without formatting.
How to Copy Images and Videos
Do you want to imitate a funny cat meme? What about a URL you’d like to share? This is a simple process as long as the original source allows you to copy (not all do).
- Step 1: Right-click the mouse pointer over the image or video you want to copy. On Chromebooks, you can hold down the Alt key while tapping the touchpad with one finger or two fingers.
- Step 2: We divided it into two sections.
- If you want to copy an image, choose Copy image or Copy image address from the pop-up menu. The URL is useful for certain coding or publishing tasks, but generally, you want to copy the image itself.
- If you want to copy a video, go to the pop-up menu and choose Copy video URL, Copy embed code, or Copy video URL at current time. To copy a video link, use the URL and embed code. You only need the URL to paste a video into a chat stream or for other casual purposes.
- Step 3: To paste, click in the area where you want the copied text to appear and simultaneously press the Ctrl + V keys. Alternatively, when you right-click with a mouse, you can select Paste from a pop-up menu, press the Alt key while tapping a touchpad, or tap with both fingers on a touchpad.
It’s worth noting that if you click a thumbnail or a linked image, you’ll see the option to Copy link address. This simply provides a link to the parent website that hosts the image or video. You can also copy a thumbnail and its URL.
Copying an Entire Web Page
Follow this method to copy everything on a specific web page. It copies everything, including headers, buttons, and other web content objects, but the layout is not always preserved.
If you want a complete website picture, you should use the screenshot function.
- Step 1: Click anywhere on a webpage (no images) and simultaneously press the Ctrl + A keys. This keyboard shortcut selects (highlights) everything on the page.
- Step 2: Without clicking again, hold down the Ctrl and C keys simultaneously to copy everything highlighted.
- Step 3: To paste, click in the area where you want the copied content to appear and simultaneously press the Ctrl + V keys. Alternatively, when you right-click with a mouse, you can select Paste from a pop-up menu, press the Alt key while tapping a touchpad, or tap with both fingers on a touchpad.
Copy and Paste Extensions for More Specific Tasks
One of the benefits of using Chrome is that users have access to a plethora of extensions to help them with their work, including copy-and-paste extensions. They can get around copy-and-paste issues that native tools cannot always handle. Here are a few of our favorites, along with the goals they set for themselves.
- MultiCopy Clipboard: MultiCopy Clipboard is a tool for those who need to copy and manage multiple sections at the same time. It works with Chrome Storage to free up space so you can store as many copies as you want at once. You can either select these copies one by one and paste them as needed, or you can paste them all at once. To avoid data loss, the copies are backed up on Chrome.
- Office — Enable Copy and Paste: This adds a small set of unusual tools to your Office web app, allowing you to copy or paste using a right-click menu quickly. This useful tool is only for the web app, not for a standalone Office app.
- ADP Copy & Paste: Working with Automatic Data Processing sheets can be time-consuming. It’s even more aggravating when web formats lack copy-and-paste functionality. This extension aids in restoring the “automatic” to your ADP document workflow. It also saves time spent on routine data entry tasks and aids in the elimination of processing errors.
- Copy Paste Pro: Copy Paste Pro is a feature that allows you to bypass the preventative measures that some websites impose when you copy and paste their content. This extension allows you to copy, paste, select text, and right-click on websites even if the website’s code prevents you from doing so.
- Copy As Plain Text: This is a browser extension that copies text from a website without formatting. You can copy as plain text by right-clicking and selecting Copy as plain text from the menu. You can then use your computer’s keyboard shortcuts or right-click to paste. This is a quick and efficient feature that uses little memory and has no effect on program performance.
How to View the Last Five Items Copied
Here’s an additional trick for you. Google recently added the ability to paste text that is longer than the last text you copied. You can now access the previous five instances where you used the copy function. Follow the steps below to accomplish this.
- Any text can be copied using any of the methods listed above.
- At least one more piece of text should be copied.
- When you’re ready to paste, press the Search and V keys at the same time.
- You will be provided with a list of up to five copied texts.
- Choose one and watch the magic happen.
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