If you require to move text , an range of a function or another object from one part of a document to another , or from one app to another , you want to use copy ( or cut off ) and glue . On a Mac or MacBook , the keyboard shortcuts for this are dissimilar from other gadget , so if you are coming from Windows you might be obnubilate .
We ’ll explain the wide-eyed steps you require to take to cut , copy and glue on a Mac . Our crown will show you how to imitate and glue on a MacBook Air , MacBook Pro , iMac , Mac mini or any other Mac .
We ’ll also cover how to copy and glue using the keyboard on a Mac and copy and glue using a Mac shiner or a trackpad , how to glue without arrange , how to copy multiple items on Mac , andhow to copy and paste between Macs and iPhones .
The main difference of opinion between Windows and Macs is the cay you demand to crusade – on a Mac this is the Command key . Command has a ⌘ symbolic representation on it and is located next to the space streak . Read : Where is the Command key ?
You may also require theOption headstone , which on someMac keyboardsis marked as the Alt key .
Another matter may be if you are using a PC keyboard with your Mac , in which case you wo n’t have a Command key . In that case the Windows winder tends to act as the Command winder . SImilarly the Alt key on a Windows keyboards is the Option cay if you use it with a Mac . To save yourself the mental confusion , take a tone at our turn up ofthe best Mac keyboard .
At a glance
These are the basic keyboard combinations you involve to copy and glue on a MacBook ( or Mac ):
How to copy on a MacBook or Mac
require to copy something on a Mac ? Here ’s what to do :
How to paste on a Mac or MacBook
The appendage is similar if you want to know “ how do I glue on a Mac ” .
Note that the target can be in a unlike written document or even an entirely different software . Or even on a dissimilar twist , for that matter – we ’ll explicate how you’re able to copy and paste from your Mac to your iPhone or frailty versa below .
How to paste without formatting
We find there is nothing more frustrating than simulate and pasting from one text file to another , or from one program program to another , only to happen that it also copies over the format ( such as the font and textual matter size ) . This is plaguey if you have different format in the papers you are work on and it makes things look uneven .
To obviate this , you’re able to use a command that prepare certain the glued text follows the format of the paragraph or papers it ’s link up , rather than the one it just left behind .
In that typesetter’s case , you need to watch over these steps :
It ’s quite a key combo , but if you may manage it you will get text pasted in the format of your destination document or software .
This keyboard shortcut work in Apple Pages , but it can alter between apps , so if Command + Option / Alt + Shift + V does n’t work try Command + Shift + V.
If you are using Microsoft Word you require to cluck on Paste in the carte du jour and opt Keep Text Only . you may set this as the default spread if you need .
Cut and paste with your mouse
Most people use the Command shortcuts list above , but there are alternatives .
You could just utilize your mouse :
timid how to right - click ? Read : How to rightfulness - tap a Mac .
Cut and paste via the menus
Alternatively , you’re able to expend the carte du jour ( app subordinate ):
In Pages there is an alternative to glue and match dash which could be helpful if you want to miss any formatting . Other apps are likely to have a standardised selection .
How to copy multiple items on Mac
If you are coming to Mac from Windows you may be wondering if you may copy multiple detail to your Clipboard on your Mac so that you may pick out what you require to paste .
Unfortunately , the Mac does n’t offer this feature ( although we ’d have it off to see it ! )
On a microcomputer you may copy up to 24 item from Office written document to the Office Clipboard and glue them into a document , choose what you want to paste from the task pane .
Best clipboard managers for Mac
There are some clipboard managers available for Mac including :
Jérémy Marchand’sClipboard Center($6.99 ) , Apprywhere’sCopy’em Paste($14.99 ) , FIPLAB’sCopyClip($7.99/£7.59 ) , maxbor’sCopyLess($5 ) , Plum Amazing’sCopyPaste($30/£23.70 ) and Stairways Software ’s $ 36 macro instruction utilityKeyboard Maestro .
Clipboard history are available inButler($20),LaunchBar($35 ) , andQuicksilver(with the optional , free Clipboard Plugin ) .
We think thatAlfredis a good selection . Alfred is an award - deliver the goods productivity app , but among other feature of speech it offers aClipboard Historyas part of the optional £ 34Powerpack . With this tool everything you re-create will be available in your searchable history . you could even pull through popular text snippet for easy access . you may select for Alfred to remember your Clipbpard story for 24 hr , 7 days , 1 month or 3 month .
We draw through the best clipboard managers for Mac in a separate clause .
Where is the Clipboard on a Mac?
You will only be capable to see the last matter you copied , but you may see the Clipboard on a Mac , here ’s what you need to do :
alas , it wo n’t keep a track record of everything you have replicate .
How tocopy and paste between iPhone, iPad & Mac
One more advanced tip before we get out this mostly simple-minded topic behind . Since the launch of Universal Clipboard in macOS Sierra in 2016 it ’s been potential tocopy on your Mac and then Paste on to your iPhone , or vice versa . It is also possible toshare a mouse and keyboard between multiple Macs and iPads .
As long as the feature is enable on your devices it ’s just as simple as it sounds , here ’s what you need to do :
But how do you check that Universal Clipboard is useable on your Mac , iPhone and iPad ?
It ’s been uncommitted since the arrival of iOS 10 and macOS Sierra 2016 , so chance are you are on a compatible rendering of Apple ’s operating systems . It also requires a compatible gadget , which admit :
On the Mac side this includes :
This bit is key : Both equipment also need to be signed into the same iCloud story . You will also need to have Bluetooth and Wi - Fi switched on .
If you have all of the above , here ’s what you necessitate to do to get Universal Clipboard working on your Mac and iPhone / iPad :
