How to copy and paste on Mac

Copy or cut text or other items from one location, then paste in another location. These methods work in most apps. 

Copy or cut

Start by selecting the text or other item to be copied or cut. Then use one of these steps to save the item to your Clipboard so that it can be pasted elsewhere. 

Copy

copy text
  • Press Command-C. 
  • Or choose Edit > Copy from the menu bar.
  • Or Control-click (or right-click) the item you selected, then choose Copy from the shortcut menu.

Cut

cut text
  • Press Command-X. 
  • Or choose Edit > Cut from the menu bar.
  • Or Control-click (or right-click) the item you selected, then choose Cut from the shortcut menu.

Paste, or paste and match style

First click to place your insertion point, then use one of these steps to paste your copied item at that location. When you paste and match style, the pasted item matches the font, color, size, or other style of the surrounding content. 

Paste

paste text
  • Press Command-V. 
  • Or choose Edit > Paste from the menu bar.
  • Or Control-click (or right-click) the item you selected, then choose Paste from the shortcut menu.

Paste and Match Style

copy paste match style
  • Press Option-Shift-Command-V.
  • Or choose Edit > Paste and Match Style from the menu bar.