How to copy and paste on a Chromebook

The simple and easy answer is ctrl + c to copy and ctrl + v to paste. But there’s so much more to “copy and paste” on a Chromebook that you’ll want to read on for more details.

Learning how to copy and paste on a Chromebook is a must. It’s one of those repetitive actions that you’ll need to do frequently and quickly. Needless to say, while MacBook and Windows operating systems have their own copy and paste shortcuts, so do Chromebooks. If you’re new to Chrome OS, continue reading for a quick and to-the-point crash course.

What is copy and paste?

Copy and paste allows you to copy sections of text, entire documents, whole web pages, images, and videos. Then paste the clipping to a different location. That can be a document file, email, or chat.

How do you copy and paste by using keyboard shortcuts?

To efficiently and quickly copy and paste, you’ll want to use Chrome’s keyboard shortcuts.

1. Highlight the text you want to copy.
• To highlight a section of text, press and hold the touchpad with one finger while dragging a second finger along the touchpad to highlight.
• To select a word, double click the word.
• To select a paragraph, triple-click anywhere on the block of text.
• To select everything, press ctrl + a.
2. Press ctrl + c.
3. Move the cursor where you want to insert the text.
4. Press ctrl + v.

How do you copy and paste with the touchpad?

For those of you who prefer to use the touchpad over keyboard shortcuts, you can also copy and paste by tapping the touchpad with two fingers and selecting an option from the pop-up context menu.

1. Highlight the text you want to copy.
2. Tap the touchpad with two fingers.
3. Select copy.
4. Move the cursor where you want to insert the text.
5. Tap the touchpad with two fingers.
6. Select paste.

How do you copy and paste with a mouse?

If using a mouse is more your thing, then simply right-click the mouse button on the highlighted text and choose from the context menu.

1. Highlight the text you want to copy.
2. Right-click the highlighted text.
3. Select copy.
4. Move the mouse where you want to insert the text and right-click.
5. Select paste or paste without formatting.

How do you copy and paste on a touchscreen?

If your Chromebook device has a touchscreen, you can also copy and paste using the following method. However, be warned that it can be somewhat difficult to get the hang of, and it might be easier to use your keyboard or touchpad instead.

1. Double-tap the screen over the text you want to copy.
2. Slide the highlight handles until all the text you want is selected.
3. Select copy from the pop-up context menu.
4. Tap and hold your finger where you want to insert the text.
5. Select paste or paste without formatting.

What does paste without formatting mean?

Paste without formatting means the inserted text won’t include links or formatted elements—like fonts, text size, spacing, or text color.

How do you copy and paste without formatting?

This allows you to copy and paste as plain text. It’s a great trick for when you want the pasted text to match the formatting of the document you’re working on.

1. Highlight the text you want to copy.
2. Press ctrl + c.
3. Move the cursor where you want to insert the text.
4. Press ctrl + shift + v.

What is the Chromebook clipboard?

Chromebook’s enhanced clipboard adds a tad more functionality to the usual copy and paste routine. Instead of copying and pasting just one thing at a time, the clipboard manager stores up to five items. Those items can be text, links, or image files.

To access the clipboard, take a look at your keyboard and find the search key. It’s where the caps lock would be on a Windows machine, and it looks like a magnifying glass. Now, press the search key + v.

A small clipboard menu will appear with up to five items, depending on how many things you have recently copied. To select an item, use the tab key or arrow keys to scroll up and down. Then press enter or click to choose an item. If you would like to delete items from the clipboard menu, simply press the x located on the right-hand side of each item.

1. Press search + v.
2. Press tab or the arrow keys to browse the list.
3. Click or press enter to select an item.
4. Delete an item by clicking the x on the right-hand side of each item.

How do you copy and paste from the clipboard?

Use the clipboard manager to copy and paste using the following steps.

1. Use any of the above methods to copy text, images, or links. They will automatically be saved to your clipboard.
2. Place your cursor where you want the text or image to be inserted.
3. Press search + v.
4. Use your mouse, the tab key, or the arrow keys to navigate the clipboard menu.
5. To paste, press enter, or click on one of the menu items.

How do you copy and paste everything on a page?

If you would like to copy everything on a given document or web page, you can use ctrl + a. Keep in mind, however, that copying a web page will include images, headings, subheadings, and ads.

1. Press ctrl + a to highlight all of the text.
2. Press ctrl + c while the text is still highlighted.
3. Open a new document.
4. Press ctrl + v to paste.

How do you copy and paste an image?

Want to copy and paste a photo? No problem.

1. Use two fingers to tap the image you want to copy.
2. Select copy image or copy image address.
3. Place your cursor where you would like to paste the image.
4. Press ctrl + v.

If you want the image to be copied as it appears, select copy image. In most cases, that’s the option you need. In certain circumstances, for example, those of you writing for blogs or other online publications, you’ll need to copy the link. That’s when copy image address is the better choice.

How do you copy and paste a video?

Likewise, you can also copy and paste videos using the steps below.

1. Use two fingers to tap the video you want to copy.
2. Select copy video URL or copy embed code.
3. Place your cursor where you would like to paste the video.
4. Press ctrl + v.

To copy videos that you or your friends can watch later, use copy video URL. Use copy embed code for more specific blogging or article writing tasks.

How do you copy and paste a part of a video?

The easiest way to copy and paste part of a video is to select copy video URL at current time. However, it does have its limitations. You can have the video start at a specific time, instead of from the beginning, but it will still play until the end.

The “current time” is the time at which the video is paused when copied. In order to copy and paste part of a video, follow these steps:

1. Play the video you want to copy.
2. Press pause.
3. Use two fingers to tap the video.
4. Select copy video URL at current time.
5. Place your cursor where you would like to paste the video.
6. Press ctrl + v.

Are there copy and paste extensions for Chromebook?

Absolutely. Sometimes you need your copy and paste to do a little more. The following extensions, available in the Chrome Web Store, add a bit more functionality to the same old, same old.

• MultiCopy Clipboard saves an infinite amount of copied information.
• Clipboard History Pro allows you to merge different clippings together.
• Clipper gives users the capability to organize clippings into different lists.
• Copy As Plain Text is an enhanced copy and paste extension that allows text to be copied without any formatting.
• Clipboard Manager maintains an extensive clipboard history. It saves that information even after a reboot.

Chromebook copy and paste cheat sheet

Copy and paste isn’t difficult, but it is something you’ll do over and over. To remember the various ways to copy and paste, reference the cheat sheet below:

• Keyboard shortcut: ctrl c + ctrl v
• Touchpad shortcut: using two fingers tap the touchpad, select copy, tap the touchpad with two fingers, select paste
• Using a mouse: right-click to select copy and paste
• Using a touchscreen: double-tap the text, select copy, tap and hold, select paste
• Paste without formatting: ctrl + shift + v
• Clipboard manager: search + v
• Select all: ctrl + a
• Copy an image: double-tap, select copy image or copy image address
• Copy a video: double-tap, select copy video URL, copy video URL at current time, or copy embed code.