5 Methods to Copy and Paste on MacBook Pro

How to Copy and Paste on MacBook ProHow to Copy and Paste on MacBook Pro

How to Copy and Paste on MacBook Pro?

If you’ve just gotten a new MacBook Pro or switched from a Windows OS desktop or laptop, even the simplest tasks, such as copy/paste, may take time to get used to. 

How to Copy and Paste on MacBook Pro using Keyboard Shortcuts?

  1. Start by selecting the image and/or text you want to copy. To do this, press and hold the shift button while using the up and down arrows to highlight the text you want to copy. Otherwise, you can left-click your mouse and hover over the text to highlight it.
  2. Next, click on 'Command +C' on your keyboard; while holding the 'Command' button, click on the letter 'C' once to copy the image or text to the clipboard.
  3. Launch an application to paste what you've just copied. MacBooks have a text application which is the perfect place to paste and save images and text.
  4. Click on 'Command + V'; this action will paste the images and/or text on the clipboard.
  5. Note; you can only copy one set of images and/or text; therefore, every time you copy something new, it will replace the previous content you copied.

Using Your Mouse

  1. Start by highlighting the image or text you want to copy.
  2. Right-click on your mouse and click on 'Copy' from the menu that appears.
  3. Next, launch an application to paste what you've just copied.
  4. Next, point your cursor to where you want to place the copied content.
  5. Finally, right-click on your mouse and click on 'Paste' from the menu that appears.

Using the Track Pad

If you have a MacBook Pro and you don't have the Apple Magic Mouse or a standard mouse, you can still copy and paste using the touchpad or trackpad.

So here's what you need to do:

  1. Start by selecting the images and/or text you want to copy. You can do this by pressing on the touchpad and hovering the cursor over the section you wish to copy.
  2. Next, click anywhere on the touchpad with two fingers to launch the menu.
  3. Next, click on 'Copy.'
  4. Launch an application to paste what you've just copied.
  5. Finally, lightly click on any space on the touch pas with two fingers. This will launch the contextual menu allowing you to paste the content.

Using the Tool Bar

  1. Start by highlighting the text you want to copy using a mouse or touchpad
  2. Click on 'Edit' and then 'Copy' in the drop-down menu in the toolbar.
  3. Next, click to place the cursor where you'd like to paste the copied content.
  4. Click on 'Edit' and then 'Paste' in the drop-down menu in the toolbar.

How to Copy And Paste On MacBook Pro to Match Formatting?

The methods illustrated above will copy the highlighted text as it appears in the original document, i.e., color, font, size, etc. Of course, this isn't always what people want, but there's an easy hack to help keep things consistent in the document you're pasting content into.

  1. Start by highlighting the text you want to copy using a mouse or touchpad.
  2. Copy the text using 'Command + C' or right-clicking your mouse.
  3. Next, click to place the cursor where you'd like to paste the copied content.
  4. Click on 'Edit' then 'Paste without Formatting' in the drop-down menu in the toolbar. It might also be indicated as 'Paste and Match Style.' Now when you paste without formatting, the copied content will match the style of the document you're pasting into.

Final Thought

Copying and pasting are some of the most straightforward computer features that everyone should know.

However, there’s no need to worry if you’ve never done this because it’s relatively simple. Just follow all the steps illustrated above, and you’ll be ready.

See Also

How to Copy-Paste on Chromebook

How to Use External Webcam on Mac

How to Pair AirPods to MacBook

How to Setup Dual Monitor

Best Webcams for Mac