Technology Lesson: How to Cut and Paste

Remember when you had to cut and past manually? Remember what a pain that was? I don't! I'm not old! (Ha!) (Kidding.) Your computer can cut and paste text and digital content! It's simple, easy, and saves time. Unfortunately, I know someone who hasn't mastered the concept yet. It's time to convince that person to save some time!

HOW TO COPY

Highlight the text or material you want to copy. (Sometimes you can copy an image, but sometimes you can't. It varies based on your Web browser or program, copyright, and material.) After you've selected the content, you have three options.

The first option is to hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and the C key. (If you are using Apple, hold down the COMMAND button. Older models might have an Apple logo on it. Never call this key "Apple." ALWAYS CALL IT COMMAND.)

The second option is to go to the EDIT menu in your program and click COPY.


Finally, you can RIGHT CLICK the highlighted area with your mouse and click COPY. (Mac machines do not right click.)

HOW TO CUT

The first option is to hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and the X key. (If you are using Apple, hold down the COMMAND button. Older models might have an Apple logo on it. Never call this key "Apple." ALWAYS CALL IT COMMAND.)

The second option is to go to the EDIT menu in your program and click CUT. When you cut something, it's removed from the area you cut it from. This is good if you want to remove something, but if you're not comfortable with these activities, stick to copying. (Then, when you want something removed, you can just delete it.)

Finally, you can RIGHT CLICK the highlighted area with your mouse and click CUT. (Mac machines do not right click.)


HOW TO PASTE


Place your cursor where you want to paste your content.

Again, you have three options. Keep in mind that it's easier to immediately paste content after you have cut or copied it. If your program crashes, you'll lose the material your copied or cut, and if you cut or copy twice, you'll only paste the most recent information unless you have access to your clipboard. (Which varies.)

The first option is to hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and the V key. (If you are using Apple, hold down the COMMAND button. Older models might have an Apple logo on it. Never call this key "Apple." ALWAYS CALL IT COMMAND.)

The other option is to go to the EDIT menu in your program and click PASTE.

Finally, you can RIGHT CLICK the highlighted area with your mouse and click PASTE. (Mac machines do not right click.)


You did it! You go, Glen Coco.