Copy, cut and paste

In short: Copy puts a copy into the clipboard, cut moves the original there, paste puts the content at the cursor position. It works with text, pictures and files.

In more detail: The clipboard is a short-term store. Usually only one item fits: if you copy something new, the old one is gone.

In Depth

• Copy: Select → Ctrl + C (Mac: Cmd + C).
• Cut: Select → Ctrl + X.
• Paste: Click the target → Ctrl + V.
• Select all: Ctrl + A.
• Undo: Ctrl + Z reverses the last step.
• Files: Copy in one folder, paste in another. That creates copies. Cut moves them.
• Paste without formatting: Ctrl + Shift + V.
• History: Windows key + V shows several copied items (if enabled).

See also: Important keyboard shortcuts for beginners, Understanding files and folders