Section 13 - Cut, Copy, and Paste

Text can be moved around in a document by using the Cut, Copy, and Paste commands.   The following section explains what each command is used for and how to perform each command. For Word XP and MAC Word 2004 you will be using the Edit menu, the Standard toolbar, and the keyboard shortcuts. For Word 2007 you will be using the Home tab, Clipboard group, and keyboard shortcuts.  

Cutting Text
Cutting text will remove the selected block of text from its original location and place it temporarily on the clipboard. You may choose to paste the text into a new location or continue typing. If you do not paste the text, the information will be lost as soon as you select Cut or Copy again.

Cutting Text in Word XP or MAC Word 2004:

• Highlight the text you want to cut.
• Select the Edit menu and choose Cut.

OR

• Click on the Cut icon on the Standard toolbar.

OR

• In Word XP, press the Ctrl key and the X key at the same time on the keyboard.
• In MAC Word 2004, press the Command key and then the X key at the same time on the keyboard.

Cutting Text in Word 2007:

• Highlight the text you want to cut.
• Select the Home tab and click the Cut button  from the Clipboard group.

OR

• Press the Ctrl key and the X key at the same time on the keyboard.

Copying Text
Copying text will make a duplicate of the selected text and places it temporarily on the clipboard.  This allows you to paste it in a new location-either within the same document or in another document.

Copying Text in Word XP or MAC Word 2004:

• Highlight the text you want to copy.
• Select the Edit menu and choose Copy.

OR

• Click on the Copy icon on the Standard toolbar.

OR

• In Word XP, press the Ctrl key and the C key at the same time on the keyboard.
• In MAC Word 2004, press the Command key and the C key at the same time on the keyboard.

Copying Text in Word 2007:

• Highlight the text you want to copy.
• Select the Home tab and click the Copy button  from the Clipboard group.

OR

• Press the Ctrl key and the C key at the same time on the keyboard.

Pasting Text
Pasting text will place the contents of the clipboard into the new location. You may repeatedly paste the contents of the clipboard until you cut or copy again.

Pasting Text in Word XP or MAC Word 2004:

• Place your cursor in the document where you want to paste the text.
• Select Edit menu and choose Paste.

OR

• Click on the Paste icon  in the Standard toolbar.

OR

• In Word XP, press the Ctrl key and the V key at the same time to Paste.
• In MAC Word 2004, press the Command key and the V key at the same time to Paste.

Pasting Text in Word 2007:

• Place your cursor in the document where you want to paste the text.
• Select the Home tab and click the Paste button from the Clipboard group.

Microsoft Word XP and 2007, and MAC Word 2004 allow you to determine the format of the items pasted by clicking on the Paste Options button that appears just below your pasted selection.  The Paste Options menu will pop up and you may select from the following options: 

                Word XP Window                           Word 2007 Window
        
Note: the MAC Word 2004 paste options are the same.

• Keep Source Formatting – Pasted selection keeps exact style and format from destination copied.   
• Match Destination Form – Pasted selection matches the style and format of the document you have pasted onto.  
• Keep Text Only – No format or style pasted. 
• Apply Style or Formatting (Word XP only) - Create your own style and format of the selection pasted.
• Set Default Paste (Word 2007 only) - This opens the Word Options dialog box (shown below) where you can edit the default paste settings.

Word 2007 Window