Cut, Copy, and Paste Operations

Key Concepts

• Cut Operation
• Copy Operation
• Paste Operation

Cut Operation

The cut operation removes selected text from its original location and stores it in the clipboard. This allows you to move the text to a different location within the document or to another document. To perform a cut operation, select the text you want to move, right-click, and choose "Cut" from the context menu, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+X (Cmd+X on Mac).

Imagine cutting a piece of paper from a larger sheet and placing it elsewhere. The original piece is removed, and you can paste it wherever you need it.

Copy Operation

The copy operation duplicates selected text and stores it in the clipboard without removing the original text. This allows you to paste the copied text multiple times in different locations. To perform a copy operation, select the text you want to duplicate, right-click, and choose "Copy" from the context menu, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C (Cmd+C on Mac).

Think of copying as making a photocopy of a document. The original remains intact, and you have an identical copy to use as needed.

Paste Operation

The paste operation inserts the text stored in the clipboard at the current cursor position. This allows you to place the cut or copied text into a new location. To perform a paste operation, place the cursor where you want the text to appear, right-click, and choose "Paste" from the context menu, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on Mac).

Consider pasting as placing the copied or cut content onto a new page. Just as you would place a photocopy or a cut piece of paper onto a new surface, you insert the clipboard content into your document.

Examples

Suppose you have a sentence in your document that you want to move to a different paragraph. First, select the sentence and use the cut operation to remove it from its original location. Then, move the cursor to the new paragraph and use the paste operation to insert the sentence there. This is similar to rearranging furniture in a room by first removing an item and then placing it in a new spot.

Alternatively, if you want to reuse a phrase multiple times without altering the original, use the copy operation. Select the phrase, copy it, and then paste it wherever you need it. This is akin to making multiple photocopies of a document to distribute to different recipients.