How to Remember Cut, Copy and Paste Keyboard Shortcuts

Your computer experience will much easier if you can remember the keyboard shortcuts for often used commands to perform "cut", "copy" and/or "paste" of text or images.  These commands are often available to you via these keyboard shortcuts, even if they are not an option in the program or window in which you are working.

These keyboard shortcuts require you to hold down two keys at one time. 

1. First, select the text or image you wish to cut or copy (it will look similar to this: selected text.)
   1. or, using your mouse, place your cursor in the location you wish to paste information. (It will look similar to this: I_____________.)
2. Press the "Control" key.  This may be abbreviated as "Ctrl" on your keyboard.  (Command key on a Mac)
3. While continuing to hold down the Control key, press either X, C, or V at the same time to perform the following:

CUT.

Keyboard Command:  Control (Ctrl) + X

Remember "X" as
The Cut command is used to remove text or images from the screen you are currently working on.  "CUT" moves the information to your virtual clipboard, where it is stored until it is overwritten by the next "cut" or "copy" command.

COPY

Keyboard Command: Control (Ctrl) + C
Remember "C" as
The COPY command is used for just that - it copies the text or image you have selected and stores is on your virtual clipboard, until it is overwritten by the next "cut" or "copy" command.

PASTE

Keyboard Command: Control (Ctrl) + V

Remember "V" as
The PASTE command is used to place the information that you have stored on your virtual clipboard in the location that you have placed your mouse cursor.

Test yourself by copying the information from the first box and paste it into the second box.

Submitted by:
Jane Holman
WayNet.org
50 North Fifth Street
Richmond, IN  47374

Email:  jane@waynet.org
Phone: (765) 939-0857

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