Copy & Paste Shortcut
Copy is ⌘C on Mac and Ctrl+C on Windows. Here are copy, cut, paste and the related shortcuts, side by side.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy | ⌘C | Ctrl+C | |
| Cut | ⌘X | Ctrl+X | |
| Paste | ⌘V | Ctrl+V | |
| Paste without formatting | ⌘⇧V | Ctrl+Shift+V | |
| Select all | ⌘A | Ctrl+A | |
| Undo | ⌘Z | Ctrl+Z | |
| Redo | ⌘⇧Z | Ctrl+Y | |
| Copy screenshot to clipboard | ⌃⌘⇧4 | Win+Shift+S |
The core three
Copy is ⌘C on the Mac and Ctrl+C on Windows; paste is ⌘V / Ctrl+V; cut is ⌘X / Ctrl+X. These work in almost every app — text editors, browsers, file managers and design tools.
Paste clean text
When you copy from a webpage the formatting comes along with it. Use ⌘⇧V (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) to paste plain text that matches its new home. In Microsoft Office the exact combo can vary, but Ctrl+Shift+V works in Chrome, Docs, Slack and most modern apps.
To paste numbers or results without formatting or formulas, use the Paste Values Only shortcut.
FAQ
What is the copy and paste shortcut?
Copy is ⌘C (Mac) or Ctrl+C (Windows); paste is ⌘V or Ctrl+V. Cut is ⌘X or Ctrl+X. Select text first, copy, click where you want it, then paste.
How do I paste without formatting?
Press ⌘⇧V on the Mac or Ctrl+Shift+V on Windows to paste plain text stripped of its original fonts and colours.
Do copy and paste shortcuts work everywhere?
Almost — ⌘/Ctrl + C/X/V work in nearly every app and in the Finder/File Explorer for files. A few apps remap paste-special, which is why this page lists both.