How to copy and paste on Chromebooks

Chromebooks are cheaper, faster, and simpler, but they can be a bit confusing to people who come from other operating systems. Even simple actions are done differently, so today, we will show you how to copy and paste on Chromebook computers. This is likely one of the most commonly used features on any PC, so let’s help you figure out how it’s done.

How to copy and paste on Chromebook using a keyboard

This way of copying and pasting on a Chromebook is similar to what you likely experienced using Windows machines. Simply use Chromebook’s keyboard shortcuts.

• Highlight the text you want to copy and paste.
• Press and hold the Ctrl button (usually located in the bottom-left corner of the keyboard), then press the letter C.
• To paste, press and hold the Ctrl button and press the letter V.

Performing the keyboard combinations above will copy and paste on Chromebook computers while keeping the text’s formatting intact. Follow the instructions below to copy only text with no links or other formatting elements.

• Highlight the text you want to copy and paste.
• Press and hold the Ctrl button (usually located in the bottom-left corner of the keyboard), then press the letter C.
• To paste, press Ctrl and Shift simultaneously, then press the letter V.

How to copy and paste on Chromebook devices using the trackpad

Those who are not fans of button combinations can also use trackpad shortcuts and gestures to copy and paste on Chromebook devices. It’s arguably more intuitive and requires less memorization.

1. Highlight the text you want to copy.
2. To copy the text, tap the trackpad with two fingers.
3. Select Copy.
4. Move the cursor to where you want to paste the text and tap on the trackpad with two fingers.
5. Select Paste.

If applicable, you’ll see another option that says Paste without formatting. As the name suggests, this will remove formatting like italics or links in the text you’ve copied to your clipboard.

You can use a mouse too!

Chrome OS has full support for ordinary computer mice, which means you can copy and paste on Chromebooks the traditional way.

• Highlight the text you want to copy and paste.
• Put the cursor over the highlighted text.
• Right-click using your mouse.
• Select Copy.
• Move the cursor to where you want to paste the text and right-click using your mouse.
• Select Paste.
• If applicable, you’ll see another option that says Paste without formatting.

How to see the last five things you copied

Here’s a neat extra trick for you. Google has recently added the ability to paste more than the last text you copied. Now you can access the previous five instances you used the copy function with. To do this, follow the steps below.

• Copy any text using any of the methods listed above.
• Copy at least one more piece of text.
• Press the Search and V keys simultaneously when you’re ready to paste.
• You’ll get a list of up to five copied texts.
• Select one and see the magic happen.