[SeniorTech] SeniorTech Tip: How to Copy & Paste
- From: "Jerry Taylor" <jerry@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <jerry@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2011 20:41:16 -0400
Copy & Paste
Q. Can you please explain to me how to copy and paste? I hear that phrase
all the time, but I never really understood what it means.
A. Two basic skills all Windows users need include the ability to copy (or
cut) and paste, so let's run through the process from start to finish.
In order to copy anything, you first have to select whatever it is you would
like to copy. It might be some text, a graphic, a file -- it can be just
about anything you see on screen. To select an object refers to the process
of highlighting it. (The terms "select" and "highlight" are frequently used
interchangeably.) There are several methods of accomplishing this, so try
each of them and use whatever is most comfortable for you.
. Method 1: Move your mouse to the beginning of the text you would
like to copy. Hold down the left mouse button, then slowly move the mouse to
the end of the text, highlighting each word as you go. When the text you
want to copy is completely highlighted, release the mouse button. The text
will remain highlighted.
. Method 2: Click your left mouse button once at the beginning of the
text you want to select. Move to the end of your text selection Then, while
holding down the SHIFT key, click your left mouse button again at the end of
the text. Everything that appears between your first click and your second
click will be highlighted.
. Method 3: Position your mouse pointer at the beginning of the text
you want to copy. Hold down the Shift key and while using your keyboard's
arrow keys, move to the end of the text. Your selected text will be
highlighted.
Now... let the Copying/Pasting Begin!
When you copy something, you're actually placing it in a portion of Windows'
memory called the "clipboard," used for short-term storage. Your selected
text will remain in this area until it's overwritten by new material the
next time you copy something (or until you turn your computer off).
Continuing where we left off above, you have now highlighted (selected) some
text to copy. You can now copy the selected text in one of two different
ways:
. Click on "Edit" then on "Copy"
. Or you can RIGHT-click on any of the selected text and select Copy
from the menu that pops up.
Even though it will appear as if nothing happened, you have placed your
selected text on the Windows clipboard (memory). Congratulations!
To paste your selected text into a new or second location, simply place your
cursor where you want the text to go (called the destination location) and
either click Edit > Paste or RIGHT-click and select Paste from the menu that
pops up.
Copying vs Cutting
When you copy and paste, you place the item being copied in a second
location, so you end up with two copies, one in each location. When you cut
and paste, you remove an item from its original location and place it in a
new location.
Jerry Taylor
SeniorTech
http://www.seniortech.us <http://www.seniortech.us/>
Personalized In-Home Computer Lessons
for Senior Citizens and Retirees
585-964-3319
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