When you use your keyboard for copying and pasting, your files are copied and pasted the same way as if you’re using a mouse or trackpad. This is because Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS come equipped with the ability to manage files with just the keyboard.
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Copy and Paste Items Without a Mouse or Trackpad
To begin, open the app or the folder in which the text or files you want to copy are located. We’ll copy a few files in the following steps.
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Select the content you want to copy. You can do this using the Arrow keys on your keyboard. To select a string of text, hold down the Shift key and then use the Arrow keys to highlight your text.
If you’d like to select all text or all items in a folder, use Ctrl+A (Windows, Linux, or ChromeOS) or Command+A (Mac).
Now that you’ve selected the content to copy, perform the actual copy process by pressing Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). Your system won’t show a notification, but your items are indeed copied.
Now access the location where you want to paste your content. If you want to paste text, make sure to access a text field. (You may need to use the Tab key to move between fields if you can’t use a mouse). Similarly, to paste your files or folders, access a folder.
Once you’re at the target location, paste your copied items by pressing Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac). Your system will bring your copied items to your current location.
And that’s it.
While copying and pasting with a keyboard isn’t as convenient as it is with a mouse, it’s potentially faster and more efficient. In fact, there are many more useful keyboard shortcuts that can improve your speed and agility with a computer.
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