MS Word

How to Copy and Paste Correctly in MS Word [Clipboard Tips]

Posted on by Anthony James
29
Jan

In this tutorial, we look at how to use your Clipboard in MS Word so you have content at your fingertips when you need it.

There are lots of hidden power tricks in Word. Learning to use the Clipboard is just one of them. Let’s get started.

Using the Clipboard in MS Word 2013

The Clipboard stores text and graphics that you copy or cut from anywhere, and then paste the stored items into other Office files.

In Word 2013, try this:

  1. On the Home tab, click the launcher in the lower-right corner of the Clipboard group. It looks like a downwards pointing arrow.
  2. Select the text or graphics you want to copy.

  3. Press Ctrl + C.

Each selection is added to the Clipboard. The most recent stays on top.

Tip: You can store 24 items in the Clipboard until you close MS Office.

Pasting Items from the Clipboard

You can paste items into any Office file that you have open, individually or all at once.

  1. In your document, click where you want to paste the item.
  2. In the Clipboard, do one of the following:
  • Click the item you want to paste or
  • Click Paste All to paste everything.

Tip: After you open the Clipboard, it stores content that you copy or cut from anywhere.

Deleting Items from the Clipboard

Do one of the following:

  1. Click the arrow on the right side of the item, then click Delete.
  2. Right-click the item you want to delete, and click Delete.
  3. Click Clear All to delete everything from the Clipboard.

Setting the Clipboard options

You can configure the clipboard to perform in different ways depending on how you intend to use it.

With the Clipboard opens, click Options at the bottom of the pane.

Here’s what each option does:

  • Show Office Clipboard Automatically — displays the Clipboard when you copy more than one item.
  • Show Office Clipboard When CTRL+C Pressed Twice — displays the Clipboard when you press Ctrl + C twice.
  • Collect Without Showing Office Clipboard — automatically copies items to the Clipboard without displaying the Clipboard task pane. When you select this option, the Clipboard stores content copied or cut from anywhere.
  • Show Office Clipboard Icon on Taskbar — displays the Clipboard icon in the notification area of your Windows taskbar when the Clipboard is active. Default option.
  • Show Status Near Taskbar When Copying — shows the number of items you’ve collected in the bottom-right corner of the Word window. Default option.
Anthony James