How To Cut, Copy, and Paste in Microsoft Word
If you use a computer, you use cut, copy, and paste — even if you don’t realize how powerful these simple tools are.
Whether you’re writing a school assignment, preparing a safety report, creating blog content, or designing website text, knowing how to properly cut, copy, and paste in Microsoft Word can save you hours of work.
The best part? It’s extremely easy.
In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything in a simple, human way — no boring technical terms, no complicated explanations.
Let’s start.
How To Cut, Copy, and Paste in Microsoft Word
Before jumping into steps, understand the difference:
- Cut → Removes the selected text and moves it to another place.
- Copy → Duplicates the selected text without removing it.
- Paste → Places the cut or copied content into a new location.
Think of it like this:
- Cut = Move
- Copy = Duplicate
- Paste = Place
That’s it.
Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (The Fastest Way)
If you use a computer, you use cut, copy, and paste — even if you don’t realize how powerful these simple tools are.
Whether you’re writing a school assignment, preparing a safety report, creating blog content, or designing website text, knowing how to properly cut, copy, and paste in Microsoft Word can save you hours of work.
The best part? It’s extremely easy.
In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything in a simple, human way — no boring technical terms, no complicated explanations.
Let’s start.
| Action | Shortcut(windows) |
|---|---|
| Cut | Ctrl+X |
| Copy | Ctrl+C |
| Paste | Ctrl+V |
If you want to work like a professional, learn these three shortcuts today:
Action Shortcut (Windows)
Cut Ctrl + X
Copy Ctrl + C
Paste Ctrl + V
These three shortcuts alone can increase your productivity by 50%.
Example:
- Highlight a sentence.
- Press Ctrl + C.
- Move your cursor somewhere else.
- Press Ctrl + V.
Done.
You just copied and pasted.
How To Select Text Properly (Very Important)
Before cutting or copying, you must select text.
Here’s how:
1️⃣ Using Your Mouse
- Click at the beginning of the text.
- Hold the left mouse button.
- Drag across the words.
- Release.
- The text becomes highlighted.
2️⃣ Select a Word Quickly
- Double-click the word.
3️⃣ Select a Paragraph
- Triple-click anywhere in the paragraph.
4️⃣ Select Entire Document
- Press Ctrl + A
Very useful when formatting or copying large content.
Method 2: Using Right-Click Menu
If you don’t like shortcuts, no problem.
- Select the text.
- Right-click with your mouse.
- Choose:
- Cut
- Copy
- Move your cursor.
- Right-click again.
- Choose Paste.
Simple and beginner-friendly.
Method 3: Using the Ribbon Menu
At the top of Microsoft Word, you’ll see the Home tab.
Inside it, there’s a section called Clipboard.
There you’ll find icons:
- ✂ Cut
- 📄 Copy
- 📋 Paste
Just click the icon after selecting text.
Understanding Paste Options (Most People Ignore This!)
Here’s something powerful many people don’t know.
When you paste something, Word gives you different paste options.
After pasting, you’ll see a small icon appear. Click it.
You’ll see options like:
- Keep Source Formatting
- Merge Formatting
- Keep Text Only
What Do These Mean?
Keep Source Formatting
Keeps original font, size, color.
Merge Formatting
Matches it to the current document style.
Keep Text Only
Removes all formatting.
This is extremely useful when copying text from websites or emails.
For example, when you copy text from a website into Word, it might look messy. Choosing Keep Text Only solves that instantly.
How To Cut, Copy, and Paste Images
It’s not just text.
You can also move:
- Images
- Shapes
- Tables
- Charts
Steps:
- Click the image.
- Press Ctrl + C (copy) or Ctrl + X (cut).
- Move cursor.
- Press Ctrl + V (paste).
Same logic.
How To Copy and Paste Between Different Documents
This is very useful.
Example:
You have:
- Document A
- Document B
You want to move content from A to B.
Steps:
- Open both documents.
- Select text in Document A.
- Press Ctrl + C.
- Click inside Document B.
- Press Ctrl + V.
Done.
You can even copy from:
- Word to Excel
- Word to PowerPoint
- Word to Email
- Word to Browser
Microsoft Word makes this smooth and easy.