Word 2000

Cut, Copy, Paste, and Drag and Drop

Introduction

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Cut, copy, and paste
  • Drag and drop

Using the Cut, Copy, and Paste features

In this lesson, you will learn to cut and paste, copy and paste, and drag and drop. These features allow you to move a block of text—a word, sentence, paragraph, page, document, or graphic—within a document or to another document.

Now that you are getting more familiar with the Standard toolbar, you may be wondering what these keys represent:

Cut, Copy, and Paste Buttons on the Standard Toolbar

Cut and paste:

  • The Cut procedure allows you to delete selected text from the screen and temporarily place it on the Clipboard , a temporary storage file.
  • The Paste procedure allows you to get text from the Clipboard and place it in another location in the document or even into another document.

Copy and paste:

  • The Copy procedure allows you to copy selected text from the screen and temporarily place it on the Clipboard .
  • The Paste procedure allows you to get text from the Clipboard and place it in another location in the document or even into another document.

Working with blocks of text

To cut and paste a block of text:

  • Select the text you want to move.
  • Click the Cut button on the Standard toolbar . Cut button
  • Place the insertion point where you want the text inserted.
  • Click the Paste button. Paste button

To copy and paste a block of text:

  • Select the text you want to move.
  • Click the Copy button on the Standard toolbar. Copy button
  • Place the insertion point where you want the text inserted.
  • Click the Paste button. Paste button

Important point Menu commands:

  • Edit action Cut
  • Edit action Copy
  • Edit action Paste

Important point Keyboard shortcuts:

  • Cut = Ctrl+X
  • Copy = Ctrl+C
  • Paste = Ctrl+V

If you cut, copy, or paste something you didn't mean to, use the Undo button or choose not to save changes to your document when you close it.

Using drag and drop

The drag-and-drop method of moving text allows you to move selected text using your mouse.

This method is convenient for moving text when:

  • Moving text from one location to another within a document
  • Moving text to another document

To drag and drop selected text:

To drag:

  • Select the text you want to move.
  • Place the mouse pointer anywhere on the selected text without clicking.
  • Click and hold the left mouse button until the insertion point changes into a white arrow pointing up to the left Drag arrow. .
  • Left click and drag the selected text to the new location.

To drop:

  • During this process, the mouse pointer changes to a box with a small white arrow over it , indicating you are dragging text Drag Arrow .
  • When you reach the new location, release the mouse button to drop the text into place. Be sure to remove the selection highlight before pressing any key so you do not delete your newly moved text. If you accidentally delete it, press the Undo button).

Challenge!

  • Open an existing document, or create a new document.
  • Select some text.
  • Click the Copy button on the Standard toolbar.
  • Place the insertion point where you want the copy of text to be located.
  • Click the Paste button.
  • Select the copied text.
  • Press the Delete key.