The basic steps for copying and pasting text

Copying and pasting in Google Docs works the same way it does in most programs: select the text you want, copy it, then paste it where you need it. On a computer, highlight the text by clicking and dragging your mouse across it, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). Click where you want the text to go and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac).

You can also use the menu instead of keyboard shortcuts. Select your text, click the Edit menu at the top, and choose Copy. Then click where you want to paste, go back to Edit, and choose Paste. The keyboard shortcuts are faster once you get used to them, but the menu works just as well.

On a phone or tablet, tap and hold the text until a menu appears, then tap Copy. Tap where you want to paste, tap and hold again, and choose Paste. The process is slightly different because you do not have a keyboard, but the idea is identical.

Key Takeaways

  • Use Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V on Windows, or Command+C and Command+V on Mac, to copy and paste text in Google Docs.
  • You can also use the Edit menu at the top of the page to copy and paste if you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts.
  • On phones and tablets, tap and hold the text to bring up a menu with copy and paste options.
  • Pasting text from outside Google Docs sometimes brings formatting with it, which you can remove by using Paste Without Formatting.

Copying text from outside Google Docs

When you copy text from a website, email, or another document and paste it into Google Docs, the formatting sometimes comes along with it. This means the text might appear in a different color, size, or font than the rest of your document. If you want just the plain text without the formatting, use Paste Without Formatting instead of regular paste.

To paste without formatting, select the text you want to copy from the outside source and copy it normally. In Google Docs, click where you want it to go. Then press Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) or Command+Shift+V (Mac). The text will appear in the same format as the rest of your document, without any colors or special styling from the original source.

You can also use the menu: after copying your text, click Edit and choose Paste Without Formatting. This is useful when you are pulling information from multiple sources and want your document to look consistent throughout.

Copying and pasting between Google Docs

If you are moving text from one Google Doc to another, the process is the same as copying and pasting within a single document. Select the text, copy it with Ctrl+C or Command+C, open the other document, and paste it with Ctrl+V or Command+V. The formatting stays intact because both documents use the same system.

This is one advantage of using Google Docs instead of downloading files to your computer: you can have multiple documents open in different browser tabs and move text between them without worrying about compatibility or formatting changes. Just copy from one tab and paste into another.

What to do if copy and paste is not working

If copy and paste stops working in Google Docs, the first thing to try is refreshing the page. Press F5 on Windows or Command+R on Mac to reload the document. Sometimes Google Docs gets stuck, and a refresh fixes it.

If that does not work, check that you are using a supported browser. Google Docs works best in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you are using an older or less common browser, try switching to one of these. You can also try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, which sometimes fixes copying and pasting problems.

On a phone or tablet, make sure you have the latest version of the Google Docs app installed. Open your app store, search for Google Docs, and check whether an update is available. If copy and paste still does not work after trying these steps, sign out of your Google account and sign back in.

Copying and pasting images and tables

You can copy and paste images and tables into Google Docs the same way you copy and paste text. Select the image or table, copy it, click where you want it in your document, and paste. The image or table will appear in your document, and you can resize it by dragging the corners.

If you copy an image from a website, Google Docs will paste it as a link to the original image rather than storing a copy inside your document. This means if the website removes the image later, it will disappear from your document too. To store the image permanently in your document, right-click the pasted image and choose Replace Image, then upload the image file from your computer.

Using the clipboard to paste multiple times

Google Docs has a clipboard feature that saves the last few things you copied. To use it, press Ctrl+Shift+V on Windows or Command+Shift+V on Mac, but hold the keys longer than you would for a regular paste. A menu will appear showing your recent copies. Click the one you want to paste.

This is useful when you are pulling information from several different sources and want to paste them in a different order than you copied them. Instead of copying, pasting, copying again, and pasting again, you can copy everything first and then paste them in whatever order you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste from a PDF into Google Docs?

Yes, you can copy text from a PDF and paste it into Google Docs. Select the text in the PDF, copy it, and paste it into your document. The formatting may not transfer perfectly, so use Paste Without Formatting if the text looks wrong.

What happens if I paste a table from Excel into Google Docs?

Google Docs will paste the table and try to match the formatting. The result usually looks close to the original, but some colors or special formatting may not transfer. You can edit the table directly in Google Docs after pasting it.

Can I undo a paste if I change my mind?

Yes. Press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) to undo the paste. You can undo multiple actions in a row by pressing the keys repeatedly, and you can redo an action you undid by pressing Ctrl+Y or Command+Y.

Does copy and paste work the same way on the Google Docs mobile app?

The steps are slightly different because you do not have a keyboard, but the result is the same. Tap and hold the text, choose Copy, tap where you want to paste, tap and hold again, and choose Paste. Paste Without Formatting is usually in the same menu.