The basic way to copy and paste on Facebook
Copying and pasting on Facebook works the same way it does anywhere else on your computer or phone. Highlight the text you want to copy, use your keyboard shortcut or menu option to copy it, then paste it where you need it. The difference is knowing what Facebook lets you copy, where the copy button actually is, and what happens when you paste something back into Facebook.
On a computer, select text by clicking and dragging your mouse across it, then press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). On a phone or tablet, tap and hold the text until a menu appears, then tap Copy. To paste, click or tap where you want the text to go and press Ctrl+V (Windows), Command+V (Mac), or tap Paste on your phone.
Facebook's text editor — the box where you write posts, comments, or messages — accepts pasted text just like any other text box. You can paste paragraphs, links, or formatted text, though Facebook may strip out some formatting like bold or italics when you paste from other websites.
Key Takeaways
- Copy text on Facebook by selecting it with your mouse or by tapping and holding on a phone, then use Ctrl+C or Command+C to copy.
- Paste into Facebook's text boxes using Ctrl+V or Command+V on a computer, or by tapping Paste on your phone.
- Links you paste into Facebook posts or comments will usually show a preview with the page title and image, which you can remove if you don't want it.
- Facebook may remove formatting like bold or italics when you paste text from other websites, but the plain text will remain.
- Never paste passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information into Facebook messages or posts, even if you think only one person will see it.
Copying links from Facebook to share elsewhere
To copy a Facebook link — such as a post, photo, or profile — right-click on the item and look for "Copy link" in the menu that appears. On a phone, tap and hold the post or image until a menu appears, then select "Copy link." This copies the full Facebook URL to your clipboard so you can paste it into an email, text message, or another website.
If you want to copy a link to someone's profile, right-click their name or profile picture and select "Copy link to profile." For a specific post, right-click the timestamp (the date and time the post was made) and choose "Copy link to post." These links will take people directly to that profile or post when they click them.
Some links on Facebook are shortened or wrapped in Facebook's own tracking system. When you copy a link from Facebook and paste it elsewhere, you are copying the actual Facebook URL, not a shortened version. This is fine — the link will work the same way.
Pasting links into Facebook posts and comments
When you paste a link into a Facebook post or comment, Facebook automatically detects it and shows a preview card with the page title, a description, and an image from that website. This preview appears above your text and helps people see what the link is about before they click it.
If you don't want the preview to show, click the X button on the preview card to remove it. The link will still be in your post, but the image and description will disappear. You can also click the preview card itself to change which image Facebook displays or to edit the title and description that appears.
If you paste a link and no preview appears, the website may not allow Facebook to read its information, or the link may be broken. Try pasting it again or checking that you copied the full URL including the "https://" at the beginning.
Copying and pasting images and videos
You cannot copy an image directly from Facebook by right-clicking and selecting Copy the way you can with text. Instead, right-click the image and select "Open image in new tab," then right-click the image in the new tab and choose "Save image as" to read it to your computer. On a phone, tap and hold the image, then select "Save image."
If you want to share a Facebook video, right-click it and select "Copy video URL" or "Copy link." Do not try to copy the video file itself — Facebook's videos are protected and cannot be downloaded or pasted into other websites. When you paste the link, Facebook will show a preview of the video that people can click to watch.
If someone sends you an image or video in a Facebook message and you want to save it, tap and hold it on your phone or right-click it on a computer, then select "Save image" or "Save video." The file will go to your phone's photo library or your computer's Downloads folder.
What to avoid when copying and pasting on Facebook
Never paste passwords, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive information into Facebook posts, comments, or even private messages. Even if you think a message is private, Facebook employees can see it, and if your account is hacked, the person with access can read your messages. Treat Facebook messages the same way you treat email — assume anything you type could be seen by someone other than the person you intended.
Be careful when pasting text from other websites into Facebook. Some websites use special formatting or hidden code that can cause problems when pasted. If pasted text looks strange or doesn't display correctly, delete it and type it out manually instead. This is especially important if you are pasting from a PDF or a document with lots of formatting.
Do not paste the same post or comment repeatedly into different groups or onto different people's profiles. Facebook's automated systems detect this as spam and may temporarily limit your ability to post. If you want to share something with multiple people, send them a message or tag them in a single post instead.
Copying text from Facebook comments and messages
To copy someone else's comment or message, click and drag to select the text you want, then press Ctrl+C or Command+C. On a phone, tap and hold the text until the Copy option appears. You can then paste it into a document, email, or another conversation.
If you want to quote someone's comment in your own reply, you can copy their text and paste it into your comment, then add your response. Facebook also has a built-in quote feature — click the three dots next to a comment and select "Quote," which will automatically format the text as a quote in your reply.
Keep in mind that copying someone's words and posting them as your own without credit is plagiarism, even on Facebook. If you are sharing someone else's comment or post, it is better to tag them or use Facebook's share feature so people know where the original came from.
Troubleshooting copy and paste problems
If copy and paste is not working on Facebook, try refreshing the page by pressing F5 or clicking the refresh button in your browser. Sometimes Facebook's text editor gets stuck and needs to reload. If that does not work, try clearing your browser's cache — go to your browser settings, find the option to clear browsing data, and select "Cached images and files."
On a phone, if pasting is not working, try closing the Facebook app completely and opening it again. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone) or tap the back button repeatedly (Android) to close the app, then tap the Facebook icon to reopen it. If the problem continues, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
If you paste a link and Facebook shows an error message or says the link is broken, the website may be temporarily down or the link may have been deleted. Try copying the link again directly from the website's address bar to make sure you have the correct URL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy a Facebook post and paste it on another website?
Yes, you can copy the text of a post and paste it anywhere. However, if the post contains images or videos, you will need to save those separately — you cannot copy the entire post with all its media attached. Always credit the original author if you are sharing their words on another platform.
What happens if I paste a link that Facebook doesn't recognize?
If Facebook cannot read the link, it will not show a preview card. The link will still work when someone clicks it, but people will only see the raw URL without any description or image. You can manually type a description above the link to tell people what it is.
Can I paste formatted text like bold or italics into Facebook?
Facebook usually removes formatting like bold and italics when you paste from other websites. If you need formatted text in a Facebook post, you can use Facebook's built-in formatting buttons in the text editor, or type the text directly into Facebook instead of pasting it.
Is it safe to paste links from Facebook into other websites?
Yes, it is safe to paste Facebook links into emails, documents, or other websites. The link is just a web address — it does not contain any hidden code or tracking that could harm your computer. However, be cautious about clicking links from people you don't know, whether on Facebook or anywhere else.
Why does my pasted text look different on Facebook than it did on the original website?
Facebook's text editor does not support all the formatting options that other websites use. Bold, italics, colors, and special fonts may disappear when you paste. If you need the text to look a certain way, take a screenshot of the original and post that as an image instead, or retype the text using Facebook's formatting tools.