The Basic Method: Highlight, Copy, Paste

Copying and pasting on a Samsung tablet works the same way it does on a phone or computer — you select text or an image, copy it, then paste it somewhere else. The difference is that a tablet's larger screen makes it easier to tap exactly where you want.

To copy text, press and hold your finger on the first word you want to copy. A menu will appear with options, and the text around your finger will be highlighted in blue. Drag the blue highlight handles (the small circles at each end) to select exactly what you want. Once the selection looks right, tap Copy from the menu that appeared.

To paste that text, open the app or document where you want it to go, tap and hold in the spot where you want to paste, and select Paste from the menu. The text will appear when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold on text to select it, then drag the blue handles to choose exactly what you want copied.
  • Tap Copy from the menu that appears after you select text, then open a new location and tap Paste.
  • You can copy and paste text between different apps — for example, from an email into a notes app.
  • If you copy something new, it replaces what was previously copied, so paste before moving on to copy something else.
  • Some apps prevent copying for security reasons, in which case the Copy option will not appear.

Copying and Pasting Images

Images copy the same way text does. Press and hold on an image until a menu appears, then tap Copy. The image is now stored and ready to paste.

To paste an image, open the app where you want it — a messaging app, email, or notes app — tap and hold in the space where you want the image to go, and select Paste. Not all apps accept pasted images, so if Paste does not appear as an option, that app does not support it.

Copying Text From Web Pages

When you are reading something in a web browser on your Samsung tablet, you can copy text the same way. Press and hold on the first word you want, drag to select the full passage, and tap Copy.

Some websites try to prevent copying for copyright reasons. If you press and hold but no menu appears, or if Copy is greyed out, that website has blocked the copy function. In that case, you will need to type the text manually or take a screenshot instead.

Using the Clipboard to Paste Multiple Times

When you copy something, it goes into your tablet's clipboard — a temporary holding area. You can paste that same item as many times as you want until you copy something new.

If you copy text, then copy an image, the image replaces the text in your clipboard. The text is gone. This is why it is important to paste before copying something else if you need to use both items.

Some Samsung tablets have a clipboard history feature that lets you see and reuse things you copied earlier. To check if yours has this, open your keyboard, look for a clipboard icon (usually at the top), and tap it. If it appears, you can select from your recent copies instead of just the most recent one.

Fixing Common Copy and Paste Problems

If you tap and hold but nothing happens, make sure you are pressing firmly and holding for at least one second. A light tap will not trigger the menu.

If the Copy option appears but Paste is greyed out when you try to paste, the app you are pasting into does not accept that type of content. For example, some apps only accept text, not images. Try pasting into a different app to confirm the copy worked.

If you copied something but cannot remember what it was, open a notes app and try pasting. This will show you what is currently in your clipboard. If nothing appears, your clipboard is empty — you may have copied something and then restarted your tablet, which clears the clipboard.

Selecting All Text at Once

Instead of dragging to select text word by word, you can select everything in a document at once. Press and hold on any text, and when the menu appears, tap Select All. Every word in that document will turn blue.

This is faster when you want to copy an entire email, note, or web page. After tapping Select All, tap Copy, then paste it wherever you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste between different apps?

Yes. You can copy text from an email and paste it into a notes app, or copy from a web browser and paste into a messaging app. The clipboard works across all apps on your tablet.

What happens if I copy something by accident?

Your previous copy is replaced. If you have not pasted it yet and you copy something new, the old item is gone. There is no undo for copying, so if you need both items, paste the first one before copying the second.

Why does paste not work in some apps?

Some apps are designed not to accept pasted content for security or design reasons. Banking apps, for example, sometimes block pasting into password fields. If an app does not let you paste, try a different app or type the content manually.

Can I copy text from a picture or screenshot?

On newer Samsung tablets, yes. Take a screenshot, then press and hold on the text in the screenshot. If your tablet supports text recognition, a Copy option will appear. Older tablets do not have this feature.

Does copying use data or battery?

No. Copying and pasting happens entirely on your tablet and does not use internet data or noticeably drain your battery.