How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook

Chromebooks are becoming popular due to the lightweight operating system they have installed on them, and the fact that you can run all Android apps with no major issues. The people who use laptop have been segregated into the ones, who use it for rather small tasks like watching movies, playing games, emails and reading/writing and others who carry out hard-core professional tasks. While a Windows laptop is recommended for heavy-duty tasks, a Chromebook is the best option for light tasks until laptops with Windows Core OS turn up.

But as most of us are used to using a Windows laptop, it can get quite tricky while using a Chromebook with its own set of commands and functions. Here are a few steps on how to copy and paste on a Chromebook.

Steps on How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook

How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook using the traditional methods.

The basic commands of Copy, Paste and Cut in the Chromebook device are the same as in Windows laptop

To copy text, files and folders in a Chromebook, press the CTRL & C keys on the keyboard. The right clicks after selecting a text or a file, also work in a Chromebook.

Shortcut Keys: CTRL + C

To paste any text, file and folder which was copied, you need to press the CTRL & V keys on the Chromebook keyboard. The context menu can also be used by making a right-click on the place where you want to move the copied items.

Shortcut Keys: CTRL + V

Chromebook allows its users to paste text only without retaining its original formatting, a feature that is absent in a Windows Laptop. This is a useful feature which can be achieved in a Windows laptop by copy the original text and then pasting it in the Notepad, where it loses all its formatting. And then copying it back to the place where you intended it to be copied. This lengthy process can be shortened by pressing three keys, simultaneously on your Chromebook – CTRL & Shift & V.

Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + V

The final method is to Cut the files, i.e. to remove them rather than making a copy and pasting them elsewhere. The paste command always remains the same whether you want to copy or cut. The Cut command can be achieved by pressing the CTRL & X keys on the keyboard along with the right-click context menu.

Shortcut: Ctrl + X

Also Read: How To Capture Screenshot On Chromebook?

How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook after taking a screenshot

If you want to copy and paste an image in your text document or insert an image in a photo editor, then Chromebook provides a special option for its users. When you take a screenshot on a Chromebook, you will get an option to “Copy to Clipboard” in the small notification box that appears with a thumbnail of the image. Click on that option, and you can insert the image anywhere you like including Gmail compose box or any other support Android app. The image is copied with the click of the option and to paste it, you must press CTRL & V.

Shortcut: Ctrl + V

Also Read: How to Fix Chrome OS is Missing or Damaged Error

How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook using the Linux Terminal.

Another way to copy and paste on Chromebook is using the Linux Terminal. If you have started using the Chromebook, then you probably know what a Linux Terminal is and how to use it. If the keyboard shortcut does not work in your terminal, then select the command using the mouse or touchpad. Nevertheless, here are the steps on how to copy and paste on a Chromebook via the Linux terminal.

To Copy, the command is: CTRL + Shift + C

To Paste, the command is: CTRL + Shift + V

To Cut, the command is: CTRL + Shift + X

Note: Do not use the CTRL + C, as it is the command to Cancel not copy in the Linux terminal.

Also Read: Factory Reset your Chromebook in Quick & Simple steps

How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook using the Clipboard Managers.

As discussed, earlier Chromebook offers features that are not available in the Windows Laptop and thus is gaining popularity. Another example of a unique feature is the availability of Chrome OS extensions that keep a record of everything that you have copied and allows the user to select what he/she needs to paste, when and where. This feature can be availed by installing any of the below-mentioned extensions:

1. Clipboard History Pro

Clipboard History Pro is one of the best resources to copy and paste on a Chromebook, It allows the users copy and paste all they want by selecting from the list of options displayed in the context menu that appears by a right-click. I have personally used it in my Chromebook and can say that it has no issues and works well in the Chrome OS. The only feature I did not like is that I had to pay for the premium version, which has some extra widgets.

2. Clipboard Manager

Clipboard Manager is another app that is an important mention of steps to copy and paste in Chromebook. It only supports copying and pasting text instead of files and folders. Clipboard Manager is a small app and not then an extension, and that is the reason you can pin it to your shelf and use keyboard shortcuts to copy, highlight and paste any text.

Also Read: How To Speed Up Chromebook

Quick and Simple Steps on How to Copy and Paste on a Chromebook: Which one do you like?

So, now you know how to copy and paste on Chromebook in more than one method. Chromebook does offer special features like copying and pasting when the screenshot has been taken, pasting a text without retaining its original formatting and the use of clipboard managers to select from a list of copied items. Whether you use the traditional methods, Linux terminal or clipboard managers is up to you, but I suggest using Clipboard managers is one of the best experiences I had.

If you are facing any issue or do not know how to carry out a task in your new Chromebook, then send us a message in the comments section below, and we will gladly help you with the same.