Module # 3.1.2

Cut, Copy and Paste!

Getting there

No this is not a new dance.  First some concepts!

Cut = "Remember what is highlighted (put it in the clipboard) and then erase it from the document"
Copy = "Remember what is highlighted (put it in the clipboard)"

Do these sound similar?  If you want the original to stay where it is, use COPY.  If you want the original to disappear use CUT.   OH, REMEMBER.... Computers want to know what you are copying before you tell them to copy!   So ALWAYS select the words you want to copy/cut before you issue the copy/cut command!

Paste = "Put what is in the clipboard HERE"

Important idea!  Move the cursor to where you want to paste in the item from the clipboard BEFORE you say paste (but after you use cut/copy to put something in the clipboard).

Here is what the commands look like in Microsoft Word:

A = CUT
B = COPY
C = PASTE
D = Has nothing to do with this module

On most word processors, you can find this command under the EDIT drop down menu like this:

The names are there so it doesn't make sense to repeat them.
Notice there is one called "Paste Special"  This allows you to paste the clipboard in a special way.  For example, you can change the formatting on a spreadsheet that you are pasting into your word processor using this command.

Exercise #1

Open your word processor and type a few sentences, rearrange the sentences using cut and paste.  Then duplicate a sentence using copy and paste.

Copyright 1998 by Christopher I. Cobitz

Questions regarding this page may be sent to Christopher I Cobitz