The basic steps for copying and pasting on Facebook
Copying and pasting on Facebook works the same way it does anywhere else on your computer or phone — you select the text or link you want, copy it, then paste it where you need it. On a computer, highlight the text with your mouse, press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac), then press Ctrl+V or Command+V where you want it to go. On a phone or tablet, tap and hold the text until a menu appears, select "Copy", then tap and hold where you want to paste and select "Paste".
The main difference on Facebook is that some content — like posts from other people — may not let you copy the text directly from the post itself. Instead, you may need to copy the link to the post, or copy text from the comments section. Facebook also limits what you can do with copied content; you can paste it into your own posts, comments, or messages, but you cannot republish someone else's post as your own without their permission.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, use Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste; on Mac, use Command+C and Command+V.
- On phones and tablets, tap and hold the text, select "Copy" from the menu, then tap and hold where you want to paste and select "Paste".
- You can copy text from Facebook posts, comments, and messages, but copying someone else's post and sharing it as your own violates Facebook's rules.
- To share someone else's post, use Facebook's built-in "Share" button instead of copying and pasting the text.
Copying text from Facebook posts on a computer
To copy text from a Facebook post on your computer, click at the beginning of the text you want to copy and drag your mouse to the end of it. The text will highlight in blue. Once it is highlighted, press Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on a Mac. The text is now in your clipboard and ready to paste.
If you want to copy the entire post, you can select all the text by clicking inside the post and pressing Ctrl+A (or Command+A on Mac), then copy it the same way. However, this method does not always capture the full post if it is very long or contains images — in those cases, copying the link to the post is often more reliable. To get the post's link, click the three dots in the top right corner of the post, select "Copy link to post", and paste that link wherever you need it.
Copying text on Facebook mobile apps and browsers
On an iPhone or Android phone, open the Facebook app and find the text you want to copy. Tap and hold your finger on the text until a menu pops up with options like "Copy", "Share", or "Translate". Tap "Copy" and the text goes into your clipboard.
To paste it, open the app or browser where you want the text to go — whether that is a Facebook comment, a message, a note app, or an email — tap and hold in the text field, and select "Paste" from the menu that appears. If you do not see a "Paste" option, it usually means nothing is in your clipboard, or the app does not support pasting at that moment.
Copying links to Facebook posts and profiles
Copying a link to a post is often easier and more reliable than copying the text itself, especially on mobile. On a computer, right-click the post and select "Copy link to post" from the menu. On a phone, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the post and select "Copy link". The post's URL is now in your clipboard.
You can paste this link into a message, comment, or post, and when someone clicks it, they will go directly to that post. This method also respects the original poster's work — sharing a link to their post is different from copying their words and presenting them as your own. If you want to share someone else's post with your friends, using the "Share" button (which appears near the like and comment buttons) is the proper way to do it on Facebook.
Copying and pasting in Facebook messages and comments
Copying text from a Facebook message or comment works the same way as copying from a post. On a computer, highlight the text and press Ctrl+C. On a phone, tap and hold the text and select "Copy". You can then paste it into another message, comment, or post using Ctrl+V or Command+V on a computer, or by tapping and holding and selecting "Paste" on a phone.
One thing to note: if you copy text from a comment or message and paste it into a new post, Facebook will not automatically link back to the original comment or message. The text will appear as plain text in your post. If you want to credit the person who wrote it, you should mention them by name or tag them in your post.
What you cannot copy and paste on Facebook
Some content on Facebook cannot be copied the normal way. Videos, for example, do not have copyable text — you can only copy the link to the video. Photos also cannot be copied as text, though you can copy the link to the photo or download it if the person who posted it allowed downloads. Certain posts may be set to private or restricted, which means you cannot copy them at all.
Additionally, Facebook's terms of service say you should not copy someone else's post and share it as your own work. Doing so is considered plagiarism and can get your account flagged. If you want to share someone else's content, either use the "Share" button, copy and paste the link to the post, or ask the person's permission first.
Troubleshooting copy and paste problems on Facebook
If copy and paste is not working on Facebook, the first thing to try is refreshing the page. On a computer, press F5 or Ctrl+R. On a phone, close the Facebook app completely and open it again. Sometimes Facebook's interface glitches and a refresh fixes it.
If that does not work, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies. On Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac), select "All time" from the time range dropdown, check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", and click "Clear data". Then try copying and pasting again. If you are using the Facebook app on a phone and copy and paste still does not work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy and paste someone else's Facebook post to my own profile?
You can copy the text, but you should not paste it as your own post without permission or credit. Instead, use Facebook's "Share" button to share the post, or copy the link to the post and paste that. This way, people can see who originally wrote it.
Why does copy and paste sometimes not work on Facebook?
Browser glitches, cached data, or app bugs can prevent copy and paste from working. Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or reinstalling the Facebook app. If the problem continues, try using a different browser or device.
Can I copy text from a Facebook video or photo?
No, you cannot copy the video or photo itself as text. You can copy the link to the video or photo by clicking the three dots and selecting "Copy link", then paste that link wherever you need it.
Does copying a Facebook post notify the person who posted it?
No, copying text does not send a notification. However, if you paste it as your own post without credit, the original poster may see it and report it. Using the "Share" button or copying the link is the proper way to share someone else's content.