The basic method works the same on most tablets
Copying and pasting on a tablet uses the same principle as a computer: select text or an image, copy it to a temporary storage area, then paste it somewhere else. The main difference is that tablets use touch gestures instead of a keyboard and mouse. On both iPad and Android tablets, you tap and hold on the content you want to copy, choose "Copy" from the menu that appears, then tap and hold where you want to paste it and select "Paste".
The exact wording and location of these options varies slightly between iPad and Android, but the flow is identical. Once you understand the gesture — tap and hold — you can copy and paste almost anything: text from emails, web addresses, photos, or passages from documents.
Key Takeaways
- Tap and hold on the text or image you want to copy until a menu appears, then select "Copy" from that menu.
- Move to where you want to paste the content, tap and hold again, and select "Paste" from the second menu.
- On iPad, you can also use three-finger gestures to copy (pinch in) and paste (pinch out) if you enable them in Settings.
- Some apps have their own copy and paste buttons instead of using the standard tap-and-hold method.
- If paste is grayed out or unavailable, the app may not support pasting, or you may need to copy something first.
How to copy text on an iPad
On an iPad, tap and hold directly on the word or passage you want to copy. A menu will pop up with options including "Copy," "Cut," and sometimes "Define" or "Translate." Tap "Copy." If you want to select more than one word, tap and hold on the first word, then drag the blue selection handles that appear at the start and end of your selection to expand it to the full passage you need.
Once you have selected the text you want, the "Copy" button appears in the same menu. After you tap it, the text is stored in your iPad's clipboard — an invisible holding area — and you can move to another app or location and paste it there.
How to copy text on an Android tablet
On Android tablets, the process is nearly identical. Tap and hold on the text you want to copy. A menu appears with "Copy" as one of the options. Tap "Copy" to store the text. If you need to select multiple words or a longer passage, tap and hold on the first word, then drag the selection handles (usually small circles or lines) to the end of the text you want.
Different Android tablets and different apps may word the menu slightly differently — you might see "Copy to clipboard" instead of just "Copy" — but the action is the same. Once you tap the copy option, the text is ready to paste elsewhere.
How to paste on either tablet type
After you have copied something, open the app or document where you want to paste it. Tap and hold at the exact spot where you want the content to appear. A menu will pop up. Look for "Paste" in that menu and tap it. The copied text or image will appear at that location.
If the "Paste" option is grayed out or missing, it usually means one of two things: either you have not copied anything yet, or the app you are using does not support pasting. Most standard apps like email, messaging, notes, and web browsers support pasting, but some specialized apps may not.
Copying and pasting images and links
The same tap-and-hold method works for images and web links. To copy an image from a website or email, tap and hold on the image itself (not the text around it). A menu will appear with options like "Copy Image" or "Copy Photo." Tap that option. You can then paste the image into an email, document, or messaging app by tapping and holding where you want it and selecting "Paste."
For web links, tap and hold on the link text or the link itself. You will see options like "Copy Link" or "Copy URL." After you copy it, you can paste the link into an email, message, or document. Some apps will paste just the link address, while others will paste the link as clickable text.
Using keyboard shortcuts on iPad
If your iPad is connected to a keyboard, you can use the same keyboard shortcuts you would on a computer. Select the text by tapping and dragging, then press Command+C to copy (or Ctrl+C on some keyboards). Move to where you want to paste and press Command+V (or Ctrl+V). This is faster than using the menu if you are typing a lot.
You can also use Command+X to cut text, which removes it from the original location and copies it to the clipboard at the same time. This is useful when you want to move text from one place to another rather than duplicate it.
What to do if copy and paste is not working
If you tap and hold but no menu appears, try tapping a bit longer — some tablets need a longer press to trigger the menu. If a menu appears but "Copy" or "Paste" is missing or grayed out, the app may not support that feature. Try closing and reopening the app, or restart your tablet if the problem persists.
If you copied something but cannot paste it, make sure you are in an app that accepts text input — you cannot paste into a photo gallery or a game, for example. Also check that you actually tapped "Copy" and did not accidentally tap something else. If you copied something a long time ago and switched apps many times, your tablet may have cleared the clipboard, so you may need to copy the content again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy and paste between different apps?
Yes. Copy something in one app, switch to another app, and paste it there. This works across email, messaging, notes, documents, web browsers, and most other apps. The clipboard holds whatever you copied last, even if you switch apps multiple times.
What happens if I copy something new before pasting the old thing?
The new item replaces the old one in the clipboard. Your tablet only stores one thing at a time in the standard clipboard. If you need to keep multiple items, some apps like Notes or Documents have their own internal copy history, but the basic clipboard does not.
Can I copy and paste between my tablet and my computer?
Not directly through the standard clipboard. However, you can use cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to copy text into a document on your tablet, access that document on your computer, and copy it from there. Some tablets also support third-party clipboard apps that sync across devices.
Why does the paste button sometimes say "Paste and Match Style"?
Some apps, especially word processors and email clients, offer this option to paste text without the original formatting (bold, colors, fonts). If you just want the plain text without any styling, tap "Paste and Match Style." If you want to keep the original formatting, tap regular "Paste."
Can I copy multiple things at once?
The standard clipboard only holds one item. However, some tablets and apps have a clipboard history feature that stores the last several things you copied. On iPad, you can access this through the Edit menu in some apps. On Android, it depends on your tablet model and which apps you use.