What Is a Clipboard and How Do You Copy and Paste? [Complete Guide]

What is a clipboard?

Any device that supports copy and paste has a clipboard, also referred to as a pasteboard. It's a location in your phone, tablet, or computer's memory where cut or copied data, such as text or images, is stored. Once content is saved to the clipboard, you can paste it anywhere.

The clipboard saves whatever you copy or cut until you copy or cut something else, at which point the old information is replaced. Also, anything on the clipboard is lost when you turn off your computer. To see this in action, try copying some text from Microsoft Word and pasting it into an email message.

Moreover, copied or cut information can be pasted multiple times, without having to go back to copy and paste again; one can copy once and paste multiple times.

1. What is the clipboard on a computer?

As mentioned in the previous section, the clipboard enables you to copy and paste information between different platforms. The clipboard on your computer comes with a clipboard history that lets you access previously copied information without switching back and forth between sources and destinations.

In Windows 10/11, you can turn on Clipboard History by going to Settings > System > Clipboard and enabling Clipboard History.

In Windows, you can open the Clipboard by using the Win + V shortcut. From there, you can select the item you want to paste from your recently copied items.

2. What is the clipboard on an iPhone or Android phone?

Most devices don't let you inspect the clipboard; they just let it work in the background. Not so with Android.

On an Android device:

Gboard is the default keyboard on most Android phones and an official one at that. If it didn't come pre-installed on your device, you can download it from the Google Play Store. It comes with some great features that other regular keyboards don't have, one of which is clipboard history.

When using Gboard, tap the clipboard icon in the top bar while typing; it's to the right of the gear-shaped settings icon. A new page will pop up, from which you can access your clipboard.

On your iPhone:

Unlike Android devices, the clipboard on an iPhone works differently and isn't accessible as a file or app from your phone's settings. The iPhone doesn't keep a history of your clipboard, only retaining the most recent information. Therefore, make sure to paste or use the information you've cut or copied before copying something new, or you'll lose the previous clipboard data.

To prevent any privacy leaks through the clipboard, you can clear the clipboard history on Windows.

How do you copy and paste?

The process of copying and pasting information can vary depending on the device you're using, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your particular setup before you begin.

How do I copy to the clipboard?

On your computer:

To copy something on your computer, highlight the text, object, or image you want to copy, right-click, and choose the “Copy” option. If you're using a reader, you may have to highlight the text before copying it. You can also use keyboard shortcuts, like Command + C on a Mac or Ctrl + C on a PC.

Furthermore, you can use the "Cut" function to move text from one program to another. Follow the same process described in the first paragraph, using Ctrl + X on Windows or Command + X on a Mac.

How to copy to clipboard

On a mobile device:

You can also use the copy feature on a mobile device by selecting text or an image with your finger, and then choosing to copy or cut as needed.

How do I paste from the clipboard?

You can paste only what you have previously copied or cut, because the Clipboard cannot paste anything from memory.

On your computer:

You can paste text, objects, or images by right-clicking in a blank area and selecting the Paste option. On a Windows computer, use the Ctrl+V shortcut, or Command+V on a Mac.

How do I paste from the clipboard?

On a mobile device:

Both iOS and Android devices allow you to copy and paste. Simply tap or hold down on the program you want to copy, and a paste option should appear for you to use.