How to Use Clipboard on the iPad

Use the iPad clipboard feature to copy and paste photos and videos.
... Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The iPad clipboard is the memory feature that enables you to store small amounts of data for a short period of time in order to copy or move the content. When you use the Copy and Paste feature, data that you copy is stored to the clipboard until you paste it into a second location. With the iPad clipboard, you can select text, copy the text, then paste the text in another document or application. You can also use the iPad clipboard to copy and paste photos and videos from one location or app to another.

1 Copy Text to Clipboard

2 Double-tap

Double-tap a word to select the single word, or single-tap with two fingers to select a paragraph in an email, text message or document. In Safari, a double-tap zooms the page, so instead tap a word, then tap and hold the word to select. A handle appears on each side of the selected text.

3 Drag the handles

Drag the handles to highlight all text to copy, then tap “Copy” to copy the text to the clipboard. You can also tap “Cut” to remove the text from an editable document or form.

4 Open the destination document for the text

Open the destination document for the text, then tap the place you want to insert the text in the message or document. Tap and hold the same spot again to open a context menu.

5 Tap Paste

Tap “Paste” to paste the text into the destination document.

6 Copy Photo to Clipboard

7 Tap the Photos icon in the iPad home screen

Tap the “Photos” icon in the iPad home screen to launch the Photos app.

8 Tap and hold in the center of the photo

Tap and hold in the center of the photo to display the Copy option.

9 Tap the Copy option

Tap the “Copy” option to copy the photo to the clipboard.

10 Open a document

Open a document, email message or text message, then tap the place you want to insert the photo in the message or document. Tap and hold the same spot again to open a context menu.

11 Tap the Paste option

Tap the “Paste” option to paste the photo into the message or document.

  • Information in this article applies to the iPad running iOS 7. Instructions may vary slightly or significantly for other versions of iOS.
  • Use the same process you use to copy and paste photos for copying and pasting videos.

Randall Blackburn has worked for several Fortune 1000 companies as a technical writer over the past seven years. He has produced a wide variety of technical documentation, including detailed programming specifications and research papers. Randall has also acquired several years' experience writing web content. Randall lives and works in Austin, TX.

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