Clipboard Shortcuts
Compare Clipboard keyboard shortcuts across Windows, macOS, with actions, key combinations, and usage notes.
How to use this reference
Use this category reference to compare the same kind of task across your devices. Start with the section for your operating system, read the action and description, and try the shortcut in an appropriate application. Keys joined with a plus sign are held together; alternatives let you choose the combination that works on your keyboard. A gesture requires a compatible touchpad or touch screen rather than a physical keyboard.
Before practicing, check which window has focus. Text fields, browser tabs, terminal sessions, and system dialogs can interpret the same keys differently. Save any open work before testing commands that close a window, delete content, or change system settings. Accessibility commands may need to be enabled in settings first, and a laptop may require the Fn key for function keys. If a combination is intercepted by an application or a custom keymap, consult its built-in help and your operating system settings. Follow the full platform guide for related commands and additional context.
Windows 11
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Copy the selected text or item to the clipboard |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | Cut the selected text or item to the clipboard |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | Paste the most recent clipboard item at the cursor |
| Paste as Plain Text | Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste without any formatting (app-dependent) |
| Open Clipboard History | Win + V | Open the clipboard history panel to paste any previously copied item |
| Pin Item in Clipboard History | Win + V then Pin icon | In the clipboard history panel, pin an item so it persists across reboots and clipboard clears |
| Clear Clipboard History | Win + V then Clear All | In the clipboard history panel, click 'Clear All' to wipe the full history |
| Emoji / Symbol Picker | Win + . | Open the emoji, kaomoji, and symbol picker to paste characters |
| Paste from Cloud Clipboard | Win + V | If Cloud Clipboard is enabled (Settings > System > Clipboard), items copied on other signed-in Windows devices appear here |
macOS
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Cmd + C | Copy the selected text or item to the clipboard |
| Cut | Cmd + X | Cut the selected text or item to the clipboard |
| Paste | Cmd + V | Paste the most recent clipboard item at the cursor |
| Paste and Match Style | Cmd + Option + Shift + V | Paste without formatting, matching the surrounding text style |
| Show Clipboard (Finder) | Edit menu → Show Clipboard | View the current contents of the clipboard in a Finder window |
| Universal Clipboard (copy) | Cmd + C | With Handoff enabled: anything copied on your Mac is instantly available to paste on your nearby iPhone or iPad |
| Character Viewer (symbols) | Ctrl + Cmd + Space | Insert special characters, emoji, or symbols directly from the keyboard |
| Dictate to Clipboard | Fn + Fn | Press Fn twice to start Dictation — dictated text is entered and can then be cut/copied |
Windows 10
| Action | Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Copy the selected text or item to the clipboard |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | Cut the selected text or item to the clipboard |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | Paste the most recent clipboard item at the cursor |
| Paste as Plain Text | Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste without any formatting (app-dependent) |
| Open Clipboard History | Win + V | Open clipboard history to paste any previously copied item (must be enabled in Settings > System > Clipboard first) |
| Enable Clipboard History | Win + V | If history is disabled, pressing Win+V shows a prompt to turn it on |
| Pin Item in Clipboard History | Win + V then Pin icon | In the clipboard panel, pin an item so it is not removed when the history clears |
| Emoji / Symbol Picker | Win + . | Open the emoji, kaomoji, and symbol picker to insert special characters |