Drag-and-Drop Method

A faster way to cut and paste is to use the drag-and-drop method. This means a user points to a selected piece of text and drags it to the location where they want it to go. The process is the same for copying and pasting the text with one crucial addition: the use of the [CTRL] key.

To cut and paste using the drag-and-drop method:

• Highlight the piece of text you wish to move
• Place your pointer directly on the selected piece of text
• Begin clicking-and-dragging your mouse. Watch for an insertion point. The insertion point will move as you drag the mouse
• When the INSERTION POINT (not the mouse arrow) is in the spot where you want the text to be located, let go of the mouse button

To copy and paste using the drag-and-drop method:

• Highlight the piece of text you wish to copy
• Hold down the [CTRL] key on your keyboard. IT MUST STAY DOWN during the entire process.
• Place your pointer directly on the selected piece of text
• Begin clicking-and-dragging your mouse. Watch for an insertion point. The insertion point will move as you drag the mouse.
• When the INSERTION POINT (not the mouse arrow) is in the spot where you want the text to be located, let go of the mouse button
• ONLY AFTER you see the copied text in its new location, let go of the [CTRL] key

WARNING: if you let go of the [CTRL] key before letting go of the mouse, it could turn the drag-and-drop into a move instead of a copy

Click here to see a video demo of this. (185K)