The paste shortcut key is Ctrl + V on Windows and Command + V on a Mac. It puts whatever you last copied or cut at the cursor, in a selected cell, or in an open folder.
Paste always works together with copy or cut: first Ctrl + C or Ctrl + X, then Ctrl + V. Below you will find the faster variants people miss, such as pasting text without its formatting and choosing from older copies.
Quick facts
Windows
Ctrl + VMac
Command + VAlso works
Shift + InsertPaste older copies
Win + VPlain text in browsers
Ctrl + Shift + VUndo a paste
Ctrl + Z
Copy and paste shortcut keys at a glance
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
| Cut | Ctrl + X | Command + X |
| Paste | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
| Paste without formatting | Ctrl + Shift + V (browsers and many apps) | Option + Shift + Command + V |
| Choose from clipboard history | Win + V | Not built in |
The full guides are here: copy shortcut key and cut shortcut key.
How to use the paste shortcut key
- Select the text, file, picture or cell and copy it with Ctrl + C.
- Click where it should go. For text, place the blinking cursor; for files, open the destination folder.
- Press Ctrl + V. Hold Ctrl and tap V once; holding V pastes again and again.
You can paste the same thing as many times as you like, because pasting does not empty the clipboard. In Hinglish searches this is often asked as "paste ka shortcut key": the answer is still Ctrl + V.
Paste as plain text
Text copied from a website brings its font, colour and size with it. In browsers, chat apps and many editors, Ctrl + Shift + V pastes only the words so they match the document you are typing in. In Word and Excel, use paste special for the same result, or right click and choose Keep Text Only.
Paste from clipboard history with Win + V
Windows remembers recent copies when clipboard history is on. Press Win + V to open the list, use the arrow keys to pick an older item, and press Enter to paste it. The first time, Windows asks you to turn the feature on. See the clipboard shortcut guide for pinning items you paste every day.
Paste shortcut key in laptop and other places
| Where | What gets pasted |
|---|---|
| Word, email, chat | Text and images at the cursor |
| Excel | Cells with values, formulas and formatting |
| File Explorer | Copied or cut files into the open folder |
| Browser address bar | The copied link or search words |
| Command Prompt (Windows 10 and 11) | Text at the prompt |
On laptops the computer paste shortcut key is exactly the same. Ctrl is the bottom left key on almost every keyboard, so no Fn key is needed.
When paste does not work
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Nothing is pasted | Copy again; the first Ctrl + C may not have selected anything |
| Ctrl + V types a v | A Ctrl key may be stuck or broken; try the right Ctrl key |
| Pasted text looks wrong | Use Ctrl + Shift + V or paste special |
| Files will not paste | The folder may be read only or full; try another folder |
| Paste is blocked on a website | Some forms block paste for passwords; type it instead |
Paste on a Mac
On a Mac press Command + V. To paste text in the style of the document you are typing in, press Option + Shift + Command + V. To move a file in Finder, copy it with Command + C and press Option + Command + V in the new folder. More details are in the Mac copy and paste guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut key for paste?
What is the shortcut for copy and paste?
Copy with Ctrl + C, then paste with Ctrl + V.
Is there another paste shortcut key besides Ctrl + V?
Yes, Shift + Insert also pastes in most Windows programs.
How do I paste without formatting?
Press Ctrl + Shift + V in browsers and many apps, or use paste special in Office.
How do I paste something I copied earlier?
Press Win + V to open clipboard history and pick it from the list.
How do I undo a paste?
Press Ctrl + Z straight after pasting. See the undo shortcut key guide.