Modifying this control will update this page automatically

iPad User Guide

Select, cut, copy, and paste text on iPad

In apps on iPad, you can use the onscreen keyboard to select and edit text in text fields.

Select and edit text

  1. To select text, do any of the following:

    • Select a word: Double-tap with one finger.

    • Select a paragraph: Triple-tap with one finger.

    • Select a block of text: Double-tap and hold the first word in the block, then drag to the last word.

  2. After selecting the text you want to revise, you can type, or tap the selection to see editing options:

    • Cut: Tap Cut or pinch closed with three fingers two times.

    • Copy: Tap Copy or pinch closed with three fingers.

    • Paste: Tap Paste or pinch open with three fingers.

    • Replace: View suggested replacement text, or have Siri suggest alternative text.

    • Format: Format the selected text.

    • 👁 the Show More button
      View more options.

Tip: To move text without cutting or copying, touch and hold selected text until it lifts up, then drag the text to another location.

Insert text by typing

  1. Place the insertion point where you want to insert text by doing any of the following:

    Note: To navigate a long document, touch and hold the right edge of the document, then drag the scroller to locate the text you want to revise.

  2. Type (or paste) the text you want to add.

You can use Universal Clipboard to cut or copy something as you normally would on one Apple device and paste it to another. See Copy and paste between iPad and other Apple devices.

Thanks for your feedback.