ClipboardlyMac Copy and Paste Shortcuts: The Complete List
On a Mac, copy with ⌘C, cut with ⌘X and paste with ⌘V. Paste without formatting with ⌥⇧⌘V (Paste and Match Style). In Finder, copy a file with ⌘C and move it with ⌥⌘V. Add Control to a screenshot shortcut (⌃⇧⌘4) to copy the screenshot straight to the clipboard. On macOS Tahoe, ⌘Space then ⌘4 shows clipboard history.
- ⌘C copy, ⌘X cut, ⌘V paste, ⌥⇧⌘V paste without formatting.
- Finder: ⌘C then ⌥⌘V moves a file instead of copying it.
- Screenshots to clipboard: ⌃⇧⌘3 (screen) or ⌃⇧⌘4 (selection).
The basics
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Copy | ⌘C |
| Cut | ⌘X |
| Paste | ⌘V |
| Paste without formatting (Paste and Match Style) | ⌥⇧⌘V |
| Undo / redo | ⌘Z / ⇧⌘Z |
| Select all | ⌘A |
Copying and moving files in Finder
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Copy a file | ⌘C |
| Paste a copy | ⌘V |
| Move the file instead of copying it | ⌥⌘V |
Screenshots straight to the clipboard
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Whole screen to clipboard | ⌃⇧⌘3 |
| Selected area to clipboard | ⌃⇧⌘4 |
| Screenshot toolbar | ⇧⌘5 |
Without Control, screenshots are saved to your Desktop. Clipboardly can add those to your clipboard history automatically too (Settings → Auto-capture desktop screenshots).
Clipboard history shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Clipboard history in Spotlight (macOS Tahoe) | ⌘Space, then ⌘4 |
| Show the current clipboard (Finder) | Edit → Show Clipboard |
| Search and paste any past clip (Clipboardly Quick Paste) | ⌘⇧V |
Copy on iPhone, paste on Mac
With Universal Clipboard, copy on your iPhone or iPad and paste on your Mac with ⌘V. Both devices need to be signed in to the same Apple Account with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff turned on.
Frequently asked questions
How do I paste without formatting on a Mac?
Press ⌥⇧⌘V (Option-Shift-Command-V), or choose Edit → Paste and Match Style.
How do I copy a screenshot to the clipboard on a Mac?
Press ⌃⇧⌘4 and select an area, or ⌃⇧⌘3 for the whole screen. The screenshot is copied instead of saved to the Desktop.
What is the shortcut for clipboard history on Mac?
On macOS Tahoe, press ⌘Space, then ⌘4. With Clipboardly, press ⌘⇧V from any app.
Sources
- Apple Support: Mac keyboard shortcuts
- Apple Support: Take screenshots on Mac
- Apple Support: Copy and paste between devices (Universal Clipboard)
Checked September 2026. Prices and features of other apps can change; check each app’s site for the latest.
Published by the Clipboardly team at Growbig100 LLC. Updated Sep 26, 2026.