Terms:

• pointer (also known as the cursor) – the object that moves around the screen as you move your mouse
• click – press and release the left mouse button
• click and hold – press the left mouse button and hold it down
• right-click – press and release the right mouse button
• popup menu – a list of options that appears when you right-click
• highlighted – marked with a notable color

Note: Some users, especially left-handed individuals, configure the mouse click in reverse. If you do not see a popup menu when you right-click, this could be why.

Steps:

• Click and hold at either end of the text you wish to copy. For practice, try copying the next step.
• Move ( drag ) your mouse to the other end of the text you wish to copy while still holding the mouse button down. The text should now be  highlighted.
• Let go (release the mouse button)
• Right-click. (You should now have a popup menu appear. If you do not, then start over and try again.)
• Click the word “Copy” on the popup menu.

If everything went well, the text has been placed on an invisible “clipboard” so that it can be “pasted” elsewhere. You will not see anything special happen when you click “Copy” on the popup menu except that the menu will disappear.

Now, let’s see if you were successful. To paste the text, you must have the pointer within an area that supports the copy and paste of text such as the text area (white space) below.

• Right-click in the text area below. A popup menu should appear.
• Click the word “Paste” on the popup menu. If “paste” is not available, then you may need to start over and try again.