← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Keyboard shortcuts: copy, paste and undo

Keyboard shortcuts that copy, paste and undo faster than using menus. Ctrl+X cuts, Ctrl+S saves and Ctrl+F finds. On a Mac, press Cmd instead of Ctrl.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Using digital tools and conventions — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Representing Data with Numbers — Module 28

Understanding Keyboard shortcuts: copy, paste and undo in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: Ctrl+C copies what you selected and Ctrl+V pastes the copy where your cursor is. Mac computers use the Cmd key where Windows uses Ctrl, so saving is Cmd+S on a Mac. Ctrl+Z undoes your last action. Ctrl+X cuts the text, which removes it but does not undo anything. Ctrl+F opens the find box so you can search for a word on the page. Ctrl+S saves. On a Mac, most shortcuts use the Cmd key instead of Ctrl, so copy is Cmd+C. Shortcuts save time. Many, like copy and paste, work in lots of programs. You copy first with Ctrl+C. Then you paste with Ctrl+V in the new spot.

Common mistakes: Ctrl+X cuts text. Paste is Ctrl+V, so line 3 should say 'Press Ctrl+V to paste it'. Ctrl+C copies text. Undo is Ctrl+Z, so line 2 should say 'Press Ctrl+Z to undo a typo'.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 47–80) and word search (Modules 9–80).

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Learning
Duo
Which shortcut copies selected text?
Ctrl+CCtrl+V
Matches
Press Ctrl+X to copy a sentence and keep the original
↓
Ctrl+X cuts the text, which removes the original. To copy and keep it, use Ctrl+C.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z
Meaning
Keyboard shortcuts that copy, paste and undo faster than using menus. Ctrl+X cuts, Ctrl+S saves and Ctrl+F finds. On a Mac, press Cmd instead of Ctrl.
Practice
Ctrl+C = copy
Testing
Gaps
Press to copy the selected text.
Check Answer
Spots
2Press Ctrl+C to copy it
3Press Ctrl+X to paste it

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Quick Questions

1. Which shortcut copies selected text?
A. Ctrl+V
B. Ctrl+C ✓
Ctrl+C copies. Ctrl+V pastes what you copied.
2. You typed a sentence by mistake. Which shortcut undoes it?
A. Ctrl+Z ✓
B. Ctrl+X
Ctrl+Z undoes your last action. Ctrl+X cuts the text, which removes it but does not undo anything.
3. Which statement is true about Ctrl+X?
A. It cuts text so you can paste it somewhere else ✓
B. It saves your file
Ctrl+X removes the selected text and keeps it ready to paste. Ctrl+S is the save shortcut.
4. You want to find the word 'volcano' on a long web page. Which shortcut helps?
A. Ctrl+F ✓
B. Ctrl+S
Ctrl+F opens the find box so you can search for a word on the page. Ctrl+S saves.
5. You are using a Mac. Which key do you press to copy?
A. Ctrl+C
B. Cmd+C ✓
On a Mac, most shortcuts use the Cmd key instead of Ctrl, so copy is Cmd+C.

Match the Pairs

Ctrl+Z → Undoes your last action, such as deleting a word by mistake
Ctrl+F → Opens a search box to find a word on the page
Copy selected text, then paste it somewhere else without using the menu → Ctrl+C then Ctrl+V
On a Mac, the Cmd key is used instead of Ctrl to save your work → Cmd+S
Press Ctrl+X to copy a sentence and keep the original → Ctrl+X cuts the text, which removes the original. To copy and keep it, use Ctrl+C.
Press Ctrl+V to undo a mistake you just made → Ctrl+V pastes. To undo a mistake, use Ctrl+Z.

Key Term

Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z
Keyboard shortcuts that copy, paste and undo faster than using menus. Ctrl+X cuts, Ctrl+S saves and Ctrl+F finds. On a Mac, press Cmd instead of Ctrl.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Press Ctrl+C to copy the selected text.
Hint: Type the shortcut that copies the selected text.
2. Press Ctrl+V to paste the copied text.
Hint: Type the letter key that completes the paste shortcut.
3. Press Ctrl+Z to undo your last change.
Hint: Type the letter key that completes the undo shortcut.
4. On a Mac, press Cmd+C to copy.
Hint: Type the Mac key used in place of Ctrl.
5. Ctrl+S saves your work. Ctrl+F finds a word.
Hint: Type the letter key that saves a file.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Select the sentence
B Press Ctrl+C to copy it
C Press Ctrl+X to paste it
Line C — Ctrl+X cuts text. Paste is Ctrl+V, so line 3 should say 'Press Ctrl+V to paste it'.
Question 2
A Type a title
B Press Ctrl+C to undo a typo
C Your last change is reversed
Line B — Ctrl+C copies text. Undo is Ctrl+Z, so line 2 should say 'Press Ctrl+Z to undo a typo'.
Question 3
A Write your science report
B Check the spelling
C Add a heading
D Press Ctrl+F to save it
Line D — Ctrl+F opens Find. Saving your work is Ctrl+S, so line 4 should say 'Press Ctrl+S to save it'.
Question 4
A Open the long web page
B Press Ctrl+S to find a word
C Type the word you want
D It is highlighted on screen
Line B — Ctrl+S saves a file. Finding a word is Ctrl+F, so line 2 should say 'Press Ctrl+F to find a word'.
Question 5
A On a Mac laptop:
B Select the photo caption
C Press Ctrl+C to copy it
D Press Cmd+V to paste it
Line C — On a Mac you press Cmd instead of Ctrl. Line 3 should say 'Press Cmd+C to copy it'.

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