Cutting and Pasting

One of the most useful features of the BeOS is the clipboard.  The clipboard allows you to select text, images, even files and "copy" them to an invisible clipboard for later use.

Once copied to the clipboard, the text or image remains there until you copy something else to the clipboard.  This is extremely useful for moving images and text from one location, frame, sheet, or document to another. 

There is, however, a big difference between "copying" something to the clipboard and "cutting" it.  The copy command places an exact copy of the text, image, spreadsheet cells, etc. on the clipboard.  The original material remains in place.  Cutting, on the other hand, removes the original material and places it on the clipboard. 

Remember, whenever you cut or copy a new item to the clipboard, the existing item is replaced. 

How to Cut, Copy and Paste

Select the text, graphic, or range of cells you wish to copy. 

To Copy:  Press and hold down the [ALT] key, then press the [C] key.   The selected item is copied to the clipboard.

To Cut:  Press and hold down the [ALT] key, and then press the [X] key.   The selected material is removed from its original location and placed on the BeOS clipboard. 

To Paste:  Position the cursor where you wish to insert the copied or cut material.  Press and hold down the [ALT] key and then press [V].  The material on the clipboard is inserted where you indicated.

Viewing the Clipboard

Anytime you wish to see what is on the BeOS clipboard, you can use the Show Clipboard option.

  1. From the Window menu, select Show Clipboard
  2. A Clipboard window is displayed which shows whatever is on the clipboard.  When you place a new item on the clipboard, the window updates to reflect the new items.

Deleting & Clearing Selections

  1. Select the item, text, or cells you want to delete.
  2. Press the [Delete] key on the keyboard or the Clear command in the Edit menu.  Anything selected, including frames and graphic items is deleted when you press the delete key.  If nothing is selected, nothing is deleted. 

If you accidentally delete something you can always recover it.  Select Undo from the Edit menu and your previous action is recovered.  For more information about undo history, see the topic Document Size, Margins, & History.


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