How to Copy Paste in Linux: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Introduction

Linux is a highly flexible and popular operating system among developers, administrators, and users who prioritize security and customization. However, for beginners who have recently switched to Linux, one of the common challenges is figuring out how to perform basic operations like copy and paste. In this article, we will explore various methods to copy and paste in Linux, both through the graphical interface and the command line, to help you work more productively.

Copy Paste in Linux Using the Graphical Interface (GUI)

If you are using desktop environments like GNOME, KDE Plasma, or XFCE, you can perform copy-paste operations in a way that is very similar to other operating systems like Windows or macOS.

1. Using Right Click
   To copy, simply right-click on the text or file you want to copy, then select “Copy”. To paste, navigate to the location where you want to paste the copied item, right-click, and select “Paste”.
2. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
   Linux also supports keyboard shortcuts to speed up the copy-paste process.
   • To copy, press Ctrl + C.
   • To paste, press Ctrl + V.
3. Drag and Drop
   Some desktop environments also support drag-and-drop functionality. You can drag a file or text from one window and drop it in another location to perform copy-paste operations.

Copy Paste in Linux Terminal

For Linux users who often work in the terminal or command line, copying and pasting works a bit differently. Here’s how to do it:

1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
   • To copy text from the terminal, use Ctrl + Shift + C.
   • To paste text into the terminal, use Ctrl + Shift + V.
2. Using Mouse
   • You can also copy text by highlighting it, then right-click and select “Copy”.
   • To paste, right-click in the terminal and select “Paste”.
3. Using Linux Clipboard (Primary and Secondary Clipboard)
   Linux has two clipboards: primary and secondary.
   • The primary clipboard is active when you highlight text. You can paste it by clicking the middle mouse button (middle-click).
   • The secondary clipboard is the one commonly used with Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V.

Copy Paste Files in Linux Using Command Line

Apart from copying and pasting text, you may want to copy files or folders via the terminal. This can be done with the cp and mv commands.

1. Copying Files Using cp Command
To copy a file from one location to another, use the command:

cp filename.txt /path/destination/

2. Copying Folders Using cp Command
If you want to copy a folder and its contents, use the -r (recursive) option:

cp -r foldername /path/destination/

3. Moving Files or Folders with mv
The mv command is used to move files or folders. If you want to move them:

mv filename.txt /path/destination/

Additional Tips and Tricks

Using rsync for Safer File Transfers
For safer and faster file transfers, you can use rsync. It is commonly used for backups or file transfers between servers.

rsync -avh source/ destination/

Using Midnight Commander
If you prefer a text-based interface, tools like Midnight Commander (MC) can help you copy and move files easily using a split-pane view.

Conclusion

Now you know various ways to copy and paste in Linux, both through the graphical interface and the command line. With this guide, you can work more efficiently on Linux. Make sure to use keyboard shortcuts and additional tools like rsync or Midnight Commander for a smoother experience.