Cutting is the process of copying the media you’ve selected, but removing it from the original document as well. Pasting is the process of adding the copied media into the document. This wikiHow teaches you how to cut and paste in Photoshop shop using the keyboard and your mouse. These methods work in both the Photoshop program and the online version, and with both PC and Mac.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Keyboard Shortcut

  1. 1
    Select the media you want to cut with your mouse. You can cut things such as text, images, or shapes from your Photoshop document.
    • If there are multiple objects you want to cut one layer, press Ctrl+A (PC) or Cmd+A.[1]
    • If you want to select more than one object at a time, you can press and hold Ctrl (PC) or Cmd (Mac) and click the other objects.
  2. 2
    Press Ctrl+X (PC) or Cmd+X (Mac) to cut. The selected object is copied to your clipboard and removed from the project.
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  3. 3
    Press Ctrl+V (PC) or Cmd+V (Mac) to paste. The copied object is pasted into your document.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using the Toolbar

  1. 1
    Select the media you want to cut with your mouse. You can cut things such as text, images, or shapes from your Photoshop document.
    • If there are multiple objects you want to cut one layer, press Ctrl+A (PC) or Cmd+A.
    • If you want to select more than one object at a time, you can press and hold Ctrl (PC) or Cmd (Mac) and click the other objects.
  2. 2
    Click the Edit menu. It's near the top-left corner of the screen.
  3. 3
    Click Cut. The object will copy to your clipboard and disappear from the project.
  4. 4
    Click the Edit tab. You’ll see this above your project on Windows and on the top of your screen on Mac.
  5. 5
    Click Paste. The object will appear again in your project.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Right-clicking a Selection

  1. 1
    Select the media you want to cut with your mouse. You can cut things such as text, images, or shapes from your Photoshop document.
    • If there are multiple objects you want to cut one layer, press Ctrl+A (PC) or Cmd+A.
    • If you want to select more than one object at a time, you can press and hold Ctrl (PC) or Cmd (Mac) and click the other objects.
  2. 2
    Right-click on your selection. A menu will appear next to your cursor.
  3. 3
    Click Cut. The object will copy to your clipboard and disappear from the project.
  4. 4
    Right-click on your selection. A menu will appear next to your cursor.
  5. 5
    Click Paste. The object will appear again in your project.
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About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 29,348 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 12, 2022
Views: 29,348
Article SummaryX

1. Select the media you want to cut.
2. Click the Edit tab.
3. Click Cut.
4. Click the Edit tab.
5. Click Paste.

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