Difference Between Cut and Copy

The main difference between Cut and Copy is that cut removes the selected data from its original position while copy creates a duplicate of the original content. There are different methods to cut or copy a selected content. Pressing control (ctrl) and X keys together in the keyboard is the shortcut for cutting while pressing control (ctrl) and C keys together is the shortcut for copying a text.

When using applications such as MS word, the user can perform activities related to document creation. It provides various options for the user to accomplish different tasks. Cut and Copy are two of them. Cut helps to remove the selected section of data from the original position. On the other hand, Copy helps to create duplicate content. Both of them keep the selected data in a temporary storage tool called the clipboard. Later, these saved data can be inserted into the same document or some other document using the paste option.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Cut
     – Functionality, Methods
2. What is Copy
    – Functionality, Methods
3. Difference Between Cut and Copy
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Applications, Cut, Copy

What is Cut

Cut allows the user to remove a section of text or some other element from the document. It saves that content to the clipboard so that it can be pasted somewhere in the same document or a different document. Different methods of achieving Cut are as follows.

Method 1

1. Highlight the required content
2. Click the right mouse button
3. From the drop-down list, select the option Then that content disappears from the document.

Figure 1: Drop-down Box with Cut and Copy Options

Method 2

1. Highlight the necessary content.
2. Press Control (Ctrl) and X keys together on the keyboard. This will cut the content, so that section disappears from the document.

Method 3

1. Highlight the necessary content.
2. Click on the cut tool (scissor symbol) on the Home Tab of the ribbon. This will cut the selected content from the document.

These are the different methods to Cut a section from the document.

What is Copy

Copy allows users to make a copy of the original content in somewhere else in the same document or in a different document. These are several methods to achieve this task.

Method 1

1. Highlight the necessary content
2. Click the right mouse button
3. From the drop-down list, select the option copy

Method 2

1. Highlight the required content
2. Press Control (Ctrl) and C keys together on the keyboard to copy the content

Method 3

1. Highlight the necessary content
2. Click on the copy icon on the Home Tab of the ribbon

Figure 2: Home Tab with Cup and Copy Options

Those are the main methods to achieve copying. Copy will not affect the original content. Instead, it creates a duplicate in the new location.

Difference Between Cut and Copy

Definition

Cut is an option that allows the user to remove content from the document. Copy is an option that allows the user to make a duplicate of the original content.

Key Board Short Cuts

Pressing control (ctrl) and X keys together in the keyboard is the shortcut for Cut. Pressing control (ctrl) and C keys together is the shortcut for Copy.

Original Content

Cut removes original content from the document, but Copy will not remove the original content from the document.

Conclusion

The difference between Cut and Copy is that cut removes the selected data from its original position while copy creates a duplicate of the original content. Both store the selected data to the clipboard so that they can be inserted into a new location using paste option.

Reference

1.“Cut, Copy, and Paste.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 June 2018, Available here.