How to Copy and Paste on Facebook [All You Need To Know]

The copy-paste function seems simple, but it has become a crucial tool in our virtual lives. Copy-pasting can help do the following: 

• Take note of essential posts.
• Share quotes and images.
• Jot down excellent captions.

However, copy-pasting may differ with huge social media platforms like Facebook. Unlike other platforms, Facebook seems more lenient about users copying images, for example. 

This article contains a step-by-step guide on how to copy and paste on Facebook and some helpful tips on overcoming its limitations.

Continue on to learn more.

2 Ways to Copy and Paste on Facebook

There is a slight difference in copying and pasting on Facebook websites and phone applications. Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOs have built-in copy-paste features. 

Discover how to use the copy-and-paste function in this section. 

Copy and Paste on Facebook Website 

Windows and Mac have different keys when copying and pasting something from Facebook. Windows-powered devices use control (CTRL), and Mac devices use command (CMD). Use this as a reference while going through the directions. 

Navigating the keys and functions is simple. The step-by-step guides below will help you do this.

Copying a Text or Caption

The steps below will show you how to copy and paste Facebook text on the computer: 

1. Place the mouse cursor on the beginning of the text you want to copy. 

2. Press and hold the mouse's left button and drag the cursor to the end of the text you want to copy. After highlighting, release the left button. 

3. Press and hold the control or command key, then press key C to copy. You can also do this by clicking the mouse's right button and selecting Copy. 

4. Go to a platform or text field where you want to paste the text. In this example, let's paste it on Notepad. 

5. To paste the text, press and hold the control or command key, then press key V. You can also do this by clicking the mouse's right button and selecting Paste.

Copy Image

Here’s how to use the copy-paste function with an image on Facebook using a computer: 

1. Click the right button of the mouse on the desired image. Select Copy image. 

2. Navigate to where you want to paste the image, like a chatbox or status bar. In this example, let's paste it on a Google Docs file. 

3. Click the mouse's right button and select Paste.

Copying and pasting from Facebook is possible with a desktop. The same is true with Facebook’s phone application. Learn more about this in the next section. 

Copy and Paste on Facebook App

The company launched Facebook for mobile in 2004. In 2021, Facebook mobile users amounted to 98% of the active accounts worldwide.

Copy-paste function has become accessible on smartphones when using the Facebook app. The process of doing this is similar for Android and iOS-powered phones. 

Read on and discover how to use the copy-paste function on the Facebook application. 

Text Copying and Pasting 

The copying and pasting of text is easy with the Facebook app. Begin copy-pasting a text by following the steps below. The screenshots, along with the steps, are from an Android device. 

1. Tap and hold the start of the text you want to copy. 

2. Drag the highlight to include the words you need to copy. Tap Copy. 

Source: wikiHow

3. Go to the app where you want to paste the text. 

4. Press and hold the cursor or the space within a platform, then tap on Paste. 

Source: wikiHow

Using Copy-Paste for Image 

Text is not the only one you can copy from the Facebook app. You can also copy and paste images. Here's how: 

1. On the Facebook app, tap and hold the image on your smartphone's screen until it prompts Copy. 

2. Tap Copy and go to the app where you want to paste it. 

3. Tap and hold the area of the platform where you’re pasting. It will prompt Paste, and you need to tap on it. 

On some versions of devices, you cannot copy a photo. Instead, you can share it or save the photo on your gallery. 

While the steps in copying and pasting are straightforward, they are not free from issues and challenges. Continue reading to learn about them. 

Challenges When Copy Pasting on Facebook 

You may encounter challenges when trying to get hold of a text or photo from Facebook. 

Here are the most common challenges when copy-pasting on Facebook and possible solution to fix them.

Copy and Paste Function Not Working

You may be experiencing a hardware or software issue if you’re unable to copy something on Facebook by any means (keyboard commands or the in-app copy-paste function).

Below are the possible reasons why your computer’s copy-and-paste function is not working:

• Another running application is using the clipboard.
• Your device has malware or viruses that disable the clipboard.
• You haven’t cleared a huge chunk of clipboard history.
• A damaged mouse or keyboard is stopping you from using the function. 
• The device has corrupt system files interfering with the clipboard.

To solve a nonfunctional copy-and-paste feature, you can try the following steps:

1. Close, delete, or uninstall applications taking over the copy-paste function. 

2. Use an anti-virus app to scan and delete malware. 

3. Close all unnecessary programs that are running. 

4. Clear the clipboard history. 

5. Troubleshoot the keyboard and ensure the keyboard is not locked. 

6. Restart the computer.

If nothing works after trying all these solutions, you can use the Facebook clipboard as an alternative. 

Facebook Clipboard

Facebook clipboard allows you to save the posts you want to see later. This feature is available in both the browser and mobile app versions.

Here is a guide to using this: 

1. Open your Facebook account and go to the desired post. 

2. Click the three dots (...) in the post's upper right corner. 

3. Tap on the bookmark icon beside the Save post. 

4. Name your collection so you can organize your saved items. You can also set the privacy of the collection here.

With the Facebook Clipboard, you can reread or rewatch the desired content without using the copy-paste function. 

Can't Copy-Paste from Facebook on Phone Web Browser

For instance, you don't have a Facebook app on your phone. You must access Facebook through a web browser to get the desired text. However, you cannot copy the text word by word. 

Instead, you must take a screenshot and save it on your phone's gallery. This way, you still have a reference to the text or image. 

Take a Screenshot with iOS.

Here's how you take a screenshot using an iPhone or iPad:

1. Tap the home and sleep/wake buttons simultaneously. 

2. If the screenshot is successful, the device will make a shutter sound. 

3. You can check the Photos app, where the device automatically saves screenshots.

Use an Android in Taking a Screenshot

Take a screenshot of the Facebook content with an Android. Follow these steps to do this: 

1. Press the Volume Down and the Power button together. In some Android versions, you must press Volume Up and the Power button together and wait for around 2 seconds. 

2. If you heard a clicking sound, you have successfully taken the screenshot.

Check the Gallery app of the phone to check the screenshot image.

Summing Up

Copying and pasting is one of the ways of taking notes of something important. It may be a caption, quote, or image. You can access this function on the Facebook website and app using desktops and smartphones. 

However, there are limitations in copying and pasting content on Facebook. Luckily, there are also alternatives that you can use to save your desired content still.