How to Paste on Mac

If you only need the basic answer, here it is: copy with Command + C, click where the content should go, then paste with Command + V.

But how to paste on Mac depends on the situation. Sometimes you want the latest copied item. Sometimes you want an older clipboard item, clean text without formatting, or several items pasted in order. This guide separates the common cases.

Paste the current clipboard item

Use the standard Mac flow:

You can also use Edit > Copy and Edit > Paste from the menu bar, or Control-click and choose Copy or Paste in supported apps. If Paste is dimmed, the target may not accept that content type.

Paste without formatting

When copying from webpages, PDFs, email, or rich documents, formatting can follow the text. That may bring fonts, colors, links, spacing, or hidden styles into the destination.

For many apps, Paste and Match Style is the built-in solution. Apple lists Option + Shift + Command + V as the shortcut for applying the surrounding style in supported apps, though individual apps may vary.

Use Paste as Plain Text on Mac in AegisClip when you want a consistent plain-text workflow for editors, CMS fields, support tools, Markdown, code, terminal commands, or forms.

Paste from clipboard history

Normal paste only uses the current clipboard item. If you need something copied earlier, use clipboard history.

On macOS Tahoe 26, Spotlight can search clipboard history and let you copy an old item back. In AegisClip, press Shift + Command + V, search the history, then select the item you want.

This is useful for:

• reusing support replies or standard notes
• recovering a link copied earlier
• inserting code snippets or commands
• moving research quotes into a draft
• finding a screenshot or image clip

Use Auto Paste when speed matters

Auto Paste reduces one step after you find the clip. Put the cursor in the target field, open AegisClip, choose a history item, and AegisClip can send it into the active app.

This requires Accessibility permission because macOS treats automated paste as control of another app. AegisClip uses that permission for the paste action, not to read your screen continuously.

Auto Paste is most useful when you paste many clips per day. For a single one-off paste, normal Command + V is still fine.

Paste several items

If you need several copied items, decide where they should go:

Read Multiple Copy Paste Mac for the full workflow.

Troubleshooting paste problems

If paste does not work, test in this order:

• Paste into Notes or TextEdit to confirm the clipboard has usable content.
• Click the target field again so it has focus.
• Try manual Command + V.
• Check whether the app blocks paste or accepts only certain content types.
• If Auto Paste fails, confirm AegisClip Auto Paste is enabled and Accessibility permission is granted.
• Restart AegisClip after changing macOS privacy permissions.

If normal paste works but AegisClip Auto Paste does not, continue to Auto Paste Not Working on Mac. If you are not sure where the clipboard is, start with How to Access Clipboard on Mac.