askvity

How do I copy and paste a screenshot on my Mac?

Published in Mac Screenshots 2 mins read

To copy a screenshot directly to your clipboard on a Mac, hold down the Control key while taking the screenshot. This allows you to immediately paste the screenshot into another application without saving it as a file.

Here's a breakdown of how it works:

  1. Take the Screenshot with Control: Use one of the standard screenshot shortcuts while also holding the Control key:

    • Full Screen: Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 + Control
    • Selected Area: Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 + Control
    • Specific Window: Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 + Spacebar + Control (then click on the window you want to capture).

  2. The Screenshot Goes to the Clipboard: Instead of saving to a file on your desktop, the screenshot is copied to your Mac's clipboard.

  3. Paste the Screenshot: Open the application where you want to use the screenshot (e.g., Pages, Mail, Messages, Slack, etc.). Use the standard paste command: Command (⌘) + V. The screenshot will be pasted into the application.

Why Use This Method?

  • Saves Time: Avoids the step of saving the screenshot as a file and then inserting/attaching it.
  • Convenient: Ideal for quickly sharing screenshots in messages or documents.
  • No Clutter: Prevents your desktop from becoming cluttered with screenshot files.

Alternative: Universal Clipboard (for Apple Devices)

If you have multiple Apple devices signed in to the same iCloud account, you can use Universal Clipboard to copy and paste screenshots between them:

  1. Take the Screenshot with Control as described above on one device (e.g., your MacBook).

  2. Paste on Another Device: On another Apple device (e.g., your iPad), open the application where you want to use the screenshot and paste (Command (⌘) + V on a Mac, or a tap-and-hold-to-paste gesture on an iPad or iPhone). Note: both devices need to have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff enabled in System Settings (macOS) or Settings (iOS/iPadOS).

In summary, holding the Control key while taking a screenshot on your Mac sends the image directly to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it into other applications immediately.

Related Articles