How to Copy and Paste Links on Windows, Mac & Smartphones

Copying and pasting links is a basic but extremely useful operation when you want to share information via email, text messages, or documents. Whether you're using a Windows computer, Mac, or smartphone, the process may differ slightly. In this article, you'll be guided through the detailed steps of copying and pasting links on each device in a simple and easy-to-understand way – even for beginners. Additionally, if the link is too long, you'll learn how to quickly shorten it for easier sharing.

Method 1: Copy and paste the link on Windows & Mac (simplest method)

Step 1: How to quickly copy and paste website addresses

• Open your browser and click on the address bar.
  When you access the website, click on the address bar in your browser to display the full link if it is hidden.

• Select the entire web address
  Normally, when you click on the address bar, all links are automatically selected. If not, press Ctrl/⌘ Cmd + A to select all.

• Copy the selected address
  Right-click on the selected address and choose "Copy," or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/⌘ Cmd + C to copy it.

• Paste the address in the desired location.
  Place the cursor where you want to paste the link, then press Ctrl/⌘ Cmd + V to paste the address.

Step 2: How to find and copy links quickly

• Find the link you want to copy.
  You can copy links from websites, emails, Word documents, or most other applications.

• Identify links on websites and in emails.
  Links are often underlined or colored differently from the surrounding text.

• Links are not just text.
  Many links are located on buttons or images, and you can easily copy them as well.

Step 3: How to copy a link using the right-click mouse button

• Right-click on the link
  Right-click on the link to open the options menu. If the link is an image, right-click on the image to see the "Copy" option.

• How to open the right-click menu on a Mac
  If you're using a Mac with only one mouse button, hold down the Ctrl key and then click to open the right-click menu.

Step 4: Select the option to copy the link.

• Select “Copy link” from the right-click menu.
  When you choose to copy the link, the URL will be saved to the clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere.

• The clipboard can only store one link at a time.
  If you copy the new link, the old link will be overwritten.

• The name of the link copying option varies depending on the browser or application.
  Common examples:

  • Chrome: “Copy link address”

  • Firefox: “Copy Link Location”

  • Internet Explorer: “Copy shortcut”

  • Safari: “Copy Link”

  • Word: “Copy Hyperlink”

Step 5: How to paste the copied link

• Place the cursor where you want to paste the link.
  Click where you want to insert the link, such as in an email, a Word document, or your browser's address bar.

• Paste the link anywhere you can enter text.
  You can paste the link in emails, Facebook chats, documents, or any input field.

Step 6: How to paste the copied link

• Right-click and select "Paste"
  Right-click at the cursor position, then select "Paste" to paste the link.

• Use keyboard shortcuts
  Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd + V (Mac) to paste quickly.

• Use the edit menu.
  If the program has an Edit menu, you can select “Paste” from there. However, not all applications have this menu.

Step 7: How to paste a link as a hyperlink with custom text

• Place the cursor at the location where you want to insert the hyperlink.
  Choose where you want to create the link in the document or email.

• Open the hyperlink insertion tool.
  Click the “Insert Hyperlink” button or go to the Insert menu, which usually has a chain link icon.

• Enter the text to display.
  In the “Text to display” box, type the word or phrase you want to display instead of the link.

• Paste the link into the address bar.
  In the “Address,” “URL,” or “Link to” box, paste the copied link using Ctrl+V (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd+V (Mac).

• Confirm to create the link
  Once finished, click OK or Insert to insert the hyperlink with your custom text.

Method 2: Copy and Paste the link quickly on your Android and iPhone.

Step 1: How to find and copy links on mobile devices

• Find the link you want to copy.
  You can copy the link from your web browser, email, or many other apps on your phone.

• Links can be text or images.
  Links can be not just text, but also buttons or images.

• The process is the same on all devices.
  Whether you're using Android, iPhone, iPad, or Windows Mobile, the process for copying the link is pretty much the same.

Step 2: How to copy the link on a mobile device by pressing and holding

• Press and hold the link you want to copy.
  Once you've found the link, press and hold it until the options menu appears.

• Wait for the menu to appear.
  This process may take a few seconds for the menu to appear.

Step 3: Select the “Copy” option to copy the link on your mobile device.

• Click on the “Copy” option.
  When the menu appears, select the copy link command.

• Option names may vary depending on the application.
  Some common examples:

  • Copy

  • Copy link address

  • Copy URL link

  • Copy address

Step 4: Place the cursor and paste the link on your mobile device.

• Tap the location where you want to paste the link.
  Click on the text box to place the cursor there.

• Paste the link anywhere you can type.
  After copying, you can paste the link into emails, messages, notes, or any application that allows input.

Step 5: How to position the cursor correctly on a mobile device

• Press and hold your finger on the cursor position.
  Hold for a moment, then release.

• On iOS devices
  Release your hand when you see the magnifying glass appear.

• On Android devices
  Release your finger when you see the indicator icon appear below the cursor.

Step 6: How to paste the copied link on a mobile device

• Tap the “Paste” option.
  When the menu appears, select "Paste" to paste the link.

• The link will be inserted into the text input box.
  The copied link address will appear right at the cursor's position.

Step 7: How to copy and paste links from messages on Android

• Press and hold the message containing the link.
  Hold your finger on the message until the options appear.

• Select the “Copy” button.
  This button might be the word "Copy" or an icon of two overlapping sheets of paper at the top of the screen.

• Paste the link wherever you want.
  After pasting, delete any unnecessary text, keeping only the link you need.

Method 3: Top 4 professional link shortening methods with Bitly, TinyURL…

Step 1: Why should you use a link shortening service when messaging or tweeting?

• Long links make sharing difficult.
  Website addresses can be very long, especially for subpages deep within a website.

• Link shortening services help create short links.
  You'll have a short, memorable link that's easy to send via text message, tweet, or share on social media.

• More convenient and professional
  Shortened links help keep messages and posts concise and more appealing to recipients.

Step 2: How to copy the link to share or shorten it.

• Find and copy the link you want to share.
  Use the methods instructed to obtain the link from your browser, email, or application.

• Prepare the link for the next step.
  After copying, you can paste the link into a link shortening service or send it directly to the recipient.

Step 3: Access a link shortening website.

• Choose a reputable link shortening service.
  Popular platforms currently include:

  • bit.ly

  • tinyurl.com

  • ow.ly

  • is.gd (replacing goo.gl as support for new users has been discontinued)

• These services function similarly.
  Simply paste the long link into the input box, and the system will generate a short, shareable link.

Step 4: Paste the long link into the shortened link box on the website.

• Access the link shortening page.
  Open a page like bit.ly, tinyurl.com, or your chosen service.

• Paste the link into the input field.
  Click on the box, then:

  • Press Ctrl + V (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd + V (Mac)

  • Or press and hold and select Paste if using a mobile device.

• Long links will be pasted into the box in preparation for shortening.

Step 5: Click the “Shorten” button to create the shortened link.

• After pasting the long link, press "Shorten," "Shrink," or a similar button.
  This button is usually located right below or next to the link input box.

• The system will generate a new short link.
  This link will use the shortening service's own formatting, instead of the original link.

Step 6: Copy the shortened link

• Use the "Copy" button if available.
  After the shortened link is created, many pages will display a “Copy” button — click to quickly copy it.

• Or copy in the usual way.
  Press and hold (on a phone) or highlight and right-click, then select "Copy" (on a computer).

Step 7: Paste the shortened link to share.

• Paste the link as usual.
  Press Ctrl + V (Windows), ⌘ Cmd + V (Mac), or press and hold and select Paste (on your phone) to insert the link where you want.

• Add explanatory content for the link.
  Since shortened links don't display the content clearly, you should write a short description like this:
  "See the article here:" or "For more information:"

Author: Luigi Oppido .