Check Out These Timesaving Keyboard Shortcuts for Copy, Paste and Paste Special in PowerPoint
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated August 25, 2023
Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)
There are several keyboard shortcuts for copy, paste and paste special in PowerPoint. You can use shortcuts to copy and paste objects, slides and formatting.
Recommended article: How to Group and Ungroup in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)
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Note: Screenshots in this article are from PowerPoint 365 but are very similar in previous versions.
Copy and paste objects or slides
To copy and paste objects or slides, select the object or slide thumbnail in Normal View or Slide Sorter View and then press Ctrl + C to copy and then Ctrl + V to paste.
Duplicate objects or slides
To duplicate objects or slides, select the object or slide thumbnail in Normal View or Slide Sorter View and then press Ctrl + D.
Copy and paste using Paste Special
You can copy objects in PowerPoint or copy in another application and then paste into PowerPoint using Paste Special.
To copy and paste an object onto a slide using Paste Special:
- Select the object in PowerPoint or in another application and press Ctrl + C to copy. For example, you can select cells or a chart in Excel and then press Ctrl + C.
- In Normal View, display the PowerPoint slide on which you want to paste the object.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + V to display the Paste Special dialog box.
- Select the desired option(s) in the dialog box.
- Click OK or press Enter.
The Paste Special dialog box will change depending on the type of object you have copied.
The following Paste Special dialog box appears when you copy a shape in PowerPoint:
The following Paste Special dialog box appears when you copy and paste a chart from Excel:
The Paste Special dialog box options will change if you select Paste or Paste Link.
Copy and paste formatting using keyboard shortcuts
To copy and paste formatting using keyboard shortcuts:
- Format a shape, image or text in PowerPoint.
- Insert another shape, image or text.
- Select the first shape, image or text and press Ctrl + Shift + C.
- Click the second shape, image or text. You may need to drag over text.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + V.
- Continue pasting formatting to other shapes, images or text by pressing Ctrl + Shift + V.
You can save a lot of time using copy and paste shortcuts in PowerPoint.
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More resources
10 PowerPoint Drawing Tricks and Shortcuts
How to Rotate Objects in PowerPoint (4 Ways)
10 Keyboard Shortcuts in PowerPoint's Outline View
How to Compress Images in PowerPoint (10 Strategies)
How to Use the Built-in Laser Pointer in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)
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Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers
Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp
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