Use Word's Hidden Clipboard for Cutting, Copying and Pasting

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated March 24, 2022

Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)

If you do a lot of cutting, copying and pasting in Microsoft Word, there's a hidden tool that can save you a lot of time. The technical name for this tool is the Spike which is likely why very few Word users know about it. The Spike is different from the regular Clipboard which holds only one cut or copied item at a time. The Spike can collect multiple items (text or images) as you cut or copy them.

You can collect (cut or copy) a number of items and then paste them in the same document or a different document in a couple of steps. The trick is to display the Clipboard task pane when you're cutting or copying.

If you are a keyboard only user, check out our article No Mouse? Using Keyboard Only Navigation in Microsoft Office.

Recommended article: How to Export PowerPoint Handouts to Microsoft Word

Displaying the Clipboard task pane (the Spike)

To display the Clipboard task pane or the Spike in Word:

  1. Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
  2. In the Clipboard group, click the dialog box launcher (the button on the bottom right of the Clipboard group). The Clipboard task pane appears.

Below is the Clipboard task pane:

Microsoft Word Clipboard task pane.

Adding items to the Clipboard task pane

Now, when you cut or copy text or an image, it will be added to the Clipboard task pane automatically (which can hold up to 24 items).

Below is the Clipboard task pane with multiple items:

Microsoft Word Clipboard task pane with multiple items.

You can also cut items and add them to the Spike by pressing Ctrl + F3 if the task pane is not displayed.

Pasting items from the Clipboard task pane

To paste items from the Clipboard task pane (in the current document or another document):

  1. With the Clipboard task pane displayed, place the cursor in the document where you want to paste the item.
  2. Click the item in the Clipboard task pane and it will be pasted into the document at the cursor.
  3. Repeat for other items.

Deleting items from the Clipboard task pane

To delete single items from the Clipboard task pane:

  1. With the Clipboard task pane displayed, point to the item you wish to delete until an arrow appears.
  2. Click the arrow and select Delete.
  3. Repeat for other items.

To delete all items from the Clipboard task pane, with the Clipboard task pane displayed, click Clear All at the top of the task pane.

The Clipboard task pane or the Spike can be a real timesaver if you're working with large Word documents. You can change the behaviour of the Spike by clicking on Options at the bottom of the task pane and selecting other options (such as showing the Clipboard automatically).

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, join our email list.

More resources

How to Select All in Word (6 Ways with Shortcuts)

How to Find and Replace in Word (and Use Wildcards)

3 Ways to Insert the Copyright or Trademark Symbol in Word (with Shortcuts)

5 Ways to Insert the Approximately Equal To or Almost Equal To Symbol in Word

10+ Great Microsoft Word Navigation Shortcuts to Move Around Quickly in Your Documents

Related courses

Microsoft Word: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft Access: Introduction

MORE COURSES >

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.

Copyright 2024 Avantix® Learning

You may also like

10 Word Shortcuts to Select Text Using a Keyboard

10 Word Shortcuts to Select Text Using a Keyboard

You can use several shortcuts in Word to select text in your documents using only your keyboard. When you select text, it will typically be highlighted in grey. After you select text, you can cut, copy, or delete the selected text or apply character or paragraph formatting.

How to Generate Random Text in Word

How to Generate Random Text in Word

If you are creating a Microsoft Word document, template or mockup and you want to create placeholder text, you can generate random text using the built-in RAND function or LOREM function (which generates Latin or Lorem ipsum text).

How to Center Text Vertically in a Word Table (and Fix Common Issues)

How to Center Text Vertically in a Word Table (and Fix Common Issues)

You can center or align text vertically in cells in a Word table using commands in the Table Design or Table Tools Design tab in the Ribbon. If the text doesn't seem to align correctly, there are several common issues that may be affecting the alignment including extra blank paragraphs, paragraph spacing and cell margins.

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.

Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca

Summary
Microsoft Word Trick for Supercharged Cut, Copy and Paste
Article Name
Microsoft Word Trick for Supercharged Cut, Copy and Paste
Description
Here's a useful Microsoft Word trick if you do a lot of cutting, copying and pasting in Word. There's a hidden tool that can save you a lot of time ...
Author
Publisher Name
Avantix Learning Inc.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This