Copying, cutting, pasting, and deleting objects
Once you select one or more objects, you can perform a variety of
basic editing functions. The following are the basic editing com-
mands in the Edit menu:
Using the Clipboard to copy objects
The Clipboard is a part of the system that temporarily stores selected
objects when you choose the Copy or Cut command. The Clipboard
stores the results of one editing action (which can include multiple
objects). Whatever is on the Clipboard is replaced by the next selec-
tion you place there, including a selection placed by using the Cut or
Copy command in another application.
You can bypass the Clipboard by using the Duplicate com-
mand to quickly copy a selected object in the same docu-
ment without replacing the Clipboard contents.
Using the Clear command or the Delete keyboard key does
not replace the contents of the Clipboard.
When you paste objects into other programs, the Clipboard uses a
format that the receiving program understands. However, special
types of objects and special object attributes can be lost when pasting
objects into other applications. If you cant transfer an object success-
fully using the Clipboard, consider using a compatible file format to
import the object as a file into other programs.
Using Cut, Copy, and Paste commands
The Cut, Copy, and Paste commands let you make copies of objects
using the Clipboard. You use Cut or Copy to place objects on the
Command
Result
Copy
Copies a selection to the Clipboard
Cut
Removes a selection and places it on the Clipboard
Clear
Removes a selection without changing the Clipboard
Duplicate
Copies a selection into the same document without
changing the Clipboard
Paste
Places the Clipboard contents into the active document
Paste and Place
Places the Clipboard contents into the active document
with the upper-left corner at the point where you click
Tip
You can display the contents of
the Clipboard (Mac OS only) by
choosing Show Clipboard in
the Palettes submenu in the
Window menu. Choose Hide
Clipboard to close the Clip-
board window.