This article will teach you how to copy a link from the internet and paste it into a message, an app, a social media post, or a computer file. The process varies depending on the device (computer, smartphone or tablet), but it soon becomes very intuitive. Also, if the address is too long, you can use a URL shortener before pasting. Read the tips below and find out more!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: On smartphone or tablet
Step 1. Tap the link you want to copy for a few seconds
A menu will appear on the screen next.
Step 2. Tap Copy
The command may vary depending on the app you are using. See other common examples:
- Copy link address.
- Copy Link URL.
- copy address.
Step 3. Place the cursor where you want to paste the link
After copying the link, you can paste it into any document or field where you can type. Tap that location.
Step 4. Tap the cursor for one second
You will see a new menu when you take your finger off the screen.
Step 5. Tap Paste to paste the link
Done: the address will appear in the area where you tapped!
Method 2 of 3: On Windows or Mac
Step 1. Copy and paste an address from the address bar
You can copy the URL from the address bar if you want to share or save a website you are visiting.
- Click on the address in your browser. It could be that it is longer than it looks. Anyway, you'll have to select the entire URL.
- If the address is not already selected, do so using the mouse. You can also press Ctrl+A (Windows) or ⌘ Command+A (Mac).
- Press Ctrl+C (on Windows) or ⌘ Command+C (on Mac) to copy the link.
- Place the mouse cursor at the point where you want to paste the link.
- Press Ctrl+V (Windows) or ⌘ Command+V (Mac) to paste the link.
Step 2. Find a link you want to copy from elsewhere
You can copy links from websites, emails, Word documents and virtually any other program.
Generally, links to web pages and emails are underlined and have a different color from the rest of the text (that is, they are hyperlinks). Many of them are buttons and images
Step 3. Right click on the link you want to copy
If you use a Mac and your mouse has only one button, press the ⌘ Command key and click on the link to open a new menu.
Step 4. Select the Copy link option
The computer sends every copied link to the clipboard. Keep in mind that the command may vary depending on the app you are using. Here are some common examples:
- On Chrome: Copy link address.
- In Firefox: Copy link location.
- On Safari and on the Edge: Copy Link.
- In Word: Copy hyperlink.
Step 5. Place the cursor where you want to paste the link
After copying the link, you can paste it into any document or field where you can type.
You can also paste the link into an email, Word document, Facebook or other social media post, browser address bar, text message, etc
Step 6. Paste the link
You can paste the link in several ways:
- Right-click (or press ⌘ Command-click for Mac) where the cursor is and select Paste.
- Press Ctrl+V (Windows) or ⌘ Command+V (Mac) to paste the link.
- If you are going to paste the link into an application such as Word or Excel, go to the menu To edit (if any) and select the Paste (or Paste Special, depending on the case) option.
Step 7. Paste the link as a hyperlink with other text
Some programs and pages, such as blogs, emails and word processors, allow the user to change the text that appears on the screen - so that the link is not complete. So you can think of a word or phrase that leads to content.
- Place the cursor where you want to paste the hyperlink.
- Click the Insert Hyperlink button. It can be under the text or in the menu. Insert (in word processors), usually represented by a chain link.
- Type what you want to appear in the "Text to display" field. That's where the clickable link should come from.
- Paste the link in the "Address", "URL" or "Link" field following the same procedure as before (clicking with the right mouse button, with or without the ⌘ Command key).
Method 3 of 3: Using a Link Shortener
Step 1. Copy the link you want to share
Many internet addresses are quite long, especially internal pages (those that are "hidden" on websites). In these cases, you can use a link shortener to make the text easier to read and share. To get started, copy the link using one of the methods above.
For example, if you are on your smartphone or tablet, tap the link for a second and select the Copy option
Step 2. Go to the shortener's website
There are several sites that shorten links for free. All the examples below are similar (and intuitive, although they are in English):
- bitly.com.
- tinyurl.com.
- tiny.cc.
Step 3. Paste the link into the shortener field
If you are using a smartphone or tablet, tap the field and Paste when the option appears; if it's on your computer, right-click (or press ⌘ Command) and select the option.
Step 4. Tap or click the Shorten ("Shorten") button or something similar
The site will generate a shorter version of the link using its own address format (instead of the original address).
The name of the button varies by site
Step 5. Copy the shortened link
You can copy the link as usual - following the methods above or tapping Copy.
Step 6. Paste the shortened link
After copying the shortened link from the website, you can paste it normally. If possible, explain what it is about so that the person who will receive the content is not lost.