Alternatively written as Control+C, ^c, and C-c, Ctrl+C is a keyboard shortcut used to copy highlighted text or other object to the clipboard in a graphical user environment.

How to use the Ctrl+C keyboard shortcut

To use this keyboard shortcut, press and hold either Ctrl key and while continuing to hold, press C.

On Apple computers, the keyboard shortcut to copy is Command+C.

With C and V keys being next to each other on an English keyboard, you may mistakenly press Ctrl+V (paste) instead of Ctrl+C. If you do this, anything in the clipboard is pasted over the highlighted text. To undo this mistake, press Ctrl+Z (undo).

  • How to use the Ctrl+C keyboard shortcut.
  • Ctrl+C in an Internet browser.
  • Ctrl+C in Excel and other spreadsheet programs.
  • Ctrl+C in Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Ctrl+C in Word and other word processors.
  • Ctrl+C in a command line environment.
  • Ctrl+C in the pico command.
  • Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
  • Related information.
  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.

If you press these two keys with no text, files, or other objects highlighted, nothing is copied. Therefore, if you use the paste command, it outputs what was previously stored in the clipboard (if anything at all).

Ctrl+C in an Internet browser

In all major Internet browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera), pressing Ctrl+C copies any selected text.

To copy all text in a field or a full page, use the Ctrl+A keyboard shortcut to select all text before using Ctrl+C to copy the text.

  • Firefox shortcuts
  • Google Chrome shortcuts
  • Internet Explorer shortcuts

Ctrl+C in Excel and other spreadsheet programs

In Microsoft Excel and all other spreadsheet programs, pressing Ctrl+C when a cell(s) is highlighted copies its contents to the clipboard.

  • Full list of Excel shortcuts.
  • Google Sheets shortcuts.

Ctrl+C in Microsoft PowerPoint

Pressing Ctrl+C in Microsoft PowerPoint copies any highlighted text, picture, or other object to the clipboard.

  • Full list of PowerPoint shortcuts.

Ctrl+C in Word and other word processors

In Microsoft Word and other word processing programs, highlighting text and pressing Ctrl+C copies it to the clipboard. This shortcut works with images, tables, and other objects.

  • Full list of Microsoft Word shortcuts.

Ctrl+C in a command line environment

While in a command line such as MS-DOS, Linux, and Unix, Ctrl+C is used to send a SIGINT signal, which cancels or terminates the currently-running program. For example, if a script or program is frozen or stuck in an infinite loop, pressing Ctrl+C cancels that command and returns you to the command line.

  • How to abort a batch file, command, or program stuck in a loop.
  • Linux signals

Ctrl+C in the pico command

In the pico command, Ctrl+C displays the current cursor position. For example, this command could be used to display the current line number.

Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.

  • Alt+C
  • Ctrl

C, Clipboard, Copy, Ctrl, Keyboard shortcut, Keyboard terms

  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.
  • Top 10 keyboard shortcuts everyone should know.
  • Keyboard help and support.