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When it comes to taking a screenshot, Mac users have it easy. With a simple keyboard shortcut, you can capture anything that’s on your screen and save it as an image file. However, copying a screenshot on a Mac can be a bit tricky. You might want to copy the screenshot to your clipboard so that you can paste it into an email, a document, or an image-editing app. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to copy a screenshot on a Mac using several different methods.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Copying a Screenshot on a Mac
When you take a screenshot on a Mac, the image file is saved to your desktop with a .png extension. While you can easily drag the file to another location on your Mac, it can be a bit more challenging to copy the screenshot to your clipboard. This is because Macs don’t have a built-in "Copy" command for image files. You can use the "Copy" command in a photo-editing app, but that requires an extra step.
Things You Should Prepare for
To copy a screenshot on a Mac, you’ll need to have the screenshot file open on your screen. You’ll also need to be familiar with the "Command + C" keyboard shortcut for copying text or images to your clipboard.
Method 1: Copying a Screenshot Using Preview
1. Open the screenshot file on your desktop by double-clicking it.
2. Press "Command + A" on your keyboard to select the entire image.
3. Press "Command + C" on your keyboard to copy the image to your clipboard.
4. Open the app or document where you want to use the screenshot.
5. Press "Command + V" on your keyboard to paste the screenshot into the app or document.
Pros:
– Quick and easy method
– No need to download any additional apps
Cons:
– Requires an extra step of opening the screenshot file
Method 2: Copying a Screenshot Using the Preview Toolbar
1. Open the screenshot file on your desktop by double-clicking it.
2. Click on the "Show Markup Toolbar" button in the top right corner of the Preview window.
3. Click on the "Select" button in the toolbar.
4. Drag your cursor over the part of the screenshot you want to copy.
5. Click on the "Copy" button in the toolbar.
6. Open the app or document where you want to use the screenshot.
7. Press "Command + V" on your keyboard to paste the screenshot into the app or document.
Pros:
– Allows you to select a specific part of the screenshot
– No need to download any additional apps
Cons:
– Requires an extra step of opening the screenshot file
Method 3: Copying a Screenshot Using Snagit
1. Download and install Snagit on your Mac.
2. Open Snagit and click on the "Capture" button.
3. Select "All-in-One" from the dropdown menu.
4. Click and drag your cursor over the part of the screen you want to capture.
5. Click on the "Copy" button in the Snagit toolbar.
6. Open the app or document where you want to use the screenshot.
7. Press "Command + V" on your keyboard to paste the screenshot into the app or document.
Pros:
– Allows you to capture a specific part of the screen
– Can be used for video capture as well
Cons:
– Requires downloading and installing an additional app
Why Can’t I Copy a Screenshot on My Mac?
1. The screenshot file is not open on your screen.
2. You’re using the wrong keyboard shortcut to copy the image to your clipboard.
3. Your computer’s system preferences are not set up to allow copying and pasting of images.
Fixes:
1. Open the screenshot file on your desktop.
2. Press "Command + C" on your keyboard to copy the screenshot.
3. Go to "System Preferences," click on "Keyboard," and make sure "Use keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste" and "Allow App Exposé and Dashboard" are both selected.
Additional Tips
– You can also use the "Share" button in the Preview toolbar to share the screenshot via email, Messages, or AirDrop.
– Snagit allows you to capture scrolling screenshots, which can be helpful for capturing entire web pages or long documents.
5 FAQs
Q: Can I copy a screenshot without opening the file?
A: No, you need to have the screenshot file open on your screen to copy it.
Q: Can I copy a screenshot using a third-party app?
A: Yes, you can use an app like Snagit to capture and copy a screenshot.
Q: Can I copy a screenshot without saving it to my desktop?
A: No, the screenshot must be saved to your desktop or another folder before you can copy it.
Q: Can I copy a screenshot from a web page?
A: Yes, you can take a screenshot of a web page by pressing "Command + Shift + 4" and then dragging your cursor over the area you want to capture.
Q: Can I use a screenshot in an email or document?
A: Yes, you can paste a screenshot into an email, document, or other app by pressing "Command + V" on your keyboard.
In Conclusion
Copying a screenshot on a Mac can be a bit tricky, but with these methods, you’ll be able to copy and paste your screenshots with ease. From using Preview to third-party apps like Snagit, there are several ways to copy and share your screenshots with others. Remember to make sure your computer’s system preferences are set up properly and that the screenshot file is open on your screen before trying to copy it.
