The basic steps for copying and pasting on Facebook
Copying and pasting on Facebook works the same way it does anywhere else on your computer or phone — you highlight the text or link you want, copy it, then paste it where you need it. On a computer, you can right-click on text or a link and select "Copy" from the menu, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac). Then navigate to where you want to paste it — a message, a comment, a document, an email — and use Ctrl+V or Command+V to paste.
On a phone or tablet, the process is slightly different because there is no right-click menu. Instead, tap and hold on the text or link until a menu appears with options like "Copy". Once you have copied something, open the place where you want to paste it and tap and hold again, then select "Paste" from the menu that appears.
Facebook itself does not block copying and pasting — the feature works on posts, comments, messages, and links. However, some content may not copy cleanly, especially if it includes images or special formatting. In those cases, you may get only the text, or the text may lose its original formatting when you paste it elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- On a computer, highlight text, press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+C (Mac) to copy, then press Ctrl+V or Command+V to paste it elsewhere.
- On a phone or tablet, tap and hold on the text until a menu appears, select "Copy", then tap and hold where you want to paste and select "Paste".
- You can copy text from Facebook posts, comments, messages, and links without restriction.
- Copied text may lose formatting like bold or italics when you paste it into a different app or document.
Copying links from Facebook posts and comments
When you want to copy a link to a Facebook post itself — not just the text inside it — right-click on the post and look for an option that says "Copy link" or "Get link". This gives you the URL of the post, which you can then paste into a message, email, or document. Different versions of Facebook may label this slightly differently, but the option is usually near the top of the menu.
If you are copying a link that someone has shared in a post or comment — like a news article or a website — you can right-click directly on that link and select "Copy link" or "Copy link address". This copies the actual web address, not the Facebook post about it. When you paste it, the person receiving it will go directly to that website, not back to Facebook.
On a phone, tap and hold on the link until a menu appears. You will see options like "Copy link" or "Open in new tab". Select "Copy link" to copy the web address itself.
Copying text from Facebook messages and chats
Text inside Facebook messages and Messenger conversations can be copied the same way as any other text on the platform. On a computer, highlight the message text, copy it with Ctrl+C or Command+C, and paste it wherever you need it. On a phone, tap and hold on the message until the copy option appears.
One thing to know: if you copy a message that includes an emoji or a link, the emoji or link will copy along with the text. This is usually what you want, but if you only want the plain text, you may need to delete the emoji or link after you paste it.
Facebook does not let you copy an entire conversation at once. You have to copy messages one at a time or select multiple lines of text within a single message.
Why some Facebook content does not copy cleanly
Sometimes when you copy text from Facebook and paste it elsewhere, the formatting does not come through the way you expected. Text that was bold on Facebook might appear as regular text in your document. This happens because different apps and websites use different systems for storing formatting information, and not all of that information transfers when you copy and paste.
Images, videos, and other media do not copy as part of the text. If you copy a post that includes a photo, you will get only the text of the post, not the image. To save an image from Facebook, you need to right-click on it and select "Save image as" instead of copying and pasting.
Some posts may have special formatting that Facebook created — like a poll or a styled text box — that does not translate to plain text. In those cases, copying the text will give you the content but not the original appearance.
Copying and pasting between Facebook and other apps
You can copy text from Facebook and paste it into almost any other app or website: email, Word documents, Google Docs, text messages, Notes apps, or any other place that accepts text input. The process is the same — copy from Facebook, then paste into the other app.
The reverse also works: you can copy text from another app and paste it into a Facebook post, comment, or message. This is useful if you want to share something you wrote in a document, or if you want to paste a link or quote into a Facebook comment.
One limitation: some apps do not allow pasting into certain fields. For example, some password fields will not let you paste for security reasons. But for regular text fields on Facebook — posts, comments, messages — pasting works without restriction.
Copying on Facebook when using a web browser versus the app
The copy and paste process works the same way whether you are using Facebook in a web browser on your computer or using the Facebook app on your phone. The main difference is the menu system: on a computer, you right-click; on a phone, you tap and hold. The actual copying and pasting is identical.
If you use Facebook on a tablet, the process depends on whether you are using the web version or the app. The web version works like a computer (right-click), while the app works like a phone (tap and hold). If one method is not working, try switching to the other version to see if that helps.
Troubleshooting when copy and paste is not working
If you try to copy something on Facebook and nothing happens, the first thing to check is whether your browser or app is up to date. Older versions sometimes have bugs that prevent copying from working correctly. Update your browser or reinstall the Facebook app and try again.
On a computer, if right-clicking does not show a menu, try using the keyboard shortcut instead: highlight the text and press Ctrl+C or Command+C. If that does not work, your browser may have a security setting that is blocking copy functions. Check your browser settings or try a different browser.
On a phone, if tap and hold does not bring up a menu, make sure you are tapping and holding long enough — usually at least one second. If the menu still does not appear, try closing the Facebook app completely and opening it again. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I copy an entire Facebook post with all its formatting?
You can copy the text, but the formatting (bold, italics, colors) may not transfer to where you paste it. If you need the post to look exactly the same, take a screenshot instead of copying and pasting. Screenshots preserve the appearance but create an image rather than editable text.
Is it legal to copy and paste someone else's Facebook post?
Copying text for personal use is generally legal, but sharing someone else's post publicly without permission — especially if you remove their name or claim it as your own — can violate copyright or Facebook's terms of service. When in doubt, ask the person first or give them credit.
Why does my pasted text look different than it did on Facebook?
Different apps store and display text formatting differently. Facebook may show text in one font or size, but when you paste it into Word or an email, that app uses its own default formatting. You can usually change the formatting after pasting to match what you want.
Can I copy a Facebook link without opening the post?
Yes. Right-click on the post (or tap and hold on a phone) and select "Copy link" without clicking into the post itself. This copies the URL so you can paste it elsewhere without ever fully opening the post.
What should I do if copy and paste is not working on the Facebook app?
Try closing the app completely and reopening it. If that does not work, check that your phone's operating system is up to date, then uninstall and reinstall the Facebook app. If the problem continues, try using Facebook in a web browser instead to see if that works better.