Can't copy and paste

Question

All of this new "copilot" and AI stuff apparently has taken over and not longer allows me to highlight words, copy them and then paste into a different document

Answer 1

Copy and paste is controlled by the app and browser/OS, not by Copilot. Copilot does not disable highlighting or clipboard use.

Check the following depending on where copy/paste is failing:

1. If using Word for the web

• In Reading view, only full lines can be selected and copied, and text pastes without formatting. To freely select and edit:
  • Select Edit in browser to switch to Editing or Reviewing mode.
  • Then use Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V (Windows) or ⌘+C / ⌘+V (Mac) to copy and paste.
• If a No clipboard access or similar message appears:
  • In Edge: select the lock / “View site information” icon in the address bar → under Permissions for this site, set Clipboard to Allow.
  • In Chrome: select View site information in the address bar → find Clipboard → toggle it On.

2. If using the Word desktop app

• Standard copy/paste still works with:
  • Ribbon buttons or Ctrl+X / Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V.
• The Office Clipboard can hold up to 24 items from Office and other apps; open the Clipboard task pane to see and paste earlier items.

3. If copying between devices

• When copying from one device and pasting on another, some formatting may be lost because apps interpret clipboard content differently.
• Very large selections may fail; try copying smaller sections.

If highlighting itself is not working in Word for Mac (cannot drag-select text at all), this is a known selection issue unrelated to Copilot; use alternative selection methods (e.g., double-click for a word, triple-click for a paragraph, or use keyboard selection) as described in the referenced “Select Text” guidance.

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References:

• Copy and paste in Office for the web
• Troubleshoot copy and paste errors in Office for the web
• Copy and paste using the Office Clipboard
• Seamlessly transfer content between your devices
• I cannot copy text on word. I have a MacBook and I can highlight and copy on every other platform but Word. Any fix or solution? - Microsoft Q&A
• I can't highlight with my mouse cursor in word documents - Microsoft Q&A