ctrlv

Ctrl+V is a keyboard shortcut used to perform the paste operation in many graphical user interfaces. It inserts the contents of the system clipboard into the currently focused text field or document, allowing users to transfer text, images, or other data from one location to another.

Platform usage varies slightly. In Windows and most Linux desktop environments, pressing Ctrl+V pastes the clipboard contents. On macOS, the equivalent shortcut is Command+V. Some applications, especially cross‑platform ones, support both bindings or offer alternative paste methods. In many terminal emulators and text consoles, paste shortcuts differ (for example, Ctrl+Shift+V or menu-based pasting), and some shells use different key sequences for literal input.

History and design notes. The Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, Ctrl+V set for copy, cut, and paste became widely used with graphical operating systems in the 1980s and 1990s, building on earlier clipboard concepts in various environments. The exact bindings and implementations can vary by software and platform, but the general idea—copyting from a clipboard to the active document—remains consistent.

Mechanism and scope. The shortcut interacts with the system clipboard; some environments also distinguish between primary selections (as in certain X11-based systems) and the clipboard. Clipboard contents can be overwritten by new data, and sensitive information stored in the clipboard may be accessed by other applications until overwritten or cleared.

Accessibility and security. Clipboard data may include confidential information, and clipboard contents can persist beyond a single application session. Users and developers sometimes employ secure paste practices or clipboard managers to mitigate leaks and control what is pasted.