How to select, edit, and move text on iPad

In apps on iPad, you can use gestures and the keyboard to select and edit text in text fields. You can also use built-in proofreading tools.

You can select a word, a paragraph, or a block of text, and then cut, copy, or paste the text you want to revise. You can also fix mistakes, undo or redo the last edit, place the insertion point, and move text without cutting or copying it.

Select, cut, copy, and paste text

1. To select text, do any of the following:
   • Select a word: Double-tap with one finger.
   • Select a paragraph: Triple-tap with one finger.
   • Select a block of text: Double-tap and hold the first word in the block. Drag the grab points.

     

2. After selecting the text you want to revise, tap the selection. Tap an editing option. You can also use these gestures:
   • Cut: Pinch closed with three fingers two times.
   • Copy: Pinch closed with three fingers.
   • Paste: Pinch open with three fingers.

Fix mistakes

When you notice an error while entering text, do any of the following:

• Undo the last edit: Swipe left with three fingers, then tap the Undo button or Undo at the top of the screen.
• Redo the last edit: Swipe right with three fingers, then tap the Redo button or Redo at the top of the screen.
• Correct spelling and grammar: Tap a misspelled or misused word (underlined in red), then either tap a suggestion to replace the word, or type the correction.
• Undo autocorrect: As you enter text, misspelled words are automatically corrected and temporarily underlined so you know what was changed. To revert the autocorrection to what you entered, tap the underlined word, then tap your spelling (the first one listed and marked with the Undo button).

Turn on or off proofreading features

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Tap General, then tap Keyboard.
3. Turn on or off any of the following:
   • Auto-Capitalization
   • Auto-Correction
   • Check Spelling and Grammar

Place the insertion point

1. Do any of the following:
   • Tap where you want to add or edit text.
   • Touch and hold to magnify the insertion point, then drag it.

     

   Note: To navigate a long document, touch and hold the right edge of the document, then drag the scroller to locate the text you want to revise.

2. Enter the text you want to add.

   Tip: To easily move the insertion point, touch and hold the Space bar of the onscreen keyboard until the characters on the keys disappear, then drag your finger around the keyboard to move the insertion point elsewhere. To select text, tap the keyboard with a second finger, then drag your first finger to select text.

Move text without cutting or copying

1. Select the text you want to move.
2. Touch and hold the selected text until it lifts up and drag it to another location within the app.

   

If you change your mind while moving the text, lift your finger before dragging, or drag the text off the screen.

Quick tip: With Universal Clipboard, you can cut or copy something on another Apple device, then paste it on iPad. Read our guide, Copy and paste between iPad and other Apple devices.

See also

• Dictate text on iPad
• Use predictive text on iPad
• Use the onscreen keyboard with VoiceOver on iPad