How to Copy and Paste a Link into a Browser Address Bar
The Internet works by using addresses, called URLs (Universal Resource Locators), to direct your Web browser to various sites. These URLs show up in your address bar, but you can also find links in emails, text documents and any other documents accessible from your computer. If you run a business and send links between employees, or if you have to take links from files to access on the Internet, copying and pasting these links into your browser with your keyboard is much more efficient than typing them out each time.
Use your mouse to click at the beginning of the link, then hold down the mouse as you drag to the right to select the text. Release the mouse when you get to the end of the URL. The text you want to select typically starts at "http://" or "www" and ends with ".com," ".net" or some other three-letter suffix, though there are certain exceptions. There are never any spaces in a URL, so if you encounter a space, that's the end of the URL.
Press the "Ctrl" and "C" keys simultaneously to copy the link; if you are using a Mac, press "Command" and "C" instead.
Open your Web browser, select the text in your browser's address bar and delete it. Press "Ctrl" and "V" simultaneously to paste the URL you just copied into the address bar. If you are on a Mac, press "Command" and "V." Press "Enter" to go to the website.
- If you are more comfortable using your mouse, right-click on any text after you have selected it and click "Copy." Likewise, wherever you want to paste, right-click, then select "Paste." The effect is the same as using your keyboard.
Based in California, James Wright has been writing since 1998. Wright's articles have been published on various websites with a focus on technical fields such as computers and the Internet, and were also featured in a now-retired publication for an online artistic community. Wright studied English, journalism, politics and psychology at Riverside Community College.