How to Cut and Paste a PDF Into Word, PowerPoint, or Email?

Part 1: Can You Cut and Paste from a PDF File?

It is possible to find a way of learning how to cut and paste a PDF document, which largely depends on how the file was created. Not all PDFs can be copied, and there are some that are mainly because of the security settings or the kind of PDF that they are.

The author of a PDF is able to restrict copying of documents. However, this can be viewed in the preferences of the document, i.e,. under the segment “Document Properties” in the “Security” section.

Also, there are two main types of PDFs: text-based and scanned. Text-based PDFs are made from digital files like Word docs and allow you to select and copy text using a Snipping or Screenshot tool.

While scanned PDFs are just pictures of documents, therefore, the text isn’t selectable. To copy from these, you need OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software to turn the image into searchable and editable text.

Part 2: How to Cut and Paste from a PDF Document？[Text-based PDF & Scanned PDF]

Tenorshare PDNob offers OCR to make scanned documents editable and also supports text-based PDFs. Moreover, it provides comprehensive editing tools, so you can edit the document before copying and pasting. Here’s how to cut and paste a PDF file wherever you want with Tenorshare PDNob:

Method 1: How to Cut and Paste a PDF Document [Text-based PDF]?

Cutting and pasting text-based PDFs is quite simple in Tenorshare PDNob. You’ll only have to select the text that you wish to cut and paste it wherever you want. To do so:

• Open the tool on your computer. Then, tap “Open PDF” to upload the text-based PDF document.

• Head to “Edit” in the menu bar. The entire document could be seen inside a text box. Select the text you wish to cut, and a pop-up will appear. Choose the “scissors” icon to cut the text and paste it wherever you want.

Method 2: How to Cut and Paste from a Scanned PDF?

You can cut and paste from a scanned PDF by first performing OCR on it with Tenorshare PDNob. It offers 99% accuracy in making the text editable and searchable without losing its quality. You’ll have to download the OCR plugin in the software for OCR to function. Here’s how to cut and paste a scanned document with Tenorshare PDNob:

• Open the tool on your computer. Then, tap “OCR PDF” to upload the scanned PDF document. Afterward, tap “Perform OCR” on the notification.

• The tool will download the OCR plugin. After this, hit “Perform OCR” again. Your scanned PDF will convert into editable text.

• Double-click in the text box to select the text you wish to cut, and a pop-up will appear. Choose the “scissors” icon to cut the text. Paste it wherever you want.

More Features:

Tenorshare PDNob is not just limited to OCR and cutting and pasting from PDFs. There’s much more to this tool than meets the eye. Here’s what it offers:

• Format Conversion: 30+ formats to export to Word, Excel, PPT, images, EPUB, PDF/A, and more.
• 100+ PDF Edits: Customize text and image, add watermarks and backgrounds, etc.
• More than 200 Annotations: Highlight, use shapes, stamps, and notes.
• PDF Tools: Compress, split, and merge files easily.
• Image Editing: Replace/edit the image in PDF files.
• Security: Encompasses encryptions, password protection, and digital signatures.
• AI Support: GPT-4 and Deepseek assist in supporting the quick insights from lengthy content and also summarizing it.
• Screenshot Tool: Capture edits and steps during PDF editing.
• Batch Processing: Process up to 1 million files at the same time.
• Multilingual: Supports 16+ languages such as English, Chinese, French, and more.
• Customer Support: Quick, responsive technology support.
• Cross Platform: Supports both Windows and Mac systems.

Part 3: How to Cut and Paste PDF Content into Word, PowerPoint?

If you want to learn how to cut and paste a PDF into a Word document or PowerPoint file, Tenorshare PDNob can do this by converting the PDF file. This method is ideal for complex layouts and images that can’t be simply cut or pasted directly from a PDF. While converting the PDF into a Word or PPT file, Tenorshare PDNob will retain the original layout and quality of the content. Here’s how to cut and paste a PDF file into Word or PPT with this tool:

• Open Tenorshare PDNob and upload the text-based or scanned PDF document into the tool. The tool will perform OCR for the scanned document.

• Then, head to “Convert” in the menu bar. You can choose “To Word” or “To PowerPoint.”

• Hit “Convert” to convert the document to your chosen type. The tool will download the file. Afterward, you can open it and cut and paste its content into a Word or PPT file.

Part 4: How to Cut and Paste PDF Content into an Email?

If you want to cut and paste PDF content into an email, but don’t want to use software, there are many built-in OS tools to help. You can choose Microsoft Edge for Windows or Preview on Mac, or use a screenshot or snipping tool to capture unselectable text, images, or signatures from the document. Here’s how to do that:

Method 1: Copy Text or Image Directly from PDF and Paste into Email

Microsoft Edge and Mac Preview don’t allow you to cut text, but you can copy it. You can also copy images or take a screenshot of them and include them in an email. Here’s how to do that:

Using Microsoft Edge:

Here’s how to cut and paste a PDF into an email with Microsoft Edge:

• Open the PDF in Edge. Highlight the text. Right-click it. Next, choose “Copy.”

• If you want to cut and paste an image, right-click it. Then, select “Copy.”
• If that doesn’t work, press “CTRL+Shift+S.” This will open the “Web Capture” tool. Click “Capture area.” Draw around the image. Tap “Copy.”

• Open the email where you want to paste the copied content. Then, press “CTRL+V.”

Using Mac Preview:

Here’s how to cut and paste a PDF file on a Mac with Preview:

• Open your PDF in Mac Preview. Then, head to “Tools.” Choose “Text Selection.” Highlight the text, then click “Edit.” Hit “Copy.”

• To copy a column, hold the “Option” key while selecting, then copy.
• To copy an image, tap “Select Tools.” Next, choose “Rectangular Selection.” Drag over the area. Then, select “Edit.” Hit “Copy” to copy it as an image.

• Next, paste the content into your email.

Method 2: Insert PDF Content as an Image (for Signatures or Non-Selectable Items)

If some content in your PDF is non-selectable or you only want to cut the signature, then a screenshot or snipping tool can capture only that part. However, it will take a snip of the image or content, but won’t cut it. Here’s how to use the screenshot or snipping tool in Windows and Mac:

In Windows:

• Open your PDF document. Search for the “Snipping Tool” in the Start menu. Then, execute it. Tap “New.”
• Then, drag the cursor around to capture the area that you wish to copy. Hit the “Save” icon to save the snip. Then, add it to an email.

In Mac:

• Open the PDF document in a previewer. Then, press “Shift + Command + 4” together at once to turn the cursor into a camera.

• Drag the cursor around the content you want to capture. Release the mouse. Next, save the screenshot as a PNG on your desktop.
• You can also press “Command + Control + Shift + 4” together at once to copy the screenshot to your clipboard. Add the screenshot to another document.

Part 5: How to Cut and Paste a Signature from a PDF?

In case you want to cut/copy and paste a signature off a PDF, you can do two things. Take a screenshot/use a snipping tool, or employ the Adobe Fill and Sign feature. But the image might not be of high quality with a snipping tool, and it could have jagged or pixelated edges.

Method 1: Using a Screenshot or Snipping Tool (Quick and Easy)

In particular, simple or handwritten signatures can be easily captured from a PDF by a screenshot or snipping tool without additional software. This is how how to cut and paste a signature from a PDF with a screenshot or snipping tool:

• Open your PDF. Then, focus on the signature area for a clear view. Hit the “Win + Shift + S” keys at once to open the screenshot tool.

• Choose the signature areas to capture it. The snip will be retained on the clipboard. Open the notification and save the screenshot in your preferred format.

• Open another document, then insert the signature image into it.

Note:

For Mac, use “Command + Shift + 4” to open the screenshot tool.

Method 2: Using Adobe Fill & Sign (If You Need to Reuse the Signature Often)

In case you want to use a saved signature frequently, then you can copy it to a PDF document using the Adobe Sign & Fill tool. In case you checked the box saying “Save Signature” the last time you created a signature using the “Fill & Sign” tool, it would already be in the “Adobe Document Cloud.” So, follow the instructions beneath to use Adobe Fill & Sign to reuse signature:

• Open the PDF in which you want to add the signature in the “Adobe Fill & Sign” tool.
• Tap the “Sign” icon. Your saved signature will appear. Select it. Drag it to place anywhere you want it in the document.

Expert Advice: When Copying Isn’t the Best Approach?

While cutting/copying and pasting from a PDF document works in many cases, it’s not always the best approach where legality, professionalism, and security are important. Here are some scenarios where you’re better off without copying/cutting and pasting from a PDF:

• Reusing Signatures in Legal Docs: Copied signatures are just images with no security and no proof of authenticity.
• Sensitive or Confidential Info: Copying can bypass protections and may leave private data in your clipboard.
• Complex Layouts & Formatting: Copying often breaks tables, spacing, and fonts, especially in emails or Word.
• Graphics or Logos: Screenshots lower image quality, causing blurry or pixelated results.
• Using the Same Signature or Stamp Often: Manually pasting leads to inconsistent size or placement, wasting time.
• OCR from Scanned PDFs: OCR may misread text, which can cause serious errors in important documents.

It’s Good to Chat

It is useful to know how to cut and paste a PDF, including its contents and photos, into another file, when one is handling reports, forms, presentations, or even emails. You can copy/cut text, imagery, or signature in both scanned and text-based PDFs with an appropriate tool or procedure, and paste this detail where required.

For an easier and more accurate way to extract content from scanned and text-based PDFs, we recommend using Tenorshare PDNob. It makes cutting and pasting simple, supports OCR for scanned files, includes PDF editing, conversion, and security features, and an AI Summarizer, all in one place.

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