How to Select Phrases of Text on an iOS Device
Insert a cursor., Double-tap a word., Press your finger onto a word and hold until the word is highlighted.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Insert a cursor.
In text editing apps, like Notes, Mail, and Word
-- as well as just about any field where you can enter text
-- you can insert a cursor by tapping on the screen.
Hold your finger in place to activate a magnifier, and drag your finger across the text for more precise cursor placement.
Tap Select in the pop-up menu to highlight the whole word nearest the cursor.
Tap Select All to highlight all of the text in the text field or on a page.
Tap Paste to insert text or an image (if supported) from your device's clipboard.
Tap Look Up to see a definition or source for the selected word or phrase. -
Step 2: Double-tap a word.
This works primarily in text-editing apps and fields in which you enter text.
Drag the control points on either side of the highlighted word to select more text.
Tap Cut in the pop-up menu to remove the selected text from the document or field and store it in your device's clipboard, so you can paste it elsewhere.
Tap Copy in the pop-up menu to copy the text to your device's clipboard, so you can paste it in another text field.
Tap Paste to insert text or an image (if supported) from your device's clipboard.
Tap Replace... if you think a word may be misspelled and you'd like to see similarly-spelled alternatives.
Tap Look Up to see a definition or source for the selected word or phrase.
Tap Share... to send your selection to another person via any number of methods, including AirDrop, text message, or email.
Tap another area away from your highlighted selection to deselect your text. , This works for static, read-only text, like many Web pages and embedded email messages.
Drag the control points on either side of the highlighted word to select more text.
Tap Copy in the pop-up menu to copy the text to your device's clipboard, so you can paste it in another text field.
Tap Look Up to see a definition or source for the selected word or phrase.
Tap Share... to send your selection to another person via any number of methods, including AirDrop, text message, or email.
Tap another area away from your highlighted selection to deselect your text. -
Step 3: Press your finger onto a word and hold until the word is highlighted.
Detailed Guide
In text editing apps, like Notes, Mail, and Word
-- as well as just about any field where you can enter text
-- you can insert a cursor by tapping on the screen.
Hold your finger in place to activate a magnifier, and drag your finger across the text for more precise cursor placement.
Tap Select in the pop-up menu to highlight the whole word nearest the cursor.
Tap Select All to highlight all of the text in the text field or on a page.
Tap Paste to insert text or an image (if supported) from your device's clipboard.
Tap Look Up to see a definition or source for the selected word or phrase.
This works primarily in text-editing apps and fields in which you enter text.
Drag the control points on either side of the highlighted word to select more text.
Tap Cut in the pop-up menu to remove the selected text from the document or field and store it in your device's clipboard, so you can paste it elsewhere.
Tap Copy in the pop-up menu to copy the text to your device's clipboard, so you can paste it in another text field.
Tap Paste to insert text or an image (if supported) from your device's clipboard.
Tap Replace... if you think a word may be misspelled and you'd like to see similarly-spelled alternatives.
Tap Look Up to see a definition or source for the selected word or phrase.
Tap Share... to send your selection to another person via any number of methods, including AirDrop, text message, or email.
Tap another area away from your highlighted selection to deselect your text. , This works for static, read-only text, like many Web pages and embedded email messages.
Drag the control points on either side of the highlighted word to select more text.
Tap Copy in the pop-up menu to copy the text to your device's clipboard, so you can paste it in another text field.
Tap Look Up to see a definition or source for the selected word or phrase.
Tap Share... to send your selection to another person via any number of methods, including AirDrop, text message, or email.
Tap another area away from your highlighted selection to deselect your text.
About the Author
Sara Wells
Writer and educator with a focus on practical pet care knowledge.
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