Hi,

I am new to using nano editor for editing files. I would like to know how to copy one or more lines of text and paste them elsewhere within the same file.

Move to the beginning of the line, press Ctrl + K and the line will be cut. Then move to the desired position and press Ctrl + U.

nano is rather limited, you may want to use something like gedit, which does allow using a mouse.

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There are some more options, but the syntax is non-intuitive. (ctrl-G for all the options)

nano is very handy a fast for simple things....

I found this thread and it helped me somewhat. I think what OP wants to do is 'copy' the line, not cut it. Therefore he/she should use 'ALT-6' to copy the current line into the buffer. You can copy as many lines as you like into the buffer, then use 'CTRL-U' to paste those lines. It's a little unintuitive in the NANO help, because for 'CTRL-U' it says 'uncut the line' which to some people actually means undo the last operation. I would prefer if the manual said 'PASTE the line'.

In summary:

'ALT-6' to copy a line (copy as many lines as you like, and they will be pasted in the order you copied them)

'CTRL-U' to paste the lines

Happy Nano-ing!

4 members found this post helpful.

Select: ALT + M + A
Copy: ALT + 6
Paste: CTRL + U

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Thank u very much man!! it help me a lot!! blessings!!

it help me alot!! thanks!!!

Replying to an old thread..
Just in case it helps someone.
may be your distro terminal shortcut works for pasting lines into the nano editor.
On ubuntu I use Ctrl+Shift+v to paste in the nano editor.

Here with nano (tried just now in Fluxbox, Debian Stretch), I can also simply select the text with the cursor, then use the middle mouse button to paste the selected text.

Thank you that was so helpful.