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!

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

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