Introduction: Copy Kindle Text

About: I miss the days when magazines like Popular Mechanics had all sorts of DIY projects for making and repairing just about everything. I am enjoying posting things I have learned and done since I got my first to…

A frequent question and frustration related to various models of Kindle e-Readers is whether it is possible to copy text from the screen and send the text by e-mail. The short answer is, "No." This Instructable shows a way to do that, although not directly from the Kindle e-Reader. You will need another device onto which you can load the Kindle App.

The photo shows my 2011 vintage Kindle Touch e-Reader. The text is from the book Enigma: The Battle for the Code by Hugh Sebag-Montefiore (Wiley e-Book). I will show how to copy the highlighted text and paste it into an e-mail or a document.

Step 1: Download the App.

The Kindle App. is available free wherever you get your apps. The photo shows its icon on the screen of my iPad 2, but you can also install it on a phone or a computer. It works on Android and on Apple platforms.

Step 2: Download the Book to the Device App.

The photo shows the contents page in the Kindle App. on my iPad. Notice the buttons at the bottom that allow you to view your holdings in the Cloud or on your device. "Enigma..." is at the top of the list. Tap on it to download to your phone or tablet.

Step 3: Find the Passage to Copy

Locate the passage you wish to copy. Highlight it. A menu should appear for adding a note, highlighting in the color of your choice, sending it to a desired location, and copying. The yellow arrow points to the Copy button. Click on it.

Step 4: Paste to an E-mail

Open your e-mail program and begin a new e-mail. Paste the text into the e-mail, or into a document you are drafting.