• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Android Guides

  • Android 101
    • Dual SIM Android phones: Dual standby vs dual active
    • How to make two SIM cards always available in dual SIM dual standby Android phones?
    • How to auto rotate home screen in Android phones (use home screen in landscape mode)
    • Understanding Android battery usage
    • How to check version of Android in your phone or tablet?
  • Lollipop
    • How to enable Flash Player on Android Lollipop?
    • How to use quick settings in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use screen pinning in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use Android Lollipop’s notification and interruption?
    • How to use smart lock in Android Lollipop?
    • What’s battery saver in Android Lollipop?
    • How to use Android Lollipop guest user mode and multiple users?
    • Top 5 new features in Android Lollipop 5.1
    • How to bypass device protection in Android Lollipop 5.1 when you do a factory data reset?
  • Marshmallow
    • Top 12 new features in Android Marshmallow 6.0 for users
    • How to use system UI tuner in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to get Android Marshmallow 6.0 update for your device?
    • How to use micro SD card in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use micro SD card as internal storage in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use micro SD card as portable storage in Android Marshmallow?
    • USB options in Android Marshmallow
    • How to use Now on tap in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage app permissions in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow text selection?
    • How to use redo and undo features in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to silence Android Marshmallow phones?
    • How to use Do Not Disturb (DnD) in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage app notifications in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow RAM manager?
    • How to use application manager in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to manage, use and reset default apps in Android Marshmallow?
    • How to use Android Marshmallow battery optimization?
  • Nougat
    • Android Nougat 7.0 New Features
    • New features in Android Nougat 7.1
    • How to use split-screen mode (multi window) in Android Nougat 7.0/7.1?
    • How to use Android Nougat quick settings bar?
    • How to change display size in Android Nougat?
    • How to use data saver in Android Nougat?
    • Use Android Nougat call blocking to block unwanted calls and SMS without using any apps
    • How to customize quick settings panel in Android Nougat?
    • How to get Android Nougat update for my device? and when?
    • How to use new features of Android Nougat notification panel: bundled notifications, directly reply and notification control?
    • How to set up Android Nougat lock screen wallpaper?
  • Oreo
    • Top 10 New Features of Android Oreo 8.0
    • What’s new in Android Oreo 8.1: Android Oreo 8.1 vs Android Oreo 8.0
    • How to use picture-in-picture (PIP) mode in Android Oreo 8.0 and 8.1?
    • How to use notification dots (notification badges) in Android Oreo?
    • How to use notification snooze in Android Oreo?
    • How to use and manage notification channels in Android Oreo?
    • How to use smart text selection in Android Oreo?
    • How to play Android Oreo Easter egg game?
  • Pie
    • Top 20 new features of Android Pie (Android 9)
    • How to use the Android Pie navigation gestures?
    • How to use the screenshot shortcut to take a screenshot on Android Pie?
    • How to use overview selection in Android Pie?
  • 10
    • Top 10 new features of Android 10
    • How to use Android 10 dark mode (dark theme)?
    • How to use the Android 10 Emergency button?
    • How to Use Location Access Control in Android 10?
    • How to use navigation gestures in Android 10?
    • How to share Wi-Fi using QR codes in Android 10?
  • 11
    • Top 11 new features of Android 11
    • How To Use Live Caption in Android 10 and Android 11
    • How to play Android 11 Easter Egg game (Android Neko Cat game)?
    • How to use dark theme scheduling in Android 11?
    • How to use native screen recorder in Android 11?
    • How to use notification history and notification logs in Android 11?
  • 12
    • Top 12 new features of Android 12 you should know
    • How to quickly snooze notifications in Android 12?
    • Extra Dim in Android 12: The Definite Guide
    • How to update to Android 12?
  • 13
    • Top 10 New Features of Android 13

How to use Android Marshmallow text selection?

This guide tries to show you the new features in Android Marshmallow text selection: floating toolbar, web search for selected text, contextual assistance, and translate selected text.

Table of Contents hide
1) What’s new in Android Marshmallow text selection?
2) How to select, copy and paste text in Android Marshmallow?
3) How to use advanced features in Android Marshmallow text selection?
3.1) Web search for the selected text
3.2) Actions for selection toolbar
3.3) Menu for for selection toolbar

What’s new in Android Marshmallow text selection?

In addition to the “top” new features in Android Marshmallow, there are many productivity and usability improvements in Android Marshmallow as well.  One of the them is the improved Android Marshmallow text selection feature.

Text selection with finger on a touch screen is always tricky.

Android Marshmallow does not offer a perfect solution. But it makes text selection a lot easier than in previous Android versions.

You now also can get contextual assistance on the selected text in Android Marshmallow.

In Android Marshmallow,  there are a couple of new features on text selections,  including:

  • Floating toolbar for section. The selection floating toolbar is a big improvements over that in Lollipop.
  • Information (web search) on selected text. You can access relevant info on the selected text without leaving current app/window.
  • Contextual assistance. You can access Google Now cards for selected text on the action menu. It is similar to Now on Tap.
  • Translate selected text on-the-fly with Google Translate.

This guide will try to show you how to use these new features in  Android Marshmallow text selection.

How to select, copy and paste text in Android Marshmallow?

Like in previous versions of Android, you can press and hold (aka long press) the text you want to select.

By default, a full word will be selected as shown below.  You can then drag the handle to select more or less characters/words as shown below.

Once you finish the text selection, tap COPY as shown below to copy the text selected to clipboard.

How to select, copy and paste text in Android Marshmallow How to select, copy and paste text in Android Marshmallow

To paste the entry (actually the last entry) in clipboard, tap and hold (long press) blank area in your text input filed.

A floating toolbar will pop out as shown below.

Tap PASTE as shown below to paste the entry into the location tapped.

How to select, copy and paste text in Android Marshmallow

 

How to use advanced features in Android Marshmallow text selection?

In addition to basic select, copy and paste as mentioned above, you have more options in Android Marshmallow text selection.

As shown below, in Android Marshmallow, whenever any text is selected, a floating section toolbar will  pop out on the screen.

You can find that there are 3 sections once text is selected.  They are marked as 1,2 and 3 in the screenshot below.

Web search for the selected text

In addition to the floating toolbar, if you are using Android Marshmallow text selection in a browser, you will also get the info bar in the bottom as shown below (marked as 1).

Tap this info bar will being you to the Google search result page for the selected text without leaving your current page as shown below.

For example, as Marshmallow is selected, the Google search results are for this term.

You can tap the close button (X) to close this pop out window without leaving your current web page/screen.

Actions for selection toolbar

As shown above, the action options (marked as 2 ) in the floating toolbar includes:

  • Copy.  If you tap this button, the selected text will be copied to the clipboard.
  • Share. You can send the selected text to some apps. If you tap it, you will be prompted to select an app.
  • Select all. This will select all text in the whole page (not just current screen).  This is equivalent to drag the selection handles to both ends of the page.

After you tap Copy, the floating toolbar will be dismissed.

use advanced features in Android Marshmallow text selection use advanced features in Android Marshmallow text selection

Menu for for selection toolbar

Additional Android Marshmallow text selection features are offered through the menu button (marked as 3 in the screenshot above).

Tap the menu button (3 vertical dots) in the floating toolbar to see the options.

By default, you can find:

  • Web search. This is equivalent to tap the web search bar in the bottom as mentioned above. But this Web search option is available in all apps. The web search bar in the page bottom is only available for browsers.
  • Assist. This will give you the contextual assistance on the selected text. It is very similar to Now on Tap. But the cards are now customized for the selected text, instead of current screen.
  • Translate. You can get the selected text translated with Google Translate app.
  • Back. You can close this menu option without dismissing the floating selection toolbar.

For example, if I tap Assist in the menu, I will get the Google Now cards tailored for the selected text and for me.

As mentioned, the cards are offered in the similar way as in Now on Tap.

use advanced features in Android Marshmallow text selection use advanced features in Android Marshmallow text selection

Can you use Android Marshmallow text selection? Do you know how to use the new features, especially contextual assistance, in the text selection in Android Marshmallow?

If you have any questions or encounter any problems on Android Marshmallow text selection, please let us know in the comment box below.

The community will help you.

For any questions or problems with Android Marshmallow, please check our Android Marshmallow Guide page.

If your question is about Android Lollipop, please check out Android Lollipop Guide page.

For other Android guides, please check our Android 101 page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anthony says

    February 2, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    Where is the setting to access the google thing?

    Reply
    • simon says

      February 3, 2017 at 5:35 am

      Settings – Google.

      In addition, each app has its own settings inside the app.


      Our Facebook page || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Headphone Guides || Galaxy Note Guides || Fire tablet guide || Moto G Guides || Chromecast Guides || Moto E Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides || Galaxy S20 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

      Reply
      • Alberto says

        June 15, 2017 at 8:25 am

        Hi. Unfortunately I’ve disabled it and I can’t re-enable this feature (floating bar at the bottom).
        Can you guide me over the settings menu?
        ty

        Reply
        • simon says

          June 15, 2017 at 10:16 am

          You cannot disable this feature without rooting. How did you disable it? You can try to reboot the phone tool see whether it helps.


          Our Facebook page || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Headphone Guides || Galaxy Note Guides || Fire tablet guide || Moto G Guides || Chromecast Guides || Moto E Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides || Galaxy S20 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

          Reply
  2. Dan says

    October 13, 2017 at 6:45 am

    Does anyone know how to move the toolbar when selecting text at the top of a screen & the toolbar sits intrusively over the text you are trying to highlight?

    Reply
    • simon says

      October 13, 2017 at 9:57 am

      Tap and hold the 3 dots in the right side of the selection bar, you can then move it to any locations on the screen.


      Our Facebook page || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Headphone Guides || Galaxy Note Guides || Fire tablet guide || Moto G Guides || Chromecast Guides || Moto E Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides || Galaxy S20 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

      Reply
  3. Pt Sir says

    February 1, 2018 at 1:50 am

    Can I Add More options in Three Vertical dots option other than Websearch , translation , assists . Actually I want to add other Dictionary App in this options.

    Reply
    • simon says

      February 1, 2018 at 5:33 am

      Nope. Android doesn’t offer such customization yet.


      Our Facebook page || Galaxy S6 Guides || Galaxy S7 Guides || Android Guides || Galaxy S8 Guides || Galaxy S9 Guides || Google Home Guides || Headphone Guides || Galaxy Note Guides || Fire tablet guide || Moto G Guides || Chromecast Guides || Moto E Guides || Galaxy S10 Guides || Galaxy S20 Guides || Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Search the site

Follow Us

  • View gadgetguideonline’s profile on Facebook
  • View MadeBySimonMa’s profile on YouTube
  • View +SimonMaSg’s profile on Google+

RSS Samsung Galaxy S21 Guides

  • Top 12 new features in Android 12 update for Galaxy S21, S20 and S10
  • Android 12 update vs One UI 4.0 vs One UI 4.1: update Galaxy S21, S20 and S10 to Android 12
  • How to set and resize photo size on Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, S10, and S9 without using any third-party apps?
  • How to Customize Galaxy S21 Home Screen?
  • Master Galaxy S21 Lock Screen Settings
  • How to use widgets on Galaxy S21?
  • How to Use and Customize Galaxy S21 Side Key?
  • How to hide Galaxy S21 password and PIN when typing?
  • How to power on, power off, and reboot Galaxy S21,even when the phone hangs?
  • How to use Galaxy S21 quick settings panel?

RSS Galaxy S20 Guides

  • How to Use Enhanced Processing on Galaxy S20 with Android 11 update?
  • How to access, use, and customise widgets on Galaxy S20 lock screen and AOD screen with Android 11 update for Galaxy S20?
  • How to update Galaxy S20 to Android 11?
  • How to use Galaxy S20 lockdown mode?
  • Top 11 new features in Galaxy S20 Android 11 update
  • How to use Galaxy S20 recovery mode?
  • How to use 5 different shooting methods for Galaxy S20 camera?
  • How to use and customize power mode on Galaxy S20?
  • A Complete Guide Of Galaxy S20 Assistant Menu
  • How to manage location services on Galaxy S20 to protect your privacy?

RSS Galaxy S10 Guides

  • Top 10 new features in Android 10 update for Galaxy S10
  • Top 5 new features added in Galaxy S10 September Update
  • How to move apps to the micro SD card to free phone storage on Galaxy S10 ?
  • Galaxy S10 wireless charging guide
  • How to use app folders on Galaxy S10 Home screen and Apps screen?
  • How to enable and use Galaxy S10 developer options?
  • How to hide suggested apps on Galaxy S10? and how to stop Finder uploading your data to Samsung servers?

RSS Galaxy S9 Guides

  • How to use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 with the Android Pie update?
  • How to lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
  • How to use the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
  • How to use the new navigation gestures in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
  • How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
  • Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable
  • How to reset Galaxy S9 and S9+? What is Galaxy S9 factory data reset?
  • How to use micro SD card on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • How to use Galaxy S9 Apps screen on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

RSS Galaxy S8 Guides

  • How to use the new features in Android Pie update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
  • How to use app shortcuts in Galaxy S8 Home screen in Android Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?
  • Use notification dots/notification number badge in Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update
  • How to Install Galaxy S8 Android Oreo Update for Galaxy S8 and S8+?

RSS Galaxy S7 Guides

  • New Galaxy S7 status icons in Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge Nougat update
  • Top 7 new features in Android Nougat update for Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge
  • How to review photos before saving to Galaxy S7 and S7 edge?
  • How to use flash for Galaxy S7 front camera?

RSS Galaxy Note Guides

  • Top 11 disappointments of Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  • How to use the Dynamic Lock screen on Galaxy Note 10?
  • Galaxy Note 10 LED View Cover Guide and Review
  • Install S Note app and Extension pack on Galaxy Note 10
  • How to Use Galaxy Note 10 Camera App?
  • Galaxy Note 10 SIM Card Guide
  • How to use Samsung DeX for PC with Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+?
  • How to use Galaxy Note 10 Clear View cover (S View cover)?
  • How to charge Galaxy Note 10 battery?
  • How to use and remap Galaxy Note 10 Side key?

RSS Google Home Guides

  • How to Factory Data Reset Nest Hub (Google Home Hub and Nest Hub 2nd Gen)?
  • Nest Hub 2nd Gen vs Nest Hub vs Google Home Hub: what’s new and what’s not changed?
  • Layout of Google Nest Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen)
  • How to reset Google Nest Mini (Google Home Mini 2nd Gen)?
  • How to connect Google Home to a Bluetooth speaker?
  • How to reset Google Home Mini?

RSS Moto G Guides

  • Moto G8 vs Moto G8 Power vs Moto G8 Power Lite vs Moto G Power vs Moto G Stylus vs Moto G Pro vs Moto G fast: What are the differences?
  • Moto G8 User Manual for Moto G8 Plus and Moto G8 Play
  • Moto G8 Plus vs Moto G8 Play: Differences and common features

RSS Samsung Galaxy S5 Guide

  • How to save photos to SD card on Galaxy S5?
  • How to customize Galaxy S5 camera shortcuts menu?
  • Galaxy S5 battery guide

RSS Moto X Owners Community

  • Official Moto X4 User manual (User guide for Moto X 4th Gen , Moto X 2017)
  • What’s new in Android Marshmallow update for Moto X (Moto X 2015, Moto X 2014, Moto X Style and Moto X Pure edition)?
  • Top 5 new features in Moto X 2015 (Moto X Style, Moto X Pure edition and Moto X Play) vs Moto X 2014

RSS Moto E Guides

  • How to use Moto E6 camera?
  • How to use SIM cards on Moto E6, E6 Plus, E6 Play, and E6s 2020?
  • How to remove Moto E6 back cover (including Moto E6, Moto E6 Plus, Moto E6 Play)?
  • Official user manual for Moto E6, Moto E6 Plus, Moto E6 Play, and Moto E6s

RSS Galaxy S4 Guides

  • Samsung Galaxy S4 Lollipop User Manual (PDF)
  • Top 10 new or improved features in Jelly Bean 4.3 update for your Samsung Galaxy S4

RSS Galaxy S6 Guide

  • Official user manual for Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 edge+ with Android Nougat update
  • Official Galaxy S6 user manual with Android Nougat update
  • how to use widgets in Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge?
  • Changes on using fingerprint to unlock Galaxy S6 in Android Marshmallow update for Galaxy S6, S6 edge and S6 edge+

RSS Kindle Fire For Kid

  • How to Use Dark Theme on Fire Tablets with Fire OS 8?
  • How to use Quick Settings on Fire tablets?
  • How to take a screenshot on a Fire tablet without using any apps like a pro?
  • Fire Tablet Buying Guide
  • How-to Guides for Fire tablet

Footer

RSS Drive In Singapore

  • Top 5 rules of driving in Singapore safely and legally during COVID-19 Circuit Breaker period
  • Understand COE Price by 10 Simple Questions
  • How to convert a foreign driving license to a Singapore driving license?
  • How to get a Touch ‘n Go card as a Singapore driver?
  • What is covered in the car warranty in Singapore? What is not?
  • What is the Singapore Road Speed Limit?
  • How to register, collect and use Malaysia Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP)?
  • Why are cars in Singapore are so expensive?
  • Drive to Malaysia
  • Car Maintenance and Servicing in Singapore

RSS All About Chromecast

  • Master the Voice Remote for Chromecast with Google TV
  • How to use VLC media player on PC to stream music and video to Chromecast and Chromecast Audio?
  • About AllAboutChromecast.com
  • Chromecast Preview Program: Everything you need to know
  • What are supported systems for Chromecast Audio companion device?
  • How to use Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast?
  • Chromecast 101
  • How to change Chromecast WiFi network?
  • How to rename Chromecast?
  • How to reset Chromecast (Factory Data Reset,FDR)?

RSS Headphone Guides

  • AirPods Pro 2 New features explained
  • What is Samsung Seamless Codec? 4 things you should know about this new codec
  • How to use widgets to check battery levels and control Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Buds+, and Galaxy Buds?
  • AirPods 3 vs AirPods Pro: which one should you choose?
  • AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2: Top 8 improvements and new features of AirPods 3
  • How to Use and Adjust Force Sensor on AirPods Pro like a Pro?
  • Galaxy Buds 2 vs Galaxy Buds Pro: the Top 8 Pros and Cons
  • 4 ways to check Galaxy Buds Live battery level
  • How to manage Galaxy Buds Live in Galaxy Wearable App?
  • How to use touch control on Galaxy Buds Live?

© 2015–2023 · GadgetGuideOnline.com is a online community for Gadget Owners! · Hosted by PTRHosting
Android Guide, Android tips, tricks and hacks. Everything you need know about Android. These guides will teach you how to use your Android phones and other Android gadgets.
Powered by Genesis framework for WordPress
Disclaimer: Android is a trademark of Google. This website is NOT affiliated with Google in any way. All the information provided on this website is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis and you agree that you use such information entirely at your own risk.

Add Android Guides to your Homescreen!

Add