diff --git a/docs/command.md b/docs/command.md
index 0f49d23..ef2db6f 100644
--- a/docs/command.md
+++ b/docs/command.md
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ The currently supported commands are:
 * `help [topic]` Display help for a given topic.
 * `export-csv <path>` Export the current sheet to a csv file at `<path>`.
 * `quit` Quits the application. `q` is a shorthand alias for this command.
+* `system-paste` Paste from the system clipboard
 
 <aside>Note that in the case of `quit` and `edit` that we do not currently
 prompt you if the current spreadsheet has not been saved yet. So your changes
diff --git a/docs/navigation.md b/docs/navigation.md
index dff745e..88fd34b 100644
--- a/docs/navigation.md
+++ b/docs/navigation.md
@@ -49,3 +49,5 @@ Range selections made from navigation mode will be available to paste into a Cel
 <aside>Note that for `q` this will not currently prompt you if the sheet is not
 saved.</aside>
 
+Note also that copy paste works with the system clipboard.
+
diff --git a/docs/visual.md b/docs/visual.md
index 1a90caa..febb354 100644
--- a/docs/visual.md
+++ b/docs/visual.md
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ select mode from CellEdit mode with `CTRL-r`.
 
 * `h`, `j`, `k`, `l` will navigate around the sheet.
 * `Ctrl-n`, `Ctrl-p` will navigate between sheets.
-* `Ctrl-c`, `y` Copy the cell or range contents.
-* `Ctrl-Shift-C`, 'Y' Copy the cell or range formatted content.
+* `Ctrl-c`, `y` Copy the cell or range formatted contents.
+* `Ctrl-Shift-C`, 'Y' Copy the cell or range content.
 * `The spacebar will select the start and end of the range respectively.
 * `d` will delete the contents of the range leaving any style untouched
 * `D` will delete the contents of the range including any style
diff --git a/src/ui/cmd.rs b/src/ui/cmd.rs
index 298a124..4d15d24 100644
--- a/src/ui/cmd.rs
+++ b/src/ui/cmd.rs
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ pub enum Cmd<'a> {
     Edit(&'a str),
     Help(Option<&'a str>),
     ExportCsv(&'a str),
+    SystemPaste,
     Quit,
 }
 
@@ -68,6 +69,9 @@ pub fn parse<'cmd, 'i: 'cmd>(input: &'i str) -> Result<Option<Cmd<'cmd>>, &'stat
     if let Some(cmd) = try_consume_color_cell(cursor.clone())? {
         return Ok(Some(cmd));
     }
+    if let Some(cmd) = try_consume_system_paste(cursor.clone())? {
+        return Ok(Some(cmd));
+    }
     Ok(None)
 }
 
@@ -316,6 +320,22 @@ fn try_consume_quit<'cmd, 'i: 'cmd>(
     return Ok(Some(Cmd::Quit));
 }
 
+fn try_consume_system_paste<'cmd, 'i: 'cmd>(
+    mut input: StrCursor<'i>,
+) -> Result<Option<Cmd<'cmd>>, &'static str> {
+    const LONG: &'static str = "system-paste";
+
+    if compare(input.clone(), LONG) {
+        input.seek(LONG.len());
+    } else {
+        return Ok(None);
+    }
+    if input.remaining() > 0 {
+        return Err("Invalid command: system-paste does not take an argument");
+    }
+    return Ok(Some(Cmd::SystemPaste));
+}
+
 fn try_consume_rename_sheet<'cmd, 'i: 'cmd>(
     mut input: StrCursor<'i>,
 ) -> Result<Option<Cmd<'cmd>>, &'static str> {
diff --git a/src/ui/mod.rs b/src/ui/mod.rs
index d0bd2c0..729aeed 100644
--- a/src/ui/mod.rs
+++ b/src/ui/mod.rs
@@ -513,6 +513,12 @@ impl<'ws> Workspace<'ws> {
                     .set_cell_style(&[("fill.bg_color", &color)], &area)?;
                 Ok(None)
             }
+            Ok(Some(Cmd::SystemPaste)) => {
+                let rows = self.get_rows_from_system_cipboard()?;
+                self.state.clipboard = Some(ClipboardContents::Range(rows));
+                self.paste_range()?;
+                Ok(None)
+            }
             Ok(None) => {
                 self.enter_dialog_mode(Markdown::from_str(&format!(
                     "Unrecognized commmand {}",
@@ -607,19 +613,19 @@ impl<'ws> Workspace<'ws> {
                         Ok(())
                     })?;
                 }
-                KeyCode::Char('C') if key.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => {
+                KeyCode::Char('c') if key.modifiers.contains(KeyModifiers::CONTROL) => {
                     self.copy_range(true)?;
                     self.exit_range_select_mode()?;
                 }
-                KeyCode::Char('Y') => {
-                    self.copy_range(true)?;
-                    self.exit_range_select_mode()?;
-                }
-                KeyCode::Char('c') if key.modifiers == KeyModifiers::CONTROL => {
-                    self.copy_range(false)?;
-                    self.exit_range_select_mode()?;
-                }
                 KeyCode::Char('y') => {
+                    self.copy_range(true)?;
+                    self.exit_range_select_mode()?;
+                }
+                KeyCode::Char('C') if key.modifiers == KeyModifiers::CONTROL => {
+                    self.copy_range(false)?;
+                    self.exit_range_select_mode()?;
+                }
+                KeyCode::Char('Y') => {
                     self.copy_range(false)?;
                     self.exit_range_select_mode()?;
                 }
@@ -662,7 +668,9 @@ impl<'ws> Workspace<'ws> {
                 }
                 // TODO(zaphar): Rethink this a bit perhaps?
                 let mut cb = Clipboard::new()?;
-                let (html, csv) = self.book.range_to_clipboard_content(AddressRange { start, end })?;
+                let (html, csv) = self
+                    .book
+                    .range_to_clipboard_content(AddressRange { start, end })?;
                 cb.set_html(html, Some(csv))?;
                 self.state.clipboard = Some(ClipboardContents::Range(rows));
             }
@@ -677,6 +685,26 @@ impl<'ws> Workspace<'ws> {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    fn get_rows_from_system_cipboard(&mut self) -> Result<Vec<Vec<String>>, anyhow::Error> {
+        use arboard::Clipboard;
+        let mut cb = Clipboard::new()?;
+        let txt = match cb.get_text() {
+            Ok(txt) => txt,
+            Err(e) => return Err(anyhow!(e)),
+        };
+        let reader = csv::Reader::from_reader(txt.as_bytes());
+        let mut rows = Vec::new();
+        for rec in reader.into_byte_records() {
+            let record = rec?;
+            let mut row = Vec::with_capacity(record.len());
+            for i in 0..record.len() {
+                row.push(String::from_utf8_lossy(record.get(i).expect("Unexpected failure to get cell row")).to_string());
+            };
+            rows.push(row);
+        }
+        Ok(rows)
+    }
+
     fn update_range_selection(&mut self) -> Result<bool, anyhow::Error> {
         Ok(if self.state.range_select.start.is_none() {
             self.state.range_select.start = Some(self.book.location.clone());