i had the same trouble with the built in gmail app... i tried the web interface... got a bit further but seems there are some bugs in there.

log in through browser... open the email... chose reply... should have the text from the email in the editable box... using the hardware keyboard to select text, then long press to copy....

this all works in theory, but so far i can only get it to copy all the text. not just the selected.


...............so....... before i posted this i decided to try opera mini... seems to work fine in there. though you have to select forward instead of reply to get the text in an editable box. then you can use the hardware keyboard to select, long press to copy/paste...........................

ummm annoying? maybe we should check the issues list with google and add an item if its not there, and star like crazy if it is.


edit:

Issue 1136 - android - Gmail should allow editing text of quoted/forwarded emails - Project Hosting on Google Code

Issue 3190 - android - Improve copy-paste in Browser/WebView - Project Hosting on Google Code

Issue 3151 - android - Selecting text for copying very unhandy - Project Hosting on Google Code

there are a ton on there.... do some more searching of those are what u have in mind and be sure to star the issue!

 

I only know how to do it with the hard keyboard..

Hold down the shift key (the one that looks like an up arrow with a line over it) and then drag your finger along the text you want to copy. When you lift your finger the text is automatically copied to the clipboard.

 

sweeeeeeeeeeeet. that seems to do the trick! though it is kinda hard to see exactly what you are selecting.

edit: works in browser too for just about any text.