diff --git a/options.editor/src/org/netbeans/modules/options/colors/ColorModel.java b/options.editor/src/org/netbeans/modules/options/colors/ColorModel.java
--- a/options.editor/src/org/netbeans/modules/options/colors/ColorModel.java
+++ b/options.editor/src/org/netbeans/modules/options/colors/ColorModel.java
@@ -436,8 +436,8 @@
                     }
                 }
             });
-            
-            editorPane.setEnabled(false);
+            //allow pasting into the preview components
+            editorPane.setEnabled(true);
             editorPane.setText(exampleText);
             
             // scroll the view, but leave the caret where it is, otherwise it will