Use Javascript to Copy and Paste from the Clipboard
Description
A less used feature of JavaScript is to interact with the clipboard of the client computer. This page is intended to provide a demonstration of how to use JavaScript to copy and paste from the clipboard.
Browser Issues
Google Chrome
This no longer works in Google Chrome
Internet Explorer
If Internet Explorer is used as the client browser then you should be be prompted with this message when you first try to copy or paste.
Once you allow access once on that particular page, then you should not be prompted during any subsequent copiers or pastes during that session.
Firefox
With firefox things are slightly more tricky as you need to install the AllowClipboard Helper extension. Once installed you need to add in the domain from which access will be allowed by going to the Tools menu and selecting AllowClipboard Helper.
Open about:config and ensure the value of signed.applets.codebase_principal_support is set to true
Update 25/09/2009 : Firefox 3.X does not appear to allow any access (http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Granting+JavaScript+access+to+the+clipboard). Any feedback/news on this is appreciated.
Further Uses and Ideas:
- none at the moment
How it Works:
The guts of what is used on this page...
function pasteit(theField)
{
var editor = document.getElementById("ta1");
editor.focus();
editor.select();
document.execCommand('Paste');
}
function copyToClipboard(s)
{
var input = document.getElementById("ta1");
input.focus();
input.select();
document.execCommand('Copy');
if ( document.selection ) {
document.selection.empty();
} else if ( window.getSelection ) {
window.getSelection().removeAllRanges();
}
}
Relevant Links
clipboard.js - A modern approach to copy text to clipboard
Version History
Version 1 (25/03/2008)
Version 2 (20/06/2016) - Alternative Method removed
Comments For This Page
Paste doesn't work in my code in chrome on stack overflow code snippets.
On 22nd June 2017Paste not working
On 26th February 2017Paste is not working in chrome
By Athi on 26th December 2016well, i dont have an IE
paste doesnt work on my firefox 47.0 and Chrome 53
i think it is for security reasons
Thanx alot...work for me in IE10 to and IE11
function pasteit()
{
var editor = document.getElementById("ta1");
editor.focus();
document.execCommand('Paste');
}
function copyToClipboard()
{
var input = document.getElementById("ta1");
input.focus();
document.execCommand('Copy');
if ( document.selection ) {
document.selection.empty();
} else if ( window.getSelection ) {
window.getSelection().removeAllRanges();
}
}
sandbox-javascript-to-copy-paste-clipboard.htm:267 Uncaught TypeError: val.createTextRange is not a function
chrome not run
chrome not run
On 19th June 2016works in ie firefox chrome opera. great work
On 1st October 2015Thanks, works perfect in IE11.
Check your settings in IE => http://www.smartestcomputing.us.com/topic/67009-ie-11-copypaste-issue-has-been-fixed/
With Firefox it dosn't work...
Firefox is getting worse than Microsoft. They want to tell people how they are allowed to work. I dropped IE for this very reason. Now Firefox is telling everyone "Resistance is futile." I say to Firefox, "Control is futile"
By Matrixcowboy on 27th July 2015It works in Internet Explorer onely we want all borwsers
On 10th May 2015this is not working in firefox, chrome or any other browers BECAUSE this code is WRONG, stupids comments
By XXX on 28th March 2015this code not Run in chrome
By DS on 26th May 2014not working in firefox
By xyz on 11th November 2013Not Working
On 29th August 2013Hi All, after the review, the description on this page is still correct. IE does allow access whereas firefox does not.
By Daft Logic on 2nd August 2013it is only work in IE,
By Ravi on 23rd July 2013@GOOGLE delete this useless link
On 19th July 2013Not working
On 14th June 2013window.clipboardData.getData
On 7th February 201320 out of 34 comments shown.
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