What is Clipboard?
The Clipboard is a particular location in computer, phone, or tablet memory where you can store copied text or other data. It is also known as paste-board. When you copy a data pr text in Clipboard, then it can be pasted to a new location. The text or data is saved in the clipboard until you log out of the computer.
A user who has the ability to copy content from a word processor and paste it into an email message is an example. If the user passes from the Clipboard many times, then the same information is pasted continuously. If the user copies some other text, then the previously copied text will be removed automatically, and the new text will be entered in the Clipboard.
How to copy or move information to the Clipboard
On the computer
Copy features are used to copy the information from one program to the Clipboard. Like, there is the text that you want to copy, then you could highlight the text and then right-click on the text, and then you will find the copy option. Choose that option the text will copy to the Clipboard. Alternatively, you can also copy the text by simple keyboard shortcuts that are Ctrl + C. Simply choose the text that you want to copy, then do on keyboard Ctrl + C on pc and in the Chromebook, do Command + C on Mac.
You can also use cut features. It can also copy the text in Clipboard, but it moves the text from one to another. If you copy the text using it, then the text will automatically delete from its position and simple do paste where you want to find it. This can be done by selecting the text and right-clicking on it, and then you will find the cut button. Choose this, and the text will be copied to the Clipboard. Alternatively, you can also use keyboard shortcuts. In this, choose the text and do Ctrl + X on the PC, and On the Mac, do Command+ X.
On Mobile Device
To copy text or a picture, use the copy feature. After choosing the highlighted text or image with your finger, click the Copy option that appears.
Use the cut feature to relocate text or a picture. Select the Cut option that comes once you highlight the desired text or image with your finger and tap it.
Copying information from the Clipboard to another program
On a computer
You can paste information into any program after copying or moving it to the Clipboard using the methods described above. To paste text, a photo, or another object, for instance, move the cursor to the desired location, right-click a blank space, and choose "paste." On a PC or Chromebook, you might also use the paste keyboard shortcut Ctrl + V and Command + V on Mac.
On a mobile device
Users of Android and Apple iOS devices, such as the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models, can utilize the paste capability to copy data from the Clipboard to any software. Tap the program where you wish to paste the material after copying the data to the Clipboard. Tap there again, and then choose the Paste option that pops up.
How do I open the Clipboard?
"Clipboard viewers," which are built into many operating systems, display the data that is kept in the Clipboard. These tools frequently allow you to check the history of the Clipboard or change its permissions. The steps to view the Clipboard on a Chromebook, a mobile device, a Mac, and Windows are listed below.
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows Vista, 7, and 8
- Windows 2000 and XP
- Windows 9x, ME, and NT
- Windows command line
- Windows PowerShell
- Apple macOS
- iPad and iPhone
- Android device
- Chromebook
Windows 11
1. After selecting Start, click the Settings Gear icon.
2. Navigate to the Clipboard option by scrolling down to the right side of the Settings box.
3. Simply toggle the Clipboard history option to the on position by clicking the toggle switch.
When enabled, the Windows key + V keyboard shortcut allows you to view the history of the Clipboard.
Windows 10
Microsoft added a new clipboard to view the history of items copied in the Windows 10 October 2018 update. The clipboard history, however, is limited to copying text and images that are no larger than 4 MB in size.
The actions listed below can be used to enable the clipboard history feature.
1. After selecting Start, click the Settings Gear icon.
2. Select the System option from the Settings window.
3. Click the Clipboard option in the left menu pane.
4. Click the toggle switch to the on position for the Clipboard history under Clipboard history.
Once enabled, you can access the clipboard history by using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + V.
Windows Vista, 7, and 8
Unfortunately, Windows Vista, 7, and 8 do not come with a clipboard viewer from Microsoft. To examine the clipboard contents, you must download and run a third-party utility or software.
Windows 2000 and XP
The Clipboard has been renamed the Clipbook viewer, which makes it difficult for users of Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP to locate. By launching Windows Explorer, going to the "Windows" folder, and then selecting the "System32" folder, you can access it. Double-click the clipbrd.exe file after finding it.
To run this software, users can alternatively choose Start > Run, enter Clipboard, and then hit Enter.
Windows 9x, ME, and NT
A clipboard viewer is pre-installed on Microsoft Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, and ME and may be accessed by choosing Start, Programs, System Tools, and Clipboard Viewer. The clipbrd.exe file located in the Windows directory can also be used to run the clipboard viewer.
Windows command line
There are no commands in the default Windows command line that let you see or paste the contents of the Clipboard. However, you can use the clip command to copy text to the Clipboard.
The text can then be pasted into another application, such as Notepad.
Windows PowerShell
With the Get-Clipboard command or its alias, gcb, in PowerShell, you can paste the contents of the Clipboard.
To run PowerShell, open the Start menu and choose Windows PowerShell > Windows PowerShell.
Apple macOS
On a Mac, follow the procedures listed below to view the Clipboard.
1. Launch the Finder program.
2. Select Show Clipboard from the Edit option in the Finder window's top menu bar.
The Clipboard only shows the most recent copy. To view the additional clipboard history, you must install a third-party clipboard manager program like Paste.
iPad and iPhone
Unfortunately, Apple's iPads and iPhones lack a clipboard viewer. To examine the contents of the Clipboard, you must download and use a third-party program like Paste or Clip+.
Android device
For phones or tablets running the basic Android operating system, Google does not supply a clipboard viewer. The default keyboard on some Android versions, including Samsung One UI, features a clipboard icon. To access it, open the keyboard and click the clipboard symbol above the keys. As shown in the picture, this emblem might be concealed beneath a menu for meatballs.
You can download and utilize a third-party program like Gboard to examine the contents of the Clipboard if your keyboard lacks a clipboard icon.
Chromebook
Press the Search key + V keyboard shortcut on a Chromebook to launch and view the clipboard manager. The clipboard manager appears in the centre of the screen, displaying the contents as well as what can be pasted.
How many things can be stored in the Clipboard?
One item can be kept in the Clipboard at a time. For instance, it is one thing to pick and copy a section of text or a picture. If you copy something else after pasting something else into the Clipboard, it replaces the previously copied item.
How much data can the clipboard store?
How much data the Clipboard can hold depends on the amount of physical memory (RAM) and chosen virtual memory (paging file) on the computer. You may copy more information to the Clipboard when a computer has greater memory.
The Clipboard only saves copied text and images. When you copy a file, only its metadata - not the actual file - is kept. It is, therefore, uncommon for you to need to enhance the Clipboard's data storage capacity. However, you can come across a situation where more memory is required to enable the Clipboard to save the picture data if you are working with large or raw photographs.