Cannot copy and paste from Clipboard

[rlm45]

There are links in my Clipboard that I tried to Copy.

Why can't you copy from the iMac Clipboard.

It is not selectable.

Comments?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The clipboard, by default only keeps the last thing available for pasting. Not sure what you mean by "not selectable"..

 

[Jimmysb]

In Windows, the clipboard held a number of items copied or clipped, so you could choose the item to paste, I suspect that is what the OP means.

 

[Horsa]

@rlm45 - If you are hankering after multi-clip functionality, there are numerous 3rd party apps to fill that gap. These, for example:

8 Best Clipboard Managers for Mac in 2023 - TechPP

Want to copy and paste multiple items on your Mac? These are the best clipboard managers for Mac to help you streamline copy-paste operations and boost your productivity.

techpp.com

 

[rlm45]

Yes, thanks, I really was thinking more like windows.

I see no purpose for the Mac clipboard unless I am missing something.

I just text edit to store a list that I use to copy and paste.

What is the use of the iMac clipboard if the last thing you copy get put on it.

It serves no function.

 

[MacInWin]

It serves no function.

For you, maybe.

I use the clipboard all the time to copy long URLs from sites that I want to add to this board, for example. I also use it to copy/paste critical data that HAS to be correct, like the routing number and account numbers for financial transactions. I also use it when editing documents when I want to move a paragraph, or sentence, or even just a word or two. I use it to copy/paste calendar items when they repeat irregularly, but I don't want to type everything in again. I used back in the Zoom days when I would set up a Zoom meeting and then copy/paste the joining data to email to invitees. I use it to copy/paste text sections from research I do to my documents as I am writing them for various publications, either to quote or to reference as I am writing.

Is that enough? I can go all day with this.

 

[rlm45]

You issue an Imac Copy command and it automatically puts that one Copy on the clipboard. Everytime you paste without doing another Copy it uses that one copy from the clipboard. The ClipBoard only stores one copied item, the last item copied. Why would you not use Text Edit and keep a list of all thing you like to Copy and Paste. I just don't see the use of the clipboard. You can not access any of the data? You can not place multiple copies on the copies items on the clipboard. The one string, URL , etc. that is on the clipboard get replaced replaced every time you do a copy command so nothing is saved. I must be missing something?

 

[MacInWin]

You issue an Imac Copy command and it automatically puts that one Copy on the clipboard. Everytime you paste without doing another Copy it uses that one copy from the clipboard.

It's not an "Imac Copy," just a copy on any and all Macs. And I like that I can repeat paste the item there, as that can be very handy sometimes when you have to enter the same data multiple times.

Why would you not use Text Edit and keep a list of all thing you like to Copy and Paste.

Who said I don't? I use clipboard to get items from that list to paste where I want them.

You can not access any of the data?

Yes, you can access ALL of the data. It is the last thing you copied and you can access it to paste anywhere.

I must be missing something?

Nope, that is how it works.

As an aside, back when I was using Windows, I hated, with a passion, how it stored multiple things I copied because it seemed to randomly decide what to paste. It was very frustrating, to the point where I quit using it. The macOS approach is much more useful as it is.

if you want multiple things in the copy area, go to the App Store and search for "clipboard" and pick what suits.

 

[pm-r]

The ClipBoard only stores one copied item, the last item copied. Why would you not use Text Edit and keep a list of all thing you like to Copy and Paste. I just don't see the use of the clipboard. You can not access any of the data? You can not place multiple copies on the copies items on the clipboard. The one string, URL , etc. that is on the clipboard get replaced replaced every time you do a copy command so nothing is saved. I must be missing something?

As already mentioned, there are several third party Multi-Clip Applications and Utilities available that can do everything and more that you list as being incapable of doing so:

I have bee using ClipMenu.app for years and I don't think I could work efficiently without it.
Why not give it a try, and I am sure you will really enjoy and appreciate using it:

ClipMenu.com: A clipboard manager for Mac OS X - ClipMenu.com

www.clipmenu.com

- Patrick
=======

 

[NSMacGuru]

I've used ClipMenu, it's great! There are a bunch of similar apps. For whatever reason, my current multiple-item clipboard is CloudClip.

 

[Jimmysb]

Yes, thanks, I really was thinking more like windows.

I see no purpose for the Mac clipboard unless I am missing something.

I just text edit to store a list that I use to copy and paste.

What is the use of the iMac clipboard if the last thing you copy get put on it.

It serves no function.

I remember, not that long ago when Windows would only paste the last item copied, and to use multiple copied items (when introduced) was a real pain to use. For the casual or pleasure user of a computor then a single item is sufficient, if you need more then as suggested use a 3rd party item, so yes you ARE missing something.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

And before we start getting too deep into it. macOS is NOT Windows and vice versa. Each OS has its way of doing things. If the default way of doing things isn't conducive to you, there are many 3rd party apps that can help. But stop trying to making one OS behave like the other.

 

[Rod]

The system copy an paste works perfectly well for repeat inserts of the same info into the same or new document if you want a list of previous recent copies then CopyClip does the job very well but it's not unlimited, I have mine set to 20 before it begins to delete the oldest.