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Set To Clipboard

Sets the specified text to the clipboard.

Common Properties​

  • Name - The custom name of the node.
  • Color - The custom color of the node.
  • Delay Before (sec) - Waits in seconds before executing the node.
  • Delay After (sec) - Waits in seconds after executing node.
  • Continue On Error - Automation will continue regardless of any error. The default value is false.
info

If ContinueOnError property is true, no error is caught when the project is executed even if a Catch node is used.

Input​

  • Clipboard Data - The text to be set to the clipboard.

How It Works​

The Set To Clipboard node performs the following steps:

  1. Receives Input - Takes the text string provided in the Clipboard Data input
  2. Accesses System Clipboard - Connects to the operating system's clipboard service
  3. Clears Existing Content - Removes any existing clipboard content
  4. Writes Data - Stores the new text data to the clipboard
  5. Makes Available - The data is now available for paste operations (Ctrl+V) in any application

Requirements​

  • Clipboard Access - The automation must have permission to access the system clipboard
  • Desktop Environment - Must run in an environment with clipboard support
  • Text Data - Input must be text or convertible to text (images and files are not supported)
  • Operating System Support - Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop environments

Error Handling​

Error CodeDescriptionSolution
CLIPBOARD_ACCESS_DENIEDUnable to access the system clipboardEnsure the automation has proper system permissions
CLIPBOARD_LOCKEDClipboard is locked by another processWait briefly and retry the operation
INVALID_DATA_TYPEData provided is not valid textEnsure the input is a string value
UNSUPPORTED_ENVIRONMENTRunning in an environment without clipboard supportUse a desktop environment or virtual desktop for automation
CLIPBOARD_WRITE_FAILEDFailed to write data to clipboardCheck system resources and retry

Usage Examples​

Example 1: Copy Data for Pasting​

Prepare data for pasting into another application:

Input:
- Clipboard Data: "customer@example.com"

Workflow:
1. Set To Clipboard with email address
2. Navigate to target application
3. Click in email field
4. Send Keys: Ctrl+V (paste)
5. Email is inserted into the field

Example 2: Transfer Data Between Applications​

Move data between applications that don't support direct integration:

Input:
- Clipboard Data: "Order ID: ORD-2025-001234"

Workflow:
1. Extract order ID from System A
2. Set To Clipboard with order ID
3. Switch to System B
4. Paste the order ID for processing

Example 3: Prepare Multi-line Text​

Copy formatted text with multiple lines:

Input:
- Clipboard Data: "Line 1: Header\nLine 2: Details\nLine 3: Footer"

Result:
The clipboard contains multi-line text that preserves line breaks when pasted

Usage Notes​

  • Overwrites Previous Content - Setting clipboard data replaces any existing clipboard content.
  • Persists Until Changed - Clipboard content remains available until overwritten by another operation.
  • User Visible - Users can manually paste clipboard content (Ctrl+V) while automation is running.
  • Text Only - This node only sets text data. Images, files, and formatted content are not supported.
  • Immediate Availability - Data is immediately available for paste operations after the node executes.
  • Cross-Platform Support - Works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, but clipboard behavior may vary slightly.
  • No Size Limit (Usually) - Most systems support large text blocks, but extremely large data may cause issues.

Tips​

  • Add Small Delay - After setting clipboard, add a small delay (50-100ms) before pasting to ensure data is ready.
  • Verify Paste Operations - After pasting, verify the content was inserted correctly.
  • Security Considerations - Clear sensitive data from clipboard after use by setting it to an empty string.
  • Combine with Get From Clipboard - Use Get From Clipboard to verify data was set correctly.
  • Handle Special Characters - Test with special characters to ensure they're preserved correctly.
  • Use for Legacy Systems - Clipboard is ideal for automating applications without APIs or automation support.
  • Backup Original Content - If needed, use Get From Clipboard first to save the original clipboard content.
  • Error Handling - Use Try-Catch blocks to handle clipboard access errors gracefully.
  • Get From Clipboard - Retrieve text data from the clipboard
  • Send Keys - Send Ctrl+V to paste clipboard content
  • Type Text - Alternative to clipboard for entering text in browsers
    • Directly set text in UI elements without using clipboard