The clipboard is a virtual storage area on your Mac that temporarily stores information that you copy or cut from documents or files. It is a useful feature that allows you to easily move data between different applications and locations.
However, the clipboard can only store one piece of information at a time, which can be a limitation. In this article, we will show you how to view clipboard history on MacBook and provide you with different options to access your clipboard history, including using the built-in keyboard shortcut, third-party apps, and taking screenshots.
Additionally, we will discuss how to copy and paste contents with the clipboard on MacOS, how to access the clipboard history, and how to avoid clipboard limitations.
What is a clipboard?
The clipboard is used to store the data you copy, which can then be pasted into another location or application. You can not see the clipboard itself, but you can access the clipboard by using keyboard shortcuts such as “Command+C ” to copy and “Command+V” to paste.
How to Copy and Paste Contents with the Clipboard on MacOS
To copy and paste contents with a clipboard on macOS, you can use the following steps:
- Select the text, image, or other content that you want to copy.
- Press the “Command” key and the “C” key at the same time. This will copy the selected content to the clipboard.
- Go to the location where you want to paste the content.
- Press the “Command” key and the “V” key at the same time. This will paste the content from the clipboard to your desired location.
Alternatively, you can use the Edit menu in the top menu bar to copy and paste. Select “Copy” to copy the selected content to the clipboard and click “Paste” to paste the selected content in your desired location.
How to View Clipboard History on MacBook
To access clipboard history on Mac, you can use the built-in keyboard shortcut “Command + Shift + Option + V” . This will open the clipboard history, allowing you to select and paste previous items you copied or cut.
Another way to access your clipboard history is to use a third-party app such as Clipy, Paste, or Paste 2. These apps provide a more user-friendly way to manage your clipboard history and also offer additional features such as syncing across devices, organizing your clipboard history, and saving multiple items on the clipboard.
It is worthy of note that the clipboard history is not available on all Mac models and is erased when you restart your Mac.
What is Mac’s Universal Clipboard
The Universal Clipboard is a feature of macOS and iOS that allows you to copy and paste content between your Mac and other Apple devices, such as an iPhone, iPad, or another Mac that is signed in with the same iCloud account.
This feature allows you to seamlessly move text, images, videos, and other types of content between devices without the need to manually copy and paste.
To use the Universal Clipboard, your Mac and other Apple devices must have the latest version of macOS installed or iOS on an iPhone, respectively, and be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID.
Once you’ve copied something on one device, the copied content will automatically appear on the clipboard of all your other devices, allowing you to paste the content on any other device.
How to Avoid Clipboard Limitations
There are several ways to avoid the limitations of the built-in clipboard on macOS.
1. Use a third-party app
One way to avoid the limitations of the built-in clipboard on your Mac is to use special programs called third-party apps, like Clipy, Paste, Paste 2, CopyClip, or Jumpcut.
These apps let you keep track of all the things you’ve copied and saved, and you can see all of them in one place. It’s also possible to save multiple items at once, making it easier to find and use what you need.
Most of these apps also have other helpful features like being able to access the copied items across different devices and organize the copied items.
2. Use the Terminal
Another way to avoid the drawbacks of the built-in clipboard on your Mac is by using the Terminal. If you are familiar with using the Terminal, you can use command-line tools like paste and copy to access the clipboard and paste or copy text. This way you can save items to the clipboard and retrieve them without the need for a graphical interface.
Using third-party apps and keyboard shortcuts can be more efficient and practical than using the built-in clipboard, especially if you frequently need to access multiple clipboards or clipboard history.
How to Fix Clipboard That is Not Working
If you are experiencing issues with the clipboard not working on your Mac, here are a few steps you can try to fix the problem.
1. Restart Your PC
Rebooting your computer can fix any temporary problems that may cause the clipboard to not work properly.
2. Check For Updates
Make sure the operating system you’re using has the latest updates. Older versions of software can cause problems with the clipboard working correctly.
4. Reset NVRAM
NVRAM is an abbreviation for Non-volatile Random Access Memory. It was formerly known as PRAM in older models of Mac. If your PRAM loads incorrectly while your system is booting, it can cause the Clipboard to misbehave.
To reset your NVRAM,
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press the power button to turn the Mac back on. Immediately it comes up, press down Command + Option + P + R.
- Keep holding the keys down for about 20 seconds. If your Mac makes a sound while restarting, wait for the second sound before you leave the keys.
5. Try another user account
If the clipboard is not working in your user account, you can try logging in to another account to see if the clipboard is working there.
How to Clear the Clipboard
Maybe you want to get rid of the text on your clipboard or you need a fresh start, the options allow you to wipe the clipboard clean.
1. Copy and paste blank text
You can clear the clipboard by opening a text editing program like TextEdit, typing in some blank space, and then copying and pasting it. This replaces whatever was on the clipboard with empty space, effectively clearing it.
2. Use the “Clear Clipboard” option in third-party apps
Another way to clear the clipboard is by using apps like Clipy or Paste, which have a “Clear Clipboard” option that erases all the items stored on it.
3. Use the command line
If you are comfortable with using the Terminal, you can use the command “pbcopy < /dev/null” to clear the clipboard. This command erases all the items stored on the clipboard.
4. Use keyboard shortcuts
Some third-party apps like Jumpcut, also offer keyboard shortcuts to clear the clipboard.
Best Clipboard Managers For Mac
1. Clipy
Clipy is a popular open-source clipboard manager for Mac. It offers a wide range of features such as clipboard history, snippets, and syncing across devices. It also supports various keyboard shortcuts and has a user-friendly interface.
2. Paste
Paste is another popular clipboard manager for Mac. It offers features like clipboard history, snippets, and syncing across devices. It also supports various keyboard shortcuts and has a user-friendly interface.
3. Jumpcut
Jumpcut is a lightweight clipboard manager that offers a history of your clipboard and allows you to save multiple items on the clipboard. It also supports various keyboard shortcuts and has a simple interface.
These clipboard managers are considered as best as they are widely used, have high ratings, and have a set of features that can be useful for users. However, it’s worth noting that the best clipboard manager depends on the user’s needs and preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, viewing the clipboard on a Mac is a simple task that can be done through a variety of methods, including using built-in keyboard shortcuts or third-party apps.
By following the steps outlined in this post, you can easily access and manage the items on your Mac’s clipboard. Whether you need to view a copied piece of text or an image, the clipboard is a useful tool that can save you time and effort when working on your Mac.
