JavaFX 25 · javafx.scene.input.Clipboard · APIdia, the JavaDoc alternative

Represents an operating system clipboard, on which data may be placed during, for example, cut, copy, and paste operations.

To access the general system clipboard, use the following code:

Clipboard clipboard = Clipboard.getSystemClipboard();

There is only ever one instance of the system clipboard in the application, so it is perfectly acceptable to stash a reference to it somewhere handy if you so choose.

The Clipboard operates on the concept of having a single conceptual item on the clipboard at any one time -- though it may be placed on the clipboard in different formats. For example, the user might select text in an HTML editor and press the ctrl+c or cmd+c to copy it. In this case, the same text might be available on the clipboard both as HTML and as plain text. There are two copies of the data on the clipboard, but they both represent the same data.

Content is specified on the Clipboard by using the setContent method. First, construct a ClipboardContent object, then invoke setContent. Every time setContent is called, any previous data on the clipboard is cleared and replaced with this new content.


     final Clipboard clipboard = Clipboard.getSystemClipboard();
     final ClipboardContent content = new ClipboardContent();
     content.putString("Some text");
     content.putHtml("<b>Some</b> text");
     clipboard.setContent(content);

The ClipboardContent class is simply a map with convenience methods for dealing with common data types added to a clipboard.

Because multiple representations of the same data may exist on the clipboard, and because different applications have different capabilities for handling different content types, it is important to place as many data representations on the clipboard as is practical to facilitate external applications. Note that sometimes the operating system might be helpful in some cases and add multiple types for you. For example, the Mac might set the plain text string for you when you specify the RTF type. How and under what circumstances this occurs is outside the realm of this specification, consult your OS documentation.

When reading data off the clipboard, it is important to look for the richest supported type first. For example, if I have a text document which supports embedding of images and media formats, when pasting content from the clipboard I should first check to see if the content can be represented as media or as an image. If not, then I might check for RTF or HTML or whatever rich text format is supported by my document type. If not, then I might just take a String.

Or for example, if I have a plain text document, then I would simple get a String representation and use that, if available. I can check to see if the clipboard "hasHtml" or "hasString".

if (clipboard.hasString()) { ... }

In addition to the common or built in types, you may put any arbitrary data onto the clipboard (assuming it is serializable).

Content types are defined by the DataFormat objects. The DataFormat class defines an immutable object, and there are a number of static final fields for common DataFormat types. Of course application specific DataFormat types can also be declared and used. The following two methods are equivalent (and the second call will override the first!)

ClipboardContent content = new ClipboardContent();
     content.putString("some text");
     content.put(DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT, "other text");

On embedded platforms that do not have their own windowing system, the Clipboard returned from Clipboard.getSystemClipboard() might not be accessible from outside the JavaFX application.

If the platform doesn't support a shared clipboard, the clipboard returned by Clipboard.getSystemClipboard() can be used for exchange of data between different parts of one JavaFX application but cannot be used to exchange data between multiple applications.

Field Summary

Modifier and Type	Field and Description
private boolean	contentPut Whether user has put something on this clipboard.
private static Clipboard	localClipboard
pack-priv TKClipboard	peer
private static Clipboard	systemClipboard

Constructor Summary

Access	Constructor and Description
pack-priv	Clipboard(TKClipboard peer)

Method Summary

Modifier and Type	Method and Description
public final void	clear() Clears the clipboard of any and all content.
pack-priv boolean	contentPut()
public final Object	Returns: The content associated with this type, or null if there is none getContent(DataFormat the format type dataFormat) Returns the content stored in this clipboard of the given type, or null if there is no content with this type.
pack-priv Object	getContentImpl(DataFormat dataFormat) Getting content overridable by internal subclasses.
public final Set<DataFormat>	Returns: A non-null immutable set of content types. getContentTypes() Gets the set of DataFormat types on this Clipboard instance which have associated data registered on the clipboard.
public final List<File>	Returns: The List of Files on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.FILES, or null if there is not one. getFiles() Gets the List of Files from the clipboard which had previously been registered.
public final String	Returns: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.HTML, or null if there is not one. getHtml() Gets the HTML text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered.
public final Image	Returns: The Image on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.IMAGE, or null if there is not one. getImage() Gets the Image from the clipboard which had previously been registered.
private static synchronized Clipboard	getLocalClipboardImpl()
public final String	Returns: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.RTF, or null if there is not one. getRtf() Gets the RTF text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered.
public final String	Returns: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT, or null if there is not one. getString() Gets the plain text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered.
public static Clipboard	Returns: The single system clipboard, used for cut / copy / paste operations getSystemClipboard() Gets the current system clipboard, through which data can be stored and retrieved.
private static synchronized Clipboard	getSystemClipboardImpl()
public final String	Returns: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.URL, or null if there is not one. getUrl() Gets the URL String from the clipboard which had previously been registered.
public final boolean	Returns: true if there is content on this clipboard for this type hasContent(DataFormat the format type dataFormat) Tests whether there is any content on this clipboard of the given DataFormat type.
public final boolean	Returns: true if hasContent(DataFormat.FILES) returns true, false otherwise hasFiles() Gets whether an List of Files (DataFormat.FILES) has been registered on this Clipboard.
public final boolean	Returns: true if `hasContent(DataFormat.HTML)` returns true, false otherwise hasHtml() Gets whether an HTML text String (DataFormat.HTML) has been registered on this Clipboard.
public final boolean	Returns: true if hasContent(DataFormat.IMAGE) returns true, false otherwise hasImage() Gets whether an Image (DataFormat.IMAGE) has been registered on this Clipboard.
public final boolean	Returns: true if hasContent(DataFormat.RTF) returns true, false otherwise hasRtf() Gets whether an RTF String (DataFormat.RTF) has been registered on this Clipboard.
public final boolean	Returns: true if `hasContent(DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT)` returns true, false otherwise hasString() Gets whether a plain text String (DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT) has been registered on this Clipboard.
public final boolean	Returns: true if hasContent(DataFormat.URL) returns true, false otherwise hasUrl() Gets whether a url String (DataFormat.URL) has been registered on this Clipboard.
public final boolean	Returns: True if successful, false if the content fails to be added. setContent(Map<DataFormat, Object> The content to put on the clipboard. If null, the clipboard is simply cleared and no new content added. content) Puts content onto the clipboard.

Inherited from java.lang.Object:: clone equals finalize getClass hashCode notify notifyAll toString wait wait wait

Field Detail

contentPut	back to summary
private boolean contentPut Whether user has put something on this clipboard. Needed for DnD.

localClipboard	back to summary
private static Clipboard localClipboard

peer	back to summary
pack-priv TKClipboard peer

systemClipboard	back to summary
private static Clipboard systemClipboard

Constructor Detail

Clipboard	back to summary
pack-priv Clipboard(TKClipboard peer)

Method Detail

clear	back to summary
public final void clear() Clears the clipboard of any and all content. Any subsequent call to `getContentTypes` before putting more content on the clipboard will result in an empty set being returned.

contentPut	back to summary
pack-priv boolean contentPut()

getContent	back to summary
public final Object getContent(DataFormat dataFormat) Returns the content stored in this clipboard of the given type, or null if there is no content with this type. Parameters dataFormat:DataFormat the format type Returns:Object The content associated with this type, or null if there is none

getContent

back to summary

public final Object getContent(DataFormat dataFormat)

Returns the content stored in this clipboard of the given type, or null if there is no content with this type.

Parameters

dataFormat:DataFormat: the format type

Returns:Object

The content associated with this type, or null if there is none

getContentImpl	back to summary
pack-priv Object getContentImpl(DataFormat dataFormat) Getting content overridable by internal subclasses.

getContentTypes	back to summary
public final Set<DataFormat> getContentTypes() Gets the set of DataFormat types on this Clipboard instance which have associated data registered on the clipboard. This set will always be non-null and immutable. If the Clipboard is subsequently modified, this returned set is not updated. Returns:Set<DataFormat> A non-null immutable set of content types.

getContentTypes

back to summary

public final Set<DataFormat> getContentTypes()

Gets the set of DataFormat types on this Clipboard instance which have associated data registered on the clipboard. This set will always be non-null and immutable. If the Clipboard is subsequently modified, this returned set is not updated.

Returns:Set<DataFormat>: A non-null immutable set of content types.

getFiles back to summary

getFiles	back to summary
public final List<File> getFiles() Gets the List of Files from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking `getContent(DataFormat.FILES)`. If no such entry exists, null is returned. Returns:List<File> The List of Files on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.FILES, or null if there is not one.

public final List<File> getFiles()

Gets the List of Files from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking getContent(DataFormat.FILES). If no such entry exists, null is returned.

Returns:List<File>: The List of Files on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.FILES, or null if there is not one.

getHtml back to summary

getHtml	back to summary
public final String getHtml() Gets the HTML text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking `getContent(DataFormat.HTML)`. If no such entry exists, null is returned. Returns:String The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.HTML, or null if there is not one.

public final String getHtml()

Gets the HTML text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking getContent(DataFormat.HTML). If no such entry exists, null is returned.

Returns:String: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.HTML, or null if there is not one.

getImage back to summary

getImage	back to summary
public final Image getImage() Gets the Image from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking `getContent(DataFormat.IMAGE)`. If no such entry exists, null is returned. Returns:Image The Image on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.IMAGE, or null if there is not one.

public final Image getImage()

Gets the Image from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking getContent(DataFormat.IMAGE). If no such entry exists, null is returned.

Returns:Image: The Image on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.IMAGE, or null if there is not one.

getLocalClipboardImpl	back to summary
private static synchronized Clipboard getLocalClipboardImpl()

getRtf back to summary

getRtf	back to summary
public final String getRtf() Gets the RTF text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking `getContent(DataFormat.RTF)`. If no such entry exists, null is returned. Returns:String The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.RTF, or null if there is not one.

public final String getRtf()

Gets the RTF text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking getContent(DataFormat.RTF). If no such entry exists, null is returned.

Returns:String: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.RTF, or null if there is not one.

getString back to summary

getString	back to summary
public final String getString() Gets the plain text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking `getContent(DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT)`. If no such entry exists, null is returned. Returns:String The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT, or null if there is not one.

public final String getString()

Gets the plain text String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking getContent(DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT). If no such entry exists, null is returned.

Returns:String: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT, or null if there is not one.

getSystemClipboard	back to summary
public static Clipboard getSystemClipboard() Gets the current system clipboard, through which data can be stored and retrieved. There is ever only one system clipboard for a JavaFX application. Returns:Clipboard The single system clipboard, used for cut / copy / paste operations

getSystemClipboard

back to summary

public static Clipboard getSystemClipboard()

Gets the current system clipboard, through which data can be stored and retrieved. There is ever only one system clipboard for a JavaFX application.

Returns:Clipboard: The single system clipboard, used for cut / copy / paste operations

getSystemClipboardImpl	back to summary
private static synchronized Clipboard getSystemClipboardImpl()

getUrl back to summary

getUrl	back to summary
public final String getUrl() Gets the URL String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking `getContent(DataFormat.URL)`. If no such entry exists, null is returned. Returns:String The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.URL, or null if there is not one.

public final String getUrl()

Gets the URL String from the clipboard which had previously been registered. This is equivalent to invoking getContent(DataFormat.URL). If no such entry exists, null is returned.

Returns:String: The String on the clipboard associated with DataFormat.URL, or null if there is not one.

hasContent	back to summary
public final boolean hasContent(DataFormat dataFormat) Tests whether there is any content on this clipboard of the given DataFormat type. Parameters dataFormat:DataFormat the format type Returns:boolean true if there is content on this clipboard for this type

hasContent

back to summary

public final boolean hasContent(DataFormat dataFormat)

Tests whether there is any content on this clipboard of the given DataFormat type.

Parameters

dataFormat:DataFormat: the format type

Returns:boolean

true if there is content on this clipboard for this type

hasFiles	back to summary
public final boolean hasFiles() Gets whether an List of Files (DataFormat.FILES) has been registered on this Clipboard. Returns:boolean true if hasContent(DataFormat.FILES) returns true, false otherwise

hasFiles

back to summary

public final boolean hasFiles()

Gets whether an List of Files (DataFormat.FILES) has been registered on this Clipboard.

Returns:boolean: true if hasContent(DataFormat.FILES) returns true, false otherwise

hasHtml back to summary

hasHtml	back to summary
public final boolean hasHtml() Gets whether an HTML text String (DataFormat.HTML) has been registered on this Clipboard. Returns:boolean true if `hasContent(DataFormat.HTML)` returns true, false otherwise

public final boolean hasHtml()

Gets whether an HTML text String (DataFormat.HTML) has been registered on this Clipboard.

Returns:boolean: true if hasContent(DataFormat.HTML) returns true, false otherwise

hasImage	back to summary
public final boolean hasImage() Gets whether an Image (DataFormat.IMAGE) has been registered on this Clipboard. Returns:boolean true if hasContent(DataFormat.IMAGE) returns true, false otherwise

hasImage

back to summary

public final boolean hasImage()

Gets whether an Image (DataFormat.IMAGE) has been registered on this Clipboard.

Returns:boolean: true if hasContent(DataFormat.IMAGE) returns true, false otherwise

hasRtf	back to summary
public final boolean hasRtf() Gets whether an RTF String (DataFormat.RTF) has been registered on this Clipboard. Returns:boolean true if hasContent(DataFormat.RTF) returns true, false otherwise

hasRtf

back to summary

public final boolean hasRtf()

Gets whether an RTF String (DataFormat.RTF) has been registered on this Clipboard.

Returns:boolean: true if hasContent(DataFormat.RTF) returns true, false otherwise

hasString back to summary

hasString	back to summary
public final boolean hasString() Gets whether a plain text String (DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT) has been registered on this Clipboard. Returns:boolean true if `hasContent(DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT)` returns true, false otherwise

public final boolean hasString()

Gets whether a plain text String (DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT) has been registered on this Clipboard.

Returns:boolean: true if hasContent(DataFormat.PLAIN_TEXT) returns true, false otherwise

hasUrl	back to summary
public final boolean hasUrl() Gets whether a url String (DataFormat.URL) has been registered on this Clipboard. Returns:boolean true if hasContent(DataFormat.URL) returns true, false otherwise

hasUrl

back to summary

public final boolean hasUrl()

Gets whether a url String (DataFormat.URL) has been registered on this Clipboard.

Returns:boolean: true if hasContent(DataFormat.URL) returns true, false otherwise

setContent	back to summary
public final boolean setContent(Map<DataFormat, Object> content) Puts content onto the clipboard. This call will always result in clearing all previous content from the clipboard, and replacing it with whatever content is specified in the supplied ClipboardContent map. Parameters content:Map<DataFormat, Object> The content to put on the clipboard. If null, the clipboard is simply cleared and no new content added. Returns:boolean True if successful, false if the content fails to be added. Exceptions NullPointerException: if null data reference is passed for any format

setContent

back to summary

public final boolean setContent(Map<DataFormat, Object> content)

Puts content onto the clipboard. This call will always result in clearing all previous content from the clipboard, and replacing it with whatever content is specified in the supplied ClipboardContent map.

Parameters

content:Map<DataFormat, Object>: The content to put on the clipboard. If null, the clipboard is simply cleared and no new content added.

Returns:boolean

True if successful, false if the content fails to be added.

Exceptions

NullPointerException:: if null data reference is passed for any format

public Class Clipboard

Field Summary

Constructor Summary

Method Summary

Field Detail

Constructor Detail

Method Detail