Programmatically Copying Text to/from Windows Clipboard

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 3.0
• Microsoft FoxPro for Windows, versions 2.5, 2.5a, and 2.5b

SUMMARY

In FoxPro for Windows, the system memory variable _CLIPTEXT provides access to the Windows system Clipboard for transferring text data (not graphics).

MORE INFORMATION

In FoxPro for MS-DOS, copying or cutting text places that text in an internal clipboard used only by FoxPro for MS-DOS. In Windows-based applications, including FoxPro for Windows, copying or cutting an item places that item in the Windows Clipboard, which is available to other Windows applications.

To view the contents of the Windows Clipboard, open the Main group in Program Manager, and in Windows 3.0 and 3.1, start Clipboard or in Windows for Workgroups 3.1 and 3.11, start Clipbook Viewer (which contains Clipboard). Note, however, that Clipboard does not need to be running for data to be stored in it.

NOTE: You can pass only text data using _CLIPTEXT, although the Windows Clipboard can store graphics as well as text.

Example of Copying Text from FoxPro to Notepad

1. Start FoxPro for Windows.

2. Type the following command in the Command window:

         _CLIPTEXT = "Text from FoxPro"
   

3. Minimize or quit FoxPro.

4. Start the Windows Notepad program (usually found in the Accessories group).

5. From the Edit menu, choose Paste.

   Text from FoxPro

Example of Copying Text From Memo Field to Clipboard

   USE <table_name>   && Open a database that contains a memo field
   SCATTER MEMVAR MEMO
   _CLIPTEXT=m.<memo_field_name> && Copy memo contents to clipboard

Example of Copying Text from Notepad to FoxPro

1. Start Notepad.

2. Type the following line in Notepad:

         Text from Notepad
   

3. Select the line of text (so that it is highlighted).

4. From the Edit menu, choose Copy.

5. Minimize or quit Notepad.

6. Start FoxPro for Windows.

7. Type the following command in the Command window:

         ? _CLIPTEXT
   

   Text from Notepad