Getting data from the computer clipboard

Do you need help with your Java programming?

Click here for instant help with your Java code.

Getting data from the system clipboard is implemented nicely in Java through the Toolkit class which has a getSystemClipboard method.
Since there isn't necessarily text contents in the clipboard the getSystemClipboard returns an instance of the class Transferable.
With that instance we have to test if the content is text before we do any processing with it.
To test the code, just copy some text from the browser or some other document and have the java program print it out.

package com.javadb.example;

import java.awt.Toolkit;
import java.awt.datatransfer.Clipboard;
import java.awt.datatransfer.DataFlavor;
import java.awt.datatransfer.Transferable;
import java.awt.datatransfer.UnsupportedFlavorException;
import java.io.IOException;

/**
*
* @author javadb.com
*/
public class Main {

    /**
     * Displays text from the clipboard
     */
    public void displayTextFromClipboard() {

        Toolkit toolkit = Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit();
        Clipboard clipboard = toolkit.getSystemClipboard();
        Transferable tran = null;

        try {

            //The parameter to getContents is not currently used so null should
            //be sent. If the clipboard is currently not available (for example
            //it is used by another application) the method throws an
            //IllegalStateException.
            tran = clipboard.getContents(null);

        } catch (IllegalStateException ex) {
            System.out.println("The clipboard is unavailable.");
            return;
        }

        if (tran != null &&
                tran.isDataFlavorSupported(DataFlavor.stringFlavor)) {

            try {

                String clipboardContent =
                        (String)tran.getTransferData(DataFlavor.stringFlavor);

                System.out.println(clipboardContent);

            } catch (UnsupportedFlavorException ex) {
                ex.printStackTrace();
            } catch (IOException ex) {
                ex.printStackTrace();
            }
        }
    }
    /**
     * @param args the command line arguments
     */
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        new Main().displayTextFromClipboard();
    }

}

Do you know your Java?
Take a Ten-Question-Java-Quiz!

Search for code examples on this site

Need help with your Java code? It's secure and confidential.

This is how it works:

Send a detailed description of what you need help with, the more details the better. Also provide a deadline for when it has to be finished. More time means better chance of putting your request into the schedule.

If the request is serious you will shortly receive an email with the price, to which you have to respond if you accept.

Once you have accepted, the work will begin on developing your code by an experienced Java developer. When the code is finished a link to a secure payment will be sent to you.

The source code is then sent to you once the payment is completed.

IMPORTANT! The request needs to be very detailed, else it may be ignored.

Write your detailed request here:

E-mail address: