copy and paste keeps pasting .txt

Guri Bee

2 min read

·

21-10-2024

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Why is My Copy and Paste Stuck on .txt?

Have you ever encountered a frustrating situation where your copy and paste function inexplicably defaults to pasting text files (.txt) instead of the actual content you copied? This can be incredibly frustrating when you're trying to paste images, documents, or even just plain text into a different program.

Here's a breakdown of the common culprits and how to fix this pesky problem, drawing on insights from GitHub discussions.

Common Causes:

1. Clipboard History: Some software applications, like text editors or web browsers, might have a clipboard history feature. This allows you to recall multiple items you've copied previously. If the last thing you copied was a .txt file, your clipboard history might be inadvertently defaulting to that file.

2. Automatic File Association: Your operating system might have an automatic file association set up where any text you copy is automatically saved as a .txt file.

3. Software Bugs: Sometimes, bugs in specific software applications can lead to the copy and paste functionality getting stuck on .txt files.

Solutions:

1. Clear Clipboard History:

   • Windows: You can use the "Ctrl + Shift + V" keyboard shortcut to access your clipboard history and clear unwanted entries.
   • macOS: Use the "Command + Option + V" keyboard shortcut to access your clipboard history and clear unwanted entries.
   • Specific Software: Look for "Clear Clipboard History" or "Clipboard Manager" options within the settings of the software you are using.

2. Disable Automatic File Association:

   • Windows:
     • Open File Explorer and navigate to the "This PC" section.
     • Right-click on a .txt file and select "Open with".
     • Choose the desired program you want to use for opening .txt files, then select "Always use this app to open .txt files".
   • macOS:
     • Open Finder and navigate to the "Applications" folder.
     • Right-click on TextEdit (or the default text editor) and select "Get Info".
     • Under the "General" tab, uncheck the box next to "Open with".

3. Update or Reinstall Software:

   • Check for Updates: Regularly update all your software applications to ensure you have the latest bug fixes.
   • Reinstall Software: If the problem persists, try reinstalling the affected application. This can often resolve bugs and reset default settings.

Practical Example:

Imagine you're working on a presentation in PowerPoint and you want to copy an image from a website. You use the "Ctrl + C" shortcut, but when you try to paste the image, only a .txt file appears on the slide. You've tried "Ctrl + V" and "Paste Special" but nothing seems to work.

Solution:

In this case, you can try clearing the clipboard history in PowerPoint or your web browser (where you copied the image from). Alternatively, you could try updating or reinstalling PowerPoint.

Additional Tips:

• Use a Dedicated Clipboard Manager: Clipboard managers like Ditto or ClipBoardFusion offer more robust control over your clipboard history and can help you avoid these types of issues.
• Consider Third-Party Tools: Some third-party tools, like Free Clipboard Manager, can help manage and organize your clipboard history, eliminating the need to clear it manually.

By understanding the common causes and applying these solutions, you can regain control over your copy and paste function and avoid the frustration of pasting unwanted .txt files.