Copying and pasting can be a right faff.
You grab something important, paste it into your document, and then realise you need the thing you copied before that.
But, you don’t have to! Your copied stuff can be neatly saved, ready for you to pick and paste whenever you need it.
This is where clipboard history comes in. It’s a simple tool that can make a big difference. Our blog this week will give you a quick run down of how to use it.
What’s Clipboard History, and Why Should You Care?
Clipboard history is like a notepad that remembers everything you’ve copied, not just the last thing. Instead of overwriting your clipboard every time you click “copy,” it keeps a list of all the bits you’ve copied – texts, images, links, etc.
It’s brilliant for those who need to copy the same things over and over, or who regularly forget what was copied five seconds ago (it happens to the best of us!)
The Clipboard Manager
Clipboard history isn’t just about remembering what you’ve copied – it can actually make your workflow much smoother. Once you’ve enabled it, it keeps a list of everything you’ve copied recently, so you can revisit it whenever you need.
- If you’re using Windows 10 or 11, it’s already built in. Just press Windows key + V to open your clipboard history. You’ll see a tidy list of everything you’ve copied recently, ready to paste with a click.
- Mac users, unfortunately, don’t have a built-in option yet, but there are ways to explore similar functionality using system preferences or shortcuts.
Clipboard history might seem like a small change, but it’s definitely handy for tackling repetitive tasks, saving frequently used phrases, or quickly finding something you thought you’d lost.
Shortcuts that you may find helpful
Clipboard history gets even better when you pair it with a few shortcuts.
Here’s how to save yourself loads of time:
- Enable Clipboard History: On Windows, press Windows key + V to turn it on. (Mac users will need an app).
- Search Your Clipboard: Just type in what you’re looking for.
- Pin Common Phrases: If you have a favourite sign-off for your emails or a list of hashtags that you use all the time – you can pin them for quick access:
- Open the clipboard history by pressing Windows + V.
- Click the three dots next to the item you want to pin.
- Select “Pin” from the menu that pops up.
- Repeat this process for all items you want to keep.
Ways that Clipboard History Can Help You
- Customer Service: Quickly paste common responses to emails without rewriting them.
- Data Entry: You can switch between multiple items.
- Marketing Tasks: Save your hashtags, links, and sign offs for campaigns.
- Everyday Life: Keep your email template or meeting links ready to go.
Ready to try it out?
Clipboard history isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s great for anyone who spends their day at a keyboard. Whether you’re trawling through emails, spreadsheets, or marketing plans, this trick can save you loads of time.
And if you’re curious about other ways to make tech work smarter for you, book a free 15-minute call with Nick: