Microsoft Edge, Chrome to get new clipboard features on Windows 10, Windows 11
Microsoft is working with Google on a new API called “Picking Clipboard” which will upgrade the existing clipboard functionality of browsers like Chrome and Edge.
The big clipboard update is expected to improve copy and paste functionality on Windows 10 and Windows 11. This change is especially useful for those dealing with online image editors, Office applications, and desktop platforms. download.
Microsoft’s new API will extend copy-paste functionality. Right now, you can use your browser to copy and paste a small selection of files between the website and Windows apps. The list of supported file formats includes .JPG or .JPEG, PNG, HTML, and a few other formats.
Chromium-based browsers currently rely on the Async Clipboard API, which will also power the new Pickling Clipboard, already allows applications to read and write commonly used formats to the operating system’s clipboard so that Web sites and native Windows applications can interact with them. For example, text and images.
With the offered Picple Clipboard API, you will be able to copy and paste a wide range of popular file types, such as .docx and TIFF. The docx format is used in Microsoft Word, while TIFF is used for graphic design. This change is expected to benefit various web applications that rely on user uploaded content.
In a further update to the status page, Microsoft officials confirmed that the feature is now likely to arrive with Chrome 98 or Edge 98. Keep in mind that plans are always subject to change and that there is no guarantee that we will see the major clipboard upgrade in Chrome 98.
What is the new Pickling Clipboard API for Chromium?
The Pickling Clipboard API will allow sites to interact with more clipboard formats. In addition to the support for a greater number of formats, developers will be able to create their own custom clipboard formats with copy-paste support provided their solution does not affect the security of the browser of the operating system itself.
These file types will be based on the operating system clipboard, so you will be able to copy the content of almost all popular file formats with your keyboard shortcut and share the content across different browsers, web apps, and desktop apps.
Microsoft has confirmed that the feature will be compatible with current security standards. Additionally, Microsoft will not allow these formats to interact with or compromise certain legacy native applications.
For best performance, Microsoft will ensure that the data in the clipboard is not cleaned by the browser. It can prevent data loss from clipboard when you copy and paste.
In addition to these Chromium enhancements, Microsoft is also working on Edge-only features, such as Windows Search integration and more.