How can I use C# Clipboard to get selected text from notepad

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Is there anyway to use the Clipboard class to copy the selected text from the currently active process? I have a keyboard hook set up and I do catch the key press.

Update: Well, I haven't tried anything because I dont know what to try! Is there a way for me to return to my program the selected text from notepad basically.

Posted 2-Jun-11 22:38pm

DominicZA

Updated 2-Jun-11 22:55pm

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RakeshMeena 3-Jun-11 4:49am

What have you tried till now? Please post!

Ciumac Sergiu 3-Jun-11 5:12am

You would like to get the selected text, or copied text? If selected, then it wont be a simple task at all.

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OriginalGriff · Answer 1 · 2011-06-02T23:29:00

It's not very nice! But it works:

C#

[DllImport("User32.dll")]
public static extern bool SetForegroundWindow(IntPtr hWnd);
private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
    {
    foreach (Process proc in Process.GetProcesses())
        {
        if (proc.MainWindowTitle.Contains("Notepad"))
            {
            SetForegroundWindow(proc.MainWindowHandle);
            Thread.Sleep(1000);
            SendKeys.SendWait("^C");
            //IDataObject idata = Clipboard.GetDataObject();
            //Console.WriteLine(idata.ToString());
            if (Clipboard.ContainsText())
                {
                string text = Clipboard.GetText(TextDataFormat.UnicodeText);
                Console.WriteLine(text);
                }
            else
                {
                Console.WriteLine("No Text");
                }
            }
        }
    }

You can cut down the sleep value, but you do need to suspend the task briefly to allow the set foreground window to work.

Luis Perez ----- (Simply Good Code) · Answer 2 · 2012-08-01T17:48:00

Solution 2

As an alternative have you considered embedding a notepad clone into your application that way you have full control over how it behaves. I created an exact clone of notepad exactly for that purpose. You can find it here: http://www.simplygoodcode.com/2012/04/notepad-clone-in-net-winforms.html[^]

Posted 1-Aug-12 17:48pm

Luis Perez ----- (Simply Good Code)