Copy selected text from RichTextBox

Question

I have searched around on the net but I cannot find a method of copying/cutting/pasting selected text from a RichTextBox.

Even MSDN does not have an answer. The code they provide does not work: Copy() only appears to work on TextBoxes, not RichTextBoxes.

Answer 1

If you're using .NET 3.0 and above you can always use Clipboard.SetText()

I found it useful to use the Clipboard when I want everything in the richTextBox without having to select everything first or when I need to change the string:

string text = "Summary:" + Environment.NewLine + this.richTextBoxSummary.Text;
Clipboard.SetText(text);

Answer 2

if I copy this method:

Clipboard.SetText(richTextBox1.SelectedRtf, TextDataFormat.Rtf);

i can't paste to notepad

if I copy this method:

Clipboard.SetText(richTextBox1.SelectedText, TextDataFormat.UnicodeText);

it's working in Word and notepad, but inserts in word without formating

richTextBox1.Copy();

working in Word and notepad, but I can't modify string value.

How can I copy normally formatted string in Clipboard?

P.S. I found

DataObject dto = new DataObject();
dto.SetText(mesrtf, TextDataFormat.Rtf);
dto.SetText(mes, TextDataFormat.UnicodeText);
Clipboard.Clear();
Clipboard.SetDataObject(dto);

it works

Answer 3

richTextBox1.SelectAll();

richTextBox1.Copy();

/*

selects all the txt in the box and preserves formatting when u paste it again into notepad

*/

Answer 4

VB.NET code (Support both formatted and plain text)

Cut

 Private Sub CutToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles CutToolStripMenuItem.Click

        Try
            If RichTextBox1.SelectedText <> "" Then
                Clipboard.SetData(DataFormats.Rtf,RichTextBox1.SelectedRtf)
                RichTextBox1.SelectedRtf = ""
            Else
                MsgBox("No item is selected to cut", MsgBoxStyle.Information, "Cut")
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox("Can't cut the selected item", MsgBoxStyle.Critical, "Cut")
        End Try
    End Sub

Copy

 Private Sub CopyToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles CopyToolStripMenuItem.Click

        Try
            If RichTextBox1.SelectedText <> "" Then
                Clipboard.SetData(DataFormats.Rtf,RichTextBox1.SelectedRtf)
            Else
                MsgBox("No item is selected to copy", MsgBoxStyle.Information, "Copy")
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox("Can't copy the selected item", MsgBoxStyle.Critical, "Copy")
        End Try
    End Sub

Paste

 Private Sub PasteToolStripMenuItem_Click(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles PasteToolStripMenuItem.Click

        Try
            If Clipboard.ContainsText(TextDataFormat.Rtf) Then
                RichTextBox1.SelectedRtf = Clipboard.GetData(DataFormats.Rtf).ToString()
            ElseIf Clipboard.ContainsText(TextDataFormat.Text) Then
                RichTextBox1.SelectedText = Clipboard.GetData(DataFormats.Text).ToString()
            Else
                MsgBox("Clipboard is not contained with the valid text format ", MsgBoxStyle.Information, "Paste")
            End If
        Catch ex As Exception
            MsgBox("Can't paste the item", MsgBoxStyle.Critical, "Paste")
        End Try
    End Sub

Answer 5

in wpf just

richTextBox1.Copy();

richTextBox1.Paste();