Getting RTF data out of Mac OS X pasteboard (clipboard)

Question

According to the man page for pbpaste,

   -Prefer {txt | rtf | ps}
          tells pbpaste what type of data to look for  in  the          


        

Answer 1

It is very easy via AppleScript (tested in 10.11 El Capitan):

set the clipboard to (the clipboard as «class RTF »)

---

You can create a Service via Automator:

1. open Automator
2. make new service ("Dienst" in German)
3. add "execute a AppleScript"
4. input: nothing; output; replaces Selection

The Script:

-- name: convert to RTF
on run {input, parameters}
    set the clipboard to (the clipboard as «class RTF »)
    return the clipboard
end run

Done. Now save the new Service and to try it out: Select a text, then go to the Application Menu and choose "Services" > "convert to RTF"