How to View Clipboard History on Mac
Copy and Paste have become so ingrained in our everyday usage of computers, that using the command+C and command+V shortcuts is pretty much muscle memory at this point, and we don’t usually put any thought into how it works. However, have you ever found yourself wanting to retrieve something from your clipboard that you copied a while ago? Maybe you accidentally copied something else, or you just realized you need to access an older item you copied earlier. Whatever the reason, if you’re a Mac user, you’re in luck because macOS offers a way to view clipboard history. In this article, we will guide you on how to access and view your clipboard history on Mac.
Using a Clipboard Manager
One of the easiest ways to view your clipboard history on Mac is by using a third-party clipboard manager. Clipboard managers are nifty tools that not only enable you to view your clipboard history but also provide additional features, like the ability to sync your clipboard across devices, organize your copied items, and more.
There are many clipboard manager applications available for macOS, and some popular ones include 1Clipboard, Paste, and Clipboard Fusion. These applications are feature-rich and offer various customization options to enhance your clipboard experience on Mac.
Using AppleScript
Another method to view clipboard history on Mac is by using AppleScript. AppleScript enables you to automate tasks on your Mac, and it provides a way to access your clipboard history as well.
Follow these steps to use AppleScript and view your clipboard history on Mac:
- Launch the AppleScript Editor application on your Mac. You can find it by searching in Spotlight or navigating to
/Applications/Utilities/AppleScript Editor.app
. - Copy and paste the following script into the AppleScript Editor:
set the clipboard_history to (the clipboard as text)
set the clipboard_entries to the paragraphs of the clipboard_history
set the clipboard_entries_reversed to reverse of the clipboard_entries
set the clipboard_history_reversed to the paragraphs of (the clipboard_entries_reversed as text)
set AppleScript's text item delimiters to return
set the clipboard_history_formatted to the clipboard_history_reversed as text
- Click on the Run button (or simply press Command+R) to execute the script.
- A dialog box will appear, displaying your clipboard history.
This method requires a bit more technical knowledge, but it provides a straightforward way to view your clipboard history without installing any third-party tools.
Using Terminal
If you prefer using Terminal and know your way around commands, you can also use a command-line tool called pbpaste
to view your clipboard history on Mac.
Follow these steps to view your clipboard history using Terminal:
- Launch the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it by searching in Spotlight or navigating to
/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app
. - Type the following command in Terminal and press Enter:
pbpaste | pbcopy
This command will display your clipboard history in the Terminal window.
These are the methods you can use to view your clipboard history on a Mac. Whether you choose to use a clipboard manager, AppleScript, or Terminal, you now have the tools to access older items you copied to your clipboard. Give these methods a try and see which one works best for you.
Main Takeaway
Being able to access your clipboard history can be extremely useful, especially when you need to retrieve something you copied earlier. Mac offers several methods to view your clipboard history, including using a clipboard manager, AppleScript, or Terminal. So, go ahead and give these methods a shot and enhance your clipboard experience on your Mac.