Learn How to Copy Text with JavaScript

Learn How to Copy Text with JavaScript

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Setting Up the HTML File
3. Creating the Copy Text Function
4. Adding HTML Elements and IDs
5. Attaching the Click Event Handler
6. Getting the Text of the Element
7. Creating the Temporary Input Element
8. Setting the Value of the Input Element
9. Appending the Input Element to the DOM
10. Selecting the Input Element
11. Copying the Text
12. Removing the Input Element
13. Testing the Function
14. Conclusion

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will learn how to use JavaScript to copy text into the clipboard and paste it anywhere we want. This can be useful when you want to provide users with the ability to share information or paste it somewhere else. We will be using Visual Studio Code to write our code and Live Server to view the changes in real-time.

Setting Up the HTML File

To begin, open Visual Studio Code and create two new files: index.html and index.js. In the index.html file, create the basic HTML structure. Add a title to the document and create a <p> tag to display the text we want to copy. Next, add a button with an ID that we will use to grab it in JavaScript.

Creating the Copy Text Function

In the index.js file, we will create a function called copyText. This function will be a generic function that can be called for multiple copy text scenarios on different web pages. We will pass an HTML element as a parameter to the function.

Adding HTML Elements and IDs

In the HTML file, we need to add IDs to the elements we want to manipulate in JavaScript. Add an ID to the button element so we can grab it later using JavaScript.

Attaching the Click Event Handler

In the JavaScript file, use the document.querySelector method to select the button element using its ID and attach an event listener for the click event. Inside the event listener, call the copyText function and pass the HTML element of the <p> tag as a parameter.

Getting the Text of the Element

Within the copyText function, we need to retrieve the text of the HTML element. To do this, use the innerText property of the HTML element and store it in a variable.

Creating the Temporary Input Element

To use the execCommand copy function, we need to create a temporary input element and add it to the DOM. In JavaScript, use the document.createElement method to create an input element. Set the value of the input element to the text we retrieved earlier.

Setting the Value of the Input Element

To append the input element to the DOM, use the document.body.appendChild method. Pass the input element as a parameter. This will add the input element to the body of the HTML document.

Appending the Input Element to the DOM

To select the input element that contains the copied text, use the input element's select method. This will highlight the content of the input element.

Copying the Text

To copy the selected text, we will use the execCommand copy function. This function is a part of the document object and takes a command string as an argument. We will set the command string to "copy" using the execCommand method.

Removing the Input Element

After the text is copied, we need to remove the temporary input element from the DOM. Use the parentNode.removeChild method and pass the input element as a parameter. This will remove the input element from the DOM.

Testing the Function

To test the copyText function, click the copy text button. The text will be copied to the clipboard. You can verify this by pasting the copied text into a text editor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have learned how to use JavaScript to copy text into the clipboard and paste it anywhere we want. This can enhance the user experience by allowing users to easily share information or paste it somewhere else.