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Why don't web browsers use SMART copy, cut and paste?

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by FredMcD

rstevenson
rstevenson
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I'm used to cut, copy and paste commands being smart about spaces before or after the affected text. For example, if I cut a word out of a sentence, I shouldn't be left with two spaces. Instead, one of those spaces should disappear with the word. Similarly, when I paste a word in it shouldn't be stuck up aginst an adjacent word, there should be a space automatically added. As I'm sure you know, this is the common behaviour in all editing apps, and has been so for at least the last 33 years or so, since the Mac came out. But not in browsers. Since this is true of all the browsers I've tested, I'm wondering why? Anyone have a definitive answer? Anyone have a workaround?

Thanks

I'm used to cut, copy and paste commands being smart about spaces before or after the affected text. For example, if I cut a word out of a sentence, I shouldn't be left with two spaces. Instead, one of those spaces should disappear with the word. Similarly, when I paste a word in it shouldn't be stuck up aginst an adjacent word, there should be a space automatically added. As I'm sure you know, this is the common behaviour in all editing apps, and has been so for at least the last 33 years or so, since the Mac came out. But not in browsers. Since this is true of all the browsers I've tested, I'm wondering why? Anyone have a definitive answer? Anyone have a workaround? Thanks

All Replies (6)

FredMcD
FredMcD
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https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/copy-as-plain-text/ Copy As Plain Text Removes formatting from copied text.

rstevenson
rstevenson Question owner
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Thanks Fred. That linked page has this in it... "NOTE: An unsigned updated version with new features is available on the forum. There are significant updates and fixes with this version. They will be included in the next version that shows up here, but you can start using them right away by downloading from the forum." Alas, when I click the link on the word 'forum', I get a page full of PHP errors. Something about that makes me reluctant to install this addon, so I'll just ask: does this addon also correctly add a space when required during a paste? Nothing in the addon description mentions that.

Thanks

Happy112
Happy112
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Hi  !

This replaces the above mentioned add-on and is compatible with
Firefox 57+ :

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/copy-plaintext/

If however, this add-on does what you want : I guess you could give it a try and find out .....

Modified by Happy112

rstevenson
rstevenson Question owner
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Thanks for the suggestion.

Installed, restarted FF... addon doesn't do anything as far as I can see. They suggest changing the system-wide behaviour of the function keys (which I won't do for one addon) to get their keyboard shortcuts to work.

Oh well.

I'm still wondering why cut, copy and paste don't work in browsers the way they do everywhere else in my system. Anyone know?

Happy112
Happy112
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rstevenson said

I'm still wondering why cut, copy and paste don't work in browsers the way they do everywhere else in my system. Anyone know?

Quite frankly : I've never even given it any thought, for I always click where I want, whatever it is I want to paste, to 'land' - never thought of it as too much hassle .....

FredMcD
FredMcD
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With the add-on I posted, what you do is mark the text you want, then right-click and select Copy As Plain Text.

The other add-on should be much the same.

In using the add-on, spaces before and after are removed. Only the text is copied. No command scripts.