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Participant
June 22, 2021
Answered

Problems when copy-pasting text

  • June 22, 2021
  • 10 replies
  • 25915 views

I can't copy and paste text from illustrator to any other program. When I select some text on AI and then copy it in the, for example, Whatsapp App or on my NotePad app on my MacBook the text copies as an image with white background. This didn't happen before the last update.

¿Any thoughts?

Thanks 🙂

Correct answer Festive_Elixir15A9

I just try this trick and it worked, copy text (select the text and hit cmd+c) from your illustrator and paste at any program using (cmd+shift+v).

 

I hope it help..

10 replies

Participant
August 15, 2024

Agree with Yasir777's most simple answer..... On a mac, Its cmd+shift+option+v.    Without 'option' you get the weird styles coming through.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 15, 2024

@DuganBrowne  schrieb:

Agree with Yasir777's most simple answer..... On a mac, Its cmd+shift+option+v.    Without 'option' you get the weird styles coming through.


 

This does not work with all apps and it depends on your Mac OS version.

Participant
March 28, 2024

Hi, I have the same problem with text, Sometimes it works but often doesn`t work... 
This didn't happen before the last update. How to post a bug report to Adobe?

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 28, 2024

@zlatina0D44  schrieb:

Hi, I have the same problem with text, Sometimes it works but often doesn`t work... 
This didn't happen before the last update. How to post a bug report to Adobe?


 

You probably have some third party app messing with your clipboard.

Possibly one of these but not limited to them: 

  • WebRoot
  • Apple Terminal
  • Word, Excel, Powerpoint
  • »Enable Full Keyboard« in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard on Mac OS
  • Apple Mail, Outlook
  • Spacebar is used as a shortcut by the system
  • Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari
  • Wacom Desktop Center, Wacom settings
  • Windows Touch Pad problem
  • LastPass, Bitwarden (password managers)
  • The VPN
  • LangSwitcher app (it needs to be closed and disabled)

 

To post a bug report: https://illustrator.uservoice.com 

JRRGibbs
Participant
December 6, 2023

I was able to cmd+c and then cmd+shift+v into other applications from illustrator, but now that doesn't seem to be working anymore and it's just pasting an image again... Has anyone had any other solutions for this?

Known Participant
December 6, 2023

on a mac? try 'option / comannd / shift / V'

 

Try through the edit menu too, it's sometimes 'paste without formatting'

Known Participant
September 1, 2023

I GOT THIS TO WORK!! on my Mac, it's been bugging me so much!!

 

I copy text from illustrator and send to my clients in mail but i want it as actual editable text and not an image.

If i copy from illustrator the use 'option / comannd / shift / V together it work.

Or in the edit menu in mail 'paste and match style'

Known Participant
June 25, 2023

Did you ever find a resolve to this? This is the problem I'm having now. 

Participant
July 27, 2023

Hey! I have the same issue... Couldnt copy / paste from AI. I have tried to reinstall AI - doesnt help. I have completely removed all Adobe products and cleaned after them with their removal tool - nothing. That made me thinking..maybe its related to some Windows problem (like corrupted files after update) I made it to work after I did sfc /scannow from command line, then I was able to copy the text into the Wordpad, when i tried to paste the text into Word the loading wheel spins - its looking like its doing something but no. When you right click and go for paste there is possibility to "keep text only" then its working. 

Known Participant
September 1, 2023

Thanks for your comment, this method didn't work for me but without this, I wouldn't have found the option I need with is 'paste and match sytle' I'm using a Mac. Thanks

Festive_Elixir15A9Correct answer
Participant
June 12, 2023

I just try this trick and it worked, copy text (select the text and hit cmd+c) from your illustrator and paste at any program using (cmd+shift+v).

 

I hope it help..

Participant
August 1, 2023

OMG this worked Thanks!!

Participant
October 10, 2021

I have the same problem, it started in the past few days, I never had that before, and I usd to copy text from AI to WhatsApp every day.

I don't know if something changed in my AI version or the WhatsApp version or if it even has something to do with updating my mac, since it started to happened right after that.

Please help!

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 10, 2021

If you just updated the Mac and nothing else, then the Mac update is probably the reason for what you're experiencing.

Met1
Legend
June 30, 2021

Yeah, I have this problem sporadically, so I paste into a Text editing app first, then copy that and paste where I really want it to go, that usually works...

I've never been able to work out why it does and doesn't allow me to paste directly out of AI.

If it's a lot of text and/or different text frames, export as .txt

marliton
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 30, 2021

Hi. If you select text in Illustrator using the Text tool, copy and paste it into another program, it will paste as text with or without format depending on the application and its configuration. If you select text in Illustrator using the Select tool, copy and paste it into another non-adobe program, it will paste as a graphic and maybe you will get the background.

Try exporting the graphic or text as an image format like png (it supports transparency) and then, add the image to WhatsApp or another app.

 

Marlon Ceballos
Participant
June 30, 2021

Hey! I understand what you are saying but sometimes I need to copy the text just as text (not an image). I have copied and pasted text from Illustrator to another non-Adobe apps in the past and there was no problem at all 😞
I never had this issue with previous updates of Illustrator and I really need a solution!
This does not happen when I copy and paste text from and to InDesign.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 22, 2021

Do you select and copy the text object or the text?

Participant
June 30, 2021

I select the text.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 30, 2021

With the text tool?