Is there a reliable way to access the client machine's clipboard using Javascript? I continue to run into permissions issues when attempting to do this. How does Google Docs do this? Do they use Flash?
My primary target is IE8, but would like to support FF and Chrome also.
I have seen the technique to do this using Flash, but am looking for a pure js route:
Clipboard access using Flash
Forget pure JS.
There is no standard API for accessing the clipboard, and few browsers implement a propriety method.
Flash is the 'standard' method.
No, not in FF and Chrome. It works in IE (not sure about 7 and 8, but definitively 6), and from Flash. That is why Flash is always used.
What do you want the clipboard data for and when do you want it? If you're interecpting a user paste, there are things that can be done with pure JavaScript.
You're looking for the execCommand function, at least the best I can tell. Here are some resources:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/252151/insert-text-in-javascript-contenteditable-div
http://www.java2s.com/Code/JavaScriptReference/Javascript-Methods/execCommandisappliedto.htm
Unfortunately, this runs into the same security loophole that Flash sealed in Flash 9. Since people were spamming the clipboard, the clipboard is now only accessible through direct user interaction, and honestly, it is better that way. And I'll wager that most browsers have similar (if not stricter policies).
Since this is a big security risk, all browsers that care about safety don't allow JS to access the clipboard.
The main reason is that many people put their passwords into a text file and then use cut&paste to login. Crackers could then collect the password (and possibly other private information like the word document which you just copied) from the clipboard by cracking a popular site and installing some JS that sends them the content of the clipboard.
Which is why I have flash disabled all the time.
http://www.rodsdot.com/ee/cross_browser_clipboard_copy_with_pop_over_message.asp implements the ZeroClipboard flash object correctly and is cross browser. It also discusses the potential problems with ZeroClipboard and possible work-arounds. Also compatible with Flash 10+.