Can't copy text from a website? Occasionally, you might come across web pages that block you from copying and pasting their content. Even switching to a different web browser (like Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge) won't enable you to copy the text. The reason you can't copy text from a website is typically because the site has implemented restriction settings to disable standard copying methods. But fear not! We have seven practical tips to help you overcome this issue.
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Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
---|---|
Method 1. Copy through Print | Right-click the web page that won't let you copy...Full steps |
Method 2. Copy from Source Code | Right-click the current web page you cannot copy...Full steps |
Method 3. Drag and Drop to Paste | Right-click on the mouse and don't let go...Full steps |
Method 4. Copy in the Search Box | Select the text to be copied, right-click on the...Full steps |
Method 5. Disable Javascript | Firefox users can press F12, then F1 to open the...Full steps |
Method 6. Convert Image to Text | You can use the Print Screen button to take a...Full steps |
Method 7. Install a Plugin Extension | Most plugins are available to enable selection...Full steps |
Copy Files to Make a Backup | Support Disk/partition backup, File backup...Full steps |
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
Effect: ★★★☆☆
Step 1. Right-click the webpage that prevents you from copying the full text and choose "Print." For instance, in Google Chrome, the highlighted circle in the screenshot below represents the Print option.
Step 2. In the preview window, unselect printing and opt for copying the pages instead. If you don't mind including unnecessary text from headers and footers, press Ctrl+A to select all content on the pages, and then press Ctrl+C to copy everything. Following that, create a new text document and press Ctrl+V to paste all the text into it.
Step 3. Remove the unwanted texts after copying and pasting.
Difficulty: ★★★★☆ Effect: ★★★☆
Step 1. Right-click on the current web page where you can't copy any content, and select "View source code" (Ctrl+U is the shortcut key to open the source code in Google Chrome).
Step 2. Programmers frequently use source code, which may appear somewhat unfamiliar to us due to the numerous lines of code we don't understand. However, we can still locate the main content we're interested in by using Ctrl+F to search for our preferred content area. For instance, enter an initial phrase or sentence in the "Find" box and press Enter. The exact text will be highlighted. Follow the highlighted text and drag your mouse to select all the text you need, then choose "Copy."
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆ Effect: ★★☆☆☆
This is the quickest and simplest method, but it works differently on web pages. I tested this approach and it worked on my office computer, but wasn't effective on my home laptop. It's still worth a try since it's easy and fast.
Step 1. Right-click on the mouse and hold down, then move the cursor to highlight the text you wish to copy.
Step 2. Drag the selected text to the location where you want to paste it.
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆ Effect: ★★☆☆☆
Most popular web browsers, such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Google Chrome, have a built-in Search function. This copy and paste method can generally help you bypass restrictions on most websites. Let's take Google Chrome as an example.
Step 1. Select the text you want to copy, right-click on the highlighted content, and choose "Search Google for..." If there's too much text to copy, you can repeat this process for several phrases.
Step 2. The search page will open in a new window. You can then double-click the search box area to select all the text. Press Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste it into a new document.
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Effect: ★★★☆☆
JavaScript is commonly employed to disable mouse functionality on many websites. Typically, websites that utilize JavaScript can block the ability to click with the mouse and prevent visitors from copying any or all of the displayed text onto their clipboard. By temporarily disabling JavaScript on a site, you'll be able to copy any text that appears on the page. Here's how to do it:
Difficulty: ★★★★☆ Effect: ★★★★☆
If none of the aforementioned methods assist you in overcoming the copy and paste restriction, your final option is to take a screenshot of the entire page or a specific section, and then utilize an image-to-text converter to transform the image into editable text.
You'll need to utilize some online software or extensions/plugins to make it work.
Step 1. Capture a screenshot on Windows. You can use the Print Screen key to take a screenshot of the entire screen. Alternatively, install a Chrome extension called GoFullPage to capture a lengthy screenshot of a webpage.
Step 2. Crop the screenshot image and retain only the desired text.
Step 3. Utilize an image-to-text converter to recognize the text within the image, and then automatically translate it into words. Some online chatting applications like QQ and WeChat offer users a free option to translate text within images.
Step 4. You might need to do some proofreading after the conversion. Most apps can accurately recognize the text in the image.
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Effect: ★★★★☆
Most plugins are available to enable selection on no-copying sites and allow copying and pasting on prohibited pages. One plugin that we tested to be effective is called SuperCopy. Click the link to add it to Chrome and give it a try.
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As mentioned in the post, you can copy text that is protected through printing, copying from source code, using drag and drop to paste, copying in the search box, disabling JavaScript, installing a plugin extension, and so on.
There might be instances when you encounter a PDF document from which you're unable to copy text. Here are some strategies that could assist you: