Question 1

How do I use clipboard.js with React or Vue?

Accepted Answer

Instantiate ClipboardJS in component lifecycle methods like useEffect or mounted, and use the imperative API for dynamic elements. Remember to clean up with destroy() on unmount to prevent memory leaks, as clipboard.js isn't natively integrated with these frameworks.

Question 2

clipboard.js vs the native Clipboard API: which should I use?

Accepted Answer

clipboard.js is simpler and has broader immediate browser support, but the native Clipboard API is more secure and future-proof. Use clipboard.js for quick setups or older browser compatibility, and switch to the native API for modern apps requiring permission prompts and better security.

Question 3

How to show a custom tooltip after copying with clipboard.js?

Accepted Answer

Listen to the success event and update your UI accordingly—for example, by toggling a CSS class for a tooltip. The README recommends using external libraries like GitHub's Primer since clipboard.js provides no built-in styling.

Question 4

Does clipboard.js work on all mobile browsers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it supports modern mobile browsers that implement the execCommand API, such as Chrome and Safari on iOS. Check the browser support table for specific versions, and use graceful degradation with error events for older devices.

Question 5

Can clipboard.js copy text from elements added dynamically after page load?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but you may need to re-initialize ClipboardJS or use event delegation carefully. The imperative API allows dynamic target selection, but for new elements, ensure event listeners are attached, possibly by instantiating on parent containers.

Question 6

What happens if clipboard.js fails in an unsupported browser?

Accepted Answer

It fires an error event, and you can handle it by showing a fallback message like 'Press Ctrl+C to copy'. The library gracefully degrades by selecting the text automatically, allowing users to copy manually.

Clipboard.js

What is Clipboard.js?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions