Copy to Clipboard

Copy text, URLs, and data to clipboard using action buttons

The "Copy to Clipboard" action allows users to copy text, URLs, field values, or formatted data to their clipboard with a single click. This is perfect for sharing information, copying IDs, URLs, or any text-based data that users need to paste elsewhere.

When to Use Copy to Clipboard

Use the Copy to Clipboard action when you want to:

Copy record identifiers: Order numbers, tracking IDs, reference codes
Share links: Deep links to records, external URLs, shareable links
Copy contact information: Email addresses, phone numbers, addresses
Export formatted data: JSON, CSV lines, code snippets
Share text content: Descriptions, notes, formatted messages
Quick data transfer: Copy data for pasting into external tools

Setting Up Copy to Clipboard Action

Step 1: Create the Action Button

In build mode, navigate to the record page where you want the button
Click the "+" button in the Action Buttons section
Click the edit icon to configure the button

Step 2: Configure Button Appearance

Button Text: Clear action label (e.g., "Copy Link", "Copy Email", "Copy ID")
Appearance: Usually Default or Information (blue)
Icon: Copy icon, clipboard icon, or link icon
Button Tooltip: Explain what will be copied
Type: "One click" (copies immediately without confirmation)

Step 3: Configure What to Copy

What Should Happen: Select Copy to clipboard

Text to Copy: Enter the text or use dynamic field values

Dynamic Text Options

You can copy:

Static text: "Contact us at [email protected]"
Field values: {{record.order_number}}
Formatted text: Combine text and fields
Multiple fields: {{record.first_name}} {{record.last_name}}
URLs: https://app.company.com/records/{{record.id}}
Complex templates: Multi-line formatted text

Step 4: Configure Success Notification

Notification: Turn On (recommended)
Notification Type: Success (green) or Information (blue)
Notification Text: Confirm what was copied (e.g., "Link copied!", "Email copied to clipboard")

Common Use Cases

1. Copy Record ID or Reference Number

Scenario: Copy order number for customer support

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Order #"
Icon: Copy icon
Type: One click

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy: {{record.order_number}}
Notification: "Order number copied!"

2. Copy Email Address

Scenario: Copy customer email to paste into email client

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Email"
Icon: Clipboard icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy: {{record.email}}
Notification: "Email address copied to clipboard"

3. Copy Phone Number

Scenario: Copy formatted phone number

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Phone"
Icon: Phone icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy: {{record.phone_number}}
Notification: "Phone number copied!"

4. Copy Deep Link to Record

Scenario: Share a direct link to the record

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Link to Record"
Icon: Link icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy: https://app.company.com/orders/{{record.id}}
Notification: "Record link copied to clipboard"

Use Case: Users can paste this link in emails, chat, or documentation to reference specific records.

5. Copy Formatted Address

Scenario: Copy full mailing address

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Address"
Icon: Map pin icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy:

{{record.street_address}}
{{record.city}}, {{record.state}} {{record.zip_code}}
{{record.country}}

Notification: "Address copied to clipboard"

6. Copy API Key or Token

Scenario: Copy authentication credentials

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy API Key"
Icon: Key icon
Appearance: Warning

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy: {{record.api_key}}
Notification: "API key copied! Keep this secure."

Security Note: Use visibility rules to restrict access to sensitive credentials.

7. Copy Tracking Link

Scenario: Copy shipping tracking URL

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Tracking Link"
Icon: Package icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy: https://tracking.courier.com?tracking={{record.tracking_number}}
Notification: "Tracking link copied!"

8. Copy Formatted Message Template

Scenario: Copy pre-written customer message

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Customer Message"
Icon: Message icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy:

Hello {{record.customer.first_name}},

Your order #{{record.order_number}} has been shipped!

Tracking number: {{record.tracking_number}}
Estimated delivery: {{record.estimated_delivery_date}}

Thank you for your business!

Notification: "Message template copied!"

Use Case: Customer service reps can copy and paste into email clients with personalized data already filled in.

9. Copy JSON Data

Scenario: Copy record data in JSON format for developers

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy as JSON"
Icon: Code icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy:

{
  "id": "{{record.id}}",
  "order_number": "{{record.order_number}}",
  "customer": "{{record.customer.name}}",
  "total": {{record.total}},
  "status": "{{record.status}}"
}

Notification: "JSON data copied"

Scenario: Copy pre-formatted social media post

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Share Text"
Icon: Share icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy:

Check out {{record.product_name}}!
{{record.description}}

Learn more: {{record.product_url}}
#product #announcement

Notification: "Share text copied! Ready to post."

11. Copy Meeting/Calendar Details

Scenario: Copy meeting information

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Meeting Details"
Icon: Calendar icon

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy:

Meeting: {{record.title}}
Date: {{record.meeting_date}}
Time: {{record.meeting_time}}
Location: {{record.location}}
Attendees: {{record.attendees}}

Join URL: {{record.meeting_url}}

Notification: "Meeting details copied!"

12. Copy Discount Code

Scenario: Copy promotional code for customers

Button Configuration:

Button Text: "Copy Discount Code"
Icon: Tag icon
Appearance: Success

Copy Configuration:

Text to Copy: {{record.discount_code}}
Notification: "Discount code copied: {{record.discount_code}}"

Advanced Use Cases

Copy with Conditional Content

While you can't use conditional logic in the copy text directly, you can create multiple buttons with visibility rules:

Button 1 (show when Status = "Shipped"):

Text: "Copy Shipping Message"
Copy: Message about shipped status

Button 2 (show when Status = "Delivered"):

Text: "Copy Delivery Message"
Copy: Message about delivery

Copy Multiple Formats

Provide different copy buttons for different formats:

Button 1: "Copy Plain Text"

Copy: Simple text version

Button 2: "Copy Markdown"

Copy: Markdown-formatted version

Button 3: "Copy HTML"

Copy: HTML-formatted version

Copy for Different Audiences

Button 1: "Copy Customer Message"

Copy: Customer-friendly text

Button 2: "Copy Internal Notes"

Copy: Internal reference information

Use visibility rules to show appropriate buttons to different user roles.

Best Practices

Button Labels

✅ Be specific about what's being copied ("Copy Email" not just "Copy")
✅ Use action-oriented text starting with "Copy"
✅ Keep labels concise
✅ Match icon to what's being copied

Notification Messages

✅ Confirm what was copied
✅ Keep notifications brief
✅ Use Success (green) type for confirmation
✅ Include actual value if helpful: "Copied: order-12345"

Copy Content

✅ Format text for paste destination
✅ Include line breaks where appropriate
✅ Use proper spacing and formatting
✅ Test by pasting into target applications
✅ Keep it concise when possible

Security

✅ Use visibility rules for sensitive data
✅ Warn users when copying credentials
✅ Consider logging copy actions for audit
✅ Don't copy passwords in plain text if avoidable
✅ Restrict access to API keys and tokens

User Experience

✅ Always use "One click" type (no confirmation needed)
✅ Show clear success notification
✅ Test on different devices and browsers
✅ Provide tooltip context
✅ Place copy buttons near relevant data

Troubleshooting

Copy Doesn't Work

Issue: Clicking button doesn't copy to clipboard

Solutions:

Browser permissions: Some browsers require user permission for clipboard access
HTTPS required: Clipboard API requires secure context (HTTPS)
User interaction: Some browsers require direct user click (not programmatic)
Incognito mode: Test in incognito to rule out extensions
Browser compatibility: Ensure browser supports Clipboard API

Dynamic Fields Don't Populate

Issue: {{record.field}} appears as literal text

Solutions:

Verify field name is spelled correctly (case-sensitive)
Check that field exists on the current record
Ensure field has a value (not null/empty)
For related fields use: {{record.relationship.field}}
Test with a record that has all fields populated

Formatted Text Loses Formatting

Issue: Line breaks or spacing don't copy correctly

Solutions:

Use explicit line breaks in copy text
Test pasting into different applications
Some apps strip formatting when pasting
Consider using Markdown or HTML if target supports it
Provide "Copy Plain Text" alternative

Nothing Shows in Clipboard

Issue: Paste shows nothing or shows wrong content

Solutions:

Check notification confirms copy succeeded
Try pasting immediately after copying
Test in simple text editor first (like Notepad)
Clear clipboard before testing
Check for browser extensions interfering

Copy Works on Desktop, Not Mobile

Issue: Copy action fails on mobile devices

Solutions:

Some mobile browsers have limited clipboard support
Ensure HTTPS is used
Test on different mobile browsers
Mobile browsers may show paste prompt
Provide fallback: show text in modal to manually copy

Security/Permissions Error

Issue: Browser blocks clipboard access

Solutions:

User must grant clipboard permission
Ensure site is HTTPS
Check browser clipboard permissions settings
Some corporate policies block clipboard access
Test in different browser

Browser Compatibility

Modern Browsers (Full Support)

✅ Chrome/Edge 66+
✅ Firefox 63+
✅ Safari 13.1+
✅ Opera 53+

Mobile Browsers

✅ iOS Safari 13.4+
✅ Chrome Android 84+
⚠️ Some limitations on older mobile browsers

Fallback Strategies

If clipboard API isn't supported:

Show text in a modal for manual copying
Use older execCommand method (deprecated but wider support)
Provide "Copy" instructions to users

Security Considerations

Sensitive Data

⚠️ Be cautious copying passwords, API keys, tokens
⚠️ Use visibility rules to restrict access
⚠️ Consider encryption for very sensitive data
⚠️ Warn users about security when copying credentials
⚠️ Log copy actions for audit trails when needed

Clipboard History

⚠️ Users' clipboard managers may store copied data
⚠️ Don't copy sensitive data users don't expect
⚠️ Warn if data will be in clipboard history
⚠️ Consider time-limited tokens instead of permanent keys

User Privacy

⚠️ Don't copy more data than necessary
⚠️ Respect user expectations about what's being copied
⚠️ Clear notification messages about what was copied
⚠️ Give users control over what they copy

Accessibility

Keyboard Access

✅ Button should be keyboard-accessible
✅ Enter/Space should trigger copy action
✅ Focus indication should be clear
✅ Success notification should be announced to screen readers

Screen Readers

✅ Use descriptive button text
✅ Success notification should be audible
✅ ARIA labels if needed
✅ Indicate copy action in button name

Mobile Considerations

Mobile-Specific Behaviors

Mobile browsers may show "Copied!" toast notification
Some mobile OS show paste suggestion after copy
Touch targets should be large enough (44x44px minimum)
Test on actual mobile devices

Mobile UX Best Practices

Make buttons touch-friendly
Provide clear visual feedback
Test with mobile keyboards open
Consider modal fallback for problematic browsers

Combining with Other Actions

Copy Then Navigate

Step 1 - Copy to Clipboard:

Copy: Tracking URL

Step 2 - Navigate To:

Navigate to: Customer page

Use Case: Copy information, then go to next step in workflow.

Show Message Then Copy

Step 1 - Show Message:

Display instructions or context

Step 2 - Copy to Clipboard:

Copy: Relevant data

Use Case: Explain what they're copying and why.

Update Then Copy

Step 1 - Update Record:

Generate new API key

Step 2 - Copy to Clipboard:

Copy: New API key

Use Case: Create new credential then immediately copy it.

Testing Copy Actions

Testing Checklist

Common Paste Destinations

Text editors (Notepad, TextEdit)
Email clients (Gmail, Outlook)
Chat applications (Slack, Teams)
Code editors (VS Code)
Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)
Web forms

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When to Use Copy to Clipboard

Setting Up Copy to Clipboard Action

Step 1: Create the Action Button

Step 2: Configure Button Appearance

Step 3: Configure What to Copy

Dynamic Text Options

Step 4: Configure Success Notification

Common Use Cases

1. Copy Record ID or Reference Number

2. Copy Email Address

3. Copy Phone Number

4. Copy Deep Link to Record

5. Copy Formatted Address

6. Copy API Key or Token

7. Copy Tracking Link

8. Copy Formatted Message Template

9. Copy JSON Data

10. Copy Share Text for Social Media

11. Copy Meeting/Calendar Details

12. Copy Discount Code

Advanced Use Cases

Copy with Conditional Content

Copy Multiple Formats

Copy for Different Audiences

Best Practices

Button Labels

Notification Messages

Copy Content

Security

User Experience

Troubleshooting

Copy Doesn't Work

Dynamic Fields Don't Populate

Formatted Text Loses Formatting

Nothing Shows in Clipboard

Copy Works on Desktop, Not Mobile

Security/Permissions Error

Browser Compatibility

Modern Browsers (Full Support)

Mobile Browsers

Fallback Strategies

Security Considerations

Sensitive Data

Clipboard History

User Privacy

Accessibility

Keyboard Access

Screen Readers

Mobile Considerations

Mobile-Specific Behaviors

Mobile UX Best Practices

Combining with Other Actions

Copy Then Navigate

Show Message Then Copy

Update Then Copy

Testing Copy Actions

Testing Checklist

Common Paste Destinations