Chrome and Edge Get Smarter Clipboard Handling With “Selective Format Read”
Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge have introduced a new clipboard optimization called Selective Format Read, improving how websites access copied content. Available by default in version 149 of both browsers, the feature reduces unnecessary memory usage and speeds up paste operations by allowing web apps to request only the clipboard data they actually need.
The enhancement works automatically across all websites without requiring updates from developers.
A More Efficient Clipboard Process
Previously, when users pasted content into a website, browsers retrieved every data format stored in the clipboard, including:
- Plain text
- HTML formatting
- Images
- Rich text
- Other clipboard metadata
Even if a web application only needed plain text, the browser still processed all available formats. This could increase memory usage and introduce slight delays, particularly when copying large or richly formatted content.
How Selective Format Read Works
With Selective Format Read, the browser first checks which types of data are available in the clipboard.
Instead of loading everything, the web application requests only the specific format it requires. For example, a note-taking app may request plain text, while an image editor may request only image data.
By transferring only the necessary information, the browser reduces unnecessary processing and improves overall efficiency.
Benefits for Users
Although the change happens behind the scenes, users may notice several improvements:
- Faster paste operations
- Lower memory consumption
- Improved responsiveness in web applications
- Better handling of large or complex clipboard contents
The optimization is especially useful when copying content from word processors, spreadsheets, web pages, or applications that place multiple data formats on the clipboard simultaneously.
Available Now
Selective Format Read is enabled by default in Chrome 149 and Microsoft Edge 149.
Because the feature is implemented directly within the browser, all compatible websites benefit automatically without requiring any changes from developers, making clipboard operations more efficient across the web.