GetClipboardData

GetClipboardData is a function in the Windows API that retrieves data from the clipboard. It is part of the Clipboard API, which provides functions for manipulating the clipboard, a temporary storage area for data transferred between applications. The function is declared in the Windows.h header file and is typically used in Windows applications to access the data that has been placed on the clipboard by another application.

The GetClipboardData function takes a single parameter, which is a clipboard format identifier. This identifier specifies the format of the data to be retrieved from the clipboard. The function returns a handle to the data object, which can then be used to access the actual data. If the function fails, it returns NULL.

The clipboard format identifier can be one of the predefined formats, such as CF_TEXT for text data or CF_BITMAP for bitmap data, or it can be a custom format registered by an application. The data object returned by GetClipboardData must be freed using the GlobalFree function to avoid memory leaks.

GetClipboardData is often used in conjunction with other clipboard functions, such as OpenClipboard and CloseClipboard, which are used to open and close the clipboard, respectively. It is also commonly used with the SetClipboardData function, which places data onto the clipboard.

The function is typically used in the context of clipboard operations, such as copying and pasting text or images between applications. It is a fundamental part of the Windows API and is widely used in Windows programming to facilitate data transfer between applications.