Keyboard shortcuts save us a lot of time and that is why we use them very frequently. There are some that are already so integrated into us that we could even use them as synonyms. Who has not ever said “ctrl + z” instead of “undo”? Another example is the one that forms the pair “ctrl + c” and “ctrl + v” with which we send information to the clipboard. Today we are going to see how to improve this Windows utility with the Clipdiary program.
Although this native Windows tool has improved since its first version, it is always a good idea to look for alternatives to the clipboard . One of them is Clipdiary that will make our life easier thanks to the possibilities it offers us. However, if before starting this program you want to see where the clipboard is in Windows 10, you just have to press the shortcut “start + v” and the history with your latest cuts will appear.
Discovering Clipdiary
The interface is divided into four areas and although the design is somewhat old, everything is neat and clear. At the top we have the menu bar that includes file, clip , view, labels and help. Just below we have the icons dedicated to the most common functions. Below we can see the history of all our cuts. The bottom bar is dedicated to the search engine that will allow us to retrieve items copied to the clipboard quickly and easily.
One of the advantages of Clipdiary is that it allows a high degree of customization . In the “file” menu you can open the “options” window and adjust both general elements (starting or minimizing the program) and the appearance of the interface or the shortcuts.
In addition, you will be able to adapt the database that manages the clippings . This file will allow us to recover the clipboard history that will have, by default, 50,000 entries. By having so many entries, you don’t have to worry about recovering deleted items from the clipboard because they will always be there.
If you want to make a backup copy of the file, you only have to open the folder where it is located and copy it to a backup device. You will reach it through the “Open Folder” button that is under “Set Password”
Clipdiary pays attention to your privacy and therefore allows you to protect your database with a password. If you choose to encrypt the file , be careful because the program can run slower – especially with large databases – and you will not be able to recover the password if you lose it.
What makes Clipdiary so useful
Once installed and mounted in the system tray, you just have to use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + d” so that Windows launches the screen on the desktop and, thus, recover the clipboard .
When you see the user interface, choose the clipping you need and do one of the three available alternatives: paste paste in active window, paste to clipboard or Type in. This last option has the same result as the first, but simulates, with an animation, that the text is being written at that moment.
Clipdiary not only stores all your clippings, but also helps you manage them. When we select an entry in the history, a floating screen appears with various information: full text, creation date or application used. In the case of an image, the program offers a preview of it.
To have a greater control of the available clippings, a series of labels is included that allow to catalog the clips: star, important, work and personal. This function is complemented by the “view” menu. There we can screen the entries according to the label, thus showing us only the previously differentiated ones.
In addition to listing the clippings by labels, we can also do it by number of clippings. The program allows to show all the available ones or only the first hundred or thousand. This option is quite useful because, as we saw earlier, the database defaults to include 50,000 entries.
Another option to have our clippings located is to use the search bar at the bottom of the interface. If we remember any word of the clipping we are looking for, Clipdiary will search for it for us.
If you are a very skilled keyboard user and need to work quickly, you will appreciate knowing that practically all Clipdiary functions have their corresponding key combination and that this can be modified in the program’s settings. In addition, it also allows you to customize the use of the mouse.
How to download Clipdiary
The version available on the website is a trial version but it is fully functional for 60 days. You will not have to enter your data or any means of payment to enjoy the advantages of this program until the time of the final purchase.
When installing the program, the wizard will help you and we recommend that you pay attention to the configuration of the shortcuts. Spending a little time at this point in the process will allow you to earn it when you work with it. You can trust that no third-party software will be downloaded or that you will have to accept unwanted advertising.
If you find Clipdiary useful for you, you can buy its home version for $ 19.99 or $ 39.99 if you want to use it on five computers. The professional license is priced at $ 29.99 which goes down to $ 10 depending on the quantity purchased. However, Clipdiary is completely free if you meet the following conditions: use it on a private computer, have a household income of less than $ 1,500 per month, or be a non-profit organization.
Download your trial copy of Clipdiary directly from their website .
Other ways to manage your clipboard
Clipdiary is a very useful program but one that you will eventually have to buy unless you meet the requirements for a free license. These kinds of limitations tend to keep users from trying new software as sooner or later they will have to pay. For those types of people, we bring three completely free options.
Ditto, simplicity and gratuitousness
This free and open source application will allow you to manage your clipboard even if it does not have labels. The main advantage that it has over Clipdiary is that it allows users to connect and use each other’s clipboards. The security of all components of the network is guaranteed by the encryption of the data sent. And a secondary advantage is that it is portable so you will not have to use the space on your hard drive.
Visit the website to download the program and improve the performance of your clipboard.
CopyQ, open source and better design
Multiplatform and with a much more pleasant user interface, CopyQ stands out for being a more up-to-date application than Clipdiary. With it you will be able to manage your clipboard with the same functions as Clipdiary except for the database. If you use CopyQ you will not be able to make a backup copy of this file.
Find your copy on their GitHub page.
1Clipboard
The first thing that catches the attention of this free tool is that it allows you to synchronize the clipboard on several computers through Google, although it can be used offline. The tool has been designed by dispensing with many of the utilities that the previous options had. 1Clipboard limits the search for your clips with three criteria: text, date or image. And if you want, instead of labels, you can highlight the cuts you choose.
Choose the simplest and most visually attractive option by visiting its home page .