← Back toHTML DOM

Paste an image from the clipboard

Written byPhuoc Nguyen
Category
Level 2 — Intermediate
Created
18 Mar, 2020
// Handle the `paste` event
document.addEventListener('paste', function (evt) {
// Get the data of clipboard
const clipboardItems = evt.clipboardData.items;
const items = [].slice.call(clipboardItems).filter(function (item) {
// Filter the image items only
return item.type.indexOf('image') !== -1;
});
if (items.length === 0) {
return;
}

const item = items[0];
// Get the blob of image
const blob = item.getAsFile();
});
From the image blob, we can preview it as you see in the live example below:
// Assume that we have an `img` element
// <img id="preview" />

const imageEle = document.getElementById('preview');
imageEle.src = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
or upload it to the server with an Ajax request:
// Create a new FormData
const formData = new FormData();
formData.append('image', blob, 'filename');

// Create new Ajax request
const req = new XMLHttpRequest();
req.open('POST', '/path/to/back-end', true);

// Handle the events
req.onload = function () {
if (req.status >= 200 && req.status < 400) {
const res = req.responseText;
// Do something with the response
// ...
}
};

// Send it
req.send(formData);

Demo

See also

Questions? 🙋

Do you have any questions? Not just about this specific post, but about any topic in front-end development that you'd like to learn more about? If so, feel free to send me a message on Twitter or send me an email. You can find them at the bottom of this page.
I have a long list of upcoming posts, but your questions or ideas for the next one will be my top priority. Let's learn together! Sharing knowledge is the best way to grow 🥷.

Recent posts ⚡

Newsletter 🔔

If you're into front-end technologies and you want to see more of the content I'm creating, then you might want to consider subscribing to my newsletter.
By subscribing, you'll be the first to know about new articles, products, and exclusive promotions.
Don't worry, I won't spam you. And if you ever change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Phước Nguyễn