Copy web content to Word

ljschrenk

Hey everyone,

Ok I know this is a strange request, but I thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone had any suggestions. A user wants to have a button, that onclick, will copy the content of the webpage into a word document.

I know how I can copy the page to the clipboard through javascript, and in php I know how I could create a file with a .doc extension, however I'm not sure how to join the two.

After the content is in the clipboard, i'm not sure how to extract it and put it in a word file. Perhaps someone else has a better idea?

Thanks!
Lisa

planetsim

Well firstly I dont know any proper PHP scripts that use the proper Word Format although its possible to just use it as a text based and hope Word goes oh its just text no formatting required so you wont be able to update it if its saved in Word.

Well basically if they are clicking a button id have a hidden field which would have the JS value from the copy inserted in the hidden field value which would then be submitted as an ordinary form. From there is just a matter of PHP getting the value sent in the Post to create the Word Document.

ljschrenk

Sounds easy doesn't it? The problem I'm having right now is actually a JS issue, I can't seem to get the clipboard data set to a variable. I just wasn't sure if PHP had any functions that took advantage of clipboard content.

Although not supported in NS, this will accomplish the task of selecting the page and storing it on the clipboard:

document.execCommand("SelectAll");
document.execCommand("Copy");

planetsim

Well since JS is a client side language PHP cannot control it however there is away JS can do somethings in PHP forgot the link to the library however its not going to help you much in this case.

Well what method of copy are you using for the webpage I have the JS bible with me at the moment which shows about 2-3ways which can be down to copy to the clipboard.

something like this should do it, just change the copy bit to what you are using currently

<script type="text/javascript">

  function myfunc()
  {
     var copyVal = yourcopymethodhere;
     document.forms[0].copycontents.value = copyVal;
  }

</script>
<form action="copy2word.php" method="post">
<input type="hidden" name="copycontents" value="" /> 
<input type="submit" name="submit" value=" Create DOC" />
</form>

ljschrenk

Hey There!

I really appreciate your replies, thanks so much for your help. Unfortunately the value of the variable is true, not the actual value of the data. 🙁

onion2k

I would imagine grabbing the contents of a users clipboard would be considered a security risk. It might not actually be possible.

planetsim

It actually is possible however it must be done within the browser and of course it works really well in IE, Mozilla, Safari it doesnt work well not that I know of actually it doesnt.