[GH-ISSUE #251] [Feature request] Copy GIF animations to clipboard

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:36 +03:00

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Originally created by @EirikBirkeland on GitHub (Feb 3, 2018).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/NickeManarin/ScreenToGif/issues/251

I'd like to be able to quickly copy/paste animations into Github -- currently, the clipboard content seems to contain an image only.

As Nicke explained to me, this may not be possible to implement under current framework/OS constraints.

Maybe a super-long-term goal?

Originally created by @EirikBirkeland on GitHub (Feb 3, 2018). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/NickeManarin/ScreenToGif/issues/251 I'd like to be able to quickly copy/paste animations into Github -- currently, the clipboard content seems to contain an image only. As Nicke explained to me, this may not be possible to implement under current framework/OS constraints. Maybe a super-long-term goal?

kerem

2026-03-01 18:46:36 +03:00

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kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:36 +03:00

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@ashleedawg commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018):

@EirikBirkeland - I believe what Nick would have meant is that what you're asking isn't possible because of how Windows Clipboard is designed. Without getting into an explanation of why, trust me: there are a number of reasons that it is very unlikely that Microsoft would ever make the changes necessary to provide support for what you're asking.

I must admit I'm a curious where you are copying from (ie., online vs. specific app vs. Windows filesystem), and how often you're doing it, that makes a couple clicks an inconvenience? Perhaps you're not aware of how easy it already is to insert an Animated GIF from elsewhere (without copy/paste):

To copy an Animated GIF from a website:

Right-click the image and click "Save Image As" (or your browser's equivalent), saving it somewhere on your computer.
In Screen2Gif, hit Ctrl+Shift+O or click Media under File menu..
Choose the image from the location on your computer where you saved it.

To insert a copy of an Animated GIF from a file:

Start at Step 2 above.

Even if what you're suggesting can be done, it would take a ton of work and redesign, which isn't a reasonable expectation from a one-man team providing a free piece of awesome software -- especially for such negligible user benefit (to occasionally save a couple clicks). Alternatively, this is an open project if you want to hire a developer... 😉

Side note: the label that you used is incorrect in this case. A bug would be when the software produces an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways contrary to how the developer intended it to operate. I think a more accurate label would be .

@ashleedawg commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018): @EirikBirkeland - I believe what Nick would have meant is that what you're asking isn't possible because of [**how Windows Clipboard is designed**](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ff729168(v=vs.85).aspx). Without getting into an explanation of *why,* trust me: there are a number of reasons that it is very unlikely that Microsoft would ever make the changes necessary to provide support for what you're asking. I must admit I'm a curious _where_ you are copying from (ie., online vs. specific app vs. Windows filesystem), and _how often_ you're doing it, that makes a couple clicks an inconvenience? Perhaps you're not aware of how easy it already is to insert an Animated GIF from elsewhere (without copy/paste): To copy an Animated GIF from a website: - 1. Right-click the image and click "Save Image As" (or your browser's equivalent), saving it somewhere on your computer. 2. In **`Screen2Gif`**, hit <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>Shift</kbd>+<kbd>O</kbd> **or** click **Media** under **File** menu.. 3. Choose the image from the location on your computer where you saved it. To insert a copy of an Animated GIF from a file: - - Start at Step 2 above. --- Even if what you're suggesting can be done, it would take a ton of work and redesign, which isn't a reasonable expectation from a one-man team providing a free piece of awesome software -- especially for such negligible user benefit (to occasionally save a couple clicks). Alternatively, *this is an open project* if you want to hire a developer... :wink: --- **_Side note:_** the <sub>![bug](https://imgur.com/x5qeZNo.gif)</sub> label that you used is incorrect in this case. A bug would be when the software produces an incorrect or unexpected result, or to behave in unintended ways contrary to how the developer intended it to operate. I think a more accurate label would be <sub>![Future Feature](https://imgur.com/qVY6Xbx.gif)</sub>.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@TomasHubelbauer commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018):

Excuse my ignorance, but couldn't you, upon clipboard keystroke, generate a temporary file with the animation and then copy that as a file rather than as a bitmap so when the user goes to insert something into the GitHub editor, they have just a generic file in the clipboard? I am not sure how GitHub deals with the past if it's a file (maybe it turns it into an attachment), but otherwise I think this could work.

@TomasHubelbauer commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018): Excuse my ignorance, but couldn't you, upon clipboard keystroke, generate a temporary file with the animation and then copy that as a file rather than as a bitmap so when the user goes to insert something into the GitHub editor, they have just a generic file in the clipboard? I am not sure how GitHub deals with the past if it's a file (maybe it turns it into an attachment), but otherwise I think this could work.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@EirikBirkeland commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018):

@ashleedawg I didn't label anything, Nicke did.
I like to optimize my personal work processes. If you don't like my issue, just close it and focus on what you think matters.

Hire a developer? Who do you think I am?

I don't have "expectations", just some innocent requests. According to your logic, I should first learn C# and consider whether a request may be realistic before filing an issue? Oh, I'm sorry that my Windows clipboard knowledge is inadequate! Please educate me, oh mighty one!

Honestly I don't really care. ScreenToGif is nice as-is. I was just going through a short period of heavy use, hence why I went out of my way to file some possible enhancements based on my experience at the time.

You win the year's smugness award. Bye.

@EirikBirkeland commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018): @ashleedawg I didn't label anything, Nicke did. I like to optimize my personal work processes. If you don't like my issue, just close it and focus on what you think matters. Hire a developer? Who do you think I am? I don't have "expectations", just some innocent requests. According to your logic, I should first learn C# and consider whether a request may be realistic before filing an issue? Oh, I'm sorry that my Windows clipboard knowledge is inadequate! Please educate me, oh mighty one! Honestly I don't really care. ScreenToGif is nice as-is. I was just going through a short period of heavy use, hence why I went out of my way to file some possible enhancements based on my experience at the time. You win the year's smugness award. Bye.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@NickeManarin commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018):

@ashleedawg I believe what Nick would have meant is that what you're asking isn't possible because of how Windows Clipboard is designed.

Yes, that's what I said to Eirik and that's what he cited, on the second paragraph.

@ashleedawg Side note: the [bug] label that you used is incorrect in this case.

It was me. I thought I was doing something wrong while loading the gif into the clipboard and I thought that I could do it differently.

So, this is a valid issue ticket.

@NickeManarin commented on GitHub (May 6, 2018): > @ashleedawg I believe what Nick would have meant is that what you're asking isn't possible because of how Windows Clipboard is designed. Yes, that's what I said to Eirik and that's what he cited, on the second paragraph. > @ashleedawg Side note: the [bug] label that you used is incorrect in this case. It was me. I thought I was doing something wrong while loading the gif into the clipboard and I thought that I could do it differently. So, this is a valid issue ticket.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@trustserve commented on GitHub (May 27, 2019):

Currently you can copy a link to clipboard for imagr. would love to see ability to copy richtext embed of that link to allow pasting image into any richtext window like gmail but others as well. i know screencastomatic does this to very good effect. its a much beloved feature that this does not have.

@trustserve commented on GitHub (May 27, 2019): Currently you can copy a link to clipboard for imagr. would love to see ability to copy richtext embed of that link to allow pasting image into any richtext window like gmail but others as well. i know screencastomatic does this to very good effect. its a much beloved feature that this does not have.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@dozd commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021):

This is the feature I am really missing. I am using windows snip & sketch to share portions of my screen a lot and I would like same workflow with ScreenToGif.

Just fast capture my screen, ctrl+c and share on whenever I want. I know I can save and than share, but that one step is really downgrade in terms of efficiency ;).

@dozd commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021): This is the feature I am really missing. I am using windows `snip & sketch` to share portions of my screen a lot and I would like same workflow with ScreenToGif. Just fast capture my screen, ctrl+c and share on whenever I want. I know I can save and than share, but that one step is really downgrade in terms of efficiency ;).

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@NickeManarin commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021):

Just fast capture my screen, ctrl+c and share on whenever I want. I know I can save and than share, but that one step is really downgrade in terms of efficiency ;).

Not possible and not my fault :P
If apps behaved like Telegram (which is able to load files copied from Windows Explorer), that would be possible.

@NickeManarin commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021): > Just fast capture my screen, ctrl+c and share on whenever I want. I know I can save and than share, but that one step is really downgrade in terms of efficiency ;). Not possible and not my fault :P If apps behaved like Telegram (which is able to load files copied from Windows Explorer), that would be possible.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@dozd commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021):

It's like you cannot create a temp file or something and put it in clipboard? Or windows can't support gif in clipboard?

@dozd commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021): It's like you cannot create a temp file or something and put it in clipboard? Or windows can't support gif in clipboard?

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@NickeManarin commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021):

The issue is with the Windows API.

To be able to paste something like in Discord or even in here, you need to "copy as image". Literally Clipboard.SetImage().
The issue is that the method only supports BMP/PNG images.

Gif frames are lost on the conversion (that happens inside SetImage()), only the first frame being pasted.

@NickeManarin commented on GitHub (May 26, 2021): The issue is with the Windows API. To be able to paste something like in Discord or even in here, you need to "copy as image". Literally `Clipboard.SetImage()`. The issue is that the method only supports BMP/PNG images. Gif frames are lost on the conversion (that happens inside `SetImage()`), only the first frame being pasted.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@snorga commented on GitHub (Aug 23, 2021):

This seems to do it?

I make the recording, do a "Save as" (write to a temp file), and then from the notification in top, right click and select "copy".

So its posible to do from screenToGit app only.. ish

@snorga commented on GitHub (Aug 23, 2021): ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/909778/130454969-55d38c0c-8a64-4a20-a085-d0c1b986f6df.png) This seems to do it? I make the recording, do a "Save as" (write to a temp file), and then from the notification in top, right click and select "copy". So its posible to do from screenToGit app only.. ish

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@TheYarin commented on GitHub (Oct 23, 2021):

The issue is with the Windows API.

To be able to paste something like in Discord or even in here, you need to "copy as image". Literally Clipboard.SetImage(). The issue is that the method only supports BMP/PNG images.

Gif frames are lost on the conversion (that happens inside SetImage()), only the first frame being pasted.

@NickeManarin I wanna start by saying that I really appreciate your generous work on this project that probably helped tens, hundreds of thousands or maybe even millions of people. Thank you!

That being said, treating this feature as an impossible task feels like lack of trying. Obviously adding a GIF to the clipboard is possible in Windows, you can easily see for yourself by googling "GIF", right-clicking one of the GIF results and choosing "Copy image". So it is possible, you just gotta figure out how.
And it's fine if you don't want to spend time on it, it's your own (much appreciated) time and project, after all. Just don't call it impossible.

Personally, I think many people just want a quick way of sharing what they see on their screen with other people, similar to the way people use Windows' built-in screenshot tool - Win+Shift+S > snip > paste > send, with any customization being only optional. That tool being this simple is what makes it a part of millions of peoples' daily workflow.

@TheYarin commented on GitHub (Oct 23, 2021): > The issue is with the Windows API. > > To be able to paste something like in Discord or even in here, you need to "copy as image". Literally `Clipboard.SetImage()`. The issue is that the method only supports BMP/PNG images. > > Gif frames are lost on the conversion (that happens inside `SetImage()`), only the first frame being pasted. @NickeManarin I wanna start by saying that I really appreciate your generous work on this project that probably helped tens, hundreds of thousands or maybe even millions of people. Thank you! That being said, treating this feature as an impossible task feels like lack of trying. Obviously adding a GIF to the clipboard is possible in Windows, you can easily see for yourself by googling "GIF", right-clicking one of the GIF results and choosing "Copy image". So it _is_ possible, you just gotta figure out how. And it's fine if you don't want to spend time on it, it's your own (much appreciated) time and project, after all. Just don't call it impossible. Personally, I think many people just want a quick way of sharing what they see on their screen with other people, similar to the way people use Windows' built-in screenshot tool - `Win+Shift+S` > snip > paste > send, with any customization being only optional. That tool being this simple is what makes it a part of millions of peoples' daily workflow.

kerem commented

2026-03-01 18:46:37 +03:00

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@popbee commented on GitHub (Oct 4, 2022):

The menu option @snorga is talking about works great in Slack.

What about options to autosave after recording and autocopy file after saving to reduce the number of steps for quick clips.

If apps behaved like Telegram (which is able to load files copied from Windows Explorer), that would be possible.

Slack desktop app support proper image embedding when copying a file (tested on windows). It's awesome!
Teams desktop app (windows) does not seem to. Jira (web) neither (I didn't try all jira editors there are a few). Discord (web) does not.

would love to see ability to copy richtext embed of that link to allow pasting image into any richtext window like gmail but others as well. i know screencastomatic does this to very good effect

This tool uploads the file "in the cloud" and creates a public link and puts that in the clipboard. That's good only in certain cases. It's not so great for my use cases. Also it requires some cloud solution for storage. How long will the image be kept?

right-clicking one of the GIF results and choosing "Copy image". So it is possible, you just gotta figure out how.

@TheYarin : Nope. This only copies the first image, not the whole gif. Exactly like the @NickeManarin is saying. So please find another "working" example because so far, I have none that works universally.

@popbee commented on GitHub (Oct 4, 2022): The menu option @snorga is talking about works great in `Slack`. What about options to `autosave after recording` and `autocopy file after saving` to reduce the number of steps for quick clips. --- > If apps behaved like Telegram (which is able to load files copied from Windows Explorer), that would be possible. `Slack` desktop app support proper image embedding when copying a file (tested on windows). It's awesome! `Teams` desktop app (windows) does not seem to. `Jira` (web) neither (I didn't try all jira editors there are a few). `Discord` (web) does not. > would love to see ability to copy richtext embed of that link to allow pasting image into any richtext window like gmail but others as well. i know **screencastomatic** does this to very good effect This tool uploads the file "in the cloud" and creates a **public link** and puts that in the clipboard. That's good only in certain cases. It's not so great for my use cases. Also it requires some cloud solution for storage. How long will the image be kept? > right-clicking one of the GIF results and choosing "Copy image". So it is possible, you just gotta figure out how. @TheYarin : **Nope.** This only copies the first image, not the whole gif. Exactly like the @NickeManarin is saying. So please find another "working" example because so far, I have none that works universally.

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[GH-ISSUE #251] [Feature request] Copy GIF animations to clipboard #1575

To copy an Animated GIF from a website:

To insert a copy of an Animated GIF from a file: