Copying Diagram Graphics onto the Clipboard (Hardcopy)

With a hardcopy, copy the diagram or a diagram section to the clipboard in order to paste it into other applications as a graphic.

Diagram Graphics for Other Applications

Two formats are available to you if you want to paste a diagram or diagram section into other applications as a graphic via the clipboard.

You define the graphics format in the clipboard in Clipboard Options in the Display tab in the Options dialog:

  • Enhanced Metafile Format (EMF)
  • Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
  • Multi (both formats in parallel)

In the case of a parallel save, the application usually decides automatically on the most suitable format for the "Paste" operation.

Diagram action elements (e.g. the carousel or selection frame) are filtered out for the clipboard. The created graphic is then written in the clipboard.

To copy the diagram graphic to the clipboard, use the Create Hardcopy context menu command or the commands in Design>Edit>Hardcopy or Start>Clipboard>Hardcopy:

  • Diagram Image (F12)

    Copy the diagram as a graphic to the clipboard. Applications which support this, e.g. Word processors, can immediately paste this graphic from the clipboard into their documents.

  • Section of Diagram Image (Ctrl+F12)

    Using a rubberband, select a section of the diagram and copy it as a graphic to the clipboard. Applications which support this, e.g. Word processors, can immediately paste this graphic from the clipboard into their documents.

Copying a Diagram to the Clipboard

How to proceed

  • If you want to save the entire active diagram to the clipboard, select Design>Edit>Hardcopy>Diagram Image (F12)

    The action elements in the diagram are filtered out when the contents are copied to the clipboard.

    The diagram graphic is available in the clipboard for pasting to other applications in the set format.

Copying a Diagram Section to the Clipboard

How to proceed

  1. If you want to save a diagram section to the clipboard, select Design>Edit>Hardcopy>Section of Diagram Image (Ctrl+F12)

    A crosshairs icon appears.

    The action elements in the diagram are filtered out when the contents are copied to the clipboard.

  2. Position the crosshairs icon, click on the left-hand mouse button, and drag out the desired diagram section in any direction.

    The diagram section is highlighted in color.

    If you want to change it, release the mouse button and start again.

  3. Release the mouse button.

    The diagram section is available in the clipboard for pasting to other applications in the set format.