NET Framework 2.0, use the Clipboard.GetDataObject method and call the methods of the returned IDataObject. To access data from the Clipboard by using versions earlier than. To retrieve data from the Clipboard, use one of the Get Format methods or the GetData method. To determine whether the Clipboard contains data in a particular format, use one of the Contains Format methods or the GetData method. For information about adding data to the Clipboard, see How to: Add Data to the Clipboard. You can also use your own format names or use an object's type as its format. The DataFormats class provides predefined format names for your use. An application that uses the identified format can retrieve the associated data on the Clipboard.
A Clipboard format is a string that identifies the format. Some applications store data on the Clipboard in multiple formats to increase the number of other applications that can potentially use the data. The Clipboard is also useful for transferring information from one application to another. For example, word processors use the Clipboard during cut-and-paste operations. Many applications use the Clipboard as a temporary repository for data. The Clipboard class provides methods that you can use to interact with the Windows operating system Clipboard feature.