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New (?) Copy & Paste issue

  • 1.  New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted Sat July 19, 2025 09:25 AM

    In SPSS 31.0.0.0 (117) running on MS Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, I am frequently encountering a Copy & Paste issue that at least I have never had in previous versions of SPSS (up to version 29 - I skipped version 30):

    When copying and pasting text within the same syntax editor window or between different syntax editor windows (I haven't tried with other windows inside SPSS yet), I frequently get the error message 'Unable to paste from the system clipboard. Please try again).' When I then copy and paste the same piece of text again, it usually works.

    Even though the following is off topic in this thread, I would like to mention that the well-known bug which interferes with pasting from other applications into SPSS windows and which is discussed in various other threads (e.g., here) has not appeared any more since switching to SPSS 31.



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    Frank Furter
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  • 2.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted Sat July 19, 2025 09:29 AM
    I encountered that same error yesterday for the first time, but repeating the paste action worked.  V31 on Win 11.


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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted Sat July 19, 2025 10:20 AM

    ... not for me - I also had to repeat the copy action and then it worked.



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    Frank Furter
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted Sat July 19, 2025 10:27 AM
    Yes, I did repeat the copy, too.




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 28 days ago

    Also experiencing this with V31 on windows 11. I just switched over to a new machine from an older laptop running an earlier version of SPSS on Windows 10. Ugh! I hope there's a solution.



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    Jen Cox
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 10 days ago

    Obnoxiously, I am also experiencing this issue with v31 on Windows 11 Enterprise 64bit.

    Repeating the copy/paste action will work, but the fact this is a long standing issue that hasn't been resolved should be embarrassing for SPSS/IBM. Experiencing the enshittification of SPSS since the early 00s motivates me to switch to R.



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    David Vu
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 9 days ago

    Thank you, David! I was looking for the word 'enshittification' in this context.



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    Meni Berger
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 9 days ago

    Any reaction from SPSS?



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    Frank Furter
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 9 days ago

    Hello all, yes we are still working on this issue. As noted in the other thread(s) on this topic, there are 3rd-party Windows issues which we have been thus far unable to completely stamp out. We thought it was Java at first, but in version 31 we circumvented Java and used C++ to go direct to the Windows operating system for clipboard operations on that platform, after which our QA dept could no longer reproduce the issue, but clearly some people are still seeing the problem. 

    We now are working with @Carolyn Stapleton on this. We have provided her with a custom jar file that dumps log information and are waiting to hear back from her with the logs. If anyone else is willing to work with us on this we will gladly do so.

    Best,



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    Curtis Browning
    SPSS Statistics Architect
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 8 days ago

    Just to comment on how to go around when repeated copy and paste does not work: Save the syntax file (Ctrl+s) and it seems to reset the function and should work.

    To be fair, I have not seen yet an issue of copy+paste from other softwares such as excel, notetab, etc. in this version (SPSS 31 with Win11). It used to be my major issue with SPSS30.

    Thanks. 

    Ki



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    Ki Park
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 8 days ago

    ... yes, I can completely confirm the observation of @Ki Park. In Version 31, I haven't had any more issues copying and pasting from 'other' software into an SPSS syntax window, which could drive you crazy in Versions 29 (I skipped 30) and before. The Copy&Paste 'ghost' is, however, still around and now haunts operations inside SPSS ...



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    Frank Furter
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: New (?) Copy & Paste issue

    Posted 6 days ago
    Edited by Curtis Browning 6 days ago

    Hello everyone. We got some specialized debugging information back from Carolyn regarding this issue. It turns out that the Windows SDK function named ::OpenClipboard() is failing. We already have logic in the code to retry once, and the recommendations from MS forums, among other things to try, is to retry the ::OpoenClipboard() call multiple times separated by 50 millisecond sleep intervals. Also to use an HWND instead of NULL as a parameter to the above call, and finally to add a call to ::PeekMessage() before attempting to open the clipboard. 

    We will be adding the above code changes to a test DLL that we will send to Carolyn, and which other users can also try if they would like. If you are experiencing the clipboard issue and would like to work with us on addressing it, please message me privately with your email address and we can take it from there.

    This appears to be a rather long-standing problem on Windows. The links below show some of the manifestations of this problem, along with a few suggested work-arounds:

    • https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3745237/how-do-i-fix-repeated-open-clipboard-failed-messag
    • https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4046571/i-can-not-open-clipboard
    • https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1695747/occasional-system-exception-openclipboard-failed-(

    Here are some of the AI-suggested work-arounds that may or may not help those who are seeing this problem:

    ~~~

    The OpenClipboard function in Windows can fail for several reasons, primarily due to the clipboard being in use by another application or process. This can manifest as an error like 0x800401D0, indicating temporary unavailability.
    Troubleshooting steps to address OpenClipboard failures:
    • Close other applications:
      Ensure no other applications are actively using the clipboard, particularly those with persistent clipboard monitoring features or large data transfers.
    • Clear clipboard history:
      • Open Settings > System > Clipboard.
      • Click Clear clipboard data.
      • Alternatively, press Windows key + V to open clipboard history and click Clear all.
    • Restart Clipboard User Service:
      • Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R) and type services.msc.
      • Locate Clipboard User Service (it might have a random string suffix).
      • Ensure its Startup type is Automatic and the service is Running. If not, start it.
    • Restart Windows Explorer:
      • Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
      • Find Windows Explorer in the Processes tab.
      • Right-click and select Restart.
    • Run System File Checker (SFC) and DISM:
      • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
      • Run sfc /scannow to check for and repair corrupted system files.
      • Run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth to repair the Windows image.
    • Check for malware/viruses:
      Perform a full system scan with reputable antivirus software.
    • Update Windows:
      Ensure your operating system is up to date with the latest patches and updates.
    • Consider application-specific issues:
      If the error occurs only within a specific application (e.g., Visual Studio), consult that application's documentation or support resources for known issues and workarounds.
    ~~~



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    Curtis Browning
    SPSS Statistics Architect
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    Original Message


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