topic Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why? in Civil 3D Forum

when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 18:41:17 GMT

I have one user that is trying to copyclip some text from one drawing to another. When they paste into the new drawing it pastes as an OLE object and not Autocad text.

Does anyone know why this is happening? Thanks.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

ChicagoLooper — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:37:20 GMT

Hi @max_bellato

Depending on what you copy and the original program from where you are copying, you may need to use PASTE SPECIAL instead of plain ol' paste.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 17:22:43 GMT

Thanks for the idea. It works the first time but after closing Cad the issue comes back again. I'm thinking it might be a windows issue.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

ChicagoLooper — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 17:43:00 GMT

Go to your spreadsheet and highlight the cells. Right-click and COPY those cells to your clipboard.
In AutoCAD, use PASTE SPECIAL and paste contents of clipboard as AutoCAD Entities.
Save your drawing.
Close your drawing
Reopen your drawing.

If the pasted table is is an OLE object when the drawing is reopened, then it's not a windows issue, it's a User issue.

You didn't copy it properly. Or you didn't paste it properly.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 17:51:32 GMT

I guess I'm not explaining myself correctly.

If I use the paste special option, as you mentioned it works fine. The objects are copied in as Autocad entites and remain as autocad entities. Upon closing cad and reopening the next time, any new objects I am trying to copy clip need to be inserted as paste special again.

This is not normal Autocad functioning.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

ChicagoLooper — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 21:49:25 GMT

@max_bellato

Yes, you're right. You will have to perform PASTE SPECIAL again.

Yes, it's normal. Definitely normal. Why? Because PASTE SPECIAL is not the default paste option and must be invoked each time. When using Paste Special, it doesn't replace the normal-plain-vanilla PASTE.

Maybe if there were a system variable where a variable would allow you to achieve the Repeat-Behavior-Until-I-Change-It, then the condition you describe would occur. Unfortunately there isn't a variable so paste special must be considered a one-timer and will need to be performed each and every time.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

tcorey — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:25:42 GMT

Starting with the source drawing, _LIST the entity. What is it? That makes all the difference in how you can copy and paste. Is it truly a simple Text entity or something else? A normal text entity will copy and paste as such.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

pendean — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:10:32 GMT

@max_bellato wrote:
...This is not normal Autocad functioning.

Did you restart your PC yet? Weird problems are more often than not always fixed.

Otherwise... is there something you're not observing and reporting? For example, are you copy/pasting between two different sessions of C3D by chance?

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:15:38 GMT

Definitely just simple text. It’s also occurring with mtext, lines, blocks etc.

strange!

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

ChicagoLooper — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:32:39 GMT

@max_bellato

This is the 10th post of this thread.

Thanks for your elegant explanation of HOW you paste. Now describe the program from which you are copying. Copy-and-paste is an 'operation' and you have only explained one-half of it, the PASTE part.

Can you describe (or name) the program which you COPY the text or polyline?

BTW, screenshots or a video would help to evaluate your issue.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Thu, 02 May 2024 16:24:37 GMT

Sorry, I guess I never mentioned I am copying from a civil 3D drawing to another civil 3D drawing.

I have also tried restarting the computer.

Im not currently in the office so I can’t create a video to demonstrate the issue.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

ChicagoLooper — Thu, 02 May 2024 16:52:25 GMT

@max_bellato

<<..I have one user that is trying to copyclip some text from one drawing to another..>>

Can you ask that other user to upload an image of the window (or shortcut menu) that 's displayed right before clicking COPY TO CLIPBOARD?

<<...When they paste into the new drawing...>>

Can you also upload a second image displaying the menu right before clicking PASTE?

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Fri, 31 May 2024 00:05:46 GMT

Sorry for going missing for a while. Too much work getting in the way.

Let me start by saying, I've been using Autocad for over 30 years, so I know the normal function of copyclip anything from one Autocad drawing and Paste to another Autocad drawing.

That being said, this is the first time that I see a user copyclip some text in an autocad drawing, then go to another Autocad drawing and paste, with the result being the Autocad text gets pasted in as an OLE object instead of an Autocad object.

We are running Windows 10/11 and using Civil 3D 2022.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

ChicagoLooper — Fri, 31 May 2024 12:43:54 GMT

Hi @max_bellato

Congrats on 30 years!

How about uploading some screenshots? Such as show the current screen when you perform 'copy' and another screenshot showing the commandline & modelspace as you 'paste' and finally a screenshot showing the end result after pasting. I'm sure you can handle that, right? Screenshots will help the Forum diagnose your issue.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 07:37:12 GMT

Thanks for the sarcasm.

No need for screen shots. It's the good old Copyclip command in autocad, and the trusty Paste command in Autocad.

Point being, @ChicagoLooper, I've used the command for 30 years just like everyone here. This command does not come with bells and whistles or special settings that a user can mistakenly change.

I really appreciate your time in trying to help.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

ChicagoLooper — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 09:02:10 GMT

@max_bellato

The benefit of uploading screenshots is to view the command line during your copy and paste procedure. The command line may display a message why it can’t, or won’t, honor the command during your drawing session. Those valuable messages are often overlooked—both newbies and old timers alike are guilty of that and will freely admit it.

Your computer doesn’t give you special treatment for ‘years of experience’ and neither will the Forum.

You don’t have to upload any screenshots but you should dial back your frustration (insecurities?) when searching for a solution on the Forum.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

HandyMike — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:39:23 GMT

Seeing as I've just had this problem randomly occur at my office on a coworkers computer, the Original poster @max_bellato has told you everything you need to know. The problem being that the default "copy and paste" whether it's used from a keyboard command or right click menu results in an ole object being pasted, something that should only happen when using the paste special command from what you yourself have said

. Reading your replies is frustrating because it was a simple question and you massively *complicated* it by refusing to listen since message 6 where the answer should have been "there are no settings for changing the default paste to or from special paste" or "I don't know".

As another user of Autocad since 98, I can say that the program occasionally causes random settings changes that weren't input by the user and thus aren't known by them to change it back. Whether it's a command without a prompt like this paste issue or a "lengthen" command that suddenly defaults to (D)elta instead of (T)otal, these are normal use issues, and while a screenshot may have been helpful to understand what should have already been understood, the condecension in the replies wasn't.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

max_bellato — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:10:50 GMT

@HandyMike, not sure if your issue is the same but we mostly work remote and some users are on gotomy pc and others are on ninja one to access network drawings. The users that are on Ninja one were having this issue and it turned out to be a settings deal. We changed some settings, and it now works fine.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

alexandr6LYZE — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:48:42 GMT

@max_bellato, I came on here with the same issue, and made it through some obnoxious posts to your last message which has solved my problem. I'm using NinjaRemote and changing those settings were just the ticket. Cheers.

Re: when I copyclip some text, it pastes as an ole object, why?

bgoughA6B4Y — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 20:49:09 GMT

This fixed my issue!