> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vntranslator.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vntranslator.com/user-guide/clipboard.md).

# Clipboard

## How to Translate Any Text with Clipboard

The Clipboard feature automatically translates any text copied to your clipboard, in real time - not just from games, but from any application on your computer.

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### How It Works

When you copy text to your clipboard from any source, VNTranslator automatically detects it and displays the translation in the Extra Window. This works with any application on your computer, without needing to switch windows or paste anything manually.

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### What You Can Translate

The Clipboard Translator works with:

* Visual novels and games that have a "Copy Text to Clipboard" feature
* Third-party applications or game mods that support clipboard copying
* Text from websites in any web browser
* Chat applications and messaging platforms
* Documents and text files from any program
* Any other application that supports text selection and copying

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### Getting Started

<figure><img src="/files/vEKw613kz9YDDR1FnoFj" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

1. Select **Clipboard** from the module list
2. Select **Extra Window** from the output list
3. Click the **Start** button

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### Integration with Games

Many visual novels and PC games include a built-in clipboard copy feature. When playing these games, simply use their copy function, and VNTranslator will translate the text automatically without any additional setup.

Ren'Py games in particular have two dedicated Clipboard-based methods - the RenPy Clipboard Plugin and Clipboard Voicing - covered in detail in the [Ren'Py Games guide](/user-guide/renpy-games.md).

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### FAQ: Translating Text with Clipboard

<details>

<summary><strong>What is the Clipboard feature in VNTranslator?</strong></summary>

Clipboard is a VNTranslator module that automatically translates any text copied to your clipboard and displays the result in the Extra Window, in real time. It works across any application on your computer, not just games.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Does Clipboard translation only work with games?</strong></summary>

No. While it's commonly used with visual novels and PC games that support clipboard copying, Clipboard translation works with any application that lets you copy text, including web browsers, chat apps, documents, and text files.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Where does the translated text appear?</strong></summary>

Translated text appears in the [Extra Window](/features/extra-window.md), which needs to be selected as the output when starting the Clipboard module.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Why isn't my copied text being translated?</strong></summary>

Check that both **Clipboard** is selected from the module list and **Extra Window** is selected from the output list before clicking Start. If translation still doesn't appear, confirm the source application actually copies text to the clipboard when you use its copy function.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>What's the difference between Clipboard and OCR?</strong></summary>

Clipboard translation reads text that's been copied to the clipboard, either manually or through an application's built-in copy feature. OCR instead captures text directly from the screen, which makes it useful for games or applications that don't support clipboard copying.

</details>