How to create a .textClipping?

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Level 2

483 points

How to create a .textClipping?

In the past I've created a number of .textClippings by selecting text in TextEdit, then dragging the selection to the Desktop. When I try to do that now – first selecting the text, then placing the cursor within the selection and dragging, the selection is deselected, and dragging just starts a new selection from that point. I can't drag the selected text out of TextEdit. Oddly, a search of Apple Support and this forum finds no mention of that feature. Anyone have a clue? This is in macOS 11 Big Sur, though I've done this in numerous previous versions.

Posted on Mar 23, 2025 1:27 PM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

130,607 points

Mar 23, 2025 2:56 PM in response to HandyMac

You should be able to click and drag selected text from any app to the Desktop. It still works up through Sequoia 15. Make sure to hold down the mouse button when starting to drag.

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Answer 2

HandyMac Author

Level 2

483 points

Mar 23, 2025 3:11 PM in response to dialabrain

Thanks. Yeah, I Quit TextEdit, then opened it again. Now it works. Should have tried that before. Lotsa little bugs in macOS nowadays, I'm finding. (I've been in the Mac world exclusively since 1988, with my first computer, a Mac Plus.)

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

130,607 points

Mar 23, 2025 3:14 PM in response to HandyMac

You're welcome. It's probably not a bug. Sometimes a restart is necessary to clean out some settings.

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How to create a .textClipping?