How can I modify pasted text?

Question

Is it possible to intercept and modify text that gets pasted into a textarea?

If intercepting isn't possible, can I modify it after being pasted? (Without modifying the already present text in the textarea.)

Answer 1

With jQuery:

    jQuery(function($){
      $('#your_element').bind('paste', function(event){
        event.preventDefault();
        var clipboardData = event.originalEvent.clipboardData.getData('text/plain');
        console.log(clipboardData);
      }); 
     }      
    });

Works in IE and Webkit. With Firefox you might have to use this:

http://intridea.com/2007/12/16/faking-onpaste-in-firefox?blog=company

Answer 2

Maybe intercept keypresses, to know when CTRL+C is pressed, cache current text, then at CTRL+C's keyup, check current value against cached one, with simple text processing you can know the new text, and do whatever you want with, and update accordingly.