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Power Automate Desktop copied text not saved in clipboard

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Posted on by Turbogainer

In one of my workflows I can find a specific value on a website by using a series of Send Keys commands (using tabs etc to get the mouse where I want it). I can also select the data I want to copy using Send Keys {Shift}({Right}) to select the data immediately to the right of the mouse. MANUALLY, I can copy the selected data (Control+C) and paste it in Excel.
However, If I try to automate the copy step of this flow, using Send Keys {Control}({C}), for some reason the selected data is not copied to the clipboard, so I cannot use Get Clipboard Data to later paste it in Excel.
How can I solve this? Please note that UI Elements are often not recognized so looking for another way to achieve the copy step.

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Power Automate Desktop

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Srini007 3,490 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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Hi @Turbogainer

If you are trying to automate or get the data from Excel, Instead of using GUI actions, It's better to use Excel available actions in Power Automate Desktop, Below are the actions

Excel selectors are very unstable. So, mostly those fail, but if you use actions, there is no need to open your excel but you can perform your requirements backend it self

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Srini
Turbogainer 7 on at

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Hi, no I'm trying to copy a small selection of data from a website (to paste later into Excel)
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Agnius Bartninkas Most Valuable Professional on at

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The Send keys actions are frequently running very fast. Try adding a slight delay between the selection part and the copy part, and see if that helps. Also, let your flow have at least a second or two after copying and before attempting to get the clipboard text. The clipboard is usually also quite slow and not too fun to work with.

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Turbogainer 7 on at

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The delays helped a lot. However suddenly I was able to get Power Automate to recognize the UI Element of the text I wanted to copy so I was able to use that successfully. Appreciate your feedback!