Recovering cut text?

[jaiirapetjan]

Hello there!

I am using Apache OO version 4.1.10 on a MacBook Pro running Big Sur version 11.7.

First of all I want to say I feel like crying. I described an event I participated in today, the whole day, and needing to move a few paragraphs I cut them, intending to copy them below some other entries. But then, before pasting, I copied a pdf file and lost everything I had been writing for the previous hour. I don't have the technical know-how to retrieve it. I tried going back with the edit button (command +Z) but after awhile the back button no longer worked. I Googled it and went to Open Office community support but it all was a waste of time. I had written so much. Now I seriously don't feel like writing it again.

I am pretty much resigned that for me right now, life sucks, although I know that tech gurus could recover those paragraphs. Any hope of recovering them without spending lots of time or money?

Gracias in advance.

[RusselB]

Did you save your document before doing the cut?
If you did, then you might be able to recover the older version.
I'm not a Mac expert so I'm not sure how to get to those files.
If not, then I suspect that your text is gone.

[Hagar Delest]

But then, before pasting, I copied a pdf file and lost everything I had been writing for the previous hour. I don't have the technical know-how to retrieve it. I tried going back with the edit button (command +Z) but after awhile the back button no longer worked.

The undo history is not that short. You should have got your paragraphs back very quickly. What happened when you undid the cut?
I just tied (with LibreOffice) by cutting some paragraphs, then copying a file in the file browser. Then going back to the Writer document, Ctrl+Z made the paragraphs reappear as expected.

I am pretty much resigned that for me right now, life sucks, although I know that tech gurus could recover those paragraphs.

What makes you think that?
Tech gurus can help when files have been saved, to retrieve data that may remain on the drive. When it comes to the RAM, it has a much shorter life span.

[JeJe]

For the future, if you do a search for clipboard manager for mac you may find one invaluable.

If all else fails, my experience of sometimes losing work, is it takes less time to write it over than it did the first time as you have memory of what you wrote before, if not an exact recollection...

[jaiirapetjan]

Thank you guys for your responses. JeJe, I will look for one. Hagar, what made it impossible is that I used the clipboard again before pasting what I had cut. In other words, the paragraph on the clipboard was replaced. I have no idea why pushing the "undo" button multiple times didn't work, but it didn't.

I am pretty sure gurus can retrieve anything. But for us non-gurus, JeJe's comment (if all else fails) seems the only viable solution.

[Hagar Delest]

I am pretty sure gurus can retrieve anything.

Clipboard is a pretty volatile thing. Except if you have an advanced clipboard manager, I don't think you can retrieve anything once it has been flushed by another selection.

[jaiirapetjan]

Okay, well I downloaded a simple free clipboard manager called Clipy. It seems to have been developed in China. My Mac did not detect any malicious software, so I installed it. However, I got a message that said (and ironically I couldn't copy and paste it) "Clipy would like to control this computer using accessibility features. Grant access to this application in Security and Privacy preferences, located in System Preferences." As long as we are chatting, do you have any bad premonitions against giving it access?

Thanks again for your help. And btw, I was so impressed Jeje when I saw your 2,242 posts! What a treasure you are! Then I looked at your numbers, Hagar, over 32K of them. I cannot thank you enough.

[Hagar Delest]

Well, difficult to say. If there are many reviews for that application, that's a first hint but doesn't prove anything nonetheless.
I'm not a Mac user, so can't say for sure if the app being in the mac store is a guarantee.

[JeJe]

You can only scan it and go by the reviews, checking any bad ones for problems people might have had, I guess (Edit: and be careful where you download it from). Without knowing anything about the Mac, all Clipboard managers will need some level of permission to access the OS in order to work.

Several to choose from if its Chinese software and that puts you off...

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-best-ma ... -workflow/

[John_Ha]

I downloaded a simple free clipboard manager called Clipy.

Clipboard managers are notorious for interfering with AOO and causing all sorts of trouble with copy and paste - search with clipboard manager. The AOO copy/paste code is flaky at best and anything which touches the clipboard can cause problems. It may be better on MacOS than Windows.

[jaiirapetjan]

I have nothing against Chinese software (except the language barrier). Seeing what Hohn_Ha has to say, I am wondering if I really need a clipboard manager. This is the only time in about 30 years I have ever made a fatal mistake by not pasting cut text then using the clipboard again.

[keme]

Slim chance: MacOS does provide rudimentary clipboard management. If after your "lost cut" you haven't rebooted your Mac yet, and the installed Clippy tool does not interfere too badly with the integrated MacOS clipboard, you may be able to recover your loss.

• Switch to Finder
• Select the Edit menu
• Click Show clipboard

[...]
This is the only time in about 30 years I have ever made a fatal mistake by not pasting cut text then using the clipboard again.

Then maybe it was about time you did (No offense intended. Just my way of commending an impressive clipboard merit.)

[JeJe]

The main advantage of a clipboard manager is it can save you lots of time - but that depends on how you work of course. Very surprised the Mac only has one clipboard - plus a secondary one that's mentioned in that link I posted.

I'm just using Window's built-in one at the moment - and can't remember having problems with OO and other clipboard managers myself. Linux distributions I've tried have included clipboard managers too.

[Cazer]

Old thread, but I'm really sorry to hear about your lost text. It stinks when tech issues turn a productive day into a headache. Just in case anyone finds themselves in a similar situation - try checking Time Machine to see if it saved a version of your doc before the cut happened.
And next time you're moving big chunks of text around, it might help to duplicate the doc first or manually save a version before making big edits. This way, you'll have a backup if things go sideways. As for Clipy, it asking for permissions is normal, but always double-check an app's reviews and origin before giving it access to your system. If you're ever in a bind with copy-paste on Mac, here's a handy guide on how to copy and paste on a Mac. It lists some tricks you can use to save time. Take care, and don't let this get you down!

[jaiirapetjan]

"Old thread, but I'm really sorry to hear about your lost text." "Try checking Time Machine to see if it saved a version of your doc before the cut happened."
Thanks! I hadn't thought to check Time Machine. Despite the fact it's been 18 months, it may still be there. Yes, it was a major disappointment. I had been writing over an hour and it was already late at night after having run a half marathon. After that, some days later, I only wrote a one-paragraph description. The memories are gone, but when we are gone it's unlikely anyone will read our journals... they are busy living their own lives. So what's the big deal? Probably we can sum up the experience with "Be careful when you cut and paste," and "Don't stay up late working on anything when you are tired. You might make some stupid mistake. Just go to bed. Your brain needs sleep now and whatever work you need to do can wait until the morning."
What is nice here is that I, along with other readers, got some good advice. Thanks for your participation!