Sometimes I come upon a website that I cannot copy text from a HTML web page. Simply cannot click and highlight the lines I try to select for copying. I thought that my browser/mouse was not working. But I go to other sites, I am able to highlight/copy normally. They must’ve done something on that page probably to prevent content from being lifted of the page easily?
Why is this and how do they do it? Is this a javascript in the page that prevents me from copying?
ANSWER
Could be a script on the webpage. I’m certain that can be done or already been done through Javascript before.
I know that the same effect can be achieved via CSS alone. It is easier, cleaner and does not add to another Javascript messing up or slowing down a site. I prefer this method over the other.
Below are the CSS lines that does what you want. Different ones for different browsers. It is vendor specific for some, but does the same exact thing.
user-select: none; /* Supported by Chrome, Firefox & Opera */
-moz-user-select: none; /* Firefox (older) */
-ms-user-select: none; /* Edge */
-khtml-user-select: none; /* Konqueror */
-webkit-touch-callout: none; /* Safari for iOS */
-webkit-user-select: none; /* Safari for Mac */
Try it out. You can make it for entire page/site.
* {
/* CSS lines go here */
}Or you can make it so only targeted content will have it using Class or ID selectors.
#text-no-select {
/* ID selector - CSS lines go here */
}
.text-no-select {
/* Class selector - CSS lines go here */
}Be aware this does not totally prevent anyone from copying content on a website. There are many other ways to go around this or even with a Javascript impementation. It is a minor roadblock.