I use Google Docs quite frequently. Between my master-to-do-list, my documents shared with my 365 Online Tips partner Kelly, and other documents, I can easily access this information 24-7, from any internet connected computer anywhere. This advantage is great…
BUT…
Yes, you probably heard that but coming from a mile away. But, Google Docs and Firefox do not always play nicely together.
First, Why Firefox?
Internet Explorer is trouble. While having a PC is a hacker’s dream, IE is very much so. Tried Google Chrome but we had too many disagreements and it caused many problems. Firefox was recommended by many an online friend and worked. However after additional research I found this problem exists with IE, Firefox and even Google Chrome.
But what is this problem..
Google Docs and on occasion. (Pretty sad that Google Chrome and Google Documents dislike each other.) While I can paste information into Google Docs, there are plenty of times I can not copy it back out. When I try I get the following
“Your browser does not allow access to your computer’s clipboard. Instead, use CTRL+C, . . . .”
which does not, in fact, work. Most of the time simply closing out of Firefox and restarting will cure this problem.
Not yesterday, and yesterday was not a good day. I just got back from visiting my grandparents who are both on home hospice. With that and 13 hours of driving back home and thinking about life, I am a wee bit stressed. So yesterday when it refused to allow me to rearrange my list of to do’s before my boyfriend arrives (whom I haven’t seen in 2 months) so I was not a happy camper.
Here’s why…
A malicious script can read content on your clipboard from rich-text editors. Since Google uses rich-text editors browsers try to protect you. You could have sensitive information copied on your clipboard. This is great for most uses but not in Google Docs.
Seek and Ye Shall Find
Yup, I went on a mad hunt to find this problem and the solution. Three things to know about me, 1. I was taught not to cry, so I get mad, since I don’t like getting mad I get obsessed over something. 2. I am stubborn. 3. I like playing detective. After a mad hunt I found some solutions… so if you have this problem…
HERE SOME SOLUTIONS…
While there was a time when you could add a bit of code to make Firefox realize that it’s okay, it Memorize Ctrl+C=Copy, Ctrl+V=Paste (think of the glue cap facing down), Ctrl+X=Cut (looks like scissors), Ctrl+A=Select All. This works in Microsoft Office or Open Office as well, and I use them, but more often I right click mouse. Time to learn to use the control click function. Another crazy thing, could be your clipboard is full. Seems like there would be a better way for it to tell you this… But do you see the little clipboard, beneath View and insert? Click on it, then click clear the clipboard. If these don’t work, yup you still have to reboot your browser.
While there was a method that told your browser that Google Docs was ok, this no longer works. In addition this time, the problem is not limited simply to one browser.
~ MJ Schrader
PS Please pray for my grandparents.
