DOCERR: Private Data Formats Freed by the Clipboard

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows versions 3.1 and 3.0

SUMMARY

The documentation for the SetClipboardData function on pages 826-828 of the "Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit: Programmer's Reference, Volume 2: Functions" manual states that data placed on the clipboard in a private data format is not automatically freed when removed from the clipboard. The identifiers for private data formats are in the range CF_PRIVATEFIRST through CF_PRIVATELAST. The statement in the manual is incorrect. Data that is placed on the clipboard in a private format is automatically freed when the data is removed from the clipboard.

MORE INFORMATION

Clipboard data in a private data format is automatically freed when the data is removed from the clipboard. Windows sends the WM_DESTROYCLIPBOARD message to the application that put the data on the clipboard before the data is freed. An application can free any corresponding internal data when it receives the WM_DESTROYCLIPBOARD message.

Private data in the CF_OWNERDISPLAY format is not automatically freed when the data is removed from the clipboard. An application must free data of this format when the application receives a WM_DESTROYCLIPBOARD message.