Microsoft’s Snipping Tool continues to evolve, now offering screen recordings along with screenshots. The latest addition being tested adds even more utility: the ability to copy data formatted as tables directly into a spreadsheet.
In simpler terms, if Snipping Tool detects that your screenshot contains rows and columns like a spreadsheet, it will maintain that structure when copying the data. It’s a small but handy feature that could save time and hassle for users who deal with table-based data regularly.
This feature is being introduced in version 11.2409.22.0 of Snipping Tool, in conjunction with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26120.2122 (Dev Channel). Since these Dev builds are experimental, there’s no guarantee this feature will roll out in the next official Windows update.
Microsoft’s instructions are straightforward: capture a screenshot with table data, click on ‘Text actions,’ and choose ‘Copy as table.’ The copied data will retain its structure, making it easier to paste into spreadsheets. However, it works best with screenshots that contain just one table.
A key point to note is that this feature is specific to Snipping Tool and doesn’t replace the traditional CTRL+C and CTRL+V shortcuts for copying and pasting. While the standard shortcuts will continue to work, this new feature simplifies cases where formatting matters, especially when working with table data. Plus, it’s part of the same update that brought screen recording functionality, further enhancing Snipping Tool’s usefulness.
