Copy as image or SVG
Short answer: Click Copy SVG in the top bar, or right click and pick Copy as, then PNG or SVG. Then paste into Word, PowerPoint or Google Docs. The clipboard holds a PNG picture, plus SVG for apps that read it.
Copying a picture is the fastest way to move a structure into a document or slide. It copies your selection, or the whole canvas when nothing is selected. Arrows, text and other objects come too.
- Select the structures you want, or select nothing to copy everything.
- Click Copy SVG in the top bar. The button reads Copied SVG when it works.
- Switch to the other app and press Ctrl+V.
All the ways to copy a picture#
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Top bar | Copy SVG |
| Right click on the canvas | Copy as, then PNG or SVG |
| Command palette | Copy SVG |
| Phone or tablet | Download, then Copy SVG. Or More, then Copy as. |
| Phone share sheet | Download, then Share image sends a PNG to Messages, Mail or Photos when your device supports it |
The right click Copy as list also has text formats such as SMILES, MOL, CDXML, InChI and chemfig. Those are covered in Copy and paste SMILES and chemfig and LaTeX.
What the clipboard holds#
| Copy | Clipboard content |
|---|---|
| Copy SVG | A PNG picture, an HTML picture and an SVG image |
| Copy as PNG | A PNG picture and an HTML picture |
Word, PowerPoint, Google Docs and Google Sheets read the PNG and paste a picture. Apps that read SVG images can use the SVG copy. MolDraw never puts SVG source code on the clipboard as plain text, so office apps do not paste code.
The copied picture has a transparent background. The PNG is drawn at least 2× and follows Settings, General, Image resolution (default high, 4×). Both carry the full MolDraw drawing inside. They paste back into MolDraw as editable structures.
Paste a picture into MolDraw#
Press Ctrl+V or click Paste in the top bar.
- A picture copied from MolDraw comes back as an editable drawing.
- Any other picture, such as a photo or a screenshot, is placed as an image.
The browser may drop the hidden drawing from a picture that went through another app. The desktop app keeps it. See Word and PowerPoint for the full round trip.
Ctrl+C is not a picture copy#
Ctrl+C copies the selected atoms and bonds inside MolDraw, as MOL text. It is for duplicating structures on the canvas or pasting into chemistry software. To get a picture, use Copy SVG or Copy as, PNG.
Copy or download#
| You want | Use |
|---|---|
| A quick picture in a slide or chat | Copy SVG or Copy as PNG |
| A set pixel size and DPI for a journal | Download, PNG, with the Export figure dialog |
| A vector file for a poster or layout app | Download, SVG |
Common problems#
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| The button reads Copy failed | The browser blocked the clipboard. Click the page and try again, or download the picture instead. |
| "Nothing to copy" | The canvas or your selection is empty. |
| The other app pastes SVG code as text | Some Linux browsers cannot copy images, so MolDraw falls back to text. Download an SVG or PNG file and insert it. |
| The picture is too small or blurry | Raise Image resolution in Settings, or download a PNG at 300 DPI. |
Questions and answers
How do I copy a chemical structure into Word?
Click Copy SVG in the MolDraw top bar, then press Ctrl+V in Word. Word pastes a picture.
Does Copy SVG paste as a vector in PowerPoint?
PowerPoint pastes the PNG picture that Copy SVG puts on the clipboard. For a vector file, download SVG and insert it.
Why does Ctrl+C not copy an image?
Ctrl+C copies the selected atoms as MOL text for chemistry use. Use Copy SVG or Copy as, PNG for a picture.
Is the copied image transparent?
Yes. Copied PNG and SVG pictures have a transparent background.
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