Question Copy/paste long text on Substack

[dj54321]

Hello... I've got a 4 year old Lenovo m8 tablet with Android 10 and Google Chrome.

I'm trying to copy/paste a relatively long Substack text. When I try to highlight the whole text, it only allows me to highlight one line maximum. Then my options are: Copy, Restack Quote, Cancel.

I would like to select ALL... But that's not an option. And as mentioned, I'm unable to drag the balls to highlight the whole text.

Please advise. Thank you.

 

[VidJunky]

I have to ask to be sure we cover everything, but did you touch the 3 dots to the left of those selections? Sometimes hidden there are a few more selections including Select All. In my image it is out in the open but I show where the extended menu is.

Would there be any conflict to copying items from this app? I mean would there be a reason that copying might be hindered or forbidden? I guess it could be possible that it is the app but I feel like if it were the app, it would just block copying period and not hinder users just to make it difficult.

Have you tried grabbing the little flags at either end of the highlighted text? You should be able to touch and hold one of those little flower peddles on either end of the highlight and drag those in a direction with the highlight following you until you've highlighted everything you're interested in copying.

Anyway, I really think you're going to find it in the extended menu. Let us know what you find.

 

[dj54321]

I have to ask to be sure we cover everything, but did you touch the 3 dots to the left of those selections? Sometimes hidden there are a few more selections including Select All. In my image it is out in the open but I show where the extended menu is.

Would there be any conflict to copying items from this app? I mean would there be a reason that copying might be hindered or forbidden? I guess it could be possible that it is the app but I feel like if it were the app, it would just block copying period and not hinder users just to make it difficult.

Have you tried grabbing the little flags at either end of the highlighted text? You should be able to touch and hold one of those little flower peddles on either end of the highlight and drag those in a direction with the highlight following you until you've highlighted everything you're interested in copying.

Anyway, I really think you're going to find it in the extended menu. Let us know what you find.

VidJunky -- I didn't see the 3 dots or the little flower peddles. Unless the round balls (blue or grey) are what you're referring to as flower peddles.

Attached are screenshots of part of the text before and after I highlighted a paragraph. Yesterday I was limited to 1 line. Today 1 paragraph.

The screenshot is a random Substack article that I didn't read.
But the article I'm interested in copying/pasting appears exactly the same regarding being able highlight only 1 paragraph, and the options available on the left, right, top and bottom are exactly the same too.

I tried clicking on the downloading option. It downloaded somewhere, but not in my Google Chrome browser. When I went back to the top right 3 dots menu containing the download option, it gave me the option to "remove download". That's why I believe it downloaded somewhere.

I tried the sharing option, but only the IP address/link appeared in the email I sent to myself.

Lastly, below is a link to the article in the screenshot in case you want to try copying/pasting yourself:

“Laughter isn’t always the best medicine. In fact, sometimes it’s the worst.”

In this edition of the Weekender: climbing trees, dressing for cocktails, and unpacking bags

open.substack.com

**Solution/update** -- when I tested the above link in Google Chrome I was able to highlight the whole text (in Google Chrome). This process also worked for the Substack article I'm interested in.

Thus, case closed. Composing the above response to your post above enabled me to find the solution. Thank you.

 

[VidJunky]

Your screenshot doesn't look like Chrome. Could it be the options shown are not the same because those appear to be options specific to that page, or that app. I'm not really sure because I'm not able to reproduce this condition in my own Chrome app, nor does my Chrome look like your screenshot.

Please provide more information about the screenshot. If this is Chrome, what site is offering these articles? I ask so that I/we can visit the same site and see if I/we find anything.

I am not able to open or find a site on Chrome that does not give the options I've mentioned. Based on your screenshots the issue is either that site, again if you're still in Chrome and haven't been taken to a different app, or the different app you've been taken to view the articles.

I guess there could be chance it's the keyboard. Even though it doesn't pop up, I have to imagine the two could connected, selecting text and writing text. What keyboard are you using? I'm using GBoard which is available for most Android devices. Maybe try the Google Keyboard to see if it gives you these options.

What app or page are you visiting?

What keyboard are you using?

Have you tried a different keyboard? Different browser?

Let us know what you find.

 

[dj54321]

Your screenshot doesn't look like Chrome. Could it be the options shown are not the same because those appear to be options specific to that page, or that app. I'm not really sure because I'm not able to reproduce this condition in my own Chrome app, nor does my Chrome look like your screenshot.

Please provide more information about the screenshot. If this is Chrome, what site is offering these articles? I ask so that I/we can visit the same site and see if I/we find anything.

I am not able to open or find a site on Chrome that does not give the options I've mentioned. Based on your screenshots the issue is either that site, again if you're still in Chrome and haven't been taken to a different app, or the different app you've been taken to view the articles.

I guess there could be chance it's the keyboard. Even though it doesn't pop up, I have to imagine the two could connected, selecting text and writing text. What keyboard are you using? I'm using GBoard which is available for most Android devices. Maybe try the Google Keyboard to see if it gives you these options.

What app or page are you visiting?

What keyboard are you using?

Have you tried a different keyboard? Different browser?

Let us know what you find.

The screenshots are from the article on the Substack app.

I'm using Gboard.

I haven't tried a different keyboard or browser.

I'm happy now as (as mentioned) when I copied/pasted the above link into Google Chrome I was able to highlight the whole text (in Google Chrome) and then email the complete text to myself, rather than hoping the article isn't removed.

This workaround is sufficient for me. There probably won't be many more Substack articles that I would like to have a copy of.

 

[VidJunky]

I believe you just solved your own mystery. It's the Substack app that is holding you back.

I downloaded the app and in many of the X type posts, where it appears to just be people commenting, when I select text I'm given the select all option. When I've opened an article my options look like your screenshots. There would be no way to change this as it seems to be imposed by the app developer. Your best option for changing this would be to message the developer and request this change.

In the meantime, having a chance to play with it, you can grab the marker at the beginning or end of the selection and expand it by dragging the marker. I even found that when I reached the top or bottom of my screen and was not able to drag it any further that I could just scroll and then continue the drag. I tried to find the specific article in your screenshots so that I could try more than one paragraph but I was never able to experience that.

It appears to be the app, contacting the developer to request the change is your best option to "fix" this issue. I found the app's FAQ and contact page here.