How to Copy Text From a Webpage That Cannot Be Copied

ByJim Miller

Most bank and financial websites restrict users from copying text for security reasons. However, there are times when you need to copy information from these sites. In this article, we will explore four methods to copy text from websites that won't let you.

1. Using Browser Extension

A simple solution is to use a browser extension to copy text from websites that don't allow it. Follow these steps:

  1. Download and install the “Absolute Enable Right Click & Copy” extension for Chrome or Firefox.
  2. Open the webpage that doesn't allow copying.
  3. Click the extension icon in the top-right corner.
  4. Select “Absolute Enable Right Click & Copy” from the menu.
  5. A popup will appear. Choose the “Enable Copy” option.
  6. You should now be able to copy text from the site.

If the above extension doesn't work, you can try using the “Enable right-click for Google Chrome” extension.

2. Using Source Code

If you can right-click on a page but cannot copy the text, you can copy text from the webpage's source code:

  1. Open the webpage and right-click on it.
  2. Select “View page source.”
  3. A new window will open. Use the Ctrl + F keyboard shortcut to search for the text you want to copy.
  4. Once you find it in the source code, you can easily copy it.

3. Download Webpage as a PDF

To copy a large amount of text from a website, you can convert the entire page into a PDF:

  1. Open the webpage and press Ctrl + P to open the Print preview window in Chrome.
  2. In the Destination drop-down box, select “Save as PDF.”
  3. Click “Save” to download the PDF on your computer.
  4. Open the PDF and copy the text you need.

4. Disable Javascript

Many websites use Javascript to prevent users from copying text. You can disable Javascript in Chrome temporarily to copy text:

  1. Go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings.
  2. Click on “Javascript.”
  3. Select “Don't allow sites to use Javascript.”
  4. Refresh the webpage and copy the text.
  5. Enable Javascript again after copying the text.

Bonus: Take a Screenshot and Copy Text from Webpages on Any Device

In addition to the above methods, you can take a screenshot of the website and extract the text:

  • On Windows, use the Snipping Tool or Bing Search to extract text from the image.
  • On iPhone, take a screenshot and open the picture in the Photos app. Long press on the text and select Copy.
  • On Samsung Galaxy phones, open the screenshot in the Gallery app. Tap on the T icon at the bottom corner and select and copy the text.
  • On other Android phones, open the screenshot in the Google Photos app and tap on the Lens icon. Select the text and tap on Copy. You can also use Google Lens from the Google app for the same purpose.

These methods will help you copy text from websites that don't allow it. Remember to respect the website's terms and conditions and use the information responsibly.