# What happens when you copy the same thing twice in NotchStar

> Copy the same text, image or file again and NotchStar moves it to the top of the clipboard list instead of adding a duplicate. Here is how it matches.

Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/help/copy-again-moves-clipboard-item-to-top/
Last updated: 2026-11-04

Published 2026-11-04.

When you copy something you already copied, NotchStar does not add a second row. It removes the older entry and puts the item back at the top of the list, so the list shows each thing once, newest first.

## How NotchStar decides two copies are the same

- **Text and links:** the two strings must be exactly equal. A capital letter, a space or a line break that differs makes it a different item.
- **Images:** the shrunk copy of the image is compared. The same picture copied twice counts as one.
- **Files:** the two file locations must be the same file.

## Clicking a row does the same

Click a row in the list and that item goes back on the clipboard. NotchStar also moves it to the top, because as far as the list is concerned you just copied it again. A brief [checkmark](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-checkmark-meaning/) confirms it.

## Why this matters

Copying a link, pasting it, then copying it again an hour later does not push older items out of the list. The 50 item cap counts each thing once, so repeated copies do not use up room. See [the 50 item limit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-limit-50-items/).

## Limits

- Text that only looks the same, for example one copy with a trailing space, is stored as a second item.
- Copies that are only spaces or line breaks are ignored.
- The history lives in memory, so after you quit NotchStar the list starts empty again.

The whole tool is described on the [Clipboard feature page](https://www.notchstar.com/features/clipboard/).

## Quick answers.

### Does copying twice make a duplicate?

No. The older row is removed and the item moves to the top, so each thing appears once.

## Keep reading.

- [Clipboard history that lives in your notch](https://www.notchstar.com/features/clipboard/): Searchable clipboard history in the Mac notch: text, links, images and files. Skips password manager copies. Click any item to copy it again.
- [How to search your clipboard history in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/search-your-clipboard-history/): Open the notch, pick Clipboard and type to filter 50 recent copies. Search ignores capitals and accents, and typing image finds copied images.
- [How many items NotchStar clipboard history keeps](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-limit-50-items/): NotchStar keeps the 50 most recent clipboard items, at most 10 of them images. Older items drop off, and the list shows the 30 newest matches at a time.
- [What is clipboard history?](https://www.notchstar.com/glossary/clipboard-history/): Clipboard history is a list of the things you recently copied, so you can paste an older item again. Learn how it works on a Mac and what to watch for.

## More in Clipboard.

- [How to search your clipboard history in NotchStar](https://www.notchstar.com/help/search-your-clipboard-history/): Open the notch, pick Clipboard and type to filter 50 recent copies. Search ignores capitals and accents, and typing image finds copied images.
- [How many items NotchStar clipboard history keeps](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-limit-50-items/): NotchStar keeps the 50 most recent clipboard items, at most 10 of them images. Older items drop off, and the list shows the 30 newest matches at a time.
- [Why your NotchStar clipboard history clears when you quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-clears-on-quit/): NotchStar keeps clipboard history in memory only, so quitting the app clears it. Nothing is written to disk, and password manager copies are skipped.
- [How to paste an older item from NotchStar clipboard history](https://www.notchstar.com/help/paste-from-notchstar-clipboard-history/): Open the notch, pick Clipboard, click the item you want, then press Command V where you want it. NotchStar copies the item back and does not paste for you.
- [What NotchStar does with files you copy in Finder](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-files-copied-in-finder/): NotchStar records files copied in Finder as files, with their icon, not as text names. Click a row to copy the file again. Search matches name and path.
- [How NotchStar clipboard history handles images](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-images-notchstar/): NotchStar keeps images you copy in clipboard history at a reduced size, shows a thumbnail, and keeps only the 10 newest. Search finds them with the word image.