# How to collect citations and quotes with clipboard history on a Mac > Copy several quotes, links and citations while researching, then paste them one by one from the NotchStar Clipboard tab. Holds 50 items, clears on quit. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/copy-citations-with-clipboard-history-on-a-mac/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. While researching, copy each quote, link or citation as you find it. NotchStar's Clipboard tab keeps your last 50 copies, so you can go through them afterwards and click any row to put it back on the clipboard for pasting. You do not need to alternate between the source and your document for each one. ## Steps 1. Keep NotchStar running while you read. It watches the system clipboard every half second and adds each new copy to the list. 2. Copy the quote or the citation text from the page. Do the same for the next source. Copying the same text twice moves it to the top instead of adding a duplicate. 3. When you are ready to write, open the notch and choose **Clipboard**. 4. Scroll the list or type in the search field. Search ignores capital letters and accents, so a search for cafe finds Café. A few words from the quote are enough. 5. Click a row. The item goes back on the clipboard and a checkmark confirms it. Switch to your document and paste with Command + V. 6. Repeat for the next item. Rows are in order of last use, newest on top. ## What shows in each row Each row shows one line of text, so a long quote is cut off in the list, but clicking copies the whole text. Links get a link icon. Files you copied in Finder, such as a PDF, show their real icon. Copied images appear with a thumbnail, and typing image in the search field finds them. ## Limits for research - **Plain text only.** Italics, bold and footnote numbers do not survive. Check titles and journal names after pasting. - **50 items, 10 images.** Older items drop off the bottom. A long session needs a checkpoint where you paste what you have into a document. - **Cleared on quit.** Nothing is saved to disk. - **It does not format a citation.** There is no APA or MLA output. You paste exactly what you copied. - **Only 30 matches are listed** at a time, so narrow the search if the list looks cut. - **Copies from password managers are skipped,** because they mark them as concealed. An app that does not mark its copies cannot be detected. ## A safer rhythm For anything you cannot lose, paste it into a document as you go and treat history as a backup. If you need a place to jot which source each quote came from, use the [Quick Note](https://www.notchstar.com/features/quick-notes/). The [search help page](https://www.notchstar.com/help/search-your-clipboard-history/) and the page on [history clearing on quit](https://www.notchstar.com/help/clipboard-history-clears-on-quit/) cover the details. ## Quick answers. ### Will the citations still be there tomorrow? No. Clipboard history is in memory and clears when NotchStar quits. Paste anything you need into a document before you quit. ### Does it keep bold or italics? No. Copied text is stored as plain text. ## 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. - [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 take quick notes during a lecture on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/take-quick-notes-during-a-lecture-on-a-mac/): Jot a name, a date or a question during a lecture with the NotchStar Quick Note. It saves as you type, holds one plain text note and is not a full notes app. ## More in Study and focus. - [How to study with a Pomodoro timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/study-with-a-pomodoro-timer-on-a-mac/): Run focused study blocks with the NotchStar Pomodoro: pick 25 and 5, 50 and 10 or 15 and 3, track four sessions, and know what the timer does not do. - [How to take quick notes during a lecture on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/take-quick-notes-during-a-lecture-on-a-mac/): Jot a name, a date or a question during a lecture with the NotchStar Quick Note. It saves as you type, holds one plain text note and is not a full notes app. - [How to time an exam practice session on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/time-an-exam-practice-session-on-a-mac/): Set a NotchStar countdown for a practice exam, hear a sound at the end. Includes what the timer cannot do. - [How to track how long a task takes with a stopwatch on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/track-how-long-a-task-takes-with-a-stopwatch-on-a-mac/): Use the NotchStar stopwatch to see how long homework or a chore really takes. It counts up until you stop it. It does not save a history or log laps. - [How to see today's events and due reminders without opening Calendar on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/use-cases/see-assignment-deadlines-without-opening-calendar-on-a-mac/): The NotchStar Calendar tab lists upcoming events and open reminders from your Mac accounts, and ticks reminders off. It looks to tomorrow only.