For an essential feature, the clipboard has been criminally underdeveloped since its first emergence in the mid 1980s. In 25-plus years the basic functionality has never changed: you can only store one item in the clipboard at a time, and that item is lost forever as soon as it’s replaced.

CopyPaste Pro is one of a number of third-party tools that revolutionises the way the clipboard functions. First, it supports multiple clips – up to 50 clips are saved and stored in a browser for easy access and organisation. You can even edit clips using the built-in word processor, or create archives for important clips you use time and again, freeing up space in the clip browser.

Clips can be used via a graphical menu or browser, and there are tools for extracting data from clips and inserting time stamps into them too. All of this is done invisibly in the background while you work. CopyPaste Pro also offers a new way of copying and pasting exclusively with the mouse – when switched on, QuickClip allows you to click and hold down the mouse on a selected object – after a short pause it’s copied to the clip browser. Then just click and hold down the mouse where you want the object to go and – hey presto – it’s pasted back in place. You can also paste clips from the clip browser when it’s open by dragging them to the desired place in your document.

Version 2 introduced native PowerPC and Intel support, plus redesigned the interface to tie in more closely with the Mac OS’s dock and application switcher. All the options you need are accessible by clicking the CopyPaste Pro icon in the menubar – some options are also available via the right-click menu except in Snow Leopard.

The latest version of the program requires Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or later; OS X 10.4 (Tiger) users can download a compatible version from the Plum Amazing website. The program functions as a 30-day trial – after the evaluation ends, your clips won’t be saved on quitting the program or restarting until a licence is purchased and registered.