Microsoft adds data table copy feature to Snipping Tool app

In addition to releasing two new Windows 11 preview builds (one for the Beta Channel and one for the Dev Channel) and a new Windows Server 2025 preview build, Microsoft has also quietly released a “lightweight” update to the Snipping Tool app, with a few pretty useful changes, which is now available for early Windows Insiders in the Dev and Beta Channels.

Specifically, the latest version 11.2409.22.0 of Snipping Tool comes with a very interesting new feature: Allowing users to copy data tables via screenshots. The operation is very simple, users just need to take a screenshot of the data table, then click the "Text Actions" button and press "Copy as Table". The application will automatically copy everything in a structured and organized way, allowing you to paste the data into spreadsheet processing applications such as Excel or similar software.

The official announcement from Microsoft is as follows:

We're rolling out an update to the new Snipping Tool (version 11.2409.22.0 or later) to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, which introduces a new feature called "Copy as table".

In addition to existing text processing features, such as copying text from images and redacting sensitive information, Snipping Tool now has a new option that lets users easily copy structured table data into an email, document, or spreadsheet. To get started, take a screenshot of the table data, select “Text actions,” and then “Copy as table.” You can now paste the structured table data into the apps you want.

Please note: the current feature works best when your screenshot contains only one data table.

Also, it's worth noting that while you can download the latest Snipping Tool update and install it on a stable Windows 11 build using third-party tools to create links from the Microsoft Store, the new table copy feature may not be available yet. So, the best way to try it is on a device enrolled in the Windows Insider program in the Dev Channel or Canary Channel.