---
name: "SDL_GetPrimarySelectionText"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libsdl3-doc"
version: "3.2.10+ds-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/SDL_GetPrimarySelectionText"
---

# SDL\_GetPrimarySelectionText(3)

Get UTF-8 text from the primary selection.

## NAME

SDL\_GetPrimarySelectionText - Get UTF-8 text from the primary selection.

## HEADER FILE

Defined in SDL3/SDL\_clipboard.h

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include "SDL3/SDL.h"
```

**char \* SDL\_GetPrimarySelectionText(void);**

## DESCRIPTION

This functions returns an empty string if there was not enough memory left for a copy of the primary selection's content.

## RETURN VALUE

Returns the primary selection text on success or an empty string on failure; call  **SDL\_GetError** () for more information. This should be freed with  **SDL\_free** () when it is no longer needed.

## THREAD SAFETY

This function should only be called on the main thread.

## AVAILABILITY

This function is available since SDL 3.2.0.

## SEE ALSO

**•**(3), [**SDL\_HasPrimarySelectionText**(3)](/SDL_HasPrimarySelectionText/3.md), **•**(3), [**SDL\_SetPrimarySelectionText**(3)](/SDL_SetPrimarySelectionText/3.md)