How to restrict the readers from copying the content

By default, readers can freely select and copy content from your knowledge base site. For confidential or proprietary documentation, you may want to prevent this. Using a JavaScript snippet, you can intercept and block cut, copy, and paste actions on article content so that even when a reader selects text and presses Ctrl+C — or uses any other copy method — nothing is placed on their clipboard.

NOTE

This solution intercepts the copy event — it does not prevent text selection. Readers can still highlight content, but the copy action will not transfer anything to the clipboard.

When to use this

Use this customization when you want to:

• Prevent readers from copying proprietary, confidential, or legally sensitive article content.
• Discourage direct reproduction of knowledge base content in external documents or communications.
• Add a copy restriction layer to internal or partner-facing documentation.

Before you begin

• You need access to Settings (
  ) > Knowledge base site > Site customization > Custom CSS & JavaScript in the Knowledge base portal.
• This is a site-wide change that applies to all article content across your knowledge base. It cannot be scoped to specific articles or categories without modifying the snippet.
• This restriction applies to the knowledge base site only. It does not affect the Knowledge base portal or any exported content.

How to restrict content copying

1. Navigate to Settings (

   ) > Knowledge base site > Site customization > Custom CSS & JavaScript in the Knowledge base portal.

   

2. From the left navigation pane, select the JavaScript tab and paste the following snippet.

$(document).ready(function(){
$('d360-article-content').bind("cut copy paste",function(e) {
e.preventDefault();
});
});

3. Click Save.

   

Best practices

• Understand the limitation. This solution blocks the clipboard event in the browser. It does not prevent readers from taking screenshots, using browser developer tools, or transcribing content manually. It is a deterrent, not an absolute technical barrier.
• Test after saving. Open an article on your knowledge base site, select some text, and attempt to copy it (Ctrl+C). Then attempt to paste into a text editor to confirm nothing is transferred.
• Consider your audience before applying. Copy restrictions can frustrate legitimate use cases — such as readers who want to copy a command, a code snippet, or an error message for troubleshooting. For internal teams or technical users, this restriction may create more friction than it prevents risk.
• To revert, delete the snippet. Navigate back to the JavaScript tab in Custom CSS & JavaScript, remove the snippet, and click Save. Copy functionality is restored immediately.