What does HRESULT 0x800401D3 (CLIPBRD_E_BAD_DATA) mean?

CLIPBRD_E_BAD_DATA

CLIPBRD_E_BAD_DATA (0x800401D3) means that data obtained from the clipboard is invalid for the operation that is trying to consume or convert it. This is a data-validity result, not the same condition as failing to open or publish the clipboard.

What to preserve

• The clipboard format ID/name and the clipboard sequence number for the failing sample.
• The size and type of the returned handle or object, without logging sensitive clipboard contents.
• The producing application or window when it can be identified, and whether delayed rendering was involved.

Safe handling

Treat clipboard contents as untrusted input. Copy the bytes or structure you need while the clipboard contract permits access, validate lengths, terminators, structure versions, and dimensions before parsing, and prefer another advertised format if the failing format is malformed.

Retrying identical clipboard contents is unlikely to repair malformed data. A meaningful retry begins after the clipboard sequence changes or after selecting a different valid format.

Technical references

• Microsoft: GetClipboardData.
• Microsoft: OleGetClipboard.
• Microsoft: generic COM error codes.