' For this example, the data to be placed on the clipboard is a simple
' string.
Dim textData As String = "I want to put this string on the clipboard."
' The example will enable auto-conversion of data for this data object.
Dim autoConvert As Boolean = True

' Create a new data object, specifying the data format, data to encapsulate, and enabling
' auto-conversion services.
Dim data As New DataObject(DataFormats.UnicodeText, CType(textData, Object), autoConvert)

' If the data to be copied is supposed to be persisted after the application ends, 
' then set the second parameter of SetDataObject to true.
If persistentData Then
    ' Place the persisted data on the clipboard.
    Clipboard.SetDataObject(data, True)
Else
    ' Place the non-persisted data on the clipboard.
    Clipboard.SetDataObject(data, False)
End If

' If you keep a copy of the source data object, you can use the IsCurrent method to see if
' the data object is still on the clipboard.
Dim isOriginalDataObject As Boolean = Clipboard.IsCurrent(data)