How to Paste Without Formatting: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever copied text from a website or document, only to find that it messes up the formatting when you paste it elsewhere? This article provides simple solutions to paste text without formatting on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.

Why Paste Without Formatting?

Websites and applications often use hidden formatting that can cause issues when pasted into a different context. Pasting without formatting ensures your text integrates seamlessly with the destination document or input field.

Pasting Without Formatting on Windows

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

The standard keyboard shortcut to paste without formatting on Windows is Ctrl+Shift+V. This works in most applications, including web browsers, email clients, and Microsoft Office apps like Word and Excel.

Pasting in Microsoft Word 2019

In Microsoft Word 2019, Ctrl+Shift+V may not work by default. Here’s how to enable it:

1. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon
2. Click Keyboard Shortcuts: Customize
3. Under “Categories,” select All Commands
4. Find PasteTextOnly and select it
5. In “Press new shortcut key,” type Ctrl+Shift+V
6. Click Assign and then Close

Now Ctrl+Shift+V will paste without formatting in Word 2019.

Using Notepad

For a reliable method:

1. Copy the formatted text
2. Open Notepad
3. Paste the text into Notepad using Ctrl+V
4. Copy the plain text from Notepad
5. Paste it into your target location

Pasting Without Formatting on Mac

On a Mac, use Cmd+Shift+V to paste without formatting in most applications.

For a Notepad-like method, use TextEdit:

1. Copy the formatted text
2. Open TextEdit
3. Paste into TextEdit with Cmd+V
4. Go to Format > Make Plain Text
5. Copy the plain text
6. Paste into your target location

Pasting Without Formatting on Linux

Most Linux applications support Ctrl+Shift+V for pasting plain text.

Alternatively, use a plain text editor like Gedit:

1. Copy the formatted text
2. Open Gedit
3. Paste into Gedit with Ctrl+V
4. Copy the plain text
5. Paste into your target location

Pasting Without Formatting on Mobile

Mobile operating systems have limited options for pasting without formatting. The best approach is to use a plain text editor app.

On Android:

1. Copy the formatted text
2. Open a plain text editor app
3. Paste the text
4. Copy the plain text
5. Paste it where needed

On iOS:

1. Copy the formatted text
2. Open the built-in Notes app
3. Paste into a new note
4. Select and copy the plain text
5. Paste it into your target location

FAQs

Conclusion

By following these simple methods, you can ensure your pasted text maintains a consistent format and integrates seamlessly with your content.