When copying text from another document or Internet web page and pasting it into Microsoft Word, Word keeps the formatting of the text. For example, if you were to copy the text on this page to a Word file, this text would remain bold, and this text would remain blue. To remove the formatting in Microsoft Word from any text, highlight the text and press the shortcut key Ctrl+Spacebar. The shortcut sets the text to the default font and removes any formatting and links.

Alternatively, you can use the Paste Special option or Keep Text Only option in Microsoft Word to paste the text with no formatting.

In most versions of Windows, Ctrl+Windows key+V also pastes text as plain text.

  • Tip for pasting text without formatting in every program.
  • See our formatting, paste, and Word definitions for further information and related links on these terms.