Change Word's default paste settings (for more advanced users) Word for Mac does not have a simple setting to change the default paste behavior to plain text, unlike the Windows version.

Hi Mosher,

I completely understand how frustrating it is when a familiar shortcut suddenly stops working especially if you rely on it for quick formatting. Let me explain why this change occurred and what you can do about it.

Word for Mac is designed to follow macOS standards rather than Windows conventions. Unlike the Windows version, there’s no built-in setting to make “Keep Text Only” the default paste option. Microsoft also adjusted keyboard shortcuts to align with macOS guidelines, which is why the shortcut you used before no longer works.

What you can do instead

Quick Paste as Plain Text: Use Cmd + Option + Shift + V to paste without formatting.

Create a Custom Shortcut: In System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts, add Word and assign your preferred key combo to Paste and Match Formatting.

Advanced Option – Macro: You can create a VBA macro that strips formatting and bind it to a shortcut for a permanent solution.

Let me know how it goes, Happy to help!

Currently, Word for Mac does not provide a straightforward setting to change the default paste behavior to plain text, unlike its Windows counterpart. Users looking for more advanced options may need to utilize keyboard shortcuts or configure specific paste settings through the application. Unfortunately, the changes in keyboard shortcuts and paste behavior can be frustrating, especially for users accustomed to previous versions.

If you are looking for ways to paste as plain text, you might consider using the "Paste and Match Style" option, which can often be accessed via a keyboard shortcut (usually Command + Option + Shift + V) depending on your version of Word. This will paste the text without formatting, similar to pasting as plain text.

For further customization, you may explore the options available in the Word settings or look for updates that might address these concerns in future releases.