Setting paste default to 'Keep text only' on Office 365 Word Mac

Question

Hello,

I believe this has been raised a number of times over the years, especially in relation to Mac but I was hoping in 2021 that there may be a solution.

On Word on Windows, it is possible to set the default paste to "Keep text only" which is brilliant.

I've been wanting to accomplish that on the Mac, so I don't have to repeatedly press Shift + Option + Command + V.

I did stumble across this from @Siaris18 back in 2017, but it doesn't seem to work for text only.

"Go to System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts.

• Choose "App Shortcuts" in the left hand panel.
• Press the "+" button to create a new shortcut.
• Choose Word as the application and enter "Paste and Match Formatting" into the Menu Title box. Enter Command-V for the keyboard shortcut.
• Add another shortcut, choose Word again and enter "Paste" into the Menu Title box and enter Shift-Option-Command-V for the shortcut."

Question: Microsoft 365 2021 Word for Mac. Can I set the default paste to text only? (I don't want Paste and Match Formatting)

Thanks so much.

Answer 1

Hi booragal,

Thanks for posting in the community.

According to your description, you want to change the shortcut and use Command + V to paste the content with ‘Keep Text Only’. Please try the following steps:

1. Open Word, On the Tools menu, select Customize Keyboard.
2. In the Categories list, choose Edit, find Paste TextOnly command, then press the new shortcut and click OK

The original paste command is EditPaste. You can also add a new shortcut to it.

For your reference: Create a custom keyboard shortcut for Word for Mac

If you have any updates, please feel free and come back to share with us.

Regards,

George

Answer 2

Hi booragal,

I'm writing this reply to follow up on this thread, may I know if you have checked my reply? When you have time, you are welcome to come back and let us know if you still need help here.

Regards,

George

Answer 3

Thank you so much. This is exactly what I was after in Word.

It's such a shame that Microsoft doesn't make it easy for Apple users. Not your fault at all, Geroge. Thank you again.