# Copying text with MS Word--want to copy to new style, not keeping old style **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 14, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949 "2010-01-14T17:41:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949/21 "2010-01-15T11:46:30Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Heh… I just did a build and started with Office 2K and this time told the 2007 installation to save my previous version. When I get to feeling nostalgic I open it up and stare at the toolbars, the glorious, customizable and floatable toolbars. Ahhh. > > If it helps, once you’re in the customization menu (ah, customization) you can right-click a button and select “edit.” We have a winner. I knew I did this before. Once you’ve created the button, go back into customize mode and then right click on the actual button that was created. That pops up a menu that allows you to alter the icon and change the text (or remove it if you just want the icon). I was trying to modify it using the customize tools and it just wasn’t happening. sniff, I’m so happy ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949/22 "2010-01-15T13:18:19Z")
> [@Roland Orzabal](#): > > 1. If you’re using Word 2007, you can do this by clicking Office (circular button in upper left) -\> Word Options -\> Advanced, then under “Cut, copy, and paste”, selecting “Keep Text Only” from each of the drop-downs. If you’re using 2003, the only way I know of to do this is to create a macro and assign it to Ctrl + V; if this is the case, let me know and I’ll post detailed instructions. > [@MrSquishy](#): > > I think you’re close: > > Office Button -\> Word Options -\> Advanced -\> Cut, copy, and paste -\> Pasting between documents -\> Match Destination Formatting. I’ve tried both of these, and they don’t work for me. In Word 2007, if I’m copying from, say, Albertus 18, and pasting into a paragraph of Times New Roman 12, the pasted text ends up Albertus 18, no matter what option I choose. I have “Paste Special” on my quick access bar, and selecting that, followed by “unformatted text” does what it should (pastes as Times New Roman 12). I absofuckinglutely **hate** Office 2007, and only use it at work because I have to. Everywhere I have the option, it’s Open Office (which, unfortunately, is a tiny fraction of my time). ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949/23 "2010-01-15T14:14:03Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > I’ve tried both of these, and they don’t work for me. In Word 2007, if I’m copying from, say, Albertus 18, and pasting into a paragraph of Times New Roman 12, the pasted text ends up Albertus 18, no matter what option I choose. I have “Paste Special” on my quick access bar, and selecting that, followed by “unformatted text” does what it should (pastes as Times New Roman 12). > > I absofuckinglutely **hate** Office 2007, and only use it at work because I have to. Everywhere I have the option, it’s Open Office (which, unfortunately, is a tiny fraction of my time). Then create a macro or a button as described above. If you do a lot of cutting and pasting then it’s natural to use Ctrl Shift V as the macro key. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949/24 "2010-01-15T15:17:15Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Then create a macro or a button as described above. If you do a lot of cutting and pasting then it’s natural to use Ctrl Shift V as the macro key. Macro will work, but until someone can describe how to create/edit a button in Word 2007 that’s out. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949/25 "2010-01-16T22:07:08Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Macro will work, but until someone can describe how to create/edit a button in Word 2007 that’s out. I just tried it in 2007 and it worked. I’ll post the instructions later. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949/26 "2010-01-17T01:03:28Z")
To make a button in Word 2007 that will paste without formating: Start by opening up a document and typing any text so you have something to copy. Highlight it anc copy it so it’s in the buffer (this is so you have something to work with while recording a new macro) Go to the View ribbon. Macros are to the far right. Click on the pull-down button and choose Record Macro. The first window that pops up allows you to name it and create a button. Call it NoFormat for the purpose of this example. Below this are choices for Button and Keyboard. Click on Button. The next window that pops up will be called Word Options. On the left side choose Customize. This will put the button on the Quick Access tool bar (the tiny one on top with the Save button in it) While in the same box you will notice 2 boxes with button functions listed in them. On the left choose Macros from the pulldown menue and your new button will show up as Normal.NewMacros.NoFormat (NoFormat is what you named the macro) Click on this and then click on Add to move it over to the right box which lists the buttons currently set up on the Quick Access bar. Click OK. From this point on you will be recording the steps that will be written into the macro so don’t waver from the instructions: - Click on the Home ribbon and then the Paste pull-down menu (far left). - Choose Paste special and then choose unformatted text. (this will paste whatever you had in the buffer) - Finish by stopping the macro. To stop recording the macro you have to go back to the View ribbon and click on the Macro pull-down button and click Stop Macro. Your new button should appear in the quick access bar in the upper left. If you place the mouse pointer over it the name of the button will be Normal.NewMacros.NoFormat. You can change this name if you want but right clicking on the button and choosing Customize Quick Access Toolbar. You will see the macro in the right column. Click on it and then click on the Modify button below. This will allow you to change the name. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949/27 "2010-01-18T03:03:18Z")
Another vote for PureText, which has the bonus of working across all apps. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copying-text-with-ms-word-want-to-copy-to-new-style-not-keeping-old-style/524949.md?page=1)