Set default paste to Keep Text Only

Question

When I paste into Word 2003 the default is Keep Source Formatting. How can I change the default to Keep Text Only?

Answer 1

It seems that Word 2003 doesn't let you set "Keep text only" as a default.

But you can create a macro as described in detail here: https://cybertext.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/word-keyboard-shortcut-to-paste-unformatted-text/

Essentially you: 1. create the macro. 2. add the macro to your template. 3. assign a keyboard shortcut to the macro.

That way, if you want to paste text only you can just use the keyboard shortcut.

Answer 2

In Word, select Options...Advanced. Under Cut, copy, and paste, set all the "Pasting" settings to Keep Text Only.

(Screenshot is from Word 2013)

Answer 3

I've had a similar need so I wrote an AutoHotkey script that creates a global "paste text only" option. It's not perfect but it's fairly effective. There's a special case for Excel and you could probably create one for Word as well.

; Key: Win+V
; Cmd: Paste unformatted text
#v::
IfWinActive Microsoft Excel
{
   Send !es{Down 2}{Enter}  ;Edit menu, Paste Special, Text only
   ; This still works in 2007 and 2010 even though the Edit menu doesn't exist anymore
}
Else
{
   clipOld := ClipboardAll  ;Save the entire clipboard
   clip := Clipboard        ;Save just the text portion of the clipboard
   Clipboard := clip        ;Replace the clipboard with just the text portion
   Send, ^v                 ;Paste the text
   Clipboard := clipOld     ;Replace the clipboard with its original contents
}
Return