Paste Without Formatting Shortcut
Paste as plain text: ⌘⇧V on Mac, Ctrl+Shift+V on Windows. Plus the Office variants that differ.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paste without formatting (most apps) | ⌘⇧V | Ctrl+Shift+V | |
| Paste and match style (macOS) | ⌘⌥⇧V | (n/a) | |
| Paste special (Word) | ⌘⌃V | Ctrl+Alt+V | |
| Paste values only (Excel/Sheets) | ⌃⌘V | Ctrl+Shift+V | |
| Normal paste | ⌘V | Ctrl+V | |
| Clear formatting after paste | ⌃Space (Word) | Ctrl+Space (Word) | |
| Paste and match style (Google Docs/Slides) | ⌘⇧V | Ctrl+Shift+V | |
| Paste Special → Unformatted (Word) | ⌘⌃V | Ctrl+Alt+V |
The everyday combo
In most modern apps — Chrome, Google Docs, Slack, Notion — ⌘⇧V (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+V (Windows) pastes text stripped of its source fonts, colours and links so it matches its destination.
Office is different
Microsoft Word uses Paste Special (Ctrl+Alt+V / ⌘⌃V) where you pick "Unformatted Text". In Excel and Sheets, paste-values-only drops formatting and formulas, keeping just the numbers. On macOS system-wide, "Paste and Match Style" is ⌘⌥⇧V.
Troubleshooting: paste still keeps formatting
If Ctrl+Shift+V still pastes styled text, the app may map that key to a different 'paste special'. In Microsoft Word use Ctrl+Alt+V → Unformatted Text. In Excel, Ctrl+Shift+V pastes values without formulas or formatting. On the Mac, the Edit menu item is Paste and Match Style (⌘⌥⇧V in some apps).
FAQ
What is the paste without formatting shortcut?
In most apps it's ⌘⇧V on the Mac or Ctrl+Shift+V on Windows. It pastes plain text that matches the surrounding style.
How do I paste plain text in Word?
Use Paste Special — Ctrl+Alt+V on Windows or ⌘⌃V on the Mac — and choose Unformatted Text. Or paste normally then press Ctrl+Space to clear formatting.
Why does Ctrl+Shift+V not work in some apps?
A few apps, especially Microsoft Office, map plain-text paste to Paste Special instead. This page lists the app-specific combos.
What if Ctrl+Shift+V doesn't strip formatting?
Use the app's Paste Special: Ctrl+Alt+V in Word → Unformatted Text. In Excel, Ctrl+Shift+V pastes values only. On Mac the menu reads 'Paste and Match Style'.
How do I paste values only in a spreadsheet?
In Excel/Sheets use Paste Special → Values (Ctrl+Alt+V then V on Windows, ⌘⌃V then V on Mac) to drop formulas and formatting.