ClipboardlyHow to Paste Without Formatting on Mac
To paste without formatting on a Mac, press Option-Shift-Command-V (⌥⇧⌘V). This is Paste and Match Style: the text takes on the font and style around it. You can also choose Edit → Paste and Match Style. In Google Docs, press ⌘⇧V instead; in Microsoft Word, use Paste Special and choose Unformatted Text.
- ⌥⇧⌘V = Paste and Match Style in most Mac apps.
- Google Docs uses ⌘⇧V for “Paste without formatting”.
- In TextEdit, Format → Make Plain Text removes all formatting from a document.
The shortcut
- Copy the text as usual with ⌘C.
- Click where you want it to go.
- Press ⌥⇧⌘V. The text matches the surrounding font, size and color.
Shortcut by app
| App | Paste without formatting |
|---|---|
| Mail, Notes, Pages, Keynote, Numbers | ⌥⇧⌘V or Edit → Paste and Match Style |
| Safari and Chrome text fields | ⌥⇧⌘V |
| Google Docs | ⌘⇧V |
| Microsoft Word | Edit → Paste Special → Unformatted Text |
| TextEdit | ⌥⇧⌘V, or Format → Make Plain Text (⇧⌘T) |
A note for Clipboardly users
Frequently asked questions
What does Paste and Match Style do on Mac?
It pastes the text using the style of the place you paste it into, so the font, size and color match the surrounding text. The shortcut is ⌥⇧⌘V.
Can I make Mac always paste without formatting?
macOS has no global setting. You can add a custom shortcut in System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → App Shortcuts that maps ⌘V to “Paste and Match Style” in a given app.
Why doesn’t ⌥⇧⌘V work in my app?
Not every app supports Paste and Match Style. Check the app’s Edit menu for a plain-text paste option, such as Paste Special in Word or ⌘⇧V in Google Docs.
Sources
Checked September 2026. Prices and features of other apps can change; check each app’s site for the latest.
Written by Sheikh Saadi, founder of Growbig100. Updated .