Word 2013 - Paste Command Creating Formatting Issues

Hi:

I have a Word 2013 doc.

I am selecting text and then performing a Copy/Paste (or even a Cut/Paste) all within the same document. Formatting at the time of the paste in both locations is uniform throughout the entire document. However, when pasting in the destination the pasted content takes on a formatting all its own. Not in line with the Normal style and not matching any of formatting within the document.

Now if I paste via the Toolbar command the same thing happens. But if I select 'Paste Special' it shows that it will be pasting in 'HTML Format' unless I make a different selection. Selecting any 'Unformatted' choice from this list works perfectly as it inherits the formatting of the destination (again this is still apples to apples in terms of formatting so it should be working anyway.)

I have gone in through the Advanced Cut, Copy and Paste section in Word Options to configure pasting within the same document but this seems to have no effect. I changed it from 'Keep Source Formatting' and tried 'Merge Formatting' and 'Keep Test Only' but neither option worked.

Now, I searched for this issue in the form and only found this (https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/office/en-US/1ddbeca5-b333-4496-84c2-cb0fdeee9c35/paste-special-what-is-merge-formatting?forum=word) which actually makes no sense as an answer - I don't see why you would ever want do a paste that only consisted of formatting information with no content. There's the format brush for that, or the creation of Styles, etc. Copy pasting formatting data only doesn't make sense. 

Any way, I presently have the 'Pasting within the Same Document' set for 'Keep Text Only' and is sometimes half working. What I would like first - is an explain of the situation I encountered AND then the solve for fixing it please.

Thank you.

August 20th, 2015 6:29pm

Perhaps the answer in the article I linked is correctly, but it was not written very clearly IMO.
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August 20th, 2015 6:31pm

Hi Dark_Turban,

Based on your description, it seems that you used Merge Formatting option to paste your text unintentionally. But you're not very clear about this option.

Is my understanding correct?

If yes, Merge formatting like middle ground with the main formatting attributes (bold, italics etc. plus web links) retained but most of the formatting changed to match the document you are pasting into.

I suggest you read the article about "Control the formatting when you paste text":
https://support.office.com/en-za/article/Control-the-formatting-when-you-paste-text-20156a41-520e-48a6-8680-fb9ce15bf3d6

Hope it's helpful. 

Regards,

Emi Zhang
TechNet Community Su

August 21st, 2015 5:15am

While I am grateful for the assistance, I did make it very clear what the situation was.

Copy/cut/paste is inventing it's own formatting choice at the destination - even when pasted within a document with the same uniform formatting throughout.

I am familiar with the article and I did my own experimentation based off of it. I don't like bothering people unless I have done my homework first and that article only provides information, not answers.

Question and issue still exists. Thank you.

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August 21st, 2015 11:19am

Any way, I just tried getting a screen grab for you - but inexplicably Word has now decided to give me the majority of the formatting when it pastes - with the exact same settings as before. It is not inheriting the paragraph attributes of the destination at this time, but the formatting is being reproduced correctly to match the destination and that is enough.

I thank you for your help Emi, but I think I will soldier on myself from this point and see if it happens again down the line. Save your skills for those who need it more...

Have to say, I'm a lifelong Word user and know the program pretty darn well and still this software after all these years constantly finds new ways to do things of its own choosing. Don't think a day goes by without it 'deciding' to throw me some at least some sort of curveball.

Thanks.

August 21st, 2015 11:41am

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