Word solves one of the oldest problems when inserting text

Some time ago, copy text from the Internet to paste it into Word., it was a nightmare. If the Ctrl + V command was used, the result changed the original document format and we had to edit it. After years of complaints Microsoft has finally listened to its users and implemented a function that solves this problem.

Word has added a Merge Formatting feature to its default paste options. This feature supports the format of original content that makes sense – for example, bold font, tables, lists, etc. – and adapts it to the style of our document. If you paste rich text into this function, you’ll notice that it doesn’t change the font, font size, or color.

Option “Merge Format” added to the “Keep Source Formatting” and “Paste Text Only” features. Microsoft offers an alternative set it as default option when pasting text in the document. You simply need to access Word’s preferences, select the More option from the side menu, and change the behavior of the Cut, Copy, and Paste functions.

The new feature also adds a small pop-up menu that activates in Word when you paste text. This window has shortcuts that allow the user to select the ideal content format.

“Many of you have told us that the current default settings Keep original format does not meet their needs and they would prefer the default option to be Merge format when pasting from other programs,” said Ali Forelli, Word product manager. “We heard you and are happy to comply.”

New feature “Merge Format” will be available in Word for Windows. starting from version 2405.

Word has solved one of its old problems.

The introduction of merge formatting solves one of Word’s oldest problems. Those who have used a word processor over the past two decades know that copying text from the Internet and pasting it into a document can be an ordeal.

In older versions, garbage was added when trying to format text. The user had two options: paste it into Word and edit it, or paste it into Notepad and add formatting manually. Any option takes time.

After many years of persuasion, Microsoft introduced a keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + V. in a word to insert simple text. The change was well received, although it did not solve the underlying problem.

“Inserting is one of the most basic user actions in Word, but it can also be time-consuming. Have you ever pasted content into a document and spent countless minutes manually doing all the formatting for the pasted content? Would you like to be able to insert content into a document? add content to a document and make it match the appearance of the rest of the content?”

Ali Forelli. Word Product Manager

The merge format is a solution that users have been asking for since Office XP. This function will Available in the next update to Word for Windows.and in Word for the web and Mac. The only detail is that the latter do not have the option to customize the default paste option.