Copying and pasting is a basic task we perform everyday, but sometimes the copied text comes with extra formatting like font size, color, and style which might be unwanted or distracting. Stripping the formatting is an easy way to clean up the text and make it more readable. Here are five ways to strip formatting when you copy and paste text:

1. Use Plain Text Mode

Most text editor and word processing software come with Plain Text mode which can be accessed by clicking on the option in the menus or by using a keyboard shortcut. In plain text mode, all formatting and styling are removed, so you can copy and paste without any extra baggage.

2. Paste Without Formatting

Many applications have the option to paste without formatting. Instead of using the regular paste function, press “Control+Shift+V” or “Command+Shift+V” (on a Mac) to paste without formatting. This will strip out all formatting and styling from the copied text.

3. Use Notepad/TextEdit

Notepad (on Windows) and TextEdit (on Mac) are simple text editors that come with the operating system. This can be a handy tool to paste text as it will automatically remove any formatting and styling. Open Notepad or TextEdit, paste the copied text and copy it again, the new text will be free from all formatting.

4. Use Online Tools

If you don’t have a text editor or a word processor installed on your computer, you can use online tools to Strip Formatting such as Copy Plain, Plain Text Editor, and Clean Text. These tools are free and easy to use, you can copy and paste the text in the input box, and click on the “Strip Formatting” button.

5. Use Keyboard Shortcut

For quickly removing formatting on Microsoft Word, check out the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+Spacebar” which removes any formatting or styling that may have been applied to the highlighted text. If you want to clear all formatting throughout your entire document, use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+A” to select all the text, and then “Ctrl+Spacebar” to remove all formatting.