Paste Without Formatting Shortcut by App
Plain-text paste strips source styling; paste-and-match-style may apply the destination's style instead.
- In Google Docs on Windows: Ctrl + Shift + V — Paste Without Formatting
- On a Mac: Cmd + Option + Shift + V — Paste and Match Style
Recorded actions and binding evidence
Windows
Google Docs · Editing
Paste Without Formatting — Paste as plain text, stripping all formatting
Ctrl + Shift + V
· Source: Google Docs keyboard shortcuts
Windows 11 · Clipboard
Paste as Plain Text — Paste without any formatting (app-dependent)
Ctrl + Shift + V
Windows 11 · Editing
Paste as Plain Text — Paste without formatting (app-dependent)
Ctrl + Shift + V
macOS
macOS · Clipboard
Paste and Match Style — Paste without formatting, matching the surrounding text style
Cmd + Option + Shift + V
· Source: Apple Support — Mac keyboard shortcuts
macOS · Editing
Paste and Match Style — Paste and match the formatting of the surrounding text
Cmd + Option + Shift + V
· Source: Apple Support — Mac keyboard shortcuts
ChromeOS
ChromeOS · Editing
Paste as Plain Text — Paste without any formatting
Ctrl + Shift + V
· Source: Google Chromebook Help — Keyboard shortcuts (US QWERTY)
Also works in: Google Slides, Windows.
Context
Plain-text paste strips source styling; paste-and-match-style may apply the destination's style instead. In spreadsheets, paste-values-only can discard formulas as well as formatting. Those are different workflows, so compare the application action labels, not only similar-looking modifier keys.
Use the binding for your application and platform. Custom keymaps, keyboard layouts and intercepted system keys can change the behavior you observe.
Practical checks
- Check whether you want plain text, matching style or spreadsheet values.
- Use the application's Paste Special menu when no documented binding is available.
- Test with a short sample before replacing a large formatted selection.
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