The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To remove styling from text already in a Google Doc, select it and press Ctrl + on PC or ChromeOS, or Command + on Mac. To paste copied text without bringing over its original styling, use Ctrl + Shift + V on PC or ChromeOS, or Command + Shift + V on Mac. These are different commands for different moments.
Choose the command for what you want to do
| Your goal | Use | What it changes |
|---|---|---|
| Remove styling from text already in the document | Clear text formatting | Removes formatting from the selected text. |
| Paste copied text without its source styling | Paste without formatting | Controls how text is inserted when you paste. |
| Apply one selection’s styling to another | Paint format or formatting shortcuts | Copies formatting; it does not clear it. |
Google documents these commands in its Google Docs keyboard shortcuts reference and copy-and-paste help page.
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Remove formatting already applied to text
- Select the text whose styling you want to remove. To change the whole document, select all its text first.
- Press Ctrl + on PC or ChromeOS, or Command + on Mac.
Google labels this command “Clear text formatting.” It acts on the selection in the document; it is not the command to use when you have not pasted the text yet.
Paste without bringing in source formatting
- Copy the text you need. Standard copy shortcuts are Ctrl + C on PC or ChromeOS and Command + C on Mac.
- Click where the text should go in the document.
- Use Ctrl + Shift + V on PC or ChromeOS, or Command + Shift + V on Mac.
This inserts the copied text without its original formatting. Use this at paste time; if styled text is already in the document, select it and use the clear-formatting shortcut instead.
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Clipboard menu commands can depend on the browser. Google says that in Chrome, keyboard shortcuts, right-click, and the Edit menu may be available; for other browsers, its help page directs users to keyboard shortcuts. See Google’s browser-specific copy-and-paste guidance.
Copy a style to another selection
Use Paint format
- Select the text with the formatting you want to reuse.
- Click Paint format in the toolbar.
- Select the destination text.
To apply that formatting in several places, double-click Paint format, select each destination, then click Paint format again when finished.
Use formatting shortcuts
Google also lists shortcuts for copying and applying formatting:
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- PC or ChromeOS: Ctrl + Alt + C to copy formatting; Ctrl + Alt + V to apply it.
- Mac: Command + Option + C to copy formatting; Command + Option + V to apply it.
These transfer a style rather than removing one. The desktop keyboard-shortcut reference lists the commands.
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Shortcuts on Android, iPhone, and iPad
Android
Google’s Android shortcut reference lists Ctrl + to clear formatting and Ctrl + Shift + V to paste without formatting. Google cautions that some shortcuts may not work with every language or keyboard. Check the Android keyboard-shortcut reference for the listed commands.
iPhone and iPad
Google’s iPhone and iPad shortcut reference lists Command + to clear text formatting. That reference does not list a paste-without-formatting shortcut, so do not assume the desktop paste command is documented for iOS. See Google’s iPhone and iPad shortcut reference.
When you want Markdown converted, not stripped
If the copied content contains Markdown and you want Docs to convert it into formatted content, turn on Tools > Preferences > Enable Markdown. Google says this setting can be checked or unchecked. It is a conversion option, not a way to remove styling from an existing selection. Details are in Google’s Markdown help.
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