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How to stop Word 2003 from copying layout preferences when pasting?

Using Word 2003 on XP. This is hard to describe.  I'm copying text from a website.  I want the text to paste into a Word document using the existing font style and size already used in that Word document.  Is it possible to get Word to ignore some of the formatting its copying?  For example, I copy some text and when I paste it to the Word document it adds a bunch of empty lines after it.  When I backspace to delete the lines all the stuff afterward changes font size to match the thing I just pasted.  I tried removing every autoformat option I could but its doesn't affect this.  Something is telling it to match the font size/style to the joined text.  But what is that and how to stop it?

Do you have the Paste Options button enabled at Tools | Options | Edit: "Cut and paste options"? If so, when you paste something, you'll get the button. Click on the arrow beside the button and choose either "Match Destination Formatting" or "Keep Text Only." There's also an option to "Apply Style or Formatting," which would allow you to apply the style you want.
Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://ssbarnhill.com
http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com
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Now I'm not getting any button when I paste and I have it enabled in Tools | Options | Edit: "Cut and paste options".  Any idea what would prevent it from appearing? 


I just want to paste text that doesn't wrap to the window within a paragraph.  So when I copy it to the ereader it wraps to the ereader's window.  But it should still show the end of the paragraph.  Not sure how to do that.  Or if that would occur automatically..  

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Ask Clippy! Haha

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Try Edit > Paste Special... > Plain Text
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Charles Kenyon
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
wordfaq[at]addbalance[dot]com

Legal site: https://addbalance.com

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There are 2 options:

Unformatted Text

Unformatted Unicode Text

Does anyone know the difference?


Neither worked the way I need. Both pasted the text from the PDF (without word wrap) exactly like it was in the PDF.  

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See http://WordFAQs.mvps.org/CleanWebText.htm.
Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://ssbarnhill.com
http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com
Screen shots captured with TechSmith's Snagit

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Last updated October 5, 2021 Views 96 Applies to: