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Can't use CTRL+SHIFT V to paste unformatted text on my new PC

I have a Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 bought last 2019. On it, I normally copy any text from anywhere using CTRL+C. Then when I paste it on Windows/Office apps (like Outlook, Word, Teams, etc.) using CTRL+SHIFT+V, it always results in pasting unformatted text.

I got a new PC this year and it's running on Windows 11 (same as my Surface Laptop). However, I cannot replicate the CTRL+C/CTRL+SHIFT+V combo in it.

I remember doing something on the Surface Laptop so it could do that behavior. Unfortunately, I forgot how. Although I'm pretty sure there was no coding or tinkering with registry involved since I'm not familiar with both and I'm afraid of messing anything in the system.

Would be really great if anyone can give me leads on how to go about this.

To go along with Manson, copy/paste has multiple possible points where it has to work for it to work. One of those is the application itself. In this case, also the OS since its providing the clipboard and shortcuts.

Sometimes too other applications can cause the contents to be lost.

So various issues can happen.

This behavior basically never changes so going forward it should be easier for you. Test it somewhere else to see if the application is at fault.

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Hi,

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

I understood that you could not use the Ctrl+C/Ctrl+Shift+V key combination to on Windows/Office apps.

Let me explain to you.

In Office:

Ctrl +Shift+ C is used to copy the formatting of text,Ctrl+ Shift +V applies the copied formatting to other text.

The following are the instructions for using the formatting brush in office：

  1. Select the text or graphics with the formatting to be copied.

    Note: If you want to copy text formatting, select a part of the paragraph. If you want to copy text and paragraph formatting, select the entire paragraph, including the paragraph markers.

  2. On the Start tab, click Format Brush. The pointer will change to a brush icon.

  3. Use the brush to overwrite the selected text or graphic to apply formatting. This action works only once. To change the formatting of multiple selections in a document, you must first double-click the "Format Brush".

  4. To stop setting the format, press Esc.

    Note: For graphics, the Format Brush is best suited for working with graphic objects, such as self-selected graphics. However, you can copy formatting from images (image borders).

In Edge:

Ctrl+Shift+V is edge's shortcut key to paste contents as plain text.You could use the Ctrl + C/Ctrl + Shift + V key combination to paste formatted text.Such as the text box in the forum.

When you use Ctrl + Shift + V on Office apps, it always results in pasting unformatted text. This is due to the fact that CTRL + Shift + V does not have the ability to just paste contents as plain text on Office apps. So after pasting the text, you need to use the formatting brush function to paste the format you want.

Hope above answers could help you!

Best Regards,

Bob8 | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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Last updated March 9, 2025 Views 7,219 Applies to: