How to paste as plain text on Mac

Updated October 2026

You copy a sentence from a web page and paste it into your notes. Suddenly it arrives in a different font, a different size and with a link attached. Plain text pastes just the words. Here's how to get it on a Mac.

The shortcut

In most apps, press ⌥⇧⌘V (Option, Shift, Command, V) instead of ⌘V. The words come through in the style of the place you're pasting into.

The menu command

If you'd rather click, open the Edit menu and look for Paste and Match Style. Some apps call it Paste as Plain Text or Paste Without Formatting.

When it doesn't work

The app has its own shortcut. Some apps use ⇧⌘V. Check the Edit menu.
The app already pastes plain text. Code editors and Terminal usually do, so there is nothing to strip.
What you copied was an image. There's no text to match. Use screenshot to text first (guide).

Make it a habit with a clipboard manager

macOS has no setting that makes every paste plain. A clipboard manager can do it for the pastes you make through it, and it can do more than strip formatting.

In Pocketry, right-click an entry that was copied with formatting, choose Paste as…, then Plain text (no formatting).
To make plain text the default, turn off Keep formatting when pasting in Settings. Or pick one app (a notes app, say) in Paste rules for apps and choose plain text for just that app.
The same Paste as… menu can paste as UPPERCASE, camelCase, a URL slug, a quoted reply, a Markdown link, or a link with the tracking removed.
Everything happens on your Mac.

Common questions

What is the shortcut to paste without formatting on a Mac?

In most apps, press ⌥⇧⌘V (Option, Shift, Command, V). It is the Paste and Match Style command in the Edit menu.

Why doesn't the shortcut work in some apps?

Some apps use a different shortcut or already paste plain text. Look under the Edit menu for Paste and Match Style, Paste as Plain Text, or Paste Without Formatting.

Can I make plain text the default when I paste?

macOS has no global setting for this. A clipboard manager can do it for the pastes you make through it. In Pocketry, turn off “Keep formatting when pasting” in Settings, set a rule for one app, or choose “Plain text (no formatting)” in Paste as… for a single entry.

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