Microsoft introduces "Paste Plain Text" shortcut in OneNote, a function essential for my regular usage in Word and my web browser
Microsoft OneNote has made note-taking more efficient with the introduction of a keyboard shortcut for pasting text only, a feature that strips away any original formatting from copied text. This addition addresses a long-standing request from users, making note-taking more streamlined and visually consistent across various content sources.
To use the new shortcut, simply press on Windows or on Mac. This will paste the copied text as plain, unformatted text, ensuring it adopts the formatting of the destination note rather than retaining fonts, colors, or styles from the source.
This feature began rolling out in mid-2025 and is available starting from OneNote for Windows version 2508 (Build 19101.10000 or later) and Mac Build 16.100 (25080335) or later. It is also available in OneNote Online. Microsoft has announced this as a permanent addition, and it is now accessible to all users on these or later versions.
In addition to the new shortcut, users can still paste text only by right-clicking and selecting "Paste Options > Keep Text Only," or using the Paste menu in the Home tab. The feature works by stripping away any original formatting from copied text—whether from web pages, emails, or documents—and pasting only the raw text into the notebook, ensuring a consistent look and preventing mismatched fonts or background colors.
Another useful feature in OneNote is the ability to merge cells. This can be done by selecting two or more adjacent cells, right-clicking, and selecting "Merge Cells" or using the Table tab in OneNote's ribbon menu. However, merging cells is currently available only to Insiders, as Microsoft performs testing and receives feedback.
In summary, the new keyboard shortcut for pasting text only in OneNote simplifies the process of pasting text, ensuring a consistent look across notes. This addition, along with the existing options for pasting text only, makes OneNote a powerful tool for note-taking and organization.
[1] Microsoft (2025). "OneNote: Paste text only feature now available." [Online]. Available: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/08/01/onenote-paste-text-only-feature-now-available/
[3] Huculak, M. (2015). "How to paste text without formatting in OneNote." [Online]. Available: https://www.onenote.com/guides/how-to-paste-text-without-formatting-in-onenote
[5] Microsoft (2025). "OneNote for Windows 10: Paste text only feature." [Online]. Available: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/paste-text-only-feature-in-onenote-for-windows-10
- Microsoft's latest update for OneNote, released in 2025, introduces a keyboard shortcut to paste text only, making it simpler to maintain formatting consistency across notes on both Windows and Mac PCs.
- The new pasting feature is accessible starting from OneNote for Windows version 2508, Mac Build 16.100, or later, and also in OneNote Online. This update, announced as a permanent addition, simplifies the note-taking process by stripping away formatting from copied text.
- Microsoft's Xbox gaming console, while popular for gaming, doesn't share the software updates and features found in OneNote, such as the new pasting shortcut and the merging cells capability.
- In contrast to the streamlined pasting process of the new OneNote feature, the tech giant still offers other ways to paste text only, such as right-clicking and selecting "Paste Options > Keep Text Only," or using the Paste menu in the Home tab, albeit these methods retain a bit more complexity compared to the new shortcut.
