How to Clear Formatting in Word Using Clear All Formatting
Adding formatting to text in a Microsoft Word document, such as bold, italics, or underlining, can add emphasis and clarity to the file. However, such formatting could also cause trouble in certain circumstances, such as when copying and pasting between documents.
There are several ways to clear formatting in Word using its built-in tools or a plain text editor.
Use the Clear Formatting option in the Styles group to clear the formatting of a section of text or the entire Word document.
Select the text from which you want to remove formatting in Word. Use your mouse to highlight only part of the text or select all the text in the document by selecting anywhere inside the document and pressing Ctrl+A to highlight all the text. Select the drop-down arrow in the lower-right corner of the Styles box to expand the Styles menu. Select Clear Formatting. Any formatting applied to the selected text will be removed.
How to Clear Formatting in Word Using the Clear All Formatting Button
The same results can be achieved using a shortcut button on the ribbon. Clear formatting from any or all of the text in a document.
Select the text from which you want to remove formatting in Word. Use your mouse to highlight only part of the text or select all the text in the document by selecting anywhere inside the document and pressing Ctrl+A to highlight all the text. Select Clear All Formatting in the upper-right corner of the Font group on the Home tab of the ribbon. It resembles an upper-case letter A with a pink rubber eraser in front of it. Any formatting applied to the selected text will be removed.
How to Clear Formatting in Word Using Notepad
Strip text of any formatting using a plain text editor, such as Notepad. This is beneficial if you’ve copied and pasted text from the internet or want to paste text from Word into an online content management system.
Open the document with the text from which you want to clear formatting. Type “notepad” into the Windows Search box and press Enter. A new, blank Notepad file will open. Return to the Word document. Select the text from which you want to remove formatting in Word. Use your mouse to highlight only part of the text or select all the text in the document by selecting anywhere inside the document and pressing Ctrl+A to highlight all of it. Press Ctrl+C to copy the highlighted text. Alternatively, select Copy in the Clipboard group of the Home tab. Go back to the Notepad file. Select anywhere inside the window and press Ctrl+V to paste the text copied from Word. Alternatively, select Edit > Paste. Use the mouse to select the plain text in the Notepad file. Press Ctrl+C or select Edit > Copy to copy the text. Paste it back in Word or anywhere else you want to use it.
