How to Fix Bullets Disappearing When Copying From Word to Outlook
Question details
The user needs to retain bullet points and list formatting when copying text from a Microsoft Word document and pasting it into an Outlook email.
- Product
- Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Copying bulleted lists from a text document and pasting them into an email draft.
- Observed behavior
- The bullet points disappear or lose their original formatting after being pasted into the Outlook email body.
Ensure your Outlook email draft is actively open and you have copied the exact text, including the bullet points, from your source Word document.
Change Email Format to HTML and Keep Source Formatting
Formatting loss often occurs when Outlook is set to Plain Text mode. Switching to HTML and using the correct paste option ensures bullets remain intact.
Plain Text format does not support rich text elements like bolding, italics, or bullet points. Converting the message format to HTML allows Outlook to render the copied lists correctly.
Open your Outlook email draft. Navigate to the 'Format Text' tab on the top ribbon menu and select 'HTML' instead of 'Plain Text'.
Right-click in the email body where you want to paste the text. Under the 'Paste Options' menu, click on the 'Keep Source Formatting' icon (usually depicted as a clipboard with a paintbrush).
Workaround for the New Outlook Version
The 'New Outlook' client handles formatting differently, which can sometimes result in lost bullets regardless of standard settings.
Use WPS Office for Seamless Document Formatting
Tired of formatting issues when transferring text between applications? WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Word. Experience rich text formatting that translates beautifully across different platforms and email clients.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your device.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document.
- 3. Copy and paste smoothly: Highlight your bulleted lists, copy them, and paste them into any email client with formatting perfectly preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Outlook strip my bullets when I paste?
Outlook strips bullets if the email composition format is currently set to 'Plain Text,' which does not support rich text features like bullet points, indentations, or bold text.
How do I make HTML the default format in Outlook?
Go to File > Options > Mail. Under the 'Compose messages' section, change the 'Compose messages in this format' dropdown menu to HTML, then click OK to save your settings.
What does 'Keep Source Formatting' mean?
This specific paste option forces the destination application (like Outlook) to retain the exact fonts, sizes, and structural formatting (such as bulleted lists) from the original source document.
Does copying from other text editors cause the same issue in Outlook?
Yes, if Outlook is set to Plain Text mode, it will aggressively strip all formatting from any application you are copying from, not just Microsoft Word.
