Document Editing Problems

How to Fix Word Copying Text But Not Images When Pasting

Partner Editor Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to paste images alongside text when copying from a document into emails or other applications.

How to Fix Word Copying Text But Not Images When Pasting

Product: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: Windows 11, Windows 10
Scenario: Copying a combination of text and images from a Word document to paste into an email draft or another software application.
Observed behavior: Only the text pastes into the destination application. The images are left out, even though they can be successfully copied and pasted individually.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, ensure that your destination application (like your email client) supports rich text or HTML formatting, as plain text fields will automatically strip out images.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Paste Special or Paste Images Separately

This is the most reliable workaround when the destination application does not fully support Word's combined clipboard formatting.

Different applications handle clipboard data differently. When copying from Word, the combined text and image format may not be recognized by certain email clients or third-party web apps.

Copy the content normally

Highlight both the text and the image in your Word document and press Ctrl+C to copy them.

Use Paste Special in the destination

Go to your destination app, right-click, and look for a 'Paste Special' option. Choose 'HTML Format' or 'Rich Text' if available.

Paste text and images separately

If Paste Special does not work, paste only the text into your email. Then, return to Word, click specifically on the image to select it, press Ctrl+C, and paste it directly into the email where it belongs.

Use Paste Special or Paste Images Separately

Formatting Tip: Using HTML Format during Paste Special usually forces the destination app to render the inline images correctly.

Solution 2

Test Word in Safe Mode and Disable Add-ins

Running Word in Safe Mode helps determine if a third-party add-in is interfering with clipboard functions.

Solution 3

Run an Online Repair for Microsoft 365

Repairing the software can resolve core application compatibility and persistent clipboard glitches caused by Windows upgrades.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Editing

If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with clipboard formatting and add-in glitches, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and stable environment for all your document tasks, ensuring text and images copy seamlessly across apps.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package for your Windows system.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files without losing any formatting or layouts.
3. Copy and Paste: Select your text and images, copy them, and paste them seamlessly into your email client.

Flawlessly copy and paste text with images into emails and other applicationsFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFree, lightweight, and fast to launch on both Windows 10 and 11Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for Office users

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my copied image appear as a blank box when pasted?

This usually happens if the destination app is set to view plain text or if 'Picture Placeholders' is enabled in Word. Ensure your destination app is set to Rich Text or HTML mode, and check Word settings under File > Options > Advanced > Show document content to uncheck 'Show picture placeholders'.

Does the destination application affect how images and text paste?

Yes. When you copy from Word, the clipboard stores the data in multiple formats (like HTML, RTF, and plain text). The application you paste into decides which format to accept. If it doesn't support combined HTML/RTF, it may only extract the plain text.

How do I clear my Windows Clipboard to fix copy errors?

Press the Windows Key + V to open the Clipboard History panel. Click the three dots next to any clipped item and select 'Clear all' to empty the clipboard, which can sometimes resolve frozen or corrupted copy-paste processes.

Document & File Issues