Formatting Issues

How to Remove Formatting and Hyperlinks from a Word Table of Contents on Mac

Tauseeq Magsi Sep 25, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to convert a copied Word Table of Contents into plain text by stripping away hyperlinks and dynamic field formatting on a Mac.

How to Remove Formatting and Hyperlinks from a Word Table of Contents on Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Copying a Table of Contents to another document or section and wanting it to act as standard text to apply custom styles.
Observed behavior: The copied Table of Contents retains its dynamic field links and original formatting, which prevents applying new, uniform custom formatting.

Before you start

Ensure you have copied the Table of Contents you wish to modify. It is highly recommended to paste this into a new, blank document first to avoid accidentally altering your original document's formatting or structure.

Solution 1Recommended

Paste the Table of Contents as Unformatted Text

This is the most straightforward method to strip all hyperlinks and formatting instantly without using keyboard shortcuts.

By pasting the text without formatting, you instruct the word processor to drop all dynamic fields, hyperlinks, and styles, leaving you with plain, editable text.

Copy the Table of Contents

Highlight the entire Table of Contents in your original document and press Command+C to copy it.

Use Paste Special

Open your new or destination document, go to the top menu, and click on 'Edit' followed by 'Paste Special'.

Select Unformatted Text

In the dialog box that appears, select 'Unformatted Text' and click 'OK'. The Table of Contents will appear as regular text.

Paste the Table of Contents as Unformatted Text

Solution 2

Unlink Fields Using Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Converts dynamic Table of Contents fields into standard text using specific Word for Mac shortcuts after pasting.

Effortless Document Formatting

Easily Manage Table of Contents with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a highly intuitive interface for handling complex document elements like Tables of Contents. You can easily paste content as plain text or manage field links without having to memorize complicated shortcuts.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing document in the Writer application.
2. Copy Your Table of Contents: Highlight the existing Table of Contents you wish to convert and copy it to your clipboard.
3. Paste as Unformatted Text: Right-click the destination area, select 'Paste Special' or click 'Keep Text Only' to instantly remove all links and field codes.

Paste unformatted text instantly with simple right-click optionsFully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx)Intuitive formatting tools to quickly apply custom stylesLightweight, fast, and free to download

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Table of Contents have a grey background when I click it?

The grey background indicates that the text is a dynamic field rather than standard typed text. Unlinking the fields using shortcuts or pasting it as unformatted text will convert it to normal text and remove the grey shading.

Can I apply my own styles to the Table of Contents after unlinking it?

Yes. Once you have unlinked the fields or pasted the content as unformatted text, it behaves exactly like regular document content. You can apply any font, size, line spacing, or custom style you desire.

Will unlinking a Table of Contents affect the original document?

No. If you copied the Table of Contents and pasted it into a new location or a completely new document, unlinking the fields will only affect the pasted copy. Your original document remains dynamic and intact.

Document & File Issues