Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V Formatting Shortcuts Not Working in Word

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore the ability to copy and paste text formatting using the Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word.

How to Fix Format Painter Shortcuts (Ctrl+Shift+C and V) in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Trying to copy specific text formatting (like font, size, or color) from one selection and apply it to another using standard keyboard shortcuts.
Observed behavior: The standard copy and paste formatting shortcuts do not work, even though standard text copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) are functioning normally.

Before you start

Ensure you are using the desktop version of Microsoft Word, as keyboard shortcut customization is not available in the web-based version of Office.

Solution 1Recommended

Reassign Format Copy and Paste Shortcuts in Word Options

Manually rebinding the CopyFormat and PasteFormat commands in Word's settings resolves shortcut conflicts introduced in recent Office updates.

Microsoft recently updated default shortcut behaviors in Word, which caused Ctrl+Shift+V to default to 'Paste as Plain Text' for some users. To restore the original format copying functionality, you must manually reassign these shortcuts in the Customize Keyboard dialog.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word and click on 'File' in the top-left corner. Select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu to open the Word Options window.

Access Customize Ribbon Settings

In the left pane of the Word Options window, click on 'Customize Ribbon'. Next to the 'Keyboard shortcuts:' label at the bottom of the window, click the 'Customize...' button.

Assign CopyFormat Shortcut

In the 'Categories' list, scroll down and select 'All Commands'. In the 'Commands' list, scroll down and select 'CopyFormat'. Click inside the 'Press new shortcut key' box, press Ctrl+Shift+C on your keyboard, and click 'Assign'.

Assign PasteFormat Shortcut

Still in the 'All Commands' category, locate and select 'PasteFormat' in the Commands list. Click inside the 'Press new shortcut key' box, press Ctrl+Shift+V, click 'Assign', and then click 'Close' to save your changes.

Reassign Format Copy and Paste Shortcuts in Word Options

Verify Shortcut Assignments: After clicking Assign, check the 'Current keys' box to ensure the shortcut is successfully linked to the command before closing the dialog.

Copy and Paste Formatting Effortlessly in WPS Writer

If Microsoft Word's changing shortcut defaults are disrupting your workflow, try WPS Office. WPS Writer natively supports the classic Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V shortcuts for copying and pasting text formatting, requiring absolutely no manual configuration.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing document in WPS Writer.
2. Copy Formatting: Highlight the text that contains the formatting you want to duplicate, and press Ctrl+Shift+C.
3. Paste Formatting: Select the target text where you want to apply the styles, and press Ctrl+Shift+V to instantly paste the formatting.

Natively supports standard formatting shortcuts out of the boxFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsFree, lightweight, and features a familiar user interface

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V stop working in Word?

Microsoft recently rolled out an update that changed the default behavior of Ctrl+Shift+V to 'Paste as Plain Text'. This update effectively unmapped the traditional 'Paste Format' command, requiring users to manually reassign the shortcut in the application settings.

Can I use the Format Painter button instead of keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. You can highlight your formatted text, click the 'Format Painter' (paintbrush icon) located on the Home tab, and then click or drag over the target text to apply the formatting without using keyboard shortcuts.

Are these format shortcuts the same on Microsoft Word for Mac?

On a Mac, the equivalent standard shortcuts are Command+Shift+C to copy formatting and Command+Shift+V to paste formatting. If they are not working, you can customize them via Tools > Customize Keyboard.

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