Office Settings & Configuration

How to Customize Copy and Paste Formatting Shortcuts in Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to customize the keyboard shortcuts for copying and pasting formatting in Microsoft Word after an update changed the default keys.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to copy and paste text formatting seamlessly across different Office applications like Word and PowerPoint.
Observed behavior: A Word update reassigned the formatting shortcuts to Ctrl+Alt+C and Ctrl+Alt+V, creating a frustrating inconsistency with PowerPoint's traditional shortcuts.

Before you start

Before modifying your keyboard settings, decide which shortcut keys you want to use (such as the classic Ctrl+Shift+C) and ensure they do not conflict with other commands you frequently use in Word.

Solution 1Recommended

Customize Keyboard Shortcuts via Word Options

Use Word's built-in customization settings to reassign the formatting commands back to your preferred keyboard shortcuts.

Microsoft recently changed default shortcuts in Word to accommodate new features, which disrupted the traditional formatting shortcuts. You can easily fix this discrepancy by manually reassigning the copy and paste formatting commands within Word Options.

Open Word Options

Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Word interface, then select 'Options' at the very bottom of the menu.

Access Ribbon Customization

In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Customize Ribbon' located in the left-hand navigation pane.

Open Shortcut Settings

At the bottom of the right panel, find the 'Keyboard shortcuts' section and click the 'Customize...' button next to it.

Reassign Copy Format

In the Categories list, scroll down and select 'All Commands'. In the Commands list, scroll to find and select 'CopyFormat'. Click inside the 'Press new shortcut key' box and press your preferred keys (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+C), then click 'Assign'.

Reassign Paste Format

Still in the Commands list, find 'PasteFormat'. Click the 'Press new shortcut key' box, press your preferred keys (e.g., Ctrl+Shift+V), click 'Assign', and then click 'Close' to save your changes.

Shortcut Consistency Restored: Your Word formatting shortcuts will now match PowerPoint, restoring a smooth and consistent workflow across your documents and presentations.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Consistent Shortcuts with WPS Office

If recent Microsoft Word updates have disrupted your workflow with unexpected shortcut changes, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a stable, user-friendly environment where classic shortcuts remain consistent, ensuring smooth formatting tasks without the hassle of manual reconfiguration.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the quick installation prompts.
2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .docx files directly without any conversion issues.
3. Format with Ease: Enjoy classic formatting shortcuts instantly, or use the convenient Format Painter tool found directly on the Home tab.

Retains classic and familiar keyboard shortcuts for actions like format painting.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Lightweight, fast-loading, and completely free to download and use.All-in-one suite that lets you manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in a single app.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my copy and paste formatting shortcuts change in Word?

Microsoft introduced new default shortcuts for features like zooming in recent updates. This caused the traditional formatting shortcuts (like Ctrl+Shift+C) to be reassigned to Ctrl+Alt+C and Ctrl+Alt+V without explicit notification to users.

Can I reset Word keyboard shortcuts to their default settings?

Yes. Open 'Word Options', go to 'Customize Ribbon', and click 'Customize' next to Keyboard shortcuts. In the dialog box that appears, click the 'Reset All' button at the bottom to restore the default factory shortcut settings.

Do formatting shortcuts differ between Word and PowerPoint?

Yes, due to recent Microsoft updates, Word uses Ctrl+Alt+C for copying formatting by default, whereas PowerPoint often retains the older Ctrl+Shift+C shortcut. Customizing Word's shortcuts allows you to match them up again.

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