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How to Set Word Default Paste to Keep Text Only via Group Policy
Question details
An organization needs to configure Microsoft Word for multiple users so that pasting between documents defaults to Keep Text Only instead of Keep Source Formatting.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deploying default paste settings organization-wide to standardize document formatting.
- Observed behavior
- Administrators are looking for a Group Policy setting to enforce Keep Text Only paste behavior but are unable to find a native GPO for this specific option.
Since Microsoft does not provide a native Group Policy Object (GPO) for default paste settings, you will need basic knowledge of VBA macros and deployment to the Word Startup folder.
Deploy a VBA Template to Set Default Paste Options
Deploying a macro-enabled template (.dotm) is the most reliable alternative for organization-wide configuration when a native GPO is unavailable.
Microsoft Word does not have a specific Group Policy setting to change the default paste behavior globally. Instead, administrators can create a global template containing a VBA macro that automatically sets the paste option whenever a document is created or opened.
Open Microsoft Word and press Alt + F11 to launch the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) Editor.
Create a new module and define the AutoNew and AutoOpen procedures. Inside these procedures, add the code: Options.PasteFormatBetweenDocuments = wdKeepTextOnly
Save the file as a Word Macro-Enabled Template (.dotm). Name it something distinct, such as PasteSettings.dotm.
Use your organization's deployment tools or logon scripts to distribute this .dotm file to the %appdata%\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP folder on each user's computer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I use Group Policy to set Word's default paste option?
Microsoft has not exposed a specific Group Policy Object (GPO) setting for the default paste behavior in Word. Therefore, administrators must rely on VBA startup templates or registry modifications to enforce this preference across an organization.
Can I modify the Normal.dotm file to deploy this setting?
While adding the VBA code to Normal.dotm works on a single computer, it is highly discouraged for enterprise deployment. Overwriting a user's Normal.dotm file will erase their existing custom macros, styles, and AutoText entries.
How do users manually change the default paste setting in Word?
Users can navigate to File > Options > Advanced. Under the 'Cut, copy, and paste' section, they can change the 'Pasting between documents' dropdown to 'Keep Text Only' and click OK.
Does 'Keep Text Only' remove hyperlinks when pasting?
Yes. When pasting text with the 'Keep Text Only' option enabled, all source formatting—including hyperlinks, bold text, images, and font colors—will be stripped, leaving only the plain, unformatted text.
