Is it possible to create a shortcut for a command that's not in "all commands"?

[PointyHead]

Word 2013, Windows 10



I previously created a keyboard shortcut for "paste unformatted" that required a single step (Alt P in my case). The shortcut was lost when I updated Windows.

When I tried to recreate the shortcut, I found that "paste unformatted" isn't listed among the "all commands."

QUESTION: Is it possible to create a new command that doesn't appear on the "all commands" list?

I'm aware of the numerous other ways to paste unformatted. I don't want to use any of them. I want to restore my previous Alt P. Sadly, I can't remember how I created this before. By the way, Alt P still works fine in my Word 2003, but not in Word 2013.

Thanks for your help!

[Stefan Blom]

You can add a macro to the Normal template and assign a keyboard shortcut to the macro. For example:

Sub PasteContentInPlainTextFormat()
On Error Resume Next
Selection.PasteSpecial datatype:=wdPasteText
End Sub

[PointyHead]

Than you for your reply. I have no knowledge of macros. Perhaps you could post complete instructions?


By the way, the normal Control Shift V is also not working in Word 2013, but still works in Word 2003, so clearly the most recent Windows update broke something.

[Stefan Blom]

For more on installing macros, see Graham Mayor's article Installing Macros.

[Charles Kenyon]

Ctrl+Shift+V is the corresponding command to Ctrl+Shift+C which are for paste and copy formatting, respectively. It is not the change in Windows, but Word 2013 is not Word 2003 although it is very compatible. Few keyboard shortcuts have been changed.
Here is my article on finding them: Create a List of Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Word

[Stefan Blom]

To add to what Charles has said, some web browsers make use of Ctrl+Shift+V for pasting in plain text format. That shortcut has never been used with pasting in Word, as far as I can recall.

[AlanCantor]

There is a command in the "All" list called "EditPasteSpecial." That will get you close.


There's another command called "PasteTextOnly" but I was unable to get it to work.

You might want to check whether another hotkey is assigned that pastes special or pastes as text. Here's how:

1. Press Alt + F8 to open the "Macros" dialog.
2. Type "ListCommands" and press Enter.
3. You'll be prompted to what kind of list you want. Choose "All Word commands"

A list of commands will be generated. If hotkeys assigned to a command, the hotkeys appear next to the command names.

The list is very long, so rather than read it line by line, you'll probably want to search for terms like "paste" or "special".

[PointyHead]

Alan, "Edit paste special" requires 4 clicks. I sometimes do a couple hundred pastes per day in my work, so that's 800 clicks instead of 200. It really slows my work down. This is why I'm not interested in anything other than a one-click solution, which I had before the Windows update.

[PointyHead]

Originally Posted by AlanCantor

A list of commands will be generated. If hotkeys assigned to a command, the hotkeys appear next to the command names.
.

As I said earlier, PasteUnformatted is not on the all commands list.

[AlanCantor]

The reason "PasteUnformatted" does not appear on the list is because it's not a Word command. My guess is that you created a command with that name, but it's been lost. You would need to use VBA, Word's macro language, to recreate it.

But I think you may be able to create the same functionality by following these steps. To set this up, you'll need a keyboard that has a numeric keypad: the first step requires the use of the plus-sign on the keypad. During the process, you'll assign a hotkey to activate the command. Your chosen hotkey doesn't require the keypad.

Start by copying some formatted text to the clipboard.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Plus (on the numeric keypad).
2. The mouse pointer will change into a cloverleaf.
3. Click the Home ribbon.
4. Click the little downward facing arrow under the word "Paste"
5. Four paste options will appear. The one you want is probably the rightmost. Hover the mouse cursor over each option. Click the one that says "Keep Text Only."
6. A dialog box will appear that will allow you to assign the command to a hotkey. Assign the hotkey, and close the dialog box. You're done. Test your hotkey.

If the above doesn't work, and you're not up to recreating the macro, this sequence of four key presses should achieve the same thing, with zero mouse clicks. Press the first key and release it. Press the second key and release it, etc.

Start by copying some formatted text to the clipboard. Then press the four key sequence. No need hold down two keys simultaneously. In fact, the key sequence will fail if you do so! Press the keys one after another, and hopefully you'll be fine.

Alt
H
V
T

or

F10
H
V
T

[PointyHead]

Alan, unfortunately I don't have a number keypad. Alt HVT works pretty well---thank you very much for that suggestion. I would be delighted if I could reduce that command to two keystrokes. Is that possible?

I'm confused about in what sense "PasteUnformatted" is not a Word command. It's one of three options under Home---Paste---Paste Special. How is it different from, say, control B for bold?

I think I may have solved my problem by trial and error in my Word settings under File---Options---Advanced---Cut, copy, and paste. For "Pasting from other programs" I changed it to "Keep text only." That seems to have worked pretty well. I assume this means "Keep text only, not the formatting." If this solution sticks, it means I only need to use control V to paste. I should have clarified at the beginning that the majority of my pastes are from websites to Word. documents.

I'm still grouchy about the problems that always accompany Windows updates. They always make me lose several hours of paid work time. In this case, I postponed the update because I was in the middle of a large project with a deadline. Due to very low winter humidity in my house, I accidentally crashed my laptop with a static electric shock from my hand. When this happens, Windows will automatically update regardless of your previous scheduling of the update. (Sorry, off topic.) Yes, I've now taken steps against static electricity. Live and learn!

[AlanCantor]

I just tried assigning the "PasteTextOnly" command to a shortcut key. It worked.

PasteTextOnly appears in the "All Commands" category of the "Customize Keyboard" window.

[PointyHead]

Fabulous. You're a genius, Alan. This is exactly the simple solution I was looking for. You just made my job a lot easier. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

The key was that "PasteUnformatted" is the same as "PasteTextOnly."

[Charles Kenyon]

Microsoft likes to use different names for the same thing in different places.
A good example is in the Modify the Ribbon and Modify the QAT dialogs.

perplex2.png

[Stefan Blom]

Good catch!

I hadn't noticed the PasteTextOnly command before, but I am assuming that it has been around for years.