Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Turning Off Paste Options.

Turning Off Paste Options

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated November 19, 2019)

Word includes a feature that really annoys some people: Paste Options. When you paste some tidbit of information in your document, Word displays a small, floating "button" right near the end of the pasted information. The button looks like the Paste tool on the toolbar: a small clipboard with a piece of paper over it. This is the Paste Options button. If you move your mouse pointer over the button, you find that it is really a drop-down menu, and clicking on the menu gives you a few options that you can apply to what you just pasted.

If you find the Paste Options button distracting or if you never use it, you may want to turn it off. Follow these steps:

Display the Word Options dialog box. (In Word 2007 click the Office button and then click Word Options. In Word 2010 and later versions display the File tab of the ribbon and then click Options.)
Click Advanced at the left side of the dialog box.
Scroll through the available options until you get to the Cut, Copy, and Paste section. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The advanced options in the Word Options dialog box.

Clear the Show Paste Options Buttons check box.
Click OK.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6100) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Turning Off Paste Options.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

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What is seven less than 7?

2018-06-30 05:56:55

Amit Verma

Hi.

Actually I have the trouble otherwise. Everytime I start Word or Powerpoint, I find this paste option disabled and I've to enable it first.

2018-06-12 09:25:08

Emma

Hello,
I did un-check the Show Paste Options, and Use Smart Cut & Paste boxes, but that annoying little clipboard still shows up. I also looked on the MS Forum site for anyone else who is experiencing the same problem. Any other suggestions? Thanks

2018-05-03 06:09:24

Hi,

Thank you for helping.

Actually, I have problem with making this option enabled.
Everytime that I run world or powerpoint, this option became disable and I need to enable it again.

Please help me to fix this issue.

Thank you

2018-04-09 17:27:35

Carolyn M

Thank you so much for this!!! I couldn't figure out how to get rid of the stupid box blocking my text for the life of me! Now it's gone!

2016-07-10 17:26:39

josue contreras

Thanks! Exactly what I need it right now, thank you so much, so helpful!!!

2016-02-08 14:16:39

RogerTYokubaitis

Thank you! I am delighted to be done with this pest.

2016-02-06 19:44:33

Julian

Thank you SO MUCH for this tip.

I am SO GLAD to turn that thing off. It's caused me to cuss out the computer more than anything else.

This "feature" is infuriating. It's constantly in the way, and provides almost no value. I can't remember the last time I needed to use its options.

I'll often copy and paste something, and then use the arrows to move around to edit it ... except the damn pop-up eats my movement.
(I know I can just press escape each time I paste, but I only remember that -after- it's eaten my keystrokes.)

Thank you so much for showing me how to remove the thing.

2016-02-06 11:11:52

Dave Eckstrom

Obviously, this is one way to never have to bother with the option button, but I find it very easy to merely hit 'escape' button and it goes away. that way if I ever need it, it's there.

Thanks for all the good ideas I get from you.

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