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.
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:
Figure 1. The advanced options in the Word Options dialog box.
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.
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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.
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
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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: 
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