Transform Default Paste Setting in Microsoft Word from Keep Source to Merge Formatting

Users of Microsoft Word are probably aware that when pasting text from elsewhere into a document, there are usually 3-4 options available. The default option in Word that has been used for a long time is “Keep Source Formatting,” which preserves the formatting of the text from the original document or webpage.

Following the “Keep Source Formatting” approach may sometimes result in the copied text looking different from the formatting of the current document, leading to the need to spend time making adjustments. In the past, Word users (at least a certain group) have raised their voices to Microsoft to address this issue.

Recently, Microsoft announced a change in the default setting to “Merge Formatting” or to adapt some formatting elements (such as font, font size, text color) to match the current document while retaining some aspects of the original content’s format (such as bold text, underlined text, lists, tables), which should better suit users.

Word users can change the default setting themselves under Options > Advanced > Cut, copy, and paste. In addition to these two options, there is also the option to “Keep Text Only,” which copies only the text without including images, links, and tables.

These changes will affect Word for Windows Version 2405 (Build 17624.20000) and later.

Source: Microsoft

TLDR: Microsoft Word is changing the default paste option to “Merge Formatting,” allowing users to retain some original formatting elements while matching the current document’s formatting. This change will impact Word for Windows Version 2405 and above.