Formatting issues in Microsoft Word—such as random colors, bold text, inconsistent fonts, spacing problems, or messy pasted content—are extremely common. Luckily, Word provides built-in tools to remove all formatting instantly.
Whether you’re using Word 2016, Word 365, Word on Mac, or working inside tables, this guide explains every method in a simple way.
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1. How to Remove All Formatting in Word (Windows)
Method 1 — Using the Clear All Formatting Button
- Select the text.
- Go to Home tab.
- Click Clear All Formatting (eraser icon → looks like “A” with an eraser).
This removes:
✔ Bold
✔ Italic
✔ Underline
✔ Colors
✔ Font size
✔ Highlight
✔ Styles
✔ Paragraph spacing
Everything resets to Normal style.
2. How to Remove All Formatting in Word Shortcut (Fastest Method)
You can remove all formatting instantly using a built-in keyboard shortcut.
Shortcut for Windows
Ctrl + Spacebar
(Removes font formatting)
Ctrl + Q
(Removes paragraph formatting — spacing, indentation, alignment)
To fully reset text:
Press both: Ctrl + Space + Ctrl + Q
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3. How to Remove All Formatting in Word on Mac
Mac versions of Word also support formatting reset.
Shortcut on Mac
- Command + Spacebar → Removes font formatting
- Command + Option + Q → Removes paragraph formatting
For total formatting removal, use both.
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4. How to Remove All Formatting in Word Table
Tables often behave differently because cell formatting overrides text formatting.
How to reset formatting inside a table
- Select the table or the specific cells.
- Press:
Ctrl + Space (Windows)
Command + Space (Mac) - For alignment and spacing, also press:
Ctrl + Q (Windows)
Command + Option + Q (Mac)
If table borders are affected, use:
Table Design → Borders → No Border (optional)
This solves: how to remove all formatting in word table.
5. How to Remove All Formatting in Word 2016 and Word 365
These versions include the same formatting reset tools.
Steps
- Select the text.
- Click Home → Clear All Formatting.
- Or use shortcuts (Windows or Mac).
Both Word 2016 and Word 365 behave the same for formatting removal.
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6. Additional Tips to Avoid Formatting Mess
✔ Use “Paste Without Formatting”
Use:
Ctrl + Shift + V (Windows)
Command + Shift + V (Mac)
This stops Word from adding unwanted styles when pasting text.
✔ Reset to Normal Style
Use:
Home → Styles → Normal
✔ Remove Extra Space Between Lines
Full guide:
https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-remove-reduce-space-between-lines-in-word-complete-guide
Related Internal Links
- Reduce spacing between lines in Word:
https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-remove-reduce-space-between-lines-in-word-complete-guide - Clear cache on Windows 11:
https://multicaretechnical.com/how-to-clear-computer-cache-in-windows-11-cmd-run-shortcut-chrome-ram-cache-discord
Conclusion
Removing all formatting in Microsoft Word is simple whether you’re using Windows, Mac, Word 2016, or Word 365. Using shortcuts like Ctrl + Space and Ctrl + Q allows you to clear text styles instantly. For tables, select the cells and apply the same commands. Always use Paste Without Formatting to avoid future formatting problems.
FAQ
1. Does removing formatting delete text?
No. It only removes styles—your text stays safe.
2. Why is formatting not removed from tables?
Because tables have cell-level formatting. Use Ctrl + Space + Ctrl + Q after selecting the cells.
3. Can I remove formatting from headings?
Yes. Select the heading → Click Clear All Formatting or use shortcuts.
4. What is the shortcut to remove all formatting in Word Windows?
Use Ctrl + Space (font formatting) + Ctrl + Q (paragraph formatting).
5. How do I stop Word from adding formatting when pasting?
Use Ctrl + Shift + V to paste plain text.